Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 November 1997

58 articles found

Hutomo, Chandra favorites in Goro Champ of Champs

Hutomo, Chandra favorites in Goro Champ of Champs JAKARTA (JP): Hutomo Mandala Putra and Chandra Alim are the favorites to win the Goro Champ of Champs rally, scheduled to be held in Cikole and Bandung, West Java on Nov. 29.

Seoul turn to IMF as crisis worsen

Seoul turn to IMF as crisis worsen SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea sought yesterday a loan of some $20 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to overcome its deepening financial crisis and forecast a painful period of restructuring for one of Asia's vaunted "Tiger" economies.

Dominant Golkar to shortlist nominees for vice president

Dominant Golkar to shortlist nominees for vice president JAKARTA (JP): Dominant political group Golkar will study in its leadership meeting next month a list of names that have often been mentioned as vice presidential material, secretary-general Ary Marjono said yesterday.

Sjafrie cautions students over banned political groups

Sjafrie cautions students over banned political groups JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin asked university students yesterday to be wary of government-banned groups attempting to disrupt the March general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Asian crisis seen shifting insurance rules

Asian crisis seen shifting insurance rules SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asia's economic crisis has triggered a shift towards a more Western-style supervision of insurance solvency and capital levels, industry experts say.

Portuguese returns 'home'

Portuguese returns 'home' JAKARTA (JP): Portuguese aristocrat Dom Duarte Braganca has expressed hope that videotapes of East Timor which he took during his visit there recently would make his people understand the actual situation in the territory.

Ulemas urge holiday during Ramadhan

Ulemas urge holiday during Ramadhan BAGU, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), concluded its national conference yesterday with a call for the government to, among others, declare the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan a school holiday.

APEC business leaders hold their first summit

APEC business leaders hold their first summit VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): The role of the private sector in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will gain greater momentum this week when APEC business leaders hold their first summit.

Butet's monolog cries for journalistic truth

Butet's monolog cries for journalistic truthBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): "I will not boast about the virtues of the journalistic profession. There is no sense in implying that journalism safeguards democracy when it does not.

One killed as clash erupts in Tanah Abang

One killed as clash erupts in Tanah Abang JAKARTA (JP): One man was killed Thursday after a clash between Jatibaru residents from Kampung Bali in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, and an unidentified group.

Over 6,400 bank employees laid off

Over 6,400 bank employees laid off JAKARTA (JP): The government move to close 16 banks will force as many as 6,439 employees into unemployment as the government, the banks' caretakers and owners could not find new employment positions for them.

Haze cuts tourist visits to Singapore

Haze cuts tourist visits to Singapore SINGAPORE (Reuters): Tourist arrivals in Singapore slipped sharply in October because of smog that has enveloped Southeast Asia in recent months, state television said yesterday.

State firms must buy JSX shares

State firms must buy JSX sharesBy Kornelius Purba CAPE TOWN, South Africa (JP): President Soeharto has instructed monetary authorities to disburse the US$5 billion standby loan from Singapore and ordered state firms to use one percent of their net profits to buy shares on the Jakarta stock...

Why 'TVRI' censorship?

Why 'TVRI' censorship? As a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia I am appalled by TVRI's decision not to broadcast live the hearing of our Minister of Finance with the House of Representatives because "it needs editing to ensure that the public receives only the right information".

Utut beats Karpov to level score

Utut beats Karpov to level score JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto carved out sweet revenge yesterday for his loss to FIDE world champion GM Anatoly Karpov in the opening game of the Clash of the Titans match at Hotel Omni Batavia.With the victory, Utut leveled the score at 1-1.

KL blames Singapore for market rumors

KL blames Singapore for market rumors KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said many of the rumors swirling around Malaysia's financial markets originated in Singapore."From Singapore you get at least three rumors in a day and Malaysians react completely (to them)," he told a...

Sale of Games stickers

Sale of Games stickersFrom KompasA few months before the Southeast Asian Games here in Jakarta, many people bought fund-raising stickers to finance the event. Those who bought the stickers deserve merit since without their contribution, the games would have been called off.

On civil servants' pay

On civil servants' pay I read the news in The Jakarta Post dated Nov. 19, 1997, concerning the government's refusal to raise the pay of its civil servants. State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi said the government "will not increase the salaries of the nation's civil servants".

Key dates in Asia's financial woes as reported to IMF

Key dates in Asia's financial woes as reported to IMF SINGAPORE (Reuters): South Korea said yesterday it was talking to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about emergency loans. This was the latest development in a string of financial crises across Asia.

