Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 August 2005

110 articles found

Pangrango Nat. Park closes temporarily

Pangrango Nat. Park closes temporarily BOGOR: In a bid to allow the natural ecosystem time to recover, Pangrango National Park will temporarily close the conservation area located on Mount Gede Pangrango starting on Aug. 17.

Over 2,000 gambling machines destroyed

Over 2,000 gambling machines destroyed TANGERANG: In its war against gambling, the City Police have steamrollered and burned 2,294 gambling machines ranging from jackpot machines, roulette tables and even playing cards.

JP/5/FISH

JP/5/FISHKalimantan fishermen face tougher lifeRusman The Jakarta Post/NunukanAlthough independence was proclaimed 60 years ago, many people do not enjoy total freedom, including fishermen in the bordering areas of northern East Kalimantan and the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Rotterdam museum lends puppets

Rotterdam museum lends puppetsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Wereldmuseum of Rotterdam in the Netherlands has agreed to lend collection of "Wayang Revolusi" shadow puppets to city-owned Museum Wayang under a long-term agreement.

JP/21/T06

JP/21/T06Post-conflict Poso Consumed by hate, divided by faithRuslan Sangadji & Meidyatama Suryodiningrat The Jakarta Post/Poso, Central SulawesiTragically, communal conflict -- whether ethnic or religious -- has been a feature of the nation since the onset of the reform era.

Bot's planned visit reflects changing Dutch attitude

Bot's planned visit reflects changing Dutch attitudeAboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam It seems as if World War II has just ended for the Dutch. Six decades on, few of the legacies of the war and the independence of its former colony linger on.

ASEAN and China on track to sign free-trade deal by 2013: Malaysian PM

ASEAN and China on track to sign free-trade deal by 2013: Malaysian PM Agence France-Presse Kuala LumpurMalaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday said a free trade agreement with China will be signed by 2013, and that Malaysia's exports to China surged 25 percent to a record high...

Indonesia's oil subsidy problems

Indonesia's oil subsidy problemsGabriel Andris Thoumi Yogyakarta Here are some important global oil facts: U.S. uses 25 percent of the world's daily oil production of 80 million barrels of oil. World oil supplies are at their historic peak of maximum production due to depletion setting in.

I read the article [i]Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit

I read the article Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation' in your online edition of July 22. Reading the statement of Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh took me back centuries to the age of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

No Q and A in DPD meeting

No Q and A in DPD meeting JAKARTA: The unprecedented Regional Representatives Council (DPD) plenary meeting scheduled to be convened to hear a presidential speech on Aug. 23 will not involve a question and answer session, a legislator said.

Tightening money supply

Tightening money supply Bank Indonesia (BI) has tightened its monetary stance again as inflation seems to be rearing its ugly head amid the weakening rupiah against the American dollar, the steady rise in international oil prices to as high as US$64/barrel early last week and the increase in the U.

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage Page 4

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage Page 4JP/21/T08Anglo-Indo couple finds common ground Page 7

Santos's Jeruk oil field value halved

Santos's Jeruk oil field value halvedBloomberg, Sydney Santos Ltd., Australia's biggest natural gas producer, had the valuation of its Jeruk oil discovery in Indonesia halved by UBS AG after releasing "disappointing" preliminary results from a well at the field.

Team against illegal fees

Team against illegal feesFrom KompasThe 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.

Medan media accused of political bias

Medan media accused of political biasDedy Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post/Medan The mayoral election in Medan has come to an end with the pair of Abdillah and Ramli being elected mayor and deputy mayor. The victory was widely predicted as the pair was supported by eight major parties, including the...

East Kalimantan fishermen losing technoloty battle

East Kalimantan fishermen losing technoloty battleRusman, The Jakarta Post/Nunukan Although independence was proclaimed 60 years ago, many people do not enjoy total freedom, including fishermen in the bordering areas of northern East Kalimantan and the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Blending cultures begets child of tomorrow

Blending cultures begets child of tomorrowEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDiversity 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...

Hotel introduces sculptors to wider audience

Hotel introduces sculptors to wider audienceI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post/Denpasar Bali's fine arts scene is a place where painting, modern works particularly, rule and sculpture takes a back seat.

Citibank responds

Citibank responds In response to M.A. Kolhapuri's letter Citibank Credit Card in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 11, we would like to clarify that we have contacted our customer and the problem has been resolved satisfactorily.

