Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 March 1998

63 articles found

Indonesia should retain OPEC leadership: Analysts

Indonesia should retain OPEC leadership: Analysts JAKARTA (JP): New Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto should assume the position of his predecessor, I.B. Sudjana, as president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), an OPEC official and an analyst said here...

Three arrested for timber theft

Three arrested for timber theft SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Three Malaysians were arrested recently for timber theft and illegal felling in Lumbis subdistrict, Bulungan district, police said yesterday.The three were employees of a company which subcontracts for Sabah's largest timber company, Log...

Another baby found dead

Another baby found dead JAKARTA (JP): A one-day-old newborn was found dead in a plastic bag in front of a Central Jakarta housing complex on Jl. Kepu Selatan yesterday, the fourth such case this year.The body of the female baby was taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for a postmortem.

Two provinces closed to new plantations

Two provinces closed to new plantations JAKARTA (JP): North Sumatra and Riau provinces have been closed off to new plantation developments to prevent a further decline in forest areas, it was announced yesterday.

Thin pickings for 'freelancers' as clientele dries up

Thin pickings for 'freelancers' as clientele dries upBy Stephanie Bells JAKARTA (JP): It could be a night club anywhere in the world. The music is loud, ultra-cool and pulsates through the dark and smoky atmosphere. The patrons are young and attractive.

Cabinet focuses on meeting basic needs

Cabinet focuses on meeting basic needs JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto asked ministers yesterday to donate their first year's salaries to the poor, declare their personal wealth and that of their spouses and pay serious attention to the public's demand for clean and credible governance.

Two Bangladeshis to be deported

Two Bangladeshis to be deported JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Two Bangladeshi citizens, Ali Reza, 25, and Ahmad Shah, 27, who have been detained by the immigration office here since Jan. 16, will be taken to Jakarta tomorrow and deported soon after, Antara reported.

Badminton body asks advice from former champions

Badminton body asks advice from former champions JAKARTA (JP): Past heroes will be recruited to help the national Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton squads rebuild their fighting spirit ahead of the world team championships in May.

Unocal drills 2 wells in RI

Unocal drills 2 wells in RI EL SEGUNDO, California (Reuters): Unocal Corp Monday said its Indonesian subsidiary in Indonesia has drilled two new, successful wells in the deepwater Merah Besar area expanding the field's size."Based on the latest drilling results...

Train kills homeless woman

Train kills homeless woman JAKARTA (JP): A homeless 35-year-old woman was killed by a train in Klender, East Jakarta, at about 7 a.m. yesterday, police and eyewitnesses said.A police officer from Duren Sawit Police post said Paini sustained severe head injuries and died on impact.

No nepotism in cabinet recruitment: Tutut

No nepotism in cabinet recruitment: Tutut JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana defended herself and fellow ministers from speculation that they were recruited because of their closeness to the President.

Hotel strives to survive crisis, security issues

Hotel strives to survive crisis, security issues We inadvertently printed the wrong article for the box story on page 4 in the Sunday paper. Below is the correct article.We apologize for the error. -- The Editor LEGIAN, Bali (JP): First the haze, then the monetary crisis.

Australia warns IMF not to lead RI deeper into crisis

Australia warns IMF not to lead RI deeper into crisis SYDNEY (AFP): Australia stepped up efforts yesterday to broker a reconciliation between Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by warning the IMF to avoid plunging Indonesia into deeper crisis.

Australia to give Indonesian companies credit guarantees

Australia to give Indonesian companies credit guarantees JAKARTA (JP): Australia has agreed to provide credit guarantees for Indonesian companies to import certain commodities from that country, Bank Indonesia (BI) said yesterday.

Utut finishes fifth in Calicut

Utut finishes fifth in Calicut JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's number one chess player, Grandmaster Utut Adianto, ended his Indian tour on a low note when he crashed to host player International Master P. Konguvel in the final match, finishing fifth in the Grandmasters Championships in Calicut on Monday.

