Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 February 1998

49 articles found

Government to announce new exchange rate steps

Government to announce new exchange rate steps JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government will soon announce new steps for the foreign exchange rate system to stabilize prices of priority imports and help restore order to the country's economy.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.9, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 0 AHAP Insurance 350 0 0 Alter Abadi 550 -75 128,500 Alumindo Light Metal 400 0 543,000 Alumindo...

Intinusa to split stock

Intinusa to split stock JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of publicly listed granite producer PT Intinusa Selareksa approved yesterday the company's plan to split its stock while halving the nominal value of its shares from Rp 1,000 to Rp 500.

City to get new secretary

City to get new secretary JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso is scheduled to install Fauzi Bowo, head of the City Tourist Agency, as the Jakarta administration's new secretary today.City Hall spokesman Kamaludin Santos said Fauzi would fill the position left vacant by Harun Al Rasyid, who was...

New strategy needed to solve crisis

New strategy needed to solve crisis When I first arrived in Indonesia in 1985 the buzz word of the day was "the export orientated economy". Indonesia was in a privatization drive and funds for government departments were running dry.

Bring debtors in line

Bring debtors in lineFrom Bisnis IndonesiaI was drawn to offer my own suggestions after reading the opinion of Hartoyo Wignyowijoto in 'Disclose the names of the 228 borrowing companies' in Bisnis Indonesia on Feb. 3, 1998.

Anticipating a severe drought

Anticipating a severe drought At a meeting in Bangkok, experts warned that severe drought brought on by the El Nino freak weather phenomenon could have an extremely damaging effect on agriculture in Southeast Asia.

PDI leaders cool over Megawati for presidency

PDI leaders cool over Megawati for presidency JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) called on its leaders yesterday not to nominate toppled leader Megawati Soekarnoputri for their presidential candidate as she is not represented in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Thai's PM Chuan to meet exiled Ranariddh

Thai's PM Chuan to meet exiled Ranariddh BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai is due to meet Cambodia's ousted Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh for talks on the strife-torn country later this week, Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday.

Two firms blamed for forest fires

Two firms blamed for forest fires JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo accused two companies yesterday of starting recent forest fires in East Kalimantan."But I can't name the alleged culprits for the time being.

Bima and Ende calm as protest hits Jakarta

Bima and Ende calm as protest hits Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Riot-hit Bima and Ende in Nusa Tenggara were calm yesterday as security authorities managed to bring the two towns under control, local officials said.

Camdessus says Asia currencies fell too far

Camdessus says Asia currencies fell too far LONDON (Reuters): International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Michel Camdessus said yesterday that Asian currencies had fallen too far following the financial crisis in the region.

Drunken seaman mobbed by security guards

Drunken seaman mobbed by security guards JAKARTA (JP): Patrons and security guards attacked a drunken Navy seaman after he tried to steal a bottle of liquor from a convenience store in West Jakarta on Sunday morning, police have said.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Bad habits 'hinder' healthy living plans

Bad habits 'hinder' healthy living plans JAKARTA (JP): A lack of awareness and positive attitude toward healthy living among residents here often hinders efforts to develop a healthy city, an official said yesterday.The director general for contagious disease and environmental sanitation, Hadi M.

Palm oil market jittery over RI plan to lift ban

Palm oil market jittery over RI plan to lift ban KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil prices are likely to be mixed this week, with the market concerned over regional currency movements and uncertain about whether Indonesia would lift its export ban, traders said.

Govt allocates Rp 700b to subsidizes drug prices

Govt allocates Rp 700b to subsidizes drug prices JAKARTA (JP): The government has allocated Rp 700 billion (about US$70 million) to subsidize the soaring price of imported generic drugs and vital medical equipment this year, a cabinet minister said here yesterday.

Man tried for possessing drugs

Man tried for possessing drugs JAKARTA (JP): A 24-year-old man was indicted at West Jakarta District Court yesterday for possessing 0.8 grams of heroin and 58.83 grams of dried marijuana.Prosecutor Azwar said police officers arrested the defendant, M. Sholeh, on Nov.

