Indonesia on the Pages

RI foreign office: There is polarization in Asean toward Myanmar

2009-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said he noted a polarization among 10 Asean member countries regarding discussions on the Asean joint call on Myanmar about the court`s verdict on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"There is a polarization within Asean of the outspoken to those still in need of further inputs from their respective countries," Faiza said at his office in Jakarta Friday when commenting on the results of the Asean senior officials meeting (SOM), August 19-21.

However Faiza said the polarization of the 10 Asean member countries in looking at the case of the court`s verdict on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was still something natural.

After all, he added, the SOM this time made a recommendation as an input for the Asean foreign ministers.

"The foreign ministers would then decide on a mechanism and a way to express it" he said.

According to Faiza, actually this time the SOM was more enclined to discuss an Asean internal change regarding the Asean Charter, and preparations for the 15th Asean summit in Thailand.

However, he added, the developments in Myanmar and the note of the Thai foreign minister as Asean rotating chairman asking the Asean SOM to discuss the Myanmar case, caused the issue to be discussed at the SOM.

Asean groups Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Earlier, the Indonesian government has expressed disappointment with the ruling of the Myanmarese criminal court sentencing Suu Kyi to 18 months house arrest.

On Tuesday (Aug 11), the Insein jail in Yangon held the Nobel laureate for three years and hard labor, for violating her house arrest regulations allowing an American who went swimming in a lakeside pool at her home in May.

But Than Shwe, the reigning top authority, signed a desicion reducing her sentence to house arrest one and a half years after she was proven guilty.

The American, John Yettaw (54), who came to her home, was tried and sentenced to seven years of hard labor.

Aung San Suu Kyi had been in house arrest for 14 years of the 20 years of detainment since the Myanmarese junta refused to accept the victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD), whose leader won the 1990 general elections.

The opposition accused the junta of using the accusation as an excuse to prevent her from joining the 2010 general elections, especially because the verdict was pronounced only several days before the end of her house arrest. The poor country had been controlled by the military since 1962.

The case received strong criticisims from many countries against the military junta in Myanmar, which had already been severly punished by the United States and the European Union.(*)/Ant

Pertamina to become public non-listed company

2009-08-21T23:49:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The government will soon issue a regulation changing state oil and gas company Pertamina into a public non-listed company, an official said.

"A draft of the government regulation has been submitted to the State Secretariat for further discussion with the Law and Human Rights Ministry," Secretary of the State Enterprises Ministry Said Didu said here on Friday.

Once the government regulation took effect, the management of Pertamina`s finance would become more transparent, he said.

"Pertamina does need to sell (shares) to the public, but the public will know each corporate action of the company," he said.

But he declined to reveal when exactly the regulation would be issued.

The government had initially set itself a target of changing Pertamina into a public non-listed company early this year. But the plan dragged on for a few months as the company still had to complete the audit of its financial statement.

Pertamina Corporate Secretary Toharso said recently the company had appointed PT Mandiri Sekuritas and Melidarsa as its financial advisers.

"We hope the audit can be completed shortly before the government regulation is issued," he said.

He said a beginning financial statement which was a prerequisite for the company to change itself into a public non-listed firm was no longer a stumbling block.

"The re-audit of the financial statements for the 2003-2005 period by Ernst & Young has been completed," he said.

Said Didu said a number of state-owned companies had the chance to change into public non-listed companies. One of them was state electricity company PLN.

"In principle, public non-listed companies are based among others on the criteria of assets, sensitiveness to the market and the ability to serve the public," he said.(*)/Ant

No restrictions on Golkar cadres to self: Laksono

2009-08-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Vice-Chairman of the Golkar Party Agung Laksono said his party had no restrictions on the directors to appoint themselves Golkar `s presidency.

"But a successful candidate will be determined by the extent of the support he or she will be removed from the Golkar regional branches (DPD), he said Friday.

Laksono said that in addition to supporting the regional, the candidate countries will also see how his activities in the party.

"The increased intensity of its activities in the greatest possibility of a candidate is elected president," he said commenting on the intention of Hutomo Mandala Putra, or Tommy Suharto to run in the general direction Golkar race.

Therefore, he said, the appointment of Tommy would be better if not now, but in times to come.

"Many people have suggested that Tommy may not nominate themselves for the moment, but first a member of the Board. Indeed, he is still young and have a long journey to come," Agung Laksono, who is also chairman of the House said.

However, Agung Laksono said that the presence of Tommy proved that Golkar had sufficient numbers or frameworks that can run on the national stage.

In the middle of the company to prepare Golkar names of candidates will be selected at a meeting of Golkar Riau in October, Tommy ', the name came to the surface between BAKRIE Aburizal, Surya Paloh, Yuddy Chris Nandi and Ferry Mursyidan Baldan.

Tommy said after being away for 10 years in politics, he feels called to return to Golkar.

"Until now, I am still a member of Golkar Party, and I still have membership card," he said. Tommy was born on July 15, 1962, said that members of the party elites have long approached to return to help develop the game. (*/Ant)

Indonesian and Dutch Governments Have Agreed to Work Towards Achieving a Ceasefire

2009-01-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

The Indonesian and Dutch governments have agreed to work towards achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where more than 900 Palestinians were killed during three weeks of Israeli military aggression.

"At a meeting between Indonesia and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Dutch urged both States to the declaration of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip", Retno Marsudi LP, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Director General of the United States in European affairs, said here Wednesday.

The two countries will continue to make the United Nations to work towards achieving a ceasefire in the war-torn region, she said.

As a number of countries in the world, the Dutch government also expressed its concern over Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip which has caused a humanitarian crisis, she said.

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen Dutch Marce Jacques is visiting Indonesia from 13 to 17 January 2009, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Israeli military aggression in the Gaza Strip killed more than 900 Palestinians, including women and children, and wounded over 4,000 others.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to help stop the war in the Gaza Strip. (*)

American Astronaut Aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Spoke Directly with Students for the First Time

2009-01-14T05:29:00.000-08:00

An American astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Wednesday spoke directly with students of a school for the first time in the country of the area's history.

NASA astronaut Edward Michael Fincke `Mike, who is married to a daughter of India's north of the state of Assam has answered questions from 14 students of Assam Jatiya Vidyalalya at a program organized by the Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS), an organization of non-Assamese, in coordination with NASA.

