Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 August 1998

59 articles found

Sewage treatment plant unused

Sewage treatment plant unused KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A Rp 1 billion sewage treatment plant built three years ago by the office of public works here remains largely unused, according to a provincial official. An official from the provincial Community Environment Development Agency, Somba Tambing, said yesterday the treatment plant was mostly inactive because most people with septic tanks opted not to use them.

Prabowo discharged from ABRI

Prabowo discharged from ABRI JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) honorably discharged Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto yesterday and removed two senior Army Special Force (Kopassus) officers from active duty as punishment for their role in the abductions and torture of political activists.

Free distribution of aid counterproductive: Expert

Free distribution of aid counterproductive: Expert JAKARTA (JP): An expert spoke out against the free distribution of aid for people suffering from the economic crisis yesterday, saying it would not boost their confidence or be sustainable. United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) representative for Indonesia Stephen J. Woodhouse sharply criticized charities which distributed free aid to those claiming to be the most hit by the crisis.

Habibie vows to help contractors

Habibie vows to help contractors JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said yesterday he was saddened by the fact that at least five million construction workers had lost their jobs this year due to the economic downturn. Speaking to 300 members of the Indonesian Builders Association (GAPENSI) at the State Palace yesterday, the President pledged to raise down payments for government-financed construction projects to help reduce the financial burden of small and medium contractors.

Two ex-convicts shot in robbery

Two ex-convicts shot in robbery JAKARTA (JP): Two ex-convicts were shot by a policeman for allegedly robbing a gold necklace from a woman on Jl. Pejagalan Raya in the Tambora district of West Jakarta early yesterday. Tambora police chief Maj. Chairul Anwar said that an officer who was in the area gave chase to the two suspects when he heard cries for help from people in the Pejagalan market. "The villains ignored the warning shots he fired so he shot and wounded them," he added.

Regional security forum to be held

Regional security forum to be held BANDUNG: A fifth dialog in a series of forums on political affairs and regional security in the post Cold War era will be held here Thursday. The two-day dialog, held at the Savoy Homann Hotel, will look into the economic crisis' impacts on stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

National reconciliation

National reconciliation From Neraca Under Soeharto's regime, the Bhinneka Tunggal Eka (Unity in Diversity) motto written on the state symbol was, in practice, the Wawasan Nusantara (the archipelagic concept). The concept was used as an effective weapon to muffle the voices in the provinces which wanted autonomy and decentralization; in particular to cut down any desire of local people who aspired to become governor.

'No riots ahead of MPR meet'

'No riots ahead of MPR meet' JAKARTA (JP): State Intelligence Coordinating Board chief Moetojib assured people yesterday that no riots would occur prior to November's Extraordinary Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). The public has no reason to worry about renewed unrest like that which happened last May, Moetojib was quoted by Antara as saying. "Don't worry, we've been following every single movement every day," said the retired three-star Army general.

Govt to blame for state of banking industry

Govt to blame for state of banking industry The government has decided to take over shares in four ailing banks under its scheme to restructure the country's banking industry. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses unfairness in the valuation of the banks' assets. JAKARTA (JP): The banking industry started to decay in 1990 but the government, in spite of repeated warnings from analysts, failed to take the necessary measures to prevent it from further collapse.

Goh urges Jakarta to investigate riots

Goh urges Jakarta to investigate riots JAKARTA (JP): Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong impressed the importance of uncovering the parties responsible for Indonesia's May riots, saying that such steps would help increase Jakarta's credibility and standing. In his Singapore national day rally speech Sunday night, Goh praised President B.J. Habibie for taking a "courageous and honest stand" in uncovering brutalities of his predecessor's administration.

Bakin question claims of mass rapes during riots

Bakin question claims of mass rapes during riots JAKARTA (JP): The Head of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin), Lt. Gen. (ret.) Moetojib, questioned yesterday claims of mass rapes during the May riots, saying such reports were circulated with the political intent to undermine the government, Antara reported yesterday. Moetojib said the agency had not found any indication, or even report, that supported allegations of mass rapes.

