Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 February 1999

51 articles found

Skepticism greets new antimonopoly law

Skepticism greets new antimonopoly law JAKARTA (JP): Analysts remain unsure whether the new law to prevent monopolies and unfair competition can be effectively implemented, due to the lack of a clear definition of a key term and the law's adverse social impact on the crisis-hit nation.

Ricky and Rexy have nothing to lose at Grand Prix finals

Ricky and Rexy have nothing to lose at Grand Prix finals JAKARTA (JP): Olympic men's doubles champions Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky say they will not crack under heavy pressure and will win the Grand Prix badminton finals next week."We just want to enjoy the game out there.

Govt to extend social safety net spending period

Govt to extend social safety net spending period JAKARTA (JP): The director general of the budget at the Ministry of Finance, Darsjah, said on Friday that the government would revise spending on the multibillion dollar social safety net program next month following recent findings of corruption and...

Contraceptives hard to come by

Contraceptives hard to come by CILACAP, Central Java: Soaring prices and dwindling supplies mean 600,000 people may lose their access to contraceptives, according to the head of the provincial family planning board, Djoko Rusmoro.

'Monitor' tabloid to hit newsstands

'Monitor' tabloid to hit newsstands JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Information has given the green light for the publication of new daily tabloid Monitor, executives of the publication said on Friday.Chief editor Zaim Uchrowi and managing editor Eko Supriyanto said the tabloid, whose permit was...

Lucky draw ups Nokia sales

Lucky draw ups Nokia sales JAKARTA (JP): Finland-based cellular phone producer Nokia said yesterday its lucky draw program had significantly boosted its phone sales in Indonesia.The manager of marketing and sales for Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia, Hasan Aula, said that Nokia's collaboration with...

Timah's profit up 190% due to rupiah plunge

Timah's profit up 190% due to rupiah plunge JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Tambang Timah announced more than a 190 percent increase in consolidated net profit to Rp 518.18 billion (US$61 million) in 1998 from Rp 177.8 billion in the previous year.

Christie's to open Thai branch

Christie's to open Thai branch BANGKOK (AFP): International auctioneer Christie's announced plans on Friday to open a branch in Thailand following its success last year selling art belonging to the country's bankrupt finance firms.

Thirty-two Indonesians go AWOL in Japan

Thirty-two Indonesians go AWOL in Japan TOKYO (AFP): Thirty-two Indonesians have disappeared and have presumably overstayed their visas after entering Japan as members of a delegation to a trade fair in Osaka last year, media reports said on Friday.

ICW reveals pirate VCD control scam

ICW reveals pirate VCD control scam JAKARTA (JP): Coordinator of the working council of Indonesian Corruption Watch Teten Masduki alleged on Friday that a grandson of former president Soeharto moved in on the legalization of pirated video compact discs in Indonesia.

Team-11 asks for PDI to be disqualified

Team-11 asks for PDI to be disqualified JAKARTA (JP): Team Eleven, the verification committee tasked with deciding the eligibility of poll contestants, will recommend that the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) be disqualified from participating in the June 7 general elections.

Prabowo defends May 22 actions

Prabowo defends May 22 actions JAKARTA (JP): Prabowo Subianto, the Army lieutenant general President B.J. Habibie accused this week of deploying troops around his residence the day after he assumed the presidency in May, said on Friday he took the action as part of his duty to protect the new head...

The tale from the tape

The tale from the tape The fact that many Indonesians look in quite a jovial mood these days does not mean that the devastating economic crisis has ended. They simply say they have a jocular topic in their daily conversation: the leakage of a telephone conversation between President B.J.

Global Jaya fetes Indonesia

Global Jaya fetes Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Global Jaya School is organizing an event to educate its students about Indonesia's cultural riches.The international standard school in Bintaro, South Jakarta, announced on Friday that the Indonesian Cultural Celebrations on Tuesday and Wednesday were...

Military's rural activities inspected

Military's rural activities inspected JAKARTA (JP): A team responsible for the operational affairs of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) 60th rural development program (AMD) launched a three-day field inspection to observe the implementation of the project in Greater Jakarta.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 19, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 25 500 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -25 847,000 Alumindo Perkasa...

Downer meets with Jayakumar

Downer meets with Jayakumar SINGAPORE (Reuters): Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and his Singapore counterpart S. Jayakumar will hold talks from Sunday on political, economic and security issues, including Indonesia and Myanmar.

