Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 July 1999

58 articles found

Tangerang councilors land Rp 450m 'farewell token'

Tangerang councilors land Rp 450m 'farewell token' TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang Regency office has provided a "farewell token" of Rp 10 million (US$1,500) cash to each of the 45 regency councilors.The gifts amounting to Rp 450 million, taken from the regency's current 1999/2000 fiscal year budget,...

People's concern

People's concernFrom PelitaStatements concerning presidential hopefuls are nothing new. During the Old Order regime, the slogan "Life and death for Bung Karno" resounded. In the New Order regime, there always was one presidential candidate only.

No more funds for PPD I, governor Sutiyoso says

No more funds for PPD I, governor Sutiyoso says JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that his administration had decided not to allocate any further funds for the Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I).

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in SurabayaFilm * 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...

Robbers steal Rp 75m from bank client in South Jakarta

Robbers steal Rp 75m from bank client in South Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Two men on a motorcycle got away with Rp 75 million (US$11,500) on Tuesday when they grabbed a bag belonging to a businessman who had just withdrawn the money from a bank.

AII donates geography books

AII donates geography books JAKARTA: The Australia Indonesia Institute (AII) has published 50,000 Australian geography books and plans to distribute 1,000 copies to a number of junior high schools across the country.

House and government cannot connect on airtime rate

House and government cannot connect on airtime rate JAKARTA (JP): The government has turned down a recommendation from the House of Representatives to raise the airtime rate for cellular telephones by 15 percent.

Table tennis hopes to serve up two golds

Table tennis hopes to serve up two golds JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Table Tennis Association (PTMSI) has set its sight on two of the seven golds on offer in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month.R.M.

Indonesia's recovery 'far from assured': WB

Indonesia's recovery 'far from assured': WB JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank warned Indonesia on Wednesday that its economic recovery was far from assured, despite heartening progress in economic stabilization efforts.

Papua New Guinea's new govt cancels recognition of Taiwan

Papua New Guinea's new govt cancels recognition of Taiwan PORT MORESBY (Agencies): New Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta withdrew Papua New Guinea's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan on Wednesday, but in an apparent effort to keep financial aid said he hoped to maintain economic ties with the island.

Jakarta wins national junior athletics meet

Jakarta wins national junior athletics meet JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta team won the three-day National Junior Athletics Championships with six golds, three silvers and three bronzes at Senayan Madya Stadium on Wednesday.

Deviled egg on the face

Deviled egg on the face A number of us Western readers were appalled to read a notice of congratulations in The Jakarta Post, July 19, page 14, by PT Pertamina to the wise leadership of Iraq on their glorious revolution in winning against the "devil spirit".

Expert calls for scrapping of social safety net program

Expert calls for scrapping of social safety net program JAKARTA (JP): A top official called for the immediate termination of the government's social safety net program, saying it was riddled with shortcomings as the result of being drawn up in a time of panic and pessimism at the onset of the...

Soeharto told to stay in hospital

Soeharto told to stay in hospital JAKARTA (JP): Doctors have told former president Soeharto to spend five to six days at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta to recover from his mild stroke, hospital director Sudjono Martoatmodjo announced on Wednesday.

Holes found in social safety net

Holes found in social safety net KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: More than Rp 500 billion in social safety net funds have yet to reach their intended target groups, an official said. He blamed local regency administrations' poor understanding of the necessary poverty alleviation projects.

Indonesian politics a far cry from democracy

Indonesian politics a far cry from democracyBy Desi Anwar JAKARTA (JP): In Indonesia, problems are rarely solved. They simply get more complicated as the day goes by. For instance, Indonesians were lulled into believing that the country's ills could be overcome if they can carry out a free and fair...

AIA launches new products

AIA launches new products JAKARTA (JP) : Life insurance schemes have become increasingly preferable investment vehicle alternatives, the vice president of PT Asuransi AIA Indonesia life insurance company, Angger P Yuwono, said on Wednesday.

Baby turtles released

Baby turtles released MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: About 381 of 721 baby turtles confiscated from an alleged smuggler at Mopah airfield here last April have been released into the wild, Antara said on Wednesday.

Manila pushes for Spratlys talks

Manila pushes for Spratlys talks MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines said on Wednesday it would continue pressing for regional talks which include China over the disputed Spratly islands despite a protest by Malaysia.

Wismoyo inaugurates SEAG team

Wismoyo inaugurates SEAG team JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, inaugurated the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games contingent at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium on Wednesday.

Goenawan resigns as 'Tempo' chief editor

Goenawan resigns as 'Tempo' chief editor JAKARTA (JP): After 28 years as the driving wheel behind leading weekly magazine Tempo, senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad stepped down as chief editor on Wednesday to sample a broader world of culture.

