Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 November 1999

59 articles found

Observers call on reporters to reject Djadja's donation

Observers call on reporters to reject Djadja's donation JAKARTA (JP): Media observers called on Friday for journalists to reject all gifts or "donations" from their news sources, especially from governing parties, in order to maintain their independence and freedom to file reports.

Wicaksana debt talks near completion

Wicaksana debt talks near completion JAKARTA (JP): PT Wicaksana Overseas International, one of the country's major consumer product distributors, said on Thursday negotiation on the restructuring of its US$131 million debt was nearing completion.

President lashes out at critics of Israel ties

President lashes out at critics of Israel ties GARUT, West Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid lashed back at protesters who use religious scriptures to criticize him over topics such as opening trade ties with Israel, saying that they themselves were ignorant of Koranic teachings.

10 murder suspects questioned

10 murder suspects questioned TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Police are investigating Wednesday's murder of two alleged kidnappers and rapists at Keramat village hall in Pakuhaji subdistrict."Police are interrogating 10 Keramat residents who were allegedly involved in the brutal assault and burning of...

Old drug cases involving military, police pile up

Old drug cases involving military, police pile up JAKARTA (JP): The military police is still handling the cases of 28 Army and police officers suspected of either drug dealing, planting marijuana or illegally selling liquor over the past three years, Col.

N..Korea, S. Korea to set joint team

N..Korea, S. Korea to set joint team SEOUL (Reuters): North Korea has not ruled out joining forces with rival South Korea to form a team for soccer's 2002 World Cup, Seoul's top football official said on his return from Pyongyang on Friday.

What constitutes a war crime?

What constitutes a war crime?By David Jardine JAKARTA (JP): As the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, the straight-talking Mary Robinson, goes about her work of evaluating any evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in East Timor it is reasonable to ask just what such...

BPGS negotiates with IBRA on Mulia and Hilton hotels

BPGS negotiates with IBRA on Mulia and Hilton hotels JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) has asked the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to seek a settlement for its debt row with PT Indobuildco and PT Mulia Intan Lestari, which have leased its land for years.

Mustofa launches poetry album

Mustofa launches poetry album SEMARANG: Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Mustofa Bisri launched his first album titled Tadarus containing religious songs and poetry composed as a way of propagating Islam.Mustofa, popularly known as Gus Mus, is a noted writer and poet from Rembang, Central Java.

The fiscal distress

The fiscal distress Measured by whatever financial ratios, President Abdurrahman Wahid's government is indeed facing the daunting and immediate task of tackling mountains of sovereign debts which threaten to explode the fiscal deficit to an unmanageable level and cripple the country's fragile...

President's planned Middle East tour riles the House

President's planned Middle East tour riles the House JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid once again raised a few eyebrows when he announced that he would go abroad on Monday for a three-country visit to the Middle East followed by the Philippines despite the unsettled domestic strife.

Martial law plan comes under fire

Martial law plan comes under fire JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad accused on Friday military and defense officials of undermining the government's efforts of reconciliation in Aceh by demanding the imposition of limited martial law in the restive province.

UN diplomat blames TNI for E. Timor carnage

UN diplomat blames TNI for E. Timor carnage DILI, East Timor (AP): Indonesian army officers responsible for the violence that followed East Timor's independence referendum in August must be brought to justice, the former chief of the UN mission in the territory said on Friday.

46 kgs of ganja seized in Tangerang

46 kgs of ganja seized in Tangerang JAKARTA (JP): Police have seized 46.15 kilograms of dried marijuana estimated to have the street value of at least Rp 90 million (US$13,000) from four suspected drug dealers in a single raid in Tangerang.Tangerang police chief Lt. Col.

Teenager arrested for murder

Teenager arrested for murder JAKARTA (JP): Police detained an 18-year-old resident of Wijayakusumah subdistrict in West Jakarta for allegedly killing a 65-year-old neighbor, Siti Aisyah, early Thursday morning.

Gus Dur urges Acehnese to settle their differences

Gus Dur urges Acehnese to settle their differences GARUT, West Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid called on the Acehnese on Friday to sort out their divergent views on the referendum before approaching the central government.

$8.5m grant from Japan

$8.5m grant from Japan JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese government gave Indonesia 888 million yen (US$8.5 million) in grant assistance under diplomatic notes which were signed here on Friday by Japan's Ambassador Takao Kawakami and Indonesia's Director General for Foreign Economic Relations Johan...

Documentaries at JIFFest provide glimpses of Indonesia

Documentaries at JIFFest provide glimpses of IndonesiaBy Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): It's called The Great Post Road. It's a 1,000 kilometer passage that cuts across the island of Java, from Anyer to Panarukan.

