Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
If a traffic light has been broken for a long time and there is no sign it is going to be fixed anytime soon -- even if it is just a matter of changing the bulb -- there has most likely been some confusion.
The Jakarta Police's data on the number of outdoor lighting fixtures that were left inoperative after the floods in the city early this month does not match the Jakarta Transportation Agency's, moreover it seems to fluctuate from day to day.
The city police's Traffic Management Center (TMC) reported Monday that 36 of 345 traffic lights in the capital were inoperative. On Wednesday, the figure increased to 44. It dropped to 20 Thursday, before climbing to 28 Friday.
Meanwhile, the transportation agency said Thursday only four lights were not working.
"The damaged traffic lights have created confusion at some intersections," said TMC officer Adj. Sr. Comr. Crisnanda.
He said 91 lights were not working properly in the first week after the floods, with 274 separate instances of traffic lights failing.
"Until now, we are still experiencing problems with many of the lights. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't," said Crisnanda.
In normal conditions, traffic signals might be out two or three times a day, he said.
The high number of broken lighting fixtures at present has forced police to deploy hundreds of officers to control the traffic.
"It's possible the city transportation agency just doesn't know about the real number of broken lights. We know because our officers are in the field and they report back to use every minute," Crisnanda said.
Separately, Udar Pristono, the deputy head of the city transportation agency, said the police count was too high.
"Where did they get that number? That's too many," Pristono told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
"On Tuesday we had trouble with 11 traffic lights but we fixed some of them and there are only four broken ones left," he said.
The four traffic lights that are still not working are located on Jl. Joko Sutono in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta; Jl. Brawijaya in Darmawangsa, South Jakarta; Jl. Jembatan Dua, Tubagus Angke in North Jakarta; and in Ciputat, South Jakarta.
He said there were a number of reasons why traffic lights might not be working, such as an electrical short circuit, a power outage, the light's components were water damaged or a bulb was broken.
"If the problem is an electric short circuit, we can fix it in one or days, but if it's because the power is out, we have to wait for state power firm PLN to put it back on," Pristono said. (02)
One afternoon, on a visit to his family, he had summoned up the courage to tell his father that he didn't want to become a priest. That he wanted to travel.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Residents say park project caused houses to flood
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Residents of Menteng, Central Jakarta, reported Governor Sutiyoso to the city police Friday over the ongoing redevelopment of the historic Persija soccer stadium.
The residents alleged the renovation had violated environmental and heritage laws and caused construction damage to the surrounding park.
"The redevelopment of Persija stadium is illegal. It violates the laws on the environmental impact analysis (Amdal) and the heritage conservation of Persija soccer stadium," a resident, Nazly Pujihati Siregar, said.
She said the project had caused a number of houses and streets in Menteng to flood up to 50 centimeters deep.
The law on heritage conservation declares the Menteng soccer stadium, which was built by the Dutch administration in 1921, a heritage site.
Before lodging their complaint, about 15 residents protested outside the park. Workers stopped them from going any further.
German-born historian A. Heuken, who has lived in Menteng since 1960, said the project was not in line with current spatial planning frameworks, which showed more green areas than previous plans had.
"It does not fit with Sutiyoso's promises as over 40 percent of the property has been cemented over, damaging water catchment areas.
"The park is now located higher than its surrounding, thus the water will flow onto the streets or residential areas," he said.
The administration demolished the soccer stadium last year, despite protests from Menteng residents and Persija club members.
The administration began landscaping the park last October.
On the four-hectare property there is a grassy area, two greenhouses, sports facilities, a playground and a four-story parking lot, which can accommodate more than 130 cars.
The sports facilities include soccer, basketball, roller-skating and jogging facilities, while the two greenhouses are to be used for flower shows.
An official said Sutiyoso would inaugurate the park next month.
"We will go ahead with the plan to beautify the area. It is for the sake of the public. They can start playing sport in the park after the inauguration ceremony," said Juli Lubis of the central Jakarta municipal office.
He said there was no connection between the flood and the park's construction.
"The claims the project worsened the floods do not make sense. It (flooding) has been happening for many years now. We built 48 rainwater seepage pits in the park in addition to the drainage system."
The redevelopment of Persija park is part of the city administration's plan to convert 14 percent of Jakarta's area, or 9,156 hectares, into green spaces by 2010.
Protests directed at Sutiyoso in the aftermath of the floods, which affected around 70 percent of the capital, are mounting.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) also reported Sutiyoso to the National Commission on Human Rights over the floods.
Forum chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said the floods, which claimed 98 lives in Greater Jakarta, were categorized as a human rights violation. (02)
Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Residents of Menteng, Central Jakarta, reported Governor Sutiyoso to the city police Friday over the ongoing redevelopment of the historic Persija soccer stadium.
The residents alleged the renovation had violated environmental and heritage laws and caused construction damage to the surrounding park.
"The redevelopment of Persija stadium is illegal. It violates the laws on the environmental impact analysis (Amdal) and the heritage conservation of Persija soccer stadium," a resident, Nazly Pujihati Siregar, said.
She said the project had caused a number of houses and streets in Menteng to flood up to 50 centimeters deep.
The law on heritage conservation declares the Menteng soccer stadium, which was built by the Dutch administration in 1921, a heritage site.
Before lodging their complaint, about 15 residents protested outside the park. Workers stopped them from going any further.
German-born historian A. Heuken, who has lived in Menteng since 1960, said the project was not in line with current spatial planning frameworks, which showed more green areas than previous plans had.
"It does not fit with Sutiyoso's promises as over 40 percent of the property has been cemented over, damaging water catchment areas.
"The park is now located higher than its surrounding, thus the water will flow onto the streets or residential areas," he said.
The administration demolished the soccer stadium last year, despite protests from Menteng residents and Persija club members.
The administration began landscaping the park last October.
On the four-hectare property there is a grassy area, two greenhouses, sports facilities, a playground and a four-story parking lot, which can accommodate more than 130 cars.
The sports facilities include soccer, basketball, roller-skating and jogging facilities, while the two greenhouses are to be used for flower shows.
An official said Sutiyoso would inaugurate the park next month.
"We will go ahead with the plan to beautify the area. It is for the sake of the public. They can start playing sport in the park after the inauguration ceremony," said Juli Lubis of the central Jakarta municipal office.
He said there was no connection between the flood and the park's construction.
"The claims the project worsened the floods do not make sense. It (flooding) has been happening for many years now. We built 48 rainwater seepage pits in the park in addition to the drainage system."
The redevelopment of Persija park is part of the city administration's plan to convert 14 percent of Jakarta's area, or 9,156 hectares, into green spaces by 2010.
Protests directed at Sutiyoso in the aftermath of the floods, which affected around 70 percent of the capital, are mounting.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) also reported Sutiyoso to the National Commission on Human Rights over the floods.
Forum chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said the floods, which claimed 98 lives in Greater Jakarta, were categorized as a human rights violation. (02)
'Special service' fails flood victims
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City police have been operating a special services unit of the Motor Vehicle Document Center (SAMSAT) since Saturday, providing replacements of missing or damaged documents to flood victims.
Dozens of people queued at city police headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday, only to find they did not have the necessary support documents.
Although police had decided to accelerate the process of issuing replacement documents, many of the flood victims left dissatisfied.
Mauhal Gultom, a resident of Ciledug, South Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post on Monday he had applied for a replacement of his Vehicle Ownership Document (BPKB) Saturday but had returned home empty-handed because he was not carrying the necessary papers and had been told he also needed to get his car serviced.
He took his car in for servicing at an approved garage and drove to police headquarters Monday to have it checked. He had also taken along a letter from his neighborhood unit chief, a photocopy of his vehicle registration card (STNK) and a copy of his identity card.
