Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 May 1999

62 articles found

City planning department launched

City planning department launched JAKARTA (JP): Private Tarumanagara University launched on Thursday a new city planning department in a bid to meet rising demands for professional experts in city design.Tono Setiadi, dean of the university's technique school, told a media conference at the Jl. S.

Polls in remote islands in doubt

Polls in remote islands in doubt KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The participation of thousands of people in isolated islands is in doubt because of an absence of transportation to carry vital ballot materials, Antara reported on Thursday.

Asian currencies end mixed as regional markets flounder

Asian currencies end mixed as regional markets flounder HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mixed in local trading hours Thursday, as easing tension in Latin America and choppy trading in the U.S. dollar against the yen left dealers unsure which direction regional markets are set to take.

Officials misused funds at Bank DKI, source claims

Officials misused funds at Bank DKI, source claims JAKARTA (JP): City administration run Bank DKI has suffered losses of at least hundreds of million of rupiah allegedly through embezzlement by the bank's top executives, a source at the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday.

National gallery draws mixed reactions

National gallery draws mixed reactionsBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): It was a disenchanting visit to a national gallery, commented an art lover when he toured Galeri Nasional Indonesia on Jl. Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta, which opened three weeks ago.

Source says Lippo Life to sell majority stake

Source says Lippo Life to sell majority stake SINGAPORE (Reuters): A deal to sell a majority stake in Indonesian insurer PT Asuransi Lippo Life may be finalized in two weeks, a source familiar with the deal said on Thursday.

Govt should take over recapitalized banks

Govt should take over recapitalized banks JAKARTA (JP): The Center for Banking Crisis and the Indonesian Exporters Association urged the government on Thursday to take over all large recapitalized banks and revamp their management to minimize risks.

Ballot papers

Ballot papers Now, about two weeks before the general election, the people -- especially those in the provinces -- are not yet informed about the format of the ballot paper to be used on election day, June 7. I appeal to the media to immediately help socialize the format of the ballot paper.

Parents told not to take children to campaign sites

Parents told not to take children to campaign sites JAKARTA (JP): Raising an alarm over campaign fatalities, General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Rudini warned parents against taking children to campaign rallies."Campaigning is not a recreation.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on May 27, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,060.00 8,120.00 8,060.00 8,160.00Australian dollar 1 5,198.55 5,289.60 5,173.00 5,364.00Austrian schilling 1 610.30 619.88 - -Belgian franc 1 208.18 211.

Students enjoy their own party

Students enjoy their own party BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Dozens of high school students in shirts covered pen scribbles, roamed the streets on motorbikes yesterday -- not campaigning for any political party but celebrating their graduation.

Many Jakartans net extra income from campaign

Many Jakartans net extra income from campaignBy Ida Indawati Khouw and Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): Campaigning activities have become an income source for some Jakartans, as scores of political parties provide payment for those willing to join rallies or party gatherings.

Medan students denounce military violence

Medan students denounce military violence MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Dozens of university students staged a noisy rally on Thursday in front of North Sumatra University to denounce the shooting of protesters outside the headquarters of state plantation company PTP Nusantara II in Tanjung Morawa on...

Street kids underfunded

Street kids underfunded SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The government could only provide help to 18,000 street children, or 45 percent of the country's reported 40,000 street urchins, due to a shortage of funds allocated for the scheme, an official said here on Thursday.

S'pore hotels see no influx of guests

S'pore hotels see no influx of guests SINGAPORE (Reuters): Jittery Indonesians are once again taking refuge in Singapore ahead of a potentially violent election back home but local hoteliers said on Thursday they were not seeing a repeat of last year's riots-inspired windfall.

Stickers circulated to help voters

Stickers circulated to help voters PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The local chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has found a creative way to educate its supporters: distributing stickers bearing the party logo, which has been pierced.

Senior citizens seek welfare provisions

Senior citizens seek welfare provisions JAKARTA (JP): Senior citizens appealed to the government on Thursday to provide them with social insurance because of the lack of an institutional welfare guarantee for the over-65s.

S'pore tourism on the rise

S'pore tourism on the rise SINGAPORE (DPA): The number of tourists traveling to Singapore rose for the fourth straight month in April though the number of visitors from Europe and the United States was down, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) reported Thursday.Figures showed a 6.

Golkar office set on fire in troubled Aceh

Golkar office set on fire in troubled Aceh JAKARTA (JP): A Golkar Party office in the North Aceh capital of Lhokseumawe was set on fire early Thursday as reports came that the local elections committee requested a delay for the June 7 poll because of escalating tensions in the troubled province.

PIB threatens to sue police

PIB threatens to sue police UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The local chapter of the New Indonesia Party (PIB) threatened to sue the police on Wednesday for asking its campaigners to cancel its gathering only hours before it was about to begin.

Delay in SSX-JSX merger hailed

Delay in SSX-JSX merger hailed JAKARTA (JP): Securities analysts hailed on Thursday the decision by the Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) to cancel its merger plan with the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX).The president of Arga Artha securities, Nurkhamid, said the Surabaya-based market should be directed...

