Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 November 2000

56 articles found

Indonesia to send synchronized divers to train in China

Indonesia to send synchronized divers to train in China JAKARTA (JP): With the new event of synchronized diving to be featured at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) plans to send athletes to train in China next year.

Disappointed by Tunas Toyota

Disappointed by Tunas Toyota Recently I purchased a brand new Kijang by cash from Tunas Toyota, Mampang, South Jakarta. Not only did I receive it three weeks late but just I as left the showroom's parking lot, a threatening and irritating din came from the beneath the car. I had it inspected.

Shipping fraud

Shipping fraud I am an Egyptian diplomat who was posted in Jakarta for four years (1996-2000) and to me it was one of the best times of my life spent in this beautiful country of yours. But unfortunately it didn't end as happily as it started because I was the victim of a very bad fraud and...

Alsthom agrees to cut cost of power project

Alsthom agrees to cut cost of power project JAKARTA (JP): French-based engineering, construction and procurement company Alsthom has agreed to develop the Kediri power transmission project in East Java at a cost equal to a similar project in Depok, West Java, said the president of state electricity...

Rusdihardjo reveals Bulog scam to House

Rusdihardjo reveals Bulog scam to House JAKARTA (JP): Former National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo testified before the House of Representatives' Special Committee on Tuesday revealing significant information about the persons behind the Rp 35 billion (US$3.

BI issues new Rp 1,000 note

BI issues new Rp 1,000 note JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia will issue a new bank note in a Rp 1,000 denomination as legal tender in the country beginning on Wednesday.The central bank said in a statement on Tuesday that the new Rp 1,000 note carries the picture of national hero Kapitan Pattimura on...

Microsoft Indonesia launches Interaksi 2

Microsoft Indonesia launches Interaksi 2 JAKARTA (JP): Computer manufacturer PT Microsoft Indonesia has launched a one-year free computer training program for children called Computer Information and Technology for Indonesian Children (Interaksi 2).

ASEAN short of Internet development skills

ASEAN short of Internet development skills SINGAPORE (DPA): Internet development and e-commerce knowhow are among the top skills most needed by Southeast Asian companies but those mastering them are still in short supply, a nine- country survey showed on Tuesday.

Utut wins opener of Int'l Chess Federation World Championships

Utut wins opener of Int'l Chess Federation World Championships JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Grand Master Utut Adianto won his first match at the US$3.5 million 2000 International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Championships at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi on Monday evening.

Spore's vulnerable after Wahid's criticisms

Spore's vulnerable after Wahid's criticisms SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's scathing attack on Singapore highlights the affluent city-state's vulnerability to a volatile region despite political and economic stability at home, analysts said.

City proposes Rp 7.49 trillion budget for 2001

City proposes Rp 7.49 trillion budget for 2001 JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso unveiled on Tuesday an optimistic draft City budget for 2001, which was set at Rp 7.49 trillion (US$788.42 million).Speaking before a plenary City Council session, Sutiyoso projected 2.

Makassar prepares for direct elections

Makassar prepares for direct elections MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The Provincial Legislative Council here is finalizing a new regulation on direct gubernatorial elections to come into effect next year in tandem with the implementation of regional autonomy."We are working on the concept.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 28, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 2,225 -75 223,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 110 0 20,000 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 0 Alfa Retailindo...

Chinese oil firm to invest $14.5b for offshore reserves

Chinese oil firm to invest $14.5b for offshore reserves BEIJING (AFP): China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), which plans to sell shares abroad early next year, has decided to invest 120 billion yuan (US$14.

U.S., RP hostages may be rescued soon

U.S., RP hostages may be rescued soon MANILA (AP): Government troops have sighted an American and a Filipino being held by Muslim extremists on a southern Philippine island and may rescue them soon, an official said on Tuesday.

Proton's new boss arrives, now needs know-how

Proton's new boss arrives, now needs know-how KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's oil company Petronas steps into the driving seat at Proton next week, taking a controlling 27 percent stake in the national car maker as it prepares for the onslaught of foreign competition.

Foreign fishermen found not guilty

Foreign fishermen found not guilty MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The East Flores district court acquitted four Taiwanese fishermen on Tuesday who had been charged with illegal fishing.The four fishermen, identified as Huang Tien Siu, Chen Tien Sung, Chen Pin An, and Huan Tien Ming, were arrested in...

Food supply to flood hit areas disrupted

Food supply to flood hit areas disrupted PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Supplies of food and medicines to regencies devastated by floods and landslides in West Sumatra were being obstructed as the roads leading to the affected areas had been cut, while other alternative routes had been washed away due...

