Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 April 2000

52 articles found

Debt deal gives momentum to recovery

Debt deal gives momentum to recovery JAKARTA (JP): The government must take advantage of the positive "momentum" resulting from the rescheduling of US$5.8 billion in sovereign debts to speed up the country's economic recovery, according to experts.

PBB seeks to impeach Gus Dur over communism issue

PBB seeks to impeach Gus Dur over communism issue JAKARTA (JP): The House faction of the Muslim Crescent and Star Party (PBB) called on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Friday to hold an emergency session to demand the accountability and possible impeachment of President Abdurrahman...

Ministerial decree on Korpri functionaries under fire

Ministerial decree on Korpri functionaries under fire JAKARTA (JP): The new ministerial decree awarding structural ranks to functionaries of the Civil Servants Corps has sparked fierce criticism from major factions at the House of Representatives.

Exporters get break on Batam tax policy

Exporters get break on Batam tax policy JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Trade and Industry Yusuf Kalla made clear on Friday that the introduction of value-added tax (VAT) and sales tax on luxury goods on Batam island would not affect export-oriented companies.

Trial of Agus Isrok in civilian court sought

Trial of Agus Isrok in civilian court sought JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers of drug defendant Army Second Lt. Agus Isrok demanded the Jakarta Military Court on Friday drop the indictment against their client and that the trial be heard at a civilian instead of military court.

Soeharto's children to be questioned

Soeharto's children to be questioned JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office has issued summonses to two of former president Soeharto's children for questioning in a bid to speed up investigation of his alleged corruption during 32 years of rule.

Dave Koz to perform in five cities in Indonesia

Dave Koz to perform in five cities in Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Contemporary jazz star Dave Koz will perform in five cities in Indonesia for the next week following his performance on Friday in Bogor, the shows' organizer A Mild Live Production said.

Qantas to fly East Timor

Qantas to fly East Timor CANBERRA, Australia (AP): Qantas Airways Ltd. will offer regular flights between Australia and East Timor from next month, Australia's largest carrier announced Friday.The airline will conduct a daily round trip flight four days a week between the northern Australian city...

GM Polgar to visit Jakarta

GM Polgar to visit Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Grand Master (GM) Judith Polgar of Hungary will arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Monday evening for a three-day visit.She is scheduled to meet State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela on Tuesday before flying to...

Bali teachers stage silent protest

Bali teachers stage silent protest DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Hundreds of teachers and members of the Bali chapter of Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) staged a street demonstration here on Friday urging the government to take concrete steps in improving the welfare of the nation's teachers.

Major Asian stock markets end week lower

Major Asian stock markets end week lower HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stocks markets ended the week lower Friday, dragged down by steep declines overnight on Wall Street.South Korea shares closed sharply lower, with the key index slumping more than 4 percent as the tumble on Wall Street caused...

Expansion at Bali airport

Expansion at Bali airport JAKARTA (JP): The expansion of facilities at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, is expected to be completed in June.Project head Widjaya Lagha said the work was funded by the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund, which provided Rp 105 billion (US$14...

Polemic on MPRS decree revocation

Polemic on MPRS decree revocationFrom Media IndonesiaThe polemic on the revocation of decree No.XXV/1966 of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) has recently taken a swift turn upward after President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) repeatedly said that the revocation of the decree was...

Women's paper launched amid hopes, skepticism

Women's paper launched amid hopes, skepticism JAKARTA (JP): High hopes and skepticism greeted the introduction of a special women's newspaper called Koran Perempuan, the first of its kind here.Launched on Thursday in a discussion on the role of the media in empowering women, participants hoped the...

Lacking in consistency

Lacking in consistency When the government submitted its draft state budget for the current fiscal year, among the things mentioned were salaries for civil servants and military personnel would be raised.

More rainfalls in several areas

More rainfalls in several areas JAKARTA (JP): The city's northern and central parts will have more sporadic rainfall compared to other areas during the ongoing transitional period before the start of the dry season, an official said on Thursday.

Foreign ships rule North Sumatra

Foreign ships rule North Sumatra MEDAN, North Sumatra: Local fishermen have complained that foreign fishing vessels are operating in North Sumatra.Representing the local fishermen, Nurdin Harahap, who is the chairman of North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI), said...

