Kamra problem to be brought to the House JAKARTA (JP): Instead of fulfilling its promise to dissolve
the People's Security Militia (Kamra), the government on
Wednesday said that it planned to seek help from the House of
Representatives (DPR) in settling the case. More ...
'Regional autonomy policy may end in chaos' Andi Alfian Mallarangeng believes autonomy is not only an
important step toward democratization but an answer to regional
discontent or even possible disintegration. More ...
Fuel supply for holidays adequate CILACAP, Central Java: The state-owned oil and gas company
Refinery Unit in Cilacap will not increase its fuel and oil
production ahead of the Christmas, Idul Fitri and New Year
holidays as its daily production would be adequate, an official
says. More ...
Five years of autonomy, Pucukan still poorBy Ainur R. Sophiaan SIDOARJO, East Java (JP): Pucukan, a hamlet inhabited by 41
families, is located on the eastern coast of Sidoarjo regency and
squeezed in by thousands of hectares of shrimp ponds, which are
the hamlet's livelihood. More ...
Fake ship tickets found at Tanjung Priok port JAKARTA (JP): The annual exodus of people heading home for the
upcoming Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays was marred by the
discovery of counterfeit ship tickets at Tanjung Priok seaport in
North Jakarta on Wednesday. More ...
Indonesia will survive, but needs fresh leadershipBy Michael Vatikiotis HONG KONG (JP): When the Soeharto regime collapsed in May
1998, the world was in a hurry to herald a new democratic era in
Indonesia. More ...
East Java officials baffled by regional autonomy SURABAYA (JP): Officials of the East Java provincial
administration are no less bewildered by the approaching
implementation of regional autonomy. More ...
Democracy seeds will grow and strengthenBy M. C. Ricklefs MELBOURNE (JP): Will the Republic of Indonesia survive the
crisis which it has been suffering for the last two or three
years? The answer is obvious: yes and no. More ...
Reconciliation first among the contending forcesBy Omar Halim JAKARTA (JP): In mid-1998, Abdurrahman Wahid, then chairman of
Nahdlatul Ulama, asked this writer to assist him in setting up a
commission for national reconciliation. More ...
'No autonomy but declaration of war in strife torn Aceh' Question: What is your assessment of the plan to apply the
autonomy policy next January?Answer: I am concerned, as are many people, about the lack of
detailed regulations for autonomy. More ...
More time needed to complete BI law, Akbar says JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
said on Wednesday that the House would not be able to quickly
complete the amendment of the central bank law as requested by
the government. More ...
Autonomy: A wish to repeat the success of Makassar harbor MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Mayor HB Amiruddin Maula says
he is most optimistic that autonomy will bring back the glory of
Makassar. More ...
'No such thing as clean accountable political party' When the central government is widely attacked for its
reluctance to facilitate the autonomy policy, among the first
things to look at is the quality of its bureaucracy. More ...
Councillors in a muddle over 'charity' plans JAKARTA (JP): The plan of some councillors to donate Rp 40
million (about US$4,325) to charity attracted dozens of
interested applicants to City Council on Wednesday. More ...
Judiciary system reform may be slow but it is coming Dr. Timothy Lindsey is associate professor at the Faculty of
Law, University of Melbourne. He is also the Director of Asia Law
Center of the university. More ...
Tips for homebound holiday travelers JAKARTA (JP): If you are one of the millions heading to your
hometown for the holidays there are a few words of advice which
may come in handy.Several officials have predicted that the coming week could be
"the most chaotic, delay-prone, and tiring trip home. More ...
BII expects big jump in profit next year JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia
(BII) said it expected net profit next year to hit Rp 600 billion
(US$63.15 million), up from an estimated Rp 250 billion this
year. More ...
Abdurrahman Wahid implements half-hearted autonomy Question: What challenges are facing the plan to implement
regional autonomy?Answer: Great challenges, obviously, despite the fact that the
autonomy concept was already contained in the 1945 Law No. 1. More ...
BI says holidays will not affect businesses JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) gave assurances on Wednesday
the 10-day shutdown of its clearing operations during the
holidays would not have a serious impact on businesses, including
those making overseas transactions. More ...
Soldier mobbed to death in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): A soldier was mobbed to death in the remote town
of Tiom, Irian Jaya, some 80 kilometers south of Wamena,
following a dispute between officers and locals over the pulling
down of the Morning Star separatist flag, an official said on
Wednesday. More ...
