Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 November 1998

55 articles found

Observers: Economic motives behind riots

Observers: Economic motives behind riots JAKARTA (JP): Observers agreed on Monday that unrest and hatred of Chinese-Indonesians was rooted in economic gaps rather than racial and religious differences. The observers also told a seminar on assimilation that violations in business ethics by some Chinese-Indonesians, and the privileges accorded them by Soeharto's New Order regime, were the dominant factors in social disputes between the community and indigenous Indonesians.

Balinese to prayer for end to rift

Balinese to prayer for end to rift DENPASAR, Bali: Hindus in Bali are planning a mass prayer this Thursday for an immediate and peaceful end to the rift between them and Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin, Antara news agency reported on Monday. The chief of the Bali provincial religious affairs ministry office, I Gusti Bagus Lingga, said in Denpasar that the mass prayer would be centered in the Besakih Grand Temple, about 80 kilometers east of the provincial capital.

Actor 'Pak' Tile dead at 67

Actor 'Pak' Tile dead at 67 JAKARTA (JP): Senior but still popular actor Muhammad Nun Tile, fondly known as Pak Tile, passed away at 67 here on Monday morning. He suffered from chronic asthma and bronchial cancer. Pak Tile, who played Doel's grandfather in the top-rating Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel, The College Student) local drama series, died at 2:45 a.m. in his residence in Srengseng Sawah in Lenteng Agung, Depok, south of here.

ABRI braced for MPR special session

ABRI braced for MPR special session JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces has vowed to safeguard the upcoming special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), saying on Monday it would not tolerate any campaign to prevent or disrupt the event. Secretary-general of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Soeyono promised an all out effort to protect the House of Representatives (DPR)/People's Consultative Assembly for the Nov. 10 - Nov. 13 proceedings.

Trial of suspected E. Java killers to start this week

Trial of suspected E. Java killers to start this week SURABAYA (JP): East Java chief prosecutor Adenan Kasian said on Monday that trials would begin this week of people suspected of involvement in various murders in at least 11 of the provinces' regencies over the past months. Speaking after a roll call of the East Java Provincial Police, Adenan said his office had prepared dossiers on 54 of 157 suspects and submitted them to the court.

Rp 100m hashish haul impounded

Rp 100m hashish haul impounded JAKARTA (JP): Customs and excise officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 11 kilograms of dried hashish valued at Rp 100 million (US$12,500) through an inter-island cargo shipment. The chief of the Customs and Excise Office at the airport, Heru Santoso, said on Monday the drug was concealed in a package sent from Banda Aceh through PT Intrasco Kilat.

Bakrie looks to debt restructuring deal

Bakrie looks to debt restructuring deal JAKARTA (JP): Conglomerate PT Bakrie & Brothers expects to reach a debt restructuring agreement with its foreign and domestic creditors by January, a key company official said on Monday. Bakrie managing director and corporate operation official Nalin Rathod said nine subsidiaries with debts equivalent to about US$1.2 billion had made restructuring proposals to more than 150 bank creditors.

Industrial waste fouls Tangerang river, canal

Industrial waste fouls Tangerang river, canal TANGERANG (JP): Water used and consumed by residents living along the banks of the Cisadane River and Mookervaart canal here has been badly contaminated by at least 43,000 cubic meters of industrial waste per day, an official said Monday. Head of the Environment Unit of the Tangerang Municipality Office, M. Harun, said the solid and liquid waste dumped in the two streams was believed to contain poisonous substances.

A welcome move

A welcome move Much to the amazement of many, a most sensible proposal has just been issued from one of the most unlikely and unexpected quarters. Din Sjamsuddin, deputy leader of the Golkar faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the nation's highest legislative assembly, told reporters that his faction was proposing that President B.J.

Agreement between debtors and creditors still far off

Agreement between debtors and creditors still far off By Reiner S. JAKARTA (JP): Some thorny issues are still seen as obstacles to further negotiations between local debtors and foreign creditors attempting to arrive at out-of-court debt settlements, according to participants in a debt conference on Monday.

