Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 November 1997

49 articles found

Analysts stress need for reforms to bureaucracy

Analysts stress need for reforms to bureaucracy JAKARTA (JP): Political analysts hailed the international rescue package for Indonesia but demanded radical bureaucratic reforms to ensure proper use of the funds.

TV Program: Monday, Nov. 3, 1997

TV Program: Monday, Nov. 3, 1997TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Cartoon Film: Lucan 3:10 TV Drama: Salah Duga 3:35 Religious Teachings: Hindu 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Inovatif 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Boy Scout's Program 6:00 News:...

Elect members of MPR 'for democracy's sake'

Elect members of MPR 'for democracy's sake' JAKARTA (JP): Political observer Maswadi Rauf said the appointment rather than election of most members the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) was hampering democratization.

Diarrhea kills two in Lampung

Diarrhea kills two in Lampung BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The local health office has sent a team to Menggala, in the Tulangbawang regency, to investigate an outbreak of diarrhea Thursday that has killed two residents.

Unseeded George harasses Hariyanto at national c'ship

Unseeded George harasses Hariyanto at national c'ship BANDUNG (JP): A relatively unknown player, George Rimarchdi, defeated senior sportsman Hariyanto Arbi 8-15, 18-15, 15-2 in a surprising upset to the men's singles final at the Ardath National Badminton Championship here yesterday.

'RCTI' celebrates Titiek's 60 years

'RCTI' celebrates Titiek's 60 years JAKARTA (JP): To celebrate legend singer Titiek Puspa's 60th birthday, TV station RCTI will sponsor a concert of 80 artists at the Jakarta Convention Center, South Jakarta, Nov. 18.

IMF and ASEAN ministers to discuss forex rules

IMF and ASEAN ministers to discuss forex rules KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund will brief Southeast Asian finance ministers next month on the progress of a study on regulated currency trading, a Malaysian government spokesman said on Saturday.

IMF ready to give more money to Indonesia

IMF ready to give more money to Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): The international community, which announced plans on Friday to get Indonesia's economy back on track, could make US$40 billion available in the biggest aid package since Mexico's bailout in 1995.

Five nabbed for falsifying shipping documents for crew

Five nabbed for falsifying shipping documents for crew JAKARTA (JP): Five men have been arrested for allegedly counterfeiting hundreds of documents required to join a ship's crew.City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Saturday the suspects had been producing the fake documents since 1994.

Experts divided over issue of presidential succession

Experts divided over issue of presidential succession JAKARTA (JP): The debate on presidential succession resumed over the weekend, with two leading experts taking opposite stands on whether it was time to seek an alternative candidate for the top job.

Internet banking: It's closer than you might think

Internet banking: It's closer than you might thinkBy Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): One of the hottest issues in our letters column lately has been the unfairly huge commissions claimed by local banks that offer savings accounts in U.S. dollars.

Thai minister urges U.S. help for region

Thai minister urges U.S. help for region BANGKOK (Reuters): A senior Thai minister has urged more direct U.S. intervention to bring stability to battered Southeast Asian economies, the Nation newspaper reported on Saturday."If the U.S.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 3, 1997

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 3, 1997Exhibitions * Batik Exhibition, by Maartri Djorghi, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl. Kemang Raya No.24A South Jakarta, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Nov. 8. * Painting Exhibition: From Mooi Indie to Persagi, at Museum Seni Rupa Jakarta, Jl.

Governnment statement on bank closure

Governnment statement on bank closure JAKARTA (JP): The following is the full text of the government's statement on the closure of 16 commercial banks, which was announced Saturday.Banks, as financial intermediaries that collect and distribute the funds of society, play a strategic role in the...

Andromeda's last effort fails to avoid liquidation axe

Andromeda's last effort fails to avoid liquidation axe JAKARTA (JP): Bank Andromeda, one of 16 banks closed by the government over the weekend, said yesterday it tried to save the bank at the last minute with Rp 350 billion (US$100 million) in new funds, but the effort fell short of the deadline.