The floor of the amateur radio station on the ISS (ARISS) north of California coordinated speak and the public, consists of more than a thousand people, has told Fincke to the demands of students' phone connected to Earth Station has established a link with the spacecraft.

Students had a new insight into the world of space with Fincke informing them that they normally sleep inside the spaceship and set their own schedules based on a cycle of 24 hours from ten to six.

Asked about the difference in the environment inside and outside the spaceship, Fincke said he was extremely hostile and cold outside but inside it is as comfortable as we can with the temperature at 24 degrees Celsius.

The quality of air inside the spacecraft is maintained by oxygen throughout made carbon dioxide is recycled, said Fincke, who is also the commander of the expedition "Mission 18" of the ISS .

Members of the ship to eat normal food like sausages and burgers, but they are mostly packaged food, prepared on the ground, but we do not heat these sometimes, "he said.

"Water on the spacecraft is used as the return of the planet, but we recycle water and urine," Fincke replied to a student of the interview on the water aboard the spaceship .

He and two of his colleagues inside the spacecraft, however, can not take bath due to zero gravity, and they did tip in addition to wear absorbent.

They are also lucky to see sunrises and 16 rounds during the 24 hours that the spacecraft complete rotation 19 during this period, each cycle to take 90 minutes.

Seasonal changes as well as man-made and natural structure of the earth are also visible from aboard the ship.

Currently, "we are witnessing the winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere and we can also observe large objects, like the pyramids and the Great Wall of China," said astronaut.

Fincke and his colleagues relax on the spaceship with books and watching movies and exercising two hours daily on bicycles and carpets.

Fincke, who is learning Assamese flash in space by means of cards, it was asked, "apuni Asomiya parenaki Kobo" (can you speak Assamese) and he responded with aplomb, "I ALOP Kobo published "(I can speak a little), winning strong applause from the audience.

Fincke is married to Renita Saikia, who also works at NASA, and his parents left for the United States decades ago. (*)

Subsidized Premium Gasoline and Diesel Oil Prices

2009-01-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

The government `s signal over the weekend to reduce the subsidized premium gasoline and diesel oil prices in the middle of this month, raised hopes of increased public purchasing power and falling prices and transportation fares.

Yet also prevail. Despite a further reduction, product prices remain unchanged, as was demonstrated when the government lowered the price of fuel oil twice in December last year.

It may even become worse if the government was forced to raise petrol and diesel due to the price of crude oil prices to unexpected rebound in the global market. It would probably be an increase in prices of goods and transport fares.

In such a case, the government `s efforts to relieve the people of the increase in the power and fuel by reducing the price of oil in the middle of the impact of the global economic crisis will fail.

"It is not enough for the government to reduce the price of fuel oil, then let the market decide mechanism (lower) price. It should have a clear plan for lower prices," Farid Wajdi, Director of Protection Consumer and Advocacy Institute (LAPK), said.

He said the government had lowered the price of fuel oil on two occasions but has not yet affected the prices of basic products, such as the price of commodities needed.

The fact that the oil price cuts have not yet contributed to the decline of market prices has prompted the government to discuss the issue Friday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who chaired the cabinet meeting, said he would study the effect on the diesel price declines in the real sector. He expressed concern that the fuel oil price reductions seems to be unable to lower the prices and the necessary transport fares.

The government in December last year cut the premium gasoline price twice RP6 of RP500, 000 per liter for RP5, 000 per liter and diesel prices RP5, 500 per liter of RP4, 800 per liter .

During the Friday meeting, which was also attended by the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) MS Hidayat, the head of state asked the business community to be just what the prices of basic and necessary transport tariffs in the light of the decline in heating oil prices.

"The president has asked the business community to be fair to the public by lowering the prices and the necessary transport fares," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said after the meeting.

The President requested the meeting Kadin Chief MS Hidayat to seriously consider reducing the price of oil and reflected in the prices of its products. Declines in oil prices should obviously have reduced the business community of the production costs.

Mulyani said all parties, the business community in particular, should be transparent and reliable to help achieve the Government's desire to have the necessary basic prices and freight rates in the country reduced.

"The government has lowered the price of heating oil and the company should have reduced the prices of other commodities as a result, without any excuse," said Sri Mulyani.

According to MS Hidayat, prices could be reduced by 10 percent if the government reduces the price of oil by RP500. He said that Kadin if the proposal was accepted and fuel oil prices were reduced, then there would be opportunities for prices of a number of things needed, and transportation fares to go to the bottom of about 10 per cent.

"I do not have the power to say that the government will announce a lower price, but if I look at his body language, it is likely that the government accepts the proposal of" Kadin, "Hidayat said after attending in the meeting, adding that the government would probably announce on 15 January 2009.

Kadin suggested that the government cut the subsidized price of gasoline and premium diesel fuel RP4, 500 per liter and RP4, 300 per liter respectively.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the government would announce a further reduction in prices of heating oil, but it does not mention any figures.

"God willing, the price will be cut again on 15 January. The government has pledged to ease the burden of people `s in line with the current world crude prices," said Vice President of a press conference.

Hidayat said that a reduction of approximately RP500 per liter of fuel oil prices following the decline in freight rates would maintain or even increase the population of the purchasing power in the current economic crisis.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said public transport fares to decline by 10 percent if the government cut fuel prices in the middle of this month.

"The transport fares have already been reduced by about 3 to 6 percent as a result of reductions in premiums for gasoline and diesel oil prices in mid-December last year. If oil prices are down again, transmission rates can be cut by the father of about 10 percent, "the minister said.

He said President Yudhoyono had asked him about the possibility of reducing transport fares if the government cut gasoline and diesel oil prices.

Therefore, the minister called on the public transport owners to lower their prices shortly after the government cut the price of oil more fuel. "State-owned transport companies such as DAMRI for buses, SDEA for ferries, and PT KA for trains pioneered the reduction of transport fares," said the minister.

So far, the economy class fares between city bus can easily be reduced, but the mini-bus fares for the city (angkot) are difficult to decline because of the attitude of errant drivers.

"The drivers feel the direct impact of the rising prices of spare parts such as tires in Indonesia, which are relatively higher than those overseas," said the minister.

