Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 November 1999

54 articles found

Sumba people face food shortages

Sumba people face food shortages MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: With supplies of staple food running short in the past two months, people in East Sumba regency could suffer from hunger early next year, a local legislator said on Thursday.

Suparni breaks national record

Suparni breaks national record JAKARTA (JP): Newcomer Suparni of Dewa Ruci club sharpened Indonesia's national record of the women's air rifle match at the National Interclub Shooting Championships in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday.

Taiwan-RP air row remains

Taiwan-RP air row remains TAIPEI (Reuters): Taiwan said on Friday its air row with the Philippines remained unresolved and Taipei had no plan to resume direct flights between the two sides before a formal accord was reached.

IBRA promises to review contract with SCB

IBRA promises to review contract with SCB JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) will review its contracts with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) amid growing animosity of Bank Bali's employees toward the U.K. bank, agency chairman Glenn S. Yusuf said.

River trash blamed on city agency

River trash blamed on city agency JAKARTA (JP): People living along the city's riverbanks blamed refuse collectors on Friday for the accumulation of garbage in the rivers and for the continuing floods.They said they dumped their waste into the rivers because the refuse collectors repeatedly skipped...

Prosecutor demands tough drug sentence

Prosecutor demands tough drug sentence JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor demanded on Friday a six-year jail sentence and Rp 30 million (US$4,400) fine for a 37-year-old woman accused of producing shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Festival * Festival November '99 features poetry readings, theaters, exhibitions, dances, and film, at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta. - Exhibitions, at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Asian currencies rise as buying lifts won to four-month high

Asian currencies rise as buying lifts won to four-month high HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Sustained buying lifted the South Korean won to a fresh four-month high during intraday trading Friday, once again triggering central bank intervention to temper the currency's rise.

The new government's short honeymoon

The new government's short honeymoonBy Jeffrey A. Winters CHICAGO (JP): Indonesians had every right to pause and celebrate their successful transition to democracy. Not only did they manage to overthrow a deeply entrenched dictator, but they also prevented him from carrying out his plan to engineer...

Indonesian team to mark Lee, Cheung in Asian Cup

Indonesian team to mark Lee, Cheung in Asian Cup JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian soccer team will pay particular attention to Hong Kong defender Lee Kim-wo in their Group 7 match in the Asian Cup prequalifying round at Senayan stadium here on Sunday.

Another 'something stinks in the military'

Another 'something stinks in the military' JAKARTA (JP): We now have the latest movies from the directors of Die Hard, Die Hard2 and Speed playing in our cinemas. What more could we possibly want? The following reviews and grades are offered by Rayya Makarim (RM) and Tam Notosusanto (TN).The Base.

Individualizing English instruction at Islamic colleges

Individualizing English instruction at Islamic collegesBy Besral BANDUNG (JP): For over 30 years, English teaching in the State Institutes for Islamic Studies (IAIN) has been carried out differently. This is reflected by the different English curricula of IAIN Yogyakarta, IAIN Jakarta and similar...

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 12, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,134.00 7,206.00Australian dollar 1 4,583.60 4,633.46Austrian schilling 1 539.34 545.31Belgian franc 1 183.97 186.01Brunei dollar 1 4,269.30 4,314.97Canadian dollar 1 4,872.

Polish envoy bids farewell after five years of service

Polish envoy bids farewell after five years of service JAKARTA (JP): Poland's ambassador to Indonesia Ksawery Burski gave his farewell party on Friday (Polish Independence Day) at the Embassy's new premises after almost five years of service.

RP budget deficit soars

RP budget deficit soars MANILA (AFP): The Philippines' budget deficit soared to 96.8 billion pesos (US$2.42 billion) in the 10 months to October, shooting past the government's revised full-year target, the treasury bureau said Friday.Revenues in the period totaled 398.37 billion pesos, 2.

Military exploits films to strengthen hegemony

Military exploits films to strengthen hegemonyBy Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): A film portrays a society's realities at a given point in time, so goes the famous opinion of prolific film critic Bill Nichols.

Police shoot hoodlum to death

Police shoot hoodlum to death JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta police detectives shot a homeless criminal to death, when caught red-handed snatching a gold necklace from a woman who was waiting for a bus in front of Senen market on Friday morning, Central Jakarta police chief of detectives said.Maj.

Japan reportedly will shift focus of aid to Indonesia

Japan reportedly will shift focus of aid to Indonesia TOKYO (Reuters): Japan, Indonesia's biggest aid donor, is planning to shift the focus of its financial aid to Jakarta away from pumping money into the bust economy and towards providing technical expertise, government sources say.

