Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 March 1998

46 articles found

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Art Exhibition: The Winning Entries of The ASEAN Essay, Photo, and Poster Competitions at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Saturday and Sunday), the ASEAN Secretariat, Jl. Sisingamangaraja 70A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7262991, 7243372), until April 30.

Save Our Students

Save Our Students Student demonstrations calling for political and economic reforms on various campuses these past weeks divert attention from a graver problem in our higher education: Students are dropping out in thousands because of the economic crisis.

Asian monies cold to Japan's stimulus move

Asian monies cold to Japan's stimulus move SINGAPORE (AFP): A massive economic stimulus package unveiled by Japan failed to give Asian currencies a fillip yesterday as investors remained sidelined awaiting new regional developments.

Contract money not 'missing'

Contract money not 'missing' JAKARTA (JP): A team led by Agus Wirahadikusumah, deputy chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), has been set up to end confusion surrounding the whereabouts of US$250,000 from a contract with Japanese sports equipment manufacturer Yonex.

Activists suing police get their day in court

Activists suing police get their day in court JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta District Court heard lawsuits yesterday filed by 57 members of Barisan Merah Putih (the Red-and-White Front) against City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata over their detention.

Cancer care project opened

Cancer care project opened YOGYAKARTA: An Indonesian-Dutch health care project for cancer patients opened Tuesday at state-run Sardjito Hospital.The Health Care Project on Oncology is held in cooperation with Gadjah Mada University's School of Medicine, the Indonesia- Netherlands Forum, the...

Drought fears haunt SE Asia

Drought fears haunt SE Asia SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asian farmers are plagued by fears of continuing drought despite signs that the El Nino weather event, billed by some as the worst this century, may be drawing to a close, weather experts said yesterday.

Amien says he has ABRI approval for his criticism

Amien says he has ABRI approval for his criticism YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs, Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, reportedly told government critic Amien Rais yesterday to continue voicing his criticism for the good of the nation.

Wiranto to hold dialog with students next week

Wiranto to hold dialog with students next week JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto is to hold a dialog with representatives of 17 universities from various cities here on April 4.

Man killed after starting new job

Man killed after starting new job TANGERANG (JP): A man who recently switched to working as a motorcyle taxi driver after losing his job was found stabbed to death early yesterday morning in Sentul subdistrict.

IMF hails RI's foreign debt proposal

IMF hails RI's foreign debt proposal JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to Indonesia's proposal to use the Mexican model to tackle the massive overseas debt owed by the country's private sector, a Fund executive said yesterday.

New approach needed for cabinet coordination

New approach needed for cabinet coordinationBy Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): Political analysts have argued that one of the weaknesses of the former cabinet was an obvious lack of coordination among ministries. Conflicting statements made by ministers often led to confusion in society.

Support governor's program!

Support governor's program!From JayakartaI have good reason to be proud of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who has made every effort to enhance the well-being of the Jakartans, especially during the current economic crisis.

Public bus categories cut for better services

Public bus categories cut for better services JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will cut public bus categories from three to two to improve services, the City's Land Transportation Agency announced yesterday.The Patas bus category is to be scrapped.

Fires rage on Palawan

Fires rage on Palawan MANILA (AP): At least 27 forest fires are raging on Palawan Island, which is home to some of the world's rarest and most endangered animals, officials said yesterday.Estimates on the fires' size differed.

Businesses back currencies for intra-ASEAN trade

Businesses back currencies for intra-ASEAN trade JAKARTA (JP): Business representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came out yesterday in support of regional currencies for intra-ASEAN trade.They said this move would help reduce dependence on the U.S.

Government seeking to unite lawyers into one association

Government seeking to unite lawyers into one association JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Soedjono Chanafiah Atmonegoro urged Minister of Justice Muladi yesterday to attempt to unite disparate groups of lawyers into a single unified association.

'Three good' will save the country

'Three good' will save the country JAKARTA (JP): Former Bank Indonesia director Boediono said yesterday that only "good policy, goodwill and good luck" would save the country from its worst-ever economic crisis.

Thamrin beautification plan on hold due to crisis

Thamrin beautification plan on hold due to crisis JAKARTA (JP): The devastating economic crisis has forced Governor Sutiyoso to postpone indefinitely his plan to tear down fences and widen sidewalks along Jl. M.H. Thamrin, to make the street "friendlier".

Indonesia regrets rioting at immigrant detention camps

Indonesia regrets rioting at immigrant detention camps JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expressed regret yesterday over the death of at least nine people, including eight Indonesian illegal immigrants, at a riot in a Malaysian detention camp, but did not blame the Malaysian government and pledged continued...

U.S. to police trade reforms upheld by IMF

U.S. to police trade reforms upheld by IMF WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): The Clinton administration has established a system to police implementation of trade reforms in Asia backed by the International Monetary Fund, Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky says.

'Tajin' as milk substitute

'Tajin' as milk substitute We refer to a letter that appeared in your paper on March 19, 1998, written by Ms. Ratna Ramanah from Cimahi, West Java, on using tajin as a substitute for milk. As a part of the United Nations systems most concerned with infant and young child nutrition we would like to...

Hero status sought for Adam Malik

Hero status sought for Adam Malik MEDAN, North Sumatra: The people and provincial government of North Sumatra will sponsor a motion to designate former vice president Adam Malik to the rank of national hero.

A chance for Indonesia

A chance for Indonesia The markets have waited for months to see which way the cat will jump in Indonesia. Opportunities were frittered away and the situation today is now worse that it was two months ago.

