Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 6 May 1999

51 articles found

IMF presses for more monetary freedoms

IMF presses for more monetary freedoms JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should further relax its monetary policy to allow economic recovery to proceed with more speed, International Monetary Fund Asia Pacific director Hubert Neiss said here on Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibition * Arts Exhibition: by Gde Sudarma, at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), until May 17.Music and entertainment * The Oberoi, Legian Beach, Jl. Laksamana, Denpasar (Phone: 0361 730361): - Kura-Kura Restaurant, 7 p.m.

Court punishes Niaga, Credit Lyonnais

Court punishes Niaga, Credit Lyonnais JAKARTA (JP): Bank Niaga lost another battle with PT Suryamas Dutamakmur after the Jakarta High Court ordered the bank pay compensation of Rp 290.08 billion (US$36 million) to the property developer.Suryamas' attorney Hotman Paris Hutapea from Makarim & Tiara S.

Aceh death toll hits 38

Aceh death toll hits 38 JAKARTA (JP): The number of confirmed deaths from Monday's shooting of protesters by the military in North Aceh rose to 38 on Wednesday, while medical supplies destined for local hospitals overwhelmed by victims were not expected to arrive until early on Thursday.

Student arrested for bomb threats

Student arrested for bomb threats UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: A student has been arrested in connection with a number of bomb threats received in prominent public buildings here in recent weeks, police said on Wednesday.

School children to get free milk

School children to get free milk JAKARTA (JP): The non-profit Bina Putra Sejahtera Foundation launched on Wednesday a program with the aim of providing free milk to 500,000 elementary school children in Java starting in June.The US$6.5 million program, assisted by the U.S.

Ericsson to sell new handsets

Ericsson to sell new handsets JAKARTA (JP): Ericsson Indonesia will this year launch more than six new handsets of its three newly established A, R and T series.The company's director of mobile phone and terminals division, Susanto Sosilo, said on Wednesday the new series were created to serve...

An independent Aceh?

An independent Aceh? The conduct of our military during the time that Aceh was a Military Operations Territory inflicted on the people of the province wounds so deep they are difficult to heal. For that reason, any friction with the military, however small, is enough to make the people's aggressive...

East Timor's independence

East Timor's independence I refer to the article by Soegio Sosrosoemarto To be free, E. Timor needs Indonesia published in The Jakarta Post on April 30, 1999.However learned you obviously are, you seem to have forgotten that a free and independent Indonesia was born out of the colonial womb.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on May 5, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,000.00 8,070.00 - -Australian dollar 1 5,257.60 5,345.70 5,232.00 5,395.00Austrian schilling 1 614.28 624.68 - -Belgian franc 1 209.54 213.

Govt plans to create 15 holding companies

Govt plans to create 15 holding companies JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie announced on Wednesday eight new basic plans for the country's state enterprises which will lead to a consolidation of 155 state enterprises into some 15 world-class holding companies and the elimination of "old bad...

Surabaya 'most vulnerable to unrest'

Surabaya 'most vulnerable to unrest' JAKARTA (JP): The East Java capital of Surabaya is the most likely area to explode into unrest, a study reveals.The study, jointly conducted by Trisakti University, Suara 234 and Research Institute for Democracy and Peace researchers, put Surabaya ahead of South...

Fake prescription medicines seized in raid

Fake prescription medicines seized in raid JAKARTA (JP): Police seized thousands of fake prescription pills and tablets worth an estimated Rp 100 million (US$12,500) during raids on a warehouse and two kiosks in East Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon.Jakarta Police Detective chief Col.

Local striker offered contract in Germany

Local striker offered contract in Germany JAKARTA (JP): German first division soccer club Borussia Munchengladbach is seeking to sign young Indonesian striker Bambang Pamungkas to its squad.All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar said on Wednesday he would allow 18-year-old...

Four officials named as graft suspects

Four officials named as graft suspects JAKARTA (JP): Four high-ranking officials in the city administration were named suspects in corruption cases which cost the city some Rp 23.46 billion.Deputy governor for administrative affairs Abdul Kahfi said on Tuesday that dossiers of the cases had been...

Asian stocks end mixed as foreign buying continues

Asian stocks end mixed as foreign buying continues SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian stock markets ended mixed Wednesday with some extending their gains on steady inflows of foreign funds and others pulling back after an overnight fall on Wall Street.

