Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 June 1998

55 articles found

KL concerned over Hanson's rise

KL concerned over Hanson's rise KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia voiced concern yesterday over rising anti-Asian sentiment by Australians who support right-wing independent legislator Pauline Hanson, saying Canberra's ties with Asian nations could be soured.

Bureaucratic corruption

Bureaucratic corruption In the drive to eradicate corruption, proponents of reform seem to be focusing exclusively on our governing and business elite. However, it should not be forgotten that bureaucratic corruption involving even the lowest ranking civil servants is equally entrenched.

Electoral official jailed for graft

Electoral official jailed for graft KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Kendari District Court sentenced the former treasurer of the Kendari electoral committee, Abdulah Martha, to five years in jail for embezzling Rp 186 million (US$12,400) of the Rp 518 million 1997 general election funds.

Police concerned about protests

Police concerned about protests JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo expressed concern over the number of protests breaking out in many cities as an actualization of the demand for reform.

Year of Tiger: Year of Recession

Year of Tiger: Year of RecessionBy Beth Duff-Brown KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): The Year of the Tiger, according to Chinese superstition, can bring ferocious upheaval.Six months into this tiger year, the once roaring Asian economies have experienced plenty of that.

Inkud complains it overpaid for Goro chain deal

Inkud complains it overpaid for Goro chain deal JAKARTA (JP): The Confederation of Primary Cooperatives' Association (Inkud) paid far too much to take over the wholesale chain Goro from companies linked to former president Soeharto's children, an association executive said yesterday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on June 16, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 14,500.00 15,500.00Austrian shilling 1 1,119.60 1,277.30Australian dollar 1 8,628.80 9,221.20Belgian franc 1 395.50 419.

Security of contracts

Security of contracts Anger at revelations of wealth accumulated by those close to former president Soeharto during his time in office, and the nationwide clamor to root out corruption which this has prompted, has led many government agencies and state companies to announce a review of all...

Amtek, Unitech buy RI unit

Amtek, Unitech buy RI unit SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore Precision metal parts maker Amtek Engineering Ltd said yesterday it and subsidiary Unitech Holding Pte Ltd now own 100 percent of Indonesia's PT Amtek Sanwa Industries (ASI).

Legislators back retenders on pacts with Soeharto clan

Legislators back retenders on pacts with Soeharto clan JAKARTA (JP): Legislators have backed the government's decision to retender contracts held by family and friends of former president Soeharto for shipment of state oil and gas company Pertamina's products.

Multipolar-Wal-Mart suit

Multipolar-Wal-Mart suit OAKLAND, California (AP): An Indonesian company, ordered by a federal judge to halt its suit against Wal-Mart by Monday or face fines of US$10,000 a day, has told the judge it needs more time to comply, a Wal-Mart lawyer said.

Sentosa reports losses

Sentosa reports losses SURABAYA (JP): Publicly listed PT Trias Sentosa reported a net loss of Rp 24.67 billion (about US$1.76 million) last year compared to a net profit of Rp 31.10 billion in 1996.Company director Yamin Chandra said the loss was attributed to a foreign exchange loss of Rp 54...

Govt needs Rp 2 trillion in rice drive

Govt needs Rp 2 trillion in rice drive JAKARTA (JP): The government will need Rp 2 trillion (about US$142.85 million) in this year's rice planting season if it is to boost production of the country's favorite food, a minister said yesterday.

Stabilization of CPO prices

Stabilization of CPO pricesFrom Ekonomi NeracaIn line with the government's effort to expand oil palm estates managed by both the private sector and the government, the production of crude palm oil (CPO) is increasing with each passing year.Palm oil production in 1994 stood at 4.

Act in the name of reform

Act in the name of reformFrom Sinar PagiI agree with Jati Hartana's opinion (Sinar Pagi, May 21) that many people now act in the name of reform but actually do so out of self-interest.They may be opportunists. I prefer to refer to them as "advertising reformists".

Govt urges talk over PAL strikes

Govt urges talk over PAL strikes MANILA (Reuters): The government urged talks yesterday to avert a general stoppage at Philippine Airlines after ground and cabin crews threatened strikes over the airline's sacking of more than a third of its workforce.

Foreigners flock to Maluku

Foreigners flock to Maluku AMBON, Maluku: Amid worries that tourism in many parts of the country is in decline, officials here proudly announced yesterday that tourist arrivals in the first four months of the year had nearly doubled compared to the same period last year.

PAP II's staff stage another rally

PAP II's staff stage another rally TANGERANG (JP): Two thousand employees of state airport management company Perum Angkasa Pura (PAP) II staged a second rally to demand complete reform of the management at the companies headquarters at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport yesterday.

