Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 December 2004

85 articles found

Rule on speed bumps needed

Rule on speed bumps needed From Warta Kota With reference to a report in Warta Kota on Dec. 14, titled Minivan drivers protest against speed bumps, I would like to convey my complaint and proposal on the same matter.

Councillors to get hefty allowance

Councillors to get hefty allowance SEMARANG: The Central Java provincial government has proposed that, starting from January next year, provincial councillors will get a monthly payment of Rp 5 million as a housing allowance.

Stop illegal fees

Stop illegal fees From Warta Kota The government's attempt to stamp out graft must be made at all levels of the government. While major corruption cases are handled by the police, the prosecutor's office, the Corruption Eradication Commission and other agencies, small-scale corruption, which has a...

S&P raises RI rating on bullish outlook

S&P raises RI rating on bullish outlook The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ratings agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) upgraded Indonesia's credit rating on Wednesday, on the back of improved political stability and a positive economic outlook.

Muslim group urges religious crackdown

Muslim group urges religious crackdown JAKARTA: A group of Muslim hardliners called on the House of Representatives on Wednesday to begin work on a bill that would limit the construction of other religions' places of worship.

The jacket story

The jacket story It may sound frightening but it's true. It happened to my daughter last year when she was in her last year of junior high school. She attended a reputable private school, located in South Jakarta, in front of the statue in Pancoran.

JP/ /

JP/ / 2004: a year of mediocrity for local films Joko Anwar Contributor/Jakarta After a slow start and mediocre releases, 2004 proved to be an eventful year for Indonesian films. An ulema successfully managed to get a film banned; a teen flick almost as long as Doctor Zhivago was released; and a...

UI appointed to study Tanah Abang

UI appointed to study Tanah Abang JAKARTA: The City Council has appointed a University of Indonesia team to give a second opinion on a study suggesting buildings in Tanah Abang market were structurally unsafe.

Govt slow to act, Sang Timur expects fresh conflict

Govt slow to act, Sang Timur expects fresh conflict President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said pluralism was a blessing for Indonesia and not a threat to national unity. However, this sentiment is apparently not shared or understood by all Indonesians.

Officials told to reject gifts

Officials told to reject gifts JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) called on state officials not to accept gifts or other gratuities ahead of Christmas and New Year. In its circular issued on Wednesday, KPK leadership said Law No.

JP/ /Auto

JP/ /Auto Car sales reach record high, but still no industry after 30 years Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The year 2004 was an important one for Indonesia's "car industry", with sales expected to reach a record high of over 450,000 units, marking the sector's full recovery from the...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ( in rupiah) on Dec. 22

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ( in rupiah) on Dec. 22 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

A good inconsistency?

A good inconsistency? What is a good inconsistency?! For our honored Constitutional Court, that is probably the only way to describe their recent decisions. Last week, we were baffled by the court's decision to annul the Electricity Law.

Indonesia Open highlights problems of local women shuttlers

Indonesia Open highlights problems of local women shuttlers Musthofid and Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While Indonesia's men's players salvaged some pride for the hosts, taking two titles at the recently-concluded Indonesia Open badminton championship, it has left the country's...

Fendry Ekel makes music tangible through installations

Fendry Ekel makes music tangible through installations Paul F. Agusta, Contributor, Jakarta, pfa0109@yahoo.com Did you ever wish that music were something you could touch, something that you could walk into, something that you could sense in a tactile way, not just hear? Fendry Ekel offers just...

Buses, taxis to run on CNG next year

Buses, taxis to run on CNG next year Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to reduce vehicular emissions in the capital, the Jakarta administration will require all new public transportation vehicles to use only compressed natural gas (CNG) starting next year.

Textile industry struggles ahead of quota termination

Textile industry struggles ahead of quota termination Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The popular issue blanketing the textile and clothing industry, both at home and overseas, throughout the year 2004 was the termination of the global textile quota system.

Govt rejects council election

Govt rejects council election BITUNG, North Sulawesi: The Ministry for Home Affairs has declared that the election of Bitung council leaders a month ago was invalid and therefore has to be redone. The election was invalidated as it violated a government decree that regulates the election of...

Assessing international school

Assessing international school I resent the insinuating tone of Rachel Davies' recent article (Parents need to analyze int'l schools, The Jakarta Post, Dec. 18). Davies' use of quotation marks around the word "international" gives the impression that she doubts that certain schools meet her...

