Jakarta Post articles from February 2001

Jakarta Post archives from February 2001

Critics reproach Gus Dur for staying calm despite problem.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid became the target of sharp criticism as critics here on Tuesday reproached his seeming obliviousness to the nation's problems. Critics mocked him for calmly sipping tea abroad while people at home...

Forum on Asia by Asia launched.
February 28, 2001... BOAO, Hainan, China (JP): Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Tuesday launched the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), a new platform for government and non-government leaders of the region to address their problems from regional perspectives. Jiang...

Higher interest rates could bleed banks.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The country's major banks expressed fear on Tuesday that they could suffer financial bleeding again due to negative spread problem if domestic interest rates continued to increase. In a working meeting with the House of...

Trial of SIRA Chief to be held in Banda Aceh next week.
February 28, 2001... BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The government has bowed to demands to try Muhammad Nazar, the chief of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), in Banda Aceh. A local judge Farida Hanoum said on Tuesday the district court here was expected...

Drugs-free certificates needed.
February 28, 2001... YOGYAKARTA (JP): The new Yogyakarta Police Chief Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said Tuesday his office is planning to require drugs-free certificates for those applying for driving license and police clearance. The measure is taken to reduce the...

More areas in Banten prone to landslides.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): A team of geologist from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University warned that major landslides could recur in Cipanas district, Banten province. "The team conducted field observations in Cipanas district from Feb. 20 to...

Objections pour in over 22 KPU candidates.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives has received a significant number of public objections to the 22 government-proposed candidates for General Elections Commission (KPU) membership, a legislator said on Tuesday. Ferry Mursyidan...

Madurese association calls for restraint.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The nationwide Madura Community Association (Ikamra) on Tuesday urged all Madurese affected by the bloody pogroms in Central Kalimantan to exercise restraint and allow the matter to be resolved through the legal process. ...

Major factions oppose questioning over Bulog scandal.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Five major factions at the House of Representatives will recommend that faction members, who were on a special committee investigating two financial scandals allegedly linked to President Abdurrahman Wahid, defy summonses for...

Revocation of regulation on governor's accountability sought.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Observers on Tuesday demanded the government revoke its regulation on the requirement for governors to present an accountability speech, saying that the law still has many loopholes which could be exploited. Political...

Government-NGOs launch anti-drug campaign.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): A consortium of government and non-government institutions launched on Monday a nationwide five-year campaign aimed at encouraging young people to eschew drugs. In its initial year, the antidrug movement will target the nine...

Radius quizzed for twelve hours over Tutut case.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Former senior minister Radius Prawiro was grilled for almost 12 hours at the Attorney General's Office on Tuesday as a witness in an alleged mark-up of a state project involving former president Soeharto's daughter Siti...

Drug trafficker gets 15-year jail term.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court sentenced on Tuesday a 25-year-old man to 15 years in jail for possessing and trafficking 160 kilogram of marijuana. Presiding Judge Muchtar Ritonga's sentence was two-years lighter than the...

Dutch national arrested over drugs.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives arrested a Dutch national for possession of 108 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine), at his residence on Jl. Maja in Mangga Besar, Taman Sari subdistrict in West Jakarta, on Monday evening. ...

Twisted media reports deplored.
February 28, 2001... BOGOR, West Java (JP): The civil emergency administrator in Maluku, Governor Saleh Latuconsina, has urged the National Press Council to help the media in "telling the truth and being objective in reporting the Maluku case". "Since the...

Hotels exempt from nightspot ban.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The ban against nightspots in connection with the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice next week will be applied selectively, an official said on Tuesday. Spokesman for the city administration Muhayat said the ban would be...

New garbage collection fee expected to solve problems.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will apply increased garbage collection charges in all subdistricts in the capital by 2002, an official said on Tuesday. At the same time, residents will be required to pay the new charges along with...

Verdict on Sapuan to be handed down on March 20.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court will hand down on March 20 the verdict for former deputy chief of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Sapuan, who is being tried for allegedly embezzling Rp 35 billion (US$3.6 million). "We need...

Police arrest 3 suspects over donation scams.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives have recently arrested three men for allegedly using the names of top Indonesian Military (TNI) officers and government officials to con firms and officials into giving them donations for aid to Aceh and other...

Council has yet to endorse tap water rate hike plan.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The City Council has yet to endorse the city administration's proposal to impose the new tap water rates as many councillors still disagree with the proposed increase, a councillor said on Tuesday. "We (the council) will...

Bad news hits rupiah.
February 28, 2001... The Indonesian rupiah remained at its new lows on Tuesday after falling 2 percent on Monday to almost Rp 9,890 against the U.S. dollar, already its lowest level since October 1998, suffering from an accumulation of bad news over the past ten...

