Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 July 2005

80 articles found

Headings

Headings page 8 1. TAXI -- 3x12 City calls for govt's help to regulate taxis 2. HOSPITAL -- 2x32 Two city hospitals ready to handle potential bird flu cases 3. SEX -- 1x40 Child prostitution big problem in Jakarta 4. BOJONG -- 2x18 Thousands vow to stop Bojong dump tryout 5. SPEAK -- 1x40 'Tolerance among believers is better now'

Indonesia's security policy

Indonesia's security policy Agung Yudhawiranata, Jakarta Indonesia is still considering ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which was agreed upon by 120 countries in July 1998, including Indonesia. The adoption of the Rome Statute was a historic event and is commemorated through the International Day of Justice.

Children taught to save energy

Children taught to save energy JAKARTA: To mark National Children's Day, state electricity company PLN launched on Sunday an energy saving module for school children. Under the module, PLN will screen two animated films on energy conservation for the students. PLN president director Eddie Widiono said the module was aimed at elementary students from third year to sixth year. For the trial, it will be introduced to students in Greater Jakarta.

Councill probes Mangga Dua Square

Councill probes Mangga Dua Square The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The City Council said over the weekend that in the construction of Mangga Dua Square (MDS) wholesale center in Pademangan district, North Jakarta a bylaw on public order had been violated.

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.

Aceh sharia police target unmarried couples

Aceh sharia police target unmarried couples Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Sharia police said on Sunday they had rounded up at least 36 unmarried women and men for dating in secluded, poorly-lit areas in Bireuen regency, Aceh province, where 15 men convicted of gambling were publicly caned last month. The couples were accused of violating Article 11 and 14 of the local government regulation on sharia that has been implemented in Aceh since 2003.

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.

Kalla receives Acehnese leaders

Kalla receives Acehnese leaders JAKARTA: Vice President Jusuf Kalla received on Saturday around 20 Acehnese leaders for talks on the peace process in the province. Among the figures that attended the meeting Kalla hosted were House of Representatives legislator Ahmad Farhan Hamid, People's Consultative Assembly legislator Gazali Abas Adnan and former Indonesian Military Police chief Maj. Gen. (ret) Sulaiman AB. The substance of the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, remains unknown.

SeaDrill to buy 37 percent stake in Apexindo

SeaDrill to buy 37 percent stake in Apexindo Petter Narvestad, Associated Press, Oslo SeaDrill Ltd., an oil-rig owner controlled by Norwegian billionaire John Fredriksen, agreed to buy as much as 37 percent of Indonesian oil driller Apexindo Pratama Duta PT for a maximum of US$65 million to expand further in Asia. SeaDrill will buy between 32 percent and 37 percent of Jakarta- based Apexindo, according to a statement on Hugin Online today.

Bandung scholar defends freedom of religion

Bandung scholar defends freedom of religion Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Two years ago, before the recent attack on the Muslim Ahmadiyah group, 230 members of the "Prophet Hut" Christian sect were forcibly removed by police from a church in Bale Endah, Bandung. After dispersing the group, police arrested and sent to trial the sect's leader, Mangapin Sibuea, who was later sentenced to two years' jail after being found guilty of denigrating Christianity.

Pertamina to construct Tuban refinery with China's Sinopec

Pertamina to construct Tuban refinery with China's Sinopec The Jakarta Post Jakarta State oil and gas company PT Pertamina will work with the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. to build the country's tenth refinery in Tuban, East Java, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro says.

'Tolerance among believers is better now'

'Tolerance among believers is better now' The government has banned the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) from conducting any activities, although debate is continuing over whether the group's teachings run counter to Islam. The policy has raised the issue on freedom of religion. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts about the issue. Fetty Fajriati, 35, is a public relations manager at the Habibie Center.

