Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 September 1999

58 articles found

UN Assembly opens under shadow of E. Timor crisis

UN Assembly opens under shadow of E. Timor crisis UNITED NATIONS (Reuters): The UN General Assembly opened its annual three-month talkfest on Tuesday (2 a.m. on Wednesday Jakarta time), overshadowed by the East Timor crisis.

Provinces given the say-so in handling tourist ventures

Provinces given the say-so in handling tourist ventures JAKARTA (JP): Hoteliers, restauraters and owners of tourist ventures planning to open businesses in the country will soon be able to bypass the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture and deal directly with provincial tourist offices, a ministry...

ADB threatens to withhold loans to RI

ADB threatens to withhold loans to RI MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday threatened to withhold the release of at least US$120 million in loans to Indonesia next month unless a scandal surrounding Bank Bali is resolved.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Performances * Puppet Show, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 9:30 p.m., Sept. 18. * Piano Circus at the west auditorium of Bandung Institute of Technology, Jl. Ganesha 10, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 21.

Sulawesi students protest against West

Sulawesi students protest against West UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Hundreds of students from Hasanuddin University and the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) burned the Australian, Portuguese and American flags in a protest in front of the provincial council building on Tuesday.

Lippo, Universal improve CAR levels

Lippo, Universal improve CAR levels JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Bank Lippo and Bank Universal have become sound banks following the realization of the bank recapitalization at mid year, raising their capital adequacy ratio (CAR) to above 7 percent.

French expedition explores Indonesia

French expedition explores IndonesiaBy Jules Bell JAKARTA (JP): In both the late 18th and 20th centuries, the Indonesian archipelago has been explored by sailing ships called La Boudeuse.The first time was by Louis Antoine de Bougainville, during the first ever French expedition to sail around the...

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 14, 1999: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,129.00 8,211.00Australian dollar 1 5,326.12 5,385.59Austrian schilling 1 614.62 620.94Belgian franc 1 209.65 211.81Brunei dollar 1 4,808.64 4,860.02Canadian dollar 1 5,530.31 5,588.

Australia, Indonesia starting again

Australia, Indonesia starting againBy Damien Kingsbury and Scott Burchill SYDNEY (JP): As a consequence of Indonesia's slaughter of the civilian population of East Timor, Australia now faces its greatest diplomatic and defense crisis in living memory.

Foreign bank sues Ometraco

Foreign bank sues Ometraco JAKARTA (JP): The Singapore branch of the Royal Bank of Canada (Asia) Ltd. has filed a bankruptcy petition against PT Ometraco Corporation for allegedly failing to pay US$5 million in medium- term notes, according to the plaintiff's lawyer.J.

Legislators sign off on forestry bill

Legislators sign off on forestry bill JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives finally approved on Tuesday the government-sponsored forestry bill without major changes despite controversy during its deliberation.

BPK admits limits in bank scandal audit

BPK admits limits in bank scandal audit JAKARTA (JP): Head of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Satrio B. Yudono said on Tuesday that legal restrictions and time limitations prevented an audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) from confirming if influential figures were involved in the Bank Bali scandal.

East Timor becomes Indonesia's Achilles' heel

East Timor becomes Indonesia's Achilles' heelBy Makmur Keliat JAKARTA (JP): East Timor has become a conundrum for Indonesia since the result of the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot was announced.Since almost 80 percent of the East Timorese voted against autonomy within Indonesia, the question...

Postpone the MPR General Session?

Postpone the MPR General Session? As unexpected as a thunderclap on a clear day, Indonesian Military (TNI) Deputy Commander Adm. Widodo made headlines yesterday by saying that current conditions were not conducive for holding the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) orderly,...

Nationalist response over East Timor 'misguided'

Nationalist response over East Timor 'misguided' JAKARTA (JP): Observers said on Tuesday that protests against international criticism over the government's inability to suppress the mounting violence in East Timor were "clearly out of place".

ADB revises up growth forecasts for Indonesia

ADB revises up growth forecasts for Indonesia JAKARTA (Reuters): The Asian Development Bank said on Tuesday it had revised up its estimates for Indonesian economic growth but warned sustained recovery was critically dependent on economic reforms and a smooth political transition.

Police seize biggest ganja haul ever

Police seize biggest ganja haul ever JAKARTA (JP): Police seized 602 kilograms of marijuana, worth about Rp 1.2 billion (US$150,500), from four of five suspected drug dealers in a single raid early Sunday morning, the city police detective chief said on Tuesday.Col.

Restricted power for Pulau Seribu

Restricted power for Pulau Seribu JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) can forget for the time being their dream of a constant electricity supply because it is considered unprofitable to install transmission equipment in the marine resort area, a city official said on Tuesday.

