Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 April 1998

59 articles found

KTP faces loss after RI investments

KTP faces loss after RI investments HONG KONG (Reuters): KTP Holdings Ltd said it may report a net loss for the year ended March 31, 1998, due to substantial provisions made on investments in Indonesia.

Govt names seven more state companies to be listed this year

Govt names seven more state companies to be listed this year JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng published yesterday the preliminary list of seven state companies to be publicly listed this fiscal year and five publicly listed firms that will be subject to...

Nieuwenkamp first European wandering artists in Bali

Nieuwenkamp first European wandering artists in BaliBy Rosemarie F. Oei UBUD, Bali (JP): As the first European artist who visited Bali in the early 19th century, Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp produced more than a 1,000 artworks in lithographs, woodcuts, drawings and paintings.

Robber stabs girl to death

Robber stabs girl to death JAKARTA (JP): A junior high school student was killed by an unidentified man when she was alone in her parents' house in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Sunday afternoon.The victim, identified as Endang Lestari, 16, was studying in preparation for her school exams when the...

UN survey praises RP financial reform accord

UN survey praises RP financial reform accord UNITED NATIONS (AP): Restructuring the Philippine central bank five years ago enabled the country to weather the worst of the Asian financial crisis, a UN study says.

Maryanksi gives Meridien new public image

Maryanksi gives Meridien new public image JAKARTA (JP): Enter the Le Meridien on Jl. Jend. Sudirman these days and be pleasantly surprised.Until April 30, the work of an American artist will line the walls, from the lobby to the upper floor, in a display which embodies the very essence of the hotel.

Dorodjatun campaigns for awareness for RI

Dorodjatun campaigns for awareness for RIBy Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON D.C. (JP): When Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti attended a seminar about Indonesia at Georgetown University here last July, the senior economist from the University of Indonesia used the occasion to introduce fellow scholar Juwono...

France, Malaysia reject U.S. step

France, Malaysia reject U.S. step KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): France agrees with Malaysia that the United States has no right to impose sanctions on foreign companies that invest in Iran's oil and gas industry, a visiting French minister was quoted as saying yesterday.

Siswono says crucial to end corruption in six months

Siswono says crucial to end corruption in six months JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has six months to eliminate corruption from the administration or the nation could plunge into chaos, a former cabinet minister said yesterday.

BI credits will not exert inflationary pressures: Minister

BI credits will not exert inflationary pressures: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Fuad Bawazier said yesterday Bank Indonesia had injected Rp 80 trillion (US$1.07 billion) in liquidity credits into ailing banks but assured that the move would not cause strong inflationary pressures.

Retailer's panic

Retailer's panic Some time ago while doing some shopping, if not window shopping, in the Adidas store at Plaza Senayan my wife found a baseball cap that she needed for her outdoor activities. The cap she selected was priced Rp 40,900.

Cibinong defers debt payment

Cibinong defers debt payment JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cement producer PT Semen Cibinong said yesterday it had informed its creditors that it would defer payments on its debt obligations.The company said in a statement that the prolonged economic crisis had adversely affected its business, with...

PSSI announces changes to the playoff system

PSSI announces changes to the playoff system JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) announced yesterday changes to the post-league playoff format to give the national team more time to prepare for the 2nd Tiger Cup.

Smog sets off Southeast Asian alarm bells

Smog sets off Southeast Asian alarm bells KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Smog from raging fires spurred Malaysia yesterday to launch a nationwide drive to spot blazes and prompted Brunei to close schools.The moves came amid mounting fears that forest and bush fires stoked by dry weather would throw a...

Rupiah unable to retain gains, dollar strengthens

Rupiah unable to retain gains, dollar strengthens JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah failed to sustain its previous gains yesterday as the U.S. dollar strengthened against most Asian currencies and market concerns lingered over the country's prolonged debt hangover, currency dealers said.

285 villas to be demolished

285 villas to be demolished BOGOR (JP): Two hundred and eighty-five illegal buildings in Puncak will be torn down and the land restored as a conservation area, an official says."These buildings and villas have no permits.

Asian confidence may return in 1998

Asian confidence may return in 1998 WASHINGTON (Reuters): Confidence in Asia's battered economies should recover slowly this year, paving the way for modest growth in 1999 and solid recovery the following year, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday.

Asian crisis still dangerous, IMF warns

Asian crisis still dangerous, IMF warnsBy Alex Brummer WASHINGTON: The crisis in Asia is far from over and may pose a further threat to global growth according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook report published Monday.

Fair, open governance wanted

Fair, open governance wanted Sincerity from the government (in implementing IMF-mandated reforms) is important in restoring public trust. This is due to the fact that we are facing not only a monetary crisis or economic distress but social and political troubles as well.

Economists urge govt to seek debt waiver

Economists urge govt to seek debt waiver JAKARTA (JP): Economists have called on the government to reschedule repayment of its foreign debts or declare a debt moratorium to help speed up the country's economic recovery.

