Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 July 1999

54 articles found

Indonesia seeks voter registration extension

Indonesia seeks voter registration extension JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas expressed a wish that the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) would extend registration for the self-determination vote in East Timor to allow more eligible people to participate. "Our hope is that if more time is needed, why not be more flexible so that everybody can participate?" Alatas told journalists. The registration, opened on July 20, is scheduled to close on Aug.

Romana no shot in the dark for Games tennis

Romana no shot in the dark for Games tennis JAKARTA (JP): Absent from national and international tennis events for three years, Romana Tedjakusuma wants to make a golden return to the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam. "I'm glad I can join the SEA Games team after competing in the national selection. I have proven that I am still good and I don't want to spoil my chances," she said. Her steady baseline game kept her unbeaten in six matches during the selection.

German firm offers help

German firm offers help JAKARTA (JP): Target Europe Trade Council, a group of German management consultants, is offering assistance to Indonesian medium-sized exporters wishing to enter Germany, the council said in a statement. "Our new tailor-made consultancy service assists exporters in overcoming cultural and trade barriers in Germany by taking their hand in a step-by-step approach," Target Europe Trade Council chief counselor Klaus Hackman said.

Railway company to raise fine to fare dodgers

Railway company to raise fine to fare dodgers JAKARTA (JP): State train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia will raise the fine for fare dodgers riding trains plying the routes between Jakarta and cities in West Java beginning on Sunday, a company executive said on Friday. The head of the company's Jakarta operation, Masjraul Hidajat, said any passengers, including food vendors, beggars and musicians, who failed to show a valid ticket would be fined.

Condition of local banks still fragile, senior analyst says

Condition of local banks still fragile, senior analyst says JAKARTA (JP): Some of the 74 A-category banks which had a relatively stronger capital condition early in the year have now suffered either a negative or insufficient capital adequacy ratio (CAR) due to a continuing "negative environment," said a senior banking analyst. Rijanto Sastroatmodjo said on Friday that the CAR level of about half of the 74 banks might have already dropped to below the minimum 4 percent level requirement.

Megawati's speech comes under scrutiny

Megawati's speech comes under scrutiny JAKARTA (JP): Observers and rivals alike responded on Friday to Megawati Soekarnoputri's speech in which she asserted her right to national leadership and gave views on problems facing the country. Praises came from prominent politicians including Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Matori Abdul Djalil, who is a follower of Megawati's mentor Abdurrahman Wahid, Hayono Isman and Faisal Basri.

Shoe exports predicted to increase by 25%

Shoe exports predicted to increase by 25% JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) expects shoe exports to increase by 25 percent to US$1.5 billion this year from $1.2 billion in 1998, an industry insider said on Friday. Aprisindo secretary-general Djimanto said the association had earlier forecast a 17 percent drop in exports because overseas buyers were worried about shipment delays due to political instability and unrest in the country.

School security patrol may help stop brawls

School security patrol may help stop brawls JAKARTA (JP): After being halted for a year, the school security patrol, locally known by the abbreviation PKS, was relaunched by city police on Friday in a bid to lessen the number of street brawls in the capital. The resumption of the program, whose members usually consist of students from high schools, was inaugurated by Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Sutanto, acting on behalf of police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman.

Gulf Indonesia finds gas

Gulf Indonesia finds gas CALGARY (Dow Jones): Gulf Indonesia Resources Ltd. (GRL), Talisman (Corridor) Ltd. and Pertamina (P.PMT) reported positive results from the Durian Mabod 2 gas well in south Sumatra, Indonesia. In a news release, the companies said the 144-meter, open-hole interval above 2,517 meters tested a 60/64-inch choke at daily rates of 26 million cubic feet of gas and about 139 barrels of condensate. It said the well is eight kilometers from the Suban 3 delineation well.

'Suaka Metro' tabloid protested

'Suaka Metro' tabloid protested JAKARTA (JP): About 400 members of the Islam Defender Front (FPI) staged a protest on Friday in front of Suaka Metro daily's office in Central Jakarta, demanding the closure of the tabloid on the grounds that it had insulted the FPI leadership. In a front-page report on Thursday, the tabloid displayed a picture of four FPI leaders sitting in a hospital lobby with the caption: "Four faith healers (dukun) in Arabic dress visited Pak Harto in Pertamina hospital".

