Monday, March 30, 2009
President to Meet British PM Gordon Brown
London - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, London, on Tuesday at 1 pm London time or 7 pm Western Indonesian Time.

New US Press Attache Pleased to Work With Indonesian Media
Jakarta, - New US Press Attache, Paul Belmont, said he was pleased to work with the Indonesian mass media and would continue to help promote and maintain the good relations between Indonesia and the United States.

SBY Pledges Special Decree to Uphold Graft Court
Strengthening his stance against corruption ahead of the upcoming elections, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has unveiled a plan to issue a government regulation-in-lieu-of-law (Perppu) should lawmakers fail to pass a corruption court bill by the end of this year.

MK: Quick Counts Now Allowed on Voting Day
Voters have been granted the right to know who the winner of the upcoming legislative elections is within a few hours of the ballots closing, a court has ruled.

Foreign Observers Gear Up for Monitoring
Seven foreign agencies and seven diplomatic contingents are to deploy their own teams to monitor the upcoming legislative elections, focusing on certain provinces prone to electoral manipulation.

Economically Viable Premium Gasoline Price Reaches Rp5,000 Per Liter
Jakarta, - The government has noted that the economically viable price of premium gasoline in March was Rp5,000 per liter or higher than the subsidized price of Rp4,500 per liter, a cabinet minister said.

BNI's Profits Up 36 Pct
Jakarta, - Bank BNI last year booked a net profit after tax Rp1.2 trillion, up by 36.1 percent compared to the Rp898 billion booked in 2007.

Monday, March 30, 2009
RI to Attend Washington Meeting Next Month
US President Barack Obama has invited the leaders of 17 major economies, including Indonesia, to attend a new international forum on climate change in Washington in late April.

President's Participation in G-20 Summit is Honor, Responsibility
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's participation in the upcoming G-20 Summit is an honor and at the same time a responsibility to the international world, according to a presidential spokesman.

Yudhoyono: Government Must Not Sell State Assets
Medan, N Sumatra, - The chairman of the Democratic Party's advisory board, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the government must rely mainly on domestic income to implement development projects and avoid selling state assets.

Yudhoyono Asks Political Parties in Aceh to Maintain Security
Banda Aceh, - Chairman of the Democratic Party's Advisory Board Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appealed to all political parties in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province to preserve security during campaign periods and general elections.

True Alliances Yet to be Seen as Parties Close Ranks
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's re-election bid has gained support from beyond his Democratic Party, but analysts say neither of the recent political groupings in favor of or against him have substance in terms of true coalitions.

Kadin Calls for Swift Steps as Economy Under More Pressure
A further downward revision of Indonesia’s forecast economic growth by the central bank shows the economy is under stronger pressure from the global financial crisis, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) says, urging the government to take more rapid steps to mitigate the crisis.

China Asks Indonesia to Maintain ASEAN Regional Security
Beijing - China has asked Indonesia to jointly step up security in ASEAN region, especially during the global financial crisis which led to a significant change in the field of security and defense.

Sunday, March 29, 2009
By The Way: Being Indonesian and Proud of Itn
Another head scratching moment for me and for people who assist me — as an Indonesian passport holder I always face the same issue every time I need or plan to go to other countries outside ASEAN. Applying for entry visas, with stacks of documents and tedious preparations required. At the end I always feel overwhelmed filling in the forms and preparing necessary documents.

Friday, March 27, 2009
President to Attend G-20 Summit in London
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will visit London from March 30 to April 2, 2009 to attend the G-20 Summit.

$34B of Government Projects Up for Grabs by Private Sector
The government is putting US$34 billion of infrastructure projects up for grabs by the private sector in 2009-2010, to be built between 2010 and 2012 under public-private partnership schemes, a minister says.

Government Able to Finance Only 31 Pct of Infrastructure Projects
Jakarta - The Indonesian government is able to provide only 31 percent or Rp450 trillion of Rp1,429 trillion in investment funds needed to implement infrastructure projetcs in the 2010-2014 period, a cabinet minister said.

Government Offers Infrastructure Projects Worth US$4.5B
Jakarta, - The government is ready to offer eight infrastructure projects worth US$4.5 billion to investors in the coming two to three months, a cabinet minister said.

