Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 December 2000

51 articles found

Soemarjono gets two years in jail for counterfeiting

Soemarjono gets two years in jail for counterfeiting SURABAYA (JP): The Surabaya District Court sentenced on Thursday retired Army colonel Soemarjono, the main defendant in a Rp 4.28 billion (US$455,000) counterfeit money case, to two years in jail, two years lighter than the prosecutors had demanded. Practically, the defendant will serve only 17 months in jail as he has been detained for seven months.

Firecracker problem

Firecracker problem From Warta Kota Playing with firecrackers in the street has been customary in Jakarta and certain other cities and towns particularly during the Ramadhan fasting month ending with the annual celebration of Idul Fitri throughout the Islamic world. In Indonesia, newspapers have repeatedly reported the dangers of playing with firecrackers in particular in the streets.

Mayor to meet businessmen over THR

Mayor to meet businessmen over THR TANGERANG (JP): The mayor of Tangerang will meet with local factory owners to ensure all 400,000 of their employees receive their holiday allowances (THR) at least a week prior to the Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 Idul Fitri holiday. "The meeting will be held next week and hopefully will end with satisfactory results," the spokesman for the mayoralty office, Said Endrawiyanto, said on Wednesday.

Rupiah, Thai baht rise against U.S. dollar

Rupiah, Thai baht rise against U.S. dollar SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The dollar advanced decisively against the South Korean won Thursday, while other Asian currencies finished mixed during regional trading hours. Resisting the dollar's upward movement were the New Taiwan dollar, Indonesian rupiah and Thai baht, which strengthened modestly.

No shortage of Rp 1,000 banknotes: BI

No shortage of Rp 1,000 banknotes: BI JAKARTA (JP): The central bank has doubled the December stock of Rp 1,000 banknotes, including the newly issued series, in anticipation of increased demand ahead of the holidays, a Bank Indonesia official said on Thursday. Halim Alamsyah, the head of the office of the governor of Bank Indonesia, said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post the bank's reserves would be adequate to meet the public demand through January 2001.

Investigators fail to find cause of 1997 SilkAir crash

Investigators fail to find cause of 1997 SilkAir crash SINGAPORE (AFP): The investigation into the 1997 crash of a SilkAir jet has been unable to find out why it plunged into a river in South Sumatra, with the loss of 104 lives, but said deliberate pilot action was a "plausible hypothesis." Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), in a statement released in Singapore on Thursday said there was a lack of concrete evidence to support the theory that a distressed pilot...

Five arrested for organizing parade

Five arrested for organizing parade JAKARTA (JP): Jayapura Police officers detained five people for allegedly organizing a parade on Thursday to commemorate the 12th anniversary of West Melanesia Independence. Sr. Supt. Kusnadi, chief of operations and control for the Irian Jaya police, said that around 30 activists of the West Melanesian separatist movement paraded along Jayapura streets earlier in the day.

Govt warns use of ginkgo biloba

Govt warns use of ginkgo biloba JAKARTA (JP): Directorate General for Food and Drug Control (POM) has reprimanded producers of medicines with ginkgo biloba for providing consumers with inadequate information on the substance. The companies have been asked to withdraw all advertisements of their products which are considered misleading.

More regency staff in Bogor

More regency staff in Bogor BOGOR (JP): The local administration is expecting an influx of 4,700 employees from ministries' regional offices liquidated when regional autonomy is implemented in January, an official said on Thursday. The chairman of the special committee in charge of the administrative structure at the regency office, Rachmat Yasin, said the additional staff would make a total of 20,000 people employed by the regency administration.

IMF delays loan disbursement to Indonesia

IMF delays loan disbursement to Indonesia JAKARTA (Dow Jones): The International Monetary Fund will delay the next disbursement of loans to Indonesia under its US$5 billion program to early next year, a senior aide to the country's top economics minister said Thursday. Indonesia was set to get $400 million from the IMF this month, but the money has been delayed after Jakarta missed a number of key reform commitments under its latest letter of intent with the fund.

Bank Aspac misallocated BLBI funds: Witnesses

Bank Aspac misallocated BLBI funds: Witnesses JAKARTA (JP): Two Bank Indonesia officials said on Thursday that former Bank Aspac director Hendrawan Haryono had misallocated Rp 583 billion (US$61.4 million) out of the Rp 1.5 trillion Government Liquidity Support Funds (BLBI) it had received from the central bank.

