Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 November 1999

52 articles found

Aceh referendum

Aceh referendum From Media Indonesia The wish of the Acehnese people to hold a referendum should not be responded to rashly by the government. The Aceh case is not a problem merely about equitable distribution of prosperity, which in fact never took place during either Old Order or New Order rule. What is happening is connected to the efforts to bring about disintegration by the Free Aceh Movement in the frame of the old claims of DI/TII of the time of the Old Order.

Jakarta's street children take a closer look at themselves

Jakarta's street children take a closer look at themselves By Des Price JAKARTA (JP): Recent initiatives for working with street children, such as the David Glass Ensemble, where children took part in drama and music workshops and performed the play The Lost Child, have taken an imaginative direction.

Police reshuffled in Bandung

Police reshuffled in Bandung BANDUNG: Lt. Col. Puji Winarso was sworn in on Tuesday as the new chief of West Bandung Police replacing Lt. Col. Robert Kodong. "My replacement has nothing to do with the Zarina case. It's only a tour of duty," Robert said after the ceremony, quickly adding that he had been notified of the impending reshuffle in early August. The Central and East Bandung Police will also soon have new chiefs.

RI faces tough opening round in Beijing

RI faces tough opening round in Beijing JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers will face tough challenges in the opening round of the US$150,000 China Open in Beijing on Wednesday. Third seeded Budi Santoso will meet Ma Yuan Zheng of China. If he wins, he will play the winner of a match between Mika Joppien of Germany and Zhang Yi of China. If Budi, who is ranked world number seven, manages to reach the third round, he is likely to challenge 12th seeded Xia Xuanze of China.

UN human rights team to arrive in East Timor this week

UN human rights team to arrive in East Timor this week GENEVA (Reuters): A United Nations team of human rights experts will go to East Timor this week to investigate alleged atrocities there after a key UN body on Monday approved their deployment. The five independent experts, led by chair Sonia Picado of Costa Rica, will hold preliminary talks this week in Geneva, including with UN human rights chief Mary Robinson," UN spokesman Jose Diaz said on Tuesday.

RP may set up export bank

RP may set up export bank MANILA (AFP): President Joseph Estrada said Tuesday the Philippine government may set up a special bank for export finance using US$1 billions in aid from the Japan Bank for Industrial Cooperation. A palace statement quoted Estrada as saying that the Japan Bank for Industrial Cooperation itself had suggested the creation of the special bank to meet the long-term requirements of Philippine exporters.

Japan pledges continued support for RI

Japan pledges continued support for RI TOKYO (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid ended his two-day working visit to Japan on Tuesday receiving a strong pledge of economic support from Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and promises of continued flows of investment from Japanese companies.

The nation-state is not an end in itself

The nation-state is not an end in itself It is a sacred task to defend a heritage in the face of challenges, but political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono stresses the urgent need for a critical understanding of history. JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Gen. Wiranto, recently stated that any solution of the Aceh problem must be within the framework of the unitary state. The unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia is final.

IBM, INDOSATnet help SMEs

IBM, INDOSATnet help SMEs JAKARTA (JP): IBM has launched a series of computing products and services aimed primarily at small office home office (SOHO) workers and small business planning to start their own e- business. The company said on Tuesday the new product solution range includes the entry level Netfinity 1000 server, ThinkPad 600 and the new ThinkPad 390X note book and PC300GL business computer.

Index-linked futures trading to open on SSX

Index-linked futures trading to open on SSX JAKARTA (JP): The Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) will introduce trading in futures contracts next year to provide greater investment opportunities on the country's second stock market. The president of the SSX, Anton Natakoesoemah, said here on Tuesday the futures contracts would be based on the LQ45 Index, the price barometer of the 45 most actively traded shares on the Jakarta Stock Exchange.

Four-day event celebrates student movement

Four-day event celebrates student movement JAKARTA (JP): The massive student movement which oversaw the fall of former president Soeharto is being eulogized in a four- day event which includes discussions and exhibitions. Organized by Kompas daily, the event at Bentara Budaya on Jl.

RI-Australia ties: Now time to look forward again

RI-Australia ties: Now time to look forward again This article is based on address of Australian ambassador to Indonesia, John McCarthy, at the annual dinner of Ikama, The Australian alumni group, Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, on Nov. 12. JAKARTA: Members of the Embassy and I have spent much of the last three months seeking to reassure Indonesians of the motives for our role in East Timor.

Govt urged to solve Maluku clashes

Govt urged to solve Maluku clashes JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives rebuked the government on Tuesday for failing to take concrete measures to stop violence in Maluku, which it says seems to be taking a backseat to a resolution of separatist sentiments in Aceh. House Speaker Akbar Tandjung in particularly referred to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, whose responsibility is to resolve communal clashes in Maluku and human rights problems in the easternmost province of Irian Jaya.

