Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 August 2005

77 articles found

Free education an illusion

Free education an illusionFrom KompasThe government's statement that free education will be available for all this year remains nothing but an illusion, because in our experience, the residents of Cimanggis, Depok, West Java, are not getting any cost relief for our school-age children.

Council supports relocation

Council supports relocationThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe City Council threw its weight behind West Jakarta municipality's plan to relocate street vendors in the downtown area of Glodok to nearby markets, but called on the municipal administration not to use violence."We support the plan.

RI men make it four for four, Timy/Devota in another final

RI men make it four for four, Timy/Devota in another finalMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The same two national pairings will meet once again in the men's final of the LA Menthol Indonesia Open Beach Volleyball Championship, while Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Devota Rahawarin are poised for a...

Indonesia a second home to me: Outgoing Tunisian envoy

Indonesia a second home to me: Outgoing Tunisian envoyVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMany people in Indonesia may not knowing exactly where Tunisia is, but everybody knows Tunisian dates -- which are delicious and a must during Ramadhan.

We see high revenue contribution from Asian hotels: Four Seasons

We see high revenue contribution from Asian hotels: Four SeasonsIn line with an upward trend in economic growth over the past few years, tourism and business travel have started to grow as well, resulting in positive implications for the hotel business here.

True freedom of religion

True freedom of religionUli Parulian Sihombing, Jakarta This newspaper reported on Thursday Aug. 25, 2005 that 23 churches in Bandung, West Java were forced to close by hard-line Muslim groups. The Ahmadiyah worship facilities were destroyed in Parung Bogor and other cities also.

Local bowlers dismissed from ABF Tour, Malaysia triumphant

Local bowlers dismissed from ABF Tour, Malaysia triumphantMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was a dismal day for local hopefuls in the Jakarta leg of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour on Saturday, while mighty Malaysia issued a resounding warning for November's Southeast Asian...

Govt won't prosecute Muslim hard-liners over church closure

Govt won't prosecute Muslim hard-liners over church closureMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/BandungThe government said it would not take action against Muslim hard- liners who closed down dozens of churches in West Java last year, arguing that what was being...

Indonesians consider 'private label' as good as big brands

Indonesians consider 'private label' as good as big brandsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAs basic needs prices go up, Erwina Susanti has started to buy groceries based on price, rather than brand, selecting those products whose quality matches well-known brands.

The struggle for a nation's soul

The struggle for a nation's soulMeidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaEach weekend Adrian cringes. In the adjoining street to his house sits a large church. The space between it and his house does not shield his family from the echo of the choir praising the Holy Trinity.

Nias journalist goes missing

Nias journalist goes missingMEDAN, North Sumatra: A journalist from the Berita Sore afternoon daily, Eliudin Telembanua, 50, had been declared missing since he was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified persons four days ago.

Lights failure closes Polonia for 7 hours

Lights failure closes Polonia for 7 hoursApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanFlights returned to normal at Polonia Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, on Sunday after a fault in the runway illumination system forced the airport to close for almost seven hours.

Susilo's economic policy

Susilo's economic policy President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's lack of resolute macroeconomic policy is a recipe for economic disaster on a magnitude similar to the hyperinflation of 1998. With Indonesia importing oil at inflated prices and selling at much lower price, we are practically importing...

Hasyim told to bring peace back to PKB

Hasyim told to bring peace back to PKB SURABAYA: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi has been asked to mediate peace talks to end a rift between National Awakening Party (PKB) cofounders Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Abdullah Faqih.

MAS may seek foreign chief

MAS may seek foreign chief KUALA LUMPUR: National carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which last week posted one of its worst quarterly losses, may hire a foreign managing director to boost its flagging performance, a report said on Saturday.The company posted a 280.

Polio campaign goes door to door

Polio campaign goes door to doorThe Jakarta Post, JakartaHealth workers and officials were busy out persuading mothers to take their children for two more drops of polio vaccine on Tuesday, days before the planned national polio vaccination campaign restarts (PIN).

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUSPolice looking for Chinese national JAMBI, Jambi: Jambi Police are looking for Chen Chung, a People's Republic of China national, for allegedly exporting timber without the required documents.  Chen is the director of private company CV Sabda Kreasi.

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF TourMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Malaysia showed its might in the Indonesian stop of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour on Sunday, with men's bowler Alex Liew and women's bowler Lai Kin Ngoh taking the top honors.

