Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 October 1997

64 articles found

APEC summit urged to take bolder steps

APEC summit urged to take bolder stepsBy Vincent Lingga SANTIAGO, Chile (JP): The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has urged the 18 economies grouped in APEC to take bolder steps to provide the private sector with greater certainty.

Firms' permits revoked for burning forests

Firms' permits revoked for burning forests JAKARTA (JP): The government revoked 151 wood-use licenses of 29 plantation and timber companies yesterday after they failed to present documents disproving the government's allegations that they were responsible for starting brush and forest fires.

Dazzling Ijaz wins cricket for Pakistan over India

Dazzling Ijaz wins cricket for Pakistan over India LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuter): Makeshift opener Ijaz Ahmed blasted a 68-ball century as Pakistan thrashed arch rivals India by nine wickets at the Qaddafi Stadium in the decisive third one-day international Thursday to take the series 2-1.

SingTel sues U.S. regulator over rates

SingTel sues U.S. regulator over rates SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) said yesterday that it was suing the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over a dispute in fees for settlement of international calls.

RI buys Brazil's sugar

RI buys Brazil's sugar LONDON (Reuter): Indonesia last week bought one cargo of Brazilian white sugar for prompt delivery, traders said yesterday.They said they believed the purchase was made at around US$20 a ton fob under London March futures.They noted that although Indonesia imported around 1.

Global ecosystem in danger

Global ecosystem in danger The raging fires in Indonesia demonstrate how Southeast Asian nations have devoted huge resources to economic development at the expense of lifestyle and environmental improvements.

Myanmar leader visits Singapore

Myanmar leader visits Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): Myanmar military strongman Khin Nyunt, accompanied by three ministers, arrived here yesterday for talks with Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and to forge pacts in shipping and other business, officials said.

Two gold medals dropped from SEAG events

Two gold medals dropped from SEAG events JAKARTA (JP): Two weightlifting gold medal events will be dropped from the 19th SEA Games because not enough countries have entered for them, the SEA Games training director said yesterday.

SE Asian currencies wilt as rupiah dives

SE Asian currencies wilt as rupiah dives SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Indonesian rupiah skidded to fresh lows yesterday as anxiety about possible corporate debt defaults fueled a dollar buying spree in very thin markets.

'No force' in foster parents donation

'No force' in foster parents donation JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told organizers of the National Foster Parents Movement yesterday not to use force in collecting donations from the public.The President said donors should be convinced that their contribution would be very useful for the...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:45 Children's Film: The Crystal Maze 3:10 Environment Program: Pengawasan Pesisir 3:35 Travel: Wisata Nasional 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: Full House 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country...

Teacher killed, another injured by separatists

Teacher killed, another injured by separatists DILI, East Timor (JP): A school teacher was killed and another severely injured on Thursday afternoon when two separatist guerrillas allegedly attacked a primary school in Uathohako, Baucau, 160 kilometers east of here.

Swiss musicians join singing stones in East Java

Swiss musicians join singing stones in East JavaBy Tarko Sudiarno PACITAN, EAST JAVA (JP): The shrill sound of a bell suddenly broke the silence in the darkness of Gong Cave, a natural cave in Bomo village, East Java.

BI drives firms to sell dollars

BI drives firms to sell dollars JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, introduced yesterday a new foreign exchange trading facility for export- oriented companies in its latest move to shore up the falling rupiah.Bank Indonesia Governor J.

Morality: A piece in the national development puzzle

Morality: A piece in the national development puzzleBy Mochtar Buchori We are reprinting this article due to discrepancies in the Oct. 2 edition which were caused by technical problems. JAKARTA (JP): A friend of mine, an economist, has been telling me that what really ails Indonesia is not its...

Soeharto to attend ABRI birthday

Soeharto to attend ABRI birthday JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto and Gen. (ret.) Abdul Haris Nasution will get a chance to show off their newly awarded fifth star tomorrow when they don their uniforms once again for the Armed Forces anniversary celebrations.

