Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 October 1999

51 articles found

Party supporters urged not to flock to Jakarta

Party supporters urged not to flock to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman called on Tuesday on people living outside Jakarta, especially supporters of political parties, to temporarily refrain from entering the capital while the General Session of the People's...

Researchers oppose Habibie's candidacy

Researchers oppose Habibie's candidacy JAKARTA (JP): Researchers from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) urged the People's Consultative Assembly on Tuesday not to make incumbent B.J. Habibie the next president.

Indonesia gains three new governors

Indonesia gains three new governors JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may lose one of its provinces in the near future, but the inauguration of three new governors on Tuesday signified the founding of three provinces: West Irian Jaya, Central Irian Jaya and North Maluku.

Habibie bids farewell to Cabinet members

Habibie bids farewell to Cabinet members JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said an emotional goodbye on Tuesday to his Development and Reform Cabinet and thanked government officials for helping him during his 16-month term of office.

Children killed in grenade blast

Children killed in grenade blast KEBUMEN, Central Java: Four boys were killed when a grenade exploded in a pine forest which served as a military training ground in Bonasari village here on Tuesday.A local police information service was quoted by Antara as saying that it was suspected that the...

History binds Indonesia and Australia

History binds Indonesia and AustraliaBy Nova Poerwadi JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Australia share a unique history. Both nations evolved their national identity early in the 20th century, Indonesia during the birth of the nationalist movement in the early 1900s, and Australia in 1901 (albeit still...

The threat to our economy

The threat to our economy Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin visited Washington D.C. recently to lobby the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for speedy disbursement of financial aid to Indonesia. It seems, however, that his effort was ineffective.

IMF recognizes failure to oversee bank reform

IMF recognizes failure to oversee bank reform JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) admitted that it had failed in safeguarding Indonesia's crucial bank restructuring program, according to noted economist Sri Mulyani.

Singapore, RI sign pact

Singapore, RI sign pact SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore and Indonesia signed a pact Tuesday formalizing the setting up of a key joint military training facility to mark 25 years of bilateral naval cooperation, officials said.

Kid's low IQs detract from gains of family planning drive

Kid's low IQs detract from gains of family planning drive JAKARTA (Antara): Reports that millions of Indonesian children are malnourished does not speak well of the success of the state- sponsored family planning program.

Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border

Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto offered to let the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (Interfet) conduct a joint patrol with Indonesian troops along the border to avoid possible future...

Australian troops in East Timor

Australian troops in East Timor This is the second time that Australian troops have attacked East Timor.In World War II, Portugal declared itself a neutral country. Knowing that Portugal could not survive if its colony, East Timor, was invaded by Japan, Holland and Australia agreed to occupied the...

Suspect dies after alleged brutality

Suspect dies after alleged brutality JAKARTA (JP): A 22-year-old man died on Tuesday due to internal bleeding from injuries his mother alleged were caused by beatings received during a police interrogation.

Juwono appointed sports minister for 10 days

Juwono appointed sports minister for 10 days JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono has doubled his duties by becoming state minister of youth affairs and sports with only 10 days remaining before a newly elected president establishes a new Cabinet.

Habibie's candidacy reaffirmed

Habibie's candidacy reaffirmed JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party overwhelmingly reaffirmed the presidential nomination of B.J. Habibie, but were at an impasse late on Tuesday night as to whether to grant the central board, under party chief Akbar Tandjung, the power to adopt an alternate candidate if...

Japan boosts car production in SE Asia

Japan boosts car production in SE Asia TOKYO (Nikkei): Industry sources said Japanese automakers are boosting production in Southeast Asia, with output likely to rebound to around 700,000-800,000 vehicles in 1999 from nearly 400,000 in 1998, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday evening...

Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry

Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) put their rivalry behind them on Tuesday to deplore the controversial decision to halt the investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corruption.

Bank workers want protection

Bank workers want protection JAKARTA (JP): The employees of eight nationalized banks urged the government on Tuesday to clarify the merger of their banks with Bank Danamon and demanded that their representatives be involved in the process.

