Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 June 1998

59 articles found

Soeharto's Tapos ranch still tightly guarded

Soeharto's Tapos ranch still tightly guardedBy Joko Sarwono BOGOR (JP): The chilly weather at the Tri-S Tapos ranch run by Soeharto's children in the hills around Ciawi south of here could not lift the tension that descended after last week's invasion by dozens of local residents.

Striking drivers give Pakpahan hero's welcome

Striking drivers give Pakpahan hero's welcome JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of striking bus drivers of the state- run PPD bus company gave a rousing welcome yesterday to released labor union chairman Muchtar Pakpahan as he paid them an impromptu visit.

Thousands protest outside DPR complex

Thousands protest outside DPR complex JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of activists and students demonstrated at the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly complex yesterday, loudly demanding that the assembly convene an extraordinary session and arrange a general election.

Our ailing banks

Our ailing banks For a long time the disorder that exists in our national banking system has been worrying us. Sixteen banks have been liquidated, seven have had their ownerships taken over by the government and dozens more have been placed under the care of the Indonesian Banking Restructuring...

Government to abolish levy for Soeharto's foundation

Government to abolish levy for Soeharto's foundation JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will soon issue a presidential decree to abolish the 2 percent levy imposed on individual and corporate taxpayers to finance former president Soeharto's poverty-alleviation program, Minister of Finance Bambang...

Self-exiled activist returns home

Self-exiled activist returns home JAKARTA (JP): Activist Yeni Rosa Damayanti, returning after a three-year self-exile in the Netherlands, pledged to continue her struggle for democracy and told her colleagues that Soeharto was just one of many obstacles which had to be overcome.

Fed also monitors RI banks

Fed also monitors RI banks NEW YORK (Dow Jones): The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been monitoring the activities of the branches of Indonesian banks in the U.S., a banking source said Tuesday."Certain steps have been taken to reduce the risk for U.S.

Soeharto 'disallowed imports by Pertamina'

Soeharto 'disallowed imports by Pertamina' JAKARTA (JP): An official hinted yesterday that the decade- long monopoly over fuel and crude oil imports held by companies controlled by Soeharto's family and cronies had been granted on the order of the former president himself.

Free, fair polls needed to be ensured: Experts

Free, fair polls needed to be ensured: Experts JAKARTA (JP): Political science experts told legislators yesterday that it was more important to ensure free and fair polls than to debate over what kind of electoral system should be adopted.

Siswono, Amien warn against disintegration

Siswono, Amien warn against disintegration JAKARTA (JP): Former cabinet minister Siswono Yudohusodo and Moslem leader Amien Rais have warned of the dangers of national disintegration -- even suggesting that Indonesia could become a second Yugoslavia -- if political differences continue to escalate.

Abolish exit tax

Abolish exit tax In view of the economic crisis, which is a great burden to citizens and business people alike, I suggest that the minister of finance review all insensible and inefficient regulations, including: 1) abolish the fiscal (exit) tax for Indonesians and foreign nationals residing in...

RI debt talks may be over this morning

RI debt talks may be over this morning FRANKFURT (Agencies): Indonesia's chief negotiator in talks aimed at rescheduling the country's US$80 billion private sector debt said yesterday negotiations may be completed this morning.

Aneka Tambang's net profit skyrockets in first quarter

Aneka Tambang's net profit skyrockets in first quarter JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state general mining company PT Aneka Tambang announced yesterday its net profit for the first quarter of this year was 15 times higher than for the commensurate period last year, and marked a 162 percent increase...

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Exhibition * Photo Exhibition: Asiatica, works of 18 photographers from South-East Asia in CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., until June 14.Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend.

WB resumes loans to help Indonesia reduce poverty

WB resumes loans to help Indonesia reduce poverty WASHINGTON (Reuters): The World Bank on Tuesday resumed lending to Indonesia with a US$225 million loan to reduce poverty.The announcement was a boost for the country's new President, B.J. Habibie, and his economic team.

Body found in Jelakeng River

Body found in Jelakeng River JAKARTA (JP): A dead man was found drifting in Jelakeng River in Roa Malaka subdistrict, West Jakarta, early yesterday.The man, identified as 33-year-old Dedi Suhendar of Jl.

Five police rounded up

Five police rounded up JAKARTA (JP): Five police members were netted along with 61 civilians in two separated operations against touts offering their services to applicants of driver's licenses and other vehicle documents yesterday.Capt.

Eight foreigners arrested for immigration violations

Eight foreigners arrested for immigration violations JAKARTA (JP): Immigration officers have arrested eight foreigners at several places in Central Jakarta in the past week for violating immigration permits, according to an official.

Official meeting scheduled to settle food stall saga

Official meeting scheduled to settle food stall saga JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has reportedly pledged to arrange a meeting between roadside food stall owners and the Ministry of Social Services to settle disputed compensation for a free-meal program.