Ministers officiate opening of new mall

Ministers officiate opening of new mall JAKARTA (JP): The undulating sound of kettledrums being struck by two ministers, two city officers and three businessmen, marked the grand opening of Mal Puri Indah in Puri Kembangan, West Jakarta, Saturday.Located in a six-hectare area on Jl.

Nightspot drugs dealer busted

Nightspot drugs dealer busted JAKARTA (JP): A man has been arrested for allegedly trafficking Ecstasy in discotheques and nightspots across the city, police said.City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Saturday that the suspect, identified as Suherman Satibi, 33, was arrested with 66...

Rp 15b housing project canceled

Rp 15b housing project canceled JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Irian Jaya office of the Ministry of Transmigration has canceled the construction of two housing complexes worth Rp 15 billion (US$4.14 million) due to the currency crisis.

The preemptive bailout

The preemptive bailout The almost US$40 billion in aid pledged by multilateral institutions and country donors to the Indonesian government and the technical support and direct surveillance by an international team of experts led by the International Monetary Fund for the next three years will...

Indonesia still vital to Asia-pacific tourism

Indonesia still vital to Asia-pacific tourism JAKARTA (JP): In spite of the ongoing thick haze caused by the widespread forest and brush fires in Indonesia, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) predicts that Indonesia will be one of the 10 key tourist markets in the Asia-Pacific region in...

HK considers backing IMF's Indonesia bailout

HK considers backing IMF's Indonesia bailout HONG KONG (Reuters): Hong Kong said on Saturday it was prepared to consider supporting the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) massive aid package for Indonesia, but stopped short of specifying an amount.

Police ready to anticipate possible riots

Police ready to anticipate possible riots JAKARTA (JP): City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday that police had been deployed throughout the city to prevent unrest following the government's closure of 16 ailing private banks."There isn't any special squad or operation.

The complicated problems of manpower

The complicated problems of manpowerBy Wahyu Susilo JAKARTA (JP): Industrialization has spurred inter-state manpower mobility in Southeast Asia.Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos are among countries supplying manpower for job openings in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei...

Bank closures to 'pave' future path

Bank closures to 'pave' future path The Indonesian government announced Saturday what the nation saw as the largest number of banks liquidated at one time. In the following discourse, economist Kwik Kian Gie talks about the impact of the bold measure and the fate of the remaining banks.

Administration has bold plans for city slums

Administration has bold plans for city slums JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is setting up a program with the State Ministry of Public Housing to rejuvenate slum areas, especially those on state land on riverbanks, Governor Sutiyoso said over the weekend.

Hot water spring found in Jayapura

Hot water spring found in Jayapura JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Residents around Podena village, Jayapura, have discovered what could be the largest hot water spring in the province.Jayapura regent Jan Pieter Karafir told Antara here yesterday the spring spurts boiling water out of the ground at a height...

Names of liquidated banks

Names of liquidated banks -------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. Name of bank Asset credits Public Equity (in bil. Rp) fund -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. PT Bank Pinaesaan (a) 358.74 161.22 275.53 24.05 2.

Murder victim to be cremated

Murder victim to be cremated BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The government of the People's Republic of China has allowed the local administration to arrange the cremation of Guo Mao Jun, 19, who died from stab wounds on Oct. 13."The Chinese Embassy has given a mandate to local shipping company PT.

Reform welcomed with some reservations

Reform welcomed with some reservations JAKARTA (JP): Economists lauded the government's new economic reform package approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the weekend, but expressed concern over the implementation of the measures.

German tourist drowns in Bali

German tourist drowns in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: Eming Karim, a 53-year-old German tourist, died after being caught in a strong current at Canggu Beach in Kuta, Friday night, Antara reported.Coastguard Gede Berata said Karim was the second person to drown in the last 10 days.

Moslem urged to work together

Moslem urged to work together JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said Moslems the world over should work together to fight poverty and illiteracy, and improve the quality of human resources in Islamic countries.

Obituary

Obituary JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's most famous vocal trainers, Pranadjaja, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 67.Born Pranowo Djojodinoto, Pranadjaja began his career after winning a classical singing contest as a student at Gadjah Mada University in his hometown of Yogyakarta.