Major cafes hire guards for safety on New Year's Eve JAKARTA (JP): Major cafes in the capital have planned to open
their doors for New Year's Eve party-goers but decided to hold no
special events except life music shows and dance performances. More ...
No more talks with GAM, says minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said on Wednesday
there would be no further negotiations with the separatist Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) after the expiration of a humanitarian pause
on Jan. 15. More ...
Alleged thief mobbed to death JAKARTA (JP): An unidentified man was mobbed to death on
Wednesday morning after he allegedly tried to steal a motorcycle
on Jl. Cibeuber in Bogor.The police report said that a local saw the man trying to make
off with the bike. More ...
Indonesia needs a leader with ideas for social change Indonesia needs leaders with great ideas for crucial changes
to guide the country out of the crisis. More ...
Teguh Ostenrik brings his journey to canvasBy Aendra H. Medita JAKARTA (JP): Through his works, painter Teguh Ostenrik has
recorded his journey in Amsterdam, symbolically presenting an
essential visual significance embossed with a spontaneous
abstract exploration. More ...
Golkar advances as others fight: Expert The Golkar party, among the strongest of the New Order
legacies, is about "to score a goal" while everyone else is busy
fighting one another, says Riswandha Imawan, a lecturer in
politics at the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University. More ...
Political conflicts to escalate next year: Observers JAKARTA (JP): Political tension, particularly between
legislative and executive bodies, is expected to escalate next
year rising the specter of instability, observers and politicians
said on Wednesday. More ...
'Businesses fear venality of office in autonony policy' The following is an interview with Revrisond Baswir, an
economist at Gadjah Mada University and the director of the
Institute of Development and Economic Analysis in Yogyakarta, who
discusses the implications of regional autonomy on many ... More ...
Probosutedjo grilled over marked up loan JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Probosutedjo appeared at the
Attorney General's Office on Wednesday to clarify his alleged
involvement in the marking up of a loan obtained from the
government's reforestation fund. More ...
Even in worst of times they turn nation ideals into effectBy Jeffrey A. Winters CHICAGO, Illinois (JP): "Everywhere today one finds a feeling
of dissatisfaction," observed Mohammad Hatta in 1956, a week
before he resigned as Sukarno's vice president. More ...
Non-oil, gas exports projected to rise 10% JAKARTA (JP): The value of Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports
is expected to increase 10 percent next year to about US$53
billion from some $48 billion this year, Minister of Trade and
Industry Luhut B. Panjaitan said here on Wednesday. More ...
Reports of forced conversion in Maluku confirmed: Governor AMBON, Maluku (JP): The administrator of the state of civil
emergency in Ambon, Saleh Latuconsina, confirmed here on
Wednesday some Kesui islanders in Central Maluku had been forced
to convert religion. More ...
Taekwondoins for SEAG selected at national c'ships JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) will
select athletes to participate in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast
Asia (SEA) Games at the LG Cup national championships, to be held
in Jakarta next February. More ...
Regional autonomy: Building a ship while sailing JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is set to launch in the New Year its
ambitious project of granting unprecedented autonomy to its
regions, hoping to allay widespread discontent and even threats
of national disintegration following heavily-centralized ... More ...
Indonesia has to put its house in order to answer E. AsiaBy Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): The end of the Cold War coincided with the
acceleration of the globalization process. More ...
Small lords and new KKN looming in PangkepBy Jupriadi PANGKEP, South Sulawesi (JP): Local lawmaker Muchtar Rauf
frowned and shook his head. "Autonomy is suitable only for a
community ready for democracy. Here, autonomy will only give rise
to fresh problems. More ...
The failure of 'reformasi', and the 'little New Orders'By Prapti Widinugraheni SINGAPORE (JP): Indonesia is unlikely to recover from its
barrage of multi-crises in the near future, but will just manage
to muddle through with political, economic and social damage-
control measures for the next ... More ...
Celebrating the holiday during peak season in BaliBy I Wayan Juniarta DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The last week of December is the busiest
time for most tourist operators, hotels, and entertainment
centers in Bali. More ...
What can Laws 22 and 25 achieve? JAKARTA (JP): The Laws 22 and 25 were once touted as the B.J.
Habibie administration's attempt at reform but scholars have
identified political motives at the bottom of their
establishment. More ...
Diving complex on Sebaru Island to be demolished JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will tear down a massive
diving complex located in Sebaru Island in the Seribu (Thousands)
Islands, North Jakarta, as the island is designated as a
conservation area. More ...