Asian base metal outlook grim in 1998, dealers say

Asian base metal outlook grim in 1998, dealers say SINGAPORE (Reuters): The financial contagion that spread like a deadly virus from Indonesia to South Korea will hammer Asian base metal demand in 1998, regional dealers said yesterday.

Classical music for youth, and by youth

Classical music for youth, and by youthBy Nicolas Colombant JAKARTA (JP): Fun, Friendly and Professional is not the type of motto you would expect from an orchestra.But these are the selling points for Indonesia's first youth orchestra, Yayasan Orkestra Remaja Indonesia, which will hold its...

Dissector enjoys his 'unwanted' job

Dissector enjoys his 'unwanted' jobBy Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Sixty-nine-year-old Sokirin looks every bit his age. But do not let his wrinkled face and toothless grin deceive you, he is not a feeble old man.

Indocement will boost production by 50 percent

Indocement will boost production by 50 percent JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's largest private cement maker PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa expects to boost its production by almost 50 percent within two years, the company has said.The company's finance director Benny S.

PBSI told to avoid conflict in congress

PBSI told to avoid conflict in congress JAKARTA (JP): A former chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Vice President Try Sutrisno, yesterday urged participants at the association's forthcoming national congress not to exaggerate any conflict when electing their new chairman.

Marowali to be made national park

Marowali to be made national park PALU, Central Sulawesi: The provincial administration has proposed that the Morowali nature conservation area here be established as a national park to preserve some of the province's native wildlife species.

Six babies' bodies found in plastic bags

Six babies' bodies found in plastic bags JAKARTA (JP): The bodies of six babies wrapped in three plastic bags were found yesterday afternoon by residents on Jl. Warakas VI in North Jakarta.The first four bodies were found at a garbage site under Tanjung Priok toll road, while the other two were...

ANZIP recognizes RI economic reforms

ANZIP recognizes RI economic reforms SYDNEY (Reuters): ANZ Investment Bank (ANZIB) said yesterday it believes only Indonesia has produced a credible response to the Southeast Asian economic crisis, and argued that banking reform is the key to sorting out the region's problems.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: The Crystal Maze 3:10 Music: Jenjang Vokal 3:35 Tour and 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 6:15 Village Program 6:30...

Matahari's income rises

Matahari's income rises JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed retail company PT Matahari Putra Prima announced yesterday that its operating income was Rp 105 billion in this year's January to September period -- a 33 percent increase over the same period last year.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 21, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 850 0 0 AHAP Insurance 1,200 0 0 Alter Abadi 525 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 375 -25 10,000 Alumindo Perkasa...

Tangerang gets new police chief

Tangerang gets new police chief TANGERANG (JP): City Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, installed Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo yesterday as the new chief of the Tangerang police precinct, replacing Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna.

Schools told to save records

Schools told to save records JAKARTA (JP): Elementary schools in flood-prone areas should take special steps to save school records from being lost when floods strike again, a city councilor said yesterday.

Indonesian APEC delegates await protest

Indonesian APEC delegates await protestBy Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and Ati Nurbaiti VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): Indonesian delegates here are bracing themselves for a planned major demonstration when President Soeharto arrives to attend the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders...

Asahimas to start its third production unit despite crisis

Asahimas to start its third production unit despite crisis JAKARTA (JP): Chemical firm PT Asahimas Subentra Chemical (ASC) will officially start the third production unit of its caustic soda (NaOH), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) facility on Tuesday in its Cilegon...

Asian currency fate tied to Seoul move

Asian currency fate tied to Seoul move SINGAPORE (Reuters): Saturday and Sunday are critical for Asian currencies as the market waits for South Korea to decide whether to seek aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), dealers said yesterday.

Bomb fishing harms marine

Bomb fishing harms marine JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A military official blamed Thursday the practices of bomb fishing and cyanide fishing by local and foreign fishermen for the degrading quality of marine habitat in the Maluku and Irian waters.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Art Exhibition: Gelar Karya Perupa Jurnalis Indonesia, at The Art Exhibition Building (Wisma Seni Nasional), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until NOv. 25.

New officer for Hindus, Buddhists

New officer for Hindus, Buddhists JAKARTA (JP): A delegation of parents, students and teachers from Mahatma School made a courtesy call on the newly appointed Director General for the Guidance of Hinduism and Buddhism Brig. Gen. A. Wayan Gunawan at the Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday.

Siemens plans to invest 200 million marks

Siemens plans to invest 200 million marks JAKARTA (JP): Germany's widely-diversified business group Siemens AG will invest 200 million marks (US$59.8 million) by the end of the century for its expansion in Indonesia, the company said yesterday.The head of Siemens' Indonesian office, Kurt W.

