Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 December 2000

52 articles found

Bulog scandal suspect Suwondo to be transferred to Salemba jail

Bulog scandal suspect Suwondo to be transferred to Salemba jail JAKARTA (JP): Alip Agung Suwondo, a main suspect in the multibillion rupiah State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal, is scheduled to spend his days and nights at the Salemba Penitentiary starting Wednesday, a police officer said. City Police Criminal Investigation chief Sr. Supt.

PT Pos to relax monopoly on letter delivery: Official

PT Pos to relax monopoly on letter delivery: Official JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Post and Telecommunications Sasmito Dirdjo said on Tuesday the monopoly on letter delivery held by state postal company PT Pos Indonesia would be lifted gradually.

Wine taster says the right bottle is up to you

Wine taster says the right bottle is up to you By Harry Bhaskara JAKARTA (JP): "It is very difficult to say which wine is the best because it depends on the individual," said Madame May- Eliane de Lencquesaing. To Lencquesaing, a great name in the world of wine lovers, the statement she made in front of an audience of 80 people at the William Kafe Artistik at the end of November summed up her personality.

Dharma Wanita 'rejects removal of polygamy ban'

Dharma Wanita 'rejects removal of polygamy ban' JAKARTA (JP): The organization of civil servants' wives Dharma Wanita Persatuan asserted on Tuesday its rejection of the planned removal of the ban on polygamy for civil servants. "Our stance is clear. We support the enactment of PP.10/1983 which bans civil servants from polygamy based on the fact that most of the state employees still have very low morals and discipline," Dharma Wanita chairwoman Nila F. Moeloek told a year-end media briefing.

Minister confirms explosion was bomb

Minister confirms explosion was bomb VIENTIANE (AP): Laos's foreign minister suggested on Tuesday that an explosion this week in the capital was caused by a bomb left over from the Vietnam War, but said it was not aimed at an ASEAN-EU ministerial conference. The bomb went off Sunday night when cleaners sprucing up an open area accidentally touched it, Minister of Foreign Affairs Somsavat Lengsavad said.

Thai, Lufthansa promote ties

Thai, Lufthansa promote ties BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Airways International and Lufthansa said Tuesday they may step up their codeshare agreement with a deal to share the cost and earnings of their operations between Germany and Thailand. "President of Thai Airways International Bhisit Kuslasayanon and Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Jurgen Weber agreed to conduct talks on sharing the costs and earnings of the operation," Thai Airways said in a statement.

UN barred from grilling TNI troops

UN barred from grilling TNI troops JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said here on Tuesday that Jakarta would not allow its troops to be questioned by UN investigators over last year's violence in East Timor. "With regard to due process of law, no TNI officer will be questioned by UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor)," Widodo told reporters after meeting President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace.

Military men arrested over firecrackers

Military men arrested over firecrackers JAKARTA (JP): Three military personnel were arrested for playing with firecrackers on Monday, a police report said. The report said the military men, namely Second Sgt. M. Syaifuddin, Second Pvt. Wastin, and Second Pvt. Sunaryo, had been playing with firecrackers at the bus stop on Jl. Urip Sumohardjo in East Jakarta, precisely in front of the East Jakarta Police headquarters.

C. Java only sends one shooter

C. Java only sends one shooter SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin) has invited Shilla Prasasti from Central Java to join the training program for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "The only Central Java shooter who is invited to the training program is Shilla Prasasti, a specialist in the air rifle match event.

RI shuttlers must have managers: Business expert

RI shuttlers must have managers: Business expert JAKARTA (JP): With their international achievements, it is time for Indonesian shutters to have their own managers to negotiate contracts with sponsors. The point was addressed on Tuesday by business expert Rhenald Kasali in a discussion on "Measuring the Advantage and Disadvantage of Collective and Individual Contract System" jointly staged by BOLA sports tabloid and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

Inquiry slams cruise liner sinking

Inquiry slams cruise liner sinking SINGAPORE (AFP): An investigation into the sinking of the cruise liner Sun Vista has cited serious deficiencies in the ship and questioned whether it should even have been carrying passengers, a report said on Tuesday. The Singapore-owned, Bahamas-registered liner was in such poor mechanical condition that "emergency measures became routine", the Business Times said, quoting from an investigation report by the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Brother of KL leader dies

Brother of KL leader dies KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Mahadi Mohamad, the older brother of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, died on Tuesday after suffering a fall in the bathroom of his home, the national news agency Bernama reported. He was 86. Mahadi had not been ill except for a serious cold the past few days. Family members said he fell on Tuesday morning in the bathroom at his home in Sungai Petani, in northern Malaysia. Other details were not disclosed.

