Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 March 1999

58 articles found

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 Morning News 7:00 Children's Songs 7:30 TV Series 8:00 Music 8:30 Tour and Travel 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.

Telkom's partners seek revision of KSO scheme

Telkom's partners seek revision of KSO scheme JAKARTA (JP): The five private partners of state-owned PT Telkom urged the telecommunications operator on Wednesday to revise their current joint operations scheme, which they claimed was "flawed". Gatot S.

Anak Krakatau increasingly active

Anak Krakatau increasingly active SERANG, West Java: Mount Anak Krakatau, a volcano standing in the Sunda Strait, has been showing increasing activity -- marked by occasional explosions -- since mid-February, local sources said here Tuesday. People living closest to the volcano have continually been put under an "alert" status while tourists have been banned from visiting it.

Government divided over plans to expose bad bankers

Government divided over plans to expose bad bankers JAKARTA (JP): The government is still undecided whether to go ahead with plans to expose the central bank's list of bad bankers on March 13, according to Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Sjahril Sabirin. He said on Wednesday that disclosing the "black list" of bad bankers to the public had its benefits and disadvantages.

NTT builds more vocational schools

NTT builds more vocational schools KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province is building three vocational schools, two of which will be funded by the Japanese government. The head of the province's education and culture office, Abraham Gampar, told Antara on Wednesday that Japan had allocated Rp 14 billion (US$1.6 million) under the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund to help the province build schools in the East Flores and Mbay regencies.

Ministers wary over telephone bugging

Ministers wary over telephone bugging By Kornelius Purba JAKARTA (JP): The uproar over the recently leaked telephone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Lt. Gen. A.M. Ghalib has forced some ministers to reduce usage of their telephones, especially the cellular variety. One of the ministers warned phonetappers their activities were a major sin.

Manila Y2K summit asks for WB, ADB aid

Manila Y2K summit asks for WB, ADB aid MANILA (Reuters): Eighteen Asia-Pacific nations and economies on Wednesday appealed for funding from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other international financial institutions to rid the region of the millennium bug. They made the appeal in a 16-point Manila declaration summing up the action they had agreed on during the three-day second global Y2K summit in the Philippine capital.

BI's net claim on govt rises to Rp 120.9t

BI's net claim on govt rises to Rp 120.9t JAKARTA (JP): The government has issued bonds worth Rp 144.5 trillion (US$16.3 billion) to Bank Indonesia to cover liquidity support to troubled commercial banks. It helped multiply the central bank's net claim on the government by Rp 147.9 trillion to Rp 120.9 trillion as of Feb. 26 from the Feb. 23 level of minus Rp 26.9 trillion, BI said in a statement on Wednesday.

Stray bullet strikes woman in S. Jakarta

Stray bullet strikes woman in S. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A housewife was hit by a bullet thought to be fired by a motorcyclist in Rawajati Barat, Pancoran district, South Jakarta on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Kasni, 37, a mother of four, who runs a food stall in Rawajati Barat with her 44-year-old husband, Syahri. Kasni, who was wounded in the left shoulder, was rushed to private Budhi Asih hospital on Jl. Dewi Sartika in East Jakarta. South Jakarta Police chief detective Capt.

S'pore told to disregard RI snipes

S'pore told to disregard RI snipes SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore must not be intimidated by disparaging remarks made about it by Indonesian leaders, the Straits Times newspaper said on Wednesday. "In responding to unreasonable remarks that border on the presumptuous, it is necessary for Singaporeans to show that they are not intimidated," the pro-government paper said in an editorial.

Search for soldiers bodies ended

Search for soldiers bodies ended SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Rescue workers ended on Wednesday their search for the bodies of three soldiers who are believed to have died after their boat capsized in Mahakam River more than two weeks ago. The military commander of Samarinda, Lt. Col. Rudy Landung, said the rescue team would end their search, but surveillance around the spot of the accident would continue.

Paintings show life for street kids

Paintings show life for street kids By Chandra Johan SANUR, Bali (JP): Two boys are sexually abused in the middle of the road. A policeman is seen brandishing his cudgel at nothing in particular. Across the road a scavenging child witnesses the incident, but can do nothing. The scene is depicted in Tragedy Bool-Boolan (Tragedy of Sodomy), a painting on board created by Ipul, a 16-year-old street kid in Bandung. Certainly, Ipul isn't your typical young painter.

