Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 July 2005

82 articles found

Hotels fully booked for Zheng He festival

Hotels fully booked for Zheng He festivalSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, SemarangMost of the star-rated and budget hotels in Semarang are fully booked as the celebration of the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's voyage draws near.

Govt moves against commercialization of school textbooks

Govt moves against commercialization of school textbooksHera Diani The Jakarta Post/JakartaAmong the many problems clouding the country's educational system -- feudalistic teaching methods, low teacher salaries and high tuition fees -- the issue of commercialized textbooks has been a problem for...

SBY urged to probe July 27 PDI attack

SBY urged to probe July 27 PDI attackThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government to restart investigations into the bloody July 27, 1996, mob attack on their former headquarters as they...

Woman carries dead baby for 27 years

Woman carries dead baby for 27 yearsAgence France-Presse, JakartaSurgeons have delivered a 27-year-old baby from a middle-aged housewife who had carried the dead body inside her because she was too poor to have it removed, doctors said on Wednesday.

Officers lose money in antigambling drive

Officers lose money in antigambling driveAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaOwners of gambling dens have clearly been hurt financially in the recent drive against gambling in Jakarta, but many police officers have also lost money as a result of the campaign.

Top officials 'undeserving' of pay raise

Top officials 'undeserving' of pay raiseTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government's plan to increase the take-home pay of the President, Vice President, ministers, and high-ranking state officials met with mixed reactions on Wednesday amid the government's appeal for the public to be...

BI encourages setting up of 'guarantee funds' for SMEs

BI encourages setting up of 'guarantee funds' for SMEsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe central bank plans to encourage the establishment of regional credit insurance institutions and to guarantee funds to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) obtain much-needed financing.

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

'Nasyid' contest to highlight Zheng He 600th voyage celebrationSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, SemarangMany 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.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 28, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 28, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* The New Video and The New Paintings by Filippo Sciascia, at at Gaya Gallery Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252 or 979253, www.filipposciascia.it), until Aug. 16.

Teguh upsets seeded Chen in Milo Open

Teguh upsets seeded Chen in Milo Open Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Denpasar Most of the top seeds in the boys' singles advanced to the fourth round of the Milo Junior Indonesia Open on Wednesday, but China lost its 3/4th seed Chen Tianyu to local talent Teguh Siswanto.

Breeders bemoan slump in sales as reports on bird flu surface

Breeders bemoan slump in sales as reports on bird flu surfaceThe Jakarta Post, Medan/Makassar/BandungSales 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.

Chicken restaurants, vendors see sales drop

Chicken restaurants, vendors see sales dropFadli, The Jakarta Post, BatamThe kitchen at Windsor Fried Chicken in Batam is not nearly as busy as it was just weeks ago, and employees like Asrul, 34, now often find themselves with little more to do than try and look busy.

Recognition of 'third sex'?

Recognition of 'third sex'?From RepublikaAs 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.

Mercenaries in the Strait of Malacca

Mercenaries in the Strait of MalaccaMark J. Valencia, Hawaii In the wake of relentless attacks by sea robbers and frequent kidnappings of hapless crews for ransom, several private companies have begun offering armed escort services for vessels transiting the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

BRI H1 net profit up 13%

BRI H1 net profit up 13%Dow Jones, JakartaBank Rakyat Indonesia said on Wednesday its first-half net profit rose 13 percent from the year-earlier period because of an increase in interest income.Net profit for the January-to-June period rose to Rp 1.94 trillion from Rp 1.

China, Japan and South Korea meet Southeast Asian partners

China, Japan and South Korea meet Southeast Asian partnersPeter Harmsen, Agence France-Presse/VientianeMinisters from East Asian giants China, Japan and South Korea met their Southeast Asian partners on Wednesday for talks diplomats said would cover trade and steps toward forming a new regional...

No province free from HIV

No province free from HIV BANDUNG: No Indonesian province is now free from HIV infection, with the recorded number of people living with the virus in the country standing at 7,098.Head of the HIV/AIDS Eradication Commission Alwi Shihab said on Wednesday the commission had remained unable to...

