Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 July 2005

92 articles found

Peace agreement in Aceh -- Third time lucky?

Peace agreement in Aceh -- Third time lucky? Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It is encouraging to note that the signing of a peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) planned for next month is gaining widespread support, particularly from quarters where it matters most.

'Local parties would not lead to independence'

'Local parties would not lead to independence' The government's decision to allow the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and other groups in Aceh to set up their own local political parties has been called quite controversial. The Jakarta Post's Sri Wahyuni talked to political expert Pratikno of Gadjah Mada University about the issue. The following are excerpts from the interview. Question: What is your comment regarding the demand (for political participation in Aceh)?

'SCTV' shakes up board of commissioners

'SCTV' shakes up board of commissioners The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following a change of ownership, PT Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) reshuffled on Tuesday its board of commissioners through an extraordinary shareholders meeting, appointing Lt. Gen. (ret.) R. Soeyono as the television station's new president commissioner.

Sussongko grilled in KPU graft probe

Sussongko grilled in KPU graft probe JAKARTA: Acting secretary general of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Sussongko Suhardjo was questioned for a second time by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday as a witness into alleged corruption in the provision of the 2004 general elections guidebook. Head of the general affairs division of the KPU, Bambang Budiharto, was the main suspect in the case.

Garuda builds new executive lounge

Garuda builds new executive lounge JAKARTA: National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia commenced on Tuesday the construction of an executive lounge at the Soekarno- Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. Situated on a 1,419 square meter area of land, the new facility will be opened in September, a media statement said on Tuesday. It will be the largest executive lounge in the country.

1. Riot (2x25)

1. Riot (2x25) 'Public figure' behind Kaur election riot OR Instigators of Kaur riots identified OR Police identify instigators of Kaur election riots 2. Aceh (3x15) Acehnese have high hopes, but remain wary 3. Court (2x18) USAID $20m donation deal for RI courts 4. Bomb (1x30) Terrorist gets 4 years sentence OR Abettor in embassy bombing gets 4 years pls change "lightening" to "mitigating" (in green), tks 4. Lead Women start campaign against leaded gasoline

Breeding crickets a good business

Breeding crickets a good business Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Crickets are usually considered ordinary insects without any economic value. They are usually found in the garden, or even inside the house. Village children sometimes play with male crickets by pitting them against one another.

Combating taxi crimes

Combating taxi crimes From Kompas There have been frequent reports on taxi passengers being robbed or even raped, but so far no concrete action has been taken by the authorities or the taxi companies to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. Apart from material losses, victims of these assaults are also psychologically and mentally harmed. Taxi companies should take great care in recruiting and managing their drivers so that no cabs will be used by unidentified personnel.

Jakarta wants old cars off street

Jakarta wants old cars off street Abdul Khalik and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta authorities are considering for the umpteenth time banning old cars on the capital's roads, blaming aged vehicles for traffic congestion and pollution. The idea was first mooted by the Ali Sadikin administration in the 1970s. The latest announcement of the plan was made by Jakarta Police on Tuesday, which in the near future could refuse to renew registration for old cars in Jakarta.

Headings

Headings page 8 1. TRAFFIC -- 4x12 Jakarta streets deathtraps for school children, young adults 2. BOJONG -- 1x28 Rachmat rejects Bojong tryout 3. NAVY -- 1x45 Navy cuts power, water to retired officers' houses 4. DRUGS -- 1x28 Drug war hones in on the healthy or Drug war hones in on youths 5. SPEAK -- 1x40 'Why teach freedom of religion in schools?'

Proton replaces outspoken executive chief

Proton replaces outspoken executive chief Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian national carmaker Proton on Tuesday replaced its chief executive, Mahaleel Ariff, ending weeks of speculation over his future after he criticized the government's policy on the auto sector. Proton said late on Monday that after nine years in the job, Mahaleel's contract would not be renewed and he would be stood down from on Tuesday.

Never mind the price, gold still dazzles Asia

Never mind the price, gold still dazzles Asia Lewa Pardomuan and Atul Prakash Reuters Singapore/Bombay Villagers in Indonesia may wear one or two gold teeth to boost social status. In India, parents will not marry off their daughters without giving them some gold jewellery for financial security. Ancient texts talk about Indian merchants venturing on dangerous voyages to distant lands in search of gold. In China, gold inlay was applied to bronze objects by at least 1200 B.C.