Aquino and Sin oppose Estrada

Aquino and Sin oppose Estrada MANILA (AFP): Philippine church leaders hardened their stance against President Joseph Estrada, teaming up with former president Corazon Aquino in a campaign to block his plan to rewrite the constitution. Aquino and the Manila archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Sin, jointly announced they would lead an Aug. 20 rally here to defend the constitution and denounce what Sin described as a "return of cronies" of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Team calls off search of mine

Team calls off search of mine SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A search and rescue team ended on Friday the search for victims of a landslide which hit a traditional gold mine in the East Kalimantan district of Kutai, with the death toll at 32, Antara reported. But Kutai Police chief Lt. Col. Abdul Madjid R., who led the search and rescue operation, said the total number victims in the mishap was 39, instead of 40 as estimated earlier.

Bank Indonesia foresees further interest rate fall

Bank Indonesia foresees further interest rate fall BANGKOK (Dow Jones): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Friday that interest rates still have room to fall and the appropriate level for the rupiah ranges between Rp 6,000 and Rp 7,000 to the dollar. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar, Sjahril said the "tendency was for interest rates to come down." However, he wouldn't specify just how far rates would fall.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 30, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Land exchange deal 'caused Bulog losses'

Land exchange deal 'caused Bulog losses' JAKARTA (JP): An official from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) told the South Jakarta District Court on Friday that State Logistics Agency (Bulog) suffered substantial losses in its land exchange deal with wholesale firm PT Goro Batara Sakti. M. Manalu, BPK's expert auditor, said the losses, found when he audited Bulog in the period between October 1997 and November 1997 and between March and April last year, were estimated at Rp 65 billion.

Trading unit of bank stocks to increase to 5,000 shares

Trading unit of bank stocks to increase to 5,000 shares JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) will raise the trading unit (lot) of bank shares to 5,000, from the current 500. to improve efficiency, the exchange's executive said on Friday. Head of trading division Yohanes Liaw said the new trading lot would be effective from Monday.

Pale Soeharto leaves Pertamina Hospital

Pale Soeharto leaves Pertamina Hospital JAKARTA (JP): After undergoing 10 days of intensive medical treatment for a minor stroke, former president Soeharto left Pertamina Hospital for his home on Friday afternoon. Accompanied by his eldest daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana, the 78-year-old former strongman was taken in a wheelchair from his super VVIP room on the sixth floor to a waiting gray Mercedes-Benz sedan outside the South Jakarta hospital.

Wedding party of Sutiyoso's daughter

Wedding party of Sutiyoso's daughter JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso visited chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization Abdurrahman Wahid on Friday, at his office on Jl. Kramat in Central Jakarta, to deliver an invitation for the wedding of Sutiyoso's daughter. Abdurrahman (popularly known as Gus Dur), who is also a presidential candidate for his National Awakening Party, told reporters that Sutiyoso just made a private visit.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: The Body Evolution and Social Bias, by Katirin, at Java Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 36, South Jakarta, until Aug. 14. * Photo Exhibition: Indonesia in white and red, by Polish photographer Grzegorz Torzecki, at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta (Phone: 323707), until Aug. 12. * Photo Exhibition: by Anne-Marie Grobet and Charles Weber, at Gran Melia Jakarta, Jl.H.R.

If Megawati is president

If Megawati is president From D&R If Megawati becomes Indonesia's fourth president, her leadership may hit a major stumbling block due to her limited capabilities and the conflicts of interest of those around her. They are interrelated. Owing to her limited capabilities, she will not be able to properly manage the conflicts within her party. In the meantime, conflicts of interest of her party's personnel have become more acute following her rise to the peak of power.

Indonesia sees Malaysia, Hong Kong as strong rivals in Asiad bidding

Indonesia sees Malaysia, Hong Kong as strong rivals in Asiad bidding JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's lobbying team for the 2006 Asian Games hosts sees Malaysia and Hong Kong as tough rivals in the bidding in October 2000. The team's vice chairman, Enny Hardjanto, told reporters on Friday that Malaysia had recent experience hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur while Hong Kong was better known as a commercial country.