Asian stocks seen nervous, volatile

Asian stocks seen nervous, volatile HONG KONG (Reuters): Asian stocks braced for another week of extreme volatility, with concern that instability in other world markets could put further pressure on the region's wildly fluctuating exchanges.

Two killed over Rp 20,000 debt

Two killed over Rp 20,000 debt JAKARTA (JP): An angry crowd beat two men to death during a commotion over the collection of a Rp 20,000 (US$5,71) debt in West Jakarta, one of victims' relatives said yesterday.

Astra gets revolving facility to repay loans

Astra gets revolving facility to repay loans JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed PT Astra International, the country's largest automobile group, has secured US$160 million in revolving loan facility to repay its short-term, mature debts, the company announced over the weekend.

Unocal evacuates some 720 staff

Unocal evacuates some 720 staff BANGKOK (AFP): Unocal is evacuating some 720 staff from offshore gas facilities in the Gulf of Thailand because of a tropical storm approaching from the South China Sea to the east, the company said yesterday.

Children under the sword

Children under the sword The President and the country are right to rejoice that Nasiroh has escaped the Saudi sword, although the execution of Soleha Anam Kadiran earlier in October cast a giant shadow over the result of this intervention by the government of Indonesia.

Liquidation of banks hailed

Liquidation of banks hailed JAKARTA (JP): Businesspeople and economists hailed the government's bold move to liquidate 16 insolvent banks, but urged tougher measures against existing troubled banks.Sofjan Wanandi, chairman of the Gemala Group, said the move should serve as shock therapy for the...

Fate of migrant workers

Fate of migrant workersFrom RepublikaWe have recently been struck by a report that an Indonesian female migrant worker, Soleha, had to lose her life in the hands of an executioner. She was charged with murder, an accusation which is still open to question.

Preventing future forest fires

Preventing future forest firesBy Aleksius Jemadu This is the first of two articles on how we can prevent forest fires in the future. BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo announced recently that forest fires over the last few months have destroyed 96,000 hectares of forest...

Immigration on alert for bank owners

Immigration on alert for bank owners JAKARTA (JP): Immigration check points across the country have been put on alert and ordered to "delay" the departure of the owners of the 16 liquidated banks if they try to leave the country.Mursanuddin A.

Extradition treaty not a solution: Lopa

Extradition treaty not a solution: Lopa JAKARTA (JP): Establishing an extradition agreement with Saudi Arabia will be ineffective if the government fails to address shortcomings in its worker recruitment procedures, a rights activist said Saturday.

Japan, Singapore ready to provide $5b each to RI

Japan, Singapore ready to provide $5b each to RI JAKARTA (JP): Japan and Singapore hailed Saturday the Indonesian economic reform program and pledged to provide US$5 billion each as part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid package for the country.

JSX opens new info center

JSX opens new info center YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) launched an information center at the University of Duta Wacana here Friday."I hope this facility will give a better chance to society to take part in the development process, especially in the field of investment," the...

Soldier's alleged killer turns himself in: Police spokesman

Soldier's alleged killer turns himself in: Police spokesman JAKARTA (JP): The alleged killer of Chief Sgt. Ahmat Tohir has surrendered to Pasar Rebo Police in East Jakarta, an officer said yesterday.City police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Indonesia aid plan seen lifting world confidence

Indonesia aid plan seen lifting world confidence NEW YORK (Reuters): The IMF's aid package to Indonesia came at the right time to help boost confidence in global financial markets, though it may not be enough to put to the region back on track, U.S. analysts said on Friday.

Mahathir coutions on freeing markets

Mahathir coutions on freeing markets KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad reminded the Group of Fifteen (G-15) developing countries Saturday to be cautious in implementing market liberalization and globalization plans.

IMF's aid expected to raise sentiment

IMF's aid expected to raise sentiment JAKARTA (JP): The announcement of the US$23 billion financial rescue package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to boost market sentiment at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) this week.

Was the life of late K'tut Tantri's fact or fiction?

Was the life of late K'tut Tantri's fact or fiction?By Ratih Hardjono MELBOURNE (JP): K'tut Tantri, born Muriel Stuart Walker, and better known as Surabaya Sue, was a controversial figure for most of her 98 years.