Archive: 23 May 2000
54 articles found
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, May 23, 2000
Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, May 23, 2000 Exhibition * Art Stone and NTT Traditional Handycraft Exhibition by Mayorga Gallery and Joglocakra, at Grand Hotel Preanger Bandung, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 431631), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until May 31. Performance * Theater: Mangir, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Phone 4212417), 7:30 p.m., May 26-27. Film * French Film at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies mixed, rupiah falls slightly
Asian currencies mixed, rupiah falls slightly SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The South Korean won and the Philippine peso were battered late Monday on a host of domestic concerns, shrugging off the impact of a stronger yen's earlier in the day which helped buoy other regional currencies, dealers said. The Indonesian rupiah closed slightly higher Monday but gave up some of its gains earlier in the session as fresh dollar buyers emerged following the rupiah's recovery since last week.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Abdurrahman inaugurates Habibie Center
Abdurrahman inaugurates Habibie Center JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid inaugurated the highly publicized Habibie Center on Monday and said that promoting democracy in the country is not "an easy job" as democratic traditions were virtually unknown during the past regime. Abdurrahman said that what had been in place before were only "democratic institutions" such as the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. "We have been able to establish democratic institutions ...
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mandiri has new boss
Bank Mandiri has new boss JAKARTA (JP): Finance minister Bambang Sudibyo has appointed ECW Neloe, a former director of the state Bank Dagang Negara (BDN) as the new president of state Bank Mandiri. Neloe, who is currently president of petrochemical giant PT Chadra Asri, replaced Robby Djohan, who was appointed as the bank's first president in November, 1998.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rejoice in victory
Rejoice in victory Indonesia's victory in the Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday provided a welcome celebration for the nation that has been mired in a seemingly endless crisis for the past three years. Retaining the prestigious men's badminton team event for the fourth consecutive time since 1994 could not have come at a better moment to shore up our sagging confidence as a nation. Nothing seems to be going right for Indonesia this year.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Business back to normal at driver's license unit
Business back to normal at driver's license unit JAKARTA (JP): What time is it? Ask anyone at the Jakarta Police driver's license processing unit on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, and you might get confused. There are nine clocks on the wall on the first floor of the new building, where hundreds of people impatiently wait for their turn to process their application every day, but the clocks show different times. Take a close look and you'll find that seven of them are actually dead.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on May 22, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
National Games to go on schedule: Official
National Games to go on schedule: Official JAKARTA (JP): Secretary General of the National Sports Council (KONI) Rudolf S. Warouw confirmed on Monday that the 15th National Games (PON) will go on as originally scheduled, from June 19 to June 30 in Surabaya.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Habibie Center for the people
Habibie Center for the people The presence of the Habibie Center and the Habibie Comet in the firmament cannot help but rekindle memories of the Habibie era, during which he was the head of state. Speaking in a television interview on the evening of May 21, he said that these days he preferred to be seen as a scientist more concerned with social and political phenomena in society than as an ambitious man keen to sit in a government saddle again.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mahmudi tries to sell regions on proposal
Mahmudi tries to sell regions on proposal JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantation Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on Monday that regional administrations will benefit from his proposal to put all forestry concessions in the hands of Perum Inhutani, the state-owned forestry company.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians caught fishing in Malaysia
Indonesians caught fishing in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysian authorities said on Monday 16 Indonesians and 11 Vietnamese fishermen have been arrested for illegally fishing in waters off Malaysia's Sarawak state on Sunday. Fisheries department enforcement officers also seized two boats owned by the Indonesians and one by the Vietnamese, as well as 40 kilograms of fish.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt awards seven oil and gas contracts
Govt awards seven oil and gas contracts JAKARTA (JP): The government awarded on Monday seven oil and gas contracts -- the first of the year -- to four international and three local companies. The contracts, with a total investment commitment of over US$112 million for 10 years, were described by Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a sign of investors' confidence in Indonesia.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's brother decides to quit IBRA, says Cacuk
