Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 July 1999

48 articles found

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya: Film * English Film Festival organized by British Council (Phone: 031 5689958) at Mitra 21 Jl. Yos Sudarso, July 23-24. Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - The Tavern Pub: Cosindos Band, Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Paprica Band, Transit Band, Sunday. - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m.

Pertamina to supply natural gas to ammonia plant in East Kalimantan

Pertamina to supply natural gas to ammonia plant in East Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina signed on Wednesday a 20-year contract to supply natural gas to a large ammonia plant, which is partly controlled by Mitsubishi Corp of Japan, in East Kalimantan. Under the deal with PT Kaltim Parna Industri, Pertamina will supply 55 million cubic feet per day of natural gas as feedstock for the ammonia plant in the industrial town of Bontang.

RI eases immigration rules

RI eases immigration rules JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Justice has issued a decree to allow visitors to enter Indonesia without a visa through five airports and 12 seaports, an official said on Wednesday. Director General of Immigration M. Mudakir said in a statement that the decree issued on June 22 aimed at luring more visitors into the country.

Bank restructuring cost estimated at $82b

Bank restructuring cost estimated at $82b JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Wednesday the cost for restructuring and recapitalizing the country's battered banking sector was estimated at Rp 550 trillion (US$82.09 billion), or about 50 percent of gross domestic product. He said the burden to the state budget in the next fiscal year would be much higher than the Rp 34 trillion allocated in the current 1999/2000 budget.

KL nixes Spratlys for ASEAN agenda

KL nixes Spratlys for ASEAN agenda KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia does not want the Spratly Islands dispute raised at this month's meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN), foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Wednesday. Malaysia's action drew protests from the Philippines, also a member of ASEAN and one of the six claimants to the Spratlys. China and Taiwanalso protested.

Current economy-class public transport fares maintained

Current economy-class public transport fares maintained JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Communications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono said on Wednesday the government would not increase economy class fares on public transportation given the damage the economic crisis had caused to people's purchasing power. Giri said that since a large number of people were still suffering from the economic crisis, raising transportation fares would only add to people's burden.

Mutilation case draws speculation

Mutilation case draws speculation JAKARTA (JP): The gruesome discovery on Monday of dismembered human body parts at two separate spots in western part of Jakarta has attracted speculation on the part of police officers and criminologists. Judging from the state of the body, many senior police speculated that the murder was committed by an individual or individuals close to the victim. They said the motive was most likely the discovery of an illicit love affair or some other form of jealousy.

Provincial government to have shares in forest concessions

Provincial government to have shares in forest concessions JAKARTA (JP): Timber companies will be required to give at least 10 percent of their shares to provincial administration- owned companies if their concessions are to be extended, Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on Wednesday.

Fisherman survives mishap

Fisherman survives mishap MATARAM, Lombok: A fisherman from Lombok who floated in the sea for 17 days returned to his residence in Cilacap, Central Java, early Wednesday Antara reported. Saharuddin, 23, was a survivor of a mishap when a fishing boat with five other fishermen went missing after a wave hit them. The men were last seen on June 24 when they were fishing south of Lombok.

Sanitory conditions claim 21 Tual refugees' lives

Sanitory conditions claim 21 Tual refugees' lives AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least 21 refugees in makeshift refugee centers in Tual, the capital of Southeast Maluku regency, have died in recent weeks from cholera and other communicable diseases. Poor living conditions and malnutrition are blamed for the deaths, which have included nine children.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 14, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

PLN runs up big losses in Ambon

PLN runs up big losses in Ambon AMBON, Maluku: State-run electricity company PT PLN lost Rp 2 billion during the sectarian violence in the city earlier this year. Director of the provincial branch Kasian Tanjung said on Saturday that income dropped Rp 600 million by the middle of the year. He acknowledged there were frequent power cuts in the area due to the firm's worsening record. Since January the firm has lost 3,633 customers, he said.

AAMCI protests agents arrests

AAMCI protests agents arrests JAKARTA: The Association of Indonesia's Print Media Agent (AAMCI) protested Tuesday the arrest of some of its members by Central Java Police allegedly involved in publishing pornographic materials. "We are very disappointed with the move," Laris Naibaho, the association chief, said in a press release Tuesday. "Our job is to distribute the media.

