Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 February 1998

52 articles found

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: BooksJP/afsHOMAGE TO A MASTER: Senior anthropologist Koentjaraningrat (right) receives two books from Kartini Sjahrir, chairwoman of the Association of Indonesian Anthropologists. The books, Corat- Coret Koentjaraningrat (Koentjaraningrat's Sketches) and Koentjaraningrat dan...

Obituary

Obituary Marcel Beding, a senior journalist and former Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) member of the House of Representatives died yesterday evening. He was 63.He died at St. Carolus hospital, Central Jakarta, one day after falling unconscious at his residence.

Dorodjatun ready for challenge of ambassadorial post

Dorodjatun ready for challenge of ambassadorial postBy Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Senior economist Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti says his new post as Indonesian Ambassador to Washington is a huge challenge given the rapid changes evolving in the United States, but a welcome intellectual stimulation.

Return to the fixed rate system

Return to the fixed rate system While the government delays adopting a currency board system (CBS), economist Kwik Kian Gie proposes a simpler measure to overcome the country's monetary crisis. Question: The rupiah's value remains low, threatening the survival of the economy, but several parties...

General hospital denies media reports on drug shortages

General hospital denies media reports on drug shortages JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta strongly denied yesterday media reports claiming that RSCM was short of medicines.

Lippo Group denies impropriety charges

Lippo Group denies impropriety charges WASHINGTON (AFP): Indonesia's Lippo Group, embroiled in the scandal over improper fund-raising for the U.S. election campaign, broke its silence on the matter Monday, denying any improprieties.

Wushu body to name athletes next month

Wushu body to name athletes next month JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Wushu Association will name athletes, who will be groomed for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December, on March 20 after its internal meeting here.

Lippo Karawaci a 'shadow' of its former self

Lippo Karawaci a 'shadow' of its former self TANGERANG (JP): Lippo Karawaci Supermal, once brimming with visitors, including those who made the trip from Jakarta, is feeling the full brunt of the economic downturn as tenants pack up and move out.

Protesting women freed conditionally

Protesting women freed conditionally JAKARTA (JP): The three women arrested here Monday on charges of organizing a demonstration without a permit were released yesterday but police said they had not closed the case.

Thomas and Uber delay 'allow time to prepare'

Thomas and Uber delay 'allow time to prepare' JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said yesterday that although the postponement of the Thomas and Uber Cups championships would allow more time to prepare Indonesia's squads, it would also disturb the schedule of...

Local stocks lose ground on profit taking

Local stocks lose ground on profit taking JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) lost ground yesterday on profit taking, with the main price index falling 2 percent, brokers said.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 24, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 25 64,500 AHAP Insurance 400 50 1,000 Alter Abadi 575 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 50 2,973,500 Alumindo...

Prostitution rife in Riau

Prostitution rife in Riau PEKANBARU, Riau: Labor brokers promising well-paid jobs in Malaysia have allegedly forced hundreds of women from Java and Lampung into prostitution here, a press report said yesterday.

Asian currencies upbeat as Indonesia dithers

Asian currencies upbeat as Indonesia dithers SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies were slightly more upbeat yesterday as the U.S. dollar lost steam against the majors, but dealers said trade was relatively slow and lacked a clear trend.

IMF and RI need closer rapport

IMF and RI need closer rapportBy Colm Kearney The Indonesian government's proposal for a currency board to stabilize the rupiah has been misunderstood, and it has invoked inappropriate responses from the International Monetary Fund.

Government to help ailing press industry: Hartono

Government to help ailing press industry: Hartono JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has agreed to help the ailing print media industry, Minister of Information R. Hartono said yesterday.He did not specify what measures would likely be taken to rescue companies buckling under the pressure of the...

Hanco to reconditions BA's spare parts

Hanco to reconditions BA's spare parts JAKARTA (JP): State coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with local company PT Hanco Foundry Industry to recondition spare parts from its mining facilities.

Alleged robber shot dead for resisting arrest

Alleged robber shot dead for resisting arrest JAKARTA (JP): An alleged robber was shot dead by police after he and an accomplice broke into a house in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang yesterday.

