Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 August 2004

87 articles found

Top int'l banks vie for 51% Permata stake

<p>Top int'l banks vie for 51% Permata stake</p><p>Rendi A. Witular , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p> Leading international banks are competing in a tender to acquire a controlling stake in Bank Permata, the country's seventh largest bank in terms of assets,...

Jakarta won't agree to compromise on Myanmar issue in upcoming ASEM

<p>Jakarta won't agree to compromise on Myanmar issue in upcoming ASEM</p><p>Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Indonesia brushed aside a compromise solution to the problem of Myanmar's participation in the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)...

300,000 people living in camps

<p>300,000 people living in camps</p><p> JAKARTA: Approximately 300,000 people are living in refugee camps across the country, a senior minister says, adding that the government hopes to repatriate all of them by October.

Another Komnas team sent to Manggarai

<p>Another Komnas team sent to Manggarai</p><p> KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is sending another team to Manggarai to continue its investigation into shootings in which five villagers in the area were killed by police, an official...

Artists paint fine portrait of city

<p>Artists paint fine portrait of city</p><p>Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Dabbing his paintbrush back and forth, Warso Sugriwo gives a life of color to a pencil sketch of a couple on a new canvas -- all the while glancing at his guide, a photograph...

Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff

<p>Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff</p><p>Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Two former presidential candidates have elected not to support either Megawati Soekarnoputri or Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Sept.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, August 28, 2004

<p>Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, August 28, 2004</p><p> Exhibitions</p><p>* Fine Arts Gareng - Petruk (Tribute to Tatang S), by Bambang 'Toko' Wicaksono, the Gallery of Kedai Kebun Forum Restaurant, Jl. Tirtodipuran No. 3 (0274 376114), until Sept. 22.

No suspects in 'fraud' case

<p>No suspects in 'fraud' case</p><p>Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Police now have no suspects in a bizarre case involving a former Jakarta city council chairman, a businesswoman and an alleged "fraud" worth Rp 1 billion (US$112,359).

Police deny allegations they put markups on Aceh projects

<p>Police deny allegations they put markups on Aceh projects</p><p>Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>The police denied on Friday charges leveled by a joint monitory team that they embezzled billions of rupiah from material procurement and construction...

Local cricketers set

<p>Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday</p><p> JAKARTA : The new season of the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA) cricket league is due to commence on Sunday, with six of the ten cricket teams in action.

TV Today: Saturday, August 28, 2004

<p>TV Today: Saturday, August 28, 2004</p><p>TVRI </p><p> 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi</p><p>7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria</p><p>7:30 Religious Teachings</p><p>8:00 Talk Show: Sehat Ala Hembing</p><p>9:00 Religious...

The choice between Megawati and Susilo

<p>The choice between Megawati and Susilo</p><p>Peter Milne Jakarta</p><p></p><p>2. Begi --The U.S.-Singapore defense accord invites danger to the region 1 X 45</p><p> U.S.

Melia does beef, health food promo

<p>Melia does beef, health food promo</p><p>YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to help promote healthy lifestyles in the community, five star-rated Melia Purosani hotel on Jl. Suryotomo is offering a "healthy food menu" during the month of September at its Ching San restaurant.

RI not serious about FTA with U.S., says USAID

<p>RI not serious about FTA with U.S., says USAID</p><p>Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>The United States perceived Indonesia as half-hearted in its commitment to establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, thus leaving the talks...

1. DISCOURSE: 36 PT, 7 cols, 1 x 49

<p>1. DISCOURSE: 36 PT, 7 cols, 1 x 49 NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer </p><p> 2. PAN: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff </p><p> 3.

Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday

<p>Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday</p><p> JAKARTA : The new season of the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA) cricket league is due to commence on Sunday, with six of the ten cricket teams in action.

Body of Fahmi Ahmad yet to be repatriated

<p>Body of Fahmi Ahmad yet to be repatriated</p><p> JAKARTA: Almost one week after he was killed, the government has yet to repatriate the body of Indonesian engineer Fahmi Ahmad, who was killed in an ambush in Mosul, northern Iraq, last Sunday.

NGOs vow to unravel corruption in KPU

<p>NGOs vow to unravel corruption in KPU</p><p> JAKARTA: A coalition of non-governmental organizations said on Friday it would press ahead with its drive to unravel the corruption allegations plaguing the General Elections Commission (KPU), despite a threat from the commission to...

