Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 January 2000

61 articles found

Lufhansa sees growth in passenger loads

Lufhansa sees growth in passenger loads JAKARTA (JP): Lufthansa is predicting robust growth in its passenger-loads to and from Indonesia this year despite the troubled security situation in the country.

Where to go in Yogyakarta:

Where to go in Yogyakarta:Exhibitions* Photography and Video Art Exhibition from Dutch Artists, presenting Anna Pool, Anja de Jong, Frans Van Lent, Gerard Petrus Fleret, Guus Rijven, Hester Blankostjin, Hester Scheurwater, Cemeti Art House, Jl. DI Panjaitan 41 (phone 0274-371015), Jan 18 - Feb 17.

Australian media biased on East Timor coverage

Australian media biased on East Timor coverageBy Eloise Dortch PERTH, West Australia (JP): How well did the Australian media cover the East Timor debacle in recent months?Were they accurate, fair, balanced and objective?To apply the Australian Journalists Association (AJA) recommended code of...

National Police plan major reshuffle

National Police plan major reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): The appointment of the operational affairs assistant to the National Police chief, Maj. Gen. Bimantoro, as National Police deputy chief signals the beginning of a major reshuffle at police headquarters.

Government urged to seek solution to Aceh strife

Government urged to seek solution to Aceh strife JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), has urged President Abdurrahman Wahid to initiate a meeting with the leaders of legislative bodies and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to seek a comprehensive solution to...

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition: Drawings by Widayanto, The Regent Jakarta, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta (Phone: 2523456), until Feb. 5. * Painting Exhibition: Fenomena Masyarakat Urban, by 15 Jakartan artists, at Galeri Milenium, Golden Truly, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S.

PBVSI steering body to select alternative chief

PBVSI steering body to select alternative chief JAKARTA (JP): A steering committee member of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) national congress, Ahmed Solihin, said on Friday that the committee would select another candidate for its chairmanship if the two-day congress ended in a...

World newspaper group to rebuild E. Timor press

World newspaper group to rebuild E. Timor press PARIS (Agencies): The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) said it was launching a mission with the UN cultural agency UNESCO to rebuild the newspaper industry in East Timor.

Wiranto 'morally responsible' for Timor chaos

Wiranto 'morally responsible' for Timor chaos JAKARTA (JP): The government-sanctioned KPP HAM said on Friday former military chief Gen. Wiranto was "morally responsible" for the post-ballot campaign of terror and destruction in East Timor.

Five ships to serve Irian

Five ships to serve Irian JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Image Maria Pty of Australia and local company PT Avinusa Jati Perkasa will jointly operate passenger ships to serve important seaports in Irian Jaya province.

Election of C. Kalimantan governor valid: Surjadi

Election of C. Kalimantan governor valid: Surjadi JAKARTA (JP): Home Affairs Minister Surjadi Soedirja asserted on Friday that the recent election of Asmawi Gani as Central Kalimantan governor was valid according to the ruling issued by the provincial legislative council.

Abdurrahman promises to find solution to Indorayon dispute

Abdurrahman promises to find solution to Indorayon dispute JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid moved on Thursday night to break up the fight between those who supported and those who were against the closure of pulp and rayon fiber producer PT Indorayon Utama's plant in Porsea, North Sumatra.

Holland gears up for Gus Dur's visit

Holland gears up for Gus Dur's visitBy Aboeprijadi Santoso AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid will be the first Indonesian head of state to be warmly welcomed by the Dutch Queen and members of the government when he visits The Netherlands next week.

BI to launche new coin series

BI to launche new coin series JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia will launch on Monday a new gold and silver coin collection, both domestically and overseas, to participate in raising funds for Unicef.Bank Indonesia senior official H.Y.

Stand up to stop terrible violations

Stand up to stop terrible violations I am a foreigner who has worked here for nearly 10 years and loves this country. In 1994 I worked for a textile company which was owned by a prominent Chinese-Indonesian. I was fired without excuse or receiving the compensation stipulated in the contract.

