Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 January 2000

50 articles found

Serviced office center banks on helping out new investors

Serviced office center banks on helping out new investors JAKARTA (JP): An increasing number of foreign investors have been eying business opportunities in Indonesia, as indicated by the growing demand for serviced offices, said Mee Kim, president of PT Citra Eksekutif Otorita (CEO), a major operator of serviced offices.

BPK to use foreign auditors for liquidity fund probe

BPK to use foreign auditors for liquidity fund probe JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) plans to involve foreign auditors to assess possible mishandling of the central bank's multibillion dollar emergency liquidity support to ailing institutions, agency chief Satrio Billy Yudono said. Yudono said on Wednesday the assistance of foreign auditors was needed to be able to complete the investigative audit as quickly as possible and with satisfactory results.

Army helicopter crashes in Kapuas

Army helicopter crashes in Kapuas PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: An Army helicopter crashed during a test flight in Seluan village, Kapuas regency, on Tuesday. Antara reported the helicopter was flying at a height of about 5,000 meters when it suddenly began a steep descent. The crew of the B-105 helicopter, Capt. Joko, Lt. Rudianto and Sgt. Sunaryo, survived, Antara reported. Putussibau Military Commander Maj. Warto confirmed the accident and believed mechanical failure was the probable cause.

Marketing firm back in business

Marketing firm back in business MEDAN, North Sumatra: Thousands have flocked to a multilevel marketing company following reports that the firm, whose owners are under investigation for alleged fraud, had resumed operation. Former customers of the company are trying to recover their money, which was allegedly embezzled by the company's founder, M. Yusuf, in July 1999.

'East Timor inquiry needs full freedom'

'East Timor inquiry needs full freedom' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab (left) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York on Tuesday to detail the progress of Indonesia's inquiry into violence in the former Indonesian province of East Timor.

Mahaka offers support to Perbasi

Mahaka offers support to Perbasi JAKARTA (JP): The 1999 Kobatama national basketball league winner, Mahaka Satria Muda, met National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar at his office on Wednesday. Mahaka was offering support to KONI and the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) to prepare players for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Locals hold prayer for Paledang train victims

Locals hold prayer for Paledang train victims BOGOR (JP): About 300 local Muslim residents from Paledang, Central Bogor, held a special prayer on Tuesday evening for the 12 passengers who died after they fell off the roof of a train last week. "With this prayer we wish the spirits of the dead to reside peacefully in the hands of God," Rojak, a local Muslim cleric, said during the prayer. A Tahlilan (special prayer for the dead) is held several days after the death of someone in the community.

Officials' pay hike

Officials' pay hike From Media Indonesia In connection with the plan to increase the salaries of government officials of the Republic of Indonesia by an average of 200 percent to 300 percent, I herewith express my disapproval and would like to suggest the following: 1. The salary of the President and the Vice President need not be raised because pursuant to Law No. 7/1978, all their needs are provided for and borne by the government.

Government plays down anthrax spread

Government plays down anthrax spread JAKARTA (JP): The government called on the public on Wednesday not to take seriously a reported anthrax infection which has plagued an ostrich husbandry site in the West Java regency of Purwakarta. Director General of Contagious Diseases and Settlement Environmental Sanitation Umar Fachmi told The Jakarta Post he found there was no need to quarantine the settlement around the breed site, situated some 90 kilometers east of Jakarta.

Security intact in Jakarta amid rumors: Ryamizard

Security intact in Jakarta amid rumors: Ryamizard BOGOR (JP): With rumors rife that religious conflicts in the Eastern islands may spread to the capital, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Wednesday the city remained under control. "Our intelligence unit remains good.

Workshop on children with special needs

Workshop on children with special needs JAKARTA (JP): A seminar and workshop on children with special needs will be held at the auditorium of the Graha Sucofindo building on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta on Saturday. The seminar, jointly organized by the Pantara Foundation and the Autisma Foundation, will discuss various issues dealing with treatment, school curricula and therapies for children with special needs.