JP/21/T12

JP/21/T12Post-conflict Poso Consumed by hate, divided by faithRuslan Sangadji & Meidyatama Suryodiningrat The Jakarta Post/Poso, Sulawesi TengahTragically, communal conflict -- whether ethnic or religious -- has been a feature of the nation since the onset of the reform era.

PLN glitches caused blackouts

PLN glitches caused blackouts State power firm PT PLN had its electricity generating capacity reduced by a total of 689 mega watts (MW) on Friday night, resulting in several blackouts in the Java-Bali distribution network.

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriageEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, JakartaOf 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.

Spiralling oil prices starting to clip Asian carriers' wings

Spiralling oil prices starting to clip Asian carriers' wingsAgence France-Presse, Singapore Asian carriers are starting to feel the pinch from sky-rocketing oil prices and the pain may worsen after crude futures have soared to an unprecedented US$66 a barrel, analysts said.

Minister opposes condom use to fight HIV

Minister opposes condom use to fight HIVThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Not everybody is impressed by the nationwide campaign for the use of condoms to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.Among those who are apparently opposed to the campaign is State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault.

Milking profits in East Java

Milking profits in East JavaDuncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya The Westernisation of Indonesian lifestyles is helping lift incomes for thousands of East Java dairy farmers.Working with the provincial government and the agriculture department of Western Australia, they have boosted milk production.

Housing construction to grow 35% next year, minister says

Housing construction to grow 35% next year, minister saysRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Housing construction by the private sector is forecast to grow by at least 35 percent next year based on a total investment of trillions of rupiah, in line with stronger purchasing power due to...

Three KPUD workers named suspects

Three KPUD workers named suspects BANYUWANGI, East Java: The Banyuwangi Police have named three employees of the local General Elections Commission (KPUD) suspects in a corruption case involving Rp 849.6 million (US$89,400).The chief of detectives at the Banyuwangi Police, First Insp.

Bojonegoro reluctant to share Cepu block revenue

Bojonegoro reluctant to share Cepu block revenueBlontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Bojonegoro, East Java State oil and gas firm Pertamina's stance over the oil-rich, but still untapped, Cepu block continues to draw criticism.

Peerless HP Aspac crowned IBL championship

Peerless HP Aspac crowned IBL championshipMusthofid The Jakarta Post/Jakarta All-conquering Hewlett Packard Aspac was crowned the 2005 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) champion on Friday after defeating Satria Muda Britama 62-52 in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Piano and flute to offer East-West musical fusion

Piano and flute to offer East-West musical fusion Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Louis Banks are two great maestros due to play together on the same platform in Jakarta, creating a perfect sangam (fusion) of East and West with piano, flute and drums.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 15, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 15, 2005Exhibitions* 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 * Fine Arts Kekejaman Manusia by Gunther Uecker at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no.

5-on-5 soccer tournament launched

5-on-5 soccer tournament launched JAKARTA: Organizers of a new 5-on-5 soccer tournament for senior high school students say they want to promote excitement and togetherness among the thousands of participants.

Accord an Independence Day 'gift', says Susilo

Accord an Independence Day 'gift', says SusiloMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appealed to government negotiators to prevent any problem that could lead to the failure in the signing of a peace deal with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday.

Pearl Energy posts Q2 profit

Pearl Energy posts Q2 profit SINGAPORE: Pearl Energy Ltd., one of the two publicly traded oil and gas explorers in Singapore, said it posted a second- quarter profit from a loss a year ago, aided by production at oil fields in Indonesia and the Gulf of Thailand.

Busway routes to open before buses bought

Busway routes to open before buses boughtDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso insisted that his administration would stick to its initial plan to launch the new busway corridors by the end of this year, although the busway operator would not be able to get the new compressed...

On Indonesian Independence Day

On Indonesian Independence Day I'm a Dutchman (of Dutch-Indonesian descent) and I fully agree with minister Bot's attendance at Indonesia's 60th anniversary of independence. I think it is Indonesia's right to celebrate their independence on Aug.

Team against illegal fees

Team against illegal feesFrom KompasThe 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.

Reflections on independence and Rabindranath Tagore, the poet-

Reflections on independence and Rabindranath Tagore, the poet- educatorSusan J. Natih Jakarta One of the first songs that my daughter learned in kindergarten was Berkebun (Gardening).Ayo kawan kita bersama/menanam jagung di kebun kita/ ambil cangkulmu/ ambil pangkurmu/, kita bekerja tak jemu-jemu.

