Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 March 1998

55 articles found

Three executives arrested on charges of vandalism

Three executives arrested on charges of vandalism JAKARTA (JP): Three executives of two private developers have been arrested for allegedly vandalizing a West Jakarta building at the center of an ownership dispute.National Police spokesman Brig. Gen.

Sixteen workers poisoned

Sixteen workers poisoned BOGOR (JP): Sixteen workers from tire manufacturer PT Good Year were sent to hospital for treatment for food poisoning on Tuesday.Haryanto, 29, one of the affected workers, claimed he suffered from a sore stomach and frequent bouts of vomiting hours after returning home...

Anti-dumping duties on RI

Anti-dumping duties on RI BRUSSELS (AP): The EU executive Commission on Wednesday slapped provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of unbleached cotton from China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey.

Citibank aids famine victims

Citibank aids famine victims JAKARTA (JP): Citibank Indonesia's employees have raised a total of Rp 79.56 million to help famine victims in drought-hit Irian Jaya province.The funds will be converted into three months' worth of food supplies for 400 children in seven villages, the bank said...

Organda to propose city bus fare increase

Organda to propose city bus fare increase JAKARTA (JP): The city's Land Transportation Owners Association (Organda DKI) is to propose to the central government next month a rise in bus fares on account of the financial difficulties facing the transportation sector, the association's head said...

Floods destroy thousands of hectares of West Java crops

Floods destroy thousands of hectares of West Java crops JAKARTA (JP): More than 2,500 families in six subdistricts in South Bandung are expected to be affected by the likely failure of thousands of hectares of crops in the West Java regency that have been inundated by the overflowing Citarum river.

Corruption 'most rampant at the top'

Corruption 'most rampant at the top' JAKARTA (JP): A former top government auditor said yesterday that corruption among Indonesian policy makers and high officials was the worst in the country and yet the most difficult to overcome because of the weak supervisory system.

Student-President dialog 'impossible'

Student-President dialog 'impossible' JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung dismissed student requests for a dialog with President Soeharto on the economic crisis and their demands for reform yesterday.

Polygram enters Vietnam

Polygram enters Vietnam HANOI (AFP): Music giant Polygram has signed exclusive deals with two Vietnamese distributors to sell its products in Vietnam, becoming the first foreign company to offer its music in the communist nation, a report said yesterday.

KNU against male repatriation

KNU against male repatriation MAE SOT, Thailand (Reuters): The leader of the Karen Nation Union (KNU) guerrilla organization said yesterday he opposed a Thai plan to repatriate male Karen refugees to Myanmar."I am totally against the plan to repatriate the male refugees back to their death.

Asian currencies off highs but still upbeat

Asian currencies off highs but still upbeat SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies shed most of their early gains yesterday, but remained well underpinned as the dollar softened against the yen on news of an unexpectedly large Japanese economic stimulus package.

Thai alleges Soros plot toppled govt

Thai alleges Soros plot toppled govt BANGKOK (AP): An outspoken opposition leader has accused financier George Soros and the U.S. government of plotting the collapse last year of then-premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's government.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Cartoon: Tom and Jerry Kid 3:10 Children's Program: Tunas 3:35 Talk Show: Sambung Rasa 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Student's Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:10 Documentary Film: Science World 5:30 Music: Paket 27 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05...

Is Zhu's China a threat to RI?

Is Zhu's China a threat to RI?By Budiono Kusumohamidjojo JAKARTA (JP): The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China has just closed its sessions and has drawn a remarkably strategic resolution.

IPTN sells aircraft to UAE

IPTN sells aircraft to UAE JAKARTA (JP): State aircraft manufacturer PT Industry Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has won the tender to sell four CN-235 MPA aircraft to the United Arab Emirates, the company announced yesterday.Company spokesman M.T.

More water bombers set to fight fires

More water bombers set to fight fires JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Sumahadi said yesterday the government would deploy 10 more water bomber airplanes to tackle the raging forest fires in East Kalimantan.

197 public schools prone to flood

197 public schools prone to flood JAKARTA (JP): At least 197 public elementary schools in Jakarta are prone to flooding and most of them are in poor condition, a city councilor said.Soeparmo, head of Commission E for Welfare Affairs, said that the findings were uncovered during a visit by the...

Two sentenced for keeping marijuana

Two sentenced for keeping marijuana TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court sentenced Budi Irawan, 36, and Yovi Abidin, 24, each to one year in jail for possessing 9.3 grams of marijuana.Presiding Judge Fawsia said that the two defendants were arrested on Jl. Terate Kotabumi on Oct. 4, 1997.

