Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 September 2005

82 articles found

World-class convention and exhibition centers

World-class convention and exhibition centersSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singapore offers event organizers an extensive choice of state-of-the-art meeting and conference venues, with facilities available not only at star-rated hotels but also at other convention and exhibition...

Aceh's railway project to starts next year

Aceh's railway project to starts next yearAntara, Banda AcehFrench rail company SNCF International will start the construction of a railway network connecting Banda Aceh city and Medan in North Sumatra early next year, an official says.

Rupiah ends higher as foreigners sell dollars

Rupiah ends higher as foreigners sell dollars Dow Jones Jakarta The rupiah continued recovering on Wednesday as foreign investors exchanged dollars to settle their recent purchases of local bonds, dealers said. The dollar dipped briefly below the Rp 10,000 mark earlier in the day, touching Rp 9,990.

Food prices could rise by 10%: Minister

Food prices could rise by 10%: MinisterFood prices are estimated to soar by over 10 percent once the government increases fuel prices early next month, which would eventually see transportation and production costs increase, a minister says.

JP/18/UANG2

JP/18/UANG2ORI and the struggle against colonialism The history of Indonesian money is broadly divided into two periods: 1945 to 1949 and 1950 to 1990. When Indonesia declared independence, only Japanese banknotes were used as legal tender.

Run on mutual funds

Run on mutual funds Indonesia-based investors, the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) and mutual fund managers have seemingly not been able to learn from the massive runs on mutual funds in late 2003 and in April this year that caused unnecessary losses to investors and disrepute to the...

Government cash aid

Government cash aidFrom Republika About 15.5 million poor families, or around 62 million people will be receiving financial assistance of Rp 100,000 in cash from the government. According to Sofyan Djalil, the Minister of Communications and Information, the money would be distributed to those...

JP/18/REALST

JP/18/REALST 'The Realistage' celebrates revival of realistic styleSri Wahyuni The Jakarta Post/Magelang, Central JavaThe realist style that began to develop in the painting world in Europe in the 19th century and reached its peak in Indonesia in mid-20th century is currently experiencing a revival...

1. Susilo --- 2x24

1. Susilo --- 2x24 Susilo talks up Aceh peace process in Big Apple 2. Garuda --- 2x24 Garuda plane forced to make emergency landing in Bali 3. Video ---- 2x24 President's video conference not state burden: Minister 4. Summit --- 2x24to come lateRRR 5.

The process of building democracy after peace is restored in Aceh

The process of building democracy after peace is restored in AcehAguswandi, London A democratic society is the opposite of an armed society. In a militarized society, democracy cannot exist because, instead of utilizing the democratic process, weapons are the tools of political control and...

Government to revise decree on places of worship

Government to revise decree on places of worshipThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government will give authority to existing interfaith forums to issue permits for the establishment of places of worship, a move that is expected to help end conflict in the setting up of houses of worship.

Rupiah Rates Sept.14

Rupiah Rates Sept.14 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 8,093.33 7,321.88 7,746.61 7,668.56 Brunei dollar 1 6,263.94 5,664.22 5,995.59 5,932.42 Canadian dollar 1 8,889.64 8,038.57 8,508.80 8,419.18 Swiss franc 1 8,350.43 7,553.65 7,992.69 7,911.

Bird flu test result to be announced soon

Bird flu test result to be announced soonJAKARTA: The real cause of death of a 37-year-old woman, suspected to have been infected by bird flu, will be revealed later this week when the result of a World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory test arrives here.

Second militant sentenced to death

Second militant sentenced to deathAgencies, JakartaThe South Jakarta District Court sentenced on Wednesday a second militant to death for helping plot the deadly bomb attack on the Australian Embassy here last year.

Elite police force withdraws from Aceh

Elite police force withdraws from AcehThe Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, JakartaAround 1,300 Mobile Brigade Police left Aceh on Wednesday as part of a peace agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels which requires the Indonesian government to gradually withdraw security forces personnel from...

Susilo talks up Aceh peace process in Big Apple

Susilo talks up Aceh peace process in Big AppleKornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, New YorkThe Aceh peace agreement is likely to be judged the biggest achievement of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration so far, and Susilo is making the most of this positive when he meets with other...