Parents of kidnapped children found

Parents of kidnapped children found JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta police detectives have finally found the parents of Rona Anugraini, the only girl among nine victims kidnapped for several years by two brothers. There were mixed feelings for the girl, now aged 14, when police took her to meet her mother on Tuesday evening at the Central Jakarta police precinct headquarters.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibition * Instalation Exhibition: Sepatu Lars at Komaneka Gallery, in Ubud, until February. Festival * Contemporary Theater Festival: Workshops, performances, at Sai Sai Bar, Jalan Monkey Forest, in Ubud, on March. For further information contact the organizer Provokator at 0361 975869 or e- mail g.gepeng@mailcity.com. Museums and Galleries * Blue Moon Gallery, Jl. Tirta Tawar, Banjar Kutuh Kaja, Ubud (Phone: 0361 976727), daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sculptor Sidharta holds a retrospective

Sculptor Sidharta holds a retrospective Text and photos by Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): Gregorius Sidharta Sugijo, one of Indonesia's most prominent sculptors, is exhibiting his works in a retrospective show at Museum Widayat in Magelang. The exhibition, which opened last Saturday and will run until Jan. 22, features 134 of his works that include sculptures, paintings and sketches.

EU okays German aid to RI

EU okays German aid to RI STRASBOURG, France (AFP): The European Commission gave Germany the green light Tuesday to subsidize the construction of two passenger ferries for Indonesia, but cast doubt on similar aid for four Dutch-built vessels. Meeting in this French city, the EU's executive arm said it was reassured that the project had "genuine development content," and that the offer of financial help was opened to all shipyards that bid to build the ships.

WIC to hold charity bazaar

WIC to hold charity bazaar JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Chapter of the Women's International Club (WIC) will hold its 32nd charity bazaar at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center. The opening ceremony will take place on Jan. 26 and the bazaar will be opened to the public on Jan. 27, WIC chairwoman Fauziah Abdullah said on Tuesday.

Military vows to cooperate with rights body in Maluku

Military vows to cooperate with rights body in Maluku AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku military authorities pledged on Wednesday full support for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas Ham) team to investigate atrocities in Maluku and North Maluku. The chief of Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku, Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela, said he would provide all necessary data or anything that would make the inquiry a success. The team, led by Bambang W. Soeharto, is scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

Indorayon's fate

Indorayon's fate State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf's recommendation to the Cabinet that PT Inti Indorayon's pulp and rayon plants in Porsea near Lake Toba in North Sumatra be closed down or relocated has probably made him very popular with environmental organizations and a number of local people, but it could devastate what remains of investor confidence in resource-based ventures in Indonesia.

Nokia touts new handset

Nokia touts new handset JAKARTA (JP): Finland's Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia launched on Wednesday its first product for Indonesian the market this year, the Nokia 8850. The company's general manager, Alexander Lambeek, said the stylishly designed handset was dedicated to high-end segment users who value style and like to show they are fashionable.

Sabang

Sabang Correction:The dateline for the article Sabang losing its main tourist attraction, which appeared on this page yesterday, should have read "Banda Aceh (Antara)". We apologize to Antara for any inconvenience. -- Editor

Spirit of collective culture represents local arts

Spirit of collective culture represents local arts By Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A recent painting exhibition featuring 135 artists grouped in Sanggar Dewata Indonesia (SDI) spread over five venues in Denpasar and adjacent areas was one of the significant art events on the island in the face of 2000. The artists' works were on display from Dec. 20, 1999, to Jan. 15, 2000, at Neka Museum, Rudana Museum, Nyoman Gunarsa Museum, Agung Rai Museum and Denpasar Art Center.

Military strives to avoid new riots

Military strives to avoid new riots JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military Commander Admiral Widodo A.S. pledged on Wednesday to intensify the early detection of potential sectarian violence in the country. "We will do everything to increase early detection to avoid fresh riots which effect all communities; such destructive measures will never solve the problem," he said after briefing President Abdurrahman Wahid at the Bina Graha presidential office here on Wednesday.

Stability a must

Stability a must Ending the violence in various regions of this country must be the first priority of the current government of President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri. This is of the utmost importance in order to prevent the unrest from spreading to even more areas. If this were to happen and other regions, even Jakarta, were swept up into the violence, the unrest would be most difficult for the security apparatus and the government to control.

Govt targets Rp 8 trillion in privatization of state firms

Govt targets Rp 8 trillion in privatization of state firms JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and State Enterprise Development Laksamana Sukardi said on Wednesday the government expected to raise Rp 8 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in funds from the privatization of state enterprises in the 2000 fiscal year. Laksamana said the government had prioritized selling those state companies with small assets and huge debts.

Defendants' no-show adjourns cout hearing

Defendants' no-show adjourns cout hearing JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the Central Jakarta District Court delayed the opening session of an assault trial when two of the five defendants failed to appear on Wednesday. The judge said the presence of all five of the defendants was required for the opening session, explaining why he had postponed the trial until next week.