Indonesian doubles hope bows out in China Open

Indonesian doubles hope bows out in China Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's sole hopes in the US$150,000 China Open Antonius, Budi Irianto and Denny Kantono, failed to reach the final and had to bow out to world champion Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon of South Korea 5-15, 3-15 in Beijing on Friday.

U.S. envoy to visit Indonesia

U.S. envoy to visit Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The United States Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke will arrive here on Saturday morning to conduct talks with top government officials before heading to East Timor.Holbrooke, who will be accompanied by U.S.

Controversy over Indonesia-Israel relations

Controversy over Indonesia-Israel relations The Foreign Minister has finally said plans to establish ties with Israel are on hold for an indefinite period and that any such plans would be consulted with legislators.

PGI rejects separatism

PGI rejects separatism BOGOR, West Java (JP): The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) called on the nation on Thursday to enhance solidarity and avoid national disintegration.In a statement summing up its three-day national conference here, the PGI encouraged the Indonesian's efforts "to gain...

Spratlys hangs over ASEAN-China summit

Spratlys hangs over ASEAN-China summitBy Mynardo Macaraig MANILA (AFP): Simmering tensions in the Spratly islands in the South China Sea are expected to dominate at an informal summit here of Southeast Asian leaders with their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea.

Midday heist nets Rp 79.2m

Midday heist nets Rp 79.2m JAKARTA (JP): Four robbers aboard two motorcycles made off with Rp 79.2 million (US$11,500) in a midday robbery on the busy Jl. Sahardjo in South Jakarta on Friday.Police identified the victim as Ani Andari, 36, an employee of PT Danakaya Sentra Makmur, a marine surveying...

Govt to review regulation that 'saves' Freeport

Govt to review regulation that 'saves' Freeport JAKARTA (JP) The government may revoke a governmental regulation which has exempted copper and gold mining company PT Freeport from a mandatory divestment program, a senior official at the Ministry of Mines and Energy said on Friday.

The curse on the presidency

The curse on the presidency Referring to Bapak Soegih Arto's letter A curse on the presidency published on Nov. 4, 1999, I feel obliged to comment on the subject to make things clearer. Pak Soegih Arto stated that B.J.

Moment of truth for agriculture at WTO

Moment of truth for agriculture at WTOBy Martin Parry SYDNEY (AFP): Liberalizing agricultural trade will be the hot topic for the Cairns Group of exporters in a new round of global trade talks beginning this month, but analysts question the likelihood of any breakthrough.

Explosive time looms as festive season approaches

Explosive time looms as festive season approaches JAKARTA (JP): Firecracker vendors have started to hit the city's streets, expecting big business during New Year celebrations and the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, despite a plan by the city police to conduct selective raids on their...

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.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 9:00 Music 11:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Sports 4:00 Regional News 4:30 English Lessons 5:00 Cultural Program 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00...

Military police await dossier on Lt. Agus

Military police await dossier on Lt. Agus JAKARTA (JP): City police dossiers detailing charges against the son of Army chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Second Lt. Agus Isrok, who was arrested in August for drug possession, are yet to be handed over to city military police, an officer said on Friday.

Gus Dur's irreverent style

Gus Dur's irreverent style Speaking at the House of Representatives, Gus Dur (President Abdurrahman Wahid) managed to give a lighthearted touch to some serious problems. Gus Dur has managed to turn usually boring presidential speeches into eagerly awaited events.

Maelstrom facing Gus Dur's govt

Maelstrom facing Gus Dur's govtFrom Suara KaryaWhile the nation's new government is striving to carry out a series of measures in its reform agenda, we were suddenly surprised by the demand of Aceh to free itself from the Indonesian republic through a referendum.

Customs seizes protected items

Customs seizes protected items TANGERANG (JP): Soekarno-Hatta International Airport customs and excise officers handed over to the Ministry of Education 146 prehistoric items which they prevented from being smuggled out of the country.

IBRA to decide on SCB deals for Bank Bali soon

IBRA to decide on SCB deals for Bank Bali soon JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Friday the fate of its management and investment agreements with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) for Bank Bali would be known next week after the completion of the latter bank's...

Kim says S. Korean financial crisis over

Kim says S. Korean financial crisis over SEOUL, South Korea (AP): President Kim Dae-jung said Friday that South Korea has fully overcome a foreign exchange crisis that hit in late 1997.It was the first time that Kim has boasted of a full victory over the financial crisis.

Home for the holidays?

Home for the holidays? Am I the only person angry at British Airways? Or are there more of us out there?In the past two years the service has deteriorated so much until now it is nonexistent.Try calling their number and you end up with Qantas and into the loop of "press number 2 for English or...

U.S. sets tough terms for military aid

U.S. sets tough terms for military aidBy Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON (JP): The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill that lays down strict terms for lifting U.S. military sanctions against Indonesia which were imposed in September over the East Timor crisis.

