Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 July 1999

49 articles found

Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 26, 1999:

Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 26, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Military kills 41 in latest Aceh strife: Report

Military kills 41 in latest Aceh strife: Report JAKARTA (JP): Troops shot dead at least 41 civilians, including a former political prisoner, in an antirebel operation in the troubled province of Aceh last week, a human rights group said on Monday. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) quoted witnesses as saying the military killed Teungku Bantaqiah, an Islamic boarding school leader, who was just released from Tanjung Gusta prison in North Sumatra in March.

Standard Chartered leads Bank Bali management

Standard Chartered leads Bank Bali management JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) entered into a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered Bank on Monday, whereby the United Kingdom-based bank will head Bank Bali's new management team. IBRA said in a press statement this was part of the agreement which will see the foreign bank partly finance the recapitalization of publicly listed Bank Bali.

Nine-year-old dies in blaze

Nine-year-old dies in blaze DENPASAR, Bali: A nine-year-old child was killed when a fire razed at least 14 houses in a complex belonging to the Udayana Regional Military Command in Kuta subdistrict, 15 kilometers south of here, on Sunday morning, Antara reported on Monday. The blaze started in one of the houses and quickly spread to other buildings, including a kiosk selling gasoline, Badung Fire Department chief I Wayan Suteja said on Monday.

Thousands of Tual refugees in desperate state

Thousands of Tual refugees in desperate state JAKARTA (JP): Four resident representatives from the troubled city of Tual, Southeast Maluku, pleaded on Monday for immediate assistance for some 22,000 refugees, with many of them malnourished children who have been dying from hunger-related diseases, living in squalid conditions in makeshift refugee centers in the regency.

Aceh woman activist supports refugees

Aceh woman activist supports refugees By Ati Nurbaiti PIDIE, Aceh (JP): At the end of a long hot day, Farida Hariyani had developed flu symptoms and a relative was massaging her head at her sister's residence in Ulee Glee district. The recipient of the 1998 Yap Thiam Hien human rights award has moved in with her parents, fearing that soldiers might harass the elderly couple while she undertook her daily duties, checking up on refugees.

Iwan wants sepaktakraw gold for Indonesia

Iwan wants sepaktakraw gold for Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): A gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games has been sepaktakraw player Rasiwan's dream since his debut in the event in 1995. Rasiwan, nicknamed Iwan, was born on Jan. 27, 1971, in a small village in Banyumas, Central Java. He started his career in village club and competed in village tournaments. "I used to compete in an inter-village tournament, which offers a goat as the grand prize and a rooster for the runner-up.

PDI-P to observe July 27 incident

PDI-P to observe July 27 incident SURABAYA (JP): Some 1,000 supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) are expected to attend a gathering here on Tuesday to commemorate the third anniversary of the "July 27" tragedy. The chairman of PDI Perjuangan's East Java chapter, Sutjipto, said on Monday that the gathering, to be held at the party's office on Jl.

Payment of 'fiskal'

Payment of 'fiskal' From Kompas At 1:30 p.m. on May 30 I paid my fiskal (tax imposed on people going abroad) at Terminal E of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. In view of the large amount -- Rp 1,000,000 -- I hoped the official in charge would complete the fiskal receipt which would facilitate settlement at the tax office. I had prepared the pertinent data in block letters to facilitate the official while he performed the duty. What happened?

Minister promotes healthy lifestyle

Minister promotes healthy lifestyle JAKARTA (JP): Preventing an illness is better than curing it, Minister of Health Faried Anfasa Moeloek said on Monday, in a speech that was part of a campaign to promote healthy living. Addressing the 15th anniversary of Open University (UT) in Ciputat subdistrict, some 15 kilometers south of Jakarta, he said the health ministry would therefore no longer suggest a curative, but a preventive approach to health care.

Soeharto 'may leave hospital soon'

Soeharto 'may leave hospital soon' JAKARTA (JP): Ailing former president Soeharto, who was admitted to Pertamina hospital last Tuesday after suffering a mild stroke, is not paralyzed and is likely to be discharged from hospital later this week, his daughter said on Monday. "Bapak is not paralyzed as both of his legs can still move.

Investor to come to Bongkaran

Investor to come to Bongkaran JAKARTA (JP): A private investor lurks behind the government's plan to relocate squatters in Central Jakarta's subdistrict of Tanah Abang Bongkaran, an official from the state-owned railway company Perumka confirmed on Monday. "Yes, the proposal is ready. It is being sent to Perumka headquarters in Bandung," Eddy Sasongko, Perumka deputy operation manager, said in reply to questions fielded by reporters.