Quadruplets die in Bali

Quadruplets die in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: The last of Indonesia's first set of quadruplets conceived by artificial insemination died in Bali on Tuesday, less than a week after they were born on Thursday, Feb. 25. Antara said the other three quadruplets died soon after birth in Bali's capital of Denpasar. Hospital spokesman I. Putu Putra Wisada confirmed the report. The babies had not yet been given names by their parents, Dr. Godra and Mrs. Mastuti, who are residents of Pedungan.

Singapore's Ong to U.S. for checkup

Singapore's Ong to U.S. for checkup SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore President Ong Teng Cheong left for the United States for "a routine medical checkup", and is expected to return on March 7, the government said on Wednesday. Ong, 61, suffered from a recurrence of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphoid cells, in July, and underwent a course of chemotherapy. He is going to Stanford, California, on this trip.

Doomsday ruled out but Y2K may hit Asia hard

Doomsday ruled out but Y2K may hit Asia hard MANILA (AFP): A worldwide recession will not occur, Russian nuclear missiles will not accidentally launch themselves and phone lines will not go dead on the stroke of New Year's Day next year. Experts at a three-day global meeting on the "millennium bug" ruled out Doomsday scenarios but warned on Wednesday that Asia still has to catch up with the rest of the world in preparing for the computer-spawned problem.

Cultural freedom for ethnic Chinese

Cultural freedom for ethnic Chinese I fully support the idea of Indonesia ratifying an international convention on the legal protection of and equal rights for ethnic minorities. In fact, without waiting for Indonesia's ratification of this convention, Habibie's administration should issue a regulation granting cultural freedom to the ethnic Chinese and revoking all prohibitions imposed on them. With the enforcement of such a regulation: 1.

Principals 'responsible' for student brawls

Principals 'responsible' for student brawls JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor has underlined the importance of sacking a school principal if any student of the school he supervises dies in a street brawl. This is in a bid to reduce the number of such fatalities. "The school principal is the one entrusted by the community with their children's safety.

Insurance employees seeking justice over unpaid salaries

Insurance employees seeking justice over unpaid salaries JAKARTA (JP): All 60 employees at the head office of privately owned PT Buana Putra life insurance company, lodged complaints at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute on Wednesday, saying that their salary had not been paid since last August.

Suspicious cable installation

Suspicious cable installation I'm very disappointed with one of Indovision's agents. It happened one month ago when someone from "Spectrum" (their office is at Jl. Fatmawati) called at my house to install the mini- parabola from Indovision. Indovision offers all their customers a mini-parabola, including 20 meters of cable, free of charge, if the customer pays one year's subscription in advance.

Law of the jungle

Law of the jungle From Merdeka It seems that the law of the jungle has moved to town. Could it be caused by the fact that most of our forests have been destroyed or burned by greedy forest concessionaires? To recall the tragedies occurring in many parts of the country recently like Malang, Banyuwangi, Ketapang, Ambon, Sambas, Aceh etc. makes my hair stand on end. Indonesians, usually noted for their hospitality, smiles and friendliness, have now become bestial -- cruel, wild and violent.

Asia lacks corporate governance

Asia lacks corporate governance SEOUL (Reuters): Good corporate governance does not conflict with Asian values or the values of any other region of the world, a senior official of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Wednesday. "One can overplay the question of Asian, non-Asian or Western values," Joanna Shelton, OECD deputy secretary-general, told a news conference.

E. Timorese groups trade blame for exodus

E. Timorese groups trade blame for exodus JAKARTA (JP): The pro-integration East Timorese calling themselves Besi Merah Putih (Red and White Iron) denied on Wednesday intimidating hundreds of Maubara residents in Liquica regency into fleeing their town. Coordinator of the group Manuel Sousa claimed the exodus of 300 Maubara residents from the regency, which is 38 kilometers west of Dili, was in fact triggered by the terror launched by members of the pro-independence group, Falintil.

Bayu-Undan LPG project postponed

Bayu-Undan LPG project postponed MELBOURNE (Dow Jones): The Bayu-Undan liquefied petroleum gas and condensate project in the Timor Sea is to be postponed in the wake of political and commodity price uncertainty, Australian oil and gas company Petroz NL said Wednesday. The lead partners in the project, U.S.-based Phillips Petroleum Co. (P) and Australia's Broken Hill Proprietary Co.

