Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 March 2000

48 articles found

RI firms in Singapore expo

RI firms in Singapore expo JAKARTA (JP): Several Indonesian plastic mould and die casting companies will take part in Manufacturing Asia 2000 (MTA 2000) in Singapore next week, organizers said Friday. PT Presisi Cileungsi Makmur, PT Alpha Astenite, PT Ultra Prima Abadi, PT Modern Toolsindo, PT Rama Interbuana and PT Stampo Prima Akurasi, will display their products in the inaugural Outsource & SubCon Exhibition, part of MTA 2000.

Inti Indo Sawit stops fire

Inti Indo Sawit stops fire JAKARTA (JP): PT Inti Indo Sawit plantation company announced on Friday it had extinguished the fire that hit about 17 hectares of its 20,247 hectare plantation area at Pangkalan Kuras in Riau. Inti Indo Sawit's general manager Gelora Sinuraya said the fire was caused by slash-and-burn farmer families from other areas.

Military will not protect officers

Military will not protect officers SURABAYA, East Java: East Java Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi reaffirmed on Friday that the military would not protect its members who were involved in the brutal murder of laborer Marsinah in 1993. "If we discover any military officers that were involved in the murder, we will summon and question them. We will not obstruct the investigation," Sudi said as quoted by Antara. "I have instructed the military police to look into the case.

City Council likely to endorse proposed budget

City Council likely to endorse proposed budget JAKARTA (JP): The City Council will likely endorse the draft 2000 fiscal year budget of Rp 3.29 trillion (US$438 million) as none of the council's five commissions are opposed to the city administration's proposed financial plan. A receptive atmosphere was observed at a plenary meeting at the City Council building, which was also attended by Governor Sutiyoso.

Jakarta arts festival makes its return

Jakarta arts festival makes its return JAKARTA (JP): Local art enthusiasts will have the chance between Aug. 19 and Sept. 9 to see world class performing arts in an international festival they missed last year because of the economic and security crisis. Local and foreign artists will present their best skills at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta International Festival -- formerly called Jakarta International Performing Arts Festival.

Police brace for PDI-P congress

Police brace for PDI-P congress SEMARANG (JP): Central Java Police plan to deploy at least 5,000 personnel to secure the upcoming Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) congress. Provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Kadaryanto said the security personnel would consist of policemen and the party's civilian security force.

Atma Jaya holds ball tournament

Atma Jaya holds ball tournament JAKARTA (JP): Atma Jaya University is staging a national interuniversity baseball and softball tournament at the softball stadium of Pintu Satu Senayan, university spokesman Felix Lengkong said on Friday. The tournament, which ends on Saturday, was attended by 11 baseball and five softball teams.

New parking fees to be imposed ahead of plan

New parking fees to be imposed ahead of plan JAKARTA (JP): The city administration announced on Friday it would increase parking fees beginning Thursday, instead of April 1 as originally planned. Head of the City Parking Agency Yani Mulyadi, who made the announcement after meeting with Governor Sutiyoso, gave no reason for the decision to move the date forward.

Asia's trade balloon begins to deflate: Survey

Asia's trade balloon begins to deflate: Survey SINGAPORE (Reuters): The outlook for trade in Asia is slightly less rosy according to the latest quarterly Reuters survey of 119 independent economists, which covered Asia outside Japan. The post-crisis surge back to big trade surpluses as imports collapsed and currency depreciations made exports highly competitive has run its course, and for many countries the trade position is seen deteriorating slightly.

Hopes high for Aceh peace after historic meeting

Hopes high for Aceh peace after historic meeting JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid expressed hope on Friday that the informal meeting between his aide Bondan Gunawan and Aceh rebel leader Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie would give a boost to the peace process in the restive territory. Describing the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) activists as his own brothers, Abdurrahman said he had ordered the military, police and civil servants in the province to work together in creating peace there.

President sticks with coup allegations

President sticks with coup allegations JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid repeated allegations a regional military commander had publicly expressed discontentment with the government, warning the unnamed commander to end his outbursts if he wished to keep his job. Speaking during a public dialog after Friday prayers at a mosque near his private residence in South Jakarta, the President said he had evidence to support his allegations, including precisely what the general said.