The government and the associations of vehicle owners are trying to find a way to provide incentives to lower prices of auto parts, including tires. (*)

Myanmar boat people take up refuge in Sabang

2009-01-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

Imam Hussein, 30, sobbed while Sabang nurse at the hospital attended to him in a neighborhood. Tears rolled down his face and soaked the shirt he received from the local community, just moments after it landed at the naval base on Sabang 7 January.

"Praise be to God, praise God," he exclaimed in tears.

Imam was one of 193 refugees from Myanmar in distress off the island of Sabang, Aceh, after 28 days of travel by sea in small boats.

The imam of the tribe is Rohingya in Arakan State, western Myanmar, which lies along the east coast of the Bay of Bengal, bordering Bangladesh. The tribesmen are generally Sunni Muslims - a minority in the predominantly Buddhist country.

Imam fled their country - now under the control of a military junta - to seek asylum abroad.

"No Muslims in Myanmar, no Muslim," he cried.

He said that the group of refugees, he had been left Myanmar on 23 December, in the direction of Thailand.

They left Myanmar because they could no longer bear to live under the military junta that do not recognize their existence, he said.

Imam to add about 580 people fled to the time in four small boats, with nearly 200 people in some of these boats.

The title has been to Muslim countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

However, after landing in Thailand, the boat people from Myanmar met with abuse of Thai Marines, "said Imam.

"We have been in Thailand for two days, but they abused us and deport us to gunfire," the imam said in broken English.

He said the Marines back into their boats and gear to the sea beyond Thai waters.

"After our boats have been taken outside the border, the sailors of the destruction of our engines and dumped all our food in the sea," he said.

Left adrift in the ocean, the imam has, refugees, including women and children, have been buffeted by currents and wind. They tried to fashion sails tarpaulins.

"We do not know where the * * remaining refugees are now," said Imam.

After 10 days at sea without food or destination, one of three boats carrying about 280 people, was found in the waters of Sabang.

They were spotted by two fishermen of Aceh on the open sea.

"I was very shocked to see a small boat packed to the brim with hundreds of people in distress," said Rudiyanto, one of the fishermen.

The boat was towed ashore, where refugees receive assistance and medical care. Eighty-one had to be taken to hospital due to severe dehydration. Some were also treated for injuries they said they support of physical violence by the Thai Marines.

"They had to receive hospital treatment because they were weak, severely dehydrated and had been beaten," said Togu a doctor for the boat people.

Asylum seekers are currently housed in a warehouse in Sabang naval base, pending a decision by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their bid for asylum.

"We are still waiting and coordination with headquarters on the immigration of citizens of Myanmar," said Bureau of Immigration head Marsudi Sabang.

He said his office had not received any information yet on whether to expel the refugees.

This is the second incident involving Myanmar boat people off the drift Sabang. In April 2006, 77 boat people who fled their country, were also found on board a boat in the waters of Sabang.

They were eventually expelled by the local immigration office without a destination, after having spent several days in Sabang.

Textile museum gets Betawi artifacts

2009-01-09T21:48:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA: The Textile Museum received Thursday nine Betawi artifacts believed to date back a century ago.

The collection of seven Betawi batik fabrics, a encim kebaya (traditional blouse) called Karancang Betawi and a crystal betel pot. Arie Budhiman, head of the city's tourism agency and culture, has officially launched the museum's collection in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

The collection has already been in possession of the Foundation Sirih Nanas. Emma Foundation chief Agus Bisri said artifacts were aged from 90 to 100 years. A batik fabrics made by Van Zuylen, a Dutch painter batik, "said Emma cited by beritajakarta.com.

With the arrival of the new collection, the museum now houses 1759 items. -JP

Marissa takes her case to Kontras

2009-01-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA: With its efforts to take the governor of Banten, Ratu Atut Chosiyah get anywhere on the court, the actress became politician Marissa Haque took the case to the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) .

"I came here to report the case of a police officer who was fired on Christmas Eve, simply because he tried to treat my case," said Marissa The Jakarta Post at Kontras office.

"Finally, a friend who worked at Kontras seen my fight with police corruption so that we came here."

The district court in Tangerang Marissa ordered on 11 November 2008, to pay a Rp 500 million (U.S. $ 47,500) fine and publish an apology in two national newspapers accuse Ratu Atut forge a university degree to qualify for a period of Governor in 2006.

Marissa Mayer took the case to the Jakarta police on 7 March 2008, but without success.

Ratu Atut also filed a defamation suit against Marissa, his former rival for the governor position, with the Jakarta police on March 12.

Borobudur University also filed a civil action, which led to the decision of the Tangerang District Court.

"Its strange that my report was rejected by the police but Ratu Atut the report was handled," said Marissa. - JP / Matheos V. Messakh

Witnesses indecisive in case involving former Lippo boss

2009-01-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

Corruption eradication commission (KPK) prosecutors projected a video recording Wednesday they claim is evidence of corruption among former Lippo Group executive Billy Sindoro competition and the Supervisory Board (KPPU) member Muhammad Iqbal.

The recording showed a black bag with Billy Iqbal pending a lift on the 17th floor of a Jakarta hotel. The bag was transferred to Iqbal, when he entered the elevator with Billy leaving empty-handed.

Corruption Court prosecutors said the bag contained Rp 500 million (U.S. $ 46,000) in cash as bribes in exchange for a decision support KPPU Lippo subsidiary, PT Direct Vision retain the rights to broadcast the English Premier League last year.

Billy counsel protested against the screening of the video image, which was also the last minute of his score for the meeting with Iqbal before their arrest. Both Billy and Iqbal were arrested on September 16, 2008 at the hotel after their meeting in a room.

"We ask the judges to the evidence, because we doubt its authenticity," the lawyer Billy Otto Hasibuan told the court.

Yusni Irwandi, a former engineer of the hotel, said in his testimony that KPK officials asked for a copy of the record one day after the arrest and that they could not in the CCTV equipment just downloaded.

"This is not the original recording. In addition, the KPK has not been verified the authenticity of the recording in the hotel or a report to the confiscation of the registration," the he said.

However, Yusni said the video played to the court described what he saw in the original recording.

"In addition to the video recording can not be erased or altered," he said.

He says he does not see his hand on Billy bag Iqbal, a statement issued by five other witnesses in the court.

