Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 March 2003

71 articles found

* Headlines: Govt, HDC meet to fix peace deal violations 2

* Headlines: Govt, HDC meet to fix peace deal violations 2 * National: Coalition reveals flaws in information bill4 * Archipelago: Govt to disburse resettlement funds5 * Opinion: RI must integrate with world to advance6 * City: Asset dispute may lead to court8 * Sports: Raul roasts Milan as Juve leaves it late10 * World: North Korea missile test feared11 * Business:Japan agrees to measures to boost stock prices 16 * Features:Meet Jakarta governor's nemesis20

Rp 5.4b for training civilian police

Rp 5.4b for training civilian police JAKARTA: The city administration has allocated a whopping Rp 5.4 billion this year to provide training for its civilian police assistants. Newly appointed head of the City Public Order Agency Soebagio said the expensive training was part of administration efforts to boost the capability of its assistants. "We will also recruit new assistants gradually this year to complement the existing 3,000 public order officers," said Soebagio.

Asset dispute may lead to court

Asset dispute may lead to court Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the total value of the city's assets remains a mystery due to a lack of data on it, the city administration reiterated on Thursday its desire to take over the management of properties currently under the control of the central government. Governor Sutiyoso has threatened to go to court to gain control. "If there is no other way, I will do so," Sutiyoso said at City Hall.

1. TIGOR: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS

1. TIGOR: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Meet Jakarta governor's nemesis 2. SERBIA: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS Djindjic fought communism, then Milosevic 3. TSE: 1 LINE, 37 COUNTS HK pop bad boy Tse launches 'rebranded' self

Bombs found in Ambon mosque

Bombs found in Ambon mosque Muhammad Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Police have defused two homemade bombs found on Thursday outside the Al Fatah grand mosque in the city of Ambon, renewing fears of heightened tension that could threaten the fragile peace in the province, which has been torn by years of sectarian clashes. Maluku Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Noviantoro said the police bomb squad had defused the bombs, which were found by the mosque's janitorial staff at about 11:00 a.m.

'RI should learn from S. Africa'

'RI should learn from S. Africa' JAKARTA: Indonesia should learn from South Africa in terms of creating ethnic harmony given the latter's experience after years of apartheid, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Wednesday. Yusril said on the sidelines of bilateral discussions with his South African counterpart, Panuell Mpapa Maduna, that South Africa had successfully overcome years of racial disparities, problems that Indonesia was still suffering from.

Coalition reveals flaws in information bill

Coalition reveals flaws in information bill Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for freedom of information has called on the House of Representatives (DPR) to discard articles allowing public offices to use existing laws to justify their objections to information disclosure.

Students take hostage academic staff

Students take hostage academic staff TANGERANG: Hundreds of computer college students in Tangerang agreed on Thursday morning to release 25 academic staff held hostage for more than 10 hours following the suspension of two student activists.

Jambi prepares for forest fires

Jambi prepares for forest fires JAMBI: The Jambi provincial government is taking steps to anticipate forest fires through tighter observation of natural preserves and protected forest areas, as the island of Sumatra nears the start of the dry season. The appearance of haze in the morning had signaled the end of the rainy season in Jambi, said Agus Priambudi, who heads Jambi's nature conservation office and coordinates a team handling forest fires and bushfires.

Moro rebels get foreign arms funding

Moro rebels get foreign arms funding PHILIPPINES: Moro rebels blamed for a deadly bomb attack in the southern Philippines last week have been buying arms using foreign funds, the military charged on Thursday. It said documents recovered from a fallen enclave of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last month revealed the rebels had made payments for machine guns, explosives, grenades and other battle hardware.

Train rams into truck loaded with gas cylinders, stranding passengers

Train rams into truck loaded with gas cylinders, stranding passengers Agus Maryono and Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto, Indramayu A train rammed the back of a truck loaded with gas cylinders at a railway crossing in the Central Java town of Purwokerto on Thursday. No one was injured in the accident and none of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders exploded.

'CSI policy not a trade barrier for RI products'

'CSI policy not a trade barrier for RI products' Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A new controversial U.S. customs policy was not a form of trade barrier that would negatively affect Indonesia's exports to the former country, a visiting U.S. official said Thursday. U.S. deputy attache for customs at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, Peter R. Darvas, however, admitted the new policy would create small additional expenses for Indonesian exporters. "None of these initiatives that U.S.