Government Absorbs Rp 2 Trillion from State Treasury Bill
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The government has absorbed Rp 2 trillion from the sale of the State Treasury Bill (SUN) SPN20100311 and F0030 series. This is equivalent to the target at last week’s auction announcement. The sale of SPN20100311 topped Rp 1,2 trillion while that of the F0030 was Rp 800 billion. The offer made reached Rp 9, 055 trillion.

Survey: SBY Still Strongest Presidential Candidate
Jakarta - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), chairman of the Democrat Party's advisory board, remains the strongest candidate for the presidential elections in July, according to result of a survey.

Barriers in Taking Hambali to Indonesia
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian government has difficulties in returning Hambali home from Guantanamo prison. Teguh Wardoyo, Director for Protection for Indonesian Citizens and Legal Assistance of the Foreign Affairs Minister, said the US has never said Hambali is an Indonesian, “Neither does Hambali,” said Teguh in Jakarta, yesterday.

RI Seeks to Reduce Dollar Dependency
Indonesia has joined a growing list of countries calling for concerted efforts to reduce dependency on the US dollar amid the global drying-up of liquidity.

BI Revises Down Economic Growth Estimate
The central bank has revised its estimate for the country’s economic expansion to between three to four percent or slower than the four to five percent growth expected earlier.

Investment in Plantations Now Turned to Downstream Sector
Bengkulu - Investment in plantations in Bengkulu province will be focused on the downstream sector, covering the building of crude palm oil (CPO) processing plants, especially in the southern parts of the province, where more of these plants are needed.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Foreign Investors Still Have High Confidence on Indonesian Economy
Jakarta, - Foreign investors still believed the Indonesian economy will grow despite the ongoing global financial crisis.

Kalla: S Kalimantan to be Developed as National Steel Center
Banjarmasin - Golkar Party chairman Jusuf Kalla, who is also the vice president, said on Wednesday that South Kalimantan would be developed into a national steel center for the sake of local people's welfare.

Major Parties Pledge Equal Treatment of Investors
Major parties promised to treat foreign investors equally, although their representatives did not elaborate on whether they would maintain or revise business regulations.

Indonesia - China Deal Boosts Rupiah Rate
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The rupiah rate yesterday strengthened sharply by 145 points to 11.580 per US dollar. The boost was triggered by an Indonesia - China currency exchange agreement worth Rp175 trillion, which is expected to manage foreign exchange shortage.

ASEAN to Ink Investment Pacts with China, Korea
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) may soon ink investment pacts with China and South Korea to boost economic integration.

President Hopes G20 to Yield Concrete Solution
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed hope the G20 summit of rich and emerging countries in London on April 1-2 will yield a concrete solution to the current global financial crisis.

President Assures Businessmen of Government's Commitment to Address Crisis
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Tuesday met with 30 foreign investors and local businessmen to assure them of the government's commitment to address the impact of the global financial crisis.

Surveys Not a Great Influence on Voters
Opinion surveys will not greatly influence the decision of voters in the April 9 legislative election, a discussion in Jakarta heard Tuesday.

Political Parties Maneuvering to Form Coalitions
Jakarta, - Though political parties will form official coalitions only after the announcement of the results of the upcoming April 9 legislative elections, party leaders have since recently begun maneuvering by announcing tentative alliances.

Commentary: An Incomplete Idiot's Guide to Voting on April 9
Many of the 171 million registered voters in Indonesia will likely find voting on April 9 a daunting task. Some help, or a system, is urgently needed to make sure that they get it right on voting day.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Minister: RI Still Lucky for Having Positive Economic Growth
Jakarta, - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said countries with an economic growth were quite lucky despite the ongoing global economic crisis, showing a negative growth of 1.5 to 0.5 percent.

Foreign Investors Pledge Support Amidst Economic Crisis
Around 40 leaders of foreign chambers of commerce and industry have pledged to stay investing, or even expanding their businesses, in Indonesia despite the global economic crisis.

No Need for Change in Poll Schedule: Government, House
House of Representatives speaker Agung Laksono said he, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD had agreed there should be no delay in poll schedule despite the fraud voter lists controversy.

The Democratic Challenge of the 2009 Elections
There has been a lot of speculation about President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's (SBY) chances of re-election. Many recent poll organizations have pointed to the near certainty of his re-election. This has aroused concerns as to a deficit of democracy in the elections.

