Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 October 1999

49 articles found

IBRA disputes PT Sempati Air appeal decision

IBRA disputes PT Sempati Air appeal decision JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) refuted on Thursday the Supreme Court's decision to sustain the lower court's bankruptcy verdict against PT Sempati Air. Taufik Hais, a lawyer representing IBRA, said that the decision was unfair and IBRA would ask the Supreme Court to review the verdict.

HZ to take stake in Indocement

HZ to take stake in Indocement JAKARTA (JP): PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, the country's leading cement producer, announced on Thursday that its two major shareholders have reached an agreement with the Heidelberger Zement Group (HZ) to sell a stake to the German company. The publicly listed cement producer said that under conditional agreements signed on Oct.4, the German company may, subject to successful debt restructuring, take a direct or indirect interest in the company.

Politics intrudes on sports for Ananda

Politics intrudes on sports for Ananda JAKARTA (JP): The political situation in Indonesia spurred young driver Ananda Mikola to remove an "Indonesia on the move" banner from his car during the fifth race of the Formula 3000 at Misano circuit in Italy late September. Ananda, who came home for a break, told reporters on Thursday that he had to take the banner off because other drivers and some officials forced him to.

Two injured in fresh Ambon clash

Two injured in fresh Ambon clash AMBON, Maluku: At least two men suffered gunshot wounds as clashes between residents in Benteng Atas subdistrict here resumed on Wednesday. The victims, identified as Rudy Lekatom Pessy, 30, and Dani, 20, were shot during an attack on their housing complex launched by a rival group. Both were taken to Dr. Haulussy General Hospital. Marine spokesman Lt. Col.

Regional currencies end mixed against dollar in rough trading

Regional currencies end mixed against dollar in rough trading SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies are mixed against the U.S. dollar in choppy trading late Thursday as currency markets take a breather after a number of volatile sessions earlier in the week, traders said. Regional currencies moved largely sideways during the session, even as the U.S. dollar moved quietly higher against the yen, the residual effect of a strong showing on Wall Street overnight.

BII Finance wins appeal

BII Finance wins appeal JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has upheld the Commercial Court's decision to reject a US$65 million bankruptcy petition filed by three foreign banks against local finance company PT BII Finance Center. According to a court verdict document issued on Monday the Supreme Court agreed that BII Finance was not obliged to repay its debt to the plaintiffs under the initial payment schedule, because it had signed a debt restructuring agreement with them. .

Ramayana ASEAN's shared identity

Ramayana ASEAN's shared identity By Julianti Parani SINGAPORE (JP): The ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) has launched many beneficial projects since its founding. It has mobilized the region's artists, writers and scholars in fostering a spirit of kinship among the peoples and deepening the awareness of shared cultural heritage and identity. That was the message of ASEAN secretary-general Rodolfo C. Severino Jr.

Sports council wants Golden Garuda in GBHN

Sports council wants Golden Garuda in GBHN JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) aims to push for inclusion of its ambitious Golden Garuda project in the State Policy Guidelines (GBHN) to ensure the new government will support sports development in the country.

A case of cautious optimism about the new MPR speaker

A case of cautious optimism about the new MPR speaker By Hidayat Jati JAKARTA (JP): The dynamics of Indonesian politics, a force unleashed in great momentum after the country was struck by the financial crisis in late 1997, continues to surprise observers and players alike.

Ministers questioned in bank scandal

Ministers questioned in bank scandal JAKARTA (JP): With the approval of President B.J. Habibie, the police questioned three Cabinet members as witnesses in the Bank Bali scandal, Minister/State Secretary Muladi said on Friday. Muladi identified those questioned as Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto, State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng and Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin.

Poverty a problem in Purworkerto

Poverty a problem in Purworkerto PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The number of families living below the poverty line in the regency is nearing 130,000, up from last year's figure of 119,688. The regency's head for economy and development, Suyatno, said the increase was evidence that the government-sponsored social safety net program was ineffective in improving the economic status of the poor.

MPR prepares to formalize East Timor split

MPR prepares to formalize East Timor split JAKARTA (JP): An ad hoc committee in the People's Consultative Assembly indicated it had agreed to issue a decree which would formally separate East Timor from Indonesia. Members of Ad Hoc Committee II, charged with deliberating Assembly draft decrees other than the State Policy Guidelines, said there was a general agreement between faction members in the committee to revoke Decree No.