Pertamina's move over Cepu block sparks debate

<p>Pertamina's move over Cepu block sparks debate</p><p>Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p> State oil and gas company Pertamina's decision to operate the Cepu block on its own rather than as a joint venture with American energy giant ExxonMobil...

Fire injures eight, guts 28 showrooms

<p>Fire injures eight, guts 28 showrooms</p><p> JAKARTA: Eight people were injured when a fire gutted 28 showrooms on Thursday evening in Penggilingan, Cakung district, East Jakarta.</p><p>Cakung Police said on Friday they suspected the fire was caused by a compressor...

Prawn promotion at Jogjakarta Plaza

<p>Prawn promotion at Jogjakarta Plaza</p><p>YOGYAKARTA: Prawn lovers in the city are being spoiled with vast array of prawn-based dishes at the Jogjakarta Plaza hotel on Jl. Gejayan, Complex Colombo here as the Prime Plaza chain hotel is offering a special Prawn Promotion program...

Merpati rues privatization delay

<p>Merpati rues privatization delay</p><p>Rendi A. Witular and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>State-owned carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines said it regretted the government's decision to delay the privatization of the airline, which it warned...

Festival to hold comic-making class

<p>Festival to hold comic-making class</p><p> JAKARTA: The Indonesian Comics Society will hold a comic- making workshop on Saturday at the Comics Festival at Mal Ciputra in Grogol, West Jakarta.</p><p>The Comics Festival will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12.

BI to use repos as monetary tool

<p>BI to use repos as monetary tool</p><p>Dow Jones, Jakarta</p><p> Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said on Friday that the central bank will soon use government bond repurchase agreements (repos) as one of its open market operation tools.

2 heads

<p>2 heads</p><p></p><p>1. SCHOOL -- 2 x </p><p> School operates in rundown state </p><p> 2. ARTIST -- 2 x 35 </p><p> Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions </p>

Expectations soar for 'Princess of Mount Ledang'

<p>Expectations soar for 'Princess of Mount Ledang'</p><p>Sean Young, Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</p><p>For weeks, the nationwide frenzy of anticipation for Princess of Mount Ledang -- Malaysia's most expensive movie ever -- has been...

Irma returns to her true love

<p>Irma returns to her true love</p><p>Carla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta</p><p>When Irma left painting, her first love, to excel in the world of fashion she may not have thought she would ultimately come back to it. But the 30 paintings on display from Aug.

'Tempo' reports mayor over false info

<p>'Tempo' reports mayor over false info</p><p>Chief editor of Tempo Bambang Harymurti gave on Friday a statement to Jakarta Police investigators in connection with an earlier report on Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun, whom he accused of giving false information...

U.S. soldiers avoid Bali

<p>U.S. soldiers avoid Bali</p><p> KUTA, Bali: A senior Bali businessman called on Friday for the U.S. military not to discourage its soldiers from holidaying on the resort island of Bali.

Sports programs and entertainment

<p>Sports programs and entertainment</p><p> A week ago, four Indonesian shuttlers made history in the Athens Olympics by winning medals, but only a few Indonesians watched them struggling for glory.

More expensive passports

<p>More expensive passports</p><p>From Kompas</p><p>When I applied for a new passport at the immigration office of East Jakarta on June 29, I came to know for the first time how corruption is deeply ingrained in public offices.

RI not serious about FTA with U.S.: USAID

<p>RI not serious about FTA with U.S.: USAID</p><p>Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>The United States perceived Indonesia as half-hearted in its commitment to establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, thus leaving the talks in...

Reinventing college orientation programs

<p>Reinventing college orientation programs</p><p>Ardimas Sasdi, Jakarta</p><p> With the start of a new academic year less than a week away, colleges and universities are bracing themselves for freshman orientation.

Nurdin sent to hospital again

<p>Nurdin sent to hospital again </p><p>JP/4/question</p><p>Nurdin rehospitalized </p><p>Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Lawmaker Nurdin Halid, a suspect in a sugar smuggling case, was readmitted to the Soekamto Police Hospital in...

Dropouts ready to carve out a life

<p>Dropouts ready to carve out a life</p><p>Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>The crowd of visitors is encouraging to sculptor Yono on his debut in a national-level exhibition that has sent him to Jakarta for the first time in his life.