Euronet, Sigma tie up

Euronet, Sigma tie up JAKARTA (JP): Information technology company PT Sigma Cipta Caraka announced on Tuesday a joint venture with Euronet Services Inc., a U.S-based electronic financial solutions and transaction processing company. The joint venture will operate a transaction switch to process automated teller machine (ATM) transactions for an ATM network.

Seminar to discuss Islam's arrival in RI

Seminar to discuss Islam's arrival in RI JAKARTA (JP): The question of how Islam was introduced to Indonesia will be the focus of an international seminar to be held here on Wednesday. Uka Tjandrasasmita, a historian who will speak at the seminar, The Arrival and Spread of Islam in Southeast Asia, said historians were split into three camps on the origins of the religion in Indonesia, which now has the world's largest Muslim population.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 16, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Disintegration at our doorstep

Disintegration at our doorstep At present, as economic ruin and disintegration are threatening the nation, we must maintain the courage to reject things that are deleterious to our national interest, however hard the possible consequences may be. President Abdurrahman Wahid's remark that he will be willing to talk to anyone who is ready to talk, but will be tough with anyone who wants to unilaterally impose their will on others, is appropriate in this context.

RI satellites safe from meteor shower: Telkom

RI satellites safe from meteor shower: Telkom BANDUNG (JP): State-run telecommunications company PT Telkom assured on Tuesday that approaching meteor rain known as the Leonid Shower would not affect its satellites. Telkom's vice president of communications Dodi Amarudien said recent analysis confirmed that the meteor shower would not enter the area where the three satellites are located.

North coast road needs repairs

North coast road needs repairs SEMARANG: With the Idul Fitri and Christmas holiday season just around the corner, officials here warned that some 40 percent of the 433 kilometers north coast Java artery was in poor condition. The road is a key transportation route in a season which traditionally sees millions of people leaving Jakarta to return to their hometowns. "These damaged roads need to be repaired soon.

Perbasi undecided on relegation

Perbasi undecided on relegation JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) is uncertain whether there should be relegation for the teams who finished bottom in this year's league while top teams demanded that relegation should exist to maintain the league's quality.

RI doesn't need 'large investments'

RI doesn't need 'large investments' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia does not need large scale investments within the next five years as most companies were still operating below their production capacities, a senior minister said on Tuesday. Minister of Industry and Trade Jusuf Kalla said many production facilities remained idle despite an increase in production levels.

Subscription fee settled

Subscription fee settled I would like to thank the representative of the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) for its prompt response to my letter in The Jakarta Post, on Nov. 13, 1999. They wrote me directly to inform me they would refund the surcharge I paid, although I have yet to collect the money. It should be noted that I have subscribed to this favorite magazine for more than 15 years, I was unaware of the increase in the subscription fee.

Conference guests visit family planning centers

Conference guests visit family planning centers DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Participants in an international conference here on Tuesday visited family planning centers at village level, which have been dubbed the backbone of Indonesia's successful family planning program. Split into three groups, they visited integrated health service posts, known in Indonesian as Posyandu, in three villages in Gianyar regency, some 27 kilometers east of Denpasar.

Private investors sought for city firms

Private investors sought for city firms JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is seeking private investors to help turn around a city-sponsored agency and seven city-owned firms, an official said on Tuesday. Deputy Governor for financial affairs Fauzi Alvi Yasin said private investors were being sought to help manage the city-owned enterprises because they had consistently failed to contribute to the city budget.

Grandfather hangs in Sumatra

Grandfather hangs in Sumatra JAMBI: The neighbor of a 73-year-old man made a grisly discovery early on Tuesday morning after finding his neighbor hanging in his small hut here. Sastro Wijoyo was found in his house at about 7:30 a.m. by his neighbor Rosydah who had come to pick cassava leaves in the deceased's garden. Jambi Police spokesman Maj. Mawardi Ponda said the deceased was last seen approximately an hour before his body was discovered talking with another neighbor.

Police to conduct festive season firecracker raids

Police to conduct festive season firecracker raids JAKARTA (JP): City police will conduct selective raids on the circulation of firecrackers in anticipation of Christmas, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan and New Years, an official said on Tuesday. "We will seize any firecrackers which are produced or distributed without obtaining an authorized license first," city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said at the headquarters.

Most teens have sex at home

Most teens have sex at home PURWOKERTO, Central Java: About 70 percent of teenagers enjoy sexual activities at home, while the remaining 30 percent go to other "safe" places such as the beach, parks or fields instead of staying in hotels, a sexologist said. Taufik Adisusilo told a premarital sex seminar held recently in Banyumas that teenagers chose their residence as the location to indulge in sex for security reasons.

