Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 December 1999

55 articles found

Taylor's presence felt as his troupe takes the stage

Taylor's presence felt as his troupe takes the stageBy Emma Cameron JAKARTA (JP): Paul Taylor is a voyeur. He likes to watch people and steal their movements.Paul Taylor is a patriot, and he is concerned he not be pegged as an elitist.

Jakartans told to work for religious harmony

Jakartans told to work for religious harmony JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman urged city residents on Wednesday to work together for religious harmony and not resort to violent means to end disputes.

East Kalimantan legislators join call for federalism

East Kalimantan legislators join call for federalism JAKARTA (JP): East Kalimantan provincial legislators went to the House of Representatives here on Wednesday to demand Indonesia become a federal state which would allow provinces more autonomy.

Delphi Indonesia seeks to boost sales

Delphi Indonesia seeks to boost sales JAKARTA (JP): PT Delphi Automotive Systems Indonesia, a producer of wiring harness systems, opened a new US$12 million factory in Lippo Cikarang, Bekasi, on Wednesday which it expects to help in doubling its sales.

C. Java qualifies 9 athletes for PON

C. Java qualifies 9 athletes for PON SEMARANG (JP): Nine of 16 pencak silat athletes from Central Java qualified for the 15th National Games (PON) next year in Surabaya.They qualified after competing in a prequalifying tournament in Jakarta.

West Papuans hoist Morning Star flag

West Papuans hoist Morning Star flag JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The Morning Star flag of West Papua, the locally preferred name for Irian Jaya, was hoisted in a ceremony attended by thousands of people who renewed their message to Jakarta of their demand for independence.

Mar'ie appointed as new Red Cross chief

Mar'ie appointed as new Red Cross chief JAKARTA (JP): Former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad was named the new chief of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) replacing former president Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, the organization said on Wednesday.

38 chess players compete in first series of Master Circuit

38 chess players compete in first series of Master Circuit JAKARTA (JP): Thirty eight chess masters competed in the first series of the McDonalds Chess Master Circuit, which kicked off on Wednesday at the Utut Adianto Chess School in Bekasi.

Gunarsa: A guardian of Balinese art and tradition

Gunarsa: A guardian of Balinese art and traditionBy Mehru Jaffer KLUNGKUNG, Bali (JP): It could only have happened in Bali. One little knock at the entrance of a temple to find the gods giving the devotees much more than asked for.

KL palm oil ends mixed

KL palm oil ends mixed KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Selling which emerged in late afternoon trade erased most of the earlier gains on the Malaysian palm oil market, taking prices to a mixed close.The market rose earlier on technical buying after the third month February contract rose above 1,250 ringgit...

KONI, IPSI cancel pencak silat c'ships

KONI, IPSI cancel pencak silat c'ships JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) canceled the pencak silat national championships here due to plans by some parties to hoist the independent West Papua Morning Star flag on...

Humpus to sign debt restructuring deal

Humpus to sign debt restructuring deal JAKARTA (JP): The Humpuss Group expects to sign a debt restructuring agreement by mid December with the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), according to a Humpuss senior official.

Military alerted to pen sniffers

Military alerted to pen sniffers SURABAYA: Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi called on military and police to be on the lookout for shiny pens which are believed to be used as a means to get high.

Govt credibility in the balance

Govt credibility in the balance The continuing problems in Aceh and Ambon are beginning to negatively affect the climate of hope and confidence that arose after Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, and Megawati Soekarnoputri came to power as President and Vice President, respectively.

Jeihan's works captivate Parisians

Jeihan's works captivate ParisiansBy Putu Wirata PARIS, France (JP): Noted Indonesian painter Jeihan Sukmantoro is currently delighting art lovers in the cultural capital of France, Paris, with 30 of his mysterious, yet enchanting, works.

Indonesians off to poor start in Badminton GP

Indonesians off to poor start in Badminton GP JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesian shuttlers performed poorly on Wednesday's opening day of round robin matches in the Grand Prix Finals in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Aceh hotels booked solid

Aceh hotels booked solid BANDA ACEH: Local and foreign journalists have been flocking to Aceh, causing many hotels and inns here to be fully booked in the run-up to the separatist Free Aceh Movement's (GAM) 23rd anniversary on Saturday.

Steps to gain a clean judiciary

Steps to gain a clean judiciary One of the issues scheduled for discussion at the fifth National Workshop on Human Rights, which opens on Thursday in Jakarta, is the role of the judiciary in a market economy.

