Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 August 1999

54 articles found

Hong Kong creditors sue Bakrie Finance

Hong Kong creditors sue Bakrie Finance JAKARTA (JP): Five Hong Kong-based creditors jointly filed a bankruptcy claim against listed finance company PT Bakrie Finance Corporation for failing to pay a total of US$21 million in bank loans, according to the plaintiff's lawyer. Joni Aries Bangun of Hanafiah Ponggawa Adnan Bangun Kelana law firm said on Friday the debts had matured on May 3 this year. "We filed the bankruptcy claim on Thursday to the Commercial Court.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Art Spectrum 2000, at Galeri Penjor, Jl. Panglima Polim Raya No. 53, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 14-25. * Graphics Art Exhibition: Workshop Seni Grafis dari Kamboja, at the exhibition hall of IKJ, TIM, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, Aug. 14. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Transformasi Kawat Duri, by Dan Hisman Kartakusumah, at the Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl.

Malaysia edges Thailand in medal pursuit

Malaysia edges Thailand in medal pursuit By Primastuti Handayani and Ivy Susanti BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The race for supremacy at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) could be decided in a photo finish after Malaysia bumped Thailand from the lead on Friday. Winning two gold medals each in lawn bowling and pencak silat and one in swimming, Malaysia pulled ahead of Thailand with 50 golds, 38 silvers and 42 bronzes.

A TNI of a different color

A TNI of a different color From Pelita It is said that in the past the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), through its military branch, was able to infiltrate the Indonesian Military (TNI). This communist infiltration gave the TNI's path a red color. Similarly, when Golkar dominated the New Order government, TNI was strongly influenced by the yellow color. These changes of color throughout TNI's history indicate, in a way, that TNI belongs to the people.

Medal tally

Medal tally G S B Total Malaysia 50 38 42 130 Thailand 49 40 53 142 Indonesia 38 32 53 123 Singapore 18 21 40 79 Vietnam 15 18 24 57 Philippines 14 22 36 72 Brunei Darussalam 3 11 29 43 Myanmar 3 9 10 22 Laos 1 0 3 4 Cambodia 0 0 0 0

IBRA asked to maintain Chandra's operation

IBRA asked to maintain Chandra's operation JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade has urged the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) continue operating PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center, despite its massive bad debts.

Most people said polls fair and free

Most people said polls fair and free JAKARTA (JP): More than 80 percent of Indonesian voters believe the June 7 general election proceeded in a fair and free manner, according to an electoral survey conducted one week after the polls. Carried out by political experts of the University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences, supervised by American expert R. William Liddle, the study also found that 68 percent of the respondents said they felt "freer" during the balloting.

Taufik leads Indonesia charge to badminton finals

Taufik leads Indonesia charge to badminton finals BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Teenager Taufik Hidayat led a pack of Indonesian badminton players through to four of the finals at the 20th Southeast Asian Games here Thursday. The women's doubles final will be an all-Indonesia affair, pitting Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta against the new partnership of Indarti Issoliana and Emma Ermawati.

Five killed in bus accident

Five killed in bus accident PEKANBARU, Riau: Five died when the bus they were riding in overturned on the Pekanbaru-Duri highway on Thursday morning, Antara reported. A police spokesman in Duri said the accident occurred near Kandis village in Mandau district, Bengkalis regency, some 80 kilometers from Pekanbaru. A representative of PMH bus company said five people were killed and several others wounded in the accident.

The rout in Brunei

The rout in Brunei Although there are two more days and a handful of gold medals to go before the Southeast Asian Games (SEA) Games wind up in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, it is safe to assume that Indonesia has lost its claim as the preeminent sporting power in the region. Indonesia, which really should have held on to the title simply based on the sheer size of its population relative to other countries in the region, will be lucky to even finish second in the Games' medal tally.

Two quakes jolt Luwuk

Two quakes jolt Luwuk KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted the Central Sulawesi town of Luwuk and its environs at 10:56 a.m. on Friday, causing panic among residents, Antara reported. The head of the local meteorological and geophysical office, Fransisca Surti Priyani, said the quake's epicenter was beneath the Timor Sea, about 49 kilometers southeast of here and 33 kilometers below sea level. No casualties or damage was reported.

