Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 January 1998

59 articles found

President Ramos says Asian miracle not over

President Ramos says Asian miracle not over MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Fidel Ramos expressed optimism yesterday that East Asia would weather the currency meltdown that has led some countries in the region to seek help from the International Monetary Fund.

Body identified at last

Body identified at last JAKARTA (JP): The body sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital Sunday was identified yesterday as Darwin B. Ismail by relatives who recognized his body on television.Darwin, 38, a resident of Jl. Jati Pinggir, Petamburan in Central Jakarta, was found dead on Jl.

Nepotism and transparency

Nepotism and transparency On the front page of the Dec. 31 edition of The Jakarta Post Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief strongly denied allegations of financial impropriety saying "I'll be damned. I'm a tycoon...

10 men arrested with pills and marijuana

10 men arrested with pills and marijuana JAKARTA (JP): Police apprehended yesterday 10 men in South and East Jakarta for possessing a total of 40 Nipam barbiturate pills, 15 Ecstasy pills and three marijuana cigarettes.City police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Corruption at Bank Indonesia

Corruption at Bank IndonesiaFrom KompasThe Jamsostek case (over the use of state social security funds for legislative deliberations) is still unsolved and now there is a report of corruption committed by a number of Bank Indonesia directors to the tune of Rp 1.5 trillion.

No clues in Christmas double murder

No clues in Christmas double murder JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives are no closer to solving last week's double murder of a mother and daughter despite questioning at least 13 people.The precinct chief, Lt. Col.

Bank merger a necessity

Bank merger a necessity As far as we know, the merger of state-run banks is not a new idea. The government's announcement last Wednesday should therefore not give us reason for surprise. Monetary crisis or not, improving order in the national banking sector, which includes our state-owned banks,...

USA I wins women's Venice Cup

USA I wins women's Venice CupBy Djanwar Madjolelo JAKARTA (JP): The Venice Cup final was a repeat of last year's Olympiad final but with new members in the USA I team, playing against China.The American players in this women's competition were Tobi Sokolov-Milbreed, Jill Meyer-Randi Montin,...

USDA increases export loans for SE Asian nations

USDA increases export loans for SE Asian nations WASHINGTON (Reuters): The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Monday that it is extending an additional $545 million in loan guarantees to help financially-troubled Southeast Asian nations buy U.S. farm goods.

W. Jakarta plans wholesale market

W. Jakarta plans wholesale market JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta mayoralty plans to build a 15- hectare wholesale market in the Rawa Buaya subdistrict of Cengkareng to supply commodities coming from West Java and Sumatra.

Regional markets hit by currency weakness

Regional markets hit by currency weakness HONG KONG (AFP): Most Asian bourses plummeted yesterday as regional currencies were sold down to historic new lows, deepening the gloom over regional financial markets.Hong Kong shares fell 1.6 percent, Tokyo 0.4 percent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur 3.

Where are the profits?

Where are the profits?From MerdekaIndonesians have made progress in their way of thinking. This is evident from the fact that when people chat on the sidewalk or at a coffee stand they always keep abreast with the country's latest developments. People are talking about all sorts of pertinent issues.

Crash victims' burial on Jan. 19

Crash victims' burial on Jan. 19 JAKARTA (JP): The remains of 104 victims of the SilkAir airplane which plunged into the Musi River, South Sumatra, last month will be buried on Jan. 19, an air force official said yesterday.Commander of the Palembang Air Force Base Lt. Col.

Malaysia has no need to seek IMF bailout: Analysts

Malaysia has no need to seek IMF bailout: Analysts KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has no need to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its exchange reserves and short-term debts are still at manageable levels, analysts said yesterday.

Team probes RP mine deaths claim

Team probes RP mine deaths claim ZAMBOANGA CITY (DPA): An eight-member team from the Philippine environment department started an investigation yesterday into claims that 80 gold miners were killed in a tunnel collapse -- not six as the government maintains.

Swiss airline offers Irian help

Swiss airline offers Irian help JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A Swiss airline, Heli Swiss, has offered its assistance to Irian Jaya Governor J. Pattipi to transport food to people living in the province's remote areas which are suffering from food shortages.

Soaring dollar curtails sports bodies' training

Soaring dollar curtails sports bodies' training JAKARTA (JP): The soaring value of the American dollar against the local currency has added further salt in the wounds of national sports organizations struggling to stage training programs for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

Riau wants to help returning workers

Riau wants to help returning workers PEKANBARU, Riau: Authorities here have expressed their readiness to assist Indonesian workers following their repatriation by the Malaysian government.Bachrum Effendi of the local manpower office said yesterday that considering the proximity of Riau to Malaysia,...

KL civil servants' allowances cut

KL civil servants' allowances cut KUALA LUMPUR (AP): With Malaysia sinking deeper into economic crisis, the government slashed yesterday entertainment funds for civil servants, the local news agency Bernama reported.