Publish or perish

Publish or perish The story about two major Indonesian book publishers heading for bankruptcy, tagged onto the bottom right corner of Kompas daily last Friday, has all the symptoms of a national tragedy of unimaginable proportions that very few people in this country seem to realize.

RI volleyball team to step up training

RI volleyball team to step up training JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association pledged yesterday to step up preparations for the 13th Asian Games in December despite the financial crisis.The association's executive director, Rita Subowo, said the national volleyball teams would play...

Taiwan fund expects 25% returns in S.E.Asia

Taiwan fund expects 25% returns in S.E.Asia TAIPEI (Reuters): Taiwan's China Development Corp said yesterday it and other backers of a T$20 billion private Southeast Asia Fund expect 25 percent annual returns from their investments in the financially battered region.

New cabinet needs to prove clean governance

New cabinet needs to prove clean governance A new 36-strong cabinet was sworn in on Monday. Subroto, rector of the Pancasila University and a former cabinet minister, discusses society's expectations from the new cabinet.

KL gets tough on forest burners

KL gets tough on forest burners KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia said yesterday it may use the powerful Internal Security Act (ISA) against anyone found openly burning forests, one of the major contributors to the smog in Southeast Asia.

Tanri foresees hurdles in his new job

Tanri foresees hurdles in his new job JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said yesterday he might face many political hurdles in his new job."That's why I must have support from the top," he said yesterday after the first plenary cabinet meeting at the Bina...

Pertamina cuts oil exports

Pertamina cuts oil exports SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesian state oil company Pertamina has reduced the export allocations of its heavy Minas crude for April lifting to 7,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), down from 15,000 bpd in March, traders said yesterday.

Hashimoto's Jakarta trip a qualified success

Hashimoto's Jakarta trip a qualified successBy Yvonne Chang TOKYO (Reuters): Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's weekend visit to Indonesia put Japan back in the forefront of efforts to solve Asia's economic crisis.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 17, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,500.00 11,500.00Austrian shilling 1 695.90 915.20Australian dollar 1 6,179.00 7,593.80Belgian franc 1 245.80 301.00Canadian dollar 1 6,523.

Stocks close mixed on domestic, regional affairs

Stocks close mixed on domestic, regional affairs TOKYO (AFP): Asia-Pacific stock markets went their separate ways yesterday, taking their cue largely from domestic factors in thin trade.Tokyo, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore and Sydney were among the gainers.

Politically related stocks remain preferable: Brokers

Politically related stocks remain preferable: Brokers JAKARTA (JP): Local stock prices continued to make mild gains yesterday in moderate trading, with local investors still favoring politically connected stocks, stockbrokers said.The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) Composite Index rose 0.

China to give $3m aid to RI

China to give $3m aid to RI BEIJING (Dow Jones): China will give Indonesia US$3 million in emergency food and medical aid and is ready to provide export credit to help the financially battered country, China's foreign ministry announced yesterday.

Army leadership to change soon, spokesman announces

Army leadership to change soon, spokesman announces JAKARTA (JP): The leadership of the Diponegoro and the Trikora regional military commands will soon change hands, according to Army spokesman Brig. Gen. I Dewa Putu Rai.Maj. Gen.

31 teams to participate in Indonesian league

31 teams to participate in Indonesian league JAKARTA (JP): Despite its financial woes, the All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) confirmed yesterday that 31 clubs would participate in the second leg of the Indonesian league competitions, scheduled to kick off on Sunday.

Students continue pressure of reform

Students continue pressure of reform JAKARTA (JP): Students kept up pressure for political reform and lower prices of basic commodities yesterday, holding demonstrations criticizing the government for the economic crisis.

Asian currencies stable, Indonesia worries remain

Asian currencies stable, Indonesia worries remain SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies held up but lacked the ability to move forward on Tuesday as hedge fund dollar sales met corporate dollar demand amid a dearth of fresh leads.