TV Today: Saturday, December 25, 2004

TV Today: Saturday, December 25, 2004 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Hembing 10:30 Sports 11:30 Christmas 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 2:00 Christmas 3:00 English News Service 3:30 Christmas 4:30 TV Drama 5:00 Children Show 5:30...

JP/ /Y-macro

JP/ /Y-macro Moderate growth continues amid signs of investment recovery The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Many people in the automotive industry are really happy these days with the handsome bonuses they have received after achieving or even surpassing sales targets and other performance indicators, thanks...

Women's Day observed after year of violence

Women's Day observed after year of violence The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Bandung/Semarang/Makassar Rallies demanding gender equality and an end to violence against women marked the commemoration of Women's Day across the nation on Wednesday.

Spiritual materialism in the haj pilgrimage

Spiritual materialism in the haj pilgrimage Dadi Darmadi, Cambridge, MA This year, again, more than 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims are going to Saudi Arabia. What is the biggest challenge facing many Indonesian pilgrims as they head to Mecca: Severe desert weather? Terrorism? Poor transportation and...

Managing waste properly

Managing waste properly From Koran Tempo I have been wondering if the government can draw up a regulation on the proper management of waste, which regulates the separation of organic from inorganic garbage and recycling.

Govt stops issuing licenses for new airlines

Govt stops issuing licenses for new airlines Leony Aurora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has decided to stop issuing operating licenses for new airlines because it says there is already enough competition in the industry.

RI, E. Timor joint to probe violations

RI, E. Timor joint to probe violations Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press/United Nations Indonesia and East Timor informed Secretary-General Kofi Annan that they have established a joint Commission on Truth and Friendship to deal with human rights violations during 1999 violence in East Timor that...

'Christmas is a joyous time'

'Christmas is a joyous time' Shopping centers and malls in the city are becoming increasingly crowded ahead of Christmas, as residents defy the terror threats to get their holiday shopping done. The Jakarta Post asked residents if the terror threats would affect their holiday plans.

JP/ /Auto

JP/ /Auto Car sales reach record high, but still no industry after 30 years Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The year 2004 was an important one for Indonesia's "car industry", with sales expected to reach a record high of over 450,000 units, marking the sector's full recovery from the...

Wine for New Year parties confiscated

Wine for New Year parties confiscated Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of bottles of wine prepared to radiate New Year's Eve in Bali have been confiscated by the North Jakarta Police on Saturday because the owners could not produce the proper documents, the precinct police chief...

U.S. to give new impetus to ties with Indonesia: Envoy

U.S. to give new impetus to ties with Indonesia: Envoy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta post, Jakarta With its huge population and dynamic economies, Asia is increasingly poised to become the new strategic center of gravity in global politics, and Indonesia, a Southeast Asian regional power, has a...

Taiwan lifts ban on Indonesian workers

Taiwan lifts ban on Indonesian workers Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Labor recruitment and export agencies hailed Taiwan's decision to lift the two-year ban imposed on Indonesian workers, saying that some 70,000 workers who had formerly worked in Taiwan were ready to return to the...

TV Program: Thursday, December 23, 2004

TV Program: Thursday, December 23, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 8:00 Talk Show 8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

Flood hits Jambi, cuts off roads

Flood hits Jambi, cuts off roads Jon Afrizal, The Jakarta Post, Jambi Floods spread on Wednesday through Batanghari regency, 150 kilometers west of Jambi city, cutting access to roads connecting several of its subdistricts. No injuries or fatalities were immediately reported in the incident.

*Puteh rushed to hospital as first hearing nears Page 2

*Puteh rushed to hospital as first hearing nears Page 2 *70,000 RI workers to return to Taiwan Page 4 *Police attack Kutai Kartanegara protesters Page 5 *Spiritual materialism of the haj pilgrimage Page 6 *Govt slow to act, Sang Timur expects fresh conflict Page 8 *Sizzling Heat find no Shaq is no...

President's official car park?

President's official car park? From Kompas On Nov. 15, I parked my car outside of Klub Bimasena (health/sports center) in South Jakarta, near the gate of the club, which shares the same complex with Hotel Dharmawangsa.