Australian govt briefs Indonesia over missile plan

<p>Australian govt briefs Indonesia over missile plan</p><p>The Jakarta Post, Jakarta</p><p>A day after the government expressed its concern over Australia's plan to boost its offensive capability, Canberra briefed Jakarta on Friday, regarding its plan to purchase...

[b]Jakarta Square Jazz

<p>Jakarta Square Jazz to be on regularly</p><p> JAKARTA: Jurnal IndonesianManagers, an organization to accommodate the needs of managers to communicate and interact, will stage a Jakarta Square Jazz performance on Sept. 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

JP/4/Kpu

<p>JP/4/Kpu</p><p>Many councillors may lose seats over fake diplomas</p><p>M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Numerous newly elected councillors across Indonesia could lose their seats after the General Elections Commission (KPU) ordered local...

The absurdity of

<p>The absurdity of our 'exit tax'</p><p> The departure tax does not apply for non-residents of Indonesia. Indonesians with a foreign stay permit (e.g. students) did not have to pay the exit tax when it was first introduced, if they only took one trip home and when back...

English difficult to master for many locals

<p>English difficult to master for many locals</p><p>Tony Ryanto, Contributor/Jakarta</p><p>Travelling in Paris in the late 1970s, an Indonesian journalist friend boarded a taxi and felt very lucky because the driver told him he was one of just three who could...

Mass axing faces Texmaco

<p>Mass axing faces Texmaco</p><p>Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>More than 60,000 workers of the Texmaco Group may lose their jobs following the government's refusal to reschedule its huge debts.

My personal experience in working on the election

<p>My personal experience in working on the election</p><p>Jardine "Dinia" Wall, Los Angeles</p><p> After its first round of direct presidential elections in July, Indonesian democracy is toughened, but not battle-weary.

Rp 6m salary officially OK'd

<p>Rp 6m salary officially OK'd</p><p> BEKASI: Bekasi City Council Committee confirmed on Friday that each councillor would receive a Rp 6 million (US$652) monthly salary, amid a previous demand that they be paid double that.

KPK to open wealth reports to public

<p>KPK to open wealth reports to public</p><p> JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Friday it would allow public access to information about the wealth of state officials in a bid to promote transparency.

Protesters, Police clash in Bogor

<p>Protesters, Police clash in Bogor</p><p> BOGOR: Around 1,500 Klapanunggal residents and Bogor Police clashed on Friday at the Bogor Council during the swearing-in ceremony of the regency's councillors.

Jakarta as art center

<p>Jakarta as art center</p><p>From Koran Tempo</p><p>As a city grows larger, art and culture become one of the facets of life in the metropolis. Along with the construction of shopping centers in Jakarta, the maintenance of its art facilities and the building of new...

School operates in rundown state

<p>School operates in rundown state</p><p>Singgir Kartana, Contributor/Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta</p><p>Yogyakarta has long been famous as a city of education, a city where thousands from across the country and from abroad study, thanks to the wide choice of fields of...

New Kampar councillors installed

<p>New Kampar councillors installed</p><p>Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru</p><p>A student protest marred the induction of 45 councillors at the Kampar regental council on Friday.

1. PERMATA: 2 LINES 20 COUNTS

<p>1. PERMATA: 2 LINES 20 COUNTS</p><p> Int'l banks vie for majority Permata stake </p><p> 2. TEXMACO: 1 LINE, 24 COUNTS</p><p> Mass axing faces Texmaco </p><p> 3.

Election debate not a must

<p>Election debate not a must</p><p>From Suara Karya</p><p>The controversy over the need to arrange a public debate between presidential and vice presidential candidates as part of the campaign for the upcoming election runoff should not disrupt the second-round...

Rupiah ends at 8-week low on dollar demand

<p>Rupiah ends at 8-week low on dollar demand</p><p> The rupiah closed at an eight-week low on Friday on rising dollar demand from local companies to pay offshore obligations at the end of the month.

KPU gets tough over fake diploma

<p>KPU gets tough over fake diploma</p><p>M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Numerous newly elected councillors across Indonesia could lose their seats after the General Elections Commission (KPU) ordered local commissions to take swift action against...

