Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 December 1999

58 articles found

Bus fare hike in Yogyakarta

Bus fare hike in Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA: New bus fares were set by the local administration on Wednesday and are due to take effect on Thursday, the head of Yogyakarta's land transportation agency, Moenaji, said.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 22, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,250 25 1,829,000 Alakasa Industrindo 700 0 0 Alter Abadi 425 0 25,000 Alumindo Light Metal...

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaThursday Maghrib 6:09 p.m.Friday Imsak 4:05 a.m.Subuh 4:15 a.m.

Export exhibition in October

Export exhibition in October JAKARTA (JP): The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) will organize a major export exhibition next year at the Jakarta Fair ground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta."The 15th annual National Merchandise and Commodity Show is slated to be held on Oct. 18 to Oct.

Ministry to go ahead with bus tariff hike

Ministry to go ahead with bus tariff hike JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Communication has decided to apply the temporary 25 percent extra charge to intercity bus fares during the seasonal peak festive seasons to both air- conditioned and non air-conditioned buses, an official said on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Agus denies pressure from superiors

Maj. Gen. Agus denies pressure from superiors MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Outspoken Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah denied on Tuesday that he was under pressure from his superiors over his controversial remarks on military streamlining.

Policeman killed in Banda Aceh

Policeman killed in Banda Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The body of a policeman was discovered here early Wednesday morning.The body of Sgt. Imron of the National Police's Mobile Brigade was found in a gutter along one of the city's main streets at about 12:30 a.m. The body had several gunshot wounds.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Dec. 22, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,060.00 7,130.00Australian dollar 1 4,552.99 4,601.70Austrian schilling 1 517.48 522.87Belgian franc 1 176.52 178.36Brunei dollar 1 4,232.11 4,276.63Canadian dollar 1 4,779.

Agum prioritizes Asian Cup training

Agum prioritizes Asian Cup training JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Agum Gumelar said he would prioritize the training for the Asian Cup final, scheduled for November 2000 in Lebanon.

TNI leaders 'will not face int'l court'

TNI leaders 'will not face int'l court' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will not allow its military personnel to be tried in an international court even if evidence is found proving they were responsible for the violence in East Timor, President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Wednesday.

Millennial colors hit Indonesian fashion in l999

Millennial colors hit Indonesian fashion in l999By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): The year 1999 was about gray, purple and silver colors, according to Indonesia's fashion map.From big cities to suburban areas, girls followed their television and teen magazine idols, wearing gray or violet dresses.

Military to be tough on religious provocateurs

Military to be tough on religious provocateurs JAKARTA (JP): City military commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu vowed on Tuesday to take stern measures against any parties attempting to create Ambon-style religious conflict in the capital.

Good ties: Insurance for RI and Australia

Good ties: Insurance for RI and AustraliaBy Paul Dibb and Peter Prince CANBERRA (JP): Australia's future is intimately bound up with that of Indonesia. A stable Indonesia gives Australia security and protection across its vast northern approaches.

Banking sector moves into recovery phase

Banking sector moves into recovery phaseBy Reiner S. JAKARTA (JP): After two devastating years of crisis marked by bank runs and huge losses of capital, there are signs the Indonesian banking sector is moving into a recovery phase providing investors with substantial opportunities.

Civil servants protest bad rice

Civil servants protest bad rice CILACAP, Central Java: Hundreds of civil servants here protested on Wednesday the Banyumas Logistics Agency (Dolog) for distributing overpriced, bad rice.The quality of the rice was very poor and it was priced at Rp 2,645 per kilogram instead of the official Rp 1,300...

Bali Art for Peace Festival spreads peace and tolerance

Bali Art for Peace Festival spreads peace and toleranceI Wayan Juniarta DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Happening Art, Pasir, Angin dan Ombak, (Sand, Wind and Waves), originally designed as a climax for the recent Art and Peace festival failed to amuse more than 5,000 spectators at Padang Galak beach, Sanur,...

Chinese doctors to check Gus Dur's health

Chinese doctors to check Gus Dur's health JAKARTA (JP): Three Chinese doctors will soon arrive in Jakarta to check on the health of President Abdurrahman Wahid and First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, aides said on Wednesday.

Road improvements for Irian Jaya

Road improvements for Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Ministry of Public Works has allocated Rp 3.6 billion to improve the road leading to the border between the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya and neighboring Papua New Guinea.

Irian governor seeks Freeport contract review

Irian governor seeks Freeport contract review JAKARTA (JP): Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi called for a review of the contract with PT Freeport Indonesia, saying that the local people had yet to fully benefit from the operation of the giant American mining company in the province.

Panasia's punishment to be reviewed

Panasia's punishment to be reviewed JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) chairman Sutiyoso said he would review the proposed sanction against Bandung-based Panasia Indosyntec for refusing to appear on Dec.

