Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 September 2002

66 articles found

Govt fails to control groundwater exploitation

Govt fails to control groundwater exploitation Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has failed to control groundwater exploitation by high-rise buildings in the capital, which has contributed to a lowering of the water table and worsened environmental conditions, according to an urban affairs observer.

Riau councillors to go ahead with their trips to Europe

Riau councillors to go ahead with their trips to Europe Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru Despite a commitment not to use public funds for overseas trips this fiscal year, 20 members of the Riau provincial legislature have said they would go ahead with their plan to tour several European countries, including Germany, England and the Netherlands, this month.

Aid pours in but workers still suffer

Aid pours in but workers still suffer The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Relief worth billions of rupiah continues to pour in for some 18,000 returning workers in overcrowded camps in Nunukan, East Kalimantan, but their condition is rapidly deteriorating mainly due to a severe lack of nutritious food and clean sanitation facilities.

Malaysia to purchase U.S. Superhornets

Malaysia to purchase U.S. Superhornets MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur plans to buy U.S. Superhornet FA-18F fighter jets to upgrade its air power, Defense Minister Najib Razak said on Saturday in a national news agency report. Malaysia will also buy radar systems and guided missile launchers from the United States, Bernama news agency quoted Razak as saying. Najib did not say how many Superhornets Malaysia was buying, or how much the purchase was worth.

Hoarding of medicine at Batam condemned

Hoarding of medicine at Batam condemned Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam A corruption watchdog and an alliance of student associations called on both the Batam Legislative Council and the government prosecutor's office to investigate corrupt and collusive practices in the municipal administration, allegedly involving a local senior official.

Megawati ends visit to Algeria

Megawati ends visit to Algeria Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri left Algiers on Sunday at the end of a four-day visit during which a bilateral oil deal was clinched, officials said. Megawati's Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika saw her off at the airport after the pair met for a third time earlier Sunday.

'City administration isn't serious about water problems'

'City administration isn't serious about water problems' Multistory buildings and skyscrapers in the city have been blamed for the current shortage of groundwater. Excessive exploitation of groundwater has made it difficult for Jakarta residents to get access to safe drinking water for their daily needs. Some residents shared their views about the current situation with The Jakarta Post. Anthony, 42, is a manager of a private bank in Salemba, Central Jakarta.

New imaging products after the megamerger

New imaging products after the megamerger Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id With the finishing touches still being put on their mega merger, I did not expect HP to be able to release new imaging products, such as printers and scanners, even though it was high time they did. I was pleasantly surprised when HP recently launched a slew of interesting new products for the fall season.

From Akbar to BLBI funds

From Akbar to BLBI funds A verdict has been handed down to Akbar in relation to the misuse of Rp 40 billion in State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds. The judges seem to convey that now it is time for equality before the law. But there is still the issue of larger losses to the state -- the case of the Bank Indonesia liquidity funds (BLBI). Not all suspects have been arrested. Most of them are still at large.

Escapee shot dead

Escapee shot dead JAKARTA: A fugitive, who escaped from the Senen Police detention cell along with 23 other detainees on May 10, was gunned down on Saturday for trying to resist arrest. The 23-year-old escapee, identified as Hendra Yudi alias Deni, was found by police officers patrolling near a drinks stall in the Kemayoran area in Central Jakarta, Senen Police chief Comr. Victor Sihombing said on Saturday.

Navy conducts SAR exercise

Navy conducts SAR exercise JAKARTA: Three teams of sailors and a medical team from the Navy's Western Fleet staged a search and rescue exercise from Sept. 4 to Sept. 5 in the waters of the Seribu Islands and Cirebon. Code-named Rescue at Sea, the drill involved two warships (the KRI Teuku Umar and the KRI Barakuda), a Nomad N-22 plane, a Bell helicopter, a B0-105 helicopter and a speedboat.

Home is where the job is

Home is where the job is Indonesian contract workers facing uncertainty condition in their camps in Nunukan, East Kalimantan, have been given assistance to return to their respective home towns. Some of the workers however said they prefer to return to Malaysia to work, despite their bitter experience, especially after the imposition of a tighter immigration act.

Abolishing visa free facility

Abolishing visa free facility The Jakarta Post of Aug. 31 reported a proposal from the Directorate General of Immigration to end the visa free visit facility for nationals of most countries. The advantage of this idea is that it would fill the coffers of the immigration department.

Betawi groups plan massive rally to thwart Sutiyoso's reelection

Betawi groups plan massive rally to thwart Sutiyoso's reelection Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While supporters of Governor Sutiyoso in the City Council have done everything in their capacity to facilitate the path to his reelection for the 2002-2007 term, a number of organizations are pondering strategies to block that smooth process. One such plan includes deploying thousands of people to occupy the City Council building on Jl.