PRSI to hold simulation ahead of SEA Games

PRSI to hold simulation ahead of SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): To allow the national swimmers to prepare to compete in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month, the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) will hold a two-day simulation for its 13 swimmers. PRSI's technical commission chief, Lukman Niode, said on Wednesday that the simulation would take place two weeks or 10 days before the whole contingent departs for Brunei on Aug. 3.

Inneke questioned in indecency case

Inneke questioned in indecency case JAKARTA (JP): Movie and television star Inneke Koesherawati was summoned by the National Police on Wednesday and questioned for two hours as a witness in a police investigation into alleged violations of indecency in several publications here. Accompanied by her mother Lenny Koesherbimin and lawyer Nining Purwani, Inneke arrived at police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta at 9 a.m.

WB calls on Indonesia to expedite asset sales

WB calls on Indonesia to expedite asset sales SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Indonesian government needs to accelerate bank asset sales and state bank reforms to kick start the economy, World Bank country director Mark Baird said on Wednesday. The governments needs to push the Indonesian Banking Restructuring Agency, or IBRA, into quickly recovering or selling nationalized bank assets, he said, even though critics may claim the assets were sold to foreigners too fast and at fire-sale prices.

Government urged to alter role in cooperatives

Government urged to alter role in cooperatives JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of major political parties said on Wednesday that the new government should refrain from intervening in the affairs of cooperatives to allow strong growth of the movement. Benny Pasaribu of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said strong cooperatives should be built based on the bottom-up approach, meaning they would be founded on grassroots initiatives to benefit the people.

Motorola to launch new models

Motorola to launch new models JAKARTA (JP): United States mobile phone maker Motorola will launch wireless phones of the V-series in new colors as well as its latest innovative L-series next month. Radar blue, galaxy gray and silvery light titanium models will join the masculine black V3688 launched in March. "We are targeting women executives and secretaries with our new products," Husni Erwinn, Motorola operations manager for South Asia, told a news conference on Wednesday.

Observers tell KPU to speed up pace

Observers tell KPU to speed up pace JAKARTA (JP): A United States-based poll watchdog has suggested the General Elections Commission (KPU) speed up the tabulation and announcement of election results, warning that the poll's credibility would otherwise be eroded. In a statement released on Wednesday, the National Democratic Institute and Carter Center International Election Observation Mission raised concerns over delays in the poll results and internal conflicts within the KPU.

Governor Sutiyoso sues Hotel Mulia for Rp 15b

Governor Sutiyoso sues Hotel Mulia for Rp 15b JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, in a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, demanded the management of five-star Hotel Mulia, PT Jakarta Country Club, pay a Rp 15.13 billion (US$2.25 million) fine for violating building height restrictions. The lawyer representing the governor's office, Saut Purba, said the hotel management failed to pay the fine despite receiving repeated written warnings from the city administration.

Ginandjar to sound out Japan's loan commitment

Ginandjar to sound out Japan's loan commitment JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Ginandjar Kartasasmita will leave for Tokyo on Monday to secure loans already committed by the Japanese government to Indonesia's current budget and to discuss budget financing needs for fiscal 2000/2001.

Panwaslu-KPU row over poll results takes new turn

Panwaslu-KPU row over poll results takes new turn JAKARTA (JP): Controversy over the official Election Supervisory Committee's authority to validate results of the poll in the absence of approval by the General Elections Commission (KPU) continued on Wednesday.

Unions protest Olympic uniforms

Unions protest Olympic uniforms SYDNEY (AFP): Only half of the clothes the 60,000 Olympic workers will wear at next year's Sydney Olympics will be made in Australia, the New South Wales Labor Council said on Wednesday. Council secretary Michael Costa said he had asked Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games deputy chief executive Jim Sloman to pay for a union official to travel to Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia to ensure Olympic clothing was not being made in "sweatshop" conditions.

Mia ready for Singapore, Indonesia opens

Mia ready for Singapore, Indonesia opens JAKARTA (JP): After a two-month break in which she gained a considerable amount of weight, Indonesian women's singles player Mia Audina says she is ready to compete in the Singapore and Indonesia opens next month. Mia, who recently returned with her husband Tylio Lobman from a vacation in the Netherlands, told reporters on Wednesday that she was ready to fight for the Grand Prix series titles.