Medicine to cure crisis

Medicine to cure crisis Indonesia's monetary crisis began in July 1997. Seven months later the country is still floundering, unable to find the path toward recovery, or so it would seem if one considers the current value of the rupiah, the price of staple goods like rice and cooking oil, and other...

Six oil and gas production sharing contracts awarded

Six oil and gas production sharing contracts awarded JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mines and Energy awarded yesterday six production sharing contracts to foreign and local investors to develop the country's oil and gas reserves.The contracts were awarded to Unocal Corp.

Listen to vox populi

Listen to vox populi The authorities appear to be taking no chances in the countdown to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) which begins on Sunday. They have vowed to clamp down at the first signs of trouble and, judging from their actions of the past few days, they mean...

No bombs in Jakarta

No bombs in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Police stated yesterday that no explosive materials had been found at buildings recently swept by bomb squads after the buildings received threatening phone calls.Brig. Gen.

Elephants hit by monetary crisis

Elephants hit by monetary crisis JAKARTA (JP): After being caught in the wilderness, locked up and then "educated", elephants in the famed Lhok Asan training center are now having to bear the brunt of the monetary crisis.

Toyota cuts its SE Asian automobile sales forecasts

Toyota cuts its SE Asian automobile sales forecasts TOKYO (Reuters): Toyota Motor Corp said yesterday it was in the process of cutting its forecasts for sales in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia due to tough market conditions caused by regional economic woes.

Don't fish in murky waters

Don't fish in murky watersFrom Warta EkonomiThe economic crisis has caused prices of staple foods to skyrocket. It is regrettable that in this difficult situation certain merchants have resorted to something that has greatly affected consumers' emotions.

Thamrin project to proceed

Thamrin project to proceed JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is to continue the Jl. M.H. Thamrin beautification project in Central Jakarta and its other regreening plans despite the monetary crisis, an official said.

Tax on dollar deals

Tax on dollar dealsFrom Bisnis IndonesiaI am highly concerned about the fate of the little people within the ranks of government officials, retirees, the Armed Forces and others who have never seen dollars but who are now hit by the volatility of the rupiah against the American currency.

Requests for Australian visas drop drastically

Requests for Australian visas drop drastically JAKARTA (JP): The Australian Embassy says the number of Indonesians applying for visitor visas to Australia has dropped significantly.John Milne, a public affairs official at the embassy, said yesterday that due to the economic situation, the number of...

Domestic air routes to remain served

Domestic air routes to remain served JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto guaranteed yesterday that all existing domestic flight routes would remain served even though several airlines had reduced their flight frequencies.

Golkar legislators formally support Soeharto, Habibie

Golkar legislators formally support Soeharto, Habibie JAKARTA (JP): Eighty-eight percent of the Golkar faction members in the People's Consultative Assembly formally signed yesterday their support for Soeharto and B.J. Habibie as the next president and vice president respectively.

RI financial crisis seen as posing regional trade threat

RI financial crisis seen as posing regional trade threat SYDNEY (Reuters): Further weakness in the Indonesian economy could lead to a flood of exports from Southeast Asia's biggest nation, Australian traders said yesterday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Feb. 24, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,500.00 11,000.00Austrian shilling 1 602.20 898.40Australian dollar 1 5,262.20 7,330.70Belgian franc 1 212.70 295.20Canadian dollar 1 5,549.

French, Vietnamese envoys meet Soeharto

French, Vietnamese envoys meet Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto expressed his appreciation yesterday for France's commitment to boost its economic ties with Indonesia despite the financial crisis here.

Tangerang soldiers join forces

Tangerang soldiers join forces TANGERANG (JP): At least 2,500 members of the Tangerang Military District are ready to help safeguard next month's General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.Jakarta Infantry Regiment Commander Col. M.

Suwito hangs up his gloves for good

Suwito hangs up his gloves for good MEDAN (JP): World Boxing Federation welterweight champion Suwito Lagola of Indonesia has decided to hang up his gloves for good because, he said, he could not stand being mistreated by his promoter Anton Sihombing.

Indonesia's lone land gateway to Malaysia cements ties

Indonesia's lone land gateway to Malaysia cements tiesBy R. Masri Sareb Putra ENTEKONG, West Kalimantan (JP): Relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, nations with predominantly Malay populations, have become closer since a direct land gateway was opened seven years ago today here across from...