Read more about RI-U.S. relations

Read more about RI-U.S. relations Unfortunately the letter by Mr. Karl Fritz, Press Attache at the U.S. Embassy (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 18, 2000: Indonesia and the U.S.), in response to my article (the Post, Jan. 13 and Jan. 14: The U.S.: A party to mass murder) comes across as little more than a public relations exercise rather than any serious attempt to establish the truth. Rather than trying to rebut the numerous facts contained in my article, Mr.

Minister warns of wrong signals in Indorayon action

Minister warns of wrong signals in Indorayon action JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Laksamana Sukardi warned the government on Wednesday against arbitrarily closing down publicly listed pulp and rayon fiber producer PT Inti Indorayon Utama. Laksamana cautioned that closing down Indorayon mills without proper procedures would discourage foreign investors and nullify the government's efforts to woo back foreign investment to the country.

U.S. warning

U.S. warning In The Jakarta Post of Jan. 16, 2000 (front page) I read, "U.S. Ambassador R. Holbrooke strongly warned the Indonesian Military (TNI) not to try to foil the works of the government sanctioned commission of inquiry into human rights violations (KPP HAM) in East Timor". What is the reason for saying this? The KPP HAM has asked generals and ministers to come, they all comply and answer the questions put forward, except Habibie, who is 100 percent civilian.

Babysitter arrested for alleged jewelry theft

Babysitter arrested for alleged jewelry theft JAKARTA (JP): Kebayoran Lama Police detectives in South Jakarta have arrested a 15-year-old babysitter for allegedly stealing 10 gold and diamond rings worth at least Rp 35 million (US$4,900) from the house of her employer. Head of the subprecinct detectives unit, First Lt. Ayep Wahyu, identified the suspect on Wednesday as Purwati, who started working at the residence of Lili on Jl. Praja in South Jakarta eight days ago.

Eight names make shortlist for Pertamina's top job

Eight names make shortlist for Pertamina's top job JAKARTA (JP): The board of commissioners of state oil and gas company Pertamina have selected eight candidates for the state company's top job replacing Martiono Hadianto, a minister said on Wednesday.

Rejuvenating body treatment at Bali's spas

Rejuvenating body treatment at Bali's spas DENPASAR, Bali (JP): After a long and exciting holiday in Bali, you need to soothe your body, soul and spirit. The Island of the Gods is home to dozens of spas and beauty salons which are ready to rejuvenate your body and mind. There are some excellent places to go in Bali if you want to experience exotic body treatments using traditional herbs or a mix of natural and imported therapies.

Balinese urged not to emulate their neighbors

Balinese urged not to emulate their neighbors DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Religious leaders in Bali are being called on to calm their followers in facing social and religious conflicts which have hit the neighboring island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara. In a discussion to mark the Galungan and Kuningan celebrations, Balinese religious leaders and scholars shared their views to safeguard the island of the gods from any provocateurs aiming to cause religious disturbances.

Second bidder shows interest in IBRA's Astra stake

Second bidder shows interest in IBRA's Astra stake JAKARTA (JP): A second bidder has emerged for the stake that the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) holds in Astra International as the new chief of the agency pushes ahead with his controversial proposal to replace current Astra management.

Rupiah leads sell-off amid worsening unrest

Rupiah leads sell-off amid worsening unrest HONG KONG (Agencies): Escalating violence in Indonesia sparked a steep sell-off in the rupiah Wednesday, which in turn dragged other Asian currencies lower. The Singapore dollar, Thai baht and Philippine peso all ended Asian trading hours considerably weaker as contagion spread beyond Indonesia's borders to infect other regional markets.

Concepts of tourism development in Bali

Concepts of tourism development in Bali Tri Budhi Sastrio DENPASAR, Bali (JP): If developed appropriately, tourism can benefit host communities and tourists alike. The development of infrastructure and supporting facilities will lift the living standards of host communities through the economic gains brought to that area. Ideally, tourism should be developed based on the area's cultural, historical and social background.

Occupation of Bintan estate starts to scare off investors

Occupation of Bintan estate starts to scare off investors JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi warned that the occupation of industrial plants such as on Bintan island, Riau, could be harmful to the country's economic recovery. Laksamana deplored on Wednesday the occupation of a power plant by demonstrators in the Bintan Industrial Estate in Lodam, Bintan island, saying that it was scaring foreign investors.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Jan. 19, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Three policemen injured in latest Aceh violence

Three policemen injured in latest Aceh violence JAKARTA (JP): Three members of the National Police's Mobile Brigade were injured on Wednesday in the latest violence between security personnel and members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the troubled province. The operational commander of the North Aceh Police, Capt.

