Archive: 2 February 2005
91 articles found
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
More Islamic music, please
More Islamic music, please From Republika MetroTV should be lauded for its intensive reporting of the recent tidal waves affecting Aceh and North Sumatra as well as its communications with survivors of the calamity. In order to ensure that the aid provided will not separate the Aceh people from their Islamic roots, I would like to suggest that MetroTV's background music for the news have more of an Islamic tone, such as the songs, recitations and chants of Raihan, Aa Gym and Arifin Ilham.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aid fund control crucial
Aid fund control crucial From Koran Tempo The distrust in some circles over the utilization of aid funds for the reconstruction of post-tsunami Aceh and North Sumatra is inseparable from the short-term orientation of most Indonesian officials and the lack of supervision. Their immature way of perceiving problems and assuming responsibility has become a major constraint and source of irregularities, besides the inherent weakness of the nation's monitoring system.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Credit not subsidy for fertilizers
Credit not subsidy for fertilizers This refers to Prijono's article in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 27 titled Fertilizer prices and farmers' woes. I have been in Indonesia for seven years and have a few thoughts to offer. Indonesia is a blessed country as far as soil quality, water availability and land holdings sizes are concerned. Indonesia has advanced technology in many export oriented industries.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
HP, Infosys introduce Finacle
HP, Infosys introduce Finacle JAKARTA: Hewlett-Packard and its global partner Infosys introduced on Tuesday a banking solution called Finacle to help Indonesian banks transform their information on technology (IT) systems in meeting changes of demands.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
'If it's about clean air, what about factories?'
'If it's about clean air, what about factories?' The City Council has dropped its own idea to introduce vehicle age restrictions into the draft of the new air pollution bylaw on Monday, realizing the enormous cost that it would impose, and with the city administration yet to provide adequate public transport as an alternative to private vehicles. The Jakarta Post asked residents about their opinion on the issue. Sarah, 28, is a housewife.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Martiono named Pertamina's new chief commissioner
Martiono named Pertamina's new chief commissioner Leony Aurora and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has decided to install Martiono Hadianto as the new chief commissioner of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina and replace two other board members. "I signed the resolution taken in the shareholders' meeting appointing Martiono Hadianto last night," State Minister for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Sugiharto said on Tuesday.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Defendants want charges dropped
Defendants want charges dropped JAKARTA: Harun Let Let and Tarcisius Walla, who have been accused of graft, demanded charges against them be dropped because the alleged crime took place before the enactment of Law No. 30/2002 on corruption. Reading their exceptions separately at the corruption court on Monday, the two said the law was not retroactive and that the indictments made by the prosecutors were obscure, incomplete, and inaccurately drafted.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
* Acehnese demand more inclusive peace talks Page 2
* Acehnese demand more inclusive peace talks Page 2 * Priority bills include antiterrorism pacts Page 4 * 'Coarse' language concerns Surabayans Page 5 * Democratizing humanitarian aid to the poor Page 7 * City fears spread of dengue fever Page 8 * Korver back on board as Sixers beat Indiana Page 9 * Nepalese king dismisses govt, imposes emergency Page 11 * RI books record high exports in 2004: BPS Page 13 * Traveling with a diabetic child Page 17
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
On Israeli aid
On Israeli aid I am a regular reader of The Jakarta Post. In the Jan. 25 edition I read a letter regarding aid from the Israeli government which I thought was a very narrow-minded view from someone I would expect is a university graduate. It is true that we do not have diplomatic ties with Israel and condemn what they have done to Palestine and Yasser Arafat. However it does not mean that they cannot give aid to Aceh. This is more humanitarian in nature than political.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Thailand donates $250,000 to RI
Thailand donates $250,000 to RI INDONESIA: Thailand, itself afflicted by the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster, has donated US$250,000 in financial aid to Indonesia for humanitarian relief in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, the Thai Embassy in Jakarta said on Tuesday. Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai handed the donation to Indonesian State Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman in Phuket on Jan. 28.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jauhari cries over lost culture
Jauhari cries over lost culture Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After being a virtual war zone for decades, Aceh has not only seen the loss of its loved ones; its once vibrant and distinct culture is also in danger of being totally forgotten. But who cares when many rather listen to high-profile political chatter? Perhaps, it might take the tsunami to enable the voices of ordinary people to be heard gain.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Unlisted state banks may be merged, minister says
Unlisted state banks may be merged, minister says Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is considering merging unlisted state banks with bigger, healthier publicly listed ones, a senior official says. State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto told reporters on Tuesday that his office would first look into the performance of two unlisted state banks -- Bank Ekspor Indonesia (BEI) and Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) -- to determine whether they had achieved their 2004 targets.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Kardaya awaits President's approval
