Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 May 1999

55 articles found

Soldiers told to stay neutral in elections

Soldiers told to stay neutral in elections MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo urged the public and political parties on Friday to report any election-related violations committed by Army personnel and officers. During a visit to observe the local military's preparations for the elections in the province, Subagyo said the Indonesian Military (TNI) was ordered to maintain its neutrality and make the June 7 general election a success.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on April 30, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Most Asian currencies rise on foreign investment inflow

Most Asian currencies rise on foreign investment inflow SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The won dropped steeply Friday after South Korea's finance minister announced a US$4.6 billion package of measures aimed at suppressing the currency's headlong rise against the U.S. dollar. In Southeast Asia, the Indonesian rupiah, the Thai baht and the Philippine peso were all lifted by inflows of foreign investment funds.

Campaign worries affect consumers

Campaign worries affect consumers We hope the government will consider all the negative implications of the current political activities in terms of guaranteeing that the people's most basic needs are met. At present, a looming shortage of supplies, possible snags in the provision of goods and a tendency for people to hoard has already started to become evident.

Pro-Jakarta forces unite ahead of E. Timor ballot

Pro-Jakarta forces unite ahead of E. Timor ballot JAKARTA (JP): A newly formed umbrella front for prointegration groups in East Timor met in the provincial capital of Dili on Friday to prepare nonviolent campaign for autonomy in the August referendum set to decide the province's future.

Mangga Dua stores remain bustling ahead of polls

Mangga Dua stores remain bustling ahead of polls JAKARTA (JP): Trading at the Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua and ITC Mangga Dua shopping centers in North Jakarta remained lively as of Friday, despite the expectation of violence during campaigning for the June 7 polls. According to traders in the two popular shopping centers, they will continue to run their businesses and ignore the rumors, with some thanking the presence of military personnel in the area for their safety.

Young stars break records at track and field meet

Young stars break records at track and field meet JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's young track stars, Irine Truitje Joseph from Maluku, could not hide her joy at breaking the national record in the women's 200-meter dash during the first day of the National Track and Field Invitational at Senayan Madya Stadium on Friday. The 18-year-old Irine clocked a record 23.92 seconds, besting the old record of 24.24, which was set by Henny Maspaitella at the 11th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 1981.

Protecting workers

Protecting workers On Monday, three young women were severely injured when they jumped out of upper-floor windows of two shop-houses in attempts to escape a privately run labor export agency in West Jakarta. Both shop-houses were owned by the agency and housed 276 women who were awaiting job placement abroad.

Mollusk population endangered

Mollusk population endangered PALU, Southeast Sulawesi: Triton mollusks (charonis tritonis) in the provincial waters are facing extinction due to the pursuit of the species in the past few years. "The threat is obvious, given the fact that local fishermen find it very difficult to catch these mollusks," head of fish resources and the environment protection of the provincial fishery office, Yahya Wattimena, told Antara here on Thursday.

U.S. helps put out coal fires

U.S. helps put out coal fires JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mines and Energy has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. Department of the Interior to extinguish fires at hot spots in the coal-rich province of East Kalimantan. The ministry said in a statement on Friday the ministry and the U.S. department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement had formed a team to coordinate efforts of extinguish fires across the province.

Tangerang regent to be sued

Tangerang regent to be sued TANGERANG (JP): A candidate for the head of Ketapang village plans to sue Tangerang Regent Agus Djunara for canceling the village head election. Candidate Buang Budiman said on Wednesday he would file a lawsuit against Agus at the State Administrative Court in Bandung to get back the money he had spent to get elected. "I suffered great losses from the cancellation, as I had spent millions of rupiah to treat my supporters during the election campaign," Buang said.

Govt to punish bad bankers, debtors

Govt to punish bad bankers, debtors JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Friday the government would take legal action against bad bankers and debtors, responsible for at least Rp 150 trillion of bad debts in the country's ailing banking industry. He said efforts to settle the massive amount of nonperforming loans (NPLs) would not only involve debt restructuring measures, but also include a probe into violations of bank prudential regulations.