Deep, dark thoughts in contemporary artists' show

Deep, dark thoughts in contemporary artists' showBy R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): Crash! A chair is slammed against a glass frame holding a picture of another chair in white. Fragments scatter on a drawing of another chair, all part of the climax of FX Harsono's presentation at the opening of the...

No agreement on RI corporate debt plan: Banker

No agreement on RI corporate debt plan: Banker NEW YORK (Reuters): Global bankers have not reached any arrangement that would allow debt-laden Indonesian companies to postpone the repayment of capital, but a restructuring program is being considered, a banker involved with the talks said Wednesday.

E. Timor not on ASEM agenda: Alatas

E. Timor not on ASEM agenda: Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas maintained yesterday that East Timor would not be discussed at next month's Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) because it was considered an extraneous issue and irrelevant to the core topic of the summit.

S'pore, RI agree bilateral trade financing scheme

S'pore, RI agree bilateral trade financing scheme SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore and Indonesia will launch a bilateral trade financing scheme, state television quoted Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as saying yesterday.

KL, Manila to start barter trade agreement

KL, Manila to start barter trade agreement MANILA (AFP): The Philippines and Malaysia are set to start a modified barter trade agreement in May that would lessen both countries' dependence on the U.S. dollar, central bank governor Gabriel Singson said yesterday.

English at British Council

English at British Council I would like to respond to Mr. Adrianus Hiyung's letter of March 23. It comes at a good time, as we have just commenced our 50th year of working in Indonesia and we are seeking new initiatives as part of our celebrations.

U.S. claims win at WTO in RI car row

U.S. claims win at WTO in RI car row WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States yesterday claimed victory in a dispute with Indonesia, saying a special panel at the WTO had found Jakarta's automobile import polices in violation of international trade rules.

Domestic banks to lower deposit rates

Domestic banks to lower deposit rates JAKARTA (JP): State and private bank associations agreed yesterday to lower interest rates to a maximum of 47.5 percent per annum from today.When announcing the agreement, the state bank association chairman Widigdo Sukarman and private bank association...

More foreign aid flows into Irian Jaya

More foreign aid flows into Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), despite a lack of funds, has distributed humanitarian aid in the drought-ridden remote areas of Irian Jaya.MAF regional manager, Wally D.

Private vs state charity

Private vs state charity Barely two weeks into her job, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana has plunged into her post as minister of social services doing what she is probably best known for: organizing a massive fund-raising campaign for charitable causes.

Peers mourn death of Sukarjo

Peers mourn death of Sukarjo SURABAYA, East Java: The theater community is in shock at the loss of comedian Sukarjo, who died in Kembangsore village, Pacet, East Java, Tuesday evening.As reported by Antara, Sukarjo died at the age of 67.

Six die in dengue outbreak

Six die in dengue outbreak JAKARTA (JP): Dengue fever has claimed six lives and affected about 700 others throughout the capital since January, Aslan Lasman, chief of the city health office, has said.The figures show a significant drop compared to figures for the same period last year, during which...

Lecturer killed at her house

Lecturer killed at her house JAKARTA (JP): A 35-year-old lecturer at the polytechnic school of the University of Indonesia was found dead at her residence in the Bintara Jaya housing complex in Bekasi yesterday, police said.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

FamilyMart-Sinar Mas tie up

FamilyMart-Sinar Mas tie up TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's FamilyMart Co Ltd said yesterday it had reached a basic agreement with Indonesia's Sinar Mas Group to jointly open convenience stores in Indonesia when the economy there recovers.

Hotels 'approach doomsday' without government help

Hotels 'approach doomsday' without government help JAKARTA (JP): The country's hotel industry may soon be on the brink of its doomsday, mirroring the continuing downhill path of the tourism sector, unless the government intervenes soon, a hotel association executive has said.

Bangka regency sells rice cheap

Bangka regency sells rice cheap BANGKA, South Sumatra: To help low-income families cope with the rising prices of basic commodities, Bangka regency distributed 132 tons of rice at a rock bottom prices yesterday.

ABRI gets reminder of its duty to people

ABRI gets reminder of its duty to people JAKARTA (JP): Former Armed Forces (ABRI) chief/defense minister Gen. (ret.) Maraden Panggabean reminded the military yesterday of its commitment to struggle for and with the people."ABRI should never forget that without the people it doesn't exist.

Witnesses say People's Summit never happened

Witnesses say People's Summit never happened JAKARTA (JP): All six witnesses called in lawsuits filed by stage actress Ratna Sarumpaet and five other people for wrongful arrest testified in court yesterday that the Indonesian People's Summit on March 10 did not happen.