Police are charging the owners of motorcycles, cars and public transportation vehicles Rp 70,000 (about US$7) for replacement documents, while truck owners pay Rp 80,000.
The head of the Jakarta traffic police's BPKB unit, Comr. Anak Agung Made Sudana, said that in order to obtain a new BPKB, the vehicle owner must present a copy of their STNK, evidence police had checked their vehicle and "if the BPKB was lost, the owner needs to bring along a copy of their ad in the lost and found part of a newspaper's classifieds section."
Adj. Second Insp. Hermanto, also of the traffic division, said only three people had fulfilled all the requirements to get their STNK replaced Monday.
"We can issue the replacement in a day if the documents are complete and the owner pays Rp 25,000 for a motorcycle or Rp 50,000 for a car,
"It normally takes two days to replace a STNK but, at a time such as this, we are doing our best to speed up the process," Hermanto said.
Replacements for STNKs and driver's licenses can be obtained at any SAMSAT in Greater Jakarta, while BPKBs can only be obtained at the traffic division at city police headquarters.
The city police now have three SAMSAT offices: in Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, in Kebon Nanas, East Jakarta and at city police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta.(02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City police have been operating a special services unit of the Motor Vehicle Document Center (SAMSAT) since Saturday, providing replacements of missing or damaged documents to flood victims.
Dozens of people queued at city police headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday, only to find they did not have the necessary support documents.
Although police had decided to accelerate the process of issuing replacement documents, many of the flood victims left dissatisfied.
Mauhal Gultom, a resident of Ciledug, South Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post on Monday he had applied for a replacement of his Vehicle Ownership Document (BPKB) Saturday but had returned home empty-handed because he was not carrying the necessary papers and had been told he also needed to get his car serviced.
He took his car in for servicing at an approved garage and drove to police headquarters Monday to have it checked. He had also taken along a letter from his neighborhood unit chief, a photocopy of his vehicle registration card (STNK) and a copy of his identity card.
Police are charging the owners of motorcycles, cars and public transportation vehicles Rp 70,000 (about US$7) for replacement documents, while truck owners pay Rp 80,000.
The head of the Jakarta traffic police's BPKB unit, Comr. Anak Agung Made Sudana, said that in order to obtain a new BPKB, the vehicle owner must present a copy of their STNK, evidence police had checked their vehicle and "if the BPKB was lost, the owner needs to bring along a copy of their ad in the lost and found part of a newspaper's classifieds section."
Adj. Second Insp. Hermanto, also of the traffic division, said only three people had fulfilled all the requirements to get their STNK replaced Monday.
"We can issue the replacement in a day if the documents are complete and the owner pays Rp 25,000 for a motorcycle or Rp 50,000 for a car,
"It normally takes two days to replace a STNK but, at a time such as this, we are doing our best to speed up the process," Hermanto said.
Replacements for STNKs and driver's licenses can be obtained at any SAMSAT in Greater Jakarta, while BPKBs can only be obtained at the traffic division at city police headquarters.
The city police now have three SAMSAT offices: in Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, in Kebon Nanas, East Jakarta and at city police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta.(02)
Jakarta braces for more rain
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The nightmarish days of flooding that have paralyzed the capital will not be over soon, authorities warned Sunday, saying more torrential rain is coming and the water being held back by sluice gates has reached alarming levels.
Hari Tirto, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG), said the rain in Jakarta will last until the end of the month, with gradually slackening intensity. A collision of wind between the Java Sea and the Maluku Islands will cause periods of unusually heavy rain.
"We should prepare for the possibility of more flood water, especially coming from Bogor," Hari briefed Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his entourage in a visit to the city's crisis center Sunday.
The agency claimed the city had seen its heaviest rain since the 2002 flood, when many parts of Greater Jakarta were also deluged.
"This heavy rain has caused the rivers to flow fast," Hari said.
Torrential rain is expected to fall from before midnight until morning. Depok and Bogor, both in West Java, expect more rain, which threatens Jakarta.
Meanwhile, facing criticism from many who say he did not anticipate the emergency, Governor Sutiyoso said the flood in the city was "a purely natural phenomenon and it was expected that residents would respond proportionally without trying to blame anyone."
Logistical aid was sent out to the refugee shelters before the rainy season, but Sutiyoso argued,"the flood is out of our coping capacity.
"What we can do is to minimize the cost, especially in human lives," he said.
City police reported that 20 deaths have occurred in Greater Jakarta in flood-related incidents during the past three days.
"The deaths have mainly been caused by electrocution and drowning in the strong currents," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said as quoted by Antara.
As of Sunday night, tens of thousands of houses were still flooded to varying heights. The water had receded in some parts of the city, but in other parts the floodwaters were just rolling in.
Police and community members closed many roads, causing headaches for motorists.
As the Vice President and his entourage listened, Sutiyoso explained that the completion of the 23.7-kilometer East Flood Canal project would resolve the chronic flood problem in Jakarta.
The construction of the canal has been hampered by prolonged disputes between the administration and landowners over land prices.
The governor said the administration needed Rp 1 trillion (US$110 million) to get the project off the ground as soon as possible. It is designed to handle water streaming in from upland areas that causes flooding.
The central government has allocated Rp 2.5 trillion for the construction work, while the Jakarta administration has spent Rp 2.4 trillion on land acquisition.
To date, only a 7.6km stretch of the canal has been completed. The project is expected to be finished by 2010.
Vice president Jusuf Kalla said floods happen in every part of the country, but Jakarta suffers the worst impacts because of its density and its economic importance.
He therefore asked the relevant ministers to support the city administration in handling the flood crisis.
The head of the public works agency, Wisnu Subagyo, said his office had deployed 93 mobile water pumps to reduce the level of water in 34 flood-prone areas.
Clean water is also in short supply. Didiet Haryadi, director of city water company PT PAM Jaya, said the company's foreign partners, PT Thames Jaya (TPJ) and PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja), could provide less than a half of their normal production.
To handle severe tap water shortages, the two companies have provided mobile water tanks to distribute clean water to hospitals and refugee shelters.
"Learning from the experience of 2002, we need to prepare for at least two to three weeks after the flood before we will be able to supply clean water to people," said Haryadi.(02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The nightmarish days of flooding that have paralyzed the capital will not be over soon, authorities warned Sunday, saying more torrential rain is coming and the water being held back by sluice gates has reached alarming levels.
Hari Tirto, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG), said the rain in Jakarta will last until the end of the month, with gradually slackening intensity. A collision of wind between the Java Sea and the Maluku Islands will cause periods of unusually heavy rain.
"We should prepare for the possibility of more flood water, especially coming from Bogor," Hari briefed Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his entourage in a visit to the city's crisis center Sunday.
The agency claimed the city had seen its heaviest rain since the 2002 flood, when many parts of Greater Jakarta were also deluged.
"This heavy rain has caused the rivers to flow fast," Hari said.
Torrential rain is expected to fall from before midnight until morning. Depok and Bogor, both in West Java, expect more rain, which threatens Jakarta.
Meanwhile, facing criticism from many who say he did not anticipate the emergency, Governor Sutiyoso said the flood in the city was "a purely natural phenomenon and it was expected that residents would respond proportionally without trying to blame anyone."
Logistical aid was sent out to the refugee shelters before the rainy season, but Sutiyoso argued,"the flood is out of our coping capacity.
"What we can do is to minimize the cost, especially in human lives," he said.
City police reported that 20 deaths have occurred in Greater Jakarta in flood-related incidents during the past three days.