Bare-bones budget

Bare-bones budget The draft state budget for the 1998/1999 fiscal year beginning in April will have a contractive impact on the domestic market as government investment will decline in real terms by about 5 percent, while most of the 48.

Rupiah hits historic low as stock prices lose ground

Rupiah hits historic low as stock prices lose ground JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah hit a historic low of 7,750 to the U.S. dollar in the morning trading session yesterday before recovering to 6,950/7,250 at the close on aggressive dollar- buying by state-owned banks.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: Big Brother Jake 3:10 Indonesian Children 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Educational Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 TV Drama: Takaran Hati 5:40 Boy scout: Bogor Tegar Beriman 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara,...

1.4 million new job seekers unable to find employment

1.4 million new job seekers unable to find employment JAKARTA (JP): Some 1.4 million new job seekers will be unable to find employment, pushing the number of unemployed in the country this year to 5.8 million people.Records from the Ministry of Manpower show that if the economy this year grows by 3.

Opposing views on human rights

Opposing views on human rightsBy Arif Havas Ugroseno This is the first of two articles on the global human rights debate. JAKARTA (JP): The global human rights debate between universalism and cultural relativism continues and has reached a stalemate.

Amien Rais seeks support for political reforms

Amien Rais seeks support for political reforms JAKARTA (JP): Shrewd politician Amien Rais invited pro- democracy activists Megawati Soekarnoputri and Abdurrahman Wahid yesterday to join hands in a coalition calling for political reform in the country.

Investors demand political certainty

Investors demand political certaintyBy Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): When the minister of finance and leaders of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) visited the United States on a business mission recently, they were confronted with questions from American investors regarding policy...

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: HotelSahid Jaya JakartaLOOKS FAMILIAR: Outgoing general manager of the Sahid Jaya Jakarta, Guido J.A. Gyde, sizes up his look-alike in the form of a wayang golek puppet, a farewell present from the hotel management. A party on Dec.

Asian crisis to boost S'pore oil industries

Asian crisis to boost S'pore oil industries SINGAPORE (AFP): The Asian economic crisis is expected to boost Singapore's oil and petrochemical industries with would-be rivals hobbled by financing problems, according to an industry journal.

Exports of 12 commodities fell by 24 percent last year

Exports of 12 commodities fell by 24 percent last year JAKARTA (JP): Exports of 12 commodities decreased considerably in the first eight months of last year compared to the same period in 1996.The Ministry of Trade and Industry said exports of the commodities dropped as much as 24 percent last...

Safecrackers at large after stealing Rp 212m

Safecrackers at large after stealing Rp 212m JAKARTA (JP): Police are searching for two groups of suspects following two separate robberies in Central Jakarta which netted Rp 212 million (US$42,500).City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

SE Asian currencies plunge to new lows

SE Asian currencies plunge to new lows SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian financial markets took another heavy battering yesterday as U.S. funds cut asset allocations and companies desperate to hedge their exposures fled regional currencies for the rampant U.S. dollar.

Govt urged not to raise minimum wage this year

Govt urged not to raise minimum wage this year JAKARTA (JP): Industry associations urged the government not to raise the minimum daily wage, but said if it could not be avoided the increase should be circumvented from the monthly fee companies have to pay to the state workers insurance company PT...

Greed and economic turmoil

Greed and economic turmoil I salute Pak Soegih Arto for his recent letter published in the Dec. 30 edition of The Jakarta Post, to boost our fighting spirit. We need such reminding in order to not let ourselves become too downcast.

Depositors' money at liquidated banks

Depositors' money at liquidated banksFrom Bisnis IndonesiaI think the blocking of depositors' money at liquidated banks is no small problem.The money is the result of years of saving. Some of the deposits may come from a lump sum retirement payment in which the bank interest is used by the retired...

Indonesia to enjoy $1b in balance of payments

Indonesia to enjoy $1b in balance of payments JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, despite a loss in investors' confidence in its economy, expects to enjoy a surplus of US$1.07 billion in the 1998/1999 balance of payments.

Harmoko tells nation not to forget old spirit

Harmoko tells nation not to forget old spirit JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Harmoko urged the nation yesterday to regain its old fighting spirit to survive future challenges stemming from the current economic situation.

Pertamina to continue restructuring

Pertamina to continue restructuring JAKARTA (JP): The newly installed president of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, Soegianto, pledged yesterday to continue and give priority to the company's ongoing restructuring program.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 6, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 825 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 450 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 -25 76,000 Alumindo Perkasa...

Ansett to serve Brisbane-Bali route

Ansett to serve Brisbane-Bali route JAKARTA (JP): Australian private airline Ansett International will start its first international operations from Brisbane, with a weekly Brisbane-Bali nonstop service on Saturday nights starting April 4, the airline said yesterday.

