Archive: 5 May 2004
71 articles found
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Trial of terror suspect opens in Riau
Trial of terror suspect opens in Riau The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Pekanbaru District Court on Tuesday opened the trial of a man charged with the bombing of a church on Christmas Eve in 2000 in Riau province, which killed five people and injured 21 others. The defendant, Zuflius bin Yunus alias Datuk Rajo Ameh alias Muchtar Tanjung, could face the death penalty if convicted of being involved in the attack on the HKBP Protestant Church in Pekanbaru city.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mega-Hasyim pairing almost final
Mega-Hasyim pairing almost final The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The puzzle over Megawati Soekarnoputri's running mate in the upcoming presidential election was finally solved on Tuesday. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) deputy secretary-general Promono Anung Wibowo ascertained that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi had agreed to be Megawati's running mate and that the pairing would be officially announced on Thursday. "Megawati will make the announcement herself on Thursday.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
City told to respect residents' civil rights
City told to respect residents' civil rights Damar Harsanto, Jakarta A gubernatorial decree giving the President authority to seize land from owners who opposed the East Flood Canal construction, was criticized by a property law expert. The move was typical of a city administration that over the past 10 years had often tried to undermine civil rights, Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto told The Jakarta Post. Tubagus feared the decree would be misused by the administration to summarily evict residents.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta Police to begin enforcing seat belt law now
Jakarta Police to begin enforcing seat belt law now Bambang Nurbianto and Evi Mariani, Jakarta A day before the implementation of the mandatory wearing of seat belts for motorists, many were seen buckling up in business areas on Tuesday. "I've become accustomed to wearing a seat belt since the police advised us to do so," said taxi driver Maman, 35, who usually waits for passengers on Jl. Mas Mansyur, Central Jakarta. He claimed that he started wearing a seat belt in March.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah closes at 12-month low, index declines
Rupiah closes at 12-month low, index declines Dow Jones, Jakarta The rupiah ended at its lowest level in over 12 months on Tuesday as foreign funds, who dumped Indonesian shares last week, bought dollars, dealers said. The dollar closed at Rp 8,720, up from its close of Rp 8,700 Friday. The local currency market was closed Monday for a public holiday. The last time the dollar traded around this level was April 28, 2003.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
BNI disposes of Rp 2t in bad loans
BNI disposes of Rp 2t in bad loans BNI shareholders granted an approval on Tuesday for the bank to dispose of some Rp 2 trillion (US$235 million) of its written- off loans, which are no longer collectible. BNI director for risk management Bien Soebiantoro explained that the bank was expecting a 24.5 percent recovery after disposing of the loans by giving the debtors discounts or by selling their loan collateral in the form of fixed assets.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Foreign arrivals hit 6-year high
Foreign arrivals hit 6-year high Fitri Wulandari, Jakarta Foreign arrivals in the country hit a six-year high of 1.03 million in the first quarter of this year despite the introduction of a stricter immigration policy and security concerns due to the general election. Slamet Mukeno, deputy chief of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), said foreign tourist arrivals from January to March of this year increased 20.61 percent from 857,533 people in the first quarter of last year.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Conjoined twins still in intensive care
Conjoined twins still in intensive care DENPASAR, Bali: The conjoined twins of I Gusti Ngurah Ekalaya Kunta and Gusti Ayu Ketut Sriani are still in intensive care at the Denpasar General Hospital. "Both baby girls are in good health," said Dr. I Wayan Sutarga, the head of the team treating the twins in Denpasar on Tuesday. The twins share a heart. He said that it was the second time the hospital had treated conjoined twins.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legislators demand Ba'asyir release
Legislators demand Ba'asyir release JAKARTA: Some members of the House of Representatives (DPR) security commission demanded on Tuesday the release of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and gave what they called a "guarantee" that the cleric would not abscond.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Students rally to protest police brutality
