Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 March 1999

44 articles found

SAARC to meet on trade

SAARC to meet on trade ISLAMABAD (Reuters): Foreign ministers of a seven-nation South Asian bloc will meet in Colombo on March 18-19 to discuss economic cooperation, including plans to set up a free trade area, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

ICMI offers itself as 'glue' to Islamic parties

ICMI offers itself as 'glue' to Islamic parties JAKARTA (JP): The influential Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) campaigned Sunday for the unity of Muslim political parties, offering itself as the "glue" to bring them all together.

Women's roles need redefenition: Activist

Women's roles need redefenition: Activist JAKARTA (JP): Activists are championing redefinition of women's social, psychological and political roles as crucial in shaping the "New Indonesia" of the reform era.

Crisis forces 40% of Tangerang's 'angkot' to stop operating

Crisis forces 40% of Tangerang's 'angkot' to stop operating TANGERANG (JP): The skyrocketing prices of spare parts for vehicles along with the decreasing number of commuters caused by the closure of a number of companies here have forced many angkot (public minivan) owners to halt their services.

ASEAN finance ministers to focus on averting crises

ASEAN finance ministers to focus on averting crises HANOI (AFP): Finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Hanoi this week to discuss greater regional financial integration and an early warning system to avert new crises.

Minister informed of obscene and threat calls

Minister informed of obscene and threat calls JAKARTA (JP): State junior high school SMP 49 has filed a report with the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding obscene and threatening phone calls received by 30 of its students last month, an official of the school said on Saturday.

EU pitches new bid to rescue ASEAN talks

EU pitches new bid to rescue ASEAN talks ELTVILLE, Germany (AFP): European Union foreign ministers on Sunday agreed a new initiative aimed at salvaging relations with ASEAN, currently on ice because of a dispute over contacts with Myanmar, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said.

Govt cold shoulders Irian Jaya independence bid

Govt cold shoulders Irian Jaya independence bid JAKARTA (JP): Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi confirmed on Saturday the government's disapproval of demands for independence from the country's easternmost province."The demand for independence raised by a group of Irianese before President B.J.

City water deal

City water deal We wish to clarify the content of a news report published in The Jakarta Post of March 12, 1999, on page three, under the headline of "ICW links Soeharto to city water deal". Since your report quoted the statement of Mr.

Bomb threat forces emergency landing

Bomb threat forces emergency landing LOS ANGELES (AP): A Philippine Airlines 747 made an emergency landing after a person called in a bomb threat, officials said.Flight 103 to Manila was called back to Los Angeles International Airport at 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday night (10:30 a.m.

Give the govt a chance

Give the govt a chanceFrom Media IndonesiaI have some ideas to help solve the difficulties faced by the nation mainly in cases like that in Ambon and especially problems in general that may cause disintegration.

Danish shuttler shatters Indonesia's Taufik dream

Danish shuttler shatters Indonesia's Taufik dream BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP): Peter Gade Christensen, the world number one from Denmark, ended his long wait for a major title and succeeded a long line of Danish greats when he won the All- England title on Sunday.

Mass rallies may be banned in campaigning

Mass rallies may be banned in campaigning JAKARTA (JP): The 53 members of the newly established National Elections Committee (KPU) are to convene on Monday morning to discuss a draft code of conduct for election campaigning, which includes a ban on mass mobilization of supporters.

Navy practices helping riot victims

Navy practices helping riot victims JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy is currently conducting integrated training exercises to handle the evacuation of and first aid for riot victims in Jakarta, in anticipation of possible riots around the June 7 general election and the General Assembly Sessions.

Experts warn against money politics in poll

Experts warn against money politics in poll JAKARTA (JP): Observers again warned of the possibility of money politics wreaking havoc with the June 7 general election, committed especially by major political parties with great resources.

Soccer chief ponders changing league venue

Soccer chief ponders changing league venue JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesia's soccer authorities are considering a plan to shift the venue of league matches from Jakarta to a stadium outside the capital for fear of unrest disrupting the competition, it was reported here Sunday.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition by Sem Cornelyoes Bangun, at Galeri Cipta III, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until March 22. * Painting Exhibition: Menjaring Waktu, by Iskandar Syah, at Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan...

Bodies of jobseekers found

Bodies of jobseekers found PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The remaining six bodies of nine people who were aspiring to work overseas and allegedly killed by their recruiting agent have been found, police said Saturday.

Asia's politics challenge Singapore economy: Lee

Asia's politics challenge Singapore economy: Lee HONG KONG (Reuters): The biggest challenge that Singapore faces is Southeast Asia's political instability, rather than the direct economic impact of the region's financial crisis, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

RI, Russian firms sign $30 million barter deal

RI, Russian firms sign $30 million barter deal JAKARTA (JP): Tirtamas Comexindo and Insani Cooperative have secured a barter deal worth US$30 million from Russian Geo Spectrum.Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Cacuk Sudariyanto said Tirtamas and Insani, under the agreement signed on...

Biomass fuels, source of common man's energy

Biomass fuels, source of common man's energyBy Otto Soemarwoto BANDUNG (JP): Very little attention is being given to biomass fuels, which primarily consist of wood, charcoal and agricultural residues. The government almost never mentions them.

