Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 August 1999

55 articles found

Sutiyoso denies knowledge of 'incentives', vows probe

Sutiyoso denies knowledge of 'incentives', vows probe JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso vowed on Friday to investigate allegations that city-owned companies made under-the- table payments worth hundreds of millions of rupiah to auditors from the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP). "Such practices should not be conducted. This is no longer the time," he said.

Indonesia, Singapore reach SEA Games semis

Indonesia, Singapore reach SEA Games semis BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia and Singapore settled for a 1-1 draw to qualify for the semifinals of the Southeast Asian Games soccer competition on Friday. The result of the Group B top-of-the-table match snuffed out a brave effort from Malaysia, which tamed host Brunei Darussalam 2- 0 in the day's other match held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.

Rights body for GAM recognition

Rights body for GAM recognition JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has proposed that the government recognize and initiate a dialog with the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to reduce tension in the province. "The national commission has called for recognition of GAM and we have reiterated that position with the President," commission chairman Marzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. Marzuki was referring to the commission's meeting with President B.J.

Tourist found dead in hotel room

Tourist found dead in hotel room JAKARTA (JP) : A foreign tourist from Taiwan was found dead in his room on Wednesday afternoon by a security guard of Wisma Pasir Putih Hotel in South Jakarta. The tourist, identified as Wang Shin Seu, 68, stayed in the hotel with two other friends for a week. One friend told hospital officials that he and the deceased went out for entertainment the night before, but he declined to name the place they visited.

Motorola sells new handsets

Motorola sells new handsets JAKARTA (JP): Motorola introduced on Friday the new version of its recently launched dual band global system for mobile (GSM) telecommunications handsets, the V Series. The new version of the V Series, claimed to be the world's smallest and lightest dual band handset weighing only 83 grams, comes in three metallic color options: Light Titanium, Radar Blue and Galaxy Gray.

Two Rudys netted for drug deals

Two Rudys netted for drug deals DENPASAR, Bali: Police have made separate arrests of two alleged drug dealers named Rudy Napitupulu. Confiscated were packages of heroin and marijuana. "Both men are 24 years of age and born in Balige, North Sumatra. The only difference is that the first Rudy was born in May while the second was born in July," Bali Police detective chief Col. Bambang Hendarso said on Friday.

Indonesia, JICA cooperate in promoting exports

Indonesia, JICA cooperate in promoting exports JAKARTA (JP): The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) have assigned a team to conduct a study on the promotion of six categories of the country's industrial exports, the head of the agency, Gusmardi Bustami, said on Friday.

Games torch lit by chairman of organizing body

Games torch lit by chairman of organizing body By Primastuti Handayani BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games torch relay began on Friday for the official curtain-raising ceremony of the biennial sports event on Saturday. The 135-kilometer procession kicked off shortly after Brunei Darussalam Organizing Committee (BDOC) chairman Prince Sufri Bolkiah lit the flame at Cendera Kenangan Tower in Kuala Belait.

Wan Azizah to address Indonesian seminar

Wan Azizah to address Indonesian seminar JAKARTA (JP): Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, is scheduled to address a seminar on women in Jakarta on Aug. 28 to be attended by leading Indonesian politician Megawati Soekarnoputri. Antara quoted Yunis Sofiyah, chief organizer of the seminar titled "Women Facing Globalization of the 21st Century" as saying on Friday that Wan Azizah had confirmed her attendance through politician Abdullah Hehamahua.

More Ambon residents flee to South Sulawesi

More Ambon residents flee to South Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): Riots that killed at least 31 people in Ambon, in Maluku last week have caused 3,000 residents to seek shelter in Baubau on Buton Island, South Sulawesi, Antara reported. They joined tens of thousands of migrants and Ambonese refugees here in Sulawesi. The 3,000 people boarded the Lambelu vessel from Ambon and arrived in Murhum Baubau port on Wednesday.