Students rally to protest police brutality The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of students across the country hit the streets on Tuesday to condemn a brutal police attack against university students over the weekend in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar. Sixty-five students of the Muslim University of Indonesia (UMI) were injured in Saturday's attack.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bomb blasts in 2004
Bomb blasts in 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Date Place Victims Note ------------------------------------------------------------------ Jan. 1 Peurelak, Aceh 10 dead suspects unidentified Jan. 10 Palopo, South Sulawesi four dead six suspects March 10 Medan, North Sumatra - six suspects March 20 Cimanggis, Bogor - 10 suspects May 4 Pekanbaru, Riau two dead suspects unidentified ------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Airport to be built on Bawean island
Airport to be built on Bawean island ID Nugroho, Surabaya Saif Bakham, a prominent figure on Bawean Island, was amazed when told an airport would be built connecting his home with the mainland. His forehead wrinkled. "Is this really true? An airport? Built here on Bawean?" the 57-year-old Bawean resident asked The Jakarta Post on Friday. "Then their obsession is finally being realized," he said darkly.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Students demand cheap education for all
Students demand cheap education for all Slamet Susanto and Rusman, Yogyakarta/Samarinda Hundreds of students staged protests in Yogyakarta and Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Tuesday to demand the government pay more attention to education in the country. In the protest, held in conjunction with National Education Day on May 2, the students criticized the government for failing to put a minimum of 20 percent of its annual budget into education as required by the amended 1945 Constitution.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Headmistress canes teacher in KL
Headmistress canes teacher in KL MALAYSIA: A Malaysian teacher suffered bruises after he was caned by his headmistress for criticizing her ideas on discipline, local media reported on Tuesday. The headmistress, in her 50s, was reportedly upset with the teacher because he opposed her plans to improve discipline among students. She grabbed her cane and attacked him in front of other teachers, the New Straits Times said. The man, in his 30s, did not fight back and suffered bruises.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Factory workers demand justice
Factory workers demand justice BOGOR: More than 230 mostly female staff laid off from the PT Sahabat Unggul Internasional textile factory staged a protest at the Bogor City Council on Tuesday about their dismissal. The workers said management had dismissed them after a dispute about about employee insurance payments and allowances on April 23. "Only 17 of us have received severance pay, which was a pittance -- most staff have worked here for five to 10 years.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tomy article informative: Expert
Tomy article informative: Expert Urip Hudiono, Jakarta An expert witness told the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday that an article titled Is Tomy in Tenabang? run by Tempo magazine fulfilled the people's right to information.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Denmark says it enjoys the enthusiasm of local fans
Denmark says it enjoys the enthusiasm of local fans Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta On the badminton circuit, Indonesian fans are renowned for their enthusiastic support of local shuttlers, and the racket raised by these fans has no doubt had an effect on many a visiting player. But according to the manager of Denmark's Thomas and Uber Cup teams, Flemming Wiberg, the enthusiastic Indonesian fans will not bother his players.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Part 1 of 2
Part 1 of 2 Bad proposition for oil mining contractors T.N. Machmud Jakarta 2. Thomas -- Building peace in a fragile world 1 x 45 Champions of humanity needed to build peace Thomas Hidya Tjaya Jakarta 3. Strait -- Save the world? There's no one-size-fits-all answer 2 x 21 Global effort needed to avert financial crisis Richard Samans and Ann Florini The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
N. Korea to attend ARF meeting: RI
N. Korea to attend ARF meeting: RI Agencies, Seoul North Korea will send its foreign minister to a regional forum in July, where concern over the communist state's nuclear weapons development will be a key topic, Indonesia's foreign minister said on Tuesday. "Following my talks in Pyongyang, I can say with confidence there are reasons to be optimistic Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun will be attending ...