Int'l healthcare centers offer quality services

Int'l healthcare centers offer quality services T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta The spacious, air-conditioned room has wall-to-wall carpeting and is equipped with three 25-inch TVs, three telephones, two marble bathrooms, two refrigerators, two beds, sofas, a dining table with four chairs, a dressing table, two wardrobes, cabinets and some other furniture. You might wonder whether it is a suite in a five-star hotel.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, July 25, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, July 25, 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.

HP Aspac to play Satria in IBL finals

HP Aspac to play Satria in IBL finals Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta HP Aspac of Jakarta will meet defending champion Satria Muda of Jakarta in the finals of the Indonesian Basketball League after defeating Bhinneka Sritex of Solo in their second semifinal game 72-68 here on Sunday. Last year's runner-up Aspac sealed a 2-0 win overall following their convincing 91-38 on Friday.

Govt will set up national energy management agency

Govt will set up national energy management agency In light of the current fuel problems, primarily due to soaring globla oil prices and higher-than-expected fuel consumption, there has been talk about the need for the country to boost the use of alternative energy. Failing to ride this momentum to seek and intensify attempts to reduce the country's dependence on oil puts the whole economy at stake.

* Aceh sharia police target unmarried couples Page 2

* Aceh sharia police target unmarried couples Page 2 * Sumatra train crash kills 9, injures 23 Page 4 * Scholar defends freedom of religion Page 5 * Pay rise for legislators? Page 6 * Residents unaware of traffic compliance campaign Page 9 * Myanmar hinted it will forego ASEAN chairmanship Page 10 * 60 brands win Indonesians' hearts Page 13 * KL boasts new space for arts in the region Page 20 * Creamer youngest winner in LET history Page 22

India buoyant despite lower economic growth rate

India buoyant despite lower economic growth rate Asian Economic Monitor, The Statesman, Asia News Network, New Delhi, India During the mid-term appraisal of India's 10th Five-Year Plan in June, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh indicated a growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent over the next two years. He admitted that the performance so far was well below the target of 8.1 percent, mainly on account of a low agriculture growth of around 1.5 percent.

Student faces uncertain future after failing exam

Student faces uncertain future after failing exam Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura The smiling face of 18-year-old Natalia Walela changes when asked about her senior high school final exams. Natalia is one of tens of thousands of students nationwide who did not pass in the new examinations system, which requires students to reach a minimum 4.26 grade out of a possible 10 in each of five subjects to graduate.

Stiff competition in every class

Stiff competition in every class Burhanuddin Abe Contributor/Jakarta Competition between car makers is accelerating as seen at the Gaikindo Auto Expo 2005, which was held in Senayan, Jakarta from July 8 to July 17. Automobiles in various categories, including sedans, compact sedans, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) and MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) were on display at the expo. At least 140 companies took part in the expo, with 28 of them being trademark holder sole agents (ATPMs).

;JP;CD;

;JP;CD; For Focus Issue --- International Healthcare Centers Singapore aims to be medical health care destination Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta When Emanuel from Manado, North Sulawesi, was diagnosed with glaucoma he could not find a hospital in Indonesia able to treat him, so he ended up traveling to Singapore for care. Emanuel, 40, an entrepreneur, was satisfied with his treatment in Singapore, where it took just one hour to treat his eye problem.

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.

Concerns over Thai emergency law

Concerns over Thai emergency law In answer to coordinated, deadly attacks by insurgents in the Yala Province capital last week, the government has given itself emergency powers never seen previously in Thai law. The executive decree has supplanted the dangerous, murderous assault on Yala as the center of attention. These new emergency powers appear to be he wrong response, at the wrong time. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has defended the decree by saying critics are ill- informed.

No quality guarantee

No quality guarantee From Gatra The direct elections of regional chiefs now taking place in several regions was inspired by the 2004 general election, which was considered successful despite the various irregularities reported. In reality, some candidates for regional heads have been involved in vote buying to gain their seats. So, only those who can afford to finance campaigns, or are close to fund holders, have a good chance of winning.