40 foreigners deported this year

40 foreigners deported this year TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang Immigration Office so far this year has deported some 40 foreign nationals for various immigration violations. The director of the Tangerang Immigration Office, Budi Hermanto, said on Thursday 40 percent were nationals from South Korea, while the rest were from Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Iraq and Malaysia.

Humpuss Intermoda plans to divest 30 percent stake

Humpuss Intermoda plans to divest 30 percent stake JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed shipping and transportation company PT Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi said on Thursday that it planned to divest up to 30 percent of its stake to strategic investors. Humpuss president Budhi Halim said that Singapore's Sembawang Group had expressed interest in acquiring a stake, but had yet to follow up on it.

Aceh wants 80% of revenues from natural resources

Aceh wants 80% of revenues from natural resources JAKARTA (JP): Aceh has proposed to the government it be given 80 percent of all revenue from natural resources in the province. Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said here on Thursday the distribution of revenue from natural resources should be regulated through a special law.

Rupiah rates Dec. 14

Rupiah rates Dec. 14 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Samsung undecided on sport financial help

Samsung undecided on sport financial help JAKARTA (JP): South Korean electronic giant PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia (SEI) will decide early next year whether it will give financial support to the training program for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "We will make a decision about the issue in January.

Serious about unity?

Serious about unity? On Dec. 12 I read in The Jakarta Post an article titled Govt to get tough on Aceh rebels, with mixed feelings. Is our government serious, or is this another statement just for propaganda purposes. It is only logical that I cannot yet accept this statement as the sincere and serious will of the government.

Four injured by firecrackers

Four injured by firecrackers BANDUNG: At least four people were injured after a powerful firecracker exploded at the city square (Alun-Alun) at noon Wednesday. Bandung Police chief Sr. Supt. Timur Pradopo confirmed the incident, explaining that four people had been rushed to the hospital. The extent of their injuries and their identities had not been determined. Pradopo said that the homemade firecracker was explosive material packed in a small bottle with a long fuse.

Inco project in New Caledonia

Inco project in New Caledonia TORONTO (AFP): Nickel company Inco on Wednesday announced it will pump US$100 million in 2001 into continuing a New Caledonian nickel-cobalt project, slated to begin production in late 2004 or early 2005.

Education budget to blame

Education budget to blame The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) has revealed that Indonesia has been outclassed in math and science by a neighboring country, Singapore which topped the study in mathematics and was second only to Taiwan in science (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 7, 2000). This news should serve as a warning to the government and educators concerning the handling of policies and strategies in education and the teaching of those two vital subjects in this country.

Currency options may increase Singapore dollar volatility

Currency options may increase Singapore dollar volatility SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Monetary Authority of Singapore's move last week to loosen rules on onshore currency options trading may be a signal that it's prepared to let the local dollar fluctuate more widely - if not exactly wildly, analysts say.

Govt asked to lift fuel subsidy for export companies

Govt asked to lift fuel subsidy for export companies JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina asked the government on Thursday to remove a fuel subsidy to export- oriented companies by requiring them to buy the fuel at international prices. Pertamina president Baihaki Hakim said giving the subsidy to export-oriented companies was not fair because they sold their products in foreign currencies.

YLKI calls for stronger laws against scalpers

YLKI calls for stronger laws against scalpers JAKARTA (JP): Consumer advocates and officials on Thursday called for stronger laws which could crack down on scalpers. Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) vice chairman, Agus Pambagyo said that laws prohibiting people from selling transportation tickets above the standard fares remain ambiguous. "We can't fight scalpers.

Stock quotations on JSX

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

Jakarta-Bandung commercial flight resumes

Jakarta-Bandung commercial flight resumes BANDUNG: The commercial flight from Bandung to Jakarta resumes on Friday (today) after being suspended for two years due to economic woes, head of the air transportation unit at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication Office in Bandung, Ardan Ilham, said here on Thursday.

Muslim group protests painting exhibition

Muslim group protests painting exhibition YOGYAKARTA: An exhibition of modern art by young artist Sigit Pius Kuncoro at Kedai Kebun art gallery here has been disrupted by a phone threat by a member of the Movement of Ka'ba Defender (GPK), a Muslim fundamentalist group. The group claimed that the paintings exhibited at the gallery were pornographic works, and charged the gallery management with disturbing the Islamic fasting month, Ramadhan.

