Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 June 2000

56 articles found

More swimmers eye Olympics

More swimmers eye Olympics JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia hopes to qualify more swimmers for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney apart from nine swimmers currently attending a training program. Secretary-general of the National Swimming Federation of Indonesia (PRSI) Abdurrahim said the swimmers could test their skills in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June, which has been acknowledged by the international swimming federation (FINA) as one of the qualifying rounds for the quadrennial event.

More consumer purchases made in cash

More consumer purchases made in cash JAKARTA (JP): More than 90 percent of all consumer purchase and business transactions in Indonesia are still made in cash, Visa International country manager Ellyana C. Fuad said on Wednesday. Ellyana said most of the local merchants were still reluctant to accept payments using credit, debit, charge, or cash cards despite the fact that the card payment could reduce risk and improve efficiency.

President to open IDB forum

President to open IDB forum JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to open a symposium to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to be held at Balai Sidang, Jakarta, on June 26. Representatives from country members of the Islamic Conference Organization, international financial agencies, ministers of the current Cabinet as well as businesspeople are expected to attend.

IPTN may not be able to repay debts: IBRA

IPTN may not be able to repay debts: IBRA JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Wednesday that the Indonesian National Aircraft Manufacturer (IPTN) might not be able to repay its debts without financial support from the government. Group head of the agency's loan collection division Mohammad Syahrial said that IPTN's debts were too high compared to its future revenues.

Italo-Indonesian trade ties, investments and activities

Italo-Indonesian trade ties, investments and activities During 1999, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Italy continued to show a surplus of US$379 million in favor of Indonesia. Data from the Central Board of Statistics indicate that Indonesia exported to Italy sports shoes, textile yarns, petroleum products, fixed vegetable oils and coal. The commodities imported from Italy were mainly capital goods, such as industrial equipment, textile and leather machinery and refined petroleum products.

Matraman witnesses commonplace brawl

Matraman witnesses commonplace brawl JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of angry Kebon Manggis and Pal Meriam residents of Matraman, East Jakarta, strung arrows, threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at each other, and exchanged stick blows on Thursday over a sudden stabbing of a man who incidentally got off a bus in their area. No fatalities were reported, but six were injured. Two residents suffered wounds from air rifle shots, two sustained head injuries, and one man was struck by an arrow on his cheek.

Singaporean firms seeking partners for business in RI

Singaporean firms seeking partners for business in RI JAKARTA (JP): A delegation of some 40 Singaporean firms met their Indonesian counterparts here on Wednesday to explore the possibility of establishing joint venture companies. The business delegation, led by the Singapore Confederation of Industries (SCI), is the first major business mission to Indonesia since the Singapore government launched early this year a loan facility worth US$235 million to spur Singaporean investments in Indonesia.

Taiwanese investment soars

Taiwanese investment soars TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP): Taiwanese investment in Southeast Asia increased 106 percent to US$407 million in the first quarter as economies in the region began recovering from the Asian financial crisis, the government said Thursday. Thailand was the top destination for Taiwanese investors, attracting US$145 million, a 28 percent increase from the same time last year, an Economics Ministry report said.

Positive thinking is what counts

Positive thinking is what counts By D. Chandramouli JAKARTA (JP): "It's the attitude that counts, at every altitude", says an ad by Lufthansa Airlines. Yes, life is really about hopes. Our very existence from one moment to another hinges on hopes. What is "positive thinking"? It is a state of mind, whereby we train ourselves to look on the bright side of things, seeing possibilities rather than problems, with the result it will soon become a habit.

Hun Sen departs for Singapore

Hun Sen departs for Singapore PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and other government officials left for Singapore on Thursday to meet Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and attend a business forum. "This is an official visit to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Singapore," Cambodia's foreign affairs minister, Hor Namhong, told reporters at Phnom Penh's Pochentong Airport. The visit will last three days.

DPR speaker tells Sjahril to resign from his position at BI

DPR speaker tells Sjahril to resign from his position at BI JAKARTA (JP): With growing speculation that Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Sjahril Sabirin may soon be implicated in the Bank Bali scandal, House of Representatives speaker Akbar Tandjung took the lead on Wednesday in saying that he should be suspended if there was lingering suspicion over his innocence.

