Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 June 1999

46 articles found

Investors confident in SE Asia: Lee

Investors confident in SE Asia: Lee SINGAPORE (AP): Foreign investors are becoming overconfident in Southeast Asia as the region's two-year economic crisis shows tentative signs of abating, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in an interview published Monday.

Police reveal arrests of mosque blast suspects

Police reveal arrests of mosque blast suspects JAKARTA (JP): City police announced on Monday the arrest of seven street musicians for their alleged involvement in the April 19 blast at Istiqlal Grand Mosque, but refused to speculate on a motive or suspected plot leaders.

IBRA plans to open offices outside Jakarta

IBRA plans to open offices outside Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to establish "IBRA centers" in 11 major cities in the country to help expedite the recovery of non-performing bank loans owed by debtors in provinces outside Jakarta.

Sufferings of Aceh children

Sufferings of Aceh children It makes us sad to imagine the sufferings of children affected by violence in some parts of Aceh. I was moved when reading the statement of Seto Mulyadi, chairman of the National Convention for Children's Rights.

Property tax payment slow

Property tax payment slow BOGOR (JP): The collection of property taxes in Bogor mayoralty is expected to reach between 60 percent and 70 percent of property taxes due, an official said on Monday."It is impossible to expect 100 percent tax collection due mainly to limited personnel," the head of the...

Bakrie reports rise in sales

Bakrie reports rise in sales JAKARTA (JP): The widely diversified PT Bakrie & Brothers announced on Monday a 1.6 percent increase in sales to Rp 685.7 billion (about US$90 million) in the first quarter ending March 31, from Rp 674.6 billion in the same period last year.

10 athletes set for Special Olympics

10 athletes set for Special Olympics JAKARTA (JP): Ten athletes will represent Indonesia in the 10th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, from June 26 to July 4. They will compete in track and field, table tennis and badminton.

Plantation firms protest lax local govt security

Plantation firms protest lax local govt security JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Association of Plantation Companies in West Java (GPP) have refused to pay land and property tax and local levies as a protest to local. administration's failure to curb theft from plantation areas.

Habibie OKs Ghalib resignation bid

Habibie OKs Ghalib resignation bid JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie approved on Monday Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib's request to stand down from his position in the Cabinet while investigations into allegations of taking bribes for business people are underway.

Last-minute tricks to sway voters smack of New Order

Last-minute tricks to sway voters smack of New OrderBy Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): As if Indonesia has not disintegrated enough -- between pro and anti status-quo, between one ethnic group and another, between one Muslim group and another -- the recent fatwa from the Indonesia Ulemas Council...

ASEAN's hurdles to jump

ASEAN's hurdles to jumpBy Landry Haryo Subianto JAKARTA (JP): Most countries in Southeast Asia, plus many others throughout the region, are suffering in what has been dubbed the "Asian crisis". It is a multidimensional crisis that has negatively affected not only the level of economic welfare of...

Request for repolling must be lawful: KPU

Request for repolling must be lawful: KPU JAKARTA (JP): Amid a flood of demands that polls be rerun in several regions across the country, the General Elections Commission insisted on Monday that such requests should first meet all legal requirements.

Military to play role in election of the president

Military to play role in election of the president JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto cited democratic rights on Monday in defending the military's entitlement to an equal say in the General Session of the highest state body, which will...

BI faces a dilemma over banking secrecy code

BI faces a dilemma over banking secrecy code JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Achjar Iljas said on Monday the central bank had a strong commitment to root out corruption, but warned that breaching the bank secrecy code for the sake of fighting corruption would damage confidence in...

Unique birds survive on forgotten islands

Unique birds survive on forgotten islandsBy Paul Jepson BOGOR, West Java (JP): The remote Sangihe and Talaud islands, located mid-way between North Sulawesi and the Philippines, are capturing the attention of the global ornithological and conservation community following a series of remarkable...