Phony journalists scare officials

Phony journalists scare officials BOGOR (JP): Regent Agus Utara Efendi spoke out against phony journalists loitering at the regency office and ordered staff not to divulge any information to them. He said bodrek (people who impersonate reporters) were bothering officials at the office for money. "The odd part is many high-ranking officials are terrified of them and run away each time the phony reporters come by," Agus said during the installment of 185 health officials on Thursday.

SEA Games results

SEA Games results Swimming Men 200m freestyle: 1. Vicha Ratanachote (Tha) 1min 53.43sec, 2. Mark Chay (Sin) 1:53.98, 3. Ju Wei Sng (Sin) 1:54.25 4x100m medley relay: 1. Malaysia 3min 45.61sec (SEA Games record), 2. Thailand 3:50.45, 3. Singapore 3:55.56 200m butterfly: 1. Albert Sutanto (Ina) 2:02.06, 2. Alex Lim (Mas) 2:02.35, 3. Ratapong Sirisanont (Tha) 2:02.71 Women 50m freestyle: 1. Joscelin Yeo (Sin) 26.23sec (SEA Games record), 2. Pilin Tachakittiranan (Tha) 27.01, 3.

Budget surplus still at Bank DKI: Vice governor

Budget surplus still at Bank DKI: Vice governor JAKARTA (JP): Vice governor Fauzie Alvi Yasin confirmed on Thursday city-owned Bank DKI had lent out the Rp 822 billion (US$109.6 million) surplus from the 1998/1999 city budget, but stressed the money could at any time be withdrawn. "The fund is still at the bank. The city administration could withdraw the money anytime," he told reporters.

UI plans to form team to monitor hazing day

UI plans to form team to monitor hazing day DEPOK (JP): The University of Indonesia (UI) will set up teams to monitor the upcoming student orientation programs for any mistreatment, a university official said on Friday. UI's deputy rector for student affairs, Umar Mansyur, said the teams would be established in all of the university's 28 faculties and would consist of staff members from each faculty.

Regent's entourage lost in forest

Regent's entourage lost in forest PADANG, West Sumatra: Rescue workers have found the entourage of some 100 people of Solok Regent Gamawan Fauzi in the forested areas along Batang Anai River, after they went missing on Wednesday. The search and rescue team reportedly first made contact with Gamawan through a police radio at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and instructed the regent to follow the river, which would lead them to the Asam Pulau Lubuk area.

Indonesia's political elite has no statesmanship

Indonesia's political elite has no statesmanship By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Political education has been a "traditional" out-of-school activity among Indonesian intellectuals. Independent discussions about politics among students, from junior high school up to university, has been a common feature of nonformal political education. During the Japanese occupation this kind of activity was done secretively, and limited to selected students.

Independence Day traffic changes

Independence Day traffic changes JAKARTA (JP): Motorists are suggested to avoid the area around Merdeka Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday due to street closures for the 54th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day, an official said on Thursday. City Administration spokesman Kamaludin S. said the streets to be closed were Jl. Veteran, Jl. Veteran II, Jl. Veteran III, eastern part of Jl. Majapahit, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. Silang Monas Barat Laut and Jl. Museum.

Qantas asked to serve Irian

Qantas asked to serve Irian JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has asked Australian airline Qantas Airways Ltd. to open flight services between Darwin and the country's eastern-most province, Irian Jaya. Head of the Irian Jaya chapter of Kadin, Tonny Uloli, said on Friday his organization suggested that Qantas tap potential business in air transportation between Darwin and several cities in the province such as Biak and Timika.

Teachers face challenges in restive provinces

Teachers face challenges in restive provinces JAKARTA (JP): Being caught in the middle of violence and facing death are sometimes the hazards of teaching in troubled areas of Aceh and East Timor. The lesser hardships of working with severely limited facilities and poor wages are also the tribulations of being a teacher in these provinces.