ASEAN officials in Moscow

ASEAN officials in Moscow MOSCOW (AP): Southeast Asian officials discussed the turmoil in Asia's financial markets and recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan during a meeting in Moscow yesterday, news agencies said.

Hopes on IMF loan fail to boost market sentiment

Hopes on IMF loan fail to boost market sentiment JAKARTA (JP): The country's financial markets remained weak yesterday with the rupiah closing lower again against the U.S. dollar and stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) down 1.7 percent.

PC shipments to RI dive

PC shipments to RI dive BANGKOK (DPA): Shipments of PCs (Personal Computers) to Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea -- the three Asian countries that had to appeal to the International Monetary Fund for bail- outs last year -- fell dramatically in the first quarter of 1998, news reports said...

'Soeharto's wealth could be traced'

'Soeharto's wealth could be traced' JAKARTA (JP): Legal experts have stressed that only the police and the Attorney General's Office have the authority to investigate the wealth of former president Soeharto and his family, which many believe to have been amassed through abuses of power.

Three athletes withdraw from Asian Games team

Three athletes withdraw from Asian Games team JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Taekwondo Association's preparations for the 13th Asian Games received a knock yesterday as three female athletes decided to withdraw from the national training center for the event.

Convicts hit by food poisoning

Convicts hit by food poisoning DILI, East Timor: At least 63 convicts in the Becora penitentiary here are suffering from food poisoning, with 30 needing to be treated in hospital.The head of the Becora health center, Dr.

Economy may not last 3 months: Econit

Economy may not last 3 months: Econit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's economy may not survive for more than three months unless the country elects a new credible government, according to an independent think tank.

Nuclear arms and national security

Nuclear arms and national security On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I would like to thank you for printing the official reaction of Indonesia's government over the Pakistan's nuclear device tests conducted a few days ago, as appeared on May 30, page 2, Indonesia regrets Pakistan's...

Bulog cancels land swap deal with Goro

Bulog cancels land swap deal with Goro JAKARTA (JP): State Logistics Agency (Bulog) said it has reversed a 1996 land swap deal with PT Goro Batara Sakti, a private wholesale company which until recently was owned by former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra.

Food shortages mean new diet

Food shortages mean new diet GUNUNGKIDUL, Yogyakarta: Failed harvests and the high price of of food has forced people in the Gunungkidul regency to consume tiwul and aking with greater frequency to supplement the scarcity of rice, Antara reported yesterday.

Golkar will soon hold congress

Golkar will soon hold congress JAKARTA (JP): Facing threats of dissension and calls for reform, the country's dominant political organization, Golkar, decided yesterday to hold an extraordinary congress in July at which chairman Harmoko is likely to be replaced.

Students to be freed but case continues

Students to be freed but case continues BOGOR (JP): Police are considering the release of three students suspected of killing a police officer, but insisted that their case would be brought to court, an officer said yesterday.Bogor Regional Police chief Col.

Seeing through posturings of phony reformers

Seeing through posturings of phony reformersBy Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid was reported by Kompas daily as making three salient points in a statement on Tuesday, May 26:* The various new political parties that have been proclaimed lately have no legal...

Krakatau Steel not yet sold to Ispat: Tanri

Krakatau Steel not yet sold to Ispat: Tanri JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said yesterday that the government had yet to sell PT Krakatau Steel to a foreign investor, following opposition from the company's management over an agreement made with...

Bank Papan gets Rp 9990.36b in liquidity credits

Bank Papan gets Rp 9990.36b in liquidity credits JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Papan Sejahtera (BPS) said yesterday that it received liquidity credits of Rp 990.36 billion (US$90 million) from Bank Indonesia last year, or about 45 percent of the company's total assets of Rp 2.

RI books trade surplus of US$1.97 billion in March

RI books trade surplus of US$1.97 billion in March JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia booked a surplus of US$1.97 billion in its foreign trade in March, partly due to a sharp drop in imports, Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan said yesterday.The minister said total exports rose 6 percent to $4.

S. Sulawesi officials sacked

S. Sulawesi officials sacked UJUNGPADANG, South Sulawesi: Governor Z.B. Palaguna confirmed yesterday that Ujungpandang Secretary Hakamuddin Jamal and the head of the administration's political directorate, Dick Dernadi, had been removed from their posts.

Japan's mission to visit RI

Japan's mission to visit RI TOKYO (AP): Japan will send a delegation of officials to Indonesia for talks on promoting economic reforms in the Southeast Asian nation, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 3, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 425 25 2,000 AHAP Insurance 550 -50 500 Alter Abadi 600 0 327,500 Alumindo Light Metal 275 -50...

Probing Soeharto Inc.

Probing Soeharto Inc. President B.J. Habibie's response to the nation-wide clamor for an investigation into the wealth of former president Soeharto, his family and cronies is not the kind of action demanded by the people. The investigation, as disclosed by Attorney General Soedjono C.