Nonperforming loans soar to 25%

Nonperforming loans soar to 25% JAKARTA (JP): Banks' nonperforming loans at the end of April jumped to 25 percent of outstanding credit from 10 percent at the end of April last year due to the monetary crisis, Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said yesterday.

Malaysia to buy stake in Bank Muamalat

Malaysia to buy stake in Bank Muamalat JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim promised President B.J. Habibie yesterday that Malaysia would purchase a 49 percent stake, worth US$15 million, in Indonesia's only Islamic bank, Bank Muamalat Indonesia.

Soedjono's dismissal puzzles legal profession

Soedjono's dismissal puzzles legal profession JAKARTA (JP): Prominent legal practitioners and observers expressed a degree of suspicion yesterday over the sudden dismissal of the attorney general and questioned the motive for making a military officer the country's top prosecutor.

Regions warned of La Nina-induced floods

Regions warned of La Nina-induced floods JAKARTA (JP): Large areas of the country must beware of La Nina-induced floods predicted for later this year, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) (ret.) Commodore Harinto warned yesterday.

Senior Minister Lee blasts Asian leaders

Senior Minister Lee blasts Asian leaders SINGAPORE (AP): The Asian financial crisis would have been much milder if Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian leaders understood how quickly markets act on their words, Singapore's most prominent politician told Newsweek magazine.

Garuda to divest from subsidiaries

Garuda to divest from subsidiaries JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia plans to divest from all of its subsidiaries in order to focus on its air transportation business, the airline's new boss said here yesterday.

Laverton enters Sumatra

Laverton enters Sumatra PERTH (Reuters): Laverton Gold NL said yesterday it has reached a memorandum of understanding giving Weston Investments Ltd a 50 percent interest in its Rawas gold mine in South Sumatra, Indonesia.Weston is a subsidiary of Consolidated African Mines Ltd of South Africa.

Rupiah breaks 15,000 barrier as stocks decline

Rupiah breaks 15,000 barrier as stocks decline JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah broke psychologically important level of Rp 15,000 against the U.S. dollar yesterday as local stock prices lost 1.7 percent over persistent domestic economic and political uncertainty and a bearish regional market.

Habibie to open contest

Habibie to open contest DENPASAR, Bali: President B.J. Habibie is expected to open the national selection of finalists for the 13th Koran Reading Contest (STQ) here on June 27.Bali deputy governor Ahim Abdurahim, who is also chairman of the contest's organizing committee, said yesterday that the...

Book bazaar at Utan Kayu planned

Book bazaar at Utan Kayu planned JAKARTA (JP): A month-long book bazaar will be held at the Utan Kayu community parking lot, Jl. Utan Kayu No. 68H, East Jakarta, from July 1.The bazaar is being organized by the Teater Utan Kayu committee and will feature novels and other human-oriented reading...

Nippindo's monopoly weakens

Nippindo's monopoly weakens OSAKA, Japan (Dow Jones): Recent political and economic changes in Indonesia are weakening Nippindo Co.'s virtual monopoly on plywood imports from the Southeast Asian country, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in its yesterday morning edition.

Tegal under control after riot

Tegal under control after riot SEMARANG, Central Java: Diponegoro Military Commander Maj. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto claimed yesterday that antiriot forces had successfully restored security and order in Tegal, about 165 kms west of here, after violence erupted in the town Monday.

Circle sets up ASPAC unit

Circle sets up ASPAC unit SINGAPORE (Reuters): U.S.-based logistics firm Circle International said yesterday it had set up an automotive logistics division at its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

Lamborghini to cover losses

Lamborghini to cover losses ROME (Reuters): Italian sports car maker Lamborghini SpA, controlled by former Indonesian president Soeharto's son Hutomo Mandala Putra, is to hold a shareholders meeting soon to decide on a reduction of its capital to cover 1997 losses, Italy's Official Gazzette said...

DHL launches new export service

DHL launches new export service JAKARTA (JP): International air express company DHL Worldwide Express launched a new service yesterday called USA First, for Indonesian exporters to deliver goods to the United States fast and cost-effectively.

Harmoko says Golkar remains very solid

Harmoko says Golkar remains very solid JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Harmoko asserted yesterday that despite reports of infighting and dissent, the dominant political organization remains very solid and ready to hold an extraordinary congress early next month.

Time for Golkar to reform itself

Time for Golkar to reform itselfBy Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): As it turns out, the departure of Soeharto has caused major trouble for the dominant party, Golkar. Suddenly, Golkar seems to have a dark future.