ISI rector apologizes for abduction

ISI rector apologizes for abduction YOGYAKARTA, Central Java: The rector of the Indonesian Fine Arts Institute (ISI) in Yogyakarta, I Made Bandem, made a public apology through the media on Friday for the abduction of four journalists by students at the institute during a rally last week. Bandem said that three students who were allegedly behind the abduction had surrendered to Bantul Police for further questioning. He said firm action would be taken against the suspects.

On toll road

On toll road construction From Rakyat Merdeka We are really concerned about Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno's tardiness in settling major problems within the scope of his job. There are two things that are worth questioning concerning his policies. First, in our opinion, the construction of the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) has dragged on for way too long and has violated a joint agreement. Take the Malaysia Consortium for example.

Promoting global understanding in schools

Promoting global understanding in schools Simon Marcus Gower, Principal, Harapan Bangsa High School, Tangerang, Banten Globalization is something that has been spoken of and written of in many different contexts, but an area in which globalization has, perhaps, not been thought of enough is that of education. Many schools, it seems, are lagging behind in coming to terms with the effects of globalization. Of course, the effects are many and various.

Tigers spotted near villages

Tigers spotted near villages JAMBI, Jambi: The Jambi Natural Conservation Agency (KSDA) said on Saturday that rampant illegal logging in the province was destroying Sumatran tigers' habitat and forcing them to move closer to residential areas. KSDA chief Agus Priambudi said that illegal logging and poaching had threatened the population of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris Sumatrae) in the province, with estimates saying there were between 100 and 125 tigers left in the wild.

Islanders face shortage of portable water

Islanders face shortage of portable water Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Seribu Islands Panggang island is a small island in Kepulauan Seribu regency and even though it is surrounded by water, it its residents lack potable water. The nine-hectare Panggang island, which has a population of more than 3,200 people, is part of Panggang subdistrict, which comprises 13 islets with a total area of 62 hectares.

Controlling labor flow in the region

Controlling labor flow in the region P. Ramasamy, professor of political science Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore There are reasons to believe that Malaysia's tough immigration law may not eliminate entirely the presence of illegal migrant workers in the country. The law, which came into effect on Aug. 1, imposes a mandatory jail sentence and caning for those caught entering the country illegally.

Muslim liberal takes on militants in Indonesia

Muslim liberal takes on militants in Indonesia Dean Yates, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the struggle for the public face of Islam in Indonesia, militant Muslims rarely encounter anyone willing to confront them head on. But Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, a young moderate Muslim intellectual, has taken the battle to the militants on the radio airwaves and through newspaper columns to defend Indonesia's traditional Islamic tolerance.

RI strives to find ideal number of parties

RI strives to find ideal number of parties The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The increasing number of political parties is a consequence of the democracy obtained after three decades of restriction, but in the long run only two or three of them will survive, observers said on Saturday. Political analyst Fachry Ali said many people would still consider establishing new parties for the next few years while democracy here was still in its infancy.

PDI Perjuangan tells members to vote in Sutiyoso or else

PDI Perjuangan tells members to vote in Sutiyoso or else Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) threatened to impose harsh sanctions, including termination of party membership, against its City Councillors who defy party instructions to reelect the incumbent Governor Sutiyoso. "We have to uphold the organization's regulations and orders.

RP urges workers in Iraq not to panic

RP urges workers in Iraq not to panic PHILIPPINES: Manila is closely monitoring the situation in Iraq amid rumors of a possible military strike by the U.S. and has prepared contingency plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Filipinos working the Middle East, the presidential palace said on Sunday. "The families of the country's overseas workers in the region should not panic," a palace statement quoted Foreign Secretary Blas Ople as saying.

Muslim liberal takes on militants in Indonesia

Muslim liberal takes on militants in Indonesia Dean Yates, Reuters, Jakarta In the struggle for the public face of Islam in Indonesia, militant Muslims rarely encounter anyone willing to confront them head on. But Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, a young moderate Muslim intellectual, has taken the battle to the militants on the radio airwaves and through newspaper columns to defend Indonesia's traditional Islamic tolerance.

KL to crush trade piracy with month-long campaign

KL to crush trade piracy with month-long campaign M. Jegathesan, Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has intensified efforts to smash trade piracy by conducting surprise raids in a bid to comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) regulations, officials say. "We are serious in crushing these illegal activities which taint the image of the country," said Roslan Mahayuddin, enforcement manager with the domestic trade and consumers affairs ministry.