Bomb kills two, injures five JAKARTA: At least two people were killed and five others
injured in a bomb blast on Wednesday on Jl. Antasari in Sampit,
East Kotawaringin regency, Central Kalimantan. More ...
Indonesia to stay in tact but Jakarta to lose much power Dr. Robert Cribb is associate professor of history at
Queensland University. He was educated at Queensland University
and the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. More ...
14 homes razed in fire MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least 14 homes in Bondo
Boghila village, Laura district, West Sumba regency, were razed
by fire on Tuesday morning, an official said on Wednesday. More ...
Government to set up special agency for IT JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal
Ramli said on Wednesday a special government agency would be set
up next year to speed up the development of information
technology (IT) in the country. More ...
People should join hands as government in crumbling People are encouraged to maintain solidarity as the prolonged
crisis bites deeper, particularly as the government has been slow
in addressing the crisis. More ...
Police special team to probe hospital blast YOGYAKARTA (JP): Puzzled by recent bomb shocks, Yogyakarta
Police set up a special team on Wednesday to investigate
Tuesday's hospital explosion, as well as other bombs found in
public places, chief Brig. Gen. Logan Siagian said. More ...
PT KAI fails to pay electricity bill BOGOR (JP): If the state electricity company (PLN) had cut off
the power supply to Bogor railway station on Wednesday due to the
Rp 17 billion in arrears owed to PLN, at least 35,000 passengers
of electric commuter trains would have been stranded, and ... More ...
Autonomy and the telecommunications industryBy Winahyo Soekanto DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A group of Javanese fishermen recently
called for a ban on fishing boats from neighboring areas entering
certain waters. This petition was a direct result of the autonomy
drive. More ...
Decentralization of powers or corruption?By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): At the bottom of greater demands for regional
autonomy is the wish for power to be dispersed in order to
overcome the central government's incapability of ensuring smooth
delivery of goods and services. More ...
A voyage back to the grandeur of diversityBy Djisman S. Simanjuntak JAKARTA (JP): During the Age of Commerce, the archipelago,
which later became Indonesia, was home to a thriving diversity
where kingdoms competed with each other for the goodwill of alien
traders and travelers by offering the ... More ...
Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 20, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume
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Ades Alfindo ... More ...
Banten eyes brighter future independent of JavaBy David Eyerly JAKARTA (JP): The people of Banten, located some 80 kilometers
west of Jakarta on the western tip of Java, campaigned hard for
it, yet even they must have been in a state of shock when their
goal finally was achieved. More ...
Tight money still required One may be inclined to see chief economics minister Rizal
Ramli's call on Bank Indonesia not to be overzealous in raising
interest rate as an attempt to intervene in the beleaguered
central bank's monetary management. More ...
Golf tourney to help drug addicts JAKARTA (JP): The 2001 Vice President Cup Indonesia Open Golf
tournament, organized by Lembaga Citra Mandiri Indonesia, is not
only a competition but also a fund-raiser to help drugs users. More ...
Indonesia in 2001 JAKARTA (JP): The multidimensional crisis that has plagued
Indonesia for four years has yet to show any concrete signs of
abating. If anything, it looks as though it is set to become more
serious in many sectors in the coming months. More ...
Astra moves back to the top of Review 200 rankings JAKARTA (JP): After sliding to second place last year, Astra
International reclaims its customary position at the top of the
Review 200: Asia's Leading Companies listings for Indonesia, the
Far Eastern Economic Review reports in its December 28 ... More ...
Susanto down to fourth place JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Susanto Megaranto dropped to fourth
position with 5.5 Match Points (MPs) in the Asian Continental
Boys Under-16 chess championships at NPC training center in
Bataan, some 160km from Manila in the Philippines, on Wednesday. More ...
Carmelita, Deyana for Korea Open JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian women's doubles team of Deyana
Lomban and Carmelita agreed to compete in the six-star Korea Open
early next year despite a dispute with coach Paulus. More ...
Transparency, accountability ke to decentralizationBy Rainer Rohdewohld JAKARTA (JP): In the context of implementing regional autonomy
as stipulated in Law No. More ...
Pick of the FlicksHollywood KC:
The Grinch 13:00 15:15 19:30
Kuch-Kuch Hota Hai 14:30 19:45
The Replacements 13:00 15:15 19:30
102 Dalmatians 13:45 16:00 20:15
Asterix and Obelix 13:00 15:15 ... More ...
