Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 August 2005

77 articles found

Timy set to fight for gold in SEA Games

Timy set to fight for gold in SEA Games Musthofid, 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. In a field of teams from seven countries, including arch rival Thailand, they triumphed in all four stops -- Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Jakarta -- without losing a match.

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. State Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Suryadharma Ali said SMEs made a vital contributions to manufacturing and should be given spaces at industrial estates. "SMEs play a vital role in supporting large manufacturing businesses.

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. The net loss at Indonesia's third-largest cement maker by volume narrowed to Rp 217.6 billion (US$21 million) in the six months ended June 30, from Rp 509.5 billion in the year-earlier period, the company said in a statement published on Saturday.

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. Further, Indonesia is less dependent on oil imports than all other Asian countries with the exception of Brunei. Yet the currencies of these other countries remain firm against the dollar.

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. A jury shortlisted participants to 60 finalists and has required them to submit four pieces of work for display from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4 at the Ancol Art Market. Members of the public can also choose their favorite painter, for which there is an additional award.

Clash threatens Aceh peace

Clash threatens Aceh peace Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The 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. No injuries or casualties were reported during the brief gunfight, which occurred in hills near a village in Indrapuri district, Aceh Besar.

JP/INDONESIA

JP/INDONESIA Indonesian 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. Muhammad Rifan said Michelle Leslie and her family had made demands which were impossible to meet under Indonesia's legal system. "I resigned because I am unable to meet the target set by my client and her family.

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 Maluku and Maluku were among provinces where there was an absence of cardiologists.

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 concoction had passed a test at the veterinary laboratory at the Yogyakarta agricultural agency, and limited amounts had been sold in East Java.

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.

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 Independence.

British invention in Indonesia

British invention in Indonesia Daisaku 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. Many of the young men of my generation were incited by Japan's militarist government to march proudly into battle and give their lives. War impressed itself on every aspect of our lives and one incident from that time is still vivid in my mind.

JM seeks investors for monorail project

JM seeks investors for monorail project Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Problem after problem revolving around financial difficulties keep clouding the monorail project which is supposed to be completed in mid-2007. After making a major decision over which company will supply the monorail trains and system based primarily on price considerations, PT Jakarta Monorail (JM) is now busy seeking more investors to finance the whole project.

BPK unveils Rp 69 billion graft in Bekasi municipality

BPK unveils Rp 69 billion graft in Bekasi municipality Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 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. PKS faction chairman Wahyu Prihantono said his faction had the evidence and documents needed to report the Rp 69 billion (US$6.9 million) graft case within two weeks. "We have ample evidence that the city budget was abused.

BI must hike rates, keep speculators in check: Analysts

BI must hike rates, keep speculators in check: Analysts Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With 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 speculative trading, analysts are saying. The government, meanwhile, must also have the political courage to cut the country's costly fuel subsidies by increasing fuel prices.

UMI establishment gets foreign support

UMI establishment gets foreign support BATAM, 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 that the three countries in question were Norway, China and Japan.

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. The selections are John A Stevenson (captain), Soni B Hawoe (vice captain), Amarkumar Kapadia, Ashwin Sundar, Chad Paul, Daniel J Metcalf, I Gede Suda Arsa, I Wayan Suandi, Srivinas S Krishnan, Subhash Modgil, Timothy R. Watson, Wilfred Schultz Yesemberti O Rosongna and Zacaria M Awang.

Ministry refuses to inaugurate Badrul

Ministry refuses to inaugurate Badrul Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta More 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. The West Java High Court declared Badrul winner of the Depok election on Aug. 4 and set his inauguration by Aug. 28 at the latest.

Nias journalist goes missing

Nias journalist goes missing MEDAN, 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. Eliudin reportedly went missing while he covered a story in Teluk Dalam district, in South Nias. As of Saturday, his whereabouts was still unknown, said his colleague Hendrik Prayitno.

Council supports relocation

Council supports relocation The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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 final Musthofid, 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 clean sweep in the final stop of the women's four- leg series. National number ones Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo will meet No.

Indonesia a second home to me: Outgoing Tunisian envoy

Indonesia a second home to me: Outgoing Tunisian envoy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many people in Indonesia may not knowing exactly where Tunisia is, but everybody knows Tunisian dates -- which are delicious and a must during Ramadhan. "We export our dates to Indonesia and other Asian countries. Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population, is one of our biggest date markets in the world.

We see high revenue contribution from Asian hotels: Four Seasons

We see high revenue contribution from Asian hotels: Four Seasons In 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. The Jakarta Post's Tubagus Arie Rukmantara talked recently to Paul Iacovino, Four Seasons vice president of marketing for Asia Pacific, on the outlook for the hotel business in Indonesia.

True freedom of religion

True freedom of religion Uli 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. On the other hand, the law enforcement officers failed to stop the closure or bring the violators to court.

