Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 July 1998

62 articles found

Expert describes revised RI oil price forecast as feasible

Expert describes revised RI oil price forecast as feasible HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Indonesia's budget forecast of US$13 per barrel crude oil -- a critical assumption in the government's revised budget -- appears feasible if world oil prices rise as expected, said an oil industry consultant yesterday. "It's a fair figure given the fact that people are expecting the (international) crude price to firm up toward October," Farooq Qureshi, Singapore-based oil consultant with Arthur D. Little, said.

SE Asian currencies surge on rupiah rally

SE Asian currencies surge on rupiah rally SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies soared against the U.S. dollar late in Asian trading hours yesterday. Dealers said improved sentiment on the Indonesian rupiah sparked the regional rally. Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund approved a US$1.3 billion increase in its existing standby credit facility to Indonesia and announced more than US$6 billion from various official sources would be available by the end of March 1999.

Lawlessness will scare away business: Sofyan

Lawlessness will scare away business: Sofyan JAKARTA (JP): Continuing reports of rampant looting and unlawful seizure of property and businesses of Chinese- Indonesians will cause more businesspeople to flee to safer shores and scare off foreign investors, a noted businessman has warned. Chairman of the Gemala Group Sofyan Wanandi said here yesterday the government must step in to stop the lawlessness.

A picture of lawlessness

A picture of lawlessness The pain our nation has endured since the onset of economic collapse last year is so severe that it has seemingly caused serious metal decay among our people. The ruthless criminal offenses committed by wild mobs have tragically painted a dark picture of the nation. Hair-raising stories about murder and rape, looting and arson have sent shock waves not only across the country but also to many parts of the globe.

Committee to investigate May rapes to be set up

Committee to investigate May rapes to be set up JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will next week officially establish a committee with a short term mission to investigate the alleged rape of women during and after the May riots across the country.

May rapes become political issue

May rapes become political issue By Julia I. Suryakusuma JAKARTA (JP): Rape may appear to be personal in nature, with the trauma and pain only being felt fully by the victim. But in reality rape has very deep and broad ramifications. This was obvious in the terrible gang rapes of women of Chinese descent during the riots of May 13 and May 14, 1998.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Kriyono's Cynorure by Kriyono, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Aug. 9. * Embroideries Exhibition in the lobby of Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta (Phone: 323707), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until July 31. * Painting Exhibition Hello, how's it going, by Evie Westmore, at the Main Lobby of the Regent Jakarta, Jl. H.R.

Exporters to get cheaper loans

Exporters to get cheaper loans JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon enter into a deal with eight healthy domestic banks designed to provide exporters and distribution companies with Rp 2.5 trillion (US$192.31 million) in cheaper loans, Finance Minister Bambang Subianto said yesterday. "The agreement will be signed in the next couple of days," he said after presenting the revised state budget for 1998/1999 to the House of Representatives (DPR).

International artists set to perform at second Art Summit

International artists set to perform at second Art Summit JAKARTA (JP): A variety of performances by internationally renowned artists will treat audiences during the second Art Summit Indonesia from Sept. 19 to Oct. 19. Seventeen groups from nine countries: Germany, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, the United States and the Netherlands, are scheduled to perform in the month-long event, billed as the most prestigious art festival here.

On closing time deposit

On closing time deposit My letter titled 'Phone banking which appeared' in The Jakarta Post on July 16 was edited in such a way that the main point I wanted to convey has gone. What I tried to say in the letter is that only at the Standard Chartered Bank, customers cannot close their time deposits through phone banking. Instead they must still go to the bank, fill out the forms and queue.

Scientist warns rain may trigger Merapi lava flow

Scientist warns rain may trigger Merapi lava flow YOGYAKARTA (JP): A scientist here is warning the lava flow from Mt. Merapi volcano could intensify with the likelihood of heavier rains. Director of the Center for Natural Disaster Studies, Sudibyakto, said yesterday that much-predicted rainfall from the La Nina global weather phenomenon could trigger increased lava flow down the mountain. La Nina has been forecast to bring more rain in the present dry season, which normally lasts until October.

Indonesia's donors agree on urgent need for help

Indonesia's donors agree on urgent need for help JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's traditional aid donors met here yesterday and broadly agreed on the urgent need to help the country through the economic crisis, the World Bank said. The World Bank said in a statement that the meeting set the scene for the forthcoming meeting of the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) which the bank chairs.