New state secretary picked on merit: Gus Dur

New state secretary picked on merit: Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Beset by allegations of collusion and nepotism in the Bulogate scandal, President Abdurrahman Wahid installed Djohan Effendi as state secretary on Wednesday in what he said was an appointment based on merit. The President acknowledged that Djohan was a close friend of his but insisted he was a senior and qualified bureaucrat.

Grasp opportunity to recreate RI's legal system: Scholar

Grasp opportunity to recreate RI's legal system: Scholar Legal reform has proven to be one of the toughest objectives for the new government. A long-time expert on Indonesia, Daniel S. Lev, political science professor at Washington University in Seattle, shares his views. Question: How do you see the changes here? Answer: Not surprisingly, conditions are very difficult. Difficult to change and improve. One shouldn't be surprised given the last 40 years in Indonesia.

Italian businesses in Indonesia

Italian businesses in Indonesia We, Italian businesspeople of the Italian Business Association in Indonesia (IBAI), believe in Indonesia, its natural riches and potential. But most of all, we believe in its people, because with them, we work daily in firms and in the marketplace. We believe in Indonesia not only because of the law of numbers or the statistics, but especially because we know its achievements in the past 30 years, and particularly its recent history.

Manulife buys govt bonds

Manulife buys govt bonds JAKARTA (JP): Manulife Indonesia announced on Wednesday that it had purchased Rp 25 billion (US$2.94 million) worth of recapitalization bonds issued by Bank Indonesia. "The purchase demonstrates our commitment to provide our clients with high-yielding yet low-risk investments," said company president Philip Hampden-Smith.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on May 31, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Direct elections?

Direct elections? With the office of the President constantly beset by problems, the possibility of the people electing their president through direct elections instead of through their representatives in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), as is currently the case, is once again becoming a public issue.

Straw puppets to appear at Atma Jaya

Straw puppets to appear at Atma Jaya JAKARTA (JP): After taking his wayang suket (straw puppet) skills to Bogor, Bandung, Riau and even as far away as Berlin in Germany, puppeteer Slamet Gundono is bringing his hilarious contemporary show to Atma Jaya Catholic University campus on Monday evening. The piece, which is entitled Kelingan Lamun Kelangan, is taken from the epic Mahabharata and will be staged in Indonesian rather than Javanese, the traditional language of wayang.

Papuans push for freedom

Papuans push for freedom JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Delegates to the ongoing Papuan Congress called for a declaration of independence on Thursday, defying Jakarta's stern warning that their action amounts to a violation of the constitution. Although the congress is not due to wind up until Saturday, it is clear that the meeting of some 3,000 people has turned into a show of force for supporters of an independent West Papua state outside the Indonesian republic.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 31, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 725 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 275 -25 10,000 Alakasa Industrindo 950 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 -50 153,000 Alter Abadi 125 0 10,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,200 175 39,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 5,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,050 25 2,953,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Bulogate a plot against friends of Gus Dur: Alwi

Bulogate a plot against friends of Gus Dur: Alwi JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said certain parties are conspiring to use the Bulog scandal to discredit President Abdurrahman Wahid's inner circle, of which Alwi is a member. Alwi, whose name has been mentioned among the alleged beneficiaries of the Rp 35 billion scam, called a media conference at his office on Wednesday to deny any involvement in the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) case.

Win prizes over Internet

Win prizes over Internet JAKARTA (JP): Southeast Asia-based online contest provider ContestOnly.com has launched a new site to tap into the Internet markets of Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The new site provides Internet users in each of the markets a site to join and win contests and competitions in their own country as well as those held at a regional level. The company said it had spent US$1.5 million in developing and launching the site.

Oil prices in Asia regain some losses

Oil prices in Asia regain some losses SINGAPORE (Reuters): Crude prices in Asia on Thursday bounced higher on bargain-hunting, regaining some of the losses made in the New York market, where prices dropped sharply on speculation of an OPEC output rise soon. U.S. stocks data, which showed a fall in both crude and gasoline stocks, as the nation heads into summer, helped shore up oil prices. July U.S.