KL foreign debt reaches $41b

KL foreign debt reaches $41b KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's foreign debt totaled 156.9 billion ringgit (US$41.28 billion) as of the end of September, parliament was told Tuesday. Deputy Finance Minister Chan Kong Choy said 48.6 percent of the total, or 76.2 billion ringgit, was public sector debt and the rest private. Domestic debts totaled 625.6 billion ringgit, with the private sector responsible for 81.6 percent of the total, Bernama news agency quoted him as saying.

Malaysian palm oil firms struggle to cut costs

Malaysian palm oil firms struggle to cut costs KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones): In the Malaysian palm oil sector, the race is now on for plantation companies to be the leanest and fittest. With the slump in palm oil prices expected to continue through next year, many are cutting costs to safeguard bottom lines and to remain in the business, industry participants said. "The plantation sector no more remains a price-maker. We've just become price-takers.

City bylaws needed for asset takeover

City bylaws needed for asset takeover JAKARTA (JP): Experts are urging the city administration to draft city bylaws in a bid to take over various valuable assets in the capital ahead of next month's rolling out of regional autonomy. Legal expert Rafiuddin Hamarung, who was one of the drafters of Law No.22/1999 on regional autonomy, said the city administration should not wait for the central government to issue a government regulation concerning the assets. "The regional autonomy law and Law No.

Asia Nov online ads at $166.29m

Asia Nov online ads at $166.29m NEW YORK (AFX): Asian online advertising in November totaled an estimated US$166.297 million, according to a report by AdZone Interactive, an advertising research firm that tracks advertising on over 125,000 sites worldwide. Comparative figures were not provided as this was the company's first report on online advertising in Asia.

Visa reports success with Electron debit cards

Visa reports success with Electron debit cards JAKARTA (JP): Visa International said here on Tuesday that the number of its Visa Electron debit cardholders had exceeded one million since its first launch in the country earlier this year. Visa country manager Ellyana C. Fuad said that Visa Electron debit cardholders in the country reached more than 1.5 million, with about 1.2 million coming from LippoBank's customers.

Blind nationalism

Blind nationalism Nationalism, in the narrowest sense of the term, has reared its ugly head once again in this country this past week with the latest row between Indonesia and the United Nations. The climax was Monday's attack on a car carrying UN officials after they visited the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

Drug convict Agus Isrok still in the Army

Drug convict Agus Isrok still in the Army JAKARTA (JP): Drug convict Second. Lt. Agus Isrok of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) has been deemed to have accepted the Jakarta Military High Court's verdict of last month, which reduced his jail sentence and reinstated him as an Army officer, the Supreme Court director for military crimes said on Tuesday. Col. (ret) P.

Bad loans hamper Thai banks' recovery

Bad loans hamper Thai banks' recovery BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's embattled banking sector will slowly begin to recover in 2001 but a morass of non-performing loans will continue to plague the industry, Merrill Lynch said in a report Tuesday. The outlook for the banking sector next year is cautiously positive, but recovery could be pushed off course by the mountain of bad loans or if the U.S. economy suffers a sharp decline, Merrill Lynch Phatra said.

S'pore 'vulnerable' to Indonesian unrest

S'pore 'vulnerable' to Indonesian unrest SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): A repeat of Indonesia's May 1998 social and political upheaval could deliver a significant blow to Singapore's economy, according to a new study examining the relationship between the two countries.

Old woman killed for alleged shaman

Old woman killed for alleged shaman PAMEKASAN, East Java: Eight unknown men in Ninja cloths have killed 60-year-old Surimti who they alleged to have practiced black magic (santet) in Blaban village, Batumarmar district, Pamekasan regency, East Java. Pamekasan Police Chief Supt. Syahrul Mamma confirmed the murder on Tuesday and said that the police were trying to identify the eight suspects. "We continue to track down the suspects and their motives.

House's choices for chief justice not binding: Harun

House's choices for chief justice not binding: Harun JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' choices for chief justice sent to the President are not binding, a constitutional law expert said on Tuesday. Harun Alrasid, a professor at the University of Indonesia, said Law No. 14/1985 on Supreme Court and other regulations do not stipulate that the President has to accept the House's nominations.

Bank records turned over to Estrada trial

Bank records turned over to Estrada trial MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines' third largest bank on Tuesday surrendered confidential records to a court hearing embattled President Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial after prosecutors said the papers were needed to convict him.