JP/21/T03

JP/21/T03Building a pluralist nationEndy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Jakarta What is pluralism? Why is it important for Indonesia's future?Like every other "ism", pluralism is a set of values. They include respecting our differences, and striving to work together on the basis of equality.

Environmentalists criticize draft ruling on forest use

Environmentalists criticize draft ruling on forest useThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Environmentalists have criticized a draft presidential regulation on forest use as not providing protection for forests because of its outright "pro-business agenda".

Councilors nabbed for gambling

Councilors nabbed for gamblingBlontank Poer, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta Police personnel on Thursday night arrested the speaker of the Sukoharjo regental council, Wardoyo Wijaya, and fellow councillor, Parjiyo, on charges of gambling in a hotel in Surakarta, Central Java.

1. Deficit - 3x16

1. Deficit - 3x16 Fuel subsidy spending likely to double: VP 2. Meat ---- 2x21 Laboratory-cultured meat: Home, home on the strange? 3. Midest -- 1x34 No regrets from Sharon over Gaza pullout 4. Concert - 2x24 Youth Music Orchestra to hold congress, stage concert 5. Basket -- 1x32to come lateRRR6.

Hot stone feast highlights Papua Independence Day celebrations

Hot stone feast highlights Papua Independence Day celebrationsNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura Arso community in Keerom regency here cooked a meal using hot stones on Thursday, which they shared together in celebration of Independence Day on August 17.

War and independence, a childhood memory

War and independence, a childhood memoryHadjid Harnawidagda Jakarta We are celebrating our 60th anniversary of Indonesian independence on Aug. 17. I was only eight years old in 1945, but I have a very vivid memory of what happened several years prior to and after the proclamation of independence.

TV Program: Monday, August 15, 2005

TV Program: Monday, August 15, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon8:00 Children Drama8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik10:00 Talk Show12:30 p.m. Documentary1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 Animal Documentary2:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 3:00 English News...

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 15, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 15, 2005Exhibitions* 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 * Fine Arts Kekejaman Manusia by Gunther Uecker at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no.

Judicial Commission to probe Depok case

Judicial Commission to probe Depok case JAKARTA: The newly installed Judicial Commission said on Friday it would launch an inquiry into judges of the West Java High Court over the latter's recent controversial ruling on the Depok mayoral election dispute.

Garuda crew back down on strike threat

Garuda crew back down on strike threatRidwan Max Sijabat and ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Surabaya Garuda Indonesia cabin crew called off their planned strike on Friday despite no deal being struck with the airline's management.

Russian Collection III unveiled in Jakarta

Russian Collection III unveiled in JakartaEvi Mariani and Karen Stingemore, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Boasting 139 contemporary paintings by 16 artists, the third Russian Collection exhibition was unveiled at the National Gallery of Indonesia to commemorate the 55th year of close ties between Russia...

ASEAN Social Charter would set a decent social safety net

ASEAN Social Charter would set a decent social safety netPravit Rojanaphruk The Nation Asia News Network/Bangkok Nearly four decades after ASEAN was founded, labor activists say it's time to push for an ASEAN Social Charter that would guarantee a certain level of labor rights across the region.

Holy month of August

Holy month of August The month of August may be looked upon by the people of Indonesia as the holy month of the year considering that on Aug. 17, 1945, the sovereign Republic of Indonesia was proclaimed after centuries of colonization.

Drug convict soap actor caught with drugs

Drug convict soap actor caught with drugsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta That which is hard to believe could happen in real life can always be seen in local TV soap operas, or in the lives of the actors.

No school uniforms?

No school uniforms?From KompasThe decision by the minister of national education to abolish the obligation for school students to wear uniforms in order to eliminate the monopoly in uniform procurements was inappropriate.

Haze from Indonesian forest fires tests Malaysian patience

Haze from Indonesian forest fires tests Malaysian patienceSarban Singh, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur Malaysians are a tolerant lot. But there is a limit to even this legendary patience when the consequences for health, the economy and quality of life are grave.

Malaysian PM vows to punish offenders as haze crisis worsens

Malaysian PM vows to punish offenders as haze crisis worsens Elisia Yeo Agence France-Presse/Kuala LumpurPrime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi vowed on Friday to punish the Malaysian owners of plantations in Indonesia whose clearance methods were blamed for sending a choking haze across Malaysia.