Rupiah Rates Dec.22

Rupiah Rates Dec.22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,523.10 6,752.59 7,176.06 7,099.41 Brunei dollar 1 5,988.17 5,375.10 5,711.93 5,651.17 Canadian dollar 1 8,000.65 7,181.24 7,631.58 7,550.07 Swiss franc 1 8,505.85 7,635.70 8,113.47 8,027.

Textile industry struggles ahead of quota termination

Textile industry struggles ahead of quota termination Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The popular issue blanketing the textile and clothing industry, both at home and overseas, throughout the year 2004 was the termination of the global textile quota system.

Cabinet ministers beat wealth report deadline

Cabinet ministers beat wealth report deadline Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced on Wednesday that all members of the United Indonesia Cabinet have submitted their wealth reports ahead of the Dec. 20 deadline.

RI to sell overseas bonds in 2005 in several phases

RI to sell overseas bonds in 2005 in several phases Shanthy Nambiar and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia may sell bonds overseas next year in several phases as part the government's plan to raise as much as US$1.5 billion abroad, an official said.

Red-light district to turn into cemetery

Red-light district to turn into cemetery JAKARTA: The North Jakarta administration will soon relocate sex workers from the Kali Malang area in Cilincing and convert the location into a public cemetery. Mayor Effendi Anas said recently that his administration needed to expand the existing cemetery.

Govt to pass ruling on broadcasting

Govt to pass ruling on broadcasting JAKARTA: The government is expected to pass the draft of broadcasting regulation this week despite opposition from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) and broadcasting groups, a minister said.

Pasar Pagi wholesale market overshadowed by modern malls

Pasar Pagi wholesale market overshadowed by modern malls Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pasar Pagi (the morning market) existed long before most malls and shopping centers in the city. "I used to have a lot of customers.

Former newspaper boss gets nine months for defamation

Former newspaper boss gets nine months for defamation Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Sleman A former general manager of a Yogyakarta start-up newspaper was sentenced to nine months in jail on Wednesday for defamation.

Police attack anti-regent protesters

Police attack anti-regent protesters Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Tenggarong Police officers violently broke up a picket inside the Kutai Kartanegara regental administration compound here on Wednesday, beating several picketers who were camping out to protest the appointment of an acting regent.

Body of missing student found intact

Body of missing student found intact BOGOR: After four days of searching, a search and rescue team found the remains of Dwi Haryanti, 23, one of three students and a local guide who were swept away by a flash food while crossing Bogor's Ciandong River on Saturday afternoon.

Jakarta fans barred from match in Surabaya

Jakarta fans barred from match in Surabaya ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Supporters of Persija Jakarta have been barred from entering Surabaya for fears that they could trigger a riot with local supporters of Persebaya.

Govt stops issuing licenses for crowded airlines industry

Govt stops issuing licenses for crowded airlines industry Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has decided to stop issuing operating licenses for new airlines because it says there is already enough competition in the industry.

Al Azhar, 'president' of Free Riau

Al Azhar, 'president' of Free Riau Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau This thickly bearded gentleman, who is also a chain smoker and a cultural activist, is always restless. Very often he feels angry with the central government, which, in his opinion, is arrogant.

Trial on Bojong dump clash begins

Trial on Bojong dump clash begins Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor/Jakarta The trials of 17 defendants of the Nov. 22 bloody clash in Bojong garbage treatment facility, Bogor regency, started on Wednesday at the Cibinong District Court.

Aussie travel warnings

Aussie travel warnings Once bitten by their failure to include Bali in travel warnings ahead of the Oct. 12, 2002, nightclub bombings at Kuta Beach, Australian security officials are determined to be everything but twice shy.

Rogue on Pakuan Express

Rogue on Pakuan Express From Kompas As a commuter traveling by the Bogor-Jakarta Pakuan Express train, I consider this railway service fairly secure, except for the presence of beggars, who often make passengers feel uncomfortable as they push and shove for money. On Oct.

Corruption and democracy

Corruption and democracy From Koran Tempo President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared Dec. 9 Anticorruption Day for the purpose of waging a war against corruption. On several occasions he even said he would direct the corruption eradication movement himself.