Yusni said that because of the limited area, the video surveillance system can not record everything that happened in the elevator when it was installed in the left corner of the elevator.

Billy's personal assistant Gentar Rahma Pradhan, who was with Billy the day of the KPK arrested, confirmed that the person making the black bag from the house of Billy the administration on September 16, 2008, but says he does not know the contents of the bag.

He said that the bag in the room and left, as Billy frequently with colleagues in the room.

"I was waiting in the hotel Business Center as ordered Pak Billy," he said.

He added that Billy has always been a meeting with his colleagues in the room. - JP / Irawaty Wardany

KPU swears in new members in South Sumatra, ends controversy

2009-01-07T22:23:00.000-08:00

Palembang, Padang: The fees of the General Council of the Election Commission (KPH) has finally swore in four new members of the South Sumatra Regional Election Commission (KPUD) on Wednesday, after the controversy over the election of the members of the previous one.

The four - Puspa Chandra Mirza, Ong Berlian, Kelly Mariani and Annisatul Mardia - replaced KPUD head and members Syafitri Irawan Helmi and Misniwati Achmad Ibrahim Bakri, who were recently dismissed because of the controversy.

Also sworn in on Wednesday KPUD members were 14 regencies and municipalities in the south of Sumatra, in a ceremony chaired by Chief Hafiz KPH Ansyari provincial legislative building.

During the ceremony, Hafiz hopes that the election of KPUD would be fair and democratic. He also warned members not voting KPUD platform in the upcoming elections.

"He carries a heavy penalty," he said.

Recently appointed to the KPUD OGAN Ilir regency council Nurhasan, 36, said he promised to work as best he could, and considered the controversy at the provincial level KPUD as a valuable lesson.

"I am delighted to be appointed and I am optimistic that the awareness of citizens about the election, which was interrupted before could be launched as planned," Nurhasan, a teacher of Appeal said. He is registered as a member OGAN Ilir KPUD which was rejected by the KPH consulting fees in the recent scandal.

The controversy over South Sumatra KPUD arises from the polarization between the two camps, the former head of the KPH Syafitri Irawan and one of his colleagues Helmi Ibrahim Bakri and Achmad Misniwati.

The KPUD not solve the problem of many years of December 18 deadline set by the KPH, an honorary board, led by former Constitutional Court Head Jimly Asshidiq, a local South Sumatra, was set up for the applications of the Council of Regency KPUD and municipal candidates across the province.

Meanwhile, in Lampung, the Supervisory Committee of the provincial elections (Panwaslu) found evidence of violations of the formation of seven offices KPUD, after investigating reports of the public.

The seven offices KPUD suspected of breaking election laws Bandarlampung and Metro cities, Tulangbawang, Pesawaran South Lampung, West Lampung and North Lampung regencies.

"Violations of the Law No 22/2007 on the election of implementation are generally in the form of an identity card handling, the lack of women, transparency, collusion and nepotism. We also examine monetary policy in the implementation of KPUDs in a number of regencies and cities, Lampung Panwaslu member Riko Firmansyah said Tuesday.

According Riko, his office has new applications of candidates KPUD of team selection and provincial KPH.

He added that the decision is entirely in the hands of the National Monitoring Elections (Bawaslu). "We will send details on the results of this week. It depends on the Bawaslu to decide whether to reject them," he said.

According Riko, integrity and neutrality of a KPUD is at stake if a member is characterized by cronyism. "How could they exercise their functions, as the organizers of the elections if they are not independent and impartial in the interest of a party?" he said.

He added that the process of selecting members KPUD was widespread irregularities, such as rain Tulangbawang council, where 11 candidates, one more than the ten that the selection of the team have been appointed.

"Some of the members are elected KPUD showed candidates in parliamentary elections in 2004 and recently resigned as party leaders or members," said Riko.

Previously Lampung Trenggono Nanang KPUD member said that the decision to appoint five board rains and municipal KPUD candidates instead of 10 is based on an evaluation.

"So, the question of money or political patronage is not true. We have our integrity on the line," the professor of political science at the Padjadjaran University in Bandung, said.

According Syarief Makhya, a political observer at the University of Lampung, the results of Panwaslu, the people of Lampung more pessimistic about the elections of 2009.

"As the only organization of the election is complicated, how will the results be? The public scrutiny is essential if KPUD to work professionally and independently," he said.

Sarijaya bosses can't escape

2009-01-07T22:15:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: The capital market and control of financial institutions Agency (Bapepam-LK) is not easy to accept a request made by PT Sarijaya Permana Sekuritas senior employees of an alleged fraud in the management of its funds had only by the owner, broker issue.

Bapepam-LK Fuad Rahmany President stressed Wednesday Sarijaya management must also be held responsible in respect of the alleged embezzlement of at least 245 billion Rupiah (22.5 million U.S. dollars) of money from investors.

Fuad claimed management fully informed of the actions undertaken by Herman Ramli Sarijaya owner about the abuse of customer accounts in the pursuit of private interests, and have been able to prevent such practices.

"The management should take the responsibility. It is their fault to be monitored (by the owner) for fraudulent practices. This is proof that they are not professional."

"They should not allow other people to intervene in their (banks), especially those who have no power to enforce the management (the bank)," said Fuad.

Sarijaya is 100 percent owned by Herman, who serves as chairman of the audit.

Under the existing legislation on business, the chairman of the commissioners have no power to get involved in managing the daily operations of a company.

Bapepam plans at the request of the Board of Directors Sarijaya soon.

Sarijaya Director Zulfian Alamsyah said earlier that it was Herman, and that management had no knowledge of his misconduct.

Herman, the younger brother of Rudy Ramli, former founder of the former Bank Bali, was in police custody since December 24 for alleged financial fraud.

He allegedly funneled money to the investor up to 17 new accounts under different names and accounts used to benefit from trading on the stock exchange.

The Indonesia Stock Exchange (idx) Sarijaya suspended since January 6.

Meanwhile, the management announced Wednesday Sarijaya a number of investors have shown interest in purchasing the company, one of the largest in the country, with 48 branches of securities houses in Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

Among them is a consortium of investors from Hong Kong, Melbourne, Australia and Indonesia.

A representative of the consortium Four Jamal said some Rp 400 billion is for the acquisition of Sarijaya. These include Rp 250 billion for the restructuring and to recover the rest of Rp 150 billion for the extension.

