Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 August 2005

97 articles found

Dengue kills another child as outbreak worsens

Dengue kills another child as outbreak worsens Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post One more child died of dengue fever on Wednesday as the outbreak worsened in the capital. The City Health Agency said that as many as 61 dengue patients were admitted into hospitals on Wednesday, but still declined to declare the outbreak an emergency. "According to our procedure the current condition is not yet considered an emergency.

Balinese actors in Darwin Festival

Balinese actors in Darwin Festival DENPASAR: Four Balinese actors and eight musicians will display their stage prowess in Time is A Hunter, which will be premiered on Aug. 24 and run through Aug. 28 in Ruins town hall, Darwin, Australia. Time is A Hunter is an offspring of a collaborative creative process between Australian woman dramatist Sandra Thibideaux and her Balinese counterpart Anak Agung Sagung Mas Ruscitadewi.

Malaysia, RI in crisis talks over haze

Malaysia, RI in crisis talks over haze Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Schools closed, flights were canceled and people stayed indoors as a noxious haze blamed on forest fires in Indonesia thickened Wednesday to dangerous levels over Kuala Lumpur and surrounding towns, the Associated Press reported. Malaysia announced it would hold crisis talks with Indonesia over the choking haze caused by forest fires in Sumatra which reached hazardous levels in parts of the country Wednesday.

1. PKB ---- 3x12

1. PKB ---- 3x12 Alwi Shihab loses in PKB legal battle 2. CSIS ---- 1x45 Experts call for new design of RI foreign policy 3. English - 4x10 Indonesia ranks fifth in ASEAN for TOEFL 4. Javanese - 2x18 Suriname commemorates Javanese immigration 5. Susul --- 2x22 Don't feed the monkeys on Bali: Researchers 6. Susul2 -- 2x18 Bird flu source probe ends, case unsolved

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug.10, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug.10, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,900 -150 268,000 Adhi Karya 750 0 8,057,000 Adira Dinamika 2,650 0 59,000 AGIS Tbk 110 0 3,318,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 310 -10 317,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,280 0 1,035,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0...

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Of all the cross-cultural marriages that are possible, one would think that a couple from Java and Sumatra would have the least difficulty in adjusting to each other. But that is often not the case as we find out with Yulian and Arnita Dinner was ready, served on the round dining table.

Looking into the root causes of Papua problems

Looking into the root causes of Papua problems Vidhyandika D Perkasa, Jakarta The recent "intervention" by the U.S. Congress concerning the legitimacy of Indonesia's sovereignty over the province of Papua cannot be regarded as odd. Whatever the real intention behind this American move, we must acknowledge that it indirectly has to do with our own inadequacy in handling the Papuan problem.

TV Today: Friday, August 12, 2005

TV Today: Friday, August 12, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Hello Kitty 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 11:30 Koran Recital 1:00 p.m.

Supreme Court puts Rahardi behind bars for two years

Supreme Court puts Rahardi behind bars for two years Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former head of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Rahardi Ramelan attended a ceremony at the State Palace to celebrate National Technology Day on Wednesday.

Blending cultures begets child of tomorrow

Blending cultures begets child of tomorrow Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Diversity is a challenge faced by everyone. But for this young couple and their 18-month-old offspring, diversity is a way of life as they navigate the trepidations of accommodating three different cultural backgrounds and three faiths.

'Rapai Pase' a symbol of peace in Aceh

'Rapai Pase' a symbol of peace in Aceh Syahruddin Hamzah, Antara/Banda Aceh "Pat ujeun yang hana pirang, pat prang yang hana reda" -- an Acehnese proverb literally meaning, "There's no rain that cannot be stopped and there's no war that cannot be ended in this area," is appropriate in reference to the peace pact between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement, slated to be signed in Helsinki, Finland on Aug. 15.

Council supports plan to build more dumps

Council supports plan to build more dumps JAKARTA: City Council's Commission D on development expressed support for the Jakarta administration's plan to build four integrated waste treatment plants in the city. The project, with the World Bank as the advisor, targets the existing dumps in Cilincing, Marunda and Sunter in North Jakarta and Duri Kosambi in West Jakarta.

Crosscultural couples find common ground

Crosscultural couples find common ground Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The cluster of small streets in a South Jakarta suburb is a safe haven from many of Jakarta's ills. Aside from the sounds of the steady stream of street vendors or the chatter of housemaids gathered near the narrow stretch of grass doubling as a park, little goes on in the neighborhood once the morning rush to work is over.

