Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 November 1999

52 articles found

Indonesia gets support against separatism

Indonesia gets support against separatism MANILA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid gained regional support in fighting successionist groups in Indonesia on Sunday, and pledged that he would defend the integrity of the nation "at all costs". While Abdurrahman's presence at a summit of East Asian leaders here was not specifically aimed at curtailing support for Acehnese separatism, the issue was notably mentioned, in particular by the hosts, and was a boost for Indonesia's new president.

Offshore president

Offshore president Much welcomed as symbolizing the fresh air of freedom when he assumed office, the new President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, already is running into political complaints at home. Not that he is there to hear them, and that is part of the problem. For good state reasons, Abdurrahman has spent most of his presidential days once his Cabinet was selected visiting other countries.

18-year-old student killed in brawl

18-year-old student killed in brawl JAKARTA (JP): A student was killed on Saturday afternoon during a vicious brawl near his high school on Jl. Ciputat Raya, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis identified the student as 18-year-old Gunawan, a resident of Pondok Pinang in South Jakarta. He added that the brawl was between students at Yayasan Pendidikan Mulia high school (YPM) and SMU Triguna high school.

Kramat Tunggak facing sluggish business

Kramat Tunggak facing sluggish business By A'an Suryana JAKARTA (JP): The sparkling life at the Kramat Tunggak red- light district, which is slated to be closed down next Wednesday, has been on the decline for some time. The slow business and slumbering atmosphere at the city's oldest, largest and official sex business complex, located not far from the busy Tanjung Priok port, can now be witnessed even on weekends.

Exploring the causes of the national unity crisis

Exploring the causes of the national unity crisis By Elwin Tobing BOSTON, United States (JP): Today we are living in a rapidly changing world. Revolution is not only taking place in the business world through the creation of computers and their apparatus, but also in every aspect of our lives. In the early 1990s, no one was able to foresee the end of the New Order regime and the independence of East Timor.

RI badminton team misses Grand Prix Finals

RI badminton team misses Grand Prix Finals JAKARTA (JP): For the first time in Indonesia's badminton history, it failed to qualify women's doubles in the six-star Grand Prix Finals in Brunei Darussalam starting on Wednesday. Other bad news is that the 1996 Olympics gold medalists Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky also failed to qualify for the US$250,000 event for the first time since their participation in 1992.

Balinese traveling in search of tradition

Balinese traveling in search of tradition By Degung Santikarma DENPASAR, Bali (JP): With over one million visitors descending on their tiny island each year, the Balinese are no strangers to tourism. As air routes and information networks expand, and as Bali is boxed into easy-to-consume packages -- the honeymoon package, the spiritual retreat package, the millennium package -- Bali has become a typical stop on the transnational traveler's itinerary.

JSX may make rebound despite Aceh problem

JSX may make rebound despite Aceh problem By Wachyudi Soeriaatmadja JAKARTA (JP): The trading outlook on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) this week will be marked by a slight technical rebound despite the unresolved Aceh problem, analysts said. They said over the weekend the JSX Composite Index would bounce back early this week after losing five percent during the previous week.

Texmaco enters Jordan

Texmaco enters Jordan JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's major textile producer Texmaco plans to establish a US$180 million factory in Jordan in cooperation with local and European companies, the Jordan Times reported on Saturday. The factory, which would be set up in the Qualifying Industrial Zone in the Al Hassan industrial estate, will produce thread as well as other textile-related products, the new daily said.

Two more killed in renewed Ambon clashes

Two more killed in renewed Ambon clashes AMBON (JP): In one of the most bloody weeks since the start of communal clashes earlier this year, another two people died on Sunday in fresh violence here, raising the number of dead since Friday to 40. Sunday's clash came after two days of violence which has claimed the lives of least 38 people in a new surge of sectarian unrest in the Maluku islands. Over 550 have died since January.

