Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 November 1999

50 articles found

No preference for U.S. investors: IBRA

No preference for U.S. investors: IBRA JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) dismissed on Tuesday allegations that the agency prefers investors from a certain country for buying assets under its management, saying it would always give the first option to local investors.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Oct. 02, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 6,711.00 6,779.00Australian dollar 1 4,288.33 4,338.56Austrian schilling 1 513.07 518.76Belgian franc 1 175.01 176.95Brunei dollar 1 4,034.75 4,078.08Canadian dollar 1 4,577.

City administration queried over fuel tax

City administration queried over fuel tax JAKARTA (JP): A councilor demanded on Tuesday the city administration quickly give a clear explanation why it has been unable to reach the target of Rp 36 billion (US$5.37 million) from fuel tax collections in the 1998/1999 fiscal year.

NU to criticize Gus Dur if he steps out of line

NU to criticize Gus Dur if he steps out of line SEMARANG (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) vowed to be critical if need be toward President Abdurrahman Wahid's government, chief of NU's Central Java chapter Achmad said on Tuesday.

Unity is strength

Unity is strength Democracy has now found its place in Indonesia. Democracy offers a favorable atmosphere for the development of human personality. While referring to democracy, a humane incident which I read about a long time ago comes to mind.An American soldier was riding on a bus to Sweden.

Habibie's ex-adjutant new city garrison chief of staff

Habibie's ex-adjutant new city garrison chief of staff JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman installed on Tuesday former president B.J. Habibie's adjutant Col. Hasanuddin as the new chief of staff of the Jakarta Garrison.Hasanuddin replaced Brig. Gen.

Minister or Ministry?

Minister or Ministry? The new government recently decided that two ministries, the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Social Affairs, were to be closed down, reportedly leaving about 78,000 employees in confusion of what life is going to be like in the days to come.

Will President Abdurrahman Wahid remain a democrat?

Will President Abdurrahman Wahid remain a democrat? George Aditjondro Ph.D who is well-known for his research on the wealth of Soeharto and Habibie, talked to The Jakarta Post recently in Singapore on numerous issues, including the current political changes taking place in Indonesia.

Budget restraints

Budget restraints The decision by the House of Representatives on Tuesday to release the PricewaterhouseCoopers full audit on Bank Bali will pave the way for the resumption of US$4.7 billion in international aid held up since September, thereby securing state budget revenues for the second half of...

Indonesia's foreign policy principles maintained

Indonesia's foreign policy principles maintained JAKARTA (JP): After officially taking over the reins of the foreign ministry on Tuesday, Alwi Shihab stressed his determination to maintain Indonesia's principles in its foreign policy, including maintaining a strong focus on regional issues.

Riau students run amok

Riau students run amok PEKANBARU, Riau: Two massage parlors were burned down and several entertainment buildings vandalized by some 400 university students on Tuesday after they demonstrated for the closure of nightspots which allegedly tolerated prostitution, gambling and drug use on their...

Home appliance scam uncovered by police

Home appliance scam uncovered by police JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives arrested three men in different raids last week for allegedly substituting non-Philips home appliances and reselling them as the authentic product, an officer said on Tuesday.Jakarta Police Detective chief Col.

PSSI to issue guidelines on player transfers, terms

PSSI to issue guidelines on player transfers, terms JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) will issue guidelines on players' working terms and their transfer between clubs across provinces.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Exhibition * Ancient Money Exhibition: Uang Nusantara Milenium 2, at The Westin Surabaya, Jl. Embong Malang 85-89 (Phone: 031 5458888), until Nov. 5.Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend.

Bomer vows to tackle unemployment

Bomer vows to tackle unemployment JAKARTA (JP): Shrugging off criticisms over his appointment, new Minister of Manpower Bomer Pasaribu has pledged to set up good industrial relations and step up labor exports in an effort to help reduce unemployment in the country.

Drug raids last with two condoms

Drug raids last with two condoms BOGOR (JP): A joint drug raid carried out on Tuesday by the Bogor administration in four schools failed to seize any drugs, although two condoms, a pornographic video compact disc (VCD) and pictures from Playboy magazine were found in a boy's schoolbag in the...