Gus Dur's brother decides to quit IBRA, says Cacuk JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's younger brother Hasyim Wahid has resigned from the powerful Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), the agency's chief said. "Yes, that is true. But he has yet to officially submit a letter of resignation," IBRA chairman Cacuk Sudarijanto said in response to queries from reporters before a meeting with Abdurrahman, who is also known as Gus Dur.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ilham Malayu's poetry a line to sanity
Ilham Malayu's poetry a line to sanity By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Imagine yourself having to live in the confines of a prison for longer than you had lived already? Would you go crazy? In 1984, Ilham Malayu was sentenced to 33 years and four months imprisonment by the Thai government for drug trafficking. At the time, he was 27 years of age. He was lucky to have enough creativity and knowledge to be able to write poetry.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kerosene missing in Purwokerto
Kerosene missing in Purwokerto PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Local residents here have been suffering from a kerosene drought for the past number of days, with the price soaring up to Rp 1,000 per liter from Rp 400. "There is also a limited supply of kerosene in the hands of distributors, so we have no choice but to buy it at a high price," Supardjo, 45, an oil retailer, said on Monday. Banyumas Police chief Col. Karel Risakotta indicated that several parties may have stockpiled the oil.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Political maneuverings affect the economy
Political maneuverings affect the economy Factions in the House of Representatives, particularly those of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Golkar, have been busily maneuvering lately. What binds them together is common interests such as the recent dismissal of state minister of investment and state enterprises development Laksamana Sukardi and the minister of industry and trade, Yusuf Kalla, who is prominent member of Golkar.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 22, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 725 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 375 -25 65,500 Alakasa Industrindo 1,000 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 825 -25 53,500 Alter Abadi 150 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,075 -25 18,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 0 53,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,050 -50 529,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
UT's unit restructures debt
UT's unit restructures debt JAKARTA (JP): PT United Tractors Pandu Engineering (UTE), a unit of publicly-listed heavy equipment distributor PT United Tractors, said it had closed a deal with its creditors to restructure a debt of US$14.5 million. United Tractors said in a statement that the debt- restructuring deal was signed on May 16 in Singapore.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logging rampant along Indonesian-Malaysian border
Illegal logging rampant along Indonesian-Malaysian border PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): The residents of Seriang village, where people usually live in harmony, recently became involved in a brawl with residents of a neighboring village. The reason was that the stakes indicating the border between this village and the territory of Malaysia were moved by illegal loggers. Seriang village is one of the villages in Badau subdistrict, Kapuas Hulu district, West Kalimantan.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina reviews tanker deal
Pertamina reviews tanker deal JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company PT Pertamina said on Monday it had agreed with tanker consortium Pacific LNG Transport Ltd. -- linked with former President Soeharto's family -- to cut the transportation cost of its liquefied natural gas (LNG). Pertamina's spokesman Ramli Djaafar said in a statement the cut would enable Pertamina to prevent a potential loss of US$60 million throughout the contract period of 2000 to 2010.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia in a fix over hostages in RP
Malaysia in a fix over hostages in RP By Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Guerrillas holding 21 hostages in the Philippines have put Malaysia in a bind, forcing Kuala Lumpur to consider accepting thousands of illegal immigrants in surprise talks that irked Manila. Malaysian envoys last Thursday met separately with Abu Sayyaf rebels on Jolo island, where the guerrillas have held the hostages for four weeks.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Traders cool on coffee producer plan
Traders cool on coffee producer plan SINGAPORE (Reuters): A new producer plan to bolster prices on the multi-billion dollar international raw coffee market was greeted coolly on Monday by Asia traders who suspect regional producers will find it hard to fund and to enforce. "How are they (Indonesia and Vietnam) going to finance (the scheme)? Where are they going to hold stocks?" said one trader based in Bangkok. "In the short term, it might support the futures market. But in the long run, (it) ..