Preservationists to set up local heritage society

Preservationists to set up local heritage society JAKARTA (JP): A group of Jakarta preservationists gathered on Saturday to plan the establishment of an organization to preserve the city's old buildings. "The city, actually, has already had several organizations dealing with this issue," said group leader Arya Abieta. However, he added that none of the groups managed to survive and play a significant role in preserving and protecting the city's heritage.

Young Taekwon Doins offered training

Young Taekwon Doins offered training JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tae kwon do Association (TI) chairman Suharto expressed hope on Sunday to recruit young athletes in the first LG Cup National Tae kwon do Championships at the Senayan Indoor Stadium. Suharto said young talented taekwon doins, aged under 16, would be invited to attend a training session at the Ragunan sports school to improve their regional and international achievements.

Samsung eyes big share of RI electronics market

Samsung eyes big share of RI electronics market Christiani S.A. Tumelap SINGAPORE (JP): Samsung Electronics, one of South Korea's major electronics producers, is forecasting an expanding market for its merchandise in Indonesia. General manager for marketing at Samsung Electronics in Indonesia Lee Kang Hyun said he was quite optimistic in the "near future" the company would become the market leader in Indonesia.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Exhibition: Spiritualism of Five Indonesian Female artists, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Dec. 2. * Photo Exhibition: Jakarta 2000 - Contemporary Architecture in the Indonesian Capital, at the German Embassy, Jl. Thamrin 1, Central Jakarta, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., until Dec. 10. * Painting Exhibition: Colours of Life, at the Twilite Cafe Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya No.

Drugged driver crashes into U.S. Embassy

Drugged driver crashes into U.S. Embassy JAKARTA (JP): A green Honda Accord sedan crashed into the front gates of the American Embassy on Jl. Medan Merdeka in Central Jakarta at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, an officer said. According to First Sergeant Sinaga of the Central Jakarta Police intelligence unit, the driver, identified only as Habib, was believed to have been under the influence of amphetamines when the accident took place.

Lung cancer rising sharply among women

Lung cancer rising sharply among women JAKARTA (JP): Health experts warned that lung cancer has now shot its way up as the third most likely cause of death among women due to a surge in the number of female smokers. "From recent findings, lung cancer has become the third highest killer among the female population after breast and cervix cancer," the head of the pulmonary department at the University of Indonesia, Anwar Jusuf, said on Saturday.

KL campaigns close amid more accusations

KL campaigns close amid more accusations KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his underdog rivals swapped fresh accusations on Sunday on the eve of snap polls after an eight-day campaign that the opposition called the dirtiest in Malaysia's history. Mahathir, ending a nationwide tour in his home state of Kedah, renewed his attack on the opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), saying its newspaper had published slander.

Desi breaks national pole vault record by 20cm

Desi breaks national pole vault record by 20cm JAKARTA (JP): One national record was broken on the third day of the national track and field championships on Sunday as Ni Putu Desi Margawati of West Nusa Tenggara jumped 3.50 meters in the women's pole vault event. Desi broke the old record of 3.30m created by Alia Basalamah of Jakarta in July. Alia sharpened her own record by jumping 3.40m for the second place while the bronze went to citymate Emrina with 2.50m.

An independent Riau or a more just one?

An independent Riau or a more just one? By Emmy Fitri PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): How does one gauge true sentiments for independence? That may be the crucial issue facing the situation in Riau. If you talk to self-proclaimed independence leaders, they would say that people here are quietly clamoring for a separation from the republic. But talk to official leaders of the province, and they would say that this is more a cry against injustice.

Quitting honorable task

Quitting honorable task The startling if not shocking news was broken last weekend by the President himself. The Cabinet's Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Hamzah Haz announced he would be more useful serving as chairman of his United Development Party (PPP). At least that was his official explanation. A former professor from Makassar University, Basri Hasanuddin, 70, was immediately available to replace him.

E. Timor's UN administrator seeks forensic help

E. Timor's UN administrator seeks forensic help DILI (AFP): UN administrators appealed on Sunday to visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard to send forensic experts to East Timor to speed up investigations into the atrocities committed here. "We need forensic capacity to look at all the bodies which may be or have been exhumed," the United Nations chief administrator here Sergio Vieira de Mello said after meeting Howard, at the start of his brief visit.