Sakeh set for 2-year outing in Germany

Sakeh set for 2-year outing in Germany Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) will send Ahmad Sumarsono Sakeh to Germany next month for a two-year training program as part of Indonesia's bid to enhance its medal prospects at 2006 Asian Games.

Bojong case trial begins, Komnas Ham blames project

Bojong case trial begins, Komnas Ham blames project Theresia Sufa The Jakarta Post/Bogor/Jakarta The trials of 17 defendants of the Nov. 22 bloody clash in Bojong garbage treatment facility, Bogor regency, started on Wednesday at the Cibinong District Court.

Puteh rushed to hospital as first hearing nears

Puteh rushed to hospital as first hearing nears Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the Anticorruption Court scheduled the first hearing for his graft case, Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh was rushed to the hospital with an unspecified ailment in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Workers demand higher wage hike

Workers demand higher wage hike JAKARTA: Hundreds of workers took part in a rally in front of City Hall on Tuesday, demanding the administration to increase the monthly minimum wage to Rp 759,953 (US$81.72) for 2005.

Workers protest firm arbitrariness

Workers protest firm arbitrariness MEDAN, North Sumatra: Leaders of a union on Wednesday reported alleged arbitrariness by plantation company PT Tolan Tiga Indonesia to Medan councillors. The management of the Belgium-owned company had removed three union leaders from their respective positions at...

Big-time criminals escape Cirebon prison

Big-time criminals escape Cirebon prison Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon Three big-time criminals escaped from Cirebon Prison at dawn on Wednesday, fueling people's concern over security at the prison. The three criminals escaped the prison between 4 to 5 a.

Rogue on 'Pakuan Express'

Rogue on 'Pakuan Express' From Kompas As a commuter traveling by the Bogor-Jakarta Pakuan Express train, I consider this railway service fairly secure, except for the presence of beggars, who often make passengers feel uncomfortable as they push and shove for money. On Oct.

Police blamed for intelligence failures

Police blamed for intelligence failures Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post Public enemy No. 1 and bombing fugitive Azahari bin Husin had worked undetected in a building near the Australian Embassy to plan the Sept. 9 attack, a top police officer said on Wednesday.

Korean school staffer stands trial

Korean school staffer stands trial Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Public affairs manager of the Korean International School in Ceger, East Jakarta, Kim Il-Kim, 47, stood trial at the East Jakarta District Court on Wednesday for allegedly having ordered five workers to damage property of...

Transportation Council yet to be acknowledged

Transportation Council yet to be acknowledged Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The newly elected members of the Jakarta Transportation Council regrets Governor Sutiyoso's reluctance in their inauguration although they had been selected three months ago.

JP/20/ICHSAN

JP/20/ICHSAN Ichsan Malik fights for peace A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Ambon city was like a ghost town a year after major sectarian violence erupted in 1999. Markets and streets were deserted, ruined buildings could be seen down nearly every street and the sound of weapons and bombs...

1. Badminton (48) - 42 pts 7cols 1line (1x49)

1. Badminton (48) - 42 pts 7cols 1line (1x49) Indonesia Open highlights problems of local women shuttlers 2. Puteh (40) - 48 pts 3cols 3lines (3x18) Puteh rushed to hospital as 1st hearing nears 3. Susul (20) - 32 pts 3cols 1lines (1x24) Bojong clash trial begins 4.

Australia, RI to host bio-terror summit

Australia, RI to host bio-terror summit AUSTRALIA: Australia and Indonesia will co-host a summit in February aimed at reducing the possibility of bio-terror attacks in the region, Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said on Wednesday.

Big investors keen for share in public works

Big investors keen for share in public works Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It seems that confidence in investment climate in Indonesia may have started to improve, with hundreds of potential investors, foreign and domestic, having expressed enthusiasm to participate in next month's...

1. DPR (1 X 30)

1. DPR (1 X 30) When will the 'play group' move up a grade? 2. TNI (1 X 32) Skepticism of military reform 3. PRESS (2 X 24) Gloomy year for RI media as big guns try to sink it

No jungle camps to training militants in Malaysia: Najib

No jungle camps to training militants in Malaysia: Najib Reuters, Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok There are no jungle training camps for militants in Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Wednesday, firing off the latest volley in a row over Muslim militants stirring up violence in southern...