Acehnese have high hopes, but remain wary

Acehnese have high hopes, but remain wary The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Acehnese people are looking forward to the signing of the peace deal scheduled for Aug. 15 but fear a repetition of the short-lived calm and freedoms that followed earlier botched agreements. "We still haven't got over the collapse of the (Cessation of Hostilities Agreeement) CoHA," said Fakhrulsyah Mega of the Joint Commission for a New Aceh (KBAB) on Tuesday.

Ahmadiyah and the vulgarization of Islam

Ahmadiyah and the vulgarization of Islam Ahmad Najib Burhani, Jakarta The recent attack on the Mubarok campus, a compound used by the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) in Bogor on Friday on July 8, by a swarm of brutes calling themselves the Indonesian Muslim Solidarity (GUII) adds an extensive list of grievous events related to Muslim tolerance and religious freedom in Indonesia.

Life tough on 'Indonesian Alcatraz'

Life tough on 'Indonesian Alcatraz' Antara, Jakarta Nusakambangan island has been in the news again, with reports of Tommy Soeharto being flown to Jakarta once a month to treat a tumor. Nusakambangan island, located off Cilacap, Central Java, has a number of prisons. Its distance from the outside world makes it a suitable location for correctional facilities. A convict intent on escaping may be forced to change his mind due to the harsh terrain and the sea surrounding the island.

Timor Leste not ready to join ASEAN: Horta

Timor Leste not ready to join ASEAN: Horta LAOS: Newly independent Timor Leste cannot afford to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for at least five years to 10 years because of the huge costs involved, its foreign minister said on Tuesday. Timor Leste, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, is seeking greater integration with the region and will join the group's security forum as its newest member this week in Laos.

Semarang set for Sam Po Carnival

Semarang set for Sam Po Carnival Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang An interesting program that will take place during Zheng He's 600th Voyage Anniversary Celebrations this year in Semarang will be the Sam Po Carnival. In the carnival set to be held on Aug. 4, thousands of Confucian, Buddhist and Tao adherents in the city will parade Zheng He's statue, called Sam Poo Tay Jien (Admiral Zheng He), from the Tay Kak Sie Temple in Lombok Street to the Sam Poo Kong Temple in the Simongan area.

Labor retraining a must: Official

Labor retraining a must: Official Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is in need of competence-based training and retraining programs to improve competitiveness of its labor in the global market, government officials and businesspeople say.

RI response to global campaign for good corporate governance

RI response to global campaign for good corporate governance Budiono Kusumohamidjojo, Jakarta The United Nations launched the operational phase of the Global Compact on July 26, 2000. The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed the Global Compact at The World Economic Forum in January 1999.

Jakarta streets death traps for children, young adults

Jakarta streets death traps for children, young adults Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The authorities warned that more children are being seriously injured and killed in traffic accidents on Jakarta's streets. Comr. Warsinem, the head of the traffic engineering section at the Jakarta Traffic Police, said young people's lack of awareness of traffic safety regulations played a major part in this regrettable trend.

PLN warns of possible shortage in reserves

PLN warns of possible shortage in reserves Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) is warning of another possible power shortage as demand increases during the dry season, while declining rainfall means the capacities of hydropower plants drop off.

Glodok vendors get free kiosks

Glodok vendors get free kiosks JAKARTA: City market operator PD Pasar Jaya if offering vendors currently occupying the area of Pancoran in Glodok, West Jakarta, kiosks in the nearby Glodok and Perniagaan Markets for free for the first six months. The policy was part of the municipality's program to relocate the vendors, said Tamansari district head Arifin. He said that the free kiosks would only be available for vendors who were registered by the West Jakarta administration.

Gold still awes Asia, despite the price

Gold still awes Asia, despite the price Lewa Pardomuan and Atul Prakash, Reuters, Singapore/Bombay Villagers in Indonesia may wear one or two gold teeth to boost social status. In India, parents will not marry off their daughters without giving them some gold jewellery for financial security. Ancient texts talk about Indian merchants venturing on dangerous voyages to distant lands in search of gold. In China, gold inlay was applied to bronze objects by at least 1200 B.C.

