Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 November 1998

62 articles found

Habibie defends treason inquiry into opposition

Habibie defends treason inquiry into opposition JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie's allegation that a group of opposition figures attempted to topple his government was made on strong foundations, a cabinet minister said on Thursday.

Five nominated tennis body chief

Five nominated tennis body chief JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja announced five candidates for the post he will relinquish in a congress which began on Thursday.

Lufthansa plane in Changi scare

Lufthansa plane in Changi scare SINGAPORE (AP): A Lufthansa plane carrying 73 passengers and crew members made an emergency landing at Singapore's Changi Airport on Thursday after damaging its landing gear on takeoff.

Government urged to promote gas usage

Government urged to promote gas usage JAKARTA (JP): A major energy company called on the government on Thursday to promote the use of natural gas domestically and offer bigger incentives for oil and gas exploration in order to avoid becoming a net oil importer in the near future.

Consensus needed for ASEAN entry

Consensus needed for ASEAN entry HANOI (Reuters): Cambodia's admission into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will depend on consensus among the grouping, Vietnam said on Thursday."The ASEAN summit will take place in Hanoi and we personally wish that event (Cambodia's admission)...

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Kecil Itu Indah 6, at Edwin Galeri Jl. Kemang Raya No. 21, Kemang, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194721), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Nov. 29. * Painting Exhibition: Ventilation of Spaces by Hanafi, at Galeri Puzzle, Jl.

KONI will increase bonuses for coaches

KONI will increase bonuses for coaches JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) is to award coaches higher cash bonuses than ever before if their athletes win medals at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok next month.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 6:30 News: Nuansa Reformasi 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 7:30 Cartoon 8:00 Music 8:30 Documantary Film 9:00 Family's Film 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.

Govt plans move on Soeharto

Govt plans move on Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The government is looking into the possible seizure of a cattle ranch owned by former president Soeharto, who is now the subject of an official corruption inquiry.

ABRI defends its gradual retreat from politics

ABRI defends its gradual retreat from politics JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) adopted on Thursday a defensive stance over mounting public calls that it quit politics as soon as possible, declaring its intention to gradually adjust its dual-function concept.

Corrupt executive given 16-year sentence

Corrupt executive given 16-year sentence JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta District Court sentenced an executive of a private company on Thursday to 16 years in jail for failing to pay state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom for telephone cards worth Rp 22 billion (US$3 million).

Two RI workers die in Saudi Arabia

Two RI workers die in Saudi Arabia JAKARTA: A consortium of insurance firms PT Asuransi Jiwa, PT Asuransi Republik and PT Asuransi Bringin Sejahtera Artamakmur paid more than Rp 10 million (US$1,333) in compensation to the relatives of 24-year-old Nuryati and 23-year-old Halimah Lidin, who died...

Rupiah standing firm alone: World Bank, Ginandjar

Rupiah standing firm alone: World Bank, Ginandjar JAKARTA (JP): The current strengthening of the rupiah to about Rp 7,500 to the U.S. dollar is not a result of government intervention, the World Bank's Country Director for Indonesia Dennis de Tray and Indonesia's chief economics minister Ginandjar...

Students march to Soeharto's home

Students march to Soeharto's home JAKARTA (JP): Some 3,000 students marched through the capital on Thursday afternoon in the second attempt this week to protest outside the residence of former president Soeharto.

Visiting Lisbon mayor meets with jailed Xanana, Megawati

Visiting Lisbon mayor meets with jailed Xanana, Megawati JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Lisbon mayor Jaoa Soares met with jailed East Timorese separatist leader Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao on Thursday as senior Portuguese and Indonesian diplomats met in New York to discuss the details of the United...

Asian stocks up on interest-rate hopes

Asian stocks up on interest-rate hopes SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian stock markets with the notable exception of Tokyo rose on Thursday on follow-through buying sparked by the third U.S. rate-cut in seven weeks and hopes that regional banks will follow suit.

