Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 October 1998

62 articles found

A clearer picture of Japanese animation

A clearer picture of Japanese animation JAKARTA (JP): The world has come to know Japanese animation in recent years for its unique and daring artistic style. Indonesia's youth is well-acquainted with popular cartoons such as Sailor Moon and comics like Dragon Ball Z.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: Thundercats 3:05 TV Series: Invention 3:30 Science Film 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 TV Series: The Man from Uncle 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara...

Daksa Group's promises

Daksa Group's promises Since various schedules of Puri Sriwedari Cibubur (PSC), as stated by its staff, remain open and due to the ignorance with which Daksa is handling these schedules, I have no other option than to publicly ask:When will Daksa fulfill its promises of:* paving the road in front...

Stocks lose ground but rupiah hits 8,800

Stocks lose ground but rupiah hits 8,800 JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the local market lost their footing on Wednesday as most investors cashed in gains they had made in the last five days but the rupiah continued to gather steam, hitting an intraday high of 8,725 against the U.S. dollar.

Art Summit schedule

Art Summit schedule Oct. 16-17: Music, Tsuchitori Toshiyuki (Japan), Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3154087).Oct. 18-19: Music, Kaija Saariaho (Finland), Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ), Jl. Pos No. 2, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3441892).

Japanese group showcases ancient percussion music

Japanese group showcases ancient percussion music JAKARTA (JP): The Spiral Arms, a unique Japanese percussion group led by Toshiyuki Tsuchitori, will take the stage at the Second Art Summit Indonesia on Friday and Saturday at Taman Ismail Marzuki art center in Central Jakarta.

PWI Jaya has new chairman

PWI Jaya has new chairman JAKARTA (JP): Marah Sakti is the new chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI Jaya), replacing outgoing Tarman Azzam, who has been appointed chairman of the central association.

Rasmussen out of Indonesia Open

Rasmussen out of Indonesia Open JAKARTA (JP): The misfortune-plagued US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open badminton championship has suffered another setback with the withdrawal of world men's singles champion Peter Rasmussen due to injury.

IBRA to sell suspended bank's noncore assets

IBRA to sell suspended bank's noncore assets JAKARTA (JP): Independent appraisers interested in participating in the assessment of suspended banks' noncore assets which will be auctioned off should submit their proposals by Oct. 19, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Wednesday.

High quality, price stability commitment to customers

High quality, price stability commitment to customers PT Meiji Indonesia is a pioneer of quality antibiotic products for both domestic and international markets. This is the unique and clear image of PT Meiji Indonesia, a company highly specialized in pharmaceuticals.

Our troubled power elite

Our troubled power elite On the face of it, the bureaucratic elite allows criticism and differing opinions. However, it is at the same time trying to stifle both through various means in order to preserve the status quo.

Asian stock markets call for stronger rules

Asian stock markets call for stronger rules SINGAPORE (AP): Asian stock exchange chiefs meeting at an economic summit Wednesday pledged more transparency and a stronger regulatory framework to rein in increasingly volatile financial markets and hasten recovery.

Sports council pledges efficient Asiad budget use

Sports council pledges efficient Asiad budget use JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council pledged on Wednesday to use the funds it had raised for Indonesia's participation in the 13th Asian Games in December in a proper manner.

U.S. says most members to attend APEC meeting

U.S. says most members to attend APEC meeting SINGAPORE (AP): Despite concerns about the arrest and police treatment of Malaysia's former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, most leaders will attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Kuala Lumpur next month, a U.S.

Bankruptcy hearing against PT Sarana Kemas adjourned

Bankruptcy hearing against PT Sarana Kemas adjourned JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court has adjourned the hearing pitting publicly-listed Bank PDFCI against paper producer PT Sarana Kemas Utama until Oct. 21 to allow the panel of judges time to study the charges brought by the plaintiff.

Amatil sends Baker to RI

Amatil sends Baker to RI SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Australian soft drink bottler Coca-Cola Amatil Wednesday named Peter Baker managing director of its Indonesian operations, effective Nov. 1.Baker will succeed John Brady, who will take up a senior position with Coca-Cola Beverages PLC when Baker moves to...

Banyuwangi residents guard themselves

Banyuwangi residents guard themselvesBy Ainur R. Sophiaan BANYUWANGI, East Java (JP): Sixty-year-old Ashari was an ordinary farmer in Karang Bendo village, Rogojampi district in Banyuwangi regency. He lived in a modest house built of stone and bamboo with his three children.

Where does ABRI really belong?

Where does ABRI really belong?From MerdekaProfessionally speaking, members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) are among the luckiest people in Indonesia because they can assume practically any positions, military or civilian.

Winners of prestigious architecture award announced

Winners of prestigious architecture award announced JAKARTA (JP): A leper hospital in India and a contemporary Malay house which took six carpenters six years to construct were among the seven winners of the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture announced last week.

Indonesians need 1.9m houses

Indonesians need 1.9m houses MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Indonesia on average needs 1.9 million new houses annually, the third assistant to the state minister of housing and settlement, Guntur Hutapea, has said.