Asian Economies Differ in Response to Global Crisis
The road to economic recovery varies across Asian countries, with Indonesia, China and India perhaps the least affected by the global economic crisis, a seminar heard Monday.

Veep: Even Deficit, Budget for Education Remains Unchanged
Surabaya, - Vice President Jusuf Kalla reaffirmed that even the country has to get more debt on account of deficit at the state budget, the allocation of budget for education (of about 20 percent) will remain unchanged.

Monday, March 23, 2009
VP Hopes Crisis to Produce Fairer World Economic System
Yogyakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope that the ongoing global economic crisis will eventually create a fairer world economic system.

RI, China Agree to Step Up Industrial Cooperation
Jakarta - Indonesia and China have reached an agreement to step up investment and industrial cooperation, Industry Minister Fachmi Idris said here on Monday.

SBY'Candidates Hold Early Presidential Poll Ralliess Party Likely to Win Elections, Observers Say
A series of surveys showing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party on top reflect the likely outcome of the April 9 legislative elections, observers said on Sunday.

Candidates Hold Early Presidential Poll Rallies
Outdoor rallies for the April 9 legislative polls have continued to turn into early campaigns for the July 8 presidential poll, with the General Elections Commission (KPU) not sounding any warning bells.

Indonesia Not to Let Rupiah Fall to Help Export
Indonesia is unlikely to follow the path taken by regional peers to allow the local currency to fall against the dollar to make exports more competitive amid slumping global demand: BI official says.

LIPI Conducts Expose of Research on Climate Change Anticipation
Bogor, West Java - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) here Monday began a public expose of the results of research done by its Biological Studies Center on the likely consequences of climate change on the country's biodiversity.

Friday, March 20, 2009
Indonesia Re-Enters the Club of Fast Growing Economies
After sinking deep during the financial crisis, Indonesia has now entered the club of the world's fastest growing economies, but it needs further economic reforms and liberalization to gain more from international trade.

BI Believes RI Economy Can Still Grow Four Pct
Jakarta, - Bank Indonesia (BI or central bank) believes Indonesia's economy will still grow by four percent in 2009, the bank's deputy governor, Hartadi A Sarwono, said.

Pertamina Launches World’s Biggest LPG Station
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The state-owned oil company PT Pertamina (Persero) launched the world’s biggest liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) station in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. The station has a capacity of 1,000 metric tons per day.

Half of Total Voters Still Undecided, Survey Finds
A survey released Thursday found that more than 50 percent of voters have not yet decided which party they will vote for in the upcoming election.

More State-Owned Companies to Be Restructured
Jakarta, - The number of state-owned companies to be restructured and put under the management of PT Perusahaan Pengelola Aset (PPA) has increased to 14.

Indonesian Warship to Help Patrol Somalian Waters
Jakarta - Indonesian warship KRI Diponegoro-365, which is part of the Indonesian Maritime Task Force in the Garuda Contingent XXVIII-A in Lebanon, will carry out brief petrol to help maintain security in Somalian waters, the Indonesian military commander said.

Thursday, March 19, 2009
RI Secures More Territory Through Diplomacy: FM
Despite pressure from powerful international countries, Indonesia had managed to secure itself additional marine territory, expanding the archipelago considerably through persuasive diplomacy, said Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

The ASEAN Summit and Indonesia's National Interests
The ASEAN Summit at Hua Hin, Thailand, two weeks ago had as its main theme: "The ASEAN Charter for ASEAN People". It was argued that the Charter provides the legal and institutional framework for ASEAN to become a more rules-based, effective and people-centered organization realizing an ASEAN Community by 2015.

PKS, Golkar Ready to Broker Megawati-Yudhoyono Meeting
Jakarta, - Prominent members of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Golkar Party see a need to end the silent war that has been going on between Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDIP) leader Meggawati Soekarnoputri and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since 2004, and expressed readiness to arrange a reconciliation meeting between the two.

RI Committed to South-South Technical Cooperation
Jakarta - Indonesia is committed to fostering technical cooperation among developing countries (South-South) to anticipate the possibility of assistance from the developed countries reaching a saturation point, a foreign ministry official said.

Dark Times in Taxation Sector Now Over, President Says
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked all sides to let the dark times of taxation in the past be bygones and to enter an era where taxation is managed through a modern administration system.