Governor allows rallies to go on in East Timor

Governor allows rallies to go on in East Timor JAKARTA (JP): East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares said he would allow mass rallies to be held in the province today but warned he would order an immediate clampdown if they become unruly. "If people have a plan to stage a demonstration, go ahead, as long as they do not disturb public order. Once they do, the security forces will take stern action," Abilio said in Dili, East Timor, yesterday.

Asian stock marts up on Japanese hopes

Asian stock marts up on Japanese hopes SINGAPORE (Reuters): Hopes for a stronger leadership in Japan boosted the yen and propelled Asian stocks upwards yesterday, with South Korean shares rocketing more than five percent. Beleaguered Indonesian stocks gained ground after the International Monetary Fund announced it was resuming loan disbursements to Indonesia and said an additional $6 billion had been added to its financial rescue package.

Toyo wins RI contract

Toyo wins RI contract TOKYO (Nikkei): Toyo Engineering Corp. leads a group that has won a Y35 billion contract from an Indonesian concerns to build two fertilizer plants on the island of Sumatra, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition reported. The project will be partially financed by loans from the Export-Import Bank of Japan.

Bapindo publishes financial reports, reveals Rp 1.05t loss

Bapindo publishes financial reports, reveals Rp 1.05t loss JAKARTA (JP): After a four-year hiatus, state-owned PT Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) is finally publishing its financial reports today. The reports, shown to journalists yesterday, show that the bank suffered a cumulative carried-over loss of Rp 1.05 trillion (US$80 million) in the last three years.

Farmers to sue Soeharto over Tapos cattle ranch

Farmers to sue Soeharto over Tapos cattle ranch JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of farmers from Cibedug, Bogor, plan to sue former president Soeharto for allegedly seizing their land in the early 1970s when he developed a sprawling cattle ranch. Accompanied by Bogor-based Pakuan University student activists, their representatives lobbied the National Commission on Human Rights yesterday to assist in regaining their property.

Tangerang regency moves to new HQ

Tangerang regency moves to new HQ TANGERANG (JP): The regency administration will move in to its new headquarters in Tiga Raksa, about a one hour drive southwest of here, next month, regent Agus Djunara said yesterday. Agus, who visited the new office complex yesterday, ordered the contractor to speed up the installation of water and electricity services. "I will move to Tiga Raksa next month, even if my office there is not entirely finished," he said.

Feuding PDI camps may go separate ways

Feuding PDI camps may go separate ways JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid has supported the idea of splitting the divided Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) into two parties if the Megawati Soekarnoputri and Soerjadi camps cannot resolve their differences. Speaking to reporters after meeting with President B.J. Habibie here yesterday, Syarwan said the government could accept the formation of two PDI parties. "There's really no problem with a PDI I and PDI II," he said.

Thai rice export to RI surge

Thai rice export to RI surge BANGKOK (Dow Jones): Thailand's rice exports to Indonesia during the period January to June 1998 totaled 969,300 metric tons, up 454 percent from 175,000 tons in the same period last year, according to a Department of Foreign Trade report. Rice exports by value in the first six months totaled 10.6 billion baht, up 677 percent from 1.4 billion baht in the same period the previous year.

Gandhi assassin play condemned

Gandhi assassin play condemned NEW DELHI (AP): A play about the man who killed Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi was condemned in India's parliament yesterday. Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi was hard-pressed to calm angry lawmakers after one raised for debate newspaper reports about the play, Nathuram Godse Speaks, which has been running in the western city of Bombay in recent weeks.

On rape victims

On rape victims In a letter you published on July 15 under the insensitive title 'Rape victims have no future', Mrs. Soeparman suggested that the women who had been raped in the recent riots "will be engulfed by a feeling of shame for the rest of their lives, will feel inferior... [and] will be reluctant to get married, being shameful of having lost their virginity." As a woman and as a member of the House of Representatives, Mrs.

Reform and the little people

Reform and the little people From Sinar Pagi The reform generated by students has led the little people to feel they might expect better days ahead. But present conditions have made them doubt what use the reform is. Life is not getting any better, it is even harder now. The economy has gone awry. The ongoing reform has gone astray. The reform was heralded by the students with a view to enforcing overall justice and truth.

Air France not to reduce flights despite slump

Air France not to reduce flights despite slump JAKARTA (JP): Air France said yesterday it had no plans to reduce its Jakarta-Paris service despite a sharp decrease in passenger volume in the first semester of this year. The airline's regional general manager, Christian Herpin, said the airline would maintain its six weekly flights serving Paris- Jakarta route, although its load factor had dropped to 55 percent from the usual 85 percent.