Crash victims' families receive compensation

Crash victims' families receive compensationApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanRelatives of Mandala crash victims in Medan received compensation from state insurance firm PT Jasa Raharja on Wednesday, taking advantage of the moment to lash out at the airlines for its slow response after the...

Rifat's co-driver Karel dies at 43

Rifat's co-driver Karel dies at 43 JAKARTA: Karel Harilatu, a co-driver of national rally championship leader Rifat Sungkar, died at the age of 43 here on Tuesday from an apparent heart attack, according to Antara.

President's video conferences not state burden: Minister

President's video conferences not state burden: MinisterThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government said on Wednesday the video conferences President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is holding to lead Cabinet meetings during his trip to the U.S.

Officials must not

Officials must not indulge in theoriesFrom Kompas As fuel supplies have become increasingly critical in this country the authorities concerned need to take quick decisions to get the crisis under control.

Singapore plans giant wheel to promote tourism

Singapore plans giant wheel to promote tourismAssociated Press/Singapore Singapore seeks to boost tourism with a giant wheel that planners say will be 43 meters (142 feet) taller than the London Eye, a similar attraction beside the River Thames.

P.8

P.81. Bogor -- 4 x 10 Police chief removed over assaultORPolice chief replaced over assaultORBogor cop replaced over assault 2. Church -- 2 x 32 Neighborhood remains tense over presence of houses of worshipOR Houses of worship remain blockaded, solution still being soughtORSolution to closure of...

Young graphic artist displays his talent

Young graphic artist displays his talentSusi Andrini, Contributor, SanurGraphic art has been gaining popularity among young and talented Balinese artists, including Edo Wulia.In a display of his work at a solo exhibition, Moments Within, at Retro Fine Arts in Sanur, Edo has been showcasing his...

Art exhibition at Griya Santrian

Art exhibition at Griya SantrianGriya Santrian Hotel and Gallery, Sanur, will hold an art exhibition featuring five artists from Singapadu, Gianyar.The five artists, Ni Nyoman Sani, I Ketut Muja, I Wayan jana, I Made Supena and I Ketut Sugantika, all belong to one family.

Sugar shortages in S. Sumatra

Sugar shortages in S. SumatraPALEMBANG, South Sumatra: A sugar scarcity in South Sumatra looms as the demand for sugar this year is expected to surge between 80,000 and 130,000 tons next year, while the main local sugar producer Cinta Manis may only be able to produce approximately 50,000 tons of...

Tangerang teachers to get late pay

Tangerang teachers to get late pay TANGERANG: About 1,500 of around 4,000 contract teachers in Tangerang, Banten, who have not received their salaries for the past three months will be paid on Sept. 15, an official says.

JP/18/HOTELS

JP/18/HOTELSHotels change marketing strategy in anticipation of tourist boomYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/BandungThanks to the opening of the Cikampek-Purwakarta-Padalarang expressway, better known as the Cipularang toll road, the car journey from Jakarta to Bandung has been reduced from four...

'Sports yet to develop into industry'

'Sports yet to develop into industry'Legislators last week approved a bill on sports which, among other things, requires that the government provide pensions for national athletes and organizations involved in developing the country's sports.

JP/19/VDSTRR

JP/19/VDSTRRJohn van der Sterren's artistic sentimental journeyCarla Bianpoen Contributor/JakartaNostalgia and bold lines are features by which the paintings of John van der Sterren can be recognized. Much of his work used to be directly related to Indonesia, where he was born and has spent part of...

Victims see potential in commission

Victims see potential in commissionRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite lingering skepticism, victims of human rights abuses have urged the soon to be officiated Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR) to start its task of revealing the truth behind unresolved human rights cases.

ABN AMRO apologizes

ABN AMRO apologizes We would like to respond to the letter from our customer with the account number 306115033033 that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 8 regarding his personal loan account with ABN AMRO Bank.We apologize for any inconveniences caused.

Bali to host 11th AsiaConstruct

Bali to host 11th AsiaConstructThe Jakarta Post, JakartaBali is to host the 11th annual AsiaConstruct Conference, starting on Friday, where state officials and construction industry players from Asia-Pacific nations will meet to exchange information and business opportunities.