State Bank Exim takes multi-finance firm to court

State Bank Exim takes multi-finance firm to court JAKARTA (JP): The state Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia (Bank Exim) filed a bankruptcy petition against multi-finance firm PT Pacific International Finance with the commercial court on Monday. A court source said that Bank Exim had bought promissory notes worth US$63.63 million from the multi-finance company but the bank could not cash in the notes owing to the company's financial problems.

Lippo Bank to close nine overseas offices

Lippo Bank to close nine overseas offices JAKARTA (JP): Lippo Bank will close nine of its 13 foreign offices in a cost-cutting exercise as it seeks to improve its local operation. James T. Riady, deputy chairman of the Lippo Group, said on Monday that the offices which would be closed included the bank's representative offices in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and the United States. "The decision is being processed.

Tycoon's trip to N. Korea may help relations

Tycoon's trip to N. Korea may help relations By Bill Tarrant SEOUL (Reuters): The octogenarian founder of South Korea's largest conglomerate returned from a historic trip to the enemy North at the weekend with a fistful of business deals that could help mend ties on the Cold War's last frontier.

Govt expects banks to repay liquidity debts in cash

Govt expects banks to repay liquidity debts in cash JAKARTA (JP): The government expects owners of failed and troubled banks to repay in cash at least 30 percent of their liquidity debts to the government within one year. The Association of Young Indonesian Businessmen's chairman, Harjadi Sukamdani, quoted President B.J. Habibie as saying that the remaining 70 percent could be repaid later, or repaid with assets. "Bapak President said they have only repaid 0.7 percent in cash.

Elevated toll roads for traffic snarls

Elevated toll roads for traffic snarls Despite the dire crisis by which Indonesia is sadly still gripped, people still seem to use their cars, to judge by the ever-present traffic jams. This caused me to think again about a possible solution that would at least reduce the present load on inadequate, overcongested roads. Clearly it is not the subway from Blok M to Kota, one of the then minister of technology, now President, B.J. Habibie's ideas.

Asian stock markets end firmer

Asian stock markets end firmer TOKYO (AFP): Asian stock markets ended higher on Monday on follow-through buying spurred by G-7 resolve to prevent a global economic slide and Wall Street's rebound on better-than-expected U.S. economic growth data. Tokyo gained 2.9 percent, buoyed by news of tie-ups in the banking sector, Singapore surged 4.9 percent, Hong Kong ended marginally higher, Bangkok gained 1.1 percent and Jakarta advanced 2.0 percent.

FIFA inspects W. Cup readiness

FIFA inspects W. Cup readiness SEOUL (AP): A five-member delegation from FIFA, soccer's world governing body, arrived in Seoul Monday to inspect preparations for the 2002 World Cup to be co-hosted with Japan. The delegation, led by Antonio Matarrese, a FIFA vice president, is scheduled to visit the sites in Seoul and several other cities where South Korea plans to build stadiums for the first World Cup ever to be held in Asia.

Diners flee as restaurant goes up in flames

Diners flee as restaurant goes up in flames JAKARTA (JP): A fire broke out in the two-story Ikan Tude restaurant on Jl. Blora in Central Jakarta during the lunchtime rush hour on Monday, forcing customers eating in the building to flee in panic. The second floor of the building, which is located in a densely populated area, was severely damaged, but no fatalities were reported. "Obviously our work for the day just vanished.

Golkar finally apologizes for past mistakes

Golkar finally apologizes for past mistakes JAKARTA (JP): Golkar finally responded to growing public contempt and has apologized to the nation for past political mistakes that it committed during Soeharto's New Order regime. Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman led off the reversed stance by making an apology in a political discussion on Monday.

BII sets off computer-bug

BII sets off computer-bug JAKARTA (JP): Bank International Indonesia (BII) has announced it will temporarily turn off its computer system this weekend, starting on Nov. 6 at 10 p.m. in a bid to prepare itself for the millennium bug. BII president Indra Widjaja said on Monday that during the turn-off period, the bank would stop all banking transactions, including automated teller machine (ATM) services, as well as telephone and Internet banking.

