Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 December 1999

56 articles found

Another bad year

Another bad year In terms of human rights observation, 1999 has been another botched year for Indonesia. Ironically, this year rampant human rights violations occurred while democracy was flourishing in the country.

Thai-Myanmar meeting postponed

Thai-Myanmar meeting postponed BANGKOK (AP): Talks to restore Thai fishing concessions in Myanmar waters, suspended after the October siege of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, have been postponed, the Thai foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Victorious Mahathir to name his new Cabinet on Friday

Victorious Mahathir to name his new Cabinet on Friday KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, fresh from winning an unprecedented fifth mandate in polls but facing a resurgent opposition, will announce his new cabinet on Friday, his office said.

Bank Putera's future in IBRA's hands

Bank Putera's future in IBRA's hands JAKARTA (JP): The fate of Bank Putera now lies in the hand of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), with representatives of the two parties holding a close-door meeting on Thursday.

New budget assumes Rp 6,500-7,500 rate

New budget assumes Rp 6,500-7,500 rate JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's state budget for April-December 2000 will be based on the assumption of an exchange rate of Rp 6,500- Rp 7,500 to the U.S dollar and an international oil price of $16- 19 per barrel, according to finance minister Bambang Sudibyo.

TNI urged to probe guns used in Ambon clashes

TNI urged to probe guns used in Ambon clashes JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Thursday to investigate the source of the weapons used in the continuing communal clashes in Maluku.

Alwi Shihab's 'killer nations'

Alwi Shihab's 'killer nations' I was greatly astounded by the remark of our Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Alwi Shihab, regarding the controversy of an international tribunal for Indonesian generals who allegedly conducted war crimes. His remarks, as quoted in Republika daily on Dec.

Two killed in fights over petty disputes

Two killed in fights over petty disputes JAKARTA (JP): Clashes over a parking dispute and bus routes left two people dead in Greater Jakarta, the city police spokesman said.Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis identified one of the victims as 29- year-old Lebar, a resident of Ciseeng village in Bogor, some 60...

Military promotes 23 high-ranking officers

Military promotes 23 high-ranking officers JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-three high-ranking military officers were promoted on Thursday in a ceremony presided over by Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

Sigit wins Ibis chess tournament

Sigit wins Ibis chess tournament JAKARTA (JP): University student Sigit Wijayanto won the grand final of the Ibis hotels student chess tournament held at Ibis Mangga Dua here on Sunday.Sigit received Rp 5 million and an Ericsson cellular phone.

Ganja plantation found in Klaten

Ganja plantation found in Klaten KLATEN, Central Java: Local police discovered on Thursday marijuana planted on a 100-square-meter plot in Sidorejo village here.Klaten Police chief Lt. Col. Mustofa Hari Kuncoro said the police were hunting the owners of the field, identified only as Del, 35, and...

Driver Ananda gets support from Akbar

Driver Ananda gets support from Akbar JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Akbar Tandjung threw his weight behind young racing driver Ananda Mikola's bid for success in the International Formula 3000 series in Italy next year.

Old home not protected

Old home not protected I would like to make the following clarifications regarding a news item from The Jakarta Post published on Dec. 6 titled Another protected building destroyed. I was one of the sources interviewed on Dec. 4 by the Post.* The old building on Jl.

South Korea provides aid to refugees

South Korea provides aid to refugees JAKARTA (JP): The South Korean government will grant 120 sets of portable electrical generators to help East Timor refugees in East Nusa Tenggara who have decided to remain in Indonesia, South Korean Ambassador Hong Jung-pyo said.

Muslims go back to the graveyards

Muslims go back to the graveyardsBy Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): At least for a few days each year life returns to the graveyards of the city. During this period makeshift shops crop up before the entrance and line the pathway crisscrossing the length and breadth of the last resting place of...

Seven die in landslide, 48 declared missing

Seven die in landslide, 48 declared missing PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Search and rescue crews were on a race against time on Thursday after a landslide engulfed a residential area at the foot of Lantiak hill in Seberang Palinggam subdistrict, South Padang, killing seven people and leaving 48...

Paiton and PLN

Paiton and PLN Thank you for your story headlined "Paiton Energy dismayed by court's decision" of Dec. 4.There was a mistake and misperception in the story that needs to be corrected.Regarding the lawsuit of the State Electricity Company (PLN) against Paiton Energy, you stated that the "court made...

Police tell public to watch out for ax-wielding gang

Police tell public to watch out for ax-wielding gang JAKARTA (JP): A senior city police officer admitted on Thursday that the force was unable to provide round-the-clock protection from street criminals, including gangs preying on motorists carrying cellular phones.City police spokesman Lt. Col.

