Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 September 1999

54 articles found

Humanism on center stage at Indonesian Dance Festival '99

Humanism on center stage at Indonesian Dance Festival '99 By Sal Murgiyanto JAKARTA (JP): After some dazzling performances but with an unfortunate lack of promotion, the Fifth Indonesian Dance Festival officially closed on Sept. 21 at the Graha Bhakti Budaya hall of the Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM), Jakarta.

Haryono keeps lead in golf tournament

Haryono keeps lead in golf tournament SURABAYA (JP): Haryono, an amateur golfer from East Java, kept his lead in the Ciputra golf tournament at Ciputra Golf Club here on Friday. The Surabaya Yani Golf member, who led the tournament on Thursday, collected a total score of 138 (68-70) on Friday. He hit three birdies on the 8th, 9th and 12th holes. He hit a bogey on the 4th hole. Haryono outshone national training camp golfers like Sahid, also of Surabaya, and Denny Supriadi of Jakarta.

Civilian leaders need to be on guard: Expert

Civilian leaders need to be on guard: Expert Amid current uncertainty there are fears that the Indonesian Military will strengthen its presence ahead of the November presidential election. Political lecturer Arbi Sanit told The Jakarta Post the public, including students and politicians, lack focus on this issue. Question: Now that the House of Representatives has approved the state security bill, should we expect a state of emergency to be declared in the near future?

PDI-P backs Golkar official for MPR

PDI-P backs Golkar official for MPR JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction on the City Council stirred more controversy on Friday by naming a Golkar official among its candidates to represent the city in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). In a surprise to many, the party's City Council faction nominated outgoing MPR member Sjah Manaf to remain in the country's policy-making body.

Aster Dharma disputes bankruptcy verdict

Aster Dharma disputes bankruptcy verdict JAKARTA (JP): PT Aster Dharma Industri, a plastic packaging company listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), disputed on Friday the Supreme Court's decision declaring the company bankrupt. Rafael Adrian from Taira Faisal & Panggabean law firm, the legal consultant of the company, said the Supreme Court's decision was unfair. He said that he would seek a civil review at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court issued the bankruptcy verdict on Aug.

Government delays bill ratification

Government delays bill ratification JAKARTA (JP): The government bowed to extreme public pressure on Friday as it announced that it would delay the ratification of the controversial state security bill. As Jakarta was rocked for the second day with bloody protests against the bill, the government announced that it would take further steps to "socialize" it before implementation. However, no time was given on when President B.J.

Shame on you, Ramos Horta

Shame on you, Ramos Horta I was both surprised and shocked to read on page 28 of the Sept. 28 Asiaweek how Ramos Horta, a Nobel laureate, used two most indecent words in labeling the Indonesian Army "animals" and the Indonesian government "bastards". It is most probably that he does not know the origin and true meaning of these words. The inset photo showed Ramos Horta in an Auckland church. What were you doing there, Ramos? Shame on you! JAN MENAYANG Jakarta

Police investigate arson at hotel

Police investigate arson at hotel TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Police questioned on Friday five people in relation to last week's arson attack on a hotel on the town's main street. "The five are residents of Curug. We are merely gaining information from them, they have not been arrested," Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said on Friday. The witnesses were identified as Ahmadyani, 29, Djailani, 28, Slamet Bambang, 31, Dadang, 26, and Ihsan, 23.

Battling brutality in East Timor

Battling brutality in East Timor Journalists are observers, not combatants. Even the most repressive regimes normally recognize this and protect reporters, who are just doing their job in covering news from the world's trouble spots. But not in East Timor, as shown by the murder and mutilation of Sander Thoenes, who worked for Britain's Financial Times. Far from respecting the neutrality of the press, the Indonesian- backed militias, some dressed in army uniforms, are targeting journalists.

Telkom eyes cell phone services

Telkom eyes cell phone services BANDUNG (JP): State telecommunications company PT Telkom is considering a plan to enter the mobile telecommunications sector, vice president and coordinator for new business development at the state firm Garuda Sugardo announced on Friday. Garuda said entering the cellular business would boost the company's image and corporate value.