Universal's credit to farmers

Universal's credit to farmers JAKARTA (JP): Bank Universal has provided a total of Rp 274.5 billion (US$32 million) in credit to smallholding oil palm farmers in Indragiri Hulu, Riau as a plank of the bank's participation in national rural development. Company president Stephen Z Satyahadi said in a statement the credit had been given to the farmers on Saturday through rural cooperatives Langgeng, Sawit Jaya and Sawit Raya of which they were members.

Plane passenger caught with ecstasy

Plane passenger caught with ecstasy TANGERANG (JP): A male passenger of a Garuda Indonesia flight heading for the East Java capital of Surabaya was arrested for possession of 400 ecstasy pills in the departure hall of Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Wednesday. Tangerang Police chief detective Capt. Krisnadi said the suspect, Hendy Septian, 36, was apprehended as he was about to enter the plane.

PT Freeport in fresh environmental dispute

PT Freeport in fresh environmental dispute JAKARTA (JP): The Irian Jaya legislative body has established a team to investigate environmental damage blamed on the mining operations of PT Freeport Indonesia in Mimika. The speaker of the legislative body, T.N. Kaiway, told Antara on Wednesday that the inquiry was prompted by a recent rally staged by students grouped in the Environment Lover.

Indonesia not safe: Poll respondents

Indonesia not safe: Poll respondents JAKARTA (JP): Most people in Indonesia say they do not feel safe because of the recent bloody riots rocking various parts of the archipelago, according to a new survey. The poll, conducted in mid-February, asked a total of 1,234 people in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Medan and Ujungpandang about the current standard of public security. Forty-nine percent rated it "bad" while 28 percent said it was "very bad".

U.S. lawmakers urge dialog to settle Irian issue

U.S. lawmakers urge dialog to settle Irian issue WASHINGTON (AFP): U.S. legislators are urging dialog between Jakarta and the separatist eastern province of Irian Jaya, ahead of a visit to Indonesia by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Five House members urged President B.J. Habibie to launch "a genuine process of dialog ... (as) the most constructive means of resolving the longstanding and ongoing human rights problems in Irian Jaya." The letter, dated Feb.

Nokia eyes affluent segment

Nokia eyes affluent segment JAKARTA (JP): Finnish cellular phone manufacturer Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia launched a new product on Wednesday to tap into the upmarket business segment. Nokia sales and marketing manager Hasan Aula said the relatively expensive cellular device would be marketed to businesspeople relatively unaffected by the country's economic crisis.

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., March 3-12. Film * French Film, at CCCL - French Cultural Center : Chacun cherce son chat, directed by Klapisch Cidric, on March 5. Le Bonheur est dans Le Pre, directed by Etienne Chatillez, March 8-12. Performances * Theater: Beckett, by Teater Garasi from Yogyakarta, Petra University, Jl. Siwalankerto 121-131, 7 p.m., March 9.

Witnesses hint Anwar beating was premeditated

Witnesses hint Anwar beating was premeditated KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Two police officers testified on Wednesday that Malaysia's former police chief ordered jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim handcuffed and blindfolded before beating him the night of his arrest -- evidence the controversial attack may have been premeditated. Their testimony contradicts that of the police chief, who has said he beat Anwar only after the former deputy prime minister provoked him with insults.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 3, 1999: ---------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 0 2,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,475 75 3,193,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.

Vietnam submits 2003 Games bid

Vietnam submits 2003 Games bid HANOI (AP): A proposal for Vietnam to host the 2003 Southeast Asian Games was to be submitted Wednesday to the government for consideration, the Thanh Nien newspaper reported. Under the proposal, Hanoi, five northern provinces and the southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City would be the sites of the competition. Vietnam also set a target of ranking third at the games, which are held every two years. Vietnam finished fifth at the last games in Jakarta in 1997.

