Archive: 16 June 2000
53 articles found
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kalla demands government revive Bukaka's deal
Kalla demands government revive Bukaka's deal JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of industry and trade Yusuf Kalla said on Wednesday he would continue his fight against the government's recent decision to revoke the contract awarded by state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to his company. "We want PLN to cancel the plan to retender the project, which we have already won," Kalla said following a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission III.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Analysts fear RP is doomed to instability
Analysts fear RP is doomed to instability By Terry Friel MANILA (Reuters): A wave of nationalism over an assault on Muslim separatists may lift Philippine President Joseph Estrada's flagging fortunes, but his country is doomed to years of instability unless he makes headway against a raft of other woes. Two years ago, the Philippines appeared to have survived the Asian economic meltdown better than most of its neighbors.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
AsiaPaperMarkets.com gets S$10m in funding
AsiaPaperMarkets.com gets S$10m in funding SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): AsiaPaperMarkets.com, an online pulp and paper marketplace, has received S$10 million (US$5.8 million) in first-round funding from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, AsiaTech Ventures and AsiaCommerce, the venture's shareholders, according to a press release by AsiaPaperMarkets.com Wednesday.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thousands attend 'Gerebek Maulud'
Thousands attend 'Gerebek Maulud' YOGYAKARTA: Thousands of people thronged a square in front of Yogyakarta Palace on Thursday to commemorate Prophet Muhammad's birthday in an annual ritual locally known as Gerebek Maulud. The people, many of whom came from neighboring towns of Purworejo, Surakarta, Wonosobo, Magelang, arrived in the morning on buses and trucks to get places in front with a hope of seeing Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X up close.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on June 14, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indian palm oil duty hike rattles global markets
Indian palm oil duty hike rattles global markets BOMBAY (Reuters): International palm oil prices fell on Wednesday following India's decision to raise import duties on vegetable oils to curb surging imports but traders said most of the damage had already been done. India, which became the world's leading edible oils importer after overtaking China in recent years, has repeatedly hiked duties under pressure from farmers hit by falling global prices.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Expat racism
Expat racism I am an Indonesian woman married to a European. I've lived in Europe for five years and in Australia for 15 years. With a high level of education, from a good family and as an ex-stewardess, I speak and write a few languages. Since I used to live in Australia, I have adopted the way and style the Australians dress -- casual and comfortable. I don't put make up on my young-looking face. To me it is the quality that counts.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Merpati expects profit
Merpati expects profit JAKARTA (JP): State-owned airline Merpati Nusantara expects to book Rp 100 billion (US$12.5 million) in profit this year, up from over Rp 60 billion earned last year, company president Wahyu Hidayat said on Wednesday. "The projection is based on the fact that we have until June to net a profit of about Rp 50 billion," he was quoted by Antara as saying after signing an agreement with Bank Bukopin.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fans protest shuttlers ban
Fans protest shuttlers ban BANDUNG (JP): Badminton lovers arrived on Wednesday at the West Java provincial council, protesting a ban which prevents the province's Olympics qualified shuttlers from competing in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya next week. The fans questioned chairman of commission E for social affairs Ruchiyat Noor over the ban.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
JF ticket too expensive
JF ticket too expensive From Neraca I cheerfully welcomed the opening of Jakarta Fair (JF) 2000 in celebration of Jakarta's anniversary. JF is very popular and is meant to be a cheap and entertaining event, so my family and I never fail to visit it every year. In the grounds everybody can enjoy themselves and can buy things at reasonable prices. However, this year Jakarta Fair is not so exciting simply because of the prevailing economic crisis.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
BI eases rulings to boost bank lending
BI eases rulings to boost bank lending JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia has temporarily relaxed three bank rulings in a bid to encourage banks to lend more money to the real sector, and to help accelerate the corporate restructuring process. Bank Indonesia deputy governor Subarjo Joyosumarto said on Wednesday that the calculation of capital adequacy ratio (CAR) had been improved by taking into account a bank's loan loss reserve requirement into risk-weighted assets.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Military police feared likely to stall July 27 probe
Military police feared likely to stall July 27 probe JAKARTA (JP): Legislator Pande Nabanan doubts that the government will be able to solve the July 27, 1996, bloody takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters. He, instead, feared that the investigation into the case would meet the same fate as many other unresolved cases after they reach the hands of the Military Police (MP).