Tension grips city as masses, students clash with police

Tension grips city as masses, students clash with police JAKARTA (JP): Tension once again rocked the city following violent clashes between crowds of ordinary people, including students, and security troops on Friday. Many employees failed to reach their workplaces. A large number of companies, banks and shops closed down for the day in fear of mobs turning as violent as those in the massive May 1998 riots.

Habibie rebuffs call to suspend aides

Habibie rebuffs call to suspend aides JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie rejected on Friday the recommendation of the House of Representatives that he immediately suspend senior government officials implicated in the Bank Bali scandal. Habibie said he would let the legal process determine the truth of the allegations against the officials before deciding on appropriate measures.

Bank Bali shenanigans

Bank Bali shenanigans The Bank Bali drama shed a glimpse of light on a deeper and more rooted complexity of Indonesia's sociocultural sphere: the ambiguous political and economical relationships among members of Indonesian society.

Man caught with marijuana

Man caught with marijuana TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Police arrested a suspected drug dealer, identified as Slamet, 24, at his home in the Curug housing complex here, and confiscated two kilograms of marijuana worth Rp 2 million (US$250) and Rp 35,000 in cash, an officer said on Friday. "The man admitted to having sold the marijuana for the past three months," said Tangerang Police detectives chief Capt. Krisnandi.

14 people dead as fire guts Yogyakarta cinema

14 people dead as fire guts Yogyakarta cinema YOGYAKARTA (JP): At least 14 people were killed in a fire which gutted a downtown cinema complex here just before midnight on Thursday. Among the eight bodies identified were Terje Sandblost and Marit Namtvedt, two Norwegian citizens who were in post-graduate studies at the local state-run Gadjah Mada University.

MNA adds Kupang flights

MNA adds Kupang flights JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) has increased from eight to 10 the number of its flights from Denpasar to Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara. Merpati manager of corporate affairs Imam Turidy said on Friday the increase was in response to a steadily rising demand. Merpati uses Boeing 737s and Fokker F-28s to serve the route. East Nusa Tenggara has borne the heaviest brunt of East Timorese refugees fleeing the violence in their province.

Travel mart cut short amid unrest

Travel mart cut short amid unrest JAKARTA (JP): The Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) 1999 closed one day ahead of schedule on Friday due to fears escalating antigovernment protests would disrupt the annual event. "The early closing is the best decision in the interest of participants, especially the buyers," the committee's chairwoman Meity Robot said. She said none of the participants pulled out of the event despite mass student demonstrations during the last two days.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 24, 1999: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Walker, Sirait win charity golf tourney

Walker, Sirait win charity golf tourney JAKARTA (JP): Mark Walker and Sirait won the one-day Kiwanis charity golf tournament at Pondok Indah Padang Golf & Country Club in South Jakarta on Thursday. Walker recorded a score of 77 with a four handicap, while Sirait shot a 61 with a handicap of 21. With their victories, Walker took the Yuwono Kolopaking trophy and Sirait captured the Jakarta Governor trophy, which are contested annually.

Elections commission defies court ruling

Elections commission defies court ruling JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Friday that it would endorse 65 elected representatives of the interest group faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), despite a court ruling which called for a delay. Agus Miftach, who chairs the KPU 15-member team in charge of electing the 65 MPR legislators, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the commission would formally announce its approval on Monday.

The Children's Theater Festival, fertile base for blooming talents

The Children's Theater Festival, fertile base for blooming talents By Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): It does not happen often. For one week straight, the auditorium of Jakarta municipal's cultural affairs office on Jl. Rasuna Said has been flooded by hundreds of actors. And they are all 12 years old or younger. The little thespians flocked there during the week of Sept. 20 to Sept. 26 to demonstrate their theatrical talents in front of an audience.

