Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 March 1998

69 articles found

E. Timor assured of rice supply

E. Timor assured of rice supply DILI, East Timor: East Timor Deputy Governor Johanes Haribowo said the province has 16,000 tons of rice stored in its warehouses, enough for at least five months.Haribowo, who heads the administration's team for monitoring the supply of basic foodstuffs, said the...

President Soeharto's acceptance speech to the MPR

President Soeharto's acceptance speech to the MPR The following is the full text of President Soeharto's acceptance speech after he was inaugurated for a seventh five- year term yesterday on the final day of the General Session of People's Consultative Assembly.

Gafur: All easy questions

Gafur: All easy questions JAKARTA (JP): What would happen if by some strange chance the newly elected Vice President B.J. Habibie had refused his nomination yesterday?Could the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) find a replacement within a day?Those questions were shot at House Deputy Speaker...

More students, lecturers join on-campus rallies

More students, lecturers join on-campus rallies JAKARTA (JP): On-campus rallies calling for reform and protesting against the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities gathered steam yesterday as tens of thousands of students and lecturers from nearly 40 universities took part.

Smooth MPR General Session draws praise

Smooth MPR General Session draws praise JAKARTA (JP): Assembly members patted themselves on the back yesterday at the end of a smooth and prosaic General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Soeharto seeks people's support

Soeharto seeks people's support JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, sworn in for his seventh five-year term of office yesterday, appealed in his inauguration address for people's support to complete the term which he sees as being "very tough.

KPC seeks approval to sell its shares

KPC seeks approval to sell its shares JAKARTA (JP): Coal mining giant PT Kaltim Prima Coal wants government approval to offer a portion of its shares to the public to fulfill a mandatory divestment program.The company's assistant managing director, Hadi S.

Like father, like son

Like father, like son MAGELANG, Central Java: Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has done his father proud by coming top of his class at the Military Academy.The son of Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Armed Forces' chief of sociopolitical affairs, was among the more than 300 students whose rank was...

Seoul eyes swap deal with RI

Seoul eyes swap deal with RI SEOUL (Dow Jones): The South Korean government said yesterday it is considering a plan to swap its exports to Indonesia for imports, as many exports and construction fees haven't been paid for by the trouble-ridden Southeast Asian nation.

KSEI seeks fresh funds for scripless trading

KSEI seeks fresh funds for scripless trading JAKARTA (JP): PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia (KSEI) is seeking fresh funds to finance a scripless trading system in the country's two local stock exchanges.

Analysts urge establishment of credible cabinet

Analysts urge establishment of credible cabinet JAKARTA (JP): Economists expect the upcoming cabinet to be a credible one to help solve the country's ongoing economic crisis.Both domestic and foreign investors hope the new cabinet will be able to rebuild confidence in the government and the...

Results of MPR General Session

Results of MPR General SessionFrom NeracaThe present General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) differs from previous sessions because it has convened amid concern over all areas of the country's affairs.

Asian markets wary of RI-IMF standoff

Asian markets wary of RI-IMF standoff HONG KONG (AFP): Asian share prices closed mixed yesterday amid lingering concern over Indonesia's intent to carry out economic reforms called for by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in return for a bailout package.

Sime Bank takeover comes under spotlight

Sime Bank takeover comes under spotlightBy Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Financier Abdul Rashid Hussain adds to a growing empire with his takeover of ailing Sime Bank, but questions lingered yesterday over how he would pay and whether it would end up being a government rescue.

Picasso among axhibits at new city art gallery

Picasso among axhibits at new city art gallery JAKARTA (JP): Art lovers can have their fill of masterpieces by old masters and contemporary works by new artists at a new gallery recently opened here, an assistant art advisor has said.

Bus operators seek import duty exemption

Bus operators seek import duty exemption JAKARTA (JP): Public bus owners and operators called on the government yesterday to exempt them from paying import duties and subsidize imports of badly needed spare parts.

Taiwan boosts investment

Taiwan boosts investment TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwan is to invest T$20 billion (US$618.7 million) in Southeast Asia, mainly in Malaysia, following a visit by Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan to Kuala Lumpur last week, a business group leader said in remarks published yesterday.