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Human rights, election amandment agreed
Human rights, election amandment agreed JAKARTA (JP): Major factions at the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) Ad Hoc Committee (PAH) have agreed to insert a chapter on human rights and a free and fair general election into the Amendments to the 1945 Constitution. Ad Hoc committee chairman Jacob Tobing said representatives of almost all 10 factions in the committee were of the opinion that human rights and a free and fair general election are two elementary factors in developing democracy.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Culture team to go to New York
Culture team to go to New York JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will send a cultural team of traditional dancers and singers to New York in an attempt to help restore the country's falling image, an official said on Thursday. "There are 23 members in the team of dancers and singers promoting Indonesia's rich cultures and traditions," coordinator of the team Dian Wildiana told The Jakarta Post. "The team will be there for about a month to present the dances and songs," she added.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Farmers rally for land
Farmers rally for land BANDUNG: More than a thousand of farmers from the Pasundan Farmer Union staged a rally in front of the local administrative office on Wednesday. Arriving in dozens of buses and trucks, the farmers demanded that the government give them uncultivated land. The union's secretary-general Agustiana said the government should limit concessions granted to big plantation companies.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's online banking race
Indonesia's online banking race The following article by Fabrice Desmarescaux is based on a presentation in a seminar on e-finance. It was held here on June 5 by, among others, McKinsey & Company's Financial Institutions Group, where the writer is a senior consultant. JAKARTA: Online banking -- a trend that is sweeping the world -- has been notably slow to take off in Indonesia.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pretty cushions the latest export item in Yogya
Pretty cushions the latest export item in Yogya By Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): "Never ever sit on a pillow or you will get boils all over your buttocks," so Javanese parents used to advise their children. This rather superstitious belief is intended to ensure that children will always maintain decency because, according to Javanese custom, it is improper to sit on a pillow. A pillow is only for the head to rest on and not for the buttocks to sit on.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
KAI bans staff from watching Euro 2000
KAI bans staff from watching Euro 2000 BANDUNG (JP): State railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has instructed its operational and technical division employees not to watch Euro 2000 matches in the evenings in order for them to rest. The instruction, numbered KL/66, was distributed to all railway operational areas in Indonesia on Tuesday. The effort has been made by the company to maintain service and security for its passengers.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bakin witness doubts Haryogi's gun permits
Bakin witness doubts Haryogi's gun permits JAKARTA (JP): An employee of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakin) testified on Wednesday that he doubted the authenticity of two gun permits owned by Haryogi M. Maulani, a defendant in an alleged illegal arms possession case. The permits were allegedly issued by Bakin for Haryogi, the son of former Bakin chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Zaini Azhar Maulani, to use an AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova) rifle and a Walther handgun.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
KONI asks for athletes' personal Olympic targets
KONI asks for athletes' personal Olympic targets JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has urged 11 sports organizations, whose athletes are preparing for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney in September, to set maximum targets in the quadrennial event. "By August, athletes must be able to set the highest targets they expect to reach in the Olympics.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Singapore's Neptune bids for Indonesian terminal
Singapore's Neptune bids for Indonesian terminal SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. Wednesday said its American President Lines unit is leading a consortium bidding for 48.52 percent of a container port in Jakarta. A NOL spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday APL is bidding to be the second largest shareholder in Koja Container Terminal at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 14, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 675 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 325 0 115,000 Alakasa Industrindo 675 -350 500 Alfa Retailindo 825 0 110,000 Alter Abadi 125 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,050 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 28,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,025 25 732,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