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.

No money for major cull: Govt

No money for major cull: Govt Abdul Khalik and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Only 31 pigs and 40 ducks infected with bird flu were slaughtered on Sunday as the government reacted cautiously to the threat of the flu spreading among humans. The government had promised to conduct a mass cull of poultry and pigs within a radius of three kilometers from a place where an outbreak has occurred, in line with World Health Organization recommendations.

Myanmar suggests it will forego ASEAN chairmanship

Myanmar suggests it will forego ASEAN chairmanship Jasbant Singh, Associated Press/Vientiane Military-ruled Myanmar hinted on Sunday it would forgo a regional chairmanship to spare neighbors from rebukes by the West over the junta's poor democracy record, as Asia-Pacific nations opened their top annual security conference.

Myanmar, a long-standing thorn in ASEAN's flesh

Myanmar, a long-standing thorn in ASEAN's flesh J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Jakarta From the outset, even before its entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myanmar has continued to be an issue of debate in various ASEAN fora, at the formal as well as informal (track-two) level. However, ASEAN heads of states and governments had made the commitment to admit Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia jointly into the association.

JP/5/DEBATE

JP/5/DEBATE Yogyakarta dominates 'pesantren' debate contest Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bogor Yogyakarta participants dominated a debate competition held on Friday at the Jaya Raya resort outside Bogor, placing six groups in the final eight. Yogyakarta certainly lived up to its reputation as the city of education. Three of the six groups from Yogyakarta came from Muhammadiyah I high school, two from the Indonesian Islamic University and another from Achmad Dahlan University.

ILO launches special program

ILO launches special program JAKARTA: The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the provincial administration of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam have developed a program to help Acehnese students who failed the national exam prepare for the makeup test. The ILO said in a press release here over the weekend that the program would prioritize schools with high failure rates in Banda Aceh and the regencies of Aceh Besar and Aceh Jaya, the three regions worst hit by the Dec. 26 tsunami.

127 treated for food poisoning

127 treated for food poisoning At least 127 children who survived the Dec. 26 tsunami had to receive medical treatment in Aceh province for alleged food poisoning on Sunday. The victims were among some 1,500 children attending an arts and creativity contest held to celebrate National Children's Day in Darussalam district, Banda Aceh. The children were from refugee camps across Aceh.

Residents unaware of traffic compliance campaign

Residents unaware of traffic compliance campaign Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amir, 35, an employee at a hotel in Central Jakarta, was shocked when a police officer approached and warned him to wait for a bus at the shelter five meters from where he was standing. "The officer told me I will have to pay a Rp 50,000 fine the next time I do not wait at the shelter. I did not know there was such a regulation. I guess I have to be careful now," Amir told The Jakarta Post.

ThinkPad Tablet PC still offers the same IBM quality

ThinkPad Tablet PC still offers the same IBM quality Zatni Arbi, Contributor, zatni@cbn.net.id As I wrote last week, I guess I was not totally wrong in saying that IBM was among the very few major laptop PC makers that never had a Tablet PC. The X41T that I test drove last week had not come out entirely from IBM's mill. It was the first offspring from the marriage between IBM's PC unit and China's Lenovo.

City calls for govt's help to regulate taxis

City calls for govt's help to regulate taxis Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unable to resolve an intercity taxi business dispute, the city administration is turning to central government to help find a win-win solution to the problem. "We are considering asking for help from the Ministry of Transportation as we (Jakarta and administrations in Greater Jakarta) have failed to reach a consensus," City Transportation Agency head Rustam Effendy Sidabutar told The Jakarta Post Saturday.

Moving toward era of green cars

Moving toward era of green cars M. Ihsan Darius Contributor/ Jakarta As market demands continue to change, players in the automotive industry must adapt to the changing situation. Vehicle designers continue to innovate. New technologies continue to be developed. Today, an awareness of the significance of protecting the environment has permeated the world. As they do not want to be responsible for environmental pollution, car manufacturers are seizing the opportunity to apply green technologies.