Goldman to buy Asian assets

Goldman to buy Asian assets SINGAPORE (AFP): U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs is creating a multi-million dollar recovery fund for Asian assets, press reports said Thursday.Along with the fund, the firm is placing its best people in the region in its pursuit of mergers and acquisitions, Goldman...

Japan-U.S. talks leave Asian money markets in suspense

Japan-U.S. talks leave Asian money markets in suspense SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies were mixed against the U.S. dollar in late trading on Thursday, as investors await news to emerge from Japan Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's meetings today with U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Floods leave 4,000 families homeless in E. Kalimantan

Floods leave 4,000 families homeless in E. Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): At least 4,000 families became refugees on Thursday when heavy rains led to floods in Kutai, East Kalimantan, Antara reported.Hasbullah Haaul, head of the Sangata district, said that the families, totaling 8,197 people, were...

Special music for Semanggi victims

Special music for Semanggi victims BANDUNG (JP): Musician Harry Roesli, noted for his "eccentric" works, is planning a traveling performance atop a trailer around Bandung.He said the performance, scheduled for Nov.

Former KONI executive Soeweno dies

Former KONI executive Soeweno dies JAKARTA (JP): Former executive chairman of the National Sports Council, Lt. Gen. (ret) Soeweno, died on Thursday morning at the Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta.Well-known for his low profile despite his experiences in numerous combat fields, former chief of the...

Two officers fall victim to hit-and-run accident

Two officers fall victim to hit-and-run accident JAKARTA (JP): Two police sergeants were severely injured in a hit-and-run traffic accident on Wednesday when they were safeguarding a student street rally on Cawang interchange in East Jakarta, an officer said on Thursday.Maj. I.

Schools still shut after brawls

Schools still shut after brawls KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Two weeks after 26 people died in brawls between the residents of two villages, shops, offices and schools in Waikabubak, West Sumba, on the island of Sumba have yet to reopen, Antara reported on Thursday.

Metal bullets found in most victims of Friday's shooting

Metal bullets found in most victims of Friday's shooting JAKARTA (JP): Fragments of metal bullets have been found inside most of the bodies of the victims of the bloody Black Friday shooting at the Semanggi cloverleaf here last week, a senior forensic expert said on Thursday.

New estimate for Sumatran tigers

New estimate for Sumatran tigers BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: A research team from the Sumatran Tiger Project has increased the previous estimate of the number of tigers inhabiting a section of the Way Kambas National Park in central Lampung by 80 percent, Antara reported on Thursday.

Office of Anwar's lawyer burgled, safe forced open

Office of Anwar's lawyer burgled, safe forced open KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): One of the lawyers defending Malaysia's ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday his office had been broken into overnight with a safe containing confidential trial documents forced open."The safe was wrenched open.

RP to resume Spratly patrols amid row

RP to resume Spratly patrols amid row MANILA (AFP): The Philippines military is to resume patrols around the Spratlys chain, the disputed South China Sea coral formation occupied by China, Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said on Thursday.

Lee comes out in support of dual function

Lee comes out in support of dual function SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesia needs to elect a new government to pursue reforms, but risks chaos if the Army is forced back to the barracks soon, Singaporean statesman Lee Kuan Yew said in remarks published Thursday.

On ethnic statistics

On ethnic statistics This is to comment on Mr. Masli Arman's letter to your paper on Nov. 16 titled "Ethnic statistics".So far, everybody including sociologists and academics can only speculate on the numbers and percentage which until now are shrouded in mist.

Buyers turn to other states due to business uncertainty

Buyers turn to other states due to business uncertainty JAKARTA (JP): Many buyers of Indonesian textiles and shoe products have switched their orders to other Asian countries due to growing business uncertainty in the country, according to local industry representatives.

Why? No joke!

Why? No joke! I am just commenting on Mr. Farid Baskoro's criticism over two recent The Jakarta Post's front pages following Black Friday.While it is absolutely Mr. Baskoro's right, as a reader of the Post, to feel disturbed by the appearance of the Saturday and Sunday editions of the Post last...