AG lacks evidence to prosecute Soeharto

AG lacks evidence to prosecute Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): With just a few months left to the November deadline, acting Attorney General Ismudjoko insisted on Monday that his office lacked sufficient evidence to name former president Soeharto a suspect in corruption cases. Ismudjoko told House Commission I for security and defense, law, politics and information that his office required compelling proof to send the ailing former president to court.

Indonesia looks to regain sepaktakraw dominance

Indonesia looks to regain sepaktakraw dominance By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Sepaktakraw is a traditional Indonesian sport which is popular among natives of South Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Sumatra. Yet, Indonesia no longer dominates the sport. Neighboring Thailand and Malaysia have proven their superiority in several Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. In the 20th SEA Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug.

10 babies with malnutrition

10 babies with malnutrition LAMONGAN, East Java: Ten undernourished babies in Lamongan regency were placed in intensive care by health officials, Antara reported on Saturday. Data from the Babad Lamongan community health center showed the babies mostly came from poor families, health center chief Djijin B. Irodati said. "We have put the babies in intensive care. Most of them come from the villages of Soko and Kuripan," Djijin said.

FORKI to select kata karatekas for Southeast Asian Games

FORKI to select kata karatekas for Southeast Asian Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI) still plans to announce its athletes names in the technical meeting, although it staged a competition on Monday to select kata karatekas to compete in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month. FORKI's athlete development deputy, Armen Lukas, said he would have to report the selection results to chairman Wiranto before announcing the names.

Tripatra responds

Tripatra responds In connection with Paul Key's letter of July 23, 1999, Injustices in Tripatra, PT. Tripatra wishes to correct the writer's mistakes and misleading comments. As a national enterprise, PT Tripatra (the company) employs approximately 9,700 workers for its construction services for PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia. At present, more than 80 percent of the workers are dedicated and working for the company.

Thailand defends ASEAN's stance

Thailand defends ASEAN's stance BANGKOK (AFP): Millions of Asians wanted to see positive political development in military-run Myanmar but not if it meant the collapse of ASEAN, Thailand's deputy foreign minister said on Monday. He agreed the "majority of intellectual people" shared the aspirations of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi but said that would not change the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) policy of noninterference in members' internal affairs.

Qantas starts E-ticket sales

Qantas starts E-ticket sales JAKARTA (JP) : Australian airline Qantas Airways has launched an electronic ticket (E-ticket) facility in Jakarta and Bali to expedite ticketing, Qantas sales manager Ronny Mampouw announced on Monday. "This high-technology service brings convenience, ease and security to customers in which they don't have to worry about losing the ticket," Ronny added.

JSX composite index drops to 592 over political concerns

JSX composite index drops to 592 over political concerns JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) plunged on Monday after the General Elections Commission (KPU) failed to approve the general election results. The Jakarta Composite Index fell 5.3 percent or 33.11 points in active trading to close at 592.72 from Friday's close of 625.83.

'RCTI' journalists plan strike

'RCTI' journalists plan strike JAKARTA (JP): At least 41 employees of the editorial department of private television station RCTI threatened to go on strike on Wednesday if the department's three head editors did not resign, the employees said in a statement on Monday. The employees demanded that Chrys Kelana, the chief editor, and Adolf Posuma and Desi Anwar, both deputy chief editors, quit as they believed the three were incapable.

Premier to sell RI project

Premier to sell RI project LONDON (Dow Jones): Premier Oil PLC of the UK is planning a US$200 million refinancing with the sale of a half share in its West Natuna gas project in Indonesia, according to the UK's Times newspaper. The stake in West Natuna represents some 500 billion cubic feet of gas, but key to the deal will be the prospect of reducing Premier's huge financial commitment to the project by about US$100 million over the next few years, the paper said.

Minivan drivers go on strike

Minivan drivers go on strike TANGERANG (JP): Minivan drivers plying Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD)-Cikokol route went on strike on Monday in protest of the operation of Mayasari Bhakti buses serving the BSD-Senen route. The drivers demanded the Tangerang office of the Land Traffic Agency (DLLAJ) revoke its approval for the new buses to enter the BSD bus terminal so as not to affect their income.

U.S., EU concerned over security in East Timor

U.S., EU concerned over security in East Timor SINGAPORE (JP): The United States and the European Union expressed concern over security in East Timor on Monday, warning that failure to ensure a conducive environment could foil plans for a fair referendum in the disputed province. "We look to the Indonesian government to meet its obligation to create a secure and credible environment for the August vote," U.S.