Debit cards making gains in Asia

Debit cards making gains in AsiaBy Wachyudi Soeriaatmadja BANGKOK (JP): As credit cards have become a relatively expensive payment option, people have begun to choose alternative methods of payment for their purchases, including debit cards and electronic cash.

What sort of coalition?

What sort of coalition? Although no more than 30 percent of the vote from last week's general election has been tabulated, the flow of new results is unlikely to change the charted map of Indonesian political power.

Yunus questions use of civil servants corps

Yunus questions use of civil servants corps JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus is extending his critical voice from media rights to address the issue of civil servants.On Monday he said the compulsory organization for civil servants, Korpri, "is of no use," Antara reported, and...

Megawati, Kwik lead PDI-P squad to House

Megawati, Kwik lead PDI-P squad to House JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri and Kwik Kian Gie have both secured House of Representative seats and look certain to lead a big Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) contingent in the legislative body.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 14, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 600 25 1,096,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 375 75 197,500 Alter Abadi 450 50 2,069,500...

Ending corruption starts at the top

Ending corruption starts at the top The recent disclosure by the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) of alleged corruption committed by Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib has confirmed the skepticism of several parties concerning the Habibie government's seriousness in trying to eradicate corruption,...

Chopper crashes in Irian Jaya

Chopper crashes in Irian Jaya WAMENA, Irian Jaya: A joint search and rescue team on Monday successfully evacuated six crew members and one passenger of a Russian helicopter which crashed in Keluluma, Wamena regency, Irian Jaya, last Friday.

Corporate governance: Problems and challenges

Corporate governance: Problems and challenges This is the second of two articles on good corporate governance prepared by Sauri Hasibuan, business development manager of PT Airindo Bersih Jaya. JAKARTA (JP): To carry out good governance is difficult, especially in a country where governance by the...

Recounting in Central, East Jakarta completed

Recounting in Central, East Jakarta completed JAKARTA (JP): The Provincial Elections Committee here announced on Monday that the ballot recounting process in Central and East Jakarta has been completed.

ASEAN's helpful work needs notice

ASEAN's helpful work needs noticeBy L. Amrih Jinangkung JAKARTA (JP): Are people really aware of the role of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining peace and security in the region, and do they have the sense of belonging to the association? Or are people even aware there is...

Tight screening helps cellular operators cut overdue bills

Tight screening helps cellular operators cut overdue bills JAKARTA (JP): The rate of overdue subscriber bills at local cellular operators has declined significantly, with an industry executive crediting the development on more exacting methods to prune out unsuitable applicants for services.

PRD supporters injured in Yogya

PRD supporters injured in Yogya YOGYAKARTA (JP): Four supporters of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) were injured on Monday when they were ambushed by a group of unidentified people in Yogyakarta.Dozens of PRD supporters went to the streets on Monday to protest alleged money politics used by...

Lippo-style 'KKN'

Lippo-style 'KKN'From Suara KaryaThere seems to be no end to land ownership problems in this country. A particular problem is land which belongs to common people but is taken over by businesspeople in cooperation with the authorities.

Coalition a victory for people's power

Coalition a victory for people's power As vote counting continues, people are predicting the shape of the country's new political map. Political analyst Wimar Witoelar shares his views. JAKARTA (JP): One week after the elections, concern over the snail's pace of the vote count is matched only by...

Revenge on Ghalib

Revenge on Ghalib Andi Ghalib is a Bugis, and according to the Bugis tradition he is prone to siri. Basically this means that if he feels he has been insulted by someone and his good name has been besmirched, then he must exact revenge on that person.

Arifin Panigoro's trial postponed by ill health

Arifin Panigoro's trial postponed by ill health JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court postponed the on Monday the indictment of oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro, charged for his involvement in corrupt practices worth Rp 2 trillion (US$266 million), due to the absence of the businessman.

