Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 May 2000

53 articles found

Eddie Hara bares his soul and mind in new exhibition

Eddie Hara bares his soul and mind in new exhibition By Susi Andrini YOGYAKARTA (JP): Painting mirrors its creator's soul and mind. It is true of the works of Eddie Hara currently on show at Bentara Budaya in Yogyakarta. Called the Art of Eddie haRA, the exhibition, which ends on Sunday, presents the most recent artistic creations of the painter who now lives in Basel, Switzerland.

Discord in economic team continues

Discord in economic team continues Economists stand by exasperatedly as political interests keep overshadowing steps to recovery, says economist Arif Arryman. He recently spoke to The Jakarta Post during a meeting among former fellow student activists in Yoygakarta. An excerpt of the interview follows: Question: What is the significance of this meeting of 1977- 1978 activists? Answer: It is to reconfirm that the so-called reform movement has not ended.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Antique Batik Exhibition at ICAC House, Jl. BonaVista Raya, Lebak Bulus, Jakarta (Phone: 75816710 - 14), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 27. ICAC coffee morning, Batik on Wood Art presentation, demonstration, exhibition and sales, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 25. * Video Art Exhibition by Rotraut Pape, at Galeri Teguh, Jl. Gaharu I no. 3, Cilandak Barat, South Jakarta (Phone: 7656565), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 22.

Tailors and maid named suspects in violent rape

Tailors and maid named suspects in violent rape JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives have arrested two tailors and a cleaner over the violent rape and murder of a 24-year-old woman on Tuesday last week at her rented room in Setiabudi, an officer said on Friday. South Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col.

Government policies ignore poor children

Government policies ignore poor children MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The government of President Abdurrahman Wahid has yet to side with the children of poor families, says a scholar. Abdul Razak Taha, head of the center for food, nutrition and health study at Hasanuddin University said on Thursday that the President's policies apparently favored well off groups instead. He cited the monetary and banking schemes as examples.

Police arrest two for possession of Rp 55.7m fake money

Police arrest two for possession of Rp 55.7m fake money JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives arrested two men at a money changer in Blok M area of Kebayoran Baru on Thursday for possession of fake Rp 50,000 banknotes valued at Rp 25.7 million (US$3,000). Newly-appointed South Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang identified the suspects as couriers Nursidi, 29, and Sukoso, 24, who worked for Seno Adjie, the main suspect, who is still at large.

OPM supporters greet Megawati in Jayawijaya

OPM supporters greet Megawati in Jayawijaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): About 10,000 supporters of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) thronged Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya regency, Irian Jaya, shortly before Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's departure to Jayapura on Friday afternoon. Many waved the OPM morning star flag and raised proindependence banners, demanding a dialog with the Vice President.

Myohdotcom to go public

Myohdotcom to go public JAKARTA (JP): Software developer PT Myohdotcom Indonesia Tbk will launch its initial public offering (IPO) next month to raise funds to finance its expansion. The company's chief commissioner Jaegopal Hutapea said here early this week that the company will sell between 150 million and 250 million shares during the public offering. He said that the shares, with a nominal value of Rp 25, will be sold up to Rp 250 per share.

Wynne gets closer to Olympic wild card pass

Wynne gets closer to Olympic wild card pass JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia women's tennis hopeful Wynne Prakusya is getting closer to earning a wild card for a debut in the singles event of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney in September.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on May 19, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

House members seek to question President

House members seek to question President JAKARTA (JP): Almost half of the 500 legislators in the House of Representatives have agreed to exercise their interpellation rights to question President Abdurrahman Wahid over his recent controversial policies.

PC sales may not reach target: Expert

PC sales may not reach target: Expert JAKARTA (JP): Sales of personal computers (PC) this year will likely fall short of the targeted 350,000 units, a computer expert said on Friday. "Looking at the conditions (of the rupiah) these past two weeks, the target may not be reached," said IBM country manager for personal systems group Suryo Suwignjo.

Investigation into Texmaco scandal halted

Investigation into Texmaco scandal halted JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office has halted an investigation into the high profile Texmaco Rp 9.6 trillion (US$1.15 billion) alleged loan scandal due to lack of evidence.

Australian analyst hails first minister proposal

Australian analyst hails first minister proposal YOGYAKARTA (JP): An Australian political observer, Herbert Feith, welcomed the idea voiced by the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) on appointing a first minister to help President Abdurrahman Wahid improve the performance of his Cabinet. Feith, of Monash University, who is a visiting lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, said on Friday that the idea was a sound one, but Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's approval would be imperative.