Santos, ConocoPhillips bid for new oil and gas blocks

Santos, ConocoPhillips bid for new oil and gas blocksLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaTwenty-three companies, including major global players like Australia's Santos and U.S. companies ConocoPhillips and Anadarko Petroleum Company, have submitted bids for 11 oil and gas blocks currently on...

Susilo renews vow to fight against graft, red tape

Susilo renews vow to fight against graft, red tapePrimastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, BeijingSince opening a special PO Box and call center over a month ago, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has received 2,500 letters and 140,000 text messages from people offering advice and suggestions.

1,200 children involved in gambling

1,200 children involved in gamblingSURABAYA: A non-governmental organization (NGO) activist has revealed that some 1,200 children in Pengirian, Surabaya, were affected by the widespread gambling in the area.

Regent appeals for all clear in Tangerang

Regent appeals for all clear in TangerangMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThe regent of Tangerang urged the central government on Wednesday to revoke the bird flu 'red zone' status in the regency, insisting that there was no bird flu epidemic in the area.

Young artists on show at Kamandalu

Young artists on show at Kamandalu UBUD: Seventeen new, talented young artists from Bali have been displaying their paintings and sculpture at Bale Ketemu, Kamandalu Resort and Spa, Banjar Nagi, Ubud, since July 22. The exhibition runs through August 27.

Alwi forbids clinics from charging

Alwi forbids clinics from charging BANDUNG: Following the disbursement of health funds saved from the fuel subsidy cuts, community health centers would no longer be allowed to charge people for treatment, a minister says.

27 more Padang councillors sent to prison

27 more Padang councillors sent to prisonSyofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, PadangTwenty-seven Padang councillors were sentenced to four years in jail on Wednesday for graft, in a verdict that has given a boost to the nationwide anticorruption drive.

Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connection

Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connectionMoch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Spectators at the Milo Junior Championships could be forgiven for assuming that Lisa Malaihollo is a local player, or perhaps part of the diaspora of Indonesian badminton players to more lucrative training...

JP/18/AMPEL

JP/18/AMPELAmpel, tourist destination and place of prayerIndra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/SurabayaAll of a sudden, several men aged around 26, sitting at the entrance to Jl. Nyamplungan, Ampel, Surabaya, got up and approached The Jakarta Post.

JP/4/EDS28

JP/4/EDS28Fighting bird fluIt is heartening to know that the government seems to be on the right track combating bird flu. The representative of the World Health Organization, Georg Petersen, told this newspaper on Tuesday that the government was following WHO recommendations and procedures in...

Pluralism : Easy to say, but hard to implement

Pluralism : Easy to say, but hard to implementYani Prasatya, Jakarta "Yani, read this please," my grandmother once showed me a piece of her writing that had been published in the Ahmadiyah newsletter. I reluctantly read it for the sake of being polite. It was titled Finally I found it.

PLN to provide prepaid services for outdoor ads

PLN to provide prepaid services for outdoor adsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe state electricity company PT PLN plans to make available prepaid electricity services for outdoor advertising this year due to the prevalence of electricity theft -- by tapping into wires.

'Islamic boarding schools oppose terrorism, violence': Didi Hilman

'Islamic boarding schools oppose terrorism, violence': Didi HilmanYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungPesantren -- or Islamic boarding schools -- have found themselves in an awkward position with the nation being hit by a number of terrorist attacks over the past few years.

Pressure on Myanmar

Pressure on Myanmar The pariah state relinquishing next year's ASEAN chair is only a start -- it must do much more to reform itself. Myanmar has made a shrewd and calculated move to win over ASEAN by announcing its willingness to skip playing host to the groups annual meeting next year.

*Police officers losing money in antigambling drive Page 2

*Police officers losing money in antigambling drive Page 2 *Tangerang wants bird-flu red zone status to be revoked Page 3 *Assessing the benefits of flat tax on businesses Page 4 *'Pesantren' face hard times after spate of terrorist attacks Page 8 *Dutch junior badminton players have RI connection...