Ex-GAM rebels to get farmland

Ex-GAM rebels to get farmlandMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Many Free Aceh Movement (GAM) guerrilla fighters could well become farmers after they lay down their guns and receive compensation in the form of land, following a peace deal due for signing on Monday.

Yogyakarta -- Indonesia's proverbial melting pot

Yogyakarta -- Indonesia's proverbial melting potSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, YogyakartaThere 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...

Fuel subsidy spending to double: Govt

Fuel subsidy spending to double: GovtThe Jakarta Post JakartaWith world oil prices still regularly hitting record highs, the government has admitted that its fuel subsidy expenditures will likely double over and above its forecast allocation for this fiscal year, and in the process doubling the...

PLN to build power plant in Lombok

PLN to build power plant in Lombok MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: State electricity company PT PLN plans to build a coal-powered power plant on Lombok island, West Nusa Tenggara, at a cost of US$54.34 million, a PLN official said on Friday.

Kampung Keling -- economic symbiosis in Medan's

Kampung Keling -- economic symbiosis in Medan's Chinese-Indian enclaveApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanMedan, North Sumatra, is known for its sharp racial distinctions between native Batak, Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnic groups.

Govt move against companies responsible for forest fires

Govt move against companies responsible for forest firesThe Jakarta Post Jakarta/MedanThe authorities say they are trying to identify companies responsible for the current forest fires in the Sumatra region which have caused choking haze in neighboring Malaysia.

Special Report Editorial Team: Apriadi Gunawan, Bruce Emond, Emmy

Special Report Editorial Team: Apriadi Gunawan, Bruce Emond, Emmy Fitri, Endy Bayuni, Evi Mariani, Kornelius Purba, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Ruslan Sangadji, Sri Wahyuni.JP/21/T01

Police detain man on Munir flight

Police detain man on Munir flightEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post The National Police confirmed on Friday that they had detained a man for his possible role in the murder of top human rights campaigner Munir, although for now he was only being charged with immigration violations.Brig. Gen.

South Korea helps Indonesian vocational schools

South Korea helps Indonesian vocational schools Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/BangkokThe Indonesian government is working with South Korea and several other countries to provide training centers that will link vocational students to industries, an official said.

Locals oppose eviction plan

Locals oppose eviction plan JAKARTA: Some 30 people representing 27 families living in Pondok Melati, Bekasi, rallied on Friday at the office of the National Commission on Human Rights to ask for help in fighting government plans to evict them from their homes.

ICON+ to issue Islamic bonds

ICON+ to issue Islamic bonds JAKARTA: PT Indonesia Comnets Plus (ICON+) will issue up to Rp 100 billion (US$10.2 million) in Islamic bonds in September to expand its telecommunications network.The company, which is a unit of state-run electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), said on...

Singapore, RI seek opportunities

Singapore, RI seek opportunitiesBloomberg, Singapore Singapore and Indonesia, whose bilateral trade increased 17 percent to US$10 billion in the first half, should seek partnerships in areas such as oil and tourism, Singapore's Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang said.

JP/21/T09

JP/21/T09Blending cultures begets child of tomorrowEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post/JakartaDiversity 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...

Major film festival to be split into two

Major film festival to be split into twoJP/18/FFIcheck -- JSR Major RI film festival to be split into twoM. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Responding to a spate of criticism from filmmakers following a poorly-arranged awards ceremony last year, the organizing committee of the Indonesian...

South Korea helps Indonesian vocational schools

South Korea helps Indonesian vocational schools Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post/BangkokThe Indonesian government is working with South Korea and several other countries to provide training centers that will link vocational students to industries, an official said.

PLN glitches

PLN glitches caused blackoutsState power firm PT PLN had its electricity generating capacity reduced by a total of 689 mega watts (MW) on Friday night, resulting in several blackouts in the Java-Bali distribution network.

Ten thousand Papuans criticize special autonomy implementation

Ten thousand Papuans criticize special autonomy implementationNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura At least 10,000 Papuans stormed into the office of the Papua provincial legislative council in Jayapura on Friday, demanding the government to review its Special Autonomy Law.

Government optimistic it can build one million low-cost houses

Government optimistic it can build one million low-cost housesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta A senior government official expressed optimism on Friday that the country could achieve its target of building one million low- cost houses this year.