Kardaya awaits President's approval Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives endorsement of Kardaya Warnika as the new Oil and Gas Upstream Regulatory Agency (BP Migas) chairman still requires President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's approval before he can take up his post as head of one of Indonesia's most powerful state agencies.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Duties for mining equipment scrapped
Duties for mining equipment scrapped Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is providing tax free facilities to oil and gas companies that import upstream mining equipment as well as oil products in a bid to reduce production costs in the industry. Regulations on the move were signed last week by Minister of Finance Yusuf Anwar.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
How to cope after the diagnosis
How to cope after the diagnosis When my child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I returned to Jakarta -- after she was medivaced to Singapore -- an emotional and physical wreck. My previous world was to be replaced with insulin injections, counting carbohydrate portions, blood tests several times a day, and ordering products that were foreign to me. Additionally, there was a concern that there was no local endocrinologist at my regular medical clinic (SOS) in Jakarta.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Feb.1
Rupiah Rates Feb.1 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,491.15 6,711.82 7,139.30 7,063.44 Brunei dollar 1 5,900.74 5,287.05 5,623.59 5,564.03 Canadian dollar 1 7,802.08 6,992.09 7,435.63 7,358.40 Swiss franc 1 8,132.26 7,289.09 7,750.29 7,670.96 Danish krone 1 1,694.75 1,518.62 1,615.15 1,598.18 Euro 1 12,611.23 11,302.20 12,018.90 11,894.30 Poundsterling 1 18,227.18 16,338.01 17,371.07 17,193.94 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,239.31 1,111.03 1,181.10 1,169.23...
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Credit not subsidy
Credit not subsidy for fertilizers This refers to Prijono's article in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 27 titled Fertilizer prices and farmers' woes. I have been in Indonesia for seven years and have a few thoughts to offer. Indonesia is a blessed country as far as soil quality, water availability and land holdings sizes are concerned. Indonesia has advanced technology in many export oriented industries.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
City fear spread of dengue fever
City fear spread of dengue fever The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Head of City Health Agency, Abdul Chalik Masulili, warned people about the alarming spread of dengue fever in the city, which has seen at least 1,030 people infected and seven deaths in the past two months. Out of the fatalities, four were children under 12. "If the trend continues, there is a possibility that another extraordinary status will be declared," said Abdul Chalik.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
New investigation starts for Ismoko
New investigation starts for Ismoko JAKARTA: The National Police will start on Thursday an investigation into former director of the police fraud squad Brig. Gen. Samuel Ismoko for allegedly accepting bribes from Adrian Waworuntu, a key suspect in the Rp 1.7 trillion (US$187 million) Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) scandal. Ismoko had been accused of receiving $20,000 and Rp 500 million from Adrian, as confirmed by Rudi Soetopo, one of the suspects in the BNI case.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
U.S. has shipped spare parts to Indonesia
U.S. has shipped spare parts to Indonesia The Jakarta Post, New York/Jakarta The U.S. has provided tsunami-hit Indonesia with spare parts for five of its 24 U.S.-made C-130 cargo planes without lifting its long-standing ban on weapons sales to its military, the Dow Jones Newswires reported on Tuesday quoting an U.S. official as saying. U.S.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Japan helps in overpass project
Japan helps in overpass project BEKASI: The public works ministry has agreed to cooperate with a Japanese government to construct an overpass in the Bulak Kapal area of Bekasi regency. According to an official at the Bekasi Development Planning Body, Ade Achadiat, the Japan government provided funds of Rp 62 billion (US$6.96 million) through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Australia focuses on aviation links with Singapore, trade talks with ASEAN
Australia focuses on aviation links with Singapore, trade talks with ASEAN Wee Sui Lee Associated Press Singapore Australia is eager to sign a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and wants to expand civil aviation links with Singapore, Australia's prime minister said on Tuesday. Talks on an open skies agreement between Australia and Singapore are underway, John Howard said at a news conference with his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aceh students mix school with grim body hunt
Aceh students mix school with grim body hunt Cecil Morella, Agence France-Presse/Banda Aceh Students returned to university in Aceh on Tuesday for the first time since the tsunami, to find carefree academia replaced by a grim timetable of lectures and corpse collection. At Syiah Kuala University, the most prestigious college in the badly-hit province, scholars trickled back onto the leafy, sprawling campus, which officials say has lost 110 staff and 1,000 of its 23,000 students.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehese demand more inclusive talks
Acehese demand more inclusive talks Nani Afrida and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Medan Prominent Aceh figures and scholars appeared lukewarm on Tuesday about the recent peace talks between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Helsinki, saying that the talks were "elitist".