Gas station project under fire

Gas station project under fire JAKARTA (JP): The City Planning Agency and the City Supervision and Construction Agency are in hot water after granting a permit to a businessman to construct a gas station on Jl. Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, which will partly occupies government land.

Palu gets new newspaper

Palu gets new newspaper PALU, Central Sulawesi: Residents here now have an even wider choice of reading material, as the Tinombala daily became the 15th newspaper to be published here.The first issue of the daily was launched by Deputy Governor Kiesman Abdullah at a gathering here on Monday.

Aston Hotel opens in Jakarta

Aston Hotel opens in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The Aston Hotel Group of the United States announced on Tuesday the opening of its US$52 million Aston Grand Suites Hotel in Jakarta.The five-star hotel has 300 suites and 718 bedrooms, including four presidential suites.

The Bank Bali saga

The Bank Bali saga The truth about the Bank Bali scandal is slowly unfolding, as one by one the main players relent and begin revealing bits and pieces of information about their involvement in testimony at the House of Representatives.

Hariyanto, Rexy not allowed to leave: PBSI

Hariyanto, Rexy not allowed to leave: PBSI JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will not allow senior shuttlers to resign from the Indonesian Training Center because "the country still needs them".

Language modernization needs collective effort

Language modernization needs collective effortBy A. Chaedar Alwasilah BANDUNG (JP): People living in the modern world may claim that they speak a modern language or, at least, consider it as undergoing modernization.

UN leaves Dili compound amid fears for refugees

UN leaves Dili compound amid fears for refugees JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations abandoned its compound in the East Timorese capital of Dili on Tuesday and issued a dire warning that thousands of internally displaced people were on the brink of starvation.

A new family friend

A new family friend In six weeks time, East Timor will be formally declared independent of Indonesia. The newly and democratically elected People's Consultative Assembly cannot deny the majority wish of the East Timorese.Indonesia will also have a new president, Cabinet and military chief.

Government pledges to resettle refugees soon

Government pledges to resettle refugees soon KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): The government promised on Tuesday to relocate East Timor refugees sheltered in this province in two months.Minister of Transmigration A.M.

Indonesia, a nation in chaos

Indonesia, a nation in chaos The United Nations has a choice in East Timor: Deploy troops or face a humanitarian disaster. It is tragic that Indonesia's President Habibie, who rang in East Timor's freedom, has to pay for the militia terror in the territory, an heir of the Soeharto regime.

PDI-P policy to back Edy, says councilor

PDI-P policy to back Edy, says councilor JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) disclosed on Tuesday that the party's decision to back the Indonesian Military (TNI)/Police faction candidate for City Council speaker was based on a "policy" of...

Analysts say no to Australian forces

Analysts say no to Australian forces YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political observers have recommended against the inclusion of Australian forces in a peacekeeping contingent for East Timor, but conceded that the government lacks power to reject their participation.

Food shortage looming in Asia Pacific: Experts

Food shortage looming in Asia Pacific: Experts BANGKOK (Reuters): The Asia Pacific region could face a serious food shortage in the next three decades because of sharply rising population and natural resource degradation, food experts said on Tuesday.

KL plans rubber price talk

KL plans rubber price talk KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia will initiate talks with Thailand and Indonesia to jointly map out new strategies to boost rubber prices, which remain at 30-year lows, officials said Tuesday.

Shooter haunted by dope test

Shooter haunted by dope test BANGKOK (AFP): A Thai marksman says he will be haunted for the rest of his life by his failed dope test at last month's Southeast Asian Games.Somboon Vongveeranonchai had to hand over his gold and bronze medals to the Skeet and Trap Shooting Association of Thailand,...

S'pore woman breaks barrier

S'pore woman breaks barrier SINGAPORE (AFP): Former Singapore hockey player Annabel Ess became the first woman to break into the once male-only Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) executive committee, the Straits Times reported on Tuesday."It is like an athlete making it to the Olympic Games.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 14, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 400 0 0 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 -25 5,000 Alumindo Light...

ASEAN ministers meet in Hanoi

ASEAN ministers meet in Hanoi HANOI (AFP): Transport and communications ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet here Wednesday to adopt a five-year action plan into the next millennium, the transport ministry said.

United Nations peacekeeping force

United Nations peacekeeping force East Timor is descending toward despair. General Wiranto and Minister Ali Alatas insist that every day, in every way, things are getting better and better. The rest of the world knows better; Why does President Habibie delay? Who is giving Mr.

Jingoism rises to the fore over East Timor

Jingoism rises to the fore over East Timor After a reluctant call for United Nations peacekeepers to come to East Timor, Indonesia now seeks to prevent certain countries from taking part in the operation. Political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono calls this maneuver "nationalistic jingoism".