JP/17/PITLOK

JP/17/PITLOK The highs and lows of a Sundanese wooden puppet maker Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung The Sri Lankan couple and their son were impressed by the skillful way in which Hedi carved a piece of albasis wood into the shape of a crown, and then a face with a sharp-pointed nose beneath it. Hedi's workshop is located in a house in an alley called Japan Pengarang, right behind the Savoy Homann Hotel in Bandung.

Don't feed the monkeys on Bali: Researchers

Don't feed the monkeys on Bali: Researchers Margie Mason, Associated Press / Bali The monkey temples on the resort island of Bali are a perfect photo op for tourists feeding bananas to man's closest relative, but most visitors are likely unaware they're at risk of contracting a little-known retrovirus recently found to jump from primates to people in Asia.

Headings

Headings 1. PPMK -- 1x35 Subdistrict support funds in pipeline 2. DENGUE -- 2x24 Dengue kills another child as outbreak worsens 3. FLONA -- 1x30 Decorative plants big hit at expo 4. ARSIP -- 1x36 National Archives keeps history alive 5. LEAD -- 2x30 Lead concentration high above Serpong research center 6. SPEAK -- 1x40 'We should put aside the differences among us'

BNI moves closer to BTN merger

BNI moves closer to BTN merger Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Negara Indonesia's bid to acquire Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) has moved a step further with the government saying that a merger was crucial in advancing the bank's capital to support plans on part of the government to provide affordable housing loans to the public.

Bedugul geothermal project raises controversy

Bedugul geothermal project raises controversy I Wayan Ananta Wijaya, Contributor, Tabanan The island of Bali is blessed with abundant water resources, vegetation, natural resources and beautiful landscapes. One of the island's ubiquitous natural assets is the Bedugul forest area located between busy Tabanan in the south and Buleleng regency in the north.

JP/18/EXPO

JP/18/EXPO Photo Expo of 1955 Asia-Africa Conference Golden Jubilee Exposing Tidbits about the Celebration Attended by World Leaders Yuli Tri Suwarni Bandung Photo expo shows Asia-Afrika tidbits Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung Suhendar, 28, could not help smiling upon seeing a large picture in a 50 centimeter by 60 cm wooden frame depicting hundreds of Bandung residents rushing into the Merdeka Building.

Indonesian female diplomats and gender mainstreaming in diplomacy

Indonesian female diplomats and gender mainstreaming in diplomacy Retno L.P. Marsudi, Jakarta Some people say that in Indonesia diplomacy is a man's world. Many tend to believe the myth as they observe the relatively insignificant number of women diplomats, even when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will celebrate its the 60th anniversary on Aug. 19. Is the myth true? And if it is not then how can women diplomats contribute to the future of Indonesian diplomacy?

PLN sets gas aside for industries

PLN sets gas aside for industries Leony Aurora and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State power firm PLN will reallocate 10 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day (mmscfd), normally supplied to state gas distributor PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), for industries for one year, a minister says. The natural gas will be temporarily replaced by petroleum, which state oil and gas firm Pertamina has agreed to supply, Minister of Industry Andung A.

Decorative plants big hit at expo

Decorative plants big hit at expo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A middle-aged couple made their way through traffic to Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta. "It's rare to find so many plants in one place," said Ong Harjono, who grows decorative plants in the backyard of his home in Cibubur, East Jakarta. Ong and his wife spent more than one hour traveling to the venue to look for a rare Matoa tree in the Flora Fauna Expo 2005.

From catwalk to media spotlight

From catwalk to media spotlight M. Taufiqurrahman & Karen Stingemore, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When Nadine Chandrawinata was named Miss Indonesia 2005 by a panel of judges in the country's most celebrated beauty contest, people could not help but think that the 21-year-old Jakarta delegate had won the title simply because of her physical appearance. Nadine's statuesque figure towered above those of other contestants and her Eurasian face had a complexion that easily won over the jury.