To Gen. Wiranto

To Gen. Wiranto From Gatra I am deeply concerned about the various riots in the provinces and big cities in Indonesia. The shooting of Trisakti University students; the May 13 to May 15 riots in Jakarta; the torching of houses and shops; the looting of ethnic-Chinese property in Medan, Pontianak, Kebumen, Lhokseumawe; the killing of hundreds of religious teachers and Nahdlatul Ulama clerics in Banyuwangi under the accusation of being black magic practitioners.

Rates for tax payment

Rates for tax payment Conversion rates for tax payments, valid from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8: U.S.

Seoul hails Hyundai's relations with North

Seoul hails Hyundai's relations with North SEOUL (AFP): South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung hailed on Monday the planned launch of the first ever tourism link with North Korea, but urged caution in hoping for an early thaw in ties with the Stalinist North. Seoul's giant Hyundai Group last week won the crucial personal blessing of North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong-Il, for the launch of a luxury cruise boat service to the starving communist state later this month.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 2, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 275 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 225 -25 5,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,350 25 5,270,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 5,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

Charity concert for orphans held

Charity concert for orphans held JAKARTA (JP): Supported by vocalist-cafe owner Nia Zulkarnaen, local band Flashback held a charity concert on Sunday at street cafes in the Plaza Senayan complex on Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta, to raise funds to help orphans. The concert, held free of charge, encouraged listeners to make donations, according to the band's leader, Noenoes Oetomo.

Protests against ABRI's dual function

Protests against ABRI's dual function PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): About 500 students from nine universities staged a peaceful protest against the Armed Forces (ABRI) sociopolitical role at the local legislature here on Monday. Students read out the "Andalas Declaration" also demanding the government step up investigations into the allegations against former president Soeharto that he amassed fortunes worth trillions of rupiah during his 32-year rule.

Government to retender 320-km pipeline project

Government to retender 320-km pipeline project DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The government has annulled the contract awarded to PT Trihasra Binanusa Tunggal, a company owned by former president Soeharto's children, for construction of a 320- kilometer fuel pipeline in Java.

Council defends meeting in Puncak

Council defends meeting in Puncak JAKARTA (JP): City Council speaker Edy Waluyo denied on Monday reports that city councilors spent a great deal of money to fund their meeting about the city's budget in the Puncak resort area in Bogor recently. Edy said the two-day meeting which was opened on Oct. 28 was conducted at Jaya Raya villa, which is owned by the city administration. "So we didn't pay anything for it.

Taiwan firm eyes SE Asia

Taiwan firm eyes SE Asia TAIPEI (Dow Jones): The Southeast Asia Investment Holding Corp., a venture capital company led by China Development Corp., began operations Nov. 1 and is actively looking for investment opportunities in the region, an official of the holding company said Monday.

Jakartans told to be alert as MPR meeting nears

Jakartans told to be alert as MPR meeting nears JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso urged Jakartans to remain on the alert in line with escalating death threats and widespread rumors of renewed rioting ahead of next week's special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Sutiyoso, who had just arrived home from a two-week official visit to Europe, said on Monday that people from all walks of life must intensify security measures and neighborhood watches in business and residential areas.

Conference on debt begins

Conference on debt begins JAKARTA (JP): Approximately 1,200 participants representing mostly local debtors and foreign creditors attended the Jakarta Initiative conference, which opened on Monday to restart stalled negotiations on massive corporate debts. Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who opened the two-day gathering, reaffirmed the importance of the corporate debt restructuring for the recovery of the crisis-hit economy.

Gen. Subagyo claims ABRI ventures benefit soldiers

Gen. Subagyo claims ABRI ventures benefit soldiers BANDUNG (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo vigorously defended on Monday the Armed Forces' business ventures, contending that all profits went to improve military personnel's welfare. He cited how earnings from companies belonging to foundations under the Armed Forces (ABRI) funded construction of housing for soldiers. He spoke on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the induction of Maj. Gen.