U.S. Embassy's cowboy tactics

U.S. Embassy's cowboy tactics It is really hard to understand that a country as big and advanced as U.S. still resorts to cowboy-style culture in the provision of immigration services, particularly with respect to young Indonesian citizens. Two of my nephews recently experienced this unpleasant attitude when they applied for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

KPU rejects election results

KPU rejects election results JAKARTA (JP): The much-awaited General Elections Commission (KPU) announcement of the poll results turned out on Monday to be yet another political complication when 27 parties rejected the final vote count, and the KPU chairman deferred the final decision to President B.J. Habibie.

PDI headquarters takeover to be commemorated today

PDI headquarters takeover to be commemorated today JAKARTA (JP): The hostile takeover of the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta on July 27, 1996, will be commemorated at Senayan Stadium on Tuesday morning, organizers said. The head of the organizing committee, Jakob Nuwa Wea, announced on Monday after a meeting with Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen.

Newcrest pours 1st RI gold

Newcrest pours 1st RI gold MELBOURNE (Dow Jones): Australia's Newcrest Mining Ltd. said Monday it poured its first gold from the Gosowong project in Indonesia Sunday. Newcrest owns 82.5 percent of the mine, and PT Aneka Tambang holds the remaining 17.5 percent The plant is expected to be at full capacity by the end of September, the Australian company said. "Construction and startup have been achieved on time and within the US$61 million budget," Newcrest noted.

Traffic jam near Gandhi school

Traffic jam near Gandhi school It is disheartening to note that from the day Gandhi School in Ancol, North Jakarta, was reopened on July 19, 1999 -- after about two and half months of long vacation -- school children, along with their parents, have faced the traumatic experience of enduring traffic congestion for hours just to enter or leave the school. This is caused by the closure of all roads and entrances leading to the school by residents of the area.

Mahathir's megaproject comes under fire

Mahathir's megaproject comes under fire By Andreas Baenziger KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): The recently completed Prime Minister's Office rages mightily over a landscape that until recently was covered by dense palm and rubber plantations. But the vast granite structure, with its green onion domes, cannot be called beautiful and certainly not tasteful.

U.S. declares 'shared goals' in ASEAN growth

U.S. declares 'shared goals' in ASEAN growth By Oei Eng Goan and Meidyatama Suryodiningrat SINGAPORE (JP): The United States is equally interested in the security of the Asia-Pacific and the region's growth and leadership in its drive for a more open, stable and dynamic global economy, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on Monday.

Singapore-RI gas project registers full advance sales

Singapore-RI gas project registers full advance sales SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore conglomerate SembCorp Industries on Monday said the supply of gas from a multi-billion-dollar deal with Indonesia had all been bought up in advance by occupants of a major petrochemical complex here.

Lippo Supermal set to reopen on Saturday

Lippo Supermal set to reopen on Saturday TANGERANG (JP): Karawaci's Lippo Supermal, which was shut down after being severely burnt and looted on May 14, 1998, during the riots that swept through the capital, is scheduled to reopen on Saturday. "It's a quiet opening. Hopefully, there would be between 35 and 40 stores on the first floor opening that day," Victor Chan of PT Balindo International Property, the real estate agent representing the owners, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

BII Finance Center fights bankruptcy claim

BII Finance Center fights bankruptcy claim JAKARTA (JP): Local financing company BII Finance Center challenged on Monday the bankruptcy petition filed by three foreign creditors. The defendant's lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea said the bankruptcy claim against his client was immature because the creditors signed an agreement in April to support BII Finance's debt rescheduling proposal. "My client has no mature debts so the bankruptcy claim cannot be filed," Hotman said.

Rates for tax payment, valid from July 26 to Aug. 1

Rates for tax payment, valid from July 26 to Aug. 1 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 6,670.00 Austrian schilling 1 499.75 Australian dollar 1 4,306.82 Belgian franc 1 170.47 Canadian dollar 1 4,426.89 Swiss franc 1 4,295.19 Deutschemark 1 3,517.75 Danish krone 1 940.42 French franc 1 1,048.35 Poundsterling 1 10,485.24 Hong Kong dollar 1 859.43 Italian lira 100 355.16 Japanese yen 100 5,608.81 Malaysian ringgit 1 1,755.26 Dutch guilder 1 3,120.55 New Zealand dollar 1 3,476.40 Norwegian krone 1 847.96 Swedish...

Winters says new government must be a clean break from past

Winters says new government must be a clean break from past JAKARTA (JP): The country needs a new, clean government with the credibility to demand the World Bank take responsibility for massive leakage and inefficiency in the use of its foreign aid, an American expert on Indonesia said on Monday.