Four Indonesians skippers convicted

Four Indonesians skippers convicted KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Malaysian magistrate's court sentenced four Indonesian boat skippers to two years in jail and a whipping for smuggling in 11 Indonesian immigrants into Malaysia in February, reports said yesterday.

Five face two years for robbery

Five face two years for robbery JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked West Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence five men to two years in jail each for their alleged involvement in the theft of 37 sewing machines from a garment factory.

Only simple party for MPR members

Only simple party for MPR members JAKARTA (JP): Austerity and simplicity will be the order of the day at this year's reception hosted by President Soeharto for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as even the usually lavish menu will be toned down.

PLN fears shortfall despite cash infusion

PLN fears shortfall despite cash infusion HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Indonesia's state-owned electric utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) remains gravely concerned that it won't be able to make payments for gas and power supplies after March, despite a cash infusion this week of Rp 1.

'Misguided' journalists

'Misguided' journalists JAKARTA (JP): Reporters covering the swearing in of President Soeharto grumbled yesterday about the excessive security applied both inside and outside the People's Consultative Assembly compound.

Bitter IMF pills to swallow

Bitter IMF pills to swallow If the IMF administers a transfer payment to the Indonesian government it will be caving in, giving the alcoholic a drink, the chocoholic a Kit-Kat, the grounded teenager a ticket to the prom on Saturday night.

Food donations given to bus crew

Food donations given to bus crew JAKARTA (JP): The City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) handed over 1,000 parcels of basic commodities yesterday to bus crews and residents living near Kampung Rambutan bus terminal, in East Jakarta.Each parcel contained 2.

Indonesian crisis fuels new Asia contagion fears

Indonesian crisis fuels new Asia contagion fears HONG KONG (Reuters): Indonesia is a wild card with the potential to damage the entire region, but analysts are divided on whether its economic turmoil will drag Asia back to the brink of economic chaos.

Two Bank Exim executives arrest

Two Bank Exim executives arrest JAKARTA (JP): Police officially charged two executives of state-owned Bank Exim yesterday for allegedly falsifying bank records and taking bribes.National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar identified the two yesterday as SA and HS.

Emil congratulates new Presidnet and Vice President

Emil congratulates new Presidnet and Vice President JAKARTA (JP): Senior economist Emil Salim proved he was a graceful loser yesterday, bowing out of the election arena by sending a congratulatory message to B.J.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 11, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,000.00 11,000.00Austrian shilling 1 686.90 903.70Australian dollar 1 6,108.80 7,515.20Belgian franc 1 242.50 297.20Canadian dollar 1 6,511.

Asian currencies hold up as Soeharto gives no clues

Asian currencies hold up as Soeharto gives no clues SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies held up but steered clear of their early highs yesterday after Indonesian President Soeharto failed to mention a currency board in his eagerly awaited inauguration speech.

Ramos not to attend ASEM in London

Ramos not to attend ASEM in London MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Fidel Ramos said Wednesday he has cancelled plans to attend next month's Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM) in London."I found it necessary to beg off from heading the (Philippine) delegation because of my duties here," Ramos said in his...

Lyonnais forex deal suspended

Lyonnais forex deal suspended HANOI (Reuters): The general manager of the Vietnam branch of Credit Lyonnais said yesterday his bank had been suspended from foreign exchange dealing for a month after it broke regulations governing margins.

POSCO profit rises 17%

POSCO profit rises 17% SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's giant Pohang Iron and Steel Co. (POSCO) said Wednesday its net profit jumped 17 percent to 729 billion won (US$461 million) last year.Sales also grew 15 percent to 9.72 trillion won ($6.1 billion) in calendar 1997, a POSCO spokesman said.

IMF says it will be flexible on Indonesian reforms

IMF says it will be flexible on Indonesian reforms WASHINGTON (Agencies): The International Monetary Fund (IMF), sending a conciliatory message to President Soeharto, said on Tuesday it was ready to tailor its economic program for Indonesia to take human suffering into account.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128: - The Tavern Pub: Cosindos Band, daily except Sunday 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Hazztoria Band, live music performance on Sunday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Kid Pix 3:10 Science Film: Modern Eye for Traditional 3:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Orchestra Film 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 Children's Drama: Oh Nenek 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara,...