Govt urged to announce new wage system for civil servants JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' budget committee
on Wednesday called on the government to officially announce its
new policy on the new remuneration system for civil servants and
servicemen to avoid further confusion. More ...
Southeast Asia not a priority for Powell JAKARTA (JP): Observers here, while welcoming the appointment
of retired Gen. Colin Powell as United States Secretary of State,
felt that it would have little impact on Washington's foreign
policy outlook towards Indonesia or Southeast Asia. More ...
'Turn over new leaf for future life of nation'By J. Soedjati Djiwandono JAKARTA (JP): Since the resignation of president Soeharto
almost three years ago, there have been public demands for legal
proceedings to be taken against uncountable cases of crime
related to various forms of corruption and ... More ...
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Painting Women After Women, at Seniwati Showspace, Ubud Main
Street, until Dec. 26.
* Painting by German artist Peter Dittmar, at Gaya Fusion of
Senses, Jl Raya Sayan (Phone: 0361 979253), Dec. 28 to Feb. 10. More ...
Circumventing for legal infrastructure to entice investments The following is an excerpt from an Interview with Soeharsono
Sagir, an economist at Padjadjaran University in Bandung and
consultant to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy
in the autonomy drive. More ...
We have enough to indict Sjahril: Chief prosecutor JAKARTA (JP): Despite the fact that Djoko S. Tjandra and Pande
Nasorahona Lubis have been freed from all charges by a district
court in the Rp 546 billion (US$57 million) Bank Bali scandal, a
chief prosecutor said on Wednesday that ample evidence ... More ...
Improving management of decentralized health servicesBy Dumilah Ayuningtyas JAKARTA (JP): Some 200,000 civil servants in the health
ministry will on Jan. 1, 2001 become employees of regional
administrations, wherever they are currently posted. More ...
Retail market spurs property recovery JAKARTA (JP): The retail market, led by supermarkets,
hypermarkets and department stores, spurred a recovery in
Jakarta's property sector this year, according to leading
property consultant Procon Indah/Jones Lang LaSalle. More ...
Indonesia expects $1 billion in new gas contracts JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is expecting an annual income of more
than US$1 billion from three new gas contracts with Malaysia and
Singapore, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Purnomo Yusgiantoro. More ...
Military to stop use of logo on gasoline trucks JAKARTA (JP): The City Military Command has ordered all
gasoline trucks, including those run by cooperatives under its
supervision, to stop using the logo of the command's cooperatives
unit beginning Tuesday.Spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. More ...
New Order elements in 'autonomous' regional legislative bodies JAKARTA (JP): An environmentalist was aghast upon discovering
that a regent in East Kalimantan has been parceling out lands to
business people, issuing 200 "minor" concessions for protected
forests. More ...
DPR warns government over Chief Justice post JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar
Tandjung warned the government on Wednesday not to seek
candidates for the Supreme Court Chief Justice outside of those
proposed by the House. More ...
Gus Dur ends his honeymoon with PapuaBy Aboeprijadi Santoso JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): It was a milestone when President
Abdurrahman Wahid chose to welcome the year 2000 in Irian Jaya,
greeted the sunset by restoring the name to "Papua" and allowed
the Morning Star flag to be flown, said the ... More ...
'Indonesia may regress to centralization empty autonomy' Question: Legally speaking, how ready is the country in
implementing the autonomy policy?Answer: Before we even consider the legal infrastructure
needed for the undertaking, we need to examine the project very
seriously because what lies at ... More ...
'Autonomy best solution to Riau separation problem' Riau, one of the resource-rich provinces in Western Indonesia,
has in recent years experienced a push for self-determination.
The New Order regime's unfair treatment of the region was blamed
for the separation campaign. More ...
Local anticorruption drive JAKARTA (JP): Following the commencement of the reform drive
in May 1998, a large number of non-governmental organizations
have sprung up across the country, including those watching over
corruption matters. More ...
Democracy and the Florida fiascoBy Donna K Woodward MEDAN (JP): In its Dec. 15 editorial this newspaper posed the
question being asked by many: Is the U.S. More ...
TNI to stay in politics unless new consensus comes Bob Lowry is Visiting Fellow at the Australian Defense Studies
Center, part of the Australian Defense Force Academy in Canberra,
and describes himself as an independent Indonesia scholar. More ...