USAID to provide RI with food assistance

USAID to provide RI with food assistance WASHINGTON (Reuters): Corn and rice are at the top of the list of commodities that the U.S. Agency for International Development is considering for donation to Indonesia, an agency spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Farming on deserted land

Farming on deserted land BOGOR (JP): Over seven hectares of disused land owned by real estate developers will be used to cultivate corn and peanuts to help raise food production, Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi said yesterday.

Vacant office space up 60% in the first quarter

Vacant office space up 60% in the first quarter JAKARTA (JP): Vacant office space for lease in prime and secondary areas here rose 60 percent in the first quarter of the year after many firms shut down or relocated to cheaper buildings, a property consultant reports.

Students hold discount fair

Students hold discount fair YOGYAKARTA: More than 1,500 reams of paper were sold yesterday at a discount fair which also sold basic commodities.The fair was held by Gadjah Mada University's Executive Students Body and the Geological Technology Students Union.

City's economic growth minus 2.74%

City's economic growth minus 2.74% JAKARTA (JP): With a solution to the devastating economic crisis still out of sight, the city government reported yesterday that growth in Jakarta's economy had fallen to negative 2.74 percent.

Rally continues for second day on JSX

Rally continues for second day on JSX JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rallied for the second consecutive day yesterday on cuts in local banks' deposit rates.Brokers said the move to cut rates of one-month deposits only one day after banks significantly increased them...

Universal hush unlikely on Bali's day of silence

Universal hush unlikely on Bali's day of silenceBy Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): This Sunday, Bali will be the most isolated island in the world. It will be quiet all day and dark during the night.On that day, Hindus across the country will celebrate Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence.

Govt undecided if Arifin in alleged plot

Govt undecided if Arifin in alleged plot JAKARTA (JP): The government remained undecided yesterday about the legal status of oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro, who has been accused of involvement in a conspiracy of intellectuals to disrupt national stability and order.

ADB lends Thailand $1b

ADB lends Thailand $1b MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank yesterday approved a one-billion-dollar export financing facility for Thailand to support exporters squeezed by tight credit, the Philippines-based bank announced.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 26, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,800.00 9,300.00Austrian shilling 1 587.40 756.30Australian dollar 1 5,243.80 6,311.30Belgian franc 1 207.50 248.80Canadian dollar 1 5,551.

Effects of drought spread to more eastern provinces

Effects of drought spread to more eastern provinces JAKARTA (JP): Food shortages caused by a prolonged lack of rain are spreading to more regions in less-developed eastern Indonesia.Jayawijaya regency in Irian Jaya, a number of villages in Kutai regency in East Kalimantan, East Sumba regency in...

Crisis forces RI to delay natural gas pipeline projects

Crisis forces RI to delay natural gas pipeline projects SINGAPORE (Reuters): Gas pipeline projects in Indonesia have been delayed as a result of the country's economic woes as would- be financiers hold off negotiations until the rupiah stabilizes, a senior official said yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 26, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 625 25 62,000 Alumindo Light Metal 400 50 899,500 Alumindo...

Students, ABRI not ready for dialog: Rector

Students, ABRI not ready for dialog: Rector YOGYAKARTA (JP): Neither the Armed Forces (ABRI) nor students seeking political reform are ready to meet, as ABRI has suggested they should, according to an observer.

Societe Generale bank still gloomy on RI's prospects

Societe Generale bank still gloomy on RI's prospects PARIS (Dow Jones): French bank Societe Generale said yesterday that it fears the worst about Indonesia's political and economic prospects, despite having made large provisions already to cover its exposure to the country.

Govt plays down fears about drugs scarcity

Govt plays down fears about drugs scarcity JAKARTA (JP): The government has moved to allay growing public concern about shortages of medicines and their skyrocketing prices by stating that raw materials are sufficient and production is increasing.

Holbrooke pesimistic on RI reforms

Holbrooke pesimistic on RI reforms HONG KONG (AFP): Former U.S. State Department troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke said yesterday there was little chance of seeing economic reforms in Indonesia.Holbrooke, now vice-chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston bank, also criticized those who condemned U.S.

Phone scam rings up huge financial losses for Telkom

Phone scam rings up huge financial losses for Telkom JAKARTA (JP): Eleven Indian and Pakistani nationals are among 13 people arrested for alleged involvement in a telephone billing scam.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Govt to bring illegals home

Govt to bring illegals home JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Theo L. Sambuaga said here yesterday that the government would help bring 12,000 illegal Indonesian workers home from Malaysia and 1,583 problematic workers from South Korea.