Police assigned to promote seat belt use

Police assigned to promote seat belt use JAKARTA (JP): The city police are deploying 290 policewomen to help promote the use of car seat belts in the capital, an officer said. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the uniformed policewomen were, from yesterday, assigned at certain locations, such as the traffic lights at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta, to remind motorists to use their seat belts.

Assault inquiry to be handled internally

Assault inquiry to be handled internally JAKARTA (JP): The incident in which former Aceh governor and Soeharto minister Ibrahim Hasan was assaulted at a discussion meeting will be handled peacefully within the Acehnese people's group that organized the meeting, a group representative said here yesterday.

Volleyball team off to Australia

Volleyball team off to Australia JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association's executive director, Rita Subowo, said yesterday the association had canceled its plan to send the best beach volleyball team of Engel Bertha Kaize and Risma to the World Championships events next month. "Instead, we'll use the budget to send them on an overseas stint in Sydney and Perth, Australia, for about two months.

Mergers and acquisitions to pick up in Asia: J.P. Morgan

Mergers and acquisitions to pick up in Asia: J.P. Morgan SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The pace of mergers and acquisitions is likely to pick up in Asia as sharply depreciated asset values begin to stabilize, according to a key executive at J.P. Morgan Securities Asia Pte Ltd. Hurt by the crisis, Asian companies are now viewing tie-ups or takeovers as a way of improving their financial position, said the company's Singapore-based Managing Director Cezar Consing.

Mysticism still prevails in the shadow of Mt. Merapi

Mysticism still prevails in the shadow of Mt. Merapi By A. Solikhan and Tjahjono EP YOGYAKARTA (JP): Just like any other community living in the midst of distinctive natural phenomena, residents at the foot of Mt. Merapi have their own mystical beliefs. These vest the people with a unique attitude toward natural phenomena, including disasters. Most of them believe that the foot of Mt.

Asiad door still open for Oka and Malik

Asiad door still open for Oka and Malik JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's 13th Asian Games national training director, Mohamad Hindarto, said yesterday that windsurfers Oka Sulaksana and Malik Faizal still had a chance of competing at the Asiad based on their results at the Asian Windsurfing Championships in China on Sunday. Defending champion Oka only won a bronze in the mistral one design.

Japan to provide troubled local firms with loadns

Japan to provide troubled local firms with loadns JAKARTA (JP): Japan plans to provide working capital loans to troubled joint-venture labor-intensive manufacturing firms to help them survive the crisis. They include companies producing electronics, medicines, garments and automobiles, the vice minister for international affairs at Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Hisamitsu Arai, said here yesterday.

ASEAN to decide on Cambodia

ASEAN to decide on Cambodia KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to make a decision on whether to accept Cambodia as a new member of the regional grouping when they meet next month in New York, reports said yesterday. The foreign ministers from the nine-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be in New York to attend the new session of the UN General Assembly.

Salim Group in survival talks with IBRA

Salim Group in survival talks with IBRA SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia's once-powerful Salim Group may have to shrink in size in order to survive. A Salim executive said over the weekend that the conglomerate has proposed giving Jakarta banking authorities assets and shares in a range of group units as part of a solution to problems at its flagship PT Bank Central Asia.

Govt to allow foreign control of local banks

Govt to allow foreign control of local banks JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to allow foreign investors to hold controlling ownership of Indonesian banks either through direct placement or the capital market, a senior official has said.

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 Aug. 24 to Aug. 30: U.S.

Australia to probe death of its journalists in E. Timor

Australia to probe death of its journalists in E. Timor SYDNEY, Australia (AFP): The government ordered yesterday an investigation into allegations it did nothing to protect the lives of five Australian journalists murdered by Indonesian troops in East Timor 23 years ago. The move followed a report by The Sydney Morning Herald that Canberra's foreign affairs department had systematically concealed information about the killings to retain support for its policies on East Timor.

