Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 October 1998

58 articles found

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Oct. 29, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

S'pore intrusion proven: Malaysia

S'pore intrusion proven: Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has sent a memorandum to Singapore backing its claim of intrusions by the island's military planes into Malaysian air space, Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Thursday. The national news agency Bernama quoted him as saying that detailed information about such intrusions had been forwarded to Singapore's foreign ministry by its Malaysian counterpart.

Southeast Asian currencies extend rally

Southeast Asian currencies extend rally SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies continued to rise during Asian trading hours on Thursday, extending their rally as the U.S. dollar dropped further against the yen. In North Asia, the Korean won also pushed higher, but the New Taiwan dollar fell back a touch as doubts began to emerge over the sustainability of the currency's recent run-up against the U.S. currency.

Govt allocates $5.5b to L/C guarantee plan

Govt allocates $5.5b to L/C guarantee plan JAKARTA (JP): The government has pumped in US$5.5 billion to guarantee letters of credit (L/Cs) for local exporters hit by frozen international bank lines of credit, a director of the central bank said on Thursday. The measure is part of the efforts to accelerate the recovery of the real sector badly hit by high interest rates, Bank Indonesia director Miranda Goeltom said.

20 residents seek Rp1.6b compensation

20 residents seek Rp1.6b compensation JAKARTA (JP): Twenty residents of Tugu Utara in North Jakarta have demanded Rp 1.6 billion (US$216,216) in compensation from the state harbor operator PT Pelindo II for a 7,000-square-meter plot of land which the firm appropriated from them. The Koja district residents made their demand during a visit to the National Commission on Human Rights, where they were seeking help to settle their dispute with Pelindo.

SSX may merge with JSX

SSX may merge with JSX JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of the Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) approved in an extraordinary meeting on Thursday a proposal to merge the virtually inactive bourse with the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX). SSX's chief commissioner Yannes Naibaho, who chaired the meeting, said that no shareholders objected to the merger. "In principle, all shareholders have agreed with the merger plan,' he told reporters after the meeting.

Soeharto did not get land illegally: Durin

Soeharto did not get land illegally: Durin JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Land Affairs Hasan Basri Durin said on Thursday that his office has not found any violations in the way former president Soeharto acquired land in various areas, but acknowledged that the amount involved may cause "social envy." Durin told reporters covering a discussion held by the Indonesian Society of Transparency (MTI) here that none of Soeharto's land was obtained in ways which contradicted the agrarian law.

Indonesia gears up to boost rice output

Indonesia gears up to boost rice output PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters): Indonesia, whose projected 6.25 million-metric ton rice purchases this year have stunned the world, will boost output to reduce dependence on imports, a senior government official said on Thursday. But it could take some time before the country with a population of 202 million could become self-sufficient again, said P. Suharno, head of Bulog's (National Logistics Agency) Research and Development Department.

Law on freedom of expression enacted

Law on freedom of expression enacted JAKARTA (JP): Cabinet ministers confirmed on Thursday that President B.J. Habibie enacted the law on freedom of expression on Oct. 23, the day after the House of Representatives endorsed it. The confirmation that the law -- produced after an unprecedently short deliberation period of only 20 days -- had come into effect was given separately by Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto and Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung.

'No illegals' in Premier Oil

'No illegals' in Premier Oil JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina denied on Thursday reports that British energy company Premier Oil was employing foreign workers illegally. Spokesman for Pertamina's directorate in charge of the supervision of foreign oil and gas contractors, Sidick Nitikusuma, said that after investigating the reports, the directorate had not found any illegal workers in the company, as reported by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Chubb Lips opens new plant

Chubb Lips opens new plant JP/afs JAKARTA (JP): Safe and fire resistant equipment maker PT Chubb Lips Indonesia (CLI) opened on Thursday a new US$12 million state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at the Cibitung Industrial Estate, east of Jakarta. CLI president William M. Mouat said Chubb built the new facility in order to keep up with demand for exports, growing domestic demand, and its broadening product range.

Military resorts set up to improve efficiency

Military resorts set up to improve efficiency JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command formed on Thursday two military resorts, known locally as Korem, to oversee seven military districts in East and West Jakarta. With the establishment of the Korem, the city military command will now directly command and supervise only the two new Korems and the Central Jakarta military district, or Kodim.