Oil and gas earnings lower than expected, says Kuntoro

Oil and gas earnings lower than expected, says Kuntoro JAKARTA (JP): State revenues from oil and gas exports for the current fiscal year is unlikely to meet the budget target due to lower crude oil prices and a stronger rupiah.

Slamet Abdul Sjukur shows the art of noise in Bandung

Slamet Abdul Sjukur shows the art of noise in BandungBy Aendra H. Medita BANDUNG (JP): Simple sounds made by a human mouth have created new possibilities in music for one contemporary composer- musician.

'Cowboy' food stalls prove popular among students

'Cowboy' food stalls prove popular among studentsBy Israr Ardiansyah YOGYAKARTA (JP): Darto entered a "cowboy" food stall, took two portions of rice, a piece of fried tempeh, a piece of fried tofu, and ordered one glass of hot tea, all of which immediately disappeared down his throat.

Hoodlums frighten Bogor traders

Hoodlums frighten Bogor traders BOGOR (JP): Most traders and street vendors in Bogor have become increasingly edgy due to intimidation from hoodlums, who they say frequently extort money from them.They say there is nothing they can do but meet their demands for fear of being evicted from their...

Telkom owns up to 21 fold hike in peak hour call rates

Telkom owns up to 21 fold hike in peak hour call rates JAKARTA (JP): An executive of state telecommunications operator PT Telkom has admitted that the telephone tariff here has been hiked 21 fold for local long-distance calls made during peak hours as per Feb. 1.

Habibie urges KONI to fight for Asiad in 2006

Habibie urges KONI to fight for Asiad in 2006 JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie asked the National Sports Council (KONI) on Friday to fight hard to win Indonesia's bid to host the Asian Games in 2006.

Don't mess with elections, General Wiranto insists

Don't mess with elections, General Wiranto insists JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday he would not tolerate any attempt to foil or disturb the June general election and presidential election later this year.

Deputy governor post to be filled

Deputy governor post to be filled JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday that he would appoint one of his subordinates as deputy governor for economic and financial affairs as the position has been vacant for about six months.

Absurd acts of obstruction

Absurd acts of obstruction I sat amazed in a traffic jam observing Indonesian drivers vying for an inch of space, while outside their mostly leaded cars, poor children hawking their wares or musical talents for spare change.

Rupiah drifts lower on regional bearishness

Rupiah drifts lower on regional bearishness JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah drifted down on Friday to close at 8,850 against the U.S. dollar as the Japanese yen sank further ahead of a weekend meeting of the Group of Seven in Bonn, currency dealers said.

Who are the true reformists?

Who are the true reformists?By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): Who are the true reformists in Indonesia? Finding an answer to this question is a near impossible feat, so it is best to learn the lesson that in politics, there is simply no permanent friend or foe.

ABRI to probe phone tap scandal

ABRI to probe phone tap scandal JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said the Armed Forces (ABRI) will immediately investigate the authenticity of the purported phone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib.

IFC will retructure loans to Hotel Santika Nusajaya

IFC will retructure loans to Hotel Santika Nusajaya JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation has agreed to restructure the debt of PT Hotel Santika Nusajaya, the property division of media giant Kompas Gramedia Group.

Are personal safety devices legal?

Are personal safety devices legal? My wife and I (both Australians) have been living in Indonesia for four years working on government infrastructure projects (railway projects for Perumka) based in Purwokerto in Central Java.

Dollar episode

Dollar episode I decided to close my BALIDOLAR account with Bank Bali's Pondok Indah branch on Feb. 17, 1999. After the usual deductions, the final figure I was to be paid was US$190.57. The bank staff informed me that they were not in a position to pay me my due since they did not have dollar...

Phone tapping report leads to uproar

Phone tapping report leads to uproar JAKARTA (JP): An uproar has ensued following reports of the tapping of a purported telephone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib as observers expressed concern over what they said was a crude political ploy.

Laid-off workers demand insurance payments

Laid-off workers demand insurance payments JAKARTA (JP): More than 500 garment workers rallied at state- owned social security firm PT Jamsostek on Wednesday to demand insurance payments more than three years after they were laid off when their company folded.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 19, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,775.00 8,875.00 8,775.00 8,925.00Australian dollar 1 5,528.45 5,687.25 5,475.00 5,725.00Austrian schilling 1 710.10 725.15 - -Belgian franc 1 242.

