Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 November 1997

62 articles found

Lippo Bank California fights for comeback

Lippo Bank California fights for comeback LOS ANGELES (AP): Bad loans and worse publicity linking owner James Riady and former chief executive John Huang to questionable campaign contributions in Washington nearly put Lippo Bank California out of business.

Soldier held for exploding grenade

Soldier held for exploding grenade BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: A soldier is currently being detained after he accidentally exploded a grenade while on leave last month near his parents' home in Metro-Kibang, Central Lampung.Col. C.

Timor denies rumors of acquisition by Astra

Timor denies rumors of acquisition by Astra JAKARTA (JP): The producer of the internationally debated national car, PT Timor Putra Nasional (TPN), denied yesterday it would be taken over by automobile giant PT Astra International.

Chinese medicine seller deported

Chinese medicine seller deported JAMBI: Immigration authorities announced yesterday that they would deport a Chinese national, Chen Liyun, 45, for misusing his visa.A local justice official, Woerjanto, said that Chen was detained on Wednesday in Angso Duo market, Jambi, after the justice office...

Rupiah rises 8 percent on joint intervention, reform

Rupiah rises 8 percent on joint intervention, reform JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah rose 8 percent against the U.S. dollar in hectic trading yesterday as Indonesian, Singaporean and Japanese central banks jointly intervened in the market to support the rupiah, dealers said.

PDAM Jaya holds writing contest

PDAM Jaya holds writing contest JAKARTA (JP): The city-owned water company PDAM Jaya is holding a writing contest for Jakartans and members of the Indonesian Journalists Association's city branch to commemorate its 75th anniversary.

Udin's alleged killer freed from murder charge

Udin's alleged killer freed from murder charge YOGYAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors yesterday dropped their case against Dwi Sumadji, accused of murdering Bernas daily journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafrudin, and called for his release after conceding there was insufficient evidence to support their case.

Tering Bay Open tees off today

Tering Bay Open tees off today BATAM ISLAND, Riau (JP): About 140 professional and amateur golfers from both host Indonesia and neighboring southeast Asian countries are expected to take part in the Tering Bay Open Golf Championships which tees off here today.

China's Jiang Zemin evokes Pearl Harbor history

China's Jiang Zemin evokes Pearl Harbor history Chinese President Jiang Zemin's just completed eight-day tour of the United States was hardly the landmark visit which the Chinese said it would be. Noting the lack of concrete achievement, The Jakarta Post Asia correspondent Harvey Stockwin reflects...

Central bank advises public not to panic

Central bank advises public not to panic JAKARTA (JP): The governor of Bank Indonesia, Soedradjad Djiwandono, dismissed rumors yesterday that more banks would be liquidated and urged people to remain calm.

Southeast Asian currencies leap

Southeast Asian currencies leap SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asian currencies leapt yesterday as Indonesia's early efforts to reform its economy in response to a massive IMF-led aid package sparked hopes the region might be headed for a turnaround.

Preventing future forest fires (2)

Preventing future forest fires (2)By Aleksius Jemadu This is the second of two articles on how we can prevent forest fires in the future. BANDUNG (JP): Yet the question is how can we establish multiorganizational service networks in the forestry sector? We have learned that networks consist of...

Tiger eats three goats

Tiger eats three goats BOGOR (JP): A tiger has eaten three goats over the past five weeks in Pulasari village, adjacent to the Ciaten tea plantation in the Leuwiliang subdistrict, Bogor, a village resident said.

New government economic policy

New government economic policy JAKARTA (JP): The following is the full text of the government's statement on its new economic policy announced on Nov. 3, 1997.1. The government is today announcing a series of economic policy measures.

Bogor team to represent Indonesia

Bogor team to represent Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): T. Sugianto, Zainal Effendi and Anthony Hatuley from the Bogor golf club won the 1997 Johnnie Walker Inter-team Championship national final at the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club Sunday.

