Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 December 1999

54 articles found

Leaders wanted

Leaders wanted Shortly before he left for China, President Abdurrahman Wahid called on the public to start holding dialogs to help end conflicts and unrest in the regions. Many among us were astonished at this call and tended to view it as yet another of Abdurrahman's loose remarks.

UN needs to take new initiative

UN needs to take new initiativeBy Agus Tarmidzi and Imron Cotan JAKARTA (JP): When the Cold War era closed its final chapter, many enthusiastically predicted that the world would then be pacified and, hence, conflicts would also become a thing of the past.

Soldier allegedly shoots prostitute 'girlfriend'

Soldier allegedly shoots prostitute 'girlfriend' JAKARTA (JP): A 28-year-old prostitute suffered a gunshot wound to her left thigh after an Army officer allegedly fired his gun early Friday morning in the Rawamalang area of Cilincing, North Jakarta, a high-ranking officer said.

Aceh braces for GAM anniversary

Aceh braces for GAM anniversary BANDA ACEH (JP): An uneasy calm enveloped much of Aceh on Friday as the province braced itself for the much touted Free Aceh Movement's (GAM) anniversary celebration.While there were no reports of clashes or unrest on the eve of Saturday's separatist anniversary,...

22 Indonesians may face death penalty in Greece

22 Indonesians may face death penalty in Greece JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-two Indonesians may face the death penalty in Greece for allegedly smuggling dozens of kilograms of heroin into the country.Manpower minister Bomer Pasaribu was quoted as saying that the ministry sent a legal team to Greece to...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 03, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,200 0 395,000 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 725 25 1,000 Alter Abadi 450 25 188,000...

KONI discusses three fund-raising proposals

KONI discusses three fund-raising proposals JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) will carefully weigh three proposals on fund raising for sports development after being burned by the flak over a program proposed last year.

Garuda puts on 36 extra flights during holidays

Garuda puts on 36 extra flights during holidays JAKARTA (JP): State-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will operate 36 extra flights on five local and one international route to meet an expected surge in passenger load during the year-end and Idul Fitri holiday.

Attorney General comes under fire from Texmaco

Attorney General comes under fire from Texmaco JAKARTA (JP): The giant business group Texmaco protested against Attorney General Marzuki Darusman on Friday for moving too quickly to announce its owner Marimutu Sinivasan as a suspect in a Rp 9.6 trillion (US$1.

Hasan wants E. Timor-style referendum in Aceh

Hasan wants E. Timor-style referendum in Aceh BOTKYRKA, Sweden (AP): Sitting under portraits of ancestors he said were killed by Dutch colonialists, Hasan M. Tiro, an exiled separatist leader from Indonesia's Aceh region called on the United Nations to sponsor a referendum similar to the one that...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 9:00 Music 11:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Sports 4:00 Regional News 4:30 English Lessons 5:00 Cultural Program 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00...

Legislators call for regional autonomy to avoid disintegration

Legislators call for regional autonomy to avoid disintegration JAKARTA (JP): Regional representatives at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) urged the government on Friday to implement regional autonomy to minimize the threat of national disintegration and separatist activities.

Government urged to tighten control of imported chickens

Government urged to tighten control of imported chickens JAKARTA (JP): The government has been urged to control the distribution of imported chicken which has not been slaughtered according to Islamic law.

Air Force exercise gets high marks

Air Force exercise gets high marks RAMBANG, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): An Air Force exercise code- named Operasi Badar 99 was declared a success with its closing on Friday.Air Force Operational Command chief Air Rear Marshall Ian Santoso, who oversees eastern Indonesia, officially closed the one-week...

Comedians, musclemen appearing at theaters

Comedians, musclemen appearing at theaters JAKARTA (JP): Two Hollywood musclemen (one Austrian, one Belgian) go head-to-head with their new action flicks.Here's the lineup of movies currently playing at local theaters, with reviews and grades by Rayya Makarim (RM), Oren Murphy (OM) and Tam...

Manila bars UN official

Manila bars UN official MANILA (DPA): The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has barred a special envoy of United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan from attending a workshop sponsored by a leftist organization, organizers said on Friday.

Search fails to find survivors

Search fails to find survivors PEKANBARU, Riau: The second day of a search and rescue operation for survivors of the Dumai Express VI ferry, which sank on Thursday in the Strait of Malacca, came up empty-handed on Friday.About 200 passengers are missing.

RP may cut growth targets

RP may cut growth targets MANILA (AFP): The Philippines is considering cutting its economic growth targets for 2000 as part of an effort to cut spending to eventually reach a balanced budget in the coming years, Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu said here Thursday.

Lessons from Beijing?

