Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 March 1999

59 articles found

Ford Motor set to return to Indonesia, official says

Ford Motor set to return to Indonesia, official says SINGAPORE (Reuters): Ford Motor Company is on its way back to Indonesia after shifting its US$100 million project to the Philippines on protest to its national car policy, a company executive said on Wednesday.

One died of anthrax

One died of anthrax MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least one person has died and around 200 have been treated for anthrax, Antara reported Wednesday.The report said the residents of Kota Reo in Reok district, Manggarai regency, complained of red spots after consuming contaminated water buffalo...

PDI Perjuangan debates poll tactics

PDI Perjuangan debates poll tactics JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) executives regrouped in Bogor, West Java on Wednesday to discuss strategies to win the upcoming general election.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on March 10, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,045.00 9,075.00 9,045.00 9,115.00Australian dollar 1 5,708.00 5,801.25 5,684.00 5,884.00Austrian schilling 1 711.19 722.50 - -Belgian franc 1 242.

Peace mission in Ambon

Peace mission in Ambon The decision by Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto to send a high-powered delegation to Ambon must come as a relief to many that someone in the government is finally doing something, instead of simply trying to talk their way out of this national catastrophe.

Indonesia shrimp exports drop 11 percent in 1998

Indonesia shrimp exports drop 11 percent in 1998 JAKARTA (JP): Foreign exchange earnings from shrimp exports increased by 11 percent to US$1.5 billion last year from $1.35 billion in 1997, an executive said here on Wednesday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Mar. 10 , 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 0 50,000 Alumindo Perkasa...

Residents attack police officers during drug raid

Residents attack police officers during drug raid JAKARTA (JP): Four detectives from the City police narcotics unit were wounded by residents of Tanah Abang during a raid on a suspected drug dealer's house on Jl. Baturaja in Central Jakarta in the early hours of Wednesday.

Telkom strives to improve service

Telkom strives to improve service TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang office of state telecommunications operator PT Telkom is striving to improve its service by furthering its cooperation with various partners, an official said on Wednesday.

Deserted Ambon homes targeted for phone abuse

Deserted Ambon homes targeted for phone abuse JAKARTA (JP): Many Ambon residents whose properties were burned or damaged in the two months of unrest in the Maluku capital now find themselves with the additional burden of hefty phone bills from misuse by others.

Rats attack South Kalimantan

Rats attack South Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Thousands of hectares of ricefields set to be harvested in Benua Lima here have been attacked by rats, Antara reported Wednesday."In this village alone more than 100 hectares have been affected," Syarkawi, a farmer in Bangkal village of...

RI economic recovery shaky: WB

RI economic recovery shaky: WB JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank predicted on Wednesday that Indonesia's economy would shrink a minor 1 percent in the 1999/2000 fiscal year before returning to modest growth of 3 percent in the following year, but only if the government sticks to its reform program.

Election committee holds first session

Election committee holds first session JAKARTA (JP): The first plenary session of the new National Election Committee on Wednesday continued to midnight, but the 53 members had yet to decide on the chairman and two deputies.

Polls may rival cheating of the past: Observer

Polls may rival cheating of the past: Observer JAKARTA (JP): This year's general election will greatly resemble those in the past in terms of cheating attributable to political groups defending the status quo, an observer predicts.

Tangerang has fewer haj pilgrims

Tangerang has fewer haj pilgrims TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang regent Agus Djunara said on Wednesday that the number of Muslims from Tangerang performing the haj reached only 351 this year, substantially lower than the 3,000 haj pilgrims last year.

Green Expo to be held in Bogor

Green Expo to be held in Bogor BOGOR (JP): The Agronomy Students Association from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture is scheduled to hold a Green Expo here from March 10 to March 21.The exhibition will consist of various activities, ranging from the sale of various goods, agricultural information...

Habibie 'responsible' for Soeharto probe

Habibie 'responsible' for Soeharto probe JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie must give an accountability report to the People's Consultative Assembly's General Session in October and be held responsible for the outcome of an investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged wealth, a minister...

BMG predicts a 'wet' dry season

BMG predicts a 'wet' dry season JAKARTA (JP): While some areas in Indonesia may suffer from drought, good harvests can be expected as most parts of the country will see enough rain during this year's regular 'dry' season, the state-run Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG)'s predicts.

Seven killed in Bogor collision

Seven killed in Bogor collision BOGOR (JP): Seven people on board an overloaded angkot (public minivan) were killed and four others severely injured when a speeding intercity bus collided with the vehicle at the Sukasari intersection in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Independent Timor will honor oil treaty: Australia envoy

Independent Timor will honor oil treaty: Australia envoy CANBERRA (AP): An independent East Timor would probably seek to renegotiate aspects of the Timor Gap Treaty, but would honor the controversial agreement between Australia and Indonesia, Australia's ambassador to Jakarta said Wednesday.