PBHI explains

PBHI explains The board of the Indonesian Association for Legal Aid and Human Rights (PBHI) fully agrees with the contents of Soegih Arto's letter of April 28, in which he stated that special treatment has been given by the government to our client Xanana Gusmao, CNRT president/Falintil commander. That was one of the reasons why, from the start, PBHI suggested, even urged, the government to free Xanana Gusmao, together with other prisoners of conscience.

Candra confident of success with new partner

Candra confident of success with new partner JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's doubles shuttler Candra Wijaya expressed optimism he would retain his World Championship title in Copenhagen this month with new partner Tony Gunawan. Speaking during a break in training at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Candra said Tony had gained more confidence since the duo won the men's doubles title at the 1999 All England in Birmingham in March.

PT Caltex revenue row a misperception: Kuntoro

PT Caltex revenue row a misperception: Kuntoro JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Friday the controversy over the amount of oil revenue received by the government from PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia last year was the result of an accounting misperception.

UKI student receives five month jail term

UKI student receives five month jail term JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of student supporters heard the South Jakarta District Court sentence an Indonesian Christian University student on Friday to five months in jail for depriving a police officer of his freedom. Presiding judge Syamsoeddin A.B. said Edward T.B. Karo-karo was found guilty, along with three friends, of depriving freedom to officer Suratman as charged by Article 333 (1) of the Criminal Code.

VCD rental firm owners arrested

VCD rental firm owners arrested YOGYAKARTA: Police in Sleman, Yogyakarta, seized 310 pornographic video compact discs and arrested eight owners of VCD rental firms in a recent crackdown. Chief of Sleman Police detectives unit, First Lt. Mujiana, said on Thursday the suspects could be part of a nationwide web of illegal VCD dealers. He said the suspects admitted during questioning that two people from Jakarta and Surabaya supplied them with the VCDs on a regular basis.

Cemex expands into SE Asia

Cemex expands into SE Asia MONTERREY, Mexico (Dow Jones): Mexican cement giant Cemex SA will continue to expand its presence in southeast Asia targeting what it sees as major growth potential in the region, company chairman Lorenzo Zambrano said on Thursday. At a press conference following Cemex's annual shareholders assembly, Zambrano said the only restriction is Cemex's self-set goal of keeping interest coverage and debt to operating flows at 3.3 times.

Nigerian man nabbed again for heroin possession

Nigerian man nabbed again for heroin possession JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives found another 250 grams of heroin on Thursday at the rented house of a Nigerian, who was arrested earlier this week with 100 grams, an officer said. Capt.

Six die in family feud in Philippines

Six die in family feud in Philippines ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Six people have been killed in a violent family feud on the southern Philippine island of Sulu, the military said here on Friday. Heavily armed men barged into the home of Saidan Tagayan in the town of Jolo on Thursday and began a shooting spree, instantly killing him, his wife, Hadja, and four other members of the household, including a police officer. Brig. Gen.

Deadline set for removal of communication posts

Deadline set for removal of communication posts JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday the city administration had set a June 5 deadline for all political parties contesting the upcoming general election to remove their communication posts from the capital. "It is the deadline and I hope all parties will clear the posts by themselves. If not it will be the administration's officers who will do it," he said.

PLN seeing red as losses increase

PLN seeing red as losses increase JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) plunged deeper into the red in 1998 with a net loss of Rp 9.156 trillion (US$1.1 billion) from Rp 579.01 billion in the previous year. The company announced on Friday that total sales increased by 26 percent to Rp 13.7 trillion last year from Rp 10.8 trillion in 1997. However, the company's debt payment sharply increased to Rp 6.01 trillion last year from Rp 1.12 trillion in 1997.

Cambodia ends isolation, enters ASEAN

Cambodia ends isolation, enters ASEAN HANOI (AFP): Cambodia joined ASEAN on Friday in a ceremony in Hanoi, shaking off decades of international isolation and fulfilling the regional group's dream of embracing all 10 Southeast Asian neighbors. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his counterparts from the nine other Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members signed the Declaration on the Admission of Cambodia.