Hip-hop permeates Jakarta youth culture

Hip-hop permeates Jakarta youth culture Armando Siahaan Contributor/Jakarta The pervasiveness of American culture has once again resulted in a growing subculture in Jakarta. This time, the cultural invasion involves the integration of hip-hop as part of Jakarta youth culture. Looking back to around 10 years ago, the word "hip-hop" was something relatively alien in the minds of most Indonesians. Only a few proponents tried to spread hip-hop at that time; one of the most prominent was Iwa K.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 12, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 12, 2005 Exhibitions * Woodpecker Show 2005, at Galeri Cipta III, Taman Ismail Marzuki Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Aug. 17 * Photo About Photography by Firman Ichsan, Nico Dharmajungen, Tara Sosrowardoyo, Erik Prasetya, Oscar Motuloh, Yudhi Soerjoatmodjo, Keke Tumbuan, Paul Kadarisman, Timur Angin, at Gallery Lontar Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 8573388), until Aug.

Garuda posted net loss in 2004, first in 3 years

Garuda posted net loss in 2004, first in 3 years Arijit Ghosh and Soraya Permatasari, Bloomberg/Jakarta PT Garuda Indonesia, the nation's biggest airline, said it posted a net loss in 2004, the first time in three years because of higher costs and surging fuel prices. Net loss for the year ended December was Rp 811.3 billion (US$83 million), compared with Rp 2.81 billion net income in 2003, according to company documents obtained by Bloomberg News.

Govt may raise domestic fuel prices in January

Govt may raise domestic fuel prices in January Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With soaring oil prices showing little sign of abating in the foreseeable future, the government is likely to increase fuel prices in or before January in order to keep the budget deficit within reasonable bounds and to sustain economic progress.

1. Vidya -- Peering through Papua using our conscience

1. Vidya -- Peering through Papua using our conscience 2 x 23 Looking into the root causes of Papua problems Vidhyandika D Perkasa Jakarta 2. Retno -- Gender mainstreaming in Indonesian diplomacy 2 x 30 Indonesian female diplomats and gender mainstreaming in diplomacy Retno L.P. Marsudi Jakarta

Health service for the poor

Health service for the poor From Bisnis Indonesia The parents of a premature and ailing baby recently had to spend 11 hours seeking medical treatment in five hospitals before finally being admitted in Harapan Bunda Hospital. Earlier, a scavenger had carry his dead child to Bogor because he could not afford to pay a central Jakarta hospital's ambulance fee.

Lampung gets foreign exchange from EU

Lampung gets foreign exchange from EU BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Lampung province earned US$252.8 million in foreign exchange from exporting non-oil and gas products to 11 European Union countries in the first semester of this year, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Health service for the poor

Health service for the poor From Bisnis Indonesia The parents of a premature and ailing baby recently had to spend 11 hours seeking medical treatment in five hospitals before finally being admitted in Harapan Bunda Hospital. Earlier, a scavenger had carry his dead child to Bogor because he could not afford to pay a central Jakarta hospital's ambulance fee.

Aguswandi

Aguswandi Jakarta 2. Pro11 -- The ghosts of history in East Asia 1 x 30 The ghosts of history in East Asia Antonio Chun-nan Chiang Project Syndicate 3. Star -- Time to get serious about the haze 1 x 30 Time to get serious about the haze Wong Sulong The Star Asia News Network/Selangor, Malaysia

An historic legacy celebrated in Semarang

An historic legacy celebrated in Semarang The provincial capital of Central Java, Semarang, recently wrapped up a week of celebrations held to mark the 600th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese explorer Admiral Zheng He (known locally as Cheng Ho). The highlight was a street carnival, Sam Poo Kong Kirab (Sam Poo Kong parade), held last Thursday, in which people from throughout the city and groups from as far afield as Surakarta and Yogyakarta also participated.

MUI's edict

MUI's edict I very much regret one of the edicts that the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued in its recent national conference, namely the one about Ahmadiyah being a heretical Islamic sect. This edict has caused anarchic acts to be carried out against several institutions owned by Ahmadiyah, such as its campus, mosques and schools. Labeling a particular sect as heretical requires honesty and transparency.

'We should put aside the differences among us'

'We should put aside the differences among us' The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a number of edicts banning pluralism and liberalism, including a prohibition on Muslims attending prayer sessions led or attended by non-Muslims. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their thoughts on the issue. Sonny Hoke, 53, is an employee of a publishing company.

Civil-society and the building of an ASEAN community

Civil-society and the building of an ASEAN community Alexander C. Chandra Jakarta The recent Roundtable Discussion on the Prospects and Challenges in the Building of an ASEAN Community, which was organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), shed light on the importance of civil society in the making of an ASEAN Community.