Two Pakistanis to be deported

Two Pakistanis to be deported JAKARTA (JP): Two Pakistani citizens are to be deported by the North Jakarta Immigration Office for violating immigration regulations, an official said on Thursday. Jakarta Immigration Coordinator Hamsuk S. Widjaya identified the two Pakistanis as Shahzad Ahmed, 23, who holds passport No. 483880, and Mansoor Ahmed, 28, Passport No. 538740. "The two arrived in Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sept.

Mahathir repeats call for noninterference

Mahathir repeats call for noninterference BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AP): Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stressed Thursday that leaders from regional nations shouldn't dabble in the domestic affairs of member countries. He warned that leaders who began sniping at each other would end up undermining the unity of the nine-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Singapore economy shrinks for first time in 13 years

Singapore economy shrinks for first time in 13 years SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's economy shrank by 1.5 percent in the third quarter of this year, its first quarterly contraction since the last recession in 1985, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced Thursday. He said Singapore was facing its "most severe test since independence" 33 years ago because of the regional financial crisis that had slammed the brakes on rapid economic growth and posed a plethora of problems for the city state.

EU-RI rights seminar adopts 16 recommendations

EU-RI rights seminar adopts 16 recommendations JAKARTA (JP): A milestone human rights workshop organized by Indonesia and the European Union closed here on Thursday with the adoption of 16 recommendations. Prominent among these are suggestions on the role of the judiciary, police and army in rights protection. The two-day workshop witnessed "a valuable exchange of views," said Marzuki Darusman, one of the event's cochairmen.

Indonesians 'prioritize smoking over families' nutritional needs'

Indonesians 'prioritize smoking over families' nutritional needs' JAKARTA (JP): An expert says 45 percent of Indonesian household heads prioritize cigarettes over their families' nutritional needs, Antara reported on Thursday. Speaking at a seminar on nutrition in the Central Java capital of Semarang, Martien Bloem, the Asia Pacific Regional Director of Helen Keller International, described his agency's findings on people's poor awareness about children's nutritional needs.

Japan seeks RI support on APEC liberalization

Japan seeks RI support on APEC liberalization TOKYO (Reuters): Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Thursday sought Indonesia's support for Japan's refusal to take part in a liberalization scheme under the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), Japanese media said.

Openness promised in E. Timor talks

Openness promised in E. Timor talks JAKARTA: Indonesian Ambassador-at-Large on East Timor Lopes da Cruz says he is confident the forthcoming All-Inclusive East Timorese Dialog (AIETD) in Austria will be marked by more openness as a consequence of the reform movement in Indonesia. "The spirit of reform offers a great opportunity for more openness (in the talks). The participants may discuss sensitive issues," he said following a meeting with Minister of Defense/ Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen.

Kodel to explore oil fields

Kodel to explore oil fields JAKARTA (JP): Oil company PT Golden Spike South Sumatra (GSSS) Ltd., a subsidiary of the Kodel Group, will spend US$4 million to explore oil fields in the Pasiriaman block in the Muara Enim and Ogan Komering Ilir areas in South Sumatra. Company general manager Cholidy Husin Reminton was quoted by Antara news agency as saying on Thursday that the company's technical studies had found two wells in the area with relatively significant oil reserves.

Skepticism lingers over benefit of Art Summit

Skepticism lingers over benefit of Art Summit By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The closing of the second Art Summit Indonesia last week was perceived by the local art community with mixed feelings from enthusiasm to skepticism and even to suspicion.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Halloween Parties * Halloween Party: costume parade, acrobatics, roller blades, traditional performances, at Kafe Tenda Pharama Rasuna (Phone: 5358132), Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, 7:30 p.m. onward, Oct. 30. * Haunted House Warming Party, at Jalan Jalan, The Penthouse floor, Menara Imperium, Kuningan, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said kav. 1, South Jakarta (Phone: 8353976), 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., until Nov. 1. * California Hightmare, at Borobudur Inter-Continental, Jl.

Karpov outlasts Utut in thrilling tussle

Karpov outlasts Utut in thrilling tussle JAKARTA (JP): World champion Anatoly Karpov displayed rock- steady nerves to beat Indonesian challenger Utut Adianto in a tense quarterfinal tiebreaker at the Intercontinental Rapid Chess tournament in Cap d'Agde, France, on Wednesday. Both chess masters had scored one win each in the normal two- round quarterfinal format, before Karpov sent Utut reeling in the blitz-chess decider played over two five-minute games.