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Wrong man arrested for murder
Wrong man arrested for murder PALU, Central Sulawesi: Fredy, a resident of Silanca subdistrict, Lage district in Poso regency was arrested on Monday by a joint team from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police. The team was scouring the forest surrounding the village after a tip-off from local residents that a suspected rapist and murderer of a Muslim resident of Poso in 2002 was in the area. Head of the Sintuwu Maroso Operation task force, Sr. Comr.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thailand checks possible role of Indonesians in insurgency
Thailand checks possible role of Indonesians in insurgency Agencies, Pattani, Thailand The military sent reinforcements to violence-wracked southern Thailand on Tuesday as authorities investigated the possibility that seven of more than 100 suspected Muslim militants killed last week were foreign fighters.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Interest in S'pore property declines
Interest in S'pore property declines Singapore: The proportion of foreigners who own properties in Singapore's prime districts has fallen overall, but Indonesians and Chinese are still actively buying, analysts said in a published report on Tuesday. In 1996, foreigners owned as many as four in 10 properties, or 40 per cent, in the prime real estate districts. Eight years later, the figure has dropped to about 25 percent to 30 percent.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Japan to assist in repatriating refugees
Japan to assist in repatriating refugees KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Japanese government promised on Tuesday that it would continue support for the handling and repatriation of East Timorese refugees still in exile in West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara province.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Former HI, Hotel Wisata employees may be rehired
Former HI, Hotel Wisata employees may be rehired Leony Aurora, Jakarta The conflict between Hotel Indonesia and Inna Wisata Hotel workers' union and the hotels' old management is seeing a resolution with both sides in agreement that former employees will be given priority by the new management when hiring begins.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mataram handles 20 labor dispute cases
Mataram handles 20 labor dispute cases MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The West Nusa Tenggara Committee for the Settlement of Labor Disputes (P4D) has handled at least 20 labor dispute cases this year, up until April. Head of the committee, I Made Supastha, in Mataram on Tuesday said that of the 20 cases, 15 cases had been solved, while five more were yet to be processed.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Four year-old boy finds live ammo
Four year-old boy finds live ammo JAMBI: Dwi Saputra, 4, found a rusty grenade and dozens of ammunition covered by earth in a lane adjacent to his house, after rain. He reported the find to Panijo, 45, his father, who immediately notified the police. Police cordoned off the area where 25 live bullets and the grenade were found buried at a depth of three to five centimeters, located just two to three meters from residents' houses. Police are yet to examine the cache. -- Antara
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
BMW to assemble new 5 Series here
BMW to assemble new 5 Series here Primastuti Handayani, Jakarta To meet the great response from the local market, PT BMW Indonesia signed an agreement with PT Astra International Tbk. on Tuesday to locally assemble the new BMW 5 Series at Astra's PT Tjahja Sakti Motor (TSM) plant. "We are confident about the Indonesian market. The 5 series has been our volume model and received great response from the market," President Director of PT BMW Indonesia Josef Honsel told a press conference.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
ISCI defends JCA cricket championship
ISCI defends JCA cricket championship ISCI Cricket Club successfully defended their JCA championship on Sunday with a solid performance against Indorama CC at Cibubur in East Jakarta. Indorama won the toss and predictably chose to bat first, putting ISCI in the unfamiliar position of having to chase the runs to achieve victory. After a nervy start by the ISCI fielding team the bowlers slowly exerted their dominance in the game, bowling Indorama out for only 130 in the penultimate over.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Exports up 3.43 percen
Exports up 3.43 percen The country's exports increased by 3.43 percent in March to US$5.07 billion from $4.90 billion in February, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday. The agency said that the increase was driven by higher exports of oil and gas commodities and non-oil and gas products. But BPS said that exports in the first quarter of this year (January to March) slightly declined by 0.89 percent from the same period last year mainly on lower oil and gas export value.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Back to the future?