S'pore calls for help to fight RI fire

S'pore calls for help to fight RI fire SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore called for international help yesterday to put out Indonesia's spreading forest and bush fires.Environment Minister Yeo Cheow Tong told parliament Singapore had only a slim chance of avoiding smog pollution if the fires, which...

City councilors in punch up

City councilors in punch up MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two city councilors were involved in a punch up Monday following a row over a car accident.Bernard Situmorang, chairman of the PDI faction in the Medan City Council, said he had reported the incident with Moses Tambonan of the Golkar faction to...

Local stocks up in moderate trading

Local stocks up in moderate trading JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose 0.3 percent in moderate trading yesterday after President Soeharto was sworn in as the country's president for a seventh consecutive five year term, stockbrokers said.

Governor says it with tears

Governor says it with tears JAKARTA (JP): So moved by what he saw as President Soeharto's honesty, Irian Jaya governor Jacob Pattipi only mumbled broken words and shed tears when asked to comment on the President's inaugural speech yesterday."He (Soeharto) is a great man...

'D&R' managing editor named suspect: Police

'D&R' managing editor named suspect: Police JAKARTA (JP): The managing editor of Detektif dan Romantika (D&R) magazine, Bambang Bujono, was officially named a suspect by police yesterday after being interrogated for at least five hours for his alleged involvement in the weekly's controversial March...

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Image Dance by Made Budhiana at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran Bay, Nusa Dua, Bali, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., until March 27. * Painting Exhibition: Ida Bagus Made, at Darga Gallery, Komplek Sanur Raya, No.

PM Hashimoto due in Jakarta for crisis talks

PM Hashimoto due in Jakarta for crisis talks JAKARTA (JP): Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto is scheduled to arrive here Saturday evening for a two-day working visit, a senior government official confirmed yesterday.

A new Vice President

A new Vice President If Minister of Research and Technology Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie's smooth ascent to the vice presidency can be taken as an indication, there will not be many obstacles which will impede the execution of his duties when he takes office.

Taiwan teacher to be deported

Taiwan teacher to be deported JAKARTA: A Taiwan citizen is soon to be deported after she was caught red-handed working as a teacher at an English-language school in Jambi, the directorate general of immigration said.Hsu Hsiu Hsiang was arrested Feb.

Forest fire losses close to Rp 200b

Forest fire losses close to Rp 200b JAKARTA (JP): At least 63,000 hectares of forest and brush along East Kalimantan's Mahakam River have been ravaged by fires over the last two months, causing close to Rp 200 billion (US$21 million) in losses.

Soeharto-Habibie duet wins laurels from public

Soeharto-Habibie duet wins laurels from public JAKARTA (JP): Over the past week many newspapers reporting the election of Soeharto and B.J. Habibie have likened the proximity of the new duo with that of the country's first president and vice president, Sukarno and M. Hatta, respectively.

Over 16,000 laid off since January

Over 16,000 laid off since January JAKARTA (JP): The city office of the Ministry of Manpower has approved the laying off of 16,481 workers from 98 companies since January, and the number is likely to continue rising as the recession deepens.S.

RI track and field meet delayed due to crisis

RI track and field meet delayed due to crisis JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) has announced the postponement of the May 17 Bob Hasan Invitational track and field meet due to the country's economic woes.

Poultry farmers feel henpecked in crisis

Poultry farmers feel henpecked in crisisBy Asep Fathulrachman YOGYAKARTA (JP): Poultry farmers are selling their chickens and closing down in droves as soaring prices of feedmeal make business no longer viable.Knock-on effects are already being felt.

Soeharto may announce new cabinet on Saturday

Soeharto may announce new cabinet on Saturday JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto is expected to announce the line-up for the 1998/2003 cabinet on Saturday morning, a source close to the palace said.The source said the hasty formation of the cabinet reflected the President's deep concern over the...

Utut suffers another defeat

Utut suffers another defeat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto suffered another defeat in the Grandmasters Championships in Calicut, India, Tuesday.Utut's defeat came from International Master Ziaur Rachman from India in the 41st move of the Tartakower opening.

Journalist never repents

Journalist never repents JAKARTA (JP): A senior female journalist for a Sumatra newspaper was briefly questioned yesterday by security officers for speculating on the next cabinet lineup.The woman drew a large crowd at a press center when she read out a list of the next cabinet lineup to fellow...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 11, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 500 0 32,500 Alumindo Light Metal 325 0 150,500 Alumindo...

