Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 February 1999

47 articles found

Will the student movement succeed?

Will the student movement succeed?By Olle Tornquist OSLO (JP): Almost every day, I am asked two questions. The first is terribly hard to answer in a manner both brief and academically considered: what's happening to democratization in Indonesia?Soeharto's authoritarian state development project is...

On the Timor Gap

On the Timor Gap Indonesia (and Australia, too, perhaps) may not benefit from the natural wealth lying in the Bonaparte Basin, the Timor Sea, if East Timor is given up as one of Indonesia's provinces.According to media reports from Australia and some other sources, an Australian company, BHP, in...

Robbed by children

Robbed by childrenFrom NeracaHoldups of taxi drivers are no longer the monopoly of adults. Teenagers of about 14 years old recently held up a taxi driver. It gives us reason for concern.Recently a taxi driver was menaced by two teenage passengers, one of them holding a knife to him.

RP skeptical about AFTA deal

RP skeptical about AFTA deal MANILA (AFP): Recession-hit local manufacturers face grim prospects with the Philippines set to slash tariff lines in 11 months as part of free trade commitments, a prominent industrialist warned on Monday.

Indonesia's economic developments confusing

Indonesia's economic developments confusing The deterioration of the economy has reached a point where it is difficult to see a solution. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses dilemmas faced by the government.

IMF considers more money for RI

IMF considers more money for RI JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will propose to its executive board additional bailout money for Indonesia to boost its central bank's reserves ahead of the June general election, IMF Asia Pacific director Hubert Neiss said on Monday.

Aceh widows threaten to election boycott

Aceh widows threaten to election boycott JAKARTA (JP): Widows who lost their husbands during a 10-year military operation in Aceh said on Monday they would boycott elections and support a referendum determining Aceh's status if their various demands were not met.

7 killed in riverboat fire

7 killed in riverboat fire PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: At least seven people were killed and four others are missing after a boat caught fire and exploded on a river in the province, Antara reported on Monday.

70 students held for bus hijacking

70 students held for bus hijacking TANGERANG (JP): Seventy high school students were rounded up for their alleged involvement in the hijacking of an inter-city Arimby bus to attack students from another school, an official said.An officer of the Tangerang police precinct Capt.

Competition could slash Singapore insurer numbers, S&P predicts

Competition could slash Singapore insurer numbers, S&P predicts SINGAPORE (Reuters): Unsustainable competition, falling premium rates and shrinking investment earnings will slash the number of insurers operating in Singapore, ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) said on Monday.

Bank, corporate reforms key to Malaysian revival

Bank, corporate reforms key to Malaysian revivalBy Eileen Ng KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Despite signs of stability in its moribund economy, Malaysia must hasten the pace of banking and corporate reforms if it wants to fully restore investor confidence, analysts say.

Gambling dens vandalized

Gambling dens vandalized TANGERANG (JP): More than one hundred angry residents damaged four stalls in Pinang subdistrict here on Sunday night as they were believed to have been used as gambling dens.The residents gathered along Jl. Hasyim Ashari in Cipondoh at about 7 p.m.

1995 elections 'hold clues for today'

1995 elections 'hold clues for today' SEMARANG (JP): Believing the upcoming June 7, 1999 elections will differ significantly from those held between 1971 and 1997 by Soeharto's New Order regime, many have referred to the 1955 elections in search of clues.

200 more people netted in terminal raids

200 more people netted in terminal raids JAKARTA (JP): Police netted 200 more people in their latest raids against suspected drug dealers and other criminals at the city's major bus terminals late Sunday.

Police destroy big haul of heroin, Ecstasy pills

Police destroy big haul of heroin, Ecstasy pills JAKARTA (JP): At least 2,050 grams of heroin and 29,083 Ecstasy pills, confiscated from between August and November last year from three suspects, were destroyed at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday.

Asian currencies close weaker

Asian currencies close weaker SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian currencies closed lower in range-bound trade on Monday as the yen eased against the US dollar, with the Philippine peso and Thai baht pulled down by domestic factors, dealers said.