S. Korea set to continue Timor national car project

S. Korea set to continue Timor national car project JAKARTA (JP): Visiting South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hong Soon-young met on Wednesday with President Abdurrahman Wahid and other senior government officials and won approval from them to continue the Timor national car project.

Army captain caught with ecstasy and 'shabu-shabu'

Army captain caught with ecstasy and 'shabu-shabu' JAKARTA (JP): An Army captain was arrested with at least three other people for allegedly possessing 13 ecstasy pills and a few grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) in an apartment in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, a police officer said on...

BIDDING FAREWELL:

BIDDING FAREWELL: Hasan Basri Durin (right) shakes hands with Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja after handing over the authority of the National Land Agency (BPN).After the handover ceremony, Surjadi said here on Wednesday he intends to accelerate the transfer of authority in land affairs...

Teenager jumps from hospital's fifth-floor

Teenager jumps from hospital's fifth-floor JAKARTA (JP): An 18-year-old man, suspected to have been under the influence of drugs, jumped to his death from the fifth floor of the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital at midnight on Tuesday, friends said on Wednesday.

Ardiansyah to compete in Asia-Pacific series

Ardiansyah to compete in Asia-Pacific series JAKARTA (JP): National motocrosser Irwan Ardiansyah will move to the Indria Motosport team next year as he attempts to realize his ambition of competing in the Asia-Pacific series.

Hired thugs suspected in attack

Hired thugs suspected in attack JAKARTA (JP): Hired hoodlums are suspected in the Tuesday afternoon attack at a vacant farm located in Cimanggis, south of Jakarta, in which a man was killed and four others severely wounded, a friend and a relative said.

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 TV Series: Drew Carey Show 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Ramadhan Program 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Music...

Ministers resembling hoodlums

Ministers resembling hoodlumsFrom Rakyat MerdekaA political expert from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Alfitra Salam, said in a mass media publication in Jakarta that a number of ministers in the Cabinet of President Abdurrahman Wahid (popularly known as Gus Dur) are still inactive and...

Pornographic VCDs seized in C. Java

Pornographic VCDs seized in C. Java BANYUMAS, Central Java: Local police confiscated 3,500 pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) in two separate raids in Purbalingga and Banyumas on Tuesday and Wednesday, Banyumas Police chief Col. Carel Risa Kotta said.

X'mas cake a hot item in Irian

X'mas cake a hot item in Irian MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: What is the hottest selling item in Indonesia's easternmost province in December?The sago flour Christmas cake.The cakes have become a favorite here and are always in high demand this time of year.

Islamic values and civil society

Islamic values and civil societyBy Komaruddin Hidayat JAKARTA (JP): All the major religions of the world, such as Hinduism, the Jewish religion, Christianity and Islam, did not rely on bureaucratic and institutional power in the early days of their movement, but rather on the power of the founders,...

Bulog gets new deputy chief

Bulog gets new deputy chief JAKARTA (JP): Head of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Jusuf Kalla installed Sapuan on Wednesday as deputy head of the agency.Sapuan is a former secretary in the Office of the State Minister of Food and Horticulture during the Soeharto administration.

Battered economy back on growth track for 2000 and beyond

Battered economy back on growth track for 2000 and beyondBy Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Following two years of economic turmoil, Indonesia's economy is showing signs of recovery and is expected to post a positive growth in 2000 thanks to the country's relatively peaceful democratization process.

Designer Made Wijaya carves a garden oasis in Bali

Designer Made Wijaya carves a garden oasis in BaliBy Mehru Jaffer SANUR, Bali (JP): As Made Wijaya led the way through one of the six gates of Villa Bebek in Sanur the realization did not dawn that this was a visit into the sacrosanct sanctum of a museum of living art.

Gus Dur derides Paiton deal, but vows to honor it

Gus Dur derides Paiton deal, but vows to honor it JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid described on Wednesday the power purchase contract signed by state electricity company PLN and PT Paiton Energy as full of nonsense but he said the government would honor it.

American pressure?

American pressure? The government has suggested that the dispute between state- owned electricity company PLN and private investors involved in the Paiton I power project be settled out of court. As a consequence, PLN president Adhi Satriya, who has been a strong proponent of a legal settlement,...

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 22, 1999

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 22, 1999Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Foto-Realisme Indonesia, by Agus Kamal, Asri Nugroho, etc., at Edwin's Gallery Bali, Komp. Tuban Plaza no. 25- 27, Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai, Kuta, Denpasar, until Jan. 18.

Overorganized Indonesia

Overorganized Indonesia When you look at our country at present you will be surprised at how many organizations we have. Some are founded by the government and many more by the people themselves. These organizations cover almost all activities of the Indonesian people -- politics, the economy,...

Scholarships for street children

Scholarships for street children BOGOR (JP): The West Java administration has allotted a total of Rp 66 million (US$9,165) to cover the school fees of 50 street children in Bogor for the next nine months.

