Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 December 1998

53 articles found

PTSI management to be reorganized

PTSI management to be reorganized JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said state-owned PT Surveyor Indonesia (PTSI) would soon hold a shareholders meeting to appoint a finance director, a position which is now held concurrently by president Toga M.

Accepting Soeharto once again?

Accepting Soeharto once again? The recent visit of Gus Dur (Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Abdurrahman Wahid) to (former president) Soeharto has raised many questions. It could be that such a move could help bring down the heated political temperature.

UN envoy Marker meets with Habibie, Alatas on East Timor

UN envoy Marker meets with Habibie, Alatas on East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Visiting UN special envoy Jamsheed Marker said Tuesday he was assured of Indonesia's "firm commitment" to negotiations which have dragged on for years regarding East Timor.He held separate meetings with President B.J.

Three dead in recent student brawl toll

Three dead in recent student brawl toll JAKARTA (JP): Three deaths and 41 injured were recorded in 40 student brawls in the capital over the last three months, an official of the city's Social Disturbance Control Center said on Tuesday.

UGM assistance for tuition fees

UGM assistance for tuition fees YOGYAKARTA: State-run Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has given partial scholarships to some 4,500 students, who have been affected by the economic crisis, to help pay their tuition fees, rector Ichlasul Amal said on Saturday.

TV stations modify year-end program

TV stations modify year-end program JAKARTA (JP): The fasting month of Ramadhan, Christmas and New Year, which occur concurrently at the end of this year, have forced local TV stations to modify their year-end programming.

Upheaval 'likely' in next election campaign

Upheaval 'likely' in next election campaign JAKARTA (JP): Observers called on political parties and the public on Tuesday to prepare for the possibility of upheavals in the general election next June, and to reduce tensions during the campaign.

Mining firm declared bankrupt

Mining firm declared bankrupt JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court has declared mining firm PT Kutai Kertanegara Prima Coal and an individual credit card holder bankrupt for failure to honor debts.Kutai was ruled bankrupt on Monday for a debt to businessman Hasim Sutiono.

Battered banking sector struggles to survive after crisis

Battered banking sector struggles to survive after crisisBy Reiner S. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's once glamorous banking sector has been badly beaten by the 17-month old economic crisis.A total of 26 privately owned banks have been closed down since November 1997.

Experts differ on Gus Dur's intent in meeting Soeharto

Experts differ on Gus Dur's intent in meeting Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Controversy surrounding Abdurrahman Wahid's latest political maneuver continued on Tuesday with scholars issuing different opinions on whether it was justified for the Muslim leader to involve former president Soeharto in a...

Smuggling attempts foiled at airport

Smuggling attempts foiled at airport TANGERANG (JP): Customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have foiled attempts to smuggle in via postal services marijuana, Viagra pills, VCDs and stun weapons worth billions of rupiah to and from Jakarta.

Thailand to host ASEAN-EU meeting

Thailand to host ASEAN-EU meeting BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand will next month host high-level talks between ASEAN and the European Union canceled amid acrimony last year because of a row over Myanmar's participation, officials said on Tuesday.

Indonesian pop music beats the odds in 1998

Indonesian pop music beats the odds in 1998By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian pop music industry, much affected by the krismon (monetary crisis), has been struggling hard to cope with the odds.

President points to RI women's plight

President points to RI women's plight JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie marked Women's Day on Tuesday by drawing public attention to how modernization has not spared women from violence, harassment, or abuse of their rights.

Transportation loans badly needed

Transportation loans badly needed JAKARTA (JP): An executive of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) expressed concern on Monday over the slow disbursement of loans worth Rp 56.3 billion (US$7.5 million) pledged by the government to help the ailing transportation sector.

Indofood plans to sell Bogasari

Indofood plans to sell Bogasari JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur said on Wednesday that it would spin off its PT Bogasari Flour Mills and then sell it to strategic investors to increase its funds.

Decentralization alternatives vital

Decentralization alternatives vitalBy Santo Koesoebjono THE HAGUE, Netherlands (JP): "We are doing well during this period of economic crisis. In fact we hope that this situation will last longer," a government official in Bali said recently.