Local bowlers dismissed from ABF Tour, Malaysia triumphant

Local bowlers dismissed from ABF Tour, Malaysia triumphant Moch. 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 (SEA) Games. The biggest shock of all was last year's women's champion Putty Armein, who was crushed by Zandra Aziela of Malaysia 194- 226.

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

Govt won't prosecute Muslim hard-liners over church closure Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung The 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 closed down were not churches but "illegal congregations". "We will do nothing. We only clarify here that there were no church closures," Minister of Religious Affairs M.

Indonesians consider 'private label' as good as big brands

Indonesians consider 'private label' as good as big brands The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As 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. Cheaper products are now being offered by supermarkets and hypermarkets through their own brands, called private label, as an alternative for consumers. "I'm a regular buyer of private label products," said the 40- year-old housewife.

The struggle for a nation's soul

The struggle for a nation's soul Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Each 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. Born out of a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) education in Central Java, Adrian remains a devout Muslim while enjoying the luxuries of urban living. Religion is more than a force of habit.

Free education an illusion

Free education an illusion From Kompas The 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. In previous years, children less than six years old could enroll at an elementary school near our homes.

Lights failure closes Polonia for 7 hours

Lights failure closes Polonia for 7 hours Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Flights 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. On Saturday evening, a number of incoming flights were diverted to other airports, including Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Canceled flights that had been scheduled to depart on Saturday evening were rescheduled to Sunday.

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 inflation. Furthermore, this condition is aggravated by the government's inaction, which causes investors uncertainty and thereby further weakening the rupiah against the U.S. dollar.

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. "I think Pak Hasyim can follow in the footsteps of Pak Hamid Awaluddin who held peace talks with GAM," PKB faction deputy chairman at the House of Representatives Masduqi Baidlowi said on Sunday.

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 280.66 million ringgit (US$74 million) net loss in the three months to June, from a profit of 26.58 million ringgit a year ago. Managing director Ahmad Fuaad Dahalan resigned at the same time.

Polio campaign goes door to door

Polio campaign goes door to door The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Health 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). Lina, 52, head of an integrated health service post in Pangkalan Jati, South Jakarta, said she and fellow workers had been knocking on doors in the neighborhood to encourage mothers to take their children to vaccination posts.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Police 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.  The timber had been loaded into several containers but was confiscated by police a week ago from a vessel on the Batanghari River. The timber was to be sent to Singapore.  East Tanjungjabung regency police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour Moch. 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. Alex, 29, edged Yang Tae Bum of South Korea 244-241 in the final, while Lai, also 29, outplayed 17-year-old Singaporean newcomer Jasmine Yeong Nath 190-183. For their wins, Alex received US$2,000 and Lai $1,500.

International mechanism on protection of the right to freedom of

International mechanism on protection of the right to freedom of religion Uli 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. On the other hand, the law enforcement officers failed to stop the closure or bring the violators to court.

COS wins joint oil exploration contract

COS wins joint oil exploration contract Agence France-Presse, Beijing A 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. China Oilfield Services Ltd.

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. The quake caused panic among hundreds of people who were praying at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. Aceh has had regular earthquakes since the 9.3-magnitude quake that caused killer tidal waves in December. About 129,000 people were killed in the waves.

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 -- 1x32 to come lateRR

Council vows to focus more on city problems

Council vows to focus more on city problems Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid 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 supplies and the fate of street vendors.

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. One Mongolian, three Thais, seven Uzbeks and Russians and 25 Chinese were apprehended at Hai-Lai in North Jakarta and Thematic and Sumo nightclubs in West Jakarta.

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu City

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu City Moch. 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. With some promising recent results, they are hoping to peak at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) in the Philippines, where karate is one of the sports being held in Cebu City in late November.

Fate of veterans' widows

Fate of veterans' widows From Kompas My 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. According to local bank and pension officers, a widow only needs to support herself and is not entitled to a contribution towards to costs of living of her children. I wonder if this is right.

Clove farmers waiting for higher profit

Clove farmers waiting for higher profit Jongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Manado The 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. Anna Paat, for instance, says she is waiting for the price to reach at least Rp 35,000 a kilogram. "We have to be patient.

Frequently Asked Questions on investing in Indonesia

Frequently Asked Questions on investing in Indonesia How 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 Glodok The Jakarta Post Jakarta The 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.

West Irian Jaya regencies ready to hold first simultaneous elections

West Irian Jaya regencies ready to hold first simultaneous elections Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura After 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. 29, said a top poll official in the province.

Media firms urged to encourage gender equality

Media firms urged to encourage gender equality The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Journalists 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.

Teaching on Bawean island requires rare dedication

Teaching on Bawean island requires rare dedication Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Bawean Island The principal of a state elementary school in Tambak district, Nursyahid, hurriedly entered the seven-meter-by-eight-meter classroom. "I am late because my motorcycle broke down on my way here," Nursyahid told his pupils. A few moments later, he took out a pencil from his shirt pocket and took the roll call of fourth to sixth graders in the Teluk Dalam Dawang elementary school on Bawean Island.