Former minister to be questioned

Former minister to be questioned SURABAYA, East Java: The provincial legislative assembly plans to summon former information minister R. Hartono to shed light on the murder of labor activist Marsinah in 1993.

Indonesian wrestlers to compete in Tokyo

Indonesian wrestlers to compete in Tokyo JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI) executive director, Endro Soemardjo, said on Friday that the association has named two athletes to compete in the pre-Olympic qualifying round in Tokyo.

Rape suspects wrongly released

Rape suspects wrongly released JAKARTA (JP): The nine suspects involved in the 1993 rape- murder case of female labor activist Marsinah were freed not because they were not guilty but because the prosecution had been wrong from the start, a National Police spokesman said.

Flood toll rises to three with discovery of man's body

Flood toll rises to three with discovery of man's body JAKARTA (JP): The corpse of a man missing since Wednesday was found on Friday morning caught between the bamboo poles of an open-air toilet on the banks of the River Krukut in Cipete Selatan, South Jakarta.

Major rubber producers to work together

Major rubber producers to work together BANGKOK (Dow Jones): Thailand and Malaysia will continue to try to persuade Indonesia to cooperate with them in a bid to strengthen rubber producer's bargaining power in the world market, Thai and Malaysian ministers said late Thursday.

Windsurfer Oka to compete in Argentina

Windsurfer Oka to compete in Argentina JAKARTA (JP): National windsurfer Oka Sulaksana will take part in the World Windsurfing Championships in Argentina, Feb. 10 to Feb. 20.Oka, who has qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, told Antara at Semawang beach in Sanur, Bali, that he could take...

City threatens to demolish street vendors' makeshift kiosks

City threatens to demolish street vendors' makeshift kiosks JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty threatened vendors on Friday to support city relocation programs or risk the demolition of their kiosks located along the pavement of the Senen market area.

Military on alert during president's overseas trip

Military on alert during president's overseas trip JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) will heighten its alertness in anticipation of possible domestic disturbances during President Abdurrahman Wahid's two-week absence.

BI needs no fresh capital

BI needs no fresh capital KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Bank Indonesia will not need fresh capital as the government has decided not to recall Rp 164.5 trillion (US$23 billion) worth of bonds it had issued to the central bank, BI governor Syahril Sabirin said on Friday.

Police kill alleged robber

Police kill alleged robber JAKARTA (JP): A 41-year-old alleged robber was shot dead by police detectives while resisting arrest in Cibitung, Bekasi, early Friday morning.Basirun, alias Emon, was arrested by police on Thursday on suspicion that he and seven of his associates robbed seven trucks...

Gus Dur, think before you speak

Gus Dur, think before you speakFrom Rakyat MerdekaI looked forward to viewing the interview with President Abdurrahman Wahid, who we know as Gus Dur, on RCTI on Jan. 23 because it was set to address various problems confronting the nation, including the polemics dividing the community.

Bagong puts modern spin on classical dance

Bagong puts modern spin on classical danceText and photos by Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): The spotlight on the stage suddenly went dim, focused on nine women dancers. Two pairs of dancers moved closer to each other.One pair placed themselves in the left corner, the other at center stage.

Mob destroys govt buildings

Mob destroys govt buildings JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A mob destroyed three state buildings following a violent dispute in Fakfak, hundreds miles east of here, police said.A state-owned radio office and two local administrative buildings in the port city were ransacked, in an incident which stemmed...

Fear nothing if you love God

Fear nothing if you love God True, they are both heads of state, one representing Indonesia, the other, the tiny state of Vatican City, in Rome, Italy. They seem to have one thing in common, a love of traveling around the globe, ignoring warnings that they may encounter dangers.

Police detectives to be honored following raid

Police detectives to be honored following raid JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Friday he would honor the South Jakarta and city police detectives involved in the successful operation to break an international drug ring.