1. TIMOR: 2 X 11

1. TIMOR: 2 X 11 RI, E. Timor form team to probe 1999 atrocities 2. INFRASTRUCTURE: 2 X 20 Big investors keen for share in public projects 3. SURVEY: 1 X 27 Susilo's popularity slumps: Survey 4. CRASH: 2 X 23 Navy chopper plummets into river, five feared dead

SBY's popularity slumps: Survey

SBY's popularity slumps: Survey Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The popularity of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has dropped sharply over the past month due to people's unmet reform expectations, according to a survey by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI).

World Bank grants Indonesia loans to support antigraft drive

World Bank grants Indonesia loans to support antigraft drive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The World Bank granted the government US$360 million in loans on Wednesday, part of which has been allocated specifically for the government's war against corruption.

Cultural center promotes understanding

Cultural center promotes understanding Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar The relationship between India and Indonesia, Bali in particular, was established hundreds of years ago. Indian culture and religion can be clearly traced in every aspect of the life of the Balinese people, their...

Husbands come first in HIV treatment

Husbands come first in HIV treatment Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When a month's dose of medicines for HIV treatment still cost around Rp 8 million (US$860) in 1997, Febri, her husband Toro and their son Sandy (not their real names), who had all contracted the HIV virus, could not afford...

Golkar leader says party to remain critical

Golkar leader says party to remain critical M. Taufiqurrahman and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Golkar party leader said on Wednesday that there would be no abrupt changes in relations between the House of Representatives (DPR) and the executive following the election of Vice...

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 23, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 23, 2004 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Painting Opposite Attract, a collaboration show by Made Wianta and Filippo Sciascia, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252, www.gayafusion.com), until Jan. 30.

Rupiah Rates Dec.22

Rupiah Rates Dec.22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,523.10 6,752.59 7,176.06 7,099.41 Brunei dollar 1 5,988.17 5,375.10 5,711.93 5,651.17 Canadian dollar 1 8,000.65 7,181.24 7,631.58 7,550.07 Swiss franc 1 8,505.85 7,635.70 8,113.47 8,027.

BRI leads Jakarta stock gainers

BRI leads Jakarta stock gainers Bloomberg, Jakarta Indonesian stocks advanced after Standard & Poor's raised the country's credit rating, citing declining debt and increased stability in Southeast Asia's largest economy. PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia led gains.

Activists reported for defamation

Activists reported for defamation ROKAN HULU, Riau: The Regent of Rokan Hulu, Ramlan Zas Datuk Tumenggung, on Wednesday reported several anti-graft activists to police for alleged defamation. The official report was handed over by Ramlan's lawyer, Abdul Haris Rusli, to the deputy chief of Rokan...

Five feared killed in air crash ahead of Susilo's Papua visit

Five feared killed in air crash ahead of Susilo's Papua visit Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura A Navy helicopter crashed in the mountains of Nabire regency, Papua province, amid bad weather on Wednesday, and all five people on board were feared dead, police said.

The exhausting legal journey

The exhausting legal journey From Media Indonesia Law enforcement in Indonesia is like a long and exhausting journey with no certainty in sight. Law becomes a commodity most demanded by wealthy and powerful buyers, while its enforcers can be so directed that justice is exchanged for money and...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ( in rupiah) on Dec. 22

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ( in rupiah) on Dec. 22 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

SME help, investment top govt's platform

SME help, investment top govt's platform Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With macroeconomic stability almost in check, the government will emphasize microeconomic policies such as empowering small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving Indonesia's investment climate.

Former West Java governor accused of bribing councillors

Former West Java governor accused of bribing councillors Yuli Tri Suwarni and Luh Putu Trisna Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, Mataram Former West Java governor Nuriana has been accused of bribing all 100 members of the previous provincial legislative council to cover up his alleged role in a Rp...

Bali in holiday spirit

Bali in holiday spirit Visitors who plan to spend Christmas or New Year in Bali will not be disappointed, as local and international hotels have lit up their facilities with holiday fare. Bali Intercontinental Resort in Jimbaran, for instance, has in store a number of Christmas activities and...

JP/14/YEAREND

JP/14/YEAREND No place to go but up for RI music in 2005 Hera Diani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Little, if anything, very exciting emerged on the local popular music scene in 2004. It was so lame and dull that perhaps the "highlight" of the whole year was when then presidential candidate Susilo...