HSBC, Delta sign deal

HSBC, Delta sign deal JAKARTA (JP): Hong Kong-based bank HSBC Indonesia has secured a contract to handle cash management for publicly listed brewer PT Delta Djakarta, the bank said here on Wednesday. Under the agreement signed on Wednesday, HSBC will provide cash management services, including account information services and funds transfers for suppliers, and trade payments as well as salary transfers to Delta Djakarta.

BI says no fake Rp 100,000 notes found

BI says no fake Rp 100,000 notes found JAKARTA (JP): While acknowledging that some Rp 100,000 banknotes have a defect, Bank Indonesia said the money is not fake. "The banknotes are genuine, but flawed," the central bank's deputy governor Aulia Pohan said in a media statement. The central bank issued the statement on Wednesday in response to newspaper reports that there was a defect in the Rp 100,000 notes, in which the ink smudged if rubbed by a finger or a sharp object.

Counterfeit banknotes

Counterfeit banknotes From Pikiran Rakyat The police have, in their integrated operation, successfully nabbed some of the members of a syndicate making a large amount of counterfeit Rp 50,000 banknotes. Ironically, the banknotes were printed with the picture of former president Soeharto, while the new Rp 50,000 banknotes depict Soepratman. Therefore, it is now time for the government to take preventive measures, namely by withdrawing the banknotes in question from circulation.

Tutor Time child-care provider

Tutor Time child-care provider Ingrid's little boy was growing fast. Soon he would have to go to preschool. She started looking around for a good one. Ingrid found many schools in Jakarta but none that really satisfied her expectations. Reluctantly she put her son in one but without feeling good about doing so. While on a holiday in the U.S., Ingrid made a chance visit to Tutor Time, the child-care provider for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was it!

Explosion in Nganjuk linked to Laskar Jihad?

Explosion in Nganjuk linked to Laskar Jihad? SURABAYA (JP): Police here were thinking on Wednesday that the grenade that exploded on Tuesday in a van in Nganjuk, some 130 kilometers to the southwest belonged to the Yogyakarta-based Laskar Jihad (Jihad Force) Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. In a related development, Yogyakarta Police went on Thursday to Mulungan subdistrict in Sleman north of Yogyakarta and searched the rented house of Rifzikka Helta, one of the passengers who died in the blast.

Antiviolence task force formed

Antiviolence task force formed BOGOR (JP): A total of 15 principals from vocational high schools in Bogor agreed on Wednesday to establish a task force at each school to prevent rampant student brawls, drug problems and vandalism. "We agreed to establish this task force as we see growing problems, such as the distribution of drugs in schools," Raan Sumarna, the principal of SMK PGRI 2 Bogor, said.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, June 2, 2000

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, June 2, 2000 Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition by Eddy Sundara, at Negeri Lama Gallery, Jl. Cinere Raya A-36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7543133), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Jun. 25. * Painting Exhibition by John Van Der Sterren at Galeri Kafe Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), until Jun. 5. * Graphics Exhibition by Syahnagra Ismail and Herry Dim, at Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza complex, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No.

Man robbed outside bank

Man robbed outside bank JAKARTA (JP): Menteng Police detectives are searching for two men who robbed a man outside the Menteng branch of the BNI bank on Jl. Cut Meutiah at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives Capt. Hendra Suhartiyono identified the victim as Dartam, 35, a customer of the bank's Menteng branch.

BATAN focusing research on farming and health

BATAN focusing research on farming and health JAKARTA (JP): The national agency on atomic technology says it has switched from long-term, costly projects to those, such as farming and public health, which give more immediate benefit to the public. Head of the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN) Iyos R. Subki said on Wednesday that although the agency endured a budget cut from Rp 30 billion to Rp 16 billion last year, it was not the main cause of the reorientation of the agency.

Cold reception for a strong currency

Cold reception for a strong currency By Frank Vinke This is the first of a two-part article looking at the fate of the euro and its prospects. JAKARTA (JP): On Jan. 1 1999, 11 member countries of the European Union merged their currencies to form a brand new monetary unit, the euro. This created a single currency zone stretching across Europe, covering a market comparable to that of the United States. The transition is not yet complete. At present, the euro exists only in bank accounts.

10 firms prepared for privatization

10 firms prepared for privatization JAKARTA (JP): Ten state-owned companies have been put on a primary list for privatization this year, according to an updated master plan to be issued by the Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises and Investment.