Govt to sell bankers' assets through IPO

Govt to sell bankers' assets through IPO JAKARTA (JP): Some of the fixed assets in the form of companies surrendered by owners of troubled banks to the government to repay debts will be sold through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the capital market, said chairman of the Indonesian Bank...

Artists to stage exhibit in Kuwait

Artists to stage exhibit in Kuwait DENPASAR, Bali: Seven Indonesian artists are to hold a two- week exhibit of their works in Kuwait at the invitation of the Kuwaiti government, Antara reported on Thursday.

Lady, please refrain yourself!

Lady, please refrain yourself! On Nov. 16 evening, state-owned TVRI and the other TV stations aired a talk show featuring three gentlemen and two ladies that TVRI considered societal figures. I have never been so frustrated and disgusted after listening to most of what was discussed during this...

Unicef needs $18 million to help Indonesian infants

Unicef needs $18 million to help Indonesian infants JAKARTA (JP): The nutrition section chief of the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef), Roger Shrimpton, says that the international body needs at least US$18 million to protect millions of under-two-year-olds facing malnutrition during the...

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Nov. 19, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,450.00 7,650.00 7,450.00 7,750.00Austrian schilling 1 597.20 667.20 - -Australian dollar 1 4,726.90 4,986.90 4,718.00 5,068.00Belgian franc 1 201.

Independent team set up to help govt manage firms

Independent team set up to help govt manage firms JAKARTA (JP): The office of the Ministry for the Empowerment of State Enterprises has set up an independent team to help the government in managing state companies.

Cost of divorce hits estranged couples

Cost of divorce hits estranged couples BOGOR (JP): Just like marriage itself, getting through the official procedure to end a union requires shelling out big bucks, or so say residents of Bogor.According to a father who helped his daughter process her divorce lawsuit, he even had to bribe officials...

Foreign observers allowed to monitor 1999 election

Foreign observers allowed to monitor 1999 election JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations and other international observers will be allowed to monitor Indonesia's general election next year, President B.J. Habibie said on Thursday.

Presence of ABRI in DPR

Presence of ABRI in DPRFrom Sinar PagiArticle 19 of the 1945 Constitution states that "The composition of the House of Representatives (DPR) shall be stipulated in a law." On the basis of this article, the DPR's composition is flexible in accordance with the constitutional need in a certain period.

Truck driver found dead

Truck driver found dead TANGERANG (JP): A truck driver from yarn manufacturer PT Tifico was found dead on Wednesday night apparently after being stabbed by one of his colleagues at the firm's compound on Jl. Raya Serpong here.

Sutiyoso backs military officers' appointment

Sutiyoso backs military officers' appointment JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday defended the appointment of five new military officers to the city's top positions next week, arguing that their assignment "had been processed a long time ago".

Political stability crucial for economic recovery

Political stability crucial for economic recovery JAKARTA (JP): Domestic and foreign analysts speaking at a business conference here on Thursday have stressed the crucial role of political stability and a legitimate government to bolster Indonesia's economic recovery.

RI firms join Prague fair

RI firms join Prague fair JAKARTA (JP): Six Indonesian companies took part in a tourism fair called Madi Travel Trade Market, held in Prague, Czech Republic, from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, the Indonesian Embassy in Prague said on Wednesday.The head of the embassy's economic department, Wisnu E.

Nine companies chosen to import iodized salt

Nine companies chosen to import iodized salt JAKARTA (JP): The government has appointed nine companies to import iodized salt to meet a shortfall on the domestic market, Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said here on Thursday.

Natsteel boosts RI presence

Natsteel boosts RI presence SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Government-linked NatSteel Ltd. (P.NTS) said it has invested S$3.22 million to raise its stake in two brick companies to 65% each.Natsteel said it is paying S$2.12 million to raise its stake by 23 percent in Indonesia's PT Sidu Batu Bata Industri.

