Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 April 2000

45 articles found

Malaysia names woman to head central bank

Malaysia names woman to head central bank KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has appointed Zeti Akhtar Aziz to be the new governor of the central Bank Negara Malaysia with effect from May 1, the official Bernama news agency said on Saturday. Zeti, 52, the first women to take the post, is currently the deputy governor. The finance ministry in a two paragraph statement to Bernama announced the appointment.

TMII sees more visitors on anniversary

TMII sees more visitors on anniversary JAKARTA (JP): Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) marked the final day of a week-long fiesta to commemorate its silver jubilee on Sunday with some 80,000 visitors packing the huge entertainment and education park. "Usually, the maximum number of visitors on Sundays are around 60,000 people," said Djaman, a public relations official.

IMF's Fischer arrives for review of reform

IMF's Fischer arrives for review of reform JAKARTA (JP): International Monetary Fund (IMF) Acting Managing Director Stanley Fischer plunged into a series of meetings on Sunday with senior officials immediately after arriving here to review Indonesian reform programs. Fischer met with Attorney General Marzuki Darusman to discuss the latest developments in judicial reform, one of the most important elements of the country's reform programs.

PKB awaiting Sarwono, Susilo to join party

PKB awaiting Sarwono, Susilo to join party JAKARTA (JP): National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori Abdul Djalil claimed on Saturday Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Minister of Maritime Exploration Sarwono Kusumaatmadja would officially join PKB. Matori maintained that in recent discussions, the two ministers had stated their willingness to join the party. He also revealed his intention to appoint the two to seats on the party's central executive board.

Opposition mounts against Mahathir

Opposition mounts against Mahathir KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Opposition leaders said on Sunday they would file a police report and lawsuit against Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, demanding that the Attorney General charge Malaysia's ruler for spreading "vicious rumors" and inciting fear. The move was meant to stop the government from accusing its rivals of plotting violent protests in the Malaysian capital to oust Mahathir, said National Justice Party officials.

Newmont: Tax peace at any price?

Newmont: Tax peace at any price? By Donna K. Woodward MEDAN (JP): After months of lawsuits, threats and counterthreats, the American multinational PT Newmont Minahasa Raya and the Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi have reached an out-of-court settlement of their tax dispute.

Taxi driver brutally murdered in morning robbery in Bekasi

Taxi driver brutally murdered in morning robbery in Bekasi JAKARTA (JP): A 50-year-old taxi driver was found dead on Sunday morning in a vacant field in Tambun, Bekasi, with severe slash wounds over most of his body and face, an officer said. Second Lt. Harianto of the Bekasi Police said the Prestasi taxi driver, identified as Benny Yance, was brutally slashed while in his vehicle and robbed by three men who were passengers during the wee hours of the morning.

Border disputes impede Indo - Aussie relations

Border disputes impede Indo - Aussie relations JAKARTA (JP): Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri admitted that various incidents occurring in the border between Indonesia and East Timor have impeded efforts to restore bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia.

Pertamina to select 3 designs for Tangguh

Pertamina to select 3 designs for Tangguh JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company PT Pertamina said it would select three designs for its Tangguh natural liquefied gas (LNG) plant in Berau Bay, Irian Jaya, to obtain the most competitive cost for the construction of the LNG plant. Pertamina processing director Ariffi Nawawi said aside from the front end engineering design made by Japanese consortium Chiyoda-Mitsubishi, Pertamina would also use two more designs from different companies.

Fischer visit to influence JSX this week: Analysts

Fischer visit to influence JSX this week: Analysts JAKARTA (JP): The outcome of the meeting between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive, Stanley Fischer, with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday will determine the direction for share trading of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) this week, equity analysts said. "We are anxious to hear how the meeting will turn out. If it is good, it will be positive for the market," said Lukman Hakim, the associate director at Ludlow Securities.

RI wraps up with 5 golds in SKIF world c'ships

RI wraps up with 5 golds in SKIF world c'ships NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): The Indonesian women's team took on Sunday one more gold from the kumite event in the last day of the seventh Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) World Championships to finish third in the medal standings. The team, consisting of Meity and Inri Kaseger and Hujrah, overpowered the Venezuelan team in the final. Italy was third.