Pay increases considered for state officials

Pay increases considered for state officials Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government says it is considering increasing the take-home pay of the president, vice president, ministers and several other high-ranking state officials starting next year, as part of attempts to improve their services and devotion to the public.

Agriculture show to help unite ASEAN and China

Agriculture show to help unite ASEAN and China Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok The ASEAN-China free trade arrangement (FTA) and its potential for the region's agricultural industry has inspired a Malaysian company to organize an integrated agriculture show featuring representatives from all 11 signatories. The company, Ten Plus One Ltd Co, will organize the ASEAN China Agriculture Show from Nov. 25 to Nov.

Fuel-saving measures

Fuel-saving measures Now is really the time that a habit of saving energy is implemented in Indonesia. So many offices (including government offices) have their air conditions running while windows are open (because of smokers); in private households this happens as well. Very concretely, I would suggest the following measures during the present fuel shortage: 1.

Traders begin selling flags

Traders begin selling flags PEKANBARU, Riau: Street hawkers had already begun selling Indonesian flags on Tuesday across Jl. Pekanbaru as Independence Day draws near. "The demand for red and white flags and banners is always high ahead of Independence Day and we hope to benefit from that," said Buyung, a hawker. Some of the flags are produced locally, while others are brought in from Padang, West Sumatra, he said. The prices of the flags differ.

Australia agrees on TAC

Australia agrees on TAC AUSTRALIA: Australia will join a new East Asia Summit later this year, foreign minister Alexander Downer said on Tuesday, after bowing to regional pressure and agreeing to sign a mandatory peace pact. Southeast Asian foreign ministers meeting in Laos confirmed that Australia would be an "inaugural participant" in the summit to be held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in December, Downer said in a statement.

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/Bangkok The ASEAN-China free trade arrangement (FTA) and its potential for the region's agricultural industry has inspired a Malaysian company to organize an integrated agriculture show featuring representatives from all 11 signatories. The company, Ten Plus One Ltd Co, will organize the ASEAN China Agriculture Show from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28 at Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

USAID $20m donation deal for RI courts

USAID $20m donation deal for RI courts Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has agreed to provide US$20 million worth of assistance to help the Indonesian government reform the country's weak court system. USAID on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on the assistance with the Indonesian Supreme Court.

Public service first

Public service first From Gatra The change in National Police leadership has been followed by public expectations of an improvement in police performance and public service. As law enforcers whose duties are concerned with society, the police are expected to change the previous semi-militaristic culture into a professional service-oriented culture. Public complaints over police service become a fundamental issue in building the police's image.

;AFP;

;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Money-Philippines-imports Philippine imports slow in May JP/16/MONEY Philippine imports slower in May MANILA: Philippine imports in May rose 2.7 percent from a year earlier to US$3.67 billion, the government said on Tuesday. This marked a slowdown from April when imports rose 6.5 percent to $3.68 billion, the National Statistics Office said, while for the five months to May, imports were down 0.2 percent to $16.44 billion.

Indian naval chief, aircraft carrier to visit RI

Indian naval chief, aircraft carrier to visit RI or After 'bajaj', India to display its ships, choppers in RI Veeramalla Anjaiah The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In March this year, India organized the India Tech 2005 engineering exhibition in Jakarta. The new version of the bajaj (three-wheeled taxi) was the star attraction at that exhibition, which featured several other engineering products.

Recognition of 'third sex'?

Recognition of 'third sex'? From Republika As a student, I am very much concerned over the behavior of gays and lesbians, which has become a trend and is apparently accepted as something normal by part of our society, as long as no disturbance is caused. Miss Transvestite Indonesia 2005 has been crowned and a gay couple's marriage reported, meaning that the status of this "third sex" group is recognized by the country known as a less permissive nation.

Medco, Anadarko sign joint exploration agreement

Medco, Anadarko sign joint exploration agreement Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to intensify efforts to discover more oil, Indonesia's largest oil firm, PT Medco Energi Internasional, and U.S. giant oil explorer Anadarko Petroleum Company have signed a joint venture agreement on exploration activities in the country.