Unocal to buy Nusamba's shares in two oil block

Unocal to buy Nusamba's shares in two oil block JAKARTA (JP): The United States giant energy company Unocal Corp. will acquire the shares of PT Nusamba, a business group related to former president Soeharto, in its two oil blocks in East Kalimantan in a bid to clear out traces of collusion, corruption and nepotism in its ventures. "The acquisition of the shares will be completed this week," an informed source at the state oil and gas company Pertamina said Thursday.

SE Asian poverty levels set to double: World Bank

SE Asian poverty levels set to double: World Bank BANGKOK (AFP): Poverty is set to more than double in crisis- hit Southeast Asian countries as income distribution worsens amid the regional financial crisis, a World Bank expert said on Thursday. The numbers of people living under the poverty line in four crisis-hit countries could soar from 40 million to 90 million as a direct result of the economic turmoil which began in Thailand in mid-1997, the expert said.

Leadership crucial in respect for the law of war: ICRC official

Leadership crucial in respect for the law of war: ICRC official BANDUNG (JP): Leadership is a crucial factor in ensuring observance of the law of war in combat situations because soldiers base their actions on superiors' orders, according to Toni Pfanner, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation to South East Asia. "Leadership is especially important in a situation where it is difficult for soldiers to distinguish between civilians and combatants.

RI imposes antidumping duty

RI imposes antidumping duty JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Finance has ruled that the import of ferro manganese, silicon manganese, and products made out of the two chemical components from China will be subject to a temporary antidumping import duty of 55 percent. The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the new ruling would be effective until Feb. 19, 1999. "The Chinese products are suspected to have been imported as dumping commodities," the statement added. (rei)

The killings must end

The killings must end Perhaps our security authorities are well advised to carefully heed the call made recently by the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) central board. The board's secretary-general, Achmad Bagja, reminded the authorities that the NU board is willing, for the present, to allow them time to restore peace and security (in East Java and other areas where mostly NU supporters have been killed by unidentified individuals).

Textile exports rise 60.8%

Textile exports rise 60.8% JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's textiles and textile-products export value to quota countries jumped 60.8 percent to US$2.63 billion during the first semester of this year from $1.64 billion in the same period of 1997, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sudar S.A.

Prospects for tourism dimmed by politics

Prospects for tourism dimmed by politics JAKARTA (JP): Foreign tourist arrivals have risen slightly since the May riots but growing uncertainty over political stability is once again overshadowing this promising trend. The Chairman of the Inbound Tour Operators Club (ITOC), Arievaldy Kumarga, said on Thursday that prospects for businesses catering to tourists were being curtailed by lingering uncertainty over the country's political agenda.

Ten jailbirds return

Ten jailbirds return BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Ten prisoners out of 40 who escaped Bireuen Penitentiary in North Aceh during a prison riot on Sunday have returned, according to an official. Antara quoted the head of the provincial justice office, Abdul Sani Damanik, as saying on Thursday that some of the jailbirds were brought back by their relatives and some were caught by the police. "We appeal to the conscience of the fleeing prisoners to return and serve the remainder of their time," Damanik said.

Japan, Australia to extend food aid to Indonesia

Japan, Australia to extend food aid to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Japan is to extend 400,000 metric tons of rice aid to Indonesia over the next few months, while Australia will send another 11,000 tons of wheat by the end of this year, reports said on Thursday. A Japanese foreign ministry official was quoted by AFP as saying in Tokyo that half of the rice would be sent from Japan and would later be gradually returned by Indonesia.

SCB offers 'sweet millions'

SCB offers 'sweet millions' JAKARTA (JP): Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) has recently launched a campaign called "Sweet Millions", which offers customers the opportunity to win cash and gold prizes valued over Rp 1 billion (about US$134,000). Farhard Irani, the head of the consumer banking division for the bank's Indonesian operation, said on Thursday that at the end of six month's promotion the bank would have a bumper draw where five lucky customers would take home cash prizes.

Concert profits to help local classical music

Concert profits to help local classical music By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): An Evening of Women in Music, a concert featuring top women musicians, will take place on Friday night to raise money to help publish Indonesian classical music. The charity show, held at the ASEAN Secretariat building on Jl.