Ombudsman requires legal muscle

Ombudsman requires legal muscle By Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): There are frequent reminders that personalities are the most important element when instituting an organization in Indonesia. The recent establishment of the National Ombudsman Commission is one example.

Military continues assault on hostage holding RP rebels

Military continues assault on hostage holding RP rebels ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP): Philippine troops continued on Sunday ground and air assaults on the mountain stronghold of rebels holding 27 hostages, officials said. At least three soldiers and an undetermined number of rebels were killed in the fighting, they said. An Abu Sayyaf rebel spokesman said two hostages, including a child, were injured in the shelling of the rebel camp. Military officials said they could not confirm the report.

Sukarno's rebuttal translated by Oxford

Sukarno's rebuttal translated by Oxford BANDUNG: The rebuttal of founding president Sukarno when he was a youth movement leader in a 1931 court during Dutch colonialism has been translated into English by the Oxford University in England, former foreign minister Roeslan Abdulgani said here on Saturday. Roeslan, who is also former president Soeharto's adviser for state ideology, unveiled the news after a ceremony to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Asia Africa Conference.

Respect differences of opinion: Gus Dur

Respect differences of opinion: Gus Dur SURABAYA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid called on the nation to respect differences of opinion in order to facilitate democracy. Speaking on Sunday in front of a mass gathering of some 100,000-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) civilian guards known as Banser, Abdurrahman also called his widely publicized dispute with People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais "a logical consequence in the exercise of democracy".

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 9:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Teen Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Music 5:30 News (in English) 6:00 Talk Show 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports 9:00 World News 9:35 TV Drama 10:30 News rogram 4:30 p.m. Music 5:30 City News 6:30 Documentary 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:30 TV Drama PI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Music 9:00 Indonesian Film 12:00 p.m.

Girl drowns in Pulau Seribu

Girl drowns in Pulau Seribu JAKARTA (JP): A vacation trip turned into tragedy on Saturday when Yu Chun Wei, 8, a Taiwanese national, drowned while swimming with her father Yu Chung Hok in Pulau Putri in the Pulau Seribu marine resort, North Jakarta, an officer said. "They were both swimming that evening when Yu Chun Wei suddenly sank. We believe she had a cramp," City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis told reporters on Sunday.

WorkPad all you need to take to conferences

WorkPad all you need to take to conferences By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP) What is wrong with notebook computers? Well, they are either too heavy or too pricey. And their batteries always live shorter than the interval between a seminar's coffee breaks. I have been yearning for a computer that I can use during a whole-day seminar without having to fight for a seat near a power outlet.

Un-leaded fuel product hiked

Un-leaded fuel product hiked BANDUNG (JP): Greater environmental awareness and continued anti-pollution campaigns have prompted an increasing demand for unleaded fuel which already exceeds the current production level of state-owned gas and oil company Pertamina. Company officials are so hopeful of the continuing trend that they anticipate an end in the demand of premium leaded fuel by 2003.

Yen ups against dollar following G7 meeting

Yen ups against dollar following G7 meeting HONG KONG (AFP): The yen strengthened against the dollar following the lack of concern expressed by the G7 meeting of finance ministers about its strength. Elsewhere in the region the Australian dollar continued to languish against the dollar while the Indonesian rupiah fell through a six-month low. Trade was shortened in most countries due to a holiday on Friday.

Fresh Maluku clashes claims four lives

Fresh Maluku clashes claims four lives AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least four people were killed in the latest sectarian violence to rock Maluku on Sunday, just two days before the arrival of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri. A military officer given the task of guarding the Vice President, Lt. Col. Henky Naulan, was injured following the blast of a homemade bomb near Binaya during the unrest. He is receiving medial treatment at the local state hospital. The Pattimura Military Commander Brig.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, April 24, 2000

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, April 24, 2000 Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Agape by Filipino artist Ramon J. Tongko Sr. at the lobby of The World Trade Center, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31, South Jakarta (Phone: 5211320), until April 28. * Painting Exhibition: Beyond the Intersection by Maud van der Lely, the Dutch painter, in Teguh Gallery, South Jakarta, until May 7. * Painting, Sculpture Exhibition: Dolorosa Sinaga, M. Firman Ichsan, Sekar Ayu Asmara, at Cemara 6 Galeri, Jl.