Closure of voter registration marred by more violence

Closure of voter registration marred by more violence DILI, East Timor (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and several other ministers are scheduled to meet the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) on Saturday following the end of voter registration for the direct ballot. Despite requests to extend the registration period, registration centers closed on Friday with 439,580 people registering, 427,190 of whom live in East Timor.

Council members take prison van

Council members take prison van MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Council members from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) were forced to ride in a prison van after a group of protesters interrupted their inauguration ceremony on Friday. Hours before the ceremony was to begin, PDI Perjuangan supporters staged a protest, waving banners and calling the newly elected legislators agents of "corruption, collusion and nepotism".

Megawati may 'pardon' Soeharto, aide says

Megawati may 'pardon' Soeharto, aide says SEMARANG (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri would be lenient as president and pardon Soeharto if he was tried and convicted of alleged crimes during his presidency, her aide Dimyati Hartono said here on Friday.

City police detectives to check HK drug cases

City police detectives to check HK drug cases JAKARTA (JP): A six-member team of police detectives, led by Jakarta Police detective chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo, is leaving for Hong Kong on Saturday, in connection with the arrest of 12 Indonesians by the administrative region's customs officers for illegal drugs possession. Alex said the police detectives would arrange meetings with the local officials and also with the jailed Indonesians.

Indonesia looks for SEA Games supremacy

Indonesia looks for SEA Games supremacy By Primastuti Handayani and Ivy Susanti BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Sports supremacy in Southeast Asia is again at stake when the 20th SEA Games opens here on Saturday. As in the past, the Games is almost assured of coming down to a two-team race between rivals Indonesia and Thailand.

Sweet deal for local sugar producers

Sweet deal for local sugar producers JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade imposed new restrictions on sugar imports on Friday in a bid to protect local sugar producers. The restrictions stipulate sugar can only be imported by Java- based sugar producers which hold import and production permits. The licensed Java sugar mills will only be allowed to import certain types of sugar. The amount of sugar the mills will be able to import will be decided by the ministry.

Smuggling hurts local tiremakers

Smuggling hurts local tiremakers JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Tire Producers (APBI) is attributing July's 10 percent drop in monthly sales of locally produced tires to the influx of smuggled products from China. The Chinese goods are cheaper than the local tires, which sold about 600,000 units for the month, APBI chairman Aziz Pane told Bisnis Indonesia on Thursday.

Kerton's images

Kerton's images Correction: In the article titled Kerton's Images of Historic Yogyakarta on page 9 on Thursday, Tjandra Kerton was wrongly identified as Sudjana Kerton's son instead of his daughter. His gallery in Bandung is Sanggar Luhur, not Sanggar Budi Luhur as printed. We sincerely apologize for the error. -- Editor

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Fine Arts Exhibition: Transformasi Kawat Duri, by Dan Hisman Kartakusumah, at the Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3813021, 3848791), Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Aug. 15. * Photo Exhibition: The Transfixed Spectator, works of Kassian Cephas (1845-1912), at Gedung Atrium Plaza Setiabudi, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. 62, South Jakarta, Aug. 9-20.

Soothsayer at Mercure hotel

Soothsayer at Mercure hotel JAKARTA (JP): Guests of the La-tiga cafe, situated in the four-star Mercure Rekso-Hayam Wuruk hotel in the downtown Kota district can now have the opportunity to talk about their lives and the future with famous soothsayer Mr. Naga. Public relations manager of the Accor Asia Pacific-managed hotel, Mirna A. Basalamah, said on Friday free sessions with Mr. Naga were available on Fridays only.

Discord marks KPU's selection of interest group faction

Discord marks KPU's selection of interest group faction JAKARTA (JP): Discord intensified over the General Elections Commission's (KPU) selection of groups to be represented in the interest group faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Suggestions that certain members of the KPU's Team of 15 manipulated the selection process prompted strong protests. Political observer Riswandha Imawan of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta went as far as to call on President B.J.

New law to brush up on care of historic buildings

New law to brush up on care of historic buildings JAKARTA (JP): The City Council is expected to endorse a draft bylaw next Thursday on the preservation of historic buildings and their surrounding areas in the capital, a councilor said on Friday. It would be the city's first law on the protection of its historic buildings.