International mechanism on protection of the right to freedom of

International mechanism on protection of the right to freedom of religionUli Parulian Sihombing Jakarta This newspaper reported on Thursday Aug. 25, 2005 that 23 churches in Bandung, West Java were forced to close by hard-line Muslim groups.

COS wins joint oil exploration contract

COS wins joint oil exploration contractAgence France-Presse, BeijingA Chinese firm has won a joint contract from the state oil companies of China, the Philippines and Vietnam to search for oil and gas in a disputed area of the South China Sea, state media said on Saturday.

Incremental tax reform

Incremental tax reform The new package of tax reforms the government will propose to the House of Representatives next month addresses many of the deeply rooted concerns of taxpayers over the uncertainty of tax law enforcement and their demand for equality with tax officials before the law.

Timy set to fight for gold in SEA Games

Timy set to fight for gold in SEA GamesMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Devota Rahawarin barely put a foot wrong in the LA Menthol Indonesia Open beach volleyball championships.

Government urges developers to provide spaces for SMEs

Government urges developers to provide spaces for SMEs To accelerate the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the government is urging the developers of industrial estates to provide spaces for small businesses in their properties.

Cibinong's H1 loss narrows

Cibinong's H1 loss narrows JAKARTA: PT Semen Cibinong, Indonesian unit of the world's second-biggest cement maker, Holcim Ltd., said its first-half loss narrowed as sales rose, bolstered by higher construction demand.

Supplying Pertamina

Supplying Pertamina With economic growth of over 6 percent and a budget deficit of (in the worst case) of only 1 percent in 2005, Indonesia's macroeconomic picture appears very good. I find the ongoing pressure on the currency, in view of the latter, difficult to understand.

Painters vie for Golden Palette

Painters vie for Golden Palette JAKARTA: Hundreds of painters from Greater Jakarta are displaying their works at Ancol Art Market, North Jakarta, in hopes of being awarded the Golden Palette by PT Taman Impian Jaya Ancol.

Clash threatens Aceh peace

Clash threatens Aceh peaceNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehThe first confirmed cross-fire involving Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) guerrillas broke out on Sunday, putting a peace deal in the province to a serious test.

JP/INDONESIA

JP/INDONESIAIndonesian lawyer for Australian drugs charges model quits The Indonesian lawyer representing an Australian model held on drugs charges on the resort island of Bali said on Friday he quit the case because he could not meet her expectations.

Country needs more cardiologists

Country needs more cardiologists PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The Indonesian Cardiologist Association has promised to help the government meet the demand for the heart specialists in remote areas by 2010.The association's secretary-general, Harmani Kalim, said that Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, North...

Researcher finds bird flu antigen

Researcher finds bird flu antigen SEMARANG: An agricultural researcher claims to have discovered a herbal antigen for avian influenza, which has killed three people in the country.Sumardi of the School of Agricultural Science at Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang said his herbal...

Earthquake jolts Banda Aceh, Padang

Earthquake jolts Banda Aceh, Padang JAKARTA: Earthquakes shook Banda Aceh and Padang on Sunday and Saturday respectively.No casualties or damages were reported.In Banda Aceh, the 5.7-magnitude tremor occurred at around 11 a.m.

Malaysia celebrates its 48th Anniversary of Independence

Malaysia celebrates its 48th Anniversary of Independence today. Malaysians all over the world are celebrating this joyous and auspicious occasion with pride and in the spirit of solidarity and unity.This pride and solidarity are indicated in the symbol for this year's commemoration of the...

British invention in Indonesia

British invention in IndonesiaDaisaku Ikeda, The Straits Times, Asia News Network/Singapore Sixty years have passed since the end of World War II, which came to a close with Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

JM seeks investors for monorail project

JM seeks investors for monorail projectBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaProblem after problem revolving around financial difficulties keep clouding the monorail project which is supposed to be completed in mid-2007.

BPK unveils Rp 69 billion graft in Bekasi municipality

BPK unveils Rp 69 billion graft in Bekasi municipalityAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe Prosperous Justice Party faction (FPKS) at the Bekasi council says it will report several Bekasi municipal officials to the prosecutor's office for embezzling the 2004 budget.

BI must hike rates, keep speculators in check: Analysts

BI must hike rates, keep speculators in check: AnalystsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith the rupiah continuing its slide against the U.S. dollar, the central bank must move more swiftly and aggressively in raising interest rates and tightening up the local forex market to protect it from...

UMI establishment gets foreign support

UMI establishment gets foreign supportBATAM, Riau Islands: The establishment of the Indonesian Maritime University (UMI) in Batam, Riau Islands, has received strong support from three countries.Nada Faza Soraya, the chairwoman of Indonesian Maritime Education Foundation (YPMI), said on Saturday...