Estrada vexed by Taiwan flag-raising

Estrada vexed by Taiwan flag-raising MANILA (AFP): Philippines President Joseph Estrada said on Monday Taiwan frigates should not have unfurled the nationalist flag when they docked in Manila as he sought to soothe China's anger over the incident.

Locusts wreak havoc in Sumba

Locusts wreak havoc in Sumba MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Millions of locusts have attacked West Sumba regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, damaging at least 1,000 hectares of paddy fields.Head of West Sumba's Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Julius Mubu, said on Monday the locusts...

Children killed in grenade blast in troubled East Timor

Children killed in grenade blast in troubled East Timor DILI, East Timor (JP): Three children were killed and another was badly injured when they stumbled on a live hand grenade while playing in Becora village in East Dili on Monday.

Election fever takes a hold in remote Wamena, Irian Jaya

Election fever takes a hold in remote Wamena, Irian JayaText and photos by PJ Leo WAMENA, Irian Jaya (JP): Even though there were some troubles here and there, in general, the June 7 elections ran well.

Oil price to remain strong: Kuntoro

Oil price to remain strong: Kuntoro JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Monday he was optimistic international oil prices would remain strong at an average of US$16.

Japan intervention spoils party for regional bulls

Japan intervention spoils party for regional bulls HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Massive intervention by the Bank of Japan to push the yen lower spoilt what would otherwise have been a field day for Asian regional currency bulls Monday.

Taman Safari seeks funds for tiger park project

Taman Safari seeks funds for tiger park project JAKARTA (JP): Taman Safari is looking for funds to help finance a plan to build a new three-hectare park for its 28 Sumatran tigers, which are currently jammed into a 2,000-square- meter plot.

Councilors oppose planned bus tariff hike

Councilors oppose planned bus tariff hike JAKARTA (JP): City councilors have strongly opposed a Ministry of Communications plan to double the tariff rate on city buses in the capital.Head of the City Council's Commission D for development affairs, which covers bus tariffs, Ali Wongso Sinaga said on...

Number of students needing help soars

Number of students needing help soars TANGERANG (JP): The number of school-age children from poor families in need of assistance in least developed villages in Indonesia reached about 90,000, up almost 500 percent from before the economic crisis hit the country in July 1997, an official said.

Singapore's PM visits South Korea

Singapore's PM visits South Korea SEOUL (AP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong arrived in South Korea on Monday for an official four-day visit meant to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

Global currencies

Global currencies Value Net Changes 1 Day 1 Month 1999 Japanese yen 120.310 +2.4100 -2.00% +2.10% -5.58%Euro 0.9571 +0.0063 -0.66% -1.97% -10.45%Poundsterling 0.6203 +0.0018 -0.29% -0.42% -2.89%Singaporean dollar 1.7109 +0.0009 -0.05% +0.15% -3.59%Australian dollar 1.5095 +0.0070 -0.47% -0.23% +8.

RI to use Japan guarantees

RI to use Japan guarantees TOKYO (Dow Jones): The Indonesian finance minister told his Japanese counterpart during a meeting in Tokyo Monday that Jakarta wants to make use of Japanese bond guarantees in the future, according to a finance ministry official who attended the meeting.

More reports on poll violations flow in

More reports on poll violations flow in JAKARTA (JP): Reports of irregularities and violations in the June 7 general election have continued to hold back the already slow tallying of votes by the General Elections Commission.

Retno Kustijah resigns from badminton center

Retno Kustijah resigns from badminton center JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's women's singles coach Retno Kustijah officially resigned from the National Badminton Center on Monday. Retno said she resigned because she wanted to focus more of her attention on her club, Jaya Raya, where she felt more needed.

Indonesia bans Belgian food imports over dioxin scare

Indonesia bans Belgian food imports over dioxin scare JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia finally joined other Asian countries in banning imports of Belgian farm and poultry products to safeguard health and protect local agriculture from cancer- causing dioxin.