Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 March 2000

42 articles found

No Indonesian shuttlers left in Swiss Open

No Indonesian shuttlers left in Swiss Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has suffered another humiliating defeat, with none of its players reaching the final round of another Grand Prix series tournament, this time the Swiss Open. China, on the other hand, continues to go from strength to strength: the finals in the event's men's singles, women's singles and women's doubles are to be contested solely by Chinese shuttlers.

PDI-P prevents polarization between Muslims and non-Muslims

PDI-P prevents polarization between Muslims and non-Muslims In the wake of the congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) scheduled later this month many wonder whether it can continue being a party dependent on a charismatic leader. The Jakarta Post contributor in Melbourne Dewi Anggraeni talked to sociologist Arief Budiman, who chairs the Indonesian Program at the University of Melbourne.

Gulf runs farming program

Gulf runs farming program JAKARTA (JP): Oil and gas company PT Gulf Indonesia Resources, a subsidiary of Canadian firm Gulf Resources, said it had begun a community development program to promote the welfare of farmers near its areas of operation in Ramba and Grissik, South Sumatra. The company said in a statement over the weekend it had recently sent 40 farmers from villages near Ramba and Grissik to a two-week farming program at the Karya Nyata training center in Bogor, West Java.

President to open first PWI-R meet

President to open first PWI-R meet SEMARANG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is slated to open the first congress of PWI Reformasi, a splinter group of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), in Bandungan, Semarang, Central Java on Wednesday, organizers said. PWI Reformasi is to accommodate demands for reform within the country's press industry as well as those of its workers, said the congress' organizing chief, Kastoyo Ramelan.

Yet another economic team

Yet another economic team In the four months that the government of President Abdurrahman Wahid has been in power, not much economic progress has been made. Some observers even say the government has lost the momentum to stimulate economic growth. Aware of the obstacles (obstructing the effective operation of his economic team), Abdurrahman arrived at the idea of establishing an Economic Assistance Team to aid the Cabinet's economic team, led by Kwik Kian Gie.

First batch of haj pilgrims to return home on Wednesday

First batch of haj pilgrims to return home on Wednesday JAKARTA (JP): The first six groups of the Indonesian haj pilgrims will leave Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and are expected to arrive home on the following day. The pilgrims will land in airports in Jakarta, Surakarta and Balikpapan, with each airport welcoming two groups, the spokesman for national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, Pujobroto, said in a news statement on Saturday.

Broadband: A useful but ignored technology

Broadband: A useful but ignored technology By Mila Day JAKARTA (JP): "Broadband" is not a new teen music group to replace Backstreet Boys. Broadband, in today's computer jargon, is some kind of ultra-connection. Once in a while it is called "fat pipe" because of the tremendous amount of data it can deliver. In contrast, baseband transmission (with slimmer pipes) allows only one signal at a time.

Bowling center set up in Bandung

Bowling center set up in Bandung BANDUNG (JP): West Java's first bowling center with 18 lanes and of an international standard has been opened in Bandung. The Dago Bowling Center is located on Jl. Ir. Juanda. It was opened by West Java Deputy Governor Dedem on Friday. Dago Bowling Center's manager Afwan said on Friday that they planned to hold both national and international bowling tournaments.

'Titian' serves up superb entertainment

'Titian' serves up superb entertainment By Y. Bintang Prakarsa JAKARTA (JP): Titian (literally, footbridge), was a lovely and entertaining performance at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on March 11 and March 12 that deserved more than its meager audiences. It was a concert using human voices, various instruments and other sound sources, fusing music, stage art and dance and movement. Produced under the supervision of the young choreographer Boi G.

Experts hail lawsuits against Soeharto

Experts hail lawsuits against Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Political observers and historians have expressed their support for demands into a reinvestigation of the controversial events and alleged injustices that occurred under former president Soeharto's rule. Historian Onghokham said the increasing amount of suits filed against past actions committed during the New Order era was a common phenomena after a change of regime and could be seen in other parts of the world.