Gus Dur, change or step down

Gus Dur, change or step down From Republika Mr. President, you keep making controversial statements while our country is encountering a host of problems: economic crisis, national disintegration, corruption, absence of the supremacy of law and the street justice increasingly practiced by some members of society. Understandably, Mr. President, a lot of people have demanded that you step down.

Indonesian Navy to deploy 27 warships for holidaymakers

Indonesian Navy to deploy 27 warships for holidaymakers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy will deploy 27 of its warships to help transport millions of people who will be traveling by seas in the coming holiday season, the Ministry of Communications said on Tuesday. Without the frills offered by passenger liners, the Navy is offering its 947,000 places available on its 27 ships during the holiday at half the going economic rate.

KL says opposition using 'intifada'

KL says opposition using 'intifada' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's deputy premier accused the Islamic opposition party on Tuesday of exploiting the Palestinian intifada as a pretext to stage antigovernment protests here. Several thousand members of the Parti Islam Malaysia (PAS) and other opposition parties gathered outside a prison last Friday to mark the release of PAS youth wing leader Mahfuz Omar and two other activists.

Asian currencies mostly weaker; except peso

Asian currencies mostly weaker; except peso SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mostly softer Tuesday as the dollar garnered regional support from its strength against the yen. The only regional currency to gain versus the dollar was the Philippine peso, which edged higher on seasonal remittance inflows from Filipino workers abroad. The Indonesian rupiah experienced the biggest price swing, ending an abbreviated rally that began Monday and extended into early trading Tuesday.

Bleak December

Bleak December Instead of entering December with hope and anticipation for happiness in the new year, and joy at the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan and the approaching Chinese New Year, the people of Indonesia have black eyes from lack of sleep and a bleak prospect due to rising prices and economic hardship.

Eight killed in Kulonprogo landslides

Eight killed in Kulonprogo landslides YOGYAKARTA (JP): Eight people died and six others went missing on Monday in mudflows caused by landslides in the remote areas of Semagung, Ngaren and Kalijeruk, in Kalibawang district, Kulonprogo regency, some 30 kilometers northwest of here. Semagung is located in Banjaroyo village, while Ngaren and Kalijeruk are in Banjarasri village.

Rights body probes 'religion change'

Rights body probes 'religion change' AMBON, Maluku (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is currently investigating reports that hundreds of Christians living on Kesui Island are allegedly being forced to change their religion. Bambang W. Soeharto, the deputy chief of Komnas HAM said after a meeting with Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina on Monday that the civil emergency authorities have made three trips to Kesui island in East Seram, Central Maluku regency.

'Indosiar' programs win awards in S'pore

'Indosiar' programs win awards in S'pore JAKARTA (JP): The bi-weekly professional boxing show Gelar Tinju Profesional Indosiar, broadcast live every Thursday and Friday on Indosiar television, won Best Sports Program at the Asian Television Awards 2000 in Singapore last week. It shared the award jointly with Sports Night, aired on Singapore's TCS-SportsCity station.

Religious leaders' help needed to end conflicts

Religious leaders' help needed to end conflicts YOGYAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders must accept pluralism to prevent the country from disintegrating as religious intolerance has been threatening national unity, a scholar warned here on Tuesday. "We must acknowledge that there are interreligious conflicts.

Forestry ministry has new helicopters

Forestry ministry has new helicopters JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry began operating on Tuesday its two new Bell-142 helicopters, which will be used mainly to combat forest fires. The ministry received the aircraft on Monday from PT Daya Jasa Transindo Pratama, which won the tender to procure them from PT Dirgantara Indonesia, the state-owned company which assembled the American helicopters.

ISSI can win SEAG overall title

ISSI can win SEAG overall title SEMARANG (JP): The Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) Sofyan Ruzian was optimism that Indonesia could win the overall title in the cycling event at the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. He told reporters on Monday that Indonesia could win at least nine out of the 20 gold medals on offer in the biennial event.

New methodology for civics, moral teachings introduced

New methodology for civics, moral teachings introduced JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education introduced, on Tuesday, new methodology for civics and moral teachings to replace the present normative method. "I'm afraid that our children are lacking pride in being Indonesian. They do not have a clue about nationalism, national defense or nationhood," Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin said after attending a seminar on national standards for civics education.

City authorities want 6% to 49% hike in tap water fees

City authorities want 6% to 49% hike in tap water fees JAKARTA (JP): The city is proposing a hike in tap water fees, ranging from 6 percent to 43.09 percent. Governor Sutiyoso said Tuesday the increase was needed to cover the rising operating costs of the city water companies. "We are forced to do this.