ONGC tying up with Mittal for oil fields

ONGC tying up with Mittal for oil fields Agence France-Presse, New Delhi Leading Indian oil producer ONGC is planning to team up with LN Mittal group, the world's biggest steel producer, to acquire oilfields, build refineries and lay pipelines abroad, officials said on Saturday. The move comes as energy-hungry India, Asia's fourth-largest economy, aggressively seeks stakes in foreign oil and gas projects and is moving to strengthen ties with large energy producers.

No pork served, we're Muslims

No pork served, we're Muslims Even though Bali is one great place to spend a vacation, we found it was not an easy task to indulge ourselves in pork, let alone the famous lawar, one of the Balinese delicacies. Feeling famished after touring the beautiful Bedugul, we, my three nephews and I, went straight to Mentari restaurant for a buffet lunch.

Papua overal champs at nat'l athletics meet

Papua overal champs at nat'l athletics meet Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Papua emerged as the overall champions with eight gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the three-day national athletics championship that ended here on Saturday. The medal collection surpassed overnight leaders East Java, which ended in second with seven gold, two silver and seven bronze medals.

JP/5/CHENG

JP/5/CHENG Zheng He was greater than Christopher Columbus: Semarang MSG factory owner Suherdjoko The Jakarta Post/Semarang Why is the 600th anniversary of Admiral Zheng He's 28-year exploration (1405 to 1433) commemorated in a large-scale way in Semarang from August 1 to August 7? Zheng He only spent one month in Simongan, Semarang. He built a mosque which later was turned into a temple, and left behind a well that is still used.

Pertamina to build Tuban refinery with Sinopec

Pertamina to build Tuban refinery with Sinopec The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas company PT Pertamina will work with the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. to build the country's tenth refinery in Tuban, East Java, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro says. Pertamina and Sinopec, as the Chinese company is known, will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to China later this week, Purnomo said on Sunday.

Canal project produces instant millionaires

Canal project produces instant millionaires Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chairun Nikmah, a resident of Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, was more than happy with the cheque for Rp 2.476 billion he received last Friday from the city administration. Chairan's 2,159 square meter plot of land was acquired by the administration for the East Flood Canal project.

Child labor continues in N. Sumatra, says NGO

Child labor continues in N. Sumatra, says NGO Apriadi Gunawan and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan Despite the campaign against child labor and the observance of National Children's Day on July 23, a non-governmental organization in Medan recently reported that 11 children were employed at eight jermal (fish traps) in Beting Bawal, Asahan regency, North Sumatra.

Prosecutors condemn high court

Prosecutors condemn high court Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The release of former Banten provincial council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi and two deputy speakers, Mufrodi Muchsin and Muslim Djamaluddin, from prison by the Banten High Court has irked prosecutors, who are now considering an appeal.

Frequency allocations only need software, adjustment

Frequency allocations only need software, adjustment Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The planned relocation of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators currently operating on third generation (3G)-assigned frequencies should not involve a massive change in infrastructure, a Telkom executive and a telecommunications observer say.

60 brands win Indonesians' hearts

60 brands win Indonesians' hearts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Michael Jefry Christianto, a managing director of a marketing communications company, always drives his BMW 318i to work or to hang out with friends. "I always wanted to drive a BMW since I was little. It is a classy and comfortable car. It suits young people like me and boosts my confidence when I am behind the wheel," he told The Jakarta Post on Saturday, while composing a short message text on his Nokia 9210i cell phone.

WHO warns signs point to global influenza outbreak

WHO warns signs point to global influenza outbreak Agencies, Geneva Indonesia's first human bird flu case, coupled with more birds dying elsewhere including Russia, are signs a long-dreaded global influenza pandemic may be approaching, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. Health officials fear the virus will mutate and mix with human influenza, creating a deadly pandemic strain that becomes easily transmissible and could kill millions of people.

