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Indonesia minister announces new prices of subsidised fuel products
2008-05-22 13:57:00
The government will hike the prices of subsidised premium gasoline and diesel fuel for transportation by 33.33 percent and 27.9 percent, respectively, to 6,000 rupiah and 5,500 rupiah per liter, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Thursday.Meanwhile, the price of subsidised kerosene for households will be raised by 25 percent to 2,500 rupiah, he said.On overage, the prices of subsidised fuel products will be hiked by 28.7 percent.The government has yet to decide the time to implement the increase."This is our (government) effort to phase out the fuel subsidy," Yusgiantoro told reporters after attending a hearing with the parliament.The government now still subsidises nearly half of the prices of premium gasoline and diesel fuel, and about 80 percent of kerosene. Subsidised fuels account for about 60 percent of nationwide consumption.Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said late Wednesday that by raising fuel prices, the government may be able to limit s...
More About: Business , Economy , Products , Indonesia

S'pore plans to open consulate cum trade office on Batam island
2008-05-22 12:14:00
Singapore plans to open a consulate cum trade office on the neighbouring Indonesian island of Batam by year's end. The facility will help Singaporean businessmen and visitors to the island. It will also give a further push to the Free Trade Zone of Batam, Bintan and Karimun jointly developed by Singapore and Indonesia.The plan was revealed by Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo after talks with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda in Jakarta. Mr Yeo is scheduled to review the progress of the Free Trade Zone with Indonesia's Vice-President Jusuf Kalla who is overseeing the joint project on the Indonesian side.Mr Yeo said: "It's been two years now since the framework agreement was signed. The authorities have been established. So this is a good time now to give it a further push."The Free Trade Zone provides special tax breaks under Indonesian law. Authorities hope to attract foreign companies to set up operations in the zone and provide jobs to Indonesians. Indonesia Ne...
More About: International , Office , Open , Island

Supreme Court installs new BI governor
2008-05-22 10:12:00
The Supreme Court is set to install former Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono as the new Bank Indonesia governor today.The initiation ceremony will be lead by the Court?s Deputy Chief for Non-Judicial Affairs, Harifin Tumpa, who is filling in for the Chief of Justice who is currently away.Boediono, elected by Commission XI of the House of Representatives, had been appointed to replace former governor Burhanuddin Abdullah whose tenure ended last week.Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is said to announce a new Coordinating Minister for the Economy after Boediono?s instalment.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Business , Governor

Yudhoyono, Jusuf Kalla risk their political careers by raising fuel prices
2008-05-22 02:35:00
Communications and Informatics Minister Muhammad Nuh said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have risked their political careers for the sake of the people by increasing fuel oil prices."If our leaders only think of their political careers, they would not increase fuel oil prices as such a measure would be disliked by everybody," the minister said at a function to familiarize the public with the fuel oil price adjustment, here Wednesdsay.Nuh said the government was indeed in need of providing cash assistance to compensate for the expected increase in fuel oil prices in an effort to maintain the people`s purchasing power.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Business , Political , Energy , Fuel , Careers

Bayern Kick Off Tour With 5 -1 Win
2008-05-22 02:33:00
Bayern Munich began their end of season Asian tour with a comprehensive 5-1 win against the Indonesian national side.The newly crowned Bundesliga champions started their nine day tour of the far East with an impressive win over Indonesia in Jakarta. Ottmar Hitzfeld sent out a team mixed with first team regulars and young hopefuls. A 70,000 crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium watched as Breno and a Jan Schlaudraff double sent the German double winners in at half-time with a reassuring 3-0 lead. Bambang Pamungkas pulled one back for the home team on the hour, but Schlaudraff completed his hat-trick before Toni Kroos produced a final flourish to make the final score 5-1.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Sports , Tour , Bayern , Kick , Kick-off

Boediono Pressed to Maintain Rates at Indonesia Central Bank
2008-05-22 02:29:00
In 1998, when Boediono was Indonesia 's planning minister, he refused to let President B.J. Habibie spend $300 million to develop a commercial aircraft industry. As Bank Indonesia governor starting today, he'll have to resist political pressure against raising interest rates.The first task facing Boediono, who goes by one name, will be to fight inflation. Consumer prices will surge at an 11.2 percent pace by year-end from 9 percent in April, the government forecast yesterday, after announcing it will allow average fuel prices to increase 28.7 percent.With an election set for next year, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono plans to cushion the effect of higher energy costs by making payments to Indonesia's poorest families. To keep that spending and the fuel costs from translating into higher prices, Boediono, 65, may raise interest rates to 8.5 percent in the third quarter, the highest in a year, from 8.25 percent, according to a Bloomberg News survey of 13 economists."Any governor ...
More About: Business , Economy , Central