Malaysia jails 42 foreigners

Malaysia jails 42 foreigners PENANG, Malaysia (DPA): A court on the Malaysian resort island of Penang sentenced 42 Philippine and Indonesian women to eight months jail each for entering the country without valid permits and possessing forged Malaysia documents, the Star newspaper reported yesterday.

Palm oil firmer in Europe

Palm oil firmer in Europe LONDON (Reuters): Palm oil in Europe firmed US$10 to $40 yesterday, due to bullish Malaysian data from Ivan Wong, coupled with ongoing uncertainties over the Indonesian export situation, traders said.

Penal island booming

Penal island booming CILACAP, Central Java: The island of Nusa Kambangan which is renowned as a penitentiary for hardened criminals, has become increasingly attractive for non-criminals.The fertile land and shrimp farming has led to an economic boom and has seen the population almost double in the...

Plundering bus passengers

Plundering bus passengersFrom Media IndonesiaAs is my habit, I took the Mayasari Bhakti 03 air-conditioned bus from Kalideres to Pulogadung. On March 30, arriving at the Wayang Bharata bus stop in the Senen area at 6.30 p.m.

People's movement unlikely to emerge, observers say

People's movement unlikely to emerge, observers say JAKARTA (JP): Two prominent political observers have expressed doubts that the successive wave of student protests across the country could develop into a mass people's movement.

Five dead in Semarang pileup

Five dead in Semarang pileup SEMARANG, Central Java: Five people were killed and another three remain in critical condition after a multiple crash involving eight vehicles yesterday morning.The pileup involving several cars, a truck, a bus, a taxi, a small minivan and a motorcycle happened at about...

RI private debt woes get NY forum

RI private debt woes get NY forum NEW YORK (Agencies): Talks to free Indonesia's companies from a crushing burden of foreign debt will shift to New York on Wednesday, reuniting many of the global bankers who helped South Korea avert financial crisis in January.

Fire hits slum area

Fire hits slum area JAKARTA (JP): Fire destroyed 72 houses and 11 kiosks in a slum area of Kelapa Gading Barat, North Jakarta, yesterday, firefighters and residents said.A short circuit in a vacant house was strongly suspected as the cause of the fire on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan.

Most high-rise building owners 'in fiscal trouble'

Most high-rise building owners 'in fiscal trouble' JAKARTA (JP): The majority of building owners in Jakarta's central business district cannot keep up with their bank loan repayments, property analyst Panangian Simanungkalit said yesterday.

Dharmala Intiutama downgraded

Dharmala Intiutama downgraded TOKYO (Dow Jones): Japan Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) said yesterday that it has cut its long-term debt rating for Dharmala Intiutama International B.V., a Dutch unit of an Indonesian P.T. Dharmala Intiutama (DIU), to single-C from triple-C.

RP posts lower budget deficit

RP posts lower budget deficit MANILA (AP): The Philippine government said yesterday it registered a lower-than-expected budget deficit of 12.389 billion pesos (US$326 million) in the first quarter of 1998.

Unicef to help govt provide baby food

Unicef to help govt provide baby food JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) here yesterday to provide funds for the procurement of fortified complementary food for 70,000 infants in Java.

Rights body to check on missing people

Rights body to check on missing people JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights will assign an investigation team to compile information on the reported disappearances of several activists.

28 sepaktakraw athletes to represent RI at Asiad

28 sepaktakraw athletes to represent RI at Asiad JAKARTA (JP): A team of 28 Indonesian athletes will compete in the sepaktakraw event at the 13th Asian Games (Asiad) in Bangkok this December, a sports official said yesterday.

Shake-out looms as carmakers hunker down in Asian market

Shake-out looms as carmakers hunker down in Asian market TOKYO (Reuters): Asia's economic crisis has not cooled the enthusiasm of several big Japanese and U.S. carmakers hoping to solidify their positions in the region, but analysts said a prolonged slump could force a shake-out.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: Bambinger 3:05 Family's Film: Road to Avonlea 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Teen Program: Remaja Indonesia 5:00 Teen Drama: Gadis Model 5:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 6:05 News: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in...

Govt urged to reveal 40 banks under IBRA care

Govt urged to reveal 40 banks under IBRA care JAKARTA (JP): The government has a moral responsibility to disclose the names of 40 banks currently under the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA)'s supervision, economists said.

City govt loses RP 4.8 billion in parking fees

City govt loses RP 4.8 billion in parking fees JAKARTA (JP): The city loses at least Rp 4.8 billion (US$640,000) in potential parking revenue each month due to the critical shortage of authorized parking areas, a city councilor said yesterday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 14, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,000.00 8,500.00Austrian shilling 1 549.40 659.20Australian dollar 1 4,701.20 5,281.20Belgian franc 1 194.00 216.70Canadian dollar 1 5,073.