FDI in ASEAN to increase

FDI in ASEAN to increase MANILA (Dow Jones): Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to rise next year as the region emerges from its economic crisis, according to a study by ASEAN's secretariat. The study, released Saturday at ASEAN meetings in Manila, said both the regional and global economic outlooks were improving, and that Japan and the European Union were becoming more able to invest abroad.

Gus Dur is the right leader

Gus Dur is the right leader I should have written this letter a month ago when Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, was elected the fourth Indonesian president. However, it's never too late, I suppose, to express one's admiration to someone who is great and honorable in personalities and thoughts. I know Gus Dur through his writings as well as the media that covers every single statement and gesture of his. I respect him. In fact I admire him.

Autonomy holds bumpy ride for mining industry

Autonomy holds bumpy ride for mining industry By Berni K. Moestafa JAKARTA (JP): In early November, members of the South Sulawesi Legislative Council demanded the central government pay some Rp 6 billion (nearly US$900,000), saying the money was outstanding in royalties from a massive local nickel mining operation. The royalties in question were derived from PT International Nickel Indonesia. Tbk (Inco), a Canadian company listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange, which operates the Soroako mines.

Xanana in Jakarta to meet Abdurrahman

Xanana in Jakarta to meet Abdurrahman JAKARTA (JP): East Timor independence leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao arrived here for the first time since his release from detention in September to meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid. Xanana's aide, Natasha Louise, told The Jakarta Post by telephone that the former guerrilla leader, expected to be East Timor's first president, arrived with his delegation from the country's capital of Dili on Saturday night.

ASEAN forms task force to drive forward IT industry

ASEAN forms task force to drive forward IT industry MANILA (Dow Jones): Aiming to boost its information technology sector, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Sunday it had set up a task force to come up with a comprehensive plan to develop the industry. The announcement followed a meeting between members of the private sector and ASEAN leaders at their summit Sunday.

Bank BNI defends Texmaco Group loans

Bank BNI defends Texmaco Group loans JAKARTA (JP): State Bank BNI president Widigdo Sukarman defended at the weekend the bank's huge Rp 9.6 trillion (US$1.35 billion) loans to the textile conglomerate Texmaco Group, saying the loans had been extended under appropriate procedures. Widigdo said in a statement that the drop in the quality of the credit was in line with the deterioration in the country's economic condition.

ASEAN speeds up free trade

ASEAN speeds up free trade MANILA (Agencies): Southeast Asian nations Sunday announced they will further speed up a free-trade program and expand cooperation with northern neighbors as the region moved to strengthen its rebound from a recession. Summit host Philippine President Joseph Estrada in a closing statement said ASEAN's six original members will eliminate import duties on most goods traded in the region by 2010, five years ahead of schedule.

Jaya Raya wins in Aqua Masters

Jaya Raya wins in Aqua Masters KUDUS, Central Java (JP): Jakarta-based Jaya Raya club dominated the individual events of the Aqua Masters national interclub badminton championships at the Djarum Kudus hall on Saturday evening. Markis Kido won the boys' singles title for Jaya Raya; the junior men's singles title went to Taufik; the boys' doubles title to Markis and Hendra, junior men's doubles title to Hendri and Wandri and main division men's doubles title was won by David and Anggun.

RP urges rebels not to delay talks

RP urges rebels not to delay talks MANILA (AP): Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado urged Muslim separatists on Sunday not to postpone the scheduled start of formal peace talks to keep the peace process going. He said he could see no reason why the talks should be postponed, after a formal opening ceremony on Oct. 25.

School buildings in terrible repair

School buildings in terrible repair PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Nearly half of the 2,724 elementary school buildings in the province are in dire condition needing immediate repairs. Siswanto Adi, deputy governor in charge of people's welfare, said on Saturday that 1,097 school buildings were badly damaged. He conceded that they needed to be renovated but noted that the province only had resources to repair about 104 school buildings per year.