Police confiscate more fake American dollar

Police confiscate more fake American dollar JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives arrested four men at two separate locations on Thursday for possession of counterfeit American dollars totaling $15,000, a police source said. According to the officer, who requested anonymity, the arrests were to be announced at a media conference, but the conference was canceled because police were still searching for the main suspect in the case.

What RI crisis means to the region

What RI crisis means to the region This is the second of two articles based on a paper presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab when opening the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) conference on Indonesia on March 8. The conference was jointly organized by CSCAP-Indonesia and CSCAP-Japan. JAKARTA: There is the need to keep the unity and integrity of the nation intact.

Don't take it lightly

Don't take it lightly From Rakyat Merdeka The community was startled by the assault on Matori Abdul Djalil, deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, by several unknown intruders in his house. In the past two months there have been violent attacks on three political figures. The first two were of (the late) Tengku Nashiruddin Daud and Suryadharma Ali.

Aussie business group to meet president

Aussie business group to meet president JAKARTA (JP): A high-powered Australian business delegation will arrive here on Sunday for a series of meetings, including one with President Abdurrahman Wahid, the Australian embassy said on Friday.

Hendrawan to quarters, Ellen out of Swiss Open

Hendrawan to quarters, Ellen out of Swiss Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's singles sole hope Hendrawan will challenge second seed Chen Hong of China in the quarterfinals of the four-star Swiss Open in Basel, Switzerland, on Friday. Hendrawan survived a third-round challenge against Martin Hagberg of Sweden to win 15-12, 15-10 in 42 minutes on Thursday, while Chen tamed Malaysian Roslin Hashim 10-15, 15-12, 15-11.

The fake money menace

The fake money menace With hordes of problems still plaguing the Indonesian economy and no speedy solutions in sight, reports over the past week of the seizure of billions of rupiah worth of counterfeit money alone make one wonder: Considering the state of disorder that exists in many, if not most, of the state apparatuses, will the authorities be able to put things in order in not too long a time span? Far from immaterial, such a question is particularly relevant.

Old Dutch schools rekindle the past

Old Dutch schools rekindle the past By Ida Indawati Khouw Unlike so many colonial buildings in Jakarta which have been demolished over time, many schools built by the Dutch in the early 1900s still exist. Local authorities have named five school buildings for the list of protected historical sites in Jakarta. This is the 30th story in a series of Jakarta's historical protected buildings and sites published in the Saturday edition of The Jakarta Post.

Court gives qualified nod to Benjamin's bid

Court gives qualified nod to Benjamin's bid JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court said it would accept the appointment of Benjamin Mangkoedilaga as a member of the country's highest court if his qualifications met requirements under the law. Supreme Court secretary-general Pranowo told The Jakarta Post that his office held no personal objections to Benjamin being appointed.

Kostrad troops arrive in Irian

Kostrad troops arrive in Irian JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Irianese were called upon on Friday not to worry and be afraid of the arrival of 450 Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops. Local military commander Lt. Col. Susanto said the troops were brought in not to search for members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatist group but to help local people carry out development programs.

Gus Dur and his guesswork

Gus Dur and his guesswork Admittedly, it was meant to be a confidential political whisper from President Abdurrahman Wahid, or (cleric) Gus Dur, about some military commanders he saw as attempting or just conspiring to undermine the authority of his government. But because it was conducted in front of television cameras, the whisper turned into an explosion that shocked the nation like an earthquake of serious magnitude.

Residents want nightspots shut

Residents want nightspots shut JAKARTA (JP): About 50 residents of Taman Sari subdistrict in West Jakarta appealed to the administration on Wednesday to close down all nightspots in the area. "Taman Sari has become a center for vice," Syarifuddin, one of the residents, said during a meeting with about 10 members of the City Council. "The situation is terrible. Drugs everywhere, and also gambling and prostitution.

Two lawyers condemn gun-toting peers

Two lawyers condemn gun-toting peers JAKARTA (JP): Two senior lawyers have condemned the growing trend of lawyers carrying firearms, saying this would only lead to more violence. Interviewed separately, Bambang Widjoyanto from the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) and Apong Herlina, chairwoman of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, said carrying firearms, a trend which has caught on among some Jakarta-based lawyers, could spark violence in society.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on March 17, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Timor joint patrol plans denied

Timor joint patrol plans denied DILI, East Timor (AP): The commander of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) peacekeeping force denied on Friday that he had agreed to an Indonesian Army proposal to join forces at the border with East Nusa Tenggara. Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos said Indonesia's Udayana Military Command chief Maj. Gen.