Economist calls for subway postponement

Economist calls for subway postponement JAKARTA (JP): The city administration's ambitious US$1.5 billion Fatmawati-Kota subway project received strong opposition from a noted economist on Tuesday. Sri Mulyani of the University of Indonesia's Institute for the Development of Economy and Management (LPEM-UI) suggested the city administration should postpone the project, saying it was not an urgent scheme for the city's development program.

Referendum in Aceh 'within seven months'

Referendum in Aceh 'within seven months' TOKYO (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said here on Tuesday he planned to hold a referendum in Aceh in seven months. The President's comment has led to new controversy over his handling of the Aceh issue. Abdurrahman earlier sparked a debate by expressing support for a referendum in the restive province.

BIS plays favorites in Asia

BIS plays favorites in Asia By James T. Areddy HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Bank for International Settlements (BIS)' latest expansion suggests it has definite views about which Asia-Pacific economies matter and which don't. The Basel-based BIS earlier this month offered membership to central banks of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, but passed on New Zealand, Taiwan and the Philippines.

IBRA forms new team for troubled Bank Bali

IBRA forms new team for troubled Bank Bali JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) formed a new management team for the beleaguered Bank Bali on Tuesday in response to protests against the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) directors who had been leading the bank.

Advice for the President

Advice for the President Too much for ought is good for nought; in other words, everything in good measure. No doubt, this sort of reasoning was in the mind of the Langitan Forum ulemas when they called on President Abdurrahman Wahid over the weekend to be more careful and less hasty in making public statements. "Abdurrahman must change his style and pattern of leadership.

Murder suspects arrested in less than 24 hours

Murder suspects arrested in less than 24 hours JAKARTA (JP): Three suspects in the murder of a couple in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta were arrested on Tuesday after police received a tip from one of the suspects' friends. One suspect, 22-year-old Fichri Richard Datulong, said in the presence of police officers that he and his friends were offered Rp 30 million from a relative of the victim to kill Konstantin Akbar and his wife Umi Kalsum.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 16, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 950 75 2,417,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 450 0 0 Alter Abadi 450 50 3,720,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,300 25 5,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,425 0 2,450,000 Anwar Sierad 375 75 2,401,500 APAC Centertex Corp.

'Lucky' cell phone numbers sell for exorbitant prices

'Lucky' cell phone numbers sell for exorbitant prices By A'an Suryana JAKARTA (JP): Excuse me, but what is your cellular phone number? Is it an easy one to remember like 0816-123-456? Does it have "favorable" numbers such as the combination 0818-888-999? Or does the phone number add up to an eight or a nine? These two numbers are considered lucky for most Chinese. Or perhaps the number contains someone's birthday such as 0811-612-1962?

Bankruptcy law needs amending

Bankruptcy law needs amending By Agustin V. Que JAKARTA (JP): The bankruptcy system reforms, embodied in the government regulation in lieu of Law No. 1 1998 issued on April 22, 1998, were initially welcomed by the Indonesian and international business communities as a commitment to a pragmatic path of reform.

Govt confident of meeting tax target

Govt confident of meeting tax target JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Tuesday that it had collected Rp 52.6 trillion (US$7.56 billion) in taxes between April and October, accounting for about two-thirds of the target for the entire fiscal year ending on March 31. "As long as the economy continues to improve, or even if it remains stable, we are optimistic of meeting our target," Director General of Taxation Anshari Ritonga said.

Senior NU figures discuss executive role for women

Senior NU figures discuss executive role for women JAKARTA (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization is considering a groundbreaking and controversial move to include women in its next executive lineup. NU deputy chairman Said Aqil Siradj said on Tuesday that Indonesia's largest Muslim organization wanted to dispel orthodox notions about the 35-million strong grouping. "Many Islamic-based organizations are uncomfortable including women in their executives.

Door-to-door gambling in Bogor

Door-to-door gambling in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Amid sweeping gambling raids conducted by local police in the past couple of weeks, gambling operators have started a new approach of selling coupons directly to the gamblers. Bogor Police deputy chief Maj. Werry Sudjatmiko said on Tuesday that operators of the gambling activities, locally called judi putih, have shifted to door-to-door services shortly after many of other operators were arrested in raids on their hangouts.

OECD sees Asian recovery, but RI remains a weak spot

OECD sees Asian recovery, but RI remains a weak spot PARIS (Reuters): The OECD said on Tuesday that recovery in the "dynamic Asian economies" was proving stronger than expected after the crises of the past two years but Indonesia was still a weak spot. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said China's economy had stabilized after a decline in the first half of this year and forecast 7.1 percent growth there for 1999, 6.8 percent in 2000 and 6.5 percent in 2001.