I am ready to run for 2004 presidency: Amien

I am ready to run for 2004 presidency: Amien JAKARTA (JP): Outspoken chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais said on Friday that he was ready to run for the presidency in 2004. Amien, who is on a four-day visit to South Korea, was quoted by Antara as saying in Seoul that he would withdraw his presidential bid if there was a "younger, better and more acceptable" candidate in the next election.

KL firms allegedly involved in illegal timber trade

KL firms allegedly involved in illegal timber trade JAKARTA (JP): Timber companies and military personnel in Malaysia are allegedly involved in an illegal timber trade in Tarakan, East Kalimantan at the border between the eastern part of Kalimantan and the Malaysian state of Sabah, a senior official said here on Friday. Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations said the Malaysian companies bought the illegal timber with the protection of the military.

National Awakening Day

National Awakening Day National Awakening Day may be the best occasion for each and every one of us to reflect on our positive and negative aspects as a member of society. This is particularly true for such an important national figure as Abdurrahman Wahid, as the country's No 1. As head of state, President Abdurrahman is supposed do whatever is deemed best for the nation and in the interest of the people as a whole.

HSBC cuts Indonesia's growth forecast to 3.0 percent in 2000

HSBC cuts Indonesia's growth forecast to 3.0 percent in 2000 SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Economists at HSBC Ltd., worried about the country's slowing exports, have cut the bank's forecasts for Indonesia's economic growth to 3.0 percent for this year and 1.5 percent in 2001.

Soeharto case to be submitted to court

Soeharto case to be submitted to court JAKARTA (JP): Corruption charges against former president Soeharto will be filed in the court before expiration of the last extension of his city arrest status on Aug. 10 at the latest, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman announced on Friday.

Mass burials in East Nusa Tenggara as death toll rises

Mass burials in East Nusa Tenggara as death toll rises MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Breaking with local custom, East Nusa Tenggara authorities were forced on Friday to conduct a mass burial as the death toll due to floods in the region rose to 148. Reports received from the affected districts of Central Malaka and West Malaka in Belu regency said the authorities had held a mass burial for 81 people.

Sony pledges to go all out to keep running its business

Sony pledges to go all out to keep running its business JAKARTA (JP): Electronic giant PT Sony Electronics Indonesia vows to go all out to keep running its business despite the ongoing massive strike by its workers since April 26, its executive said on Friday. "We'll continue operating in Indonesia. I don't think we'll go bankrupt because of this strike," the firm's finance manager, Satoshi Kanenori, said during a visit at The Jakarta Post office.

KL gets tough on publishers

KL gets tough on publishers KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia will introduce tougher penalties under a law which controls newspaper and magazine publishing, a minister said on Friday. The home ministry will also tighten conditions for new publishing permits to prevent abuse, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said.

Manila wins one against rebels

Manila wins one against rebels MANILA (AFP): Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado raised the country's flag over a war-torn highway and declared it cleared of occupying rebels in a show of triumph in the southern island of Mindanao. "The highway is set to be opened to the public next week," Mercado said after awarding medals to troops who helped clear the Narciso Ramos highway of fighters from the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in weeks of fighting.

Asian monies up late as dollar surge pauses

Asian monies up late as dollar surge pauses HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were higher against the U.S. dollar late Friday as the U.S. unit took a pause from its recent rise, the Philippine central bank hiked rates and Singapore's government released stronger-than-expected growth figures. Only the South Korean won stood out as a session loser partly due to the resignation of the South Korean Prime Minister Park Tae-joon, after he admitted to improper property transactions.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 TV Series: Labyrinth 9:30 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Documentary Film 3:00 Music 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:00 News 5:30 TVRI News (in English) 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports 9:00 World News 9:30 TV Series: Hotel 10:30 News 11:00 Comedy Program 2 3:30 p.m. Documentary 4:30 Music 5:30 City News 6:30 Documentary 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:00 News TPI 5:30 a.m.

Reform agenda set

Reform agenda set An important element of the uncertainty responsible for the plunge in the rupiah's value in the past eight days was removed when the government finally signed on Wednesday the new letter of intent (LoI) that details the country's economic reform agenda for the next few months.

BI warns government of pushing state banks to support rupiah

BI warns government of pushing state banks to support rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin warned the government on Friday not to force state banks to use their reserves to support the ailing rupiah. Sjahril said that the call for the state banks to intervene by selling their dollars should take into account the "condition" of each bank. "It's only an appeal, it depends on the condition of each bank. They must not be forced.

Shoot-on-sight order issued to stop Ambon violence

Shoot-on-sight order issued to stop Ambon violence AMBON, Maluku (JP): Chief of Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela issued a shoot-on-sight order on Friday to stop continued violence, which has claimed four more lives. Following sniper attacks, an operation to confiscate weapons was jointly conducted by military and police in several tall buildings situated on, among others, Jl. A.Y. Patty, Jl. A.M. Sangaji, Jl. Sultan Khairun, Jl. Anthoni Rebhok and Jl.