70 Poso families join transmigration

70 Poso families join transmigration MANADO, North Sulawesi: The North Sulawesi Manpower and Transmigration office said on Saturday that 70 families staying in safe areas outside restive Poso, Central Sulawesi, would not return home but join a resettlement program to start a new life in another province.

Aceh talks to be stillborn as distrust continues

Aceh talks to be stillborn as distrust continues Damien Kingsbury, Head, Philosophical, Political and International Studies, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia Negotiations between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which are aimed at ending the northern province's protracted conflict, look set to fail, with both the government and GAM locked into separate final positions before the talks even begin.

Li Peng kicks of 5-day visit

Li Peng kicks of 5-day visit JAKARTA: China's number two leader Li Peng arrived here on Sunday, bringing with him some 20 senior officials and businesspeople. Li Peng is scheduled to stay in Indonesia for five days and will hold a series of meetings with local officials. Indonesia is the second stop on his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tour after Thailand.

Index likely to keep falling this week: Analysts

Index likely to keep falling this week: Analysts Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Composite Index, which has been on the decline over the past two weeks, will remain under pressure this week as investors are still shying away from the market on concerns over possible attacks on Iraq by the U.S, analysts have said. "The increasing tension between the U.S.

House chides over envoy post

House chides over envoy post Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The president of foreign minister criticized the House of Representatives (DPR) on Sunday over its perceived meddling in the appointment of Indonesian ambassadors to foreign countries. Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda reminded House members Sunday that their role was limited to providing a second opinion for the government in appointing ambassadors and not to conduct a complete screening.

Thai fishermen's deportation

Thai fishermen's deportation I am writing in response to the news report titled Thai fishermen deported published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 28. The said news reported that the South Sumatra Police deported on Aug. 27, 36 Thai fishermen who were detained in August last year for illegally fishing in Indonesian territorial waters.

Religious lecture held for VCDs vendors

Religious lecture held for VCDs vendors JAKARTA: The West Jakarta mayoralty has started to conduct religious lectures for vendors of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) in Glodok on Friday, in the hope that the religious approach could reduce the rampant sales of pornographic VCDs. The lectures will be conducted twice a week.

Four people killed in fresh Ambon violence

Four people killed in fresh Ambon violence Oktavianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Christian man was killed when a mob set his van on fire in the restive town of Ambon, Maluku, on Sunday after three Muslim females were shot dead in Kulur village, Saparua island, Central Maluku. Unidentified gunmen aboard a speedboat sprayed bullets at the coastal village of Kulur early on Sunday, killing a women and two girls.

Bloody attack undermines dialog on Aceh issue

Bloody attack undermines dialog on Aceh issue Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The planned dialog between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government have been put in limbo, following the bloody assault last Thursday that injured two police officers.

Garuda makes emergency landing

Garuda makes emergency landing MAKASSAR: National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, carrying some 200 passengers, including Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno, was forced to make an emergency landing 10 minutes after taking off at the Hassanuddin Airport in South Sulawesi. A Jakarta Post journalist on GA flight 601 said that about ten minutes after taking off from Hassanuddin airport, the plane started developing engine trouble, with cabin air pressure dropping very fast, forcing pilot Capt.

TV Program: Monday, September 9, 2002

TV Program: Monday, September 9, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:30 Music 9:00 Film 10:00 Documentary 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:30 Documentary 3:00 Children's Program 3:30 Cartoon 4:00 Music 5:00 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Dialog 8:00 Quiz 9:00 News 9:30 Music 11:00 News TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Quiz 8:00 Music 9:00 Indonesian Film 11:00 TV Drama 12:00 p.m.

Eight firms loot forest in Nunukan

Eight firms loot forest in Nunukan Nunukan, East Kalimantan: Nunukan legislative council chairman Mansyur urged the local administration on Saturday to take firm action against eight plantation companies that were burning forests for logging. He said the companies had been issued licenses to start oil palm plantations ten years ago, but since then no oil palm seedlings had been grown on the land.

TransTool: An Indonesian-made software solution for translation

TransTool: An Indonesian-made software solution for translation Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta Translating documents into a foreign language can be a daunting and lengthy undertaking. You must not only be fluent in your own dialect but also that of a foreign tongue, in order for your converted manuscript to make any kind of sense.

Golkar flexes muscles to save convicted chair

Golkar flexes muscles to save convicted chair The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Facing mounting pressure for its chairman, Akbar Tandjung, to relinquish his position as House of Representatives speaker, the Golkar Party has flexed its muscles and all but promised a back- alley dogfight to save Akbar. Golkar, as the second largest faction in the House and former ruling party for 32 years under former president Soeharto, has the means to offer either lucrative compromises or outright threats.

