Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 May 1999

53 articles found

Govt sets incentives for geothermal projects

Govt sets incentives for geothermal projects JAKARTA (JP): The government will handle the exploration of geothermal steam in the future before offering it to independent power producers (IPPs), a senior official said here on Friday.

Good and bad news on reforms

Good and bad news on reforms Former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Paul Wolfowitz gives his assessments of changes in Indonesia over the past year and of future prospect. Now dean of the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University in Washington D.C.

UPC's secretariat pelted with stones

UPC's secretariat pelted with stones JAKARTA (JP): The secretariat office of the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), which uncovered money politics practices allegedly conducted by political parties, was pelted with stones early on Friday.

Canberra sees fair polls in RI

Canberra sees fair polls in RI CANBERRA (Reuters): Australian foreign affairs officials said on Friday they were pleased by the lack of violence in the run-up to Indonesia's landmark national elections and saw no reason why the poll would not be free and fair.

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.

Two illegal workers deported

Two illegal workers deported JAKARTA (JP): The government has deported two of the three foreigners illegally employed by publicly listed PT Bimantara Citra and private television station RCTI, an official said on Friday.

Telkom partner endorses using independent auditor

Telkom partner endorses using independent auditor JAKARTA (JP): The government should appoint an independent auditor to assess the operation of state telecommunications provider PT Telkom and its five partners under the joint- operation scheme (KSO), one of the partners said on Friday.Gatot S.

20,000 Lhokseumawe residents flee military raids for safety

20,000 Lhokseumawe residents flee military raids for safety LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh (JP): About 20,000 residents from three districts here fled on Friday to nearby public buildings following raids against separatist guerrillas by the joint- military Crack Riot Troop (PPRM) task force.

Gus Dur's face appears in tree

Gus Dur's face appears in tree JAKARTA: An old kapok tree in Tegal, Central Java, has attracted many visitors after word spread that it had the image of influential Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid. Locals said his face would appear every time vehicle lights shone on the tree, a taxi driver here,...

Dealership's service

Dealership's service On May 19, I noticed a fluid leaking from under the hood of my Opel Blazer. Upon inspection, I determined that the fluid was coming from the power steering pump, indicating a ruptured seal which is a normal occurrence and relatively easy to repair.

Agenda

Agenda JAKARTA (JP): Saturday's campaigning in the city will feature big names Akbar Tanjung of Golkar Party and Sri Bintang Pamungkas of the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI).Tanjung will address Golkar supporters at HEK soccer field in East Jakarta.

Election watchdogs to monitor Aceh polls

Election watchdogs to monitor Aceh polls JAKARTA (JP): Seven domestic poll watchers will monitor the June 7 general election in troubled Aceh province, an activist with the local Rectors Forum network said on Thursday.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on May 28, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,130.00 8,200.00 8,130.00 8,240.00Australian dollar 1 5,271.00 5,368.70 5,246.00 5,443.00Austrian schilling 1 613.15 623.49 - -Belgian franc 1 209.15 212.

Migration for my fiancee?

Migration for my fiancee? Further to my letter in The Jakarta Post on May 10, I want to amend my letter by retracting the words corruption, racism and incompetence.Paying Rp 260,000 to be refused any consultation about the problem, to be informed the reason for rejection by the immigration officers...

Give elections a chance, PGI says

Give elections a chance, PGI says JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) is urging citizens of all political and religious beliefs to put aside differences to make next month's elections a success.

Many political parties idle

Many political parties idle KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Many political parties have shown no activity and their presence is a mere formality to show their existence, a local watchdog said Friday.Ahmadi Wardus of the Regional Independent Elections Monitoring Committee said many party branches did...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 28, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 0 793,500 AHAP Insurance 425 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 87,500 Alter Abadi 300 -25 160,000...

Prisoners never miss elections

Prisoners never miss elections JAMBI, Jambi: Criminals can be deprived of their physical freedom, but not their political rights.A total of 632 prisoners serving sentences in penitentiaries across the province are given chances to watch television broadcasts and learn about political parties they...

ARCO denies deal with U.S. Circle group

ARCO denies deal with U.S. Circle group JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian arm of American oil and gas firm Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) has denied signing a deal with American service contractor Circle International Group Inc., a spokesman of state oil and gas company Pertamina said on Friday.