Rapists in our midst

Rapists in our midst The constant flow of horrendous reports from our restive provinces might lead foreign observers of Indonesia to consider violence as our trademark. But to locals, the news from the provinces is only part of the horror, for now we are being confronted with the victimization of...

Better business climate key to minimum wage hike

Better business climate key to minimum wage hike JAKARTA (JP): Businessmen say most employers will be able to increase their workers' salaries above the minimum wage level if the business climate improves and the high-cost economy is contained.

Attracting new investment to Indonesia

Attracting new investment to Indonesia The following is the second of two articles based on an address by John Arnold, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, at a discussion held by the Indonesian Business Club on Jan. 18 at Hotel Sahid Jaya, Jakarta.

Five arrested for drug trafficking

Five arrested for drug trafficking JAKARTA (JP): City police arrested on Wednesday five suspected drug traffickers in three boarding houses located in Central and North Jakarta.The five suspects were identified as Hardjono Djawoto, alias Akiong, 33; Bernard Panama Lucas, 22; David Panama, 29;...

PDI-P and Megawati's vice-presidency

PDI-P and Megawati's vice-presidency Much is expected from PDI-P (the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle), the party that won the most votes in last year's general elections. As a result of our democratic system, our sense of propriety and political ethics, the chairperson of the party has...

Candra Naya escapes wrecker's ball

Candra Naya escapes wrecker's ballBy Ida Indawati Khouw In conjunction with the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 5, The Jakarta Post will feature several articles on the few extant city buildings with Chinese architecture.

Parangtritis now hoe to thriving antique ethnic furniture market

Parangtritis now hoe to thriving antique ethnic furniture marketBy Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): If you are looking for an Art Deco chair or a Louis XIV table, just visit an antique furniture shop in the Parangtritis area 20 kilometers south of Yogyakarta.

Caltex Riau on high alert

Caltex Riau on high alert PEKANBARU, Riau: PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia was heavily guarded on Friday following violence between security personnel and student protesters on Thursday.Antara said that security personnel were seen guarding the company's main entrance.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Jan. 28, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,326.00 7,400.00Australian dollar 1 4,772.89 4,824.80Austrian schilling 1 525.32 531.16Belgian franc 1 179.19 181.18Brunei dollar 1 4,333.12 4,379.48Canadian dollar 1 5,108.

Pollution hurts Bali's tourism

Pollution hurts Bali's tourism In the second time within a year at Kuta Beach in Bali, I had the same experience with pollution.Basically, the whole beach and sea were full of plastic bags, waste and rubbish.

Sentiment improves in Asian stock markets

Sentiment improves in Asian stock markets TOKYO (AFP): Share prices closed higher on most Asian markets on Friday amid improved regional sentiment, technology tie-ups, local factors and a focus on Wall Street.Share prices in Tokyo rallied 1.

New Karen leaders seek dialog

New Karen leaders seek dialog BANGKOK (Reuters): The new leadership of Myanmar's Karen National Union guerrillas has called on Myanmar's military government to enter into "a meaningful dialogue" to bring the group's 51-year insurgency to an end.

Allianz opens new branch

Allianz opens new branch JAKARTA (JP): Insurance firm PT Asuransi Allianz Utama opened a new branch in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday to meet the growing demand for general insurance services in the area.

Illegal buildings to be demolished

Illegal buildings to be demolished BOGOR (JP): Bogor administration is set to dismantle 30 illegal buildings on the Gunung Mas tea plantation, Puncak, spokesman Helmi Gustian said on Friday."If we let illegal buildings mushroom in the area, many will follow and they will ruin the environmental side...

Fresh violence kills 17 people in Central Maluku

Fresh violence kills 17 people in Central Maluku AMBON, Maluku (JP): While a truce seems to have taken hold in most parts of Maluku, violence returned to Central Maluku over the past few days, leaving 17 people dead and several others injured.Maluku military commander Brig. Gen.