Papuans demand probe into alleged misuse of special autonomy funds

Papuans demand probe into alleged misuse of special autonomy funds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Controversy over the issue of special autonomy for Papua has shifted to allegations of the misuse of Rp 5.6 trillion (US$577.3 million) in the government's autonomy fund allocated for the region. A group of West Irian Jaya politicians demanded on Wednesday that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono form a team to investigate the alleged misappropriation of the state funds, Antara reported.

Graft uncovered in education ministry

Graft uncovered in education ministry JAKARTA: Police are probing another corruption case in the Ministry of National Education that involves officials in the directorate general of primary and secondary education. National Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Malaysia to hold crisis talks in RI over choking haze

Malaysia to hold crisis talks in RI over choking haze Agencies Kuala Lumpur Malaysia announced on Wednesday it would hold crisis talks with Indonesia over the choking haze caused by forest fires, mostly from Sumatra, which had reached hazardous levels in parts of the Malay peninsula. "The Cabinet has instructed me to go to Jakarta to meet our counterparts to identify long-term and short-term measures to fight the haze.

Alwi Shihab loses in PKB legal battle

Alwi Shihab loses in PKB legal battle The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The South Jakarta District Court ruled on Wednesday that last year's dismissal of chief welfare minister Alwi Shihab as the National Awakening Party (PKB) leader was legitimate. "We refuse the plaintiff's request and declare that his dismissal as the PKB leader was legal," judge I Wayan Rena Wardhana told the court.

Defense minister meets rectors

Defense minister meets rectors JAKARTA: Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono held a gathering on Wednesday with some 160 rectors and representatives of universities from across the country in a bid to encourage them assist in developing the nation's defense systems. "This is our first meeting with the minister.

Katingan regency to attend int'l expo

Katingan regency to attend int'l expo PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Katingan regency, Central Kalimantan, is the only regency outside Jakarta that has been invited to attend an industry expo in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Katingan regency spokesman, Gatin Rangka, said that the regental government would avail of the opportunity to exhibit its principal products before the international public in Zagreb. Among these products are rattan household furniture and handicraft products.

Foreign monitors to start in Aceh

Foreign monitors to start in Aceh Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As soon as the Aceh peace agreement is signed on Monday, 50 overseas monitors will start working out of posts in four designated areas of the province. The advance team from the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), who hail from European Union and ASEAN countries, will set up their posts in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, and in Meulaboh, Lhokseumawe and Bireuen.

Antam issues shares for Freeport purchase

Antam issues shares for Freeport purchase JAKARTA: PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) said on Wednesday it is planning to issue new shares later this year in an effort to help finance the planned purchase of the government's 9.36 percent stake in PT Freeport Indonesia. "The proceeds from the rights issue will be used to help finance the purchase of Freeport," Antam Chief Executive Deddy Aditya Sumanagara told reporters. He did not give details on the value or the ratio of the new shares.

It is indeed very sad that our country and government

It is indeed very sad that our country and government tolerates fanatical groups of people that dictate their will upon others. I'm talking about the forced closure of the Jamaah Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) headquarters in Parung, Bogor. The followers of Ahmadiyah have been known for their tolerance to other religions. They have not been involved in any acts of vandalism or mayhem. Now we have read that the regent of Bogor has instructed the closure of the Ahmadiyah center.

Independent hasn't brought peace in Poso

Independent hasn't brought peace in Poso Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso, Sulawesi Tengah "Perdamaian, perdamaian. Perdamaian, perdamaian. Banyak yang cinta damai, tapi perang makin ramai. Bingung-bingung ku memikirkan." (Peace, peace. Peace, peace. Many love peace, but war is on the rise.

Goodyear sells plantation in RI

Goodyear sells plantation in RI AKRON, Ohio: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has completed the sale of an Indonesian rubber plantation to Bridgestone Corp. for about US$62 million. The sale of its 95 percent stake in Goodyear Sumatra Plantations is part of Goodyear's strategy to focus on its core businesses, the company said. The world's largest tire company reported a profit of nearly $115 million on sales of $18.4 billion in 2004 after losing money for four straight years.

Committed to 'Uang'

Committed to 'Uang' In response to Hazim Suhadi's letter regarding Telcom's overpriced service in the broadband sector (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 6), this overpricing also relates to local, long distance and international calls. This must be the only country in the world where consumers are charged a minimum fee for making calls to an engaged number when the caller is advised by a voice recording that the number is busy or unavailable. Do we really need to be told that the line is busy.