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
We thank you for your continued support by reporting on Bank
We thank you for your continued support by reporting on Bank Danamon's activities. The article titled Danamon selects bonds issue underwriters in your Jan.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.1, 2005
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.1, 2005 ___________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 2,250 -25 60,500 Adhi Karya 1,000 60 73,027,500 Adira Dinamika 2,400 -200 500 AGIS Tbk 95 0 1,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 195 30 2,838,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,100 0 1,353,000 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0...
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Koizumi adviser new ADB president
Koizumi adviser new ADB president MANILA: A former adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took over on Tuesday as president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), stressing the need for the institution to reinvigorate itself amid new challenges in the region. Haruhiko Kuroda, 60, was unanimously elected as the new chief of the Manila-based ADB in November 2004, following the resignation of his predecessor, Tadao Chino.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mobile water pumps donated for floods
Mobile water pumps donated for floods JAKARTA: To help the city administration cope with annual flooding, the Japan government donated on Monday several mobile water pump vehicles, which will be used in flood-prone areas. The vehicles are equipped with "highly efficient and easy operating pumps" that can be used to alleviate the damage in flooded areas of Jakarta.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. GAM: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS
1. GAM: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Acehnese demand more inclusive talks 2. BOMB: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Bombmakers get up to five years in jail 3. LAW: 1 LINE, 48 COUNTS International law competition bodes well for future 4. UNSYIAH: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Aceh students mix school with grim body hunt 5. BETAWI: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Jakarta to develop new Betawi village
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Taufik to run for Democratic Party leadership
Taufik to run for Democratic Party leadership JAKARTA: State Minister of Administrative Reforms Taufik Effendi has won support to join the race for the new leadership of the Democratic Party at an upcoming congress, according to a senior party official. Vence Rumangkang, a deputy leader of the party, said on Monday that Taufik had won the support of the party's provincial chapters at a recent leadership meeting. Vence insisted the party hold its congress on Feb. 18 to Feb.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Driving in Jakarta
Driving in Jakarta Regarding The Jakarta Post's article --Driving in Jakarta to slow to snail's pace by 2020 on Dec. 17 -- I take the liberty to send my opinion as follows: The cheap partial solution to traffic in Jakarta is to enforce the "intersection blocking rule". This violation must be treated the same as running a red light or a stop sign. This rule states a vehicle may not enter the intersection unless the space in front is sufficient to make sure the intersection is not blocked.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
300 families lose their livelihood
300 families lose their livelihood Andi Hajramurni The Jakarta Post/Makassar Some 300 families of farmers and fishermen in Parangloe district in Gowa regency are fast losing their main source of income as most of their paddy fields and Je'neberang river where they used to fish are filled with mud.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. TKI (50) - 60 pts 3 cols 2 lines (2x21)
1. TKI (50) - 60 pts 3 cols 2 lines (2x21) Malaysia delays raids on illegal immigrants 2. Kominfo (35) - 36 pts 1 col 3lines (3x7) Information ministry to be upgraded 3. Water (32) - 28 pts 1 cols 3lines (3x9) Jakarta quietly hikes water rates 4. Poem (50) - 42 pts 6 cols 1line (1x42) Acehnese kids express grief, hope through poems --- 5. Photos, ads
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pride or what?