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Utut wins in Vietnam
Utut wins in Vietnam JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master (GM) Super Utut Adianto made a good start in the Zone 3.2A Asia Championships in Vietnam beating International Master (IM) Petronica Rona of the Philippines on Sunday. GM Eugene Torre, also of the Philippines, only managed a draw against Sebastien S., according to a press release sent by Kristianus Liem of the Indonesian Chess Association on Monday.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
What is behind the Texmaco case?
What is behind the Texmaco case? From Warta Kota I am really indignant at the performance of the Attorney General's Office. It is highly incredible that since Soeharto's downfall there has been not one criminal in the economic field who has been brought to court. The public has all along been given news of the "progress" of the investigation of businessmen A, B and so on. The indignation grew when Attorney General Marzuki Darusman also was unable to send a case to court.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt criticized for inability to fight graft
Govt criticized for inability to fight graft JAKARTA (JP): The National Law Commission has expressed its concern over ongoing rampant corruption resulting from the sluggish movement of the government's law enforcement agencies to cope with the crime. Alleged collusion and corruption involving former president Soeharto and textile giant firm Texmaco were among major cases discussed during a meeting between the commission members and President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Catcha launches SMS service
Catcha launches SMS service JAKARTA (JP): Catcha.co.id, one of several localized search engine portals, launched on Monday its first free Short Signaling (SMS) service via the Internet. The company said the service enables visitors to the portal to send SMS messages to their friends and family, who will receive them on their mobile phones. SMS messages can be received by users of Telkomsel, Satelindo and Exelcomindo digital mobile networks, it said in a statement.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
ASF gets ISO certificate
ASF gets ISO certificate JAKARTA (JP): PT Astra Sedaya Finance (ASF), a subsidiary of PT Astra International, has received a certificate of ISO 9001 from the United Kindom-based SGS Yarsley ICS. The company said here on Monday that the ISO 9001 certification was issued by SGS Yarsley on April 10 following two days of a tough assessment in the quality of its service. "Preparation for the ISO 9001 certification was facilitated by PSC Arthur Andersen for five months," it said.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Robber shot dead in Senen
Robber shot dead in Senen JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police shot dead one of four robbers near Senen Railway Station on Monday, a police officer said. Police detectives chief Capt. Hendra Suhartiyono said an officer on patrol saw four men attempting to rob four women. Hendra said the men were using sharp weapons to threaten the women, who were waiting for a bus to their hometown of Cilacap, Central Java.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Team to amend Constitution facing contentious factions
Team to amend Constitution facing contentious factions JAKARTA (JP): The issue of nonelected seats for the military/police at the People's Consultative Assembly and direct presidential elections quickly became contentious issues as an ad hoc committee began proceedings on Constitutional amendment on Monday.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thousands of teakwood looted in Banyumas
Thousands of teakwood looted in Banyumas PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The West Banyumas forestry administration revealed that no less than 3,500 cubic meters of wood from around 10,500 trees have been looted from January to April this year. The administration chief Djoko Suhartono said that most of the trees were teakwood and pines. "From the total amount of lumber stolen, most of it was teakwood," he said. Djoko said that Banyumas is home to more than 57,000 hectares of forest.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
There is no violence in Bali
There is no violence in Bali The violent takeover of power in Fiji by George Speight and a band or armed thugs on May 19, 2000 has opened a window of opportunity for Bali to cash in on what will be millions of dollars worth of cancellations when travel agents in Australia and New Zealand open their doors this week. Unfortunately, Bali still suffers from a negative image as a result of past and current unrest in areas of this vast archipelago far distant from Bali itself.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sjahril denies involvement in Bank Bali scandal
Sjahril denies involvement in Bank Bali scandal JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin denied on Monday that he attended a Feb. 11, 1999 meeting which discussed measures to accelerate Bank Bali's loan disbursement from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). Sjahril, who testified at the trial of Djoko S.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
PBSI must work hard to keep winning ways