Shares End Up At Record High On Bk Blue Chips

Shares End Up At Record High On Bk Blue Chips JP/14/Market HL I Shares End Up At Record High On Bk Blue Chips Dow Jones/Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Tuesday, with gains in certain bank and heavy equipment blue chips driving the main index to close at a new record high, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange's Composite Index ended up 0.7 percent, or 8.253 points, at 1178.003. The main index on Monday fell 0.2 percent on profit-taking.

'Nasyid' contest to highlight Zheng He 600th voyage celebration

'Nasyid' contest to highlight Zheng He 600th voyage celebration Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Many history books note that the great Chinese explorer Zheng He, whose 600th anniversary voyage to Indonesia is being celebrated this year, was a devout Muslim. Zheng He, the son of Ma Ha Zhi, is also believed to have helped spread Islam along the northern coast of Java, including Semarang, where he and more than 200 ships landed in 1405.

Assistance funds for low-income people disbursed

Assistance funds for low-income people disbursed The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the House of Representatives' approval last month of the 2005 state budget revision, the government has disbursed Rp 13.39 trillion (some US$1.36 billion) in assistance funds for low-income families across the country.

Aceh peace accord

Aceh peace accord The new accord benefits from two things: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's determination to end the conflict once and for all, and fatigue on the part of GAM fighters from so many years of battle, compounded by the devastating tsunami last December which wrecked a good part of Aceh. No question, a template for peace now is in place. What caution that needs to be applied is in stenciling in the detail. All in all, there is tough work ahead.

Astra, Telkom and Indosat win award

Astra, Telkom and Indosat win award The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asia's top financial magazine, FinanceAsia, has declared Indonesia's largest automotive and telecommunications firms are the best companies in the country. Based on a poll conducted among 200 fund managers and equity analysts in the region in February and March, the magazine awarded Astra International, Indosat and Telkom as Indonesia's best companies for this year.

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/Bangkok The ASEAN-China free trade arrangement (FTA) and its potential for the region's agricultural industry has inspired a Malaysian company to organize an integrated agriculture show featuring representatives from all 11 signatories. The company, Ten Plus One Ltd Co, will organize the ASEAN China Agriculture Show from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28 at Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Air Force planes fit to fly: Chief

Air Force planes fit to fly: Chief YOGYAKARTA: Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Djoko Suyanto refuted speculation that two military planes which crashed last week were not fit to fly. "All of our planes must undergo a series of checks before flying. If they receive the go-ahead, it means they are eligible to fly," Djoko said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Air Force Academy anniversary celebration in Yogyakarta. "If a flying aircraft develops problems, it's another story.

AGO to freeze Neloe's assets

AGO to freeze Neloe's assets JAKARTA: Prosecutors will seize the personal assets, including bank accounts, of E.C.W. Neloe, a key suspect in an alleged graft case at state-owned Bank Mandiri. Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office (AGO) Hendarman Supandji said on Tuesday that prosecutors were currently collecting data on Neloe's assets.

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/Bangkok The ASEAN-China free trade arrangement (FTA) and its potential for the region's agricultural industry has inspired a Malaysian company to organize an integrated agriculture show featuring representatives from all 11 signatories. The company, Ten Plus One Ltd Co, will organize the ASEAN China Agriculture Show from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28 at Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Disadvantaged regions need govt attention

Disadvantaged regions need govt attention Sigit Pinardi, Antara News Agency/Jakarta A middle-aged woman was seen sobbing as Syaifullah Yusuf, the State Minister for the Development of Disadvantaged Regions, noticed her. While wiping her tears, the woman, a teacher, shared with the minister the sorry state of her school. She showed the minister what a decrepit state the Mekarsari II elementary school building was in.

ASEAN relieved as Myanmar skips chair

ASEAN relieved as Myanmar skips chair Darren Schuettler, Reuters/Vientiane Army-ruled Myanmar will skip its turn as ASEAN chairman in 2006, defusing a simmering row between the southeast Asian bloc and the West over the junta's lack of democratic reform and its detention of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Susilo installs Cruz as new envoy to Portugal

Susilo installs Cruz as new envoy to Portugal The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated on Tuesday East Timor (now Timor Leste)-born human rights activist Fransiscus Xaverius Lopes da Cruz as the Indonesian ambassador to Portugal. Before taking up the new posting, Cruz, 63, was Indonesian ambassador at large with special tasks since April 1993 after serving as an advisor to Indonesian delegations to the United Nations Human Rights Subcommission from 1987.