Irian Jaya not yet ready for autonomy: Governor

Irian Jaya not yet ready for autonomy: Governor JAKARTA (JP): Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi threw cold water on calls for greater autonomy yesterday, arguing that Indonesia's easternmost province lacked sufficiently skilled human resources for such a responsibility. The retired navy commodore asserted that awarding the resource-rich province autonomy would only lead to more "importing" of experts from Java or other provinces.

National soccer team offered bonus if it wins Tiger Cup

National soccer team offered bonus if it wins Tiger Cup JAKARTA (JP): Cash bonuses are being dangled in front of the national soccer team for the upcoming Tiger Cup in a bid to motivate players to restore the country's tattered international reputation in the sport.

Astra, ProEM train disabled

Astra, ProEM train disabled JAKARTA (JP): The Yayasan Bina Karya Mandiri foundation of the Astra International Group and ProEM Australia opened a disability employment support training course here yesterday which will proceed for five days with 11 trainees from various companies as the sponsors.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 24, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 225 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 225 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 298,000 Aneka Tambang 1,750 -175 17,187,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.

Good, but not enough

Good, but not enough Without doubt, the dismissal of Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto from active military service and the relief from "all structural duties" of two other high ranking officers from the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) is headline news for the Indonesian media. Not since the failed communist coup of 1965 has the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) been challenged to clean up such a nasty mess within its ranks.

Familiar stench of nepotism

Familiar stench of nepotism Very interestingly yet ridiculously, President B.J. Habibie presented Mahaputera Adipradana medals of merit to a number of government officials and community figures on Aug. 14, 1998. Their presentation is quite absurd in view of the great trouble the Indonesian state and people are now in. Are the recipients really meritorious to the Indonesian state and people?

Rupiah stable but stocks fall 4.5 percent on JSX

Rupiah stable but stocks fall 4.5 percent on JSX JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah escaped the regional currency slump yesterday, rising to 11,650 against the U.S. dollar on positive market response to the government's latest measures to invigorate the country's ailing banking system. But stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) followed the regional trend, falling 4.58 percent.

Observers give Wiranto decision the thumbs down

Observers give Wiranto decision the thumbs down JAKARTA (JP): Military observers and rights campaigners have given the thumbs down to the Armed Forces' decision to slap administrative punishments on Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto and two other officers from the Army's Special Force (Kopassus), rather than bringing them before a military tribunal to answer for their involvement in the abduction and torture of political activists. Lt. Gen.

Ex-regent queried over graft charges

Ex-regent queried over graft charges UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Former Maros Regent Nasrun Amrullah was intensively questioned by the provincial Attorney General's office here yesterday over allegations that he embezzled Rp 1.4 million in development funds. A team of six officers, headed by Assistant Chief for Administrative Affairs Badron Rasyid, questioned the former official for over nine hours.

Riau gets a new bi-weekly

Riau gets a new bi-weekly PEKANBARU, Riau: A new bi-weekly magazine called Tema (Theme) is set to be launched here next month after it formally received its publishing license from the Ministry of Information. Head of the provincial office of information ministry here HJ Hardianto said the permit was signed by Minister Muhammad Yunus on July 31. Upon handing over the permit, Hardianto called on the publisher to exploit the press' newfound freedom "as well as possible".

GKPB event disrupted

GKPB event disrupted SURABAYA: The launching of the Movement for Indonesian Justice and Unity's (GKPB) East Java chapter here yesterday had to be hastily held as hundreds of students demonstrated outside the meeting's venue, successfully disrupting the event. Among those that attended the declaration ceremony were GKPB founders Gen. (ret.) Rudini, Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudrajat and former environment minister Sarwono Kusumatmadja.

SE Asian currencies slip as traders back away

SE Asian currencies slip as traders back away SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies mostly slipped against the U.S. dollar during Asian trading yesterday, trailing regional stock markets lower as fears of financial instability in Russia and Latin America depressed sentiment towards emerging markets throughout the world. Liquidity in the region's foreign exchange markets remained thin, however, with the falls in Southeast Asian currencies attributed to U.S.