SBY Opens First Tax Office for RI Billionaires
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially commenced Wednesday the operation of the nation's first tax office designed to serve only the country’s billionaires.

Government All-Out to Boost Demand
Efforts to bolster domestic demand for local products are intensifying as the drafting of a regulation to enforce government spending on uniforms worn by civil servants and employees of state enterprises nears completion.

Bank Loan Interest Rates Down Further: Banker
Jakarta, - Banks may lower further the interest rates of their credits in line with the aggressive move of Bank Indonesia (BI/the central bank) to cut its benchmark rate, locally called BI Rate, in the past three months, a banker said.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ground Set For Significant Improvement in Indonesia-US Ties
There is no doubt that the relationship between Indonesia and the United States will improve significantly considering President Barack Obama's personal ties to Indonesia. But one should not forget that the United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO) was working hard throughout the last eight years under President George W. Bush to amend relations while they were far from perfect.

General Elections Provide Small Positive Stimulus to Economy
The food and beverage sector will be one of the business sectors to directly benefit from the general elections, with producers expecting the five-yearly event to generate Rp 3 trillion (US$252 million) to Rp 5 trillion in additional sales revenues.

Candidates Cautioned to Avoid Sectarianism
Candidates competing for Regional Representative Council (DPD) seats must avoid using sectarian symbol to win voters, analysts have said.

BEI Index Surges on Improved Regional Market Sentiment
Jakarta - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) opened 0.62 percent higher early Wednesday on improved regional market sentiment.

Government to Require Civil Servants to Use Domestic Products
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will soon make it obligatory for civil servants, military and police personnel to use domestic products in an effort to improve the performance of national industries.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
President Yudhoyono Briefed on Myanmar's Road Map to Democracy
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was briefed by visiting Myanmarese prime minister Thein Sein here on Monday on the development of that country's road map to democracy.

RI, Myanmar Discuss Democracy, Refugees
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with visiting Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein here Monday to discuss the contentious issues of the Rohingya boatpeople and democracy in the junta-ruled country.

RI to Extend Internment of Rohingyas in Indonesia
Jakarta, - The Indonesian government stated here on Monday it would allow 400 Rohingya refugees to remain in Aceh until a final solution of their problem was reached.

VP: All Electoral Processes Must Be Kept Fair, Honest
Medan, North Sumatra - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the honesty and fairness of all processes in general elections, including regional elections, should be constantly guarded so that democracy would remain credible and trustworthy to the people.

KPU Certifies 12 Survey Institutions for Election Quick Counts
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has certified 10 local and two foreign survey institutions to carry out quick counts for the legislative and presidential elections, kompas.com reports.

First-Time Voters Want Fresh House
First-time voters in Maluku may have decided which party they will vote for in the upcoming legislative elections, but still do not know enough about the younger candidates they hope will win seats and help nurture peace in the once-restive province.

RI Proposes Debt Guarantee at G-20
Jakarta, - Indonesia at the G-20 meeting in Hosrham, Britain, has proposed a risk guarantee facility for the extension of developing countries' external debts, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

G-20 Finance Ministers Agree to Increase Fiscal Stimulus: Official
Jakarta, - The just-ended meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors in London has agreed on the need to raise fiscal stimuli to up to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) particularly in 2010, an official said.

Government Allocates Rp 210B to Revamp Traditional Markets
The government will provide economic stimulus funds worth Rp210 billion for renovation of 31 traditional markets in 20 districts/cities, a trade ministry's official said as reported by Antara news agency on Tuesday.

Monday, March 16, 2009
President Optimistic Economic Growth to Reach 4.5 Pct
Bogor, W Java - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed optimism this year's economic growth would still reach the 2009 State Budget of 4.5 percent.

Five Countries Studying Disaster Preparedness in West Sumatra
Padang, W Sumatra, - Five countries will send delegations to conduct a feasibility study on the disaster preparedness in Padang city, West Sumatra, an activist said here on Saturday.

SBY Urged to Ask Myanmar to Speed Up Democratization
The visit by Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein could see Indonesia ask the junta to speed up democratization and human rights respect.

Islamic Parties Play Key Role in Elections
Muslim-based parties may have seen a significant decline in their popularity, but they can still determine who will win the presidential election, observers say.