Forum angered by debt restructuring

Forum angered by debt restructuring JAKARTA (JP): The Communication Forum of Borrowers complained on Friday over the slowness of the debt restructuring program executed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).Forum chairman BK.

Council to probe vanished rivers

Council to probe vanished rivers JAKARTA (JP): The City Council will question the administration about several rivers in the capital which have disappeared due to the construction of housing and office complexes, a council member said on Friday.

'FEER' subscription fee

'FEER' subscription fee I received a notice for an extension of my subscription to the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER), which will expire on Nov. 25, 1999, at Rp 602,000 for two years. However, when I wanted to pay this fee to the representative in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, I was surprised to...

Indosat to hold bowling tournament

Indosat to hold bowling tournament JAKARTA (JP): The top bowlers from nine provinces and Batam Island are competing for a total cash prize of Rp 86.75 million in the Sixth National Indosat Championships at the Jaya Ancol and Megamal Pluit bowling allies from Nov. 12 to Nov. 21.

House to probe into Bank Bali takeover by SCB

House to probe into Bank Bali takeover by SCB JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) joint commission responsible for the review of the Bank Bali scandal would undertake an investigation into the bank's management takeover, the commission's chairman Sukowaluyo Mintorahardjo said on Friday.

TNI asked to guard Aceh's oil and gas operations

TNI asked to guard Aceh's oil and gas operations JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the military to guard oil and gas operations in the troubled province of Aceh amid growing tension caused by separatist activity in the area.

City to target Rp 550b in vehicle tax: Sutiyoso

City to target Rp 550b in vehicle tax: Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): With a projected Rp 550 billion (US$78.5 million) income from motor vehicle taxes for the current 1999/2000 fiscal year, governor Sutiyoso vowed on Friday to seek taxes on imported luxury cars and motorcycles.

Meat, eggs ample for the holidays

Meat, eggs ample for the holidays PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The country has enough meat and eggs for the coming festive seasons of Christmas and Idul Fitri, Director General for Farming Sofjan Sudrajat said on Friday.

Hike in blood tranfusion fee a pain for hospitals

Hike in blood tranfusion fee a pain for hospitals JAKARTA (JP): The city chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI Jakarta) will increase its service cost for blood transfusions because most of the materials and equipment used are imported."The average cost is Rp 35,000 (US$5) per vial of blood.

Car robbery on toll road

Car robbery on toll road JAKARTA (JP): A driver was dumped on Friday in Tanjung Anom village, Tangerang, after his van was stolen by four men who stopped to help him change a tire on the Jakarta-Merak toll road."I was driving home to Tangerang, when I suddenly got a flat tire.

Police seize 18 stolen vehicles

Police seize 18 stolen vehicles TANGERANG (JP): Local police have arrested five suspects and confiscated 18 stolen cars from a series of vehicle thefts in Tangerang during the past two months.Tangerang Police Detectives chief Capt.

C. Java qualifies 28 sports for PON

C. Java qualifies 28 sports for PON SEMARANG (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) Central Java chapter official of athletes development, Kurniawan, said on Friday that the province had qualified 28 of 35 sports for the 2000 National Games in Surabaya.

New Indonesia-U.S. ties

New Indonesia-U.S. ties Being a true democrat, President Abdurrahman Wahid must have felt more at home talking with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington on Friday than he did when he met with some of the despots during his earlier Southeast Asian tour.

Experts urge police to open frozen cases

Experts urge police to open frozen cases JAKARTA (JP): Police should reopen investigations into controversial criminal cases not revealed to the public immediately after they find new evidence or obtain testimony from parties related to the cases, experts said on Friday.

NU told to pick acceptable leader

NU told to pick acceptable leader PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was urged on Friday to elect a chairman who was acceptable to all elements in the nation.NU Central Java chapter figure Noer Iskandar Al-Barsany said the next chairman, who will replace Abdurrahman Wahid, should...

Green light?

Green light? Who is Hubert Neiss kidding when he stated on Nov. 5, 1999 (as reported in the Nov. 7 issue of The Jakarta Post) after ending his one-week visit to Jakarta: "The Bank Bali scandal is resolved.

Critics say foreign policy overlooks Muslim interests

Critics say foreign policy overlooks Muslim interests JAKARTA (JP): Objections heightened on Friday against the foreign policy of President Abdurrahman Wahid's government, with critics accusing it of ignoring Muslim interests by making overtures toward Israel.

Zarina and her boyfriend tell conflicting stories

Zarina and her boyfriend tell conflicting stories JAKARTA (JP): Zarina Mirafsur had more than just a close relationship with 30-year-old Ahian Santoso, alias Yeye, the man she was arrested with early on Thursday morning, city police chief of detectives hinted on Friday.Col.