Estrada's approval rating on wane

Estrada's approval rating on wane MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada would still win a snap presidential election, despite falling approval ratings, an independent polling firm said on Wednesday. Estrada's approval rating was 53 percent, according to a survey of 1,200 voters between Dec. 9 and 20 by polling firm Pulse Asia Inc. That was down from 61 percent in the firm's previous survey in September, and 74 percent in May 1999.

Mia beats Cindana on 1st day of Taipei Open

Mia beats Cindana on 1st day of Taipei Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's women shuttlers had to pack their luggage early after crashing out of the five-star Chinese Taipei Open in Tapei on Wednesday on the opening day. The country's top female player, Cindana Hartono, fifth seeded here, was upset by former Indonesian number one Mia Audina, who reached the main draw after winning 8-11, 8-11. "Mia performed well today and Cindana was unable to overcome Mia's aggressive attacks.

Amien Rais' responsibility?

Amien Rais' responsibility? Amien Rais looked worried when questioned over the outbreak of communal violence in Mataram, Lombok, on Jan. 7 in the 6 p.m. news. Understandable, that, having only last week stoked the fires of communal hatred himself at a rally at Monas' central park in Jakarta. Unfortunately, he was allowed off the hook.

Dealer found dead in car

Dealer found dead in car JAKARTA (JP): A money exchange dealer was found dead in his car in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. Police suspect he had been murdered. The body of Arifianto, 27, was found by patrolling police officers with a belt wound around his neck and chin. His body was lying face downward, covering the car floor. The car's engine was still running. Local police detectives believe he had been murdered in another place before being brought to the scene.

Military renews allegiance to government

Military renews allegiance to government BOGOR, West Java (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu asserted on Wednesday the Indonesian Military's (TNI) loyalty to President Abdurrahman Wahid, but admitted it was not the same case with his predecessor.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 19, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 775 -150 92,500 Alakasa Industrindo 525 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,075 -25 20,044,000 Alter Abadi 400 -25 120,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 -75 69,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 -25 10,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,275 -50 3,592,000 Anwar Sierad 350 0 6,000 APAC Centertex Corp.

Weighing on the 'ifs' of East Timor

Weighing on the 'ifs' of East Timor By Aboeprijadi Santoso LISBON, Portugal (JP): A former Australian diplomat believes a letter the Indonesian foreign minister Adam Malik wrote in 1974, in which he promised support for East Timor's independence, was brushed aside by president Soeharto and the leading generals at that time.

Fedex to host corporate golf league tournament

Fedex to host corporate golf league tournament JAKARTA (JP): The world's leading express transportation company, Fedex, is to host the Corporate Golf League Indonesia 4th Season at six golf clubs in Indonesia. Fedex chairman Harsha E. Joesef said on Wednesday that the tournament will run from January to June. "The purpose of holding the Fedex golf tournament is to let golfers in different companies get know each other better and negotiate business on the course," Harsha said.

Family planning board seeks funds from Soeharto foundation

Family planning board seeks funds from Soeharto foundation JAKARTA (JP): The government is seeking to claim billions of rupiah of funds earmarked for National Family Planning Board (BKKBN) field workers by a New Order foundation. BKKBN chief Khofifah Indar Parawansa said on Tuesday the workers deserved three percent of the credit venture's interest raised by the former president Soeharto-sanctioned Dana Sejahtera Mandiri Foundation.

RI forex reserves rise

RI forex reserves rise JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves rose to US$16.67 billion in the week ending Jan 14, from $16.48 billion a week earlier, the central bank said. Bank Indonesia said in a statement on Wednesday the increase was a result of incoming oil revenue. The country's gross foreign exchange reserves also increased to $27.62 billion from $27.43 billion, the central bank said.

Lombok remains tense

Lombok remains tense MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): Lombok island remained tense on Wednesday as sporadic looting and arson continued in Mataram, despite efforts to quell the unrest which has lasted for three days. As of Wednesday afternoon, dozens of houses had been torched or vandalized by angry mobs. The situation in Senggigi resort also remained uneasy as two restaurants, two discotheques and an art gallery lay looted.

Teachers needed in Central Java

Teachers needed in Central Java SEMARANG, Central Java: The head of the provincial office of the national education ministry said on Wednesday that nearly 43,500 teachers were needed for the next school year. Soeparto said recruitment of elementary school teachers was the most urgent, with recent estimates of a need for 27,823. He added that 12,172 junior high school and 2,594 high school teachers also were required. The office is also seeking 839 vocational school teachers.