JP/1/hour3

JP/1/hour3 Police will act firmly against all acts of intimidation regardless of religious or ethnic labels claimed by its participants. National Police spokesman Snr.Commr. Tjiptono said on Wednesday that any group, "large or small", involving premanisme or intimidation and violence, would be "eradicated". Police are still tracing identities of suspected thugs, he added. The provinces of Riau and East Java respectively have the highest records this year, with 41 cases each. -- detik.com

1. TRAIN: 2 X 24

1. TRAIN: 2 X 24 Ten killed, 27 injured in South Sumatra train crash 2. RAHARDI: 2 X 20 Supreme Court puts Rahardi behind bars for two years 3. AHMADIYAH: 2 X 24 Government rejects MUI's demand to ban Ahmadiyah 4. SUPER: 2 X 24 Jakarta sets up classes for the exceptionally intelligent

Kalla urges capital market authorities to boost supervision

Kalla urges capital market authorities to boost supervision Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Improvements in law enforcement and legal certainty in the country's capital market are the keys to maintaining investors' trust.

PBSI justifies decision to send only 10 players to worlds

PBSI justifies decision to send only 10 players to worlds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary-general MF Siregar defended on Wednesday the decision to keep at home half of the players who qualified for the upcoming World Badminton Championships.

Jakarta sets up classes for the exceptionally intelligent

Jakarta sets up classes for the exceptionally intelligent Dyah Apsari, The Jakarta Post A search is underway for students with strong intellectual capabilities in science to study in a special class hosted by state school SMA 3 in Setiabudi, South Jakarta. Yohanes Surya of the Indonesian Physics Olympiad Foundation said that they were looking for 20 to 30 first-year high school students to participate in the program that is expected to start late August.

Acehnese pin high hopes on Helsinki peace deal

Acehnese pin high hopes on Helsinki peace deal Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Aceh Besar With the signing of the Helsinki peace deal just a few days away, the Acehnese people expressed support on Wednesday for the peace process and the hope that it would produce lasting peace in the province.

Insurer pays out 1st tsunami claim to Semen Andalas

Insurer pays out 1st tsunami claim to Semen Andalas The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local insurance firm PT Asuransi Wahana Tata settled on Wednesday the first insurance claim by tsunami-hit PT Semen Andalas Indonesia, whose plant in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam was badly damaged by the disaster on Dec. 26, 2004.

Team against illegal fees

Team against illegal fees From Kompas The report in Kompas (July 13) on the planned establishment of a team for the eradication of illegal fees was heartening. At first glance this seems to be a follow-up to the successful drive by the government's anticorruption team. Sadly, however, the team against illegal fees initiated by the minister of communications is only meant to deal with corrupt personnel at seaports.

Subdistrict support funds in pipeline

Subdistrict support funds in pipeline Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Community Empowerment Board (BPM) revealed on Wednesday that 267 subdistricts would receive the Subdistrict Residents Empowerment Scheme fund (PPMK) soon, saying that it is ready to disburse a total of Rp 267 billion this year. "The subdistricts will receive different amounts of money based on their respective proposals.

JP/18/SIDE

JP/18/SIDE New road takes toll on train passengers BANDUNG: The opening of the Cikampek-Purwakarta-Padalarang toll road, better known as the Cipularang toll road, has considerably cut the time taken to travel from Jakarta to Bandung. It has also adversely affected the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api (PT KAI). The data shows a drop of up to 30 percent in the number of people traveling by rail. In a workshop on railway affairs held in Panghegar Hotel, Bandung, on Aug.

National Archives keeps history alive

National Archives keeps history alive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The paper looked no different than any common receipt, except that the yellowed slip has "Government of Australia" as the sender printed on it and the message is a diplomatic matter supporting the independence of Indonesia. Few realize that 60 years ago, diplomatic messages were sent by the simple communication means of the telegraph.

Regional elections a waste?

Regional elections a waste? From Kompas There have been reports about the rejection of the results in many of the regional elections marked by mobs ravaging public offices. As a layman, I feel disturbed by these incidents. The cost of repair following such destruction will be taken from the state treasury or regional budgets, which really need the money to construct public facilities or support poor people.