"The deaths have mainly been caused by electrocution and drowning in the strong currents," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said as quoted by Antara.
As of Sunday night, tens of thousands of houses were still flooded to varying heights. The water had receded in some parts of the city, but in other parts the floodwaters were just rolling in.
Police and community members closed many roads, causing headaches for motorists.
As the Vice President and his entourage listened, Sutiyoso explained that the completion of the 23.7-kilometer East Flood Canal project would resolve the chronic flood problem in Jakarta.
The construction of the canal has been hampered by prolonged disputes between the administration and landowners over land prices.
The governor said the administration needed Rp 1 trillion (US$110 million) to get the project off the ground as soon as possible. It is designed to handle water streaming in from upland areas that causes flooding.
The central government has allocated Rp 2.5 trillion for the construction work, while the Jakarta administration has spent Rp 2.4 trillion on land acquisition.
To date, only a 7.6km stretch of the canal has been completed. The project is expected to be finished by 2010.
Vice president Jusuf Kalla said floods happen in every part of the country, but Jakarta suffers the worst impacts because of its density and its economic importance.
He therefore asked the relevant ministers to support the city administration in handling the flood crisis.
The head of the public works agency, Wisnu Subagyo, said his office had deployed 93 mobile water pumps to reduce the level of water in 34 flood-prone areas.
Clean water is also in short supply. Didiet Haryadi, director of city water company PT PAM Jaya, said the company's foreign partners, PT Thames Jaya (TPJ) and PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja), could provide less than a half of their normal production.
To handle severe tap water shortages, the two companies have provided mobile water tanks to distribute clean water to hospitals and refugee shelters.
"Learning from the experience of 2002, we need to prepare for at least two to three weeks after the flood before we will be able to supply clean water to people," said Haryadi.(02)
Left-lane rule saves lives, police say
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The numbers of road accidents involving motorcycles traveling on main roads in the city slightly increased in the last two months, while the number of accidents in designated motorcycle lanes decreased.
The trial of a new rule requiring motorcyclists to take the left lane on certain major roads began two months ago.
In December, police recorded 453 motorcycle accidents with 96 fatalities and 443 injuries in the designated left lanes, while in January there were 346 accidents with 69 deaths and 375 injuries.
"That means the number of accidents in designated left lanes dropped by 23.6 percent, or 107 cases," Jakarta Police traffic division chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Tomex Korniawan said Thursday.
However, the overall numbers of motorcycle accident fatalities increased over the same period. As many as 60 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in December, while in January, there were 67 deaths.
Korniawan said that from Dec. 16 to Jan. 7, there were 15 accidents involving motorcycles in the designated left lanes. Three people died and 20 others were injured.
In the three-week period following the implementation of the left-lane policy, eight people were injured in the designated left lanes of eight main roads but there were no deaths.
"There were 60 percent less accidents and no fatalities. I admit there are some flaws in the policy, but we'll improve things over time," Korniawan said.
He denied the claim police were only targeting motorcyclists in their attempt to reduce the accident rate.
Police recorded more than 58,000 traffic infractions in January and as many as 9,710 cases related to public transportation vehicles.
"Public transportation drivers are the biggest offenders, but private car owners are also guilty," Korniawan said
He said private vehicle owners committed 22,608 traffic infractions, 1,452 of which occurred in the busway lanes in Grogol and Daaan Mogot, West Jakarta, and Tugu Tani in Central Jakarta. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The numbers of road accidents involving motorcycles traveling on main roads in the city slightly increased in the last two months, while the number of accidents in designated motorcycle lanes decreased.
The trial of a new rule requiring motorcyclists to take the left lane on certain major roads began two months ago.
In December, police recorded 453 motorcycle accidents with 96 fatalities and 443 injuries in the designated left lanes, while in January there were 346 accidents with 69 deaths and 375 injuries.
"That means the number of accidents in designated left lanes dropped by 23.6 percent, or 107 cases," Jakarta Police traffic division chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Tomex Korniawan said Thursday.
However, the overall numbers of motorcycle accident fatalities increased over the same period. As many as 60 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in December, while in January, there were 67 deaths.
Korniawan said that from Dec. 16 to Jan. 7, there were 15 accidents involving motorcycles in the designated left lanes. Three people died and 20 others were injured.
In the three-week period following the implementation of the left-lane policy, eight people were injured in the designated left lanes of eight main roads but there were no deaths.
"There were 60 percent less accidents and no fatalities. I admit there are some flaws in the policy, but we'll improve things over time," Korniawan said.
He denied the claim police were only targeting motorcyclists in their attempt to reduce the accident rate.
Police recorded more than 58,000 traffic infractions in January and as many as 9,710 cases related to public transportation vehicles.
"Public transportation drivers are the biggest offenders, but private car owners are also guilty," Korniawan said
He said private vehicle owners committed 22,608 traffic infractions, 1,452 of which occurred in the busway lanes in Grogol and Daaan Mogot, West Jakarta, and Tugu Tani in Central Jakarta. (02)
Makeshift Chinatown draws dinners north
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Cheap electronic goods and textiles have long enticed Jakartans to make the trek out to the northern part of the city. But now they have another reason: Stopping in for a quick bite to eat under the stars.
Pagoda Food City is a street food bazaar located in the yard of Mangga Dua Square, North Jakarta, which borders with Kota, West Jakarta.
Despite the area's mall, cinema complex and hotel-cum-entertainment center, many people choose to have dinner at one of the food stalls in the yard. There they are free to enjoy their evening without being disturbed by street singers or beggars.
"After-work gatherings have become part of the Jakarta lifestyle. We wanted to offer diners a comfortable venue with an oriental atmosphere," said Novi Andriani from Mangga Dua Square. "There are lots of food stalls in the city, but we are unique in terms of atmosphere and our prices are affordable."
The square management opened the food bazaar last October, offering spaces to 38 vendors from around the city. Tenants were charged Rp 250,000 a month for the first three months, after which the rent increased to Rp 2 million per month.
The tenants were selected because their food had already proved popular around the city, said Yanee Lasahido, the square's promotions manager.
"By bringing the vendors here, we attract more people and, at the same time, broaden their market. For example, people used to go to Kelapa Gading (further into North Jakarta) for empek-empek Palembang, now they don't have to do that," Yanee said.
However, he said that apart from the venue's "Chinatown architecture", featuring pagodas and tiled roofs, the variety and quality of the food was a main consideration for diners.
"We realize this is only a facade -- not the real Chinatown -- and we can't rely on it to attract customers. Therefore we also have to pay attention to the quality and variety of the food. If we sell good food, the people will come."
He said if a stall was not doing well, the square management would ask the owner to improve the quality of their food or change their menu.
The food bazaar is separated into two parts: a national and halal food section, and an oriental food section. Opening from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m., the bazaar attracts 400-500 visitors on weekdays and up to 900 on weekends.
Vino, a West Sumatran food vendor who used to do business in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, said that after three months of selling in the square, he was thinking of moving his entire business to the site.
"Business is good here," he said, refusing to talk in terms of profits. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Cheap electronic goods and textiles have long enticed Jakartans to make the trek out to the northern part of the city. But now they have another reason: Stopping in for a quick bite to eat under the stars.
Pagoda Food City is a street food bazaar located in the yard of Mangga Dua Square, North Jakarta, which borders with Kota, West Jakarta.
Despite the area's mall, cinema complex and hotel-cum-entertainment center, many people choose to have dinner at one of the food stalls in the yard. There they are free to enjoy their evening without being disturbed by street singers or beggars.
"After-work gatherings have become part of the Jakarta lifestyle. We wanted to offer diners a comfortable venue with an oriental atmosphere," said Novi Andriani from Mangga Dua Square. "There are lots of food stalls in the city, but we are unique in terms of atmosphere and our prices are affordable."