Volvo's Indomobil and PT Timor delay new cars

Volvo's Indomobil and PT Timor delay new carsBy John Aglionby VOLVO and PT Timor Putra are two companies at opposite ends of the automotive spectrum.The former is a European heavyweight with a long history of producing safe, reliable, comfortable and respectably performing cars, the second is...

One good turn deserves another

One good turn deserves anotherFrom Berita YudhaOne day last week about 10 p.m., I was riding my motorbike under the Semanggi (cloverleaf) bridge on Jl. Sudirman when my front tire became flat. Luckily there was somebody in the semidarkness who could help me.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting and Ceramics Exhibition: Manusia dan Alam Pikirannya, works of Firman, Tisna Sanjaya, Agus Suwage and Suyatna, at the Lontar Gallery. Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H East Jakarta, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Oct. 28.

A house of cards?

A house of cards? While many politicians and observers underscore President Soeharto's call for a stronger House of Representatives -- on an equal footing with the presidency -- we can be sure that most of them have little or no idea whether or how this is possible.

QAF to convert listing

QAF to convert listing SINGAPORE (Reuter): Bread making company QAF Ltd said yesterday its plan to convert its Singapore dollar listing to U.S. dollar, in a bid to buy Indonesia's PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, had been approved by the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES).

Pedicab and cart drivers rap with legislative councilors

Pedicab and cart drivers rap with legislative councilors YOGYAKARTA (JP): Many becak (pedicab) and andong (horse-drawn cart) drivers were seen mingling with lawyers, journalists, students and social activists yesterday in the first rap session held by the local legislative council.

Coordination urged in capital's development

Coordination urged in capital's development JAKARTA (JP): An expert called yesterday for a clear-cut difference between the city agency in charge of coordinating development programs in Greater Jakarta and the new coordination team formed by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), to...

Rupiah breaks 3,700 barrier against dollar

Rupiah breaks 3,700 barrier against dollar JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah broke yesterday the 3,700 barrier as the rush for U.S. dollars continued on the local foreign currency market.Foreign exchange dealers said the rupiah plunged to a new historic low of 3,725 against the American dollar in midday...

Stop blaming RI for haze: Anwar

Stop blaming RI for haze: Anwar KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The deputy prime minister called on Malaysians yesterday to stop blaming Indonesia for the eye- burning smog that has blanketed Southeast Asia.While acknowledging the haze had affected public health and could harm the economies of the...

Currency crisis won't affect APEC forum: U.S.

Currency crisis won't affect APEC forum: U.S. JAKARTA (JP): A senior United States official is confident that the Southeast Asian currency crisis will not have irreparable long-term effects nor be detrimental to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.U.S.

'RCTI' goes online

'RCTI' goes online JAKARTA (JP): Privately-owned TV station RCTI has gone online through Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Thursday, featuring dynamic visual, text and audio displays.RCTI president M.S. Ralie Siregar told a press conference Thursday that anybody in any part of the world who was...

Quake causes billions in losses

Quake causes billions in losses UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The earthquake that shook the province Sunday caused losses of about Rp 11.7 billion (US$3.9 million), Antara reported yesterday.The quake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit the areas of Pinrang, Pare-pare, Sidrap and Barru.

Garuda gets half of haj fare

Garuda gets half of haj fare JAKARTA: More than half of the total haj pilgrimage fare goes to PT Garuda Indonesia to pay for airfare, an official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said yesterday.Bambang Pranowo said the airfare represents the biggest chunk of the haj fare (52 percent),...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 3, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 0 2,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 625 -100 668,000 Alumindo...

Singapore's risk profile up: PERC

Singapore's risk profile up: PERC SINGAPORE (Reuter): The recent turmoil in Southeast Asian financial markets has increased Singapore's risk profile slightly, Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said.

Surjadi leaves a legacy of progress

Surjadi leaves a legacy of progressBy Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): After serving the city for five years, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, who is known for his discipline, modesty and consistency, ends his term of office on Monday.

Assembly split on human rights charter issue

Assembly split on human rights charter issue JAKARTA (JP): The campaign to establish a human rights charter as a powerful decree of the People Consultative's Assembly (MPR) faced further obstacles yesterday when the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction followed Golkar's rejection of the notion.