Rice production to drop, drought delays harvest

Rice production to drop, drought delays harvest JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's unhusked rice production this year is expected to reach 45 million tons, only 84.3 percent of its initial target of 53.25 million tons.

Ananda shocked over Melandrie's death

Ananda shocked over Melandrie's death JAKARTA (JP): Ananda Mikola, Indonesia's rising Formula III racing star, was shocked by the death of his teammate Alfredo Melandrie of Italy who died Monday at the Faenza hospital in Italy.Melandrie, a member of the R.C.

Pulomas dam critical

Pulomas dam criticalFrom KompasThe condition of the Pulomas dam, East Jakarta, is causing great concern to residents of the area, especially those living close to the weir.One Saturday evening, the rain was moderate and brief. It was followed by drizzle until the next morning.

World Bank encouraged by Soeharto's speech

World Bank encouraged by Soeharto's speech TOKYO (Reuters): A senior World Bank official said yesterday he was encouraged by statements from Indonesian President Soeharto at his inauguration, but added that the bank's structural assistance to the region depends on an International Monetary Fund aid...

Soeharto hailed over stance on criticism

Soeharto hailed over stance on criticism JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's reassurance that he is open to criticism received an enthusiastic response from legislators and observers alike yesterday.But legislators of the House of Representatives, a body often sneered at as a rubber-stamp...

IMF vs Indonesia, a dangerous game?

IMF vs Indonesia, a dangerous game? The disagreement between Indonesia and the IMF has come to resemble a cat-and-mouse game, with Indonesia looking to stabilize the rupiah without becoming ensnared in its commitment to reform and loosing out on the US$43 billion bailout cheese!Steps toward...

Developers owe Rp 3.6b in taxes

Developers owe Rp 3.6b in taxes TANGERANG (JP): Property tax arrears from developers of housing complexes and golf courses in the city have reached Rp 3.68 billion (US$334,545), an official said yesterday.

ATF vice chairman Katimansah resigns

ATF vice chairman Katimansah resigns JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) vice chairman, Eddy Katimansah of Indonesia, resigned from the federation due to the rupiah collapse in the country."I sent a resignation letter to the federation's chairman, Eiichi Kawatei, on February 12," Eddy...

Ratna charged with staging illegal meeting

Ratna charged with staging illegal meeting JAKARTA (JP): Stage actress Ratna Sarumpaet and eight other activists were formally charged yesterday with organizing a political meeting in a North Jakarta hotel without a police permit Tuesday.Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Regional leaders acclaim Soeharto

Regional leaders acclaim Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Congratulatory notes on President Soeharto's reelection poured in yesterday, with neighboring countries expressing confidence the 76-year-old President's leadership would help Indonesia out of its economic crisis.

Pertamina changes ICP formula

Pertamina changes ICP formula SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesian state oil company Pertamina will change the formula for its official term Indonesian Crude Price (ICP) starting in April, traders said yesterday.

S'pore cleans up small oil spill

S'pore cleans up small oil spill SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it has cleaned up a minor oil spill after a bunker tanker carrying 304 tons of marine gas oil collided with a dredger off Singapore yesterday.

Album

AlbumPhoto A: ThanksgivingAntaraTHANKSGIVING: President Soeharto, surrounded by family and friends, cuts a traditional yellow rice cone. The thanksgiving gathering was held yesterday at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, after he was sworn in for his seventh consecutive term.

Players welcome decision to continue training in Jakarta

Players welcome decision to continue training in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Junior badminton players and coach are happy with the Badminton Association of Indonesia's decision to cancel plans to shift their training programs to clubs and provincial badminton centers.

Mini-Marshall plan to rebuild RI

Mini-Marshall plan to rebuild RIBy Geoffrey Barker The Iraq and Indonesian crises demonstrate the need for new thinking about Australian national security. SYDNEY: The Iraq and Indonesian crises have exposed flaws at the heart of Australian national security policy flaws that arise because standard...

Trade funding scheme for RI not canceled: S'pore

Trade funding scheme for RI not canceled: S'pore SINGAPORE (AFP): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said yesterday the city-state's proposed guarantee scheme to help finance Indonesian imports would proceed despite reports in Jakarta that it had failed.