Malaysia, Korea eye Myanmar

Malaysia, Korea eye Myanmar YANGON, Myanmar (AP): A Malaysian and a South Korean company have signed agreements to set up two factories worth a total of $4.8 million in Myanmar, official newspapers reported Thursday. Weng Hong Hung of Malaysia signed a land lease agreement with the Department of Housing Wednesday to build a garment factory to make slacks, jeans and shirts, according to the Myanma Ahlin daily. It said the $2.8 million factory is expected to make 6 million garments annually.

14,949 personnel to secure holiday season

14,949 personnel to secure holiday season JAKARTA (JP): The city has established a joint security team of 14,949 personnel assembled from the police, military, fire department, toll road operators, and Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), to secure the city during the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays, an officer said on Thursday. "We have to take more precautions this year because Christmas and Idul Fitri (Dec. 27 - 28) come almost at the same time," Jakarta Police spokesman Supt.

House to review MoU signed with UNTAET

House to review MoU signed with UNTAET JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives and the government agreed on Thursday to review the memorandum of understanding (MOU) which has been disputed as a legal ground for a joint investigation by the Attorney General's Office and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) over last year's East Timor mayhem.

Please clarify

Please clarify We, the Foundation of Indonesian Insurance Consumers (YLKAI), welcome the insurance claim payment by PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia ("Manulife") to the heirs of the late Lt. Col. (Navy) Paulus Tanuhandaru (customer). However, we have received a number of questions from some insurance consumers about this unusual claim payment, due to the fact that Manulife is yet to admit its debt to the customer despite having paid the claim in full, plus interest.

Consumers, producers less upbeat on economy

Consumers, producers less upbeat on economy JAKARTA (JP): A survey conducted by Bank Indonesia reveals that consumers and manufacturers are less optimistic about the future of the economy, which could indicate that economic performance in 2001 will weaken. In its consumer confidence survey report in November, Bank Indonesia said there would be a decline in consumer optimism in the economy for the next 6 to 12 months.

Vietnam set to ink $1.48b foreign investment deal

Vietnam set to ink $1.48b foreign investment deal HANOI (Agencies): Vietnam is set Friday to sign its largest foreign investment deal ever, officials and executives confirmed Thursday. The US$1.48-billion deal, an integrated gas project between the state's PetroVietnam and a consortium of foreign investors led by British Petroleum (BP), would provide a much-needed lift to sagging inflows that have recently plagued the communist nation.

Accuser tells court he told Estrada 'It's too late'

Accuser tells court he told Estrada 'It's too late' MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Joseph Estrada's chief accuser testified on Thursday the former actor pleaded with him not to reveal alleged presidential links to gambling syndicates but he told Estrada: "It's too late." Provincial governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, the prosecution's star witness in Estrada's impeachment trial, told the court senior Cabinet ministers also appealed to him not to go public but he told them there was no...

Hotel occupancy rate inches up in 2000

Hotel occupancy rate inches up in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's hotel industry remained in the doldrums in 2000, with average occupancy rates of all star-and- non-star hotels only inching up to 40 percent from 38 percent in 1999, according to an independent survey. Diyak Mulahela, director of the Institute for Information on Tourism Development which conducted the study, said such a low occupancy rate for most hotels meant that they were operating at a loss.

Central Java's 'Wajik Week' industry treats tested by time

Central Java's 'Wajik Week' industry treats tested by time By Tarko Sudiarno and Nugroho CH MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Despite the presence of Western snack food, cakes made from glutinous rice, coconut milk and palm sugar, locally known as wajik, are one traditional snack still popular among the Javanese. One home industry, specializing in this traditional snack for over 60 years, is Wajik Week, located in Salaman, Magelang in Central Java.

Gus Dur refuses to meet with Sjahril

Gus Dur refuses to meet with Sjahril JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has ruled out meeting with Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin until the murky legal case against him has been resolved, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Thursday. "The President is not available to meet with the BI governor until the legal process is clarified," Marzuki said on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony at Merdeka Palace for cadets from the military and police academies.

RI congratulates Bush on his win

RI congratulates Bush on his win JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia congratulated George W. Bush on Thursday on his tenuous victory in the United States presidential election and expressed confidence that the new administration would build on the diplomatic ties between the two countries. "We congratulate Bush on the victory and are happy with the final decision.

Bank Danamon, PNM sign deal

Bank Danamon, PNM sign deal JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Danamon signed an agreement on Thursday with PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) to assist the latter to provide loans to small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Bank Danamon president Arwin Rasyid said that out of the bank's projected Rp 5 trillion to 7 trillion (US$736.84 billion) in new lending next year, 20 percent to 25 percent would be allocated for SMEs.