Pride or what? With great contentment did I read and listen to stories about the readiness of foreign military troops to help tsunami victims in Aceh. But now? I know that Acehnese are proud -- perhaps too proud. I think that must be the reason why they are forcing the foreign troops to leave Aceh. Of course, the state of emergency is over. But still the unarmed military troops are necessary!
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Locals raise stink over polluted river
Locals raise stink over polluted river Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor Residents of Kampung Limus Nunggal Hilir in Caringin subdistrict, Bogor, complained on Tuesday that the Cicukangaleuh River was polluted with cow manure from PT Sumber Citarasa Alam Farm. The Jakarta Post observed the farm, located in nearby Kampung Babakan, dispose of liquid waste through a sewage pipe ending in the river, which is now green in color and foul smelling.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Six die in Riau bus crash
Six die in Riau bus crash PEKANBARU, Riau: A bus crashed into a trailer truck early on Tuesday morning in Rantau Bais subdistrict, Rokan Hulu regency, killing six and injuring 23 others. A preliminary police investigation has found brake failure to be the likely cause of the accident. The head of the traffic section at the Rokan Hulu Police, Adj. Comr. Prasojo, said four of the six victims died at the scene.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Peso climbs against greenback on large capital inflows
Peso climbs against greenback on large capital inflows Bloomberg, Singapore The Philippine peso had its highest close in 15 months as the government said the country will stay on the largest U.S. pension fund's list as a permissible investment destination. Overseas money managers bought a daily average 555 million pesos (US$10 million) of Philippine shares last month, according to Bloomberg data, helping the currency gain 2.1 percent.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
International law competition bodes well for future
International law competition bodes well for future The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A team from Pelita Harapan University, representing the imaginary Republic of Appolonia, took its turn on Saturday before the International Moot Court, organized at the Santika Hotel in Jakarta, accusing the Kingdom of Ragland of scuttling the Mairi Maru, an Appolonian-flagged vessel that sank in Ragland's waters.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flooding causes crop failure
Flooding causes crop failure CIREBON, West Java: Flooding in Cirebon over the past month has damaged at least 2,825 hectares of paddy field in the regency, an official said on Tuesday. Of the 2,825 hectares, 726 hectares have been totally destroyed and will certainly suffer crop failures, said Ali Effendy, the head of the agriculture and plantation office in Cirebon. He said more paddy would be damaged if rain continued to fall in the regency in the coming weeks. -- JP
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pride or what?
Pride or what? With great contentment did I read and listen to stories about the readiness of foreign military troops to help tsunami victims in Aceh. But now? I know that Acehnese are proud -- perhaps too proud. I think that must be the reason why they are forcing the foreign troops to leave Aceh. Of course, the state of emergency is over. But still the unarmed military troops are necessary!