Prepaid SIM cards increase in fame

Prepaid SIM cards increase in fame JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phone users watching their pocketbooks are increasingly preferring the prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) card over the monthly billing system, an industry executive said on Monday. Kusnadi Sukarja, the director for sales and marketing of PT Excelcomindo Pratama, said the demand was an indication of consumer need to monitor expenditures.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Nov. 2, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,550.00 8,650.00 7,550.00 7,750.00 Austrian schilling 1 605.20 678.20 - - Australian dollar 1 4,592.60 4,852.60 4,535.00 4,884.00 Belgian franc 1 203.95 228.95 - - Brunei dollar 1 - - 4,480.00 4,805.00 Canadian dollar 1 4,715.40 4,995.40 4,650.00 5,150.00 Swiss franc 1 5,432.10 5,712.10 4,230.00 4,720.00 Deutschemark 1 4,407.15 4,667.15 4,320.00 4,720.

Nokia launches new cell phone

Nokia launches new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): Finland-based mobile phone producer Nokia launched here on Monday a new pocket size cellular phone, named the Nokia 8810. Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia's general manager Alexander Lambeek said that aside from using the phone to make calls, the Nokia 8810 can also function as a personal organizer and provide access to e-mail on the Internet. The top-of-the-range phone can also function as a calendar, notepad, address book, calculator and world clock.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 Children's Film: The Big Valley 3:05 Documentary: Tanah Airku 3:30 Village Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary Program 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports: Monitor Olah Raga 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Music 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music 8:30 Talk Show: Dialog 9:00 World News 9:35 Music: Pesona Nusantara 10:30 Late News 10:40...

'Reuters' evacuates staff from Petronas

'Reuters' evacuates staff from Petronas KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Staff evacuated the Reuters office in the world's tallest building in Malaysia's capital on Monday after fire broke out near a service elevator. Nine staff members left the 32nd floor of the 88-storey Petronas Tower Two at 8:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) after smoke began filling a corridor outside the office. A lighter and paint thinner were found near charred newspaper outside the service elevator at the rear of the office.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Fine Arts Exhibition: Diantara Dinding dan Pintu, by Jajang Supriyadi, at Galeri Barak, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi 238 Trapus, daily (except Friday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Nov. 7. Performances * Dance: Ludruk Syarip Tambak Oso, by Sindur Laras Dance Group, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m., Nov. 6.

Anwar suffers setbacks on the first day of his trial

Anwar suffers setbacks on the first day of his trial KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday suffered a string of setbacks on the first day of the sex and corruption trial that has exposed deep political divisions in Malaysia. Judge Augustine Paul rejected a defense motion to grant observer status to foreign rights groups and legal experts, and refused to throw out corruption charges against Anwar.

Inflation fell 0.27 percent in October

Inflation fell 0.27 percent in October JAKARTA (JP): The monthly inflation rate dropped 0.27 percent in October this year, the first deflation recorded since the financial turmoil hit the country early last year, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported on Monday. The bureau's deputy chairman Kusmadi Saleh said a decline in food prices, especially rice, cooking oil, sugar and wheat, was the main reason for negative inflation during the month.

Moslems must shed tag of blame

Moslems must shed tag of blame JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas will begin the much-publicized "largest" gathering of Moslem leaders on Tuesday morning as they aim to hammer home the message that Moslems should no longer be blamed for just about all conflicts in society. Council secretary-general Nazri Adlani said here on Monday that Moslems should no longer be the object of political developments, much less be "fooled" by various parties.

Health experts for Asian Games

Health experts for Asian Games BANGKOK (AFP): More than 2,500 doctors, nurses and health experts will be on standby during the 13th Asian Games here next month, organizers said. A medical center had been set up to treat athletes' injuries while serious cases would be dealt with at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, they said. The Thai army would provide helicopters to ferry injured athletes from distant sports facilities in emergencies.

Pertamina maintains cash-and-carry deals

Pertamina maintains cash-and-carry deals DENPASAR, Bali (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina still applies a cash-and-carry scheme for the sales of aviation fuel to national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and state airline Merpati Nusantara. Pertamina president Soegianto said here on Monday that the scheme would be changed only if the two airline companies settled their unpaid fuel bills.

On the nation's leaders

On the nation's leaders From Media Indonesia The appointment and dismissal of a Cabinet minister is purely the prerogative of the President. (Here we refer to the case of State Minister of Food and Horticulture Prof. Dr. A.M. Saefuddin.) This is in line with the 1945 Constitution. Whatever action the President takes against State Minister Saefuddin, allow me to make the following comments.