School turns scavengers into scholars, citizens

School turns scavengers into scholars, citizensKaren Stingemore, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith the Indonesian flag flying high above the entrance way and the echo of laughter and eager voices drifting along the corridor, PKBM (Pusat Kegiatan Belajar Masyarakat, or Center For Community-Based...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.14, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.14, 2005 ______________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume ______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades...

Rupiah ends higher as foreigners sell dollars

Rupiah ends higher as foreigners sell dollars Dow Jones Jakarta The rupiah continued recovering on Wednesday as foreign investors exchanged dollars to settle their recent purchases of local bonds, dealers said. The dollar dipped briefly below the Rp 10,000 mark earlier in the day, touching Rp 9,990.

Askari gives Giant third stage victory

Askari gives Giant third stage victory The Chinese Taipei-based Giant Asia Racing team took the third consecutive stage win after Iranian Hossein Askari clinched the fastest time over the route between Purwokerto and Yogyakarta in the Tour d'Indonesia on Wednesday.

AirAsia-MU deal pays off

AirAsia-MU deal pays offAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur AirAsia, Southeast Asia's pioneering low-cost carrier, said on Wednesday its recent sponsorship deal with Manchester United is already proving its worth in attracting business."Its already paying off. The trend is there.

Workers sue Wal-Mart over work conditions

Workers sue Wal-Mart over work conditions Workers in six countries, including Indonesia, filed a class- action lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday, claiming the world's largest retailer overlooks sweatshop conditions at toy and clothing factories from China to Nicaragua.

ASEAN leaders stress multilateral diplomacy in talks with Annan

ASEAN leaders stress multilateral diplomacy in talks with AnnanP. Parameswaran, Agence France-Presse/New YorkLeaders of southeast Asian nations, some of whom strongly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, have underlined in talks with UN chief Kofi Annan the need to strengthen multilateral...

RI August auto sales up 31%

RI August auto sales up 31% JAKARTA: Automobile sales in Indonesia rose 31 percent in August from a year earlier, said PT Astra International, the nation's biggest auto distributor, citing figures from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers.

1. Rights (1x32)

1. Rights (1x32) KKR seen as first step to truth or Victims see potential in commission or Commission holds promise for victims 2. House (1x29) RI lawmakers lobby U.S. on arms 3. PKI (4x12) Ex-political prisoners lose court battle

House discovers new documents on 'sale' of disaster funds

House discovers new documents on 'sale' of disaster fundsTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMore documents detailing the practice of selling disaster aid budgets have been discovered by the House of Representatives disciplinary body after it questioned more legislators on Wednesday.

JP/18/UANG

JP/18/UANGInterest in coin collecting grows all the time Bambang Parlupi Jakarta Many people, young and old, have found it increasingly appealing to collect old coins and banknotes as a pastime. The search for such items produces a thrill of its own.

JP/18/KNIT

JP/18/KNITKnitting industry unravelingKnitting businesses caught in a spiral of decline Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/BandungFor over four decades, people living on Jl. Binong Jati, Binong village, Batununggal, some 10 kilometers to the east of downtown Bandung, have been familiar with the...

1. SKB -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42)

1. SKB -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42)Government to revise decree on places of worship 2. Accident -- 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x24) Five people killed as boat capsizes in Tangerang river3. Women -- 32 pts 3 cols 2line (2x27)Expert says ignorance leads to neglect of women's health4.

N. Dua Festival needs to be improved to attract more visitors

N. Dua Festival needs to be improved to attract more visitorsWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa DuaThe sun was setting and the game of chess involving two grandmasters, Utut Adianto from Indonesia and Eugene Torre from the Philippines, had to be halted at the 20th move.

Noble Group's Elman May Buy Two Indonesian Coal Mines

Noble Group's Elman May Buy Two Indonesian Coal Mines Bernard Lo and Jason Gale Bloomberg/SingaporeNoble Group Ltd. may buy coal mines in Indonesia, Chief Executive Richard Elman said, expanding in a nation that is the second- biggest exporter of the fuel to Chinese power generators.

Removing state from commerce prevents graft

Removing state from commerce prevents graftLeslie Palmier, London I have been a student of corruption for many years, and of Indonesia even longer (my first visit was in 1951), so I hope my suggestions below on possible measures against corruption will be helpful.