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Small businesses ask for easier financing access
Small businesses ask for easier financing access The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One day, 63-year-old Suherman, a small-scale entrepreneur, asked for a loan from a local bank in Jakarta. He needed to borrow Rp 2 million (US$219) to support his business that produced caramelized traditional snacks. "I didn't understand why the process was so difficult," Suherman told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Militants jailed for assembling bombs
Militants jailed for assembling bombs Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor The Cibinong District Court sentenced on Tuesday four members of the Oman Rahman religious community to jail term ranging between three years and five years for assembling and storing bombs at a house in Cimanggis, Depok municipality. Presiding judge Marsudin Nainggolan gave Agus Kusdiyanto five years in jail, while Muhamad Ferdiansyah Putra Musahid and Hadi Swandono got four years each.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Astra Agro CPO exports double
Astra Agro CPO exports double JAKARTA: PT Astra Agro Lestari, a major Indonesian producer of crude palm oil, said on Tuesday that its CPO exports doubled last year thanks to higher overseas demand. CPO exports jumped to 331,767 metric tons in 2004 from 165,248 tons in 2003, the company said in a statement. India was the biggest export market for Astra Agro last year, accounting for 143,764 tons, or 43 percent of total exports.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Designing a strategy for post-tsunami reconstruction
Designing a strategy for post-tsunami reconstruction Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and North Sumatra, the Indonesian government has outlined a three- stage strategy. This strategy includes emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The emergency relief operation is currently underway. Soon after the emergency stage is phased out, rehabilitation efforts will start.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Television ads in need of 'quality control'
Television ads in need of 'quality control' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Commercial breaks during television shows generally generate one of two reactions: viewers will reach for the remote and switch channels, or they will sit through the ads. That reaction depends largely on the quality and entertainment value of the ad. "TV ads can be amusing sometime, especially those with cute children," said Yesi, a 28-year-old English tutor who spends about six hours a day watching TV.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Thousands in Alor living in limbo
Thousands in Alor living in limbo KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Thousands of Alor residents are still living in tents after a powerful earthquake rocked the regency on Nov. 12, 2004. The powerful earthquake killed at least 34 people and damaged thousands of houses. The government has set aside Rp 60 billion (US$6.6 million) to help repair public facilities and private homes, but the work has yet to be completed due to the scale of the damage.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Quake moved Sumatra by only 20cm: Experts
Quake moved Sumatra by only 20cm: Experts The Indonesian islands of Sumatra moved only 20 centimeters on average after last month's Asian earthquake and tsunami, and not dozens of meters as previously feared, media reported on Monday, quoting calculations by the Danish Space Center. The new numbers, reported on television channel TV2's website, vary greatly from reports in the days following the devastating Dec.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Danamon responds
Danamon responds We thank you for your continued support by reporting on Bank Danamon's activities. The article titled Danamon selects bonds issue underwriters in your Jan.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
NU to send teachers, preachers to Aceh
NU to send teachers, preachers to Aceh CIREBON, West Java: Nadhlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, plans to send hundreds of teachers and preachers to the stricken province of Aceh. The teachers and preachers will be deployed to 12 Muslim boarding schools run by NU in the province, said NU executive Adib Rofi'uddin Izza on Tuesday. They will replace NU teachers and preachers who died in the tsunami on Dec. 26. -- JP
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Traveling with a diabetic child
Traveling with a diabetic child Stephanie Brookes, Contributor, Jakarta When our daughter, aged seven, was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1, it took us all by surprise. The task of being educated, the medical responsibility and dealing with the deterioration of our daughter's health were very difficult to cope with. It didn't help that we were living away from our home country, Australia, having just moved to Jakarta, on a corporate posting with my husband's company.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Alleged corruption at HI revealed
Alleged corruption at HI revealed Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some two hundred former employees of Hotel Indonesia filed a report against the hotel's former board of directors on Tuesday, alleging that they had corrupted workers' pension and insurance funds.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sugar money to stay with prosecutors
Sugar money to stay with prosecutors The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Attorney General's Office decided to allow the North Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to keep, for the time being, the Rp 180 billion (US$20 million) in proceeds from the auction of over 56,000 tons of smuggled sugar as evidence in an ongoing case.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Accommodating thousands of children
Accommodating thousands of children From Republika Following the report in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 3 that there is fear about the future of the child survivors of the tsunami disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the central executive board of Hidayatullah would like to state as follows: 1. It supports the government's policy not to let these children be taken out of Aceh until clear data about their families has been obtained. 2.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese kids express grief, hope through poems
Acehnese kids express grief, hope through poems Dedy Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, Meulaboh Our Prayer Oh Allah, the most compassionate and merciful We are subservient to You and we are weak Don't bequeath this ordeal anymore Don't deal out this suffering again As we know the blame is ours Oh Allah, You have put us to the test We don't want to see our people cry anymore And the cries of our little brothers and sisters Oh Allah, will You forgive us Only to You can we plead and only to You can we...