"The consortium has no connection with the owner. There will be no acquisition of permits for owners

However, Bapepam said it would carry out a screening to determine who should be eligible investors in securities.

Until now, there are four other investors are interested in buying Sarijaya the authorities refused to name the investors because of the need for confidentiality.

Sarijaya The fraud is the latest to date with respect to securities houses. Previously, PT Antaboga Delta Sekuritas has been indicted for abuse of funds investors value Rp 1.4 trillion.

To prevent such acts from happening again, the idx has a new system, so that all investors should monitor their accounts and assets held by the central securities depository Indonesia (KSEI).

Currently, the houses are not securities report for clients and regulators at the same time, an end of May that opportunities for fraud.

Idx suspend dinar Sekuritas

Idx Wednesday suspended the operation of the securities house PT Sekuritas dinar to the company's request to the restructuring.

Idx President Erry Firmansyah rejects the assumption that the suspension was made in conjunction with the exhibition of the famous firm Bakrie based chain.

Sarijaya dinar and among the securities houses that were involved in the purchase of the promised PT Bakrie & Brothers of Rp 35 billion and Rp 30 billion, respectively, in exchange for shares in Bakrie.

Bapepam is investigating 49 securities houses by irregularities.

Nationalism won't boost competitive edge

2009-01-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned Wednesday that the efforts of the industry plays the nationalist card to protectionist policies that leads to a lack of competition in the domestic market.

Yudhoyono said local companies should be able to compete with an influx of imported products and are able to win the hearts of consumers by increasing competitiveness.

"The national products to compete with imports in terms of quality and price. I am sure that the situation will improve when we are promoting a campaign of" love and buy domestic products. "

"But the industry should not use nationalistic arguments and preference for local products and is ineffective," he said.

Given the global economic slowdown, there is a growing tendency to prioritize local products, sometimes in spite of their expensive or of lesser quality, while the government and businesses are stepping up campaigns' purchase of local products.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy, is struggling with the effects of the global economic slowdown by strengthening the local consumption of local products, which can be an important engine of economic growth under current conditions.

"If domestic products competitive and innovative, not to worry about the recession, because our industry will be able to meet the demand of the local market. Our economy is stronger," said Yudhoyono. - JP / DESY Nurhayati

PPA to restructure Semen Kupang

2009-01-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: Difficulty state cement producer PT Semen Kupang would be returned to the Asset Management Company (PPA), culminating in an agency for the restructuring of state enterprises in difficulty to help put an end to the financial mess it is now in.

"The PPP will issue to determine the best way to restructure," Secretary of the Ministry of State Enterprises Said Didu said Wednesday. "It may be a shareholder of Semen Kupang, if necessary."

Despite its financial problems, said added, the company - which produced 300,000 tons of cement last year, has plenty of opportunities for the state to take over from her.

"I do not see why we need to restore a company to foreign customers, instead of maintaining or profitable," said added, referring to the failure of a movement by the Indian acquisition of the company.

Semen Kupang to fulfill his activities since May last year because he is not to resolve a Rp 25 billion (U.S. $ 2.3 million) in debt Sewatama PT Jakarta, one of its suppliers.

The debt is at the top of the Rp 500 billion it owed to Bank Mandiri last August.

The State Bank has converted part of its debt into shares Semen Kupang is a major shareholder of the company. Mandiri is a 38 per cent in the company, formerly a subsidiary of the largest cement manufacturer, PT Semen Gresik.

The other shareholders are the central government, which owns 61.48 percent of PT Semen Kupang hand, and a provincial government Flobamora PD company which holds 1.12 percent or Rp 1.5 billion.

Semen Kupang descent path leads to the layoff of 600 workers in the middle of last year, sparking public protests and street rallies. (DNA)

PT ASEI, Jamkrindo to get Rp1t each

2009-01-07T22:01:00.000-08:00

Two state-owned enterprises, export insurance Export PT Asuransi Indonesia (Asei) and loan guarantee Jamkrindo, each Rp 1 trillion euros (about U.S. $ 91 million) as part of the promotion in 2009.

The funds will be for three reasons: the continued robust exports, stimulate new export opportunities demand and avoid redundancies, despite the global economic recession, the Minister for SOEs said Didu said Wednesday.

Asei fund will be used to strengthen the company's ability to cover the exports. "This support will hopefully Asei the ability to export insurance, the promotion of exports of this year," he said.

Said added the insurance would help companies deal with various fees and charges as entrepreneurs face in the export of goods.

Exports were expected this year due to a decrease in demand by the impact of the global economic crisis.

The government says it is willing to Rp 50 billion of economic incentives to promote economic growth to be 5 percent this year compared with last year, 6.2 percent of the estimate.

As Jamkrindo said added, the new resources could increase its role in empowering the country, small and medium-sized enterprises - the company's principal clients.

"Jamkrindo use Rp 1 billion to add another Rp 20 trillion in assets," he explained. "The warranty covers more loans for small and medium-sized enterprises." (Dis)

Stimulus gives temporary relief

2009-01-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: Encouragement of the government for oil, gas and geothermal energy sectors - which amounts to 2.5 trillion Rupiah (U.S. $ 225 million) - can contribute to the consolidation of the exploration of schedules, but the years of incitement may be too short to long-term benefits.

However, Sammy Hamzah, Vice President of the Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA), said the incentive conditioning, launched by the Government would be very useful for oil and gas contractors to their current activities in the middle of the present crisis.

"With the momentum, we expect that the exploration could take place as planned, even if the economic situation is now similar to that of six months," said Sammy through a Short Message Service (SMS) on Tuesday.

The government Monday launched an exercise for a total value of Rp 50 billion (U.S. $ 4.6 billion) to help the country survive the economic crisis. The package will be applied to the year 2009.

Included in the package of incentives to import duties, taxes and value added tax on some imported products used in oil, gas and geothermal industry. The policy is in fact an extension of a scheme of the Ministry of Finance in 2008.

For 2009, the government considers that the exemption of fees for the three companies generated Rp 2.5 billion of government revenue, now lost.

The government said oil and gas expected this year to attract investment to $ 16.64 billion, an increase of $ 12.21 billion in 2008.

Sammy said the incentive would have indirect positive effects on production.