East Timor wants a new gap treaty with Australia
East Timor wants a new gap treaty with Australia SYDNEY (Agencies): East Timor wants to dismantle the Timor Gap treaty and draw up new maritime boundaries, putting virtually all the petroleum-rich Australia-Indonesia joint development area under Dili's control, a report said Thursday.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Situation remains tense in brawl-torn Matraman
Situation remains tense in brawl-torn Matraman JAKARTA (JP): Tension was the prevailing mood in the Matraman area, East Jakarta, on Thursday as residents of the bickering Kebon Manggis and Palmeriam subdistricts remained cautious of possible attacks following a fresh brawl on Tuesday night. "I'm afraid to go home. I think I'll sleep at the market," Inem, 55, who lives in the Berlan area in Kebon Manggis, but sells small wood cupboards at the Palmeriam market, told The Jakarta Post.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
WB links loans to reform programs
WB links loans to reform programs JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank warned the government on Wednesday that it must be able to provide concrete results of its economic reform programs and its efforts to curb corruption in order to continue receiving financial support from international donors.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies down in late trading
Asian currencies down in late trading SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies drifted lower late Thursday, relinquishing their earlier gains as relief over signs the U.S. Federal Reserve could pursue a less aggressive monetary policy faded away, dealers said. U.S. consumer price index data unveiled overnight added to recent evidence the U.S. Federal Reserve could wait until August before raising interest rates again.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's plan on graft probe evokes skepticism
Gus Dur's plan on graft probe evokes skepticism JAKARTA (JP): There is growing skepticism among anticorruption activists over President Abdurrahman Wahid's claim that he had solicited Washington's help to combat corruption and investigate the wealth of former top Indonesian officials.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Japan: Asia must have bigger voice in IMF decision-making
Japan: Asia must have bigger voice in IMF decision-making TOKYO (AFP): Japan will press its Group of Seven partners for Asia to be given a bigger voice in International Monetary Fund decision-making, a top government official said Thursday. The IMF, long dominated by the United States and Europe, had to take account of Asia's growing role in the world economy, said vice finance minister for international affairs Haruhiko Kuroda.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso to quit city companies
Sutiyoso to quit city companies JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso will shortly resign from his position as chief supervisor at six city-owned companies, locally known as perusahaan daerah (PD), as ordered by Law No. 22/1999 on Regional Autonomy, an official said on Monday. Sutiyoso has already resigned from his position as chief commissioner at city-owned Bank DKI.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Election Commission officialy dissolved
Election Commission officialy dissolved JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has issued two decrees on the dissolution of the much-criticized General Elections Commission (KPU) and dismissal of its 53 members. "All former KPU members are expected to return all facilities, including official cars and cellular phones, to the state," spokesman for the election commission Djoeharmansyah told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. The decrees were officially signed on June 7.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Lethargy in the Cabinet
Lethargy in the Cabinet It is not only in fighting corruption and reviving the economy that the Cabinet of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is showing inaction, but also in resisting the nation's disintegration and managing natural disasters. We can see how the government has lost its initiative in resolving the sectarian clashes in Ambon and North Maluku. Now the same problem is affecting the efforts to relieve the plight of earthquake victims in Bengkulu.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bank Buana to go public
Bank Buana to go public JAKARTA (JP): PT Bank Buana Indonesia plans to sell 970 million new shares or 20 percent of its enlarged stocks to the public next month to raise funds for equity improvement. The bank's president, Jimmy Laihad, said on Wednesday the new shares would be offered to the public during the first week of July before being listed on the Jakarta and Surabaya stock exchanges in late July.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian maids conned in S'pore