Abettor in embassy bombing gets 4 years

Abettor in embassy bombing gets 4 years The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The South Jakarta District Court sentenced on Tuesday a suspect in the Sept. 9, 2004 bombing in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta to four years' imprisonment. Agus Ahmad bin Engkos Kosasih, 32, was found guilty for his role in storing, transporting and hiding explosive materials used in the blast, in which 11 people were killed, all Indonesian citizens. The sentence was lighter than the five years demanded by prosecutors.

Aceh peace deal 'will help reconstruction'

Aceh peace deal 'will help reconstruction' INDONESIA: Lasting peace between separatist rebels and Indonesian troops in Aceh is essential to reconstruction efforts in the region worst affected by the Asian tsunami, a European Parliament member said on Tuesday after touring the province. Next month both sides are scheduled to sign a peace deal in Finland to formally end the 29-year-old war in the oil and gas- rich province that has killed 15,000 people.

Candidates fail submit finance reports

Candidates fail submit finance reports OGAN ILIR, South Sumatra: Only one of four pairs of candidates in the June 25 Ogan Ilir regency election has submitted a campaign finance report to the local General Elections Commission. "Although there are no legal sanctions for those who fail to submit finance reports, the candidates have a moral obligation to obey election rules," said Herlambang, the chairman of the Ogan Ilir General Elections Commission.

JP/18/LAYANG

JP/18/LAYANG Indonesian kites becoming more attractive Bambang Parlupi Jakarta Flying kites as a hobby has been developing rapidly in Indonesia, with various types and motifs now appearing to add more color to this outdoor pursuit and its changing functions. Historically, kites were first known in human civilization around 3,000 years ago in China. From there, kites began to spread to the other Asian regions like Korea, Japan, the Malay archipelago and India.

Fuel-saving measures

Fuel-saving measures Now is really the time that a habit of saving energy is implemented in Indonesia. So many offices (including government offices) have their air conditions running while windows are open (because of smokers); in private households this happens as well. Very concretely, I would suggest the following measures during the present fuel shortage: 1.

Local elections in West Irian Jaya delayed

Local elections in West Irian Jaya delayed The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to postpone local elections in West Irian Jaya province because the local office of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) is deemed "technically ill-prepared" to carry out the elections, initially scheduled for July 28. Head of the KPUD Regina Sauyai said the commission was notified of the ministry's ruling on Tuesday afternoon and would not challenge the decision.

Five detained for oil palm irregularities

Five detained for oil palm irregularities JAMBI: The Jambi Prosecutor's Office detained on late Monday five suspects late on Monday on charges of arising out of irregularities in the provision of oil palm seedlings in the province. The five suspects are the Thamrin, the head of an oil palm seedling provision project, and four others executives from two private sector firms that had been hired by Thamrin to implement the project.

The Helsinki deal on Aceh:

The Helsinki deal on Aceh: An arrangement likely to work 2. Budi-- 2 x 30 RI response to global campaign for good corporate governance

MUI to formulate edicts against 'liberal thoughts'

MUI to formulate edicts against 'liberal thoughts' Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) will formulate several edicts to put an end to what it terms "deviant secular and liberal Islamic thoughts" during its four-day national congress that opened here on Tuesday. According to the council's edict committee, the edicts will represent the MUI's determination to win the "war of ideas against liberal Islam".

Police identify instigators of Kaur elections riots

Police identify instigators of Kaur elections riots Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police say they have identified three persons who are strongly suspected of involvement in the Bengkulu riot and will arrest them to facilitate the investigation if necessary. Deputy National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko said on Tuesday that Bengkulu police had identified three people after analyzing video recordings of the riot that occurred on Monday.