Lessons from Beijing? Whether you agree or not with President Abdurrahman Wahid's policies, controversial statements and sometimes "wicked" sense of humor, I am astonished by the sheer "magic energy" he has displayed so far.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Mendongeng Dengan Foto by H. Boediardjo, at Galeri Foto Cahya, Plaza Menteng, 2nd floor, Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto 79, Menteng (Phone: 3907623), Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Dec. 13. * Fine Arts, Photo Exhibition by Tohjaya S.P.

Cellular phone operators bank on robust market

Cellular phone operators bank on robust market JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phone operators Telkomsel and Excelcomindo Pratama predicted the country's improving economy would pave the way to a sharp increase in cellular phone sales.

Bekasi demands fees for dump

Bekasi demands fees for dump JAKARTA (JP): The Bekasi administration is demanding fees from Jakarta residents for garbage disposal at the Bantar Gebang dump site in Bekasi, Bekasi Mayor Nonon Sontanie said on Friday.

JIFFest 1999 inspires local film industry

JIFFest 1999 inspires local film industryBy Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): Film producer Kemala Atmodjo is elated. He returned from Bangkok last Sunday after attending the Asia- Pacific Film Festival. He received the First Jury Prize for his film, Sri, a cinematic look into the Javanese culture made...

Paris and Singapore bourses sign cross-exchange rights

Paris and Singapore bourses sign cross-exchange rights SINGAPORE (DPA): The newly-formed Singapore Exchange and its Paris counterpart sealed a pact enabling members to secure membership in each other's stock exchanges so they can trade in all electronically listed products on both markets, it was...

Indian merchants build mosques in Pekojan

Indian merchants build mosques in PekojanBy Novan Iman Santosa Pekojan is simply a small site in the map of West Jakarta. But the neighborhood houses four old mosques, some of which are over 300 years old.

CGI to convene in February, first time in Jakarta

CGI to convene in February, first time in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's major donors grouped under the so- called Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) will convene in February in Jakarta for the first time to decide on a new loan commitment for the country, according to the World Bank country...

Students deny being harmed by fragrant pens

Students deny being harmed by fragrant pens JAKARTA (JP): Students of several elementary and junior high schools questioned the necessity of their headmasters and police in seizing fragrant ballpoint pens from them since the pens caused no harm to them.

Sarah, Mama Yosefa to get Yap Thiam Hien awards

Sarah, Mama Yosefa to get Yap Thiam Hien awards JAKARTA (JP): Sarah Lary Mboeik, an activist from East Nusa Tenggara, and Mama Yosefa Alomang, an Irianese tribal rights advocate, were named the recipients of this year's Yap Thiam Hien human rights award.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Dec. 03, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,296.00 7,370.00Australian dollar 1 4,611.80 4,662.26Austrian schilling 1 530.49 536.40Belgian franc 1 180.95 182.97Brunei dollar 1 4,323.56 4,370.00Canadian dollar 1 4,927.

ICMI strives to survive amid recent political changes

ICMI strives to survive amid recent political changes JAKARTA (JP): Senior executives of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) are shrugging off predictions of the organization's demise despite the descent of its chief patron, B.J. Habibie, from the presidency.

Indians face deportation over bogus stay permits

Indians face deportation over bogus stay permits JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate-General of Immigration will soon deport 18 Indian nationals who were in possession of fake Indonesian Temporary Staying Permit's (KITAS), a senior immigration official said on Friday.

8.6 kgs of ganja seized in Brebes

8.6 kgs of ganja seized in Brebes SEMARANG: Local police raided a restaurant at Klampok village in Wanasari district, Brebes, on Friday, and confiscated 8.6 kilograms of dried ganja.Central Java Police spokesman Lt. Col. M. Ramlie said the four alleged owners of the drug were arrested.

Philippine force stops smugglers

Philippine force stops smugglers MANILA (AFP): A Philippine antismuggling task force said on Friday it intercepted five ships in southern seas carrying tons of smuggled rice and sugar worth an estimated 101.65 million pesos (US$2.54 million).

Texmaco and 19 firms got special loans: BI

Texmaco and 19 firms got special loans: BI JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia's deputy governor Ahjar Iljas said on Friday that Texmaco was among 20 exporting companies which received a preshipment rediscount facility from the central bank through state commercial banks in November 1997.

Marlev sends Sun Jun out of Final Grand Prix semifinals

Marlev sends Sun Jun out of Final Grand Prix semifinals BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Agencies): Indonesia's Marlev Mainaky unexpectedly sent world champion Sun Jun of China crashing out of the Final Grand Prix semifinals, defeating the world number one 17-16, 15-9 in the last round-robin match on Friday.

RI forex reserves increase

RI forex reserves increase JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves increased by US$56.7 million to $16.55 billion in the week ending Nov. 30 from Rp $16.5 billion the previous week, Bank Indonesia reported on Friday.