40 new parties protest proposed political laws

40 new parties protest proposed political laws JAKARTA (JP): Sixty executives of 40 new political parties made a fresh appeal to the House of Representatives on Thursday to drop the political bills they have been deliberating and introduce new ones which accommodate people's democratic aspirations. "The three draft laws are part of the ruling Golkar's deceitful strategy to win the next general election. New ones should be made.

Political jitters affect rupiah, local stock prices

Political jitters affect rupiah, local stock prices JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah turned volatile on Thursday and share prices continued their downward trend because of increasing political tension and prospects of social unrest, dealers and stockbrokers said. They said the local financial market defied regional bullishness due to the domestic political temperature rising ahead of the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) slated for Nov. 10 through Nov. 13.

Japan lowers fish imports fish from RI

Japan lowers fish imports fish from RI JAKARTA (JP): Japan imported less fishery products from Indonesia in the last several months due to the country's economic downturn, Untung Wahyono, the director general of fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. But he was confident that the drop in Japanese exports would not affect the country's fishery export target for this year.

National Land Agency

National Land Agency From Media Indonesia My nephew went to the Central Jakarta office of the National Land Agency on Oct. 21 to transfer building user rights into proprietary rights for my property on Jl. Tanah Abang V. He had in his possession a letter of authorization from me and all the required documents to support the application. Having queued for some time, my nephew submitted the application at the appropriate counter.

Danes, Malaysians still a threat to RI domination

Danes, Malaysians still a threat to RI domination JAKARTA (JP): The Danes and Malaysian remain the chief flag bearers of the sparse foreign contenders after Thursday's action at the US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open badminton championships. Second seed Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark walked an uneasy path before securing a 15-11, 15-11 second-round win over feisty Nunung Subandoro of Indonesia.

Australia's defense ties with Indonesia solid: Moore

Australia's defense ties with Indonesia solid: Moore CANBERRA (AP): Planned military exercises involving elite units of the Indonesian and Australian defense forces have been deferred, not abandoned, Australian Minister of Defense John Moore said on Thursday. He said Indonesian budget cuts were behind a decision to delay two planned joint military exercises, not the bad human rights record of the Indonesian Army's Special Force (Kopassus) as reported in some Australian media.

UPS gets world's best award

UPS gets world's best award JAKARTA (JP): International air express company United Parcel Service (UPS) has been awarded the title of "The world's most admired mail, package and freight delivery company" by Fortune magazine, just six months after the company won its 15th consecutive annual award as America's most admired transportation company. In the complete lists of each industry sector published in the Oct.

Uncertified airport cabbies caught

Uncertified airport cabbies caught JAKARTA (JP): At least 62 taxi drivers operating at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport without accreditation were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly extorting money from Indonesian workers returning from overseas. Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto Iskandar, Tangerang Police Precinct chief, told Antara the crackdown came following numerous complaints about extortion ploys of either charging passengers exorbitant rates or directly demanding additional money.

Little victims of Aceh atrocities speak up

Little victims of Aceh atrocities speak up JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Acehnese children recounted their tales of horror during 10 years of military operations in their province on Thursday, bringing tears to the eyes of activists who are campaigning for their cause. Members of the Voice of Concerned Mothers (SIP) and the newly- established National Commission for Children's Rights met with 17 children and six women who lost their fathers and husbands in the alleged military atrocities.

Firmer rupiah no effect on automobile prices: Analyst

Firmer rupiah no effect on automobile prices: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): Although the recent strengthening of the rupiah will not bring skyrocketing automobiles prices down, it revives hope in the industry, automotive analyst Suhari Sargo said on Thursday. Automotive industry insiders remained unsure whether the rupiah's revival would continue, he added, and thus automotive firms would not respond by cutting their sales prices.

Police shoot dead three, arrest eight 'kidnappers'

Police shoot dead three, arrest eight 'kidnappers' JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives have shot dead three alleged taxi bandits, who specialized in preying on foreigners, and arrested the gang's eight other accomplices in a shoot-out at their hideouts in Sarua, Sawangan, south of here, on Wednesday evening.