Moody's paints positive outlook for RI

Moody's paints positive outlook for RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta International credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service has maintained its positive outlook for Indonesia, on the back of the country's political stability and continued commitments to reform.

Cheap flights ease pain of going home

Cheap flights ease pain of going home Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mudik, or going back to the hometown or village, can pose headaches if you live in a major city like Jakarta -- hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. Spending eight hours on a bus or train is a luxury I could not afford, while a quick plane ride always means a quick depletion of my finances.

Tour operators diversify markets amid war threat

Tour operators diversify markets amid war threat Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian tour operators are diversifying their markets with offers to exotic destinations like Mongolia and Indochina to cushion the blow of a war in Iraq, an industry group said Thursday. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah said war jitters have led to a shift from long-haul travel to shorter flights to Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

RI to host information seminar

RI to host information seminar JAKARTA: Seven foreign speakers are expected to address an international seminar on the right to information at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Friday. The seven speakers are Mukelani Dimba of South Africa, Venkat Iyer of Britain, Rick Snell of Australia, Nakorn Serirak of Thailand, Kamayani Swami of India, Vince Lazatin of the Philippines and Toby Mendell of Canada. House deputy speaker Muhaimin Iskandar is slated to give the keynote speech.

Meet Jakarta governor's nemesis

Meet Jakarta governor's nemesis Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many activists who fight for the poor in Jakarta have found themselves on the bad side of Governor Sutiyoso, who has been known to find fault with the way in which these activists criticize his public policies and look into allegations of corruption.

Voter registration deadline put back

Voter registration deadline put back JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) and Central Statistics Agency (BPS) have agreed to push the voter registration deadline back to December. KPU member Anas Urbaningrum told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that originally the KPU had requested the deadline to be in October, but after both sides compromised, December was seen as still providing enough time for the KPU to hold the elections as scheduled.

Govt to supervise Aceh and Papua budgets

Govt to supervise Aceh and Papua budgets Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta The central government is making another attempt to reduce the authority of autonomous Aceh and Papua by setting up an assistance team to supervise the use of the regional budget in those two provinces.

House to support Maluku food center

House to support Maluku food center AMBON, Maluku: The House of Representatives (DPR) is considering supporting the development of a 5,000-hectare agricultural center in Buru regency as Maluku's future granary. Maluku Logistics Depot chief R.M. Simatupang sought the support when a DPR Commission III team under Soetrisno paid a four-day visit to Ambon and Central Maluku this week to gather regional input on agricultural development.

Scandal spreading as Moody's warns of possible SK Corp. downgrade

Scandal spreading as Moody's warns of possible SK Corp. downgrade Jun Kwanwoo, Agence France-Presse, Seoul Moody's Investors Service warned on Thursday of a possible downgrade of the ratings of SK Corp., flagship of South Korea's SK Group, amid fears of a credit run on the country's third largest business group amid a massive accounting scandal. The U.S.-based global risk evaluator said it placed the Baa3 long-term rating of SK Corp.

Servicemen requested to help curb spread of HIV/AIDS

Servicemen requested to help curb spread of HIV/AIDS Religious leaders have requested members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police to stop backing prostitution and drug trafficking to help reduce the spread of HIV.

CSI policy not a trade barrier for RI products: Official

CSI policy not a trade barrier for RI products: Official Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta A new controversial U.S. customs policy was not a form of trade barrier that would negatively affect Indonesia's exports to the former country, a visiting U.S. official said Thursday. U.S. deputy attache for customs at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, Peter R. Darvas, however, admitted the new policy would create small additional expenses for Indonesian exporters. "None of these initiatives that U.S.

Key figures express support for `Tempo'

Key figures express support for `Tempo' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Moral support continued to flood in for Tempo news magazine on Thursday following a weekend attack on its journalists and offices over a report it carried, while pressure mounted on the police to uphold the rule of law.