Addressing the Papua issue: A doctor's view.
February 28, 2001... TEMBAGAPURA (JP): Many Indonesians fear that Irian Jaya, now known as Papua by many people, could in the near future separate from Indonesia. The oft cited questions are: How could a separatist movement gain popularity in Papua? Why...

Agenda power: Why no takers?
February 28, 2001... MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Asked recently about holding one of their domestic summits, the government's key leaders said there was no point in meeting without a clear agenda. This insight, while undeniable, suggests something ominous:...

Animal welfare in Indonesia.
February 28, 2001... There are animal welfare groups all over the world -- Iran Thailand, etc., so why not here in Indonesia? Most people, regardless of race or religion, do not like to see the suffering of any creature. Much of the suffering is not deliberate...

A real option: Grass roots human security.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): If human security is the ability to live, to move and to work in satisfying, safe ways then the human security of a majority of Indonesian citizens is falling. The reasons are all too obvious. The country is threatened by...

Seeing red in a green garden at Kampung Daun.
February 28, 2001... BANDUNG (JP): The "in" places to eat in Bandung are two restaurants way up in the hills of Lembang. They have the style, but what about their substance? The Jakarta Post checked out one of them, Kampung Daun. Kampung Daun: Jl. Sersan Bajuri...

Spicy fried rice from the Kebon Sirih sidewalk.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta residents fond of a bowlful of fried rice will no doubt be familiar with the nasi goreng kambing (mutton fried rice) found at sidewalk eateries around the city. One with a reputation built over 30 years of serving up...

Forgiving easier said than done when a spouse cheats.
February 28, 2001... Infidelity, particularly repeated episodes of unfaithfulness, can mean a total loss of trust in a marriage or relationship. In the first of a regular series of articles on relationships, psychologist and family counselor Monty P. Satiadarma...

Compaq, Sisindosat team up.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Computer hardware and software producer PT Compaq Computer Indonesia has named Indosat subsidiary PT Sisindosat Lintasbuana its distributor in Indonesia. Compaq president B.T. Lim said here on Tuesday that Sisindosat would...

Rupiah Rates Feb.27.
February 28, 2001... Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,353.00 10,353.00 9,804.00 9,902.00 Australian dollar 1 4,885.07 5,412.55 5,120.63 5,176.77 Austrian schilling 1 618.94 685.42 648.79 655.56 ...

Timah attributes profits to rise in other income.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed tin company PT Timah announced on Tuesday its consolidated net income reached Rp 331.6 billion ($35 million) in 2000, a 4.25 percent increase from Rp 318 billion the previous year despite a drop in the company's...

Stock Exchange.
February 28, 2001... Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.27, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume Ades Alfindo 1,825 0 1,556,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 125 0 2,000 Alakasa Industrindo 145 0 0 Alfa Retailindo...

Mahathir wants tax on rich states to replace foreign aid.
February 28, 2001... BOAO, Hainan, China (JP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, continuing his anti-globalization rhetoric, broached his most bold proposal to date on Tuesday, with a call for the imposition of a tax on rich countries to replace foreign...

Indonesia looks into co-insurance scheme for future IPPs.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The government is planning to set up a co-insurance scheme with the World Bank to protect power projects in the country against risks which may stem from social and political uncertainties, according to an executive of global...

Island Seaplanes offers special sightseeing flights.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Island Seaplanes, a local chartered airline operator, launched on Tuesday a service offering sightseers a different view of Jakarta and surrounding areas from a 1952 Beaver DHC-2 seaplane. The airline's president, Moehamad...

Foreign banks eye Bank Mandiri's IPO business.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): President of the giant Bank Mandiri E.C.W. Neloe said on Tuesday that several foreign investment banks had sweetened their offers in a bid to win the underwriting business of the state-owned bank's initial public offering (IPO)....

Luxury tax affects PC sales: Apkomindo.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The imposition of the 20 percent luxury tax in January has caused a significant drop in sales of personal computers during the last two months, according to PC distributors. Hidayat Tjokroadjojo, president of the Indonesia...

DHL expects 10 percent growth in Indonesia.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): DHL Worldwide Express predicts a 10 percent revenue growth in Indonesia this year partly due to the launching of value-added services, as recently announced in its new Asia campaign. DHL marketing manager Soraya Rudianti...

Market glut pushes down pulp prices.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Pulp and Paper Producers Association (APKI) said on Tuesday that a market glut had driven international pulp prices down to as low as US$350 per metric ton, paling in comparison to the $550 demanded only six...

PBSI suffers deficit for All England trip.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will suffer Rp 300 million (US$37,760) deficit as a result of its about-face in deciding to finance the participation of all of its 28 shuttlers in the All England in Birmingham,...

IM to decide Rommy's fate soon.
February 28, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Muda (IM) club is expected to decide to which club it will sell top player Rommy Chandra for the 2001 season, said Doedie Gambiro, the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) official in charge of the national...