Hundreds of bank deals suspicious

Hundreds of bank deals suspicious BOGOR, West Java: The Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) has reported 289 bank transactions deemed suspicious to law enforcers. Of the cases, 20 have been heard in courts and sentences handed down on defendants. PPATK chief Yunus Husein said the center identified transactions that were connected with crimes; mostly deceit and corruption.

PT Jamsostek starts helping informal workers

PT Jamsostek starts helping informal workers Ridwan Max Sidjabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek has accepted for the first time the full participation of 1,200 workers whose income is not fixed in social security programs. The workers consisting of 100 ojek drivers, 600 stevedores and 500 taxi drivers on Batam island, registered themselves voluntarily with Jamsostek under the coordination of a cooperative.

Regent hopeful detained for forgery

Regent hopeful detained for forgery Ambon, Maluku: A regent hopeful in West Seram regency was detained by the police on Friday for allegedly forging his diploma. A preliminary investigation found that Soebeno included an allegedly forged vocational high school diploma when registering as a regent candidate. "Police have checked the 75 vocational high schools in Purwokerto, Central Java, but the schools all said they never had a student named Soebeno," said Comr.

JP/5/CHILD

JP/5/CHILD Children with two impairments taught to fend for themselves Slamet Susanto The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta For many people, National Children's Day on July 3 is a time to remember children for whom life has not been easy. Seven-year-old Faisal Junior is a boy who has never experienced the freedom of childhood. It was discovered he was autistic as an infant after his self-absorption and inability to interact set him apart from other children.

Papuan council to begin work soon

Papuan council to begin work soon The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Papuan People's Council will begin work on Sept. 2, when the 42 people recently selected to the council are sworn in. The special committee selecting the council members announced on Friday the names of the 42 council members, who represent religious, tribal and women groups. The new members will take part in a week-long training course from Friday to next Thursday in the provincial capital Jayapura.

Hamzah rekindles the past

Hamzah rekindles the past Bambang Muryanto, Contributor, Yogyakarta Late one Saturday afternoon, a horse-drawn carriage gracefully emerged from a mansion somewhere in Kotabaru, Yogyakarta. Two "high-ranking court servants" in full Javanese costume sat in the front, driving the carriage. Another stood at the rear, holding a tall umbrella. The carriage proceeded slowly down the road in Kota Baru. All the way, onlookers attentively followed its progress.

'Indonesia set for a fall in free trade era'

'Indonesia set for a fall in free trade era' Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will not be able to take advantage of increasing world trade liberalization because many stakeholders here are not even aware it is going on, an official says. The chief of the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry's Center for Research, Information and Development, Harry Heriawan Saleh, said the government had moved too slowly to anticipate opening markets.

New rule to stymie English teaching

New rule to stymie English teaching Hinton John Lowe, Bandung The government's announcement of a new regulation that all foreigners must pass a test of their competence in Bahasa Indonesia before being granted a work permit, is arousing controversy. A consequence of this will be that many teachers of English will be excluded. They will not come here. They will go instead to other countries where they are welcome and don't need to pass such a test.

Bank fraud blamed on insiders

Bank fraud blamed on insiders Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Bogor, West Java Most bank fraud cases here occur with the help of employees who have access to the accounts and are capable of persuading decision-makers to dole out funds illegally. Sigit Pramono, president director of state Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) said that if someone intended to embezzle money from a bank, especially a large one, they would try to build a relationship with one of the insiders.

Hospitals gear up to promote customer satisfaction

Hospitals gear up to promote customer satisfaction Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta Patients want to be satisfied with the quality of care they receive from a hospital. Their interactions with staff members at the hospital will determine whether they will choose the same hospital again or recommend it to others. Therefore, hospitals do their best to tailor their services to the needs of patients as customers. Dr.