Online firm to promote local textile industry

Online firm to promote local textile industry JAKARTA (JP): Business and finance information provider IndoExchange.com said on Friday that its new Nexiaonline portal would help promote the local textile industry in the international market. IndoExchange chief executive officer Cam Walker said that lack of global exposure had hampered the growth of many local textile manufacturers. "However, by using the Internet we can overcome this problem," he said.

Reconciliation and the new Indonesia

Reconciliation and the new Indonesia By H.S. Dillon JAKARTA (JP): Although victims of apartheid, justly considered a gross violation of human rights, black South Africans have ended violent conflict through negotiations with their onetime masters. They experimented with an alternative to pursuing perpetrators of human rights violations through the existing criminal justice system by creating a drawn-out process called Truth and Reconciliation.

Social conflict and poor education

Social conflict and poor education Citing the issue that social conflict stems from poor education (The Jakarta Post, May 3, 2000), I wish to contribute some ideas to that problem based on my own experience. Education should always be a priority for a country like Indonesia, whose population is the fourth largest in the world. It is highly likely that through education, Indonesia would be able to reduce tension among different ethnicities and religions.

Police need more financial aid: Experts

Police need more financial aid: Experts JAKARTA (JP): Observing that police operations are expensive, a senior police officer and a legal observer conceded on Friday that the police often rely on "nonbudgetary" financing to carry out their duties. Interviewed separately by The Jakarta Post, spokesman of the National Police Headquarters Brig. Gen.

Tourist industry asked to look to home in tough times

Tourist industry asked to look to home in tough times JAKARTA (JP): An overreliance on foreign tourists is one of the main factors in the worsening fortunes of the country's tourism industry, a high-ranking official said. Deputy to the state minister of tourism and arts Udin Saifudin said on Thursday most of the local tourism-related companies suffered an immediate drop in business when there was a fall in the number of foreign tourists.

Researchers say new law needed

Researchers say new law needed BANDUNG: Researchers from the Intellectual Property Agency at the Institution of Technology in Bandung called on the government to draft a law that would protect the country's natural resources and locally crafted technologies from being patented by foreign nation's. The agency's managing director, Herlianti Hilman, pointed out that there were already several cases in which organisms taken from Indonesia gratis were registered by foreign companies.

Thiess wins Arutmin order

Thiess wins Arutmin order SYDNEY (Dow Jones): PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia, a subsidiary of Australia's Leighton Holdings Ltd., said on Friday it has won a contract worth A$800 million over five years to operate two coal mines in Kalimantan in Indonesia. The contract is with PT Arutmin, which is 80 percent-owned by Australia's Broken Hill Proprietary Co. (BHP) and 20 percent- owned by Indonesia's Bakrie Group.

PLN says billing system change not a rate hike

PLN says billing system change not a rate hike JAKARTA (JP): Officials of state-owned electricity company PT PLN denied on Friday imposing a rate hike for households, arguing the introduction of a new billing system did not affect the overall billing system. "We didn't hike the rate for groups of customers with 450 watts and 900 watts. We just changed the display of rate components in the invoice," PLN's Greater Jakarta and Tangerang office spokesman Riyo Supriyanto told The Jakarta Post.

Gus Dur attends Pangestu congress

Gus Dur attends Pangestu congress SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): In a testament to his religious pluralism, President Abdurrahman Wahid on Friday attended the 14th Pangestu (a Javanese spiritual/mystical belief) Congress. In his address to the congress, the President called on followers of the belief to veer away from a narrow-minded view of their belief. "In the 1950s, many followers of Javanese mysticism took an anticlerical attitude and rejected any (formal) religious teachings.

Sutiyoso tells Jakarta to stay on top in PON

Sutiyoso tells Jakarta to stay on top in PON JAKARTA (JP): While Jakarta is considered the home of the nation's top athletes, Governor Sutiyoso has asked the city's contingent for the 15th National Games in Surabaya next month to maintain its top position in the quadrennial sports event.

Cycle buys more Astra shares

Cycle buys more Astra shares SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore-listed Cycle and Carriage Ltd. (CCL) on Friday said it had entered an agreement to buy an additional 103.61 million shares in Indonesian automotive giant PT Astra International for US$50 million. CCL said the agreement it entered with Eurasie SAS of the Lazard Asia Fund on May 17 covers shares representing 3.9 percent of the fully diluted share capital of Astra.

Raids on pirated VCDs

Raids on pirated VCDs Although the network of the pirated VCD trade must be abolished to protect copyrights, the mastermind behind the raid on illegal VCDs which resulted in riots in the Glodok area on May 13, 2000 needs to be investigated. The raid took place exactly two years to the date after the May 1998 riots.