Sutiyoso defends capital as one of many corrupt cities

Sutiyoso defends capital as one of many corrupt cities JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday corruption "was a commonplace activity in the country" and that the Ministry of Home Affairs' revelation of Jakarta's substantial involvement in Rp 2.6 trillion of graft cases reported nationwide was not surprising. "Corruption doesn't just occur in the capital.

West Sinjai landslide devastates locals

West Sinjai landslide devastates locals By Jupriadi UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Sadness lingered among residents of the hamlets of Rumbia and Pattiro in Bonto Salama village, West Sinjai district, where a major landslide killed 11 inhabitants on July 3. The disaster has also caused adversity as it damaged a vast area of paddy fields and plantations as well as other property.

Officers send dying woman to RSCM

Officers send dying woman to RSCM JAKARTA (JP): A critically ill woman, brought to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital by three members of the military police, died upon arrival at the hospital's emergency room on Wednesday afternoon. The long-haired, dark complexioned woman was identified as Desi Susanti, 21, a resident of Jl. Lauzer, South Jakarta. The cause of death was not immediately known, but there was a foamy discharge from her mouth, a hospital official said.

Rupiah from heaven rains in Medan

Rupiah from heaven rains in Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra: It rained money in Medan on Wednesday as some 100 people scrambled for bills of Rp 5,000 to Rp 20,000, after they had set fire to doors and broke into an office of a multilevel marketing firm. The people were customers of a firm called PT Era Catur Wicaksana, better known here as New Era 21. Police said based on indications, the firm was not a multilevel marketing firm but merely a company promising fast profits.

Sex education

Sex education I wish to comment on the issue of UN members agreeing to promote sex education, which was reported in the July 4 edition of The Jakarta Post. The plan calls for increased efforts in family planning, prenatal care and sex education in developing countries, which account for almost 98 percent of world population growth, said UN Population Fund spokeswoman Corrie Shanahan.

'King of Sex' on the loose

'King of Sex' on the loose BANYUMAS, Central Java (JP): If you are wondering why you remain "powerless" although you have regularly popped foreign- brand drugs for your erectile dysfunction, police here are offering an answer. It is possible that the pills you take are in fact made in Banyumas by a smart teacher named H. Zaenuddin. They are not made in England or in the U.S. as written on the packaging.

Military confirms Aceh rebels' arrest

Military confirms Aceh rebels' arrest JAKARTA (JP): Teuku Umar Military chief Col. Syarifuddin Tippe confirmed on Tuesday the military arrested 20 alleged Aceh separatists in Tennom, West Aceh regency last week, while a human rights group urged the military to find the whereabouts of at least 32 missing civilians in the troubled province.

Indonesia's own rice museum

Indonesia's own rice museum When in Indonesia, I always read with pleasure The Jakarta Post, appreciating the variety of subjects and opinions. The Aug. 4, 1998, issue featured an article by Ruth Youngblood about the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, the Philippines. It is interesting to read about the institute's "Riceworld" section, opened in 1994.

Police announce new identity of mutilated body

Police announce new identity of mutilated body JAKARTA (JP): Based on a detailed description given by family members, city police on Wednesday identified a mutilated body discovered earlier this week as Sumarsana, 33, an employee of plastic household manufacturer PT Lion Star in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. The motive for the murder and mutilation remains unknown due to a lack of leads, according to the police. Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen.

Bring Soeharto to international court, demand Irianese students

Bring Soeharto to international court, demand Irianese students JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Students in Jayapura called for former president Soeharto to be tried at the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity. In a demonstration on Monday, hundreds of students conveyed their demand to Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi, Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. Hotman Siagian, Trikora Military Commander Brig. Gen. Idris Gassing and other authorities.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition by D. Tjandra Kirana, at the Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), until July 26. * Painting Exhibition: Kanvas Putih, by Ruri, at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Nusa Dua (Phone: 0361 771234), until July 19. * Painting Exhibition: by Kelompok Seni Rupa Jendela, at Padma Bali Hotel (Phone: 0361 752111), July 30 to Aug. 17. Music and entertainment * Hard Rock Hotel, Jl.

Glass painter Sulasno: A man of many talents

Glass painter Sulasno: A man of many talents By Israr Ardiansyah YOGYAKARTA (JP): Sulasno's physical features have not changed much since he was a poor bricklayer. He is less than 160 centimeters tall, muscular, his long hair tied back. He loves wearing colorful shirts and usually has a smile on his face. The most noticeable physical change is the color of his skin. When he was a bricklayer 15 years ago, his skin was dark from working under the scorching sun.