City gives 45 workers the ax for corruption and bribery

City gives 45 workers the ax for corruption and bribery JAKARTA (JP): Forty-five employees of the city administration have been fired since June for involvement in corruption and bribery, Deputy Governor of Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said on Tuesday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Dec. 22, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,550.00 7,700.00 7,550.00 7,750.00Austrian schilling 1 600.10 670.10 - -Australian dollar 1 4,512.00 4,772.00 4,505.00 4,805.00Belgian franc 1 201.

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 Documentary: Tanah Airku 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.

GE Capital to boost jobs

GE Capital to boost jobs BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai finance arm of General Electric said Tuesday it would hire over 300 more people in Thailand as a result of its successful bid for auctioned loans.GE Capital (Thailand) and Goldman Sachs (Asia) jointly agreed to take four tranches of loan assets...

PLN set to rehash contract terms with all IPPs

PLN set to rehash contract terms with all IPPs JAKARTA (JP): Cash-strapped state electricity company PT PLN said on Tuesday it would soon invite independent power producers (IPPs) to renegotiate their power purchase contracts in the dispute simmering between the two in the past year.

RI economy in deep water, and it's sink or swim time

RI economy in deep water, and it's sink or swim timeBy Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): The country's economy remains a near hopeless case. After one and a half years beset by an acute crisis, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Rio Tinto, ITB cooperate

Rio Tinto, ITB cooperate JAKARTA (JP): The Anglo-Australian giant mining company Rio Tinto's foundation in Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to promote mining studies and human resources.

Woman found dead on toll road

Woman found dead on toll road JAKARTA (JP): A 22-year-old woman was found dead on the Cikampek toll road in Tambun district, Bekasi, on Tuesday morning.The woman was identified as Rochmah Rokhayati T.H., an employee of an electronics manufacturer in Cibitung.

Apkindo estimates lower plywood exports next year

Apkindo estimates lower plywood exports next year JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's plywood exports are likely to continue to drop next year as demand from chief buyers such as Japan and South Korea would remain low, according to the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo).

Rupiah ends lower as stocks up 0.4 percent

Rupiah ends lower as stocks up 0.4 percent JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah dipped against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, but stock prices gained ground in thin trading as the year winds down.Dealers said trading activities on the currency market slowed as money market players chose the sidelines ahead of...

RI medal winners awarded insurance

RI medal winners awarded insurance JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar said on Tuesday that rewards in the form of life insurance policies would be given to Indonesian athletes who won medals at the just-concluded Asian Games.

Southeast Asian currencies slip back against greenback

Southeast Asian currencies slip back against greenback SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Both North Asian and Southeast Asian currencies slipped back against the U.S. dollar during Asian hours on Tuesday.While the regional currency sell-off was driven partly by an abrupt slide in the yen, many traders said...

Irate house buyers demand developer return their money

Irate house buyers demand developer return their money JAKARTA (JP): More than 100 customers of Bumi Indah housing complex in Tangerang staged a rally at the developer's office demanding the firm return their housing installments worth billions of rupiah.

'Ewako'!

'Ewako'!From Media IndonesiaA process of idolizing democracy is taking place in this country. A feeling of nervousness invades us when we see the sudden emergence of the people's sovereignty that is trying to find its shape.

RP unemployment rate surges

RP unemployment rate surges MANILA (AFP): Unemployment in the Philippines rose to 9.6 percent in October 1998 to three million people compared to 7.9 percent in the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said here Tuesday.This marked an improvement over the 13.

Bank Putera needs Rp 200b

Bank Putera needs Rp 200b JAKARTA (JP): Private Bank Putera will need at least Rp 200 billion (US$26.7 million) to meet the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) requirement of at least 4 percent by the end of the year.

Hike in regional minimum wages set

Hike in regional minimum wages set JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to increase regional minimum wages by between 10 percent and 20 percent next April.Syaufii Samsuddin, director general of industrial relations and labor standards at the manpower ministry, said on Tuesday that almost all...

The economic outlook

The economic outlook Though all key economic indicators have, of late, been showing a marked improvement, never, over the past 30 years, have we been as worried as now, facing a new year with so grave a sense of foreboding about our future.