Police bomb squad kept busy by spate of threats

Police bomb squad kept busy by spate of threatsBy Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): The soaring number of mysterious bomb threats at both state and privately owned properties have kept the National Police Gegana bomb squad very busy in the past few months.

A journey to freedom

A journey to freedom In the nine months of reform, the Armed Forces (ABRI) has accomplished a lot.For far too long, ABRI tried its best to avoid its responsibility concerning genocide in Aceh. But now, finally, the moment of truth has arrived.

RI agrees to vote on E. Timor's future

RI agrees to vote on E. Timor's future JAKARTA (JP): In a move Portuguese foreign minister Jaime Gama called "face-saving for everybody", Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas announced in New York on Sunday that Indonesia accepted the idea of a UN-organized "popular consultation" of...

Local financial mart caught in regional rut

Local financial mart caught in regional rut JAKARTA (JP): The local financial market teetered again on Monday with the rupiah weakening to 8,550 against the U.S. dollar and stock prices sliding 1.4 percent.

Navy repairs Chinese vessel

Navy repairs Chinese vessel SURABAYA: The Navy has completed repairs on a Chinese vessel impounded last Wednesday when it was sailing illegally in local waters, but its 57 passengers reportedly want to remain in Indonesia.Spokesman for the local naval base Lt. Col.

Govt to privatize 10 state-owned firms

Govt to privatize 10 state-owned firms JAKARTA (JP): The government will sell stakes in 10 state- owned companies in the 1999/2000 fiscal year to raise Rp 13 trillion (US$1.5 billion) to help finance the state budget, State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said on Monday.

Overdue telephone bills ring up Rp 9b monthly

Overdue telephone bills ring up Rp 9b monthly JAKARTA (JP): Overdue telephone bills in the greater Jakarta area total about Rp 9 billion per month (about US$1 million), or 4 percent of total billings, an executive of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom said on Monday.

Follow-up directives for civil servants issued

Follow-up directives for civil servants issued JAKARTA (JP): The State Employees Administration issued two detailed directives for civil servants wishing to abandon the bureaucracy for politics, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said on Monday.

Regional autonomy bill will go to House

Regional autonomy bill will go to House JAKARTA (JP): The much-awaited bill on regional autonomy, promising to open the door for civilians to become governors or regents without a presidential endorsement, will go before the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Govt threatens to revoke permits of defiant firms

Govt threatens to revoke permits of defiant firms JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution warned on Monday 33 timber companies would lose their licences if they failed to pay overdue fees by March 1, with the government introducing new rules to bring delinquent firms...

Malaysia's Anwar says he is victim of Cabinet opponents

Malaysia's Anwar says he is victim of Cabinet opponents KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's sacked finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim, on Monday took the witness stand in his criminal trial and said he was the victim of scheming cabinet colleagues who wanted to quash corruption investigations.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.8, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 35,000 Alumindo Light Metal 225 -25 510,000 Alumindo...

Singapore's Chee meets Taiwan opposition leader

Singapore's Chee meets Taiwan opposition leader SINGAPORE (Reuters): Prominent Taiwanese opposition leader and legislator Shih Ming-teh met Singapore opposition politician Chee Soon Juan after Chee's release from jail on Monday in what both said was a show of solidarity.

Govt clears way for tourists to drive cars here

Govt clears way for tourists to drive cars here NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Hoping to boost the arrival of visitors from neighboring countries, the government has issued a new ruling that allows foreign travelers to enter the country by private vehicle, an official has said.

Porcupine attack damages oil palms

Porcupine attack damages oil palms PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Hundreds of porcupines damaged more than 500 trees in a oil palm plantation in Central Kalimantan."Due to the attack, more than 500 oil palm trees were destroyed," a spokesman for plantation owner PT Multi Persada Gatra Megah was...

Asia as battleground for chemicals firms

Asia as battleground for chemicals firms SINGAPORE (AFP): Asia is expected to be a major battleground of the world chemical industry after the region recovers from its present economic crisis, a top Japanese industry executive said here on Monday.Shigenori Koda, chairman of Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

Sabah girl watches landslide kill family

Sabah girl watches landslide kill family KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A landslide crashed through homes on a hillside in East Malaysia, killing 17 people and leaving one 10- year-old girl to watch her family die, a news report said on Monday.