Mitsubishi's RI plant

Mitsubishi's RI plant TOKYO (Reuters): Mitsubishi Materials Corp said yesterday it might move forward the start-up of its copper smelter and refinery at Gresik in Indonesia, which was originally scheduled to start operations in December 1998.

No significant progress on APEC new membership

No significant progress on APEC new membershipBy Meidyatama Suryodiningrat VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): Senior officials of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum ended their two-day meeting Thursday failing to make significant progress on the issue of new members.

PT Pos Indonesia's monopoly to cease

PT Pos Indonesia's monopoly to cease JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to terminate the postal monopoly of state-owned PT Pos Indonesia by amending postal regulations, according to Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave.The minister said yesterday that Postal Law No.

Situbondo to have refinery

Situbondo to have refinery JAKARTA (JP): The construction of the country's first private refinery, owned by PT Asia Pacific Petroleum Refinery Indonesia (APPRI), in Situbondo, a small town in East Java, is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2001, according to the contractor.

Mentally ill teachers 'working' in schools

Mentally ill teachers 'working' in schools JAKARTA (JP): Teachers suffering from serious mental illnesses are still giving classes in Jakarta's elementary schools, a city councilor said yesterday.The head of City Council's Commission E for social welfare, Soeparmo, said there are between 30 and 40...

El Nino brings drought to RP

El Nino brings drought to RP MANILA (AFP): The climactic phenomenon El Nino has brought drought to nearly half the Philippines, with 36 provinces suffering a severe rain shortage, the government weather bureau said yesterday.

Asian surveillance

Asian surveillance The deputy finance ministers of 14 Asian-Pacific nations that met in Manila early this week opted for the ideal that it was much better preventing a fire than having to extinguish one.

Stocks and rupiah drop in quite trading

Stocks and rupiah drop in quite trading JAKARTA (JP): Stocks prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued to fall yesterday on lack of fresh incentives in quiet trading.Securities analysts attributed the fall to the weakening regional market and the persistent fall of the rupiah against the...

Former legislators illegally lease official residence

Former legislators illegally lease official residence JAKARTA (JP): Several members of the 1992/1997 House of Representatives have illegally let their official residence, an official in charge of legislators' housing complex management revealed here yesterday.

Pasar Jaya urged to fill markets, stop illegal vendors

Pasar Jaya urged to fill markets, stop illegal vendors JAKARTA (JP): Councilors urged the city-owned PD Pasar Jaya market company yesterday to maximize the capacity of its 152 markets to stop the mushrooming number of street traders here.

Economist warns of worsening poverty as real incomes drop

Economist warns of worsening poverty as real incomes drop JAKARTA (JP): American economist Steven R. Tabor warns that Indonesia's food security is being threatened and nearly 18 million people, currently classified as being near poor, may fall into absolute poverty, thereby increasing the number of...

Cahaya Kalbar's profit up

Cahaya Kalbar's profit up JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cocoa and edible oil producer PT Cahaya Kalbar announced yesterday its net profit rose by 39 percent to Rp 18.36 billion in the January to September period from Rp 13.82 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Enforcement of immigration laws

Enforcement of immigration laws In connection with the issuance of Law No. 28/1997 dated Oct. 7, 1997, on the Indonesian police force, allow me to put forward the relationship between this law and Law No. 9/1992 on immigration with its enforcement regulations.Government Regulation No.

Mahathir slams S'pore rumors

Mahathir slams S'pore rumors KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has accused Singaporeans of spreading negative rumors about Malaysia's economy because of trade competition between the two countries, news reports said yesterday."From Singapore, you get three rumors a day.

Women enter politics through connections

Women enter politics through connections SURABAYA (JP): Indonesian women enter politics through connection rather than merit, observers agreed in a discussion here Thursday.Political positions were given as gifts to women, and they were recruited through nepotistic channels, concluded the...

Koran recitals, not parties, for New Year

Koran recitals, not parties, for New Year YOGYAKARTA: Several hotels here have said they will hold recitals of the Holy Koran rather than stage parties to welcome in the New Year, according to police.Antara quoted provincial police chief Col.

'Ojek' driver killed

'Ojek' driver killed TANGERANG (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was found dead on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Tangerang early yesterday, after allegedly being killed by two of his passengers, a police officer said.

KL cuts overseas training stints

KL cuts overseas training stints KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Fewer Malaysian government workers will be sent abroad for training because of expenditure cuts brought on by the currency devaluation, the country's top bureaucrat said yesterday.

Latief ready to clarify bill financing row to House

Latief ready to clarify bill financing row to House JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief has agreed to explain to the House of Representatives his office's controversial use of funds from a state-owned insurance firm to finance legislators deliberating the manpower bill at an expensive...