Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 July 1999

60 articles found

'No immediate plan to raise RI rating'

'No immediate plan to raise RI rating' SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): U.S.-based ratings agency Standard & Poor's Corp. doesn't expect to upgrade its sovereign debt rating for Indonesia in the near term, the agency's regional head told Dow Jones Newswires Monday.

Elephant gives birth to 'Mega'

Elephant gives birth to 'Mega' SURABAYA, East Java: The Indonesia Safari Park in Prigen, in Pasuruan district of East Java, had a new addition as a 75- kilogram, 61-centimeter tall Sumatran elephant, which was named Mega, was born on Monday night, Antara reported.

Traffic light needed

Traffic light needed On my way home, I usually pass through Jl. Jend. Pol. Soekanto, East Jakarta. At the end of this road there is "T- junction" which connects the Pondok Kopi area to the right and the Malaka area to the left.The distance from this junction to my house is about 300 meters.

Rates for tax payment, valid from July 19 to July 25

Rates for tax payment, valid from July 19 to July 25 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 6,625.00Austrian schilling 1 488.38Australian dollar 1 4,353.95Belgian franc 1 166.60Canadian dollar 1 4,470.31Swiss franc 1 4,189.59Deutschemark 1 3,437.09Danish krone 1 910.08French franc 1 1,024.51Poundsterling 1 10,315.

Forex reserves decline to US$16.1 billion

Forex reserves decline to US$16.1 billion JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Monday its net foreign exchange reserves decreased by US$281 million to $16.1 billion on July 15 compared to the previous week's level.

Players vie for billiard trophy

Players vie for billiard trophy JAKARTA (JP): About 200 players are expected to compete in the billiard championship for the Kapolda (Jakarta police chief) Cup, the organizer said on Monday.The four-day championship will take place from July 22 to July 24 and will be held at Bengkel Night Park on...

Timber company to breed deer in Southeast Sulawesi

Timber company to breed deer in Southeast Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): A giant timber company often accused of being partly responsible for the loss of much of Indonesia's forests is planning to breed deer (cervus timorensis) in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, where it runs an industrial forest estate.

Bakrieland shares suspended

Bakrieland shares suspended JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange suspended trading of property firm PT Bakrieland Development on Monday after the company failed to meet Friday's deadline to submit its 1998 financial statement.

Privatization a delicate deal

Privatization a delicate dealBy Winarno Zain JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto once said the Indonesian people did not have to worry about their foreign debt. He said that because the country had so many state-owned enterprises, it would have enough money to pay the debt simply by selling...

Tomen triples capacity in RI

Tomen triples capacity in RI TOKYO (Dow Jones): Tomen Corp. a Japanese general trading company, said Monday it has tripled production capacity at its styrene monomer plant in Indonesia to 300,000 metric tons.

Environment needs own ministry: PPP

Environment needs own ministry: PPP JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) has recommended establishing an environment ministry with more budget and better human resources than the current non-portfolio office to deal with increasingly complicated environmental problems.

Crisis forces more children to work: ILO

Crisis forces more children to work: ILO JAKARTA (JP): A nationwide survey in December 1998 found that the number of children forced to work to augment their families' incomes increased to 1,809,935 from 1,644,227 in 1997.

No suspects yet in murder case

No suspects yet in murder case JAKARTA (JP): Thirty people have been questioned in relation to the mutilation-murder of Sumarsana, but police are yet to name any suspects, an officer said on Monday.Those questioned were mostly relatives, close friends, and coworkers of the 33-year-old victim, whose...

Texmaco, Polysindo post losses

Texmaco, Polysindo post losses JAKARTA (JP): Widely diversified Texmaco Group announced on Monday a net loss of Rp 1.749 trillion for its publicly listed textile manufacturing unit PT Polysindo Eka Perkasa in 1998.

New question emerges

New question emerges The sudden installation of Navy chief Adm. Widodo A.S. as deputy commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) over the weekend caught many people by surprise. Their reactions were understandable, since the job, vacant for more than a decade, was startlingly filled in without any...

Sayumin eyes a gold medal this time

Sayumin eyes a gold medal this time JAKARTA (JP): Sayumin Teng has won silver medals at each of the past four SEA Games; he has the right to be a little jaded with the color."No more silver. This year I have to earn the gold.

13 injured in latest Ambon religious clash

13 injured in latest Ambon religious clash AMBON, Maluku (JP): Thirteen people were injured on Monday in a clash between Muslims and Christians, 11 of them passengers of a public transport vehicle.The vehicle's driver fled the scene on Jl. Diponegoro around 10 a.m.

National basketball team undergoes final workout

National basketball team undergoes final workout JAKARTA (JP): The national basketball team will challenge local clubs as its final preparation for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month.

YLKI urges city administration to waive parking fee hike plan

YLKI urges city administration to waive parking fee hike plan JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) urged the city administration on Monday to suspend its plan to increase parking fees and a 35 percent levy for private operators until it can provide better parking management.