Extortion

Extortion I wish to share with readers an unfortunate experience which happened while I was a resident of Indonesia. For the weekend of July 4 to July 6, I contracted with Mr. Handoyo, Ivindo Tour (that I found in an ad in The Jakarta Post), to provide myself and a friend with a three-day, two-night trekking tour of Ujungkulon Park, West Java. The final agreed price for full board and all transportation was US$180 to be paid in rupiah, and Mr.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Aug. 22, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Scoring system for bids in logging auction

Scoring system for bids in logging auction JAKARTA (JP): A scoring system will be used in awarding logging contracts to ensure only parties displaying a strong commitment to protecting the environment and engaging participation of local people will win, a minister said yesterday.

Toward a face-saving settlement?

Toward a face-saving settlement? At long last the Supreme Court has made its ruling in the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) case, a decision far from ending the dispute (between former party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and the government-backed Soerjadi faction which ousted her) since the decision only raised new controversies.

Soerjadi vows to refuse renomination

Soerjadi vows to refuse renomination JAKARTA (JP): Soerjadi, the besieged chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), said he would refuse any attempt to renominate him during the government-backed party congress which opens today in Palu, Central Sulawesi.

Astronomers-to-be help record rare ring solar eclipse

Astronomers-to-be help record rare ring solar eclipse Text and photos by IGGP Bayu Ismoyo DUMAI, Riau (JP): A flurry of activity was seen here Saturday in response to a rare event: a ring solar eclipse. A group of astronomy students from the Bandung Institute of Technology were among observers who decided that Riau, one of the areas along the eclipse's path, was a good spot to record the phenomenon, believed to be the region's last this century.

Housewife hangs herself

Housewife hangs herself JAKARTA (JP): A housewife committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, yesterday, after a heated argument with her husband. The victim, identified as Yuvensia Kristinawati, 26, was found hanging from the window of her room by her housemaid, Sri Lestari, 14. The woman, who worked in the accounts department of tire manufacturing firm PT Gadjah Tunggal was believed to have been suffering from depression.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Performances * Drama by Teater Alibi, in Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022-433562), 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Aug 28-30. Music and Entertainment * Hotel Papandayan, Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 83 (Phone: 022 310799): - The Burangrang Lounge at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Piano Solo, Monday. Jazz Duo, Tuesday. Piano Solo, Wednesday. Piano, Jazzy Voices, Thursday. Jazz Quartet, Friday. Fusion Jazz Bit, Saturday.

Sailor killed by colleague

Sailor killed by colleague JAKARTA (JP): A 50-year-old sailor was stabbed to death during a fight with another crew member on board the Contesa 04 fishing boat Thursday while sailing across the Karimata strait, off Karimata island, West Kalimantan.

IBRA promises full compensation

IBRA promises full compensation JAKARTA (JP): Around 12,000 employees who will lose their jobs as a result of the closure of three badly managed banks will receive twice as much compensation as they are entitled to under existing labor regulations, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announced yesterday.

Restoration of confidence a top priority

Restoration of confidence a top priority By Joe L. Spartz JAKARTA (JP): Like any other currency in the world, the value of the rupiah is determined by a variety of factors, of which public trust and confidence are amongst the most important and elusive.

Govt resumes Semen Gresik talks with Cemex

Govt resumes Semen Gresik talks with Cemex JAKARTA (JP): The government reopened negotiations yesterday with Mexico's Cemex SA de CV over the stalled sale of the state- owned cement maker PT Semen Gresik. State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said yesterday Cemex was expected to come up with a new price proposal within two weeks.

Lippo's Riady backs govt action on troubled banks

Lippo's Riady backs govt action on troubled banks JAKARTA (JP): Deputy chairman of the Lippo group James T. Riady hailed yesterday the government's move to freeze and nationalize several debt-ridden banks, believing it would help restore market confidence in the country's ailing banking industry. James, who is also the government's special business envoy to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand, said domestic and international markets welcomed the action.

Marzuki urges probe into E. Timor rights violations

Marzuki urges probe into E. Timor rights violations JAKARTA (JP): A thorough investigation into human rights abuses and the lifting of the cloud of public fear are prerequisites to a comprehensive solution in East Timor, leading rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman said yesterday. The deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights told a seminar that any talks seeking the best solution for the disputed territory would otherwise be useless.

