Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 October 2000

57 articles found

Man caught with 'shabu-shabu'

Man caught with 'shabu-shabu' BOGOR (JP): Police in Bogor have arrested a man in possession of 141 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) at his residence in the Indraprasta housing complex in Bantarjati. Bogor Police chief Sr. Supt. Taufik Ridha confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of Sulaeman, alias Toto, saying police also confiscated a gun and a pipe used to smoke shabu-shabu.

Alfa opens Surakarta outlet

Alfa opens Surakarta outlet JAKARTA (JP): PT Alfa Retailindo, a publicly listed retail and wholesale chain, opened on Monday its newest outlet in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java. Alfa said that the new outlet, located in the Solo Baru housing complex, is its second outlet in Surakarta or the 23rd in the country. The company invested some Rp 1.46 billion to open the new outlet, which will stock about 11,000 products.

Councils meet for new Banten province

Councils meet for new Banten province TANGERANG (JP): Representatives from six regency and mayoralty councils in Banten met on Monday to formulate the regional decree and draft of the local budget for Banten, which was declared a new province, apart from West Java, last Wednesday. The six regencies and mayoralties are Tangerang (mayoralty and regency), Serang, Lebak, Pandeglang and Cilegon.

National soccer team gets new training ground

National soccer team gets new training ground JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian soccer team will have its own training field, the Senayan 'C' field in the Senayan complex, which will allow the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) to save the money it would normally spend hiring the field. PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar expressed his hope Tuesday that the national team would be able to improve its performance by having the new facility for training. "Our main problem is we don't have any training field.

Most Asian currencies weaken, peso tumbles to fresh record low

Most Asian currencies weaken, peso tumbles to fresh record low SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies weakened late on Tuesday, with the Philippine peso feeling the brunt of the pain as it tumbled to a fresh record low. Renewed strength in crude oil prices overnight - fueled by mounting concerns over escalating strife in the Middle East and a cold snap that hit the U.S. Northeast - combined with the languid performance on Asian bourses to push the currencies lower, dealers said.

Classical music shows at Erasmus Huis

Classical music shows at Erasmus Huis JAKARTA (JP): Classical music lovers will have the chance to enjoy two performances at the Erasmus Huis Dutch cultural center on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, this Wednesday and Thursday. Camerata di Musica Jakarta led by Kuei Pin Yeo will perform this evening at 7:30 marking the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach.

IPU faces boycott by Islamic factions

IPU faces boycott by Islamic factions JAKARTA (JP): The coming conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to be hosted by the House of Representatives, may be boycotted by some Indonesian legislators. Several Islamic based parties warned here on Tuesday that they would refuse to participate if delegates from the Israeli Knesset attend.

Deadline set for inventory of regencies and mayoralties

Deadline set for inventory of regencies and mayoralties JAKARTA (JP): Regencies and mayoralties will have to complete the inventory of their authority and development programs by Nov. 1 this year before the regional autonomy law takes effect in three months, an official said on Tuesday.

Rizal asks for Japan's support at upcoming donors' meeting

Rizal asks for Japan's support at upcoming donors' meeting TOKYO (Agencies): Indonesia's chief economics minister Rizal Ramli asked Japanese Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa on Tuesday for support at next week's crucial meeting of foreign donors in Tokyo. However, Miyazawa gave little away in response. Indonesia will seek financial support worth $4.8 billion from foreign donors to fill the gap in its 2001 budget at the annual meeting on Oct. 17-18 of the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI).

House looks set to support rise in defense budget

House looks set to support rise in defense budget JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' Commission I, which oversees foreign affairs, defense and security, looks set to support an increase in the national defense budget to around 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Rendra to appear in Bandarlampung

Rendra to appear in Bandarlampung BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Noted poet and stage actor WS Rendra is scheduled to read his poems and speak at a literature appreciation forum for Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian literature teachers in the province of Lampung on Thursday and Friday. Panji Utama, a member of the forum's organizing committee, told Antara here on Tuesday Rendra would read a number of his works at the Taman Budaya Lampung arts center on Thursday.

City Council endorses amended 2000 budget

City Council endorses amended 2000 budget JAKARTA (JP): All 11 factions on the City Council endorsed on Tuesday the amended 2000 city budget which is set to yield a Rp 669.7 billion (US$77 million) surplus. In a plenary session on Tuesday, all 11 factions on the council stated that the surplus and the resulting increase in the administration's spending, including the purchase of 55 new official cars for city councillors, are acceptable.

Wamena refugees afraid to return home: Official

Wamena refugees afraid to return home: Official JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Wamena refugees, who are currently sheltering at the military and police housing complexes and posts in the ravaged town, have refused to return home for fear of renewed violence, an official said on Tuesday. "They don't want to go back to their homes unless there is an assurance of security for them," secretary to Jayawijaya regency administration Jason Bjelmau said, as quoted by Antara.

Ambivalence over E. Timor

Ambivalence over E. Timor Reactions by top politicians to last week's arrest of East Timor militia leader Eurico Guterres underscored Indonesia's policy ambivalence toward East Timor. While officially Indonesia recognizes, or rather grudgingly accepts East Timor's vote for independence last year, the government continues to nurture or support pro-Indonesia militias who still dream of a unification or an integration with Indonesia.

Bank Mandiri to focus more on SMEs

Bank Mandiri to focus more on SMEs JAKARTA (JP): The giant state-owned Bank Mandiri will channel around Rp 4 trillion (US$470.59 million) in new loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) next year, the bank's president E.C.W. Neloe said here on Tuesday. Neloe said that the amount represented around half of the bank's Rp 8 trillion total lending target for 2001.

Expert questions motivation to seek more loans from CGI

Expert questions motivation to seek more loans from CGI Indonesia will meet the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) in Tokyo on Oct. 17-18, to negotiate a loan of about Rp 20 trillion. Some see the loan as unnecessary, believing Indonesia can still meet the demands of the state budget without it. One of them is economist Revrisond Baswir of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University, also director of the Institute of Development and Economic Analysis (IDEA).

Trans-Bakrie gets ISO

Trans-Bakrie gets ISO JAKARTA (JP): PT Trans-Bakrie, a part of the publicly listed PT Bakrie & Brothers, has received ISO 9002 certification from Bureau Veritas International (BVQI). Trans-Bakrie said on Tuesday that the company, which is involved in engineering activities, was the last unit of the Bakrie group's infrastructure-related division, to receive an ISO 9002 certificate. The company, a joint venture between Bakrie & Brothers and Transfield Pty.

Pertamina's profits hit Rp 5 trillion in 1999/2000

Pertamina's profits hit Rp 5 trillion in 1999/2000 JAKARTA (JP): Strong world crude oil prices boosted consolidated net profits of state oil and gas company Pertamina to Rp 4.98 trillion (US$556 million) in its 1999/2000 fiscal year ending March 31, from Rp 1.05 trillion in the previous year, Pertamina said Tuesday. The state company also said its gross profit quadrupled to Rp 12.28 trillion during the period, of which however 60 percent or Rp 7.3 trillion had been paid to the government.

BI examines condition of 75 banks

BI examines condition of 75 banks JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia is currently examining the financial condition of some 75 commercial banks to decide on their fate, according to a senior official at the central bank.

JIHD to default on bonds

JIHD to default on bonds JAKARTA (JP): Property and hotel firm PT Jakarta International Hotels and Development (JIHD) said on Tuesday it was in default on coupon payments for its Rp 519 billion (US$58 million) 10-year bonds. "As part of our debt restructuring, we will offer the holders of the bonds the opportunity of swapping their bonds for land in central Jakarta," JIHD director Gunarih was quoted as saying by Dow Jones news agency.

Hashim's lawyers file counterclaim against IBRA

Hashim's lawyers file counterclaim against IBRA JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers of businessman Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo slapped a counterclaim on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on Monday over the agency's Rp 596 billion (US$68 million) lawsuit against defunct Bank Istismarat Indonesia. The bank was owned by Hashim and his father, Sumitro.

Breaking habits for a healthy heart

Breaking habits for a healthy heart By Clare E. Urwin This is the last of three articles on having a healthy heart. The writer is a nutritionist and health advisor based in Surabaya. All the writer's articles are interactive and readers are encouraged to ask questions or make comments through the writer's e-mail address, clareu@attglobal.net or features@thejakartapost.com. SURABAYA (JP): Making any kind of change is hard.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Oct. 10, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

22 youngsters for WC'ships

22 youngsters for WC'ships SEMARANG (JP): Twenty two junior shuttlers -- 11 boys and 11 girls -- will compete in the World Junior Badminton Championships in Guangzhou, China, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 9. The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Central Java chapter secretary, Toegimin, said on Tuesday that the chapter would only be represented by girls singles Dian Novita. Other girl players are Silvi Antarini, Mona Santoso, Felsirika, Lita Nurlita, Monika, Endang, Lina and Rani.

On Kostrad aid to Bengkulu

On Kostrad aid to Bengkulu I was disturbed to read (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 8, 2000) that Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah may be subject to official criticism for his decision to send troops of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) to Bengkulu to assist with earthquake relief. I am involved in an Indonesian business group (with Australian connections) which also provided aid, and we met some of those troops.

Firms asked to report debts

Firms asked to report debts JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia has issued a ruling requiring all local companies and institutions to report their foreign debts to the central bank. According to the new ruling, companies and institutions which fail to report their foreign debts on time will be fined Rp 100,000 per day of delay.

Makassar a target for rioters: Police

Makassar a target for rioters: Police MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): South Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Sofjan Jacob warned here that the provincial capital of Makassar has become a target for rioters, after Jakarta and other areas in the western part of the country. "Makassar is the next target as this city is the center of economic development in the eastern Indonesia.

History: Where are the good guys?

History: Where are the good guys? By Terry Russell JAKARTA (JP): If we know why two groups fight each other, we can decide whether or not they deserve our support. But do our history books and newspapers give us the real reasons for fighting in Indonesia and elsewhere in the world? Western history tells us that, from the 11th to the 13th centuries AD, European "crusaders" fought to rescue "Christian" towns from advancing Muslims. Those crusaders had very idealistic, unselfish reasons for war.

Eurico sues police over arrest

Eurico sues police over arrest JAKARTA (JP): East Timorese militia leader Eurico Guterres filed a lawsuit against the National Police on Tuesday over what he said was his wrongful arrest. Suhardi Somomoeljono, one of the lawyers representing Eurico, said the police violated the law by arresting his client without first presenting an arrest warrant or telling him he was the subject of an ongoing investigation.

KL palm oil lower on supply worries

KL palm oil lower on supply worries KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures surrendered earlier gains to close lower on Tuesday as worries over growing output and falling physical prices prompted renewed selling interest. Better export data for the first 10 days of October had lifted prices earlier. Cargo surveyor Societe Generale de Surveillance Malaysia Sdn Bhd said on Tuesday Malaysian palm oil exports for Oct.

Chaerul installed as Aceh Police chief

Chaerul installed as Aceh Police chief BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Brig. Gen. Chaerul R. Rasyidi was sworn in as Aceh's new police chief on Tuesday and pledged to promote peace among the province's 4.2 million population. Chaerul said in his address that he would work with the people to restore peace in the province, which for years has been rocked by bloody clashes between separatists and the Indonesian Military and police. The transfer of duty ceremony, led by Insp. Gen.

Beware of smart Tommy

Beware of smart Tommy From Rakyat Merdeka The central executive board of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Association (DPP SBSI) would like to call on President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur as he is popularly called, not to extend clemency to people involved in graft, such as Tommy Soeharto and Ricardo Galael. It is not praiseworthy to extend clemency to such people because they have siphoned off the state's assets.

IBF to introduce special series for elite shuttlers

IBF to introduce special series for elite shuttlers JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) is planning to stage a super badminton series for elite shuttlers from five leading countries. "IBF has submitted the proposals to China, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia to get feedback on the idea. It's too early actually to give any comments on the proposal," the secretary general of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Leo Chandra Wiranata told reporters Tuesday.

JSX bombing suspects file lawsuit against police

JSX bombing suspects file lawsuit against police JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-two suspects in the bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building filed a lawsuit against the Jakarta Police on Tuesday for unlawful arrest and detention. In the lawsuit, filed at the South Jakarta District Court, the 22 men demanded the police pay them each Rp 3 million in compensation and issue an apology in all of the country's printed and electronic media.

Armed gang robs doctor in Bogor

Armed gang robs doctor in Bogor BOGOR (JP): A group of eight armed robbers ransacked a house belonging to a doctor on Jl. Raya Parung No. 45 in Jambon village of Parung district here and made their escape in the victim's Kijang van and Rp 15 million in the early hours of Monday. The doctor, identified as Permana, told the police the robbery took place around 4:30 a.m. when the gang broke the window on the back of the house.

Protests against fuel price hike poorly attended

Protests against fuel price hike poorly attended JAKARTA (JP): Far from what protest organizers had boasted earlier, the capital witnessed only some 1,000 anti-fuel hike protesters hitting the city's streets on Tuesday. Similar low-key protests took place in several other major cities, including Medan and Semarang. No clashes were reported and the noisy protests ended peacefully later in the afternoon.

Yusuf Kalla testifies

Yusuf Kalla testifies JAKARTA (JP): Former chief of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Yusuf Kalla said on Tuesday that he once rejected a request to disburse Rp 10 billion by his deputy, Sapuan, for President Abdurrahman Wahid in the absence of any written request. Yusuf told the South Jakarta District Court that Sapuan, who was on trial for embezzlement, asked for his signature in January to disburse the fund from a Bulog employee's foundation.

Quake jolts Sukabumi

Quake jolts Sukabumi SUKABUMI, West Java: An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale rocked the West Java town of Sukabumi at 8:59 a.m. local time on Tuesday. No casualties were reported. The Jakarta-based Meteorological and Geophysics Agency said the epicenter of the quake was 21 kilometers north of Sukabumi at a depth of 33 kilometers, Antara news agency reported. Sukabumi, which is prone to earthquakes, was rocked by a strong tremor several months ago.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 10, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,920 45 1,153,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 135 -5 693,000 Alakasa Industrindo 430 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 -5 29,000 Alter Abadi 210 0 104,500 Alumindo Light Metal 995 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 290 0 10,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 980 -5 329,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Gus Dur says 'no' to House summons

Gus Dur says 'no' to House summons JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid cold-shouldered a summons on Tuesday to appear before the House of Representatives (DPR) special committee for questioning over two alleged financial scandals.

Spirit of deliberation lost?

Spirit of deliberation lost? From Rakyat Merdeka The debate surrounding former president Soeharto has heated up in the capital, particularly since the South Jakarta District Court officially dismissed all charges against Soeharto. Clashes people the former president's supporters and opponents were unavoidable, claiming some victims. As a Muslim, I am sad to hear and see groups of demonstrators using the name of Islam, or claiming to be doing things for and on behalf of Islam.

President has yet to receive Tommy's request for pardon

President has yet to receive Tommy's request for pardon JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Tuesday that President Abdurrahman Wahid had yet to receive the appeal for pardon of Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former president Soeharto.

Forex reserves reach $28.13b

Forex reserves reach $28.13b JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves rose again on the week ending on Oct. 6 to US$28.13 billion from $28.09 billion in the previous week, according to Bank Indonesia. The central bank attributed the rise in the forex reserves to revenues from oil exports.

Police raid gambling den

Police raid gambling den PADANG, West Sumatera: The Pasaman Police arrested on Monday six suspected members of a gambling syndicate whose turnover reaches billions of rupiah. Arrested were Rudianto Putra, 24, Ronal Saragih, 23, Ucok Putra Saragih, 24, Bangun Siregar, 43, Kulih 28, and Zulhadi Wijaya in Simpang Tiga Ophir, West Pasaman, some 200 kilometers away from here.

Soeharto medical team sick

Soeharto medical team sick From Meteor It is interesting to hear President Abdurrahman Wahid raise doubts about the work of the medical team assigned to examine former president Soeharto. I am sure that as the highest government official, Gus Dur, as the President is called, has not spoken nonsense. Despite the medical team's denial that they helped protect Soeharto by deciding Soeharto is not fit to stand trial, I am inclined to agree with Gus Dur's suspicions.

Fresh unrest erupts in Ambon

Fresh unrest erupts in Ambon AMBON, Maluku (JP): Fresh unrest erupted in Suli village, Salahutu district, Ambon, Central Maluku, when hundreds of armed men from neighboring Tulehu and Tial villages attacked the area on Tuesday morning. But officials and residents gave conflicting accounts of the number of fatalities in the incident.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in Surabaya Film French Film: Cyrano de Bergerac, Asterix and Obelix, La fille d'Artagnan, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 7 p.m., until Oct. 13. Talk Discussion on Library World, at the French Cultural Center, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 12. Contest French text reading contest at the French Cultural Center, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 12. Music and Entertainment * The Westin Surabaya, Jl.

KONI Foundation to submit business plan

KONI Foundation to submit business plan JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) Foundation will submit its business plan to the council's executives in ten days following appointment of new officials. "The foundation will hold fund-raising activities to help KONI finance sports activities in Indonesia. KONI can concentrate on how to improve our sport achievement," the foundation's vice chairman Farid Aidid told a press conference on Tuesday.

BAT halts controversial promotion

BAT halts controversial promotion JAKARTA (JP): The British American Tobacco (BAT) has stopped its Pall Mall parties, part of its nation-wide sales campaign, following protests from non-governmental organizations. The company's subsidiary BAT Indonesia director Didi Nugrahadi said here on Tuesday that the NGOs' charge that the parties which were occasionally held in the country's major cities were "indecent" was not totally true.

Container truck drivers stage protest

Container truck drivers stage protest JAKARTA (JP): Drivers of some 40 container trucks and trailers staged a protest over the poor treatment they received from their company by driving their giant vehicles to the House of Representatives complex in Central Jakarta on Tuesday morning. The drivers, who were demanding adequate wages, clear employment status and a proper welfare scheme from their firm, PT Waringin Wisesa Abadi, were initially prohibited by police from entering the compound.

Rebels surrender as RP military presses assault

Rebels surrender as RP military presses assault ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Agencies): Fifteen more Muslim rebels surrendered Tuesday on a southern island where the military is continuing a 25-day assault to rescue five hostages, including three Malaysians and an American, a military official said. The 15 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas surrendered in a remote area of Talipao town on Jolo island under pressure from the assault, army Col. Ernesto de Guzman said.

BKPM now under Ministry of Industry and Trade

BKPM now under Ministry of Industry and Trade JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Luhut Pandjaitan said on Tuesday that his office would be in charge of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) following the abolishment of the office of the state minister of investment and state enterprises development. "BKPM will be under the coordination of the ministry, but it will remain a separate agency," Luhut announced at a media conference.

HSBC signs loan agreement

HSBC signs loan agreement JAKARTA (JP): HSBC Indonesia and Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc signed an agreement on Tuesday to provide term loan facilities worth US$10 million to support the plantation company's investment in Indonesia. James Hogan, senior vice president of corporate and institutional banking of HSBC Indonesia said that the loan facilities would be used to finance the development of palm oil plantations and the construction of a crude palm oil CPO) at the company's Bengkulu Estates.

The Wine and Cigar Shop opens at The Regent Jakarta

The Wine and Cigar Shop opens at The Regent Jakarta By Grace Segran JAKARTA (JP): Lovers of a good vintage and a fine cigar have a new place to savor the moment with the recent opening of The Wine and Cigar Shop at The Regent Jakarta.

IBRA deputy to head Danamon

IBRA deputy to head Danamon JAKARTA (JP): Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) Arwin Rasyid has been appointed as president of publicly listed PT Bank Danamon Indonesia. IBRA said Tuesday that Arwin's appointment was made during Danamon's extraordinary shareholders' meeting on Monday. "Bank Danamon's new management consist of personals with high experiences and are known as professionals in the banking sector," the agency said in a press statement.

Satelindo service declining

Satelindo service declining A few years ago Satelindo was in the forefront as a provider of GSM services in Indonesia. However, recently, its services have declined in quality. The blank spots seem to be wider than the area within its scope. Signals can suddenly disappear and then re-emerge while the user remains in the same place. A few months ago, Satelindo even extended a bonus of free subscription fees to some of its users.

Lose your weight by changing eating habits

Lose your weight by changing eating habits Question: Dear Madam, I am a regular reader of The Jakarta Post and your new column on weight reduction is good. Please enlighten me about the following points. 1. Is spot reduction possible? i.e. as exercising only the specific muscles of tummy or legs? 2. Please guide us by an age vs height/weight chart so we can decide how much weight we should shed. 3.