Meanwhile Suryadarma, chairman of the Indonesian Geothermal Association (API), said that the incentive that a year making it difficult for geothermal operators in the calculation of the long-term costs and values their projects.

"There is no guarantee that the impetus will be given again next year?" he said.

Suryadarma said the incentives should ideally be given for the entire duration of a contract for geothermal energy, which last between 25 and 30.

Adhi Karya looks at big government projects

2009-01-07T21:36:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: The global economic turmoil presents great opportunities for the state of PT Adhi Karya with the government, forced to spend heavily on infrastructure projects to protect the economy from external shocks.

"We are targeting 70 percent of our projects this year by the government and the rest of the private sector," Secretary of the Company Kunard Gularso said the office of the Ministry of State for State-owned enterprises on Tuesday.

In the context of the global economic slowdown, the government apart from more than 60 trillion Rupiah for infrastructure projects this year to help stimulate the economy and create jobs amid the threat of dismissal by the companies hit hard by the global slowdown.

According Kunard, private sector projects tend to be less reliable, especially in a time of crisis.

"The private sector projects the industry will be more financially risky because of the difficulty of obtaining loans today," he said, adding that these projects include the construction of offices, apartments and shopping centers.

Kunard Adhi Karya said that currently focuses on the construction of 32 km from the highway in Cirebon, a project worth about 900 billion Rupiah.

"It is a postponement of the draft last year," he said. "We are working on half phase to be completed in April."

Overall Adhi Karya has to complete many projects carried over from last year, with a total value of 8 trillion Rupiah.

In the period January to September last year, the company recorded Rp 52.16 billion in net income.

Kunard said the company has allocated Rp 150 billion to buy back its shares since last year, but not to spend about Rp 6 billion so far.

"We are still achieving redemption, and the plan should be completed by Jan, 13". (Dis)

Website at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry of graft scandal shut down

2009-01-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

Dozens of notaries flocked to the justice and Human Rights Ministry office Tuesday they scrambled for the treatment of their clients business permits, after the conclusion of a registry of e-government in connection with the system.

The website of the Ministry www.sisminbakum.com to deal online, among other things, creating and amending Regulation of the companies, was officially closed on Tuesday after the Attorney General's Office seized bank money and other equipment used in PT Sarana Dina Rekatama Mika (SRD), the Ministry of the partner with the site.

The items were seized as evidence in a case that centers on the register online purchases and transactions, and would have involved several current and former senior officials, including legal experts and former Director General Romli Atmasasmita governance.

If the closure continues, investors have to return to the manual, which takes more time - and often more expensive because of the need to pay bribes - the online system.

Yudi, an assistant to the Central Jakarta-based solicitor, said he had to wait almost four hours at the Ministry of Justice. He has eight permits customers through the online system for about two weeks ago.

"There are delays in processing permits a maximum of 60 days for creating a new company, and 30 days for the settlement of the change of an old company. Now, with the closure of the site, we do not know when the process is complete, "he said.

SRD was not seen in the office of the ministry.

Another employee of a notary office, Diana was not disappointed SRD had warned beforehand that he close the site.

"We still do not know what to do if nothing is done. We are very touched by this case," she said.

Although the online service is no longer active, notaries who want to treat their customers can always allowed to be taken directly to the office of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

However, Yudi said the manual procedure requires multiple visits to the ministry, compared with only a time of application for the permit online, and requires a longer period of treatment.

On Monday, SRD hotma Sitompoel lawyer said the company had to close the service, because the equipment and money needed to operate it was seized by public prosecutors.

The AGO said the appointment of DTH launch of the online service has violated the rules because of the absence of an open tender. The case is believed to have caused Rp 400 billion in losses in the state.

Indonesian Stock Exchange has suspended Sarijaya

2009-01-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: Widely criticized for the inefficient use of monitoring, the capital has become entangled in a series of allegations of fraud committed by one of the largest securities houses - PT Sarijaya Permana Sekuritas.

The capital market supervisory announced the company owner, Herman Ramli, was involved in an alleged embezzlement involving investors money worth 245 billion Rupiah (22.5 million U.S. dollars) in financial 8700, which in 6500 held by private investors.

"There was an alleged abuse of customer accounts by President Sarijaya Commissioner (Herman Ramli)," said the capital market and control of financial institutions Agency (Bapepam-LK), in a statement Tuesday.

At the request of Bapepam, Indonesia Stock Exchange (idx) has suspended the activities Sarijaya Tuesday and called PT kliring Penjaminan Efek Indonesia and the central depository Kustodian PT Sentral Efek Indonesia freezing all assets of the agency and its clients.

In his statement said Sarijaya Bapepam has falsefied reports its net working capital adjustment.

Head of the National Police detectives Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji said, police arrested Herman December 24 on charges of fraud.

Bapepam also the customer to verify the accounts and assets have already been made by Herman Sarijaya to ensure its operation.

"If there are no problems, we will release as soon as possible," idx President Erry Firmansyah said.

Erry also said that the suspension of all activities Sarijaya was not because the authorities wanted to prevent panic on the trading floor as Sarijaya was one of the largest securities houses in the nation.

Sarijaya which has 31 branches in Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, has waived the assets in the form of equity, a multi-financial companies, an insurance company and a plastics factory to authorities, Erry said.

Zulfian Alamsyah director of the company stated that the case is not Herman. "We are now looking for new investors to the problem immediately as requested by the authorities," he said.

Sarijaya The case is the latest in a series of fraud cases involving brokers. PT Antaboga Delta Sekuritas was in an alleged scam Rp 1.4 trillion in value, thus questioning the role of Bapepam supervision. Bapepam is investigating 49 other securities houses by irregularities.

Jihadists the last thing Gaza

2009-01-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

Jakarta: The government maintained its position Tuesday denied sending Indonesian troops to the Gaza Strip, despite pressure from some Muslim groups to send jihadis to conquer in the Middle East instead.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said sending jihadists to the Gaza Strip to help fight against Hamas, Israel would not improve the situation, which is much more efficient Indonesia could take to help escalate the situation.

Some Islamic groups hard, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), said they would send volunteers to the Gaza Strip under the banner of jihad and urged the government to support them.

"Is jihad leyden an effective, we must ask ourselves whether the Gaza Strip that is what they need, and more likely, they (not). There are other more effective ways to help ... So far, sending Jihadists is not an option, "Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said.