Indonesia president urges calm as thousands protest
2008-05-21 13:59:00
Indonesia's president called for calm on Wednesday as thousands marched over rising prices on the 10th anniversary of the downfall of former President Suharto, and some protesters threw rocks and bottles at police. About 2,000 people marched on the presidential palace in Jakarta, and there were similar rallies in Medan in North Sumatra and in the country's second-largest city of Surabaya in East Java. Police said they detained at least 27 people in Jakarta after some demonstrators at the rally, which included students, farmers and workers, threw rocks, bottles and at least one petrol bomb at police. "I'm listening to issues the students are voicing as part of the unfinished reform agenda," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters. "Demonstrations are normal in a democracy, as long as they are orderly, because if anarchic, they will only add to problems," he added.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Business , Economy , Indonesia , Energy

Indonesian parliament to pass military tribunal law
2008-05-21 08:37:00
The Indonesian House of Representatives is poised to pass an amended law on military tribunals that would allow civilian courts to try soldiers involved in non-military offenses, local press said Wednesday. The planned passage of the much-awaited law has been lauded by experts and human rights activists who say the bill is essential in curbing impunity and ensuring transparency within the Indonesian Military (TNI). All factions in the House and the TNI had agreed to try servicemen facing criminal charges in civilian courts instead of military ones, reported English daily The Jakarta Post. "We will pass the amended bill into law during this sitting session, probably in June or July," chairman of the House's working committee on the law, Andreas Pareira, was quoted as saying.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: National , Crime , Justice

President: Indonesia must be selt-reliant nation
2008-05-21 03:00:00
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia must become a self-reliant nation so that it can pass through all problems and challenges facing the country and achieve the ideals of its founding fathers for a prosperous and sovereign nation.In his televised address broadcast nationwide to mark the 100th anniversary of national awakening here on Tuesday, the president underscored the need for Indonesia to become a self-reliant nation by taking advantage of its natural resources, human resources and other potentials."We must keep and forge self-reliance which serves as a basis for strength and resilience to move forward as a nation. Let us not rely on other nations, other countries and the world. With our own resources, we must be able to meet our needs on our own. By doing so, we will not be dictated by any other country, will be free and self-reliant," he said. Self-reliance was one of the three prerequisites to enable the Indonesian nation to deal with the present national cha...
More About: National , President , Nation

Ali Sadikin passes away
2008-05-21 02:59:00
Former Jakarta governor Lt Gen (ret) Ali Sadikin died at a Singapore hospital on Tuesday at the age of 81."He died at Glen Eagles Hospital after being treated for five weeks," his secretary, Mia, said by phone. During his term in office as Jakarta governor, he was known as a firm, honest, clean and moderate leader. Bang Ali and a number of retired generals and national figures issued a so-called Petition 50 in 1980 criticizing then president Soeharto.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: National , History

Some biofuel crops could become invasive species: experts
2008-05-21 02:56:00
Biologists have warned that countries thinking of joining the rush for biofuels run the risk of planting invasive plant species that could wreak environmental and economic havoc.In a report issued on the sidelines of a major UN conference on biodiversity, an alliance of four expert groups urged governments to select low-risk species of crops for biofuels and impose new controls to manage invasive plants."The dangers that invasive species pose to the world couldn't be more serious," said Sarah Simons, executive director of the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)."They are one of the top causes of global species loss, they can threaten livelihoods and human health and they cost us billions in control and mitigation efforts. We simply cannot afford to stand by and do nothing."Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Environment , Biofuel , Experts , Crops

Japan's Tohoku Electric buys Indonesia Tangguh LNG
2008-05-20 12:02:00
Japanese utility Tohoku Electric Power Co said it has made a 15-year agreement to lift about 120,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year starting in 2010 from the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia .Tangguh, in Papua province in eastern Indonesia, is due to produce 7.6 million tonnes of LNG a year from two trains. Operator BP Plc holds a 37.16 percent stake.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Business , Economy , Energy