Atapa, RI firm reach deal

Atapa, RI firm reach deal TORONTO (Dow Jones): Atapa Minerals Ltd. said it has taken a C$12,472,188 mineral properties writedown in light of the depressed state of the mining industry and the current economic conditions in Indonesia. In news release, Atapa said the writedown results in a net loss of C$12,660,045 in the fiscal year ended June 30, compared with a loss of C$865,668 a year earlier.

New measures for collection of tax dues

New measures for collection of tax dues JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah has vowed to take firm action against local businessmen and residents who are five years overdue in paying their land tax. Andi said on Friday he would personally lead a team assigned to collect delinquent taxes on a door-to-door basis. "I will personally lead the team. If they (delinquent taxpayers) still delay payment, we will confiscate their property or auction it off," he said at his office.

IBRA says Rudy Ramli himself picks UK's SCB

IBRA says Rudy Ramli himself picks UK's SCB JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) revealed on the weekend that it was former Bank Bali president Rudy Ramli's financial advisor J.P. Morgan who chose the UK-based Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) to become the bank's strategic investor. IBRA corporate secretary Christovita Wiloto said in a media statement that in a letter dated April 21 to J.P Morgan Securities Asia Pte. Ltd in Singapore, Rudy referred to the opinion of J.P.

Japan unveils $500m aid package for SE Asia

Japan unveils $500m aid package for SE Asia MANILA (AP): Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi announced Sunday a new US$500 million aid package for Southeast Asia focusing on training and development of human resources. Tokyo formulated the package of grants, dubbed the "Obuchi Plan", after a high-level Japanese mission visited Southeast Asia in September and concluded that the key to sustained economic growth in the region was the development of human resources.

People's economy neglected?

People's economy neglected? From Republika President Abdurrahman Wahid's move to invite conglomerates to return to the country for the sake of economic recovery is a deviation from the economic reform program. The reform program is aimed at changing the Indonesian economic system from one based on conglomerates to a people's economic system which primarily involves small and middle-sized entrepreneurs. During former president B.J.

Bali lures tourists

Bali lures tourists JAKARTA (JP): The Bali Tourism Consultative Board will launch a massive campaign abroad to restore the resort island's tarnished image. I Gde Wiratha, the vice chairman of the board, said in Denpasar on Saturday that the campaign would start in February next year in the province's major tourist markets, including Australia, Japan, Europe and the United States. He said Australia would get the first priority as most foreign tourists visiting the resort island came from there.

Etail of the Tiger: Asian retail shoppers log on for business

Etail of the Tiger: Asian retail shoppers log on for business JAKARTA (JP): Asia is on the verge of a retail revolution that has already struck the United States and is sweeping through Europe. Internet based retailing, "e-tailing", is transforming the shopping experience -- from choosing products to postpurchase customer support. Consumers across Asia can now plug into the Internet and access the best the world has to offer in multiple product categories in a range of competitive prices.

Council team to visit Malaysia

Council team to visit Malaysia JAKARTA (JP): A team of 11 city councilors will visit Malaysia in the middle of next month to study how the country handles gambling and drug problems, a member of the team said on Sunday. " We will go to Malaysia for a comparative study (of the two issues) in the middle of December," councilor Ahmad Heryawan, who is also the chairman of the Justice Party's faction, said.

ASEAN nations must tighten fiscal policy: Study

ASEAN nations must tighten fiscal policy: Study MANILA (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian countries may have to tighten fiscal policy because of mounting public debt incurred as they battled the region's economic crisis over the past two years, according to a report by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Indonesia invited to Macau handover

Indonesia invited to Macau handover LISBON (Antara): Indonesia and the Vatican will become invited as special guests to a ceremony marking the transfer of Macao from Portugal to China on Dec. 20. "In a meeting with Macao authority, China has proposed for the appointment of Indonesia as a special guest.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Music 10:30 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Teen Program 4:00 News 4:30 Cultural Program 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Series 8:00 Music 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 Film 12:00 a.m. Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m. Student's Program 5:00 City News 5:30 Music 6:00 TV Drama 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Culture Program 8:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

China cuts tariff on banana

China cuts tariff on banana MANILA (Dow Jones): Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Saturday that China will cut its tariff on Philippine bananas as a first step toward reducing the Philippine trade deficit with China. In a meeting with Philippine businessmen, Zhu also promised assistance to help the Philippines boost agricultural production, particularly rice output. Last year, China enjoyed a $1 billion trade surplus with the Philippines, whose biggest export to China is bananas.