Top designers join fashion, art party

Top designers join fashion, art party JAKARTA (JP): About 30 top local designers will take part in a week-long fashion and art event starting Sunday at the Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, in celebration of Jakarta's 472nd anniversary and Indonesia's 54th Independence day.

House amends judiciary law as part of legal reform drive

House amends judiciary law as part of legal reform drive JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives amended on Friday the 1970 Judiciary Law as part of the government's campaign for legal reform, placing all judicial courts under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Significant changes to be brought about by the newly adopted "one-roof policy" include the stipulation in article 22 that criminal cases involving civilians and military personnel will be heard by a civil court.

Wiranto denies ordering end to Ghalib probe

Wiranto denies ordering end to Ghalib probe JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto denied on Friday allegations that military headquarters instructed the military police chief to halt a corruption probe of Andi M. Ghalib. Wiranto said there was no direct order from the military's top brass to Military Police Headquarters concerning Ghalib, who temporarily relinquished his duties as attorney general for the duration of the investigation.

Officials lambast sea piracy claim

Officials lambast sea piracy claim UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Indonesian officials and a tourism entrepreneur lambasted on Friday unconfirmed reports of mushrooming sea piracy off South Sulawesi's southern shores. "We doubt the reports' accuracy. We've been intensively patrolling and combing the territory (of the South Sulawesi sea)," said Col. R. Soejono, assistant for intelligence affairs at the Navy's Fourth Base in Ujungpandang.

City Council proposes halving of public bus levies

City Council proposes halving of public bus levies JAKARTA (JP): The City Council will ask the city administration to stop collecting up to 50 percent of the levies imposed on bus companies to help the public transportation industry, a councilor said on Friday. Councilor Ali Wongso Sinaga said cutting the collection of the levies for at least one year was necessary to prevent public transportation companies and cooperatives from going out of business.

Government will scrap CPO export taxes: Official

Government will scrap CPO export taxes: Official JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon remove export taxes on crude palm oil (CPO) and its by-products from the current 10 percent, a senior official said on Friday. Director General of International Trade Djoko Moeljono said they would be lifted to comply with a persistent drop in CPO prices on the international market. CPO prices fell from US$469 in late April to $365 in early July, and are $237 at present.

Residents oppose planned cemetery

Residents oppose planned cemetery BOGOR (JP): Residents of Palasari village at Cijeruk district here rejected on Friday the Sri Asih Pratama foundation's plan to build a luxury cemetery on a 32-hectare plot of land which used to belong to them. The residents questioned the plan as they were not consulted. Ade and Wahyudi, two of the local residents, acknowledged that the land was cleared by the foundation in 1992, but it never told them what its objectives were.

Acehnese refugees brace to start all over again

Acehnese refugees brace to start all over again SIGLI, Aceh (JP): Among the student volunteers at a refugee shelter here is a tall thin young man majoring in engineering at a private institution in the capital, Banda Aceh. It was a shock for his friends when they found out one day in July that Hasnandaputra, their fellow activist, was among the refugees himself -- with his entire family, including five of his siblings.

Crude oil prices pass $21-per-barrel mark

Crude oil prices pass $21-per-barrel mark SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian oil refiners may have to reassess their operating rates in light of crude oil's push past US$21 a barrel Friday, Asian crude and oil products traders said. At 0550 GMT, the September light, sweet crude contract traded on New York Mercantile Exchange Access at $21.05/bbl, up 8 cents from the Nymex close Thursday. The last time crude futures hit higher than $21/bbl was November 1997.

Lindskog wins Olympic Golf Championship

Lindskog wins Olympic Golf Championship JAKARTA (JP): Swedish Stephan A. Lindskog won the Olympic Golf Championship at the Gunung Geulis Country Club, near Bogor, on Friday. Jakarta-based golfer Lindskog won Rp 22 million and the crystal Bohemia trophy. He scored a total of 286 points (72-69-74-71). Lindskog said he was happy with the victory and only wanted to play safe and not make any blunders.

Rubber prices end higher

Rubber prices end higher SINGAPORE (AFP): Rubber futures prices in Singapore ended higher Friday on smaller turnover, dealers said. Volume for two of three contracts traded on the Singapore Commodity Exchange Ltd. fell to 1,660 tonnes from 3,220 tonnes a day earlier. The September RSS 1 contract was last traded at 91.75 Singapore cents and the September TSR 20 (FOB) at 51.00 cents. The RSS 3 contract was last traded at 53.50 US cents.