The military versus civilian dilemma

The military versus civilian dilemma I felt uncomfortable reading Juwono Sudarsono's recent statement in The Jakarta Post (Sept. 15) that civilians were not ready to lead this nation until 2005. He said it was the military that was ready to do so.

Choice wins deal to manage Quality Hotel

Choice wins deal to manage Quality Hotel JAKARTA (JP): PT Elangperkasa Pratama, a unit of the Bakrie Group, has appointed PT Choice Hotels Indonesia to manage the Aquila Hotel Jakarta, renamed Quality Hotel Jakarta.

Star Mild team ready for national drag race

Star Mild team ready for national drag race JAKARTA (JP): The Star Mild team drivers are set to capture their third national drag race title at Sentul, near Bogor this afternoon.Robert J. Paul of Canada, in a BMW M3, will lead the team. Ronny Hermawan, in a Ford RS200, is the team's second driver.

Little known Dewi wins Srikandi Cup

Little known Dewi wins Srikandi Cup JAKARTA (JP): Playing patiently and consistently proved the winning formula for little-known Dewi Suhartati from Medan's Deli Golf Club in the prestigious Srikandi Cup.

Kocinski to defend title at World Superbike C'ship

Kocinski to defend title at World Superbike C'ship JAKARTA (JP): American John Kocinski is set to defend his title at the World Superbike Championship at Sentul, near Bogor, Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.Kocinski, on a Ducati, is expected to be challenged by 17 other riders, among them: Carl Fogarty (Ducati)...

Mahathir says currency crisis can be managed

Mahathir says currency crisis can be managed KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday the country can weather the attack on its local currency and urged his countrymen not to despair as he took another swipe at foreigners he blames for the country's problems.

Another dead baby found

Another dead baby found JAKARTA (JP): A newborn baby was found dead on the first floor of the Kopro market in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, yesterday, taking the death toll of abandoned babies sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital this year to 50.

Cambodia leaves turmoil for Games

Cambodia leaves turmoil for Games As the 19th SEA Games draw near, The Jakarta Post will run a profile of each the 10 participating countries starting on Oct. 3. The story below is the second in the series.

Activists deplore poor support given to maid

Activists deplore poor support given to maid JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists have expressed concern over the reported poor support given by the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to Sulaita Anam Kafiran, who was executed in Mecca on Tuesday.

Finding our way without a map

Finding our way without a map This is my 100th letter to appear in the "Your Letters" column of The Jakarta Post.Hitting a century in letter writing, more so in a single publication, must be something of a record.

Clogged Karachi awaits promised rail system

Clogged Karachi awaits promised rail systemBy Ovais Subhani KARACHI (Reuter): Like many of Asia's fast-growing cities, Pakistan's financial and commercial capital Karachi is choking on traffic, and mass transit is still only a promise.

Progress made on Cambodia

Progress made on Cambodia MANILA (DPA): Southeast Asian foreign ministers mediating the Cambodian crisis made progress in New York toward bringing back the exiled royalist forces, but no agreement was reached, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon said yesterday.

BankPos aims for customer expansion

BankPos aims for customer expansion JAKARTA (JP): PT Bank Pos Nusantara (BankPos), which was officially launched here yesterday, targets to significantly increase its customers to at least one million by 2002 from 3,000 currently registered, the bank's president Robert Leman said yesterday.

Thailand closes border post

Thailand closes border post BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand has shut a border post with Cambodia after fresh fighting broke out between rival factions on the Cambodian side, the Thai military said yesterday.The border post at An Mah, usually open three times a week, remained shut yesterday after reported...

Two tried for heroin trafficking

Two tried for heroin trafficking JAKARTA (JP): Two expatriates from Ghana and Nigeria were indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday on charges of trafficking 450 grams of heroin.Prosecutor S.

MPR sets up committee to elect president and VP

MPR sets up committee to elect president and VP JAKARTA (JP): The general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) concluded yesterday the establishment of a complete lineup of the Assembly's working committee whose tasks will include electing a president and vice president.