City to nominate six candidates for Bank DKI

City to nominate six candidates for Bank DKI JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has nominated six names to chair the city-owned Bank DKI following Wednesday's dismissal of its president, an official said on Friday. City Secretary Fauzi Bowo said the names of the six candidates had already been submitted to Bank Indonesia, the central bank, which has the authority to pick the right person. Fauzi refused to disclose the names.

Police to protect legislators and House complex

Police to protect legislators and House complex JAKARTA (JP): The National Police agreed on Friday to demands to step up security at the House of Representatives. According to a security agreement reached by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung and National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo, the House building will be closed to nonmembers, including demonstrators, after 6 p.m.

Maluku migrants arrive in Bandung

Maluku migrants arrive in Bandung BANDUNG: About 143 West Java transmigrant settlers arrived here from riot-torn North Maluku on Thursday night, state railway company PT KAI's spokesman Akhmad Sujadi said. "We provided them with meals before they headed back to their hometowns," Akhmad said on Friday. The people came from the neighboring West Java towns of Sukabumi, Garut and from Bandung regency. They settled in a transmigration area in Sukamaju village in Tobelo, North Maluku.

Plywood investors back off

Plywood investors back off JAKARTA (JP): About 10 foreign investors and buyers of plywood from Kalimantan have threatened to pull out of their contracts due to concern over escalating conflicts between timber companies and local communities, the Indonesian Forestry Society said on Friday.

Small firm compliant with new regulation

Small firm compliant with new regulation SEMARANG, West Java (JP): A small clove cigarette manufacturer has said the government's new ruling on nicotine and tar levels was achievable, denying it would hurt the country's clove cigarette industry.

Seminar on decentralization

Seminar on decentralization JAKARTA (JP): The University of Indonesia, in cooperation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, will hold a two-day international seminar on decentralization here next week. The seminar, slated for March 20 and 21, will feature international experts with extensive experience in China, Russia, Brazil and other Latin American countries, Eastern Europe, South Asia and the Philippines as well as Indonesian experts as speakers.

Economists support new L/C facility for Texmaco

Economists support new L/C facility for Texmaco JAKARTA (JP): Economists supported on Friday the Rp 720 billion (US$96 million) credit facility extended by state Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) to giant textile producer Texmaco Group despite the latter's huge nonperforming loans. Economist Sri Mulyani of the University of Indonesia and Sri Adiningsih of Gadjah Mada University supported the fresh facility, saying it would revitalize Texmaco's textile business which employs a huge workforce.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Ceramics Exhibition: Pagerjurang, at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Central Jakarta, March 17. * Painting Exhibition: Pameraya 2000 by H. Widayat at the National Gallery, Central Jakarta, until March 31. * Painting Exhibition by Satya Graha, at Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza complex, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until April 2.

Plan to create new economics advisory team hailed

Plan to create new economics advisory team hailed JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie welcomed on Friday President Abdurrahman Wahid's plan to form a new economics advisory team to support economics ministers. Kwik said the new team was not designed to compete with his office, but instead to help him formulate economic policy to solve the country's economic crisis. "I'm happy.

'Linguist' needs improving

'Linguist' needs improving I refer to the article by Zatni Arbi, Linguist: A locally made Indonesian English dictionary, published in The Jakarta Post on March 13, 2000. I purchased this electronic dictionary about a year ago when PT Ciptasoft Prima had an exhibition at the Shangrila Hotel. As a registered user, I was never notified of any upgrades.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 17, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 25 12,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 625 0 4,616,500 Alakasa Industrindo 450 0 7,000 Alfa Retailindo 1,000 0 1,940,000 Alter Abadi 350 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 950 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 -25 100,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,150 -25 2,202,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Police told to probe illegal medicine trading

Police told to probe illegal medicine trading JAKARTA (JP): While indicating that city officials were implicated in the wrongdoing, Governor Sutiyoso called on the city police on Friday to follow up on the results of a recent raid on distributors of illegal medicine. "City police must follow up on the results of a recent raid by city officials," he told reporters at City Hall, referring to a raid on Feb.