Asian coffee market nudging back to life but prices fall

Asian coffee market nudging back to life but prices fall SINGAPORE (Reuters): Coffee trade in Asia is slowly coming back to life as social unrest gradually comes to an end in Indonesia, one of the region's main coffee producers, traders said.

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians It concerns me that in spite of very recent events, you would publish such an offensive and factually incorrect letter as that from Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo, May 30.To say that ethnic Chinese Indonesians are somehow to blame for being attacked recently because of their...

KL opposition fears crackdown

KL opposition fears crackdown KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's parliamentary opposition leader warned the government yesterday against using the current economic downturn as a pretext to crack down on civil liberties after police stopped three public meetings from being held this week.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on June 3, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 11.100.00 12,000.00Austrian shilling 1 n/a n/aAustralian dollar 1 6,489.00 6,948.60Belgian franc 1 285.20 303.60Canadian dollar 1 7,206.60 7,655.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibition * Painting Exhibition: Primitive Forms, Modern Feelings, by Charles Cham at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran (Phone: 0361 701010), June 4.Music and entertainment * Grand Hyatt Bali, Nusa Dua (Phone: 0361 771234): - Poolside: Pasar Senggol (Traditional...

ASEAN mulls Pakistani role

ASEAN mulls Pakistani role MANILA (Reuters): ASEAN foreign ministers are discussing whether to let Pakistan, heavily criticized for recent nuclear tests, become a member of its regional security group, Philippine President Fidel Ramos said yesterday.

Moeloek gets one week to launch reforms

Moeloek gets one week to launch reforms JAKARTA (JP): University of Indonesia medical students have given Minister of Health F.A. Moeloek one week to announce measures to totally reform the country's healthcare system or resign.

P4 course for students suspended

P4 course for students suspended SEMARANG (JP): The Ministry of Education and Culture has abolished the requirement for university students to attend Pancasila propagation (P4) courses in the 1998/1999 academic year.

Soeharto's age his undoing: Habibie

Soeharto's age his undoing: Habibie JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has said his predecessor Soeharto grew too old to sense the mood of the people, and that his own relative youth put him in a better position to lead the country.

President Habibie's legitimacy

President Habibie's legitimacy The article MPR should convene to pick new president by Yusuf Wanandi, May 29, arouses several questions and astonished me regarding President B.J. Habibie's credibility and popularity. I have no connection with B.J.

500 Multipolar employees seeking compensation

500 Multipolar employees seeking compensation JAKARTA (JP): More than 500 employees of private retail company PT Multipolar Perkasa visited the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute yesterday to seek legal advise over their employment status.

Firms urged to honor riot victims' claims

Firms urged to honor riot victims' claims JAKARTA (JP): The Insurance Council of Indonesia (DAI) urged its members yesterday to honor claims raised by owners of shopping centers, shop/houses and shops affected by riots last month.

Rational party system required

Rational party system requiredBy Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): One of the main goals of political reform is to make Indonesia's party system more representative and democratic.A political party system can be considered democratic if the existing parties reflect the diversity of political...

Military says give Habibie a chance

Military says give Habibie a chance JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) reiterated its support for President B.J. Habibie yesterday, with Commander Gen. Wiranto calling on the nation to give the government a chance to lift the country out of its economic misery.

Sutiyoso's bid to fight collusion draws criticism

Sutiyoso's bid to fight collusion draws criticism JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso vowed yesterday to remove collusion, corruption, cronyism and nepotism from the city administration."What must be done first is to reform the mentality of our staff.

Activists' trial postponed

Activists' trial postponed JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta District Court adjourned Tuesday the trial of four activists charged with conducting an illegal demonstration on Jl. Thamrin on March 9 because of the absence of the activists' lawyers.Presiding judge I.G.N.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film 3:05 Environment: Mengenal Lingkungan 3:30 Science Film: Ticket to Adventure 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 TV Series: Man From Uncle 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country:...

Security fears delay village polls

Security fears delay village polls PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The election of village chiefs in 80 villages in the Banyumas regency has been postponed for reasons of "security and order".Banyumas Regent Aris Setiono confirmed the postponement but would not elaborate on the reasons.

RP govt seeks acquittal for Imelda Marcos

RP govt seeks acquittal for Imelda Marcos MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine government, in a dramatic turnaround, said yesterday it had urged the Supreme Court to set aside a 12-year jail term against former first lady Imelda Marcos and acquit her of corruption charges.

Astra Agro to export 75,000 tons of CPO

Astra Agro to export 75,000 tons of CPO JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plantation company PT Astra Agro Lestari plans to export 75,000 metric tons of crude palm oil (CPO) this year, or about 25 percent of its total production of 300,000 tons, the company said yesterday.