S'pore, Malaysia hit by haze

S'pore, Malaysia hit by haze SINGAPORE (AP): Smoke from Indonesian brush fires pushed Singapore's air pollution index right up to the unhealthy range, and cut visibility in Malaysia's capital as well, officials said. The foul-smelling smoke cast a white pall over Singapore's normally clear blue sky and reduced visibility. The city-state's Environment Ministry said the Pollutant Standards Index hit 100 at noon, but slipped back down to 69 three hours later.

President appoints 10 new ambassadors

President appoints 10 new ambassadors JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie swore in 10 new ambassadors at the State Palace on Friday, including incumbent Presidential Household Chief Maftuh Basyuni and Lt. Gen. Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. Basyuni was appointed as the new ambassador to Kuwait and Bahrain, while Panjaitan will be posted as ambassador to Singapore.

Two more bodies found in Ambon, death toll hits 21

Two more bodies found in Ambon, death toll hits 21 JAKARTA (JP): Two bodies with stab wounds were discovered on Friday at Yos Sudarso port and two people died in an intervillage clash on Thursday, raising the death toll in Ambon this week to 21. A military spokesman reported earlier 15 people had been killed by Wednesday. This figure rose after a man died late Wednesday of gunshot wounds and a body was found by residents on Thursday.

Garuda raises capacity to Aceh

Garuda raises capacity to Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Garuda Indonesia Airways has expanded the capacity of its Jakarta-Banda Aceh service via Medan with the operation of 142-seat capacity Boeing 737-400 planes to replace the smaller version Boeing 737-500. M. Anshori, head of the Garuda office in the Aceh capital, said on Friday that demand for air travel from the province had increased due to the disruption of most bus services from Banda Aceh to Medan in North Sumatra.

Pelti confident of romping home with five tennis golds

Pelti confident of romping home with five tennis golds By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) is optimistic about its chances to bag five golds at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month. Two years ago, the underdog Indonesian women's squad, without former top player Yayuk Basuki, managed to upset the hot favorite Thailand with its star player Tamarine Tanasugarn on the Senayan clay courts.

Megawati's supremacy

Megawati's supremacy As it has turned out, it is not exaggerated to call Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri a phenomenon of supremacy. When she remained silent, people became bitter because they were afraid that her supremacy would be threatened. But when she finally spoke, people were touched as they came under the spell of her supremacy.

Press gets new freedom

Press gets new freedom No sane person could deny that one of the most efficacious efforts this nation has undertaken in the struggle for reform is the establishment of a free press. Since president Soeharto's downfall last year, Indonesia has been surprisingly successful in freeing its press from the yoke of such an authoritarian system. The freedom has been so warmly welcomed by the populace that innumerable new publications now grace our newsstands.

Cellular phone sales start recovery

Cellular phone sales start recovery JAKARTA (JP): Sales of cellular telephones have started to bounce back after suffering a sharp drop last year, according to the Association of Cellular Telephone Dealers. The association's chairman, Alie Cendrawan, said on Friday that the monthly sales of cellular phones in the country increased to between 30,000 and 50,000 units during the first six months of this year from an average of 15,000 units last year.

Indonesia enjoys deflation again

Indonesia enjoys deflation again JAKARTA (JP): Inflation for the month of July is expected to be negative, between 0.8 percent to 0.9 percent, amid weak demand and stable commodity prices, according to a source at the central bank. "This is surprising because our earlier inflation forecast was between minus 0.3 to 0.4 percent," the source said. The source said that demands remained weak as the banking sector had yet to resume lending, and the fiscal sector had yet to start significant spending.

House urged to drop new forestry bill

House urged to drop new forestry bill JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) urged the House of Representatives (DPR) on Friday to drop the forestry bill which was believed to continue exploitation of natural resources if enacted. Walhi chairwoman Emmy Hafild said the bill was substantially similar to the 1967 Law on Forestry Management, which treated forests as natural resources that should be exploited.