The square management opened the food bazaar last October, offering spaces to 38 vendors from around the city. Tenants were charged Rp 250,000 a month for the first three months, after which the rent increased to Rp 2 million per month.
The tenants were selected because their food had already proved popular around the city, said Yanee Lasahido, the square's promotions manager.
"By bringing the vendors here, we attract more people and, at the same time, broaden their market. For example, people used to go to Kelapa Gading (further into North Jakarta) for empek-empek Palembang, now they don't have to do that," Yanee said.
However, he said that apart from the venue's "Chinatown architecture", featuring pagodas and tiled roofs, the variety and quality of the food was a main consideration for diners.
"We realize this is only a facade -- not the real Chinatown -- and we can't rely on it to attract customers. Therefore we also have to pay attention to the quality and variety of the food. If we sell good food, the people will come."
He said if a stall was not doing well, the square management would ask the owner to improve the quality of their food or change their menu.
The food bazaar is separated into two parts: a national and halal food section, and an oriental food section. Opening from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m., the bazaar attracts 400-500 visitors on weekdays and up to 900 on weekends.
Vino, a West Sumatran food vendor who used to do business in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, said that after three months of selling in the square, he was thinking of moving his entire business to the site.
"Business is good here," he said, refusing to talk in terms of profits. (02)
Ex-badminton star's lawyer demands apology from police
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The city police have arrested seven men -- including a man who was wrongly identified as a former national shuttler -- for allegedly trading counterfeit money, and confiscated US$50,000 in fake bills.
Ade Candra, whose name is similar to the name of the former All England champion, and his two friends were arrested Sunday when they were about to make a transaction at a swimming pool in the Alfa Indah housing complex in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, Kembangan Police chief Comr. Haris Yulianto told a press conference Tuesday.
The other four suspects were arrested later on Sunday.
In the press briefing Tuesday, Haris identified Ade Candra as a 1978 All England champion.
On Wednesday, Lubis, Santosa & Maulana Law Office -- representing former national shuttler Ade Chandra -- sent a letter to police, demanding the error be cleared up.
"Police should have checked with the family and the badminton community before jumping to a conclusion. That's not too much to ask. Ade Chandra and his family were shocked and felt publicly humiliated by the report. The badminton community was also humiliated," lawyer T. Mulya Lubis told The Jakarta Post.
"Police should act like gentlemen and explain to the public that they made a mistake and apologize to Ade Chandra and his family. But I don't see that.
"We are yet to take any legal action but reserve the right to sue," he said.
Before police held the press conference Tuesday, Pos Kota newspaper had run a story about the case, quoting police as saying that one of the suspects was Ade Chandra, the former badminton champion.
A few hours after the press conference, the national shuttler, accompanied by his lawyer, held a press conference, saying police had wrongly identified the suspect.
They demanded that Pos Kota have its editors write a note of apology and run it in their newspaper, as well as in Kompas and Suara Pembaruan newspapers, within a week.
Lubis said the veteran champion had a strong alibi of playing golf with his son and another friend when the arrest happened.
"I noticed this morning that Pos Kota editors made the correction in their own paper, which means they have good will. But I regret the police have not yet admitted their mistake," Lubis told the Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Ade Candra, now 55, and Christian Hadinata won the men's doubles title at the All England Championship in 1972. The then country's top men's doubles player also won the men's doubles title in the demonstration sport at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich after defeating Ng Boon Bee and P. Gunalan of Malaysia. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The city police have arrested seven men -- including a man who was wrongly identified as a former national shuttler -- for allegedly trading counterfeit money, and confiscated US$50,000 in fake bills.
Ade Candra, whose name is similar to the name of the former All England champion, and his two friends were arrested Sunday when they were about to make a transaction at a swimming pool in the Alfa Indah housing complex in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, Kembangan Police chief Comr. Haris Yulianto told a press conference Tuesday.
The other four suspects were arrested later on Sunday.
In the press briefing Tuesday, Haris identified Ade Candra as a 1978 All England champion.
On Wednesday, Lubis, Santosa & Maulana Law Office -- representing former national shuttler Ade Chandra -- sent a letter to police, demanding the error be cleared up.
"Police should have checked with the family and the badminton community before jumping to a conclusion. That's not too much to ask. Ade Chandra and his family were shocked and felt publicly humiliated by the report. The badminton community was also humiliated," lawyer T. Mulya Lubis told The Jakarta Post.
"Police should act like gentlemen and explain to the public that they made a mistake and apologize to Ade Chandra and his family. But I don't see that.
"We are yet to take any legal action but reserve the right to sue," he said.
Before police held the press conference Tuesday, Pos Kota newspaper had run a story about the case, quoting police as saying that one of the suspects was Ade Chandra, the former badminton champion.
A few hours after the press conference, the national shuttler, accompanied by his lawyer, held a press conference, saying police had wrongly identified the suspect.
They demanded that Pos Kota have its editors write a note of apology and run it in their newspaper, as well as in Kompas and Suara Pembaruan newspapers, within a week.
Lubis said the veteran champion had a strong alibi of playing golf with his son and another friend when the arrest happened.
"I noticed this morning that Pos Kota editors made the correction in their own paper, which means they have good will. But I regret the police have not yet admitted their mistake," Lubis told the Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Ade Candra, now 55, and Christian Hadinata won the men's doubles title at the All England Championship in 1972. The then country's top men's doubles player also won the men's doubles title in the demonstration sport at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich after defeating Ng Boon Bee and P. Gunalan of Malaysia. (02)
Police investigate death of airline executive
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Prodita Sabarini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The owner of a local airline is believed to have hanged himself at his house Monday.
PT Efata Papua Airlines president director Frank Taira Supit, 58, was found dead in Rempoa, South Jakarta, just after 10 a.m., police said.
Ciputat Police chief First Insp. Prayitno found possible rope marks on Frank's neck, but officers at the scene said there was no place to tie a rope.
Prayitno said the body had been taken to city-run Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta, for an autopsy.
"We are still waiting for the results because we are reserving judgment about whether it was really suicide," he told The Jakarta Post.
The body has been laid out in the visitation room of Dharmais Hospital in West Jakarta.
Airline employees who were waiting for the family to arrive at the visitation room Monday said a burial time had not been set.
Married to a Filipino, Supit had at one time been on Cory Aquino's campaign team. At home, he threw his weight behind National Mandate Party co-founder Amien Rais during the presidential election in 2004.
Airefata Airlines has offered flights from Java to Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua since January 2006.
As a legal practitioner, Supit established Makarim&Taira S corporate financial law firm in 1980. (02)
Prodita Sabarini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The owner of a local airline is believed to have hanged himself at his house Monday.
PT Efata Papua Airlines president director Frank Taira Supit, 58, was found dead in Rempoa, South Jakarta, just after 10 a.m., police said.
Ciputat Police chief First Insp. Prayitno found possible rope marks on Frank's neck, but officers at the scene said there was no place to tie a rope.
Prayitno said the body had been taken to city-run Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta, for an autopsy.
"We are still waiting for the results because we are reserving judgment about whether it was really suicide," he told The Jakarta Post.
The body has been laid out in the visitation room of Dharmais Hospital in West Jakarta.
Airline employees who were waiting for the family to arrive at the visitation room Monday said a burial time had not been set.
Married to a Filipino, Supit had at one time been on Cory Aquino's campaign team. At home, he threw his weight behind National Mandate Party co-founder Amien Rais during the presidential election in 2004.
Airefata Airlines has offered flights from Java to Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua since January 2006.