RI unrest hurts Aurora

RI unrest hurts Aurora PERTH (Dow Jones): Australia's Aurora Gold Ltd. said Wednesday that gold production from its Indonesian projects is being hampered by political uncertainty in the country, and a breakdown in law and order.

Habibie may change, says Gus Dur

Habibie may change, says Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid came up on Wednesday with yet another surprising move when he praised President B.J. Habibie -- whom he had often criticized for his links to Golkar and the past regime -- as amenable to change and as less conservative than many...

Cyclist Fery undeterred by road accident

Cyclist Fery undeterred by road accident JAKARTA (JP): Eight years ago, 13-year-old Fery Sonic was cycling along the road in front of his house in the small town of Sukabumi in West Java when a car hit him."The driver was found to be drunk.

ICW distrusts government's stance on Ghalib case

ICW distrusts government's stance on Ghalib case JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) expressed doubt on Wednesday that the government and the military would earnestly investigate the corruption allegedly committed by former attorney general Andi M. Ghalib.

ASEAN moves to implement SEANWFZ treaty

ASEAN moves to implement SEANWFZ treatyBy Meidyatama Suryodiningrat SINGAPORE (JP): Nearly four years after signing a nuclear-free zone treaty, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will take the first step in its implementation on Saturday by convening an inaugural commission meeting...

Japan vows to go on helping Ri economy

Japan vows to go on helping Ri economy TOKYO (AFP): Japanese leaders pledged Wednesday to continue economic aid to Indonesia in a period of transition following its historic elections in June.Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and other ministers made the pledge in separate meetings with Ginandjar...

Bulog benefited from Goro land deal, says Beddu

Bulog benefited from Goro land deal, says Beddu JAKARTA (JP): Former chief of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Beddu Amang told the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday that the agency suffered no losses in the land exchange deal with private firm PT Goro Batara Sakti.

Guests poisoned at wedding party

Guests poisoned at wedding party BOGOR (JP): At least one wedding guest died and 100 others are being treated for food poisoning, allegedly caused by dishes served at a Sunday wedding reception in Udik village, Ciampea district.

Skeletons found at Pongkor mine

Skeletons found at Pongkor mine BOGOR (JP): Dozens of skeletons believed to be of illegal gold miners were found buried at Pongkor gold mine recently by miners from state-owned general mining company PT Aneka Tambang, a company official said on Wednesday.

Police snap to it with cases against magazines

Police snap to it with cases against magazines JAKARTA (JP): Unlike work on other pressing cases, such as corruption, the National Police on Wednesday announced they had completed dossiers on Matra and Popular magazines in just a matter of weeks.

State security bill 'could snuff out democracy': Parwi

State security bill 'could snuff out democracy': Parwi JAKARTA (JP): Observers warn that the bill on state security grants excessive power to the military and the government in the event of perceived threats to the state.

Merpati wants role in transporting haj pilgrims

Merpati wants role in transporting haj pilgrims JAKARTA (JP): Local private airline Merpati Nusantara is seeking the government's approval to become involved once again in the transportation of haj pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, next year.

Indonesia's money still going down the drain

Indonesia's money still going down the drainBy Santo Koesoebjono WASSENAAR, The Netherlands (JP): Former president Soeharto is widely said to be smarter than Ferdinand Marcos. If so, then is it worthwhile to continue chasing his alleged "loot", which he should have hid even better than the deceased...

PLN jolted by big losses in 1998

PLN jolted by big losses in 1998 JAKARTA (JP): State-owned electricity company PT PLN saw its losses jump 15 fold in the year ending Dec. 31, 1998, mainly as a result of the increased cost of procuring electricity from private contractors and soaring debt servicing costs.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 21, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 6,660.00 6,710.00 6,660.00 6,740.00Australian dollar 1 4,273.85 4,358.30 4,248.00 4,433.00Austrian schilling 1 501.45 510.27 - -Belgian franc 1 171.

Indonesian riders expected to keep ahead of the pack

Indonesian riders expected to keep ahead of the packBy Ivy Susanti and Sri Wahyuni JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cyclists are vowing to retain their regional supremacy by grabbing four of seven golds at stake in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite financial problems which prevented local and...

Are Megawati's chances fading?

Are Megawati's chances fading? A new idea has been suggested to the Indonesian public, this time by Amien Rais. The National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman suggested forming a "center axis", with himself and (National Awakening Party founder) Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as the motivating forces.

BI sees benchmark interest rate in double digit at year-end

BI sees benchmark interest rate in double digit at year-end JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said on Wednesday that the central bank's benchmark interest rate might not be able to drop to single digit by year-end, as suggested recently by International Monetary Fund Asia...

