Calm returns to Asian stock markets HONG KONG (AFP): Calm returned to jittery Asian stock markets Tuesday after China delivered soothing assurances it was committed to upholding the value of its yuan currency. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur indices ended barely higher, but Tokyo gained 1.2 percent, Singapore put on 1.4 percent, Bangkok climbed 0.9 percent and Jakarta surged 4.0 percent in the day's best performance by a regional bourse.

Permana new customs chief JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association welcomed yesterday the appointment of Permana Agung as the new director general of customs and excise duty. Permana will replace Martiono Hadianto, who has been installed as the president of Pertamina oil company. Permana, 36, a career customs official who is now the director for planning and revenues at the directorate general, will be installed at the finance ministry on Wednesday.

House to decide on Caltex's oil contract in two weeks JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives promised on Tuesday to make a decision in two weeks on the status of the development of the Coastal Plains Pekanbaru (CPP) oil block in Riau after the contract of PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia expires in 2001.

Man jailed for forging money TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang District Court sentenced a man to three years and four months in jail on Monday for forging Rp 50,000 bank notes worth nearly Rp 5 billion (US$588,235). Presiding judge Syamsul Hadi said Asiong, alias Cakra, 58, was found guilty of forging the money in a shop-house in the Citra Raya housing complex in Cikupa between March and April last year. "Forged notes worth Rp 4.6 billion were seized and will shortly be destroyed," Syamsul said.