As a legal practitioner, Supit established Makarim&Taira S corporate financial law firm in 1980. (02)
Police insist on compulsory left lane for motorcyclists
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Transportation Ministry has raised objections to a Jakarta Police-imposed policy which forces motorcyclists to use left lanes along designated city roads.
The ministry has demanded city police provide clear and legitimate legal grounds for the newly introduced road rule.
Despite the objection, city police have continued to enforce the left-lane policy.
"We will continue to enforce the policy, though we realize there are other (legal grounds) we must set into place," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Firman told reporters Friday.
The left-lane policy took effect Jan. 7. There are at least seven roads, mostly main thoroughfares, on which left-lane use for motorcyclists is mandatory.
The new policy has brought criticism from the Transportation Ministry's director general of land transportation safety, Suripno, who said there was no legal basis for city police to implement the changes.
In a Dec. 28 letter to city police, Suripno said Indonesia's adherence to a left lane traffic system was based on Government Regulation No. 43/1993.
He said the central government's permission and the introduction of new regulations were required before the policy could be legally enforceable.
Suripno said civilian violations of the left-lane rule were not punishable until a bylaw accompanying the policy was produced.
"If we want to improve traffic safety we need long-term traffic management and engineering strategies, and this will require a legal basis," he said.
Adang said, however, the left-lane policy was not a legislative issue and only concerned traffic management.
"I think if people see the regulation's positive impact, they will accept it. We have introduced the policy for the people, not for ourselves," Adang said.
Meanwhile, city police traffic director Sr. Comr. Djoko Susilo said the policy aimed to reduce traffic accidents, which, according to police data, primarily involve motorcycles.
"We want to save people's lives, not focus on sectoral interests," said Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate's head of law enforcement, Sr. Adj. Comr. Tomex Korniawan, on Friday.
He said the number of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists had reduced by 58 percent within a week of introducing the policy.
In 2006 there were 4,475 traffic accidents in Jakarta, with 1,128 fatalities, Tomex said. As many as 857 deaths were motorcycle-related.
"That means about 30 people died every day in motorcycle accidents. Why would anyone oppose the left-lane policy if they cared about human life?" he asked.
Suripno said, however, that he did not intend to complicate the matter by tendering his objection to the policy.
"We are not in a position to reject anything from city police, everything is in the hands of the local authorities. We have only offered advice on traffic management," he said.
Meanwhile, Heru Sutomo, from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), said city police had prematurely imposed the policy and that it was too early to tell if it was effective.
"There must be a clear framework and purpose because this involves many people and many interests," he said.
If police wished to alter Jakarta's road rules, they should take the matter to the Transportation Ministry to regulate such changes, he said.
"People don't care where the idea comes from. As long as it is good, they will accept it," Heru said.
He said many people disobeyed the left-lane rule because it was not introduced through the proper law-making processes and not subject to a proper public awareness campaign.
Heru said that although the policy had already been implemented, it required an independent evaluation.
"If it is clear that the policy has more advantages than disadvantages for people, why should we not continue to use it?" he asked. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Transportation Ministry has raised objections to a Jakarta Police-imposed policy which forces motorcyclists to use left lanes along designated city roads.
The ministry has demanded city police provide clear and legitimate legal grounds for the newly introduced road rule.
Despite the objection, city police have continued to enforce the left-lane policy.
"We will continue to enforce the policy, though we realize there are other (legal grounds) we must set into place," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Firman told reporters Friday.
The left-lane policy took effect Jan. 7. There are at least seven roads, mostly main thoroughfares, on which left-lane use for motorcyclists is mandatory.
The new policy has brought criticism from the Transportation Ministry's director general of land transportation safety, Suripno, who said there was no legal basis for city police to implement the changes.
In a Dec. 28 letter to city police, Suripno said Indonesia's adherence to a left lane traffic system was based on Government Regulation No. 43/1993.
He said the central government's permission and the introduction of new regulations were required before the policy could be legally enforceable.
Suripno said civilian violations of the left-lane rule were not punishable until a bylaw accompanying the policy was produced.
"If we want to improve traffic safety we need long-term traffic management and engineering strategies, and this will require a legal basis," he said.
Adang said, however, the left-lane policy was not a legislative issue and only concerned traffic management.
"I think if people see the regulation's positive impact, they will accept it. We have introduced the policy for the people, not for ourselves," Adang said.
Meanwhile, city police traffic director Sr. Comr. Djoko Susilo said the policy aimed to reduce traffic accidents, which, according to police data, primarily involve motorcycles.
"We want to save people's lives, not focus on sectoral interests," said Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate's head of law enforcement, Sr. Adj. Comr. Tomex Korniawan, on Friday.
He said the number of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists had reduced by 58 percent within a week of introducing the policy.
In 2006 there were 4,475 traffic accidents in Jakarta, with 1,128 fatalities, Tomex said. As many as 857 deaths were motorcycle-related.
"That means about 30 people died every day in motorcycle accidents. Why would anyone oppose the left-lane policy if they cared about human life?" he asked.
Suripno said, however, that he did not intend to complicate the matter by tendering his objection to the policy.
"We are not in a position to reject anything from city police, everything is in the hands of the local authorities. We have only offered advice on traffic management," he said.
Meanwhile, Heru Sutomo, from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), said city police had prematurely imposed the policy and that it was too early to tell if it was effective.
"There must be a clear framework and purpose because this involves many people and many interests," he said.
If police wished to alter Jakarta's road rules, they should take the matter to the Transportation Ministry to regulate such changes, he said.
"People don't care where the idea comes from. As long as it is good, they will accept it," Heru said.
He said many people disobeyed the left-lane rule because it was not introduced through the proper law-making processes and not subject to a proper public awareness campaign.
Heru said that although the policy had already been implemented, it required an independent evaluation.
"If it is clear that the policy has more advantages than disadvantages for people, why should we not continue to use it?" he asked. (02)
New busway routes launched
Sunday, January 28, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Even though they are a little short on buses, four new busway corridors were officially opened by Governor Sutiyoso on Saturday.
Promising a full fleet of 216 vehicles to serve the new lines, the governor pleaded with Jakartans to be patient during the initial phase of operation.
The corridors are beginning with just eight buses each. They run from Ragunan to Kuningan, Kampung Rambutan to Kampung Melayu, Pulogadung to Dukuh Atas, and Kampung Melayu to Ancol.
During a pre-launch ceremony Friday, the head of the Jakarta Transportation Agency, Nurachman, had said each line would have 10 buses in the initial phase.
The governor said the administration had to go through a long process to import the buses. He hopes to have all of the vehicles in place by the end of February.
The ceremony at Ancol recreational park in North Jakarta featured a test run from Ancol to Cililitan, East Jakarta. The inaugural ride snarled traffic until the afternoon in several areas along the route.
The administration has high hopes for the new corridors, and is setting a target of 5,000 to 10,000 passengers for the four corridors per day.
In his speech, Sutiyoso said the busway was only a starting point for Jakarta's transportation plans.
The administration has already floated an ambitious goal of 15 busway corridors, two monorail lines, a subway and water transportation.
The city administration has long been criticized for failing to provide public transportation, resulting in the uncontrolled growth of private vehicle ownership and the city's notoriously wretched traffic.
"There is no city in the world that can keep building roads to keep up with the increasing number of vehicles," Sutiyoso said.
Instead, he added, the only way to offset the growth in private vehicles was to provide better public transportation.
"This is why I won't retreat, though there are many opponents to this policy. I want to show that these buses are the best answer to our traffic problems," he said.
Sutiyoso said three more corridors would be built this year. Public transportation vehicles which overlap with the busway routes will be grouped in a consortium.