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Change of hospital status sees protests
Change of hospital status sees protests The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration's decision to change three city hospitals into corporate entities in a bid to boost their professionalism, has received a negative reaction from several hospital staff and local residents.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami kills 6,800 workers
Tsunami kills 6,800 workers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State employment insurance fund PT Jamsostek has allocated more than Rp 100 billion (US$10.5 million) in compensation to the families of 6,800 workers killed by last month's tsunami in Aceh. Jamsostek president Achmad Djunaidi said Jamsostek had already paid compensation to the relatives of more than 3,000 workers killed in the province.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta
Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta and other flood-prone areas across the country, such as Lampung, South Sumatra and Kalimantan. Almost every year, Jakarta and these areas are inundated during the wet season. Unfortunately, every time a flood occurs it is heavy rain that is blamed. The reality is, however, that nobody can decide how much or how little rain will fall.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
S'pore deputy PM meets with Susilo
S'pore deputy PM meets with Susilo JAKARTA: A Singaporean delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday to discuss humanitarian relief and recovery in Aceh, counter- terrorism and economic cooperation. The delegation also met with the leadership of the House of Representatives earlier in the day. After the meeting at the president's office, Tan told reporters that Singapore and Indonesia agreed to improve cooperation in the three areas.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
'Coarse' language concerns Surabayans
'Coarse' language concerns Surabayans ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Totok Mulyanto was shocked when he listened to a television program his 16-year-old son Hatmoko was watching on East Java private television station JTV.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta quietly hikes water rates
Jakarta quietly hikes water rates The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration has secretly increased tapwater rates by between 4 and 16 percent, depending on the level of water consumption and customer classification. Jakarta water regulatory board chairman Achmad Lanti said at City Hall on Tuesday that the increase took effect on Jan. 20 and was one of the automatic water rate hikes that would take place every six months for the next five years.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
PT OTI Transformasi Lintas Internasional will run an
PT OTI Transformasi Lintas Internasional will run an introductory workshop on Gas handling, conditioning and processing operations to help companies face the highly competitive market. The five-day workshop, which will be held from Mar. 14 to Mar. 18 at the Bali Hilton, Nusa Dua, Bali, will focus on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) products.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, February 2, 2005
TV Program: Wednesday, February 2, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 10:00 Talk Show: Showbiz 11:00 Cultural Program: Nusa Budaya 12:00 p.m.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. MIGAS: 1 X 30
1. MIGAS: 1 X 30 Kardaya awaits President's approval 2. MRI: 2 X 24 Television ads in need of 'quality control' 3. IRAQ: 1 X 32 Iraq pursues vote count despite threats 4. UN: 1 X 32 UN gets ready for 'heavy blows' report 5. PNS: 2 X 27 Acehnese civil servants not yet ready to work
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese civil servants not yet ready to work
Acehnese civil servants not yet ready to work Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Grief is still visible on Ibrahim Pase's face. The 47-year-old civil servant at Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam gubernatorial office lost his four children when tsunami swept the region on Dec. 26 last year. The disaster left his wife, 40-year-old Komariah, traumatized, and they still cannot believe that they have lost their loved ones forever.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
PM Howard will visit tsunami-hit Aceh province
PM Howard will visit tsunami-hit Aceh province The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Australian Prime Minister John Howard is scheduled to visit Indonesia's tsunami-hit northern province of Aceh on Wednesday to see personally the situation there and to give support to Australian aid personnel currently assisting victims of the disaster. Howard's visit comes a day after Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah toured Aceh on Tuesday.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia delays raids on illegal immigrants
Malaysia delays raids on illegal immigrants The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Malaysia has deferred a large-scale operation to crack down on an estimated 800,000 illegal migrant workers in the country, including 400,000 Indonesians, despite the end of the three-month amnesty.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to develop new Betawi village
Jakarta to develop new Betawi village Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta will soon have a new Betawi village should a plan to turn the Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in South Jakarta into a Betawi cultural village get a nod from the City Council. The council is currently deliberating a draft bylaw that, if approved, would serve as the legal basis for the plan.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI books record high exports in 2004: Statistics Agency