Malaysia lashes out at Azizah for flaying Mahathir

Malaysia lashes out at Azizah for flaying Mahathir KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Premier Mahathir Mohamad warned opposition leader Azizah Ismail on Friday not to encourage other countries to meddle in Malaysia's internal affairs. "Looks like there are those who subscribe the view that foreigners should meddle in domestic issues," Mahathir said in the northern state of Kedah.

Southeast Asian crude well into the black: Consultants

Southeast Asian crude well into the black: Consultants SINGAPORE (Reuters): Oil prices would have to plunge back to around 12-year lows before even a fraction of Southeast Asia's oil production became uneconomical, energy consultants Wood Mackenzie said in a report. At benchmark Brent prices of US$10 per barrel, only two percent of the region's oil production would be uneconomical, it said.

Madura's power supply restored

Madura's power supply restored JAKARTA (JP): Madura Island's three million residents can again enjoy the comforts of electricity. Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto officiated on Friday the reconnection of the power supply from Java to Madura after a two- month power blackout which began on Feb. 19. The minister ordered state-owned electricity firm PLN to ensure that such an accident never reoccurred.

KONI calls on coaches for SEAG preparations

KONI calls on coaches for SEAG preparations JAKARTA (JP): To intensify its preparations for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August, the National Sports Council (KONI) plans to hold a meeting with coaches from 20 sports bodies on May 8. KONI official in charge of athlete development Moch. Hindarto said on Friday the meeting would help the coaches arrange training programs to better prepare their athletes for the SEA Games.

Prostitution should be legalized: NGO

Prostitution should be legalized: NGO JAKARTA (JP): Prostitution should be legalized to give sex workers the same status as other employees in the country, an activist said on Thursday. Adi Sasongko, the head of Kusuma Buana non-governmental organization, said if prostitution was legalized, sex workers could be treated like other Indonesian citizens. They would have to pay taxes and would have their rights protected by the government.

Warning against military impostors

Warning against military impostors 1. Lately the community has been facing an increasing number of actions of imposture, under the pretense of social activities and anniversary celebrations by organizations and institutions. Community members are contacted by telephone in the name of a high-ranking government official. The targets are usually businesses, agencies, state companies, officials and Armed Forces members and retirees. 2.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Sketch Exhibition: Sketsa Australia by Jerry T, at Australian Embassy Gallery, Kuningan, South Jakarta, until May 14. * Painting Exhibition: Generasi Milenium by Achmad Syahri, Andi Suandi, Bambang Sutrisno, Dumas Indra, Sahat Simatupang, Yaqub Elka, at Santika Hotel, Jl. K.S. Tubun No. 7, Central Jakarta (Phone: 5330350), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until May 18. * Painting Exhibition: Gelar Karya 12 Warna by Kelompok Mekar, at Hilton Executive Club, Jl.

Constitution needs change: Experts

Constitution needs change: Experts JAKARTA (JP): The nation needs to amend the 1945 Constitution to enable the establishment of effective power checks and balances and the protection of citizens' rights, analysts concluded on Thursday. In a discussion held by the Center for Information and Development Studies titled "1945 Constitution Amendments Toward a New Democratic Indonesia", legal experts argued the nation would be prey to dictatorial leadership if the constitution remained unchanged.

Mahathir slams Europe in book

Mahathir slams Europe in book KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Outspoken Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad takes aim at Europe in a new book, calling Europeans war mongers who have turned to currency speculation to impoverish Asia. "Never a year passed in their history when they were not fighting, not warring. Peace does not mean not fighting, only no formal war," Mahathir says in his soon-to-be-released book, A New Deal for Asia.

Indonesian firm involved in Suriname deforestation

Indonesian firm involved in Suriname deforestation By Santo Koesoebjono WASSENAAR, The Netherlands (JP): Weak law enforcement is facilitating the rising tendency of logging in Suriname, a country in northeastern South America that is four times the size of West Java province. "We still have a huge area of forests. So why worry about deforestation?" a government official said in Paramaribo recently.