Kidnappers still walking free: Kontras

Kidnappers still walking free: Kontras JAKARTA (JP): Abductors of political activists are still on the loose, according to Munir of the independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

NU disappointed in police probe

NU disappointed in police probe SURABAYA (JP): Leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), some of whose members have been victims in the mysterious killing spree which has hit eleven East Java regencies, have said they are disappointed with the police and will from now on take part in interrogation of...

Belo unable to attend meeting with Alatas

Belo unable to attend meeting with Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo is unable to attend a dialog he was invited to between Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and dozens of East Timorese figures slated to be held in Denpasar, Bali on Thursday, Antara has reported.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 14, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 -25 213,500 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 225...

Officials foil attempt to smuggle snakes

Officials foil attempt to smuggle snakes JAKARTA (JP): Security officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have foiled an attempt to smuggle eight snakes, including one of the world's deadliest species worth millions of rupiah, to Moscow.

Ginandjar denies Winters' accusation of corruption

Ginandjar denies Winters' accusation of corruption JAKARTA (JP): One day after being personally embarrassed on a presidential flight, Coordinating Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita angrily denied on Wednesday he was involved in a corruption scandal with copper and...

RI to export 5m tons of cement

RI to export 5m tons of cement JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cement Association projects the country's cement exports will increase more than sixfold this year as producers boost exports to offset the slump in local demand.

Habibie issues antidiscrimination ruling

Habibie issues antidiscrimination ruling JAKARTA (JP): With next to no fanfare, President B.J. Habibie issued last month an instruction barring government agencies and officials from discriminating against Indonesians based on their origins.In a decision dated Sept.

Saefuddin reiterates presidential ambitions

Saefuddin reiterates presidential ambitions JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin reiterated his ambition on Wednesday to become the country's next president and made light of the abilities of possible rival Megawati Soekarnoputri of the splintered Indonesian...

Students rally to demand lower food prices

Students rally to demand lower food prices JAKARTA (JP): Around 500 students staged a rally on the roundabout outside Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Wednesday to demand a reduction in the price of basic foodstuffs and the establishment of what they called the Indonesian people's committee.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Manifold Changes, by Davina Stephens, in Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran (Phone: 0361 701010), 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., until Oct. 28. * Painting Exhibition: Atmospheres by American artist Mark Rutkowski, at Blue Moon Gallery, Jl.

National Archives building to reopen soon

National Archives building to reopen soon JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Archives building on Jl. Gajah Mada in the historic Kota district of Jakarta will officially be reopened on Nov. 1 after undergoing more than three years of renovation.

Another Bank Andromeda commissioner questioned

Another Bank Andromeda commissioner questioned JAKARTA (JP): The National Police on Wednesday summoned Bambang Trihatmodjo's closest crony Yohanes Kotjo for questioning in relation to an alleged scam at Bank Andromeda, of which he was a part-owner.

Obituary

Obituary JAKARTA (JP): Writer Satyagraha Hoerip died of a stroke at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. He was 64.Satyagraha had been in the hospital's intensive care unit since Sept. 29 being treated for heart and diabetic complications.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Exhibition * Works Exhibition by Heri Dono, Indonesian contemporary artist, CCCL - French Cultural Center Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, until Oct. 31.Performances * Jazz Music: Claire Martin Quintet, in Majapahit Hotel, Jl.

Indosat reviews its investment in 'TPI'

Indosat reviews its investment in 'TPI' JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed international telecommunications provider PT Indosat is mulling whether to carry through on its option for a 30 percent stake in television broadcaster PT Cipta Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) when its five-year convertible...

Palm oil sales push up Astra Agro's net profit

Palm oil sales push up Astra Agro's net profit JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plantation company PT Astra Agro Lestari (AAL) announced on Wednesday a 171.4 percent increase in its net profit in the January to September period to Rp 153 billion (about US$17 million) from Rp 56.

DPR criticizes political bills

DPR criticizes political bills JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) questioned the government on Wednesday over three political bills it had submitted for deliberation last month.All four House factions argued in a plenary session that the bills still had many loopholes which could be...

Asian oil and power demand 'will rebound'

Asian oil and power demand 'will rebound' SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian demand for oil and power will return to 1997 levels in two to five years, industry executives and an investment market analyst said Wednesday.

Old lady evicted after 7-year row

Old lady evicted after 7-year row JAKARTA (JP): Eighty-four-year-old Mariam Muharam Wiranatakusuma (seated) resigned herself to eviction on Wednesday when she was forced by police officers to leave her house on Jl.

Rupiah will get stronger: Sjahril

Rupiah will get stronger: Sjahril SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said Wednesday policies prescribed by the International Monetary Fund for Indonesia are working.Addressing a conference sponsored by the World Economic Forum here, Sjahril also said the delay in his...

Speaker swears in 91 new MPR members

Speaker swears in 91 new MPR members JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Harmoko installed 91 new members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Wednesday, dismissing speculation that political engineering was behind the move.