Restoring peace in East Timor

Restoring peace in East Timor It is vital to disarm groups whose murderous attacks inflame the passion for revenge, escalate violence and so jeopardize hopes of reconciliation among East Timorese. Without reconciliation there can be no peace.

Vietnam gears up for 2003 SEAG bid

Vietnam gears up for 2003 SEAG bid HANOI, Vietnam (AP): Work on a new stadium near Hanoi is expected to start in the second quarter next year in preparation for Vietnam's bid to host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2003, a government official said Wednesday.

Rice steamers, heirloom 'kris' sent to the pawn shop

Rice steamers, heirloom 'kris' sent to the pawn shopBy Gin Kurniawan and Berchman Heroe YOGYAKARTA (JP): Three middle-aged women walked down the steep hill in Rongkop district, Gunungkidul regency. They went to the roadside and waited for hours for the bus that would take them to Wonosari, the...

Three alleged robbers shot dead

Three alleged robbers shot dead JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead on early Wednesday morning three men believed to be members of an armed robbery gang, who last carried out an attack on Saturday.The three dead suspects were identified as Ujang, 30, Rid, 35, and Arsin, 35, all from Subang, West Java,...

Manila offers new pitch on U.S. deal

Manila offers new pitch on U.S. deal MANILA (DPA): The Philippine government said on Wednesday a controversial defense pact with the United States will improve the military's capability in protecting maritime resources and disaster relief missions.

NU to hold its congress in November

NU to hold its congress in November SURABAYA (JP): The 30th national congress of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama will be held in Kediri, East Java in November for five days, an NU executive Said Aqil Siradj said Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition: by Gde Sudarma, at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), March 13 to May 17. * Photo Exhibition: Lumiere, Amour, Creation, by Jacques Francois Xavier Guyot, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort,...

RI forex reserves fall to $14.62 billion

RI forex reserves fall to $14.62 billion JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia announced on Tuesday its net international reserves decreased US$126.8 million to $14.62 billion as of March 5 from the Feb. 26 level of $14.75 billion.Gross foreign assets also dropped to Rp 24.15 billion from Rp 24.

Salim UIC sale sparks more divestment fears

Salim UIC sale sparks more divestment fears SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia's Salim group's stake sale in Singapore's United Industrial Corp Ltd (UIC) has sparked fears of more divestment by Indonesia's former number one tycoon, analysts said.

RP considers IT zone

RP considers IT zone MANILA (AP): The Philippine government is considering the establishment of a special economic zone, primarily for information technology companies, within a 64-hectare (158-acre) site at Fort Bonifacio, a former military camp near Manila's financial district of Makati.

U.S. and IMF working on new credit plan to fend off crisis

U.S. and IMF working on new credit plan to fend off crisis WASHINGTON (Reuters): The United States and the International Monetary Fund said on Monday they were still hammering out the details of a new kind of international loan program to help embattled countries fend off economic turmoil.

Cook, Obasanjo meet in Nigeria

Cook, Obasanjo meet in Nigeria LAGOS, Abuja (AFP): British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was on Wednesday expected to meet Nigeria's president-elect for talks focusing on Nigeria's reentry to the Commonwealth and Nigeria's future involvement in Sierra Leone.

Golkar selects five names for presidency

Golkar selects five names for presidency JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party's three-day congress ended on Wednesday, naming five executives as presidential candidates, with incumbent President B.J. Habibie receiving the most support.

1,000 'becak' drivers rally at City Hall

1,000 'becak' drivers rally at City Hall JAKARTA (JP): About 1,000 pedicab (becak) drivers held a noisy protest in front of City Hall on Wednesday, demanding clarification of their legal status to operate the vehicles in the capital.

Five local paintings in international event

Five local paintings in international eventJP/Aendra H. Medita BANDUNG (JP): Five paintings by local artists, which have been selected for an international competition in London in May, are on display at the Galeri Hidayat in Bandung until Saturday.

City, NSW govt to cooperate on $4b waste water system

City, NSW govt to cooperate on $4b waste water system JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will cooperate with the New South Wales state government in the construction and management of a large-scale waste water system worth about US$4 billion, an official said.

Redefining religion at school

Redefining religion at schoolBy A. Chaedar Alwasilah BANDUNG (JP): Idul Fitri, the Muslim day of festivities following the Ramadhan fasting month, was marked earlier this year by infighting in scattered areas which has continued.

Unsolved cases

Unsolved cases There are so many unsolved cases in Indonesia, especially those which are linked to the former government. We have no doubt that Indonesia is a state based on law and justice, which is easier said than done.

Mahathir struggles in Sabah polls

Mahathir struggles in Sabah polls KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was set on Wednesday to make an 11th hour visit to Sabah state on Borneo island where he faces his first electoral test since firing his former deputy.