AFP said Tuesday that the 11-day-old Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip has slain at least 635 Palestinians and injured more than 2900.

The toll rose Tuesday when Israeli fire hit three schools, killing at least 45 people.

Speaking in his annual statement to the press, Hassan said that the Gaza Strip, the most in need of medicines and medical assistance.

"We look at the possibility of sending medical personnel to hospitals in the Sinai region in Egypt to the border with Gaza. We are waiting for permission to Egypt, and the President instructed the Minister of Health to gather volunteers," said Hassan.

Despite the awareness that the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has nothing to do with religion, Islamic groups in Jakarta have hype of the conflict between the two religious groups, so the way for the Islamic Party of Justice on the basis of Prosperity (PKS) and other Islamic groups to seize the momentum for the elections in April.

Observers on Tuesday criticized the nationalist parties not to cry Islam calls for groups to send volunteers for the war, which was defined by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday as a shock to the sovereignty of territory between Israel and Palestine, and not a religious issue .

"The nationalist groups should be more active in their view, Indonesia's voice is stronger than the (world) believes that a pluralistic democracy in Indonesia instead of Islam," the University international relations expert from Indonesia Hariyadi Wirawan said.

He said that Indonesia would be more pluralistic sympathy of large non-Muslim countries, such as the members of the European Union (EU) and strong defense of human rights in the world that the attacks as a territory dispute and a tragedy for the rights of man and not an attack against Islam.

PKS, the FPI and the spotlight HTI seized immediately after the Israeli attacks began when groups of thousands of supporters gathered in Jakarta and other major cities in the country rally against Israel and the U.S. United States.

The other political parties and nationalist groups do not participate in events and media has refused to state their views on the conflict.

Public courts to combat graft toothless, monitoring say

2009-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

Jakarta : Anti-corruption groups have criticized the court to public corruption suspects to exercise their "paradise" as the most graft suspects tried by the lowest to the highest courts of this year have been released.

During 2008, there were at least 194 cases of corruption handled by the district, high and supreme courts, involving 444 suspects, but 277, or 67 percent, were acquitted of all charges. Only 167 were convicted, according to Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).

ICW said that the 167 detainees, 78 were sentenced to one year in prison and 22 were imprisoned between one and two years.

Eighteen suspects were sent to prison for two to five years, five were sentenced to prison terms between five and 10 years, and received more than 10 years' imprisonment, while 10 others received suspended prison sentence.

"Less than one year in prison will not deter corruption, not to mention suspended prison sentence," ICW coordinator and one Yuntho lawsuit to monitor Emerson said at the end of the year conference Sunday.

He said this was contrary to the cases handled by the Court of corruption.

"In 2008 there were 27 cases with 31 defendants tried by the Court of corruption and each were found guilty," he said.

Emerson said there are several reasons behind the high number of suspects released by the court.

The first is that the suspects were actually found not guilty. The second is that the existing indictments of prosecutors were weak or weakened in the goal. And the third is that the judges deliberately tried considerations that are eligible for the suspects.

"The last two reasons dominated their rulings for the release of the suspect," he said.

For example, Emerson cited a case of corruption involving former Patina Central Java Legislative Council speaker Wiwik Budi Santoso and his deputy Syarif Mundi, who were accused of abuse of Rp 2.6 billion (U.S. $ 234,911) from their budget of the city in 2004.

"They were all released as they came back the funds to the state, so the judges ruled there was no state loses the case," says Emerson.

Such a review, he argues, is contrary to Article 5, 1999, against the corruption law, which strictly stipulates that the State Restitution does not lose to reject someone with criminal consequences.

Director of the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies (Pukat) at Gajah Mada University, Zainal Arifin Mochtar, share similar views, saying there was a significant difference between the rulings of the Court and the corruption in the courts.

"We have carried out a study in 2008 comparing with the performance of these two tribunals and we found that most cases handled by public courts convicted only sentenced to one year in prison, while the Court mainly corruption suspects imprisoned for at least five years, "he told the Jakarta Post.

He said that there are only two reasons for the difference in performance between the two courts - a lack of political will and lack of capacity.

"These two reasons in public court order to enforce the law," said Zaenal.

He said that the failure element could still be solved by training to improve the capacity of law enforcement.

"This is the aspect of political will that is most important because it comes to many factors: money, the judiciary and the mafia," he added.

Both the CIF and Pukat urged the government and the House of Representatives to approve a draft law on Corruption Court to strengthen the existence of corruption courts.

"The main reason for corruption Court was created because we can no longer rely on public courts," said Zainal.

Singapore appoints envoy to the ASEAN

2009-01-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

Jakarta : Singapore Permanent Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Lim Thuan Kuan, on Monday presented his credentials to the ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan during a ceremony at the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta.

Singapore became the first ASEAN member countries to appoint a permanent representative of the secretariat said in a statement.

The ASEAN Charter, which took effect on December 15, 2008, requires all 10 member states to appoint a permanent representative with the rank of ambassador to be based in Jakarta.

The representatives, who form the Committee of Permanent Representatives, are responsible for supporting the work of the ASEAN Community Councils, coordination with the national secretariats of ASEAN and other countries of the ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial and contacts with the block of the Secretary-General and the Secretariat.

"We are pleased with Ambassador Lim," said Pitsuwan.

"I am convinced that his experience in the affairs of the ASEAN will contribute significantly to ASEAN community building efforts currently underway. I hope that the rest of Member States will continue their representatives in the ASEAN very soon."

Lim formerly served as ambassador of Singapore to Vietnam.

Indonesia has said to seek coalition against Israel

2009-01-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

Jakarta : Having joined a large number of countries condemning Israel for its attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza, Indonesia has been invited to a "coalition of the willing" to the Jewish state to withdraw from Palestine.

The coalition - which would be similar to that of the United States to invade Iraq - the countries of the same concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and are prepared to carry out humanitarian missions there, observers and experts said Sunday.

Such an alliance must be forged as nations by means of diplomacy failed to convince Israel to stop its attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians were slain.

"It is time for the international community to a" coalition of the willing ", in which members of military pooling resources for the conduct of humanitarian intervention. You should know that the Security Council of the United Nations is powerless to allow the use of violence against Israel because the United States faculties, "University of Indonesia expert in international law Hikmahanto Juwana said.