Government releases Bank Bali audit

Government releases Bank Bali audit JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid released on Tuesday the full PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit into transactions in the Bank Bali scandal, meeting a critical requirement for the resumption of international loans to the government.

Recommendations to the govt

Recommendations to the govt In order to maintain a reform agenda, so that the goal of a new democratic Indonesia will be achieved, and as a result of the Symposium on Clean and Good Governance, held in Bandung, the Center for Information and Development Analysis states that:1.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibitions * Installation Exhibition by Iwan Wijono, at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32, until Nov. 10. * Painting Exhibition by Dadang Mochamad Achjar, at Galeri Bandung, Jl. Siliwangi 16 (Phone: 236515), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 5-20.

Marzuki pledges to 'clean up' office

Marzuki pledges to 'clean up' office JAKARTA (JP): Newly-appointed Attorney General Marzuki Darusman promised on Tuesday to start "cleaning up" his office and pledged not to compromise in investigations of politically sensitive cases.

Oil prices stable in Asia

Oil prices stable in Asia SINGAPORE (Reuters): Crude prices in Asia were steady on Tuesday, holding the gains from a rally in London and New York on Monday.December New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) crude futures were last traded at $22.50 at 0745 GMT, down just one cent from the New York close.

Asian currencies test long-term highs

Asian currencies test long-term highs HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian currencies tested new long-term highs Tuesday, but most failed to sustain their gains and had fallen back again by the end of local trading hours.

$16b expected to return from S'pore: Report

$16b expected to return from S'pore: Report SINGAPORE (AFP): A fifth of US$80 billion in funds that fled Indonesia when unrest was at its height is expected to return following the election of a new leadership, the Singapore Business Times said Tuesday.

Troops shoot protesters in Aceh, 23 wounded

Troops shoot protesters in Aceh, 23 wounded JAKARTA (JP): At least 23 people were seriously injured in Meulaboh, West Aceh, on Tuesday afternoon when military troops opened fire on thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets to demand a self-determination referendum for the troubled...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 02, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 325 0 21,500 Alter Abadi 350 50 61,500 Alumindo...

BI expects 1999 GDP maximum at zero percent

BI expects 1999 GDP maximum at zero percent JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia reiterated on Monday its earlier forecast that Indonesia's economic growth this year would be between minus one and zero percent.

Ministers to hold talks in S'pore

Ministers to hold talks in S'pore SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asian law ministers are to meet here this weekend to lay the framework for greater legal cooperation, the Singapore law ministry said on Tuesday.

Makassar students seek meeting with Amien, Akbar

Makassar students seek meeting with Amien, Akbar MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The provincial legislature here invited on Tuesday People's Consultative Assembly Speaker (MPR) Amien Rais and House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung for a dialog with students.

Women's groups meet Gus Dur and Megawati

Women's groups meet Gus Dur and Megawati JAKARTA (JP): A group of woman activists urged the new government on Tuesday to take human rights abuses against women and children more seriously.In a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Guest...

11 million C. Java kids malnourished

11 million C. Java kids malnourished SEMARANG: About 11 million children, mostly under-fives, are suffering from malnutrition in Central Java, provincial legislator Abdul Kadir Karding said on Tuesday."You can find malnourished children in almost all the regencies here such as Cilacap, Demak,...

Benefits of tax holidays questioned

Benefits of tax holidays questioned JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must gradually phase out tax holidays to attract foreign investors who desire a clear, uniform and consistent tax system, an executive of KPMG consultancy company said on Tuesday.

Intraco to sell subsidiary

Intraco to sell subsidiary SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Intraco Ltd. of Singapore said Tuesday its unit, Intra-Motors (S) Pte. Ltd., has agreed to sell its car rental and leasing business for S$33.2 million (US$19.9 million) to Trac Leasing (S) Pte. Ltd.

Japan's envoy to visit RI

Japan's envoy to visit RI TOKYO (AFP): Japan's government Tuesday sent a vice finance minister to Indonesia for talks with new government leaders there, a finance ministry official said.Haruhiko Kuroda, vice finance minister for international affairs, left Tokyo Tuesday "to meet leaders in the new...