RI books record high exports in 2004: Statistics Agency Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's exports last year reached an historic high of US$69.71 billion, or up 11.49 percent from the year before, boosted by strong sales of non oil and gas commodities including palm oil, electronics, clothing, coal and tin.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta
Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta and other flood-prone areas across the country, such as Lampung, South Sumatra and Kalimantan. Almost every year, Jakarta and these areas are inundated during the wet season. Unfortunately, every time a flood occurs it is heavy rain that is blamed. The reality is, however, that nobody can decide how much or how little rain will fall.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pasar Jaya awaits council ruling
Pasar Jaya awaits council ruling Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the Central Jakarta District Court has annulled the asset preservation order on the Tanah Abang textile market, the city market operator PD Pasar Jaya has decided not to go ahead with its renovation plan which had been halted by the court's order.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ambassadors present credentials
Ambassadors present credentials JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received on Tuesday the credentials of two new ambassadors to Indonesia. Ambassador Zoran Kazazovic of Serbia and Montenegro and Ambassador M. Darwish Bahadi of Syria presented their credential letters during a ceremony at Merdeka Palace. The ambassadors said their respective governments were committed to building strong ties with Indonesia. -- JP
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Priority bills includes pacts on antiterrorism
Priority bills includes pacts on antiterrorism Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) said on Monday it planned to deliberate 55 bills this year, including three bills on the ratification of an international convention to suppress terrorism and transnational crimes. However, the ability of the lawmakers to meet their legislation targets, observers say, much depends on the availability of budget funds and the capabilities of their expert advisors.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Oil prices ease in Asian trade
Oil prices ease in Asian trade Agence France-Presse/Singapore Crude oil prices eased in Asian trade on Tuesday but stayed above the US$48 mark on expectations of strong demand in the longer term, dealers said. At 12:13 pm (0413 GMT), the March contract for light sweet crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange was trading at $48.06 per barrel, off a high of $48.24 and a low of $48.05. It was down 14 U.S.cents from its close of $48.20 in New York on Monday.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Witness says Puteh returned money
Witness says Puteh returned money The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Aceh administration secretary Tantawi Ishak testified at the graft trial of Abdullah Puteh on Tuesday that the suspended governor had not returned all of the Rp 7.75 billion (US$861,111) transferred to his account. Earlier on Monday, Aceh's treasurer Zainudin told the same trial that he had transferred in 2002 the money into Puteh's personal account for the purchase of a Russian-made helicopter.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pope urges Catholics to help tsunami victims
Pope urges Catholics to help tsunami victims Tony Hotland and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pope John Paul II has urged all Catholics to assist tsunami- affected people and underlined the necessity for collaboration in relief efforts, says a spokesman for the Vatican.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Shares end on high, Garam, Sampoerna smoking hot
Shares end on high, Garam, Sampoerna smoking hot Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended at a new high on Tuesday on gains in cigarette makers Gudang Garam and Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna, dealers said. "It was a mixed market, but gains in the tobacco blue chips drove the main index higher," said a trader with Kuo Capital securities. Dealers said overall sentiment remained cautious due to an absence of fresh leads. Many investors also remained on the sidelines ahead of the U.S.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Power plant gets successful trial
Power plant gets successful trial PALU, Central Sulawesi: The Central Sulawesi provincial government successfully tested a wind-powered electricity power plant with a capacity of 500 watts. The trial cost the provincial government Rp 32 million (US$3,555), an official said on Tuesday. The head of the mining and energy office in the province, Oscar Panjaitan, said the wind-powered plant was much cheaper than diesel or water-powered power plants.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir rebukes attack on RI soil
Ba'asyir rebukes attack on RI soil Agence France Presse, Jakarta Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir told his terrorism trial on Tuesday that religious extremists were wrong to stage attacks in Indonesia because the world's largest Muslim-populated country was not at war with anyone. Ba'asyir said if Muslims wanted to wage jihad or holy war against the United States, they should go to countries like Afghanistan.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
East Timor: Justice for whom?