Government, House agree on reduction of outstanding bonds

Government, House agree on reduction of outstanding bonds JAKARTA (JP): The government and the House of Representatives agreed on Tuesday to reduce the amount of the government bank recapitalization bonds by Rp 10 trillion (US$1.07 billion) next year to ease the burden on the 2001 state budget.

Tropical storm 3B to drift away

Tropical storm 3B to drift away JAKARTA (JP): Sumatra may get a reprieve from the recent storms and torrential rains that have caused landslides and flooding in many parts of the island as weathermen predict improving conditions in coming weeks.

Beddu Amang detained over Bulog land scandal

Beddu Amang detained over Bulog land scandal JAKARTA (JP): The state prosecutors placed former chief of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Beddu Amang in the detention center at the Attorney General Office's for 20 days, pending his trial on charges of corruption in a land exchange deal.

Thousands of workers protest in Surabaya

Thousands of workers protest in Surabaya SURABAYA (JP): In one of the country's largest protests in recent months, some 30,000 industrial workers took to the streets here on Tuesday to demand higher wages.

Reduce over-reliance on dollar, gold council

Reduce over-reliance on dollar, gold council KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Countries should make gold a key reserve asset to reduce risks in a "one-currency" world monetary system dominated by the U.S. dollar, a World Gold Council senior official said Tuesday.

White shrimps steal market lead from black tiger

White shrimps steal market lead from black tiger SURABAYA: Among traders whose business is shrimp, the black tiger is a common name. This is a species of shrimp which is bigger in size and has black stripes. The stripes become bright red when the shrimps are boiled or fried.

Asian currencies fail to sustain gains amid shaky fundamentals

Asian currencies fail to sustain gains amid shaky fundamentals SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mixed late Tuesday, as the dollar's pullback against the major currencies provided some repose for the market, dealers said.

Kim supports Indonesia's national car project

Kim supports Indonesia's national car project JAKARTA (JP): Visiting South Korean President Kim Dae-jung said his government would give full support to Indonesia's efforts to revive its national car project, a joint venture with South Korea's Kia Motors Co.

Police officer kills two colleagues, injures one

Police officer kills two colleagues, injures one JAKARTA (JP): Two West Jakarta Police Precinct officers were killed and another one was injured after one of their colleagues shot them at the precinct on Tuesday.West Jakarta Police chief Supt.

Man killed for stealing a duck

Man killed for stealing a duck JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-year-old Odin was beaten to death on Sunday by residents in Karang Setia subdistrict in Cikarang, Bekasi, after he was caught red-handed stealing a duck, a police report said.

Indonesia enters 'white list' on SCTW standards

Indonesia enters 'white list' on SCTW standards JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has obtained recognition from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for its compliance with the international convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Sutiyoso must take leave of absence: PAN faction

Sutiyoso must take leave of absence: PAN faction JAKARTA (JP): The National Mandate Party (PAN) faction on the City Council joined in the chorus asking Governor Sutiyoso to take a leave of absence from office after he was named a suspect in the 1996 forcible takeover of the Indonesian Democratic...

Candra, Tony call on PBSI to allow individual patrons

Candra, Tony call on PBSI to allow individual patrons JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world number one men's doubles players Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan called on the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Tuesday to allow players to have individual sponsorship deals.

Brimob officers arrested

Brimob officers arrested BOGOR (JP): Some 15 officers of the Kedunghalang Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit, allegedly involved in Sunday's assault on street vendors, have been arrested, a police officer said on Tuesday.Bogor City Police Sr. Supt.

KL palm oil ends lower in Chicago

KL palm oil ends lower in Chicago KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Long liquidation dominated the Malaysian palm oil at the close on Tuesday on overnight falls in soyoil futures at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and high expectations that November exports data would be bearish."It's so bearish.

Bakrie creditors approve $1.08 billion debt deal

Bakrie creditors approve $1.08 billion debt deal JAKARTA (JP): Creditors of publicly listed business group PT Bakrie & Brothers approved the company's US$1.08 billion debt restructuring proposal during a vote held by the Central Jakarta Commercial Court, Bakrie said on Tuesday.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaWednesday Maghrib 5:57 p.m.Thursday Imsak 3:56 a.m.Subuh 4:06 a.m.

KL to hire 800 foreign doctors

KL to hire 800 foreign doctors KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The government plans to hire nearly 800 foreign doctors because of a shortage of medical specialists in rural Malaysia, a senior health official said on Tuesday.

How much is that abalone in the window?

How much is that abalone in the window?By Grace Segran JAKARTA (JP): When my friend Raymond e-mailed me about the Rp 11,000,000 abalone, I thought he made a mistake and added too many zeros. A second e-mail confirmed that this was no mistake, that the abalone served at Ah Yat Abalone Forum...