Polite teacher looks at human absurdity

Polite teacher looks at human absurdityEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post/JakartaAfter sinking themselves in the dark, absurd and insane world of Budi Darma's novel Olenka and short-story collection Orang-orang Bloomington, some readers made the trip to meet the author in person.

Police chief sacked over assault incident

Police chief sacked over assault incidentEva C. Komandjaja and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/BogorBogor Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito, who has been accused of assaulting his subordinate, is to be removed from his post and transferred to National Police Headquarters pending a...

Molik eases back into tour after illness

Molik eases back into tour after illnessBruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali As Mariana Diaz-Oliva served for the first set in Tuesday's night match at the Wismilak International, Alicia Molik could have been forgiven for having that here-we-go-again feeling.

1. Houses of worship remain blockaded, solution still being

1. Houses of worship remain blockaded, solution still being sought Page 8 2. President Bush meets with China's President Hu Jintao in New York Page 11 3. Nusa Dua Festival needs to be enlivened to draw a crowd Page 18

Expert says ignorance leads to neglect of women's health

Expert says ignorance leads to neglect of women's healthAti Nurbaiti, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMillions of teenagers are sexually active in the country but official ignorance or a head-in-the-sand attitude is leading to a continuing neglect of their needs, an expert on public health says.

RI lawmakers lobby U.S. on arms

RI lawmakers lobby U.S. on armsIvy Susanti, The Jakarta Post, Washington, DCIndonesian House of Representatives lawmakers held talks with U.S. senators here on Wednesday to seek support for a full resumption of military ties between the two countries when their delegates meet in a joint committee...

Ex-political prisoners lose court battle

Ex-political prisoners lose court battleThe Jakarta Post, JakartaEfforts by former political prisoners to seek justice for their past suffering were dealt a setback on Wednesday by the Central Jakarta District Court, which said it could not hear the class action lawsuit.

Tennis

TennisWismilak International Results on the third day of main draw matches in the US$225,000 WTA Wismilak International tennis tournament in Nusa Dua, Indonesia, on Wednesday (x denotes seeded player): 1st round singles Martina Muller (Ger) bt Flavia Pennetta (Ita x6) 6-3, 6-1 Francesca Schiavone...

Hospital to provide bird flu rooms

Hospital to provide bird flu roomsBENGKULU: As part of efforts to prevent bird flu fatalities, Mohammad Yunus Hospital has provided nine rooms to house patients with symptoms of the virus or other communicable diseases.

Five people killed as boat capsizes in Tangerang river

Five people killed as boat capsizes in Tangerang riverMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangFour teenagers and an adult were drowned on Tuesday evening when a dinghy they were using to cross Cisadane River in Tangerang capsized and sank.The accident occurred at around 9 p.m.

VP to open AOMM meeting in Bali

VP to open AOMM meeting in BaliTUBAN, Bali: Vice President Jusuf Kalla is expected to inaugurate the second upcoming gathering of fisheries and maritime ministers from member states of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Ready for peace

Ready for peaceOn the eve of disarmament, members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) gather up their weapons under the watchful eyes of foreign observers in the province.The disarmament, scheduled to begin on Thursday, is part of the landmark peace deal signed on Aug. 15 by the government and GAM.

Maxis to sponsor 2006 World Cup

Maxis to sponsor 2006 World Cup KUALA LUMPUR: Top mobile operator Maxis Communications said on Wednesday it will sponsor live transmissions in Malaysia of all the 64 World Cup soccer matches to be played in Germany in 2006 at a cost of 60 million ringgit (US$16 million).

Daniels enjoys lighting up lives

Daniels enjoys lighting up livesSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Magelang, Central Java"I'm like a moth drawn to the flame. When you switch on a light bulb at night, you will see moths are flying around it. Moths like the light, and so do I.

Petronas to build terminal in Sabah

Petronas to build terminal in Sabah KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's national oil firm Petronas will construct a new oil and gas terminal in eastern Sabah state, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said on Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, September 15, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, September 15, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Arts Exhibition by Ni Nyoman Sani, I Ketut Muja, I Wayan jana, I Made Supena and I Ketut Sugantika from Singapadu, Gianyar at Griya Santrian Hotel and Gallery in Sanur, from Sept.16 until Nov.

Pertamina told to secure distribution

Pertamina told to secure distributionRendi A. Witular and Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina to keep ploughing more oil-based fuels onto the market and to tighten distribution supervision amid fuel shortages...

