Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 March 2000

49 articles found

Court rejects journalists' suit against Attorney General's Office

Court rejects journalists' suit against Attorney General's Office JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the South Jakarta District Court rejected on Monday a civil lawsuit by three journalists, which challenged a decision by the Attorney General's Office to prohibit them from covering the attorney general's...

Cohen's Vietnam visit largely symbolic

Cohen's Vietnam visit largely symbolicBy Michael Mathes HANOI (DPA): U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen's visit to Vietnam marks a historic notch in relations between the former battlefield enemies but will not produce much tangible result other than developing friendly ties, officials and...

C. Jakarta mayoralty to redesign Senen terminal

C. Jakarta mayoralty to redesign Senen terminal JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty reconfirmed its plan on Monday to redesign the Senen bus terminal so as to improve traffic in the area.Mayor Andi S.

Daytime shooting jolts Denpasar

Daytime shooting jolts Denpasar DENPASAR, Bali: A daytime shooting shook the crowded Sudirman Agung downtown business center on Monday, but no fatalities were reported in the incident.The bullet, believed to have been fired from an FN-46 pistol using a silencer, struck a shop window.

Saving Kerinci Seblat National Park

Saving Kerinci Seblat National ParkBy Wiryono SUNGAI PENUH, Jambi (JP): Kerinci Seblat National Park, better known as TNKS (Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat), is the second largest national park in Indonesia. It covers an area of more than 1.

Gembor bridge to close for repairs

Gembor bridge to close for repairs TANGERANG (JP): The local administration decided on Monday to close part of Jl. Siliwangi due to the poor condition of Gembor bridge, an official said on Monday.The bridge, which links the road to Jl. Jati and Jl.

Air India to cut half of staff

Air India to cut half of staff BOMBAY (AFP): India's ailing state-owned international carrier Air India has drawn up an early retirement plan that would cover more than 60 percent of its staff, officials said Monday.

Judge Soenarto may become High Court judge

Judge Soenarto may become High Court judge JAKARTA (JP): R. Soenarto, the judge at the center of the South Jakarta District Court's controversial decision on the high-profile court case involving Bank Bali funds, may soon be promoted, a Supreme Court official said on Monday.

Graduates of Lemhanas defend its existence

Graduates of Lemhanas defend its existence JAKARTA (JP): Amid growing public scrutiny, graduates of the National Resilience Council (Lemhanas) defended the existence of the military think tank but proposed that it be placed under direct presidential authority and chaired by non-military personnel.

ASEAN officials meet in Thailand

ASEAN officials meet in Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): Senior Southeast Asian officials met in Thailand on Monday, hoping to make progress toward a proposed "code of conduct" with China on hotly disputed territories in the South China Sea.

Maluku rioting kills three

Maluku rioting kills three TERNATE, North Maluku: At least three people were killed in the latest communal clashes to rock the remote district of East Gane.The head of the Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku, Brig. Gen.

Defense lawyers boycott trial

Defense lawyers boycott trial KARACHI, Pakistan (AP): An antiterrorist court gave deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif one day to contact his defense team, all of whom boycotted the trial on Monday to press their demand that the case be moved out of southern Karachi, where their colleague was slain...

Manila seeks UNICEF's help

Manila seeks UNICEF's help MANILA (AP): Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado sought the help of the United Nations Children's Fund on Monday in stopping the worsening problem of child recruitment by Philippine Marxist and Muslim separatist guerrillas.

Police criticize customs officials

Police criticize customs officials JAKARTA (JP): Tanjung Priok Seaport (KP3) Police in North Jakarta believe that Customs and Excise officials at the port could have played a significant role in helping people smuggle dissembled cars into the country, an officer said on Monday.KP3 police chief, Col.

Relaxation, awareness through meditation

Relaxation, awareness through meditation JAKARTA (JP): Meditation is a time of relaxation. It is a time when you rest, allowing your brain to enter a deeper state of relaxation that is halfway between being awake and sleeping. As a human being, you are energy in physical form.