C. Java grooms 18 karatekas for PON

C. Java grooms 18 karatekas for PON SEMARANG (JP): The chairman of the Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Karate-do Federation (FORKI), Bibit Waluyo, said on Wednesday the province was training 18 karatekas to compete in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya next year.

Import from Australia resumes

Import from Australia resumes CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Imports of live cows from Australia to Central Java have returned to normal after being stopped in September, a port official said.Head of the legal and information division of Tanjung Intan Port in Cilacap, Susiana, said on Tuesday the...

Tosari named new deputy speaker

Tosari named new deputy speaker JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) deputy chairman Tosari Wijaya has been chosen to replace his party chief Hamzah Haz as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Wednesday.

S'pore govt evicts sultan's kin

S'pore govt evicts sultan's kin SINGAPORE (AP): The descendants of Singapore's last sultan were gone from their palace on Wednesday, routed to make room for a Malay cultural center.Several policemen looked on as the main entrance to the dilapidated, two-story building was sealed.

U.S. investors maintain `wait and see' stance

U.S. investors maintain `wait and see' stance JAKARTA (JP): U.S. investors are continuing to hold off on new investment in Indonesia despite signs of improvement in the country's economy and social conditions, an American trade official said here on Wednesday.U.S.

The winners of the Panasonic Awards l999

The winners of the Panasonic Awards l999 JAKARTA (JP): The Panasonic Awards 1999 were presented on Wednesday night to honor the best programs and individual achievements for local television productions.This year's life achievement award was presented to Kris Biantoro.

Food supply for holidays sufficient, says official

Food supply for holidays sufficient, says official JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta has a sufficient supply of basic commodities for the upcoming Christmas, New Year's and Idul Fitri celebrations, a city official said on Wednesday.

President issues `written statement'

President issues `written statement' JAKARTA (JP): A press statement attributed to President "Abdurrachman" Wahid was distributed by the office of Gen. Wiranto, the coordinating minister for political affairs and security, on Wednesday.

GAM prohibits hoisting of separatist flag in Aceh

GAM prohibits hoisting of separatist flag in Aceh PIDIE (JP): Teuku Abdullah Syafei, a commander of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), in an apparent attempt to placate fears of unrest has forbidden the hoisting of the separatist flag on Saturday except for at regional GAM headquarters.

Airport, airlines ready for Y2K bug

Airport, airlines ready for Y2K bug JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of domestic and foreign visitors are expected to flock to the tourist island of Bali for the numerous millennial events scheduled for Dec. 31.

Indonesia, China strive to improve relations

Indonesia, China strive to improve relationsBy Kornelius Purba BEIJING (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and Chinese President Jiang Zemin agreed on Wednesday not to let the strong bonds between the two nations be spoilt by incidental ethnic sentiments.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Sculpture Exhibition: Reflection by Nyoman Nuarta, at Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), Pengosekan, Ubud, until Dec. 14. * Art Exhibition on Air: A helicopter flies Made Wianta's work Art and Peace, along the Southern coast of Bali from Klating Beach (Tabanan) to...

IBRA sets deadline for Chandra Asri

IBRA sets deadline for Chandra Asri JAKARTA (JP): Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) Eko S. Budianto said on Wednesday that the fate of the debt-ridden petrochemical company PT Chandra Asri would be decided by the Financial Sector Action Committee (FSAC) if a debt...

KONI to ban Olympic-qualified athletes from taking part in PON

KONI to ban Olympic-qualified athletes from taking part in PON JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) will issue notification letters to sports organizations to prevent their athletes who have qualified for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney from competing in the 15th National Games (PON) in...

Rumors of renewed attacks on nightspots grip Puncak

Rumors of renewed attacks on nightspots grip Puncak BOGOR (JP): Tension prevailed in the mountain resort of Cipanas in Puncak here on Tuesday amid widespread rumors of mobs gathering to attack entertainment centers in the area following a mass gathering which declared war on vice.

Progress on Soeharto probe to be revealed soon: Marzuki

Progress on Soeharto probe to be revealed soon: Marzuki JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Wednesday his office would report the latest developments in the investigation of alleged corruption by former president Soeharto within three days.

Maluku clashes claim two lives

Maluku clashes claim two lives AMBON, Maluku (JP): Two people died and at least five houses were gutted when communal clashes broke out on Wednesday at noon in Ahuru, about four kilometers east of Ambon, the provincial capital of riot-torn Maluku.The two victims were rushed to Dr.

PT Kereta Api admits disservice to public

PT Kereta Api admits disservice to public JAKARTA (JP): State PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the sole train operator in the country, conceded on Wednesday that it failed in its service to the public by being late to supply commuters with monthly rail passes.

