Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 January 1999

59 articles found

Flushing work affects water service

Flushing work affects water service JAKARTA (JP): Poor tap water service will continue to affect customers in certain parts of the city over the next one to two years due to a pipeline flushing project, an executive at a tap water company said on Wednesday. John Hurcom, president of PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ), a partner of city-owned water company PDAM Jaya, said that during the repair work customers' tap water would be discolored because of sediment from the flushed pipes.

Police investigating villagers' dispute

Police investigating villagers' dispute TANGERANG (JP): Local police detectives are still investigating Sunday's vandalism of an Islamic elementary school and a boat factory in Tanjung Burung village in Teluk Naga, an officer said. "We really regret the cases. Whatever the reasons, we have to investigate them," Tangerang Police Chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said on Wednesday.

Walhi calls for reallocation, decentralization of resource

Walhi calls for reallocation, decentralization of resource JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has called for the decentralization and reallocation of natural resources in a bid to boost the people-oriented economy as part of a reform agenda of environmental management. The call was made as one of Walhi's recommendations in its New Year briefing on the country's 1999 environmental condition here Wednesday.

Commercial court needs modernization

Commercial court needs modernization JAKARTA (JP): The poor performance of Indonesia's Commercial Court, particularly its lack of understanding of the complex nature of modern financial transactions, is a major bottleneck in developing an effective and efficient bankruptcy regime, analysts said here on Thursday.

Labor export frims protest over workers' poor protection

Labor export frims protest over workers' poor protection JAKARTA (JP): Around 200 labor export companies have threatened to cancel their partnership with local insurance companies following their failure to provide protection for around 1,000 workers in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

Thai's FDI slip 37%

Thai's FDI slip 37% BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand approved foreign investment projects worth 303.4 billion baht (US$8.4 billion) last year, a 37 per cent drop from 1997 figures, Board of Investment (BOI) officials said Thursday. For the first time in years approvals for European investments, which reached 137.6 billion baht last year, exceeded investments from Japanese companies, worth 68 billion baht, according to the BOI's year-end figures.

Dharmala upset by bankruptcy demand

Dharmala upset by bankruptcy demand JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera said on Thursday it was "extremely disappointed" with PT Hanil Bakrie Finance's decision to ask Jakarta Commercial Court to declare it bankrupt. Dharmala's corporate secretary Migi Byaktika said Hanil should have taken part in the company's financial restructuring program instead of seeking a solution through the court.

Japan gives $20m to ASEAN fund

Japan gives $20m to ASEAN fund TOKYO (AFP): Japan has agreed to give US$20 million to a Southeast Asian fund designed to promote education, training and business exchanges in the region, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. The Japanese government and representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed documents to confirm the deal in Jakarta. It was the first contribution to the fund from a non-ASEAN nation.

ABRI should come clean

ABRI should come clean From DR In a Jakarta newspaper, Gen. (ret.) Rudini recently asked the people to stop their aspersions against the Armed Forces (ABRI). Just a day before Minister of Defense and Security/ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto also came to the defense of ABRI by saying "Do not pass judgment on ABRI". I think both generals' statements are based on an incorrect premise. The people have no intention to malign, discredit or pass judgment on ABRI.

Indonesia's corporate debt restructuring to accelerate

Indonesia's corporate debt restructuring to accelerate SINGAPORE (Reuters): Corporate debt restructuring in Indonesia is gathering pace and may speed up if the potential for more political turmoil looms, Indonesian government advisers said on Thursday. The advisers were speaking on the sidelines of a conference.

Nurse found dead in boarding house

Nurse found dead in boarding house TANGERANG (JP): An eighteen-year-old nurse was found hanged in the bedroom of her boarding house in Harapan Kita housing complex in Curug here on Tuesday evening. The body of Dwi Lestari, who worked at Siloam Gleneagles Hospital in Lippo Karawaci, was discovered by the owner of the house, Mrs. Suripto, when she arrived home from Jakarta. "I called her repeatedly, but she did not answer.