Government Gears Up to Limit Free Trade Deal Adversities
Indonesia is preparing massive financial and technical support for meat and tropical fruit businesses in a bid to cash in on ASEAN’s free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.

BP Migas to Find New Markets for LNG
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, has asked the Oil and Gas Upstream Executing Body (BP Migas) to find new markets for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in addition to Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.

Democratic Party 'Sells' Yudhoyono to Woo Popular Vote
By promoting the personality of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and boasting of his successes as incumbent president, the Democratic Party is confident of its chances of gaining at least 20 percent of the popular vote in the April 9 legislative elections.

President Asks People to Show Maturity in Practicing Democracy
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on all Indonesians to show to the international community they have maturity in the practice of democracy.

President Asks KPU to Make Sure All Voters Are Registered
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the General Election Commission (KPU) to make sure that all voters in the country had been properly registered.

President Warns Officials Against Misusing Authority in Campaigns
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has warned all state officials against misusing their power and authority during the election campaign period.

Friday, March 13, 2009
Indonesia Named Asia's Second Best Travel Destination
Indonesia ranked second in the Go Asia Award in the ‘Best Travel Destination’ category behind Thailand and after Malaysia, the Foreign Ministry reported Friday.

BEI Index Opens 1.38 Percent Higher Early Friday
Jakarta - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) opened 18.115 points or 1.38 percent higher, at 1,328.529, as investor sentiment was boosted by overnight gains in US markets pushing up automotive industry shares.

Banks Starting to Lend Less, And Seeking Safety More: BI
Banks are starting to reduce lending and to seek safety in short-term central bank certificates as Indonesia is hit harder by the global economic crisis, says latest BI data.

State Firms' Net Profit Predicted to Drop 6.6 Pct
Jakarta, - The State Enterprises (BUMN) Ministry predicts that the net profit of state-owned companies in 2009 will decline 6.6 percent to Rp70 trillion from Rp75 trillion in 2008, a spokesman said.

CT-6 to Adopt Regional Action Plan in Manado
Jakarta - Six countries grouped in CT-6 (Coral Triangle-6) are to adopt a Regional Action Plan at the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit to be held in Manado, North Sulawesi, on May 15, 2009, an Indonesian marine affairs official said.

VP Prays For Lasting Peace in Aceh
Banda Aceh - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla said here Friday he was always praying for lasting peace in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) so that the province would really become "darussalam" or prosperous and peaceful.

Palestinian Legislators Thank Indonesian Parliament
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Deputy House Speaker of Palestine DR Dr Ahmed Bahar expressed gratitude to the Indonesian Parliament for supporting Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation.

Parties Differ Over Impact of Campaign Ads on Voters
Major parties are set to spend huge amounts of money on ads ahead of the upcoming elections, but they remain divided over how much this will help them to win votes.

Thursday, March 12, 2009
Fiscal Stimulus-Funded Projects Part of National Development Program
Jakarta - Infrastructure projects receiving fiscal stimulus funds must be seen as part of the national development program, a senior economic official said.

President Inaugurates Indonesian Defense University
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here on Wednesday morning inaugurated the the Indonesian De fence University (UPI) initiated by the De fence Ministry.

Banks Facing Dilemma in Lowering Interest Rates: Economist
Jakarta - Banks are still facing a dilemma in lowering their interest rates on credits and deposits, economist A Tony Prasetiantono said here on Thursday.

Legislative Election to Be 'Three-Way Tie'
Although the number of swinging and undecided voters remains high, the upcoming legislative elections will see three major parties win the most votes, a survey has shown.

Government Requires State Banks to Initiate Steep Lending Rate Cut
The government has required state banks to aggressively cut lending interest rates, as most banks have widely defied calls to adjust their rates in line with the central bank's policy to ease lending costs in a bid to boost the economy.

Global Crisis Threatens Human Race: President
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reminded that unless the nations in the world managed to overcome the current global financial crisis, the fate of the human race will be threatened.

House Hopes SBY-JK Relations to Remain Harmonious
Jakarta, - The House of Representatives (DPR) hopes that the relations between President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) will remain harmonious even though they will likely become rivals in the upcoming presidential elections.