Four questioned after anti-Soeharto protest

Four questioned after anti-Soeharto protest JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi said on Friday that police investigators were questioning four people in connection with a violent student protest in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

Indonesia to host Asian Physics Olympiad

Indonesia to host Asian Physics Olympiad JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the first Asian Physics Olympiad as it attempts to increase students' interest in the subject, an official said on Friday.Director General of Elementary and Secondary Education Indra Djati Sidi said the event would serve as...

PT Securindo defends rights to do business

PT Securindo defends rights to do business JAKARTA (JP): Secure Parking service provider PT Securindo Packatama Indonesia (SPI) has stated that it had a legal permit to run its business at public facilities.

Indosteel refocuses on electronics

Indosteel refocuses on electronics JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Indosteel of the Texmaco Group announced on Friday its plan to acquire affiliated company Texmaco Micro Indo Utama to refocus on the electronics industry.

Humpuss gets back building

Humpuss gets back building JAKARTA (JP): The diversified Humpuss Group of companies is ready to reoccupy its sealed off twin-tower property after it secured a legal guarantee from the Jakarta State Administrative High Court (PTTUN), which was upholding a verdict from the lower administrative court.

Police seize Rp 29 billion in bogus rupiah in three years

Police seize Rp 29 billion in bogus rupiah in three years JAKARTA (JP): Police revealed on Thursday that from January 1997 through February of this year, they have seized counterfeit rupiah that amounted to Rp 29 billion (US$3.

U.S. to resume military assistance to Indonesia: Juwono

U.S. to resume military assistance to Indonesia: Juwono JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono has expressed his optimism that the United States will resume its military assistance to Indonesia.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Sculpture Exhibition: Hanung Mahadi, at Galeri Lontar, Komunitas Utan Kayu, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 7. * Painting Exhibition: Tilo Kaiser, at Duta Fine Arts Foundation, Jl.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Apr. 14, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,110.00 8,110.00Australian dollar 1 4,241.12 4,840.05Austrian schilling 1 492.06 561.50Belgian franc 1 167.85 191.53Brunei dollar 1 4,149.40 4,734.38Canadian dollar 1 4,830.

The Havana summit

The Havana summit The most intriguing question for me, and I am sure many other people as well, is what went on in President Abdurrahman Wahid's (Gus Dur's) mind when he heard Cuban (communist) leader Fidel Castro, as the media reported, lash out at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as being...

Reprieve from Paris

Reprieve from Paris The approval by the Paris Club of 19 sovereign creditors on Thursday for rescheduling a portion of Indonesia's almost $70 billion foreign debts was strongly predicted. But it came as a great surprise that the amount of US$5.8 billion to be rescheduled was more than twice the $2.

BP Amoco-Arco to become Asia's top gas producer

BP Amoco-Arco to become Asia's top gas producer SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): BP Amoco Plc's purchase of Atlantic Richfield Co. will make the merged company Asia's No. 1 non-state natural gas producer, giving it access to the world's fastest growing natural gas markets in China and Japan.

Police need a watchdog

Police need a watchdog JAKARTA (JP): The central government must seriously consider establishing a Police Commission to help supervise and control the discipline of police, including their acts towards suspected criminals, a criminologist suggested on Wednesday.

Qantas, BA support RI tourism

Qantas, BA support RI tourism JAKARTA (JP): Australian carrier Qantas Airways and British Airways will support an international tourism event, the Jakarta Highland Gathering, scheduled for May 28 at Lippo Karawaci in Jakarta.

Asian crude prices lower on weak demand

Asian crude prices lower on weak demand SINGAPORE (Bloomberg) Asian crude prices were lower on Friday because of weak demand for remaining May-loading Minas cargoes, traders said.In the spot market, Indonesian Minas crude was 40 cents lower at $23.

Students expelled for gambling

Students expelled for gambling CIREBON, West Java: Five students of a state Islamic senior high school have been expelled after they were caught gambling, the school principal, Sudirno, said on Friday."The expulsion was discussed with the teachers council and the parents of the students.

Aceh rights abuse trial postponed, says local judge

Aceh rights abuse trial postponed, says local judge BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The unprecedented joint military- civilian tribunal of the Bantaqiah murder case has been tentatively postponed for two days, a senior judge at the district court said on Friday.