Number of shuttlers at training center halved

Number of shuttlers at training center halved JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) plans to more than halve the number of shuttlers at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, starting in January 2000.

DPR probes bribery allegations

DPR probes bribery allegations JAKARTA (JP): Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung ordered an immediate investigation on Wednesday into rumors that members of Commission IX had taken bribes from state- owned Bank Mandiri.

House to amend 1999 Political Laws: Akbar

House to amend 1999 Political Laws: Akbar JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives will revise the 1999 Political Laws following the controversy over the General Elections Commission and the planned local elections in newly- established regencies.

BI boosts financial aid to banks amid Y2K fears

BI boosts financial aid to banks amid Y2K fears JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia is providing an extra financial assistance to banks facing liquidity problems due to millennium bug-related deposit runs, according to the central bank's senior executive.

Auditor lauds Freeport

Auditor lauds Freeport JAKARTA (JP): International auditor Montgomery Watson praised gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia for its "exemplary" environmental management system at its Irian Jaya site, Freeport announced on Wednesday.

Four arrested in smuggling attempt

Four arrested in smuggling attempt JAKARTA (JP): Tanjung Priok Port (KP3) Police arrested four suspects for trying to smuggle 2,600 cans of Coca Cola and Sprite and 600 bottles of Bacardi liquor into Jakarta, via a ship from Batam and another from Tanjung Pinang, in the past two days, KP3 Police...

Stocks and rupiah fare relatively better this year

Stocks and rupiah fare relatively better this yearBy Wachyudi Soeriaatmadja JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's financial market is ending the year with clear signs of a recovery despite a relatively poor performance in the first half of the year.

No Y2K worries in busy Malacca strait

No Y2K worries in busy Malacca strait KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): It will be business as usual on Dec. 31 in the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest waterways, with no entry restrictions on vessels, a Malaysian maritime official said on Wednesday.

Bali gets ready for holiday shopping

Bali gets ready for holiday shopping DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali's retailers are counting on a big jump in year-end shopping compared to the holiday run up last year.The rollover from l999 to 2000 will be a great moment in Bali.

Delay not autonomy

Delay not autonomy At the beginning of next year, the government will start the much-awaited implementation of regional autonomy. State Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid has said that all necessary supporting regulations for the implementation of the law on regional autonomy will soon be...

Creditors to auction Fiskaragung assets

Creditors to auction Fiskaragung assets JAKARTA (JP): Creditors of bankrupt PT Fiskaragung Perkasa will sell fixed assets of the publicly listed salt producer through an asset auction or a direct offer to an interested investor, an official said.Tuti Simorangkir from Makarim & Taira S.

Dilemma over Buyung divides rights activists

Dilemma over Buyung divides rights activists JAKARTA (JP): The saga surrounding calls for the dismissal of Adnan Buyung Nasution from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) escalated on Wednesday threatening to cause rifts between fellow human rights advocates.

U.S. extends GSP privilege

U.S. extends GSP privilege MANILA (Dow Jones): The U.S. has extended the Philippines' trade privilege under generalized systems of preference, or GSP, until September 2001.Extension of the GSP status, which lapsed in June, came amid rising concerns that export earnings under the GSP program have...

Poor infrastructure affects N. Sulawesi economic zone

Poor infrastructure affects N. Sulawesi economic zoneBy Christiani S.A. Tumelap MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): The delayed construction of new transportation facilities in North Sulawesi has impeded the development of the Manado-Bitung Integrated Economic Zone, the head of the zone management team...

Sugar factory workers protest

Sugar factory workers protest SEMARANG: About 300 people representing workers from five sugar factories in Central Java marched on the provincial council building here on Wednesday to protest layoffs at their factories.

S'pore tourist arrivals rise

S'pore tourist arrivals rise SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Tourist arrivals jumped 17.2 percent in November from a year earlier, the Singapore Tourism Board said Wednesday.Arrivals from Asian countries rose 22.

Mahathir's son settles lawsuits

Mahathir's son settles lawsuits KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The eldest son of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has settled multimillion dollar lawsuits against two local Chinese newspapers, his lawyer said on Wednesday.Lawyer R.

Angry workers rampage over holiday bonuses

Angry workers rampage over holiday bonuses TANGERANG (JP): Some 8,000 protesting workers from two factories producing Nike shoes went on a rampage on Wednesday afternoon, vandalizing seven cars in the parking lot of PT Astra's Shoe Industry Division on Jl. Raya Serang in Balaraja, Tangerang.

One dies and 17 injured in West Java earthquake

One dies and 17 injured in West Java earthquake JAKARTA (JP): One person died, 17 others were injured and 160 houses were damaged after a strong quake jolted West Java on Tuesday, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said on Wednesday.