Central bank bill doesn't guarantee accountability

Central bank bill doesn't guarantee accountability JAKARTA (JP): The Econit Advisory Group, a think tank that concentrates on economic problems, criticized the government's central bank bill for its lack of clear-cut provisions to guarantee Bank Indonesia's accountability and transparency. Econit director Rizal Ramli said on Thursday that without these two elements, a more independent Bank Indonesia (BI) would be highly vulnerable to corruption.

Provinces to get more say on forest projects

Provinces to get more say on forest projects JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry and Plantations plans to increase the budget allocations for local administrations in the 1999/2000 fiscal year in a bid to give them greater autonomy in managing the country's forest assets.

Central Java riots not organized

Central Java riots not organized YOGYAKARTA: Brig. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, who heads the Diponegoro Military Command overseeing Central Java and Yogyakarta, said on Thursday he had not found anything to suggest that a number of recent riots in Central Java had been incited by agents provocateurs. "There were no agitators behind the recent rioting. They took place spontaneously," he said on the sidelines of a seminar on reform at Gadjah Mada University here.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 Morning News 6:45 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Children's Songs 7:30 TV Series 8:00 Music 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.

Tribunal told of senior officer's involvement

Tribunal told of senior officer's involvement JAKARTA (JP): A military tribunal trying 11 alleged abductors of political activists revealed on Thursday the involvement of higher-ranking officers who have yet to be processed legally. A witness, First Lieutenant Pandit Purnawa of the National Police Detective unit, testified that his superior Col.

An honorable exit

An honorable exit The government's indication that it may be willing to consider granting East Timor independence is a major shift in policy that is both inevitable and late in arriving.

Habibie's support for Freeport's expansion roasted

Habibie's support for Freeport's expansion roasted JAKARTA (JP): Mining professionals and environmentalists have panned President B.J. Habibie's support for PT Freeport Indonesia to increase daily ore output at its Grasberg mine in Irian Jaya.

Ex-landowners to take over Kapuk Muara housing complex

Ex-landowners to take over Kapuk Muara housing complex JAKARTA (JP): Sixty-two families claiming to own the 36- hectare plot which was used to develop a housing complex in Kapuk Muara, North Jakarta, vowed to reoccupy their land unless they received proper compensation from the developer.

Bali's Hyatt awarded

Bali's Hyatt awarded JAKARTA (JP): The Grand Hyatt Bali, a resort hotel in Nusa Dua, announced on Thursday that it recently received international recognition from two leading U.S. travel publications. The resort said that it was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as the resort with the "Highest Rating for Service in the 1999 Gold List" in the magazine's January edition. The hotel service was rated with a perfect score of.

Table of domestic helpers in Hong Kong

Table of domestic helpers in Hong Kong The 180,600 domestic helpers in Hong Kong come from countries across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and even Singapore. However, by far the largest groups are from three Southeast Asian countries of the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Their total figures, as of Dec.

32 errant bus firms to be reprimanded

32 errant bus firms to be reprimanded JAKARTA (JP): The authorities will reprimand at least 32 intercity bus companies for their involvement in 47 cases of violating the regulation on fare increases during the Idul Fitri exodus, an official said. Of the 47 violations, seven were uncovered in bus terminals, while the remaining 40 violations occurred away from the terminals, JP Sepang, head of the city land transportation agency, said on Tuesday.

Kamaruddin Panggabean dies at 80

Kamaruddin Panggabean dies at 80 JAKARTA (JP): Noted national sports figure Kamaruddin Panggabean died of respiratory problems on Wednesday. He was 80. He was buried at his home town of Sarbelawan, 120 kilometers east of the North Sumatra capital of Medan, in a funeral attended by hundreds of mourners on Thursday, Antara reported. Footballers of PSMS Medan, a team which Kamaruddin founded, were among the tearful attendants.

Lifting provinces' DOM status

Lifting provinces' DOM status By Hendardi JAKARTA (JP): Three of the country's 27 provinces -- Irian Jaya, East Timor and Aceh -- stand out with their own characteristics and demands. And all three have long been under military rule as military operation areas (DOM). In the reform era, they have demanded that the status in their provinces be revoked immediately and unconditionally.