Holbrooke less pessimistic

Holbrooke less pessimistic HONG KONG (AFP): Former U.S. State Department troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke said Friday that after talks with Asian and U.S. officials he had revised his opinion on Indonesia's prospects and is now less pessimistic.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 27, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 700 0 2,000 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 650 25 36,000 Alumindo Light Metal 400 0 494,000...

Hanke set to propose new rupiah to Soeharto

Hanke set to propose new rupiah to Soeharto HONG KONG (AFP): Controversial U.S. economist Steve Hanke is to head back to Jakarta this weekend to sell the idea to Indonesian President Soeharto of creating a new rupiah on which a currency board would be based.

Silversmiths going out of business

Silversmiths going out of business YOGYAKARTA: At least 120 of the 209 traditional silversmith companies in Kotagede, a town renowned for the craft, are on the verge of folding due to the skyrocketing price of silver."In March, the price of silver has increased to Rp 2.

Huge losses may dog banks in next 2 years: Analysts

Huge losses may dog banks in next 2 years: Analysts JAKARTA (JP): Many of the nation's more than 200 commercial banks, beset by increasing costs of funds and bad debts, are likely to share a dubious bond in reporting great losses for 1998 and 1999, banking analysts warn.

New sticker system on the road in August

New sticker system on the road in August JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is planning to run trials of a traffic sticker system which has been endorsed by President Soeharto from August to November, an official announced yesterday.The new regulations will apply from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Foreign buyers eye local properties

Foreign buyers eye local properties JAKARTA (JP): International fund managers from Europe, North America, Australia and the United Arab Emirates are lining up to buy cheap properties in crisis-hit Asian countries, including Indonesia.

Share prices rise a tad in JSX moderate trading

Share prices rise a tad in JSX moderate trading JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose slightly yesterday in moderate trading, with most bluechip stocks dominating the transactions.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 27, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S dollar 1 7,800.00 9,300.00Austrian shilling 1 589.90 759.70Australian dollar 1 5,259.50 6,330.00Belgian franc 1 208.30 249.70Canadian dollar 1 5,539.

Arifin demands immediate settlement of his case

Arifin demands immediate settlement of his case JAKARTA (JP): Oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro, currently at the center of an alleged conspiracy to disrupt national stability, demanded yesterday the immediate settlement of his case.

Pelita Harapan joins with foreign colleges

Pelita Harapan joins with foreign colleges TANGERANG (JP): The University of Pelita Harapan (UPH) at Lippo Karawaci here signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with several foreign universities and industrial companies to improve its students' knowledge and skills in industrial technology.

E. Kalimantan forest fires leave 330 people homeless

E. Kalimantan forest fires leave 330 people homeless JAKARTA (JP): The fires raging through East Kalimantan's forests have gutted 42 houses in Loa Janan Hilir and Samarinda Seberang subdistricts near Samarinda, leaving 330 residents homeless, Antara reported yesterday.

Telkom's bill

Telkom's billFrom KompasOn the monthly telephone bill issued by Telkom there is an additional charge of Rp 5,000, which is meant for other expenses. I have no idea what this extra cost is for. I wonder if there is any law forcing consumers to pay this additional amount.

Minister aware of food program flaws

Minister aware of food program flaws JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Social Services Siti Hardijanti Rukmana defended yesterday her emergency program of distributing free meals to the needy, but conceded there were flaws which needed to be ironed out.

Bulog sells 2.5m tons of rice

Bulog sells 2.5m tons of rice JAKARTA (JP): The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) sold 2.5 million tons of rice as part of a nationwide market operation to stabilize prices during the 1997/1998 fiscal year, which ends this month.

ID card too expensive

ID card too expensive TANGERANG (JP): Residents of Keroncong Permai have accused their village officials of charging them Rp 30,000 ($8.50) for ID cards which bear the official value of Rp 7,500.They said that the local administration has made it obligatory for the residents to replace their...

Oxfam accuses world leaders of indifference on RI

Oxfam accuses world leaders of indifference on RI WASHINGTON (AFP): The international aid agency Oxfam has warned that Indonesia, struggling with debt and drought, faces a four-fold increase in poverty this year and accused world leaders of indifference.

WTO ruling has no effect on Timor car, analyst says

WTO ruling has no effect on Timor car, analyst says JAKARTA (JP): The United States' legal victory in a dispute over Indonesia's national car program is basically immaterial to PT Timor Putra Nasional, the sole beneficiary of the project, an automobile analyst said yesterday.

Police trace cocaine to woman

Police trace cocaine to woman JAKARTA (JP): A woman has been arrested at a house in South Jakarta for possessing 780 grams of top quality cocaine sent to her by a man in Bolivia, police said yesterday.Head of the National Police general information department Col. S.

Immigrant riot highlights Asia's plight

Immigrant riot highlights Asia's plightBy Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): An uprising in a Malaysian detention camp has thrown a spotlight on the human side of Asia's financial crisis and the mounting immigration dilemma facing the region's governments.

Holiday

HolidayIn observance of the Hindu Day of Silence, The Jakarta Post will not appear tomorrow. The Post will resume publication on Monday. -- Publisher

Competition key to privatization

Competition key to privatizationBy Makmur Keliat SURABAYA (JP): Is privatization the best way to improve the performance of our much derided public sector enterprises, and, if so, how should it be implemented?These questions merit special discussion since the government recently dropped several...