Asian monies inch up in subdued trading

Asian monies inch up in subdued trading HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Tumbling stock prices weighed on North Asia's currencies Monday, but the falls seen in the foreign exchange market were mild compared to the slide in regional equities.

Govt says Day of Sacrifice Day to fall on March 16

Govt says Day of Sacrifice Day to fall on March 16 JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Monday that Idhul Adha (the Islamic Day of Sacrifice) would fall on Thursday, March 16, and called on Muslims across the country not to exaggerate different beliefs about the date of the holiday.

Indonesian rubber output seen stagnant

Indonesian rubber output seen stagnant JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is keeping rubber production in 2000 at last year's level of about 1.6 million metric tons because of a glut in the world market, the Indonesian Rubber Producers Association (Gapkindo) said on Monday.

24 in S. Sulawesi infected with HIV

24 in S. Sulawesi infected with HIV MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The number of people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) across the province has reached 24, an activist at a non-governmental organization said recently.

250 compete in first stage of drag race

250 compete in first stage of drag race JAKARTA (JP): About 250 local drivers from eight teams will compete for a total cash prize of Rp 21 million in the first stage of the national drag race at Sentul circuit, near Bogor, on March 19.

Traders become savvy over fake banknotes

Traders become savvy over fake banknotes JAKARTA (JP): Circulation of a large number of fake banknotes in the markets here has forced traders to teach themselves to recognize the bogus notes.Interviewed separately on Monday, some reported that they had been cheated with fake rupiah since last year.

Farmers protest over price of rice

Farmers protest over price of rice MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 100 farmers from several regencies staged a nonviolent protest at the provincial legislative council on Monday over the price of unhusked rice.

Take a lesson in good manners

Take a lesson in good manners This is in response to a letter by Mr. Willem Oltmans, published in The Jakarta Post on March 11, 2000.First of all, I would suggest Mr. Oltmans learn to respect other human beings and if he wants to criticize someone, then he should do it in a civilized manner.

Haze clears on Sumatra, critical on Kalimantan

Haze clears on Sumatra, critical on Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): Heavy rain over the weekend on Sumatra island dampened forest fires and reduced the dangerous level of haze there.But fires on Kalimantan island have yet to abate, bringing haze to alarming levels on Monday.

Prosecutors and judges

Prosecutors and judgesFrom Warta KotaCase after case of collusion, corruption and nepotism under the New Order regime have been disclosed, for example the case of the Forestry and Plantations Ministry. The latest ones are Bank Indonesia liquidity support loans.

Asian primary debt market recovering

Asian primary debt market recovering HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Asian primary debt market came alive last week with three major deals out of the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.After a dull start to the new year, market participants were pleased to see just over US$3 billion in new paper...

Indonesia to stand firm by international contracts

Indonesia to stand firm by international contracts JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid reassured investors on Monday of Indonesia's firm commitment to honor all of its international contracts, but reiterated the need for renegotiating some that were made in the past.

Firearms for legislators?

Firearms for legislators?From Suara KaryaTerrorists' actions and death threats against a number of political figures (particularly the members of the House of Representatives) are becoming increasingly horrifying and sadistic.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 13, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 775 -25 10,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 625 -25 5,361,000 Alakasa Industrindo 500 25 16,000 Alfa...

Military says more Aceh rebels shot dead

Military says more Aceh rebels shot dead BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The provincial military claimed on Monday soldiers had shot dead three separatist rebels in this strife-torn province.The identities of the rebels, however, remains unknown.An intelligence officer of the North Aceh Military, Capt.

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on March 13, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,353.00 7,427.00Australian dollar 1 4,497.83 4,550.52Austrian schilling 1 515.02 520.47Belgian franc 1 175.68 177.54Brunei dollar 1 4,311.85 4,357.80Canadian dollar 1 5,042.

Any hope for a reliable judiciary in Indonesia?