Indonesian Buddhists celebrate Waisak at Borobudur
2008-05-20 11:57:00
Indonesia`s Buddhist community celebrated their holy day of Waisak in many parts of the country on Tuesday. The biggest celebrations took place at Borobodur and Mendut temples in Magelang District, Central Java. Around 15,000 Buddhists from Central Java, West java, Jakarta, East Java, Kalimantan, Bali and Sulawesi flocked to Mendut and Borobudur temples to observe the birth of Sidharta Gautama, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Indonesian Grand Sangha Conference (KASI) Waisak 2008 Sugiyanto said here on Tuesday. "At least 15,000 Buddhists are attending the celebration here, we have provided around 28,000 bottles of scared water up to now (at about 11.30 am local time), and all have been distributed to the congregation ," he said. The Waisak day marks the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar and celebrations take place at Buddhist temples throughout Java. After meditation, the Buddhists walked a distance of around three kilometers ...
More About: Celebrate

Political Islam on rise in Indonesia a decade after Suharto: analysts
2008-05-20 11:47:00
A DECADE after the fall of the Suharto leadership in Indonesia , democracy is providing fertile ground for the growth of political Islam in the world's most populous Muslim country, analysts said. As the country prepares to remember Suharto's 32 years in power on the 10th anniversary of his resignation on Wednesday, many see the rising strength of political Islam as a defining characteristic of Indonesia's reborn democracy. 'Political Islam has become one of the most important factors in shaping the future of Indonesia after the fall of Suharto,' Airlangga University political analyst Daniel Sparingga said. They cite the spread of strict Wahabbist teachings in Islamic schools, the debate among mainstream Islamic parties about sharia law and women's rights, and vigilante campaigns against 'immodesty' as causes for concern. But others say the real gains for Islam in Indonesian politics since Suharto have been at the moderate centre, not the fanatical fringe. ...
More About: Rise

Indonesia may be on brink of national bankruptcy
2008-05-20 01:48:00
Tuesday is a day on which the Indonesia n people commemorate the 100th anniversary of National Awakening Day. It is indeed a rare moment for the Indonesian people to celebrate one of their important historical events, and perhaps while none of the veterans of the May 20, 1908, have already passed away, the event is still observed today. Amidst the spirit to celebrate the national awakening day, actually this nation is on the brink of destruction or bankcruptcy.One-time Chairman of the Muhammadiyah, the second largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, Syafii Maarif, said that while the spirit of nationalism was already sounded a century ago through an event dubbed national awakening day, the number of the poor continued to increase and had reached 37.1 million based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. More surprisingly, the number of poor people in the country will increase further if the government`s plan to increase the prices of subsidized fuel oils is carried out b...
More About: Business , Economy , Bankruptcy

Major progress since Suharto, says vice-president
2008-05-20 01:43:00
Indonesia has made significant progress in advancing democracy, decentralisation and press freedom since the fall of former President Suharto ten years ago, according to Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla."Many things have changed, but these three are surely the most important," said Kalla in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).Suharto was forced to resign on 21 May 1998 after widespread protests partly triggered by a fuel price hike.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: National , History , Progress , Vice President

AP Exclusive: Noordin Moh Top may have fled Indonesia
2008-05-20 01:42:00
Southeast Asia's most wanted terror suspect, Noordin Top, may have evaded a massive manhunt and fled Indonesia , according to police documents obtained by The Associated Press.If confirmed, Top's escape would be a blow to Indonesia, which has been praised for its successes in the fight against terrorism. It would also raise worrying questions about Top's current location and future plans.The claim that he has fled is contained in police investigation reports into two senior Indonesian members of the Jemaah Islamiyah militant network who fled the country on a mission to link up with terrorist groups in the Middle East. They were arrested en route in Malaysia and extradited to Indonesia in late March.Sidney Jones, a researcher for the International Crisis Group and a leading international authority on militants in Southeast Asia, said it was "plausible" that Top had managed to escape. "If it is true, it's a mixed blessing for Indonesia," she said. "It would mean he was no longer a...
More About: Terrorism , Exclusive

SE Asia top terror suspect may have fled Indonesia
2008-05-19 09:04:00
SOUTH-EAST Asia 's most wanted terror suspect Noordin Top may have fled Indonesia . A recently arrested militant has told police an Algerian man who helped him escape from Indonesia also said Top had managed to flee the country . The claim is contained in police interrogation documents. A senior anti-terror officer said on Monday that police were still 'crosschecking' the information with other sources. Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Terrorism , Terror , Suspect

UN Body Says Torture Widespread In Indonesia
2008-05-19 05:41:00
Indonesia's police, armed forces and intelligence services routinely torture and degrade criminal suspects to extract confessions, with almost total impunity for those responsible, a United Nations rights body said on Friday.The UN Committee Against Torture said it was "deeply concerned about numerous ongoing credible and consistent allegations" of abuse in the Indonesian justice system.Military officials and "morality police" were also found to use disproportionate force and violence, particularly against women, in the Aceh province and other areas of conflict, the 10-member independent panel said in a report released in Geneva.It cited "grave concerns over the climate of impunity for perpetrators of acts of torture, including military, police and other state officials, particularly those holding senior position.""No state official alleged to have perpetrated torture has been found guilty," the committee said in its 14-page findings, which are not legally binding but carry diploma...
More About: Body , Indonesia , Crime , Justice , Human