Five suspects detained over Jepara violence

Five suspects detained over Jepara violence SEMARANG (JP): Five people have been detained for alleged involvement in the deadly clashes that broke out last Friday in Jepara regency between supporters of two rival Muslim-based political parties, Central Java Police said on Wednesday.

RI, Portugal to sign historic E. Timor pact

RI, Portugal to sign historic E. Timor pact UNITED NATIONS (Agencies): Indonesia and Portugal were set to sign a historic agreement on Wednesday that could lead to independence for the territory of East Timor, the climax to 15 years of sporadic negotiations at the United Nations.

Bimbo sue recording firm

Bimbo sue recording firm JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court heard on Tuesday a lawsuit filed by members of the Indonesian pop music band Bimbo, who are demanding a recording company pay Rp 42 billion (US$5.18 million) for illegally recording and selling their songs.

Protesting water firm workers break into Palyja office

Protesting water firm workers break into Palyja office JAKARTA (JP): About 30 members of city-owned water management company PDAM Jaya's labor union broke into a PT Palyja office in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday morning and forced their colleagues to join their protest.

Bappenas admits political abuse

Bappenas admits political abuse JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Boediono admitted on Wednesday the country's multibillion dollar social safety net fund was abused by certain political parties seeking to gain popularity.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in SurabayaExhibition * Product Design Exhibition by Jennyfer Lacroix (French) and students of ITS, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 16.Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 5, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 0 183,000 AHAP Insurance 425 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 17,000 Alter Abadi 275 -25 910,500 Alumindo...

Regional autonomy

Regional autonomyFrom RepublikaWith reference to a report in Republika daily of April 24, 1999, titled Fifteen percent of oil output and 30 percent of natural gas for the regions and another one on April 26 titled Riau people coldly respond to law on balance in financial matters, I wish to express...

Mar'ie sides with the federalist camp

Mar'ie sides with the federalist camp JAKARTA (JP): Former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad has called for the establishment of a federal state, saying that a political compromise is urgently needed to dissolve the growing tension and upheavals in the regions.In a letter to President B.J.

Diarrhea epidemic in Wolomesa

Diarrhea epidemic in Wolomesa MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Two people have died and a further 105 have been treated for diarrhea at local health clinics here, the head of Ende health agency said on Tuesday.

PLN ordered to pay U.S company $572.3m in damages

PLN ordered to pay U.S company $572.3m in damages JAKARTA (JP): Independent power producer MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. of the United States said on Wednesday it had won US$572.3 million in damages in its breach of contract arbitration hearing against state electricity company PT Perusahaan...

A fatal misunderstanding

A fatal misunderstanding The Indonesian Military (TNI) has too easily, if not conveniently, dismissed the latest bloody clashes in the troubled northern province of Aceh as a "misunderstanding" on the part of villagers regarding the military's intentions.

School receives award for innovative project

School receives award for innovative projectBy Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): Western culture has been present in the Indonesian curriculum for a long time. Western countries, however, seldom felt the need to incorporate Asian cultures into their curricula.

Fishery catch still low

Fishery catch still low JAKARTA (JP): Only 50 percent of marine resources are being tapped, due to a lack of modern fishing equipment, Minister of Agriculture Soleh Solahuddin said on Wednesday.At the opening of a national meeting of fishermen, Soleh said there was a potential fishery catch of 6.

Indosat reports Rp 374b 1st quarter earnings

Indosat reports Rp 374b 1st quarter earnings JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed telecommunications company PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation (Indosat) has reported a consolidated net income of Rp 374.1 billion (US$44 million) for the first quarter of this year.

Malaysia in hot seat again over CLOB

Malaysia in hot seat again over CLOBBy Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia has stirred new doubts about its commitment to market transparency with its handling of a plan to buy up billions of dollars worth of shares formerly traded in Singapore.

Parties agree to suspend campaigning on Fridays

Parties agree to suspend campaigning on Fridays BOGOR (JP): All political parties and city authorities agreed here on Wednesday to suspend all campaign activities on Fridays during the May 19 to June 4 election campaign period.

Military under fire for power abuses, unchecked violence

Military under fire for power abuses, unchecked violence JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, under fire over the military's perceived inability to halt recent outbreaks violence, or remain out of the fray, admitted on Wednesday that the country's myriad social problems were growing harder to...