Government told to be honest

Government told to be honest JAKARTA (JP): More than ever before the government needs to be "honest and transparent" in order to avoid possible social unrest following the country's deepening economic woes, a cabinet minister said here yesterday.

Smog back in Singapore

Smog back in Singapore SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singaporeans woke up to the smell of smoke yesterday as smog fueled by Indonesian bush fires sneaked back into town overnight.The government said the air was unhealthy after nearly a week of almost decent weather.

U.S. confident of Thai recovery

U.S. confident of Thai recovery BANGKOK (Reuters): U.S. President Bill Clinton told the Thai prime minister he was confident of the success of international efforts to help solve Thailand's economic problems.

Airplane accident investigation

Airplane accident investigationFrom Media IndonesiaA news item on page 24 of Media Indonesia of Oct. 7, 1997 headlined Sikado rejects police involvement in unraveling GA 152 Case has set me reflecting upon the bad luck of the police because the authority given them by the law can be canceled simply...

Arya Setyaki wins Indonesia Kart Race

Arya Setyaki wins Indonesia Kart Race JAKARTA (JP): Jakartan Arya Setyaki won the overall Indonesia Kart Race 1997 title at the Sentul circuit, near Bogor, Sunday.Setyaki, 19, a student at Trisakti University won with a total of 106 points from the seven legs of the race.

'Batik' dress

'Batik' dress It is wonderful to see the outlook of the Indonesian government in holding an international batik conference for the first time in Yogyakarta next week. I don't think all the participants of the conference will only sit, talk, relax, enjoy the good time at the batik exhibitions and go...

Hospital and conscience

Hospital and conscience Last Sunday night, my driver's son was caught in a fight and stabbed in his stomach. His friends rushed him to the nearest public hospital: RS Fatmawati.When his father arrived at the hospital several hours later, his son, who was in a coma and had lost a lot of blood from...

Six precincts to get new chiefs

Six precincts to get new chiefs JAKARTA (JP): Six of the nine police precincts in the Greater Jakarta area would get new chiefs, said City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang yesterday.Aritonang said the new chiefs to be installed starting this week would be of the East, Central and South...

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Batik Exhibition, by Maartri Djorghi, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl. Kemang Raya No.24 A 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.

Saudi Arabia wants OPEC to raise oil output ceiling

Saudi Arabia wants OPEC to raise oil output ceiling DUBAI (Reuters): OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia yesterday said it wanted OPEC to raise its oil output ceiling to reflect higher world demand for the producer group's crude.

Rubber trade wary of currencies, Thai stocks

Rubber trade wary of currencies, Thai stocks SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Southeast Asian rubber trade will be dogged this week by the region's wobbly currency markets even though some Japanese buyers were said to be keen about picking up forward supplies, traders said yesterday.

IMF's reform package will be costly

IMF's reform package will be costly The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finally agreed to provide Indonesia with a reform package comprising of financial assistance and a set of policy measures to overcome its economic problems. Economist Kwik Kian Gie takes a close look at this package.

Busang scandal barely impacts mining investment

Busang scandal barely impacts mining investment JAKARTA (JP): The scandal over the Busang gold field in East Kalimantan, which involved Canadian exploration company Bre-X Minerals, did not have much of an impact on Canadian mining investment, a Canadian official said yesterday.

Batik copyright urgent, Try says

Batik copyright urgent, Try says YOGYAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno called on Indonesian batik designers and artists yesterday to pursue copyrights of their designs to protect against long-term financial loss.

Bakrie Pipe gets $80 million loan

Bakrie Pipe gets $80 million loan JAKARTA (JP): Steel pipe maker PT Bakrie Pipe Industries, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie and Brothers, has secured a US$80 million syndicated loan from local and foreign finance companies to refinance its foreign debts.

Transvestite killed in East Jakarta

Transvestite killed in East Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The bound body of a 28-year-old transvestite who owned a modeling agency and also worked as a choreographer was found dead Sunday in his house in East Jakarta.