1. Commentary -- 42 pts 7 cols 1lines (1x42)

1. Commentary -- 42 pts 7 cols 1lines (1x42) Peace agreement in Aceh -- Third time lucky? 2. Fatwa (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18) MUI formulating edicts against 'liberal thoughts' 3. AFTA (45) - 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x28) Labor retraining a must: Official 4. Subsidy (45) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x24) Assistance funds for low-income people disbursed --- 5. Oddworld and photos

Breeders bemoan slump in sales as reports on bird flu surface

Breeders bemoan slump in sales as reports on bird flu surface The Jakarta Post, Medan/Makassar/Bandung Sales of chicken nationwide have been in the doldrums for the past few weeks with the bird flu virus making the national headlines, chicken breeders complained on Tuesday. Hendri, from a chicken hatchery in Medan, said that before the story on the bird flu virus appeared in the media, he could sell some 1 million chicks per month.

*MUI formulating edicts against 'liberal thoughts' Page 2

*MUI formulating edicts against 'liberal thoughts' Page 2 *Govt to raise road toll rates by 15% next month Page 3 *'Public figure' behind Bengkulu election riot Page 4 *Cirebon farmers fight losing battle against locusts Page 5 *Ahmadiyah and the vulgarization of contemporary Islam Page 7 *Jakarta streets deathtraps for children, young adults Page 8 *PLN warns of possible shortage in power reserves Page 13

Farmers fight losing battle against locusts

Farmers fight losing battle against locusts Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon Locusts traveling in vast swarms have stripped 8,000 more hectares of rice fields in Cirebon regency of all vegetation, a senior government official says. "Earlier, the locusts destroyed 1,700 hectares of rice fields in four districts, now they have attacked 8,000 more hectares in five other districts," said chief of the Cirebon administration's Plant Disease Office Sunardi on Tuesday.

1. AMM ----- 2x16

1. AMM ----- 2x16 ASEAN relieved as Myanmar skips chair

Navy cuts power, water to retired officers' houses

Navy cuts power, water to retired officers' houses Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While still waiting for promised compensation for retired Naval officers and their families to leave a Navy housing complex in Jl. Farmasi, Central Jakarta, the residents on Tuesday have had their water and electricity supplies cut off.

The Helsinki deal on Aceh: An arrangement likely to work

The Helsinki deal on Aceh: An arrangement likely to work Aboeprijadi Santoso, Helsinki After a total of 25 days of negotiating, the Helsinki talks on Aceh have reached a historic phase. For the first time, Indonesia is about to end its war with a separatist rebellion through a political settlement. Although the full details have yet to be disclosed, the deal, if successfully implemented, will be a milestone.

SBY to wrap up deals in China trip

SBY to wrap up deals in China trip Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to leave for China on Wednesday, with an aim of boosting investment and bilateral trade between the two countries. Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu said the President's entourage would seek to boost trade and investment through materializing several deals made in the Strategic Partnership agreement signed by leaders of the two countries in April.

Shares end up at record high on blue chips

Shares end up at record high on blue chips Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Tuesday, with gains in certain bank and heavy equipment blue chips driving the main index to close at a new record high, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange's Composite Index ended up 0.7 percent, or 8.253 points, at 1178.003. The main index on Monday fell 0.2 percent on profit-taking.

Muhammadiyah against land decree

Muhammadiyah against land decree JAKARTA: Muhammadiyah lent support on Monday to mounting calls for the government to revoke the new presidential regulation that allows authorities to acquire private land without a deal being reached with its owner. "Presidential Regulation No. 5/2005 should be revoked," Muhammadiyah leader Din Syamsuddin was quoted as saying in a press statement.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 26, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 26, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,170 60 35,000 Adhi Karya 780 20 31,788,000 Adira Dinamika 2,600 100 494,000 AGIS Tbk 135 0 0 Akbar Indo Makmur 245 0 77,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,250 10 1,610,000 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa...

On visit to Israel

On visit to Israel Kamapradipta I.'s letter SBY's proposed side visit to Israel (The Jakarta Post, July 23) in response to my article Susilo should visit Israel too (July 19, page 6) only emphasizes my point: The government of Indonesia, as befitting that of a nation representing 235 million "overwhelmingly nationalistic and secular" citizens has a duty to make it's views known directly, face to face, in meetings and diplomatic exchanges, whether based on Indonesia's position as a largely...

WHO urges govt to improve measures to fight bird flu

WHO urges govt to improve measures to fight bird flu The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While generally satisfied with the way the Indonesian government is handling the first human deaths from the bird flu in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the government needed to improve its efforts in dealing with the possibility of an influenza outbreak. The representative of the United Nations' health body here, Georg Petersen, said the government needed a more comprehensive working plan.