JP/4/head

JP/4/head 1. Aceh (1 x 25);JP;YUNI; HDC, Govt talk accord breaches 2. Farmer (2 x 21) New draft regulation may require farmers to pay for water 3. Info (2 x 24) Coalition reveals flaws in information bill 4. HIV (2x 30) Servicemen requested to help curb spread of HIV/AIDS 5. Drugs (1 x 40) 'RI should join ASEAN war on illicit drugs'

More Bali victims buried

More Bali victims buried DENPASAR, Bali: The Disaster Victims Identification team (DVI) for the Oct. 12 Bali bombings buried two unidentified bodies and 20 bags full of unidentified body parts on Thursday. "We have contacted every embassy and consulate general whose citizens may be among the victims, and they've all agreed with our decision," said I Gde Nurjaya, the Bali provincial government's public relations chief. The two bodies were among the last to still remain unidentified and unclaimed.

The presidential candidate

The presidential candidate Our question is -- is there any Indonesian citizen who is entitled to be nominated as president? Of course there is. But who? In a situation that is full of problems and distrust, it is difficult to find a candidate who will be immediately accepted by most of the people. People will seek their past wrongdoings, either during the New Order era or the Reform era.

Accounting woes, North Korea weigh on won

Accounting woes, North Korea weigh on won Nirmala Menon, Dow Jones, Singapore The South Korean won recovered from a five-month intraday low to close just a touch weaker Thursday, but analysts said they expect more downside ahead stemming from a domestic accounting scandal and tensions from the communist North. Most other Asian currencies headed south as the dollar rose against major rivals and commodity currencies, such as the Australian dollar and the Canadian unit.

1. ANNAN: 1 x 50

1. ANNAN: 1 x 50 Crucial moment if war commences without UN consent 2. JAPAN: 4 x 12 Japan to host largest water talk

JP/13/BUMN

JP/13/BUMN SOEs claim efficiency measures improving bottom line Adianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post Jakarta Five state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have claimed that they were able to save some Rp 7.4 trillion (about US$810 billion) in operational expenses after efficiency measures were implemented in November 2001.

Govt to disburse resettlement funds

Govt to disburse resettlement funds Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The central government has promised to immediately disburse the remaining resettlement funds for over 4,350 migrant families who fled conflict-torn Aceh to North Sumatra. Spokesman for the North Sumatra administration Eddy Syofian announced that Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah had called Governor T.

Police free alleged members of militant religious group

Police free alleged members of militant religious group Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police released on Thursday two university students who were being detained for their alleged involvement in a militant religious movement, known as the Indonesian Islamic State (NII), which aims to establish an Islamic state. "We released them today as we determined that they were just in the early stages of being recruited by NII," the East Jakarta Police chief, Comr.

PDI Perjuangan meeting fails to choose running mate for Megawati

PDI Perjuangan meeting fails to choose running mate for Megawati Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national meeting of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) ended on a low note on Thursday as party executives left chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to choose her own running mate for the 2004 presidential election.

Indonesia's U-12 team to join French meet

Indonesia's U-12 team to join French meet Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will take part in the world U-12 soccer tournament in France in May, with the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) hoping to use the event to build momentum for its drive to improve youth soccer development in the country. "This is a good opportunity for us to begin identifying young soccer players who are still unknown to PSSI," Ronny Pattinasarani, who heads team selection, said here on Thursday.

Govt, HDC hold meeting to fix peace deal violations

Govt, HDC hold meeting to fix peace deal violations Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) began a two-day meeting on Thursday to hammer out what constitutes a violation of the demilitarization process in Aceh, more than three months after Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a Cessation of Hostilities agreement in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2002.

Peace process in Aceh looks set to fail if truce breaches continue

Peace process in Aceh looks set to fail if truce breaches continue P. Ramasamy, Political Science Professor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Third-party interventions in conflict resolution are important. They tend to provide a broad framework for the resolution of ethnic and nationalist conflicts, but the cessation of hostilities alone is no guarantee of permanent peace. Sri Lanka and Aceh, Indonesia, provide good examples of such mediations.