Do not politicize religion

Do not politicize religionFrom Rakyat MerdekaPolitical observer Arbi Sanit has said that Habibie and his associates will, by hook or by crook, resort to money politics and the politicizing of religion to maintain the pro-status-quo regime.

One student dies in street brawl

One student dies in street brawl JAKARTA (JP): A brawl between the students of two high schools on Jl. Matraman in East Jakarta claimed one life on Wednesday, a local police officer said.The victim, a year one student, was slashed three times while trying to escape the afternoon brawl, in which the...

Dayaks want governor out

Dayaks want governor out PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Dayak tribal leaders said on Wednesday they wanted outgoing Central Kalimantan Governor Warsito Rasman to leave the province as soon as possible, saying his five-year term was more than enough and his presence was no longer needed in the...

Cak Kandar, the father of feather art

Cak Kandar, the father of feather artBy Ingrid Maack JAKARTA (JP): Seni lukis bulu (feather art) is being touted as an emerging Indonesian art form, as the celebrated father of feathers, Cak Kandar, passes onto his students his passion for natural materials.

Megawati is the cure needed

Megawati is the cure needed As a regular reader of The Jakarta Post (when I am in Indonesia) I was painfully struck by the letter that Willem Oltmans wrote (July 10, 1999).Working and traveling in Indonesia I have come to love it and its future is a thing I dream about and want to help make come...

Time for 'forgive and forget', Thai WTO candidate says

Time for 'forgive and forget', Thai WTO candidate says BANGKOK (AP): With a deal all but done to share power with his rival to lead the World Trade Organization, Thai candidate Supachai Panitchpakdi said Wednesday it was time to leave behind the bitter race and cooperate for the future.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 21, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 500 0 65,500 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 5,000 Alter Abadi 400 0 12,500 Alumindo...

Islam as a 'cultural movement'

Islam as a 'cultural movement'By Arief Fauzi-Marzuki YOGYAKARTA (JP): The politics of Islam has resurfaced as a lively intellectual exercise after the relatively peaceful June 7 general election.Three important things may have prompted the emergence of this matter.

United eyes Asia for merchandising

United eyes Asia for merchandising LONDON (Reuters): Manchester United, the world's wealthiest soccer club, is looking to extend its brand and merchandising activities into Asia, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Golfers to tee it up in Olympic C'ship

Golfers to tee it up in Olympic C'ship JAKARTA (JP): About 300 professional and amateur golf players will compete in the Olympic Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis Country Club, near Bogor, July 27 to July 30, the organizer said Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Anugerah Seni, by 36 Balinese traditional Artists, at Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Phone: 0361 975136), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Sept. 10. * Arts Exhibition by D.

Gandrik's 'Orde Maling' kills with laughter

Gandrik's 'Orde Maling' kills with laughterBy Putu Wijaya JAKARTA (JP): Teater Gandrik, established in Yogyakarta in 1983, is still proving a capable exponent of a "Killing while laughing" style of theater.

Foreign capital inflow 'illusory'

Foreign capital inflow 'illusory' JAKARTA (JP): Foreign capital inflow has yet to reflect a solid return of investor confidence in the country's economy, a noted financial analyst said.Theo F. Toemion said there were indications that foreign investors actively involved in local markets held close...

Luxury hotel plan gets thumbs-down

Luxury hotel plan gets thumbs-down DENPASAR, Bali: Plans to build a 2,000-room five-star hotel in Sendang Pasir, Buleleng, Bali, are in jeopardy because the local government believes the project violates land-use rules.

Alleged drug gang caught in Bandung

Alleged drug gang caught in Bandung BANDUNG: Central Bandung Police arrestd a group of alleged drug dealers in a raid early Wednesday, confiscating a luxurious sedan, thousands of narcotic-type pills and packages of heroin and marijuana.

Exiled Aceh leader calls Indonesian rule absurd

Exiled Aceh leader calls Indonesian rule absurd JAKARTA (JP): Exiled Aceh rebel leader Hasan Tiro has dismissed the government's new autonomy legislation as irrelevant and called Indonesian rule in the troubled province "absurd".

Existence of document on East Timor denied

Existence of document on East Timor denied JAKARTA (JP): The government has denied the authenticity of a 'leaked' document outlining contingency plans, including large- scale evacuation measures, should East Timorese reject its offer for wide-ranging autonomy and select the independence option.

The Aceh quagmire

The Aceh quagmire On Monday at around dawn, five riot troops were ambushed and shot dead by rebels in the village of Reng Krueng in the troubled Pidie regency, about 170 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. Another 20 soldiers were wounded in the clash.

Auto association sees improved car sales

Auto association sees improved car sales JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) expects domestic car sales will reach 60,000 units this year, up from the initial forecast of 50,000 units.