'Why teach freedom of religion in schools?'

'Why teach freedom of religion in schools?' Even though the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) had not caused any disturbances, its center in Parung, Bogor, was attacked by thousands of people earlier this month. The government forced the congregation's members to leave the compound, raising debate over freedom of religion in the country. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their thoughts on the issue.

Indian chief of Naval Staff, aircraft carrier to visit Indonesia

Indian chief of Naval Staff, aircraft carrier to visit Indonesia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In March this year, India organized the India Tech 2005 engineering exhibition in Jakarta. The new version of the bajaj (three-wheeled taxi) was the star attraction at that exhibition, which featured several other engineering products.

Ill wind blows for players in junior badminton tourney

Ill wind blows for players in junior badminton tourney Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Players in the Milo Junior Indonesia Open here are finding their opponents to be only part of the problems they face on court. A strong draft in one of the stadiums used for the tournament is also playing havoc with their games.

Future strategy for the Prosperous Justice Party

Future strategy for the Prosperous Justice Party Last year at a Symposium at Harvard University, I was able to describe PKS's campaign in the general elections, based on its program to promote justice and good governance and to stamp out corruption, and its resulting electoral success. I then went on to write the following: "To some, the rise of the Prosperous Justice Party will be seen as an ominous political development. It is potentially, however, a fortunate development...

Minister rejects Bojong tryout

Minister rejects Bojong tryout The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar has lent support to residents in their opposition to the planned trial of the Bojong waste treatment plant in Bogor regency. "We are determined to reject the tryout," he said on Tuesday in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VII for energy, human resources and environmental issues.

Astra's profit rises 18 percent in five months

Astra's profit rises 18 percent in five months Bloomberg, Jakarta PT Astra International's profit rose 18 percent in the first five month of the year as Asia's biggest automobile retailer by market value sold more vehicles at home in Indonesia and overseas. Net income rose to Rp 2.53 trillion (US$257 million) in the five months to May, Singapore's Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd., which owns 49.9 percent of Astra said in a statement filed to the Singapore stock exchange on Tuesday.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49 'Local parties would not lead to independence' 2. VIRUS: 3 X 15 Flu viruses are quick to swap genes: Study 3. CHINA: 1 X 32 SBY to wrap up deals in China trip 4. TOLL: 1 X 36 Road tolls to increase by 15 percent

Drug war hones in on the healthy

Drug war hones in on the healthy Abdul Khalik and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor The Office of the State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs will cooperate with the Jakarta Police to hold antidrug training programs aimed at young people and athletes in the capital. State Minister Adhyaksa Dault, who met with the city police chief Insp. Gen.

Campaigning for a fair deal for teachers

Campaigning for a fair deal for teachers Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung It was about 8 a.m. in the middle of August 2001 and you could still smell the soil that the whole night's rain had made wet in the yard of Taruko restaurant, Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro, in downtown Bandarlampung. A young teacher was walking to and fro in front of the restaurant, glancing at his watch every now and then in his restlessness.

Rupiah Rates July 26

Rupiah Rates July 26 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,857.65 7,094.38 7,514.26 7,437.69 Brunei dollar 1 6,200.43 5,597.93 5,929.46 5,868.82 Canadian dollar 1 8,470.82 7,646.87 8,100.63 8,016.90 Swiss franc 1 7,950.69 7,177.51 7,603.24 7,524.84 Danish krone 1 1,664.73 1,502.93 1,591.98 1,575.66 Euro 1 12,419.09 11,213.82 11,876.35 11,756.47 Poundsterling 1 17,994.98 16,247.56 17,208.58 17,033.78 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,327.52 1,198.56 1,269.50 1,256.56...

Women start campaign against leaded gasoline

Women start campaign against leaded gasoline The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Juju Kosasih, 47, began to suspect how dangerous the lead- polluted water supply in her neighborhood of Munjul, East Jakarta, was when she witnessed the births of three premature babies. Two were stillborn, while one died five months later. "I worry every time someone in the neighborhood gets pregnant," said the mother of four, one of 10 women, who formed an advocacy group called Mothers Against Lead, on Monday.