200,000 risk developing cancer yearly: Expert

200,000 risk developing cancer yearly: Expert JAKARTA (JP): At least one out of every 1,000 Indonesians are at risk of developing cancer every year, according to Melissa L. Luwia of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation.

Economist challenges liquidation measure

Economist challenges liquidation measure JAKARTA (JP): Economist Didik J. Rachbini said yesterday that the government's decision to liquidate 16 private banks was based on nontransparent criteria."Bank Indonesia's decision to liquidate the banks was not very transparent, because there are other...

Asian fund to be finalized next month: De Ocampo

Asian fund to be finalized next month: De Ocampo TOKYO (AFP): Philippines Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo forecast in remarks published yesterday that a proposed Asian monetary fund would be finalized in December.De Ocampo said regional self-help was crucial amid Asia's financial market turmoil.

'Pocong' oath a unique religious way to settle disputes

'Pocong' oath a unique religious way to settle disputesBy Sumanto GROBOGAN, Central Java (JP): Tension gripped some 1,000 people taking part in the pocong oath procession held at Baitul Makmur mosque in Purwodadi here one morning.

Singaporean arrested for drug smuggling

Singaporean arrested for drug smuggling JAKARTA (JP): Customs officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have arrested a Singaporean man for allegedly smuggling 4.106 kilograms of methamphetamine, the main ingredient of Ecstasy.

AIDS meeting targets truck, bus drivers

AIDS meeting targets truck, bus drivers JAKARTA (JP): Twenty inter-city truck and bus drivers are participating in a three-day meeting on HIV/AIDS here beginning yesterday.Jointly sponsored by the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) and Organda, the country's organization of land transportation...

China Light eyes RI deal

China Light eyes RI deal HONG KONG (Reuters): China Light & Power Co Ltd said yesterday it was in talks with PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) on a project for a submarine cable linking the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok.

Violation of high-rise building permits 'rife'

Violation of high-rise building permits 'rife' JAKARTA (JP): Most developers in Jakarta have violated permits for the construction of high-rise buildings, a businessman said yesterday.Enggartiasto Lukita, former head of the Indonesian Real Estate Association, said the city bylaw on high-rise...

Golkar's policy draft to be used as reference

Golkar's policy draft to be used as reference JAKARTA (JP): After a week of debate, minority factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) agreed yesterday to use Golkar's draft as the outline for drawing up the coming state policy guidelines (GBHN).

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 3, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 875 25 50,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 525 -75 2,500 Alumindo Light Metal 525 -25 832,500...

NIDEC invests in Bintan

NIDEC invests in Bintan SINGAPORE (Reuters): Osaka-listed NIDEC Corp is investing US$15 million in a production facility at the Bintan Industrial Estate (BIE) in Indonesia, BIE said on Monday.It said NIDEC.

Porsche to enter Thailand

Porsche to enter Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): German sports car manufacturer Porsche AG will send a mission to explore investment possibilities in Thailand, a Thai Board of Investment (BoI) official said yesterday.

2,000 Karens flee Myanmar

2,000 Karens flee Myanmar BANGKOK (AFP): Some 2,000 villagers, mostly ethnic Karens, have fled Myanmar into Thailand since last week and are likely to face repatriation, Thai military and border sources said yesterday.

Closing bad banks

Closing bad banks Fostering a sound banking sector through orderly financial conditions and a good monetary system has always been a core component of IMF-supported programs in its member countries, as again amply evidenced by Indonesia's latest reform package.

Indonesia pays tribute to Pranadjaja

Indonesia pays tribute to Pranadjaja JAKARTA (JP): Pranadjaja Djojodinoto, Indonesia's renowned tenor, and classical and pop music teacher, left his Jl. Radio IV residence in South Jakarta for the last time yesterday to the song of As Long As I Have Music performed by 35 of his students.

Asian palm oil price seen rising

Asian palm oil price seen rising KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil prices will continue their upward trend this week with prospects of good export business due to palm's discount over other vegetable oils, with currency factors boosting sentiment, regional traders said.

