Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 November 1998

45 articles found

'TVRI' to air MPR morning show

'TVRI' to air MPR morning show JAKARTA: State-run television station TVRI is to run morning broadcasts to cover the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Antara reported.TVRI will run live shows from the MPR complex. The morning show is scheduled to last from 5:30 a.m.

Sukamto files restructuring

Sukamto files restructuring HONOLULU (Bloomberg): Sukamto Sia, 39, former chairman and controlling shareholder of the Bank of Honolulu, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 on Nov. 6 in Honolulu, the Honolulu Advertiser reported on Sunday.

RI workers go beserk after being stranded in Malaysia

RI workers go beserk after being stranded in Malaysia JAKARTA (JP): Almost 1,800 Indonesian illegal workers stranded for a week at a Johor Baru port in Malaysia ran amok on Sunday and broke the windows of a construction office and other office equipment.

Exports to main buyers rises by 3.8%

Exports to main buyers rises by 3.8% JAKARTA (JP): Non-oil and gas exports to Indonesia's 24 main export destinations rose by 3.86 percent to US$21.92 billion in the January-July period of this year, compared to $21.

S'pore aid to KL 'not charity'

S'pore aid to KL 'not charity' SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's agreement to help Malaysia raise funds is a deal between the two countries and not an act of charity, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday.

PPM defends its decision to guard Special Session

PPM defends its decision to guard Special Session JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM) youth organization have defended their decision to safeguard this week's Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, calling it volunteer work carried out on their own initiative.

Facing a dilemma

Facing a dilemma With one day to go before the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is due to convene in a four-day Special Session, Jakarta is in the grip of rising political tension. The reason for this tension is the meeting's potentially combustible agenda -- namely to pave the way for a free...

Palembang told to brace for floods

Palembang told to brace for floods PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Palembang will probably be hit by flooding as a result of the La Nia weather phenomenon, the head of the town's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Achmad Subarna warned on Saturday.

Hostile neighborhoods clash again, one killed

Hostile neighborhoods clash again, one killed JAKARTA (JP): High hopes for a lasting settlement to the long- running hostilities between two warring neighborhoods in Central Jakarta were dashed again on Friday and Saturday nights when renewed fighting erupted.

'Krismon' and celebrations

'Krismon' and celebrations The "By the Way" of Oct. 25 entitled "Is Indonesia really suffering from 'krismon'", written by a conservative person by nature, is good to read. The author, who I understand is an Indian expatriate, advises the public "to show empathy and understanding to our less...

Seven 'ninja' suspects murdered in Central Java

Seven 'ninja' suspects murdered in Central Java SEMARANG, Central Java: Seven more people accused of being "ninja" assassins were killed by mobs in separate places in the province on Saturday.Angry mobs attacked strangers they suspected of being killers targeting religious leaders.

Press freedom alliance launched

Press freedom alliance launched BANGKOK (AFP): Southeast Asian journalists launched a new regional alliance here on Sunday to fight for press freedom and to monitor attacks on reporters.The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) will set up a secretariat in Bangkok next year to urge governments to...

Number of tourists to Bogor drops

Number of tourists to Bogor drops BOGOR (JP): The number of tourists visiting Bogor regency has shown a drastic drop this year due to an instability of security in the country, an official said on Saturday.

Corruption allegation affecting tycoon Arifin

Corruption allegation affecting tycoon Arifin JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Arifin Panigoro said on Sunday that he was ready to cooperate with the Attorney General over investigations into alleged corruption.

Amien condemned for statement anti-Soeharto remark

Amien condemned for statement anti-Soeharto remark JAKARTA (JP): About 100 activists demonstrated here on Saturday to condemn Moslem politician Amien Rais for accusing former president Soeharto of involvement in the murder spree of Moslem preachers and alleged black magic practitioners in Java.

Indofood records profit

Indofood records profit JAKARTA (JP): PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, a food unit of the Salim Group, reported a net profit of Rp 81.8 billion (US$9.6 million) for the first nine months of this year, compared to a loss of Rp 456.23 billion in the same period of last year.

Guarded optimism in Asian markets ahead of APEC

Guarded optimism in Asian markets ahead of APEC SINGAPORE (AFP): Guarded optimism prevails in Asian financial markets before the APEC talks in Malaysia with currencies expected to stay stable, but analysts say regional stocks may undergo a short-term correction.

South Sumatra governor defends pipeline project

South Sumatra governor defends pipeline project JAKARTA (JP): The South Sumatra provincial administration has come out in support of continuing the operation of a disputed gas pipeline project even though President B.J. Habibie backed out of its dedication last week.

A crucial period for Indonesia

A crucial period for Indonesia Indonesia enters a crucial period next week. It is when the 1,000-member People's Consultative Assembly meets to discuss the political direction of the country.It will not be easy for President Jusuf Habibie, who is trying to steer his political reform package through...

Usman, the happy genius of recycling

Usman, the happy genius of recyclingText and photos by Suhardiansyah JAKARTA (JP): In the hands of Usman unused objects can be transformed into usable kitchen appliances. This 35-year-old man produces appliances such as stoves and traditional rice cookers.

OPEC says it's 'singled-out' by U.N. war on climate change

OPEC says it's 'singled-out' by U.N. war on climate change BUENOS AIRES (Reuters): The world's most powerful oil producing cartel said on Friday that its member countries were being unfairly targeted by United Nations efforts to combat climate change.

Govt 'should follow up' TGPF report

Govt 'should follow up' TGPF report JAKARTA (JP): Rights activist Marzuki Darusman said on Saturday the government must follow up on the government- sponsored fact-finding team's report which suggests that elements within the Armed Forces (ABRI) were involved in the May riots.