Clearance given to question generals over East Timor

Clearance given to question generals over East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. gave the green light on Wednesday to a government-sanctioned inquiry to question top generals about their alleged roles in the massive destruction of East Timor in September.

RI wins 1 silver, 2 bronzes at AUKO

RI wins 1 silver, 2 bronzes at AUKO JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia grabbed a silver medal and two bronzes during the first day of the Asian Union Karate Organization (AUKO) championships in Singapore on Wednesday.

Food price increase brings November inflation to 0.25%

Food price increase brings November inflation to 0.25% JAKARTA (JP): The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.25 percent in November from the level the previous month, due particularly to increases in prices of food commodities, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said on Wednesday.

Convicted Istiqlal bomber still in police custody

Convicted Istiqlal bomber still in police custody JAKARTA (JP): Surya Setiawan, alias Wawan, the man sentenced to three years and two months in prison for planting the bomb which exploded at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque on April 19, has yet to be transferred by the police to a public penitentiary.

Case dismissed against ex Bank Bali bosses

Case dismissed against ex Bank Bali bosses JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court decided on Wednesday to discontinue the hearing of the high-profile Bank Bali cessie contract case, saying that the prosecutors' indictment was unclear, vague and unacceptable.

Portuguese escudo front-runner as Timor currency

Portuguese escudo front-runner as Timor currency DILI, East Timor (Reuters): The Portuguese escudo has strengthened its position as a contender to become the currency of an independent East Timor.Portugal's Banco Nacional Ultramarino this week became the first bank to open a branch in Dili since...

City police increase patrols following spate of armed robberies

City police increase patrols following spate of armed robberies JAKARTA (JP): The city police have been intensifying their street patrols in the wake of a recent wave of robberies.According to Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col.

Management of sports

Management of sportsFrom NeracaI do not agree with the Indonesian Consumer Institute's approval for the gathering of funds for sport from the community, even if the management of the acquired funds is transparent.

PT Inti Indorayon Utama likely to resume operations shortly

PT Inti Indorayon Utama likely to resume operations shortly JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed pulp and rayon fiber maker PT Inti Indorayon Utama is seeking government approval to resume operations which have been suspended for at least 15 months now over environmental and social disputes.

Driver-turn-drug dealer on trial

Driver-turn-drug dealer on trial JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor at a district court here indicted on Tuesday 44-year-old driver Syarifuddin Amin for trafficking 10 kilograms of first-grade marijuana."The defendant has violated article 82 of the 1997 Law on Psychotropic Substances," said prosecutor...

Socializing federal state

Socializing federal stateFrom Pikiran RakyatI was impressed by the article in Pikiran Rakyat on Nov. 10, 1999, entitled The Concept of a Federal State and Amien Rais' performance, and would like to add some comments.

Talks on Lippo Life acquisition fail

Talks on Lippo Life acquisition fail JAKARTA (JP): Negotiations over the planned acquisition of publicly listed PT Asuransi Lippo Life by German insurance giant Allianz have failed to produce any agreement, a senior executive of the German company said here on Wednesday.

Aceh problem

Aceh problem As an Acehnese I am glad to hear that there are many comments coming from the Indonesian elite on what is called the "Acehnese problem". It is really a controversy, as half of them agree to have a referendum, and the other half disagree.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Nov. 01, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,229.00 7,301.00Australian dollar 1 4,594.03 4,643.44Austrian schilling 1 530.24 535.73Belgian franc 1 180.87 182.74Brunei dollar 1 4,301.18 4,346.61Canadian dollar 1 4,900.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 01, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 1,200 0 696,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 700 0 0 Alter Abadi 425 0 132,000 Alumindo...

Jurists urge legal reform in Indonesia

Jurists urge legal reform in Indonesia GENEVA (Agencies): The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on Tuesday urged Indonesia to set up a new constitutional court and an independent inquiry into judicial corruption.

Street vendors permitted

Street vendors permitted JAKARTA (JP): The controversy over the presence of street vendors in the city during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan has ended after Governor Sutiyoso declared on Tuesday that the city's streets would be open to seasonal small-scale traders.

Most Asian currencies rebound

Most Asian currencies rebound HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian currencies strengthened Wednesday, recovering some of the ground lost in Tuesday's fall as short-term market players were forced to cut back their long positions in the U.S. dollar.

Opposition vows to oust Hasina

Opposition vows to oust Hasina DHAKA (Reuters): Bangladesh opposition party leaders, who once had guns trained on each other, vowed on Wednesday to unite to drive Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office and form a "national patriotic government".