Amien's recurring paradigm shift puzzling

Amien's recurring paradigm shift puzzling By Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais, recently elected Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly by less than 50 percent of the votes (something worth noting for those keen on using the 'absolute majority' argument to stop Megawati Soekarnoputri becoming president), seems simply to be a Muslim fundamentalist, according to a reliable source.

Drug rehab center turns away addicts

Drug rehab center turns away addicts BOGOR (JP): The management of Cilendek Psychiatric Health Institution in Bogor has decided to temporary stop accepting inpatients who are drug addicts due to a lack of available space and paramedics. The hospital has been serving as a drug rehabilitation center in cooperation with the Permata Hati Kita Foundation since August.

Welcome in Indonesia?

Welcome in Indonesia? As a foreign westerner husband of an Indonesian woman, I love this country and my family. However, in reality I don't feel welcome here because every six months I must leave my family to renew my visa. Then, when I reenter this beloved country, I get a new visa called a social visit visa which is good only for 60 days, not two months as recently stated by an official from the Immigration Office as reported by The Jakarta Post on Aug. 22, 1999.

Ansett cuts flights to Bali

Ansett cuts flights to Bali SYDNEY (AFP): Ansett Australia has cut two flights a week to Bali as a result of the East Timor crisis, it said Thursday. From this week, the number of flights from Australia to the popular tourist island will be trimmed from 13 a week to 11. Its Saturday night flight from Sydney and Thursday flight from Darwin have ceased, an Ansett spokeswoman said.

Government stalling on Soeharto: Experts

Government stalling on Soeharto: Experts JAKARTA (JP): Prominent legal experts accused the government of stalling investigations into former President Soeharto because they themselves may be emotionally tied to the past regime. The investigations have now dragged on for eight months. Speaking in a discussion on Soeharto's legal status here on Thursday were the University of Indonesia's criminologist Harkristuti Harkrisnowo and lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Hotma Sitoempoel.

Prabowo wants to come home, says brother

Prabowo wants to come home, says brother JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, the disgraced former chief of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), would like to return to Jakarta, but is heeding a request by "certain gentlemen" to remain abroad, his brother said on Thursday. "Prabowo has in fact been wanting to come home for several months.

Samsung launches new cell phone

Samsung launches new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): South Korean electronics producer Samsung Electronics Indonesia launched on Thursday its new SGH 800 cellular phone. The cell phone offers new features and functions, including voice dialing and command, vibration alert, personalized ring, eight types of games and a personal organizer. The new SGH 800 also has a built-in answering machine that enables users to listen to messages on their phone without having to contact any operators. (cst)

Medan workers' protest goes on

Medan workers' protest goes on MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Hundreds of workers from 55 companies have flocked to the governor's office to demand reinstatement of a worker who was reportedly fired. The workers' protest entered its 19th day on Tuesday following the dismissal of a worker from PT Gunung Gahapi Sakti. The protesters said they also wanted the company to give its workers better welfare benefits.

Rights activists air concerns over East Timor rights tribunal

Rights activists air concerns over East Timor rights tribunal JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists aired doubt on Thursday that the government-sanctioned commission of inquiry into East Timor would be able to thoroughly resolve alleged rights abuses in the troubled territory. Hendardi of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) told The Jakarta Post that while the mission was not authorized to prosecute the alleged perpetrators, its findings would not be "legally binding".

All's fair in love and war

All's fair in love and war PURBALINGGA, Central Java (JP): Two love sick elementary school teachers showed their pupils that fighting is okay as long as what is at stake is a woman. Kandar, 34, and Guntur, 33, were engaged in a duel in front of scores of their students earlier this week in an attempt to win the heart of a fellow teacher who had become everyone's sweetheart at the school.

Students urge MPR to abolish TNI's dual role

Students urge MPR to abolish TNI's dual role JAKARTA (JP): At least 300 students from various universities staged a peaceful rally on Thursday to urge newly elected legislators to abolish the dual role of the Indonesian Military and to prevent the Soeharto regime from returning to power.

Uprooted Balinese want compensation

Uprooted Balinese want compensation DENPASAR, Bali: Balinese transmigrants who fled violence- devastated East Timor demanded on Thursday that the government compensate them for financial losses from their destroyed properties. "It was the government who sent us to East Timor. And it was also their decision to hold a self-determination ballot which led to us leaving the territory," said one of the migrants, Wayan Sudira.