PDI-P promises to review list of House candidates

PDI-P promises to review list of House candidates JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) attempted on Monday to appease critical Muslim groups by promising to review its list of legislative candidates, which is dominated by non-Muslims.

KPU set to ratify poll results

KPU set to ratify poll results JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) needs another week to check reports before it can declare the results of the June 7 elections valid, according to chairman Rudini.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 19, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 6,675.00 6,735.00 6,675.00 6,765.00Australian dollar 1 4,373.80 4,465.30 4,348.00 4,540.00Austrian schilling 1 488.50 498.00 - -Belgian franc 1 166.

Dragon dance returns to Medan

Dragon dance returns to Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): After disappearing for 32 years, the traditional barongsai dragon dance appeared again on Saturday in a show at the Club Store in Medan.Hundreds of visitors, mostly of Chinese descent, enjoyed the rare show, which has also reappeared in other...

Donations for Aceh refugees

Donations for Aceh refugees BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Students grouped in the Aceh Humanity Post distributed food donations to refugees scattered in the areas of Tuepin Raya, Pante Raja and Trieng Gadeng, coordinator Rina Syamsuddin said on Saturday.

ICW veers from its course

ICW veers from its courseFrom PelitaAs a layman, I used to have empathy and support for the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), particularly upon its revelation of the alleged bribery of former attorney general Andi M. Ghalib.

Idea of Islam faction at MPR

Idea of Islam faction at MPRFrom Rakyat MerdekaUnited Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz's idea of the necessity to form an Islamic faction at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has been much commented on, both for and against.

Teen indicted for killing girlfriend

Teen indicted for killing girlfriend JAKARTA (JP): A 17-year old schoolboy was indicted at West Jakarta District Court on Monday, on charges of administering an overdose of chloroform to his girlfriend, after she refused a date. He was aided in the crime by two family servants.

Government submits forestry bill to House

Government submits forestry bill to House JAKARTA (JP): The government submitted a draft bill on forestry to the House of Representatives on Monday despite appeals for its postponement until the new legislature is sworn in.

Martial law may be called in Aceh, Irian: Minister

Martial law may be called in Aceh, Irian: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Separatist movements which have simmered in Aceh and Irian Jaya for years could force the government to declare martial law in the two provinces, a minister said on Monday.

Looter killed as police open fire

Looter killed as police open fire GROBOGAN, Central Java: One died and three others were injured when police opened fire to stop timber looters in a forest in Panadaran village, Grobogan district, on Sunday night.

Megawati's supporters to hold victory parade

Megawati's supporters to hold victory parade BOGOR (JP): Approximately 40,000 supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will take to the streets on Wednesday in a victory parade to celebrate the party's win of a majority of seats at the House of Representatives...

BI to be audited in drive toward transparency

BI to be audited in drive toward transparency JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) will audit Bank Indonesia as part of its drive to boost transparency, according to a senior official at the central bank.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Cartoon Exhibition: Cartoon for Democracy by, 39 Indonesian cartoonists, at Galeri Soemardja, Art and Design Faculty of ITB Jl. Ganesha 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., until July 31. * Photo Exhibition, Photo Pentas, by Herman Effendi, at Hotel Papandayan, Jl.

UNAMET registration rules come under fire

UNAMET registration rules come under fire DILI, East Timor (JP): The United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) is facing mounting demands from East Timorese to soften its regulation requiring voters in next month's self- determination ballot to show at least two pieces of documentation to...

Javan rhino colony stable at 50 to 60

Javan rhino colony stable at 50 to 60 JAKARTA (JP): The endangered Javan rhino population in Ujungkulon National Park, West Java, has remained unchanged, between 50 and 60, since the 1980s, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia.

'Bus fare hikes to take effect in August'

'Bus fare hikes to take effect in August' JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso announced on Monday that the planned hike on bus fares would be made effective by the first week of next month.The governor insisted that the increase, which has received sharp criticism from the Indonesian Transportation...

Aceh rebels kill five soldiers, injure 20 others

Aceh rebels kill five soldiers, injure 20 others JAKARTA (JP): A group of separatist rebels shot five anti-riot troop personnel dead and injured a score of others on Monday in a dawn ambush in Reng Krueng village in Pidie regency, 170 kilometers east of the provincial capital Banda Aceh.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 19, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 15,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 400 0 134,000 Alumindo...

Madurese face desparate lives in refugee centers

Madurese face desparate lives in refugee centersBy Edi Petebang and Erma S. Ranik PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): There is a new scene in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak. Child beggars, newspaper sellers and hawkers roaming the streets.

Another orangutan haven disappears in Indonesia

Another orangutan haven disappears in IndonesiaBy Bernard Estrade JAKARTA (AFP): Illegal logging and mining are just two of the dangers which have sounded the death knell for one of the most important remaining sanctuaries for orangutans in Indonesian Borneo.

Vision pollution

Vision pollutionFrom NeracaSome foreign tourists think there is vision pollution in Bali. The natural scenery of the island is now cluttered, and this condition has made many tourist sites less attractive to visitors.