Proreform leaders must learn to compromise

Proreform leaders must learn to compromise The clock on political reform has been ticking away since the resignation of president Soeharto on May 21. Hermawan Sulistyo, a political researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and executive director of the Research Institute for Democracy and...

Pharmacists criticize govt's 'self-dispensing' policy

Pharmacists criticize govt's 'self-dispensing' policy YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers here criticized the government's "self-dispensing" policy, saying it threatened the existence of drug distributors and drugstores.

Sjafrie urges people to shun street rallies

Sjafrie urges people to shun street rallies JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin urged Jakartans, especially workers, yesterday not to participate in street rallies.Sjafrie made the statement in response to reports that certain parties have tried to encourage...

ASEAN Secretariat holds arts expo

ASEAN Secretariat holds arts expo JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition featuring the region's arts and culture at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, South Jakarta opened on Monday.ASEANA: a showcase of ASEAN Cultures presents the published works of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information:...

BI's claims from troubled banks drop

BI's claims from troubled banks drop JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) said yesterday that its net claim on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) declined slightly to Rp 131.91 trillion on June 12 from Rp 132.12 trillion the previous week.

Chinese-Indonesian man stands up to be counted

Chinese-Indonesian man stands up to be countedBy T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): If you are an Indonesian of Chinese descent, you know from experience to keep a low profile.Being recognized for your ancestry is the last thing you want.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 16, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 450 0 0 AHAP Insurance 575 0 0 Alter Abadi 500 0 291,000 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -75 7,500 Alumindo...

Religious leaders reject parties based on religion

Religious leaders reject parties based on religion JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders yesterday warned against the formation of new political parties with ethnic or religious orientations, fearing that such organizations could lead to national disintegration.

Rice distribution system 'should be streamlined'

Rice distribution system 'should be streamlined' JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor has underlined the importance of cutting the lengthy rice distribution chain to help reduce the price of the essential commodity.

Private TV stations want less state intervention

Private TV stations want less state intervention JAKARTA (JP): The owners of private television stations called on the House of Representatives yesterday to review the broadcasting law enacted last year in order to minimize state interference in their operations.

Crude trade thin as mart waits for RI

Crude trade thin as mart waits for RI SINGAPORE (Reuters): Prices on the Asian heavy crude market were steady yesterday, but most traders were sidelined as firm information on Indonesian July allocations remained unavailable, traders said.

100 customers protest against developer

100 customers protest against developer TANGERANG (JP): More than 100 customers of the Modernland housing development went to the company's office here yesterday to protest the slow progress of the construction of houses, apartments and shop-houses they had bought.

Local cigarette production to fall

Local cigarette production to fall JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Cigarette Producers estimated yesterday that the country's cigarette output and sales would fall between 25 percent and 30 percent this year due to higher prices.

Jakarta Fair to go on despite economic crisis

Jakarta Fair to go on despite economic crisis JAKARTA (JP): The annual Jakarta Fair will be held next month despite the absence of foreign participants and the sad fortunes of local firms, the organizer said yesterday.The month-long fair, to be opened by President B.J.

Group urges govt to adjust CPO exports to forex

Group urges govt to adjust CPO exports to forex JAKARTA (JP): The government should replace the 40 percent tax on crude palm oil (CPO) exports with a foreign exchange ruling to encourage exporters to sell the commodity on the domestic market, the Federation of Indonesian Vegetable Oils and Fats...

Army officers testify police shot at students

Army officers testify police shot at students JAKARTA (JP): Two military officers and three witnesses from Trisakti University who yesterday gave evidence to the military tribunal investigating the May 12 incident stated that it was the police who fired shots at demonstrators.

Soeharto's wealth

Soeharto's wealth An important dimension has emerged in the reform tide and is now taking an increasingly clearer shape. It concerns the wealth of our high-ranking government officials. At the present stage, the basic concern is to clear up the question of former president Soeharto's alleged wealth...

SE Asian currencies gain on yen's surge

SE Asian currencies gain on yen's surge SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies, with the notable exception of Indonesia's rupiah, rose yesterday as the U.S. dollar hit a wall against the Japanese yen in early Asian trading.The dollar capped a weeks-long surge against the yen at 146.

Wanted banker falls to his death

Wanted banker falls to his death JAKARTA (JP): A former chief commissioner of privately run Bank Perniagaan, Hindoro Budianto, 52, reportedly fell to his death Monday from the eighth floor of Hotel Marbela in Anyer, West Java.

Talks on climate highlight loopholes

Talks on climate highlight loopholesBy Alexander Hagelueken BONN (DPA): What with forest fires in Indonesia and flooding in the United States, there has been no lack of climate phenomena in recent months.