Mob rampages over 'black magic'

Mob rampages over 'black magic' BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: At least 200 residents of Karangkobar village here went on a rampage on Wednesday, destroying three houses belonging to alleged practitioners of black magic, locally known as dukun santet.

Inhutani expects smaller profit

Inhutani expects smaller profit JAKARTA (JP): State owned timber company PT Inhutani I in East Kalimantan expects to book before-tax profits totaling Rp 68.4 billion (US$9.8 million) this year, but predicted much smaller profits of Rp 26.2 billion next year due to a sharp decline in timber output.

Indonesia and Portugal to restore relations

Indonesia and Portugal to restore relations JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Portugal are on the brink of thawing out their diplomatic rivalry and resuming the ties broken over two decades ago.Both Indonesian and Portuguese officials here on Thursday separately indicated that, barring unforeseen...

RI forex reserves rise again

RI forex reserves rise again JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves rose by US$99.90 million to $16.65 billion in the week ending Dec. 7, from $16.55 billion in the previous week, Bank Indonesia reported on Thursday.

Ramadhan Time for Jakarta

Ramadhan Time for JakartaFriday Maghrib 6:02 p.m.Saturday Imsak 3:59 a.m.Subuh 4:09 a.m.

U.S. wants to see Indonesia peaceful and prosperous

U.S. wants to see Indonesia peaceful and prosperous The following are excerpts from a paper presented by the United States Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard at the one-day conference on U.S.-Indonesia relations on Dec. 6, 1999. This is the first of two articles. JAKARTA: U.S.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Dec. 09, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,229.00 7,301.00Australian dollar 1 4,613.55 4,663.15Austrian schilling 1 539.48 545.12Belgian franc 1 184.02 185.95Brunei dollar 1 4,301.70 4,347.13Canadian dollar 1 4,887.

Poor telecom facilities hamper e-commerce plans

Poor telecom facilities hamper e-commerce plans JAKARTA (JP): Poor telecommunication infrastructure and low computer affordability have caused a slow adoption of the e- commerce in Indonesia, experts of information technology said here on Thursday.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Happy People, by Bondan Suryaning Tias, Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 71790008), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Dec. 20.

East Java Police weed out addicts

East Java Police weed out addicts SURABAYA (JP): At least 97 members of the provincial police are suspected of being drug users, East Java Police chief M. Dayat said here on Thursday.The alarming findings were discovered during a two-month internal investigation into the provincial police ranks.

Government denies magazine report

Government denies magazine report JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab dismissed on Thursday a media report which claimed that President Abdurrahman had been asked by Malaysia to mediate in the establishment of ties between Kuala Lumpur and Tel Aviv.

Mayoralty awaits pretrial verdict

Mayoralty awaits pretrial verdict JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty condemned the Jakarta State Administrative Court on Thursday for the Court's failure to immediately issue its July verdict, which declared that the mayoralty had no legal grounds to seal off the multistory Timor and...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 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 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Arabic Lessons 5:00 Ramadhan Program 6:00 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 9:00 World News 9:35...

Government must maintain unity

Government must maintain unity The fall of the New Order and the change to an era of reform has seen diverse demands which are not easily accommodated by the new government.One demand that greatly worries Indonesians is the desire of some of our brothers in a number of regions to separate from the...

Military prepared to face Aceh rebellion

Military prepared to face Aceh rebellion JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) is ready to take on the worst possible scenario resulting from clamoring separatist demands, TNI Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto said on Thursday.

Astra calls on government to sell its shares widely

Astra calls on government to sell its shares widely JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's auto giant PT Astra International suggested on Thursday that the government sell its shares in Astra to as many investors as possible to expand the company's shareholder base.Astra chief executive Rini M.S.

East Nusa Tenggara demands share in Timor Gap revenue

East Nusa Tenggara demands share in Timor Gap revenue JAKARTA (JP): East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet Alexander Tallo said on Thursday the people of his province had rights over oil and gas revenue from the seabed between Australia and Timor island.

Bongkaran red-light area cleaned up

Bongkaran red-light area cleaned up JAKARTA (JP): A team led by Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah has cleared the Bongkaran red-light area in Tanah Abang of hookers, gamblers, food vendors and owners of dim-light kiosks.

Asian leaders call for peaceful Muslim fasting month

Asian leaders call for peaceful Muslim fasting month HONG KONG (AFP): Asian Muslims called for unity on Thursday ahead of the fasting month of Ramadhan and an end to sectarian and separatist violence which has flared throughout the region in recent months.