Muslims told to trust each other

Muslims told to trust each other JAKARTA (JP): With the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) approaching, Muslim leaders and ulemas are expected to overcome suspicions among themselves to ensure its success, a leading figure said. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) secretary-general Achmad Bagja, one of the organizers of a gathering of religious figures, told Antara on Friday that the meeting was aimed at increasing mutual confidence, particularly in anticipating the General Session.

New assistance program

New assistance program JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched a Technical Assistance and Training Program to help small and medium-scale companies. The program's project manager Albert Batti said the project, which is financed through a US$5.75 million loan from the World Bank and the Indonesian government, small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as cooperatives, would be given training and consultation on information technology (IT).

52 die, five missing in recent Aceh violence

52 die, five missing in recent Aceh violence JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-one more people killed in the military's July 23 operation against separatists in Beutong Ateuh, West Aceh, were found on Wednesday and Thursday, raising the death toll to 52. Antara news agency reported from Banda Aceh on Friday that the bodies were found in ravines seven kilometers from where the incident took place. The bodies were discovered by a team of journalists and rights activists.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 30, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 525 25 20,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 375 25 80,500 Alumindo Light Metal 950 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 -100 40,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,675 50 36,525,000 Anwar Sierad 275 -50 45,000 APAC Centertex Corp.

Beautiful Banda Islands save 'fruit of kings'

Beautiful Banda Islands save 'fruit of kings' By Chris McCall PULAU BANDA BESAR, Maluku (Reuters): A few centuries ago, one of Indonesia's distant and beautiful Banda islands was traded for Manhattan. The key was a sensitive tree that produces two spices, nutmeg and mace, then two of the world's most valuable commodities. In a massacre in the 17th century, the Dutch killed most of the islanders to gain control of the nutmeg groves. But the groves have been gradually going to ruin for decades.

Pertamina to lose contract-awarding rights

Pertamina to lose contract-awarding rights JAKARTA (JP): The government has finally gained support from House leaders for its plan to take over contract-awarding rights from state oil and gas company Pertamina, a move that will end the latter's decades-long monopoly of the country's oil and gas sector.

Nonacademic writers face challenges

Nonacademic writers face challenges By Inge Komardjaja BANDUNG (JP): In his article Writing needs more recognition, A. Chaedar Alwasilah (The Jakarta Post, July 10, 1999) revealed the lack of writing ability in the academic realm in a clever way. What about the problem in nonacademic organizations, where writing reports of applied research is part of the routine? Thus far, reports do not seem to possess qualities of significant contributions to knowledge.

Truce signed in Batam hostilities

Truce signed in Batam hostilities BATAM, Riau: Leaders of ethnic groups involved in bloody clashes in Batam have pledged a truce, Antara reported. Public transportation drivers from North Sumatra's Batak ethnic group and West Nusa Tenggara's Flores ethnic group were involved in fatal clashes on Wednesday which have caused at least 11 fatalities and injured dozens.

The central axis

The central axis The recent emergence of the "central axis" is in fact only a formality of an existing political reality in Indonesia. If somebody thinks that the axis can disrupt the closeness between Gus Dur and Megawati, another may think that it can rupture the proximity between Hamzah Haz and President Habibie. As an optimistic Muslim I can be proud that whoever will be president he/she is a Muslim, be they Gus Dur, Habibie, Hamzah Haz, Amien Rais or Megawati.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Two Hours Only 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Music 9:30 TV Series: The Saint 10:30 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Sports 4:00 Regional News 4:30 English Lessons 5:00 Cultural Program 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00 World News 9:35 Talk Show 10:30 Quiz 11:00 Film 12:30 a.m. Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Singapore hires Danish coach

Singapore hires Danish coach SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has roped in Danish coach Jan Poulsen to steer the island state into the 2010 World Cup soccer finals. Poulsen, who is currently coaching his side in its quest to qualify for the Sydney Olympics, will become director of Singapore's "Goal 2010" project on Oct. 1, the Straits Times newspaper reported Friday.

Krugman to speak at economics forum

Krugman to speak at economics forum JAKARTA (JP): Distinguished world economist Paul Krugman, Hubert Neiss, the director of the International Monetary Fund for Asia and Pacific, and several other economists will speak at an economics forum to be held here on Aug. 25.