Nyoman Iswarayoga, a passenger who attended the launch, hoped that the administration could quickly obtain the buses as well as an electronic ticketing system for the new corridors.
"I'm sure people will complain about long waits because the buses are limited," he told The Jakarta Post.
Until the bidding and installation process for an electronic ticketing system is completed, the new lines will use paper tickets.
The three existing lines -- Blok M-Kota, Pulogadung-Harmoni, and Kalideres-Harmoni -- all use electronic ticketing.
A study by the U.S.-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy found that as many as 14 percent people of Jakarta's busway riders were previously private car users.
"Bogota (Colombia) had only five percent shift to their busway service. This is a good result," said Sutiyoso. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Even though they are a little short on buses, four new busway corridors were officially opened by Governor Sutiyoso on Saturday.
Promising a full fleet of 216 vehicles to serve the new lines, the governor pleaded with Jakartans to be patient during the initial phase of operation.
The corridors are beginning with just eight buses each. They run from Ragunan to Kuningan, Kampung Rambutan to Kampung Melayu, Pulogadung to Dukuh Atas, and Kampung Melayu to Ancol.
During a pre-launch ceremony Friday, the head of the Jakarta Transportation Agency, Nurachman, had said each line would have 10 buses in the initial phase.
The governor said the administration had to go through a long process to import the buses. He hopes to have all of the vehicles in place by the end of February.
The ceremony at Ancol recreational park in North Jakarta featured a test run from Ancol to Cililitan, East Jakarta. The inaugural ride snarled traffic until the afternoon in several areas along the route.
The administration has high hopes for the new corridors, and is setting a target of 5,000 to 10,000 passengers for the four corridors per day.
In his speech, Sutiyoso said the busway was only a starting point for Jakarta's transportation plans.
The administration has already floated an ambitious goal of 15 busway corridors, two monorail lines, a subway and water transportation.
The city administration has long been criticized for failing to provide public transportation, resulting in the uncontrolled growth of private vehicle ownership and the city's notoriously wretched traffic.
"There is no city in the world that can keep building roads to keep up with the increasing number of vehicles," Sutiyoso said.
Instead, he added, the only way to offset the growth in private vehicles was to provide better public transportation.
"This is why I won't retreat, though there are many opponents to this policy. I want to show that these buses are the best answer to our traffic problems," he said.
Sutiyoso said three more corridors would be built this year. Public transportation vehicles which overlap with the busway routes will be grouped in a consortium.
Nyoman Iswarayoga, a passenger who attended the launch, hoped that the administration could quickly obtain the buses as well as an electronic ticketing system for the new corridors.
"I'm sure people will complain about long waits because the buses are limited," he told The Jakarta Post.
Until the bidding and installation process for an electronic ticketing system is completed, the new lines will use paper tickets.
The three existing lines -- Blok M-Kota, Pulogadung-Harmoni, and Kalideres-Harmoni -- all use electronic ticketing.
A study by the U.S.-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy found that as many as 14 percent people of Jakarta's busway riders were previously private car users.
"Bogota (Colombia) had only five percent shift to their busway service. This is a good result," said Sutiyoso. (02)
Sutiyoso, agency culpable for owed money, workers say
Saturday, January 27, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta Health Agency has denied a police report made Friday by some of its employees that they are owed a total of Rp 1.3 billion in training and education payments.
Agency head Wibowo Sukijat said no money had been allocated for the on-the-job training of its officials.
"There was no such fund. We have already settled this problem and it was understood that there was no case because the money never existed," he said as quoted by Antara.
Three health workers on Thursday went to the the city police headquarters to file embezzlement charges against Governor Sutiyoso and Abdul Chalik Masulili, the former head of the city health agency.
The three claimed they represented 100 health officials who were entitled to training and education related to their duties.
"The money should have been disbursed as allowances for the 100 health workers," Wagini, a health worker from Ciracas community health center, told police.
Wagini and her colleagues, Yunita and Rosna Manurung, said they turned to police after failing to resolve the issue with the related parties, to try to recoup the owed money.
She said that in 2002, the city health agency had sent 100 health workers from two city hospitals and public health clinics on three-year residencies to Jayakarta Nursing Academy and Kimia 17 Nursing Academy.
They encountered no problems in the first two years. In the third year, however, funding for field work and their graduation ceremony, which had been approved by the agency, did not come through.
In September 2005, Lutfi, the head of the agency's education and training unit, asked the 100 workers to pay their own way, promising they would later be reimbursed.
Yunita estimated that each worker was owed more than Rp 12 million (about US$1,318).
On July 27, 2006, the health workers met with health agency officials, the city supervisory body, and the education and training unit, who told them there had been no budget for the fieldwork or the graduation ceremony.
At the end of the meeting, they were asked to sign a statement agreeing not to raise the issue again, Yunita said.
The officials' refusal to cover the costs of the fieldwork and the graduation ceremony runs contrary to a 2003 gubernatorial decree, which stipulates that the cost of every study assignment is the responsibility of the administration.
"We reported the governor because he is the one who signed the decree. He should be held responsible for any errors in its implementation," Yunita said.
They had earlier tried to raise the issue with a number of parties, including the City Council, but to no avail. They had also attempted to meet with Sutiyoso but his guards turned them away.
Yunita said they had been mocked and threatened by their superiors.
"You can judge the case for yourself. There were a hundred victims but only a few of us want to fight for our rights. As a civil servant, I too am afraid, but have suffered much. It is for this reason alone that I am willing to speak out." (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta Health Agency has denied a police report made Friday by some of its employees that they are owed a total of Rp 1.3 billion in training and education payments.
Agency head Wibowo Sukijat said no money had been allocated for the on-the-job training of its officials.
"There was no such fund. We have already settled this problem and it was understood that there was no case because the money never existed," he said as quoted by Antara.
Three health workers on Thursday went to the the city police headquarters to file embezzlement charges against Governor Sutiyoso and Abdul Chalik Masulili, the former head of the city health agency.
The three claimed they represented 100 health officials who were entitled to training and education related to their duties.
"The money should have been disbursed as allowances for the 100 health workers," Wagini, a health worker from Ciracas community health center, told police.
Wagini and her colleagues, Yunita and Rosna Manurung, said they turned to police after failing to resolve the issue with the related parties, to try to recoup the owed money.
She said that in 2002, the city health agency had sent 100 health workers from two city hospitals and public health clinics on three-year residencies to Jayakarta Nursing Academy and Kimia 17 Nursing Academy.
They encountered no problems in the first two years. In the third year, however, funding for field work and their graduation ceremony, which had been approved by the agency, did not come through.
In September 2005, Lutfi, the head of the agency's education and training unit, asked the 100 workers to pay their own way, promising they would later be reimbursed.
Yunita estimated that each worker was owed more than Rp 12 million (about US$1,318).
On July 27, 2006, the health workers met with health agency officials, the city supervisory body, and the education and training unit, who told them there had been no budget for the fieldwork or the graduation ceremony.
At the end of the meeting, they were asked to sign a statement agreeing not to raise the issue again, Yunita said.
The officials' refusal to cover the costs of the fieldwork and the graduation ceremony runs contrary to a 2003 gubernatorial decree, which stipulates that the cost of every study assignment is the responsibility of the administration.
"We reported the governor because he is the one who signed the decree. He should be held responsible for any errors in its implementation," Yunita said.
They had earlier tried to raise the issue with a number of parties, including the City Council, but to no avail. They had also attempted to meet with Sutiyoso but his guards turned them away.
Yunita said they had been mocked and threatened by their superiors.