Bodies of three students recovered

Bodies of three students recovered PADANG, West Sumatra: Rescue workers have recovered the bodies of three students from Imam Bonjol Islamic Institute who were swept out to sea by waves at Carocok Beach on Tuesday. The three were identified as Irwandi, 25, a resident of Payakumbuh, Jose Saputra, 25, from Bukittinggi, and Nurhamida from Padang. A spokesman for the school, Syamsir Syam, said the three, who were due to graduate in March, were on holiday when the tragedy happened. (28/29)

Floods and landslides claim more victims

Floods and landslides claim more victims JAKARTA (JP): Floods in the Polmas regency in South Sulawesi killed at least one person, while about 200 houses were swept away on Wednesday and two were killed in a landslide that hit the Sambirejo district in Sragen, Central Java. The victim in Sulawesi was identified as Lahang, who died when a bridge on the Mappili River collapsed on Wednesday.

Malaysia's blame of foreign media 'futile'

Malaysia's blame of foreign media 'futile' By M. Jegathesan KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysians have come to the defense of the foreign media following the latest attack by a cabinet minister that their reports represent the "biggest obstacle" to economic recovery. A ministerial advisor, who asked not to be named, told AFP that much of the so-called "negative" reporting about the country was "due to self-inflicted wounds" over the past five months.

House endorses political laws

House endorses political laws JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) passed three political bills into law by the set deadline on Thursday, but not before overcoming a number of last minute hitches. Stern objections raised by the minority United Development Party (PPP) delayed the proceedings and at one point even threatened to derail the entire process.

Insurers record growth

Insurers record growth JAKARTA (JP): In spite of the recession, the life insurance industry in Indonesia grew by 20 percent in 1998 when measured by its premium income, down from 22 percent in 1997, a finance ministry official said on Thursday. Firdaus Djaelani of the Insurance Directorate also disclosed the plan to establish a guarantee fund scheme to protect policy holders against insolvent insurance companies.

European investors cancel plans in RI due to unrest

European investors cancel plans in RI due to unrest JAKARTA (JP): Many European investors have backed down from their plans to invest in Indonesia due to the high incidence of social unrest, a noted business envoy has said. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesia's special business envoy for Europe, said on Thursday that his recent trip there to promote investment in Indonesia became rather fruitless because investors were concerned over security.

Security forces team finds five bodies found in North Aceh

Security forces team finds five bodies found in North Aceh JAKARTA (JP): A security forces team searching for two kidnapped marines have unearthed five bodies in North Aceh, Antara reported on Wednesday. North Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Isman Nofiardi confirmed that a team consisting of police and military personnel had found the bodies while sweeping the area for traces of Edyanto Abas and Saifuddin, two marine officers who went missing late last year.

Strong wind hits hundreds of houses in North Jakarta

Strong wind hits hundreds of houses in North Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of houses in the Kalibaru and Cilincing subdistricts of North Jakarta were damaged by a strong wind which hit the coastal area on Wednesday afternoon. No fatalities were reported but many of the houses in the densely populated slum area lost their roofs, which were mostly made of zinc, asbestos or clay. "The strong wind even blew the roofs of all the houses in one of the neighborhoods here.

Transparency called for in granting of asylum

Transparency called for in granting of asylum JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has called on the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for transparency in its granting of refugee status to asylum seekers here. The call was made on Thursday by Zaiman Nurmatias, the Immigration Office's Director for Control and Enactment Affairs, after he opened the two-day UNHCR Workshop for immigration, police and related officials.

CITES to send tiger mission to RI

CITES to send tiger mission to RI JAKARTA: The secretariat of the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will send a technical mission to Indonesia in April to launch a campaign to save the tiger. The CITES technical mission will also take its campaign to the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Russia, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, the British embassy here said in a statement released on Thursday.