Back to the future? Although the counting of votes cast in the April 5 legislative election has still to be completed -- only 99 percent of the votes had been manually counted as of last weekend -- a number of patterns have already emerged that spell both good and bad for the future of democracy in Indonesia. First, the good. As many analysts have been able to observe, the Indonesian electorate proved itself to be a good deal smarter than many political leaders had expected or anticipated.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. KPU: 1 LINE, 24 COUNTS
1. KPU: 1 LINE, 24 COUNTS KPU completes ballot count 2. MEGA: 1 LINE, 25 COUNTS Mega, Hasyim pairing almost official 3. BELT: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS Jakarta Police to begin enforcing seat belt law 4. AMBON: 1 LINE, 2O COUNTS Maluku Police chief loses job
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bomb explosion rocks Pekanbaru, kills two people
Bomb explosion rocks Pekanbaru, kills two people Fadli, Batam An explosion ripped through a shop house in the Riau capital of Pekanbaru early on Tuesday, killing two people and severely injuring four others. Pekanbaru Police chief Sr. Comr. Suro Djauhari said the explosion killed Dewi Sriyati, 20, a maid and Sipon, 18, a shop assistant. It also severely injured the shop's owner Along, his wife, Yuliana, and his son, Stephen. The three were taken to the Police Mobile Brigade Hospital.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Prudential resumes operations
Prudential resumes operations Zakki Hakim, Jakarta PT Prudential Life Assurance, the offices of which were closed down after it was declared bankrupt last month, resumed operations on Tuesday. The reopening followed a Friday decision by the judge supervising the Prudential bankruptcy case to allow the company to resume services.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Stanchart launches platinum card
Stanchart launches platinum card JAKARTA: Standard Chartered Bank and MasterCard International launched on Tuesday a platinum card for preferred customers. Holders of the platinum card can enjoy various facilities, including access to the world's best establishments, including hotels, spas and golf courses, airport lounges; substantial shopping discounts; double reward points; free travel insurance of up to Rp 2 billion (about US$235,000), the bank said in a statement. -- JP
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt shuffles Danareksa directors
Govt shuffles Danareksa directors JAKARTA: The government replaced three directors of state- owned financial firm PT Danareksa on Tuesday, according to a press statement from the firm. The government has appointed Daniel Iskandar, Harry Danardoyo and Farida Heliyanti as new directors, replacing Raden Pardede, Desimon, and Effy Firmansyah, who were directors of research and corporate planning, treasury and fixed income, and mutual funds and direct investment respectively.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Human error blamed for accident
Human error blamed for accident Evi Mariani, Jakarta Contractor PT Pembangunan Perumahan, which is constructing the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) Suites, blamed Monday's fatal crane accident on human error. "Before it collapsed, the crane was working fine," Tumyono, the head of the SCBD Suites construction project, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto to leave hospital
Soeharto to leave hospital JAKARTA: Former president Soeharto is expected to leave hospital Wednesday after more than a week of treatment for intestinal bleeding, a hospital official said Tuesday. "It is planned that he will return home tomorrow (Wednesday)," Magdalena, a spokesperson for state-owned Pertamina hospital, said. The 82-year-old Soeharto was admitted to hospital on April 26.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
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;AP;CD; ANPAc ..r.. Philippines-Steven Seagal Actor Steven Seagal steps into Philippine politics, says he favors JP/20/GUESS Steven Seagal big fan of Arroyo MANILA: Hollywood action star Steven Seagal made headlines here Tuesday by giving the thumbs up for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in next Monday's election.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ex-SMP 56 teachers plan to sue education agency