PBSI must work hard to keep winning ways By Primastuti Handayani KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Sunday was a time of celebration for the national team's shuttlers, with the men accomplishing their goal of bringing home the Thomas Cup and the women reaching the Uber Cup semifinals. Hendrawan, Rexy Mainaky, Tony Gunawan and Taufik Hidayat were outstanding, overcoming the pressure from their supporters who flocked to the 12,000-seat Putra Indoor Stadium.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
It's time to support businesses
It's time to support businesses By T.N. Machmud JAKARTA (JP): In a country where politics are of paramount importance and keeping political groups happy is the number one priority, it is not surprising that the plight of the ordinary businessman and what it takes for him to turn a profit or what prevents him from turning a profit, is a low priority among government officials.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two Malaysians on trial for sedition
Two Malaysians on trial for sedition KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Two leading Malaysian opposition figures went on trial Monday under a widely criticized sedition law and face up to three years' in jail if convicted. Zulkifli Sulong, editor of Harakah newspaper, denied a charge of sedition over an article which alleged that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had conspired against his jailed former deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Activist predicts violence to prevail
Activist predicts violence to prevail More than 70 suspected petty thieves have been beaten to death, or set on fire, in Greater Jakarta's streets alone in the recent months. Advisory board member of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, Munir, makes a grim prediction: violence is here to stay. Question: Beating criminal suspects to death or setting them alight rather than sending them to the police has continued in the past few months. What do you think about this?
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Student protests against Soeharto fan across city
Student protests against Soeharto fan across city JAKARTA (JP): The city witnessed another wave of anti-Soeharto protests on Monday when over 1,200 university students from different groups rallied at the Presidential Palace, Attorney General's Office and near the residence of former president Soeharto. The demands remained the same: bring the ex-strongman and alleged corruptor to court!
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
E. Timor students back in campus
E. Timor students back in campus YOGYAKARTA: At least 30 East Timorese students will continue their studies at the state Gadjah Mada University (UGM) here after taking an unscheduled leave for last year's self- determination ballot on their home soil. Deputy rector M. Anwar said the university would also maintain the government's policy of exempting the East Timorese from school fees.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tracing large-scale illegal logging business in Kalimantan
Tracing large-scale illegal logging business in Kalimantan By Edi Petebang PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): Under a scorching sun and in the presence of a number of West Kalimantan provincial officials, containers containing timber from the KM Clover were pried open on May 5 by activists from the local branch of the Indonesian Students Front and a number of other NGOs. Of the 42 containers onboard the vessel, only seven had the necessary legal documents.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Angkasa Pura faulted over tender
Angkasa Pura faulted over tender TANGERANG (JP): Head of the Tangerang chapter of the Indonesian Builders Association (Gapensi) Moch. Syafei protested on Monday discrimination and procedural violations by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura II, in appointing firms that provide supplies of equipment for itself and the airport.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cycle & Carriage open to more Astra shares
Cycle & Carriage open to more Astra shares SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Singapore auto-distributor Cycle & Carriage is open to further raising its stake in Indonesian conglomerate PT Astra International, but has no immediate plans to do so, a senior executive says. Neville Venter, C&C's group finance director, told Dow Jones Newswires in a recent interview that the Singapore company's plans to raise its stake are limited by its pocket book. "If we come up with more money again we would," Venter said.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto to be put in 'secure location'
Soeharto to be put in 'secure location' JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office announced on Monday that it would move former president Soeharto to a "secure", state-protected location to facilitate further investigations and other safety reasons. The decision came after prosecutors cut short their fourth questioning of Soeharto earlier in the day at his residence, due to a sudden increase in his blood pressure.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Volunteers clear garbage on Bidadari Island
Volunteers clear garbage on Bidadari Island JAKARTA (JP): High school students, teachers and other environmental volunteers clear garbage from the Beaches of Bidadari Island in Jakarta Bay. Sponsored by Unesco, LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Sciences) and GE Elfun (a volunteer group formed by General Electric), the activity is part of a campaign to instill the spirit of cleanliness and conservation among students.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tension in RI deters palm oil investors
