Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 January 2000

43 articles found

12 Iraqis, Iranians stranded near Bali

12 Iraqis, Iranians stranded near Bali DENPASAR, Bali: At least 12 of the 61 Iraqi and Iranian nationals found stranded off the caost of Bali Tuesday morning following engine trouble to their vessel do not have passports.

East Timorese dying in NTT refugee camps

East Timorese dying in NTT refugee camps JAKARTA (JP): Over 400 East Timorese who fled their violence- ravaged homeland following the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot have died from various diseases in their refugee camps throughout West Timor in Indonesia.

156 firms interested in developing plantations

156 firms interested in developing plantations JAKARTA (JP): The government has as of December received 156 applications from companies for licenses to open plantations in 18 provinces, mostly in East Kalimantan and North Sumatra.

Back to politician

Back to politician Regretfully, I was among the seven percent who voted for Amien Rais during the general election last June. I was made to believe that Amien Rais was a true nationalist whose main objective was to correct the wrongs of the New Order, that he was fighting for Indonesians and for...

Cellular operators predict million new customers in 2000

Cellular operators predict million new customers in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): The association of cellular telecommunications operators (ATSI) expects to see at least one million new subscribers this year.The head of the association's industry policy division, Rudiantara, said over the weekend that the...

Many flock to Bali during Idul Fitri

Many flock to Bali during Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): One question which Jakartans often ask during the Idul Fitri holiday is "where has everyone gone"?Apart from the obvious phenomenon of returning to their hometowns, Bali might be another answer.I.G.

Haryanto, Lidya to compete in Samsung Korea Open

Haryanto, Lidya to compete in Samsung Korea Open JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Federation of Indonesia (PBSI) is to field its veteran men's singles shuttler, world number nine Haryanto Arbi, and women's singles shuttler, world number 12 Lidya Djaelawijaya to compete in the US$250,000 Samsung Korea...

Commercial court declares Korean joint venture bankrupt

Commercial court declares Korean joint venture bankrupt JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court has declared Banjarmasin-based plywoodmaker PT Duree Timber Indonesia bankrupt over its unpaid debt of US$1.5 million to PT Hanil Tamara Bank, the plaintiff's lawyer said.

RI forex reserves rise

RI forex reserves rise JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves rose by US$128.7 million to $16.48 billion as of Jan. 7 from $16.35 billion a week earlier.Bank Indonesia said in its weekly report on Tuesday that the increase was due to oil export earnings.

Dengue continues to grip Manado

Dengue continues to grip Manado MANADO, North Sulawesi: Dengue fever remains a major concern in the province with 41 children dying from the disease in 1999.According to provincial health office records, 1,139 patients suffered from dengue last year.

Woman, kids drown at beach

Woman, kids drown at beach JAKARTA (JP): A 37-year-old woman and seven young relatives, aged between eight and 13, drowned after being dragged out to sea at Tanjung Pasir recreational beach in Teluk Naga, Tangerang, on Tuesday afternoon.

Toy guns tops with Aceh kids

Toy guns tops with Aceh kids BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Whether the climate of violence has anything to do with it is anybody's guess, but toy guns are top-selling items among children here.Toy vendors claim that they have sold twice as many toy guns in the run-up to last week's Idul Fitri compared to the...

Charges against central bank

Charges against central bank A new investigative audit could be the most effective and fair way of resolving the current spat between Bank Indonesia and the government over the differences of opinions regarding the disbursement of Rp 164.5 trillion (US$23.

Indonesia must end the violence

Indonesia must end the violence Indonesia's first steps towards democracy have been halting. Citizens of the world's fourth most populous nation have embraced the chance to make their government accountable.

Councilors want salary hike

Councilors want salary hike JAKARTA (JP): City councilors are proposing a hike in their salaries in the city budget (APBD) for the 2000 fiscal year from April 1 to Dec. 31.Chairman of council's Commission C on the city budget, Amarullah Asbah, said the councilors would also revise the 1997 Bylaw No.

Megawati to present draft 2000 budget

Megawati to present draft 2000 budget JAKARTA (JP): The duet of Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri has shown that they are unconventional, and on Jan. 20 they will again break with tradition as it is the Vice President who will present the draft 2000 budget to the House of Representatives.

29 new HIV/AIDS cases recorded in December

29 new HIV/AIDS cases recorded in December JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia recorded 29 new HIV/AIDS cases last month, according to official statistics.The directorate general for communicable diseases said in a press statement that 25 HIV cases and four full-blown AIDS cases had been reported in December...

Duck farmers to get more attention

Duck farmers to get more attention JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has decided to help boost the farming sector by setting up several schemes in an effort to enhance residents' welfare, an official said on Tuesday.

Remission for 1,412 prisoners

Remission for 1,412 prisoners MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: No less than 1,412 convicts received sentence reductions in the province, resulting in 45 gaining an early release.The sentence reductions were granted in conjunction with Idul Fitri festivities, Antara reported on Tuesday.

Some 800 missing on Buru Island

Some 800 missing on Buru Island JAKARTA (JP): Amid reports of continuing conflict in Maluku, at least 800 villagers from Wayula and Batlale in North Buru subdistrict are missing in forests on Buru Island after escaping an attack from a rival group from Dec. 22 to 23.