George Benson stays in the shallow end to please fans

George Benson stays in the shallow end to please fans By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a number of musicians and singers found that crossing the increasingly thin line between jazz and the more commercially viable pop was a good way to get people to buy their records, pleasing record labels to no end.

Government promises transparent oil contracts

Government promises transparent oil contracts JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mines and Energy promised on Friday greater transparency and collusion-free procedures if it was given the right to award lucrative oil exploration contracts. The ministry's secretary-general Djoko Darmono said that under an oil and gas bill currently being deliberated in the House of Representatives, all oil contracts would be awarded through an open and transparent auction.

East Timor's history ignored

East Timor's history ignored Sri Pamoedjo Rahardjo This is the second of two articles on East Timor. JAKARTA (JP): The results associated with the rapid development of East Timor included an increase in the local population's health status and survival rate. The number of children entering their teenage years increased rapidly. Despite immense amount of funds poured into the province, the size of the local economy was not large enough to absorb an increased labor force.

East Java to hold travel expo

East Java to hold travel expo SURABAYA: East Java will hold Majapahit Travel Fair '99 to attract more foreign tourists to the province following the success of the Bali Travel Mart in June, a spokesman for the regional tourist service said. "At least five airlines have confirmed they will bring tour operators from other countries to the fair, which will be held here from Nov. 8 to 11," Wayan Yona, the head of the regional tourist service, said on Thursday.

Indosat offers discount

Indosat offers discount JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed telecommunications company PT Indosat will offer a 40 percent discount for its International Direct Dial (IDD) service rate to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17. Indosat's general manager for marketing, Brata T. Hardjosubroto, said on Friday the discount would be given on three-minute international calls made on Tuesday, Aug. 17 only.

Cooking oil-fuel mixture sold

Cooking oil-fuel mixture sold SEMARANG: Central Java Police arrested five people on Thursday suspected of selling cooking oil mixed with diesel fuel over the past few weeks, leaving consumers in five villages suffering from food poisoning. Police spokesman Lt. Col. Ramlie said police seized 3,000 liters of the mixture. The five suspects hailed from Banyumas, and their distribution area covered a number of cities in the province.

Tripartite talks back special body for East Timor

Tripartite talks back special body for East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Senior officials of Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations (UN) endorsed on Friday the formation of a consultative body in East Timor to facilitate peace and cooperation following the Aug. 30 ballot on the troubled territory's future. "The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) endorsed the agreement reached this week at a UN-organized meeting of the East Timorese leaders...

'Telkom-1' launched after six-month delay

'Telkom-1' launched after six-month delay JAKARTA (JP): After a six-month delay, the Telkom-1 communications satellite owned by state telecommunications company PT Telkom was launched at 5:50 a.m. on Friday (Western Indonesia Time) from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Approximately 21 minutes after liftoff, Telkom-1 was released from French-based Arianespace's launch carrier, the Ariane 42P rocket.

Indonesia aims for one boxing gold amid punchy Thai onslaught

Indonesia aims for one boxing gold amid punchy Thai onslaught BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): With Thai boxers securing berths in all but one of Saturday's 11 final bouts at the 20th Southeast Asian Games here, Indonesia has set a realistic target to win a single gold medal, far below the six it won on home soil in 1997. Indonesia has booked four final spots through light flyweight Muhammad Rusli, bantamweight Antonius Johni, light middleweight Joko Suryono and light heavyweight Albert Papilaya.

Limited funds complicating efforts to put out forest fires

Limited funds complicating efforts to put out forest fires JAKARTA (JP): The government admitted on Friday that a lack of funds had hampered efforts to put out the spreading forest fires causing haze across many areas. Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said he had repeatedly asked the Ministry of Finance to release reforestation funds to finance efforts to combat the fires. "It's like facing a brick wall because of the red tape," he said.

Councilors nix land exchange proposal

Councilors nix land exchange proposal JAKARTA (JP): City councilors rejected on Friday a land exchange plan between the city administration and privately-owned retail firm PT Pasaraya Toserba Jaya. A. Chudlary Syafi'i Hazami of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said it was not worthwhile to exchange two separate plots owned by the firm in Petukangan Selatan and Ciganjur subdistricts, South Jakarta, with the city's land in Rawa Barat, Kebayoran Baru.