RI, Malaysia agree on border in Kalimantan

RI, Malaysia agree on border in Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): After 24 years of talks, Indonesia and Malaysia have finally agreed on more than half of the borderline drawn between the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan and the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Antara said. The chief of the Indonesian delegation to the talks, Feisal Tamin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato' Nik Mohd Zain bin Haji Nik Yusof, signed a memorandum of understanding on 182.2 kilometers of the border on Friday.

Old faces dominate pool

Old faces dominate pool JAKARTA (JP): Old faces dominated the second day of the three- day national aged-group swimming championships in Senayan pool on Friday. Elsa Manora Nasution won the women's 200 meters freestyle and backstroke events with times of 2:12.81 and 2:34.89 respectively. Albert C. Sutanto won the men's 200 meters freestyle with 1:58.07 while twin brother Felix C. Sutanto produced 2:10.92 to finish first in the 200 meters backstroke.

ADB calls on members for new funding talks

ADB calls on members for new funding talks MANILA (Dow Jones): Sorely in need of new funding commitments, the Asian Development Bank wants its shareholder countries to start talks this year for the replenishment of the bank's cheap- loan facility to the region's poorest economies.

PAN puts together platform to please everyone

PAN puts together platform to please everyone The National Mandate Party (PAN) was once termed a "rainbow" organization, campaigning for the June 7 elections on a platform so wide-ranging as to be able to embrace just about everybody. The party's leaders talked to The Jakarta Post recently about their vision, political and economic concepts -- and their preparation for the polls.

P&O Ports wins stake in privatized Pelindo III

P&O Ports wins stake in privatized Pelindo III JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Friday that P&O Ports, a division of P&O Australia Ltd, had won the bid for a 49 percent stake in a state-owned terminal container operator in East Java. State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said in a statement that P&O Ports paid US$173.76 million for its investment as a strategic partner in PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya (TPS).

Seven arrested for robbery

Seven arrested for robbery JAKARTA (JP): City police have arrested seven people suspected of being members of a group of robbers targeting houses in Greater Jakarta, an official said on Thursday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the seven were arrested on Tuesday in one of the suspects' house on Jl. Serdang Baru in the Kemayoran district of Central Jakarta.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 30, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 400 0 307,500 AHAP Insurance 425 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 150 50 74,000 Alter Abadi 225 0 20,500 Alumindo Light Metal 650 50 429,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 7,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,525 25 2,240,000 Anwar Sierad 75 0 80,000 APAC Centertex Corp.

Integrated mining data center

Integrated mining data center JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced plans to create an integrated data center to give investors easier access to mining data. The ministry said in a statement on Friday that thus far two departments at the ministry -- the directorates general of mining and of geology and mineral resources -- have run their own data centers, despite the fact that the information is closely related.

Contemporary music has its own techniques, rhythm, ritual

Contemporary music has its own techniques, rhythm, ritual By Y. Bintang Prakarsa JAKARTA (JP): Many "classical" concertgoers do not like to listen to contemporary music in concert halls. They never complain, however, when the same kind of music is heard as background in movies.

Sambas refugees given blankets

Sambas refugees given blankets PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The local chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) will present 10,000 more blankets to people taking refuge from ethnic clashes in Sambas. Spokesman of the PMI chapter Sukirdi Hartopartono told Antara on Thursday the second package of blankets was pledged by chairwoman of PMI Kadarwati Aspar Aswin, who is also the wife of the provincial governor.

Mount Slamet shows activity

Mount Slamet shows activity PEMALANG, Central Java: People living near Mount Slamet have been put on alert level due to increasing activity of the volcano. Head of Mount Slamet monitoring post Sukedi, told Antara on Wednesday that mountaineering activities had been banned after his staff detected a rise in temperature and an exodus of animals from the area. The monitoring post has recorded unusual volcanic activity since April 19, according to Sukedi.

JSX delays two-board trading system: Daniri

JSX delays two-board trading system: Daniri JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) has delayed the implementation of a two-board trading system originally planned for May 3, the exchange's president Mas Achmad Daniri said on Friday. He said the planned merger of the JSX and Surabaya Stock Exchange was still underway but the postponement was due to the economic circumstances which caused many listed companies to undergo debt restructuring.