Any hope for a reliable judiciary in Indonesia? Exasperating decisions by the courts have increased pessimism about Indonesia's chances of improving investor confidence and attaining economic recovery. Charles Himawan, a member of the National Human Rights Commission and professor of law at the...

Six accept Supreme Court nominations

Six accept Supreme Court nominations JAKARTA (JP): At least six people have accepted the government's offer to nominate them as supreme justices to the Supreme Court.The six are former judge Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Ronggur Hutagalung, constitutional law professor...

KL urges S'pore to compromise

KL urges S'pore to compromise KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad urged Singapore on Monday to compromise so a series of disputes between the two countries can be settled.Among contentious issues are water supplies from Malaysia to Singapore, customs, immigration and...

KONI chief warns of poor preparation of shuttlers

KONI chief warns of poor preparation of shuttlers JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar has reminded national shuttlers of the dangers of poor preparation, warning them that it might make the nation's gold target in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney...

Student protesters hospitalized

Student protesters hospitalized JAKARTA (JP): Two student protesters participating in a hunger strike at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta for the past week were admitted to St. Carolus Hospital on Monday because of dehydration.Six other students are continuing the hunger strike.

No place for gambling here, says Sutiyoso

No place for gambling here, says Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso reaffirmed on Monday his administration would not legalize gambling in the capital and vowed to continue raids against such activities.

Bapepam issues new rules for public companies

Bapepam issues new rules for public companies JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed companies wishing to change their core businesses must involve an independent consulting company in the decision, according to a new capital market regulation.

Bank Mandiri told to transfer bad loans

Bank Mandiri told to transfer bad loans JAKARTA (JP): Finance minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Monday state Bank Mandiri should "immediately" transfer its remaining bad loans to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

Asian stock markets skid as technology shares take a tumble

Asian stock markets skid as technology shares take a tumble SINGAPORE (Agencies): Asia stocks took a beating on Monday, battered by domestic factors, uncertainty ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting next week, as well as falls in once hotly- favored high tech stocks.Jakarta share prices closed 1.

IBRA's asset sales

IBRA's asset sales The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), hard-pressed to raise at least US$5.1 billion (Rp 36 trillion) by December for the state budget, has of late been flaunting its asset disposal plans covering equities in going companies, bad loans and properties spread throughout...

Tirtamas granted six months to settle debts

Tirtamas granted six months to settle debts JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court rejected on Monday the demand from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to declare PT Tirtamas Comexindo bankrupt, granting instead the trading company six months to settle its debts.

Anton warns of problems over minimum wages

Anton warns of problems over minimum wages JAKARTA (JP): Leading businessman Anton J. Supit warned on Monday of possible industrial disputes when hikes in official minimum wages come into force next month.

Alex denies split in PDI Perjuangan

Alex denies split in PDI Perjuangan JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) secretary-general Alex Litay denied on Monday reports of an escalating internal party rift ahead of the party's national congress.

UNHCR official visits Myanmar

UNHCR official visits Myanmar YANGON (AP): A top official of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has arrived in Yangon for talks with Myanmar's military government, a government statement said on Monday.

House members grill Tommy over clove monopoly

House members grill Tommy over clove monopoly JAKARTA (JP): The youngest son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, was grilled on Monday by members of the House of Representatives over an alleged manipulation of clove farmers' money at the now defunct Clove Marketing and...

Soeharto undergoes medical examination

Soeharto undergoes medical examination JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto underwent a medical examination at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta late on Monday night to determine whether he is fit to face questioning for alleged corruption.

Police search for clues in shooting at DPR building

Police search for clues in shooting at DPR building JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Police are trying to find clues left behind in the shooting at a window at the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon, the city police chief of operational control said.

Government to submit draft law on human rights court

Government to submit draft law on human rights court JAKARTA (JP): The government is to seek the House of Representatives' approval for a draft law on a human rights court that would open the chance for it to bring Indonesian Military (TNI) top brass to trial for alleged involvement in last year's...