RI provides 133 scholarships

RI provides 133 scholarships JAKARTA: The government has provided scholarships for 133 foreigners to study arts, culture and language in 14 state universities in this fiscal year. The foreign students, who come from 40 countries, on Wednesday embarked their studies, which will not offer academic degrees. Their fields of study include Bahasa Indonesia, shadow puppetry (Wayang), and various local dances.

Ten killed, 27 injured in South Sumatra train crash

Ten killed, 27 injured in South Sumatra train crash The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A cargo train slammed into a passenger bus in South Sumatran town of Baturaja on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 27 others. The accident, the latest of a series of train accidents across the country, reportedly took place at about 4 a.m. at an unmanned railway crossing in Baturaja. The train, which was carrying coal, rammed into a bus with more than 30 people on board.

Bird flu source probe ends, case unsolved

Bird flu source probe ends, case unsolved Agencies, Jakarta Indonesia's search for the source of the bird flu virus that killed three people near its densely populated capital has ended in failure, the health minister said on Wednesday. Health experts said they could not pinpoint the source and decided to end the investigation into how a man and his two young daughters contracted the deadly H5N1 strain last month, Reuters reported. They were the country's first human casualties of the virus.

RI-India to boost economic relationship

RI-India to boost economic relationship Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia and India have agreed to set up a joint study group to boost the bilateral economic relationship which remained far from its huge potential, Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu said on Wednesday. "Our exports to India account for only 1 percent of their total imports of approximately US$200 billion," Mari said here after leading a trade delegation visit to India from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10.

Satria Muda vows to bounce back in IBL finals

Satria Muda vows to bounce back in IBL finals The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Defending Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) champion Satria Muda Britama is determined to battle back in the do-or-die second game of the final against Hewlett Packard Aspac. "We will fight to get the second game and are set to do some brainstorming to decide our strategy," Satria's coach Fictor "Ito" Gideon Roring was quoted as saying on Wednesday by Antara news service.

Security worries force cgange to Papuan protest

Security worries force cgange to Papuan protest Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Papua Due to security concerns, the Papuan Tribal Council has decided to move forward a planned mass protest on Aug. 15 that would condemn the government's failure to execute a special autonomy scheme for Papua. The protest, which would highlight 'the return of the Special Autonomy Law to the central government,' is set to be held on Aug.

Committed to 'Uang'

Committed to 'Uang' In response to Hazim Suhadi's letter regarding Telcom's overpriced service in the broadband sector (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 6), this overpricing also relates to local, long distance and international calls. This must be the only country in the world where consumers are charged a minimum fee for making calls to an engaged number when the caller is advised by a voice recording that the number is busy or unavailable. Do we really need to be told that the line is busy.

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage Emmy Fitri The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Of all the cross-cultural marriages that are possible, one would think that a couple from Java and Sumatra would have the least difficulty in adjusting to each other. But that is often not the case as we find out with Yulian and Arnita Dinner was ready, served on the round dining table.

Government rejects MUI's demand to ban Ahmadiyah

Government rejects MUI's demand to ban Ahmadiyah Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will not ban the teachings of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) nor dissolve the group, but will let the government-sanctioned Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) decide whether it will file such a request with the court, a senior minister says.

Satria Muda got off to a poor start in the 2005 IBL

Satria Muda got off to a poor start in the 2005 IBL competition due to the absence of key player Wahyu Hidayat Jati, but they have gradually improved their play. They beat Panasia Garuda 2-0 in the semifinals.

Lead concentration high above Serpong research center

Lead concentration high above Serpong research center The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The concentration of lead in the air around Serpong's Research and Technology Center (Puspitek) as well as in the blood of elementary school students in the area exceeds the tolerable level, studies say.

Bali Dynasty chef wins competition

Bali Dynasty chef wins competition KUTA: Lim Hing Fatt, the Chinese Chef of Bali Dynasty Resort's Golden Lotus Restaurant, won the World Golden Chef Competition 2005 held in July at Kuala Lumpur's World Trade Center building. Combining grouper fish with a variety of fresh ingredients, including caviar, bamboo fungus and sea urchin, the 34-year-old chef prepared "Loving Each Other", an exotic dish that secured him first place in the prestigious competition.

Legalized abortion and free sex

Legalized abortion and free sex From Republika Indonesia's maternal and infant mortality is the highest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, reaching 307 per 100,000 live births. Directly contributing to the rate are hemorrhage (28 percent), eclampsia (13 percent), abortion (11 percent) and sepsis (10 percent).