Cerdas and Ivan win berths to Europe

Cerdas and Ivan win berths to Europe JAKARTA (JP): International Masters Cerdas Barus and Ivan Situru have won tickets for a European chess tour together with three other players.Cerdas and Ivan won the berths after coming first and second respectively in the Bali Jeff chess tournament that...

Soedradjad misses briefing

Soedradjad misses briefing JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono missed the 1998/1999 budget briefing to journalists at the Ministry of Information office.Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Saleh Afiff and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono felt it necessary to...

1,200 workers go on strike

1,200 workers go on strike TANGERANG (JP): About 1,200 workers of a zipper company went on strike yesterday, protesting the management's plan to cut their Idul Fitri bonuses by 10 percent.The workers gathered outside the PT Fajarindo Poliman Zipper factory and security guards were forced to move...

Draft budget praised as turning point to crisis

Draft budget praised as turning point to crisis JAKARTA (JP): The government's draft 1998/1999 budget and President Soeharto's speech got a nod of approval last night as many said it could serve as a turning point to the country's economic woes.

Rupiah set at 4,000 to U.S. dollar in state budget

Rupiah set at 4,000 to U.S. dollar in state budget JAKARTA (JP): The government set the U.S. dollar-rupiah exchange rate at 4,000 in its calculations for the 1998/1999 state budget.President Soeharto said last night that the government did not want to see the rupiah too strong, thus weakening the...

Japan's foreign reserves fall

Japan's foreign reserves fall TOKYO (AFP): Japan's foreign exchange reserves declined US$7.59 billion in December to $220.8 billion, falling for the first time since July 1997, the finance ministry said yesterday.

Economists say state budget too optimistic

Economists say state budget too optimistic JAKARTA (JP): The 32.1 percent increase in the 1998/1999 draft state budget unveiled by President Soeharto last night is unrealistic in the current economic situation, according to economists.

230 elementary school buildings need renovation

230 elementary school buildings need renovation JAKARTA (JP): At least 230 of the 2,593 public elementary school buildings in Jakarta are in disrepair and need renovating, an official said yesterday."The 230 buildings are mostly in a shabby condition because of a lack of maintenance or due to being...

Legislature told to avoid tours

Legislature told to avoid tours KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Governor Herman Musakabe has asked the provincial legislature not to include comparative studies abroad on its agenda because they are too costly.

Westcoast, Duke buy RI plant

Westcoast, Duke buy RI plant VANCOUVER (Reuters): A consortium led by units of Westcoast Energy Inc and Duke Energy Corp has acquired a 195-megawatt power plant and transmission facilities under construction in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, Westcoast said yesterday.

Inflation hits double digit

Inflation hits double digit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's annual inflation rate was 11.05 percent last year, the first double-digit inflation rate since 1983.The Central Bureau of Statistics said yesterday that the high annual inflation rate in 1997 was attributed to the 2.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Jan. 6, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S dollar 6,900.00 7,500.00Austrian shilling 531.00 603.00Australian dollar 4,446.80 4,720.00Belgian franc 184.20 198.50Canadian dollar 4,912.60 5,182.70Swiss franc 4,727.

S'pore company buys Indonesian plants

S'pore company buys Indonesian plants SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore Power Ltd (SP) said yesterday its joint venture company had paid US$349 million to acquire power plants from Asia Pulp & Paper Co.SP said in a statement that Asia Independent Power (BVI) Ltd (AIP), would acquire some of the power...

Lampung misses resettlement target

Lampung misses resettlement target BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The local office of the Ministry of Transmigration failed to achieve its target to resettle 2,000 forest squatter families last year due to the ongoing economic crisis.The head of the ministry's provincial office, P.

Lack of trust worsens economic crisis

Lack of trust worsens economic crisisBy Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Many people have questioned why the Indonesian rupiah continues to wane against the U.S. dollar although the government has assured it is pursuing the appropriate economic policies.

Government to tighten spending

Government to tighten spending JAKARTA (JP): The government will tighten spending in the next fiscal year, but will likely refrain from hiking fuel prices.Total government expenditures in fiscal year 1998/1999 starting April 1 will still rise by a hefty 32 percent to Rp 133.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaWednesdayMaghrib 6.15 p.m.ThursdayImsak 4:13 a.m.Subuh 4.23 a.m.

PDI set to drop its motion on human rights

PDI set to drop its motion on human rights JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) looks set to drop its bid for a separate and powerful People's Consultative Assembly decree on human rights, leaving fellow minority faction the United Development Party (PPP) alone to battle it out for...

Peace returns to Bandung after street vendors' riot

Peace returns to Bandung after street vendors' riot BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Things returned to normal in the city here yesterday after a brief melee a day earlier which saw hundreds of shops damaged by rampaging vendors.Rocks and debris which had littered Jl.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: 100 old photos from Indonesia and Singapore, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl. Kemang Raya No.24A South Jakarta, Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., until Jan. 29.