Worker protests inflict losses: Apindo

Worker protests inflict losses: Apindo JAKARTA (JP): Local industrialists said here on Thursday that a recent series of protests and strikes by workers has inflicted great losses on their companies.Secretary-general of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Purbadi Hardjoprajitno said the...

Politicians lack education

Politicians lack education MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Over 30 percent of the 559 legislative candidates for the Mataram mayoralty legislative council are elementary school graduates, an official revealed on Thursday.

A tragic legacy

A tragic legacy Brutal acts of violence and murders, such as the senseless "killing fields of Aceh", "bloody Semanggi", and "the Ketapang free fight" are merely a reflection of the way this nation was brought to its 53rd birthday, under authoritarian rule for more than 50 percent of its lifetime.

PAN executives leave party

PAN executives leave party PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Three executives of the National Mandate Party's (PAN) provincial chapter here have decided to leave the party.Deputy secretary Sribanun Hafiz, head of youth affairs K.

PKB supporters attack PPP backers, injuring 15

PKB supporters attack PPP backers, injuring 15 PEKALONGAN, Central Java (JP): Fifteen supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) were injured in an attack by supporters of the National Awakening Party (PKB), party officials said on Thursday.

Party supporter falls to his death

Party supporter falls to his death SEMARANG: An Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) teenage supporter died after he fell from a truck during a motorcade here on Thursday.Witnesses said Slamet Riyanto, 18, slipped off the back of the truck after falling asleep.

Agenda

Agenda JAKARTA (JP): Some of the 10 political parties to take turns campaigning in the capital Friday plan to do "something different" to win public sympathy. They promise it will be more than just street rallies.

Indonesia beats Sri Lanka 2-1 in pre-Olympic match

Indonesia beats Sri Lanka 2-1 in pre-Olympic match JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's pre-Olympic soccer team did not play its best in defeating underdog Sri Lanka 2-1 in the second match of the Asian Zone Group eight prequalifying tournament for the 2000 Olympic Games at Tong Dae Moon stadium in Seoul,...

Credit suspension affects PDR

Credit suspension affects PDR MANADO, North Sulawesi: An executive of the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) here acknowledged on Wednesday the central bank's suspension of a business credit scheme for farmers had forced it to revise its vote target in the upcoming polls.

Bali Police arrest two for exam leaks

Bali Police arrest two for exam leaks DENPASAR, Bali: Local police have arrested two men believed to have revealed the contents of the province's high school final examination, an official said here on Thursday.

Business as usual despite campaign

Business as usual despite campaign JAKARTA (JP): Business activities at Mangga Dua shopping center in West Jakarta continue as usual, undisturbed by the campaign rallies.Most shops, selling products ranging from shoes, bags, clothes, electronic goods, watches and food, in the business center were...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 27, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 50 3,208,000 AHAP Insurance 425 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 70,500 Alter Abadi 325 25 107,500...

New directors take the helm of 'RCTI'

New directors take the helm of 'RCTI' JAKARTA (JP): RCTI, the country's first private television station, introduced two members on the board of directors -- Harry Kuntoro and Nenny Soemawinata -- to the press on Thursday.

What NU means for Indonesia's future

What NU means for Indonesia's futureBy Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): Established in 1926 as an effort to reconcile Islam and Indonesian tradition and culture, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has come full circle in 1999.

Govt sets up new bank to back exports

Govt sets up new bank to back exports JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Thursday the government would open a bank next month to finance exports.Rahardi said the legal basis for the establishment of the special financing agency was signed by President B.J.

Proud Malaysia edges towards mainstream

Proud Malaysia edges towards mainstreamBy Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Defiant Malaysia has taken a major step towards rejoining the global financial mainstream with a US$1 billion bond but some investors remain wary towards a country that burned them last year with capital controls.

Ritonga bullish about income tax revenues

Ritonga bullish about income tax revenues JAKARTA (JP): Tax Director General A. Anshari Ritonga is optimistic about achieving the Rp 40.6 trillion (US$5.07 billion) target of income tax receipts set for the 1999/2000 fiscal year ending next March, despite a steady fall in time deposit rates.

Intimidation reported in East Timor poll registration

Intimidation reported in East Timor poll registrationBy Lourenco Vicente Martins DILI, East Timor (JP): The campaign here has remained relatively safe and although flags and banners may be less plentiful than in other cities across the country, none of the 15 parties here has complained of...

Golkar cadre refuses candidacy

Golkar cadre refuses candidacy JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A Golkar cadre has withdrawn from the race for a provincial legislative seat, citing the party's failure to put forward women candidates.Ola Dwaramuri of Jayawijaya regency told Antara on Thursday she opted out of the race to give younger people,...

N. Maluku polls in jeopardy

N. Maluku polls in jeopardy TERNATE, North Maluku: Elections in the regency are in jeopardy because not all ballot materials from Jakarta have reached here, an official warned on Thursday.Chairman of the North Maluku elections committee, Abdurahim Fabanyo, said the materials included ballot sheets,...

New BPKP chief installed

New BPKP chief installed JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Muladi installed Arie Soelendro on Thursday as the new chief of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), replacing Soedarjono.Muladi told Arie during the installation ceremony to improve BPKP's performance, particularly in...