Doctorate for mayor

Doctorate for mayor UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: American World University (AWU) has bestowed an honorary doctoral degree on Ujungpandang Mayor Malik B. Masry, Antara reported on Tuesday.Malik received the doctorate after an oration detailing his urban development strategy in Singapore on Monday,...

Habibie to chair security council's first meeting

Habibie to chair security council's first meeting JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will chair the first meeting of the Council for Enforcement of Security and Law on Thursday. The refusal of two prominent organizations to join the security council will not affect the plan, a minister said on...

Police ignore Rp 5 fine

Police ignore Rp 5 fine MEDAN, North Sumatra: A local resident is waiting for the police to pay Rp 5 (0.0007 U.S. cent) he was awarded by the Medan District Court for illegally impounding his vehicle, his lawyer Rahmadaniel Daulay said on Monday.

Momentous women's congress rectifies history

Momentous women's congress rectifies historyBy Debra H. Yatim YOGYAKARTA (JP): Former minister of manpower, SK Trimurti, had to use the service lift to take her upstairs for the one-day seminar here under the theme: "Indonesian Women: Looking Toward the Future Inspired by Aspirations of the Past".

Local tour operators expect gloomy business in 1999

Local tour operators expect gloomy business in 1999 JAKARTA (JP): Local tour operators expect another gloomy year ahead as international travelers may consider Indonesia too dangerous to visit in the first half of 1999, an industry executive said on Tuesday.

RP leader vows to update military

RP leader vows to update military MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada pledged on Tuesday to modernize the country's ill-equipped armed forces and protect the country's territories, including a disputed chain of South China Sea islands.

Habibie sued over election

Habibie sued over election PEKANBARU, Riau: A local resident has asked the Riau State Administrative Court to annul the election of Brig. Gen. Saleh Djasit as Riau Governor in October.Hasbullah Zaini, the plaintiff, named President B.J.

Prabowo still an Indonesian citizen: Hasyim

Prabowo still an Indonesian citizen: Hasyim JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo confirmed on Tuesday that Jordanian citizenship had been granted to his elder brother Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, but said the latter would not relinquish his Indonesian citizenship.

Group says stamp out New Order's vestiges

Group says stamp out New Order's vestiges JAKARTA (JP): The Petisi 50 Working Group called on the nation on Tuesday to work together to root out vestiges of the New Order political system.The renowned group of longtime government critics defined it as a system which exploited the military and...

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaWednesdayMaghrib 6:08 p.m.ThursdayImsak 4:03 a.m.Subuh 4.13 a.m.

Govt suspends subsidy for low-cost housing

Govt suspends subsidy for low-cost housing JAKARTA (JP): The government has suspended subsidies for the purchase of low-cost housing until the economy emerges from the crisis, dealing another blow to embattled property developers.Director General of Finance Susiyati B.

Idea to establish civilian militia

Idea to establish civilian militiaFrom PelitaFrom their reactions and comments, the majority of the community members show that they are harboring suspicions about the idea of establishing a civilian militia.

Textile industry has better survival odds

Textile industry has better survival oddsBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): Despite the extend of the economic crisis, which has hit the country since mid last year, the textile sector is one sector that has a higher chance of survival.The rupiah's nose-dive by almost 70 percent against the U.S.

Question to Indovision

Question to Indovision We are very upset and sad because of what happened on Dec. 14.Without any notice, we are now looking at a black screen; the children are crying and are unhappy, they cannot watch TNT or the Discovery channel.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 22, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 0 15,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 50,000 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 22,500 Alumindo...

Sari Husada enters Iran

Sari Husada enters Iran JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Sari Husada has exported 7.5 million cans of its Nini brand formula to Iran, the company announced on Tuesday.The shipment was formally shipped by the Yogyakarta-based company on Tuesday from the Tanjung Mas Semarang Seaport in Central Java.

IMF sees better days ahead for East Asia

IMF sees better days ahead for East Asia WASHINGTON (AFP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday said South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia faced brighter prospects in 1999, with their economies either limiting output declines or staging modest recoveries after deep recessions this year.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition: "Movement" Read " Stillness" by Pande Gede Supada, at Sika Contemporary Art Gallery, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Ubud, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Dec. 31. * Arts Exhibition: by Mangu Putra at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud...