Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 January 2000

38 articles found

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Jan. 31, 2000

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Jan. 31, 2000 Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition: Drawings by Widayanto, The Regent Jakarta, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta (Phone: 2523456), until Feb. 5. * Arts Exhibition: Magie en Modernisme, Pre-War Balinese Modernists, 1928-1942, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Feb. 2.

What issues lies ahead in the Internet and e-Business world?

What issues lies ahead in the Internet and e-Business world? By Zatni Arbi SINGAPORE (JP): When someone from the Framingham-based IT research company International Data Corporation (IDC) speaks, heads in the IT industry turn. Therefore, it was no surprise that there were many top executives of Indonesian IT companies at IDC's Asia Pacific IT Forum 2000 in Suntec City, Singapore, early last week.

Daewoo draws global players

Daewoo draws global players SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's much-touted bid to auction off the ailing Daewoo Motor Co. is sparking keen interest among global players, a top economic official said Sunday. "General Motors of the United States, Volkswagen of Germany, Fiat of Italy and Hyundai Motor Co. of South Korea are now interested in Daewoo Motor," Finance and Economy Minister Lee Hun-Jai told a local television talk show.

Tiga Dua travel agent

Tiga Dua travel agent The name Tiga Dua travel agent may give the impression that it is an appropriate place where we can purchase bus tickets, especially considering that this travel agent, located at Probolinggo bus station, is quite large. One day I bought three bus tickets for Probolinggo-Jakarta and one for Probolinggo- Bandung at Rp 106,000/ticket. I was promised that seats were available for these tickets.

Malaysia Prime Minister says forex controls to stay

Malaysia Prime Minister says forex controls to stay PARIS (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed reiterated on Saturday that he had no intention of lifting a package of controls on cross-border capital flows of in the near future. He also indicated that, while Southeast Asian countries are moving towards a regional common market, a single currency was something which would need a great deal of thought and planning.

Police bust renowned pub

Police bust renowned pub DENPASAR, Bali: Local police detectives here raided the renowned Denpasar Moon Karaoke and Pub on Jl. Sudirman in the wee hours of Sunday, confiscating several ecstasy pills, 3.2 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal metamphetamine) and implements for its use. No arrests were made as the drugs were thrown on the floor by pub guests and no one claimed them. Local police spokesman Lt. Col. Y. Suyatmo said six men and 10 women were searched during the bust.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 9:00 Music 10:30 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Management Program 5:00 Technology Program 5:30 Sports 6:00 Music 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Music 9:00 World News 9:35 Talk Show 10:30 TV Series: Labyrinth 11:00 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Ryaas cites hurdles in solution for Aceh

Ryaas cites hurdles in solution for Aceh JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid said on Saturday it was difficult for the government to seek a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the conflict in Aceh if the Acehnese themselves were divided over what they wanted. "How can the Aceh problem be solved peacefully if the violence that has claimed thousands of lives continues?

Ensure invests $200m in RI

Ensure invests $200m in RI JAKARTA (JP): Taiwan-based aluminum group Ensure Co. Ltd. said at the weekend it would invest $200 million in various prospective business sectors in Indonesia. Ensure chairman Wang Chune said initially the group would invest some US$10 million in local life insurance firm PT Elite Life. "We have agreed to inject $10 million into Elite Life. In fact, we'll also open our office here to check for other investment opportunities.

Prisoners escape in daring jailbreak

Prisoners escape in daring jailbreak MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Police opened fire on 53 inmates attempting to escape from the Gunung Sari penitentiary here in the early hours of Sunday morning, injuring five of them. Another nine inmates were wounded in the operation to recapture the escapees. One of them, Jaree, fractured his spine after falling from a coconut tree.

Aussie upbeat to boost ties with RI

Aussie upbeat to boost ties with RI JAKARTA (JP): Australian Ambassador John McCarthy expressed confidence that ties with Indonesia would undoubtedly improve in the future as the two main impediments to the relationship -- the East Timor issue and an authoritarian regime in Jakarta -- had been removed.

Residents gear up for celebration of Chinese New Year

Residents gear up for celebration of Chinese New Year JAKARTA (JP): City residents continued preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year (Imlek) celebration on Sunday, amid calls to celebrate the event in a modest fashion. A festive atmosphere was observed at several spots in the city's Chinatown in Glodok, West Jakarta, and at shopping malls and hotels, while Chinese temples in the same area were seen being cleaned.

Closed banks' furniture auctioned

Closed banks' furniture auctioned JAKARTA (JP): Auction firm PT Balai Lelang Indonesia (Balindo) is displaying furniture belonging to closed banks under the management of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency. The furniture will be offered to the public in a seven-day auction beginning on Feb. 2. The auction will feature some 20,000 pieces of office furniture from privately owned Bank Umum Nasional, Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia, Bank Surya, Bank Servitia and Bank PSP.

Ostrich husbandry illegal: Regent

Ostrich husbandry illegal: Regent PURWAKARTA, West Java: Purwakarta Regent Bunjamin Dudin revealed on Saturday that an anthrax-plagued ostrich husbandry in Ciparungsari village here was running without a permit from the local administration. "No permit from the administration was issued for the company to open an ostrich husbandry," Bunjamin told Antara, referring to PT Cisada Kema Suri. The regent regretted that the company "washed its hands of the problem" when the disease broke out.

No more one-man show

No more one-man show The editorial After the first 100 days which appeared in your Jan. 26, 2000 issue was welcomed since it is entirely appropriate at this time for your editorial staff to take stock of performance of the new government. You also put forth a real suggestion of sorts, i.e., that Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri needs an able and professional staff to aid her in performing her duties. What troubles this reader, however, are your two concluding thoughts: 1.

Donors meeting determined to keep Indonesia afloat

Donors meeting determined to keep Indonesia afloat JAKARTA (JP): The Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) will start its meeting here on Tuesday amid the country's need for loans and its pressing security and political problems. Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to open the two-day gathering of the CGI in Jakarta, the first time the country will host the major donors.

City police recruitment

City police recruitment JAKARTA (JP): The city police are offering the opportunity for Indonesian youths to be recruited and trained as noncommissioned police officers for the 2000-2001 school calendar year, an official said over the weekend. "The registration and recruitment period will last from Feb. 1 until Feb. 29, 2000," City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis told reporters in his office on Saturday.

E. Timor to renegotiate oil, gas treaty: Horta

E. Timor to renegotiate oil, gas treaty: Horta SINGAPORE (Reuters): East Timor wants to renegotiate an existing joint oil and gas prospecting treaty, which dictates the development of resources in the Timor Sea, with Australia, independence leader Jose Ramos-Horta on Sunday.

Abdurrahman ready for economic forum

Abdurrahman ready for economic forum GENEVA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid arrived here on Sunday for the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is expected to deliver speeches on Monday. During the annual forum, Abdurrahman will brief attending businessmen on Indonesia's readiness to anticipate global changes. To participants of the congress, he will talk about a strategy to fight the threat of globalization.

Political factors to reign again in stock mart: Analyst

Political factors to reign again in stock mart: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): Trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) will be dictated by the domestic political situation this week, with investors fearing that instability could arise during the President's two-week overseas trip, according to securities analysts.

UN inquiry to propose tribunal

UN inquiry to propose tribunal JAKARTA (Agencies): An inquiry set up by the United Nations into human rights abuses in East Timor has concluded that Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel were directly involved in last year's violence, sources close to the inquiry said in New York on Saturday. The report was commissioned by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and is due to be sent to the UN General Assembly and Security Council on Monday, AFP reported.

Be a professional manager

Be a professional manager From Rakyat Merdeka I used to work as a manager and had to retire early in December 1999. This was my bonus for the Idul Fitri post-fasting festivity. However, in this case I was treated differently from more fortunate people such as those not yet retiring and receiving their Idul Fitri bonuses. In my opinion my case is not early retirement but early dismissal because when an employee retires he is entitled to his life-long pension. I am not disappointed, though.

Govt to ban parade of academic titles

Govt to ban parade of academic titles JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians may soon no longer be able to flaunt their academic degrees as a new ruling is being drafted to regulate the public use of such credentials. The Ministry of National Education's Director of Private Universities, Joetata Hadihardaja, said his office was preparing a regulation which limited the number of titles which could be displayed to follow a graduate's name.

Officers clash with residents over eviction

Officers clash with residents over eviction JAKARTA (JP): City public order officials clashed with residents of Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta on Saturday when they attempted to evict the occupants of six houses belonging to the city administration. The incident began when five truckloads of city officials arrived at a housing complex belonging to the city administration's training center at 9 a.m.

Abdurrahman's absence

Abdurrahman's absence There is no doubt many Indonesians are having difficulty deciding whether to be reassured or worried that the military has put itself on heightened alert "to anticipate any possible disturbances" during President Abdurrahman Wahid's 16-day absence from the country.

Leftists protest RP-US war games

Leftists protest RP-US war games MANILA (AFP): A small group of leftwing activists on Sunday held a rally in front of the U.S. embassy in the Philippine capital Manila to protest the resumption of war games between the allies. Less than 50 activists, belonging to the New Nationalist Alliance, carried placards which read "Yankees, go home" and "No to war exercises" but later left quietly.

Nippon to build RI gas plant

Nippon to build RI gas plant TOKYO (Nikkei): Nippon Steel Corp. has received two orders for natural-gas development bases from two companies based in Jakarta, Indonesia, totaling Y4.5 billion, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in it Saturday morning edition. Development of natural resources in Asia slowed following the economic crisis of 1997. However, activity in this area has once again revived on a turnaround in the Asian economies.

Nearly 1700 killed in North Maluku violence

Nearly 1700 killed in North Maluku violence JAKARTA (JP): At least 1,692 people have been killed in sectarian clashes in North Maluku since they first erupted in late December, an official said on Sunday. Local government spokesman Adjuan Gafur was quoted by Antara as saying that more than 3,000 security personnel have been deployed to the area to restore law and order.

Auto association expects robust sales this year

Auto association expects robust sales this year JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), said this year's cars sales could reach 160,000 units, almost twice last year's figure, but warned that continued social unrest could hamper the growth. Gaikindo's chairman, Bambang Trisulo, said on Saturday that signs of recovery in some business sectors would certainly mean a higher demand for new cars.

47 named suspects in Mataram riots

47 named suspects in Mataram riots MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: At least 47 people have been declared suspects in the four days of sectarian riots here recently, local police spokesman Capt. Agus Sutisna said on Saturday. Police said the suspects were among 327 arrested for their involvement in the looting, arson and vandalism that marked the unrest, Agus said. "The dossiers of 47 suspects were submitted to the local prosecutor's office today," Sutisna was quoted by Antara as saying.

Indonesia may lose its natural forests in 15 years

Indonesia may lose its natural forests in 15 years JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is facing a severe depletion of forest resources and may lose its natural forest areas within 15 years if no strong commitment is given by the government and private sectors to practice sustainable forest management, experts have said.

Tangerang puzzled by thousands of pedicabs

Tangerang puzzled by thousands of pedicabs TANGERANG (JP): The Jakarta Administration has imposed a ban on becak (pedicab) in the capital; the streets of the neighboring Tangerang administration, however, are now teeming with around 5,000 pedicabs. Pedicabs have mushroomed in Tangerang, causing heavy traffic congestion and other disturbances, as they often ignore road directions, particularly one-way street signs.

Church pelting mars peace rally

Church pelting mars peace rally YOGYAKARTA (JP): A rally by some 10,000 Muslims deploring sectarian violence in Maluku on Sunday was marred when some of those present pelted churches with stones on their way home. Six churches -- the Javanese Christian Church on Jl. Tamansiswa, a Catholic church on Jl. A.M. Sangaji, a Catholic church on Jl. Bantul, a Catholic church on Jl. P. Senopati, a Christian church on Jl. DI Panjaitan Ngadinegaran and a Christian Church on Jl.

Kotas taxi firm poorly managed: Official

Kotas taxi firm poorly managed: Official JAKARTA (JP): An official said on Saturday the Kotas taxi company, one of whose cabs was used in a Jan. 21 rape and robbery, failed to properly manage its fleet of taxis and drivers. "The existence of Kotas taxi is unclear.

Singapore plane skids off runaway

Singapore plane skids off runaway KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Singapore Airlines Ltd. has launched an investigation after an Airbus A310 skidded on landing in bad weather and overshot the runway at Kuching in Malaysia's eastern state of Sarawak. None of the 142 passengers and 12 crew were hurt in the incident Saturday evening, the official Bernama news agency reported.

Tension over sand smoldering at Mt Merapi

Tension over sand smoldering at Mt Merapi By M. Achadi MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Just like any other morning, the western foothills of Mount Merapi were enveloped in fog early last Dec. 13. In the chilly morning, locals were quarrying the sand on which their livelihoods depended. Beside them worked the heavy duty machines owned by a sand-quarrying company which also depends on the sand quarrying industry. A few hours later, approximately 9 a.m.

Alleged prostitutes nabbed in city antivice operation

Alleged prostitutes nabbed in city antivice operation JAKARTA (JP): City social and public order agencies arrested on Friday 29 alleged female prostitutes in a move to cleanse the city of prostitution. "This is only the beginning. We'll hold a month-long public order operation in February," the head of the City Social Agency's Social Welfare Rehabilitation section, Nur Prayitno, who also leads the operation, told The Jakarta Post.

Widodo says President's remark serves a warning

Widodo says President's remark serves a warning YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Admiral Widodo A.S. said on Sunday the President's statement that the 10 percent of military officers who were not loyal should serve as a warning for the military to strengthen its unity. "That's why we are here today, to commemorate the death of TNI's greatest commander Gen. Soedirman," Widodo said, referring to the founding father of TNI.