Police stymied in search for showroom robbers

Police stymied in search for showroom robbers JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives are finding it difficult to locate three members of an armed gang who wounded a high school girl during a robbery on Thursday afternoon, an officer said. Chief of the police precinct Lt. Col. Tjiptono said on Friday that one of the four robbers, who was caught by the victim's brother with the help of passersby, told the police he knew their names but not their addresses.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Aug. 13, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Self-developed curriculum adds efficiency to education

Self-developed curriculum adds efficiency to education By Bambang Sugeng YOGYAKARTA (JP): The 1994 school curriculum passed by the government prescribes a national load of 60 percent to 70 percent and a local load of 30 percent to 40 percent. This curriculum, developed by experts, is based on sound visions and missions which carry the principles of link-and-match, local orientation and vertical and horizontal flexibility.

IMF alarmed over banking scandal, urges resolution

IMF alarmed over banking scandal, urges resolution JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund on Friday expressed great concern over the Bank Bali scandal, urging the authorities to act quickly and firmly to resolve the matter. "The IMF is extremely concerned about recent reports alleging irregularities in a transaction involving IBRA, Bank Indonesia and a private bank," an IMF spokesman said in a statement from Washington.

Poor kids sit down with politicians

Poor kids sit down with politicians By Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): What did we really expect from a discussion between impoverished children and top politicians? Surely not a heated debate on recent political stances, leaked political secrets or who was going to be the next president? No, the children talked freely about their routines -- friends, school, parents, playgrounds -- and dreams of becoming president and one day having a peaceful and prosperous country.

House warns government of no-confidence motion

House warns government of no-confidence motion JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives threatened on Friday to propose a motion of no confidence in the Habibie government if it did not act firmly and quickly in dealing with US$70 million Bank Bali scandal. House Commission VIII for state budget, finance and banking said it would ask finance minister Bambang Subianto and Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin to give a full account of the scandal in a special meeting next week.

Indonesia no longer a model for developing countries: Minister

Indonesia no longer a model for developing countries: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Haryono Suyono bitterly told representatives of eight developing countries he was not ashamed to confess that Indonesia was world renowned not because of its success but because of its prolonged crisis since 1997.

Indonesia second best in pencak silat

Indonesia second best in pencak silat BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP):Indonesia was forced to acknowledge the emerging supremacy of Vietnam in pencak silat as the event closed at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Friday. Indonesia's five golds, three silvers and six bronzes failed to meet the goal of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) for seven golds. Indonesia won 17 of 21 golds at stake at the Games two years ago.

Akbar, Megawati meeting hailed

Akbar, Megawati meeting hailed JAKARTA (JP): Support has greeted the meeting of Akbar Tandjung and Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday, after Akbar acknowledged the possibility of a Golkar Party tie-up with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the winner in the recent polls. President B.J. Habibie expressed his wish that Megawati and Akbar maintain contact and establish political cooperation.

Fantastic entrance fee

Fantastic entrance fee During my last visit to Yogyakarta with guests from Europe, we went on a tour of the lesser known temples at Prambanan. As usual, such a visit is a real treat for art lovers worldwide who flock to Indonesia to admire these wonders of civilization. Nevertheless, one detail made the visit somewhat bitter.

KL between rock and hard place over polls

KL between rock and hard place over polls By Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A gloomy stock market and rumblings within his coalition may be giving Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad ample reason to consider holding elections later rather than sooner. The conventional wisdom until recently was that Asia's longest serving elected leader would ride an economic recovery and strike the opposition in September with snap polls.

Young women find fair a chance for fun, money

Young women find fair a chance for fun, money JAKARTA (JP): The annual trade fair in Jakarta, besides promoting the latest goods and products of local and foreign companies, also offers young women the opportunity to earn money by working as part-time saleswomen. At the 1999 Jakarta Fair, event organizers and companies taking part in the exhibition are employing some 500 young women to promote the various products on display.