1. CITIL: 1 LINE 38 COUNTS

1. CITIL: 1 LINE 38 COUNTS Cheap flights ease pain of going home Citilink: alternative in budget traveling 2. IRAQ: 1 LINE 35 COUNTS Baghdad draws peaceniks of all sorts

Illegal logging in Morowali reserve

Illegal logging in Morowali reserve PALU, Central Sulawesi: Illegal logging has been rampant in the Morowali Nature Reserve (CAM) in Morowali regency, Central Sulawesi, over the last three years. Yusran Zainuddin, an activist of Sahabat Alam Morowali, a non- governmental organization engaged in nature conservation, said on Wednesday in Kolonodale, east of Palu, that a recent probe conducted by the institute had caught a group taking logs out of the reserve.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday March 14, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday March 14, 2003 Exhibitions * Design, Design Bureau Opera, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta, (Tel. 021-5241069), March 19 to April 12. * Painting, In Between, by artist like Agus Suwage, Aga Petus, Agung Kurniawan, Ardison, Astari Rasjid, Edo Pillu, Ivan Sagito, G. Sidharta A.,Krisna Murti, Nyoman Erawan, S. Teddy D., Y. Eka Suprihadi, Pande Ketut Taman, Sunaryo, F. Widayanto, at Andi's Gallery, Jl.

1. INSIGHT:

1. INSIGHT: 'Tempo' case reveals the dark side of Jakarta 2. ACEH: 2 x 26 Govt, HDC hold meeting to fix peace deal violations 4. MEGA: 2 x 34 PDI Perjuangan meeting fails to choose running mate for Megawati 4. RATING: 1 x 39 Moody's paints positive outlook for RI 5. SUTIYOSO: 1 x 37 Water rates to increase next month 6.7. ODD: 1 x 33 Promotion-hungry officials duped 7. ODD: 1 x 33 Paper airplane sparks inferno

New draft regulation may require farmers to pay for water

New draft regulation may require farmers to pay for water Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has sparked controversy by proposing a regulation that will oblige farmers to pay for irrigation water, a move that could significantly raise agricultural production costs.

Presidential guard chief to take oath

Presidential guard chief to take oath JAKARTA: The new presidential guard commander, Brig. Gen. Agung Widjajadi, will be sworn in by Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto at the Presidential Guard headquarters in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Friday. Briefing the press after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, outgoing presidential guard commander Maj. Gen.

Police say arson was behind fire at ministry

Police say arson was behind fire at ministry Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police confirmed on Thursday that the fire that razed the sixth floor of the finance ministry building and destroyed records of state assets last Tuesday was an act of arson. "As a result of our on-site investigations, the police forensic laboratory has concluded that the fire was started deliberately," said National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Didi Rochyadi.

Pitting people

Pitting people against each other From Kompas As an ordinary citizen, I was sad and disappointed to learn of the establishment of the Message of the People's Plight Front (Ampera) as I find it hard to understand why those claiming to be community figures always set a bad example for the people. Why do they always say they are speaking on behalf of the people when they try to topple the legitimate government? Why do they enjoy bickering and arguing without respecting the law?

Jakarta water rates to increase next month

Jakarta water rates to increase next month Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite criticism of the quality of the tap water supplied by the city's two water utilities, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said water charges needed to be increased next month in order to cover the companies' operating costs. "We have not increased the charges for almost three years. They must be increased starting early in April ... otherwise we will go bankrupt," he said on Thursday.

Drug dealing is family business for some

Drug dealing is family business for some Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The alarming level of drug trafficking here has, in some cases, become a family business involving all members of the household. Sofian Ali, head of non-governmental organization Geram (the Antidrug Movement) lamented that this has added to the complexity of the problem that bedevils the nation. "Drug trafficking is very chronic.

Two students arrested for caning boy

Two students arrested for caning boy MALAYSIA: Malaysian police have arrested two religious students for caning a Muslim boy who talked to his female schoolmate, a report said on Thursday. The 17-year-old victim was whipped 25 times in front of other students at a religious school in northeast Kelantan state as "punishment for committing vice", the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia said.

U.S. to freeze 'terror' funds in SE Asia

U.S. to freeze 'terror' funds in SE Asia Jane Macartney and Simon Cameron-Moore, Reuters, Singapore/Kuala Lumpur The United States has prepared a list of individuals and companies in Southeast Asia whose funds will be frozen in the hunt for members of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, diplomats and analysts said on Thursday. The list would be the first that the U.S. Treasury has issued for the region in its campaign to track the financing behind militants blamed for the Sept.