Hendro favored to stay head of judo association

Hendro favored to stay head of judo association JAKARTA (JP): A.M. Hendro Priyono, incumbent chairman of the Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI), is a strong candidate to remain head of the association at its congress this weekend, an official said on Wednesday. Subardi Suar, head of the association's student training center, said Hendro had expressed his willingness to lead the association for a second four-year term if he was the unanimous choice of PJSI's members.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on March 3, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibition * Photo Exhibition: Lumiere, Amour, Creation, by Jacques Francois Xavier Guyot, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran (Phone: 0361 701010), 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., until March 22. Music and entertainment * Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Nusa Dua (Phone: 0361 771210): - Budaya Cultural Theatre: Ramayana Balet, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Legong Dance, Friday, 8 p.m. - Raja's Table: Guitarist, Vocalist, Tuesday to Sunday, 8 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

Economic crisis affects students

Economic crisis affects students MALANG, East Java: With the economic crisis far from over, more than 35 percent of the students at state-run Brawijaya University here are relying on scholarships to continue their studies, the university rector, Eka Afnan Troena, said. Eka said on Wednesday that the students, about 8,000, received scholarships from various sources, including the central bank and state-owned postal company PT Pos Indonesia.

KL to get $890m from Japan

KL to get $890m from Japan TOKYO (Reuters): Japan said on Wednesday it had agreed to extend 107.69 billion yen ($890 million) in long-term loans at low interest rates to Malaysia as part of its financial aid program to help revitalize the country's economy. The loans would be used to finance improvements in education, protecting the environment and helping small businesses, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

'The Jakarta Post' distributes 'IHT'

'The Jakarta Post' distributes 'IHT' JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Post's affiliate PT Bina Media Sejahtera has agreed to distribute The International Herald Tribune (IHT) in Indonesia, IHT Asia/Pacific managing director Nigel Oakins said on Wednesday. The distribution agreement was signed here on Wednesday by The Jakarta Post's general manager Raymond Toruan and IHT Asia/Pacific executive director Terry Damer.

Armed Forces to segregate clashing parties in Ambon

Armed Forces to segregate clashing parties in Ambon JAKARTA (JP): A senior military officer has dismissed the possibility of an independent Aceh, believing the idea is part of a wave of separatism representing a "serious threat" to national unity. Governor of the National Resilience Institute Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar said Aceh and Irian Jaya were an "integral part" of the country and the push for independence would "not be tolerated". "Don't even try it ...

Two parties urge Habibie to resign

Two parties urge Habibie to resign JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) urged on Wednesday that President B.J. Habibie step down for his failure to curb violence, citing the continuing Maluku unrest, in which 159 people have been killed since January. Chairman of PKB, Matori Abdul Djalil, said Habibie's Cabinet should also be dissolved for its failure to cope with instability, given the widespread unrest in several parts of the country.

Charoen Pokphand cuts feedmeal output

Charoen Pokphand cuts feedmeal output JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed poultry feed meal producer PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia said on Wednesday that the country's worst ever economic crisis has forced the company to reduce production by 50 percent. Company Director Djoko M. Basoeki said feed meal production is currently around 1.2 million metric tons a year, down from last year's production of 2.41 million tons.

Regends, mayors forewarned of possible riots

Regends, mayors forewarned of possible riots JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid urged regional leaders on Wednesday to be more vigilant in the wake of riots and probable political tensions leading to the general election. Speaking at the opening of a national meeting of regents and mayors, Syarwan told his audience that the continuing religious conflict in Ambon and other acts of violence provided an invaluable lesson.

Parties asked to maintain security

Parties asked to maintain security JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso is planning to invite leaders of all political parties eligible for the June general election to discuss how to maintain security and create peaceful campaigns in the capital ahead of the poll. "I will invite them immediately after the government announces the eligible contestants for the upcoming election," the governor told reporters on Wednesday.

BATAN cooperatives to sue developer

BATAN cooperatives to sue developer JAKARTA (JP): Workers cooperatives of the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN) will sue private developer, PT Roma Permai Abdina, for an alleged swindle involving more than Rp 1 billion, a lawyer said on Wednesday. Lawyer Firmansyah Arifin of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute who met with cooperative executives on the same day, said his client will also report the housing developer to the police.

S'pore tourist arrivals rise

S'pore tourist arrivals rise SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's tourist arrivals rose 11.9 percent from a year earlier to 570,287 in January on the back of a significant increase in visitors from Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Wednesday. The January increase reversed two months of consecutive decreases in visitor arrivals here in November and December.

