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Indonesia presses on with fuel hike despite popular anger

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 04:00
Indonesia defied popular anger Tuesday by pressing ahead with its first fuel price hike since 2008, a day after police fought running battles with thousands outside parliament. Protesters hurling Molotov cocktails clashed with police firing tear gas and water cannons late Monday, as lawmakers approved measures paving the way for a reduction in crippling fuel subsidies in Southeast Asia's top economy.

Indonesia MPs approve package paving way for fuel price hike

June 17, 2013 12:01
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament approved compensation measures for the poor on Monday that the government has demanded before it would agree to cut costly fuel price subsidies which are blamed for undermining confidence in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The decision to raise fuel prices, by an average 33 percent, rests with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Government officials have repeatedly stated that the price rises would follow shortly after the parliamentary decision.

Thousands rally in Indonesia over fuel price hikes

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 04:32
Thousands of protesters rallied across Indonesia Monday against government plans to hike the price of fuel, with police in one city firing tear gas to stop hundreds storming the local parliament. Demonstrations were held in the capital Jakarta and other cities as lawmakers gathered to decide on budget amendments that will pave the way for the government to announce the first price hike since 2008. Fuel prices have long been a flashpoint issue in Indonesia, with economists arguing that huge government subsidies are damaging Southeast Asia's top economy.

Funeral held for Indonesian assembly speaker, husband of ex-president

Kyodo News InternationalJune 9, 2013 04:31
A state funeral was held Sunday for Taufik Kiemas, the speaker of the legislative branch of the Indonesian government and husband of former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Kiemas died Saturday evening in a Singapore hospital at the age of 70. His body was flown back to Jakarta Sunday morning on a military airplane. The funeral procession began at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and continued to Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta.

Ex-Indonesian leader Megawati's husband dies in Singapore

Agence France-PresseJune 8, 2013 11:35
The husband of former Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri died at a Singapore hospital on Saturday, Indonesian embassy officials said. Taufik Kiemas, 70, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, Indonesia's legislative branch, died at 7:30pm (1130 GMT) at the Singapore General Hospital, two embassy officials contacted by AFP said. "He passed away at 7:30pm. He has been in the hospital since last Monday," an embassy spokeswoman said, adding however that she did not know the cause of death.

Indonesian assembly speaker and husband of ex-president dies

Kyodo News InternationalJune 8, 2013 11:30
Taufik Kiemas, the speaker of the Indonesian parliament and husband of former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, passed away Saturday evening in a Singapore hospital, a senior official said. Pramono Anung, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and senior member of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle, confirmed Kiemas' death on Saturday at age 70. Kiemas had served as speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly as since 2009. ==Kyodo

In Indonesia, soccer is kicked around by political parties

May 23, 2013 17:32
By Janeman Latul JAKARTA (Reuters) - As monsoon rains swept the stadium, the chanting grew louder. "Indonesia! Indonesia!" More than 60,000 people packed into Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on a recent Saturday night to see the national soccer team play. Another 100 million tuned in to television to watch the match, underlining the appeal of soccer in Indonesia where attendance rivals the top English and German soccer leagues.

Head of Investment Board Chatib Basri named Indonesia's new finance minister

The Canadian PressMay 20, 2013 07:45
JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesia named investment board head Chatib Basri as the country's new finance minister. Basri will contend with slowing economic growth and an unpopular plan to reduce fuel subsidies. He replaces Agus Martowardojo who earlier this year was tapped to head Indonesia's central bank. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Monday that investment in Southeast Asia's largest economy had grown significantly and contributed to economic growth under Basri's leadership of the investment board. Basri is an economist and former deputy finance minister.

Indonesia minorities slam president's interfaith award

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 07:30
Indonesian religious minorities Monday slammed a decision by a US interfaith group to honour President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a time when attacks against minority faiths are on the increase. The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, which campaigns against crimes committed in the name of religion, has named Yudhoyono its "World Statesman" of 2013, and he is due to collect the award at a ceremony later this month in New York.

S. Korean, Indonesian candidates out of WTO race

Agence France-PresseApril 26, 2013 06:00
South Korea and Indonesia confirmed Friday their candidates to head the World Trade Organisation had failed to make it to the final round, saying the mood had been for a Latin American nominee. Former South Korean trade minister Bark Tae-Ho "unfortunately failed to make it to the third round", the foreign ministry said in a statement. Indonesia's former trade minister Mari Pangestu had also failed to get through as "there was more support for the candidates from Mexico and Brazil", said Indonesian presidential aide Firmanzah, who goes by one name.
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