From Bali to Holland, with love

From Bali to Holland, with loveRachel Greaves, Contributor, Kerobokan, BaliOne morning in October 2000, Jebeh Nyoman Yanti was walking along Sanur Beach, as she did every morning with her friends, looking for customers to attract to the market stalls.

Teguh upsets seeded Chen in Milo Open badminton

Teguh upsets seeded Chen in Milo Open badmintonMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Most of the top seeds in the boys' singles advanced to the fourth round of the Milo Junior Indonesia Open on Wednesday, but China lost its 3/4th seed Chen Tianyu to local badminton player Teguh Siswanto.

Center allows people to get up close with mangroves

Center allows people to get up close with mangrovesI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Suwung, BaliRatih treaded carefully around the dry, sharply pointed shrub before slowly descending into the muddy ground.

RI eyes top shoemakers to relocate from China

RI eyes top shoemakers to relocate from ChinaThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government, with support from the private sector, is approaching branded footwear makers to chose Indonesia in the event they want to relocate their plants from China following increasing incidence of trade disputes between...

Inco's profit in H1 up by 13%

Inco's profit in H1 up by 13%Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPublicly listed nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) has reported a 13 percent rise of unaudited net profit in the year's first semester to US$141.

JP/5/BATAM

JP/5/BATAMChicken restaurants, vendors see sales drop Fadli The Jakarta Post/BatamThe kitchen at Windsor Fried Chicken in Batam is not nearly as busy as it was just weeks ago, and employees like Asrul, 34, now often find themselves with little more to do than try and look busy.

Susilo wants closer relations with China

Susilo wants closer relations with ChinaPrimastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, BeijingPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says Indonesia could benefit from forging closer ties with future superpower China.

Court to rule on PKB conflict soon

Court to rule on PKB conflict soon JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court will deliver its judgment on Aug. 10 on the lawsuit filed by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab against the current leadership of the National Awakening Party (PKB), chief justice I Wayan Rena said on...

Bankers question feasibility of BI's swift consolidation

Bankers question feasibility of BI's swift consolidationThe Jakarta Post, JakartaSome bankers questioned on Wednesday whether Bank Indonesia's plan to push for swift consolidation of the country's banking sector, by encouraging more mergers in the near future, was applicable.

Assessing the benefits of flat tax on businesses

Assessing the benefits of flat tax on businessesAgam Fatchurrochman, Nottingham, UKToday's hot topic in the business community is that the government is getting ready to revise the tax laws of 2000, particularly regarding the proposal for applying a flat tax rate to provide business and fiscal...

Farmers fight losing battle against locusts

Farmers fight losing battle against locustsNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, CirebonLocusts traveling in vast swarms have stripped 8,000 more hectares of rice fields in Cirebon regency of all vegetation, a senior government official says.

Reaction to 'Bias of faith'

Reaction to 'Bias of faith' In relation to the attacks on Jamaah Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI), you write that "They create erroneous misperceptions that spur a 'Western' simplification on Islam and terrorism.

Underfunded bureaucracy depends on illegal fees

Underfunded bureaucracy depends on illegal feesRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter wrapping up his Friday prayers with a hasty request for prosperity, Arman -- not his real name -- rushed to the canteen to meet his colleagues.The gathering had more to it than would meet the eye.

Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connection

Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connectionMoch N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Denpasar Spectators at the Milo Junior Championships could be forgiven for assuming that Lisa Malaihollo is a local player, or perhaps part of the diaspora of Indonesian players to more lucrative training spots around the...

Lawmakers face rift over plan to axe colleague

Lawmakers face rift over plan to axe colleagueThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAn internal conflict among legislators on the House of Representatives Commission III for legal, security and human rights was cracked wide open on Wednesday after a plan to get one of them recalled was unveiled on Wednesday.

Five detained for oil palm irregularities

Five detained for oil palm irregularitiesJAMBI: 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.

ASEAN countries to send peace monitors to Aceh

ASEAN countries to send peace monitors to AcehJason Gutierrez, Agence France-Presse/VientianeSoutheast Asian countries have agreed to join a peace monitoring mission in Indonesia's Aceh province in a move which could lead to a more formalized regional conflict-monitoring system, officials said on...