Nature, heritage among star attractions

Nature, heritage among star attractionsSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With towering skyscrapers, apartments, condominiums and malls decorating the country, Singapore has been frequently associated with modernization.

Garuda plane forced to make emergency landing in Bali

Garuda plane forced to make emergency landing in BaliWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarA packed Garuda plane traveling from Bali to Brisbane, Australia, was forced to make an emergency landing because of engine trouble, a senior airline official said on Wednesday.

Israeli, RI FMs meet in secret: Report

Israeli, RI FMs meet in secret: ReportAgence France-Presse, JerusalemIsraeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has secretly met his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli army radio reported on Wednesday.

Rupiah ends higher to continue recovery

Rupiah ends higher to continue recoveryDow Jones, JakartaThe rupiah continued recovering on Wednesday as foreign investors exchanged dollars to settle their recent purchases of local bonds, dealers said.The dollar dipped briefly below the Rp 10,000 mark earlier in the day, touching Rp 9,990.

GAM members reach Banda Aceh full of hope

GAM members reach Banda Aceh full of hopeNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehThe convoy of motorists consisted of about 50 men, whose faces looked dark while they slowly drove their motorcycles into Banda Aceh city under the watchful eyes of journalists.

September challenges

September challenges September has brought with it new challenges to the government including a call for a reshuffle of the Cabinet amid a depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar. This condition is seen by some government critics as heralding a new financial crisis, seriously hampering...

Thugs to help secure Tanah Abang

Thugs to help secure Tanah AbangThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIf you can't beat them, join them. If you can't get rid of them, recruit them. That seems to be the motto of the city administration in dealing with thugs in the capital.

Unilever Asia prices to rise on high oil costs

Unilever Asia prices to rise on high oil costsPhelim Kyne, Dow Jones/JakartaAnglo-Dutch consumer product giant Unilever will have to increase prices in Asia to cope with high crude oil prices, a company executive said recently.

Human resource development

Human resource developmentFrom Media Indonesia No one will likely accept that our country's best human resources are mostly utilized by the large multinational corporations operating here. Hence the issue of proper empowerment of skilled workers has to be given serious attention.

Cirebon boatmakers stop production

Cirebon boatmakers stop production Nana Rukmana The Jakarta Post/Cirebon Skyrocketing prices of boatmaking materials and lack of orders over the last three months have forced fishing boat makers in Gebang village, Cirebon regency to stop production and return to their old profession, fishing.

Bus accident kills one, injures 15

Bus accident kills one, injures 15 BOGOR: One person was killed and 15 others injured when a passenger bus crashed into a group of junior high school students in Cibinong, Bogor, on Tuesday.The deceased, Waryono, was on a motorcycle with his wife and eight-month-old baby when the bus hit them.

Neighborhood remains tense over presence of houses of worship

Neighborhood remains tense over presence of houses of worshipAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe neighborhood on Jl. Melati Raya Ujung in Jati Mulya housing complex, Bekasi regency was calm on Wednesday morning.

Cepu contract may be signed this week

Cepu contract may be signed this weekRendi A. Witular and Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Surakarta, Central JavaThe government has indicated that a contract to develop the untapped oil-rich Cepu block will be signed later this week by state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, U.S.

RI's qualifiers spiked in Bali

RI's qualifiers spiked in BaliMoh. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali Three Indonesian pairings lost their qualifying matches at the US$200,000 Bali Open beach volleyball tournament at Sanur beach on Wednesday, exiting the tournament on the first day of play.

Govt told to 'resolve' student shootings

Govt told to 'resolve' student shootings JAKARTA: Families of victims of the 1998/1999 student shootings urged the House of Representatives on Wednesday to push the government to issue a presidential decree establishing an ad hoc human rights tribunal to try the cases.

Leslie Palmier

Leslie Palmier2. Wandi -- Building democracy in Aceh 2 x 30 The process of building democracy after peace is restored in Aceh Aguswandi London

Municipality gears up for floods

Municipality gears up for floods JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta municipality has made preparations to assist residents of 10 flood-prone areas during this year's rainy season.Central Jakarta Mayor Muhayat said on Wednesday his administration had prepared temporary shelters, public kitchens and rubber...