BI expects rupiah to gain strength soon

BI expects rupiah to gain strength soon JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Gultom expressed confidence the rupiah would gain strength against the U.S. dollar in light of the improving domestic political situation. Miranda said on Saturday the "reconciliation" between President Abdurrahman Wahid and People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais should provide a positive sentiment to the currency market.

Journalists seek legal settlement

Journalists seek legal settlement DENPASAR, Bali: A journalists association here on Sunday supported one of its members' attempt to seek a legal settlement over harassment by an official while on duty.

Motive in train killing still a mystery

Motive in train killing still a mystery JAKARTA (JP): Police and officials of state railway firm PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) are still puzzled over Friday's murder of a female passenger on an express Parahyangan train, saying that more information was needed to solve the case. Chief of Bekasi Police Lt. Col. Sutarman told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that his men had yet to draw any conclusions from the murder case and were waiting for a key witness to recover from his wounds.

Defense team asks TNI be absolved in Aceh killing

Defense team asks TNI be absolved in Aceh killing BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Defense lawyers in the joint civilian- military trial here on Saturday demanded that the court acquit the defendants charged with mass killings in West Aceh last year. The 90-minute session which ended at 11 a.m. heard the six- member defense team led by Col. Burhan Dahlan and Col. Tatang Maskur read their clients' rebuttal.

IBRA to visit Singapore next month to offer assets

IBRA to visit Singapore next month to offer assets JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) will visit Singapore to offer assets early next month as the Singaporean government was set to disburse loan facilities to the city state's businessmen to buy Indonesian assets, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Luhut Pandjaitan said on Sunday. "There will be a one-to-one business meeting (between IBRA and Singaporean businessmen) during the visit.

Regent Rustri to build democracy with a smile

Regent Rustri to build democracy with a smile By Agus Maryono KEBUMEN, Central Java (JP): "Building democracy with a smile" is probably the sweetest promise that Rustriningsih made when she won a regent race in this male dominated territory on March 15. "I will always encourage Kebumen residents to adhere to the principles of democracy and reject violence," she said in a recent interview at the local headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) that she leads.

Bolstering the rupiah

Bolstering the rupiah The rupiah sank to a new low last Thursday. At a close of Rp 8,000 -- Rp 7,995 to be precise -- to the U.S. dollar, it reached the lowest point in the past six months. This continuing decline of the rupiah's value is a great concern to us all as it will be impossible for our economy to recover with the currency continuing to be weak. Two major factors are the cause of this weakening. In our private sector, the need for dollars is rising sharply.

Man nabbed for raping daughters

Man nabbed for raping daughters JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta police detectives have arrested a man for the rape of his three daughters, aged six, 19, and 21, at his residence in the Cilincing area. North Jakarta police chief of detectives Capt. Eko Indra Heri said on Saturday that the arrest was made on Wednesday evening, hours after the suspect's two elder daughters lodged a complaint against their father at the police station.

SCB offers new loan product

SCB offers new loan product JAKARTA (JP): Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) announced on Wednesday a new loan service offering clients a personal loan of between Rp 30 million (approximately US$3,850) and Rp 750 million, with car ownership documents used as collateral. "It allows customers to generate money from what is usually an idle asset," said Farhad Irani, head of Standard Chartered Bank's consumer banking division.

Postal firm charters plane

Postal firm charters plane JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Pos Indonesia will charter a locally built CN-235 plane to speed up delivery of mail and packages from Makassar to Jayapura, Antara reported on Saturday. The head of Pos Indonesia's office in the western town of Sorong, Huberus Suprianto, said the company found the services of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines were inadequate. "This is done especially to improve our services," Huberus told the news agency.

Wardah Hafidz clarifies

Wardah Hafidz clarifies A number of media reported that the World Food Program (WFP) accused the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) of probable involvement in a demonstration in order not to pay the Rp 1.25 billion that the consortium owed to the WFP from sales of subsidized rice to the urban poor. As the party accused, we at the UPC think the way in which the WFP reacted to the demonstration was immature, abhorrent and insensitive.