Where to go in Surabaya for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999

Where to go in Surabaya for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 Exhibition * East Javanese Mask Exhibition, in the lobby area of Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental Surabaya, at Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 5454333), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., until Nov. 19. Performances * Traditional Mask Dances, in the Balai Adika Ballroom of Hotel Majapahit, 7 p.m., Nov. 19. * Classical Piano Concert from Germany by Roswitha Lohmer, in the Balai Adika Ballroom of Hotel Majapahit, 7 p.m., Nov. 24.

ASEAN hails China WTO deal

ASEAN hails China WTO deal JAKARTA (AFP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday welcomed the trade pact between China and the United States, and expressed hope it would lead to Beijing's admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In a statement issued at ASEAN headquarters here the organization's secretary general, Rodolfo Severino, said that ASEAN had since 1997 supported not only China's membership of the WTO, but also the admission of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Two tried for heroin smuggling

Two tried for heroin smuggling TANGERANG (JP): Two Nepalese identified as Nar Badahur Tamang, 59 and Bala Tamang, 30, went on trial at Tangerang District Court on Tuesday for attempting to smuggle 554 grams of heroin into the country. Prosecutor Lasiman said the men were arrested on July 29 this year at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport shortly after arriving on a Thai Airways flight from Islamabad, Pakistan.

Indonesia to test swimmers at Asia C'ships before Olympics

Indonesia to test swimmers at Asia C'ships before Olympics JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) will send its swimmers to the Asia Championships in Pusan, South Korea, in March before they take part in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney in September. The federation's deputy in charge of athletic development Kristiono Sumono said on Tuesday that it would not send swimmers to the Olympics if they failed to fulfill the targets set for them in the championships.

Zarina's fate still undecided

Zarina's fate still undecided JAKARTA (JP): Police have yet to charge Zarina Mirafsur, a drug suspect who has been kept at the Jakarta Police headquarters since her arrest last Thursday morning, with any crime. Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Tuesday detectives were still researching the correct charges to file against the 27-year-old woman.

Observer calls for nationwide referendum

Observer calls for nationwide referendum JAKARTA (JP): An election observer said on Tuesday the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should support a referendum which allows the nation too choose between a federal and unitary state system in a bid to ease growing separatist demands. Secretary-general of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) Mulyana W. Kusumah said the seeds of disintegration had originated from central government policies which belittled provincial aspirations.

Street vendors protest raids

Street vendors protest raids TANGERANG (JP): About 200 street vendors who usually operate along Jl. Daan Mogot visited the Tangerang Mayoralty office on Tuesday to protest recent raids against them. "We pay levies to the officials. Why are we called illegal traders?" said Sapar, 35. Officials banned the vendors because they said they were causing traffic problems and told them to move to nearby Anyar Market.

Where to go in Bandung for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999

Where to go in Bandung for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 Exhibition * Painting Exhibition by Dadang Mochamad Achjar, at Galeri Bandung, Jl. Siliwangi 16 (Phone: 236515), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Nov. 20. Peformances * Sundanese Traditional Drama: Drama Badawang, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 8 p.m., Nov. 17-19. * Puppet Show, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, 9:30 p.m., Nov. 20.

Asia safest investment risk

Asia safest investment risk BANGKOK (DPA): Among emerging markets Asian countries, with the exception of Indonesia, remain the safest investment risk despite the economic crisis that has plagued the region since 1997, a country risk survey disclosed Tuesday. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister company of The Economist magazine, Asia ranked below the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa as an investment risk, said The Nation newspaper.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Music 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Indonesian Lessons 5:00 Students' Quiz 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00 World News 9:35 Talk Show 10:30 TV Series: Labyrinth 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m. Children's Program 5:00 City News 5:30 Music 6:00 TV Drama 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama TPI 5:30 a.m.

Federal status more likely

Federal status more likely If many provinces of Indonesia are now rebelling, it's not their fault. They have been treated very badly in the past and now it's time for justice. But does that mean justice shall be rendered under the form of a referendum to separate from the main body? B.J. Habibie is the one who came up with this idea of referendum in the first place. He is the one who has launched the processes of (possible) disintegration of Indonesia.

KL opposition warns of violence during election

KL opposition warns of violence during election KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Opposition parties and supporters of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday accused one another of provoking violence as the campaign for the crucial Nov. 29 general election heated up. A spokesman for the four-party opposition coalition said some supporters of the ruling National Front, armed with traditional machetes called parang, had threatened anti-government activists and even beaten one of them.