Astra International offers to return $45 million to creditors

Astra International offers to return $45 million to creditors JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Astra International said Thursday it has offered to spend up to US$45 million to buy back some of its $1.17 billion in unsecured debts. "This program is the next major step of Astra International's debt restructuring program," the company said in a statement.

ASEAN mulls tax incentives to attract foreign tourists

ASEAN mulls tax incentives to attract foreign tourists SINGAPORE (Agencies): In a bid to attract more tourism to the region, Southeast Asian nations are considering offering tax incentives to new tourism projects and liberalizing foreign equity ownership within the industry, officials said Thursday. The proposals emerged from a meeting of tourism officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, held in Singapore.

RI beach volleyball team reshuffled

RI beach volleyball team reshuffled JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association has revamped the national men's beach volleyball team for this season's world series circuit at the expense of two Asian Games medalists. The association's deputy chief of athletes development, Suharsono, said Thursday that Irilkhun Shofanna and Anjas Asmara had been dropped because of their height disadvantages. A rookie, I Made Sumaryatna, has been called up to join the team as a reserve.

Australian rice aid

Australian rice aid JAKARTA (JP): The Australian embassy announced on Wednesday that the first of five Australian rice shipments has arrived in Surabaya, East Java, as part of its humanitarian assistance package to Indonesia. The embassy said that 12,300 metric tons of Australian rice would be shipped to Indonesia between now and the end of February.

'Peci' factory destroyed by fire

'Peci' factory destroyed by fire JAKARTA (JP): A fire gutted a Tanah Abang home industry that produces peci (national cap) in Central Jakarta on Thursday morning. No fatalities were reported, but the fire, that occurred at 7 a.m., also burnt a Mercedes-Benz sedan and two motorcycles belonging to Makmun Sahabudi, the owner of the two-story house on Jl. Kampung Bali. Hundreds of local residents rushed to the scene to help extinguish the fire and to stop it from spreading to neighboring houses.

Recognition for Confucianism

Recognition for Confucianism From Media Indonesia Amien Rais' statement that he fully agrees with making Confucianism a state-recognized religion if it has real followers is heartening (Kompas, Jan. 25). Confucianists only want to see that their rights will find expression in this reform era. There have been followers of Confucius here since Chinese immigrants came to this country. Their place of worship, named Boen Bio, was established in Surabaya, East Java, in 1883.

Minister says govt will lower CPO export tax to 40 percent

Minister says govt will lower CPO export tax to 40 percent JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan announced on Thursday the current 60 percent export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) would be lowered to 40 percent on Feb. 1.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 28, 1999: ---------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 62,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,400 -25 2,605,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.

WB vows conditional support for Indonesia

WB vows conditional support for Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank pledged on Thursday to help finance Indonesia's 1999/2000 budget deficit estimated to reach 6 percent of gross domestic product. World Bank vice president for East Asia and the Pacific region Jean-Michel Severino, however, said that its support would hinge on the country's consistent implementation of the economic reform program.

PAN leaders say goodbye to their civil servant jobs

PAN leaders say goodbye to their civil servant jobs JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais and secretary-general Faisal Basri are among the first politicians who have decided to abandon their posts in the bureaucracy. Golkar deputy secretary-general Din Syamsudin is one of the first to say goodbye to Golkar, in order to retain his position at the Ministry of Manpower and to facilitate his becoming a professor at a state college.

Two nabbed for trafficking in ecstasy pills

Two nabbed for trafficking in ecstasy pills JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested two jobless men for allegedly trafficking ecstasy pills and crystal metamphetamine, known locally as shabu-shabu, in West Jakarta late on Wednesday night. Newly installed city police spokesman Lt. Col.

New city police spokesman installed

New city police spokesman installed JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Soetanto installed Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis on Thursday as the new city police spokesman, replacing Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang. Lubis previously served as head of the sociopolitical subunit of the Armed Forces Information Center, while his predecessor, Aritonang, will be assigned chief of the Tanjung Priok port police.