Two more people killed in Ambon

Two more people killed in Ambon AMBON, Maluku: An army sergeant and a 15-year-old girl were killed by unidentified people in separate places in Ambon on Tuesday.Eyewitnesses told The Jakarta Post that the plainclothes First Sgt. Bram Makatita was attacked by a mob when he was walking on Jl.

Councilors regret workers' dismissals

Councilors regret workers' dismissals JAKARTA (JP): City councilors regretted on Tuesday the dismissals of 12 workers of city-owned water firm PDAM Jaya over their alleged involvement in a series of protests over the last six months.

Disclose or suffer

Disclose or suffer Indonesia's Supreme Court Justices, who are considering a legal opinion on whether the full results of an independent audit of the transactions relating to the Bank Bali scandal should be disclosed, must take into account the devastating impact the scandal has had on the...

Police grill Sjahril over bank scandal

Police grill Sjahril over bank scandal JAKARTA (JP): National Police investigators questioned Central Bank Governor Sjahril Sabirin on Tuesday over the Rp 546 billion (US$68.25 million at current rate) Bank Bali scandal.When he arrived at police headquarters at 8 a.m.

Malaysian throws wrench in banking merger plan

Malaysian throws wrench in banking merger plan KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): In another apparent rebuff to the central bank, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Tuesday again softened its draconian plan to integrate Malaysia's 58 financial institutions under six banks.

Irate man stabs relative to death

Irate man stabs relative to death BOGOR (JP): Mamad, a forty-year-old resident of Muara Kampong in Citeureup subdistrict, died after being stabbed by a relative on Monday, police said.Mamad died of severe abdominal wounds from the attack by a man identified as Nandang.

RP to seek new IMF loan

RP to seek new IMF loan MANILA (AP): Philippine economic officials have agreed that the country should enter into another program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when an existing two-year precautionary arrangement expires next March, an official said Tuesday.

Next president no longer to appoint top officials

Next president no longer to appoint top officials JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ad Hoc Committee III was split on Tuesday over the state institution authorized to appoint top officials in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Audit Agency and the Supreme Advisory Council.

Stylish Italian seafood at Hotel Mulia

Stylish Italian seafood at Hotel Mulia JAKARTA (JP): Dropped off mistakenly outside the Hotel Mulia's ballroom, I entered and walked straight into a wedding. Trying to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, it became apparent that I had arrived just in time for a free dinner.

A way out for Habibie

A way out for Habibie In The Jakarta Post on Oct. 6, Daniel Sparingga says in Lack of platform worries West that there should be a respectable exit for Habibie. I agree. Daniel gives as a reason for this statement the fact that the West likes Habibie for having liberal politics, allowing a free...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 12, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 250 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal...

IPTN completes Malaysia order for three airplanes

IPTN completes Malaysia order for three airplanes BANDUNG (JP): State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN handed over three CN-235-220 airplanes on Tuesday to Malaysia's airforce.IPTN president S. Paramajuda said that the handing over of the airplanes was the last delivery of six airplanes ordered...

Online medical records versus privacy

Online medical records versus privacy BANDUNG (JP): In the past two years, I have had my throat checked by doctors eight times. Most times I had severe pain in my throat, perhaps due to my failure to properly protect myself against hazardous chemicals.

Security volunteers vow no mobilization on Oct. 20

Security volunteers vow no mobilization on Oct. 20 JAKARTA (JP): Executives of the many security volunteer groups and task forces from several organizations have vowed not to mobilize their personnel ahead of the Oct. 20 presidential election day.

Indonesia import deals continue, Australia says

Indonesia import deals continue, Australia says CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Australia's Trade Minister Mark Vaile said Tuesday that he hasn't heard of any contracts with Australian exporters being canceled by Indonesia.

Most Asian stocks rise despite slump in HK

Most Asian stocks rise despite slump in HK HONG KONG (AP): Asian stock markets closed mixed Tuesday, with prices rising in Tokyo and Taipei but slumping in Hong Kong and Jakarta.The Japanese benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 28.63 points, or 0.16 percent, to 18,090.8.