Police believe May riots not organized

Police believe May riots not organized JAKARTA (JP): Police have not found any indication the massive riots which hit the city in mid-May were organized, city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said Saturday. He said the results of the police investigation into the 16 people named as agitators in the riots showed they acted independently. "They did not know each other and what they did was spontaneous and not organized by certain parties," he said.

Rights body confirms 781 people killed in Aceh

Rights body confirms 781 people killed in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights, fresh from a visit to Aceh, confirmed yesterday that at least 781 people were killed and thousands others suffered during the nine- years of military operations in the country's westernmost province.

Lt. Gen. Prabowo's downfall faster than his ascent

Lt. Gen. Prabowo's downfall faster than his ascent JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, who was discharged from the Armed Forces (ABRI) yesterday, was once considered one of the military's most promising stars destined for the very top job. Some even suggested he had a chance of becoming president of Indonesia. Having risen through the ranks faster than his peers -- even bypassing some of his more immediate seniors -- his fall from grace was even swifter. Less than six months to be precise.

IFC says about 20% of its loans to RI firms turn bad

IFC says about 20% of its loans to RI firms turn bad JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation (IFC) said here yesterday that about 20 percent of its loan and equity investment in Indonesia had turned bad as the recipients could no longer repay their debts. IFC's director of its South and Southeast Asia department, Rashad Kaldany, said another 40 percent of the total financing was doubtful but the remaining 40 percent performed well.

Emil urges govt to probe WB leakage

Emil urges govt to probe WB leakage JAKARTA (JP): Senior economist Emil Salim urged the government yesterday to take further steps in investigating the alleged leakage of World Bank loans, saying it had been a problem for decades. Emil said Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and State Administrative Reforms Hartarto Sastrosoenarto should take a harder look at the ministries using World Bank funds.

Drug dealers arrested in separate raids

Drug dealers arrested in separate raids JAKARTA (JP): The city police busted five Ecstasy dealers and traders of the popular amphetamine derivative shabu-shabu in three separate raids late last week. The latest raid, on Saturday, netted drug trafficker, Kislam, 30, at a building on Jl. Kramat Sentiong in Central Jakarta. City police detectives chief Col. Gories Mere said Kislam, who had been under police surveillance for months, was caught red- handed with two grams of shabu-shabu.

Badminton centers get sponsors

Badminton centers get sponsors JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta and Yogyakarta badminton training centers sealed the receipt of financial assistance yesterday from two banks. The Jakarta branch will receive Rp 6 million (US$460) each month from Prima Express Bank while the Yogyakarta branch is to get Rp 5 million each month from Haga Bank. Badminton Association of Indonesia Secretary-General Leo Ch. Wiranata said yesterday that each center was training nine boys and nine girls.

Taxi passengers extra cautious about security

Taxi passengers extra cautious about security By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): A red-and-yellow taxi passed in front of a woman who was dressed in an elegant office outfit. She looked at the taxi for a second but then ignored it, even though it was for hire. A few minutes later, when a light-blue taxi passed on the other side of the street, the woman eagerly waved her hand, crossed the busy street and entered the taxi without any hesitation.

Clinic employees jailed for assisting abortions

Clinic employees jailed for assisting abortions JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta District Court sentenced yesterday four employees from two clinics to between 10 and 12 months in jail for their roles in assisting in scores of illegal abortions. Presiding Judge Endang Sumarsih told the court the defendants had been found guilty of assisting in the illegal practices at the Amalia and Herlina clinics in Tanah Tinggi between 1989 and last November.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 Children's Film: The Big Valley 3:05 Children's Program: Tunas: Belajar Lewat Televisi 3:30 Village Program: Harapan Transmigrasi -- Bengkulu 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah -- Lampung 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary: Banggai Dalam Pesona 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports: Monitor Olah Raga 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Music: Tunas Vokalia 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05...