JP/21/T05

JP/21/T05Post-conflict Poso Consumed by hate, divided by faithRuslan Sangadji & Meidyatama Suryodiningrat The Jakarta Post/Poso, Sulawesi TengahTragically, communal conflict -- whether ethnic or religious -- has been a feature of the nation since the onset of the reform era.

Jakarta needs more trees

Jakarta needs more trees Your correspondent Robert Kelly makes some pertinent points in his article entitled Rolling back Jakarta's unhealthy urban desert(The Jakarta Post, Aug. 6). The green areas that still exist in greater Jakarta really need to be maintained whether they are part of existing...

Alwi challenges court verdict

Alwi challenges court verdict JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab has appealed to the Supreme Court against a district court verdict uphelding his dismissal as National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman last year.

2 X 23

2 X 23 Understanding the root causes of absolute poverty Benget Simbolon Tnb. Jakarta2. Mohtar -- Modifying universal principles to suit the demands of culture- 2 x 21 Modifying universal principles to suit demands of culture or Adjusting universal principles to suit demands of culture or...

'I support joint prayers for good causes'

'I support joint prayers for good causes' The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued several fatwas declaring pluralism and liberalism to be un-Islamic. These fatwas also ban Muslims from attending prayers led by non-Muslims.

Pluralism -- Beyond Unity in Diversity

Pluralism -- Beyond Unity in Diversity The Sanskrit words in the state motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which has been loosely translated as Unity in Diversity, will no doubt be invoked as Indonesia marks the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of independence this week.

Bonds, stocks, rupiah fall as oil prices keep rising

Bonds, stocks, rupiah fall as oil prices keep risingBloomberg, Jakarta Indonesian five-year bonds fell, the biggest fluctuation of any government debt market on Friday, and the rupiah and the stocks followed suit after a gain in oil prices to another record increased concerns that inflation will...

1. ACEH: 2 X 20

1. ACEH: 2 X 20 Accord an Independence Day 'gift', says Susilo 2. GARUDA: 2 X 21 Garuda crew back down on strike threat 3. BRIMOB: 1 X 32 Ex-GAM rebels to get farmland 4. IBRA: 1 X 35 Drug convict soap actor caught with drugs

Jakarta needs more trees

Jakarta needs more trees Your correspondent Robert Kelly makes some pertinent points in his article entitled Rolling back Jakarta's unhealthy urban desert(The Jakarta Post, Aug. 6). The green areas that still exist in greater Jakarta really need to be maintained whether they are part of existing...

Arroyo to appoint new envoy to RI

Arroyo to appoint new envoy to RI PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will appoint her outgoing military chief of staff as the next Philippine ambassador to Indonesia, her spokesman said on Thursday.Gen.

Private universities suffering

Private universities sufferingSyofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post/Padang The presence of extension programs run by state universities here has discouraged students from entering private universities, private university officials have complained.

1. KL: 1 x 22

1. KL: 1 x 22 KL to punish haze-makers 2. DEFICIT: 3 x 18 Government says fuel subsidy spending to double 3. PAPUA: 2 X 26 Papuans criticize special autonomy en masse

Tommy, Ba'asyir to receive remissions

Tommy, Ba'asyir to receive remissionsSuherdjoko and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Semarang/Jakarta Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and Hutomo Mandala Putra, a son of former president Soeharto, will be among 53,000 inmates across the country who will have their jail sentences reduced in...

Up in smoke

Up in smoke How often we are reminded. How quickly we forget.Like a recurring bad dream that is cyclical in nature, nations in Southeast Asia are again clouded by thick haze from out-of- control wildfires in Indonesia.

Who are the Indonesians?

Who are the Indonesians? Meidyatama Suryodiningrat The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Since early childhood, Indonesians have been, and continue to be, taught that their country is a huge archipelago comprised of thousands of islands and hundreds of ethnic groups.

Malaysia tourism not yet hurt by haze from Indonesia

Malaysia tourism not yet hurt by haze from IndonesiaCarolyn Lim, Dow Jones/ Kuala Lumpur A noxious haze blanketing Malaysia's capital for a week is yet to choke off tourism, but visitor arrivals may fall if forest fires in Indonesia that have caused the sky to turn gray aren't soon brought under...

Crosscultural couples find common ground

Crosscultural couples find common groundBruce 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...

Susilo to reform bureaucracy

Susilo to reform bureaucracy JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono plans to immediately form a special team tasked with reforming the country's weak bureaucracy, as part of efforts to eliminate corruption in the country.