Blast leaves police, residents disturbed

Blast leaves police, residents disturbed BEKASI (JP): In the wake of terror that has disturbed the country's legislators, a Saturday night explosion at the traffic turn of Jl. Juanda, next to Hotel Merdeka, caused severe injuries to one of two victims and disturbed the Bekasi Police and residents in the area.

Military element feared behind political terror

Military element feared behind political terror JAKARTA (JP): Political observers here are speculating that rogue elements inside the military are behind the recent wave of "political terror" launched against the nation's legislators. Political scientists Riza Sihbudi from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI), criminologist Mulyana W.

Canadian firms pledge more investment in Indonesia

Canadian firms pledge more investment in Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Canada is expected to continue showing faith and interest in the Indonesian economy by further expanding investment and trade with the country, particularly in the area of small and medium-scale enterprises. The Canadian Embassy's senior trade commissioner, Ken Lewis, said here recently that Canadian firms remained enthusiastic about the opportunities available in the country.

Dormant trading seen at JSX due to lack of stimulus

Dormant trading seen at JSX due to lack of stimulus JAKARTA (JP): Sluggish trading is expected on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) because there are no fresh incentives expected to be able to attract investors, equity analysts said over the weekend.

On loyalty of the military

On loyalty of the military Our present President is the first to be elected democratically and according to existing laws. In my opinion, he is the country's first legal President and should remain in office as long as the Constitution stipulates.

No more transmigrants for Irian Jaya

No more transmigrants for Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Irian Jaya will not receive any more transmigrants, but instead focus on programs improving the welfare of those who have already moved to the easternmost province, a councillor said. Councillor Selamat Hutagalung, chairman of the Irian Jaya Council's Commission E for social welfare affairs, said the program in the next fiscal year of 2000/2001 would be very different from previous years.

Dede Liu wins rapid chess Fair Play crown

Dede Liu wins rapid chess Fair Play crown JAKARTA (JP): International Master (IM) Dede Liu won the one- day rapid chess Enerpac Fair Play tournament at the Utut Adianto chess school in Bekasi on Saturday. Dede defeated Fide Master Kasmiran and collected 5 Victory Points (VPs). IM Danny Kuswanto also collected 5 VPs after beating Fide Master Awam Wahono. Dede won the tournament because his progressive scoring of 17 was better than Danny's 16. Dede received Rp 400,000 and Danny got Rp 300,000.

Official says airport strike 'unnecessary'

Official says airport strike 'unnecessary' JAKARTA (JP): The airport employees' plan to hold a mass protest on Monday demanding the government restore their civil servant status is unnecessary and will only disrupt the country's image worldwide, an official said on Sunday.

Golkar to name Akbar presidential candidate for 2004

Golkar to name Akbar presidential candidate for 2004 JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party looks set to name its chairman Akbar Tandjung as presidential candidate in its leadership meeting in July, party executive Yasril Ananta Baharuddin said on Sunday.

Councillors want probe into medicines

Councillors want probe into medicines JAKARTA (JP): Councillors in Padang, West Sumatra, are demanding a probe into the illegal sale of medicines due to be given out freely by the government to needy families. "Those medicines should be for the poor, but instead we find them being sold on the shelves of pharmacies," councillor Marhaeni was quoted by Antara as saying in Padang on Sunday.

Police seize 150 kgs of marijuana, arrest one

Police seize 150 kgs of marijuana, arrest one JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives arrested a suspected drug dealer on Saturday night for possession of 150 kilograms of marijuana worth about Rp 300 million (US$40,000) at his rented home on Jl. Karya Utama in Gandaria Utara, Kebayoran Baru. South Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj. Rycko Amelza Daniel identified the suspect as Muhamad Beny, alias Sabri, from Aceh. "He is a man of very few words.