Sony aiming higher after Athens

<p>Sony aiming higher after Athens</p><p>Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p> Sony was beside himself, laying on the floor in exultation after winning. His left hand covered his face as he struggled to hold back tears.

How to resolve political stalemate

<p>How to resolve political stalemate</p><p> As preparations for the final stage of the first direct presidential election progress, the nation is witnessing a rare and tragic political spectacle -- almost a democratic anomaly -- in which one democratic group is confronting...

TNI to dispatch soldiers to W. Sumba

<p>TNI to dispatch soldiers to W. Sumba</p><p> KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Wirasakti Military Command will dispatch about 100 soldiers to help police return order to West Sumba, a senior officer said on Friday.</p><p>East Nusa Tenggara chief Col.

* Megawati, Susilo 'must be smart' courting NU/PKB Page 2

<p>* Megawati, Susilo 'must be smart' courting NU/PKB Page 2 * Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of polls Page 4 * Kampar councillors installed amid student protest Page 5 * School textbooks -- price and quality problems Page 6 * Ex-council chief in no-show over fraud...

Mandiri to issue eurobonds

<p>Mandiri to issue eurobonds</p><p>The Jakarta Post, Jakarta</p><p> Bank Mandiri, the country's largest bank in terms of assets, plans to issue eurobonds in October or November this year to help finance part of its maturing dollar-denominated debts, the...

Activist's jail death protested

<p>Activist's jail death protested</p><p>Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Semarang</p><p>Some 25 activists from the Front for Poor People's Struggle (FPRM) staged a protest in front of a government office here on Friday, questioning the government on the recent...

Police stand by Buyat Bay test results

<p>Police stand by Buyat Bay test results</p><p>Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday the police were sticking to their laboratory test results, which showed that Buyat Bay in Minahasa, North Sulawesi,...

Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor quality

<p>Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor quality</p><p>Simon Marcus Gower, Jakarta</p><p> Nobody would question the importance and great value of books to the processes and tasks of learning and "becoming an educated person".

Life's burdens get harder to bear

<p>Life's burdens get harder to bear</p><p>From Suara Karya</p><p>Ever since the reform movement started a few years ago, people on low and middle incomes have remained in the grip of poverty and continue to live hard lives.

Educating nurses

<p>Educating nurses</p><p> I refer to your article on your website on Aug. 19 entitled Labor exporter speaks out on abuse.</p><p>We would like to clarify that the School of Nursing (Fakultas Perawat) at the University of Indonesia (UI) should not be termed...

Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of runoff

<p>Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of runoff</p><p>Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Three daughters of founding president Sukarno look set to bury their hatchets for a family reunion ahead of the election runoff, which will see the...

Javan gibbons face extinction, illegal loggers blamed

<p>Javan gibbons face extinction, illegal loggers blamed</p><p>Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Sukabumi</p><p>Five groups of the endangered Javan silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch), or Owa Jawa, have disappeared from the 100-hectare (ha) Kabandungan Forest, a lush...

Gunungkidul residents 'itching' for rain as lake is only source of water

<p>Gunungkidul residents 'itching' for rain as lake is only source of water</p><p>Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Gunungkidul</p><p>Hundreds of residents of Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta province, are suffering from skin diseases thought to have been...

Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions

<p>Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions</p><p>The public will have the opportunity to view the works of Yogyakartan and visiting Malaysian artists in two exhibitions, following a week of workshops and discussions between the two groups.

Top global banks battle to acquire Permata

<p>Top global banks battle to acquire Permata</p><p>Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p> Leading international banks are competing in a tender to acquire a controlling stake in Bank Permata, the country's seventh largest bank in terms of assets.

Merpati offers discount fares

<p>Merpati offers discount fares</p><p> JAKARTA: As part of its 42nd anniversary celebrations, PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines will offer seats for Rp 42,000 (US$4.50) on all of its domestic flights and $42 on international flights from Sept. 1 to Oct. 12.

Private colleges on the brink of collapse

<p>Private colleges on the brink of collapse</p><p>Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta</p><p>Hundreds of private higher learning institutions in Yogyakarta, considered by many as the nation's education center, are on the brink of collapse due to a lack of...

Minister Bot's visit

<p>Minister Bot's visit</p><p> The visit to Jakarta by a foreign minister from a country with which Indonesia maintains relations is, of course, not an unusual event. However, there are many reasons why the visit of the Netherlands' foreign minister, Bernard Bot, could...

