Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 January 1999

44 articles found

Banyuwangi residents unite to call for regent's dismissal

Banyuwangi residents unite to call for regent's dismissal JAKARTA (JP): Residents of the East Java town of Banyuwangi urged on Monday the government to dismiss Regent Turyono Purnomo Sidik for his alleged involvement in the murders of 117 people between January and September, 1998.

Japanese rice in good condition, says Rahardi

Japanese rice in good condition, says Rahardi JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan has denied reports that 500,000 metric tons of rice sent here by the Japanese government is rotting in warehouses.

Four questioned for role in provoking Lampung brawl

Four questioned for role in provoking Lampung brawl JAKARTA (JP): Central Lampung Police are questioning four men for allegedly instigating a brawl between rival residents of East Jabung district on Friday which claimed four lives, a police officer said on Monday.

Students vow to resume rallies after Idul Fitri

Students vow to resume rallies after Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Student movement groups have vowed to take to the streets of the capital again shortly after the Idul Fitri holidays to voice their strong objections to this year's planned general election, their leaders said Monday.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 6:30 News: Nuansa Reformasi 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 7:30 TV Series 8:00 Music 8:30 Variety Show 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.

East Java gets new commander

East Java gets new commander SURABAYA: The post of the Brawijaya military command will be officially handed over to its new commander, Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, on Thursday.Antara reported that Army Chief of Staff Gen.

Car investment running down the drain

Car investment running down the drainBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): The desolate engine manufacturing facility of PT Mazda Indonesia Mfg. in the West Java industrial city of Bekasi provides a glimpse of the bitter reality currently endured by the country's automotive industry.

Translation: Engine of cultural progress that moves very slowly

Translation: Engine of cultural progress that moves very slowlyBy A Jo Seng Bie BANDUNG (Antara): Although translators are one of the engines of a nation's cultural progress, in Indonesia this engine moves only a little due to lack of fuel.

Unifying interethnic community

Unifying interethnic communityBy Eka Wenats Wuryanta JAKARTA (JP): What is happening to the spirit of "unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika)"? How will Indonesia's structure of pluralism be rebuilt after the recent racist riots?To answer these critical questions, one must return to the original...

Idul Fitri revelers continue to congest terminals, harbor

Idul Fitri revelers continue to congest terminals, harbor JAKARTA (JP): The outflow of city residents continued on Monday, with thousands flocking to major bus terminals, railway stations and the passenger terminal of Tanjung Priok harbor on their way to their home towns to celebrate Idul Fitri.

BI's net forex reserves drop to US$13.96 billion

BI's net forex reserves drop to US$13.96 billion JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Monday that its net foreign exchange reserves decreased by US$91.6 million to $13.96 billion on Jan. 7 compared to last week's level.

Bimoli employees demand higher wages

Bimoli employees demand higher wages JAKARTA (JP): At least 1,300 workers from two factories owned by PT Inti Boga Sejahtera, the makers of Bimoli cooking oil, protested against their employer on Monday, demanding a rise in their salaries.

Tangerang firms pay Idul Fitri bonuses

Tangerang firms pay Idul Fitri bonuses TANGERANG (JP): Despite the prolonged economic turmoil, most companies operating in the city managed to give Idul Fitri bonuses to their workers in line with the government's regulations, an official said on Monday.

S'pore opposition politician seeks president's aid

S'pore opposition politician seeks president's aid SINGAPORE (Reuters): A Singapore opposition politician speaking out for free speech will ask President Ong Teng Cheong to refer his campaign to the constitutional court, his lawyer said on Monday.

Cemex buys RP cement firm

Cemex buys RP cement firm MANILA (AFP): Cementos Mexico SA (Cemex) is to acquire Apo Cement Corp. of the Philippines for about US$400 million, Apo's parent firm said here Monday.Cemex and unnamed Filipino investors have reached preliminary agreement to acquire the 99.

Beautiful Thousand Islands have a thousand complex problems

Beautiful Thousand Islands have a thousand complex problemsBy M. Habiburrohman JAKARTA (Antara): The string of 108 Indonesian islands known as the Thousand Islands, located just off the Jakarta shore, has long associated with various problems.

Robbers suspected in maid's murder

Robbers suspected in maid's murder DENPASAR: A 20-year-old maid was found dead here on Monday in the bathroom of her employer's home, with wounds to her head and neck.Nengah Seriani, 20, from the village of Selat in Karangasem, worked in the house in the village of Damgin Puri Kangin, Antara...

A problem of image

A problem of image To judge by the frequency with which they occur and the ease with which they are provoked, one might believe that attacks on police posts have become something of a new fad among Indonesians these days.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 11, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 -25 49,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 25 5,000 Alumindo...

State budget not meant to cure economic crisis

State budget not meant to cure economic crisis The government has unveiled a draft budget worth Rp 218.2 trillion (US$27.27 billion) for fiscal 1999/2000, with a deficit of Rp 77.40 trillion which will be covered by foreign aid.

Ahmad Badawi takes office amid warnings

Ahmad Badawi takes office amid warnings KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's new deputy prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office on Monday amidst warnings from his detained predecessor Anwar Ibrahim that his credibility would be at stake.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaTuesdayMaghrib 6:17 p.m.WednesdayImsak 4:16 a.m.Subuh 4.26 a.m.