Sawmill causes eye pain to residents

Sawmill causes eye pain to residents BOGOR (JP): Dozens of residents of Kampung Sawah village in Cilendek subdistrict have been suffering pain in their eyes which they say is caused by airborne wood shavings from a local sawmill. "The flying wood shavings and dust comes from the sawn wood (from the factory) causes itching in our eyes, then swelling like it's done to my eyes," Sri Sumarsih, 35, a resident, said, showing her swollen eyes.

Wie Wie win Pro Stock of drag race

Wie Wie win Pro Stock of drag race JAKARTA (JP): Wie Wie Rianto won on Sunday the Pro Stock category in the first stage of the national drag racing series at Sentul circuit, near Bogor. Wie Wie, driving a Ford Capri, clocked 9.575 seconds and broke his record last year of 9.980 seconds. Herry Agung (Nissan Fair Lady) was in second place with a time of 9.904 and Budi Tohir (Corvette Singray) in third with 10.583.

Tri Polyta ends consortium

Tri Polyta ends consortium NEW YORK (Dow Jones): Tri Polyta Indonesia (TPI) provided notice of its withdrawal from Nisshoku Tripolyta Acrylindo, a joint venture formed in 1996 with Nippon Shokubai Co. and Tomen Corp. The venture manufactures acrylic acid and acrylic ester. In a press release Friday, Tri Polyta said the venture partners expressed interest in buying Tri Polyta's 45 percent interest in the venture. The timing of the purchase hasn't been finalized.

S'pore mulls 'Speakers' Corner'

S'pore mulls 'Speakers' Corner' SINGAPORE (AP): Tightly controlled Singapore may get a venue to express ideas similar to London's "Speakers' Corner," leaders have hinted -- but Singaporeans disagree on whether it would really mean more freedom of speech. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, in an interview published last week, said the government may within months designate a public place for people to spout their opinions, comparable to Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park.

Better policy urged to help rice farmers

Better policy urged to help rice farmers JAKARTA (JP): Agricultural experts have urged the government to adopt a new rice policy to protect distressed rice farmers from unruly price fluctuations. Agricultural experts H.S. Dillon and Bungaran Saragih said over the weekend that the government needed to reconsider a new rice policy in a such way that the rice farmers would no longer be the victims of its inconsistency.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * 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. * Painting Exhibition: Perjalanan dan Pencarian Seni by JB. Iwan Sulistyo, at H Gallery, Jl. Tomang Raya 39, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until March 20.

NGO seminar urges campaign against 'unfair' biopiracy

NGO seminar urges campaign against 'unfair' biopiracy JAKARTA (JP): Activists urged on Saturday a further delay of the enforcement of trade related aspects of intellectual property rights, which should have begun in January. In a workshop on the piracy of biological resources, or biopiracy, activists asserted that the interests of local communities, who are said to own these resources, had yet to be protected by law.

Capital needs transparent subway project: Experts

Capital needs transparent subway project: Experts JAKARTA (JP): Two experts have hailed the idea to build a subway system in the capital to help reduce the chronic traffic congestion, but asked the authorities to be transparent on the possible hindrances and budget expenditures.

Former starlet acquitted

Former starlet acquitted DENPASAR, Bali: Denpasar District Court acquitted on Saturday former child starlet Faradilla Sandy, 34, of charges of drug possession due to lack of evidence. The child star was brought to court after police allegedly found her with Ecstasy pills as well as an inhaler for Shabu Shabu crystal metamphetamine at her house here in July.

Retroactive clause scrapped from rights tribunal bill

Retroactive clause scrapped from rights tribunal bill JAKARTA (JP): The government has scrapped the controversial retroactive clause from the human rights bill and proposed that past human rights violations be tried in an ad hoc tribunal. "The bill would give the House of Representatives authority to set up an ad hoc tribunal to try past human rights violations," rights activist Munir of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) told reporters on Saturday.