Rights commission needed in Irian Jaya

Rights commission needed in Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local branch of the Institution for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (IHRSTAD) demanded the government form a special team to probe human rights violations in Irian Jaya, IHRSTAD's John Rumbiak said here on Tuesday.

BI warns banks to up CAR or face the ax

BI warns banks to up CAR or face the ax JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) senior deputy governor Anwar Nasution warned on Tuesday that private banks with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of less than 4 percent would risk closure if they failed to improve the level by the end of this month.

Why jihad?

Why jihad? It is absolutely irresponsible for such an important Muslim cleric as Ibrahim Husein to speak to the press on such a sensitive issue as jihad (Calls for calm, jihad over Maluku mayhem, The Jakarta Post, Jan. 10, 2000).

Three killed in East Jakarta

Three killed in East Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Three men were killed at three different locations on Monday night in East Jakarta, police chief Lt. Col. Hidayat said on Tuesday.The first two bodies were found murdered at separate locations, while one was shot dead by police as he attempted to rob bus...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Music 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Indonesian Lessons 5:00 Music 6:00 Sports 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 9:00 World News 9:35 Koran Recital 9:45 Film: Muhammad...

Where to go in Surabaya for Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000

Where to go in Surabaya for Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Open doors to E. Timor inquiry

Open doors to E. Timor inquiryBy Edward Cowan WASHINGTON (JP): Indonesia's inquiry into what happened in East Timor in 1999 is commendable. The Indonesian people need to know how murder and arson and looting and kidnapping happened, and who was responsible.

Eight arrested for robbery at general's house

Eight arrested for robbery at general's house JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives on Tuesday arrested a group of eight men, including an active military sergeant, in connection with Saturday's armed robbery at the residence of a former top police general in Ciganjur.

MUI calls for rights body to be dissolved

MUI calls for rights body to be dissolved JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) called on the government to dissolve the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) for failing to respond satisfactorily to human rights violations in Maluku and North Maluku.

Gus Dur vows to be tough on jihad issue in Maluku

Gus Dur vows to be tough on jihad issue in Maluku JAKARTA (JP): Opposition to calls for a jihad in Maluku found support on Wednesday when President Abdurrahman Wahid vowed to take stern measures against those who answered the call.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on Jan. 11, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,174.00 7,246.00 Australian dollar 1 4,703.99 4,754.83 Austrian schilling 1 534.65 540.54 Belgian franc 1 182.37 184.38 Brunei dollar 1 4,308.19 4,354.04 Canadian dollar 1 4,927.

Two drown in boat accident

Two drown in boat accident KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Two girls drowned when a ship sank in Muna Strait on Monday afternoon, with a search under way for three other passengers.Local police chief Lt. Col.

Prabowo, an exemplary citizen

Prabowo, an exemplary citizen It was reported recently that Prabowo made a three-day blitz tour in Jakarta.It is my opinion that we pay tribute to this gentleman, who to this date, is the only high-ranking armed forces officer to make public that he was responsible for certain actions undertaken by...

Kuntoro appointed new president of ailing PLN

Kuntoro appointed new president of ailing PLN JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of mines and energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto has been appointed new president of state-owned electricity company PLN, officials said on Tuesday.

TNI's strategy

TNI's strategy The Indonesian Military (TNI) is in full force in Maluku these days and it does not seem to help the local population much. Actually, the situation there is even worse than in Aceh where they are not active. We wonder what would happen if TNI was back there.

Do 'kerokan' lovers get rubbed the right way?

Do 'kerokan' lovers get rubbed the right way?By Emma Cameron JAKARTA (JP): Maybe you've glimpsed the ugly red welts on a person hurrying down the street, the discoloration not quite covered by their clothing.

Asian currencies plummet as market caught out by stock drop

Asian currencies plummet as market caught out by stock drop HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian currencies dropped steeply against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as foreign exchange market participants, caught out holding long positions in regional currencies by an unexpected decline in local stock markets,...

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 11, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 -50 10,000 Alakasa Industrindo 600 0 0 Alter Abadi 425 25 673,000 Alumindo Light Metal...

Bus passengers complain of messy state of terminals

Bus passengers complain of messy state of terminals JAKARTA (JP): Many passengers returning to the capital after spending their Idul Fitri holidays in their home towns denounced the city administration for failing to keep clean the public facilities and sanitation at bus terminals in the capital.

GAM rebels vow to step up activities

GAM rebels vow to step up activities BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels pledged to step up their activities in the province and called on the civilians only to use public transportation as personal vehicles would be a target for ambushes.

Police told to reopen Marsinah's case

Police told to reopen Marsinah's case JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo should order his East Java subordinates to reopen the 1993 rape- murder case of woman activist Marsinah, noted lawyers Trimedya Panjaitan and Luhut Pangaribuan said.

BASF, Shell start project

BASF, Shell start project SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): BASF South East Asia Pte. Ltd., a unit of German chemical giant BASF and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte. Ltd., a unit of Royal/Dutch Shell Group, Tuesday broke ground for a US$500 million petrochemical manufacturing plant on Jurong Island in Singapore.

Without my 'pembantu', I become Mr. Bean

Without my 'pembantu', I become Mr. BeanBy Michael Upton JAKARTA (JP): Well, it's dinnertime and the pembantu (maid) is in East Java for Lebaran. Let's see what's in the fridge.Hmm, lots of tupperware containers but no labels. This one looks like chicken curry. Good.