U.S. warns Indonesia over East Timor violence

U.S. warns Indonesia over East Timor violence JAKARTA (JP): A visiting U.S. official warned Indonesia on Wednesday that its relations with the world community, including the U.S., would suffer if it failed to stop rampant violence in East Timor ahead of a self-determination ballot there in August. Speaking to journalists after meeting with top government officials and jailed East Timorese rebel leader Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, U.S.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 14, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 71,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 325 0 0 Alter Abadi 400 0 165,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,000 0 15,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,450 50 8,593,000 Anwar Sierad 350 25 26,000 APAC Centertex Corp.

Pornography: A social menace?

Pornography: A social menace? By Johannes Nugroho SURABAYA (JP): Recent outrage expressed by socioreligious groups over the allegedly pornographic pictures of certain Indonesian female celebrities has fueled a national debate on the issue. Prominent figures, ranging from Minister of Education Juwono Sudarsono to literary giant W.S. Rendra, have expressed their "disgust" and "disapproval", while denizens of the cinematic-cum- sinetronic-cum-artistic world have displayed an ambivalent attitude.

Tarzan, lord of the shopping mall

Tarzan, lord of the shopping mall By Jules Bell JAKARTA (JP): At Taman Anggrek Mall at the moment you can literally climb the walls, go skateboarding or if you are feeling a little less energetic, be entertained in a jungle environment. This is all because Tarzan has been swinging across screens Jakarta-wide since July 9. To celebrate the new animated film, Taman Anggrek Mall, in conjunction with Disney, is hosting a festival of activities daily from June 24 to July 25.

Former chief proposes new police watchdog

Former chief proposes new police watchdog JAKARTA (JP): Prominent former national police chief Awaloedin Djamin on Wednesday suggested the establishment of a special commission to supervise the performance of police across the country.

The looting of Muara Kaman

The looting of Muara Kaman About 1,500 years ago the area around Muara Kaman was the center of a mighty Hindu kingdom, known as Mulawarman. During a recent trip up the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, I spent a few days in this village. I had work to do, but I also wanted to see the remains of Mulawarman. While talking to the local people, I became aware that the village had recently developed a keen interest in this Hindu site.

Five Japan oil firms closed

Five Japan oil firms closed TOKYO (Dow Jones): State-run oil company Japan National Oil Corp. said Wednesday that five Japanese companies set up to carry out oil and gas exploration projects have been shut down because their projects failed to discover enough oil and gas reserves to be considered economically feasible. The project companies were Aceh Gas and Oil Co. in Indonesia, Teikoku Oil Leveque Co. in Australia, Teikoku Oil Offshore Vietnam Co., Kazakstan Oil Co.

Neiss foresees stronger rupiah, lower rates

Neiss foresees stronger rupiah, lower rates SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Despite recent gains on foreign exchange markets, the Indonesian rupiah still has room to strengthen and domestic interest rates could fall further, Hubert Neiss, Asia Pacific director for the International Monetary Fund, said Wednesday.

Compulsory reporting

Compulsory reporting Most media gave little play to Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto's announcement on Monday of the obligation for companies to file with the government annual reports as part of the national drive against corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Economic data underestimates real conditions, says CSFB

Economic data underestimates real conditions, says CSFB JAKARTA (JP): London-based investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) claims Indonesia's official economic data does not reflect the real conditions of the country's improved economic activities.

Malaysia checks traffic snarls

Malaysia checks traffic snarls KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia is looking into reports of traffic snarls on the Singapore side of its causeway link with the island republic, foreign minister Syed Hamid Syed Albar said on Wednesday. Malaysia's influential Utusan Malaysia newspaper on Tuesday said Singapore immigration officials had imposed "extraordinary" checks on traffic going into the republic from southern Johor state, resulting in massive traffic congestion on the causeway.

Media's election coverage biased, say observers

Media's election coverage biased, say observers JAKARTA (JP): Journalists and media observers concluded on Tuesday the majority of the Indonesian media, both print and electronic, had been biased in its coverage of the election campaigning and the June 7 polls. However, Muslim scholar Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, sociologist Hotman Siahaan and senior journalist Djaffar Assegaf, who spoke in a seminar here on Tuesday, disagreed on whether it was acceptable for the media to take sides.