Another victim of CN-235 accident dies

Another victim of CN-235 accident dies MADIUN, East Java: First Lt. Yeremias Waang, the copilot of a CN- 235 airplane that recently crashed in Aceh, died early on Monday at the Antariksa Air Force Hospital in East Jakarta. Waang suffered serious head injuries in the crash on Thursday at Malikussaleh airport in North Aceh regency. "We again have lost one of our best pilots," said Air Force chief Marshall Djoko Suyanto in Malang. Three Army officers died in the crash on Thursday.

TV Program: Wednesday, July 27, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Hallo Kitty 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 10:00 Talk Show: Showbiz 11:30 Cultural Program: Rona Daerah 12:00 p.m.

Surrealist painter has slanted view on industrialism

Surrealist painter has slanted view on industrialism M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The surrealist movement in painting was born out of the premise that the bourgeois society was so decadent that it did not deserve art. Hence, the movement decided to give it anti-art -- ugliness instead of beauty. The lack of form was, therefore, a way to rebel against the deteriorating society.

Road tolls to increase by 15 percent

Road tolls to increase by 15 percent Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to raise tolls for roads across the country by an average of 15 percent next month, in a move to keep investment in toll roads competitive amid higher inflation rates and operational costs. The rate increase, however, will only effect tolls that have not been adjusted in more than two years, Minister of Public Works Djoko Kirmanto said on Tuesday after a ceremony at the presidential palace.

Lippo H1 profit almost doubles

Lippo H1 profit almost doubles JAKARTA: Bank Lippo, the country's ninth-largest lender, said on Tuesday that first-half profit had almost doubled on increasing demand for credit. Net income rose to Rp 203 billion (US$20.7 million), or Rp 51.7 a share, in the six months ending June 30 from Rp 102 billion, or Rp 25.9 a share, a year earlier, the Tangerang, West Java-based lender said in a statement.

Court delays verdict against NGO activist

Court delays verdict against NGO activist MANADO, North Sulawesi: The Manado District Court delayed for a second time delivering a verdict in a defamation case against non-governmental organization activist Rignolda Djamaludin. The scheduled Monday reading was delayed because the panel of judges had not yet completed the verdict, said presiding judge Erna Matauseja, adding that the verdict would be delivered on Tuesday next week.

Ninth to sixteenth seed Yuan Kartika of Tangkas Bogasari also

Ninth to sixteenth seed Yuan Kartika of Tangkas Bogasari also cruised in an 11-3, 11-1 defeat of unseeded Jpy Kencana of Indonesia 11-3, 11-1. Imme Kris Wicaksono of Djarum, another 9/16 seed, received a walkover against Nana Sutrisna of Indonesia, while Aprilia of Indonesia blanked compatriot Evelin 11-0, 11-0.

Pawnshops thrive come new school

Pawnshops thrive come new school Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung A housewife in her 50s hurriedly entered the state-owned pawnshop in Bandarlampung city, on one recent morning. The moment she reached the customer service counter, she took out three flower- motif bed sheets wrapped in plastic. Not long after, an appraiser held the three packages and wrote a figure on a piece of paper. "A hundred and twenty," the appraiser told the cashier next to him.

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China

Agriculture show to unite ASEAN, China Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/Bangkok The ASEAN-China free trade arrangement (FTA) and its potential for the region's agricultural industry has inspired a Malaysian company to organize an integrated agriculture show featuring representatives from all 11 signatories. The company, Ten Plus One Ltd Co, will organize the ASEAN China Agriculture Show from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28 at Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

RI, U.S. to hold military exercise

RI, U.S. to hold military exercise Agence France Presse, Jakarta U.S. troops arrived in Indonesia on Monday to take part in an annual joint maritime exercise aimed at improving military cooperation with the world's largest Muslim-populated country. Representatives of 800 U.S. military personnel came ashore in the Java island port city of Surabaya before the maneuvers to meet Indonesian naval officials, the U.S. embassy said.

RI asks ASEAN for observers in Aceh

RI asks ASEAN for observers in Aceh Associated Press, Vientiane Indonesia has asked its Southeast Asian neighbors to send observers to monitor a peace deal between separatist rebels and the government in the strife-torn Aceh province starting next month, a Thai official said on Tuesday.