Importer group balks at buying Indian meat

Importer group balks at buying Indian meat JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Meat Importers Association (Aspidi) said on Monday it will not import meat from India even though it has been assigned by the government to do so.Aspidi chairwoman Frieda N.

NTT to expand data-service

NTT to expand data-service TOKYO (Dow Jones): Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (NTT) plans to expand the area for international data communication services offered by its overseas subsidiaries, company sources said in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun's Monday morning edition.

Mob burns alive alleged taxi robber

Mob burns alive alleged taxi robber TANGERANG (JP): Angry with the escalating crime rate, dozens of local residents here poured gasoline over a suspected taxi thief and set him alight in front of the Cikokol market in the early hours of Monday.

Indonesia still pursuing its role in Non-Aligned Movement

Indonesia still pursuing its role in Non-Aligned MovementBy Nana S. Sutresna JAKARTA (JP): One question that is often asked these days by observers and analysts of Indonesian policy is whether the country should continue its well-known active role in the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM).

Armed Forces faces human rights dilemma during transition period

Armed Forces faces human rights dilemma during transition periodBy Aleksius Jemadu LEEDS, United Kingdom (JP): Indonesia's delicate transition to democracy has created a dilemma for the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI).

Rare flower in park vandalized

Rare flower in park vandalized BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Illegal loggers are suspected of ripping up a rare giant rafflesia flower recently discovered in South Bukit Barisan National Park in Kubunicik here, Antara reported.Park official Iwen Y.

Justice ministry comes under fire

Justice ministry comes under fire JAKARTA (JP): Legislators criticized on Monday the use of the safety net funds under the Ministry of Justice, saying that instead of using it to formulate laws and renovate buildings, it was better spent to facilitate legal aid to the needy.

Activists oppose ABRI's order to shoot on sight

Activists oppose ABRI's order to shoot on sight JAKARTA (JP): Observers urged the Armed Forces (ABRI) on Monday to reconsider its shoot-on-sight order against rioters, saying that capturing the masterminds of recent unrest would do more to improve the military's image.

Reebok to dismiss 3,000 RI workers

Reebok to dismiss 3,000 RI workers JAKARTA (JP): American sports clothing line Reebok, in anticipation of shrinking production this year, plans to slash employment of some 3,000 workers in its subcontracting footwear factories in Indonesia, a report says.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Painting Exhibition: Owning Memory, Amanda Johnson (Australian), at Galeripadi, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 329 (Phone: 022 2500578), until Feb. 25.Performances * Theater: Mimpi yang Bicara, Teater Bebas, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl.

ARCO allocates US$50m for 900 golden handshakes

ARCO allocates US$50m for 900 golden handshakes JAKARTA (JP): Oil and gas company Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) Indonesia, the subsidiary of Los Angeles-based ARCO, has set aside US$50 million to compensate about 900 workers who will retire voluntarily, the company said on Monday.

Rates for tax payment, valid from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14

Rates for tax payment, valid from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,475.00Austrian schilling 1 714.89Australian dollar 1 5,383.32Belgian franc 1 243.85Canadian dollar 1 5,595.91Swiss franc 1 5,962.43Deutschemark 1 4,898.56Danish krone 1 1,294.12French franc 1 1,499.64Poundsterling 1 13,855.

Pertamina defends Natuna pipeline plan

Pertamina defends Natuna pipeline plan JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina denied on Monday the allegation that the West Natuna consortium had held an unfair tender to the awarding of the contract for the development of the underwater pipeline megaproject to channel natural gas from...

Archery coach upset with postponed training

Archery coach upset with postponed training JAKARTA (JP): The national archery team's head coach Lee Jae- hyun said on Monday he did not expect his trainees to win berths at the 2000 Olympic Games after the Indonesian Archery Association decided to postpone the centralized training session for one...