Trisakti University backs change in education law

Trisakti University backs change in education law JAKARTA (JP): Students and faculty from Trisakti University have joined the chorus of calls for revisions in the national education law to allow institutions of higher learning to be more autonomous and democratic.

Japanese found dead in hotel

Japanese found dead in hotel JAKARTA (JP): A Japanese national identified as K. Takeda, 49, died in his room in Hotel Pangrango, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, a report said yesterday. The police identified him as an employee of PT Indocement who checked into the hotel early on Wednesday with an 18-year-old local woman, Antara reported. The woman, identified only as SP, informed the hotel management at 10 a.m. that the man was seriously ill.

Residents swarm to shrimp ponds

Residents swarm to shrimp ponds JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people swarmed to shrimp ponds in Salembaran Jaya village, Kosambi district on the Teluknaga coast yesterday, waiting to get their share in the shrimp harvest. Carrying nets, residents -- including children -- stood on the muddy banks of the ponds under the hot midday sun, hoping to collect some remaining shrimps after the scheduled harvest took place.

Crisis pushes up life insurance demand

Crisis pushes up life insurance demand JAKARTA (JP): PT Sewu New York Life (SNYL), a life insurance joint venture has reported robust growth in sales in the last two months, reflecting people's increased insecurity about the future. Company president C. Donald Carden said yesterday the uncertainty resulting from the country's worst-ever economic crisis had significantly pushed up demand for life insurance because people saw it as the best way to invest their money.

Calls grow for probe into disappearances

Calls grow for probe into disappearances JAKARTA (JP): Despite the detention of several Army special force (Kopassus) officers for the abduction of activists, leading opposition and human rights figures intensified their demands yesterday for a thorough investigation to discover the brains behind the crimes. Abdurrahman Wahid, Marzuki Darusman and Amien Rais all demanded that the investigation not stop at its present juncture but reveal the mastermind of the abductions.

Foreign investors sought for Rp 4.2t Monas project

Foreign investors sought for Rp 4.2t Monas project JAKARTA (JP): Foreign investors are badly needed to help develop underground commercial facilities and an amphitheater in the National Monument (Monas) park, an official said yesterday. The city authorities, who are facing serious budgetary problems, have not been able to begin the estimated Rp 4.2 trillion development planned for the area to the south of the park, Maruli Manurung, head of the Monas management office, said.

Villagers make their own oil

Villagers make their own oil PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Skyrocketing prices of cooking oil have forced villagers in Banyumas to use traditional methods, such as producing their own coconut oil, to supplement their needs. Suwarto, a farmer in Rawalo, said the villagers had no other alternative but to revert to traditional methods to survive despite the painstaking and troublesome process entailed. He said villagers used copra to make the oil. "Copra is left to spoil and then dried.

Governor Sutiyoso vows to help Asian Games team

Governor Sutiyoso vows to help Asian Games team JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has said the city administration will work to drum up financial support for the National Sports Council to send the national contingent to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December. Although the administration is facing financial problems, it would also try to help the association by encouraging private sector assistance, he said.

Complaints Box opens in Bogor

Complaints Box opens in Bogor BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Prosecutor's Office has opened a special post office box for citizens who are fed up with corruption in the local bureaucracy. Djuharia Anwar, who heads the office, said on Wednesday that people could report corrupt practices involving government officials by sending letters to PO Box 1001. "Reports should be supported with convincing evidence and must not be slanderous. Senders should clearly identify themselves.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on July 16, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Local property market may worsen over next two years

Local property market may worsen over next two years JAKARTA (JP): The outlook for Indonesia's property market will remain grim for the next few years because of the deteriorating economy and volatile political situation, property consultant PT Procon Indah and its international partner, Jones Lang Wootton (JLW), predicted yesterday.

IMF and donors boost RI bailout

IMF and donors boost RI bailout WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday approved an immediate $1 billion loan payment to Indonesia and said donors agreed to increase bailout lending by $6 billion on top of previous commitments. The IMF said new financing for the program would be provided through an "informal arrangement" among bilateral creditors.

Three big hospitals to have name changed

Three big hospitals to have name changed JAKARTA (JP): Three major hospitals have been taken over by the government and will have their names changed to dispel the perception that they are still under a foundation chaired by former president Soeharto, a minister said yesterday. The three are Harapan Kita Coronary Hospital, the Anak Bunda Harapan Kita Hospital for maternity and pediatric care and the Dharmais Cancer Hospital, all located on Jl. Letjen S. Parman in West Jakarta.