Rupiah breaches 8,000 level as stocks slide

Rupiah breaches 8,000 level as stocks slide JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah fell on Monday, breaching the 8,000 level against the U.S. dollar in very thin trading, as stock prices also lost ground, falling 0.5 percent, currency dealers and stockbrokers said.

Golkar expected to soften stance on civil servants

Golkar expected to soften stance on civil servants JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid are calling on Golkar to soften its stance on the political role of the country's 4.1 million public servants.

Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future

Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid confirmed on Monday that East Timor Governor Jose Osorio Abilio Soares could lose his job after being publicly accused of corruption and collusion.

New power plant for Riau oil fields

New power plant for Riau oil fields JAKARTA (JP): PT Mandau Cipta Tenaga Nusantara is building a US$190 million cogeneration plant in the Riau province to support the oil operation of its sister company, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia.

Officers should be wary of press reports: Wiranto

Officers should be wary of press reports: Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto has warned against the abuse of press freedom and told his officers to avoid being influenced indiscriminately by what is reported in the media.

Central bank governor upbeat about bank recapitalization

Central bank governor upbeat about bank recapitalization HONG KONG (Bloomberg): Details of Indonesia's bank bailout plan will be unveiled by the end of the month, and will include the issue of some bonds that will trade in the capital market, the country's central bank governor said on Monday.

Furniture export made easy

Furniture export made easy JAKARTA (JP): Cashing in on the booming imports of Indonesian furniture, a London-based trading company has established a showroom in Semarang, Central Java, to assist British buyers.Aspen Lander Ltd.

Former minister of mines to sue tabloid for libel

Former minister of mines to sue tabloid for libel JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of mines and energy I.B. Sudjana lodged a libel complaint against the new tabloid Penta at National Police Headquarters on Monday.The retired lieutenant general arrived at the police headquarters on Jl.

Estrada lauds dubious tycoon

Estrada lauds dubious tycoon MANILA (AP): President Joseph Estrada called a business tycoon accused of massive tax evasion a hero on Monday for continuing to run Philippine Airlines despite massive financial losses.

Troubled companies look to Miyazawa Plan for salvation

Troubled companies look to Miyazawa Plan for salvation JAKARTA (JP): The business sector here is hoping that aid disbursed under the auspices of the Miyazawa Plan will help to bail out firms facing the prospect of bankruptcy, according to a leading businessmen.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Performances * Puppet Show: Bang Bang Lengkana, narrated by Nandang Karbasuhaya, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 9:30 p.m., Jan. 16.

Female activists seek greater political role

Female activists seek greater political role JAKARTA (JP): Women activists and scholars, demanding a greater say in politics, are urging that at least 30 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives be allotted to women legislators.

Pakistani indicted for smuggling

Pakistani indicted for smuggling TANGERANG (JP): A Pakistani identified as Munaf A Latif, 40, was indicted at Tangerang District Court for attempting to smuggle out three boxes of pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) to Pakistan by airplane through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Kali Mati drivers look to City Hall to end dispute

Kali Mati drivers look to City Hall to end dispute JAKARTA (JP): After staging a one-day strike on Sunday, drivers of the M-39 minivans plying the Kota-Pademangan-Senen route packed City Hall on Monday morning to ask Governor Sutiyoso to take strict measures against becak (pedicab) drivers along...

Government plans to revive national car program

Government plans to revive national car program JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Monday that it was determined to revive the now defunct and much criticized national car program, which in the past was infested with nepotism and collusion.

Rain keeps students at home in Ambon

Rain keeps students at home in Ambon AMBON: Every time the rains come, students get a holiday in the East Seram district of Central Maluku because the roof of their school is full of holes, and part of it has blown away.Antara quoted the principal of Al-Hilal Guliar school, A.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Jan. 11, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,775.00 8,000.00 7,900.00 8,050.00Austrian schilling 1 664.01 676.22 - -Australian dollar 1 4,915.65 5,117.00 4,830.00 5,130.00Belgian franc 1 226.

Phone problems in South Jakarta

Phone problems in South Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): In a similar fashion to the impact of water and electricity company repair work, the drilling project of telecommunication firm PT Telkom on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta has left hundreds of its customers in trouble.

New group formed to push for independent judiciary

New group formed to push for independent judiciary JAKARTA (JP): A group of legal experts established on Monday a pressure group to push for an independent judiciary and a freer and more professional justice system.

11 soldiers arrested for murder

11 soldiers arrested for murder JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces said on Monday that it arrested 11 soldiers for torturing to death four alleged separatist rebels in Aceh on Saturday, while condemnation of the brutality came strong and fast.Lilawangsa Military Commander Col.

Police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, detective chief says

Police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, detective chief says JAKARTA (JP): City police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, mostly Kijang vans and sedans, in the period between Dec. 23 and Jan. 11, and invited city residents whose cars were missing to check them out at its headquarters on Jl.

Indonesia's troubles

Indonesia's troubles Since the dramatic fall from power last May of President Soeharto, things have not been going smoothly for the world's fourth most populous nation. Just in the past few days, some of the worst violence of the year has raked Aceh, a separatist- minded province of Sumatra.