JP/ /POSO

JP/ /POSO Post-conflict Poso Consumed by hate, divided by faith Ruslan Sangadji & Meidyatama Suryodiningrat The Jakarta Post/Poso, Sulawesi Tengah Tragically, communal conflict -- whether ethnic or religious -- has been a feature of the nation since the onset of the reform era. One such conflict engulfed the once peaceful regency of Poso in Central Sulawesi. Though an edgy peace now prevails, the violence the conflict generated created lasting divisions that may take generations to heal.

The minister was also barred from wearing PKB pins while carrying

The minister was also barred from wearing PKB pins while carrying out his political activities.

Court ruling against PKS final, chief justice says

Court ruling against PKS final, chief justice says The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Bandung Nur Mahmudi Ismail may have to accept the controversial verdict that converted his apparent victory in West Java's Depok mayoral election, with Supreme Court chief Bagir Manan saying the lower court ruling was final and binding. "It was the last resort in the legal process. There are no other legal avenues beyond that," he said at his office on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.

B-1: Flowers and more. Page 8

B-1: Flowers and more. Page 8 B-2: Tarver and Jones, ready to rumble Page 9 B-3: Meet Nadine, Miss Indonesia 2005. Page 20

Marimutu named suspect in loan scam

Marimutu named suspect in loan scam Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Businessman Marimutu Sinivasan has been declared a suspect by the National Police in an alleged fraud case involving a bad loan of Rp 20 billion (US$2.1 million) from Bank Muamalat. However, the co-founder of PT Texmaco failed to appear for questioning on Wednesday at National Police Headquarters, with his lawyer claiming that he was ill.

Reality shows that promote social values thrive

Reality shows that promote social values thrive Armando Siahaan, Contributor, Jakarta It is indisputable that the rise of reality TV shows in Indonesia is reaching unprecedented levels, even to the extent that they might seriously rival the dominance of sinetron, Indonesian soap operas. Reality shows have become successful in attracting a wide audience mainly because the programs pointedly portray social values of different strata in society.

Aceh consensus

Aceh consensus No endeavor will succeed if it does not have the genuine support and blessings of the primary stakeholders in the process. No matter how ingenuous the initiative, the effort put into it will be indicative of the confidence in its benefit and eventual success. The unanimous show of support expressed by the House of Representatives during a meeting to discuss the soon to be signed Aceh peace accord was a relief.

Experts call for new design of RI foreign policy

Experts call for new design of RI foreign policy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asia -- the world's newest strategic hub of world politics and trade -- must find a new mechanism called "Concert of East Asian Powers" to maintain an equilibrium among the big powers in the Asia-Pacific and East Asian regions, a foreign policy expert said in Jakarta.

JP/18/TAPIS2

JP/18/TAPIS2 Lampung 'tapis': No longer sacred status symbol Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung For the Lampung community, tapis cloth reflects the status of the owner. Take Tapis Raja Medal, for example. This particular type of cloth may be worn only during traditional ceremonies by the upper class of the indigenous Lampung ethnic group, such as family members of traditional community elders or tribal chiefs.

JP/18/LAPIS1

JP/18/LAPIS1 A blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic cultures Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Historically, tapis cloth from Lampung began to be developed around 800 A.D. as, for example, and is referred to in the Record of King Belitang dated 898 to 915 A.D. The cloth was first developed by people living in Menggala, Tulangbawang regency and Kenali (West Lampung).

Shares end higher, with Telkom still rebounding

Shares end higher, with Telkom still rebounding Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Wednesday led by bellwether PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom)'s continued rebound on renewed expectations that the company will book higher 2005 earnings, dealers said. Gains on most Asian markets and the firmer rupiah against the dollar also brought impetus to the local bourse.

Suriname commemorates Javanese immigration

Suriname commemorates Javanese immigration Agence France-Presse, Paramaribo The South American nation of Suriname has been marking 115 years since immigrants started arriving from Indonesia with a visit by a top provincial governor.

Indonesian ranks fifth in ASEAN for TOEFL

Indonesian ranks fifth in ASEAN for TOEFL Indonesian students came in fifth in English language proficiency tests in Southeast Asia. Singaporeans ranked first place in the TOEFL scores, followed by Filipinos, Malaysians, Burmese, Indonesians, Vietnamese, Lao, Thais and Cambodians. Thai students came in second-to-last in the tests, raising questions about the government's goal of making the country a regional hub for everything from fashion to the auto industry, media reports said on Wednesday.