Councillor lashes out at district heads

Councillor lashes out at district headsMEDAN, North Sumatra: A Medan councillor condemned on Wednesday seven district heads in Medan for traveling to Malaysia."Suspected bird flu has been discovered in their areas, and they're traveling to Malaysia," Ikrimah Hamidy, chief of the Prosperous Justice...

Embracing religion

Embracing religion is loving peace Up until quite recently I had never heard of Ahmadiyah, nor would I have most likely except for the unruly acts of intolerance visited upon the unfortunate and apparently peaceful members of that sect by a mob of righteous fanatics who just happen to be Muslim.

TEAMING UP WITH PUMA: Puma, a global athletic brand, has signed

TEAMING UP WITH PUMA: Puma, a global athletic brand, has signed four prominent Indonesian sport stars to contracts: Ananda Mikola, top Asian Formula 3 Driver; Kurniawan Dwi Julianto, top striker for the Indonesian Soccer Team, Hendro Kartiko, first choice goalkeeper for the Indonesian Soccer Team...

Conversion cause of concern among MUI branches

Conversion cause of concern among MUI branchesThe Jakarta Post, JakartaRegional offices of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) are calling for strong measures to prevent Muslims from converting to other religions.

Government moves against school textbook commercialization

Government moves against school textbook commercializationHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAmong the many problems clouding the country's educational system -- feudalistic teaching methods, low teacher salaries and high tuition fees -- the issue of commercialized textbooks has been a problem...

1. Visit -- 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18)

1. Visit -- 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18)Susilo renews vow to fight against graft, red tape 2. Salary (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x24) Underfunded bureaucracy depends on illegal fees 3. Book (45) - 36 pts 4 cols 2line (2x26)Govt moves against school textbook commercialization 4.

'Pesantren' face hard times after spate of terrorist attacks

'Pesantren' face hard times after spate of terrorist attacksYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/BogorPesantren around the country have been associated with terrorism since a series of terrorist attacks began in this country several years ago, including the Bali and Marriott bombings.

Shares end flat; index at fresh record high

Shares end flat; index at fresh record highDow Jones/Jakarta Indonesian shares ended flat on Wednesday, with gains in heavy-equipment firms and most small-capitalized shares managing to keep the main index in positive territory, dealers said.

Energy being saved at Sheraton Laguna

Energy being saved at Sheraton Laguna NUSA DUA: Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua hotel is doing what it can to comply with new nationwide energy-saving measures in view of the current power crisis.Through active internal campaigning for awareness, the 270- room resort's staff have already managed to reduce...

HIV/AIDS education to become part of school syllabus

HIV/AIDS education to become part of school syllabusRita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarI Wayan Harikhesa, a second-grader at a high school in Denpasar, thought initially that HIV, which can lead to AIDS, was a deadly disease that claimed the lives of many famous people, especially in the...

Five detained for oil palm irregularities

Five detained for oil palm irregularitiesJAMBI: 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.

Armed robbers get Rp 30m, jewelry

Armed robbers get Rp 30m, jewelry JAKARTA: Two armed robbers attacked a motorcyclist in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, late on Tuesday and got away with Rp 30 million in cash and a quantity of jewelry.At around 11 p.m.

Lippo Cikarang holds swimming competition

Lippo Cikarang holds swimming competition BEKASI: Management of the Lippo Cikarang housing and business district in Bekasi will hold an interclub swimming competition on Sunday.The event will be conducted at the complex' Olympic Sports Club, committee member Suyanto Alimprabowo was quoted as saying...

Life tough on 'Indonesian Alcatraz'

Life tough on 'Indonesian Alcatraz'Antara, JakartaNusakambangan 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.

JP/4/EDS28

JP/4/EDS28Fighting bird fluIt is heartening to know that the government seems to be on the right track combating bird flu. The representative of the World Health Organization, Georg Petersen, told this newspaper on Tuesday that the government was following WHO recommendations and procedures in...

Bojong residents stand firm against waste plant

Bojong residents stand firm against waste plantTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor"If they call for war, I will step in to protect the area we live in," proclaimed Saidah, a homemaker of Kampong Rawajeler in Bojong, Bogor.