Satria makes it to IBL final

Satria makes it to IBL final Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Satria Muda Britama defeated Panasia Garuda 64-60 in overtime in the second game of their Indonesian Basketball League semifinals here on Saturday. The win gave Satria a 2-0 series victory and a ticket to next month's final against either HP Aspac or Bhinneka Sritex, who will play their second game on Sunday. Aspac took a 1-0 series lead after defeating Bhinneka 91-38 on Friday.

City electric bill cut by Rp 1.3b

City electric bill cut by Rp 1.3b JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration will save Rp 1.3 billion, or 14 percent, from its monthly electricity bills, as a result of the current energy conservation drive. "This figure is just an estimate ... based only on the number of street lights being turned off at nights," head of the City Illumination Agency, Pinondang Simanjuntak, said on Sunday. The administration paid a Rp 111.4 billion electric bill to the state power company PT PLN last year, he said.

Hundreds of bank

Hundreds of bank deals suspicious BOGOR, West Java: The Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) has reported 289 bank transactions deemed suspicious to law enforcers. Of the cases, 20 have been heard in courts and sentences handed down on defendants. PPATK chief Yunus Husein said the center identified transactions that were connected with crimes; mostly deceit and corruption.

Finished products instead of rattan

Finished products instead of rattan From Republika According to the Asia-Pacific Industrial Property Center (APIC), Indonesia supplies 85 percent of the rattan for the global furniture industry. In my view, Indonesia should export finished furniture rather than rattan. Though the APIC data shows that Indonesia is the largest rattan exporter, that record should be broken in the coming years because the government has again allowed the export of rattan.

Two city hospitals ready to handle potential bird flu cases

Two city hospitals ready to handle potential bird flu cases The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Persahabatan Hospital and Sulianti Saroso Hospital have prepared medical teams and special rooms to treat possible bird flu cases. The government has officially appointed the institutions as referral hospitals in response to the recent deaths of three Tangerang residents from the disease.

Sumatra train crash kills 9, injures 23

Sumatra train crash kills 9, injures 23 Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan In another train tragedy this year, at least nine people were killed and 23 others injured when a train slammed into a bus on a railroad crossing in Asahan regency, North Sumatra, early on Sunday.

Child prostitutes big problem in Jakarta

Child prostitutes big problem in Jakarta The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While other teenagers of her age are either strolling around the city's malls or sitting quietly at home, 15-year-old Kartika (not her real name) spends her nights with guests at a cafe in the capital. Kartika, a newcomer to the commercial sex industry, who comes from Karawang, West Java, more often than not ends up in hotel rooms with clients.

Thousands vow to stop of Bojong dump tryout

Thousands vow to stop of Bojong dump tryout Thousands of residents living in the vicinity of Bojong dump in Bogor and students from Bogor universities gathered on Sunday in a mass prayer to object to the trial operation of the dump slated for next Wednesday. "We will form human blockade to prevent the dump trucks from entering the location," a resident of Bojong village, Naih, said.

Bird flu scares Medan residents

Bird flu scares Medan residents MEDAN, North Sumatra: Many residents in Medan have stopped eating chicken following the recent announcement by the central government that three people in Tangerang died of bird flu. Many residents are now eating fish or beef instead of chicken. "I am afraid of being infected with the bird flu virus, so I am choosing to eat fish," said Magdalena Tarigan, 43, on Saturday, while shopping at the Simpang Limun market. The bird flu scare has affected chicken vendors.

Pay rise for legislators?

Pay rise for legislators? Benget Simbolon Tnb., Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) recently proposed a salary increase for its members of almost 300 percent from Rp 12 million to Rp 35.3 million. The proposal will be deliberated as part of the draft of next year's budget and its approval seems inevitable. In fact, a number of legislative bodies in regencys and cities across the country have made similar requests.

