Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 November 1999

53 articles found

Ali Sadikin says no to red-light district closure

Ali Sadikin says no to red-light district closure JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin expressed disagreement on Wednesday about a move to close the city's oldest red-light district -- Kramat Tunggak in North Jakarta."Abolishing prostitutes by closing brothel complexes is impossible.

Rp 1 billion for RI Olympic hopefuls

Rp 1 billion for RI Olympic hopefuls JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) is preparing Rp 1 billion (US$1.45 million) to help the National Sports Council (KONI) train its athletes for the 2000 Olympics.

Lightning kills farmer

Lightning kills farmer SEMARANG: A farmer was killed and two others were injured when lightning struck while they were working their fields in Srondol village, Banyumas regency on Wednesday.The fatality was identified as Suyatno, 42.

Govt retains Martiono

Govt retains Martiono JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday the government had no plans to replace Martiono Hadianto as president of state oil and gas company Pertamina.

PNG learns from RI's family planning program

PNG learns from RI's family planning program KUTA, Bali (JP): Indonesia's experiences and methods in implementing its family planning program have become an important base of knowledge which could be adopted by many countries to improve their family planning programs.

India questions RI crew of pirated Japanese ship

India questions RI crew of pirated Japanese ship BOMBAY, India (AP): Indian naval officers on Wednesday were questioning the 15 Indonesian crew members of a merchant ship they intercepted after a tip that it was pirated on its way to Japan.Engineers were pumping water out of the engine room of M.V.

Japan compiles new RI aid package

Japan compiles new RI aid package TOKYO (Dow Jones): The Japanese government hopes to put together a package mapping out the specifics for new aid for Indonesia before the end of this month, the deputy press secretary to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said Wednesday.

Tyasno to replace Subagyo as Army chief

Tyasno to replace Subagyo as Army chief JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military Strategic Intelligence Agency chief Lt. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto will replace Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo as Army chief of staff, a palace source said on Wednesday.The news comes on the heels of speculation over a shakeup in the Army.

Jakartans told to get ready for heavy rainfalls, floods

Jakartans told to get ready for heavy rainfalls, floods JAKARTA (JP): City residents should prepare for floods as heavy rainfalls in the upper Puncak area will reach a climax early next month, an official said on Wednesday.

Returning to 'unity in diversity' after centralism legacy

Returning to 'unity in diversity' after centralism legacy The new government had barely begun to tackle the current crisis when provinces crying out for self-determination started to run out of patience.

Garuda expects to post first profit in 10 years

Garuda expects to post first profit in 10 years JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia expects to return to profitability this year after being in the red for at least 10 years.Garuda's president Abdulgani said on Wednesday he was bullish the airline would be able book a net profit...

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 17, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,020.00 7,090.00Australian dollar 1 4,508.95 4,557.45Austrian schilling 1 526.34 531.79Belgian franc 1 179.54 181.40Brunei dollar 1 4,200.32 4,244.75Canadian dollar 1 4,795.

Bali offers extreme sports for the adventurous

Bali offers extreme sports for the adventurous DENPASAR, Bali (JP): People who watch MTV's It's My Life all choose Bali for their holidays, because they think what local George Rumate did there was very cool and would love to do the same.

RP president accuses Ramos allies of destabilization plots

RP president accuses Ramos allies of destabilization plots MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Wednesday accused figures linked to his predecessor Fidel Ramos of being behind a plot to "topple and destabilize my administration.

Citibank's moves

Citibank's moves With reference to my letter that was published in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 28, 1999, Trust and Citibank's ATM, I would like to inform you that on Nov. 10, 1999, Citibank returned my money.Citibank also promised it would revise its attitude policy. E. J. ARDANESHWARIJakarta

Students pledge to remain critical of the government

Students pledge to remain critical of the government JAKARTA (JP): Students groups which helped incite the nation to a mass movement that aided the overthrow of former president Soeharto last year, pledged on Wednesday to remain critical and unabashed about rallies if the situation required it.

Asian currencies slip but rupiah rises

Asian currencies slip but rupiah rises HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Most Asian currencies ended local trading Wednesday lower against the dollar, which was boosted by Tuesday's 25-basis-point increase in U.S. interest rates.

President asks IBRA chief to speed up bank restructuring

President asks IBRA chief to speed up bank restructuring JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid asked on Wednesday the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to accelerate the recapitalization of financially distressed banks in order to support the economy's recovery.

Top-seeded Sun Jun pulls out of China Open

Top-seeded Sun Jun pulls out of China Open JAKARTA (JP): Top seeded Sun Jun of China had to pull out of the men's singles event of the US$150,000 China Open in the Fengtai Sports Stadium in Beijing due to a serious waist injury.

Second Islamic bank starts operations

Second Islamic bank starts operations JAKARTA (JP): Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM), the second commercial bank operating under Islamic law, officially launched its operations on Wednesday.The bank's president, Nurdin Hasibuan, said BSM opened with five branches in Jakarta and three others in Bandung,...

Artists contrast widely at exhibition

Artists contrast widely at exhibitionBy Emma Cameron JAKARTA (JP): The exhibition "A German and Indonesian Expression" is a testimony to the blind power of chance to create new and innovative art.The decision of artists Anke Malmvall from Germany and Yoes Rizal from Indonesia to exhibit together...

House proposes regular talks with President

House proposes regular talks with President JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives proposed on Wednesday consultation meetings every two months with the President in a bid to improve communications between the state's highest institutions.

RP asked to head E. Timor UN force

RP asked to head E. Timor UN force MANILA (AFP): United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked the Philippines and one other country to take command of a United Nations peacekeeping force that would be deployed in East Timor next year, Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said here on Wednesday.

BI sets range for forex exchange report

BI sets range for forex exchange report JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Achjar Iljas said on Wednesday the minimum amount of foreign exchange transactions required to be reported under the newly enacted foreign exchange monitoring law would be between US$5,000 and $10,000.

Bali serves up the thrill of living dangerously

Bali serves up the thrill of living dangerouslyBy Degung Santikarma DENPASAR, Bali (JP): In the wake of recent violence in Bali accompanying the presidential elections, tourism officials have expressed concern that the numbers of foreign visitors to the island appears to have taken a dramatic dive.

House says no to Aceh referendum

House says no to Aceh referendum JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) dismissed on Wednesday President Abdurrahman Wahid's remarks that a referendum could be held in Aceh next year, saying that the House was intent on maintaining the integrity of the unitary state.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: See and Visualise by Syarief Hidayat, Katharina Popp, Andrew Storey, at Bali Cliff Resort, Ungasan (Phone: 0361 771992), until Nov. 30. * Painting Exhibition: Magic and Modernism, at Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl.

Conoco finds gas in Natuna

Conoco finds gas in Natuna HOUSTON (Dow Jones): Conoco Indonesia Inc. made its fifth discovery this year in the block B production sharing contract area of Indonesia's South Natuna Sea.In a press release Tuesday, the company said the Keong No.

TNI's tough task

TNI's tough task The Indonesian Military (TNI) is facing difficult times ahead. Public sentiments is still unfavorable, despite the efforts of the TNI to convince the Indonesian people, especially the students, that they have a sincere desire to reform themselves according to the will of the people.

Missing traffic signs cause condemnation

Missing traffic signs cause condemnation JAKARTA (JP): City councilors condemned the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) on Tuesday for neglecting to take good care of traffic signs and traffic lights.

12 missing on Mt. Merapi

12 missing on Mt. Merapi PADANG, West Sumatra: Twelve young mountain climbers have been missing on Mount Merapi since Saturday, a rescue official said on Wednesday.Search and rescue coordinator Rizanto Algamar said six teams of rescue workers had been deployed to search for the high school...

Time is over for Dharma Wanita

Time is over for Dharma Wanita Rakyat Merdeka reported on Nov. 4, 1999, the possibility that Dharma Wanita, the association of civil servants' wives, would be dissolved. As the wife of a government employee, I strongly support the move.

RI's kids shine in painting competition

RI's kids shine in painting competition JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian children shone in this year's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) painting contest.Jessica Gunawan, an 11-year-old from Jakarta, was one of the 10 top winners in B group for entrants aged 10 to 16.

Students nabbed for drugs

Students nabbed for drugs YOGYAKARTA: Sleman Police arrested two people for allegedly being in possession of putauw (low-grade heroin) in a raid on a boardinghouse in Prayan village on Tuesday night.The two suspects, identified as Dony Wijaya, 22, a student at Yogyakarta Industrial Academy, and...

Clough wins RI coal contract

Clough wins RI coal contract SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Clough Ltd., an Australian engineering and construction concern, said Wednesday it has won a A$215.5 million coal mining contract in Indonesia from Indonesian miner PT Gunungbayan Pratamacoal, or GBP.

Police detectives shoot dead alleged officer-turned-thief

Police detectives shoot dead alleged officer-turned-thief JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives shot dead a former police officer who was caught red-handed trying to break into a car parked on Jl. Dadap in Cengkareng subdistrict, West Jakarta, at midnight on Tuesday.

Rudy Ramli faces 15 years in jail for Bank Bali scandal

Rudy Ramli faces 15 years in jail for Bank Bali scandal JAKARTA (JP): Against the backdrop of an angry public demanding all the suspects in the Bank Bali scandal be brought to justice, the trial of four former executives of the bank opened on Wednesday.

Govt clears Yusril of suspicion in corruption probe

Govt clears Yusril of suspicion in corruption probe JAKARTA (JP): The government heightened the intrigue on the names of ministers investigated for corruption when it said that Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra was not among them and that the alleged graft had nothing to do with...

More companies link salaries to performance

More companies link salaries to performance JAKARTA (JP): The economic crisis has forced many companies in Indonesia to pay employees based on their performance, a common practice in the West, a human resources consultant said on Wednesday.

City gets new export processing bonded zone

City gets new export processing bonded zone JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Laksamana Sukardi inaugurated on Wednesday the city's third bonded zone in Marunda subdistrict, North Jakarta.

RI, S. Africa business forum

RI, S. Africa business forum JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and South Africa plan to establish a business forum to encourage bilateral trade, investment and tourism, Antara reported on Wednesday.Haryono Eddyarto, head of the committee for South Africa at the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry...

IM Texmaco takes revenge against CLS

IM Texmaco takes revenge against CLS JAKARTA (JP): Raymond Manuhutu's two free throws in the remaining 24 seconds brought Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco to a 68- 60 win over Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) on Wednesday.

Urgent fiscal policy tasks for RI

Urgent fiscal policy tasks for RIBy J. S. Uppal and Sukanto Reksohadiprodjo YOGYAKARTA (JP): The revival of the Indonesian economy from its recent crisis will depend on whether the government takes immediate and important steps to deal with the crucial fiscal policy issues highlighted in this...

Public driver stabbed in eye

Public driver stabbed in eye BANDUNG: A public minivan driver identified as Oki, 39, was wounded in the right eye in a one-sided fight with three hoodlums at an intersection on Jl. Soekarno-Hatta here on Tuesday night.

Is a referendum necessary?

Is a referendum necessary?From RepublikaThe question of Aceh, which is actually the desire of the people in the special region of Aceh to hold a referendum, has become more serious with the organization of what is called the General Session of the Council of Referendum Fighters (SU-MPR) in Banda...

Gus Dur's style

Gus Dur's styleFrom Rakyat MerdekaPresident Abdurrahman Wahid's (Gus Dur) zig-zagging work style continues even now that he is president. People are perplexed about his intentions.This is demonstrated by Gus Dur's intention to open trade relations with Israel and his trip to China.

Alleged rapists killed, burned

Alleged rapists killed, burned TANGERANG (JP): Two alleged kidnappers and rapists of a young girl were brutally assaulted and burned to death by angry locals at Keramat Village Hall in the Pakuhaji district in Tangerang on Wednesday.

Give democracy a chance

Give democracy a chance Abdurrahman Wahid may not have had the last word when he said that a referendum would be held in Aceh within seven months, but it would be foolish for anyone to deny the Acehnese the right to determine their own future now that many of them are having second thoughts about...

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 17, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,025 75 1,862,500 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 500 50 22,500 Alter Abadi 450 0...

Dharmais opens two new cancer clinics

Dharmais opens two new cancer clinics JAKARTA (JP): The state Dharmais Cancer Hospital officially opened on Tuesday its first two cancer consultation clinics at local community health centers in Cengkareng and Tambora, West Jakarta, in an effort to detect the disease in low-income people.

Subway project to start next year

Subway project to start next year JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday the city administration would begin construction on the proposed Fatmawati-Kota subway next year."We hope the project, which has been postponed, can start next year," Sutiyoso said at City Hall.

Amien says federal state remains a viable option

Amien says federal state remains a viable option JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais warned on Wednesday against the maintenance of a unitary state, saying the move would lead to the disintegration of Indonesia.

Give the govt a chance

Give the govt a chance I would like to strongly encourage all Indonesian people, particularly those from the professional communities, to stop any movements, criticism and demonstrations against the government. Let us all give it a fair chance.