Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 April 1998

57 articles found

Bank Indonesia sets up monetary monitoring team

Bank Indonesia sets up monetary monitoring team JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) has formed a monetary monitoring committee in an effort to implement more of the reforms agreed to with the International Monetary Fund.

Timber firms prefer to export sawn timber

Timber firms prefer to export sawn timber JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to ease wood export restrictions will encourage timber companies to export sawn timber rather than logs, the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI) said here yesterday.

Students walk out of dialog with Hartono

Students walk out of dialog with Hartono JAKARTA (JP): A dialog between government officials and students ended in confusion yesterday after dozens of participants walked out of the meeting and held a "dialog of their own" outside.

Incarcerated female job seeker dies in hospital

Incarcerated female job seeker dies in hospital JAKARTA (JP): A woman died of a bad illness in hospital Friday after being incarcerated for about three months in a house on Jl. Taman AA in Sukabumi Selatan subdistrict, West Jakarta, police said yesterday.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

Toeing to IMF conditions

Toeing to IMF conditions The new agreement between the Indonesian government and the International Monetary Fund is an improvement on the previous two. But is that enough to ensure compliance by the Indonesian government where it was lacking before?The new agreement's provisions to allow continued...

Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction

Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction TANGERANG (JP): The planned eviction of more than 2,000 residents of Gaga Indah subdistrict in Ciledug here yesterday was postponed after a duel between angry residents and the driver of the bulldozer used to demolish their houses.

Students and politics

Students and politics According to the European press, 14 Indonesian student activists were sentenced last year from two to 13 years' imprisonment for their calls for a reform of Indonesia's political system.

Stifling interest rates

Stifling interest rates Bank Indonesia has increased its interest rate for Bank Indonesia promissory notes (SBI) to 45 percent a month. One consequence is an increase of commercial banks' interest rates to 47.5 percent for one-month time deposits and 19 percent for one year.

New military chief for northern Sumatra

New military chief for northern Sumatra MEDAN (JP): Army Chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo installed Maj. Gen. Ismed Yuzairi yesterday as new commander of the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Riau.Ismed replaced Maj. Gen.

Debt puts location of Tiger up on the line

Debt puts location of Tiger up on the line JAKARTA (JP): The 19th Southeast Asian Games row continued yesterday with the National Sports Council admitting that it owes the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) US$58,384.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 21, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 12,500 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,025 -50 270,500 Alumindo Light Metal 375 -50 105,000...

Angry crowd burns minivan

Angry crowd burns minivan JAKARTA (JP): A mob set fire to a public transportation minivan on Jl. Raya Bintara, Bekasi, after it fatally struck an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, police said yesterday.The motorcycle passenger was also injured.

Striker Kurniawan to train young local soccer hopefuls

Striker Kurniawan to train young local soccer hopefuls JAKARTA (JP): A group of 50 Indonesian children aged between eight and 15 years old will get a rare opportunity to develop their soccer skills under the watchful eye of ace national striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto at a week-long training session...

Ornate Sumatran finery a national legacy

Ornate Sumatran finery a national legacy JAKARTA (JP): Model-strutting was nowhere to be seen on the catwalk at a fashion show of traditional Sumatran costumes in Jakarta last weekend.The show, which paraded eight Sumatran dance costumes, was part of a traditional fashion event, My Beautiful...

Indonesian stories get English editions

Indonesian stories get English editions JAKARTA (JP): Cats, the moon and an army general are among the subjects of the latest collection of English language Indonesian short stories published by the Monash Asia Institute in Australia.

Interest rate rise has little impact on ASEAN monies

Interest rate rise has little impact on ASEAN monies SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): An increase in rupiah interest rates yesterday had little impact on trading in Southeast Asian currency markets as regional currencies rose against the U.S. dollar in line with the yen during Asian hours.

Effectiveness of fumigation questioned

Effectiveness of fumigation questioned JAKARTA (JP): City residents complained yesterday that fumigation efforts to fight the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the carrier of the dengue fever virus, were largely ineffective.

Deli fishermen's shooting reported

Deli fishermen's shooting reported MEDAN (JP): The wives of two fishermen shot dead by marine police in a recent clash in Sei Tuan, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, reported their husbands' tragic deaths to the Military Police office here on Monday.

Bechtel to sends engineers abroad to work

Bechtel to sends engineers abroad to work JAKARTA (JP): Giant engineering and construction company Bechtel International Inc. of the United States will send 50 percent of its Indonesian engineers to overseas operations due to the decline in business activities here, the company said yesterday.