Fraud evidence getting fishy

Fraud evidence getting fishy BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's election watchdog has been forced to throw out evidence of vote buying because it can't stand the smell, an election commissioner said on Thursday. The offices of the Election Commission in the Thai capital have been filled with thousands of items from soap bars to clocks to cooking utensils given by candidates to voters ahead of the Jan. 6 general election. Some of the gifts have begun to rot.

FPI rallies at West Jakarta police precinct

FPI rallies at West Jakarta police precinct JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) staged a silent protest in front of the West Jakarta Police precinct on Thursday, demanding that the police precinct chief resign over Monday's shooting of an FPI's car. During the rally, FPI leader Tubagus M. Siddiq handed over a Holy Koran and a Criminal Code Procedure (KUHAP) book to West Jakarta Police chief Supt. Iwan Nurisman Ismet.

Something is rotten in Thailand election

Something is rotten in Thailand election BANGKOK (DPA): Rampant graft in Thailand's general election campaign has raised an unbearable stink, literally, for the Election Commission, whose job it is to keep the polls clean, a news report said on Thursday. The Election Commission has asked permission to get rid of stacks of rotten eggs and fish sauce that have piled up in its office as evidence of vote buying, the Bangkok Post newspaper said.

Kamra members burn uniforms in protest

Kamra members burn uniforms in protest JAKARTA (JP): Hopes for help appeared to go up in smoke as dozens of People's Security (Kamra) civilian guards burned their uniforms in the lobby of the House of Representatives on Thursday. Kamra members went to the House to ask legislators what measures they had taken to defuse their anxiety now that the expiration of their service on Dec. 31 is fast approaching.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Friday Maghrib 6:05 p.m. Saturday Imsak 4:01 a.m. Subuh 4:11 a.m.

University grooms tennis players

University grooms tennis players SEMARANG (JP): Diponegoro University has become the center of tennis training in the province as many players are students of the university. "We set up the club in 1989 to accommodate the juniors and to prevent them from moving to other provinces," said university official Mudiantono on Wednesday. The five best players in Central Java are Yusmawan Fahmi, Prima Simpatiaji, Ferza Gautama, Cuk Prihatmanto and Benny Siswanto.

TNI sends 2,000 more troops to tense Aceh

TNI sends 2,000 more troops to tense Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) dispatched on Thursday 2,000 troops for a humanitarian mission to Aceh, which is licking its wounds from recent floods. Comprising soldiers from Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), Marine, Air Force Special Force (Paskhas) and Army logistics unit, the legion departed aboard three Navy warships set off by TNI Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo from Tanjung Priok naval base.

Muslim youths want nightspots closed

Muslim youths want nightspots closed MEDAN, North Sumatra: Some 200 Muslim youths took to the streets here on Wednesday, marching to the provincial legislative council to demand the closure of all nightspots and amusement centers during the fasting month. The youths, grouped in the Islamic Youth Forum Action for Education and Ramadhan (Faripilar), also asked the administration to annul the operation permit for pig breeding, which they said caused air pollution.

Riaupulp, BNI help small firms

Riaupulp, BNI help small firms JAKARTA (JP): PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (Riaupulp) and state-owned Bank BNI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOE) in the Riau provincial capital of Pekanbaru on Thursday on cooperation in helping develop small enterprises and cooperatives in the province. Riaupulp's president P.

Campaign launched to shine a light on the plight of children

Campaign launched to shine a light on the plight of children JAKARTA (JP): The National Social Welfare Agency (BKSN) on Thursday launched a three-month public awareness campaign on the plight of some 50,000 street and abandoned children centered in the country's 12 major cities. The Rp 2.1 billion drive, titled Ibu, Aku Ingin Pulang (Mother, I Wanna Go Home) will focus on bringing the street children home.

eTravel8 begins online services

eTravel8 begins online services JAKARTA (JP): eTravel8, an on-line flight reservation site, launched its service here on Thursday joining five other existing travel portals in attracting customers to buy tickets through the Internet.

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 Song 8:30 Music 9:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Talk Show 3:30 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Music 5:30 Ramadhan Special: Mutiara Ramadhan 6:00 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:30 News 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 10:30 News Program 2 5:00 p.m.

Malaysia palm oil ends down

Malaysia palm oil ends down KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures surrendered early gains and closed lower on Thursday on liquidation ahead of export data for the first half of December due on Friday. Traders said lingering concerns over a build-up in domestic stocks at the end of the year also kept a lid on prices.