Myanmar media left red-faced

Myanmar media left red-faced BANGKOK (AFP): Myanmar authorities on Tuesday denied reports two journalists from a state newspaper were tortured and killed after a photograph of powerful junta First Secretary Gen. Khin Nyunt appeared under a headline reading The World Famous Crook.The Sept.

Court urged to drop charges against Surya

Court urged to drop charges against Surya JAKARTA (JP): The lawyer of the main defendant in the Istiqlal Grand Mosque bomb blast case demanded on Monday that the Central Jakarta District Court quash all charges against his client on grounds of legal technicalities.

UNDIP has three new professors

UNDIP has three new professors SEMARANG: The Semarang-based Diponegoro University (UNDIP) inaugurated on Tuesday three new professors of law, sociopolitical science and literature.The university rector Eko Budihardjo presided over the ceremony which was attended by Central Java Governor H.

KL closes down copper mine

KL closes down copper mine KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's only copper mine, the country's biggest mining operation, has closed down after exhausting its ore reserves following 24 years of operation, a report said Tuesday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Oct. 12, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,786.00 7,864.00Australian dollar 1 5,088.15 5,143.06Austrian schilling 1 602.21 608.82Belgian franc 1 205.42 207.67Brunei dollar 1 4,647.80 4,697.17Canadian dollar 1 5,286.

The man in the street wants change in leadership

The man in the street wants change in leadership A deadlock in the presidential election has been predicted by politicians and analysts. As the election nears, J. Soedjati Djiwandono reflects on the understanding of the common citizen.

Megawati deserves the glamor

Megawati deserves the glamor I have a strong hunch that what has developed into the Megawati puzzle will be resolved soon. After losing three speakership battles -- in the Jakarta City Council, the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives -- the Indonesian Democratic Party of...

Two hectares grass burn at airport

Two hectares grass burn at airport TANGERANG (JP): About two hectares of fields at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng here caught fire on Monday after becoming dry due to the prolonged dry season, an official said on Tuesday.Airport Police chief Capt. Titik H.

Thai plan to ditch IMF crutches risky

Thai plan to ditch IMF crutches risky BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand may have been a little overconfident in deciding to wean itself from the International Monetary Fund, financial analysts said on Tuesday.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Photo Exhibition by Wim Wenders, at Galeri Soemardja, Art and Design Faculty of ITB, Jl. Ganesha 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Oct. 20. Discussion with Deniek G. Sukarya, at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 16.Peformances * Puppet Show at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl.

Taufik Hidayat third seeded in V6 Danish Open

Taufik Hidayat third seeded in V6 Danish Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young hope Taufik Hidayat has been seeded third in the men's singles of the US$120,000 V6 Danish Open in Vejle, Denmark, which starts on Wednesday.

Life insurance companies book solid growth

Life insurance companies book solid growth JAKARTA (JP): Most local insurance companies reported a solid growth in premium incomes in the last two years due to a significant growth in the number of new policyholders.Angger P.

PSIS ties 1-1 with PSIM

PSIS ties 1-1 with PSIM YOGYAKARTA (JP): PSIS of Semarang tied 1-1 with host PSIM Yogyakarta in Group A on Tuesday's opening day of the fourth Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX Cup at Mandala Krida Stadium.Indocement Cirebon beat Persikab Bandung 2-1 in the second match in Group B.

Ancient skull makes long journey back to Indonesia

Ancient skull makes long journey back to IndonesiaBy Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): A prehuman skull, found in the unlikely setting of a cozy antique shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York, was returned to its place of origin in Indonesia earlier this month.

MPR speaker's awareness

MPR speaker's awarenessFrom Rakyat MerdekaThe election of Amien Rais as speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is a great honor because the position of MPR speaker is higher than that of president. The MPR consists of representatives of the people of the Republic of Indonesia.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - The Tavern Pub: The Colour Beat Band, daily, until Oct. 31. - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kontras spurns ruling on tribunal

Kontras spurns ruling on tribunal JAKARTA (JP): The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) on Tuesday rejected the government regulation in lieu of law which established a national human rights tribunal.