Van Der Horst reports bank to police over withdrawal of Rp 5b

Van Der Horst reports bank to police over withdrawal of Rp 5b JAKARTA (JP): Bank Victoria International was reported to the police on Tuesday for its refusal to allow a publicly listed company to withdraw Rp 5 billion of its money. Prominent businessman Edward S.

Holidaymakers 'cheated' by Ancol theme park

Holidaymakers 'cheated' by Ancol theme park JAKARTA (JP): Many holidaymakers, including those from out of town, say they feel cheated by the closure of Dunia Fantasi theme park, a fact they only learned after paying their entrance fees to Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta. One case in point was Ratih, a 30-year old who came with her family all the way from Makassar, South Sulawesi to spend the long school Ramadhan holiday.

RI still faces difficulty raising foreign investment

RI still faces difficulty raising foreign investment By Kornelius Purba TOKYO (JP): Indonesia will still face difficulties in attracting foreign investment next year, especially from Japan, if political uncertainty and security instability remain, an official of the powerful Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) warned on Tuesday.

Govt fails to reach deal with Prajogo over assets

Govt fails to reach deal with Prajogo over assets JAKARTA (JP): The government failed on Tuesday to reach a deal with tycoon Prajogo Pangestu to surrender his personal assets to repay debt. The Financial Sector Policy Committee (FSPC) said that the assets proposed by Prajogo did not meet the criteria set by the committee. "The additional assets offered today by the shareholder of Chandra Asri do not meet the requirements of the FSPC.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in Surabaya Music and Entertainment * The Westin Surabaya, Jl. Embong Malang 85-89 (Phone: 031 5458888): - Java Jimmy's Irish Pub: Aia Reforms Band, Monday to Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Except Saturday), Solo Pianist, Monday to Friday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The answer is out there

The answer is out there By Rob Goodfellow WOLLONGONG, Australia (JP): Steve Sondakh, who wrote, "When can we resume business?" recently in this newspaper, is a member of the National Economic Restoration Committee and director of PT Hero Supermarkets. He understands business and his frustration can be understood. With Indonesia now in the fourth year of economic crisis, he, like many Indonesian businesspeople feel that the situation will never improve. He raised a number of issues.

ASEAN, EU end landmark conference

ASEAN, EU end landmark conference VIENTIANE (AP): A European Union minister praised Myanmar's military junta on Tuesday for agreeing to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and to allow an EU delegation to meet with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate next month.

Police detain court receiver in Manulife case

Police detain court receiver in Manulife case JAKARTA (JP): The police said on Tuesday that they had detained the court receiver in an alleged sales scam involving insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia (AJMI). National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said that court receiver Ari Ahmad Effendi had been held in detention since Thursday last week. "We have put Ari Ahmad Effendi, into police custody since Thursday. His detention will be effective until Dec.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Wednesday Maghrib 6:04 p.m. Thursday Imsak 4:00 a.m. Subuh 4:10 a.m.

Susanto survives first test

Susanto survives first test JAKARTA (JP): Young Indonesian chess player Susanto Megaranto survived the first test in the Asian Continental Boys Under-16 championships at the National Power Corporation (NPC) training center at Bataan, the Philippines, on Tuesday. Top seeded Susanto defeated host player Lorjon Limbohan 1.5- 0.5 in the 50th move using the Caro Kann defense. He will face John Paul Gomez in the second round later on Tuesday.

UNTAET, Portugal, RI call for E. Timor reconciliation

UNTAET, Portugal, RI call for E. Timor reconciliation JAKARTA (JP): The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), Portugal and Indonesia called for on Tuesday the importance of a reconciliation among conflicting East Timorese factions prior the territory's declaration of independence.

TV today

TV today TVRI 3:30 a.m. Ramadhan Special: Uraian Syiar Sahur 4:30 Ramadhan Special: Koran Recital 5:30 Ramadhan Special: Pelajaran Iqro 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 8:30 Music 9:00 Interval 2:00 p.m News 2:30 Talk Show 3:30 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Culture Program 5:00 Ramadhan Special: Mutiara Ramadhan 6:00 TVRI News 6:30 Village News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports 8:30 Talk Show 9:00 News 9:35 TV Series: Dos Mujeres 10:30 News Program 2 5:00 p.m.

Rupiah Rates Dec.12

Rupiah Rates Dec.12 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Textile exports decline in 2000

Textile exports decline in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's textile export revenue this year is estimated to reach only US$7.3 billion, down from last year's $7.5 billion and well short of the $8 billion target, according the Indonesian Textile Association (API) on Tuesday. Outgoing general secretary Irwandy Muslim Amin attributed the decline to falling orders from the United States and Europe, which are also Indonesia's largest export markets.