Amien's 'center axis'

Amien's 'center axis' National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais, United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz, Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Nadhlatul Ummat Party (PNU) chairman Yusuf Hasyim met at PPP headquarters over the past weekend.

Danareksa gets award

Danareksa gets award JAKARTA (JP): Hong Kong's Finance Asia monthly magazine has named PT Danareksa the best local securities or investment bank in Indonesia for its innovative products and good performance, the company said. Winners of the 1999 Country Awards for Achievement were selected on results of an opinion poll of 1,000 major companies in 11 Asian countries, Danareksa announced on Saturday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 26, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 -25 70,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 325 -75 90,500 Alumindo Light Metal 925 -50 28,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,550 0 11,372,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Archer Hamdiah qualifies for Olympics

Archer Hamdiah qualifies for Olympics JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's woman archer Hamdiah qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney after making it to the quarterfinals of the 40th World Archery Tournament in Riom, France. Hamdiah, seeded 56th in the tournament, defeated Lina Pavchuky of the Ukraine 159-154 in the third round of the tournament, Ole Sadovnycha of the Ukraine 157-146 in the second round and Olga Moroz of Belarus 145-138 in the opening round.

Acer launches new product

Acer launches new product JAKARTA (JP): Personal computer manufacturer Acer announced on Monday the upcoming launch of its WT 300 Windows-based terminal for the Indonesian market. The company's senior vice president and general manager of Acer's branded business unit, T.Y Lay, said the WT 300 provided commercial computing users with a distinct alternative to desktop PCs for networked Windows-environment applications.

Orangutan population faces extinction

Orangutan population faces extinction By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is adored for its natural and cultural diversity and stands out among the richest countries in the world in terms of its biodiversity. But at the same time, it is also losing these assets at an incredibly fast rate. Dutch researcher Erik Meijaard saw the poor state of the country's environmental programs in April 1994 when he started his research on orangutans.

Sri Indriyani breaks world record

Sri Indriyani breaks world record JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's women's weightlifter Sri Indriyani managed to break the world record after lifting 84 kilograms in snatch in the 48 kg division at the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) national championships at Hotel Indonesia on Monday. The snatch lift is half a kilogram heavier than the world record made by Yuu Shafa of China, who lifted 83.5 kg in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok last year.

Monagro donates corn seeds

Monagro donates corn seeds JAKARTA (JP): Herbicide and seed producer PT Monagro Kimia donated on Monday five tons of prime C-5 hybrid corn seeds and one tons of Polaris herbicides to farmers whose rice fields and corn plantations have been destroyed by pests. The donations, worth Rp 100 million, are earmarked for farmers in Tuban, Bojonegoro, Ngawi and Situbondo, whose 200 hectares of rice fields were recently damaged by pests.

Constructive approach needed for Aceh

Constructive approach needed for Aceh By Yulius P. Hermawan BANDUNG (JP): It is pure irony that human rights violence in Aceh has been increasing dramatically after Aceh's status of the Military Operation Zone (DOM) was removed by a military commander in August 1998. The increase of sporadic resistance movements provides a strong reason for the Indonesian Military (TNI) to continue their operation in the so-called verandah of Mecca.

Lunar eclipse on Wednesday

Lunar eclipse on Wednesday BANDUNG, West Java: The Bosscha Observatory announced that people across the country would be able to witness a partial eclipse of the moon on Wednesday, Antara reported. The partial eclipse of the moon -- the last event of its kind in the 20th century -- will be seen in Indonesia, observatory chairman Moedji Raharto said here on Sunday.

Mercedes takes hatchback orders

Mercedes takes hatchback orders JAKARTA (JP): PT Mercedes Benz Indonesia, capitalizing on recent slashes in import tariffs, said on Monday it was taking orders for its A-class hatchbacks in fully built form for delivery early next year. "We have received quite a number of orders for the A-class," deputy director Anto Nurdiyanto told The Jakarta Post. He declined to give the number but said it was promising.

Telecoms bill set to pass next month

Telecoms bill set to pass next month JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives is upbeat about passing the telecommunications bill by the end of August. Chairman of House Commission IV for telecommunications, tourism and transportation Burhanuddin Napitupulu said on Monday that legislators and the government were in agreement on most of the important aspects of the bill.

Joint Communique on the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

Joint Communique on the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting This is the second of two excerpts of the Joint Communique issued at the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial in Singapore. External relations 34. We reaffirmed the importance of an outward-looking ASEAN, which can play a pivotal role in international forum. We appreciated the continuing support extended by the international community, particularly ASEAN's Dialog Partners, to ASEAN's activities.