'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. Ali, 30, works at a publishing company.

President calls for higher oil output

President calls for higher oil output Indonesia'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 gap The 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 continents, is an effort to bridge the gap.

RI braces for liberalization of downstream oil and gas sector

RI braces for liberalization of downstream oil and gas sector Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following 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. Like a family anxiously waiting for a baby to be born, oil and gas players, as well as customers, are eagerly anticipating Nov. 23, the day state oil and gas firm Pertamina's monopoly in the downstream sector ends.

VP rejects conditions for GAM amnesties

VP rejects conditions for GAM amnesties Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Semarang Vice 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 amnestied. Such an oath would not guarantee that Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members would really become loyal citizens, he argued.

Malaria kills 8 in Jambi

Malaria kills 8 in Jambi JAMBI, 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. Currently, 37 malaria patients are being treated in Jambi hospitals. In order to prevent a malaria outbreak, Oscar called on Jambi residents to mind their sanitation.

'Joyonews' founders wins award

'Joyonews' founders wins award The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The founder of Indonesia's first online news service, Joyonews, was presented with a press award late Friday by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). Gordon "Joyo" Bishop, an American who set up the service in 1996, was named one of two recipients of the annual Suardi Tasrif Award, presented to individuals or institutions considered to have contributed to freedom of speech or access to information.

Asian editors to meet their European counterparts

Asian editors to meet their European counterparts The 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 continents, is an effort to bridge the gap.

Local television stations develop at fast pace in Greater Malang area

Local television stations develop at fast pace in Greater Malang area ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The "main room" of "Agropolitan Cafe" is scattered with cables, lamps and chairs. Staff move around the room and slowly tidy it up. Some others paint the "cafe" tables and chairs so that they look nicer. "After this work, I hope the cafe will look beautiful," Widarngresti, a television host, told Rudy Kurniawan, the program director of Agropolitan Cafe.

Industrial estate business begins to look up

Industrial estate business begins to look up Sudibyo 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. Activities in many of the industrial estates, especially those located near Jakarta, have picked up. Many of them are improving their infrastructure in a bid to take advantage of the increase in business confidence.

ADS brings RI closer to Australia

ADS brings RI closer to Australia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Providing scholarships to Indonesians does not only help the awardees, Australia believes, but also brings the two countries closer to understanding their differences and similarities. "Australia and Indonesia are bound by our proximity and it is important that both countries have much more experience of each other," Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) program leader David Spiller said.

Megawatt smiles from children who lost limbs in tsunami

Megawatt smiles from children who lost limbs in tsunami Joann Loviglio Philadelphia For 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. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami that ripped through their villages in Indonesia's Aceh province, but they each lost limbs, along with their homes and family members.

Timy, Devota keep up winning streak

Timy, Devota keep up winning streak Musthofid, 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 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.

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

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, August 29, 2005 Exhibitions * 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., Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., from Aug. 31 to Sept. 14 * Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale 2005 at Komunitas Utan Kayu, Gallery Lontar Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel.

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. The excuse the attorney general is using is the exact same excuse the Meccans used to justify their opposition and persecution of the innocent, peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims.

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. As the news spotlight turns to Aceh with its renewed hope for peace after three decades of violence, one great friend of the Acehnese has long gone.

City boosts campaign on dengue

City boosts campaign on dengue The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Residents 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.

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 up new businesses during the first seven months of the year.

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu

Karatekas hoping to reach their peak in Cebu Moch. 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. With some promising recent results, they are hoping to peak at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) in the Philippines, where karate is one of the sports being held in Cebu City in late November.

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 parks e.g. Taman Mini or tree lined streets such as those in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Boosting education with taxes

Boosting education with taxes From Suara Karya The 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 scholarships for students with high achievements or disadvantaged children.

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour

Malaysia doubles up in RI leg of ABF Tour Moch. 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. Alex, 29, edged Yang Tae Bum of South Korea 244-241 in the final, while Lai, also 29, outplayed 17-year-old Singaporean newcomer Jasmine Yeong Nath 190-183. For their wins, Alex received US$2,000 and Lai $1,500.

RI to begin random drug tests in Bali

RI to begin random drug tests in Bali Indonesian 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 police chief Bambang Sugiarto told The Sun Herald. At least 11 Australians sit in Indonesian jail cells awaiting drug charges or trial.

Caning of two women in Aceh condemned

Caning of two women in Aceh condemned A 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. They were the latest Aceh residents to fall foul of new regulations that give the staunchly Muslim province the right to impose a version of Islamic sharia law. The women fainted after being beaten 40 times on Friday outside a mosque in Central Aceh, witnesses said.

'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. The Jakarta Post's Tubagus Arie Rukmantara talked to HKI chairman Johannes Archiadi about the latest developments in the country's industrial estates. Question: How do you perceive the recent developments in industrial estates?

In absentia trials set for fugitive bankers

In absentia trials set for fugitive bankers Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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 after many years to return a sense of justice to taxpayers.