Questioning of Saefuddin delayed due to Cabinet meeting

Questioning of Saefuddin delayed due to Cabinet meeting JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin said on Wednesday said he was ready to be questioned by the police on charges of inciting public hatred if President B.J. Habibie had given his approval as required by law. Saefuddin is to be questioned over remarks he made in October which enraged Hindu and Balinese people.

Hero supermarket suffer Rp 69b in net loss

Hero supermarket suffer Rp 69b in net loss JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed grocery chain Hero Supermarket announced on Wednesday it suffered a net loss of Rp 69 billion (about US$8 million) in 1998 mainly due to the company's large foreign exchange loss. Hero president and chief executive officer Ipung Kurnia said the company booked an operating profit of Rp 55 billion last year, with sales rising 36 percent to Rp 1.38 trillion during the year.

Wiranto removes Maluku police chief

Wiranto removes Maluku police chief JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto on Wednesday removed Col. Karyono from his position as police chief of riot-torn Maluku, citing "operational reasons". The announcement came one day after a battalion of marines from the East Java capital of Surabaya, arrived in Maluku's capital Ambon.

Sutiyoso proposes 56% increase in new budget

Sutiyoso proposes 56% increase in new budget JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso submitted to the City Council on Wednesday a draft city budget for the upcoming 1999/2000 fiscal year worth Rp 2.74 trillion, a 56 percent increase from the current budget of Rp 1.75 trillion. The governor told the council's plenary session that the draft was designed with the assumption of 5.41 percent negative economic growth and inflation between 15 percent and 20 percent throughout the budget period.

Philippines warns against rebel aid

Philippines warns against rebel aid MANILA (AFP): A Philippines official warned foreign governments on Wednesday against helping separatists on Mindanao Island. "Let me stress that the government's peace talks with the MILF is purely an internal affair of the Philippines," President Joseph Estrada's spokesman, Fernando Barican, said, referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Siemens awards RI students

Siemens awards RI students JAKARTA (JP): The leading technology company, Siemens of Germany has granted the Siemens Excellence Award to three outstanding graduates of this country's universities, the company said on Wednesday.

Davis team member Edy faces penalty for skupping practice

Davis team member Edy faces penalty for skupping practice JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Davis Cup team member Edy Kusdaryanto has skipped practice for two days due to illness. Coach Dedy Prasetyo said on Wednesday that Edy only informed the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) office staff about his absence instead of contacting him personally. "I'm still checking out whether he is seriously ill or not. I'm worried that he is suffering Hepatitis B again, which he had two years ago.

Armed Forces to segregate clashing parties in Ambon

Armed Forces to segregate clashing parties in Ambon JAKARTA (JP): A senior military officer called on Wednesday for the establishment of a demarcation line to separate conflicting parties in Ambon as fresh protests mounted over Monday's shooting incident in Ahuru village in the Maluku capital. Governor of the National Resilience Institute Lt. Gen.

Students protest gambling dens

Students protest gambling dens PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Dozens of students from various universities on Monday demonstrated on the grounds of the provincial police station, demanding that police close down all gambling sites. The students, who said they represented various student groups in and outside campus, met with a number of officers, including Palangka Raya police chief Lt. Col. Indra Farman, Antara reported.

Toll road tariff hike rejected by govt

Toll road tariff hike rejected by govt JAKARTA (JP): The government rejected on Wednesday a proposal from toll road operators to increase toll tariffs. Minister of Public Works Rachmadi Bambang Sumadhijo said the tariff would not be raised for the duration of the current cabinet. "We have agreed with the House of Representatives not to raise the rates because it will place a heavy burden on people.

Empowering people through free-range chicken breeding

Empowering people through free-range chicken breeding By Joko Sarwono BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) is currently running a chicken breeding project in Pamijahan village here in a bid to empower local people to overcome the effects of the current economic crisis. No skills or special training are required to keep the free- range chickens. Even children can do it. "I too have only started breeding free-range chickens.

Why is Australian meat cheaper?

Why is Australian meat cheaper? By Mangku Sitepoe JAKARTA (JP): Following the Indonesian government's plan to import meat from India, Australian businessmen, through Indonesia's state minister of food affairs and horticulture, offered on Feb. 4 this year to sell frozen meat to Indonesia at Rp 10,500 per kilogram (US$1.20/kg). This price includes cost of goods, insurance and freight to Jakarta.