Padang scribes end boycott

Padang scribes end boycott PADANG, West Sumatra: Hundreds of journalists ended a one-week news blackout of Governor Dunidja's activities on Friday after the latter apologized for his office's poor treatment of them. Journalists launched the strike after an incident last week when the governor's public relations officials made them wait and eventually gave them a car with faulty brakes as their transportation to cover Dunidja's visit to Solok regency.

Indonesia's GDP growth still fragile: World Bank

Indonesia's GDP growth still fragile: World Bank JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank warned on Friday that Indonesia's output growth was "still fragile" despite signs of macroeconomic stability. World Bank economist Bert Hofman said that domestic demand remained weak and consumption still contributed negatively to the recent year-on-year second quarter 1.82 percent economic growth.

Woman found dead at exclusive estate

Woman found dead at exclusive estate JAKARTA (JP): A young woman was found dead on Thursday night in the flush Simprug Golf estate in South Jakarta. As of Friday evening, the cause of her death remained a mystery. Her relatives could not be found to get their consent for a postmortem examination. However, a small hole was seen in her throat and a 9- centimeter-long thin white object was pushed upward beneath the skin of her neck.

RI chosen to host world karate games

RI chosen to host world karate games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia was chosen to host the seventh world Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIP) championship in April 2000, an official said on Friday. E. Tando, chairman of the Indonesian Karate-Do (Inkado) said that the choice of Indonesia to host the SKIP championship followed the SKIP congress in Milan, Italy in 1997.

Long-suffering protesters meet Mursidi

Long-suffering protesters meet Mursidi JAKARTA (JP): Activists and thirty relatives of victims of last year's Trisakti and Semanggi shootings on Thursday waited for six hours before they could meet with Jakarta Military Police chief Col. Mungkono Mursidi to demand follow-up investigations. While Mursidi was out of the office, duty officers at the Jakarta Military Police Headquarters prevented the protesters, mostly women in their fifties, from entering the compound.

Dealing with the haze

Dealing with the haze Just as many of us feared and expected, the haze hazard, caused by the uncontrolled burning of forest and brushfires in a number of areas across Indonesia, is back with us again. Some experts even believe that given predictions of a hotter and longer dry season this year, the threat of severe air pollution in a number of regions in and around this country could well be worse this time than in 1997.

Netherlands gives US$2.4m donation

Netherlands gives US$2.4m donation JAKARTA (JP): The Netherlands government handed down on Friday a US$2.4 million donation to the Jakarta-based Community Recovery Program through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Netherlands Deputy Ambassador D.S.M. Berendsen and UNDP Resident Representative Ravi Rajan signed the arrangement at the UNDP offices.

Inauguration for councilors delayed

Inauguration for councilors delayed TANGERANG (JP): The inauguration of new Tangerang regency council members was delayed on Thursday due to "technical problems", the council's secretary Darmawan said. According to a tentative schedule, the 45 members, including five representatives from the Indonesian Military (TNI), who were appointed by their parties based on the results of the recent polls, would read their oaths on Saturday, Darwawan said.

Illegal motor oil warehouse sealed off

Illegal motor oil warehouse sealed off JAKARTA (JP): City police on Friday sealed off a shop and a warehouse in Duri Kembangan, West Jakarta, after its owner was allegedly involved in illegally selling and producing lubricants and brake oils. Earlier on Wednesday, police apprehended the owner of the shop and the warehouse, Liu Eddy Sucipto, a 38-year-old resident of Tomang, also in West Jakarta.