Ex-SMP 56 teachers plan to sue education agency Evi Mariani, Jakarta Nine former teachers of SMP 56 state junior high school in Melawai, South Jakarta, plan to sue the Jakarta Basic Education Agency for downgrading their civil service rankings at the same time the agency transferred them to new schools. "We will soon file the suit with the State Administrative Court," the teachers' lawyer, Lambok Gultom, said on Tuesday.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
180 schools to be repaired
180 schools to be repaired TANGERANG: The local administration plans to repair 180 elementary schools this year with the help of developers from the Indonesian Construction Business Association. "If the administration relied solely on its annual budget, the renovation work would only begin in 2006 and the schools cannot wait that long," Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim said on Tuesday.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Steven Seagal big fan of Arroyo
Steven Seagal big fan of Arroyo MANILA: Hollywood action star Steven Seagal made headlines here Tuesday by giving the thumbs up for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in next Monday's election. The actor visited the presidential palace to discuss shooting a movie in the Philippines, but ended up rooting for Arroyo -- giving her campaign a bit of the star appeal that thus far has been the advantage of her political opponents.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Part 1 of 2
Part 1 of 2 Plan for oil contractors to offer 10 percent stake to regions T.N. Machmud Jakarta The Jakarta Post carried a news article under the same title on April 5, 2004 reporting an interview with Iin Arifin Takyan, Director General of Oil and Gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
FOR SPOTLIGHT: WEDNESDAY, May 5
FOR SPOTLIGHT: WEDNESDAY, May 5 INDOSAT INDOSAT MOU ON VALUE-ADDED MATRIXFOR COMMUNITY: PT Indosat Cellular Marketing Director Hasnul Suhaimi (right) and Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Administrasi and Sekretaris (ASMI) chief Angleica B.J. Tengker (left) sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on value-added Matrix for Community at the Indosat head office. The signing ceremony was held on April 28, 2004.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/Mulkan Salmona
JP/Mulkan Salmona WHERE DEMOCRACY GOES: Chusnul Mar'iyah, left, deputy chief of the General Election Commission (KPU) addresses a seminar on the prospects of democracy after the 2004 elections.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, May 5, 2004
TV Program: Wednesday, May 5, 2004 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show 7:30 Music 8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 10:00 Talk Show: Agribiz 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
ICMI meets PAN's Amien Rais
ICMI meets PAN's Amien Rais JAKARTA: The Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) said during a meeting with the leader and presidential candidate of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Amien Rais, on Tuesday that the country's future president should be able to run an effective government underpinned by professional ministers.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Supporters press for new province
Supporters press for new province JAKARTA: A group of people claiming to be in favor of the establishment of Central Irian Jaya province visited the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to hand over a number of letters signed by tribal leaders supporting the new province. Levina B. Karubaba, who met Constitutional Court Secretary General Oka Mahendra, told reporters that they would visit their representatives in the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Use of seat belts mandatory in Jakarta Page 2
* Use of seat belts mandatory in Jakarta Page 2 * Constitutional Court flooded with election cases Page 4 * Planned industrial zone in swamp meets protests Page 5 * Bad proposition for oil mining contractors Page 17 * Teachers quizzed for 'illegal academic activities' Page 8 * Tim Henman, Carlos Moya advance in Rome Page 10 * Foreigners murdered in Philippine resort island Page 11 * Rp 225b in government loan to Merpati made equity Page 13 * Report predicts rise in asthma due to pollution Page...