Court rejects suit challenging decision to drop Soeharto case

Court rejects suit challenging decision to drop Soeharto case JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court rejected on Tuesday a lawsuit filed by a group of 61 North Sumatra lawyers challenging the validity of an Oct. 11 decree from the Attorney General's Office.

Mob burns church in Depok

Mob burns church in Depok JAKARTA (JP): A throng of some 400 unidentified men burned a church in Beji, Depok, south of Jakarta in the early hours of Tuesday, a police report revealed.The mob, armed with sharp weapons, set fire to the Western Indonesia Protestant Church (GPIB) of the Shalom...

East Timor is safe for refugees, say foreign diplomats

East Timor is safe for refugees, say foreign diplomats JAKARTA (JP): Three foreign envoys who visited East Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday assured the 230,000 East Timorese refugees there the former Indonesian province was secure enough for them to return to their homes.

Foreign water firms look for new local partners

Foreign water firms look for new local partners JAKARTA (JP): Foreign water management firms PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ) and PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) are seeking new local partners, executives of the firms said on Tuesday.

Advertisement spending up

Advertisement spending up HONG KONG (Dow Jones): After a terrible 1998, advertisers are starting to spend more in Asia, even in such unlikely places as riot-plagued Indonesia.Advertisement spending in Asia, excluding Japan, is growing faster than in Europe and the U.S.

Rupiah unmoved by release of full Bank Bali audit

Rupiah unmoved by release of full Bank Bali audit JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' release of the full audit of transactions in the Bank Bali scandal failed to boost the rupiah against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday.

Closed VCD rentals back in business

Closed VCD rentals back in business PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The controversial closure of the information ministry has been a boon to Video Compact Disc (VCD) rentals in Banyumas regency previously closed by the ministry.

President to hold his Cabinet's first session

President to hold his Cabinet's first session JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to preside over his first plenary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning at Bina Graha presidential office, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie said.

161 passengers presumed dead

161 passengers presumed dead MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: After an extensive two-week search, officials said on Tuesday the remaining 161 passengers of a ship which sank on Oct. 18 were missing and presumed dead.Bimas Raya II was carrying a total 436 passengers and 28 crew.

PASI awards Rp 197.25m in cash bonuses

PASI awards Rp 197.25m in cash bonuses JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) handed over Rp 197.25 million (US$29,200) in cash bonuses to the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games' medalists and coaches in a modest ceremony at the Senayan Madya Stadium on Tuesday.

The President's initial moves

The President's initial moves A few days after his election as the fourth President, even before his Cabinet was formed, Abdurrahman Wahid made some surprising diplomatic moves. First was his plan to visit ASEAN countries, Japan and the People's Republic of China.

Witnesses questioned over soldiers' attack on market

Witnesses questioned over soldiers' attack on market JAKARTA (JP): Interrogators from the Jakarta Military Police have started questioning 10 witnesses on an attack on Sunday by some 40 soldiers at the Senen Market in Central Jakarta, a senior official said on Tuesday.Col.

Economic optimism leads to rebuilding of stores, markets

Economic optimism leads to rebuilding of stores, markets JAKARTA (JP): Almost 95 percent of destroyed retail business buildings in the city have been rebuilt following increasing optimism on the part of businessmen's attitudes toward economic recovery, a business association executive said on...

Gus Dur's new Asian paradigm

Gus Dur's new Asian paradigmBy Nova Poerwadi JAKARTA (JP): Before he was elected President, Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, promised to make Asia (and by extension, the Middle East) the focus of Indonesia's new foreign policy.

Government allays fears of power, fuel price hikes

Government allays fears of power, fuel price hikes JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono allayed on Tuesday any fears of an imminent price hike for electricity and fuel."The government is not considering or has not planned to raise power and fuel prices," Yudhoyono...

KL's palm oil prices down

KL's palm oil prices down KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil prices ended lower on Tuesday extending overnight falls on bearish sentiment and lack of supportive news.Technical selling also contributed to the fall.

Citigroup to buy Diners Club

Citigroup to buy Diners Club TOKYO (DPA): Japan's Fuji Bank and Japan Travel Bureau Incorporation (JTB) said Tuesday they have agreed to sell their share-holdings in Japanese credit card company Diners Club of Japan Incorporation to Citigroup Incorporation of the United States.