"You can judge the case for yourself. There were a hundred victims but only a few of us want to fight for our rights. As a civil servant, I too am afraid, but have suffered much. It is for this reason alone that I am willing to speak out." (02)
'Old infrastructure' causes train to derail
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
One car of an economy-class diesel train bound to Rangkasbitung, West Java, derailed Tuesday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for almost two hours (see photo).
The incident halted the operation of other trains passing through Palmerah and Kebayoran stations in South Jakarta.
The incident took place at about 4 p.m. on Jl. Tentara Pelajar in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, five minutes after the train departed from Palmerah Station in Central Jakarta.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
"It happened so fast. Suddenly I heard a strange sound, the coach swerved, everybody screamed and the train ground to a halt," said Erni, a passenger from Parung Panjang in Tangerang who was sitting in the fourth carriage of the seven-carriage train.
An hour after the accident, Erni waited for her husband to pick her up. There was still no word from the rail authority, she said.
"(State rail authority) PT KA should do something and not leave the passengers in uncertainty like this," Erni said.
Train driver Sudarto Budi Yusuf said the two wheels of the fourth coach had slid off the rotting rail slats.
"I tried hitting the brakes but the train traveled a further 100 meters before it finally stopped."
Police were quick to arrive at the scene, whereas it took train technicians almost an hour to get there. They separated the first three cars in order to transport some of the passengers to Kebayoran Station. Despite the incident, the passengers did not hesitate to get back in the train.
Others walked the one kilometer back along the railroad to Palmerah Station to take other means of public transportation.
Nia, a university student who lives in Cisalak, Depok, said she did not have the luxury of choice. "I can't afford to be afraid. The train is both cheaper and faster." (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
One car of an economy-class diesel train bound to Rangkasbitung, West Java, derailed Tuesday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for almost two hours (see photo).
The incident halted the operation of other trains passing through Palmerah and Kebayoran stations in South Jakarta.
The incident took place at about 4 p.m. on Jl. Tentara Pelajar in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, five minutes after the train departed from Palmerah Station in Central Jakarta.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
"It happened so fast. Suddenly I heard a strange sound, the coach swerved, everybody screamed and the train ground to a halt," said Erni, a passenger from Parung Panjang in Tangerang who was sitting in the fourth carriage of the seven-carriage train.
An hour after the accident, Erni waited for her husband to pick her up. There was still no word from the rail authority, she said.
"(State rail authority) PT KA should do something and not leave the passengers in uncertainty like this," Erni said.
Train driver Sudarto Budi Yusuf said the two wheels of the fourth coach had slid off the rotting rail slats.
"I tried hitting the brakes but the train traveled a further 100 meters before it finally stopped."
Police were quick to arrive at the scene, whereas it took train technicians almost an hour to get there. They separated the first three cars in order to transport some of the passengers to Kebayoran Station. Despite the incident, the passengers did not hesitate to get back in the train.
Others walked the one kilometer back along the railroad to Palmerah Station to take other means of public transportation.
Nia, a university student who lives in Cisalak, Depok, said she did not have the luxury of choice. "I can't afford to be afraid. The train is both cheaper and faster." (02)
Couple reported for swindling Rp 10b from 4,000 clients
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Three men from Surabaya on Tuesday reported to the Jakarta Police a Jakarta couple who allegedly defrauded 4,000 investors of a total of Rp 10 billion.
The man and woman came to Surabaya last November, making a presentation in a hotel to persuade people to invest in their company, PT Energi Kasih Abadi, in Jakarta. In return, the clients would receive 25 percent of the monthly interest, which would be transferred to their bank accounts every week, said Saiful Mekhminin, one of the men who reported the case to police.
Saiful said he invested Rp 17 million in cash, while two acquaintances, Prendy and Minggus Umbo, invested Rp 12 million and Rp 50 million respectively.
"In the beginning, there was no problem with the payments. I had already received about Rp 8 million when they stopped transferring the money at the end of December," Saiful said.
The company maintained communications with its clients through its website, which provided a wealth of information, including client data like the investment amount, investment period and interest accrued, which was paid through Internet banking.
The company had attracted at least 4,000 people from Surabaya, Jakarta and Bekasi. They invested a minimum of Rp 500,000 each.
The number of clients escalated from time to time because a client would receive a bonus for bringing in new investors.
Minggus said he had persuaded more than 200 people to invest their money.
Upon the request of other clients, Saiful and four other people at the top of the client list, met the couple in Sarinah Plaza in Central Jakarta, on Jan. 3, a week after the company failed to pay the interest.
The couple argued they could not make the payment because the company's internet access had been disrupted due to an earthquake in Taiwan.
A week later, as the clients had not received the money, Saiful invited the couple to meet them in Semarang, but they did not show up.
Saiful said they had tried to contact the couple many times but they only managed to reach the woman once, on Jan. 9. She claimed both she and her husband had lost their cell phones and promised to make the payment.
On Monday, Saiful and his colleagues visited the company's office located in the Surya Building on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta. The building management, however, said the company moved out on Jan. 15. Later, Saiful and his colleagues tried to locate the couple's residence in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, as listed on the copies of their ID cards. It turned out that they did not live there. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Three men from Surabaya on Tuesday reported to the Jakarta Police a Jakarta couple who allegedly defrauded 4,000 investors of a total of Rp 10 billion.
The man and woman came to Surabaya last November, making a presentation in a hotel to persuade people to invest in their company, PT Energi Kasih Abadi, in Jakarta. In return, the clients would receive 25 percent of the monthly interest, which would be transferred to their bank accounts every week, said Saiful Mekhminin, one of the men who reported the case to police.
Saiful said he invested Rp 17 million in cash, while two acquaintances, Prendy and Minggus Umbo, invested Rp 12 million and Rp 50 million respectively.
"In the beginning, there was no problem with the payments. I had already received about Rp 8 million when they stopped transferring the money at the end of December," Saiful said.
The company maintained communications with its clients through its website, which provided a wealth of information, including client data like the investment amount, investment period and interest accrued, which was paid through Internet banking.
The company had attracted at least 4,000 people from Surabaya, Jakarta and Bekasi. They invested a minimum of Rp 500,000 each.
The number of clients escalated from time to time because a client would receive a bonus for bringing in new investors.
Minggus said he had persuaded more than 200 people to invest their money.
Upon the request of other clients, Saiful and four other people at the top of the client list, met the couple in Sarinah Plaza in Central Jakarta, on Jan. 3, a week after the company failed to pay the interest.
The couple argued they could not make the payment because the company's internet access had been disrupted due to an earthquake in Taiwan.
A week later, as the clients had not received the money, Saiful invited the couple to meet them in Semarang, but they did not show up.
Saiful said they had tried to contact the couple many times but they only managed to reach the woman once, on Jan. 9. She claimed both she and her husband had lost their cell phones and promised to make the payment.
On Monday, Saiful and his colleagues visited the company's office located in the Surya Building on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta. The building management, however, said the company moved out on Jan. 15. Later, Saiful and his colleagues tried to locate the couple's residence in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, as listed on the copies of their ID cards. It turned out that they did not live there. (02)
City police detainee had drugs, cash in cell
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City police said Monday they had seized 2.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, and Rp 13 million (US$1,428) from a detainee.
The cash and drugs, along with a tool to inhale the banned substance, were found in the cell of a man identified as TH during a raid Friday, said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana.
The suspect, a steel company director, was arrested in a year-end operation on the Balaraja turnpike in Tangerang and detained for allegedly possessing two different ID cards.
Police officers also confiscated an inhaling tool in his car, but he could not be charged with illegal possession or use of drugs because there was not enough evidence, said Yoga.