The history of 'gambar-gambar idoep'

The history of 'gambar-gambar idoep'By Ida Indawati Khouw The history of gambar-gambar idoep (the old spelling for motion picture) in Jakarta started almost five years after the euphoria in Europe. This 34th serial article on buildings, cultures and lifestyles of Jakarta from times past is made in...

Lombok waits for tourists to return

Lombok waits for tourists to returnBy Grace Segran MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): The people of Lombok still speak of the tragic events as though they took place yesterday. What happened on Jan 17 to Jan.

City Council under pressure to remove Governor Sutiyoso

City Council under pressure to remove Governor Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Pressure mounted on City Council Friday to remove Governor Sutiyoso from his post due to his alleged involvement in the July 27, 1996 forced takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters.

Discrimination and mixed marriage

Discrimination and mixed marriageBy Martin R Jenkins JAKARTA (JP): Living as a foreigner in any country has its pros and cons, but as far as discrimination toward foreigners goes, Indonesia sadly takes the biscuit.

Intraco expects bullish market

Intraco expects bullish market JAKARTA (JP): PT Intraco Penta, the publicly listed heavy equipment and spare parts distributor, expects a bullish market this year due to growing activity in the country's mining and forestry sectors.

IPTN to lay off 2,500 workers

IPTN to lay off 2,500 workers BANDUNG (JP): Consistent with streamlining its workforce due to financial problems, the state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN plans to retire early at least 2,500 employees within 10 months, a company manager says.

NGOs reveal 'secret' report on PT Newmont

NGOs reveal 'secret' report on PT Newmont JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations criticized the Supreme Court on Friday for ordering a delay of execution of the local district court's decision to shut down a gold mine in North Sulawesi, saying the decision would be harmful to the environment.

Indecent ad from Bentoel

Indecent ad from BentoelFrom RepublikaI feel strongly disturbed by the Bentoel Mild cigarette advertisement on television. A naked man opens the door of his hotel room to answer a call from a waitress bringing his order of food. He is only covered in bath foam from his waist down to his thighs.

Airforce: RI needs more radars

Airforce: RI needs more radars YOGYAKARTA: The Indonesian Airforce reactivated its radar system located in the west coast village of Congot, some 45 kilometers west of Yogyakarta, in a ceremony led by its chief Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan on Friday.

Sutiyoso to announce new bus fares next week

Sutiyoso to announce new bus fares next week JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday he would announce the new bus fares as soon as he received the official recommendation letter from the City Council, which is expected sometime early next week.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Apr. 14, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 525 0 982,000 Alakasa Industrindo 575 -50 78,000 Alfa Retailindo 850...

Rupiah unchanged despite Paris Club agreement

Rupiah unchanged despite Paris Club agreement SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The South Korean won tumbled under the weight of a stock market sell-off Friday, while the Singapore dollar spiked up on reports of intervention by local monetary authorities.

Government withdraws Damura permit, says minister

Government withdraws Damura permit, says minister JAKARTA (JP): The government gave a thumbs down on the fund raising scheme called Damura (the People's Fund for Sports) and decided to withdraw the permit -- issued by ex-ministry of social services on Sept. 15, 1999.

CLS takes Cup with easy victory

CLS takes Cup with easy victory JAKARTA (JP): Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) proved itself a champion in winning the Megawati Soekarnoputri Cup at Senayan basketball hall here on Friday, thrashing Merah Putih (MP) Medco 70-44.

'Laskar Jihad' to leave training camp on Sunday

'Laskar Jihad' to leave training camp on Sunday BOGOR (JP): Laskar Jihad (Jihad Force) members surrendered their weapons on Friday and vowed to vacate their military-style training camp at the Munjul village of Kayumanis in Tanah Sareal District here on Sunday.

Corruption watchdog queries credit fund

Corruption watchdog queries credit fund TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang Government Watch (TGW) has urged the local authorities to reevaluate the credit distribution system to farmers after 836 farmers did not receive funds.

Japan asked to lift warning

Japan asked to lift warning YOGYAKARTA (JP): Visiting Japanese travel agents have called on their government to lift its warning on travel to Yogyakarta.T. Narita, the president of International Developers Inc.

Postcrisis a turning point in history

Postcrisis a turning point in historyBy Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): East Asian nations are bound to return to the main stage when global history is determined by the interaction of not just western powers, but all Asians as well.