Disarm political parties' security guards: KIPP

Disarm political parties' security guards: KIPP JAKARTA (JP): An independent poll monitor has demanded that security guards of political parties be disarmed to avoid further violence.In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Friday, the Independent Election Monitoring Committee said...

'CNN' covers PAN rally

'CNN' covers PAN rally JAKARTA: Touted as one of the reform parties with a chance to win the most votes in the forthcoming elections, it was no surprise that the National Mandate Party (PAN) was given full coverage by "CNN" on Thursday.

Business ups and downs during campaigning

Business ups and downs during campaigningBy Joko Sarwono and Tanra Alam JAKARTA (JP): Bogor is about 60 kilometers south of here. Its notorious traffic jams are a fact of life for many of its residents. And it has got even worse during the party campaigns.

IBRA plans to sell assets worth Rp 500b next month

IBRA plans to sell assets worth Rp 500b next month JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Friday it would sell assets under its authority worth between Rp 400 billion (US$50 million) and Rp 500 billion next month.

No go on planned hostage release

No go on planned hostage release VANIMO, Papua New Guinea: An Irianese separatist guerrilla group did not release as expected on Friday 11 hostages abducted from Arso village in Irian Jaya on May 11, an official said.In a recent visit to Jayapura, chief of the Papuan defense forces Brig. Gen.

Swiss govt to receive RI team probing Suharto

Swiss govt to receive RI team probing Suharto BERN (AP): Switzerland is prepared to receive an Indonesian delegation checking allegations that former President Soeharto stashed billions of dollars abroad, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said on Friday.

Republicans try to woo Soeharto

Republicans try to woo Soeharto JAKARTA: The Republican Party, which accommodates people from any religious, ethnic and cultural background, is trying to woo former president Soeharto and his relatives to prove that it is an "open party".

Police receive vehicle gifts

Police receive vehicle gifts JAKARTA (JP): Automotive company PT Indomobil donated on Friday two patrol vehicles to the traffic directorate of the National Police.Indomobil's president Subronto Laras officiated at the handover of the cars to Brig. Gen.

Military rejects proposed poll delay in Aceh

Military rejects proposed poll delay in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The military in Aceh dismissed concern on Friday that insecurity may force the postponement of the June 7 general election in the troubled western territory."There won't be any postponement...

Indonesia: Moving from openness to the winds of reform

Indonesia: Moving from openness to the winds of reformBy Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON (JP): Paul Wolfowitz, one of the most popular American ambassadors to serve in Indonesia, is remembered most for setting off a healthy but short-lived discourse on democracy in his last speech before ending his term...

No compensation for Chinese boat

No compensation for Chinese boat MANILA (AFP): China's demand for compensation for a fishing boat which collided with a Philippine navy patrol vessel and sank in disputed waters has been rejected by President Joseph Estrada's Cabinet, his spokesman said on Friday.

Asian currencies up but lag behind yen's ascent

Asian currencies up but lag behind yen's ascent HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian currencies followed the yen higher Friday, but gains were limited by sales from market players looking to exit long positions in the regionals against the Japanese currency.The U.S.

City Hall not involved in scam

City Hall not involved in scam JAKARTA (JP): Deputy governor for development affairs Budihardjo Sukmadi insisted on Friday that the city administration never received money for official activities from city-owned Bank DKI, which was stated in several payment documents reportedly issued by the...

Siti reveals reason for dismissal from Bank DKI

Siti reveals reason for dismissal from Bank DKI JAKARTA (JP): The former marketing and credit director of city-owned Bank DKI said on Friday that Governor Sutiyoso fired her because she rejected a Rp 8 billion loan proposal from his friend.

Has anti-Chinese sentiment ebbed?

Has anti-Chinese sentiment ebbed?By Harkiman Racheman MEDAN (JP): In the middle of May 1998, a series of engineered anti-Chinese riots culminated in a horrific series of rapes in Jakarta and Surakarta. Condemned by the international community for its barbarity, the organized violation of human...

Governor pleased riot rumors prove groundless

Governor pleased riot rumors prove groundless JAKARTA (JP): The city breathed easy on Friday evening, after rumors of riots accompanying the day's campaigning proved groundless.Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso expressed relief at day's end: "I ought to be happy...