Indonesian maids conned in S'pore SINGAPORE (AFP): Two Indonesian maids were cheated of their savings by a conwoman, the Straits Times reported on Thursday. Kusmini Mangunsokiran and Farah between them gave S$270 (US$157) to a conwoman who promised to exchange the money for the "new look" rupiah. The conwoman had told the two maids their existing rupiah notes were no longer in circulation.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Ceramics Exhibition by F Widayanto Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3813021, 34833954), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 16. * Painting Exhibition by Tsubasa and Nasution, Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Phone: 5201266), Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., until June 17.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA loses another legal fight against defaulters
IBRA loses another legal fight against defaulters JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has rejected a bankruptcy appeal filed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) against palm oil producer PT Sumi Asih, marking another failure in the agency's legal battles against debt defaulters. Sustaining the Jakarta Commercial Court's late April ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that IBRA should file the law suit at the district court instead of at the bankruptcy court.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soldier killed in armed attack
Soldier killed in armed attack AMBON, Maluku: A soldier was killed in a mob attack in this riot-stricken town on Thursday, an official said. Pvt. Rifel de Queljoe of the 733rd Airborne Infantry Battalion died of stab wounds in the abdomen when he and his colleague, Second Sgt. David Masbaitubun, were going to a traditional market in Tulehu village in Salahutu district. "In an intersection in the area, the motorbike ridden by the soldiers bumped onto a pedicab.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
'No outside influence to TNI reshuffle'
'No outside influence to TNI reshuffle' A document called Bulak Rantai, which refers to the meeting place of senior Army officers, has circulated ahead of a rumored major military reshuffle speculating the replacement of some prominent officers. Military observer Lt. Gen. (ret) Hasnan Habib gives his views on the dissemination of the document.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rebel in Holland urges RP attacks
Rebel in Holland urges RP attacks MANILA (AFP): Philippine officials are to lodge a formal complaint with the Netherlands over an Utrecht-based communist leader's order for guerrillas to step up attacks against Filipino troops. A senior aide to President Joseph Estrada said on Thursday Manila was incensed over comments made by National Democratic Front (NDF) chairman Luis Jalandoni on an NDF website.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur cleared of all suspicions
Gus Dur cleared of all suspicions JAKARTA (JP): Police declared on Wednesday President Abdurrahman Wahid free of all charges involving the Rp 35 billion scandal at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), but said that they still needed to question him to help clarify the matter. "Our investigation shows that up until now, our President is clean," Jakarta Police chief of detectives Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said at a media conference.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians find it difficult to remain objective: Scientist
Indonesians find it difficult to remain objective: Scientist JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians still find it difficult to remain objective or accept the presence of ideas that are not akin to their personal convictions. The adversity to ideas which they regard as foreign is often evident in their rejection of even accepting the presence of books on these alternative ideas.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
TNI chief, Juwono to restructure powerful TNI
TNI chief, Juwono to restructure powerful TNI JAKARTA (JP): The restructurization of the Indonesian Military (TNI) is being worked upon by the defense ministry and TNI itself, defense minister Juwono Sudarsono said on Wednesday. The minister said reorganization was urgently needed because there were many more high-ranking military officers than positions available for them.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
'MTV' amplifies promotion in Indonesia
'MTV' amplifies promotion in Indonesia By C. Stevens JAKARTA (JP): Throughout the past five years there has been a dangerous beast hunting the cultural souls of Indonesia's youth, corrupting the young and impressionable with hours of frivolous pop. The animal can be summoned with a twitch of the index finger and is on call 24 hours a day, providing you have access to satellite television.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian bond market shrugs off upgrade talk
Indonesian bond market shrugs off upgrade talk HONG KONG (Reuters): Indonesian sovereign and major corporate debt shrugged off comments by a major ratings agency that the country may be upgraded from its current 'Selective Default (SD)' level. However, dealers noted the Indonesian debt market tends to be dominated by high yield accounts based in the U.S., and rarely moves much in the Asian time zone and any upgrade would have little effect.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
BCA to launch online banking in August