Zarina says she is victim of circumstance

Zarina says she is victim of circumstance JAKARTA (JP): Maintaining she was not the owner of confiscated drugs, drug charge defendant Zarina Mirafsur asked the West Jakarta District Court on Friday to free her from all charges."The prosecutor's charges are unfair, Your Honor.

Supreme Court urged to intervene in Newmont row

Supreme Court urged to intervene in Newmont row JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mining and Energy will urge the Supreme Court to provide fair treatment on the tax dispute between PT Newmont Minahasa Raya and the Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi.

Experts urge government, CGI to prioritize corruption issue

Experts urge government, CGI to prioritize corruption issue JAKARTA (JP): Experts called on the government and the country's major donors grouped in the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) to prioritize corruption in its next meeting.Gajahmada University economist A.

BI closes down Bank Putera

BI closes down Bank Putera JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) announced on Friday night that it had closed ailing Bank Putera Multikarsa after its owner could not come up with fresh funds to recapitalize the bank.

PRSI to provide scholarships for swimmers

PRSI to provide scholarships for swimmers JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) Rahardi Ramelan vowed on Friday to provide scholarships for talented swimmers wishing to pursue higher education in the United States and Australia.

Quality of rice aid for poor questioned

Quality of rice aid for poor questioned JAKARTA (JP): City councilors questioned on Friday the low quality of rice distributed to low-income residents by the Jakarta Logistics Agency (Dolog) in the past few months.

Sectarian tendencies 'may linger'

Sectarian tendencies 'may linger' JAKARTA (JP): Observers here warned that sectarian tendencies would likely linger as the political elite continued to jostle for power during the period of national transition.

WB disburses US$300m loan to Indonesia

WB disburses US$300m loan to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank disbursed on Friday US$300 million of the blocked $600 million loan package destined for the country's social safety net program.The bank said in a statement the loan package was originally approved on May 18 last year, but was...

Alleged instigators of Lombok riots arrested

Alleged instigators of Lombok riots arrested JAKARTA (JP): Police have detained two alleged provocateurs behind last week's rioting on the island of Lombok, National Police chief of detectives Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday.

Sports programs

Sports programs Following are sports competitions to be broadcast live this weekend on local TVs (all times in Jakarta Time):Saturday English F.A. Cup: Gillingham v Sheffield Wednesday Indosiar at 11 p.m. Sunday Italian soccer league: Lazio v Bari RCTI at 8:55 p.m.English F.A.

Corruption and pay

Corruption and pay Opposition to the government's plan to give sizable pay raises to senior state and government officials is spreading across the nation, from the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to ordinary people.

Glassware producer Kedaung to build factory in Mexico

Glassware producer Kedaung to build factory in Mexico JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed glassware producer PT Kedaung Industrial plans to build a glassware factory in Mexico at a total investment cost of US$150 million.

Cibinong resumes exports

Cibinong resumes exports CILACAP, Central Java (JP): PT Semen Cibinong, one of the country's major cement producers, will soon resume its cement exports to Australia after being stalled for several months due to strained relations between the two countries.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 28, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 850 0 5,000 Alakasa Industrindo 475 -100 9,500 Alfa Retailindo 950 -25 324,500 Alter Abadi 375 -25 45,000...

Englishman jumps to death

Englishman jumps to death JAKARTA (JP): An Englishman jumped to his death from a seventh floor apartment in Kalideres, West Jakarta, on Friday morning.Thirty-nine-year-old Peter Jackson jumped to his death from a window in the apartment despite the pleas of his wife.

ASEAN, Australia sign fire MoI

ASEAN, Australia sign fire MoI JAKARTA (JP): The ASEAN Secretariat and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoI) to support the joint implementation of a field training exercise aimed at the prevention and control of forest fires and haze in West Kalimantan.