BI urged to modify rate structure of SBIs

BI urged to modify rate structure of SBIs JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia should modify the rates of its short-term promissory notes (SBIs) so those with slow maturity carry higher rates to attract more long-term funds for the banking system, experts said.

Telkom's profit falls 23.3% to Rp 1.15 trillion

Telkom's profit falls 23.3% to Rp 1.15 trillion JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed telecommunications firm PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) announced yesterday a 23.3 percent fall in net profits to Rp 1.15 trillion (US$115.2 million) last year from Rp 1.5 trillion in 1996.

Family robbed in armed heist

Family robbed in armed heist TANGERANG (JP): Four armed robbers reportedly broke into a house in Kroncong subdistrict, Jatiuwung, here yesterday and stole 35 grams of gold jewelry, a television set and Rp 100,000 in cash.The house owner, Suprapto, 30, said he woke up at 3:30 a.m.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: Big Brother Jake 3:10 Indonesian Children 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 TV Series: Road to Avonlea 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30...

Klender suspects to be charged with subversion

Klender suspects to be charged with subversion JAKARTA (JP): The three men arrested in an East Jakarta apartment last week are allegedly affiliated with the outlawed Democratic People's Party (PRD) and will be charged with subversion, police said yesterday.City police chief Maj. Gen.

Garbage truck drivers strike over wages

Garbage truck drivers strike over wages TANGERANG (JP): The local administration is at odds with scores of garbage truck drivers who are demanding higher wages, access to a social security program, health allowances and the right to moonlight.

Indonesian boxers get PABA title fights

Indonesian boxers get PABA title fights JAKARTA (JP): Two veteran Indonesian boxers, Nico Toriri and Robby Rahangmetan, will try their luck overseas in Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) title bouts next month.

Suggestion on merger of city-owned firms welcomed

Suggestion on merger of city-owned firms welcomed JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso yesterday welcomed the city council's suggestion to merge the management of city-owned companies which operate similar core businesses in a bid to improve their efficiency.

Lawyers look to rights body over arrest of activists

Lawyers look to rights body over arrest of activists JAKARTA (JP): A group of junior lawyers has registered a complaint with the National Commission on Human Rights about the arrest of colleague Alexius Surya Tjahaja Tomu and eight government critics, including playwright-actor Ratna Sarumpaet.

Budihardjo named new vice governor

Budihardjo named new vice governor JAKARTA (JP): Budihardjo Sukmadi, former head of the city's Development Planning Board (Bappeda), was installed yesterday as new deputy governor of development affairs, replacing TB. M. Rais.

Longing for a new dawn

Longing for a new dawnBy Djisman Simandjuntak This is the first of two articles on the Indonesian economic crisis. JAKARTA (JP): The past five years of Indonesia's economic development will be shelved in history as a mixture of extremes, namely a roaring boom for the first four years and then an...

Telkom offers better service

Telkom offers better service JAKARTA (JP): The state-run telecommunications company, PT Telkom, has opened 26 new telecommunications kiosks in South Jakarta, bringing the number in the mayoralty to 201, an official said yesterday.

Best shots in Minister Cup

Best shots in Minister Cup JAKARTA (JP): Some 200 sharp-shooters are expected to compete in the Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Cup to be held in Jakarta from March 20 to March 25.Secretary-general of the Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association, Anthony Sunarya, said yesterday...

Triple-tier developer urged to be open

Triple-tier developer urged to be open JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso yesterday urged the developer on the triple-tier transit project to place project implementation details in the public domain."Up until now, no date has been fixed for starting the project," he told reporters.

Nationalist specter raises its head in a crisis

Nationalist specter raises its head in a crisisBy Makmur Keliat SURABAYA (JP): Is it necessary for Indonesia not to endorse the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) reform package because of nationalistic reasons? Is nationalism an answer to our economic turmoil? The answer seems inconclusive and to...

Two arrested for phone fraud

Two arrested for phone fraud MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two foreigners, identified as a Malaysian and a Pakistani, were arrested by police Friday on suspicion of illegally stealing phone time worth over Rp 280 million.The two had been operating out of a rented house here on Jl.