Violence cost the city Rp 16 billion

Violence cost the city Rp 16 billion JAKARTA (JP): The city suffered Rp 16.46 billion (US$2.35 million) in financial losses during last week's upheavals, Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday.The tally accounts for the damage, burning and looting of 123 city-owned and private properties (Rp 14.

Mahathir under fire at APEC

Mahathir under fire at APEC In an earlier article, The Jakarta Post's Asia correspondent Harvey Stockwin argued that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) leaders should quietly rebuke Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's authoritarianism by staying away from the Kuala Lumpur...

GMBI changes name

GMBI changes name JAKARTA (JP): Car maker PT General Motors Buana Indonesia (GMBI) has changed its name to PT General Motors Indonesia in the wake of the major change in the company's share ownership.Company president William S.

Repressive shadow looms

Repressive shadow looms For the new generation of Indonesians freedom of expression might look like a new phenomenon because this very basic right has been curtailed for no less than four decades.The New Order regime of president Soeharto, which took over from Sukarno's Guided Democracy in 1966...

BP-7 to be dissolved: Alwi Dahlan

BP-7 to be dissolved: Alwi Dahlan JAKARTA (JP): The government institution which disseminates the Pancasila state ideology, BP-7, will soon be dissolved as decreed by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), its chief officer Alwi Dahlan said on Wednesday.

Water firm to launch care program

Water firm to launch care program JAKARTA (JP): PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ), a British-Indonesian tap water joint venture, is scheduled to launch on Nov. 22 a care program aimed at promoting environmental awareness and clean water in the city, an executive of the firm said on Thursday.

Martin's concert canceled due to 'poor' political conditions

Martin's concert canceled due to 'poor' political conditions JAKARTA (JP): A planned charity concert by American pop star Ricky Martin was canceled because of the unrest in Jakarta.Puerto Rico-born pop idol Martin was due to stage his show, called Ricky Martin Live in Concert, as part of the South...

Our political agenda

Our political agenda There can be no bargaining on it: President B.J. Habibie must take immediate, concrete, transparent and professional actions to lay bare the many cases of corruption, collusion and nepotism, beginning by examining ex-President Soeharto.

Tambang Timah's net profit rises 350%

Tambang Timah's net profit rises 350% JAKARTA (JP): The net profits of publicly listed mining firm PT Tambang Timah rose by more than 350 percent to Rp 454.9 billion (US$60.65 million) in the first nine months of this year, up from Rp 100.

REI seeking alternatives in dealing with debt problem

REI seeking alternatives in dealing with debt problem JAKARTA (JP): Real Estate Indonesia (REI), an association of property developers, is planning to seek a solution to its members' debt problems during its national congress next week.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 19, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 -25 26,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 185,000 Alumindo Light Metal 275 0 242,500...

Consultant calls for faster privatization

Consultant calls for faster privatization JAKARTA (JP): The government should accelerate its privatization program to help revive foreign investor confidence in the crisis-hit economy, a World Bank consultant has said.

Farmers attack, loot Lampung shrimp firm

Farmers attack, loot Lampung shrimp firm JAKARTA (JP): Around 2,500 farmers ran riot on the vast shrimp farm owned by PT Wahyuni Mandira in the district of Ogan Komering Ilir in Lampung, burning, looting and destroying almost all facilities on the 170,000-hectare site.

Students flee hunger at boarding school

Students flee hunger at boarding school JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: As many as 156 nursing students in Manokwari regency have stayed away from their boarding school since Sunday because they were not getting enough to eat there, Antara reported.

Fox gives up on Thailand remake

Fox gives up on Thailand remake BANGKOK (AP): Frustrated by official disapproval over its script, 20th Century Fox announced on Thursday it is dropping Thailand from plans to shoot a new version of "Anna and the King" starring Jodie Foster on location.

Nine arrested for abortion

Nine arrested for abortion SURABAYA: Police have arrested nine people including a doctor and a midwife for allegedly conducting 397 abortions. Some of the women were pregnant by up to seven months, Antara reported.The news agency quoted East Java Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Sutrisno T.S.