House backs all-out fight against corruption.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives threw its political weight on Monday behind an all-out war on corruption, which, many argue, has developed into an organized crime in crisis-plagued Indonesia. "Politically, the House supports...

House supports call for AFTA delay.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) received support on Monday from the House of Representatives (DPR) for its call to delay the country's participation in the ASEAN Free Trade Area. Kadin's chairman...

Government, IMF 'agree' on central bank issue.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The government and the International Monetary Fund "have bridged their differences" over the controversial amendment of the central bank law, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli said on Monday. Rizal said that...

Forest concession holders urged to foil forest fires.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): A regulation has been issued specifically aimed at preventing forest fires by holding more parties, including forest concession holders, accountable for fires breaking out in their areas, even if they are not directly...

PAP programs for female workers headed for abroad.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Female workers who will be sent overseas will again have the chance to prepare themselves with skills and information through the reinstated training session (PAP) organized by non- governmental organizations to avoid possible...

Government to hike prices of generic drugs.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Head of the Food and Drug Control Agency Sampurno revealed on Monday that the government would increase the prices of generic drugs by some 15 percent starting April this year. The increase, he said, was in line with the...

PPA content to be reduced in medication.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM) has set an April 8 deadline for the pharmaceutical industries to lower the content of phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a popular substance used as a decongestant in flu and cough medicines, to a...

Mahfud's views on police are his alone, 'not TNI's'.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The National Police Headquarters strongly objected on Monday to defense minister Mahfud MD's statement concerning the separation of the National Police from the Indonesian Military (TNI), calling it something that could "create...

Gus Dur continues overseas trip despite Sampit rage.
February 27, 2001... CAIRO (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said here on Monday that he would continue his two-week overseas trip despite the bloody ethnic pogrom raging in Central Kalimantan. Abdurrahman said he had already consulted with Coordinating...

Top police officers promoted in rank.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The National Police officially promoted 11 of its high- ranking officers in a ceremony at the National Police Headquarters on Monday. The promotions come shortly after a major reshuffle in the National Police, which...

Schools told not to collect state exam fees.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The City Education Agency has warned elementary and junior high schools across the capital against asking students to pay state exam fees, an official said on Monday. Head of the agency Masrul Nim said the policy was made in...

Autonomy Expo in JCC.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy in cooperation with PT Wahyu Promocitra will stage an exposition and seminars at the Jakarta Convention Center from Feb. 28 until March 2 to promote regional autonomy and the...

Tutut questioned over alleged oil project markup.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Businesswoman Siti Hardijanti Hastuti "Tutut" Rukmana went to the Attorney General's Office on Monday and was questioned for 10 hours over an alleged markup of a US$306 million government oil project. The eldest daughter of...

Clarification sought over abuse of Nike workers in Indonesia.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Footwear Association (Apresindo) was cautious on Monday in responding to reported labor abuses in Nike's Indonesian partner factories. Apresindo chairman Anton J. Supit said the association was seeking...

Reform of the National Police.
February 27, 2001... The following is the summary of the Feb. 20 report of the Brussels- based International Crisis Group on the National Police. JAKARTA: In the euphoria at the demise of the New Order, there was an expectation that the 1945 Constitution's...

Optimism possible despite a ravaged Indonesia.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): What is happening in Indonesia is very much connected with socio-political changes on a global scale. Various forms of social disruption have emerged and affected the structure of global society, repositioning the power...

Recommended U.S. policy for Indonesia and Maluku crisis.
February 27, 2001... The following is the second part of an excerpt from a report prepared for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom which held a hearing on the Maluku Islands on Feb. 13 in Washington D.C. The report is by R. William...

30 juniors enter training camp.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced on Monday its list of junior shuttlers to be admitted to the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta. Secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata told...

18 clubs compete in Silatama.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Eighteen renowned table tennis clubs have confirmed their participation in the Table Tennis National Circuit (Silatama) here from March 1 to March 4. Chief of the organizing committee, Ananda Isman, said on Monday that the...

Muara Angke wildlife reserve waits for helping hands.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): As Jakarta and its people remain wrapped in their own problems, the obstacles faced by Muara Angke wildlife reserve -- one of few reserves left in the capital -- go almost unnoticed. The reserve, along with its surviving...

DHL launches new ad gimmick.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): DHL Worldwide Express launched its new advertising gimmick for Asia, focusing on the customer's added value experience when using DHL services. DHL's senior technical advisor for Indonesia Mike Fitzpatrick said that the...

Rupiah Rates Feb.26.
February 27, 2001... Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,233.00 10,233.00 9,684.00 9,782.00 Australian dollar 1 4,867.64 5,399.95 5,105.40 5,161.96 Austrian schilling 1 615.50 682.53 645.56 652.45 ...