Togar says protesters fail to follow the law

Togar says protesters fail to follow the law JAKARTA (JP): National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M. Sianipar lambasted on Thursday the general failure to comply with a law requiring people to inform the police before staging a protest in the city. "Only 30 to 40 percent of protest organizers have informed the police before staging their protests on the city's streets," Togar said after attending a seminar on the prosecution of former president Soeharto at Wisma Antara in Central Jakarta.

Deal on water agreement expected next month

Deal on water agreement expected next month JAKARTA (JP): City water company PDAM Jaya and its two foreign partners -- PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) and PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ) -- have resolved their differences and are expected to sign a final agreement on the city's water management next month, an executive said on Thursday. "We have agreed on some important issues on the water management deal, including on water charges.

Phone rate hike unlikely: Official

Phone rate hike unlikely: Official JAKARTA (JP): The next government will most likely delay a planned increase of telephone tariffs in a bid to win the people's hearts, a senior government official said here on Thursday. Director General of Post and Telecommunications Sasmito Dirdjo said that under the existing formula, telephone tariffs were set to increase in 2000 by up to 75 percent. "But, I'm not sure whether the new government will have the guts to apply the rise.

Three Indonesian players remain alive in Futures

Three Indonesian players remain alive in Futures JAKARTA (JP): Three national squad players survived into the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Futures F5 tournament at the Danamon tennis complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Thursday. Hendri Susilo Pramono upset third seeded Frantisek Babej of Slovakia 6-4, 6-0. Hendri, who will compete in the German tennis league (Bundesliga) next year, will challenge fifth seeded Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan.

PKB reverses field, backs Gus Dur

PKB reverses field, backs Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): The presidential race became even tighter on Thursday after the National Awakening Party (PKB) threw its weight behind the presidential nomination of Abdurrahman Wahid. However, PKB's shifting stance has created more confusion than certainty. Its support for the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman is tantamount to deserting the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Government to reduce state firms to 50

Government to reduce state firms to 50 JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to reduce the number of state enterprises to 50 from 155 at present, through mergers, State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said on Thursday. "After the restructuring program, it would be ideal to have only a maximum of 50 state firms, 30 of which will be retained at their current structure," the state minister said during a media conference.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Two Hours Only 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Student's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Arabic Lessons 5:00 Student's Quiz 5:30 TV Drama 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Talk Show 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 Performance 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m. Science and Technology 5:00 City News 5:30 Music 6:00 TV Drama 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Performances TPI 5:30 a.m.

Foreigner caught with handgun and bullets

Foreigner caught with handgun and bullets JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta police detectives confiscated a Colt handgun, 54 bullets and Rp 287 million (US$35,875) in three different currencies from the contracted residence of a suspected Nepalese drug dealer. The raid at the house in Bekasi's Taman Galaxi housing complex took place on Thursday morning, West Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Adjie Rustam Ramdja said. The officer identified the Nepalese national as 25-year-old Man Singh Ghale.

Poor law enforcement blamed for fires

Poor law enforcement blamed for fires JAKARTA (JP): Poor law enforcement contributed to the spread of forest fires in the country between 1997 and 1998, a United Nations official said Thursday. "The law (forest protection) is in place, but the enforcement of the law is nonexistent," Klaus Toepfer, Acting Executive Director of UN Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS-Habitat) said, adding that in the absence of strict law enforcement a rerun of the disastrous forest fires of 1997/1998 could happen.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 7, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 250 0 1,500 Alter Abadi 300 -25 258,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,200 0 20,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 450 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,525 0 5,019,500 Anwar Sierad 225 0 32,500 APAC Centertex Corp.

PLN moves to cancel Paiton contract

PLN moves to cancel Paiton contract JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) filed a lawsuit on Thursday at the Central Jakarta District Court to nullify the power purchase contract awarded to the owners of the giant Paiton I power plant in East Java.

IBRA set to sell Astra, BCA, other liquid assets

IBRA set to sell Astra, BCA, other liquid assets JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is preparing to sell several of its most liquid assets this fiscal year in a bid to meet the Rp 17 trillion fund target to be raised in the period ending March 2000, the agency's deputy chairman Farid Harianto said on Thursday.

Metrodata adds outlets

Metrodata adds outlets JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Metrodata Electronics, an information technology company, plans to open 21 retail outlets as part of its three-year program to increase sales and service. "We will invest Rp 1 billion (US$128,000) to set up the retail offices," president director Lesan Limanardja told a news conference held on Thursday to launch a scholarship program for university students.