Police confirm bosses of closed banks to be tried

Police confirm bosses of closed banks to be tried JAKARTA (JP): Legal proceedings on alleged banking fraud are expected to begin soon against owners and executives of all but three of the 16 banks closed by the government in November 1997, a police official confirmed on Saturday.Col.

Notice:

Notice: We regret to announce that Zatni Arbi's column will not appear today due to delivery problems. -- Editor

Stormy weather will come

Stormy weather will come On Nov. 10 a national event, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session, will take place. It is the people's hope that this very important event will run smoothly and safely. After the session, a general election is scheduled for May, 1999.

MUI leader Hasan dies aged 78

MUI leader Hasan dies aged 78 JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Hasan Basri passed away on Sunday at the age of 78.He was reportedly suffering from various illnesses, including diabetes, when he died at his home in South Jakarta at about 1:15 p.m.

Navy ready to secure MPR session

Navy ready to secure MPR session JAKARTA (JP): The Navy has put on alert its strong fleet of warships, submarines and speedboats in the Jakarta Bay to ward off any marine disturbances to the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Megawati: RI's next president?

Megawati: RI's next president?By Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): With a successful congress behind her, Megawati Soekarnoputri can now concentrate on consolidating her faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and preparing for the general election in May 1999.

Analysts oppose call for only male Moslem presidents

Analysts oppose call for only male Moslem presidents JAKARTA (JP): Political observers opposed on Saturday the recommendation by a group of Moslem clerics that Indonesia's president and vice president must be male Moslems.

Foreigners still facing barriers to buying houses

Foreigners still facing barriers to buying housesBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): Two years have past since the government enacted a regulation allowing foreigners to own properties in Indonesia, but in practice this has not helped them purchase their own homes in this country.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 9, 1998

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 9, 1998Exhibitions * Etching Exhibition, by Rembrandt, from the collection of Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Dec. 6.

Sumba killings spree death toll rises to 23, more victims likely

Sumba killings spree death toll rises to 23, more victims likely MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): The death toll following a killing spree in a West Sumba town has climbed to 23 people and residents are still gripped with fear.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Documentary: Monumen dan Patung 3:30 TV Drama: Rahmi, Kekasihku 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:30 Education Quiz: Tangkas Cermat 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary:...

Iran Jaya attracts 28 local oil palm investors

Iran Jaya attracts 28 local oil palm investors JAKARTA (JP): The government's effort to open oil palm plantations in new areas of the country may be succeeding as 28 local investors are mulling development of oil palm plantations in various parts of Irian Jaya.

Whither the Special Session of MPR?

Whither the Special Session of MPR?J. Soedjati Djiwandono JAKARTA (JP): In a way, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) sessions throughout former president Soeharto's New Order regime resembled Javanese shadow shows. Most people attending already knew the plot, some even in great detail.

Fears of possible unrest affect tourist business

Fears of possible unrest affect tourist business JAKARTA (JP): Businesses on Jl. Jaksa and Jl. Surabaya, two of Central Jakarta's famous tourist destinations, which were showing signs of recovery after the mid-May riots, are back in the doldrums ahead of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)...

Pantomime pioneer dies at 45

Pantomime pioneer dies at 45 JAKARTA (JP): A pioneer of pantomime in Indonesia, Sena A. Utoyo, died on Saturday aged 45. He leaves behind a wife and two children.Sena was buried at the Jeruk Purut cemetery in South Jakarta.

ABRI warned of bloody fights over MPR session

ABRI warned of bloody fights over MPR session JAKARTA (JP): As the Armed Forces (ABRI) further tightens its security cordon around the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) complex, more and more people are raising fears about possible bloody clashes between opponents and supporters of the MPR...

The IMF and export tax on crude palm oil

The IMF and export tax on crude palm oilBy Derom Bangun JAKARTA (JP): I was very impressed when I stepped into the International Monetary Fund (IMF) office in Washington D.C. back in 1986. Together with my classmates and faculty members from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute...

RI's INRO membership reliant on Thais

RI's INRO membership reliant on Thais JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may pull out of the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) if Thailand decides to quit the rubber buffer stock agency, an industry executive has said.

Beggars swept from Bogor streets

Beggars swept from Bogor streets BOGOR (JP): Local police have netted 14 beggars during a Friday raid here, an official has said.The arrestees, all of whom are believed to be mentally ill, included two women, were taken immediately to the Bogor psychiatric hospital for medical treatment, Bogor...

Political tension seen sinking market mood

Political tension seen sinking market mood JAKARTA (JP): Escalating political apprehension ahead of the four-day Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is likely to weigh down sentiment on local financial markets this week.

Three peole killed, 23 injured in late-night head-on bus collision

Three peole killed, 23 injured in late-night head-on bus collision JAKARTA (JP): Two city buses, whose drivers were reportedly drowsy, were involved in a head-on collision near the Pulogadung industrial complex in East Jakarta early on Sunday morning.

Factions vow to meet people's aspirations

Factions vow to meet people's aspirations JAKARTA (JP): Two major factions of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) promised on Sunday after separate internal meetings to meet as many of the people's aspirations for overall reform as possible in the wake of mounting opposition to the MPR Special...

Urgent appeal to Gen. Wiranto

Urgent appeal to Gen. Wiranto Gen. Wiranto, I would have preferred writing in a different vein to commemorate Heroes Day tomorrow, but I am very apprehensive of the mounting fervor leading up to the Special Session of the MPR.