RP economy grows 4.8% -- stronger than expected

RP economy grows 4.8% -- stronger than expected MANILA (AP): The Philippine economy grew by a far stronger- than-expected 4.8 percent on year in the third quarter, but its outlook now hinges on whether a political crisis that has hammered investor confidence can be quickly resolved, officials said...

Holiday travelers to reach 18.6m in 2000

Holiday travelers to reach 18.6m in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Tuesday that some 18.6 million people would leave Jakarta for their hometowns during the upcoming Christmas and Idul Fitri holidays this year.The predicted number is 11 percent higher than last year, when some 16.

Organda to purchase 20,000 Daewoo cars

Organda to purchase 20,000 Daewoo cars JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to purchase 20,000 cars from the ailing South Korea-based Daewoo Motor Co., to replace aging taxis in the Greater Jakarta area.

Indonesian foreign policy is in total disarray

Indonesian foreign policy is in total disarray It is hard to find a pattern in foreign policy nowadays, writes political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono. JAKARTA (JP): Shortly after his election, President Abdurrahman Wahid went on his first foreign tour to visit primarily the majority of Southeast...

Ex-presidential guard on trial

Ex-presidential guard on trial YOGYAKARTA: Former member of the presidential guard Soekardjo Wilardjito, 73, went on trial on Tuesday on charges of sparking a public furor over the validity of the 1966 presidential order known as Supersemar, which has been declared a state document.

Singapore responds to Abdurrahman's attack

Singapore responds to Abdurrahman's attack JAKARTA (JP): The Singapore government responded sharply on Tuesday to comments made by President Abdurrahman Wahid on the heels of the ASEAN informal summit on the island-nation, refuting many of the allegations made by the Indonesian president.

Rupiah Rates Nov.28

Rupiah Rates Nov.28 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,955.00 9,955.00 9,408.00 9,502.00Australian dollar 1 4,705.85 5,236.33 4,943.90 4,998.05Austrian schilling 1 554.92 617.11 583.00 589.03Belgian franc 1 189.29 210.50 198.87 200.

Government seeking solution for civilian militia

Government seeking solution for civilian militia JAKARTA (JP): Acting Minister of Defense Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday that the government would help to solve the problems faced by the 36,000 members of the People's Security (Kamra) civilian militia upon the termination of their...

House accepts police chief's installation

House accepts police chief's installation JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Tuesday that the House had accepted the installation of National Police chief Gen. S. Bimantoro by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Kamra members plead for help

Kamra members plead for helpBy Winahyo Soekanto DENPASAR (JP): Some 40,000 members of the People's Security (Kamra) force across the country may on Dec. 31 lose their low- paying jobs with the cessation of their two-year work contract.

The BKPMD paper chase

The BKPMD paper chase Not long ago Vice President Megawati gave this challenge to people: Don't just complain; give us your suggestions. Accordingly, I'd like to make a suggestion to the Minister of Industry and Trade Mr. Luhut Panjaitan.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya: Contest * Card Design Contest for Kids at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), Dec. 3.Education* A presentation on Study in the UK at BCITS Surabaya, led by Education Counsellor Ria Widjaja, on Dec. 9.

Thai flood death toll reaches 53

Thai flood death toll reaches 53 BANGKOK (AFP): Floodwaters in southern Thailand were abating on Tuesday, bringing some relief for residents who struggled to clean up their devastated streets and homes.

Officials plan Maluku security before holy days

Officials plan Maluku security before holy days AMBON, Maluku (JP): In a bid to prevent more sectarian fighting during the upcoming religious festivities in late December and at New Year, leaders of the violence plagued Maluku province met on Tuesday to talk about security plans.

Council calls for consistent policy in Kebayoran Baru

Council calls for consistent policy in Kebayoran Baru JAKARTA (JP): The City Council demanded an end to discrimination and inconsistency in the policy of preventing residential zones from becoming business areas.

Important asset sale

Important asset sale The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's sale of 24 oil palm plantations formerly owned by the Salim Group for Rp 3.6 trillion (US$370 million) to Malaysia's Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd on Monday should be hailed for several reasons.

Prosecutor Nulis: I will not summon Gus Dur

Prosecutor Nulis: I will not summon Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor Nulis Sembiring dismissed on Tuesday the possibility of President Abdurrahman Wahid testifying in the State Logistics Agency graft trial."I refuse to summon witness K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid.

East Java exports reach the highest rate ever

East Java exports reach the highest rate ever SURABAYA: During January to September this year, East Java's export rate increased 38.85 percent. The total volume of exports reached more than 300 million tons worth US$3.8 billion.

Gus Dur not as expected

Gus Dur not as expectedFrom Rakyat MerdekaOn our president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, I have the following opinion: When proposed by his supporters from the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muslim scholars from Langitan for presidency, I was optimistic Gus Dur would be elected president of Indonesia and would...