Rp 86b earmarked for flood relief

Rp 86b earmarked for flood relief JAKARTA (JP): The National Development Planning Board has set aside funds totaling Rp 85.95 billion (US$9.3 million) for this year's flood relief program, an official said. Leo Yanmer Sianturi of the city's Public Works agency said on Thursday that about 97 percent of the relief funds would be used to buy basic necessities for flood victims.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Jan. 28, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

House member dies during tough discussion

House member dies during tough discussion JAKARTA (JP): A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) collapsed and died on Thursday afternoon during the last in a series of tough sessions deliberating new laws designed to facilitate a general election in June. Idi Siswaya, 59, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction, is believed to have died of heart attack.

More than 20 firms bid in first forest auction

More than 20 firms bid in first forest auction JAKARTA (JP): More than 20 private companies, cooperatives and state timber firms have applied to join the country's first ever auction of forest concessions to be held early next month, a senior official at the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations said. Directorate General of Forest Utilization Waskito Soerjodibroto said that the government would auction three forest concessions in Central Kalimantan, Irian Jaya and Bengkulu early next month.

Art Summit awards for media coverage

Art Summit awards for media coverage JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Culture is scheduled on Friday to hand out awards to seven print and electronic media companies for their coverage of last year's Art Summit, which was held between September and October. The award ceremony will be held at Building F of the Ministry of Education and Culture's complex on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta, the event committee said on Thursday.

Little holiday cheer for Indonesian workers in HK

Little holiday cheer for Indonesian workers in HK By Sari Sartika Natley HONG KONG (JP): In late December, Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport was mobbed by Filipino domestic workers. They dragged luggage full of gifts and presents for their families. They were going home for Christmas. It was not the same for their Indonesian counterparts a couple of weeks later. This year, like in the past, Lebaran was a low- key event in Hong Kong.

Pressure on rupiah remains; stocks also down slightly

Pressure on rupiah remains; stocks also down slightly JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained under pressure on Thursday, closing slightly down at 9,225 against the U.S. dollar, while stock prices ended the day 0.7 percent lower. Currency dealers said the rupiah hit an intraday low of 9,350 against the U.S. dollar in the morning following news that deliberation of political bills in the House of Representatives had hit a new snag.

Two retired generals summoned by police

Two retired generals summoned by police JAKARTA (JP): The National Police summoned two retired generals to give preliminary information on Wednesday about their suit against chief of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) A.A. Baramuli for an alleged slander. Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kemal A. Idris and Lt. Gen. (ret) Ali Sadikin arrived at the headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta accompanied by their lawyer M. Assegaff.

Minister denies taking bribe from businessmen

Minister denies taking bribe from businessmen JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Panangian Siregar denied on Thursday he had taken a bribe from businessmen in the controversial planned importation of waste clay from Singapore. "I swear to God I haven't accepted anything to allow the waste importation plan to go ahead.

Just say no to the IMF

Just say no to the IMF From Neraca The Indonesian government should take necessary quick and bold corrective measures in the nation's economy following the failure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to hit the target in its economic salvation program. First, the IMF must be asked to take responsibility for its incorrect predictions on the condition of an Indonesian economy which has become increasingly chaotic.

Social anarchy leading to disintegration

Social anarchy leading to disintegration Fear about social revolution gains strength as mass brawls and riots intensify throughout the country. Researcher Muhammad A.S. Hikam of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences believes that a social revolution will not occur. Question: Will the continuing mass brawls and rioting throughout the country lead to a social revolution?

Court turns down bankruptcy petition against 'ANteve'

Court turns down bankruptcy petition against 'ANteve' JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court turned down on Thursday a bankruptcy petition against local private television station ANteve, a unit of the Bakrie Group. The petition was jointly filed by Hong Kong-based IBJ Asia Ltd., Korea Commercial Finance Ltd and Seoul-based Hanareum Banking Corp.

ABRI bows to people's will on E. Timor

ABRI bows to people's will on E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto vowed on Thursday the military would support the people if they wanted East Timor to be separated from Indonesia. Wiranto, who is also the minister of defense, however, warned the nation not to forget the sacrifices of the country, and of the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives to defend the territory's integration into Indonesia.