Megawati, Kalla Sign Five-Point Agreement
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle (PDIP) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri and Golkar Party chairman Jusuf Kalla signed a five-point agreement, called `Two Leaders` Agreement,` at a meeting here on Thursday.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Religious Harmony Safe Under 'Pancasila'
For the last decade, religious harmony has been a sticking point in pluralist Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population. Much has been done by civil society groups to promote mutual respect and tolerance among different faiths for the sake of national unity. Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim organization, shared his thoughts on the issue with The Jakarta Post's Dwi Atmanta on the sidelines of an international conference in Rome last week on the culture of coexistence in Indonesia.

RI Peaceful Coexistence a Model, Challenge
The Italian Foreign Ministry and the Rome-based Sant' Egidio Community hosted a high-level conference on unity and diversity, on March 4, 2009, which highlighted the culture of coexistence in Indonesia. A number of prominent Indonesian religious leaders and scholars were invited to the discussion.

Government Expects Rp 20 Trillion for Small Enterprises
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government signalled that banking sector should distribute loans for small businesses up to Rp 20 trillion this year.

RI, S. Korea Ink $6 B Deal in Energy Sector
Indonesia and South Korea signed eight memorandums of understanding (MOU) Saturday worth nearly US$6 billion in various sectors, including energy, trade and the environment.

President Asks Firms Not to Lay Off Workers
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed his hope that businessmen would try to prevent layoffs and be ready to receive reduced incomes in the current global financial crisis.

RI Still Has Yet to Exploit Its Geothermal Energy Sources
Jakarta, - Indonesia still has yet to increase the exploitation of its geothermal energy as a source of electricity, director of the Center of Public Policy Study, Sofyano Zakaria, said here on Monday.

Bizmen Hope Elections Not to Cause Instability
Jakarta, - Young businessmen expressed the hope here on Monday that the upcoming legislative and presidential elections in the country this year will run safely and smoothly. and not cause political instability.

Kalla Secures More Support Ahead of July Polls
With the Golkar Party still deliberating who it will choose as its presidential candidates, chairman Jusuf Kalla continues to secure support from regional party branches.

Friday, March 6, 2009
Indonesian Police Uncover International Money Laundering Syndicate
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian National Police arrested two people linked to international money laundering crimes on the internet. Hendrianto, 45, an Indonesian citizen, and Singaporean Yap Kok Yong Carlson, 30, were arrested at the Swiss Bell Hotel in Medan, North Sumatra. “The two were suspected of committing fraud through the internet,” Criminal Investigation Division chief, Com. Gen. Susno Duadji, told reporters at his office yesterday.

Indonesia Gets $5.5 Billion in Loans to Plug Budget Deficit and Stimulate Economy
Indonesia has officially agreed US$5.5 billion of loans from Australia, Japan, the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help fill shortfalls in the state budget, as well as to stimulate the weakening economy.

State-Funded Projects to Roll in Next Two Weekse
State-funded projects will begin construction within the next two weeks, kickstarting this year's massive infrastructure program, a minister says.

Observers: Religion Not to Cause Conflicts in Elections
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religion will not be a factor triggering conflict among people during the upcoming legislative elections in April, observers said here on Thursday.

Emil Salim: RI Needs to Have Energy Diversification Program
Jakarta - Indonesia's noted economist Prof Emil Salim has said Indonesia needs to design an energy diversification program soon for the sake of the country's economic future.

Foreign Ministry Unaware Police Met Hambali in Guantanamo
Jakarta - The Indonesian foreign affairs ministry has denied any knowledge about Indonesian police officers having reportedly met Hambali, an Indonesian terror suspect being held at the US detention camp in Guantanamo, Cuba.

RI Economy Still Facing Heavy Pressures: President
Bandar Lampung (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government had made various efforts to reduce the impact of the world economic crisis but the country's economy was still facing heavy pressures.

People's Conscious Party Seeks Military Support
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: People's Conscious Party said it will collect supports from retired military personnels and police and their families to boost the party's number of votes in the coming election, a party official said on Thursday evening (5/3).

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Government Policy Required on Foreign Observers Presence in Aceh: Minister
Jakarta - If foreign observers are to be present in Aceh to monitor the legislative election , it should be based on a central government policy applicable to all provinces in the country, a senior minister said.