Cheap RI corn hurts Malaysia's grains trade

Cheap RI corn hurts Malaysia's grains trade KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Trading of imported feed grains in Malaysia was lifeless yesterday as livestock farmers limited their buying to absolute essentials due to tight liquidity, industry sources said.

Factory workers on strike

Factory workers on strike TANGERANG (JP): At least 330 workers of a garment factory, PT Inspiran Aditama in the Jatake industrial estate, went on strike yesterday demanding higher wages and social insurance.The strike began at 7 a.m.

IMF the best doctor at present

IMF the best doctor at presentFrom Media IndonesiaIt is necessary for us to pay special attention to Media Indonesia's editorial on March 7, 1998 titled Between a quack doctor and a doctor, which was written in the same vein as an article appearing in The Sunday Times and reprinted in Kompas on Feb.

Plan on coal mining divestment opposed

Plan on coal mining divestment opposed JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Mining Professionals (Perhapi) has called on the government not to intervene in the mandatory divestments of foreign coal mining contractors.

Austerity programs

Austerity programs Mindful of the present monetary and economic crisis, many large companies have begun to implement much-reported austerity programs in earnest. Here follows some tales connected to this, albeit some of them should, perhaps, be taken with a grain of salt.

Car sales fell 74% in February

Car sales fell 74% in February JAKARTA (JP): The economic calamity is having a devastating effect on the country's floundering car industry, dragging down domestic sales about 54 percent in January and a further 74 percent in February compared to the same months last year.

Indonesian fires could cost US$6 billion, experts say

Indonesian fires could cost US$6 billion, experts say SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia's forest fires could cost Southeast Asia US$5-6 billion, experts said yesterday."The losses are enormous," said David Glover, director of the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA).

Free food staples

Free food staplesFrom Bisnis IndonesiaFor two consecutive days, my family and I have had nothing to eat except rice and sambal (condiment containing chilies) because I have no money to buy other foodstuffs.

Old buildings to be restored

Old buildings to be restored SEMARANG: The local administration and the World Bank are discussing the possibility of renovating 153 buildings constructed by the Dutch colonial rulers in a bid to bring back the ambience of the old city, and to boost tourism.

Minister Theo faces first demonstration

Minister Theo faces first demonstration JAKARTA (JP): Thirty activists and relatives of migrant workers demanded yesterday that new Minister of Manpower Theo L. Sambuaga step in and save five Indonesian workers possibly facing the death penalty abroad.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 17, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 725 -75 30,000 AHAP Insurance 500 100 2,500 Alter Abadi 550 0 22,500 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 473,000...

New type of goat created

New type of goat created KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): A group from the University Malaya (UM) and German scientists have made a breakthrough in breeding a goat which can produce more meat and milk, UM vice chancellor Abdullah Sanusi said yesterday.

Thomson cuts Indonesia's rating to B-

Thomson cuts Indonesia's rating to B- HONG KONG (Agencies): U.S.-based credit agency Thomson BankWatch cut the country and bank ratings for Indonesia yesterday, citing the government's unwillingness to reform the economy and continued deterioration in the banking sector.

Highland Gathering makes donations

Highland Gathering makes donations JAKARTA (JP): British Ambassador Robin Christopher is scheduled to present donations on behalf of the Highland Gathering to three nonprofit organizations at his residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, today.

Salim, Astra donate staples

Salim, Astra donate staples JAKARTA (JP): Salim Group and Astra Group, Indonesia's largest conglomerates, have donated a total of 90,000 packages of basic goods to low-income families in West Java.The packages, which each contain five kilograms of rice, one liter of cooking oil and instant noodles,...

City allows gas station operations in green areas

City allows gas station operations in green areas JAKARTA (JP): The municipality has allowed 21 gasoline stations built in green areas to continue operating, provided they are equipped with environmentally friendly liquefied gas filling facilities, Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday.