Friday, January 30, 2009
US Envoy Says Education Supports Peace in Aceh
Banda Aceh - Education can support the continuity of peace in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) province, United States Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume said here on Thursday.

President Asks Press to Guard Process of Democracy
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hoped that the national press needs to continue supporting the process of democracy in the country by making the general elections this year a success.

Regional Budgets Should Also Provide Fiscal Stimuli: BI
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Boediono suggested that financial stimuli should be provided not only through the state budget (APBN) but also through regional budgets (APBD).

Regional Development Banks Should Boost Local Economies
Regional development banks (BPD) are to boost their contributions to stimulating the economy in the regions, to provide alternative liquidity sources amidst the global financial crisis.

No More Extension for Tax Amnesty, Mulyani Says
Despite the success of the government’s tax amnesty for administrative violators, dubbed as the Sunset Policy, there will be no extension beyond the Feb. 28 deadline.

Laksono: Golkar Party Remains Solid
Jakarta - Golkar Party Vice Chairman Agung Laksono said the party had remained solid with none of its cadres moving closer to Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, a Golkar member to run for president outside the party. "No, there is no such movement," Laksono said at the parliament building in response to rumors that some Golkar cadres and functionaries had changed attitude and become inclined to support the Sultan.

President Inspects Bureaucratic Reform in National Police
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla inspected preparations for bureaucratic reform in the National Police (Polri) at the National Police Headquarters here on Friday.

Thursday, January 29, 2009
President: General Elections Should Not Become Burden
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the general elections as a democratic exercise held once every five years should not become a burden.

RI Foreign Ministry Holds Session to Socialize 2008 APEC Results
Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry here on Wednesday held a session to socialize the result of 2008 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, and priorities in 2009 APEC.

APEC 2009 Focuses on Continuing Trade, Investment Facilitation
Jakarta - The 2009 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) in Singapore will focus on continuing to facilitate trade and investment in Asia and the Pacific, an envoy said here on Wednesday.

Parties Doubt MUI Edict Could Draw People to Polling Booths
Indonesian Muslims will ignore the recent edict by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s highest Islamic authority, to ban vote abstention, as people’s decision to vote will be determined by political calculation rather than religious dogma, politicians from major parties said Wednesday.

Government to Cut Business’s Tax Burden by Rp 43 Trillion
Jakarta - The government will reduce the tax burden of businesses by up to Rp43 trillion in 2009 as a fiscal stimulus for the country's economic resilience, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

KADIN : Government Should Help Lower Bank Interest Rates
Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) called on the government and monetary authorities to help lower bank interest rates to make the government's fiscal stimuli effective in developing the real sector.

RI'S CPO Production in 2009 Estimated at 20 Million Tons
Jakarta - Indonesia's crude palm oil production in 2009 is estimated to total 20 million tons, of which 4.5 million to 5 million tons will be consumed at home and the rest exported, a CPO businessman said.

Waiving Taxes Will not Help Job-Intensive Sectors: Kadin
Businesses have warned the government against giving firms in labor-intensive sectors a waive in employees’ taxes they normally bear, with details of the plan still sketchy.

Council Urges the Attorney General to Work Quicker
The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) told Attorney General Hendarman Supandji to solve graft cases in many regions.

Survey: Most Mosques in Jakarta are 'Moderate Leaning'
A recent survey conducted by the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University's (UIN) Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture revealed Thursday that, although the majority of mosque leaders in Jakarta are still 'moderate' leaning.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
RI, Other Countries Told to Form Strong Lobbying Team for Palestine
Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Salim Segaf Al-Jufrie said here Tuesday that Indonesia should unite with other countries to form a strong lobbying team for Palestine's freedom.

Government Unveils Final Stimulus Plan to Boost Economy
After giving conflicting figures, the government has finally set the stimulus at Rp 71.3 trillion (US$6.31 billion) to boost the economy amid the threat of crisis.

Investment Predicted to Grow 10.7-11.2 Percent in 2009
Jakarta - The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) predicted investment growth would reach 10.7-11.2 percent in 2009 mostly contributed by investors, an official said here Tuesday.

Tenacity, Productivity Help Diffuse Economic Downturn
Like oxen, businesspeople must remain tough and productive to help them diffuse the global economic downturn and maintain economic growth this year, according to two Chinese-Indonesian businessmen.