Marzuki backs trials in Aceh rights abuses

Marzuki backs trials in Aceh rights abuses JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Friday that he hoped to prosecute military members responsible for human rights abuses in Aceh and have them tried in civil, rather then military courts, to appease the people in the restive province.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 12, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 875 0 1,044,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 450 0 0 Alter Abadi 375 -25 35,000 Alumindo...

Lufthansa to add flights to Jakarta

Lufthansa to add flights to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Lufthansa German Airlines will add two more direct flights connecting Jakarta and Frankfurt in January next year to anticipate a surge in demand resulting from an improvement in the country's economic and political condition.

Ten basketball clubs meet in final series

Ten basketball clubs meet in final series JAKARTA (JP): The decisive sixth series of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league starting on Saturday will feature 10 clubs from both eastern and western divisions at the Senayan basketball hall.

Official to release names

Official to release names BOGOR (JP): Bogor secretary Itoc Tochija promised on Thursday to disclose names of officials who backed gambling activities in a den on Jl. Siliwangi 23D which was raided by a group of angry students earlier this month.

Stability crucial to capital inflow: Tedy

Stability crucial to capital inflow: Tedy JAKARTA (JP): A retired Indonesian Military officer who is a prominent member of the ethnic Chinese-Indonesian community said on Friday that Chinese-Indonesians were reluctant to bring back their overseas investments until security conditions in the country...

Timber stolen in Pati

Timber stolen in Pati PATI, Central Java: About 1,500 locals felled some 3,000 trees and looted the chopped teakwood from a forest in Jinggotan village north of here, woodland director Sukarjan Suriana said on Friday."Residents raided and vandalized the forest until Friday morning.

Two drug suspects arrested in Bogor

Two drug suspects arrested in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Two alleged drug dealers identified as Abdurochim and Atikah Nurlela were arrested in Pondok Remaja Hotel of Leuwi Malang village in Cisarua, Bogor Police deputy chief Maj. Weri Sujatmiko said on Friday.

U.S. trade mission to visit Indonesia

U.S. trade mission to visit Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the United States-Indonesia Business Committee Michael Gadbaw and president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council Ernest Bower will lead a 25-member U.S. business mission to Indonesia from Jan. 18-20, 2000.

Gus Dur says U.S. can help put economy right

Gus Dur says U.S. can help put economy rightBy Kornelius Purba WASHINGTON, D.C. (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has appealed to the United States to help his government's efforts in rebuilding the ravaged economy and establishing a clean government.On the eve of his meeting with U.S.

Renewed violence hits Ambon

Renewed violence hits Ambon AMBON, Maluku (JP): Renewed sectarian violence erupted here on Friday after unidentified people burned a house belonging to a Christian family in the Wailela subdistrict.Eyewitnesses said a group of people wearing white headbands entered Wailela, some three kilometers...

Subsidies vs. efficiency

Subsidies vs. efficiency To be frank, there is a good point in the arguments of both the government, which wants to abolish fuel and energy subsidies, and businesspeople, who reject the higher rates that this would bring.

RI shuttlers secure semifinals berth at Asia Cup

RI shuttlers secure semifinals berth at Asia Cup JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia secured on Thursday a semifinal berth after eliminating Thailand in the round-robin Group B match of the US$100,000 JVC Asia Cup in Ho Chi Minh City. China, South Korea and Malaysia also cruised into the semifinals.

Siemens phone sales double

Siemens phone sales double JAKARTA (JP): Brisk demand for Siemens latest cell phone products, has led sales of Siemens mobile phones to double to 22,000 units during the nine months ending in September, the local distributor said on Friday.

Jakarta: A historical city of forts

Jakarta: A historical city of fortsBy Ida Indawati Khouw Hardly nobody cares that Jakarta was once home to some 40 forts, inherited from the Dutch colonial period. Residents in the neighborhood, which is close to the two remaining forts in the capital -- in Sungai Bambu subdistrict and in Ancol --...

Bali hosts family planning conference

Bali hosts family planning conference JAKARTA (JP): The National Family Planning Board (BKKBN) will hold a one-week conference to evaluate the outcome of an Indonesia-sponsored international training program on family planning.

Governement rules out immediate hikes in fuel prices

Governement rules out immediate hikes in fuel prices JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ruled out on Friday any immediate hikes in domestic fuel prices despite soaring costs to the government.

Kunaefi buried at heroes cemetery

Kunaefi buried at heroes cemetery BANDUNG: Former West Java governor A'ang Kunaefi died on Friday at Pondok Indah Hospital in Jakarta at that age of 77. His body was buried later in the day at the Cikutra Heroes Cemetery here in a military ceremony.