Students protest about party rules

Students protest about party rules JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students of the Indonesian Moslem Students Action Union staged an orderly rally in front of the People's Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives (MPR/DPR) building in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

Should APEC leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur?

Should APEC leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur? Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines have expressed disquiet over current developments within Malaysia. The Jakarta Post's Asia correspondent, Harvey Stockwin, who has been following Malaysian developments since Malaya became independent in 1957, suggests that there are good reasons why APEC leaders should at least consider taking the ASEAN criticism of Malaysia one step further. Following is the first of two installments.

Indorayon resumes operations

Indorayon resumes operations JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Inti Indorayon Utama's pulp and rayon mill near Lake Toba in North Sumatra resumed operations on Thursday after almost four months of closure due to security disturbances by protesters who accused the company of damaging the local environment. Indorayon's finance director David Pile confirmed that 17 trucks began hauling supplies and materials to the mill on Wednesday under security guard surveillance.

Silence is not always golden

Silence is not always golden Silence is golden seems to have been Megawati's principle in responding to some issues in the past. This stance has proven effective and has had a positive impact on people's belief in respect to her maturity and capacity to lead the nation toward a better future. However, in the case of A.M. Saefuddin's recent statement, in my opinion Megawati should gently break her silence.

Reforming our speech

Reforming our speech Language and culture may or may not be among President B.J. Habibie's strong points. Those of us who happen to remember his tirade against rap music some years ago may have their doubts. But few of us would disagree with the aptness of his recent call for officials to stop sugarcoating unpleasant realities with euphemisms and to start speaking bluntly. The call was ironically made during the opening of the seventh congress of the Indonesian language at the State Palace.

Mexico's Cemex SA given four seats on Semen Gresik

Mexico's Cemex SA given four seats on Semen Gresik JAKARTA (JP): A shareholder's meeting of the country's largest cementmaker PT Semen Gresik approved on Thursday a proposal to allocate four seats on the board of management to its foreign strategic partner Mexico's Cemex SA. The Mexican cementmaker, which bought recently a 14 percent stake in the company, would have two seats on the supervisory board and two seats on the board of directors.

A chicken thief by any other name

A chicken thief by any other name By Donna K. Woodward JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians are becoming impatient waiting for the government of President B.J. Habibie to take action against former president Soeharto for his alleged corruption, abuse of official power and misuse and misappropriation of state resources. What are the obstacles to conducting a credible investigation as a prelude, one hopes, to prosecuting Soeharto and recovering illegally gained wealth?

Workers protest at the wrong address

Workers protest at the wrong address JAKARTA (JP): About 50 activists of the Workers Committee for Reform staged a protest outside the Attorney General's Office on Thursday, but it turned out they were at the wrong address because their protest had nothing to do with the office.

Strong quake rocks N. Sulawesi

Strong quake rocks N. Sulawesi MANADO, North Sulawesi: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the open-ended Richter scale shook some cities in North Sulawesi province, including Manado and Bitung, at midnight Wednesday. The quake's epicenter was 140 kilometer west of Ternate island, 113 kilometer southeast of Bitung, Antara quoted Hendra Gunawan, the head of the local meteorological and geophysical office, as saying on Thursday.

Golkar may hold gathering

Golkar may hold gathering DENPASAR, Bali: Governor Made Dewa Beratha has said that, contrary to recent speculation, his office had not rejected the wish of the dominant Golkar to hold a mass gathering in the province. Antara quoted the governor on Thursday as requesting, however, that the convention be postponed because the "situation on Bali is not favorable at the moment".

Govt must let foreigners buy property: Analyst

Govt must let foreigners buy property: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): The government must allow foreigners to own both private and commercial property in Indonesia to help boost the dormant property sector, a property analyst has said. Panangian Simanungkalit said on Thursday that foreigners were potential buyers of property in the country, and this could help local developers and property firms overcome their financial problems. "Foreigners' interest in buying property here is abundant.

Armed Forces to 'try its best' to end E. Java killing spree

Armed Forces to 'try its best' to end E. Java killing spree JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo said on Thursday the Armed Forces (ABRI) would do its best to end the mysterious killing spree in East Java and other parts of Java. "We will try our best to reveal as soon as possible (the truth behind) the mysterious killings. We don't need a time limit.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 29, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 275 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 27,500 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 8,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,350 -25 2,842,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.