Government Vows to Conduct Criminal Probe Into Forest Fires
The government has promised to open criminal investigations into a forestry company and a group of local farmers accused of using illegal slash-and-burn methods to clear land, causing widespread forest fires across Riau province.

RI Told to Use Own Budget for Climate
Indonesia should review its strategies for financing programs to combat climate change and stop relying on foreign aid, with developed nations cutting their funding for global warming initiatives, experts warned Tuesday.

Five Million Hectares of Critical Land Ready for Reforestation: Minister
Solok, W Sumatra, (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Forestry is ready to carry out reforestation this year on five million hectares of the present 27 critical land in Indonesia, Forestry Minister MS Kaban said.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
RI Proposes Establishment of Gaza Medical International Initiative
Gaza City (ANTARA News) - In order to make a better coordination in rendering health assistance to thousands of injured Palestinians in Gaza, Indonesian voluntary workers of the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) propose the establishment of Gaza Medical International Initiatives (GMII).

Poll Monitors Form Union to Boost Transparency
NGOs conducting public opinion and exit polls have established an association that obliges members to reveal their sponsors and donors in an effort to fight their tainted image ahead of the upcoming elections.

Megawati Calls for Honest, Fair Elections
Solo, Central Java - Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri said here Tuesday she hoped the legislative and presidential elections later this year would be conducted in the most honest and fairest ways possible.

National Logistics Agency Ready to Optimize Food Diversification
Jakarta - The National Logistics Agency (Bulog) was ready to be the government's partner in optimizing the implementation of food diversification program in a bid to reduce the people's dependence on rice as staple food.

Protection Planned for Securities Investors
Amid the huge losses suffered by local investors through risky investment products issued by banks, a move by the authorities to jointly certify the products before they go public could be a case of too little, too late.

ASEAN, India to Ink FTA Soon, Boost Trade by 30%
After a string of protracted negotiations since 2003, ASEAN is to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with India during its next month’s summit.

Economist Warns Investment Climate Remains Week
The sharp drop in actual investment last year indicates that there are serious problem in the government's industrial development policies, a senior economist says.

Fuel Price Increases Hurt Domestic Investment: BKPM
Domestic investment in the January-May period dropped by 68.3 percent from a year earlier because of uncertainty before and after the fuel price rises, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) says.

Log Export Expected to Raise Timber Price
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Forestry Ministry's plan to open exports of logs produced from timber estates (HTI) would help HTI businesses strengthen their bargaining power in facing domestic pulp and paper industries at home, an executive said.

Insight: Riding Out Economic Storm
The theory of chaos in natural science explains how a butterfly beating its wings over the Amazon can lead to a hurricane in the Caribbean.

Friday, January 23, 2009
FM : Hambali May Be Transferred to Indonesia
Jakarta - Indonesian-born terror suspect Hambali may be transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Indonesia for trial, Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda said here Friday.

Obama Speaks Indonesian During State Department Visit
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - On his second day in office, US President Barack Obama visited the Department of State in Washington DC and had an opportunity to speak in Bahasa Indonesia, the US Embassy here reported on Friday.

RI to Accommodate ASEAN's Interests at G-20 Summit
Jakarta - Indonesia will accommodate the interests of ASEAN member countries at the next G-20 Summit to be held in London, April 25, 2010, a minister said.

Indonesia Vows to Support Free Trade
Indonesia will remain committed to free trade and will avoid protectionism as it copes with fallout from the global financial crisis, the Foreign Minister says.

VP: Infrastructure Development One of Economic Stimuli
Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Thursday the government will in 2009 encourage the development of the infrastructure sector as one of the stimuli to boost the economy amidst the global economic downturn.

Exxon, Chevron in $6.76B Deal to Feed Gas-Hungry Local Market
Global energy giants, including ExxonMobil Corp and Chevron Corp, on Thursday signed deals worth US$6.76 billion with domestic industries to supply gas.

VP : Government Making No Distinction Between Islamic, Public Schools
Kediri, East Java - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla said the government was not making any distinction between Islamic schools and public schools in making budget allocations.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Insight: President Obama and Indonesia-United States Relations
Congratulations the United States. For the first time in more than 230 years of American history, an African American, Barack Obama, is installed as president of the United States. All Americans should be proud. There is so much euphoria, and so many expectations have been placed on president Obama’s shoulders. This is not only the case in the United States, but all over the world. This pressure has been building since he was elected last November.

VP Confident Obama Able to Create Peace in Middle East
Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed optimism that US President-elect Barack Obama will be able to bring about peace in the Middle East.