SCB opens new banking center

SCB opens new banking center JAKARTA (JP): Standard Chartered Bank opened on Wednesday its second Automated Banking Center in the country in Pondok Indah Mall, South Jakarta.The center follows one opened in September in Kelapa Gading Mall, North Jakarta, the bank said in a statement.

Govt to submit new letter of intent to IMF soon

Govt to submit new letter of intent to IMF soon JAKARTA (JP): The government will submit a new letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately after the announcement of bank closures on Saturday, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita...

APEC finance ministers to meet in Malaysia

APEC finance ministers to meet in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones): Finance ministers from the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation countries will meet in Malaysia May 15-16 to review efforts to promote safe and sustainable capital flows.

Don't talk so much, Wiranto tells Ghalib

Don't talk so much, Wiranto tells Ghalib JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto on Wednesday loudly asked Attorney General Lt. Gen. Andi M. Ghalib to stop talking to journalists when the latter was responding to questions about the progress of...

Rupiah, baht take a fall as other Asian currencies mixed

Rupiah, baht take a fall as other Asian currencies mixed SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Choppy trading in the yen continued to set the tone for dealing in Asia's regional foreign exchange markets Wednesday, leaving Southeast Asian currencies mixed at the end of local hours.

Ambon rocked again, seven killed

Ambon rocked again, seven killed JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of military personnel opened fire on clashing Muslims and Christians in the devastated Maluku capital of Ambon, killing at least seven people and wounding dozens more.

Thai rice exports to fall

Thai rice exports to fall BANGKOK (AP): Increased production from rival rice growing countries means Thailand's rice exports will fall in 1999, the manager of the Thai Rice Exporters Association said on Wednesday.Thai rice exports probably won't exceed 5.5 million tons in 1999, down from 6.

Stolen cars displayed at city police headquarters

Stolen cars displayed at city police headquarters JAKARTA (JP): City police are inviting residents who are recent victims of car thefts to examine 21 vehicles displayed at police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.Chief of the city police detective unit Col.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Exhibition * The World Press Photo, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until March 12.Film * French Film, at CCCL - French Cultural Center: Le Bonheur est dans Le Pre, directed by Etienne Chatillez, until March 12.

INRO blames lack of fund for its failure

INRO blames lack of fund for its failure KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) blamed a lack of funds on Wednesday for its inability to intervene in the markets to stabilize flagging prices.

Ganesha ITB ad. star

Ganesha ITB ad. starFrom Media IndonesiaAs an alumnus of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) with two children now studying at the same campus, I felt concern when I read the advertorial on page 3 of Media Indonesia (March 4, 1999) because ITB, which is the pride of my family, has simply become...

The worth of the remains

The worth of the remains SEOUL (Reuters): South Korean police said they arrested a man who later confessed to stealing the remains of the late father of the Lotte Group chairman and ransoming them for about $650,000.

A banker's nightmare

A banker's nightmare Of late, national banks have come into the public spotlight, because of the inconsistent regulations and announcements of the government. For example, it was announced that national banks which belong to the C-category and could not possibly fulfill the four percent capital...

Students on trial urged to respect court, obey law

Students on trial urged to respect court, obey law JAKARTA (JP): Legal practitioners have asked students on trial to respect the court and obey existing laws.Contacted by The Jakarta Post separately on Wednesday, lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis, Frans Hendra Winarta and Judge Paiman Martoredjo at the...

Jakarta images win jurors over in world photo contest

Jakarta images win jurors over in world photo contestBy K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): As could have been predicted, Indonesia, which in 1998 became one of the world's trouble spots, captured the attention of the 13 judges at the 42nd annual World Press Photo competition.

Police hold off PSSI soccer playoff permit

Police hold off PSSI soccer playoff permit JAKARTA (JP): The National Police are recommending postponement of the Indonesian soccer league playoffs until after the June 7 general election.National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M.

Tambang Timah to buy 30% stake in Prima Coal

Tambang Timah to buy 30% stake in Prima Coal JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state tin company PT Tambang Timah said on Wednesday it planned to buy a 30 percent stake in the country's largest coal mining company, PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC).

Tragedy in Ambon

Tragedy in AmbonFrom RepublikaThe bloody tragedy at dawn in Ambon on March 1 has borne witness to the arbitrariness of members of the security forces. We do not know what their motives were and what their punishment will be.

Bogor mayor's tenure extended

Bogor mayor's tenure extended BOGOR (JP): Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi's tenure, which was scheduled to end on March 7, was extended until further notice by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the absence of suitable candidates to replace him, an official said.

Bayer plans rights shares

Bayer plans rights shares JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed PT Bayer Indonesia plans a rights issue before the end of June to improve its financial structure.In anticipation of the limited public offering, the company's shareholders approved a proposal on Wednesday to double its authorized capital to...