BCA's debut fails to boost sentiment on capital market

BCA's debut fails to boost sentiment on capital market JAKARTA (JP): Bank Central Asia's much waited stock market debut on Wednesday failed to boost the bearish sentiment on the local exchange as lingering uncertainty over the political and social situations continued. BCA shares quickly gained Rp 25 to reach Rp 1,425 right after the market opened and increased Rp 25 further to momentarily touch Rp 1,450.

Int'l Ramayana seminar in Bali

Int'l Ramayana seminar in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: About 400 participants from 40 countries are scheduled to participate in a seminar on the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, to be held at Udayana University here on Sept. 13 to Sept. 15. Among the distinguished participants will be Indian Vice President Shri Krishnakant, vice chairman of the seminar's organizing committee Somvir was quoted by Antara as saying. At least 100 speakers from Asia, Europe, the U.S.

Why not use local language!

Why not use local language! Besides locally assembled personal computers (PCs), there are a lot of ready built PCs entering the Indonesian market. Hewlett Packard, Compaq and Acer to mention but a few. All these brands appear almost everyday in print advertisements, side by side with local brands. It is advantageous because consumers will have more choices and prices could be lower because of tighter competition among these world class computer manufacturers.

Parking at Graha Medika

Parking at Graha Medika From Kompas In March, my family and I traveled from Bandung to Jakarta to see one of our relatives who was being treated at Graha Medika Hospital. We were at the hospital for about 30 minutes. When we returned to our car, the front right signal lamp was on the ground. We did not report this to the relevant authorities then because we were able to put the light back in place. Our car was parked about five meters from the parking ticket post.

Ex-drug addict Iskandar caught up in the beauty of art

Ex-drug addict Iskandar caught up in the beauty of art BANDUNG (JP): "One day I was dying to buy shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) because I had gone without the drug for a week," Iskandarsyah recalled. But I did not have enough money and the drug dealer refused to give me the substance." Iskandar was so desperate and frustrated he wanted to hack the dealer to death. Fortunately, his friend, Yon, calmed him down.

Cage for Soeharto

Cage for Soeharto If everything goes according to plan, one of world's former richest and most powerful people, according to Forbes magazine, will soon be put in a "cage" in his own house. In other words, placed under house arrest. Following his forced resignation three years ago, former president Soeharto has been under investigation by the Attorney General's Office for abuse of power and practicing corruption, collusion and nepotism. The task has been taken on by the police.

Asian currencies mostly stronger

Asian currencies mostly stronger HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Indonesian rupiah gained ground Thursday on talk the government is considering capital controls, while the won lost some in part on concerns that Korea's chaebol haven't yet overcome their liquidity problems. The other Asian currencies were mostly stronger during the session and following the rupiah, although the baht also got some support from hope that Moody's Investors Service Inc. will soon upgrade Thailand's credit rating.

Unrest blamed on Soeharto's supporters

Unrest blamed on Soeharto's supporters JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono said on Thursday he believed a series of riots and disturbances plaguing the country were linked to supporters of former president Soeharto. Juwono said after a commemoration of the birth of state ideology Pancasila that "the New Order people" were stirring up trouble in a bid to shake the government of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

BPS chief exits with snipe at President Abdurrahman

BPS chief exits with snipe at President Abdurrahman JAKARTA (JP): Minutes before relinquishing his post as Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) chief, Sugito Suwito fired back at President Abdurrahman Wahid, saying he was being truthful in scaling back his economic growth projection. Sugito blasted the President on Wednesday for his comment that he lowered the projection out of spite because he knew he was about to be replaced. "It has nothing to with that.

Thones' death still puzzling as no bullet wounds found

Thones' death still puzzling as no bullet wounds found JAKARTA (JP): The cloud of mystery surrounding the death of Dutch reporter Sander Thoenes thickened on Wednesday when a former East Timor military commander said doctors had found no gunshot wounds in the slain journalist's body. Previously he was suspected to have been shot to death. Maj. Gen.

Dengue on rise in E. Kalimantan

Dengue on rise in E. Kalimantan BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: At least 11 people have died and nearly 280 others have been hospitalized in the two largest cities in the province this year due to dengue fever. Balikpapan city administration spokesman Oemy Fascessly said the three dengue-related deaths in the city occurred in May. About 138 people have been hospitalized in Balikpapan.