Legislator Hopes Obama to Make Changes for Muslim Community
Jakarta - A House of Representatives (DPR member of the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has expressed hope US President Barack Obama would bring about major changes in the world, especially in conditions affecting the Islamic community.

Voters not Convinced by Posters and Banners
Along the East to North Jakarta stretch of Jl. Gen. D.I. Panjaitan, barely a blank space can be seen among the sea of campaign posters and banners covering the roadside for the 3,000 legislative candidates fighting for seats in the Jakarta legislative bodies.

KPU Insists on ‘Free Seats’ for Women at Legislative Bodies
The General Elections Commission (KPU) vowed to issue a regulation to award more legislative seats to women should the government fail to enact a government regulation in-lieu-of law (Perppu) on the matter.

Government Sells Rp3.24 Trillion Worth of State Debentures
Jakarta - The government on Tuesday succeeded in selling Rp3.25 trillion worth of state debentures (SUNs) in an auction of four SUN series valued at a total of Rp6.80 trillion, a senior finance ministry official said.

RI Needs 57.442 MW More Electricity in Next 10 Years
Jakarta - Indonesia, in the next ten years, is predicted to require more electricity of 57,442 MW, including 35,274 MW from state electricity company PT PLN and 22,168 MW to be contributed by independent power producers.

Banks Cut Lending Rates to Accelerate Real Sector
Indonesia’s top banks Bank Mandiri and Bank BNI have started cutting their lending rates in response to the central bank’s rate cut.

Government Considers Direct Appointment
The Minister of Justice and Human Rights Andi Matalatta is considering directly appointing a company to establish a new online service for registering legal permits in order to avoid any further financial losses for the government.

Friday, January 16, 2009
Survey Institutions Prepare Code of Ethics
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: A number of survey institutions have agreed to formulate a code of ethics to ensure that their research results do not harm the public. These codes of ethics arrange monitor the accountability of the survey results. As such, the independence and quality of survey institutions can be maintained.

Government to Sell Rp 3 Trillion Worth of Bonds in Auction
Jakarta - The government plans to sell Rp3 trillion worth of bonds in an auction on January 20 to meet part of its financing targets under the 2009 state budget.

Government Mulls Cutting Expenditure to Ease Deficit
Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that the state budget deficit could be lower than initially expected as the government was planning to exercise greater efficiency in its spending.

Government to Take Over Workers Tax Liabilities to Help Firms
As the global economic crisis deepens, the government plans to take over tax liabilities normally paid by companies, to help maintain jobs.

President Declares War on Mark-Ups
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that the culture of marking up the cost of goods and service procurement is the source of corruption and collusion that we must fight against. “This is a disease,” he said, officially opening the National Indonesian Consultant Association (Inkindo) convention at the Presidential Palace yesterday.

BI Governor Optimistic 2009 Inflation Target to be Met
Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Boediono said he was optimistic BI’s inflation projection of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for 2009 will be met.

Relatives Can Bid for State Projects: SBY
Public servants’ relatives can bid for state projects and do businesses related with public procurement, says President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Handicrafts: Batik Takes on a New Shape
Housewife Budi Hariyati had never imagined she would work in the batik industry. After all, batik is a Javanese tradition, and she lives in Kalimantan.

Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hillary Clinton Recognizes RI's Economic Role
Jakarta - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in her statement when testifying as secretary of state nominee at the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee in Washington DC, last Tuesday (Jan. 13), recognized Indonesia's role in dealing with the global economic crisis.

Trade Minister Calls for Food, Beverage Price Cuts
Jakarta - Trade Minister Mari Pangestu has called on the business community to help preserve the people's purchasing power by lowering processed food and beverage prices now that fuel oils and electricity are costing less.

Quick Budget Revision Necessary to Maintain 'Momentum'
A quick revision of the 2009 state budget is necessary as a delay would vent momentum pushing economic growth, which is essential to "neutralize" the impacts of the global financial crisis, a minister says.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009
RI Supports UN Resolution Condemning Israeli Human Rights Violations
Jakarta - Indonesia had supported the United Nations Human Rights Commission's resolution which strongly condemned the Israeli military assaults and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip, a statement said.

RI, Netherlands to Strive for Cease-Fire in Gaza
Jakarta - The Indonesian and Dutch governments have agreed to strive for the achievement of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip where more than 900 Palestinians have been killed during three weeks of Israeli military aggression.