PLN glitches

PLN glitches caused blackouts State power firm PT PLN had its electricity generating capacity reduced by a total of 689 mega watts (MW) on Friday night, resulting in several blackouts in the Java-Bali distribution network.

Teachers as a liberating force

Teachers as a liberating forceAlpha Amirrachman JakartaThe threat by former Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to sue teacher and school textbook author Retno Listyarti is quite alarming for the teaching profession, the members of which have suffered for decades from low salaries and poor social status...

'Nature school' offers small class

'Nature school' offers small classTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor Several children busy themselves making red and white paper flags to decorate their classrooms in commemoration of the nation's Independence Day (see photo).

Korea helps RI vocational schools

Korea helps RI vocational schoolsNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post/Bangkok The Indonesian government is working with South Korea and several other countries to provide training centers that will link vocational students to industries, an official said.

Civil-society and the building of an ASEAN community

Civil-society and the building of an ASEAN communityAlexander 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...

Patriotism and musicality proven not mutually exclusive

Patriotism and musicality proven not mutually exclusiveM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta From its title -- Concert to Commemorate Independence Day -- the event promised little more than a generous rendition of rousing compositions served up -- as Wagner's were during the 1930s -- to...

Gus Dur calls for clarity on Aceh pact

Gus Dur calls for clarity on Aceh pact National figures -- (from left to right) Taufik Kiemas, Akbar Tandjung, Try Sutrisno, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, Wiranto, Hariman Siregar and Wimar Witoelar -- pose for a photograph after a meeting at Gus Dur's residence in Ciganjur,...

Fuel subsidy spending to double: VP

Fuel subsidy spending to double: VPThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta With world oil prices still regularly hitting record highs, the government has admitted that its fuel subsidy expenditures will likely double over and above its forecast allocation for this fiscal year, and in the process doubling the...

Malaysian PM vows to punish offenders as haze crisis worsens

Malaysian PM vows to punish offenders as haze crisis worsensElisia Yeo, Agence France-Presse/Kuala Lumpur Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi vowed on Friday to punish the Malaysian owners of plantations in Indonesia whose clearance methods were blamed for sending a choking haze across Malaysia.

pl

pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug.12, 2005 _______________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades...

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriage

Spicy distinctions in a Betawi-Palembang marriageEmmy Fitri The Jakarta Post/JakartaOf 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.

City hospitals filling up with dengue patients

City hospitals filling up with dengue patientsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the number of dengue fever patients increases, city-owned hospitals that provide free medical treatment are beginning to become overwhelmed.

Local pop crooner to tour the U.S.

Local pop crooner to tour the U.S.M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Katon Bagaskara, a local singer who is known for his mesmerizing pop ballads such as Yogyakarta and Tak Bisa Ke Lain Hati (Can't Turn Away) is expected to stage concerts in the United States.On invitation from U.S.

Shares down as Telkom, Astra lead losses

Shares down as Telkom, Astra lead lossesDow Jones/Jakarta Indonesian shares ended sharply lower for the second consecutive session on Friday led by further selling in bellwether Telekomunikasi Indonesia and most bank blue chips, dealers said.

Govt moves against firms responsible for forest fires

Govt moves against firms responsible for forest firesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan The authorities say they are trying to identify companies responsible for the current forest fires in the Sumatra region which have caused choking haze in neighboring Malaysia.

Oil hits $66.15, again on supply worries

Oil hits $66.15, again on supply worriesAssociated Press, Budapest Crude oil prices remained in record territory after soaring to new highs Friday past US$66 a barrel as reports of new U.S. refinery outages rekindled fears that gasoline supplies in the world's biggest consumer would struggle to...

Jakarta Movement shows no lack of diversity

Jakarta Movement shows no lack of diversityKaren Stingemore, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta I arrived at the annual music festival, The Jakarta Movement at 4 p.m. last Saturday and thought I had hit a dud scene.By 11 p.m.

Peerless HP Aspac soars to IBL glory

Peerless HP Aspac soars to IBL gloryMusthofid, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta All-conquering Hewlett Packard Aspac was crowned the 2005 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) champion on Friday after defeating Satria Muda Britama 62-52 in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Oil prices hit record $66.15 as refinery snags reinforce gasoline

Oil prices hit record $66.15 as refinery snags reinforce gasoline worriesAssociated Press BudapestCrude oil prices remained in record territory after soaring to new highs Friday past US$66 a barrel as reports of new U.S.