Regional market focuses on Indonesia

Regional market focuses on Indonesia SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesia will be under the regional market spotlight this week as Jakarta overhauls its banks and grapples with political uncertainty ahead of the June polls, dealers and analysts said.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

A friend in need is a friend indeed JAKARTA (JP): Tales of crime and violence here have given many people the impression that the capital has reverted to the law of the jungle, but friendship apparently still exists.On Sunday it even saved the life of M. Nur Sulaiman, a 20-year-old tire repairman.

Rahardi challenges associations over resignation call

Rahardi challenges associations over resignation call JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan has challenged critical business associations which recently demanded all economic ministers to quit, to talk the matter over at his office.

Councilor urges orderly collection of parking fees

Councilor urges orderly collection of parking fees JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged the city parking agency on Saturday to put in order parking attendants who collect parking fees at places which are not subject to such a collection.

Think, E. Timor brothers

Think, E. Timor brothersFrom Sinar PagiSeeing the reports in the media on East Timor, I think that the proposal and explanation by foreign minister Ali Alatas to free the province if the first option is rejected, is not the result of international pressure but that of Portugal and Australia and...

Pros and cons

Pros and consFrom Sinar PagiThere are many pros and cons in this era of reform. It is only logical, our country is getting acquainted with democracy for the first time. The student demonstrations, the presence of vigilantes, the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, the existence...

Will new govt heed Anderson's plea?

Will new govt heed Anderson's plea?By Lance Castles YOGYAKARTA (JP): After a quarter century of malicious exclusion from what he wanted to be his second country, the belated return of prominent American Indonesianist Ben Anderson appears in the media as a triumphal progress.

Economists hail banking move

Economists hail banking move JAKARTA (JP): Analysts and businessmen hailed the government's decision on Saturday to close down 38 insolvent private banks, take over seven more and recapitalize nine others, but reiterated that the success of the bank restructuring program lies in subsequent measures.

Searching for a leader

Searching for a leader Who will be our next president? If one were to ask this question of the average Indonesian, he is likely to answer with a single name, without much further thought or argument. Our people are not used to making choices.

Myanmar FM in Philippines

Myanmar FM in Philippines MANILA (AFP): Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung arrived here on Sunday for a brief visit during which he is expected to seek the Philippines' support for his country's inclusion in a dialog between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union...

Unhalu admits Ambon students

Unhalu admits Ambon students KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: State-run Haluoleo University (Unhalu) here has admitted 40 Pattimura University students who fled the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon.The university's head of education and information services, La Otjo Oti, confirmed over the weekend the...

Portuguese envoy holds talks with E. Timor bishops

Portuguese envoy holds talks with E. Timor bishops JAKARTA (JP): The head of Portugal's diplomatic post here, Ana Gomes, on Sunday met with two leading East Timor bishops on her second day of visit scheduled to end Tuesday.

Frenchwoman turns from reporting to studying Islam

Frenchwoman turns from reporting to studying IslamBy Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): If there is anyone with a clear view of the interreligious conflicts in Indonesia, it is Andre Feillard, a French historian specializing in Indonesian studies.

Kuntoro has tough task in securing House nod

Kuntoro has tough task in securing House nodBy Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto will be traversing a rocky road over the next few months in his quest to secure approval for the oil and gas bill from the House of Representatives.

Asia stronger but fretting over yuan, yen

Asia stronger but fretting over yuan, yen HONG KONG (Reuters): Yen weakness and the chance of a Chinese devaluation reasserted themselves last week as Asia's most sensitive pressure points but analysts said the region is increasingly able to cope with both risks.

Dirty sweep of banks

Dirty sweep of banks The multibillion dollar bank clean up, though the most massive of such an effort ever attempted, is not as extensive or transparent as one would expect for the vital process of restoring public confidence in the banking industry.

IBRA to take on up to 30% of closed banks' employees

IBRA to take on up to 30% of closed banks' employees JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to recruit from 20 percent to 30 percent of the 17,000 employees laid off following new bank closures, the agency's vice chairman Eko Budianto said on Saturday.

Senen bus drivers upset of soldier

Senen bus drivers upset of soldier JAKARTA (JP): The busy Senen bus terminal in Central Jakarta was tense on Sunday when scores of drivers flocked to a nearby police station and threatened to attack the post shortly after a soldier had beaten one of their colleagues.

Former aide of Anwar calls for ouster of Mahathir

Former aide of Anwar calls for ouster of Mahathir KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): A former aide to sacked Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim returned here on Sunday after six months of self-imposed exile, calling for a new political movement to topple Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Weapons seized by military in Maluku

Weapons seized by military in Maluku JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of knives and other sharp weapons were confiscated in raids on Sunday as security personnel searched homes as well as travelers entering and leaving Ambon in Maluku province.

Officials evade land tax payment

Officials evade land tax payment BANDUNG: Hundreds of current and former top government officials who own land or houses here have not paid taxes, a local revenue agency official said on Saturday.The head of the Bandung mayoralty revenue agency, Dada Rosada, said arrears amounted to billions of...

Police search for businessman's body in river

Police search for businessman's body in river JAKARTA (JP): Acting on suspects' testimony, police detectives on Sunday searched the Banjir Kanal River in North Jakarta to find the corpse of a businessman believed to have been killed late last month.

Diarrhea kills eight people

Diarrhea kills eight people KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: At least eight people have died and 70 others were treated at local community health centers after a diarrhea outbreak in South Central Timor regency, an official said on Saturday.