Farmers protest land dispute

Farmers protest land dispute SEMARANG: About 1,500 farmers grouped in Central Java's Farming Organization or Ortaja staged a loud protest in front of the City Council building on Friday, demanding their confiscated land be returned. The farmers claimed that their land was "appropriated" by authorities under various excuses during the New Order era. The farmers came by truck from the regencies of Kendal, Demak, Batang, Semarang and Banjarnegara.

Short-lived DPR says goodbye at deserted lunch

Short-lived DPR says goodbye at deserted lunch JAKARTA (JP): The customary farewell hosted by President B.J. Habibie for outgoing legislators this year turned out to be a somewhat cheerless half-empty affair. Only about half of the 500-member House of Representatives (DPR) attended the luncheon in the State Palace grounds. A special marquee had been set up for the event. Little did Palace officials know that it would only be half full.

Building damage angers government agency

Building damage angers government agency JAKARTA (JP): The City Museum and Restoration Agency has regretted finding physical damage at the former Central Jakarta immigration office on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng, Central Jakarta. Head of the agency's program division, Indro Kusumo, said the owner of the building never discussed plans to renovate the building with the agency.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 24, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 0 0 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 250 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 80,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,150 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,375 0 2,850,500 Anwar Sierad 175 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Who foots the bill for peacekeepers?

Who foots the bill for peacekeepers? From Republika On Sept. 13, 1999, President B.J. Habibie invited a United Nations peacekeeping force to come to Indonesia's province of East Timor. The Sept. 14 editorial in Republika, titled National interest, said "world leaders favorably welcome the decision of the Indonesian government to invite the United Nations peacekeeping force to come to East Timor..." If only Mr.

60,000 troops to secure MPR session

60,000 troops to secure MPR session JAKARTA (JP): City authorities will deploy as many as 605 companies or about 60,000 security officers to safeguard the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.

Attorney general to unveil Soeharto probe

Attorney general to unveil Soeharto probe JAKARTA (JP): Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko is expected to announce the results of his office's investigation of former president Soeharto this weekend. Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi indicated on Friday that Ismudjoko would make the announcement in Semarang, Central Java. Ismudjoko is scheduled to attend a ceremony there on either Saturday or Sunday.

Shoe workers demand wage hike

Shoe workers demand wage hike BOGOR (JP): About 40 employees of shoe producer PT Prima Agung Sentosa protested in front the company's office in Empang village here on Friday demanding their salaries be increased. "We're just demanding that our wages be raised from Rp 750 to Rp 1,000 per pair of shoes," protest coordinator Nyoman Suarte said. "Every day we only receive an average of Rp 13,000 per worker.

Bogor man mobbed to death

Bogor man mobbed to death JAKARTA (JP): A 37-year-old man was mobbed to death by 20 people in an early Friday morning brawl in Kayumanis area in Matraman, East Jakarta, an officer said. Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis identified the victim as Gerinus Uluk Ayanan from Sindang Karya area in Sukamaju Baru, Cimanggis subdistrict, Bogor. "His head was nearly spilt open. He was also stabbed several times until he died," Zainuri said. "The brawl was apparently personal.

Environment group formed in Yogya

Environment group formed in Yogya YOGYAKARTA: Thirty-one environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) declared on Thursday the formation of the Yogyakarta Environmental Network. The group included the Damar Foundation, Kutilang Birdwatching Club, Rindang Indonesia, Patria Nusantara Foundation and the Mitra Foundation. The group said the main focus of their cooperative endeavor would be to preserve the natural serenity and ecosystem of nearby mountain areas such as Merapi, Sewu and Menoreh.

JDI to tout tourist sites

JDI to tout tourist sites JAKARTA (JP): PT Jaring Data Interaktif (JDI), the Jakarta Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding on promoting Indonesia's tourism industry. JDI and the stock exchange, who together run the financial information channel Quick Financial Channel, will help promote tourism by including information on tourist attractions and sites on their real-time news broadcasts.