The first family starts decadal national census

The first family starts decadal national census JAKARTA (JP): The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) initiated on Thursday the decadal National Census, with President Abdurrahman Wahid, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso as the first three respondents. President Abdurrahman was the first to be censused at about 10:30 a.m., followed by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso at 12:30 p.m., and then vice president Megawati Soekarnoputri at about 2 p.m.

Govt guarantee on L/Cs extended

Govt guarantee on L/Cs extended JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia deputy governor Dono Iskandar Djojosubroto said on Wednesday that the government guarantee on letters of credit (L/Cs) issued by local banks had been extended through December 2000. Dono said L/Cs maturing in June 2001 would still be guaranteed by the government via the central bank. "Our economy has not yet fully recovered, so foreign banks still ask for guarantees.

Dharmala Sakti goes bust as debt restructuring opposed

Dharmala Sakti goes bust as debt restructuring opposed JAKARTA (JP): In an unprecedented event, creditors voted on Wednesday at the Jakarta Commercial Court to bankrupt publicly listed PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera after they turned down the latter's debt restructuring proposal.

Crime worries in Batam

Crime worries in Batam BATAM, Riau: The number of Indonesian businesspeople of Chinese descent owning firearms is reportedly on the rise in Batam island,Antara reported. Chairman of the Batam chapter of the Chinese Brotherhood, Suhendro Gautama, said here on Wednesday there were increasing reports of Chinese businesspeople being the target of various crimes. However, he stressed that the targeting of Chinese businesspeople was not racially motivated.

Jasindo to expand overseas

Jasindo to expand overseas JAKARTA (JP): State-owned general insurance firm PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Jasindo) is to expand overseas as part of efforts to anticipate the 2003 free trade era in the Southeast Asian region, company president Amiruddin Riayat said on Wednesday. Amiruddin said the company was set to open its first overseas branch on Friday in Labuan, Malaysia.

Irene named 1999's best female athlete

Irene named 1999's best female athlete JAKARTA (JP): Irene Truitje Joseph (left), gold medalist in the women's 100m dash in the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, lifts up the 1999 best female athlete award which was handed over by Wismoyo Arismunandar (right), the chairman of the National Sports Council. Irene broke five national records during 1999, including the 18-year-old 200m dash record and the 14-year-old 100m dash record.

Violence raises curtain on Aceh peace enactment

Violence raises curtain on Aceh peace enactment BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence persisted ahead of the implementation of the humanitarian pause in the troubled province of Aceh on Friday. A military officer and four civilians were injured and over 2,000 people sought refuge in a fresh outbreak of violence on Wednesday and Thursday. The four civilians are reportedly in critical condition from gunshot wounds. East Aceh Police Chief Lt. Col.

New IMF chief Koehler open to AMF, capital control

New IMF chief Koehler open to AMF, capital control BANGKOK (Reuters): Neither the idea of an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) nor controls on capital movement were "taboo" to the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said on Thursday. However, IMF MD Horst Koehler added caveats and qualifications to his comments on both issues.

Trias to split shares, restructure debts

Trias to split shares, restructure debts SURABAYA (JP): Publicly listed packaging paper producer PT Trias Sentosa won the approval of its shareholders on Wednesday to split its stocks in a bid to improve the liquidity of the company's shares on the stock market. The shareholders also allowed the management to take all actions needed to restructure its US$150 million debts.

Medan's bomb

Medan's bomb Other communities might consider Medan's reaction to the latest bombings. People seem to realize that the church bombings were not motivated by religious conviction, and, therefore, they haven't felt compelled by mistaken religious identity and pride to engage in face-saving revenge. (Instead people suspect the hidden hand of nonsubversive forces behind the bombings, with New Order dictator as the favorite target of speculation). Governor T.

Motorists enjoy free parking facilities

Motorists enjoy free parking facilities JAKARTA (JP): While a parking dispute is being tried at the Jakarta State Administrative Court, motorists can enjoy free parking at several private parking lots until a ruling is issued on the case. As of Thursday, hundreds of visitors at Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta, Medistra Hospital and Plaza Kuningan in South Jakarta were surprised when parking attendants allowed them to leave without paying for parking.