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
House approves Merpati's $26.47 debt swap
House approves Merpati's $26.47 debt swap Tony Hotland, Jakarta The House of Representatives has approved the conversion of Rp 225 billion (US$26.47 million) debt owed by state-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines to the government into equity, paving the way for the company's plan to privatize. However, House Commission IV overseeing transportation and communications insists that the privatization be executed after the company restructures its business and debts to assure its soundness.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Maluku Police chief loses job
Maluku Police chief loses job Abdul Khalik and M. Azis Tunny, Jakarta/Ambon Another head rolled among the police's top brass on Tuesday, as National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar dismissed Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno for failing to prevent clashes in Ambon. In a quick succession of rare dismissals of top police chiefs, Bambang's removal followed the dismissal of South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/2/BOMB
JP/2/BOMB Fadli Batam An explosion ripped through a shop house in the Riau province capital of Pekanbaru on Tuesday, killing two people and severely injuring three others. The bomb explosion happened at dawn Tuesday, only few hours before a district in the city began the trial of a man charged with the bombing of a church on Christmas Eve in 2000 in Riau province, which killed five people and injured 21 others.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Court welcomes electoral dispute cases
Court welcomes electoral dispute cases Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta The Constitutional Court announced on Tuesday its readiness to hear challenges to the results of the legislative election filed by political parties and Regional Representatives candidates on Wednesday. "By the time the KPU announces the final results, we will have opened the registration of electoral dispute cases," Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshidiqie told a press conference.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
2004 polls augurs 'no significant change'
2004 polls augurs 'no significant change' M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta Despite praise from the international community, the April 5 legislative election is unlikely to bring about significant political and social changes, a seminar concluded. Komarudin Hidayat of Paramadina Mulya University in Jakarta said both the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the political parties that contested the polls failed to break with the political traditions inherited from the New Order regime.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN has 'made progress' on ASC plan
ASEAN has 'made progress' on ASC plan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Southeast Asian states have made good progress on closer security cooperation, especially the planned regional security community concept -- which was proposed by Indonesia last year -- the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. Senior officials from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met on Sunday and Monday in Jakarta to discuss a draft plan of action for the ASEAN Security Community (ASC).
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Government proposes optimistic 2005 draft budget
Government proposes optimistic 2005 draft budget Dadan Wijaksana, Jakarta The government proposed a draft law on the 2005 state budget to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, outlining higher economic growth and lower deficit targets. Minister of Finance Boediono told legislators on the House's budget commission that strong domestic consumption coupled with an increase in exports and investment would accelerate economic growth to between 5 percent and 5.5 percent next year.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
FOR SPOTLIGHT -- WEDNESDAY, MAY 5
FOR SPOTLIGHT -- WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 ISO CERTIFICATE: PT Tensia Manufacturing Indonesia Managing Director Lo Fan Kee (third from left) receives a ISO 9001-2000 Certificate from PT SGS Indonesia President Director Erik Roger (second from left). Also present at the ISO certificate ceremony in February 2004 were PT Tensia General Manager-Operations Agam Iskandarsyah (far left) and Quality Assurance Manager (far right), Elvi Mariana Lubis.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Inflation higher in April on rising food prices: BPS
Inflation higher in April on rising food prices: BPS The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.97 percent in April from the level in March as prices of goods and services increased during the month, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday. BPS said that year-on-year inflation in April (inflation in April 2004 compared to inflation in April 2003) increased to 5.92 percent from on-year inflation of 5.11 percent in March.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Lawmakers oppose continuation of national final examinations
Lawmakers oppose continuation of national final examinations P.C. Naommy, Jakarta The House of Representatives has approved the government's controversial plan to administer national final examinations (UAN) to junior and senior high school students, but only for 2004. "We will oppose the implementation of the UAN from 2005 on and we will not endorse a budget allocation for the program," said Taufiqurrachman Saleh, chairman of Commission VI for welfare.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
BNI, Permata should learn from past merger mistakes
BNI, Permata should learn from past merger mistakes Rendi A. Witular and Dadan Wijaksana, Jakarta Bank Indonesia (BI) is urging state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) to set up a comprehensive feasibility study for its plan to merge with Bank Permata to avoid similar "mistakes" in the merger made by Bank Mandiri and Bank Danamon. "The central bank supports the merger plan, but the process should be clear.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU completes ballot count