China dumped South Korea in Thomas Cup final
2008-05-19 02:07:00
The Chinese Thomas Cup team succeeded in retaining the prestigious Thomas Cup after defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final at Senayan Sports Hall here on Sunday.The second Chinese doubles Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong paved their way to victory after overpowering their South Korea n opponents Lee Jae Jin and Hwang Ji Man 21-12, 19-21.Complete results of the 2008 Thomas Cup final are as follows:China vs S Korea (3-1)- Lin Dan vs Park Sung Hwan (10-21, 21-18, 21-8)- Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun vs Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae (23-25, 16-21)- Bao Chunlai vs Lee Hyun Il (28-26, 21-11)- Xie Zhongbo andGuo Zhendong vs Lee Jae Jin and Hwang Ji Man (21-12, 19-21, 21-12)Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com

Is freedom of religion conditional in RI?
2008-05-18 12:36:00
In the first few days after an Ahmadiyah mosque in Parakan Salak, Sukabumi, West Java, was burned down by a mob of hardliners at the end of last month, Siti Masitoh had to stop her 6-year-old son from running out from their modest house to the mosque for dusk prayers. Locking the door, the wife of the leader of Parakan Salak's Jemaah Ahmadiyah, Asep Saifudin, told her son in tears that the Al-Furqon mosque was no longer there. "It's like he forgets the mosque has been burned down," Masitoh said last Sunday. When he does remember, he cries and asks his parents to rebuild the mosque, which is now in ruins. Its roof and dome collapsed in the fire. On the evening of April 28, a group calling itself the Jamaah Al Mubalighin Communication Forum set fire to the mosque, which belongs to the Ahmadiyah sect.Ahmadis believe Punjabi Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who founded the Ahmadiyah group in 1889, is a prophet and also the messiah.Terror and intimidation by hardliners were not directed at Ahmadi...
More About: Freedom , Religion

Indonesian ferry with hundreds aboard catches fire
2008-05-18 12:28:00
A ferry carrying more than 700 people caught fire in rough seas off the Central Kalimantan province of the Indonesian portion of Borneo Island, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, officials and local media reports said. The Dharma Kencana ferry with 712 people on board, was en route from the Central Java port of Semarang to Sampit port in central Kalimantan when it caught fire at about 12:45 pm (0545 GMT), said the chief of the East Kotawaringin district, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Djihartono. Djihartono said that efforts were underway by the ship's crew members, aided by the Indonesian marine police and local fishermen, to extinguish the blaze. A local harbour official was quoted as saying by Kompas Cyber Media online that there were no casualties in the blaze. Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Travel , Tragedy , Disaster , Transportation

Indonesia limits fuel purchases ahead of price rise
2008-05-18 12:27:00
Indonesia's oil and gas company Pertamina has set limits on subsidised fuel purchases ahead of the government's plans to hike fuel prices, reports said Saturday.In an announcement sent to petrol stations around the capital and several other cities, Pertamina has limited retail purchases of gasoline and diesel fuel to 75,000 rupiah ($8) for private cars.Subsidised gasoline costs 4,500 rupiah per litre and diesel 4,300 rupiah.Pertamina vice president Djaelani Sutomo told the Jakarta Post the move aimed to prevent hoarding ahead of the price hike."We are doing this to control consumption, which has jumped significantly since the government announced its plan to raise domestic fuel price," he said.Indonesia announced its intention to raise fuel prices last week, with the rising global cost of oil forcing the country to spend increasing amounts on its multi-billion-dollar subsidy scheme.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Indonesia , Energy , Fuel , Price , Limits

Indonesian economy held back by resource plunder
2008-05-17 17:05:00
Indonesia is losing $16bn a year in natural resources to illegal logging, fishing and mining but can do little about it until military and civil servant salaries are significantly increased, according to the country's defence minister.Juwono Sudarsono said elements of the security forces, particularly navy personnel, were participating in the natural resources' theft and were likely to continue doing so until they were paid more.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Economy , Indonesian , Crime , Justice , Back