Jail term sought for drug owners

Jail term sought for drug owners TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court initiated on Friday the trial of defendants Saiful Bahri, 32, Pujianto, 22, Ari Sigit, 25, and Roni, 22, for their alleged possession of 86.5 kilograms of marijuana. The four defendants face charges of violating Article 81 of the 1997 Narcotics Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a maximum fine of Rp 750 million (US$103,000), said prosecutor Adam.

'Becak' drivers still reluctant to change jobs

'Becak' drivers still reluctant to change jobs JAKARTA (JP): Most becak (pedicab) drivers are reluctant to start a different career as they believe new jobs will only mean an uncertain income for the future, an official said on Friday. "Out of 102 becak drivers who have registered with the Central Jakarta mayoralty to start over as soft drink vendors, 62 did not turn up today," head of the Central Jakarta Manpower agency H.

Ombudsman to watch over law enforcement

Ombudsman to watch over law enforcement JAKARTA (JP): The head of the National Ombudsman Commission, Antonius Sujata, said on Friday he would prioritize the supervision of law enforcement, including the provision of public legal services in his newly appointed post.

Embassy hosts conferences

Embassy hosts conferences JAKARTA (JP): The Canadian Embassy is organizing a series of business conferences next week to bolster trade and investment relations between the two countries in post-crisis Indonesia. The first conference will be held at the Regent Hotel in Jakarta on March 20-21 and the second at the Sahid Raya Hotel in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on March 22-24, the embassy said in a statement on Friday.

Photo exhibition comes to Bandung

Photo exhibition comes to Bandung BANDUNG: A photography exhibition will be held here next week after a successful run in Jakarta, organizers said on Wednesday. The exhibition's curator Ray Bachtiar said montages of 200 color and black and white photographs would be on display during the four-day event which begins on March 23. Titled Beber Foto Gigalitikum (Gigalithicum Photo Display), Ray said the exhibition would combine fine arts, photo documentation, dance and music.

Rights groups invited to join East Timor probe

Rights groups invited to join East Timor probe JAKARTA (JP): Three leading human rights groups have been invited by the Attorney General's Office to join the investigative team probing last year's violence in East Timor. "We have consulted with three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to study the possibility of their participation in a team of investigators," Attorney General Marzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

Activists and the government overlook ex-political detainees

Activists and the government overlook ex-political detainees By Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): Most Indonesia watchers would agree that the country has made a definite turn toward a better and more democratic Indonesia, though the road is dangerous and the journey unpredictable. A conference held recently in Melbourne, entitled "Rethinking Indonesia", clearly conveyed this message.

Kwik demands IBRA provide government with cash

Kwik demands IBRA provide government with cash JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie insisted on Friday that the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) surrender Rp 17 trillion (US$2.28 billion) in cash, not a combination of cash and bonds, in the current fiscal year ending on March 31. Kwik said that the cash was needed to help finance the 1999/2000 state budget.

Sports council awaits Rp 4.2b from government

Sports council awaits Rp 4.2b from government JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has not received the expected Rp 4.2 billion (US$567,000) from the government to fund the training program for the 2000 Olympics Games, Olympics training director Arie Sudewo said on Friday. Arie said he had met with officials from the Ministry of Finance to ask for the immediate disbursement of the money, adding that KONI would run out of money to fund the training in April.

Mahathir appeals to divided Muslims to unite

Mahathir appeals to divided Muslims to unite KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad appealed on Friday to all Muslims in the country to unite and give up any "wrong" political beliefs. "We must be willing to make personal sacrifices by giving up wrong ideologies even if they are promoted by our own leaders since such ideologies have divided us," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency in his northern home state of Kedah.

Child dies in military accident

Child dies in military accident BANDUNG (JP): A young girl was killed and four people were injured after a 105-millimeter cannon projectile shot by artillery troops in a routine training exercise crashed into a house in Batujajar on Wednesday. Spokesman for the Siliwangi Military Command Lt. Col. Fatwa Suratmoko said on Friday that the five-year-old fatality was identified as Omi bin Oman, a resident of Cipanegara village in Batujajar.