Land clearance halts flood canal project

Land clearance halts flood canal project JAKARTA (JP): The plan to construct a flood canal in East Jakarta will not be realized because of difficulty in appropriating land for the Rp 1.9 trillion (US$271 million) project, an official said on Thursday.The head of the city's public works office, M.

L&M to buy RI's IT firm

L&M to buy RI's IT firm SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Singapore's L&M Group Investments Ltd. is diversifying into the information technology sector by buying into an Internet service provider in Indonesia, the company said late Thursday.

Final touches made for NU congress

Final touches made for NU congress KEDIRI, East Java (JP): The finishing touches were made on Friday to the grand preparations for the start of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) congress, which will be opened on Sunday by it's chairman, Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid.

HK firm to buy 25% of RI bank

HK firm to buy 25% of RI bank HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Citic Ka Wa Bank may acquire a 25 percent stake in Indonesia's Bank Century Intervest Corp., the Sing Tao Daily reported Friday.An official at Bank Century Intervest Sriyono said the acquisition will be finalized by the end of the year, the local...

Locals demand resolution of Maluku unrest

Locals demand resolution of Maluku unrest JAKARTA (JP): More than 50 Muslims and Christians from Maluku rallied at the House of Representatives to protest the government's sluggishness in resolving prolonged sectarian violence in the province.

Aspac outshines Panasia in their second meeting

Aspac outshines Panasia in their second meeting JAKARTA (JP): Andi Poejakusuma made one of two free throws in the final eight seconds to ice Aspac's 79-75 victory over Panasia Indosyntec in the sixth series of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league at the Senayan basketball arena on...

Mob attacks dozens of houses

Mob attacks dozens of houses SEMARANG: Hundreds of unidentified people attacked 20 houses and a car in Lomanis village in the Central Java regency of Cilacap on Thursday night.No fatalities or injuries were reported in the unrest.Central Java Police spokesman Lt. Col.

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Nov. 20, 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.

INACA blasts government over new airlines

INACA blasts government over new airlines JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) expressed concerns on Friday over the government's recent policy to award licenses to new scheduled airlines, describing it as an ill-timed move.

22 SMEs win approval to restructure debts

22 SMEs win approval to restructure debts JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-two small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with Rp 15.53 billion in outstanding debts have won approval from their respective creditors to restructure their debts.

Alwi reassures Malaysia over Gus Dur's comments

Alwi reassures Malaysia over Gus Dur's comments JAKARTA (JP): No disrespect intended, none taken.That was the conclusion of Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab after meeting on Friday with Malaysian Ambassador Rastam Mohammad Isa to discuss the meaning of an off-the-cuff statement made by President...

ABN AMRO Account launched

ABN AMRO Account launched JAKARTA (JP): ABN AMRO Bank has launched a new product in rupiah and American dollar which it claims offers transactional convenience and the total flexibility of a savings account with the high returns of a time deposit.

World Bank to shift PNG, E. Timor office to Sydney

World Bank to shift PNG, E. Timor office to Sydney SYDNEY (Reuters): The World Bank said on Friday it will relocate its office covering operations in East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands from Washington to Sydney within six months.

Hamzah denies media reports of his resignation

Hamzah denies media reports of his resignation JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Hamzah Haz denied on Friday media reports saying he would quit the Cabinet.

No true preservation for Tugu

No true preservation for TuguBy Ida Indawaty Khouw The majority of Indonesians probably do not realize that the popular Keroncong music originated in North Africa, not Indonesia as is popularly held. Tugu, a small area in North Jakarta which has been designated a preservation site by the Jakarta...

Govt needs to come through on promises for autonomy

Govt needs to come through on promises for autonomy Economist Ken Thomas teaches Third World issues at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and has done research work on Indonesia since the early 1960s. He recently talked to The Jakarta Post in Melbourne on cries for self-determination in Indonesia.

New military chief sets tough antidrug agenda

New military chief sets tough antidrug agendaSoldiers involved in drugs to be punished: Ryamizard JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu vowed on Friday to take stern measures against any of his officers found guilty of trafficking and drug use.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 19, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 6,994.00 7,064.00Australian dollar 1 4,471.96 4,520.25Austrian schilling 1 523.88 529.63Belgian franc 1 178.70 180.66Brunei dollar 1 4,184.52 4,228.93Canadian dollar 1 4,768.

Abdurrahman to install new Army chief of staff

Abdurrahman to install new Army chief of staff JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid will install Lt. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto as the new Army chief of staff on Saturday, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudrajat said on Friday.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 19, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,100 75 2,013,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 650 125 131,000 Alter Abadi 475 25...

Goldman Sachs Group launches an asset hunt in Asian region

Goldman Sachs Group launches an asset hunt in Asian region BANGKOK (Reuters): U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc is on a hunt for undervalued and recyclable assets across Asia as it seeks to plant its footprint in the region.