Tension in RI deters palm oil investors KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Indonesia's political and social tensions have discouraged many palm oil companies in Malaysia, where land for cultivation is getting scarce, from expanding their business in its giant neighbor, industry sources said on Monday.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bambang tells Freeport to cut production for safety
Bambang tells Freeport to cut production for safety JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday copper and gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia must reduce output at its Grasberg mine in Irian Jaya to prevent another landslide at its dumping site. Bambang said the company's dumping site at Wanagon Lake was obviously no longer capable of accommodating the waste rock dumped by the company.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kwik says time needed to put business in order
Kwik says time needed to put business in order JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia still needs a longer period of time to be able to implement a sound business competition policy in an economy long dominated by a handful of powerful conglomerates, according to Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie. Kwik said on Monday that the essence of a competition policy was still new even to well-educated Indonesians, including economists and businessmen.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bridge meet interrupted by workers' strike at hotel
Bridge meet interrupted by workers' strike at hotel TANGERANG (JP): Some 200 workers of five-star Imperial Century Hotel in Lippo Karawaci staged a strike on Monday, paralyzing almost all of the hotel's activities, including a meeting of Pacific-Asia Bridge Federation (PABF). "We are demanding full health insurance coverage for workers and our family members, allowance to pay for the loss and breakage retention of hotel goods and a daily transportation allowance of Rp 7,000 (85 U.S.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
More stringent capital market law needed: Bapepam
More stringent capital market law needed: Bapepam JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) is preparing a draft law to provide sterner sanctions against law violators, according to the agency's chairman, Herwidayatmo. "We have a target of completing the draft law for the amendments to the existing 1995 Capital Market Law by September," Herwidayatmo said on Monday.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Victorious shuttlers arrive home, receive kudos from President
Victorious shuttlers arrive home, receive kudos from President JAKARTA (JP): The victorious Thomas Cup badminton team and the Uber Cup women's squad returned home from Malaysia on Monday, with their performance in the team events quieting fears about the country's chances in the Sydney Olympics.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Laskar Jihad warned over its aggressive activities
Laskar Jihad warned over its aggressive activities AMBON, Maluku (JP): Chief of the Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela warned members of Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Jihad Force) on Monday to cease all aggressive activity or face the wrath of the military. "Do not die in vain. We don't need another conflict, so the Laskar Jihad better not try to instigate more riots. That goes also for other camps," he said.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asiana converts most debts to equity
Asiana converts most debts to equity JAKARTA (JP) Publicly listed toys manufacturer PT Asiana Multi Kreasi obtained approval from shareholders here on Monday to restructure the majority of its US$31.3 million debts through a debt-to-equity swap. Asiana's president, M. Ramdani Basri, said that about 70 percent of the total debts would be converted into the company's new shares.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Main suspect in fake money case questioned
Main suspect in fake money case questioned JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives have started questioning entrepreneur Seno Adjie, a much sought after suspect in connection with the Thursday's arrest of two alleged owners of counterfeit Rp 50,000 banknotes valued at Rp 25.7 million (US$3,000) in a money changer in Blok M area. Lt. Col.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
KEM's gold output plunges due to blockade
KEM's gold output plunges due to blockade JAKARTA (JP): Australian based mining company Rio Tinto Indonesia said on Monday that gold production of its subsidiary PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) had dropped by about 400,000 per troy ounce since locals blocked the road to its mine in East Kalimantan. Rio Tinto president Noke Kiroyan said that production had dropped as the road blockade shut out diesel oil fuel and camphor supplies, which were essential during production.
Tue, 23 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police say retired general among money scam suspects
Police say retired general among money scam suspects SURABAYA (JP): Surabaya Police confirmed on Monday that three retired Army officers, including a retired general, were suspected in the production and circulation of counterfeit money totaling Rp 4.7 billion (US$546,433). Surabaya City Police deputy chief Lt. Col Susno Duadji identified the three as Brig. Gen. (ret) Soemarjono, Col. (ret) Slamet Hardjo and First Corp. (ret) Shi'in.