Soeharto visits wife's grave in Central Java

Soeharto visits wife's grave in Central Java KARANGANYAR, Central Java (JP): For the first time since suffering his second stroke in August, former president Soeharto made a brief public appearance to visit the grave of his late wife on Sunday. With a cane in his hand, a pale but healthy looking Soeharto was able to walk the steps of the specially built grave site for former first lady Siti Hartinah.

Taxation collection methods

Taxation collection methods I have for a long time read "Your Letters" with varying degrees of interest. Lately three letters got me thinking about how much damage corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) have done to business in the past, and how much it will effect Indonesia's ability to climb out of the current economic crisis. The first two letters were in the Nov. 23, 1999, edition of your paper. One being from J.S.

Acacia tree robbers nabbed in Bogor

Acacia tree robbers nabbed in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Local police have arrested five wood cutters and three brokers who had been stealing and selling acacia trees from a forest concession site in the Citatah and Pematang areas of Barengkok village the in Jasinga subdistrict for the past three months. State-owned forestry company (Perhutani) has suffered at least Rp 500 million in losses. "We seized four trucks full of chopped wood as evidence," Bogor Police chief Lt. Col. Ade Husein said on Thursday.

Special agency is a must on drug war, says Marzuki

Special agency is a must on drug war, says Marzuki JAKARTA (JP): The government urgently needs to establish a national board which would function as a policy maker to minimize drug abuse and trafficking in the country, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Sunday. According to Marzuki, the existing 1997 Law on Narcotics is not enough in handling drug cases due to the lack of serious efforts in imposing the laws.

Motorcycle thief killed by mob

Motorcycle thief killed by mob SUKOHARDJO, Central Java: A mob killed a 36-year-old man who was caught stealing a motorbike in Purbayan village, Bakti subdistrict on Saturday evening. Local police chief Lt. Col. Suherlan identified the deceased as Pairin, a resident of nearby Sukohardjo. Pairin suffered several blows to his head, chest and stomach.

New printers, scanners offer wider choice

New printers, scanners offer wider choice By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): For the last two months we have seen dozens of new computer products introduced to the Indonesian market. Just a month after Canon introduced its updated scanners and two weeks after Epson introduced its new Perfection series scanners in Indonesia, HP launched its latest scanners.

The abuse of TNI uniforms

The abuse of TNI uniforms From Rakyat Merdeka Newspapers reported on Nov. 22, 1999, that in Bandengan, Kendal, Central Java, a man in an Indonesian Military (TNI) uniform ran amok Rambo-style shooting two pistols and throwing grenades at a group of citizens.

West Papua flag forbidden

West Papua flag forbidden JAPAYPURA, Irian Jaya: Irian Jaya Police Chief Brig. Gen. S.J. Wenas and Trikora Military Commander Brig. Gen. Albert Ingkiriwang on Saturday prohibited any attempts to fly the seperatist West Papua flag in the run-up to the rebel group's anniversary on Wednesday. Speaking during a dialog with community leaders, Wenas and Ingkiriwang both stressed that anyone caught flying the separatist flag would be arrested and cases would be processed according to the law.

A nation at the crossroads

A nation at the crossroads It has been just a little over a month since President Abdurrahman Wahid assumed office, but the peril of disintegration, which has long been quietly smoldering beneath Indonesia's fertile soil, appears to be increasing by the day. It is now posing one of the most awkward complications to this country's first democratically elected government since 1955.