BCA to launch online banking in August JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Central Asia (BCA) will launch online banking services in August and enter the business- to-customer e-commerce next year, company president D.E. Setijoso said on Wednesday. Setijoso said the development of an Internet-based service was part of the company's strategy to strengthen its position as a major payment-settlement bank in the future. "We are not establishing Internet banking for the fame.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
District Court hears first trial on Matori
District Court hears first trial on Matori JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court commenced on Wednesday the trial of a man alleged to have been involved in the attempted murder of National Awakening Party chairman Matori Abdul Djalil last March. Prosecutor Abdul Kamar Badrun told the court he would present at least 20 witnesses who would testify in connection with the case, and defendant Achmad Tazul Arifin, alias Sabar, 33.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Telkom, Indosat awarded project
Telkom, Indosat awarded project JAKARTA (JP): State-owned listed telecom firms PT Telkom and PT Indosat have been assigned to install new telephone lines until 2004, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Director General of Post and Telecommunications Sasmito Dirdjo was quoted by Antara as saying the development project, worth about US$4 billion, would increase the country's landline telephone density from the current 2.9 percent to 4 percent by the year 2004.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto awards for Gus Dur and Marzuki
Soeharto awards for Gus Dur and Marzuki JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and Attorney General Marzuki Darusman are among some of the recipients of the second ignoble "Soeharto Awards" from the University of Indonesia's (UI) Student Executive Council. Abdurrahman won in two categories in the student poll -- for failing to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) and for maintaining the status quo. Marzuki was chosen in the anti-law supremacy category.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI, Thailand, KL to sign rubber pact
RI, Thailand, KL to sign rubber pact BANGKOK, Thailand (AP): The world's three largest producers of natural rubber - Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia - are preparing to sign a joint declaration on cooperation in the rubber industry on July 7. The eight areas of cooperation under the declaration will help farmers with small plots of land to get better rubber prices, Dow Jones Newswires reported Wednesday quoting Chakarn Saengruksawong, deputy director-general of the department of agriculture.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
President delays Australian visit
President delays Australian visit NEW YORK (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has again decided to delay his plan to visit Australia following mounting domestic opposition. The President was quoted as saying by foreign minister Alwi Shihab on Tuesday that the Australian trip had been rescheduled until after the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly to be held from Aug. 5 through Aug. 12.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto to return wealth: Gus Dur
Soeharto to return wealth: Gus Dur TEHRAN (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid hinted on Thursday former president Soeharto would comply with popular demand to return his family's wealth to the state. In his address to Indonesian society here, Abdurrahman said a negotiation between Soeharto's family and the government, which would grant Soeharto a presidential pardon if the former ruler returned all of his ill-gotten assets, is underway.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Astratel ties up with foreign investment firm
Astratel ties up with foreign investment firm JAKARTA (JP): London-based investment company CDC Capital Partners has signed a strategic alliance agreement with PT Astratel Nusantara, an affiliate of automotive concern PT Astra International. Under the agreement, CDC will inject US$30 million as equity participation in Astratel and it would, in return, get a 22.5 percent ownership in Astratel.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Garuda, get real!
Garuda, get real! Following Garuda Indonesia's advertisement in The Jakarta Post on June 12, 2000, I would like to relate my recent unpleasant experience with the airline and ask why it is thanking its customers for complaining but then doing nothing about the complaints. In February this year, I was traveling with my husband from Denpasar to Jakarta, after our wedding on Bali.
Fri, 16 Jun 2000, 00:00 WIB
Radiotherapist brutally murdered
Radiotherapist brutally murdered JAKARTA (JP): Police are still investigating the death of a female radiotherapist, known as a generous person by her neighbors, who was found dead on Wednesday. "We have questioned six people but we cannot make any conclusions yet," South Jakarta Police detectives chief Maj. Ahmad Alwi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. Alwi said the body of Nurmala Sitorus, 60, was found in the bathroom of her house on Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VI K No.