Uber Cup China - Indonesia 3-0
2008-05-17 17:03:00
INVINCIBLE China clinched their sixth consecutive Uber Cup team championship on Saturday, toppling Indonesia 3-0 to send an ominous warning ahead of the Beijing Olympics. The result was widely expected with the revitalised Indonesian women, a former world force, in their first final in 10 years. But with the Indonesian men unexpectedly dumped from the Thomas Cup on Friday by South Korea, national expectations were high. Such was the interest that Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono turned up to watch the match, only to leave disappointed. Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Sports

Senior actor and political activist Sophan Sophiaan killed in motor acciden
2008-05-17 11:39:00
A senior political figure of the PDI-P party, Sophan Sophiaan, died at Sragen hospital Saturday morning due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident at the borders of Central and East Java. According to Sophan's colleague, Tri Erika, the accident occurred at 09:30 am at the borders of Central Java town Sragen and Ngawi, in East Java. She said the late senior actor was riding his Harley Davidson at high-speed when the vehicle fell into a roadside hole. He subsequently fell into a coma and was brought to the Sragen hospital, where he breathed his last. Sophan was participating in a cross-Java Harley Davidson Club Indonesia (HDCI) convoy in commemoration of Indonesia's 100th anniversary of National Awakening.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Senior , Political , Motor , Tragedy , Disaster

North Minahasa regent gets 18 months for corruption
2008-05-17 11:38:00
The Anti-Corruption Court sentenced on Friday Vonnie Anneke Panambunan, suspended regent of North Minahasa, in North Sulawesi province, to 18 months jail for embezzling Rp 4 billion (US$433,000) of state funds. The sentence, the lightest ever awarded by the court, is less than the two years demanded by prosecutors. The court also ordered Vonnie to repay the state loss and to pay an additional fine of Rp 100 million, or spend an additional six months in prison. "I accept (the punishment)," she said, in response to the verdict. Vonnie had already admitted her crime. The prosecutors have yet to decide if they will appeal against the sentence (within seven days). Vonnie has already repaid Rp 4 billion to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), acknowledging her crime. The court ordered that a small excess paid to the state over and above what she embezzled should be given back to her. Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Crime , Justice , Regent

Newmont pays Rp41 billion in q1 royalties to govt
2008-05-17 02:22:00
PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) has paid the Indonesian government Rp41 billion in quarter I (January-March 2008) royalties, PT NNT spokesman Kasan Mulyono said in his press statement here on Friday.He said that the payment was done at the end of last April and was transferred to the account of the minister of finance.The payment of the royalties was done in accordance with article 13 of the work contract between PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara and the Indonesian government as well as the letter of the general mining director general in 2000.The company was established in 1986 and has a license to do explorations and exploitation of mineral resources based on a work contract signed with the Indonesian government on an operation area in Batu Hijau, Sumbawa district, West Nusa Tenggara province. Batu Hijau is an open mining site which is rich in copper condensate deposits with a small gold content.Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Business , Economy , International , Pays , Royalties

Amien Rais admits having participated in student protest
2008-05-17 02:20:00
Former People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Amien Rais admitted he had participated in a student rally against the government`s plan to raise fuel oil prices at the students` request. He also said before the demonstration, he had attended and addressed a Student Executive Board (BEM) meeting in Jakarta last May 11, but he denied he had "masterminded" the student street protests. Speaking to reporters at the Airlangga University campus here on Thursday, Rais said: "I was invited to speak at a BEM meeting in Jakarta on May 11, and then I was asked to accompany them in street rallies but I was not the mastermind of the protests against the fuel price hike plan."He made the statement to counter State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Syamsir Siregar`s accusation that the widespread student protest rallies "could have been orchestrated by former ministers or state officials."Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com
More About: Protest

Thomas cup: It is China vs Korea
2008-05-17 02:15:00
Lee Chong Wei upset world number one Lin Dan on Friday but it proved futile as defending champions China crept past Malaysia 3-2 and into the Thomas Cup final.South Korea advanced to Thomas Cup men's badminton final after beating host nation Indonesia 3-0 Friday night in the semifinal showdown at the Bung Karno Sports Hall here. South Korea's Park Sung Hwan beat Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21-12, 12-21,21-18. After losing the first game, Indonesian pair Markit Kido/Hendra Setiawan lost to their South Korean rivals Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae 19-21, 21-18, 10-21 in the doubles. South Korean second singles Lee Hyun Il demolished Taufik Hidayat 21-13, 21-14. In a news briefing after the match, South Korea's team manager Kim Jong-Soo said that it is the first time for his team to advance to Thomas Cup final and "we will try our best to win the championship in the final".Indonesia News Blog: http://indosnesos.blogspot.com