SE Asian monies feel effects of yen

SE Asian monies feel effects of yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies started to slip in earnest against a surging U.S. dollar in late trading on Friday, playing catch-up to the yen's continued slide against the U.S. currency this week, traders and economists said.

Tire shop, residence burgled in C. Jakarta

Tire shop, residence burgled in C. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A tire shop and a private residence where robbed early on Friday in Central Jakarta, with the burglars making away with goods worth tens of millions of rupiah.The first robbery occurred at PD Radial Ban, a tire shop on Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya.

Malnutrition hits C. Java infants

Malnutrition hits C. Java infants SEMARANG, Central Java: A survey conducted by the provincial health office here found 55 infants and toddlers in Central Java suffering from severe malnutrition.All aged under five years, the children live in 14 regencies in the province.

Golkar offers to assist E. Timor solution

Golkar offers to assist E. Timor solution JAKARTA (JP): Golkar's central board announced on Friday it would form a special team to support the choice of wide-ranging autonomy for troubled East Timor.In a statement issued here, the once dominant political grouping which has now officially...

Telephone tariff rates effective as of Feb. 1, 1999

Telephone tariff rates effective as of Feb. 1, 1999 No. Distance Hours Tariff Pulse------------------------------------------------------------1. Up to 20 km anytime Rp 180 180.00 sec2. 20 kms to 30 km anytime Rp 180 120.00 sec3. 30 kms to 200 km 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Rp 180 17.50 sec 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Activist insists KPU members must be credible

Activist insists KPU members must be credible JAKARTA (JP): To save the General Election Committee (KPU) from skepticism, the government must appoint individuals who are credible and respected by the country as its representatives in the body, the Movement for National Justice and Unity (GKPB)...

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions* Painting Exhibition: by Lie Tjoen Tjay, Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), until Feb. 28. * Painting Exhibition: The Life is Short, the Art is Eternal, by Ahmad Sadali and Antok, at Anton's Gallery, Jl. Taman Pendidikan No.

People sign on against violence

People sign on against violence YOGYAKARTA: Thousands of people have signed a 99-meter-long white cloth in protest at the violence occurring in the country.The peaceful protest, dubbed "A Million Signatures for Peace", was organized by the student executive council of Gadjah Mada University.

Tapioca plant in pollution hot water

Tapioca plant in pollution hot water BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: A tapioca factory has paid Rp 7 million compensation to local residents who charged it with environmental pollution and disrupting their livelihood in Central Lampung.

Custom break up 24 smuggling attempts this year

Custom break up 24 smuggling attempts this year TANGERANG (JP): Customs and excise officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have foiled 24 smuggling attempts so far this year, an official said on Friday.

Officials say palace phone system safe

Officials say palace phone system safe JAKARTA (JP): Merdeka Palace officials are vouching for the security of their telephone system and are confident a taped telephone conversation purportedly between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M.

Risks loom for the brave foreign investors in Vietnam

Risks loom for the brave foreign investors in VietnamBy Dean Yates HANOI (Reuters): Few countries have disappointed foreign investors like Vietnam.To many businessmen, Vietnam has gone from being an El Dorado to an investment backwater in less than a decade despite the nation's industrious people...

Banpu's RI coal worth $1.63b

Banpu's RI coal worth $1.63b BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's Banpu company has confirmed that a recent discovery of coal reserves in Indonesia was worth an estimated US$1.63 billion at today's market price, news reports and company officials said Friday.

Telkom's increased rates

Telkom's increased ratesFrom MerdekaMany telephone subscribers have protested the new rates introduced by Telkom telephone company. Even House Of Representative members have joined in the protests. However, the Telkom board of directors remains intransigent in its shocking decision.

Ministry weighs banking layoffs

Ministry weighs banking layoffs JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower is considering potential dismissals in the banking sector as the government decides which banks will be liquidated.Ministry secretary-general Suwarto told a workshop here on migrant workers that the subject was discussed in a...

Live TV shows

Live TV shows JAKARTA (JP): Sports competitions to be broadcast live this weekend on local TVs (all times in West Indonesia Time):Saturday English soccer league: Coventry City v Manchester United, SCTV at 10 p.m.Sunday Italian soccer league: Lazio v Inter Milan, RCTI at 8:55 p.m.