Sumitomo serves Jakarta firms

Sumitomo serves Jakarta firms TOKYO (Nikkei): A Sumitomo Corp subsidiary has begun arranging air cargo service to an Indonesian industrial center housing numerous Japanese manufacturers, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition reported. Sumitrans (Japan) Corp. promises delivery to receivers in Indonesia within about 30 hours, compared to the five days previously required. Cargo collected by 1 p.m. is first transported to the Philippines on a Federal Express Corp.

Development of Timor Gap depot put on hold

Development of Timor Gap depot put on hold JAKARTA (JP): PT El Nusa, a subsidiary of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina, has put on hold the development of a logistical depot in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, designed to support oil and gas exploration in the Timor Gap, due to lack of funds. El Nusa president Aswad Dipo said the US$9.1 million project was 80 percent complete when it was put on hold in April.

City captured world of four ages in 'Catur Yuga'

City captured world of four ages in 'Catur Yuga' JAKARTA (JP): The circle of time versus the linear lines of it. With this as its concept, the Swiss Embassy, The Goethe Institute in Jakarta and the Jakarta Playhouse are presenting an arts exhibition and a contemporary music and dance performance called Catur Yuga.

Trade relations between RI and Iraq

Trade relations between RI and Iraq In the food and pharmaceutical sector, in an effort to help the Iraqi public meet food and medicinal needs, several pharmaceutical firms and food company executives have established trade contacts with the Iraqi government, particularly in a project tender which culminated in the Oil for Food program approved by the United Nations.

Government again revises crisis budget

Government again revises crisis budget JAKARTA (JP): The government announced yesterday another revised version of the 1998/1999 State Budget to accommodate a further deterioration in the economy and a huge subsidy commitment. Delivered by Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto to the House of Representatives (DPR), the budget forecasts a shrink in the economy by 12 percent during the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999, with inflation of 66 percent.

Lake Tempe overflows

Lake Tempe overflows UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: More than 1,800 houses remained inundated as waters from Lake Tempe in Wajo regency have not subsided after it overflowed Wednesday. About 15,000 hectares of paddy fields and 600 hectares of cocoa plantations have also been affected Wajo regent Dachlan Maulana said the lake overflowed after a week-long downpour.

RI buys Australian wheat

RI buys Australian wheat SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia has bought 30,000 to 50,000 tons of Australian wheat for prompt delivery at a tender, a Singapore-based trader said yesterday. The price was not immediately available. Indonesia, whose commodities imports have been slashed by a financial crisis, is one of Australia's biggest wheat markets.

Police intensify operations to trace illegally-owned guns

Police intensify operations to trace illegally-owned guns JAKARTA (JP): Police are intensifying street operations following reports that wealthy people traumatized by the mid-May riots have bought guns on the black market. City police Chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said yesterday that since Operasi Kilat Jaya (Greater Jakarta Lightening Operations) started on July 1, the authorities have seized 10 guns from both members of the Armed Forces and civilians.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 16, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 38,500 AHAP Insurance 575 0 0 Alter Abadi 525 0 70,500 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 200 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 225 0 97,000 Aneka Tambang 2,400 -125 39,980,000 Anwar Sierad 125 25 11,500 Apac Centertex Corp.

MLC raises stake in RI firm

MLC raises stake in RI firm SYDNEY (Reuters): MLC Ltd, the life insurance and funds investment arm of Lend Lease Corp Ltd, said yesterday it has increased its investment in Indonesian life insurance joint venture Simas Lend Lease Life. MLC said it would spend A$2.7 million to increase its stake in the venture to 80 percent from 50 percent, as the company continued to seek opportunities to expand its Asian business.

Barclays releases banking report

Barclays releases banking report HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Banks in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia are in the best shape in the region, and those in Indonesia and South Korea in the worst, Barclays Capital said yesterday. In its latest regional analysis, Barclays said "many Asian banks are losing cash every day they stay open," due to the ongoing regional financial markets crisis.

Rupiah strengthens an news of new loans

Rupiah strengthens an news of new loans JAKARTA (JP): The local financial market gained ground yesterday after the International Monetary Fund announced it was resuming loan disbursements to the country and said an additional US$6 billion had been added to its financial rescue package. The rupiah jumped 7 percent to 13,200 against the U.S. dollar yesterday, while share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) gained 1.4 percent, dealers and stockbrokers said.

Sioen boosts RI presence

Sioen boosts RI presence BRUSSELS (Reuters): Belgian textile company Sioen Industries NV said on Wednesday it bought a textile workshop in Indonesia for an undisclosed amount, expanding its textile division by 800 employees. "The acquisition will help support the strong sales growth in Europe and fits in with Sioen Industries' strategy of being present in the Far East in production and sales and to further develop activities geographically," Sioen said in a statement.