Road to economic recovery full of potholes

Road to economic recovery full of potholes Government officials have made confusing statements on the reforms sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati, vice chairwoman of the University of Indonesia's Center for Economic and Social Studies, discusses the...

Local franchisers lack commitment

Local franchisers lack commitment JAKARTA (JP): Many local franchise operators lack the commitment and the ability to develop their businesses properly, a consultant said yesterdayAmir Karamoy said many of the local franchisers took the fees from the holders of their licenses but did not assist...

Govt urged not to maintain high rates for too long

Govt urged not to maintain high rates for too long JAKARTA (JP): The government should not maintain interest rates at the current high level for too long so that the business sector can expand and create employment, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said yesterday.

Familiarity reigns among city arts council's new board lineup

Familiarity reigns among city arts council's new board lineup JAKARTA (JP): Unfamiliar faces were the minority as the Jakarta Academy of Arts and Culture officially installed the new Jakarta Arts Council for a three-year term yesterday at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta.

Soeharto warns of foreign takeovers

Soeharto warns of foreign takeovers JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of a possible wholesale takeover of Indonesian companies by foreign investors if the nation failed to resolve the economic crisis.

'Govt inconsistent' on women's rights issue

'Govt inconsistent' on women's rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Despite its endorsement of an international convention against discrimination, the government is inconsistent in its implementation of laws on the empowerment of women and the protection of their rights, an activist said yesterday.

Bias cited on demolition of villas

Bias cited on demolition of villas BOGOR (JP): The local administration's policy to demolish illegally built villas has been smeared as "discriminative" because buildings belonging to people with powerful connections have always been spared, Antara reported yesterday.

CPO price tumbles on RI news

CPO price tumbles on RI news KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): News at least 100,000 tons of crude palm oil (CPO) is ready for loading on waiting vessels in Indonesia yesterday and a stronger ringgit against the U.S. dollar dragged down Malaysian palm oil prices at the close, traders said.

Asian stock markets close mostly lower

Asian stock markets close mostly lower HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets closed lower yesterday, with the key index in Jakarta tumbling 2.1 percent after the Indonesian central bank raised interest rates to support the battered currency.

Ban on CPO exports finally lifted

Ban on CPO exports finally lifted JAKARTA (JP): The government has finally lifted its ban on exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its byproducts, beginning today, through a ministerial decree.The decree, signed last Friday by Minister of Industry and Trade Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, ended the...

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: LuncheonAryadutaVIP LUNCHEON: Director General of Politics, Department of Foreign Affairs, Nugroho Wisnumurti (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (second left) talk with South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Nzo (second left) and Ambassador of South Africa...

KSOs install 1m new phone lines as of 1997

KSOs install 1m new phone lines as of 1997 JAKARTA (JP): State telecommunications firm PT Telkom's five contractors announced yesterday they had installed 1.01 million new telephone lines by the end of 1997, or 50.1 percent of the target to be reached by the end of 1999.

New executive train launched

New executive train launched YOGYAKARTA: Minister of Communications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono inaugurated the new executive class train Dwipangga yesterday at Balapan Solo Railway Station.Poernomo, spokesman of the state railway company Perumka, said the new six-car executive train should satisfy...

SBI rates raised to prop up rupiah

SBI rates raised to prop up rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) raised again yesterday its interest rates on short-term promissory notes (SBIs) for all maturities by between 3 percent and 5 percent in an effort to shore up the rupiah and curb inflation.

Forbidden love at Betawi theater

Forbidden love at Betawi theater JAKARTA (JP): Forbidden love based on the classic Sampek Engtay Chinese folktale is the plot of a drama scheduled to be staged tomorrow in the form of a Betawi (native Jakarta) farce.

MAF resumes relief flights

MAF resumes relief flights JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), an airline owned by missionaries, has resumed flights to rural areas in the province after receiving 300 drums of fuel from the local office of the state-owned oil company, Pertamina.

Migrant Workers

Migrant WorkersFrom Media IndonesiaI am concerned about the violence experienced by our migrant workers, legal or otherwise, in Malaysia recently. It is time that the Indonesian government find solutions to problems related to migrant workers.

Surabaya turtledove-breeding farm booming despite crisis

Surabaya turtledove-breeding farm booming despite crisisBy Widyarto SURABAYA (JP): The way money circulates here is just the way it does in other business spots: clearly visible in huge amounts. The difference is that this place is free from any formality related to time and location.

Obstetrician on trial for illegal abortions

Obstetrician on trial for illegal abortions JAKARTA (JP): An obstetrician, identified as Budiman, 51, was indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday on charges of illegal abortion practices.