Body of eight-year-old removed from river

Body of eight-year-old removed from river JAKARTA (JP): The body of an eight-year-old boy, Taufik Hidayat, was discovered on Thursday in Pesangrahan river in West Jakarta, the same area where the bodies of the boy's mother and elder brother were pulled a day earlier. The boy, who attended second grade at an elementary school, was removed from the nearly dry river early on Thursday morning.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Oct. 7, 1999: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Where our nation is now

Where our nation is now In its unwavering move to create a democratic government, this nation on Wednesday elected a new speaker of the House of Representatives. Elected as speaker was Akbar Tandjung, the chairman of the country's second largest political party, Golkar. He won a secret ballot with 411 votes. His nearest rival, Soetarjo Soerjogoeritno of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), garnered only 54 votes even though his party has the largest faction in the House.

PNG to buy Pertamina fuel

PNG to buy Pertamina fuel JAKARTA (JP): Papua New Guinea (PNG) will buy fuel products from Indonesia because the prices are cheaper than those offered by neighboring Australia, a senior official at state oil and gas firm Pertamina said. Head of Pertamina's Irian Jaya unit R.A. Haripurwanto said on Wednesday that PNG was interested in buying premium gasoline, automotive diesel and kerosene.

Mainaky Cup to start next week

Mainaky Cup to start next week JAKARTA (JP): The first Mainaky Cup championships will take place next week in Ternate, northern Maluku. The championships are named after the 1996 Olympic gold medalist Rexy Mainaky. Darmanto Sukita, chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Ternate chapter, told Antara on Wednesday that shuttlers from North Sulawesi, Irian Jaya and Maluku would compete in the championships. Rexy, who was raised in Ternate, is scheduled to open the championships.

Peace in the air at Bali art event

Peace in the air at Bali art event DENPASAR, Bali: A performance by noted Balinese painter Made Wianta will cap the Art and Peace Festival, to be held at Padanggalak beach here from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10. Wianta said a helicopter would fly a 2,000-meter-long white cloth bearing a peace message written in several languages from Klating beach in Tabanan to Padanggalak, about five kilometers east of here. The banner will be paraded in a dance with about 2,000 local performers.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Fine Art Exhibition: by Loan Utomo, at Preferred Banking Melawai, Jl. Melawai Raya 7 A, South Jakarta, until Oct. 31. * Painting Exhibition: Dwijo Sukatmo: Capturing Time Inside the Frame, at Koong Gallery, Gran Melia Jakarta, Jl.H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.X-0, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5268080), until Oct. 14. * Painting, Ceramics Exhibition, at the Indonesia National Gallery Jl.

Legislature needs support

Legislature needs support As our new People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais and House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung have both pointed out, our people need a firm commitment (to reform) from all of us in this time of crisis. The problem is will the House be able to fulfill its promise? We commend both these leaders for their stated commitment.

Fire hits Mayora Indah

Fire hits Mayora Indah TANGERANG (JP): Fire raged through a candy factory belonging to food producer PT Mayora Indah in Jatiuwung subdistrict in the wee hours on Thursday. No fatalities were reported in the blaze, which was said to originate from an electrical printing code box. "Around midnight I saw fire flaring from the code box. We tried to put out the blaze but failed as it was spreading too fast," Satibi, a machine operator, said.

MPR to dilute presidential power, strengthen judiciary

MPR to dilute presidential power, strengthen judiciary JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) agreed on Thursday to dilute the power of the president, to further empower legislative Assemblies and the judiciary and tighten the control of state finances through amendments to the 1945 Constitution.

Istiqlal bomber may face 54 months jail

Istiqlal bomber may face 54 months jail JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor requested the Central Jakarta District Court sentence defendant Surya Setiawan alias Wawan to four years and six months in jail on Thursday for his alleged key role in a bomb explosion on the ground floor of Grand Istiqlal Mosque in April. "The defendant is guilty of possessing, carrying and detonating the bomb," said prosecutor Hasan Madani in a hearing presided over by Judge Rasjadi Salmun.

Asia-Europe meeting gears up in Berlin

Asia-Europe meeting gears up in Berlin BERLIN (AFP): Economy ministers and experts from the European Union and east Asian countries will meet for two days under German auspices this weekend to help guide the Asian economies out of recession and strengthen economic cooperation and trade.