Riau seeks control of CPP oil block

Riau seeks control of CPP oil block JAKARTA (JP): Riau Vice Governor Rustam S. Abbrus said the province was determined to gain full ownership and operation of the Coastal Plains Pekanbaru (CPP) oil block in Sumatra after PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia's contract on the block expired next year. Rustam said over the weekend the province of Riau was capable of operating the CPP oil block, and urged the central government to heed its aspirations.

Fire razes 25 rattan furniture kiosks in East Jakarta

Fire razes 25 rattan furniture kiosks in East Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A fire, believed to have been triggered by a short circuit on a nearby electricity pole, razed the entire complex of 25 kiosks selling rattan furniture on Jl. Raya Kalimalang, Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta, on Saturday. One of the kiosk owners, Adi Bowo, said the fire started at about 11:30 a.m. when a strong wind ruffled the branches of a tree next to the pole.

Gas station owners refuse coupon system

Gas station owners refuse coupon system BANDUNG (JP): More than 70 owners of gas stations grouped in the Bandung and Sumedang branches of the Association of National Oil and Gas Businessmen (Hiswana) have refused a coupon system proposed by the government.

Banking industry sees improvement despite losses

Banking industry sees improvement despite losses JAKARTA (JP): The condition of Indonesian banks have started to improve in 1999 as indicated by rising profitability amid better banking environment, according to Bank Indonesia. But the central bank said that overall the industry was still in the red particularly due to the huge financial losses incurred in the previous period. "The banks were still in the red last year ...

Freeport's never-ending story

Freeport's never-ending story Responding to the letters sent to The Jakarta Post accusing and defending PT Freeport Indonesia, I would like to say the issue actually is not whether there is an environmental catastrophe, but indeed the issue is the "never-ending dispute". Every party wants to take advantage of Gresberg's gold riches. It is like the old western movies in the U.S.

Indonesian judicial reform agenda

Indonesian judicial reform agenda By Mohammad Fajrul Falaakh JAKARTA (JP): Concerns over the performance of the Indonesian judiciary have grown recently. The latest example was the World Bank's inquiry into the ruling of the South Jakarta District Court to drop all charges against Djoko S. Tjandra, a main suspect in the high-profile Bank Bali scandal.

Winada elected Bali PWI chairman

Winada elected Bali PWI chairman DENPASAR, Bali: Djesna Winada, chief editor of Prima weekly and Putu Fajar Arcana, a reporter from Kompas daily were elected on Saturday as chairman and secretary, respectively, of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI)'s Bali chapter. But the election process was somewhat controversial as a candidate needed the support of 35 members to be nominated.

ThinkPad 240: A subnotebook for those on the go

ThinkPad 240: A subnotebook for those on the go By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Do you spend most of your working day sitting in meetings and taking notes? And do you often work on text documents or spreadsheets away from your regular workplace? If you're not a weightlifter, what you'd like to have is a lightweight, slim and comfortable notebook computer. No question about it. Luckily today's notebook computers have come down not only in price but also in size again.

Chinese team of doctors due here to conduct medical check on Gus Dur

Chinese team of doctors due here to conduct medical check on Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): A team of three Chinese physicians is scheduled to arrive here on Monday to conduct a checkup on President Abdurrahman Wahid and First Lady Sinta Nuriyah.

Lack of Net contents hamper mobile Net

Lack of Net contents hamper mobile Net JAKARTA (JP): The lack of suitable Internet content has hampered introduction of mobile Internet service to the domestic market, the Association of Indonesian Cellular Telecommunications Operators (ATSI) said on Saturday. Head of ATSI's industry policy division, Rudiantara, said the existing Internet content is mostly unsuitable for mobile Internet use due to its length and complexity.

Police probe burglary at Akbar's house

Police probe burglary at Akbar's house JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police detectives are questioning four men in connection with Saturday morning's alleged theft of a bag containing important documents, checkbooks and Rp 2 million (US$285) in cash from the residence of House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung. City police chief of violence and crime unit Maj. Dharma Pongrekun identified the four as security guard Sugiran, Akbar's driver Asep, servant Tarno and former servant Nirman.