Official asks about alleged bird smuggler

Official asks about alleged bird smuggler TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Prosecutor's Office has questioned the whereabouts of a Pakistani flight attendant who was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in August for attempting to smuggle two black cockatoos to Karachi.

Ical says family bloodbath was spur of the moment

Ical says family bloodbath was spur of the moment MEDAN (JP): Muhammad Ferizal Batubara, the 17-year-old accused of bludgeoning his parents and four of his siblings to death with a hammer here on Friday, has denied the murders were premeditated. The young man nicknamed Ical said on Monday he killed his parents because they forbade him from meeting his girlfriend Poppy and he was enraged after they rejected his request to marry her. "I planned nothing," the senior in private G.B.

Call for opposition figures to join MPR

Call for opposition figures to join MPR JAKARTA (JP): Three leading members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) have called on the country's three most influential opposition figures -- Abdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri -- to be appointed members of the nation's highest law making body. Politicians and observers were divided when asked to comment. Some hailed the move, others remained skeptical.

Most SE Asian currencies edge higher

Most SE Asian currencies edge higher SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies edged higher against the U.S. dollar in late Asian trading Monday compared with levels late Friday, but on moderate volumes. Sharp inflows of funds to stock markets and other instruments in the region, as well as overall improved sentiment toward the region, continued to lift currencies Monday, said market players.

City out for bigger shares in water deals

City out for bigger shares in water deals JAKARTA (JP): The city administration wants bigger shares in water-management cooperative agreements between city-owned water company PDAM Jaya and its two foreign companies in the next renegotiations of the deals, Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday. He said the existing shares of 10 percent in the agreements was considered too low but failed to mention the exact quantity of the shares in the agreements.

E. Timorese leaders divided over solution

E. Timorese leaders divided over solution KRUMBACH, Austria (JP): East Timorese leaders remain divided over finding an acceptable solution for their tiny territory while representatives at a forum here even differ on issues allowed to be discussed. Sunday's second day of sessions of the fourth All Inclusive East Timorese Dialog (AIETD) at Krumbach Castle ended in anger and disappointment among participants supporting proposals for a referendum to determine the province's status.

Presidential candidates

Presidential candidates The Youth Pledge of 1928, which was honored throughout Indonesia last week, called for One Nation, One Country, One Language: Indonesia. Masli Arman's letter, published on Youth Pledge Day, deviates from the pledge. Unfortunately, he takes the bigoted, jingoistic line of Minister A.M. Saefuddin by questioning Megawati's candidacy on religious grounds. This is disappointing coming from an Indonesian intellectual, which Masli clearly is.

Sigit's dope hearing set for mid November

Sigit's dope hearing set for mid November JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has set a hearing in Singapore in two weeks for Indonesian world doubles champion Sigit Budiarto regarding his positive dope tests for the anabolic steroid nandrolone. Deputy chief of the federation Justian Suhandinata said the hearing, on a date still to be determined, meant that a test of Sigit's "B" urine sample on Oct. 22 confirmed the earlier positive result of the "A" sample.

Political concerns force rupiah down against dollar

Political concerns force rupiah down against dollar JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah weakened to pass the critical 8,000 mark against the U.S. dollar on Monday on concerns of possible large-scale violence ahead of and during the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) next week, dealers said. Stockbrokers said stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange surprisingly booked a 2 percent gain but warned that the tense week leading up to the MPR session would depress the market.

Freeport

Freeport Correction: The writer of the article titled Freeport: Dirty water won't wash away graft printed on this page on Nov. 2 should read Aleksius Jemadu, not Donna K. Woodward. We apologize for the error. -- Editor

Indonesian honored for his novel way to deal with dirt

Indonesian honored for his novel way to deal with dirt By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Most people shun waste, especially of the human variety, but it gave Agus Gunarto the inspiration to create an award-winning invention. His integrated sewage treatment plant won a silver award in the Far Eastern Economic Review's first annual Asian Innovation Award.