Antidumping action -- remedy or protection?

Antidumping action -- remedy or protection? This is the second of two articles on antidumping actions written by Herry Soetanto, director for multilateral cooperation at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Alfons Samosir, the ministry's deputy director for trade defense/remedy, based on a presentation at a seminar in Jakarta on May 11.

RI seaman gets 7 years for people-smuggling

RI seaman gets 7 years for people-smuggling PERTH, Australia (AFP): An Indonesian seaman was jailed for seven years on Friday for attempting to smuggle 282 illegal immigrants, the biggest group ever caught by Australian authorities, earlier this year.

Catholic churches reveal the past

Catholic churches reveal the past By Ida Indawati Khouw After being banned by the Dutch colonial authorities for almost two decades, Catholics in Batavia, as Jakarta was then known, started to build places of worship. The following article on Jakarta Cathedral and Santa Maria de Fatima Church is the fifth on historic churches in Jakarta. It is also the 39th article in a series on historic and protected buildings in the capital, appearing every Saturday.

Street justice still rampant

Street justice still rampant Almost every day, we read in local newspapers of suspected thieves being tortured to death in a variety of ways, some of which could not even be imagined by any humane person. In most of these cases these murderers got away with their crimes. Indonesia may be the only country where such horrific crimes occur on daily basis.

Two robber suspects shot dead

Two robber suspects shot dead JAKARTA (JP): Senen Police subprecinct officers shot dead two unidentified suspects in a robbery attempt on Thursday night, an officer said on Friday. Senen Police chief Maj. Pratikno said two of his officers had to shoot the suspects because they ignored police warning shots and brandished knives. Both suspects died of gunshot wounds to the chest. Their bodies were admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue.

Indonesia faces China in Thomas Cup final

Indonesia faces China in Thomas Cup final By Primastuti Handayani KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The 8,000 spectators at the Putra Indoor Stadium here Friday burst into jubilation as Marlev Mainaky's smash hit the center of Kenneth Jonassen's court to take Indonesia to the Thomas Cup championship final against China on Sunday. Defending champion Indonesia overcame Denmark, another favorite, 3-2 in a very tense do-or-die match turning the Putra stadium into another Senayan.

Audit says no graft by JSX management

Audit says no graft by JSX management JAKARTA (JP): The chief commissioner of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, said on Friday the investigative audit on the management of the exchange has found no traces of corruption as alleged by the capital market watchdog. "The audit has found no fraud, manipulation or corruption worth even a single rupiah by the JSX management," Erry told a press briefing after the JSX extraordinary meeting of shareholders.

Semarang thief burned alive

Semarang thief burned alive SEMARANG, Central: Mob justice took its toll on Friday morning when a group of people beat and burned alive a youth for allegedly stealing kitchen utensils. Antara quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Inung, 20, was caught red-handed as he was about to make off with the stolen goods. He was dragged to a field behind Sendangmulyo Hospital where the mob beat him, doused his body with kerosene and then set it ablaze, they said.

Two injured in Senen clash

Two injured in Senen clash JAKARTA (JP): A clash erupted near the Senen Atrium shopping center on Friday between local residents and street vendors in Central Jakarta, injuring at least two traders, an officer said. Deputy chief of the Senen police precinct, Capt. Sutrisno, said no one had been arrested so far in connection with the clash.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 19, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 725 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 400 0 25,500 Alakasa Industrindo 1,000 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 850 -25 186,000 Alter Abadi 150 0 25,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 25 5,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,100 50 3,349,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

31 soldiers in E. Java dismissed

31 soldiers in E. Java dismissed SURABAYA: Brawijaya Military Chief Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi said here on Friday that he had recently dismissed 31 soldiers for breaking the law and for other disciplinary acts. "I signed the orders (for their dismissal) about a week ago. But this does not cancel out the possibility of further dismissals," Sudi said.

Police increase presence in Bali

Police increase presence in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: Police have tightened their operations this month in a bid to curb mounting crime on the holiday-resort island, resulting in four suspected thieves being shot while attempting to steal a motorcycle in the first two weeks of May. Bali Police spokesman Lt. Col. Y. Suyatmo said here on Friday that Bali police chief Brig. Gen. I Wayan Ardjana has given permission to policemen to use force if alleged culprits resist arrest.

Government must act on military businesses

Government must act on military businesses Under an increasingly tight budget, would a trust fund, as mentioned on Tuesday by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, be appropriate to improve soldiers' welfare? Following is an excerpt of an interview on the subject with political researcher Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Question: Army Chief of Staff Gen.