Petronas launches $650m bond

Petronas launches $650m bond KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian national oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd. (Petronas) launched a US$650 million five-year bond issue in New York Thursday, the official Bernama news agency reported. The report said the issue carried a coupon on 8.875 percent and was priced at 99.772 to yield 8.934 percent, or 3.20 percentage points above the corresponding yield on US Treasury bonds with similar maturities.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 6, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 500 0 75,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 20,000 Alumindo Light Metal 925 -25 50,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,675 25 14,293,500 Anwar Sierad 275 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

JEBC to hold billiard tourney for media

JEBC to hold billiard tourney for media JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Executive Billiard Club (JEBC) will hold a three-day billiard tournament for reporters living in the Jakarta area, the organizer said on Friday. Martin Hutabarat said that the tournament would be held in cooperation with the textile company Texmaco and would commemorate Indonesia's 54th anniversary of independence. "We expect many reporters to take part in the tournament.

Community health centers on alert from haze-hit Riau

Community health centers on alert from haze-hit Riau JAKARTA (JP): Community health centers in Riau have been instructed to stay open round-the-clock in case of emergencies from the haze covering parts of the province, a health official said. Antara reported that the latest assessment by PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia showed that the air pollution standard index in Pekanbaru was 500, compared to the normal range of zero to 50.

'Calonarang', Bali's surviving witch dance

'Calonarang', Bali's surviving witch dance By Kadek Suartaya DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali boasts a classic witch dance called Calonarang. This rare hair-raising opera is usually performed near a cemetery to retain its magical image. The latest performance took place on Friday night outside Dalem Gede Temple, Sukawati village, Gianyar, about 15 kilometers east of Denpasar, under a banyan tree in the middle of a cemetery.

Pure business?

Pure business? The Bank Bali scandal -- although some people prefer to call it a crime -- is happening at a time when the nation is in a state of deep distress. This scandal contradicts all the verbal statements of good intention and commitment to the nation which our businesspeople and authorities have been making.

Five Irianese get travel ban

Five Irianese get travel ban JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The National Commission on Human Rights has protested the Directorate General of Immigration's travel ban on four Irianese leaders and a journalist. Banned are Rev. Herman Awom, deputy chairman of the Evangelical Christian Church Synode in Irian Jaya; Rev.

Indonesia fields top players in tennis mixed doubles

Indonesia fields top players in tennis mixed doubles BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The victory-hungry Indonesian tennis team pledged not to waste any opportunities to win a gold medal at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here, combining its top players for the less heralded mixed doubles event.

Five injured in brawl

Five injured in brawl WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Five residents were severely injured in a brawl at Jibama market in Wamena district, Jayawijaya regency, on Friday afternoon. Antara reported the five were being treated at Wamena Hospital. The injured were identified as Bartol Itlay, 50; Benius Wenda, 42; Mail Wenda, 18; Albert Siep, 17; and Anton Heluka, 17. Four of the residents were injured by sharp weapons, while the fifth was hit by a blunt object. Jayawijaya Police deputy chief Capt.

Recycling business keeps on going

Recycling business keeps on going By Joko Sarwono BOGOR (JP): Crisis? What crisis? While most people are lamenting about slow business or losing their jobs, three small-time entrepreneurs, Muslim, 48, Herman, 39, and Caca, 28, are boasting higher turnover and more work for friends or neighbors. Their businesses have one thing in common: they are based on the concept of recycling. And they chose the depressed auto spare parts and components of all the industries opened to them.

Hoodlums attack land protesters

Hoodlums attack land protesters BOGOR, West Java: Some 200 allegedly paid hoodlums attacked a group of senior residents and their family members while the latter was protesting insufficient compensation of their land in front of the marketing department office of the Danau Bogor Raya (Bogor Lake Side) housing complex here on Friday.

IBRA admits pressure from outsiders

IBRA admits pressure from outsiders JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), the country's largest and most powerful economic entity, acknowledged on Friday to facing massive pressure from "outsiders" trying to take advantage of huge assets under its control. IBRA deputy chairman for risk management Arwin Rasyid said the agency had so far succeeded in weathering the pressure and maintaining its professionalism and credibility.

Indonesia launches bid to host 2006 Asian Games

Indonesia launches bid to host 2006 Asian Games BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia launched here on Friday its campaign to host the 2006 Asian Games. Indonesia last hosted the Games in 1962. The bid was announced during a breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Utama Hotel in the Brunei Darussalam capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei is currently playing host to the 20th Southeast Asian Games.

