Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 April 1998

59 articles found

Traffic sticker system

Traffic sticker system I was disappointed that the Indonesian Consumers Association (YLKI) has objected to the concept of the traffic sticker system (The Jakarta Post, April 22), and I would ask them to reconsider the matter before proposed discussions with City Council.

Strong earthquake rocks Irian Jaya

Strong earthquake rocks Irian Jaya JAKARTA: A powerful earthquake rocked parts of eastern Indonesia yesterday but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.

Student protests turn violence in Medan, Mataram

Student protests turn violence in Medan, Mataram JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of students here and in at least seven other cities across the country staged rallies yesterday and on Monday in protest at the New Order administration's handling of the deepening economic crisis.

Where to go in Bandung

Where to go in BandungExhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Asiatica, at Savoy Homann, Panghegar Heritage Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 112 (Phone: 022 432244), 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., until May 9. * Furniture Exhibition featuring decorative interior furnitures, antique and ethnical goods by Pradipta Gallery at...

ADB assists fight against malaria

ADB assists fight against malaria BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has earmarked Rp 460 million for the construction of a center to assist in the province's fight against malaria.

Marriage course for Moslems

Marriage course for Moslems SINGAPORE (DPA): In a bid to curb rising divorce rates among Moslems, Singapore authorities have announced that Islamic couples must go through a new marriage preparation class before they are allowed to wed.

Habibie's new plan for political, economic reform

Habibie's new plan for political, economic reform JAKARTA (JP): Vice President B.J. Habibie reiterated Monday that he had prepared an eight-point plan to be used as the basis for reform of the country's political and economic sectors.

I do not represent people's power movement: Gus Dur

I do not represent people's power movement: Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, the chairman of the 30- million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization, dismissed speculation Monday that he was becoming a symbol of "people power" in the country.

Volcker blames global markets for Asian mayhem

Volcker blames global markets for Asian mayhem HONG KONG (Reuters): Weak banks, crony capitalism, excessive borrowing and inflated currencies have all borne their share of blame for the Asian financial crisis.

Senen book haven moves to Depok

Senen book haven moves to Depok JAKARTA (JP): Skyrocketing rents in Senen Market, Central Jakarta, have forced about 30 used book traders there to move to the University of Indonesia campus at Depok, West Java.

Rates for Tax Payment

Rates for Tax Payment JAKARTA (JP): The new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value-added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax, valid from April 27 to May 3: U.S. dollar 1 Rp 7,950.00Austrian shilling 1 629.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 27, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 650 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,050 50 176,000 Alumindo Light Metal 400 0 50,500...

Tahija retains 10.49% stake in Bank Niaga

Tahija retains 10.49% stake in Bank Niaga JAKARTA (JP): The Tahija family retains a 10.49 percent stake in Bank Niaga after Hashim Djojohadikusumo's Tirtamas Group failed to make full payment on its planned acquirement of the family's shares, a bank spokesman said yesterday.

Enough is enough

Enough is enough The tearful statement of a recently returned political activist -- kidnapped by a mysterious gang two months ago -- before the National Commission on Human Rights on Monday was too gruesome to bear for most listeners.

PLN turns to oil supply

PLN turns to oil supply LONDON (Reuters): Indonesian state power utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) wants to buy more oil products for power generation and cut gas purchases made in hard currency, an energy official said yesterday.

IMF likely to resume financial aid to RI soon

IMF likely to resume financial aid to RI soon WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): The International Monetary Fund's executive board is expected next week to back resumption of credit outlays to Indonesia, although the initial outlays are likely to total around $1 billion a month, monetary sources said Monday.

Moslems greet new year with prayers for end to crisis

Moslems greet new year with prayers for end to crisis SEMARANG (JP): Moslems in Central Java greeted the beginning of the 1419 Islamic year of Hijr on Monday by holding mass prayers for an end to the economic crisis.

Nigerian soccer player on trial for heroin deal

Nigerian soccer player on trial for heroin deal JAKARTA (JP): A Nigerian soccer player was indicted at Central Jakarta District Court on Monday for his role in the sale of 35 grams of heroin.Prosecutor R.

Efficiency the key to keeping one's job

Efficiency the key to keeping one's job JAKARTA (JP): At a time when companies are laying off workers in droves, being efficient in the workplace could be the difference between keeping or losing one's job, three top women executives believe.

Court sentences shaman to death for serial murders

Court sentences shaman to death for serial murders JAKARTA (JP): Lubuk Pakam District Court in North Sumatra sentenced Akhmad Suraji, a 47-year-old local shaman, to death for the murder of 42 women over a 10 year period on Monday.