Experts see little chance of China-ASEAN FTA

Experts see little chance of China-ASEAN FTA Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Singapore There is little chance a proposed China-ASEAN free trade agreement will be pulled off within 10 years, a group of experts said in a report published Saturday. ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, must speed up trade liberalization within its own free trade area first and then tackle such pressing issues as seeking more access to markets in the United States and China, they stressed.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, September 9, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, September 9, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting Excellence in Small by Mas Dibyo, lobby level, Club Rasuna Jl. HR.Rasuna Said Kav.C22 South Jakarta, until Sept. 14. * Fine Arts Read! Exhibition, The British Council, S. Widjojo Center, Jl. Sudirman Kav. 71, South Jakarta, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Sept. 27. * Fine Arts by Yani Mariani, Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 8573388), until Sept. 29.

PPP backs TNI 'boycott' of election

PPP backs TNI 'boycott' of election JAKARTA: The National Development Party (PPP) has expressed support for the military's move to discourage its soldiers from using their voting rights in the 2004 general election as part of an attempt to maintain the armed forces' esprit de corps. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, head of the party's education and training department, said that two years were not sufficient for the military to prepare for participation in general elections.

N. Sumatra to go ahead with hydroelectric power project

N. Sumatra to go ahead with hydroelectric power project Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin asserted on Saturday that the provincial administration would go ahead with the hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) project in Lau Renun, Dairi regency, despite the decreasing water supply to the plant.

Kidnappers escape RP military cordon

Kidnappers escape RP military cordon PHILIPPINES: Moro kidnappers holding hostage three Indonesians have escaped a military cordon in southern Jolo island following clashes that left eight soldiers and 14 gunmen dead, military sources said on Sunday. The sources said the kidnappers fled from the town of Luuk and were last seen heading towards the island's eastern coast.

Govt can't revoke broadcasting licenses arbitrarily: Legislator

Govt can't revoke broadcasting licenses arbitrarily: Legislator Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although under the broadcasting bill the government has the power to revoke the broadcasting license of any radio or television station that violates the regulations, this can only be done based upon a decision of the court, says a legislator.

1. Forest (3 x 15)

1. Forest (3 x 15) Government gives concessionaires year-end deadline 2. Logis (1 x 35) Logistics giants enjoying high growth 3. Japan (2 x 28) Japan to spend US$25b to boost stock market: reports JP/13/Japan 4. RUU (2 x 35) Regions to receive higher revenue under amendment to fiscal balance law

PKB holds simulation of direct election

PKB holds simulation of direct election JAKARTA: The Jakarta Chapter of the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) held on Sunday a simulation of direct gubernatorial election in 50 locations in Jakarta. "We are only conducting this simulation in order to gauge the public readiness in applying such a direct election of governor. We just don't care who is the winner," said deputy chairman of PKB Jakarta Chapter, Syaifuddin, who is also the chairman of the Gubernatorial Election Committee.

Unfair compensation

Unfair compensation The news on the plan to continue the construction of the veteran-Ulujami section of the Jakarta outer ring road (JORR) should bring relief to motor vehicle owners. On the other hand, landowners who may be subject to eviction will be anxious. In 1994 and 1995, compensation for land used for the JORR project was unilaterally fixed and went against Presidential Decree No.55/1993.

Disgraced Akbar adds spice to ASEAN parliamentarian meet

Disgraced Akbar adds spice to ASEAN parliamentarian meet Ben Rowse, Agence France-Presse, Hanoi Disgraced Indonesian parliament speaker Akbar Tandjung will be among the Southeast Asian politicians who will gather on Monday in the Vietnamese capital for talks on human rights, terrorism and other regional issues.

SE Asian countries seek common strategy in fighting HIV/AIDS, TB

SE Asian countries seek common strategy in fighting HIV/AIDS, TB The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ten Southeast Asian countries are seeking a common strategy in their fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria which have cost billions of U.S. dollars in financial losses.

Leprosy victims hurt by autonomy

Leprosy victims hurt by autonomy TANGERANG: Many people suffering from leprosy have been forced to beg on the streets to support themselves because they no longer receive funding from the central government as a consequence of the regional autonomy laws which began in January 2001.

Free fights entertains, but protests abound

Free fights entertains, but protests abound Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jandi Werson Purba is a 24-year-old second brigadier police officer. He is also an athlete specializing in wrestling and has taken part in many national tournaments. Although he has not won a tournament yet, the third place status he has won many times requires only a little more effort before he can turn it into a gold, which would usually guarantee a place on the national team.