Malnutrition in S. Kalimantan

Malnutrition in S. Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Twenty-six undernourished babies in South Kalimantan have died this year and 59 others are currently receiving treatment, Antara reported on Saturday.

Presidential election

Presidential election H.W. Pienandoro, who was concerned in his letter Electing the president (July 14, 1999) about bloody thumbprints, is worrying about the wrong issue.Mr. Pienandoro says the thumbprint campaigners are emotional and irrational.

8 hurt, 2 missing after boat blast

8 hurt, 2 missing after boat blast KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Eight people were seriously injured on Sunday night in a blast on a motorized sailing boat, Jabal Qubais, on the dock of a local port near Sentral market here, Antara reported on Monday.

Growth triangle talks in Batam

Growth triangle talks in Batam JAKARTA (JP): Some 300 executives from the region are expected to take part on Wednesday in a meeting on the industrial island of Batam to promote cooperation in the context of the Indonesia- Malaysia-Singapore Growth Triangle (IMS-GT).

Free school for poor children launched

Free school for poor children launched JAKARTA (JP): A free school for children from poor families was opened on Monday by a non-governmental organization as part of its efforts to help educate teenage school leavers in the city.

Local athletes win five golds at Malaysia Open

Local athletes win five golds at Malaysia Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia won five gold, four silver medals and a bronze at the Malaysia Open track-and-field championships over the weekend at the Darulmakmur stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia.

POBSI predicts four golds in billiards and snooker

POBSI predicts four golds in billiards and snookerBy Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): Officials from the Indonesian Billiards and Snooker Association (POBSI) have questioned the National Sports Council's (KONI) decision to include billiards and snooker as a second category sport for the 20th...

Foreign tourist arrivals up in May

Foreign tourist arrivals up in May JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreign tourists arriving in Indonesia increased by 22.85 percent in May, according to the latest report released by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture here on Monday.

Telkom-1 satellite gets go-ahead for launch

Telkom-1 satellite gets go-ahead for launchBy Christiani Tumelap KOUROU, French Guiana (JP): After a four-month delay, the Telkom-1 satellite owned by state telecommunications firm PT Telkom will be launched from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on August 4.

Southeast Asia's smog plan seen as smoke screen

Southeast Asia's smog plan seen as smoke screenBy Benjamin Low KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Southeast Asian nations have not yet proved they are up to combating smog and could be touting a new plan merely as a delaying tactic, an influential Malaysian environmentalist says.

Halting corruption by promoting individual rights

Halting corruption by promoting individual rightsBy Christopher Lingle UBUD, Bali (JP): Few are surprised when corruption is uncovered in Indonesia. Prior to the economic crisis, illicit activities arising from corrupt, collusive and nepotistic (KKN) practices were estimated to add between 15...

Clove prices skyrocket

Clove prices skyrocket JAKARTA (JP): Central Sulawesi clove farmers have failed to benefit from a 20-year high price of Rp 50,000 (US$7.46) per kilogram over the past week, from as low as Rp 2,500 in early 1998, due to low output.

Ananda wins F-3000 race

Ananda wins F-3000 race JAKARTA (JP): Young Indonesian driver Ananda Mikola fulfilled his ambition by winning the third leg of the Formula 3000 at the Enna circuit, Pergusa, Italy, on Sunday.Ananda, driving under the banner of Edenbridge Racing, reached 189.

Police vow war with Aceh rebels

Police vow war with Aceh rebels JAKARTA (JP): Aceh Police vowed on Monday to use any legal means to fight Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels in the province.Speaking at a media conference here, chief of the provincial police Col.

Ghalib may continue as PGSI chief

Ghalib may continue as PGSI chief JAKARTA (JP): Former attorney general Andi M. Ghalib said on Monday he was likely to retain his post as chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI), despite claims of his alleged involvement in corrupt activities.

KL condemns S'pore-Israel deal

KL condemns S'pore-Israel deal KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia has scolded Singapore for purchasing Israeli guided missiles, saying the defense pact was inconsiderate and made Malaysia not "feel good", news reports said on Monday.

Asia needs 4,300 planes

Asia needs 4,300 planes HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asia's airlines will need 4,300 new aircraft from now until 2018, a top executive of Airbus Industrie said Monday.Adam Brown, Airbus' vice president for Asia, was presenting the European aircraft maker's 20-year projection of regional demand for planes...

Big parties agree on CGI loan program

Big parties agree on CGI loan program JAKARTA (JP): The five major political parties, except the National Mandate Party (PAN), agreed on Monday that Indonesia's creditors continue loan disbursements to plug the current state budget deficit.

Filthy air could dent HK's competitive advantage

Filthy air could dent HK's competitive advantageBy Tan Ee Lyn HONG KONG (Reuters): The air in Hong Kong is getting so bad even big business is getting worried.Citizens have long cried out against the choking exhaust that has turned the skies above this city of 6.