The world needs new consensus

The world needs new consensusBy Christopher Lingle UBUD, Denpasar, Bali (JP): Forget the talk about the "new economy". That will take care of itself. A more important change is the "new consensus", which did not come about until the so- called Washington consensus expressed a dominant view that...

Robbers wound security guard

Robbers wound security guard TANGERANG (JP): Three robbers broke into a shop in Tangerang on Monday and made away with two computers and Rp 150,000 in cash after wounding one of the shop's security guards.

Political instability keeps security companies busy

Political instability keeps security companies busy JAKARTA (JP): Security companies have mushroomed in the capital amid the economic instability and political tension weighing heavily on the minds of most city residents.The companies, which mostly charge their clients in U.S.

Garment workers strike in Medan

Garment workers strike in Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra: Around 3,000 employees of the garment manufacturer PT RM went on strike on Wednesday and staged a demonstration outside the Governor's office to draw attention to their struggle.

Forex losses, high rates burden Astra

Forex losses, high rates burden Astra JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed automotive giant Astra International has reported a consolidated net loss of Rp 2.4 trillion (about US$303 million) in 1998, a sharp increase from Rp 278.7 billion losses in the previous year.

RI forex reserves rise to $16 billion

RI forex reserves rise to $16 billion JAKARTA (JP): The country's net foreign exchange reserves rose by US$202.1 million to $16 billion in the week ending April 30, Bank Indonesia announced in its weekly report.

Voters still waiting for registration forms

Voters still waiting for registration forms JAKARTA (JP): Slow delivery of voter registration forms continue to set back the registration process, reported Director General of Public Administration and Regional Autonomy Ryass Rasyid at a meeting of provincial elections committees on Wednesday.

Oscar combines technology and culture for designers award

Oscar combines technology and culture for designers awardBy Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): In mid-April, fashion designer Oscar Lawalata flew to Singapore, carrying a dozen black-and-white suits bearing bodo motifs to represent Indonesia in the ASEAN Young Fashion Designers Contest 1999.

'Singapore not yet a nation,' says PM

'Singapore not yet a nation,' says PM SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Wednesday that Singapore is "not yet a nation", and must strive to overcome the pitfalls of a multi-ethnic society that can lead to bloodshed.

Civilian militia members go on strike over payment

Civilian militia members go on strike over payment JAKARTA (JP): At least 150 members of the People's Security (Kamra) civilian force deployed in North Jakarta went on strike on Wednesday over unpaid wages and other allowances.

Shuttlers told to show their best in Sudirman Cup

Shuttlers told to show their best in Sudirman Cup JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, urged national shuttlers to perform to the best of their abilities in the Sudirman Cup and World Championships in Copenhagen next week.

Indonesia slaps antidumping duty between 4% and 68% in tin plates

Indonesia slaps antidumping duty between 4% and 68% in tin plates JAKARTA (JP): The government has decided to impose anti- dumping duties ranging between four to 68 percent on tin plates imported from Australia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

13 provinces suffer from food shortages: Report

13 provinces suffer from food shortages: Report JAKARTA (JP): A government study has revealed 13 out of Indonesia's 27 provinces were facing food shortages. Five of these provinces were categorized as having "very poor food security" and in need of immediate assistance.

RI needs $17b for recovery

RI needs $17b for recovery MELBOURNE (AP): Indonesia needs another US$17 billion to get its economy back on its feet, a special adviser to Indonesian President B.J. Habibie said Wednesday."The total need of the country is about $60 billion to bail out all the bad debts of the banks, to finance the...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 Morning News 7:00 TV Series 8:00 Children's Song 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 TV Series: Drew Carey Show 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Koran Recital 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:00 News 6:30 News (in English) 7:00...

More banks will be sold to foreign investors

More banks will be sold to foreign investors SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Indonesia Bank Restructuring Agency expects several domestic banks to be sold to foreign investors before the upcoming parliamentary elections in June, said Farid Harianto, IBRA deputy chairman and head of asset management.

Late parties receive kind treatment from KPU

Late parties receive kind treatment from KPU JAKARTA (JP): The General Election Commission (KPU) on Wednesday relaxed its own rules and allowed two parties to run for House of Representatives (DPR) seats despite missing Tuesday's midnight deadline for submitting lists of legislative candidates.