RI cricket team picked for Vanuatu

RI cricket team picked for Vanuatu JAKARTA: The Indonesian Cricket Foundation (ICF) has picked 14 players to represent the country in the ICC EAP Cricket Cup in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from Sept. 23 to Sept. 29.

Ministry refuses to inaugurate Badrul

Ministry refuses to inaugurate BadrulAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMore uncertainty reigned in Depok local government on Sunday after the Ministry of Home Affairs refused to inaugurate Badrul Kamal as mayor after he won the election in the West Java High Court early this month.

City boosts campaign on dengue

City boosts campaign on dengueThe Jakarta Post, JakartaResidents of low-cost apartments about 200 meters from the Pulo Gadung bus station in East Jakarta looked busy on Friday morning as Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo and other city officials visited their neighborhood for a 30-minute cleanup campaign.

Local television stations develop at fast pace in Greater Malang area

Local television stations develop at fast pace in Greater Malang areaID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaThe "main room" of "Agropolitan Cafe" is scattered with cables, lamps and chairs. Staff move around the room and slowly tidy it up.

Industrial estate business begins to look up

Industrial estate business begins to look upSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post Signs of a revival in investor confidence has brought fresh hope to the country's many industrial estates, which have been in the doldrums since the crisis hit the country several years ago.

ADS brings RI closer to Australia

ADS brings RI closer to AustraliaThe Jakarta Post, JakartaProviding scholarships to Indonesians does not only help the awardees, Australia believes, but also brings the two countries closer to understanding their differences and similarities.

Megawatt smiles from children who lost limbs in tsunami

Megawatt smiles from children who lost limbs in tsunami Joann Loviglio PhiladelphiaFor all their infectious giggling and megawatt smiles, it's hard to comprehend the horrors Tara Aulia and Hamdani have experienced at their tender ages. Tara, 7, and Hamdani, 11, survived the Dec.

Timy, Devota keep up winning streak

Timy, Devota keep up winning streakMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Devota Rahawarin sealed their perfect run in the women's 2005 LA Menthol beach volleyball championship on Sunday, while Andy Ardiansyah and Supriyadi stamped their authority among national men's players.

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...

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 29, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 29, 2005Exhibitions* Photo Festival Photo I.D, Understanding Independence at Museum Nasional, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3868172), Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On ban on Ahmadiyah

On ban on Ahmadiyah 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.

After one year unanswered: Who poisoned Munir?

After one year unanswered: Who poisoned Munir?Harry Bhaskara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One of life's ironies is the incongruity between what a man works for and what he gets. Munir fought for justice throughout his life, yet, almost a year after his death, his killers have not been found.

Asian editors to meet their European counterparts

Asian editors to meet their European counterpartsThe Jakarta Post/Jakarta Asia and Europe have much in common but a lack of in-depth discourse has left a wide gap between the two continents. An Asian and European seminar this week, bringing together leading newspaper editors from the two...

Foreign investment starts coming back

Foreign investment starts coming back After years of slumping, foreign direct investment in Indonesia has started to gain ground amid an improved confidence in doing business in the country.Business activities have begun to increase, as seen in the sharp increase in the amount of money spent to set...

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in CebuMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta After a difficult year of poor results and discord within the team, national karatekas are hoping the worst is behind them.

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...

Boosting education with taxes

Boosting education with taxesFrom Suara KaryaThe new tax reform bill stipulates that contributions for scholarships, research and other expenses for educational facilities are all tax deductible.As a student, I welcome this provision because it will increase the interest from companies in providing...

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF TourMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Malaysia showed its might in the Indonesian stop of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour on Sunday, with men's bowler Alex Liew and women's bowler Lai Kin Ngoh taking the top honors.

RI to begin random drug tests in Bali

RI to begin random drug tests in BaliIndonesian police on the vacation island of Bali will introduce random drug testing of tourists, an Australian newspaper reported on Sunday.Police will force patrons of nightclubs to take urine tests in an effort to stop the illicit drug trade, Bali drug squad...

Caning of two women in Aceh condemned

Caning of two women in Aceh condemnedA leading human rights group on Sunday condemned as "insane" an Islamic court's caning of two unmarried couples in Aceh province for drinking alcohol and being alone together after dark.

'Not fully recovered but much better now'

'Not fully recovered but much better now'The Indonesian Industrial Estate Association (HKI) has expressed concern over the slow growth of the country's industrial estates due to infrastructure and regulatory problems.