He said that such a coalition was necessary because the Israeli attacks could not be justified under international law because they were "disproportionate and shocking" and not defensive as Israel claims.

Hikmahanto said that the world could no longer depend on the United Nations and the United States the "world police" because they double standard when it comes to the question of Israel.

"It is not a religion. It is a state the use of force against other states, and create a humanitarian crisis. If the Arab countries will not lead to the coalition, then Indonesia and even Russia can work together to develop," he said.

Bantarto Bandoro international relations expert from the Institute of Defense and Security Studies of Indonesia supports the objective of such a coalition, says it is the best alternative to the current situation.

"You see, all Israelis need to see the blessing of the United States. So if we can not push Israel, we must insist the United States. That is the reason why members of the coalition includes countries that have leverage against the United States, "he said.

Bantarto said members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and the Arab countries form the coalition.

A senior legislator of the prosperity of the Islamic-based Justice Party, Mahfudz Siddiq, urged Indonesia to invite members of the Asian-African conference to form a coalition to stop the attacks and finding a solution to freeing Palestinians in Israeli attacks.

"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should tell the leaders of all countries to accede to the Asian-African Conference that it is time for Palestine to win its independence," he said.

Chalid Mawardi rights of Indonesians Movement for the Liberation of Palestine said Indonesia and the Middle East should be encouraged to use their bargaining chip to pressure from Israel and the United States to stop the massacres in the Gaza Strip.

Under fire Pertamina vows end to the shortage of petrol

2009-01-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

Jakarta : State oil and gas company PT Pertamina has rejected criticism over its failure to secure the nation with Premium petrol and diesel, say recent deficits were specific to a small number of service stations and has received offers of the two fuels.

Also under fire for a recent shortage of subsidies 3 kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders that a mockery of the drive for the public to convert to LPG, kerosene, Pertamina said Sunday the deficit Premium gasoline and diesel fuel were reported in many service stations in the last few days is over.

Achmad Faisal, Pertamina's director for marketing and trading, said the company increased deliveries of fuel to the drought.

"In the past three days we have divided Premium petrol and diesel in a volume higher than the normal daily requirement. But a number of petrol stations in remote areas still face shortages," said Faisal.

He added that the deficit will soon be eased and that public transport would not suffer.

He said that the company filing Plumpang, North Jakarta, which is responsible for providing Greater Jakarta, on Saturday distributed 19,981 kiloliters of Premium is higher than the surface of the daily need kiloliters in 9420.

He said the station has also kilo liters of diesel in 5311, compared with the normal daily intake of 4677 kilo liters.

Faisal said that the national inventory of premium petrol and diesel is ensured.

The total daily domestic demand for gasoline is 54,000 kl kl Premium and 30,000 for diesel.

Faisal said that in the last three days, the national stock bonus was increased to 2.76 million kiloliters, or enough of 13.4 days of consumption and stock diesel to 5.28 million kiloliters, instead of 28, 3 days .

"We continue to add to our inventory of fuel," said Faisal.

Pertamina said that the recent deficit was specifically designed for 129 service stations in the 4300 operated by Pertamina throughout the country.

Ari H. Soemarno, Pertamina president director, said that the deficit has nothing to do with the stock of fuel, but with delays in payment as a result of the holiday season, which saw the temporary closure of most banks and also by the company's recent transition to a new online payment system.

Ari said the shortage was aggravated that some operators of petrol stations decreased orders for fuel because of rumors the government in May soon the price of premium gasoline and diesel.

We hope that owners of fuel will continue to serve the public. They should not forget that Pertamina had not asked for a fee at petrol stations have benefited from rising fuel prices, "said Ari.

Kill four on Earthquakes lay waste to Manokwari

2009-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

Manokwari: A series of powerful earthquakes rocked Manokwari, the capital of West Papua on Sunday, killing four people, wounded dozens and destroying hundreds of buildings.

A 7.3-magnitude tremor was felt as far away as Australia and Japan sent small tsunami in southeast coast, the Associated Press.

The first earthquake, 7.6, beaten at 4:43 local time, approximately 135 kilometers from Manokwari, at a depth of 35 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Dozens of aftershocks followed.

At least four people died in Papua, where the runway of the airport, the closest to the epicenter was divided by force, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters.

"I am responsible for emergency measures be taken to help our brothers and restoring electricity and other essential public services," said Yudhoyono.

Among the dead was a 10-year-old girl, identified as Yolanda Mandofi, whose head was crushed, local hospital director said ramond TEWU.

"Our ambulances have picked up two more," he said.

19 other patients in the hospital were treated for fractures, lacerations, crushing injuries and other injuries.

Police Chief Maj. Gen. Papua Ekodanto Domba said he had heard that a hotel and a store of rice has been "destroyed", but he did not know if anyone was slain in the impact. The search for victims is underway.

Several stories of the snobbish hotel in the main town of Manokwari collapsed, "said Ina, a nurse at a naval hospital, adding that it has dealt with 20 victims of an earthquake. The earthquake has also damaged the Kalidingin hotel.

Electricity was restored to the town of 167,000 inhabitants, where people fled their homes in the dark for fear of a tsunami, "said Hasim Rumatiga, a local health official.

Earthquakes forced thousands to flee, even in the army in the city, said Manokwari military commander Col. Inf. Irham Waroiham.

Approximately 1,000 people took refuge in a military zone, 500 in a field of the Navy, 500 in the courtyard of Manokwari regency office and others in 7000 Masni district, which lies just outside the town of Manokwari.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning, but he was fired less than an hour after it was determined the epicenter of the earthquake was, in the context of the continent.

Earthquakes centered in the continent no threat of tsunami in Indonesia, but can still spread waves in neighboring countries such as Japan.

Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami of 10 to 40 centimeters in height swept into the towns along the coast.

The quakes were also felt in Sorong regency. The spokesman of the police SNR regency. Comrie. Agus Rianto the Jakarta Post said the quake damaged 18 houses, 11 people were injured.

The most recent earthquake in Manokwari place on October 10, 2002, the largest recorded at 7.6, three people slain. Another powerful earthquake in 1996, making the huge waves that abused the north coast of Papua, and Sorong, Manokwari and Biak.