Utut triumphs at chess tournament

Utut triumphs at chess tournament JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master Super Utut Adianto was unbeatable on Friday against six opponents in a simultant chess tournament at Ibis Hotel Mangga Dua.Utut took three-and-a-half hours to beat the six players.

Konica launches new film

Konica launches new film JAKARTA (JP): Japan's Konica Corporation launched on Friday its new color film product in a bid to boost sales in Indonesia.Konica Centuria was launched by the company's local distributor PT Perdana Bangun Perkasa.

Provinces sign cooperation agreements with Jakarta

Provinces sign cooperation agreements with Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta has an abundance of human resources and experience to share with other provinces in the development of their local economies, Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.

The plight of refugees from troubled Aceh province

The plight of refugees from troubled Aceh provinceBy Elizabeth Fuller Collins MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Refugees are everyday news in Indonesia now. The most recent group are Javanese fleeing West and East Aceh. On Sunday, Nov.

S'pore, Swiss firms tie up

S'pore, Swiss firms tie up SINGAPORE (AFP): Media giant Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. on Friday announced a joint venture between its multimedia unit and Swiss-based The Fantastic Corp. to offer high-speed broadband multimedia products in Asia.SPH Multimedia Pte. Ltd.

Time to turn off the lights on military's businesses

Time to turn off the lights on military's businesses YOGYAKARTA (JP): Since the early years of its formation, the Indonesian Military (TNI) suffered from financial shortages. It became known that officers were fending for themselves, and for their men and their families.

A license to pillage

A license to pillage The revelation of Texmaco's huge bad debts, which totaled almost US$1.3 billion to state Bank BNI, is surely just the tip of the iceberg of accumulated excesses resulting from the abuse of political power under the 32-year authoritarian rule of former president Soeharto, who...

Oky, Helmy to compete for IMI top post

Oky, Helmy to compete for IMI top post YOGYAKARTA (JP): Oky Harwanto, the Indonesian Motorsports Association (IMI) Jakarta chapter chairman, and Helmy Sungkar, a motor racing promoter, will run in the election for the organization's top post for the 1999-2003 term in the 4th national congress.

25 hurt in Dago student brawl

25 hurt in Dago student brawl BANDUNG: Dozens of students from two high schools in Bandung were involved in a mass street brawl on Jl. Dago on Friday, leaving 25 students injured.They were taken to Santo Boromeus Hospital.The students were from SMU Negri I and SMU Kristen.

AIDS march in Karawang

AIDS march in Karawang JAKARTA (JP): In conjunction with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the Pelita Ilmu Foundation will hold a march for AIDS concern in Karawang, West Java, on Sunday.The foundation's program manager, Husein Habsyi, said the marchers would distribute leaflets, brochures and pamphlets...

PGRI students threaten to go on strike over shooting

PGRI students threaten to go on strike over shooting JAKARTA (JP): About 200 PGRI 2 vocational high school students marched on Friday to the Bogor City Council, threatening to go on a "study strike" and demanding a thorough police investigation into the shooting of two fellow students.

Seminar to be held on 'New Indonesia'

Seminar to be held on 'New Indonesia' JAKARTA (JP): The association of the Surabaya-based Airlangga University Alumni will hold next Tuesday a seminar on establishing the foundations for the "New Indonesia".

May not and does not

May not and does not I refer to the letter from Darul Aqsha On Islam-Israel ties published in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 3, 1999. Darul Aqsha is in immediate need of a course in reading. He should do people the courtesy of reading their correspondence properly before taking up cudgels against them.

Soccer programs

Soccer programs The following is a listing of soccer matches to be broadcast live this weekend on local TV station (all times for Jakarta):Saturday English soccer league: Sunderland v Chelsea SCTV, 10 p.m.Sunday Italian soccer league: Inter Milan v Udinese RCTI, 9 p.m.

Paiton Energy dismayed by court's decision

Paiton Energy dismayed by court's decision JAKARTA (JP): Independent power producer PT Paiton Energy said on Friday it would appeal the Central Jakarta district court's decision barring it from pursuing arbitration against state owned electricity company PT PLN.

Seven people detained over flag-hoisting

Seven people detained over flag-hoisting JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Seven people, including two Germany-based journalists, were still being detained on Friday in Timika, following a violent incident on Thursday over the separatist West Papua Morning Star flag.

PDI-P denies moves to undermine axis force

PDI-P denies moves to undermine axis force JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) rejected on Friday accusations that it was behind a plan to methodically undermine the "axis force".

School's out for Ramadhan; 21-year policy reversed

School's out for Ramadhan; 21-year policy reversed JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education announced on Friday that schools would be closed during Ramadhan, which begins next week, to allow children to spend more time to learn about spiritual and ethical lessons at home during the Islamic...