Left behind

Left behind Among the three Asian countries who have suffered the most from the economic crisis, only Indonesia remains in deep trouble. The other two, Thailand and South Korea, have already begun to enjoy a significant revival of their respective economies. Thailand has been able to announce their readiness to end their reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Selective nationalism

Selective nationalism Indonesia's born-again nationalists burn the Australian and American flags, but ironically no one is burning U.S. banknotes. The self-proclaimed nationalists have not yet objected to the continuing influx of IMF funds -- a phenomenon which will do much more long-term harm to Indonesia's sovereignty than the presence of a few thousand foreign peacekeeping volunteers in a distant outpost.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Dialog Topeng, by Abas Alibasyah, at Cikini Galeria, Jl. Cikini Raya no. 65, Central Jakarta (Phone: 31901082), until Oct. 10. * Indian Dolls Exhibition at the National Museum, Jl. Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3811551), Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 25. * Painting Exhibition: by Farid Belkahia, at Duta Fine Arts Foundation, Jl.

Top seeds tumble at Asian School C'ships

Top seeds tumble at Asian School C'ships JAKARTA (JP): Top seeds tumbled on Friday in the singles individual events of the first Asian School Tennis Championships at the Senayan tennis complex. Top seeded Pacharapol Khamsaman of Thailand in the boys' singles bowed out to Sunil Kumar Sipaeya of India 3-6, 6-3, 3-6. Sipaeya, who defeated Indonesian Irwan Radjab 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday, will face Mohammad Nazreen Fuzi of Malaysia in Saturday's semifinals. Fuzi won 6-4, 7-5 over China's An Dapeng.

24 still missing in Kupang waters

24 still missing in Kupang waters KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police and coast guard on Friday continued their search for 24 people still listed as missing at sea after their boat sank on Wednesday night. Kupang Police chief Lt. Col. Agus Kusnadi said here on Friday that the Lapaloma went down after being hit by large waves near the Kupang coastline. He said the small motorized sailboat was overloaded with a full cargo and 79 passengers from a nearby island.

Strain ties affect Indonesia-RI trade

Strain ties affect Indonesia-RI trade CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Tense relations between Indonesia and Australia spilled over into the trade arena Friday, with Indonesian wheat importers and millers saying they would cut back or halt their Australian wheat purchases. Indonesia's largest wheat miller PT Bogasari Flour Mills said Friday it would cut wheat imports from Australia by 50 percent.

Houses serve as memorials to Sept. 30 coup

Houses serve as memorials to Sept. 30 coup Each year people around the country fly the national flag at half-mast to commemorate the murder of seven Army generals in the hours between the night of Sept. 30, 1965 and the early hours of Oct. 1 in Jakarta. The city administration in 1983 named some of the locations which played a part in the killings, including the generals' residences, protected historic sites.

TNI says protests orchestrated

TNI says protests orchestrated JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday that the violent protests against the state security bill over the past two days in Jakarta were planned by groups with hidden agendas. "They have their goals. I call upon whoever is behind this (the protests) to simply appear. "Don't use students, hoodlums and students to create chaos.

Indonesia to hand over East Timor security to UN on Monday

Indonesia to hand over East Timor security to UN on Monday JAKARTA (Agencies): The Indonesian Military will hand over security to the International Force for East Timor (Interfet) on Monday, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudrajat said here on Friday. "The handover will be carried out on Sept. 27," Sudrajat quoted Military chief Gen. Wiranto as saying.

Petrogal eyes oil business in East Timor

Petrogal eyes oil business in East Timor LISBON (AP): East Timorese pro-independence leaders and Portuguese state oil company Petrogal said Friday they planned to hold talks on oil exploration rights in the Timor Gap, a strip of sea off East Timor which has been developed jointly by Australia and Indonesia under a 1989 treaty.

Cult members attacked

Cult members attacked PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Five members of an alleged cult are currently under police protection after residents of their village attacked them on Thursday night. About 200 residents of Lemberang village, Sokaraja district, went on a rampage wrecking at least one house in apparent disgust at the teachings of the cult. The cult's leader, Slamet Haryanto, was known to be teaching his faith to residents at least once a week.