* Headlines: Groups plan to thwart Sutiyoso's reelection 2

* Headlines: Groups plan to thwart Sutiyoso's reelection 2 * National: House chided over envoy post 4 * Archipelago: Assault undermines dialog on Aceh 5 * Opinion: Aceh talks to be stillborn 7 * City:PDI-P tells members to vote in Sutiyoso8 * Sports:Lancaster races into Canadian Open lead 9 * World: Saddam defiant after Bush-Blair summit11 * Business: Year-end deadline for concessionaires 13 * Features: UI's new rector faces challenges 20

Logistic giants enjoying high growth

Logistic giants enjoying high growth Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign giant distribution companies are enjoying high revenue growth here as more companies have started to outsource their warehousing and distribution affairs to these firms. Industry experts said that the outsourcing trend started in the late 1990s as many companies wanted to concentrate more on their core activities.

Government gives concessionaires year-end deadline

Government gives concessionaires year-end deadline Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Forestry has given all forest concessionaires until the end of this year to put their house in order, warning that any companies found to have failed to develop their forest areas sustainably next year will have their licenses revoked. The ministry said that, starting on Jan.

1. Aceh: 8 x 4 lines

1. Aceh: 8 x 4 lines Assault undermines dialog on Aceh issue 2. PLTA: 22 x 2 lines N. Sumatra to go ahead with hydroelectric power project 3. Batam: 24 x 2 lines Hoarding of medicine in Batam condemned 4. Plesir: 24 x 2 lines Riau councillors to go ahead with their trips to Europe

1. AIPO: 2 x 29

1. AIPO: 2 x 29 Disgraced Akbar adds spice to ASEAN parliamentarian meet 2. BAMUS: 1 x 64 Betawi groups plan massive rally to thwart Sutiyoso's reelection 3. LABOR: 2 x 28 Workers, businessmen unhappy with revised labor bill 4. ODD: 1 x 35 Stalker wanted to marry Serena

Comedians and language

Comedians and language From Kompas Television stations should carefully choose their programs for around 7 p.m. because children watch TV at this time. Inappropriate programs will adversely influence the development -- particularly psychological -- of these children. My observation shows that most TV stations screen programs featuring comedians as well as child actors and actresses. While it is true that children like comedians, it is a pity that these comedians do not use edifying language.

1,000 tons of rice for refugees

1,000 tons of rice for refugees AMBON, Maluku: Around 1,000 tons of rice donated by the Italian government is to be distributed to Maluku refugees who have returned to their homes. Maluku Public Welfare Office director Ishak Umarella said Saturday that the rice was now being stored in the Maluku Logistics Depot (Dolog) and would be distributed to the refugees who had already returned home.

Regions to receive higher revenue under amendment to fiscal balance law

Regions to receive higher revenue under amendment to fiscal balance law Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As mandated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the government is now in the process of drafting a revision to the existing law on intergovernment fiscal balance, which will allow regional governments to obtain higher revenues to finance their economic development programs and greater administrative power.

Workers and businessmen unhappy with revised labor bill

Workers and businessmen unhappy with revised labor bill Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Labor union activists and businessmen have expressed discontent with the changes to the labor bill being deliberated at the House of Representatives, saying the revision fails to accommodate their respective aspirations. "The revision is worse than the previous one as it reduces workers' rights.

PPP to grill Tosari over investment in PT QSAR

PPP to grill Tosari over investment in PT QSAR Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) is planning to grill its leader Tosari Wijaya over the party's alleged Rp 5 billion (US$5.6 million) investment in the now bankrupt profit- sharing agribusiness PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR).

1. WATER: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. WATER: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Govt fails to control groundwater exploitation 2. PDI: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 PDI Perjuangan tells members to vote in Sutiyoso or else 3. SRIBU: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 40 Islanders face a shortage of potable water 4. SPEAKUP: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 46 'City administration isn't serious about water problems'

Tough times ahead for Megawati without Akbar in presidential race

Tough times ahead for Megawati without Akbar in presidential race Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The three-year prison sentence handed down to House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the case of the abused non-budgetary funds will have long reaching implications. Political observer Afan Gaffar of Gadjah Mada University, who chairs its postgraduate program on local politics, shared his views with The Jakarta Post's Sri Wahyuni.

Balinese celebrate Saraswati Day

Balinese celebrate Saraswati Day Denpasar, Bali: Dressed in traditional clothes and carrying offerings, thousands of Balinese gathered on early Saturday morning at temples, schools and universities to celebrate Saraswati Day, which comes every 210 days. The Balinese, who have a strong belief in Hinduism, believe that the goddess Saraswati brought science and wisdom to enlighten people in the world.