Consumer agency holds poll on planned sticker system

Consumer agency holds poll on planned sticker system JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is conducting a public poll on the planned traffic sticker system to find out what people really think, its vice chairman said yesterday.

Only one king

Only one king At my age (I am about 70, although I often feel 17 in spirit), I need a new challenge every morning when I get up and have my coffee.I decided to subscribe to The Jakarta Post, believe it or not, merely because of its Chess Quiz.

Health concern in Commonwealth

Health concern in Commonwealth WELLINGTON (AP): New Zealand team doctor Richard Edmond said yesterday he had serious concerns about the dangers of smog at September's Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

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...

Asian have modern views on marriage: Survey

Asian have modern views on marriage: Survey SINGAPORE (JP): The latest Asian Ideals survey, conducted by MasterCard International, revealed that Asians have modern attitudes towards money matters in marriages.

Asian currencies firm as greenback gets in a twist

Asian currencies firm as greenback gets in a twist SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies were largely steady in late yesterday trade as the U.S. dollar grappled with conflicting reports about the likelihood of a near-term U.S. interest rate hike.

Filipino wins 11th leg of Tour of Philippines

Filipino wins 11th leg of Tour of Philippines MANILA (AP): Cyclist Enrique Domingo won yesterday's 11th stage of the Tour of the Philippines, but Warren Davadilla kept the overall lead by tying with his closest challenger, Arnel Quirimit.All three are members of the Philippine team.

Wildlife dying in RP sanctuary

Wildlife dying in RP sanctuary CALAUIT, Philippines (AP): African and other animals in a Philippine sanctuary are dying because of a long drought attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon, sanctuary officials say.

Oil output off Timor to start

Oil output off Timor to start TOKYO (Reuters): Production at two oil fields off Timor will start in July once remodeling of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit for the project is finished in May, the FPSO operator said on Monday.Operator Modec Inc.

Telecommunication failures rectified

Telecommunication failures rectifiedBy Reiner Simanjuntak SINGAPORE (JP): New telecommunications technology has offered telecom carriers a cheaper and more resilient way to increase their network capacity in transmitting voice and data signals, to meet the rising demand on telecom services like...

Fertilizer prices triple in Bogor

Fertilizer prices triple in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Farmers in the region are complaining that prices of fertilizers have soared by much more than the 25.5 percent increase the government set on April 13, a media report said Monday.

New home affairs officials appointed

New home affairs officials appointed JAKARTA (JP): A familiar face and an active military lecturer were installed as the new secretary-general and director general of the Ministry of Home Affairs Monday.

Indonesian Red Cross Day

Indonesian Red Cross Day JAKARTA (JP): The GK Goh Group and its Indonesian subsidiary PT G.K. Goh Ometraco designated last Wednesday, April 22, Indonesian Red Cross Day.All Indonesian commissions earned by the group that day will be donated to the Indonesian Red Cross, which will channel the funds...

PMI-ICRC team sends relief to Mimika

PMI-ICRC team sends relief to Mimika JAKARTA: The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), in association with the International Commission of the Red Cross (ICRC), has distributed food and medical supplies to about 18,000 local people during the past five months in Mimika regency, Irian Jaya.

Govt announces enactment of resource rent tax

Govt announces enactment of resource rent tax JAKARTA (JP): The government formally announced Monday the introduction of the resource rent tax on the country's timber companies. It replaces the forest royalties.

Foreign investors may buy big stake in SSI

Foreign investors may buy big stake in SSI JAKARTA (JP): A number of foreign investors are currently holding serious negotiations to buy a substantial stake in PT Surya Semesta Internusa (SSI), a company executive has said.

Activist testifies he was tortured

Activist testifies he was tortured JAKARTA (JP): Political activist Pius Lustrilanang told the National Commission on Human Rights on Monday that he was beaten, electrocuted and kept blindfold for two months after being kidnapped by a group of unidentified men.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 27,1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,500.00 8,500.00Austrian shilling 1 580.60 690.20Australian dollar 1 4,902.90 5,452.10Belgian franc 1 205.00 226.70Canadian dollar 1 5,302.

Will our middle class disappear?

Will our middle class disappear?By Meuthia Ganie Rochman JAKARTA (JP): Many analysts view that a middle class has steadily developed in such Asian emerging markets as China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Popular analysis of this middle class applies the consumption indicator.

Labor activists urge hike in minimum wages

Labor activists urge hike in minimum wages JAKARTA (JP): More than 50 labor activists from the Jakarta branch of the Federation of All Indonesian Workers Union (FSPSI) demanded Monday that the government increase monthly minimum wages in Greater Jakarta.