TH had asked for bail, but the police turned down the request.
Yoga acknowledged that it was very easy to get drugs to people in police custody, even though it rarely happens.
"It is so easy to smuggle something into the cell. It can be put in the food or whatever the visitors bring for the detainee," he told reporters.
"It can happen because the police are careless or because they (visitors) are so smart," Yoga told The Jakarta Post.
He added that Friday's discovery was the result of hard work by the police, however.
This was not the first time drugs were smuggled into a cell, Yoga said, but he did not remember the last time it had happened.
Police said TH can now be charged with illegal possession of drugs. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to five years in jail.
Jakarta Police narcotics unit head Sr. Adj. Comr. Sigit Gumantio said the case had not been transferred to his unit because the suspect was still under investigation in the document forgery case. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City police said Monday they had seized 2.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, and Rp 13 million (US$1,428) from a detainee.
The cash and drugs, along with a tool to inhale the banned substance, were found in the cell of a man identified as TH during a raid Friday, said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana.
The suspect, a steel company director, was arrested in a year-end operation on the Balaraja turnpike in Tangerang and detained for allegedly possessing two different ID cards.
Police officers also confiscated an inhaling tool in his car, but he could not be charged with illegal possession or use of drugs because there was not enough evidence, said Yoga.
TH had asked for bail, but the police turned down the request.
Yoga acknowledged that it was very easy to get drugs to people in police custody, even though it rarely happens.
"It is so easy to smuggle something into the cell. It can be put in the food or whatever the visitors bring for the detainee," he told reporters.
"It can happen because the police are careless or because they (visitors) are so smart," Yoga told The Jakarta Post.
He added that Friday's discovery was the result of hard work by the police, however.
This was not the first time drugs were smuggled into a cell, Yoga said, but he did not remember the last time it had happened.
Police said TH can now be charged with illegal possession of drugs. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to five years in jail.
Jakarta Police narcotics unit head Sr. Adj. Comr. Sigit Gumantio said the case had not been transferred to his unit because the suspect was still under investigation in the document forgery case. (02)
Slaughterhouse takes no precautions
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite the recent bird flu outbreaks, it is business as usual in the city-owned poultry storage and slaughtering facility in Rawa Kepiting, East Jakarta.
No protective equipment, such as gloves or special clothing, was seen being worn by workers on the premises when visited by The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Three dead chickens were lying in front of a chicken coop. Flies flew amid the kretek smoke exhaled by the workers.
The two-hectare complex on Jl. Rawa Kepiting, Jatinegara, Cakung subdistrict, is one of two city-run poultry complexes.
Jakarta Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency director Edi Setiarso said the other one was in Ciheang district, Banten.
The Rawa Kepiting complex has 16 enclosures, each of which can accommodate some 1,500 chickens, but only four of them are rented out to four different tenants. Two of these only relocated to the complex in the last two days.
Karno, a tenant, who used to kept his chickens in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, said most breeders were reluctant to rent space in the complex as it was too far from traditional markets.
However, he moved his business to Rawa Kepiting in 2003 because he had his boss's trucks to transport the chickens so he did not need to worry about extra expense arising from transporting his chickens to the market.
Built in 2001, the complex was intended to accommodate chicken breeders from Matraman and other areas in Jatinegara, as well as its vicinity. Since then, however, it has never had more than five tenants over a period of more than a few weeks.
During the first outbreak of bird flu in the city last year, it had more than 10 tenants at one stage, but most of them left after a couple of weeks, said Karno.
Unlike other chicken wholesalers, whose breeding, storage, and slaughtering facilities are located in residential areas or in the vicinity of a market, Eko, who has been using the facility in Rawa Kepiting for the last four years, said he rents pens there as it is closer to the market to which he supplies his chickens.
"I prefer this place because we slaughter the birds ourselves before we sell them in Cakung market, so the distance doesn't matter," he said.
The bird flu outbreak had affected him as he had to consider how to keep his chickens safe from the virus. The only thing that occurred to him was to continuously keep the cages clean.
Basic precautions such as spraying disinfectant and keeping the cages free of droppings are novel concepts to the workers at Rawa Kepiting. None of them can remember the last time the cages were disinfected.
Adjat Sudrajat, director of the complex, said the administration had tried to relocate chicken breeders to the complex, but of no avail.
"They said that the complex is too far from the market and that the road leading here is in a bad state of disrepair," Adjat explained.
He said that before all poultry breeders could relocate to the complex, it would first have to be renovated.
According to the Jakarta Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency, there are more than 700 poultry slaughtering facilities in the city, two-thirds of which are located in Central and East Jakarta.
A gubernatorial regulation was issued Wednesday prohibiting all backyard farming of poultry in residential areas so as to curb the spread of bird flu.
The regulation states, among other things, that all commercial poultry-breeding, storage and slaughtering facilities will be relocated to designated sites that are far removed from residential areas.(02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite the recent bird flu outbreaks, it is business as usual in the city-owned poultry storage and slaughtering facility in Rawa Kepiting, East Jakarta.
No protective equipment, such as gloves or special clothing, was seen being worn by workers on the premises when visited by The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Three dead chickens were lying in front of a chicken coop. Flies flew amid the kretek smoke exhaled by the workers.
The two-hectare complex on Jl. Rawa Kepiting, Jatinegara, Cakung subdistrict, is one of two city-run poultry complexes.
Jakarta Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency director Edi Setiarso said the other one was in Ciheang district, Banten.
The Rawa Kepiting complex has 16 enclosures, each of which can accommodate some 1,500 chickens, but only four of them are rented out to four different tenants. Two of these only relocated to the complex in the last two days.
Karno, a tenant, who used to kept his chickens in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, said most breeders were reluctant to rent space in the complex as it was too far from traditional markets.
However, he moved his business to Rawa Kepiting in 2003 because he had his boss's trucks to transport the chickens so he did not need to worry about extra expense arising from transporting his chickens to the market.
Built in 2001, the complex was intended to accommodate chicken breeders from Matraman and other areas in Jatinegara, as well as its vicinity. Since then, however, it has never had more than five tenants over a period of more than a few weeks.
During the first outbreak of bird flu in the city last year, it had more than 10 tenants at one stage, but most of them left after a couple of weeks, said Karno.
Unlike other chicken wholesalers, whose breeding, storage, and slaughtering facilities are located in residential areas or in the vicinity of a market, Eko, who has been using the facility in Rawa Kepiting for the last four years, said he rents pens there as it is closer to the market to which he supplies his chickens.
"I prefer this place because we slaughter the birds ourselves before we sell them in Cakung market, so the distance doesn't matter," he said.
The bird flu outbreak had affected him as he had to consider how to keep his chickens safe from the virus. The only thing that occurred to him was to continuously keep the cages clean.
Basic precautions such as spraying disinfectant and keeping the cages free of droppings are novel concepts to the workers at Rawa Kepiting. None of them can remember the last time the cages were disinfected.
Adjat Sudrajat, director of the complex, said the administration had tried to relocate chicken breeders to the complex, but of no avail.
"They said that the complex is too far from the market and that the road leading here is in a bad state of disrepair," Adjat explained.
He said that before all poultry breeders could relocate to the complex, it would first have to be renovated.
According to the Jakarta Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency, there are more than 700 poultry slaughtering facilities in the city, two-thirds of which are located in Central and East Jakarta.
A gubernatorial regulation was issued Wednesday prohibiting all backyard farming of poultry in residential areas so as to curb the spread of bird flu.
The regulation states, among other things, that all commercial poultry-breeding, storage and slaughtering facilities will be relocated to designated sites that are far removed from residential areas.(02)
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