Stock Exchange.
February 27, 2001... Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 26, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume Ades Alfindo 1,825 -50 118,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 125 0 109,000 Alakasa Industrindo 145 0 0 Alfa...

Rates for tax payment, valid from Feb. 26 to March.4.
February 27, 2001... U.S. dollar 1 Rp 9,600.00 Austrian schilling 1 Rp 631.24 Australian dollar 1 Rp 5,012.16 Belgian franc 1 Rp 215.32 Canadian dollar 1 Rp 6,236.20 Swiss franc 1 Rp 5,670.41 Deutschemark 1 Rp 4,444.03 Danish krone...

IBRA to sell stake in iron company and subsidiary.
February 27, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) will sell its 97.69 percent stake in galvanized iron sheet manufacturer PT Kerismas Witikco Makmur as part of its asset disposal program to help finance the state budget. Dasa...

New elite Asian business club in the making.
February 27, 2001... BOAO, Hainan, China (JP): A new exclusive Asian business club will be formally launched on Tuesday at this subtropical resort overlooking the South China Sea, with ringing endorsements from Chinese leaders, two former presidents and six...

WB warning highlights tougher stance on Indonesia.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): A stern warning on Friday from the World Bank highlights a tougher stance by Indonesia's major lenders, including the International Monetary Fund, on the government due to its foot-dragging in the implementation of key economic...

Several major risks affect prospects.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank foresees several major risks that could adversely affect Indonesia's economic prospects in the short and medium term, including the economic slowdown in the U.S., huge foreign and domestic debts, fragile political...

Communal clashes in Sampit spread.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Communal clashes in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, which have already claimed hundreds of lives, spread to the capital of Palangkaraya on Sunday. Groups of men armed with traditional mandau swords and wearing red headbands --...

Indonesia committed to IMF agreement, Gus Dur says.
February 26, 2001... CAIRO (JP): In what appeared to be an attempt to allay concerns that Jakarta might part company with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), President Abdurrahman Wahid said here on Sunday that his government was committed to the Fund. ...

Security forces, GAM chiefs move to reduce violence.
February 26, 2001... BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): As commanders from the Indonesian security forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) concluded their peace talks, fresh violence hit the disputed province leaving eight persons dead in its wake, officials said over the...

Akbar asks his party members to be patient.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung has urged party members nationwide to remain patient amid continuing calls for the party to be dissolved. Addressing a gathering of hundreds of party members in Bandar Lampung, the...

I am not a corruptor: Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
February 26, 2001... TOKYO (JP): Former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita has denied any involvement in the Balongan oil refinery construction scandal, saying he is not a corruptor. "I am not a corruptor right?" he told The Jakarta Post...

More HIV/AIDS counseling required: Experts.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Medical practitioners here should not only focus on the clinical aspects of detecting and treating HIV/AIDS, but should also consider psychological and social aspects, such as counseling those infected with the deadly virus,...

Clash over book scandal.
February 26, 2001... MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A skirmish erupted between student demonstrators and members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Banser civilian guards at the Makassar Islamic University compound on Saturday. The incident took place during a local...

PDI-P to lobby other parties for coalition.
February 26, 2001... SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Sutjipto, has confirmed that the party is lobbying other political parties to form...

VP warns against regional egoism.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri warned local administrations on Saturday on the dangers of creeping regional egoism, which could jeopardize ties with the central government and undermine national unity. During her...

Public told to buy only certified livestock.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): The head of the Jakarta Husbandry office, Edi Setiarto, called on the public on Sunday to make sure that the cows and goats to be sacrificed in celebration of the March 5 Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice are certified. He...

Six people nabbed over rare bird trafficking.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): City Police arrested six people for selling protected bird species during a raid on a bird market on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, on Saturday. The six bird dealers are being detained by police for questioning. During...

Salary payments remain uncertain for PPD employees.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Some 5,600 employees of state bus company PPD remain uncertain of whether they will receive their salaries for February as the company management has claimed a shortfall of Rp 2.3 billion (about US$242,105) to pay the wages. ...

Suspect shot dead for attacking police.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): A team of city police mobile detectives unit shot dead a suspect on Saturday when the latter attacked a policeman with a machete. First Insp. Supriyadi, the team leader, said that the victim, identified as Entong alias...

Fire guts Sabang shops.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Fire gutted at least five stores and houses in the business area of Jl. Sabang in Central Jakarta early on Sunday. No casualties were reported. The fire started in the Natrabu restaurant at about 2:50 a.m. and due to strong...

Sutiyoso departs on haj pilgrimage.
February 26, 2001... JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso and his wife will join the last batch of Indonesian haj pilgrims scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on Monday. Speaking after Friday prayers at City Hall, Sutiyoso said that Deputy Governor of Social...