East Timor: Justice for whom? Adirito de Jesus Soares, Dili Many people have commented about the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency. One of his campaign promises, as we know, was to deal specifically with corruption -- one of most acute problems facing Indonesia. On the one hand, this promise shows the seriousness of SBY's government, at least in public, in establishing good governance and democracy.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pop star revisits past glory for tsunami victims
Pop star revisits past glory for tsunami victims M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The tragedy in Aceh moved Yusuf Islam to revisit his past as pop singer Cat Stevens. Abandoning his musical career 24 years ago to adopt a strict Muslim lifestyle, Yusuf walked down memory lane on Monday by singing a moving rendition of his seventies hit Wild World at a charity concert to raise money for the construction of hospitals in tsunami-affected areas.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Regents to be questioned for graft
Regents to be questioned for graft JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has approved a request from the National Police to question three regents and a deputy regent in connection with separate corruption cases, an official said.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Honda to expand Karawang plant
Honda to expand Karawang plant JAKARTA: Japanese carmaker PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) announced on Tuesday that it would expand its production facilities in Karawang, West Java, following increased demand last year that saw sales more than double compared to 2003. The US$5 million expansion is for the welding and painting production lines and expected to boost its production from 40,000 units to 50,000 units per year.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Marble-sized hail pounds Taman Mini
Marble-sized hail pounds Taman Mini JAKARTA: For the first time in recorded history, hail rained down on several neighborhoods of East Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. "The hail stones were about the size of marbles," Rina, a resident of Halim Perdanakusuma area, was quoted as saying by Detikcom. Heavy rain, followed by the hail, was reported at 3 p.m. in Kramat Jati, Cawang, Cililitan, Condet and the area around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. --JP
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Strange nation
Strange nation From Koran Tempo Our country is indeed a strange nation. Some in the political elite have claimed that supposed foreign aid we are receiving is often just lip service as no money actually goes into the state's coffers. They do not consider aid the hard work that foreign volunteers, who have come with all their equipment, are carrying out in the disaster area of Aceh.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Information ministry to be upgraded
Information ministry to be upgraded Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has issued a presidential decree to upgrade the Office of the State Minister for Communications and Information into a portfolio ministry that will also be given responsibility for posts and telecommunications. The decree will allow the new ministry to establish offices in the country's 33 provinces.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Brunei sultan tours ravaged Aceh
Brunei sultan tours ravaged Aceh Associated Press, Banda Aceh The ruler of Brunei on Tuesday toured Indonesia's Aceh province - the first foreign head of state to visit the tsunami-hit region - where he brought 2,000 copies of the Quran for distribution. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, dressed in military fatigues, piloted a Brunei air force Blackhawk helicopter himself, flying over the western coast and to Weh island off Sumatra Island's northern tip.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aid fund control crucial
Aid fund control crucial From Koran Tempo The distrust in some circles over the utilization of aid funds for the reconstruction of post-tsunami Aceh and North Sumatra is inseparable from the short-term orientation of most Indonesian officials and the lack of supervision. Their immature way of perceiving problems and assuming responsibility has become a major constraint and source of irregularities, besides the inherent weakness of the nation's monitoring system.
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Bill (3x18)
1. Bill (3x18) Priority bills include pacts on antiterrorism 2. Vatican (2x24) Pope urges Catholics to help tsunami victims 3. Aceh (1x27) Tsunami killed 6,800 workers 4. Baasyir (2x16) Ba'asyir rebukes attack on RI soil 5. Sultan (1x32) Brunei sultan tours ravaged Aceh 6. Puteh (1x32) Witness says Puteh returned money
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami pushes Aceh January inflation to 7.02 percent
Tsunami pushes Aceh January inflation to 7.02 percent The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent giant tsunami in Aceh have not only lifted boats onto roofs but also the prices of basic foods in the area. The food price increase propped-up January 2005's inflation rate in its capital city of Banda Aceh to 7.02 percent, by far higher than the nationwide inflation rate of 1.43 percent, as revealed on Tuesday by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
Wed, 02 Feb 2005, 00:00 WIB
GAM's 'support' for Aceh
GAM's 'support' for Aceh From Suara Karya The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) aims to break away from Indonesia through political means and armed rebellion, claiming to struggle for the aspirations and welfare of the Acehnese people. Meanwhile, GAM, in the name of its struggle, commits such crimes as intimidation, hostage-taking, terrorism, robbery and arson, mainly targeting the local people. So, which group of Acehnese does GAM fight for?