Child prostitutes hail from C. Java

Child prostitutes hail from C. Java SEMARANG, Central Java: About 70 percent of underage prostitutes in the country hail from Wonogiri, Pati and Rembang, three regencies in Central Java. "Besides the three regencies, underage prostitutes come from Indramayu, West Java and Banyuwangi in East Java," Mohammad Farid, head of Yogyakarta-based street children's foundation Yayasan Samin, said on Thursday. Most of the young prostitutes are under 18 years, he said.

S'pore media editorials watched

S'pore media editorials watched SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore newspapers have been warned against publishing "rash" editorials on the domestic policies of neighboring countries, the Straits Times reported on Friday.

Challenges in teaching English composition

Challenges in teaching English composition By Setiono JAKARTA (JP): The contemporary practices of English teaching composition in the country do not totally reflect the communicative paradigm of the modern English teaching methodology. Endeavors to shed light on the improvement of teaching composition seems to have received little attention and have in fact become matters of complete indifference.

Campus autonomy: What does it mean?

Campus autonomy: What does it mean? By Nirwan Idrus This is the second of two articles exploring the meaning of campus autonomy. JAKARTA (JP): Given that the pace of life in the world is moving so fast, particularly in the area of technology and specifically educational technology, it is unbefitting for the director general to impede innovation, initiatives and progress in this area.

New toll rate burdensome

New toll rate burdensome From Media Indonesia On Aug. 1, when I was going to the Cengkareng airport to meet my brother, I was surprised by the enforcement of a new toll tariff for the toll road leading to the airport. This tariff is not imposed on the toll road from Pluit to the airport proper but from the access road from Tangerang to the airport through the rear gate, known as the M1 gate. To get into the airport I had to pay Rp 2,000.

1999 Jakarta Fair soft opening

1999 Jakarta Fair soft opening JAKARTA (JP): Governor of Jakarta, Sutiyoso, initiated the soft opening of the 1999 Jakarta Fair, in Kemayoran fair ground, Central Jakarta, on Friday. President B.J. Habibie will officially open the Jakarta's annual fair in a grand ceremony at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The soft opening on Friday of the annual event also marked the first day of the participants to offer their goods to visitors.

Malaysian govt hit for hiding haze

Malaysian govt hit for hiding haze KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The Malaysian government came under attack on Friday for being secretive about the extent of hazy conditions over large parts of the Southeast Asian nation. "This decision is ... completely indefensible when warnings are being sounded in Indonesia that the haze disaster this time around could be as catastrophic as two years ago," said Lim Kit Siang, the opposition leader in Parliament.

Council agree on PT Waserda Jaya

Council agree on PT Waserda Jaya JAKARTA (JP): City Council endorsed on Friday a bylaw which allows the city administration's Rp 4 billion (US$571,430) capital investment in the newly-established retail firm PT Waserda Jaya. The firm, was established in May this year, is 95 percent owned by the city administration and 5 percent owned by city- owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya.

IBRA's strange policy

IBRA's strange policy Our case actually started one year ago, when Bank Pelita was closed by the government, and, following the bank's closure, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announcing taking over all the bank's assets and obligations, including deposits, bank accounts and debts.

Incorrect usage of 'professor'

Incorrect usage of 'professor' From Media Indonesia An article on incorrect usage of the title of professor in Media Indonesia Aug. 1, quoting the director general of higher education Dr. Ir. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, warrants the following explanation: 1. A professorship is the highest academic functional job as professor of a certain discipline of science. 2. The title of professor should not be confused with the highest academic title of doctor (strata 3).

Indonesia still fighting uphill battle

Indonesia still fighting uphill battle By Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): The election has been carried out enthusiastically, peacefully, and relatively successfully -- something that Indonesian people can feel proud of for a change. The results have been validated, despite 27 minor parties' refusal to endorse them. Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has delivered her long-awaited speech.