Cut out the sensationalism

Cut out the sensationalism The Jakarta Post can certainly look back with a certain pride and satisfaction at its achievements. The Post has truly become the mouthpiece of Indonesia to the outside world. International agencies like the IMF, World Bank, etc. must be referring to this newspaper routinely for their additional input in judging the country's economic progress. Expatriates form their perceptions mostly from their reading of the Post.

City buses offer risk and entertainment

City buses offer risk and entertainment JAKARTA (JP): Most readers of The Jakarta Post might not take a chance on using the city's public buses, and the reasons might vary. Everybody, including regular passengers, is well aware that Jakarta's public buses are regarded as one of the worst public transportation systems in the world.

PGI asks govt to act on Poso rioting

PGI asks govt to act on Poso rioting JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) called on authorities to keep a close eye on Central Sulawesi following recent riots in Poso, warning the area could be used as a springboard to incite unrest in neighboring Maluku.

More teachers threaten to strike, demand salary hike

More teachers threaten to strike, demand salary hike JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 teachers of kindergarten to high school across Jambi staged a noisy rally in front of the provincial legislative building on Saturday. They demanded a 300 percent raise in their salaries and 500 percent in extra allowances.

Give TNI a chance

Give TNI a chance President Abdurrahman Wahid's call to the nation to give its unwavering support to the Indonesian Military (TNI) comes as the institution struggles to regain its credibility and public image. Never before has TNI, once considered one of the country's most powerful political institutions, been subject to such scathing attacks from the public. It has led some to wonder whether the criticism is truly warranted or conceals ulterior motives, like the destruction of the military.

Expert urges body to promote use of biotechnology

Expert urges body to promote use of biotechnology JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must establish a national board to advise the government on how to promote biotechnology in the country, according to an expert. F.G.

Jakartans sign support for Thomas/Uber Cup teams

Jakartans sign support for Thomas/Uber Cup teams JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans flocked to the Senayan Main Stadium ring road on Sunday morning to give support to national shuttlers competing in the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cup Finals by signing banners. Nearly 2,000 signatures were collected on the banners which will later be brought to the Padjadjaran Stadium in Bogor where national shuttlers will have a warming up simulation prior to the biennial event in Kuala Lumpur from May 11 to May 21.

Orchestra, choir mark UI jubilee

Orchestra, choir mark UI jubilee JAKARTA (JP): The University of Indonesia will end the commemoration of its 50th anniversary with performances by its student Mahawaditra symphony orchestra and Paragita choir on Tuesday evening. A release from the university on Saturday said the two groups would present a number of classical, operatic and traditional songs. Among the pieces to be performed are Johann Strauss' Kaiser Waltzer and Johannes Brahms' Academic Festival Overture.

ASEAN's free trade zone pokes along

ASEAN's free trade zone pokes along BANGKOK (DPA): When Southeast Asia's economic ministers gather in Yangon (Rangoon) on May 1-2 for their special "retreat" session, one of the key topics up for debate will be Malaysia's refusal to slash tariffs on made-in-ASEAN auto imports. On Jan.

Grand Master Utut gives in to Polgar

Grand Master Utut gives in to Polgar By Ivy Susanti SANUR, Bali (JP): Indonesia's top chess player Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto bowed out to GM Judit Polgar of Hungary in the 48th move in the second round of the US$56,500 JAPFA Classic International Chess Tournament 2000 on Sunday. Using the Caro Kann opening, Utut played safely in the first 17 moves before he defied himself to make a variation in the 18th move.

Man kills brother over Rp 700,000

Man kills brother over Rp 700,000 BOGOR (JP): Local police here named Ujang, 32, a resident of Kampung Rawai in Jonggol, as a wanted criminal for his alleged role in the killing of his own brother, Mamad, 40, on Sunday over a dispute of Rp 700,000 cash that Mamad owed him. Unconfirmed reports said on Sunday evening that Ujang has been arrested by the police. But Chief Corporal Sapoja B. Warman from the Jonggol police subprecinct said that the suspect was still at large.

Regent's account unanimously denied

Regent's account unanimously denied KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: All factions in the local legislative council here turned down on Saturday the regent's accountability report due to its incompleteness and lack of transparency. Spokesman for the Indonesian Military (TNI) faction Rodi Madha said that his faction rejected Regent Razak Porosi's report for 1999/2000 fiscal year because of its failure to clearly identify the source and allocation of the budget.