Three youths charged in stabbing incident

Three youths charged in stabbing incident JAKARTA (JP): Police have charged three youths in relation to the stabbing of a member of the Kuwaiti royal family at Hotel Mulia Senayan in South Jakarta early Saturday morning.Head of city police detectives Col.

Calls mount for fair treatment for Sofjan

Calls mount for fair treatment for Sofjan JAKARTA (JP): Public figures called yesterday for the maintenance of the principle of presumption of innocence in the questioning of business tycoon Sofjan Wanandi for his alleged involvement in the bomb blast blamed on the outlawed People's Democratic...

Citra Tubindo expects strong 1998 earnings

Citra Tubindo expects strong 1998 earnings BATAM, Indonesia (Reuters): Indonesian oil and gas pipeline manufacturer PT Citra Tubindo expects to post strong results in 1998 and 1997 earnings to more than double, company president Kris Wiluan said yesterday."We expect continued growth in 1998.

Hard Rock hotel not just for music lovers

Hard Rock hotel not just for music lovers JAKARTA (JP): Ever dreamed of being a lead singer in a band and recording your own CD?Fantasy can become reality at the Hard Rock Cafe Beach Club in Bali, a hotel scheduled to open in May.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: The Big Valley 3:10 Teen Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Educational Program: Kuliah Universitas Terbuka 4:30 Teen Drama: Kena Batunya 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary 6:00 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village...

Govt urged to cater to indigenous entrepreneurs

Govt urged to cater to indigenous entrepreneurs JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has urged the government to use the economic crisis as a means to help indigenous businesspeople gain a bigger share of the economy.

Low-price bazaars begin today after minor hitch

Low-price bazaars begin today after minor hitch JAKARTA (JP): The city administration postponed yesterday the opening of temporary bazaars offering basic commodities at low prices to Central Jakarta residents, citing "technical problems".The bazaars are scheduled to open today.M.

PT Tambang Timah posts Rp 170b net profit in 1997

PT Tambang Timah posts Rp 170b net profit in 1997 JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed tin mining company PT Tambang Timah's net profit rose 10 percent to Rp 170 billion (US$18 million) last year, company president Erry R. Hardjapamekas said yesterday.

Wynne makes RI tennis history

Wynne makes RI tennis history JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Wynne Prakusya won the US$10,000 Wellington Women's International Tournament on Sunday after beating Rewa Hudson of New Zealand 7-5, 6-2.The 16-year-old Wynne, a finalist at the junior Australian Open a week before, had to pump out her energy...

Siswono urges delay of car, jet plane projects

Siswono urges delay of car, jet plane projects JAKARTA (JP): A cabinet minister has suggested that expensive state projects such as the National Car and the development of Indonesia's own jet plane should be temporarily halted, and funding originally earmarked for them be reallocated for...

Use of regional money in trade wins support

Use of regional money in trade wins support MANILA (AFP): The Philippine central bank chief said Monday that he supported plans to use local currencies to pay for regional trade to save on dollars and prevent currency speculation amid Asia's financial crisis.The plan will "reduce the demand for U.S.

Asian crisis to hit China's trade growth

Asian crisis to hit China's trade growth BEIJING (Reuters): China's foreign trade minister, warning of the impact of the Asian financial crisis, was quoted yesterday as saying combined import and export growth this year would be slashed by half.

Toyota Astra Motor to slash production

Toyota Astra Motor to slash production JAKARTA (JP): Toyota Motor Corp. plans to halve production at its Indonesian unit, PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), to between 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per month starting this month."Under the cut, Indonesian production will be halved.

Political parties must be able to promote national reforms

Political parties must be able to promote national reformsBy Hendardi JAKARTA (JP): The current monetary crisis has had a deep impact on the Indonesian community. The price of basic commodities has rocketed and unemployment is rising.Dr.

Medan airport bomb hoax causes panic

Medan airport bomb hoax causes panic MEDAN (JP): A bomb hoax caused panic at Polonia airport yesterday, forcing authorities to delay several flights.Airport chief Colonel Benyamin S. Dandel said activities at the international airport were not seriously affected but admitted that several flights...

Ulemas urged to defuse unrest

Ulemas urged to defuse unrest JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has asked Moslem leaders to serve as an early warning system -- to detect and nip unrest in the bud.Addressing a post-Idul Fitri gathering with 75 leaders of the influential Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) at the Bina Graha presidential...