CORRECTION:

<p>CORRECTION:</p><p>In the interview with Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot on this page in the edition of Aug. 26, the reply regarding aid should have read "We have contributed in the meantime more than 500 million (not 5 million) euros to Indonesia for education,...

NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer

<p>NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer</p><p>Political coalitions with several parties, including the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), may not be enough for presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri and her running mate Hasyim Muzadi to win...

[b]My personal experience in

<p>My personal experience in working on the election</p><p>Jardine "Dinia" Wall Los Angeles</p><p></p><p>2. Simon -- Dealing with textbooks in schools 2 x 30</p><p> Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor...

Models to strut their stuff on stinky river

<p>Models to strut their stuff on stinky river</p><p>Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Sutiyoso's administration will give riverbank squatters a taste of the good life on Sunday, when models are set to grace a floating catwalk on Angke River in North...

Art, music to grace capital

<p>Art, music to grace capital</p><p>Artists from several countries will be in Jakarta for the triennial Arts Summit, to entertain lovers of contemporary music, dance and theater for an entire month.

Nurdin Halid hospitalized, again

<p>Nurdin Halid hospitalized, again</p><p>Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Lawmaker Nurdin Halid, a suspect in a sugar smuggling case, was readmitted to the Soekamto Police Hospital in East Jakarta on Thursday night after police doctors declared him too ill...

Two poll commission officials in Central Java dismissed

<p>Two poll commission officials in Central Java dismissed</p><p>Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Semarang</p><p>The General Elections Commission (KPU) has dismissed two of its members in Central Java for breaching the institution's code of ethics, a local poll...

Coalition to go all out to support Mega

<p>Coalition to go all out to support Mega</p><p>Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Leaders of the so-termed national coalition of four major parties held their first plenary meeting on Friday, to consolidate their rank and file...

Taufik's group hit in multiple collision

<p>Taufik's group hit in multiple collision</p><p> MEDAN, North Sumatra: Four cars belonging to presidential husband Taufiq Kiemas' traveling entourage were in a multiple collision on Friday, leaving some drivers and passengers with minor injuries.

Military court to fall under Supreme Court

<p>Military court to fall under Supreme Court</p><p>Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>The administration and supervision of the military court is to be transferred to the Supreme Court on Sept. 1 in accordance with Law No.

Bank Permata's sale

<p>Bank Permata's sale</p><p> Investors have warmly welcomed the Indonesian government's plan to sell Bank Permata to private investors. As such, a number of banks and pension fund institutions have been scrambling to form consortia to buy 51 percent of Bank...

Bot's visit strengthens bilateral ties

<p>Bot's visit strengthens bilateral ties</p><p>Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta</p><p>Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot's three-day visit to Indonesia, which ended on Friday, has opened a new chapter in the relations between Jakarta and its former...

Indonesia not yet independent

<p>Indonesia not yet independent</p><p>From Koran Tempo</p><p>Aug. 17 is a special date for Indonesians, because on that date in 1945, the country declared its freedom. </p><p>The question worth raising in this context is: Are we really free? We need to...

Grand Mercure offers new facilities

<p>Grand Mercure offers new facilities</p><p>YOGYAKARTA: Following its grand opening this year, the Grand Mercure Phoenix Yogyakarta hotel on Jl. Jend. Sudirman is offering a 30 percent discount for its massage services at its new spa facilities, Srikandi Spa, during the soft...

Pelindo offered shares in port dispute

<p>Pelindo offered shares in port dispute</p><p>Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta</p><p>Caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between the city administration and the central government over the development of New Port, Governor Sutiyoso has invited state port...

The choice between Megawati and Susilo

<p>The choice between Megawati and Susilo</p><p>Peter Milne Jakarta</p><p> That there is little to choose between the two remaining presidential candidates is the argument expressed by Wimar Witoelar in a piece entitled Susilo, Megawati: Too close to call a winner,...

Marines dismissed over deadly raid

<p>Marines dismissed over deadly raid</p><p>Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung</p><p>Lt. Col. Bambang Sutrisno, who had just been installed on Tuesday as the Piabung Marine Corps commander in Lampung province, was dismissed from his post on Friday...