Muladi's drive for judicial reform

Muladi's drive for judicial reform With our Seventh Development Cabinet barely two months old, Minister of Justice Muladi has by his words and actions raised hopes among the public that the government is sincere in its stated intention to carry out a judicial development program.

Rupiah's steady fall lifts Aneka Tambang

Rupiah's steady fall lifts Aneka Tambang JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state mining company PT Aneka Tambang said its net profit increased 113 percent to Rp 69.52 billion (US$9.2 million) from Rp 32.62 billion last year.

Dayaks mark new year after harvest gathered in

Dayaks mark new year after harvest gathered inBy R. Masri Sareb Putra JAKARTA (JP): Just like any other tribe under the sun, the Dayak people of Borneo have their own unique way to determine the new year.

Man arrested over alleged role in Tambora murder

Man arrested over alleged role in Tambora murder JAKARTA (JP): Police have captured one of the two people suspected of murdering a man and stashing his body in the trunk of a President taxi early Sunday in North Jakarta.But city police spokesman Lt. Col.

Police officers accused of selling evidence

Police officers accused of selling evidence JAKARTA (JP): A businesswoman accused members of the city police economic detective unit of allegedly selling 7.32 tons of garlic they confiscated from her last year.

PLN projects loss of Rp 6t this year

PLN projects loss of Rp 6t this year JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PLN may suffer a loss of at least Rp 6 trillion (US$800 million) this year due to the rupiah's sharp depreciation against the American dollar.

Fires leave 550 people homeless

Fires leave 550 people homeless JAKARTA (JP): Fires destroyed about 60 houses in Gunung Sahari and two in Petojo Selatan, both in Central Jakarta, Monday, leaving 550 people homeless, officials and residents said.

Remain in peace talks: Ramos

Remain in peace talks: Ramos MANILA (DPA): Philippine President Fidel Ramos urged communist rebels yesterday to stay committed to the peace talks despite the slow progress during four years of negotiations aimed at ending one of Asia's longest running leftist insurgencies.

Habibie's brilliant ideas

Habibie's brilliant ideasFrom JayakartaThe current condition of stockpiles of rice, flour, soybeans, sugar, etc., reminds me of the great and brilliant ideas of B.J. Habibie, now Indonesia's Vice President, voiced six years ago.

Ministers deny restrictions on clove trade

Ministers deny restrictions on clove trade JAKARTA (JP): The government has denied any knowledge of a new restriction on the trading of cloves, stressing it will no longer interfere with the distribution and sale of the commodity.

WHO luncheon on safe motherhood

WHO luncheon on safe motherhood JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian office of the World Health Organization (WHO) is holding a business luncheon tomorrow with the theme Business Caring for Mothers.The luncheon will feature three speakers:Nyoman Kumara Rai, the director general of community health at the...

Crisis has modest effect on world growth: IMF

Crisis has modest effect on world growth: IMF HONG KONG (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund said on Monday it remained convinced Asia's crisis would only modestly hurt the global economy, despite charges by some observers that it was too optimistic on world growth.

Police arrest 102 Thai fishermen

Police arrest 102 Thai fishermen PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: One hundred and two Thai fishermen are in police custody in Kota Waringin Barat district for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters last March 30 and April 3, a police spokesman said here Monday.

Rate fear drags down local share prices

Rate fear drags down local share prices JAKARTA (JP): Fears of a further increase in interest rates dragged down share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) Monday.Brokers said that most investors were now waiting for another increase in SBI rates as last week's increase had failed to prop up...

Police takes over Games' sticker probe

Police takes over Games' sticker probe JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono has told the police they should not hesitate to question government officials or top businesspeople in connection with an alleged scam in the sale of fund-raising stickers for the 19th...

Asians seek crisis cures at ADB meeting

Asians seek crisis cures at ADB meeting GENEVA (Reuters): Financial officials from 56 Asian countries, gathering for the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank, are looking for ways out of the region's economic crisis.The onus is likely to fall on Japan.

19 people killed in bus accident

19 people killed in bus accident SURABAYA (JP): Nineteen people died instantly and 28 others were injured when a Setia Bakti bus bound for Jakarta from Madura collided with a trailer truck in Tambak Bojo village in Tuban, about 80 kilometers north of here, Monday afternoon.

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street drop

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street drop HONG KONG (AP): Asian stock markets closed generally mixed yesterday despite a large drop overnight on Wall Street, but the key index in Tokyo fell to its lowest level since mid-January.Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average of 225 selected issues shed 254.

PSSI to settle debt, Tiger Cup to go on

PSSI to settle debt, Tiger Cup to go on JAKARTA (JP): The second Tiger Cup will remain in Indonesia as scheduled after the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) agreed to pay its debt of US$28,000 to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) by May 14, the federation's secretary said Monday.