JP/5/SUICIDE

JP/5/SUICIDE Mother, child found in suspected murder-suicide Blontank Poer The Jakarta Post/Boyolali Anisa, 9, a third grader at the Sindon Madrasah Ibtida'iyah Islamic school screamed in panic, "Astiwi is hanged... Astiwi is hanged." Anisa seldom found the main door locked when she returned home from school at around 11 a.m. Her mother, Mujinem, 30, would often greet her affectionately at the front door. This time, however, there was no one to open the door and she peeked through the keyhole.

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.

KL boasts new space for arts in the region

KL boasts new space for arts in the region Helly Minarti, Contributor, Kuala Lumpur The 103-year-old brick wall of a train depot from the British colonial era has been married to a sleek, modern, four-story steel and glass structure in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to produce a place dubbed a hub for the performing arts community. It is an organic space for artists and arts practitioners to explore artistic possibilities, instead of a shiny theater to stage blockbuster shows.

JP/4/train

JP/4/train Nine die, 23 wounded as train smashes into bus Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/Medan In another train tragedy this year, at least nine people were killed and 23 others injured when a train slammed into a bus on a railroad crossing in Asahan regency, North Sumatra, early on Sunday.

Analysts say yuan change won't help rupiah much

Analysts say yuan change won't help rupiah much Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta China's revaluation of the yuan is a mere flash in the pan for the rupiah, analysts are saying, with the local currency unlikely to gain any further footing against the U.S. dollar.

One million candles light up Borobudur

One million candles light up Borobudur The ancient Borobudur temple was lit up by candles on Saturday as people of all faiths prayed for peace and an end to acts of terrorism. The mass prayer meeting, which was held to mark Asadha, a Buddhist festival, came as fears of further deadly bombings reverberated around the world. The latest bombings have been in Egypt and Britain.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Minangkabau airport opens for business PADANG, West Sumatra: Minangkabau International Airport kicked off operations on Friday, making it the first international airport operating in West Sumatra. With the opening of the new airport, Tabing Airport, the only civilian airport in West Sumatra, which was established in 1971, will close down.

Salary rise & House ethics

Salary rise & House ethics From Bisnis Indonesia The plan to increase the take-home pay of members of the House of Representatives (DPR) from Rp 28.37 million to Rp 51.87 million and House leaders from Rp 40.1 million to Rp 82.1 million indicates that the House is failing to abide by what is stipulated in its own Code of Ethics.

BSC vetoes Robinho's move to Real Madrid

BSC vetoes Robinho's move to Real Madrid Associated Press, Sao Paulo, Brazil The Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on Friday that it will not allow Robinho's transfer to Real Madrid unless the US$50 million (euro41.3 million) buyout clause stipulated in the player's contract with Santos is fully paid. The Brazilian confederation, or CBF, also alerted that FIFA may give Robinho a four-month suspension if he breaks his contract with Santos.

TV Program: Monday, July 25, 2005

TV Program: Monday, July 25, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon 8:00 Children Drama 8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 10:00 Talk Show 12:30 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.

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 42

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 42 Myanmar, a thorn in ASEAN's flesh 2. ACEH: 2 X 21 Aceh sharia police target unmarried couples 3. CUTLINE: 1 X 35 One million candles light up Borobudur temple 4. CHILDREN: 2 X 24 Children need more protection from the state 5. FOOTBALL: 1 X 36 Local U.S. graduates favor American football

IPB to hold science fair

IPB to hold science fair BOGOR: In a bid to familiarize high school students with science, the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) student body will hold a science fair in September. "We will hold a competition where the winners will be granted automatic enrollment into IPB and receive a trophy from the President," committee chairwoman Erna Infitarina said on Saturday.

Children need more protection from the state

Children need more protection from the state The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Freedom from any form of exploitation topped children's demands conveyed to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the National Children's Day celebration on Sunday. The children. summing up their three-day congress, also asked the government to set up a new ministry tasked with dealing with children's issues and to take serious measures to enforce Law No. 23/2002 on child protection.