WFP will appeal for food aid for Indonesia

WFP will appeal for food aid for Indonesia TOKYO (Reuters): The World Food Program (WFP) will appeal before the end of this month for about two million tonnes of food aid for Indonesia, WFP executive director Catherine Bertini said yesterday.Bertini said Indonesia would need 3.

South Africa's Nzo pays visit on Xanana in prison

South Africa's Nzo pays visit on Xanana in prison JAKARTA (JP): Visiting South African Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo met with jailed East Timorese rebel Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao yesterday after being given permission by President Soeharto.

Land scam investigated

Land scam investigated TANGERANG (JP): The local prosecutor's office has questioned several people, including Cukanggalih subdistrict head Endang Suparman, over alleged malfeasance in the sale of a four-hectare plot of land in the subdistrict.

Producers in dark over CPO export ban

Producers in dark over CPO export ban JAKARTA (JP): Edible and palm oil producers expressed confusion and frustration yesterday over reported remarks by Minister of Trade and Industry Mohamad 'Bob' Hasan Monday that he would maintain the export ban on palm oil indefinitely despite the agreement...

Crisis affects Indonesia's joint operation telecom project

Crisis affects Indonesia's joint operation telecom project JAKARTA (JP): The monetary crisis has ground Indonesia's telecommunications joint operation project with five foreign telecom giants to a standstill, according to state-owned domestic telecommunications provider PT Telkom.

Perkasa exports coal crusher

Perkasa exports coal crusher JAKARTA (JP): PT Perkasa Heavyndo Engineer, a subsidiary of the Texmaco Group, exported coal crushers to the Philippines yesterday for use at a power generation plant in Quezon.Perkasa's chairman M.

Astra sells 2,536 vehicles

Astra sells 2,536 vehicles JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota Astra Motor, a unit of PT Astra International, announced yesterday it sold 2,536 vehicles last month.The company said its March sales represented a 20 percent increase over February sales of 2,109 vehicles but a 68 percent drop from March sales...

Gen. Wiranto warns over threat to unity

Gen. Wiranto warns over threat to unityBy Imanuddin PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto warned yesterday that the country faced a serious threat of disintegration due to a lack of patriotism and national defense awareness.

AG office backs bail demands

AG office backs bail demands JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes I Made Gelgel has maintained that provincial prosecutors have the right to set bail at any amount they see fit and apply the laws at their own discretion.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibitions * Furniture Exhibition featuring decorative interior furnitures, antique and ethnical goods by Pradipta Gallery at the Lobby Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone 022 431631), until April 30.

Abolishing levies

Abolishing levies At the stroke of a pen, Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono has abolished 73 levies and taxes imposed by provincial, regency and city administrations throughout the country. In two separate decrees signed last month, the minister also ordered all local administrations to terminate...

Salemba jailbreak a 'case of negligence'

Salemba jailbreak a 'case of negligence' JAKARTA (JP): Five men escaped from Salemba Penitentiary on Monday morning by breaking through a wall near their cells.There has been no indication of collusion between prison guards and the escapees.

Learning lessons from Thailand

Learning lessons from ThailandBy Aleksius Jemadu and Duncan McCargo BANDUNG (JP): It makes sense to compare Thailand and Indonesia regarding their respective strategies in dealing with the economic crisis.

Moslems view themselves as a 'minority': Scholar

Moslems view themselves as a 'minority': Scholar JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Moslems see themselves as a minority group even though they make up the majority of the population, a speaker at a seminar said here yesterday.

Rattan deregulation 'will stimulate' export drives

Rattan deregulation 'will stimulate' export drives JAKARTA (JP): The recent deregulation of the rattan trade will stimulate investment and boost exports, Director General of Forest Utilization Titus Sarijanto said yesterday.

Dengue fever outbreak deemed 'extraordinary'

Dengue fever outbreak deemed 'extraordinary' JAKARTA (JP): The deputy governor for social welfare affairs acknowledged yesterday that this year's dengue fever outbreak was an "extraordinary incidence" which would take concerted efforts to bring under control.

Women choreographers meet to promote art

Women choreographers meet to promote art JAKARTA (JP): Although dance is often considered a feminine activity because of its emotive nature, there exists a disquieting paradox of the lack of Indonesian female coreographers.

Number of mentally ill soars during crisis

Number of mentally ill soars during crisis JAKARTA (JP): A West Jakarta mental health center has been overwhelmed with a stream of new patients as the economic crisis has apparently driven more and more people off-center, an official says.

PDI seeks govt aid to hold congress

PDI seeks govt aid to hold congress JAKARTA (JP): The government-recognized board of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) requested government financial assistance yesterday for its planned June congress.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 14, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 650 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 925 125 62,500 Alumindo Light Metal 425 0 15,500 Alumindo...