`Tempo' case reveals the dark side of Jakarta

`Tempo' case reveals the dark side of Jakarta Marco Kusumawijaya, Consultant, Urban Development, Jakarta Many Jakartans have just seen the movie The Gangs of New York.

Promotion-hungry officials duped

Promotion-hungry officials duped JAKARTA: Three high-ranking officials transferred millions of rupiah to an unidentified person who promised them promotions only to realize that they had been conned. The President's secretary for military affairs, Maj. Gen. T.B. Hassanudin, confirmed on Thursday that three officials, including an air marshal, had fallen for the scam.

Court tells Lippo, critic to make peace

Court tells Lippo, critic to make peace Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A court has urged a commissioner of Bank Lippo and noted analyst Lin Che Wei to reach an out-of-court settlement within one week in their dispute over a number of articles written by Lin on misleading financial reports filed by Lippo.

More protests over Papua split

More protests over Papua split SURABAYA: Dozens of Papuan students staged a rally outside the Surabaya City Council on Thursday to protest Jakarta's move to split Papua into three provinces, saying it would sow disunity among the people. Chairman of the Surabaya Papua Student Union Nicodemus said that all Papuan students rejected the addition of two new provinces. "Some of the Papuan people oppose the plan, so we, as part of them, are here to support their aspiration," Nicodemus said.

Questions surround school renovations

Questions surround school renovations Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Local officials have allegedly marked up the cost of the projects to renovate and build school buildings here by as much as 100 percent. The Tangerang municipal administration has allocated Rp 37 billion from its 2003 budget to rebuild or renovate a total of 71 decrepit schools spread across 13 districts in the municipality.

Indonesia must integrate with world to advance

Indonesia must integrate with world to advance Hans W. Vriens, Managing Director, PT APCO Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia is one of the seven least globalized countries, according to a recent survey of 62 states conducted by the respected American magazine Foreign Policy. Two neighboring countries -- Singapore and Malaysia -- rank highest among developing countries in the magazine's third annual Globalization Index.

'Reclamation project will push the poor aside'

'Reclamation project will push the poor aside' Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso announced this week the city administration's plan to continue a reclamation project along the city's north coast (Pantura). The project, costing Rp 20 trillion, would likely cover more than 5,000 hectares. Many who are opposed to the plan say it would cause environmental damage and incite social unrest among locals. The Jakarta Post talked to some urban dwellers on the plan.

Wild pig attacks plague S. Bengkulu rice farmers

Wild pig attacks plague S. Bengkulu rice farmers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Groups of wild pigs are again destroying rice fields in South Bengkulu, but unlike last year the regency does not have the money to hire hunters to deal with the beasts, a local official said on Thursday. "Reports from farmers about damage done to their rice fields by wild pigs continue to flow into our office," said the head of the regency's agricultural office, Mukhlis Ibrahim, as quoted by Antara.

Highlights from Indonesia's report to WWF

Highlights from Indonesia's report to WWF * About 80 percent of the population does not have access to running water. Investments totaling Rp 5.1 trillion (US$570 million) per year are needed to supply water to 40 percent of the population by 2015. * Rice production is under threat due to the conversion of 15,000 to 20,000 hectares of irrigated rice fields every year for nonagricultural use and breakdowns in irrigation systems. Considerable investment is needed to boost rice production.

Efficiency measures seen improving bottom line of SEOs

Efficiency measures seen improving bottom line of SEOs Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have claimed that they were able to save some Rp 7.4 trillion (about US$810 billion) in operational expenses after efficiency measures were implemented in November 2001.

KL Police order probe into arrest of IT experts

KL Police order probe into arrest of IT experts Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian police on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the mass arrest of Indian IT professionals for alleged visa irregularities which has soured relations between the two countries. Kuala Lumpur police chief Dell Akhbar Khan said the probe would be given top priority, the official Bernama news agency reported.

JAL to reduce Indonesia flights

JAL to reduce Indonesia flights TOKYO: Japan Airlines System Corp. (JAL) said on Thursday it will reduce its flights to Indonesia and France from Tokyo because of sluggish demand, partly because of a possible war against Iraq. JAL currently operates two separate routes to Jakarta and Denpasar in Indonesia out of Tokyo's Narita International Airport, but these will be combined into a single Narita-Jakarta- Denpasar route starting April 1, JAL spokesman Tatsuo Yoshimura said.