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Feb.9, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,500.00 11,500.00Austrian shilling 1 613.30 907.20Australian dollar 1 5,558.30 7,693.50Belgian franc 1 214.20 301.00Canadian dollar 1 5,589.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Painting Exhibition: International Indonesian Paintings Exhibition 1998 by Jeihan, Popo, Erica Hestu Wahyuni, Krisna Murti, Faizal, Maria Tjui, etc., at the lobby level Grand Aquila Hotel, Jl. Dr. Djundjunan No. 116, Bandung, until Feb. 28.

Bank Nusa target of bomb hoax

Bank Nusa target of bomb hoax JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata confirmed yesterday a bomb threat at Bank Nusa in the Wisma Bakrie building on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, was a hoax."There was nothing there.

Soeharto criticizes media on reporting

Soeharto criticizes media on reporting JAKARTA (JP): The country's media celebrated National Press Day yesterday by receiving a dose of heavy criticism from President Soeharto for "disproportional" reporting on the current economic crisis.

Organda slams lubricant hoarders, call for action

Organda slams lubricant hoarders, call for action JAKARTA (JP): The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) called on the government yesterday to impose harsh penalties on hoarders of lubricants and automotive spare parts.

Massive strike hits C. Java

Massive strike hits C. Java SEMARANG: More than 1,000 bus drivers in several northern Java towns went on strike yesterday demanding the provincial government allow them to raise fares.The massive strike that crippled Jepara, Kelet, Keling, Tayu, Trengkil, Juana, Pati and Sukolilo left thousands of...

Malaysia tweaks Japan and U.S. on help for Asia

Malaysia tweaks Japan and U.S. on help for Asia TOKYO (Reuters): Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim politely tweaked Japan and the United States yesterday for not taking a more active role in helping Asia through its financial crisis.

Australia deports 401 Indonesians

Australia deports 401 Indonesians KUPANG, East Nusatenggara (Antara): The Australian government deported 401 Indonesian fishermen last year for illegally entering Australia's territory, a local Indonesian official said here yesterday.

Fate of small industrialists

Fate of small industrialistsFrom Media IndonesiaThe monetary crisis has severely hit all sectors of our life. The illogical exchange rate of the rupiah against the dollar has caused havoc in trade and industry. Employee layoffs cannot be prevented.

Mahathir on ASEAN center stage

Mahathir on ASEAN center stageBy Roberto Coloma SINGAPORE (AFP): The severe crisis in Indonesia has eroded President Soeharto's standing as the region's elder statesman, allowing Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad to fill the void, diplomats and analysts say.

Rates for Tax Payment

Rates for Tax Payment JAKARTA (JP): The government announced yesterday new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax.The new conversion rates will be valid for one week, from Feb.

Bearish news to dominate oil product market

Bearish news to dominate oil product market SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia's decision to cut oil imports in February and March will give another blow to Asia's bearish oil product market, which has seen little demand during the region's economic crisis, traders said yesterday.

Two women commit suicide at home

Two women commit suicide at home JAKARTA (JP): Two young women are believed to have committed suicide in separate incidents in West and South Jakarta over the weekend.Epri Supriati, 17, a former shop attendant, was found dead about 6 a.m.

Tokyo to help Jakarta to overcome crisis

Tokyo to help Jakarta to overcome crisis TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's Trade Ministry would like to do what it can for Indonesia after a forthcoming Japanese delegation to the financially troubled Southeast Asian nation returns home, Vice Trade Minister Osamu Watanabe said yesterday.

Bank foreign currency loans rise over 100% last year

Bank foreign currency loans rise over 100% last year JAKARTA (JP): Foreign currency loans extended by domestic banks increased in their rupiah value by over 100 percent to Rp 117.3 trillion (US$12.34 billion) last year due to the sharp appreciation of the U.S. dollar, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor J.

Shoplifter gets three months

Shoplifter gets three months BOGOR (JP): The Bogor District Court sentenced a 20-year-old man to three months in jail yesterday for shoplifting in Matahari department store on Jl. Kapten Muslihat here on Dec. 5 last year.