Dozens of kiosks gutted by fire

Dozens of kiosks gutted by fire JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 cigarette kiosks at Sumber Artha market in Bekasi were gutted by a fire on Thursday morning. No fatalities were reported.The head of the Bekasi fire department, Yusuf, said the 50 destroyed kiosks were part of 130 kiosks at the market.

Ramos-Horta speaks on East Timor independence ballot

Ramos-Horta speaks on East Timor independence ballotBy Aboeprijadi Santoso In an exclusive interview with The Jakarta Post, the co-winner of the 1996 Noble Peace Prize,Jose Ramos-Horta, reiterates his support for the New York agreement on a United-Nations-supervised ballot.

Hunt goes on for Soeharto's 'riches'

Hunt goes on for Soeharto's 'riches' JAKARTA (JP): Two senior Cabinet members will travel to Switzerland and Austria this weekend to trace a reported US$9 billion fortune allegedly belonging to former president Soeharto, despite prevailing concerns their investigation will hit a dead end.

Aceh problem will drag on

Aceh problem will drag on Due to a worsening security problem, Aceh, which once again is restless, looks like it'll cause more and more headaches for the central government. Reports coming from the country's northernmost province show that the security situation there is deteriorating.

Safety net money abused

Safety net money abused Once again this newspaper is devoting a column to the issue of the misappropriation of social safety net money. Once again, because the problem is being allowed to be forgotten, or to evaporate, with no legal action ever being taken.

SEA Games medal target in the pipes: KONI

SEA Games medal target in the pipes: KONI JAKARTA (JP): With only 10 weeks to go, Indonesia is still waiting to set its medal target for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam.The National Sports Council (KONI) official in charge of the SEA Games training, Imron Z.S.

Golkar appropriates headache commercial

Golkar appropriates headache commercial PALU, Central Sulawesi: Political parties still have eight more days of campaigning, but the Golkar Party already seems to be running out of steam to create new slogans.

Unknown cleric for president

Unknown cleric for president MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Moslem-based Justice Party (PK) is standing by its policy to nominate a little-known Muslim cleric for the next president of the republic.A party executive, Daud Rasyid, said in a campaign here on Wednesday that the party is fielding Kyai Haji...

Asia may leave Vietnam behind

Asia may leave Vietnam behindBy Dean Yates HANOI (Reuters): Most Asian countries are upbeat about their economies as signs of recovery emerge after two years of crisis.In Vietnam the outlook is likely to get grimmer.

ELECTION '99

ELECTION '99Photo A/B: SnakeJP/bay, JP/baySNAKE LADY: Sitting on top of a car, a supporter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) holds a snake to draw people's attention (left).

Govt expects lower interest rates

Govt expects lower interest rates JAKARTA (JP): The interest rate for three-month Bank Indonesia promissory notes (SBI) should drop to below 23 percent in two weeks' time from the current 29.82 percent, according to Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda S. Goeltom.

Watie: The woman behind Galeri Nasional Indonesia

Watie: The woman behind Galeri Nasional Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Operating a national-scale gallery is a mammoth task for Watie Moerany, a modest mother of two, who is now head of the newly opened Galeri Nasional Indonesia, the Indonesian National Gallery.

IMA pledges to be more active in helping members

IMA pledges to be more active in helping members JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) pledged on Thursday it would work to repair the bad image of the country's mining companies.Association chairman BN Wahyu said in the past the organization had been accused by various...

No change in East Timor ballot date: UN

No change in East Timor ballot date: UN DILI, East Timor (JP): A United Nations advance team in East Timor confirmed on Thursday that the New York-based world organization had no intention of changing the date for the vote scheduled for Aug. 8 in the troubled territory.

Elections hold hope and reform

Elections hold hope and reform JAKARTA (JP): With the many encouraging changes that have occurred since the demise of the New Order regime, one foreign observer expects this year's general election to generate reform in Indonesian politics.

PKB guards to be 'invincible'

PKB guards to be 'invincible' PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Senior Moslem clerics of the National Awakening Party (PKB) are busy training 300,000 activists to safeguard the party's campaigns.Associated in Laskar Balaba (defense paramilitary troops), members do not only undergo physical training, but...

Character building

Character building A captivating feature article appearing in two parts in Kompas, May 21 and May 22, came from the hand of Dr. Mochtar Pabottingi of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences under the eye- catching title State with no nation, nation with no character.

Muslim-based parties set to make deal on extra votes

Muslim-based parties set to make deal on extra votes JAKARTA (JP): Eight Muslim-oriented parties are set to strike a deal on allocating extra votes, a move they say conforms to the Islamic principle of charity.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Drawing Exhibition: Tumbal by Hendro Suseno, at Galeri Milenium, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), until Jun. 7. * Drawing Exhibition: Film Dalam Gambar, by Fritz Lang, at Galeri Lontar, Jl.

Breaches of campaign rules becoming order of the day

Breaches of campaign rules becoming order of the day JAKARTA (JP): Reports of violations of electoral campaigning rules are on the rise as political parties entered the second of three rounds of campaigning on Thursday.