Thai debt reaches US$25.5b

Thai debt reaches US$25.5b BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's economic crisis has sent public sector debt ballooning 82 percent to more than a trillion baht (US$25.5 billion), reports said Tuesday.The debt amounts to around 26,000 baht for every one of Thailand's 65 million people, the Nation daily reported.

Asian currencies end mixed as RI scandal roils markets

Asian currencies end mixed as RI scandal roils markets SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Continued yen strength offset market uncertainty created by Indonesia's ongoing bank scandal and domestic reaction to the decision to allow international peacekeepers into East Timor, leaving the U.S.

Finding ways to improve the quality of education

Finding ways to improve the quality of educationBy Setiono JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono has admitted there are flaws in the present education system, which has received a barrage of criticisms from the public.

Fears grow of delay in General Session

Fears grow of delay in General Session JAKARTA (JP): Senior political figures have voiced strong concern that the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) might be postponed, after a top military official earlier warned that security conditions were not conducive for the...

Bantaeng thieves turn themselves in

Bantaeng thieves turn themselves in BANTAENG, South Sulawesi: At least 42 self-confessed robbers voluntarily turned themselves over to police here in the past few weeks fearing a public lynching, which has claimed at least four lives.

Australia pulls back from RI 'ties'

Australia pulls back from RI 'ties' CANBERRA (Reuters): Australian Prime Minister John Howard is playing down Australia's "special relationship" with Indonesia, saying bilateral ties have been damaged by the East Timor crisis.

PSSI to grant greater say to provincial chapters

PSSI to grant greater say to provincial chapters JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) is to give more freedom to its 27 provincial chapters to raise funds and groom young players in clubs across the country.

Social safety net program set to continue

Social safety net program set to continue JAKARTA (JP): The government will continue the social safety net program despite a possible suspension of international aid to Indonesia, National Development Planning Board chairman Boediono said here on Tuesday.

Media freedom, a necessity

Media freedom, a necessity The police's interrogation on Sept. 8 of ANteve's news manager Bachtiar as a witness of the criminal act charged to chief editor/head of ANteve broadcasting operation section, to broadcast matters that instigate, oppose and likely disturb the nation's cohesion and unity,...

Piala field flows oil

Piala field flows oil JAKARTA (JP): The Piala field in Riau has produced oil at a rate of 2,000 barrels a day since August, its operator, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia announced on Tuesday.The U.S. based oil company announced that oil had been flowing out of Piala Well No.

The truth will come out on East Timor: Anthropologist

The truth will come out on East Timor: AnthropologistBy Ati Nurbaiti JAKARTA (JP): James J. Fox, an anthropologist with the Australian National University, has studied mainly West Timor, but also East Timor. He visited East Timor from Aug. 24 to Sept.

Annan expects first peacekeepers soon

Annan expects first peacekeepers soon JAKARTA (JP): United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in New York on Tuesday that he hoped the first members of an international peacekeeping force could be in East Timor by the weekend at the latest.

Angry residents threaten to burn police post

Angry residents threaten to burn police post JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents of Kampung Bali threatened to burn a local police station on Tuesday after the release of two alleged drug traffickers, Rizky and Yedi, that they had caught and turned over to police.

Gus Dur must represent NU in MPR: Amien

Gus Dur must represent NU in MPR: Amien JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais has thrown his support behind Abdurrahman Wahid's nomination to serve in the People's Consultative Assembly despite the rejection of the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Australia in E. Timor role due to ASEAN bust

Australia in E. Timor role due to ASEAN bustBy Phil Chetwynd HONG KONG (AFP): Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s failure to respond to the howls of outrage over the carnage in East Timor has exposed the group's impotency and thrust Australia into the role of chief peacekeeper,...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Two Hours Only 8:00 Children's Song 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Indonesian Lessons 5:00 Students' Quiz 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00 World News 9:30...

Kampung tense after cult murders

Kampung tense after cult murders BOGOR (JP): The situation in Kampung Nanggela in the village of Sukmajaya in the Bojong Gede district here remained tense on Tuesday following the murder of three cult members by fellow cultists on Friday.

Eight injured, 2 cars burned in UKI clash

Eight injured, 2 cars burned in UKI clash JAKARTA (JP): At least six students and two police officers were injured during a clash between protesting students and troops in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon.

Aussie boycott continues

Aussie boycott continues SYDNEY (Reuters): Australian unions said on Tuesday their blanket ban on Indonesian seaborne trade would remain in place until they were convinced the East Timor crisis was coming to end.

Minister relieves himself of noise

Minister relieves himself of noise JAKARTA (JP): The racket from hundreds of protesting workers on the ground floor of the Ministry of Manpower has finally forced Minister Fahmi Idris to take all his work into the toilet of his office."I have no choice but to work at the W.C.