Indonesia near quashing UN human rights inquiry

Indonesia near quashing UN human rights inquiry GENEVA (Agencies): Indonesia called on Asian, African and South American states on Friday to block a Western attempt to launch a United Nations inquiry into alleged killings in East Timor. The United States backed a European Union resolution for an investigation but Latin American and African delegations took the floor at the UN Commission on Human Rights against it. "The vote could be close.

Reel good time at the movies

Reel good time at the movies JAKARTA (JP): And a child shall lead them: Whether in mediating the afterlife and the living, or teaching some immature adults a thing or two about responsibility. Here is the lineup of movies currently playing at local cinemas, with reviews and grades by screenwriter Rayya Makarim (RM) and film reviewer Tam Notosusanto (TN). Big Daddy. Comedy; starring Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Cole and Dylan Sprouse and Steve Buscemi. Directed by Dennis Dugan.

SEA Games medalists set to receive bonuses next week

SEA Games medalists set to receive bonuses next week JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) plans next week to disburse bonuses to athletes who won medals in the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam last month. KONI vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, announced on Friday that KONI was waiting for a bank check from state enterprises (BUMN). "There is no change in schedule. We are waiting for BUMNs to disburse the money.

MUI urges officials to stop gambling

MUI urges officials to stop gambling BOGOR (JP): The Bogor chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) urged local officials on Thursday to take firm action against increasing gambling activities in town. "We are ready to support the officials in the fight and dispersion of gambling activities," chairman of MUI's Bogor chapter, A. Chaer Saleh, said. Chaer said the Bogor administration was already willing to handle the matter seriously.

Political uncertainty hampers debt restructuring

Political uncertainty hampers debt restructuring JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Friday the country's political uncertainty was a major obstacle to the restructuring of overseas private sector debt. "Foreign creditors are still waiting for domestic political stability. "We need a longer time to come to a final (debt restructuring) agreement," he said.

A ripple that became a tsunami

A ripple that became a tsunami By Sidesh Kaul JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie is a cornered man. In a quick reversal made under the burden of mounting international pressure, he hastily called a press conference on Sept. 12 at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta and checked the growing influence of the Army in full view of the world by agreeing to international peacekeepers in East Timor.

Law that sparks riots

Law that sparks riots For the outgoing House of Representatives, its final days were apparently the best opportunity for it to demonstrate its arrogance and political egotism. Some House members might have heard of the noisy public reaction to the security bill that they were at the time deliberating, but they opted to turn deaf ears. This is especially true with the Golkar faction, which dominated the House, itself the last product of Soeharto's iron-fisted rule.

Malaysian seismologists fear strong Sumatran quake ahead

Malaysian seismologists fear strong Sumatran quake ahead KUALA LUMPUR (AP): More earthquakes could occur soon on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, possibly signaling the recurrence of a powerful quake that struck the area more than 60 years ago, the Malaysian Meteorological Service Department said on Friday. "We worry whether the same type of quake could occur soon (as) such huge events often happen in 70-year cycles," Mohd.

Learning to solve parking problems

Learning to solve parking problems The Jakarta City Administration invited a group of reporters to visit the Philippine capital of Manila last week in order to learn how the administration can improve its parking services to the public here. The Jakarta Post reporter Ida Indawati Khouw participated in the trip and filed the following report on the parking business in Manila.

RI economy displays resilience, says WB

RI economy displays resilience, says WB WASHINGTON (AFP): Events in East Timor and the Bank Bali scandal threaten to derail Indonesia's fragile economic recovery but it has not yet been knocked completely off track, the World Bank said Thursday. "The sudden upsurge in violence in East Timor and the disturbing implications of the Bank Bali affair have shaken market confidence," the Bank said in a quarterly review of East Asia.

Habibie suspected of interference in corruption probe

Habibie suspected of interference in corruption probe JAKARTA (JP): An anticorruption watchdog said that it suspected President B.J. Habibie of intervening to suspend an investigation into corruption at the Balongan refinery in order to protect close associates. The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) said it had information that the Attorney General's Office had reported the identities of the people responsible for the corruption to the President.