Bimantara warned for employing foreigners

Bimantara warned for employing foreigners JAKARTA (JP): The government has given strict warnings to publicly listed PT Bimantara and private television station RCTI for employing three foreigners without work permits, an official said on Friday. Director General of Immigration M. Mudakir identified the three foreigners employed by the two firms as Briton Rowan Mark Legg, Filipino Lourdes Serafico and American Philip Pei Fan Wang.

Kuta beach burned in arson attack

Kuta beach burned in arson attack JAKARTA (JP): At least 175 makeshift kiosks on Bali's famed Kuta beach were burned in the early hours of Thursday in what local police are calling a purely criminal act. Police have launched an investigation into the incident but no arrests have been made, Kuta Police chief Capt. Sapake Bayu said. "The situation is normal," he told The Jakarta Post from Kuta by phone.

RI may see low inflation in May

RI may see low inflation in May MANILA (Dow Jones): Indonesia experienced large "negative inflation" in April and will likely see low inflation again in May, Bank Indonesia governor Sjahril Sabirin said Friday. Speaking on the margins of the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank, Sjahril also said he was "satisfied" with the current level of the rupiah and interest rates.

Alarms ring over poll disruptions

Alarms ring over poll disruptions JAKARTA (JP): Five weeks ahead of the June 7 general election, poll watch organizations warned on Friday of various disruptions, including separatists' calls for a boycott in troubled Aceh, bribery and alleged military intimidation of poll monitoring volunteers.

Indosat lanches expansion of non-core business projects

Indosat lanches expansion of non-core business projects JAKARTA (JP): Despite the country's political and economic uncertainties, publicly listed international telecommunications firm PT Indosat launched on Friday its fourth non-core business project in two months. Indosat president Tjahjono Soerjodibroto said the firm's spending for non-core business activities had not been affected by the turbulence in the country.

Firms will not pay dividends for '98

Firms will not pay dividends for '98 JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed companies PT Bayer Indonesia and Sumi Indo Kabel announced on Friday that they would not pay dividends for 1998. Bayer president director Wolfgang Piroth said the company booked some profit last year, but still suffered a loss because of the high operational costs resulting from high lending rates during the year. He said the company booked a strong increase in operating income to Rp 8.6 billion last year.

PKB bides time as Abdurrahman undergoes surgery

PKB bides time as Abdurrahman undergoes surgery JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) is awaiting the recovery of its patron, Abdurrahman Wahid, now undergoing treatment for his ailing eyes in the United States, before formally naming him its presidential candidate. When asked on Friday about the party's presidential candidate nominations, secretary-general Iskandar Muhaimin said: "If there's a miracle from the United States, namely that Gus Dur's eye surgery is successful...

Democracy and motorbike elitism

Democracy and motorbike elitism Motorcycle gangs are a regular feature of Bintaro, in southwestern Jakarta. They thunder their way along the main street rending the air with the sound of their small-engine bikes, particularly on Saturday nights. However, the other day, at around 3 p.m., I encountered a new type of motorcycle gang. This one was relatively small with about 25 participants; but, strangely, a police car, lights flashing and siren wailing, escorted it.

Asian stock markets end week mixed

Asian stock markets end week mixed HONG KONG (AP): Asian stock markets ended the week generally mixed Friday, with share prices surging in Bangkok and Singapore but slumping in Tokyo. The key index in Bangkok soared 6.2 percent as foreign investors snapped up banking stocks following a decision by Moody's Investors Service Inc. to upgrade its ratings outlook for five Thai banks. The Stock Exchange of Thailand, or SET, index rose 26.86 points to close at 459.35.

12 arrested for alleged murder

12 arrested for alleged murder BOGOR (JP): Police have arrested 12 of 15 men believed to have mobbed a villager from Cikeas, Sukaraja district, to death, a police officer said. Bogor Police chief Lt. Col. Ade Husen Kertanegara said on Thursday the 12 arrested men included Roni, 20, Holid, 39, Ahmad, 32, Supriatna, 27, and Ibrahim, 25. Police confiscated swords, knives and bamboo bars allegedly used during the attack, he said.