Woman faces one year in jail

Woman faces one year in jail JAKARTA (JP): An unemployed woman on trial on Thursday for possessing and smoking marijuana broke down when a prosecutor demanded a one-year jail term for her.Wirdaningsih, 31, urged presiding judge Rusdy As'ad at the Central Jakarta District Court to give her a lighter...

Malaysia police sue 'Asiaweek'

Malaysia police sue 'Asiaweek' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian police have lodged a report against Asiaweek magazine over an article about break-ins at residences of foreign diplomats in the country, a news report said yesterday.

European tin market tightens

European tin market tightens LONDON (Reuter): Stubborn tightness in good quality tin brands, particularly Chinese and Indonesian, is driving European premiums steadily higher, traders said yesterday.Traders said Chinese tin was trading at premiums as high as $60 per ton over LME cash prices.

Thailand to ask Japan to roll over private sector debts

Thailand to ask Japan to roll over private sector debts BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand will ask Japan to roll over huge debts owed by the Thai private sector when Premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh makes an official visit to Tokyo next week, reports said yesterday.

Attempted robbery ends in beating

Attempted robbery ends in beating JAKARTA (JP): A crowd of angry residents in Kembangan, West Jakarta, beat up a 27-year-old man for attempting to rob a taxi driver, City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said.

Stranded boat people deported

Stranded boat people deported SURABAYA, East Java: A boat carrying 39 Chinese that landed at a quay in Gresik, East Java, was sent back to the open sea Thursday afternoon escorted by an Indonesian naval vessel, Antara reported yesterday.

Sea nomads prioritized

Sea nomads prioritized KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The province promised to prioritize children of the Bajau ethnic group, a nomadic people in the region, in its last day of the National Immunization Program (PIN) on Oct. 7, Antara reported.The agency quoted Dr.

Asian shares moderate but trading in SE Asia weak

Asian shares moderate but trading in SE Asia weak HONG KONG (AFP): Some Asian stock markets posted moderate gains yesterday but most southeast Asian economies saw weak trading as investors were pushed to the sidelines because of the region's currency crisis.Singapore's share market fell 1.

'Kompas' and TPI settle allegations amicably

'Kompas' and TPI settle allegations amicably JAKARTA (JP): The leading Kompas daily reached an amicable settlement with a group calling itself the Team of Defenders of Islam (TPI) following allegations that the daily had printed unfounded reports which were disruptive to the Islamic community.

CanOxy enters Indonesia

CanOxy enters Indonesia CALGARY (Reuter): Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd has signed a new production sharing contract in Indonesia, covering operations on the 11,100 square km Manna Block.The block included onshore and offshore acreage in southwest Sumatra, adjacent to CanOxy's interest in the...

Much hope and doubt for new House leaders

Much hope and doubt for new House leaders JAKARTA (JP): New legislators praise and place great hope in the new leadership of the House of Representatives, but political observers express doubt whether the body will live up to expectations.

Bogor to set up disaster post

Bogor to set up disaster post BOGOR (JP): Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi ordered the town's district heads yesterday to each establish a disaster post to help improve disaster prevention management."The order is made in response to an instruction from Minister of Home Affairs No.

IPB, Cianjur to cooperate

IPB, Cianjur to cooperate BOGOR, West Java: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) and the administration of Cianjur signed a cooperation agreement Thursday aimed at helping the area, known to be the traditional rice barn of West Java, to increase agricultural production.

Guidelines to be set up for emission tests

Guidelines to be set up for emission tests JAKARTA (JP): The administration is to set up guidelines on vehicle emission tests in Jakarta, according to the head of the city's environmental bureau, Aboejoewono Aboeprajitno.

Five killed in RP shooting

Five killed in RP shooting MANILA (AFP): A man went on a shooting rampage north of Manila, killing four people and wounding two others before killing himself, police said yesterday.Nixon Tagyan, 34, late Thursday shot his estranged wife Evelyn Marcos-Tiong, who had remarried to a Hong Kong man,...