Moslem protest against 'togel'

Moslem protest against 'togel' JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 activists from the Islamic Society Forum (FMI) staged a protest in front of the City Council building in Central Jakarta on Friday, calling for the council to play an active role in combating gambling in the city. "Gambling has become a social problem. And the authorities have been too lenient to put an end to such an illegal game," the group coordinator, identified only as Firman, said.

Real story behind demolition of historical sites is vague

Real story behind demolition of historical sites is vague By Ida Indawati Khouw Old Batavia is no less attractive than metropolitan Jakarta. However, many of the finest buildings have been demolished, neglected, refurbished out of character or are poorly managed. This is the first article in a series about Jakarta's historical buildings to run in Saturday editions of The Jakarta Post.

Elderly woman slashed to death

Elderly woman slashed to death TANGERANG (JP): A 70-year-old woman was found dead on Thursday in the early morning hours at the back of her house in Selon hamlet of Kaliasin village, Balaraja district, an officer said. Balaraja Police chief Capt. Santoso said the brutal killing of the victim, Awiah, was still under investigation. "We're still looking for the ex-son-in-law of the victim, who ran away shortly after neighbors rushed to the scene to help the woman," the officer said.

Daihatsu's Asian expansion

Daihatsu's Asian expansion TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. is set to boost its annual auto output in Southeast Asia by 70 percent to meet recovering demand in the region, a report said Friday. The minicar maker, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp., plans to expand production in Malaysia and Indonesia to produce some 83,000 units in the year to next March, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business daily said.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 13, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 13,500 Alumindo Light Metal 850 0 5,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 400 0 500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,450 -25 3,006,000 Anwar Sierad 250 0 105,000 APAC Centertex Corp.

Death toll increases to 98 in renewed Ambon violence

Death toll increases to 98 in renewed Ambon violence JAKARTA (JP): Renewed clashes between Muslims and Christians in the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon have raised the death toll to 98 after 10 more people died of slash and bullet wounds in hospitals on Friday, a local police spokesman said. Maluku Police spokesman Maj.

Refugees continue to flow out of Aceh villages

Refugees continue to flow out of Aceh villages By Ati Nurbaiti and Tarmilin Usman SIGLI, Aceh (JP): Despite reports of a new police operation to improve security, residents of troubled Pidi regency have continued to flow out of their villages in fear of armed conflicts between separatist guerrillas and military personnel. Residents of mountainous Tiro district followed on Thursday those who fled Meurudu, Ulim and Bandar Dua over the past three days.

Albert's saving grace brings gold in the pool

Albert's saving grace brings gold in the pool By Ivy Susanti BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Albert Christiadi Sutanto saved face for Indonesia's swimming team in the Southeast Asian Games on Friday, striking gold in the 200 meters butterfly in a record- setting time. On the last day of the swimming competition, Albert clocked two minutes and 2.06 seconds to beat the region's stalwarts Malaysian Alex Lim Keng-liat and Ratapong Sirisanont of Thailand.

Mentari prepaid card usable nationwide

Mentari prepaid card usable nationwide JAKARTA (JP): Users of Mentari's prepaid card can now make calls from their cellular phone to and from all 27 provinces, cellular operator PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo) announced on Friday. Company president Saleh Gunawan said Satelindo expanded its Mentari card network from its current service in cities in Java, Madura and Bali to tap growing demand for prepaid cards in provinces outside Java.

Indonesia secures women's doubles title

Indonesia secures women's doubles title By Primastuti Handayani BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia assured itself at least one more tennis gold medal at the 20th Southeast Asian Games here on Friday after its two women's doubles pairs reached Saturday's final.

Developing writing skills from childhood

Developing writing skills from childhood By A. Chaedar Alwasilah BANDUNG (JP): The response by readers of this paper (three letters and one article) to my article Writing needs more attention (July 10, 1999), raised issues which included writing as an art, nonacademic writing, feedback on student's writing, and government policy on publications. Their concerns and arguments confirm that writing is the most complex constructive act human beings are expected to perform.