'Tolerance doesn't exist in our society'

'Tolerance doesn't exist in our society'The attack on the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) in Parung, Bogor, earlier this month has sparked various reactions on how to interpret freedom of religion. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts on the issue.

Rupiah Rates July 27

Rupiah Rates July 27 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,804.67 7,045.97 7,463.76 7,386.75 Brunei dollar 1 6,181.89 5,581.49 5,911.87 5,851.44 Canadian dollar 1 8,388.17 7,572.68 8,021.77 7,938.93 Swiss franc 1 7,942.92 7,170.87 7,595.97 7,517.

SIS employees demand salary raise

SIS employees demand salary raiseAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAround 30 local employees of the Singapore International School (SIS) in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, staged a protest on Wednesday to demand a pay raise, improved conditions and health insurance as well as free schooling for...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 27, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 27, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Indonesia woman carried dead baby for 27 years

Indonesia woman carried dead baby for 27 years Agence France-Presse JakartaSurgeons have delivered a 27-year-old baby from a middle-aged housewife who had carried the dead body inside her because she was too poor to have it removed, doctors said on Wednesday.

Hutchison to end CAC investment soon

Hutchison to end CAC investment soonHONG KONG: Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd., a cellular phone company controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka- shing, said it would complete its investment in Indonesian cell phone operator PT Cyber Access Communications "soon".

Yorris slams poll delay

Yorris slams poll delayMANOKWARI, West Irian Jaya: Yorris Raweyai, a candidate in the West Irian Jaya gubernatorial election, has demanded that the central government replace all members of West Irian Jaya General Elections Commission due to the postponement of the election.

Bandung picked for start of cycling tour

Bandung picked for start of cycling tourMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bandung is set for the start of the Dji Sam Soe Tour d'Indonesia cycling championship, replacing last year's site of Jakarta."Jakarta will host the city tour for participants.

People of Yemeni origin play full role in Indonesia's development

People of Yemeni origin play full role in Indonesia's developmentIndra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/SurabayaSewu wolungatus paetung puluhantahune Nduk kampong Arab papan panggone Gedhe dhukur njenggeret cakrike Klumpukane wong ngendoni ati sumpege Cikar Mandheg mapine manut Landa ireng capital putih...

Indonesian kites becoming more attractive

Indonesian kites becoming more attractiveBambang 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.

Headings

Headings1. BIRD -- 1x40 Regent appeals for all clear in Tangerang 2. POWER -- 2x25 PLN to provide prepaid services for outdoor ads 3. BOJONG -- 1x30 Bojong residents stand defiant 4. SIS -- 1x32 SIS employees demand salary raise 5. SPEAK -- 1x40 'Tolerance doesn't exist in our society'

OIC pledges Rp 12t aid for Aceh

OIC pledges Rp 12t aid for AcehThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has pledged Rp 12 trillion (US$1.22 billion) in reconstruction funds for tsunami- devastated Aceh."OIC has expressed interest in channeling assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects...

Four detained for fake fishing permits

Four detained for fake fishing permits JAKARTA: The Jakarta Prosecutors Office has detained four suspects for faking fishing and tax permits that allowed foreign fishermen into the country's waters.The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that the four suspects were Tema Persula, HM...

3 x 13

3 x 13 Top officials undeserving of pay raise: ICW JP/4/PAN3 x 17 House commission in disharmony over plan to axe member

Recognition of 'third sex'?

Recognition of 'third sex'?From RepublikaAs 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.

S. African envoy submits credentials

S. African envoy submits credentialsTIMOR LESTE: South Africa's Ambassador to Indonesia Griffiths Mandlenkosi Memela on Wednesday presented his credentials to Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao in Dili, an official at the South African Embassy in Jakarta said.

Embracing religion is loving peace

Embracing religion is loving peace Up until quite recently I had never heard of Ahmadiyah, nor would I have most likely except for the unruly acts of intolerance visited upon the unfortunate and apparently peaceful members of that sect by a mob of righteous fanatics who just happen to be Muslim.