In Kartini's memory

In Kartini's memory Though it may be true that many Indonesians still regard subservience and meekness as traditional female virtues that should be retained, women in dominant positions are not exactly a new phenomenon in Indonesia.

Trawlers illegally prowl Medan coast

Trawlers illegally prowl Medan coast MEDAN, North Sumatra: About 125 trawlers have been violating a government ban by operating in the western waters of the province, ruining the livelihood of many traditional fishermen.

Kaswanto forced to abandon Philippines cycling road race

Kaswanto forced to abandon Philippines cycling road race ANTIPOLO, Philippines (Agencies): Kaswanto completed Indonesia's poor performance in the Marlboro Centennial Tour of Philippines when he abandoned the fifth stage of the race yesterday.

Total to cut crude output

Total to cut crude output SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesian state-oil company Pertamina has requested Total SA cut its local crude oil production to 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) as part of OPEC cuts, Total general manager in Indonesia, Bernard Vitry, said yesterday.

Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block

Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block JAKARTA (JP): Those who believe that fine art is not a just luxury but a necessity can always turn in their hour of need to Christie's, the world's oldest firm of fine art auctioneers, which offers scores of paintings by Indonesian artists.

Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests

Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests JAKARTA (JP): Housewives, several nuns and a number of sex workers were seen mingling with thousands of female students and activists holding rallies demanding an end to the economic crisis and sweeping reforms in various cities yesterday.

Return activists 'must explain their whereabouts'

Return activists 'must explain their whereabouts' JAKARTA (JP): Rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman pleaded yesterday that three political activists who have just returned after reportedly disappearing for weeks should not stay silent but explain their much-publicized disappearance for the sake of...

RI oil product imports surge again, say traders

RI oil product imports surge again, say traders SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia's oil product imports are creeping up again after it was crippled for months by the country's worst financial crisis in decades, traders said yesterday.

YLKI, LBH pick holes in traffic sticker plan

YLKI, LBH pick holes in traffic sticker plan JAKARTA (JP): The city administration's decision to replace the three-in-one regulation with a traffic sticker system came under fire yesterday.The Indonesian Consumers Association (YLKI) and the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) said the city...

Japanese universities ponder paucity of foreign students

Japanese universities ponder paucity of foreign studentsBy Kelly Olsen TOKYO (AP): Their alumni include some very prominent people. The Philippines' foreign secretary, for example, was Tokyo University class of 1964. Indonesia's top economic minister was Tokyo U. '65.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: White Lies 3:05 Family's Film: Road to Avonlea 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Teen Program: Remaja Indonesia 5:00 Science and Technology 5:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in...

Govt to unveil new bankruptcy law today

Govt to unveil new bankruptcy law today JAKARTA (JP): The government will announce today regulations to amend the bankruptcy law and improve the legal infrastructure for business in the country, Minister of Justice Muladi said yesterday.

Students explain motives for demonstrating

Students explain motives for demonstrating YOGYAKARTA (JP): A small group of female students in tight jeans stood a little distance away from their colleagues assembling near the student hall at Gadjah Mada University shouting protests over the government's handling of the economic crisis.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 21, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S dollar 1 7,500.00 9,000.00Austrian shilling 1 565.10 677.80Australian dollar 1 4,794.30 5,369.30Belgian franc 1 199.50 222.60Canadian dollar 1 5,171.

Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip

Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip JAKARTA (JP): The national karate team has set a modest target of winning two golds in the Australian Open Championship in Sydney, its first outing ahead of the 13th Asian Games in December.Head of the contingent Brig. Gen.

Time to remember journalists

Time to remember journalistsBy Ignatius Haryanto JAKARTA (JP): This year The New York Times won three Pulitzer prizes for stories on corruption in Mexico, special coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court and for critical commentary on police brutality in New York (Kompas, April 16).

A good beginning

A good beginning The dialog between the government and citizens, which was held at the Jakarta Fair ground in Kemayoran on Saturday, has attracted widespread attention. Such attention is natural considering the number of participants that were involved and the heterogeneous nature of the groups...

Ryan wins gold in Asian bowling

Ryan wins gold in Asian bowling JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang captured the boys' singles gold medal in the Asian Student Bowling Championships in Singapore yesterday.Aswin Limansantoso, deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Bowling Association said yesterday that Ryan, making his...

Cheap meals from officials' wives

Cheap meals from officials' wives BOGOR (JP): Members of the Bogor Civil Servants' Wives Association sold 2,000 cheap meals to the poor in East Bogor subdistrict yesterday.The food packages were sold for Rp 500 each to people who have become unable to make the ends meet because of the economic...