Ulemas address national unity

Ulemas address national unity MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Ulemas in the province have pledged they will use every evening prayer during the Ramadhan fasting month to urge Muslims to uphold national unity.

Mama Yosefa to miss Yap Thiam awards ceremony

Mama Yosefa to miss Yap Thiam awards ceremony JAKARTA (JP): One of the recipients of this year's Yap Thiam Hien human rights award, Mama Yosefa Alomang, announced she would not attend Friday's awards ceremony to protest the government's lack of attention to troubles in Irian Jaya.

BPGS pledges Rp 2 billion for Olympics preparation

BPGS pledges Rp 2 billion for Olympics preparation JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) has pledged to provide Rp 2 billion (US$2.8 million) to the National Sports Council (KONI) to stage its long-term training program for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

TNI/police accused in palm oil scam

TNI/police accused in palm oil scam JAKARTA (JP): A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) accused members of the police or military in North Sumatra of taking part in the scam to contaminate Europe-bound crude palm oil (CPO) with diesel oil.

Nation needs dedicated teachers

Nation needs dedicated teachersBy Bantarto Bandoro JAKARTA (JP): An article titled Why do people choose teaching? by Otong Setiawan Djuhari (The Jakarta Post Nov. 25, 1999) was a reflection on why people need to go out to classrooms and share their knowledge and thoughts with students.

Indonesia, S. Arabia agree on haj transportation

Indonesia, S. Arabia agree on haj transportation JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs signed an agreement on Tuesday with Garuda Indonesia and Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly over 175,000 haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia next year.

Sutiyoso upbeat on President's nod to subway project

Sutiyoso upbeat on President's nod to subway project JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso won more support on Thursday for the planned construction of the country's first subway system after President Abdurrahman Wahid signaled his approval to the US$1.5 billion project.

Pelti warns players of 'bias' in Davis Cup tie

Pelti warns players of 'bias' in Davis Cup tie JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) said on Thursday their Davis Cup team must be on guard against nontechnical factors in their upcoming match against the Philippines.

Residents pelt stones at factory, burn security post

Residents pelt stones at factory, burn security post JAKARTA (JP): At least 200 residents from Sukanegra, Tangerang, threw stones at a carbon factory, which they accuse of causing air pollution, and set fire to its security post on Wednesday night.

Jakarta slows down in first day of Ramadhan

Jakarta slows down in first day of Ramadhan JAKARTA (JP): The capital was quiet on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan on Thursday as people seemed to reduce their routine activities.Unlike other working days, almost all of the city's major thoroughfares and main streets were left...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 09, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,200 75 736,500 Alakasa Industrindo 700 0 0 Alter Abadi 475 50 262,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 25...

Rights abuses 'fed' separatism in Irian Jaya

Rights abuses 'fed' separatism in Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): State Minister of Human Rights Hasballah M. Saad says unsolved human rights abuse cases in some areas of the country could incite separatist movements.

Government sets up agencies for dissolved ministries

Government sets up agencies for dissolved ministries JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Thursday that it had set up two agencies to accommodate more than 70,000 employees of the dissolved information and social services ministries.

Five injured in firecracker blast

Five injured in firecracker blast SEMARANG: Three sacks of firecrackers stacked in a bus at Terboyo terminal here exploded on Tuesday afternoon, leaving five passengers severely injured and part of the bus damaged.Semarang Police chief Lt. Col.

IBRA strikes landmark deal with Bakrie Nirwana Resort

IBRA strikes landmark deal with Bakrie Nirwana Resort JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announced late on Thursday a landmark deal in restructuring the debt ridden PT Bakrie Nirwana Resort (BNR).IBRA deputy chairman Eko S.

Details on attorney murder asked for

Details on attorney murder asked for BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Lawyers Club (BLC) set on Tuesday a two- week deadline for Bogor Police to release details on an investigation into the murder of one of its attorneys, Andi M.

Yogyakarta mourns slain Father Tarcisius Dewanto

Yogyakarta mourns slain Father Tarcisius DewantoBy Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): Catholics in this ancient city are still mourning the death of Father Tarcisius Dewanto, who in September died an untimely death at the age of 36.

Government not serious in handling rights abuses

Government not serious in handling rights abuses The military's reluctance to answer the continued calls for justice remains a major obstacle to bringing rights offenders to court, legal expert and rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis said recently in an interview with The Jakarta Post.

Man dies from drinking binge

Man dies from drinking binge UNGARAN, Central Java: While Muslims packed mosques across the country on Wednesday to conduct the evening prayer on the eve of the Ramadhan fasting month, one man died and four others were rushed to Ambarawa General Hospital after an alcohol and drugs binge in...