Government forecasts drop in October inflation rate

Government forecasts drop in October inflation rate JAKARTA (JP): The government expects inflation to lessen significantly this month due to the strengthening of the rupiah, Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Wednesday."We expect milder inflation this month, lower than the 6.

Police question Bantul official

Police question Bantul official YOGYAKARTA (JP): Bantul and Yogyakarta police investigating the death of Bernas journalist Fuad Mohammad Sjafruddin, known as Udin, have questioned a close associate of Bantul regent Sri Roso Sudarmo.

Garment workers protest dismissals

Garment workers protest dismissals JAKARTA (JP): Some 17 former workers of garment manufacturer PT Kemenangan Langgeng in North Jakarta visited the National Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday to complain about their dismissals.

Cultism may endanger PDI's democratic life

Cultism may endanger PDI's democratic life Megawati Soekarnoputri retained control of her unrecognized Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction without even being challenged at its congress in Bali over the weekend.

Child labor and economic crisis

Child labor and economic crisisBy Nafsiah Mboi This is the first of two articles on the likely increase in child labor amid the growing economic crisis. JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to postpone enforcement of the controversial labor law No.

Cambodian athletes face money woes ahead of Asiad

Cambodian athletes face money woes ahead of AsiadBy Ker Munthit PHNOM PENH (AP): Cambodian boxer Hem Sokhet dreams of winning gold as he trains for the upcoming Asian Games, but the reality of hungry mouths to feed at home keeps him away from the practice he so desperately needs.

Nobel laureate to end exile

Nobel laureate to end exile LAGOS (AFP): Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka will return to his home country on Wednesday, almost four years after fleeing into exile, an official of the German airline Lufthansa said."Professor Soyinka is scheduled to arrive in Lagos tonight on the 19:40 (1:40 a.m.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Bali's conversion rates on Oct. 14, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,650.00 8,750.00 8,650.00 8,825.00Austrian schilling 1 712.25 782.25 - -Australian dollar 1 5,282.70 5,542.70 5,200.00 5,600.

Govt revokes three decrees on township, reclamation projects

Govt revokes three decrees on township, reclamation projects JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie decided on Wednesday to revoke three presidential decrees signed by former president Soeharto on the reclamation of North Jakarta Bay and Kapuk Naga coast in Tangerang and the development of Jonggol as...

Mass media's neutral stance after New Order

Mass media's neutral stance after New OrderBy Junarto Imam Prakoso JAKARTA (JP): Greater openness has allowed many Indonesian media publications to emerge but whether they can stick to journalistic principles of objectivity and impartiality is open to question.

Malaysia's Anwar moved to high-tech Sungai Buloh jail

Malaysia's Anwar moved to high-tech Sungai Buloh jail KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Sacked Malaysian finance minister Anwar Ibrahim was transferred on Wednesday to a jail outside the capital to be held on remand rather than under powerful internal security laws.Anwar, 51, arrested on Sept.

Our political agenda

Our political agenda No more than 10 days have passed since President B.J. Habibie, in a speech delivered on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI), warned of the activities of "radicals" and "revolutionaries" presumably out to upset the nation's political agenda.

An integrated food company

An integrated food company PT Sierad Produce, established in 1985 to market chickens and meat processing, is wholly owned by publicly listed company PT Anwar Sierad, a player in the Indonesian agrifood sector.

An old name LEP: A new brand 'GeoLogistic'

An old name LEP: A new brand 'GeoLogistic' LEP Internasional Indonesia Perdana, established in 1992, became the exclusive partner of LEP International Group on a worldwide basis. LEP International has been a major contributor to every chapter in the history of Global Freight Forwarding.

Governor asks for help to green the city

Governor asks for help to green the city JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso has urged public and private parties in the capital to help the administration maintain the city's forests and, if necessary, plant more trees to spruce up the capital.

Property creditors urged to settle out of court

Property creditors urged to settle out of court JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Real Estate Association (REI) appealed to property creditors, contractors and buyers on Wednesday to reach out-of-court settlements to recover their financial claims against the country's ailing property companies.

Increasing Indonesian exports

Increasing Indonesian exports Instability and the fall of the rupiah are major factors of difficulty in all business sectors, including export and import activities. The indicators of its condition are export values for the oil and gas and non-oil and gas sectors for January-April 1998, which...

SE Asian monies gain footing in active trading

SE Asian monies gain footing in active trading SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies were mostly stronger against the U.S. dollar in late Asian trading Wednesday in active dealings, while their North Asian counterparts languished in line with the weaker yen.

Govrnment supports House antimonopoly bill

Govrnment supports House antimonopoly bill JAKARTA (JP): The government will support an antimonopoly bill recently drafted by the House of Representatives, Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Wednesday.

PT Delident committed to quality

PT Delident committed to quality PT Delident Chemical Industries Indonesia Ltd is a pioneer in the Indonesian toothpaste industry.Established in 1959, the company initially marketed brand names for the local market. Nine years later, it expanded to the international market.