Mobil ups Indonesia reserve estimate

Mobil ups Indonesia reserve estimate FAIRFAX, Virginia (Reuters): Mobil Corp. said yesterday that reserve estimates at its Greater Merah Besar field, offshore East Kalimantan, had been increased to 190 million barrels of oil after drilling two new exploration wells.

A child's drug problem often tears their family asunder

A child's drug problem often tears their family asunder JAKARTA (JP): Mornings are painful reminders. It is the time when Lili, not her real name, used to see off her three children to school. Evenings are the same. Photographs of a healthy, smiling Romi (not his real name), 16, makes her feel no better. Every morning, she visits her son at Medika Ananda, a hospital on Jl. Raya Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

International Monetary Fund's statement on RI economic program

International Monetary Fund's statement on RI economic program WASHINGTON (Reuters): The following statement was issued on Wednesday by Alassane Ouattara, a deputy managing director at the IMF, on Indonesia's economic program: I am pleased to announce that in support of the Indonesian government's economic program, the IMF's executive board today approved the completion of a review of Indonesia's stand-by credit.

NGOs sue govt over security breakdown

NGOs sue govt over security breakdown JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations filed a class action lawsuit against the government yesterday over lax security during the May riots. Lawyer Ester Jusuf said the suit was filed in the Central Jakarta District Court against the Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander, the National Police Chief, the Jakarta Police Chief and the Central Java Police Chief.

Govt proposes to reschedule sovereign debt

Govt proposes to reschedule sovereign debt JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to reschedule part of its foreign debt to help raise funds to cover its immediate economic and fiscal needs, according to Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita. Speaking to journalists after a two-hour meeting yesterday with President B.J. Habibie, Ginandjar said the government would only reschedule the principal and would continue to pay the interest.

Staying 'green' in the crisis

Staying 'green' in the crisis SEMARANG, Central Java: Six cities from five Asian countries with inter-city cooperation are scheduled to take part in an international seminar and workshop here on the importance of environmental management during an economic crisis. Head of the local environmental impact management agency, Lilin Buditi, was quoted by Antara as saying that experts from Japan and Indonesia were expected to present their papers. To be held here from Nov.

Ethnic Vietnamese shot dead ahead of Cambodia poll

Ethnic Vietnamese shot dead ahead of Cambodia poll PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Three ethnic Vietnamese were among four fishing people shot dead by masked gunmen in an attack that bodes ill for Cambodia's July 26 election, a senior government official said yesterday. Five masked gunmen on Wednesday killed the four members of a fishing family in their boat, moored for the night on the bank of the Mekong River in Kratie province, 140 km from Phnom Penh, deputy provincial governor Pao Homphan said.

Parents look to rehab centers to get kids off drug habit

Parents look to rehab centers to get kids off drug habit By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): Some teenagers choose to snort off nagging mental agitation by "chasing the dragon", the drug user's euphemistic term for imbibing heroin through a straw put up the nostrils or having it diluted, heated and then injected into the bloodstream.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: Tom and Jerry Kids 3:05 Sports: Topik Olah Raga 3:30 Village Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Performance: Cakrawala Budaya 5:00 Music: Paket 27 5:30 Education Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports News 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Music 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music (contd.) 8:30 Talk Show: Dialog 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Gebyar Musik...

A mystery unraveled

A mystery unraveled An act of terror that seemed destined to become a permanent mystery is at last beginning to unravel. It appears that a number of individuals belonging to the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) were responsible for the abduction of political activists. This much has been admitted by the Armed Forces (ABRI) through its Spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif, when he relayed reports submitted by an ABRI fact-finding team.

Long-serving badminton coach resigns after 13 years

Long-serving badminton coach resigns after 13 years JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia officially accepted the resignation of men's singles coach Indra Gunawan after a meeting on Wednesday. The association's executive director Agus Wirahadikusumah said after the meeting that Indra would no longer coach at the National Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta. Agus said Indra's resignation was not unusual because he had been coaching at the center for 13 years.

Big Macs off Moslem menus

Big Macs off Moslem menus BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AP): Big Macs have been scratched from McDonald's menus in Brunei until the burgers are deemed in keeping with dietary rules by Moslem religious officials. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has halted importation of beef and chicken at the two McDonald's in the Southeast Asian kingdom, worried the foreign meat was not halal, or permitted under Moslem law.