Rights commission probes riots in West, Central Java

Rights commission probes riots in West, Central Java JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has sent two teams to investigate the recent riots in West and Central Java which left a trail of extensive damage.

Developer's actions at odds with regreening: Sutiyoso

Developer's actions at odds with regreening: Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday he had lodged an official letter of protest with the developer of the planned triple-tier transit system over its unpopular decision to remove trees planted by the city.

Koreans arrested for breaching permits

Koreans arrested for breaching permits JAKARTA (JP): The immigration office has arrested two South Koreans for allegedly violating their permits, an official said yesterday.The office's director for supervision and control, Zaiman Nurmatias, said Sim Jae Yong and his brother Sung Yun Kim had worked...

Emil to proceed with his VP bid

Emil to proceed with his VP bid JAKARTA (JP): Former cabinet minister Emil Salim reiterated yesterday his intention to proceed with his bid for the vice presidency, dismissing a strong call from Golkar deputy chairman Abdul Gafur that he desist.

Police arrest 12 illegal aliens

Police arrest 12 illegal aliens SINGAPORE (AP): Twelve foreigners were arrested early yesterday as they allegedly tried to enter Singapore illegally by boat, state-controlled TV reported.After a short chase, a boat with 12 men surrendered to the Singapore police coast guards, about 1.

Weightlifting selection delayed till March 21

Weightlifting selection delayed till March 21 JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association has decided to delay a national selection due to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) from March 1 to March 11.

The rich must love the rupiah too

The rich must love the rupiah tooFrom Warta EkonomiI was touched when I saw/read that the Love Rupiah Drive had been participated in not only by ministers but also by governors and regional officials. They all demonstrated their love for this nation by selling their U.S.

Ministers support city's low-cost apartment projects

Ministers support city's low-cost apartment projects JAKARTA (JP): The ministers of housing, manpower, public works and national development planning agreed yesterday to help the city administration fast-track the development of its six low- cost apartment projects.

Rating revisions send stocks tumbling

Rating revisions send stocks tumbling TOKYO (AFP): A flurry of new ratings for Asian currencies, banks and leading companies took their toll on stock market activity yesterday, dealers said, pushing most bourses down amid a lack of strong incentives.Japanese share prices ended 2.

Central bank announces lower foreign debt

Central bank announces lower foreign debt JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's foreign debt as of the end of 1997 amounted to US$136.1 billion, lower than the $137.4 billion figure previously announced, Bank Indonesia (BI) has said.According to the central bank's figures updated on Feb.

Chinese donate Rp 20b

Chinese donate Rp 20b SEMARANG: Entrepreneurs of Chinese descent have donated Rp 20 billion (US$2.5 million) to the needy in several regencies in Central Java.The donation was in the form of essential commodities such as rice, sugar, wheat flour, vegetable oil and soap.

Indonesia seen crucial to recovery in SE Asia

Indonesia seen crucial to recovery in SE Asia CANBERRA (Reuters): Thailand's former commerce minister Narongchai Akrasanee said yesterday that Indonesia was crucial to economic recovery in Southeast Asia but added it would take at least two years for the region to get back on its feet.

New BI governor sees CBS as attractive

New BI governor sees CBS as attractive JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia's (BI) new governor, Sjahril Sabirin, said yesterday he saw the currency board system as an attractive way to stabilize the ailing rupiah.

El Paso upbeat on negotiations with PLN

El Paso upbeat on negotiations with PLN JAKARTA (JP): El Paso Energy International of the United States is optimistic that its subsidiary PT Energy Sengkang and the state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will be able to settle a dispute over their power purchase agreement.

RI aid program under review

RI aid program under review WASHINGTON (Reuters): The U.S. Agriculture Department has not yet made a final decision on whether to offer a PL480 program to help financially-troubled Indonesia buy U.S. agricultural goods, a USDA official said Monday.

Children's protection institute established

Children's protection institute established JAKARTA (JP): The government has inaugurated the Children's Protection Institute to mobilize formal legal protection for abused and neglected children.Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno officiated at the establishment of the organization at the...