Regional markets rally as currencies stabilize

Regional markets rally as currencies stabilize HONG KONG (AFP): Hong Kong share prices surged 5.9 percent yesterday on bargain-hunting as stable regional currencies and a multi-billion-dollar international aid package for Indonesia cheered Asia-Pacific markets.

Bakrie sells coal stake

Bakrie sells coal stake SYDNEY, Australia (AP): PT Bakrie Brothers, BHP's Indonesian coal mining partner, plans to sell its 20 percent stake in the PT Arutmin Indonesian joint venture for around US$50 million, The Australian newspaper said Monday.

Ricky Putra to go public next month

Ricky Putra to go public next month JAKARTA (JP): Garment company PT Ricky Putra Globalindo plans to sell 60 million new shares, or 37.5 percent of enlarged shares, to the public next month to strengthen the its operations and repay loans.

Yayuk's partner faces Kremlin row

Yayuk's partner faces Kremlin row MOSCOW (Reuters): Dutch tennis player Caroline Vis, disqualified from Sunday's Kremlin Cup women's doubles final for insulting the umpire, will also be fined, a spokeswoman for the Russian organizers said yesterday.

Andromeda may challenge bank closure in court

Andromeda may challenge bank closure in court JAKARTA (JP): Bank Andromeda's owners may challenge Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad's decision to shut the bank in the Jakarta Administrative Court, shareholder Bambang Trihatmodjo said yesterday.

British steel plan under threat

British steel plan under threatBy Antony Barnett LONDON: Turmoil in Asian financial markets is threatening to scupper a flagship US$800 million dollars investment plan by British Steel.The company disclosed during the summer its intention to take a majority stake in an Indonesian project to build a...

Wasur Park imperiled by development onslaught

Wasur Park imperiled by development onslaughtBy Ais Latuputty MERAUKE, Irian Jaya (Antara): The inexorable march of development is eating away at pristine Wasur National Park, home to Southeast Asia's largest wetland area.Its 413,000 hectares in Irian Jaya were formerly closed to all development.

UN should manage globalization: Soeharto

UN should manage globalization: Soeharto KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesian President Soeharto called yesterday for an urgent effort by developing countries to stabilize financial markets and suggested that economic globalization should be "managed" by the United Nations.

Mahathir's call to WTO makes sense

Mahathir's call to WTO makes sense Since the Asian currency and stock market turmoil began, resentment against the West has swept through Southeast Asia. It is not just Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who believes there is a Western plot to undermine the economies of this whole region.

'GO' wins SEA Games photo contest

'GO' wins SEA Games photo contest JAKARTA (JP): Sudewa from GO tabloid, with his photo Memang Indah (It's Beautiful), was yesterday declared the winner of the 19th SEA Games photo competition, which was sponsored by Konica, and won the Rp 1.5 million (US$458) first prize.Johny T.

Monopoly curbed, trade tariffs cut

Monopoly curbed, trade tariffs cut JAKARTA (JP): The government decided yesterday to abolish the National Logistic Agency's (Bulog) right to a monopoly on several food commodities, allow foreign-owned firms to distribute their own products throughout the country and cut import tariffs and export...

Bank liquidations spark uncertainty

Bank liquidations spark uncertainty JAKARTA (JP): Many people are leading miserable and uncertain lives in the wake of the government closing 16 unhealthy banks Saturday.Staff of the liquidated banks are worried about their future employment, while the institutions' customers are scared they might...

Embraced couples found dead in car

Embraced couples found dead in car UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Two young couples were found dead in an embrace yesterday inside their van.The cause of the deaths is still being investigated but forensic specialist Randanan Bandaso said yesterday there were indications that it could be carbon...

NU shuns succession debate

NU shuns succession debate SEMARANG (JP): Chairman of the influential Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdurrahman Wahid, called on members to stay away from the presidential succession debate saying that the matter would be deliberated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Minivan drivers on strike

Minivan drivers on strike JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of minivan drivers went on strike yesterday to protest hoodlums' ongoing extortion racket in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Their action left hundreds of people temporarily stranded.