Indonesia Upgraded to 'Free' Country by US Agency
Indonesia, which became Southeast Asia's largest democracy when President Soeharto was ousted in 1998, maintained its status as a free country in 2008, according to a report released by a US-based international rights agency.

President Wants Immediate Constitutional Amendment
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono underlined Tuesday the importance of a fifth amendment to the Constitution, while speaking to hundreds of veterans.

Government to Give Business, Public Additional Fiscal Stimuli
Jakarta - The government has decided to give the business sector and the public additional fiscal stimuli under the 2009 state budget to strengthen their resilience in facing the present global financial challenges, a spokesperson said.

Jakarta Stocks Gain in Technical Rebound
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) closed 5.891 points higher in the bourse's morning session on Wednesday.

Foreign Donors Can No Longer Dictate
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The government and foreign donors -- country or multilateral institutions -- have agreed to commit to the independence and authority in the implemention of a loan or grant. The agreement was affirmed in the Jakarta Commitment, signed by the government and 22 donors at the National Development Planning Board office last Monday.

RI's Emissions Have Decreased: Report
The government reported a significant decrease in the country's greenhouse gas emissions that could be used to counter a series of international reports ranking Indonesia as the world's third largest polluter.

Minister Rebuts Criticism of Climate Plan
State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar said Tuesday that the government was working harder to realize the national action plan, designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
ICG: Indonesia Can Play Positive Role in Gaza
Jakarta - International Crisis Group (ICG) President Gareth Evans opined that Indonesia could play a positive role in efforts to solve the Gaza crisis following Israeli air raids on Gaza Strip in Palestinian area since December 27, 2008.

Elections: Clerics Want NU to Remain Apolitical
Senior clerics from Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim group, have made a pre-election pledge to maintain impartiality, despite the fact many of its 40 million members are involved in politics.

TNI’s Neutrality Well Preserved: Defense Minister
Jakarta - Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said the National Defense Forces (TNI) had performed well in maintaining its neutrality.

President Yudhoyono Asks Bizmen to Respond to Lower Fuel Prices
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked members of the business community to adjust the prices of their products to the lower subsidized fuel oil prices to be effective on January 15, 2009.

Ten State Firms to Undergo Restructuring: Minister
Jakarta - State Enterprises Minister Sofyan Djalil said his office had proposed 10 state-owned companies for financial restructuring by the Asset Management Company (PT PPA) because they were in financial trouble.

RI to be More Independent in Managing Its Debts
Jakarta - National Development Planning Minister Paskah Suzetta said the Indonesian government would have more independence in managing its debts with a declaration to that effect by donor countries and agencies.

Inflation Expected to Drop Following Fuel Oil Price Cuts
Jakarta - The Indonesian government expects inflation to drop by up to 0.53 percent following its decision to cut domestic fuel oil prices again as of January 15.

Business: Investment Growth to Hit Double-Digits
Despite the global economic downturn, the estimated realized direct investment in Indonesia may still reach double-digits this year spurred by incentives and the stimulus packages designed by the government, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) says.

Stock Market: IDX to Implement New Auto Rejection System Next Week
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) authority will apply next week a new mechanism that caps the movement of share prices to help reduce volatility given current unfavorable market sentiment.

Global Crisis: Government Slammed for Unrealistic Unemployment, Poverty Targets
Experts have criticized the government for claiming they will continue to drive down unemployment and poverty rates despite data showing the global financial crisis is due to hit Indonesian industries hard and lead to mass layoffs.

Ocean Conference: RI Must Take Sterner Action Against Illegal Fishing Nations
The Indonesian government must use the momentum it gained through hosting the World Ocean Conference (WOC) in May to force foreign countries to stop illegal fishing in its waters, an activist says.

Monday, January 12, 2009
Indonesia Doubts Effectiveness of UN's Resolution
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda doubts that the United Nation's Security Council resolution issued last Friday can reduce Israel's attack on Gaza. This is because the resolution did not call for the establishment of an international observer team to oversee the ceasefire.

RI, Syria to Urge UNSC to Issue 'Stronger' Resolution
Jakarta - The Indonesian and Syrian governments have agreed to urge the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to issue a "more effective and stronger" resolution to stop Israeli attacks on Palestine.

Israel Disappointed Over Indonesian Publication
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Israeli government said they were very disappointed with the way the Indonesian media has reported the Zionist country's aggression on Gaza.