Bambang grilled over his alleged $3 billion fortune

Bambang grilled over his alleged $3 billion fortune JAKARTA (JP): Bambang Trihatmodjo, the second eldest son of former president Soeharto, was questioned at the Attorney General's Office on Friday morning over his alleged US$3 billion wealth reported in Time magazine.

Governor warned about habits

Governor warned about habits KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: General elections give Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin headaches and not because of the funding his administration has to allot, but people's demands for him to stop his habits.

Govt issues bonds to recapitalize banks

Govt issues bonds to recapitalize banks JAKARTA (JP): The government issued on Friday bonds worth Rp 157.61 trillion (US$19.40 billion) to recapitalize 23 banks and fund its obligations to the central bank.

Party workers persevere out of loyalty and hope

Party workers persevere out of loyalty and hope Top politicians like Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri would not be able to campaign without the loyal party workers who take care of the small details.

Ulema told to make polls a success

Ulema told to make polls a success MEDAN, North Sumatra: Ulema can support any party they choose, but must help ensure a free and fair general election next month, Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fajar said on Friday.

Withdraw money from idle parties

Withdraw money from idle parties PAMEKASAN, East Java: The local representative of the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) urged the regent here on Friday to withdraw money the government granted to political parties which do not campaign.

A bastion of justice?

A bastion of justice? Even with two senior members of President B.J. Habibie's cabinet, Minister of Justice Muladi and Attorney General Andi Muhammad Ghalib, due to depart Jakarta for Switzerland tomorrow on what officials say is a special mission to trace any assets former president Soeharto might...

PDI Perjuangan flexes its muscle in Friday's campaign

PDI Perjuangan flexes its muscle in Friday's campaign JAKARTA (JP): Unchallenged in the sheer number of supporters mobilized in its rallies, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) dominated Friday's campaigning.

Alatas installs new senior official

Alatas installs new senior official JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas on Friday installed Rachmat Ranudiwidjaya as the new director general for protocol and consular affairs, replacing Dadang Sukandar, who is to be appointed the new ambassador to France.

KONI looks abroad to raise funds for sports development

KONI looks abroad to raise funds for sports development JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) will help promote Indonesian sports in the international arena as part of efforts to raise funds for sports development in the country, a KONI executive said on Friday.

Still no closure on May 1998 atrocities against ethnic Chinese

Still no closure on May 1998 atrocities against ethnic ChineseBy Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): A year has passed since the controversial May 1998 riots that were believed to be connected with the most horrific degradation to human dignity, women in particular: the sadistic and systematic gang...

IMF unlikely to say yes to fixed rate plan for RI

IMF unlikely to say yes to fixed rate plan for RI SINGAPORE (AFP): The IMF is very unlikely to accept a proposal by a popular Indonesian opposition party for a fixed exchange rate system, analysts said Friday.

Habibie visits grave of great grandfather

Habibie visits grave of great grandfather JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie and First Lady Asri Ainun Habibie visited the grave of his great grandfather Tjitrowardojo in Purworejo, Central Java, on Friday morning, drawing a crowd of curious villagers.

Visa virus plagues city amid election fever

Visa virus plagues city amid election feverBy Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): As if election fever and backbreaking economic ills were not enough, people here are having to face yet another plague gaining notoriety: the visa virus.

East Timorese apply for jobs with UN team

East Timorese apply for jobs with UN team JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of young East Timorese have flocked to the United Nations office in Dili to apply for jobs with the UN team forming in the province ahead of a self-determination ballot scheduled for Aug. 8.

Major parties give nod to bank recapitalization

Major parties give nod to bank recapitalization JAKARTA (JP): Four major political parties have come out in support of the government's massive bank recapitalization program, saying it is crucial in helping the country emerge from its worst economic crisis of recent years.

Internet fails to woo most political parties

Internet fails to woo most political partiesBy M.M.I. Ahyani BANDUNG (JP): Adrie Harsala, 32, a computer head who enjoys surfing the Internet, is frustrated with the way the election campaigns have been carried out.

2,535 Aceh students avoid exams

2,535 Aceh students avoid exams BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The provincial office of the Ministry of Education and Culture has recorded 2,535 elementary students who did not sit last month's national final examination.