OIC Lauds Indonesia for Interfaith Peace
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has praised Indonesia's success in establishing peaceful relations among different religious groups, despite frequent cases of attacks on other faiths.

National Banks Now in Relatively Stable Conditions: BI
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI/the central bank) said national banks were now in relatively stable conditions as reflected in various indicators of their development and soundness.

BI Lowers Benchmark Rate to 7.75 Pct
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI, the central bank) announced on Wednesday its board of governors has decided to to cut the bank's benchmark rate by 50 basis points from 8.25 percent to 7.75 percent.

Seven State Companies Offer Strategic Partnerships to Investors
Jakarta - Seven Indonesian state-owned companies offered strategic partnership cooperation to investors from the Middle East here on Tuesday.

RI, Italy Hold Conference on Coexistence Among Different Faiths
London - The Indonesian and Italian governments, in cooperation with Comunita di Sant-Egidio, held a conference themed “Unity in Diversity, the Culture of Coexistence in Indonesia" in Rome on Wednesday.

Five Young RI Leaders Receive World Economic Forum Award
Five young Indonesian community figures, Anies Baswedan, Nia Dinata, Butet Manurung, Yeni Wahid and Silverius Oscar Unggul received the 2009 Young Global Leader Honorees award from the world reknown World Economic Forum (WEF).

Komodo Expected Included in Seven Wonders of The World
Kupang, NTT, March - Head of the East Nusa Tenggara Tourism and Culture Agency Gulam Husein hoped the Komodo National Park in West Manggarai Regency in the western tip of Flores Island, would be included in the Seven Wonders of the World.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
RI Discussing Anti-Terror Cooperation With Six Countries
Jakarta - Indonesia and six other countries, namely Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Venezuela, are now discussing a plan to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, a senior minister said.

Court Pushes Polls Body for Open System
The Constitutional Court has encouraged the elections body to go ahead with implementing the most votes system in distributing seats to legislative candidates.

ICD Allocates $50 Million for SMEs Development in RI
Jakarta - The Islamic Corporation for Development of the Private Sector (ICD) has allocated US$50 million in funds for the development of small-and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia.

RI Hopes for Increased Trade Among OIC Member Countries
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia expressed hope here on Monday that trade among members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) could be increased in 2010.

Food and Energy Crisis Discussed at the World Islamic Economic Forum
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The World Islamic Economic Forum today will discuss the topic of global food and energy crisis.

Indonesia to Go Digital by 2015
Indonesia is expected to go all digital by 2015 for all electronic appliances, including television, an official at the Communications and Information Ministry (Depkominfo) said Tuesday.

Feature: Old Train Revives West Sumatra Tourism
Padang, W Sumatra - It was really an amazing start of the operation of an old coal-fulled tourist train in West Sumatra, one of the only two of its kind in the world, when it resumed function to meet the people's demand.

Monday, March 2, 2009
Muslim Nations Seek Closer Ties in Economic Crisis
Muslim nations need to forge closer ties to meet challenges posed by the global financial crisis, Indonesia's president said Monday at the opening of the annual World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta.

Legislative Candidates Face Uphill Battle
Dressed in his Golkar Party uniform and belting out political slogans to passing motorists, Indra Piliang knows all too well the stress of public campaigning in the lead up to legislative elections.

Major Parties Should Form Alliance for a Stable Government
Indonesia will hold its legislative and presidential elections on April 9 and July 8 respectively this year. Around 38 political parties will compete to win seats at the regional and national legislative bodies while observers have speculated at length about who will generate enough political support to vie for the presidential position.

President Opens World Islamic Economic Forum
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Monday officially opened the 5th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) which will run until Tuesday (Mar 3).

RI's Exports in January Recorded at US$7.15 Billion
Jakarta - Indonesia's exports in January 2009 fell 17.70 percent to US$7.15 billion from US$8.69 billion in December 2008, the head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Rusman Heriawan said here on Monday.

RI to Encourage Creation of ASEAN Human Rights Body
Hua Hin - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia has a commitment to actively encourage the formation of an ASEAN human rights body although many parties have doubted ASEAN commitment to create a credible human rights body.

RI Hopes ASEAN Ready to Share Views With Civil Society
Hua Hin - The Indonesian government hopes that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) would be ready based on its charter to have a dialog with, listen to and share views with the civil society in an effort to abolish its elitism image.