Survey: Many Votes May Be Wasted Due to Lack of Knowledge
The poll, conducted by Indo Barometer in December, found that only half of respondents knew that legislative elections would take place in April 2009. "It is extremely dangerous and could spark anarchy," Indo Barometer Executive Director Mohammad Qodari said on Sunday.

Insight: Indonesia Has the Potential to Become a Black Swan
Nassim Nicholas Taleb published a book recently called The Black Swan. This New York Times bestseller by the prominent literary essayist explores the emergence of highly improbable world events. He calls them black swans.

Saturday, January 10, 2009
President Appreciates RI People's Solidarity With Palestine
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Saturday he appreciated all efforts made by various parties in the country to show their solidarity with and sympathy for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip who were suffering under Israel’s military attacks.

RI, France Disappointed UNSC Resolution Unheeded
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Saturday Indonesia and France were disappointed by the fact that the United Nations Security Council's resolution on Gaza has gone unheeded so that violence in the region was continuing and claiming more lives, including those of children and women.

Muhammadiyah's Letter on Israel-Palestine Peace for Obama
Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Muhammadiyah General Chairman Din Syamsudin representing leaders of Indonesian civil society organizations sent an open letter to US President-elect Barack Obama via US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume at the US Embassy here Friday.

Survey: Yudhoyono Leads Presidential Polls
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Head of the Social and Economic Research, Education and Information Institute of Social and Economic Affairs (LP3ES) Fajar Nursahid, stated here Friday that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was still leading the presidential election polls.

Friday, January 9, 2009
RI Welcomes UNSC Resolution on Israeli Attacks
Jakarta - Indonesia welcomes the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1860/2009 on Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip which was approved on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda said here Friday.

Indonesia, Partners Called to Strive for Peace in Palestine
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Palestinian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Indonesia, Fariz N Mehdawi, here Thursday called on Indonesia and other partner countries to use political approaches to gain peace process between Israel and Palestine.

President Asks Business Community to Lower Commodity Prices, Transport Fares
Jakarta- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wants the business community to be "fair and just" with regard to basic necessary prices and transport fares in light of the domestic fuel oil price cuts the government announced in December last year.

Government May Lower Fuel Oil Prices: Kadin
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - There is a chance for the government to accept a proposal by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to decrease premium gasoline and diesel oil prices by Rp500 per liter, Kadin chairman MS Hidayat said.

Government Hopes BI Rate Cut Will Stimulate Investment
Jakarta - The government hopes that the lowering of Bank Indonesia's (BI/the central bank) benchmark rate on Wednesday will serve as a stimulus to investment and economic growth, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

Poverty Rate Down, Will Drop Further: Government
The government claims it managed to reduce unemployment and poverty rates in 2008 and will continue to further drive the figures down this year despite the looming threat of the global financial meltdown on the country.

Army to Tighten Limits on Arms Procurement
Jakarta - Army Chief of Staff General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo said the army would put more stringent limits on its arms procurement and reduce the frequency of routine exercises in view of a decrease in the defense budget this year.

Thursday, January 8, 2009
Nationalism Won't Boost Competitive Edge: SBY
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned Wednesday that attempts by domestic industries to play the nationalist card to seek protectionist policies would lead to lack of competitiveness in the domestic market.

Gus Dur : Palestine, Israel Should End Conflict Through Talks
Yogyakarta - Former President Abdurrachman "Gus Dur" Wahid said Palestine and Israel should come to the negotiation table to stop their military conflict.

Interfaith Leaders Urge UN to Stop Israeli Attacks
Dozens of interfaith leaders and politicians visited the United Nations office in Jakarta on Wednesday to pressure it to put an end to the Israeli strikes against Gaza.

RI Using Nuclear Technology for People’s Welfare
Temanggung - Indonesia uses nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and to help improve the people's welfare, National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) chief Hudi Hastowo said here on Thursday.

Central Bank Responds to Critics with Sharp Rate Cuts
The central bank has given the corporate sector hope by slashing its benchmark interest rate for the third consecutive month in a bid to cushion the impact of the global economic slump and amid a recent slowdown of inflation.

Komodo Park Qualifies as a Seven Wonder of the World
TEMPO Interactive, Geneva: The process of selecting one of the Seven Wonders of the World came to the final phase yesterday. About 261 nominees from 222 countries have passed this round. These nominees can be voted for through www.new7wonders.com.