KPU completes ballot count Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) wrapped up on Tuesday the manual ballot counting for the House of Representatives members, after which two parties decided to file lawsuits with the Constitutional Court over the results in East Java electoral district 10 and West Irian Jaya respectively.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
NLD to hold meeting with Suu Kyi
NLD to hold meeting with Suu Kyi MYANMAR: Top members of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) were due to meet on Tuesday with their detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the third time in a week to discuss this month's constitutional convention, NLD sources said. Seven of the nine members of the NLD's decision-making Central Executive Committee had gathered at the party's Yangon headquarters before a visit to the home of the democracy icon, a party source said.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Part 1 of 2: Bad proposition for oil mining contractors
Part 1 of 2: Bad proposition for oil mining contractors T.N. Machmud, Jakarta The Jakarta Post carried a news article under the same title on April 5, 2004 reporting an interview with Iin Arifin Takyan, Director General of Oil and Gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
4 x 12
4 x 12 Planned industrial zone meets opposition JP/5/trial 1 x 39 Trial of terror suspect opens in Riau JP/5/BAWEAN 1 x 33 Airport to be built on Bawean island JP/5/EDUCATION 1 x 39 Students demand cheap education for all
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Reformist leaders fight authoritarianism
Reformist leaders fight authoritarianism Frans H. Winarta, Jakarta We are now in the lead-in to the next phase of the 2004 electoral process: namely, the first round of elections for the presidency and vice presidency two months from now. With the deadline fast approaching for registration of presidential and vice-presidential candidates at the General Elections Commission (KPU), the political parties are busy searching for candidates with the potential to win on July 5.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two cubs born to 'Yanti' at Ragunan
Two cubs born to 'Yanti' at Ragunan A nine-year-old Sumatran tiger, Yanti, gave birth to two cubs at Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, said zoo spokeswoman Titis Puntorini. She said the sex of the newborns was not immediately known, "because the mother is very protective and would not let anyone near the cubs". Although Titis did not mention the number of Sumatran tigers in the zoo, she said that the birth was the fourth successful delivery for Yanti.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
NGOs reject the work of the Constitutional Commission
NGOs reject the work of the Constitutional Commission Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta Just two days before it has to present its work to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the Constitutional Commission came under fire for not synchronizing articles of the Constitution. A number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), grouped under the Coalition for the New Constitution, said on Tuesday the commission had not upgraded the Constitution.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Planned industrial zone meets opposition
Planned industrial zone meets opposition Apriadi Gunawan, Medan People in the North Sumatra town of Belawan have become agitated over plans by a local businessman to create a container industrial zone in a mangrove forest there. Locals and environmental activists are demanding that the Belawan authorities cancel the planned industrial zone, which according to them would threaten their life in the future.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Monas elevator shut for month
Monas elevator shut for month JAKARTA: The elevator in the National Monument (Monas) will stop operations for a month starting on Wednesday to undergo repairs, following its breakdown on Sunday, Governor Sutiyoso said. "I have consulted all the parties involved and we have decided to close down the elevator for a month. We will also evaluate lighting in the emergency staircase and our general safety procedures," he said. The elevator jammed on Sunday at about 2:30 p.m.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Monitor registration delayed
Monitor registration delayed JAKARTA: Following the delay in the announcement of the April 5 legislative election results, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided to put back the registration period for presidential election monitors. KPU member Valina Singka Subekti, chairman of the committee registering election monitors, said the registration period would run from May 15 through June 15. Previously, registration was scheduled to take place from April 30 through May 15.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
House supports Aceh prosecutor over graft cases
House supports Aceh prosecutor over graft cases Kurniawan Hari and Nani Farida, Jakarta/Banda Aceh House of Representatives members have thrown their weight behind the Aceh Prosecutor's Office tackling several corruption cases allegedly involving administration officials, including Governor Abdullah Puteh. "In principle, prosecution should be conducted by the prosecutor's office.
Wed, 05 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Criminals end up living in luxurious cells'
'Criminals end up living in luxurious cells' The dumping of smuggled sugar in the sea has elicited various reactions from the public. The government has declared that the sugar will be dumped and not auctioned in the hope that such drastic action will curb the smuggling that has hurt the country's sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry. The Jakarta Post talked to few residents about the issue. Fikri Ribowo, 42, is a taxi driver.