Zakki Hakim

Zakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta A court has urged a commissioner of Bank Lippo and noted analyst Lin Che Wei to reach an out-of-court settlement within one week in their dispute over a number of articles written by Lin on misleading financial reports filed by Lippo.

TV Today: Friday, March 14, 2003

TV Today: Friday, March 14, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 7:30 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 8:00 Talk Show: RT/RW 8:30 DRTV Indonesia 9:00 Budi Pekerti 10:00 Music: Religious 11:00 News: Berita Dearah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga: Hukum 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 Music: Pop Daerah 3:00 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 3:30 Tourism 4:00 Sports...

`RI should join ASEAN war on illicit drugs'

`RI should join ASEAN war on illicit drugs' Yuni Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Indonesia, a haven for drug abusers and traffickers, has called for joint efforts among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to combat illicit drugs.

1. SOCCER: 12 x 3 lines

1. SOCCER: 12 x 3 lines Raul roasts Milan as Juventus leaves it late 2. ATHLET: 12 x 3 lines Gebrselassie, set to star at World Indoors 3. TENNIS: 18 x 2 lines Hewitt marches on as seven seeds crash out 4. PSSI: 18 x 2 lines Indonesia's U-12 team to join French meet 5. NBA: 48 x 1 line Malone passes 36,000 career points in Jazz victory 6. NHL: 42 x 1 line Dallas Stars shaken by Wild's early goal blitz 7. WAKE: 36 x 1 line 2003 wakeboarding meet to be held on Sunday

1. Vriens -- Avoiding the `de-globalization' trap

1. Vriens -- Avoiding the `de-globalization' trap 2 x 23 Indonesia must integrate with world to advance Let's avoid the `de-globalization' trap Hans W. Vriens Managing Director PT APCO Indonesia Jakarta 2. Rama -- Future imperfect: The limits of peace talks 2 X 30 Peace process in Aceh looks set to fail if truce breaches continue P. Ramasamy Political Science Professor Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore

IBRA is not transparent

IBRA is not transparent From Bisnis Indonesia I am one of the many prospective investors who would like to buy some of the assets of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) and have visited some well-known property agents to get information. The agents promptly asked me why I had an interest in the assets and whether I had some "friends" (insiders) who could make "arrangements" for the deal.

Govt to monitor Papua, Aceh budgets

Govt to monitor Papua, Aceh budgets Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government is making another attempt to reduce the authority of autonomous Aceh and Papua by setting up an assistance team to supervise the use of the regional budget in those two provinces.

Most Indonesians have no access to clean water

Most Indonesians have no access to clean water Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 80 percent of Indonesia's 215 million population have no access to piped water, according to a country report prepared for the third World Water Forum (WWF) in Kyoto, a copy of which was obtained by The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Temasek to join bid for Bank Danamon

Temasek to join bid for Bank Danamon Singapore's investment arm Temasek Holdings was reported on Thursday as having brought Deutsche Bank on board in place of Goldman Sachs to advise on a bid for a 51 percent stake in Indonesia's Bank Danamon. The move could see the German bank taking an equity stake in the US$400 million deal as well, sources told The Business Times.

;JP;dan;

;JP;dan; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates March 13 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates March 13 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,570.44 4,973.64 5,300.81 5,243.05 Brunei dollar 1 5,373.58 4,800.55 5,113.47 5,060.58 Canadian dollar 1 6,349.21 5,669.93 6,041.88 5,977.05 Swiss franc 1 6,963.48 6,219.00 6,626.42 6,555.86 Danish krone 1 1,378.04 1,230.53 1,311.33 1,297.19 Euro 1 10,233.78 9,140.88 9,738.42 9,636.01 Poundsterling 1...

Disgusted by

Disgusted by Senayan pool From Media Indonesia I often swim at Senayan swimming pool and am disgusted with the state of the bathrooms, particularly those for the women. The doors cannot be closed or are missing, and the rooms are unutterably filthy and filled with the sickening stench of urine.