Labor unions pledge support for Garuda strike plan

Labor unions pledge support for Garuda strike plan Ridwan Max Sijabat and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Condemning Garuda Indonesia management's move to close the offices of the Association of Garuda Flight Attendants (Ikagi), labor unions threw their full support behind the employees' planned strike this weekend.

Nine relatives die in Jelambar house fire

Nine relatives die in Jelambar house fire Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two brothers and their families were killed in a tragic house fire in the Jelambar area of West Jakarta early on Wednesday morning. The owner of the house in the Jelambar area of West Jakarta, businessman Tony Wijaya, 55, had packed most of his family's belongings, which were stacked on the terrace, because they were moving out.

Yogyakarta -- Indonesia's proverbial melting pot

Yogyakarta -- Indonesia's proverbial melting pot Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta There are few other places like it in Indonesia. Yogyakarta is, perhaps, Indonesia's definitive melting pot. A center of education and historic relevance, Yogyakarta since early times has opened itself to welcome Indonesians of all ethnic groups. Here we look at how the ancient city has succeeded in becoming so accommodating to newcomers without losing its own unique cultural identity.

Fasten your seat belts

Fasten your seat belts Allow me to complain about the discomfort and security in a Lion Air flight from Makassar-Denpasar on board JT 0741 on July 10 (flight time at 9:53 Central Indonesia Standard Time). My ticket was No. 99077718672681 and my seat was No. 37 E. The check-in was crowded because one counter was used for two destinations (Denpasar and Manado) while only one scale was used.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 11, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 11, 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. * Sculpture Dua Titik-titik Api, at Griya Santrian Gallery, Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 47, Sanur, until Aug. 13 * Painting Invisible Impresion by Kenji Sasaki, at Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort and Spa, Cliff Villa Gallery, until Sept.

Kampung Keling -- economic symbiosis in Medan's

Kampung Keling -- economic symbiosis in Medan's Chinese-Indian enclave Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Medan, North Sumatra, is known for its sharp racial distinctions between native Batak, Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnic groups. Ironically, one of the city's most prominent areas, Kampung Keling, or Little India, has evolved to become an example of racial harmony between the ethnic Chinese and the once predominant Indian community Its almost lunch time.

Ceremony brings villagers back together

Ceremony brings villagers back together The people of Nglurah village in Karanganyar regency, Central Java have been growing flowers and decorative plants for centuries. While many Nglurah people have moved away from the village, they continue to work as flower sellers. Pockets of the Nglurah community can be found across the archipelago and as far as Malaysia. Today, there are 355 families or 2,200 people living in the village.

BI to raise interest rate to 9.5%

BI to raise interest rate to 9.5% Phelim Kyne, Dow Jones/Jakarta The Indonesian central bank's move on Tuesday to raise its benchmark interest rate to 8.75 percent from 8.50 percent foreshadows a series of increases that could drive the rate up to 9.5 percent by the end of the year. Inflation pressures, a weakening currency and a desire to follow U.S. rate hikes all argue for higher interest rates in Indonesia, analysts say.

1. Garuda (1x45)

1. Garuda (1x45) Labor unions pledge support for Garuda strike plan 2. PKS (4x12) Court ruling against PKS final, chief justice says 3. Muama (1x32) Marimutu named suspect in loan scam 4. Irja (2x32) Papuans demand probe into alleged misuse of special autonomy funds

Devolving power to regions as peace building initiative

Devolving power to regions as peace building initiative Aguswandi, Jakarta A greater devolution of power to the regions in Indonesia than that accommodated by present autonomy law provisions should be an option in peace building. In order to solve the conflict in Aceh, the road map for peace demands a radical change in the power relationship between the center (Jakarta) and the periphery (Aceh). However, a significant challenge remains.

Diarrhea outbreak kills 13 people

Diarrhea outbreak kills 13 people MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A diarrhea outbreak has been affecting Makassar city since January this year, killing 13 people so far. "Four people affected with diarrhea, mostly infants, are admitted to the hospital each day," said Asaad Bastian, the director of the Labuang Haji Hospital in Makassar. Bad sanitation and unhealthy food have been blamed for the diarrhea crisis in the city.