Media firms urged to encourage gender equality

Media firms urged to encourage gender equalityThe Jakarta Post, JakartaJournalists ended a three-day discussion on gender in the media here on Sunday, calling on all media firms, labor unions and other organizations to provide equal opportunities to both male and female press workers.

1. Aceh ---- 1x22

1. Aceh ---- 1x22 Clash threatens Aceh peace 2. Polio --- 1x30 Door-to-door drive ahead of polio program 3. Rupiah -- 3x15 BI must hike rates, keep speculators in check: Analysts 4. Volley -- 1x32to come lateRR

Council vows to focus more on city problems

Council vows to focus more on city problemsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAmid criticism that the City Council has yet to address crucial problems experienced by most Jakarta residents after nearly a year into their term of office, the council has vowed to focus more on clean water...

More foreign sex workers arrested

More foreign sex workers arrested JAKARTA: After arresting over 180 foreign sex workers last Friday, police and immigration officials apprehended another 36 foreign sex workers in several nightclubs in Jakarta over the weekend.

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu City

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu CityMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After a difficult year of poor results and discord within the team, national karatekas are hoping the worst is behind them.

Fate of veterans' widows

Fate of veterans' widowsFrom KompasMy mother is the widow of an independence war veteran who receives a government pension in Yogyakarta. For three years now, she has not been receiving what she is entitled to.

Clove farmers waiting for higher profit

Clove farmers waiting for higher profitJongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, ManadoThe price of cloves in Manado has plummeted to Rp 25,000 (US$2.50) a kilogram, causing farmers of the spice to think twice before selling their harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions on investing in Indonesia

Frequently Asked Questions on investing in IndonesiaHow do you set up a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) company in Indonesia?A Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) company should be incorporated as an Indonesian limited liability company (PT) and domiciled in Indonesia.

Council backs plan to relocate vendors in Glodok

Council backs plan to relocate vendors in GlodokThe Jakarta Post JakartaThe City Council threw its weight behind West Jakarta municipality's plan to relocate street vendors in the downtown area of Glodok to nearby markets, but called on the municipal administration not to use violence.

West Irian Jaya regencies ready to hold first simultaneous elections

West Irian Jaya regencies ready to hold first simultaneous electionsNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, JayapuraAfter twice being delayed, regencies in the newly established West Irian Jaya province, except Raja Ampat regency, are ready to hold simultaneous regental elections on Aug.

In absentia trials set for fugitive bankers

In absentia trials set for fugitive bankersEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Attorney General's Office (AGO) is set to hold in absentia trials against bad bankers who fled the country after allegedly stealing huge amounts of state funds, in what is seen as the first major attempt...

Teaching on Bawean island requires rare dedication

Teaching on Bawean island requires rare dedicationIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Bawean IslandThe principal of a state elementary school in Tambak district, Nursyahid, hurriedly entered the seven-meter-by-eight-meter classroom.

'A degree is not everything'

'A degree is not everything'The government has woken up to the issue of bogus universities that have provided, according to a report, unlicensed degrees to many of its officials, including former vice president Hamzah Haz. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their reactions to the issue.

President calls for higher oil output

President calls for higher oil outputIndonesia's president on Sunday called for greater domestic oil and gas production to help the country battle the impact of soaring global crude oil prices that are threatening its economic recovery.

Asian, European editors meet to bridge gap

Asian, European editors meet to bridge gapThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAsia and Europe have much in common but a lack of in-depth discourse has left a wide gap between the two continents. An Asian and European seminar this week, bringing together leading newspaper editors from the two continents, is an...

RI braces for liberalization of downstream oil and gas sector

RI braces for liberalization of downstream oil and gas sectorLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFollowing is the first of a series of articles planned in anticipation of the liberalization of the country's downstream oil and gas sector later this year.

VP rejects conditions for GAM amnesties

VP rejects conditions for GAM amnestiesMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/SemarangVice President Jusuf Kalla has dismissed calls by lawmakers for Aceh rebels to be compelled to swear an oath of loyalty to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia as a precondition for being...

Malaria kills 8 in Jambi

Malaria kills 8 in JambiJAMBI, Jambi: At least eight people have died from malaria in the past eight months in Jambi province, a senior health official said on Saturday.Chief of Jambi health office Oscar Karim said that six of the victims were children under 10.

'Joyonews' founders wins award

'Joyonews' founders wins awardThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe founder of Indonesia's first online news service, Joyonews, was presented with a press award late Friday by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI).