Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 November 1999

57 articles found

32 killed in RP rebel war

32 killed in RP rebel war ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AP): About 30 Muslim separatist rebels and two government soldiers were killed in heavy fighting Thursday in the southern Philippines that threatened planned peace talks, officials said.

Beware of 'pistol' packing youths in idyllic Bali

Beware of 'pistol' packing youths in idyllic BaliBy I Wayan Juniarta DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Foreign visitors must consider an important tip, in addition to other more prosaic traveling tips, when visiting to Bali: Equip yourself with a bulletproof vest.

The National Police deal with their growing pains

The National Police deal with their growing painsBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): The National Police turned 53 in July, usually an age of maturity and wisdom in a person's life. For the Indonesian police corps, being 53 means a continuing period of waiting for independence.

Indonesia's economy

Indonesia's economyFrom DRObserving the economic crises which have hit Asian countries, particularly in Southeast and East Asia, such as Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, unfortunately it is Indonesia which looks as if it will experience difficulty in getting back to its precrisis peak, when its...

Indians deported for fake passports

Indians deported for fake passports BATAM, Riau: The immigration office here deported on Thursday three Indian citizens for holding counterfeit passports.An immigration official, Wachiyat, told Antara the three foreigners were stopped upon arrival at Hang Nadim Airport.

Bayer to invest $1b in Asia

Bayer to invest $1b in Asia BANGKOK (Dow Jones): Bayer AG, the German chemicals company, said Thursday it plans to invest US$1 billion in Asia before 2005 to raise its plastics production capacity.By that year, Bayer expects to produce 250,000 tons a year of polycarbonate at plants in Thailand and...

Buddhist temple caretakers turn down expulsion order

Buddhist temple caretakers turn down expulsion order BOGOR (JP): A team of officials from the Bogor District Court and the city's social and political office called off on Wednesday a planned eviction of two caretakers from the Ho Tek Bio Vihara (Buddhist temple) after one threatened to commit...

Alfa plans to go public

Alfa plans to go public JAKARTA (JP): PT Alfa Retailindo, a trading arm of the Sampoerna Group, announced on Thursday a plan to offer shares to the public.The company said in a statement that it would offer 100 million shares with a nominal price of Rp 500 from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9.

Starting a new era

Starting a new era When President Abdurrahman Wahid announced the lineup of his National Unity Cabinet at the end of last month, many circles here were concerned that the House of Representatives would not be able to carry out its check-and-balance task because all political powers are represented...

NU warned against turning its back on the grass roots

NU warned against turning its back on the grass roots JAKARTA (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) will take on the psychological challenge of making a break from its charismatic, longtime leader Abdurrahman Wahid, observers said on Thursday.

East Timorese leaders to visit Indonesia

East Timorese leaders to visit Indonesia UNITED NATIONS (Reuters): Nobel peace prize co-winner Jose Ramos-Horta said on Wednesday that he and East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao would meet Indonesia's new president Abdurrahman Wahid in Jakarta on Nov. 30.

Maj. Gen. Djadja donates Rp 100 million to reporters

Maj. Gen. Djadja donates Rp 100 million to reporters JAKARTA (JP): The outgoing chief of the Jakarta Military Command, Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman, donated on Thursday Rp 100 million to reporters covering the activities of the military command.

RI faces dissolution threat

RI faces dissolution threat It's a long way from Berlin to Aceh, but as The Jakarta Post's Asia correspondent Harvey Stockwin made that mental journey recently, some provocative parallels came to mind. HONG KONG (JP): As the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the Berlin Wall by People Power was...

Hanoi exports to ASEAN down

Hanoi exports to ASEAN down HANOI (Dow Jones): Vietnam's exports to ASEAN countries as a percentage of overall exports will fall next year as rice sales to Indonesia and the Philippines decline, the Vietnam Industry Times newspaper said Thursday.

Aspac, Panasia claim wins in Kobatama sixth serie

Aspac, Panasia claim wins in Kobatama sixth serie JAKARTA (JP): League leaders Aspac and Panasia Indosyntec taught their rivals on Thursday a never-say-die spirit can be more important than strategy and skill.

Govt, IMF agree to reimpose import duty on rice, sugar

Govt, IMF agree to reimpose import duty on rice, sugar JAKARTA (JP): The government has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reimpose the import duty on rice and sugar to protect local farmers from cheap imports, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian...

PABBSI hopes lifters get four Olympics tickets

PABBSI hopes lifters get four Olympics tickets JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) hopes to send five of its lifters to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Asia braces as oil price surges to nine-year high

Asia braces as oil price surges to nine-year high SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asia is bracing for the impact of oil prices at nine-year highs amid fears they could go even higher.Key global producers Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Mexico said on Wednesday they had no intention of relaxing a production-...

Int'l family planning conference closes

Int'l family planning conference closes KUTA, Bali (JP): The International Training Program for Family Planning/Reproductive Health closed here on Thursday with a call for participants to maintain a critical stance on their country's implementation of the program developed in Indonesia.

Pertamina quadruples profit in 1998/99

Pertamina quadruples profit in 1998/99 JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina almost quadrupled its consolidated net profit in the year ending March 31 to Rp 1.05 trillion (US$150.5 million) because of higher revenues from domestic and export sales of crude oil.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, Nov. 19, 1999

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, Nov. 19, 1999Festival November '99* The festival features poetry, story 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.

Anwar Sierad restructuring debt

Anwar Sierad restructuring debt JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed poultry company PT Anwar Sierad announced on Thursday that it expected to complete the restructuring of its US$160 million debt within the next three months.

IPTN's aircraft fails to take off

IPTN's aircraft fails to take off BANDUNG (JP): State aircraft manufacturer IPTN has halted its ambitious project to build a passenger jet due to financial difficulties, a company executive said here on Thursday.

Abdurrahman faults media for fueling rumor mill

Abdurrahman faults media for fueling rumor mill JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid lashed out at the media on Thursday for the public craze of seeking the names of ministers investigated for alleged corruption, saying that he did not harbor suspicions about any of his aides.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 18, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,025 0 1,326,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 525 25 27,500 Alter Abadi 450 0...

Rudy Ramli files suit

Rudy Ramli files suit JAKARTA (JP): Former Bank Bali president Rudy Ramli lodged on Thursday a complaint against the chief integration officer of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and two Indonesian Banking Restructuring Agency (IBRA) executives for tarnishing his name in media reports, the city police...

TNI in row over Aceh martial law

TNI in row over Aceh martial law JAKARTA (JP): A barrage of criticism was raised on Thursday in response to the Indonesian Military and National Police's proposal to impose limited martial law in Aceh, warning such a move could lead to further human rights violations.

Police urged to solve environmental crimes

Police urged to solve environmental crimes JAKARTA (JP): The chief of the National Police's forensics laboratory, Brig. Gen. Suwahyu, said here on Thursday that a major obstacle to solving environmental crimes was the police's lack of earnestness in dealing with such cases.

RI opens HK promotion center

RI opens HK promotion center JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong said on Thursday it reopened the Indonesian Promotion Center after almost three and a half years of being closed.

Bank DKI to pursue Rp 340b bad debts

Bank DKI to pursue Rp 340b bad debts JAKARTA (JP): City-owned Bank DKI will set up a team to collect bad debts amounting to Rp 345 billion (US$49 million) following the failure of the Indonesian Banking Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to handle the non-performing debts, the bank's executive said on...

Taiwan-RI flights unaffected by Y2K

Taiwan-RI flights unaffected by Y2K JAKARTA (JP): Taiwan-based EVA Air said on Thursday it would fly as usual to Taipei from Jakarta or Denpasar on New Years Eve, but suspend its connecting flights between Denpasar and Surabaya as a year 2000 bug (Y2K) precautionary measure.

Asia faces pressure on rapid trade reforms

Asia faces pressure on rapid trade reforms SINGAPORE (AFP): Many Asian developing economies emerging from crisis are facing domestic pressure against faster trade liberalization at the upcoming WTO ministerial talks in Seattle, Washington, analysts in the region say.

Stop tearing each other apart

Stop tearing each other apart Thanks to all who have responded to my letter, published in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 5. My special respect to Mrs. Farida Hanum for the openness, clarity and courage of her contribution of Nov. 12 (without the abrasive parts, it would have been even better).

Zarina faces drug trafficking charge

Zarina faces drug trafficking charge JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said on Thursday that his office would charge Zarina Mirafsur with drug trafficking as stipulated in Article 60 of Law No. 5/1997 on psychotropic substances.

Aceh: A referendum for what?

Aceh: A referendum for what?From Rakyat MerdekaPresident Abdurrahman Wahid and his Cabinet are facing many problems toward the realization of the ideals of a New Indonesia.While the economic sector shows signs of recovery, on the political side the state is threatened by disintegration.

Antonius, Denny reach China Open semifinals

Antonius, Denny reach China Open semifinals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's doubles shuttlers Antonius Budi Irianto and Denny Kantono became on Thursday the only Indonesians remaining in the US$150,000 China Open semifinals after other players made their exits in earlier rounds.

Old habits die hard

Old habits die hard An Officers Honors Council is likely to be formed shortly. Setting up an exclusive apparatus such as this to settle cases of violations of the law committed by their members; that seems to be the military's answer to the perilous situation that is at present developing in Aceh.

Gus Dur refuses to budge on closure of ministries

Gus Dur refuses to budge on closure of ministries JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid was firm in maintaining his ground on Thursday in closing the information and social services ministries, even as eight out of 10 factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) called for a policy reversal...

'Hot' money could burn fragile Asian economies

'Hot' money could burn fragile Asian economies SINGAPORE (Reuters): The good news is Asia is still firmly on investors' radar screens. The bad news? A big chunk of it is hot money.Spectacular rises in regional stock markets at the turn of the year tended to run out of steam around mid-year, but...

Acehnese stock up on staple foods

Acehnese stock up on staple foods BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Fears of an outbreak of violence in the province has prompted residents here to inundate markets and stores to stock up on staple foods.Residents were also anticipating on Thursday a surge in market prices.

KL opposition seeks to nominate Anwar

KL opposition seeks to nominate Anwar KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's opposition alliance will try to nominate jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim as a candidate in the Nov. 29 election, his wife says.

Govt backs down on Israel trade ties

Govt backs down on Israel trade ties JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Thursday back- pedaled on his plan to open trade links with Israel, saying that he would only move forward after deep and lengthy studies.

Minister denies irregularities in granting forest concessions

Minister denies irregularities in granting forest concessions JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Nur Mahmudi Ismail dismissed on Thursday allegations 51 forest concessions awarded by the ministry were tainted by corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 18, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 6,925.00 6,995.00Australian dollar 1 4,429.23 4,481.00Austrian schilling 1 523.99 529.54Belgian franc 1 178.74 180.63Brunei dollar 1 4,151.68 4,196.16Canadian dollar 1 4,714.

Mob kills alleged thief

Mob kills alleged thief SEMARANG: A man who was alleged to have stolen a bird was beaten to death by residents of Kalimoro village in Kedungjati subdistrict on Wednesday.A police officer, Lt. Purnomo, said the suspect, identified as Suwondo, 30, sustained severe injuries to his head and chest.

Locals rebuff plan for proposed dump

Locals rebuff plan for proposed dump TANGERANG (JP): The community of Ciangir village of the Legok subdistrict in Tangerang has rejected the Jakarta administration's plan to move a garbage dump to their area.

Centralized ownership 'contributed to crisis'

Centralized ownership 'contributed to crisis' MANILA (AFP): The concentration of corporate ownership in many Asian countries contributed to the Asian economic crisis that broke out in 1997, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday, citing a study of five affected countries.

Cigarette workers go on strike

Cigarette workers go on strike BLORA, Central Java: Some 1,500 employees of local cigarette company PT Unggul Jaya staged a protest in the company's compound in Jepon village on Thursday, demanding a salary hike and fitting transport and meal allowances.

House backs request for lifting travel ban

House backs request for lifting travel ban JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives has called on the authorities to lift a travel ban on the former top executives of 38 closed banks, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Wednesday.

Military denies rampant drug use among members

Military denies rampant drug use among members JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command is awaiting the results of urine tests of its members who are suspected of using drugs, city military command spokesman Lt. Col. Djazairi Nachrowi said on Thursday.

American puppet-master takes to the stage

American puppet-master takes to the stageBy Emma Cameron JAKARTA (JP): An English language shadow puppet (wayang kulit) performance to be held here on Sunday is already sold out.The performance will be held by the Indonesian-American Friendship Association (PPIA) on Sunday at 7 p.m.

UGM graduates 1,225 students

UGM graduates 1,225 students YOGYAKARTA: State Gadjah Mada University (UGM) marked its golden anniversary with the commencement of 1,225 graduates on Thursday.The university's rector, Ichalsul Amal, said the country's oldest university produced 98,234 graduates from all programs since it was...

Dozen injured in train collision in Bekasi

Dozen injured in train collision in Bekasi JAKARTA (JP): An express train from Gambir station, Central Jakarta, bound for Cirebon collided with a locomotive on Thursday morning, some 40 meters away from Tambun railway station in Bekasi.

Heroin trafficker gets 16 months in jail

Heroin trafficker gets 16 months in jail JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced on Wednesday defendant Doni Novian to one year and four months in jail for trafficking 0.5112 grams of grade one heroin.

Mass media a hero in the coverage of E. Timor

Mass media a hero in the coverage of E. TimorBy Veven Sp Wardhana JAKARTA (JP): The view of East Timor from Indonesia reminds one of the local adage "Far from the eye, but close to the heart," twisted parody-like into "Close to the eye, but far from the heart.

Abdurrahman calls DPR a 'kindergarten'

Abdurrahman calls DPR a 'kindergarten' JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid, already criticized for shooting his mouth off too often, called the House of Representatives (DPR) a kindergarten on Thursday because its members used emotions rather than brains when criticizing his policies.

Indonesia to join G-20, attends planning meeting

Indonesia to join G-20, attends planning meeting VANCOUVER (Reuters): Indonesia has been invited to join the newly-formed "Group of 20" economic forum now that it has held democratic elections and relinquished control of East Timor, a Canadian official said on Wednesday.