Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 June 2000

47 articles found

Government to revise state security bill

Government to revise state security bill JAKARTA (JP): The government will revise the controversial State Security Bill to include a provision that will require the approval of both the provincial council and local administration prior to a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in a particular area.

Old Batavian kampong played historical role

Old Batavian kampong played historical role By Ida Indawati Khouw This 44th article of a weekly series on protected buildings and sites is about the roles of Jatinegara Kaum, one of the oldest kampongs in Jakarta, and the tombs of two local figures. JAKARTA (JP): Located in East Jakarta, the Jatinegara Kaum area has a long history as a "refugee" settlement for inhabitants of Jayakarta (an old name of Jakarta) following the Dutch occupation since 1619.

US$16m for East Timor

US$16m for East Timor LISBON (AFP): Donor countries on Friday pledged an additional US$16 million (17 million euros) to help East Timor meet its budget commitments for the coming year. The pledge came in a statement following a three-day donors' conference here. Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN transitional administrator for East Timor, said several countries had not been able to make a firm commitment since their contributions would be subject to approval by their own parliaments.

Isolating Maluku?

Isolating Maluku? At last, the government is losing its patience. Frustrated by 20 months of bloodshed and violence, President Abdurrahman Wahid banned all travel by "outsiders" to the eastern Indonesian province of Maluku yesterday. The government's concern over what is happening in Maluku is entirely justified.

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, June 24, 2000

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, June 24, 2000 Exhibitions * Irian Jaya (Papua) Art and Culture Care Exhibition at Arkadia Plaza, Arkadia Office Building, Jl. T.B. Simatupang kav. 88, South Jakarta, June 24. * Paintings, Ceramics, Sculptures, Graphic Arts Exhibition, Kompas-Bentara Budaya's Collections at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, West Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until June 25.

Govt close Maluku to outsiders

Govt close Maluku to outsiders JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid announced on Friday a travel ban to the riot-torn provinces of Maluku and North Maluku due to accusations that outsiders, especially from Jakarta, are fanning the sectarian violence there.

Police to question Gus Dur on Monday

Police to question Gus Dur on Monday JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to be questioned as a witness by Jakarta Police detectives on Monday over the Rp 35 billion State Logistics Agency scandal, an officer said on Friday. The head of the general information unit at National Police Headquarters, Col. Saleh Saaf, said city police detectives sent a letter on Thursday informing the President of Monday's questioning.

RI mulls purchase of Chinese subs

RI mulls purchase of Chinese subs JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is considering purchasing Chinese-made submarines in the near future. The chairman of the Indonesia-China Economic and Sociocultural Association, Sukamdani Sahid Gitosarjono, told journalists after accompanying visiting Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China Congress Wang Guang Ying to a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Friday, that the idea had been proposed by the President.

Megawati visits Air Force cadets

Megawati visits Air Force cadets YOGYAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri completed her tour of four military and police academies, with a visit on Friday to the Air Force Academy here. Megawati described her trip to the academy and the sultanate town where she was born on Jan. 23, 1947 as a reminiscence of her youth when she accompanied her father, the founding president, in a meeting with cadets there.

Judge says Hendra's pretrial win doesn't mean early release

Judge says Hendra's pretrial win doesn't mean early release JAKARTA (JP): Wanted suspect Hendra Rahardja may have won the pretrial lawsuit on Friday that he filed against the National Police Headquarters, but it does not mean that he will be released from prison in Australia, the presiding judge said. "The plaintiff has not been tried for his alleged crime in Indonesia, so how can he be freed?

Reinvestigate Tg Priok bloodshed: Kontras

Reinvestigate Tg Priok bloodshed: Kontras JAKARTA (JP): The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has demanded the national rights body reinvestigate the 1984 Tanjung Priok bloodshed. Amid protests that the rights body be dissolved, Kontras also demanded on Friday that the reinvestigation be conducted by a different set of people representing the National Commission on Human Rights.

Shuttler Taufik criticizes PBSI over sponsorship deal

Shuttler Taufik criticizes PBSI over sponsorship deal JAKARTA (JP): Rising badminton star Taufik Hidayat has criticized the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) for skimming off 50 percent of a sponsorship deal he recently signed with a Japan-based electronic company. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a media conference on Friday Taufik said the association's cut was too much. He claimed the association was "doing nothing to get sponsorship deals".

Standard Chartered Bank responds

Standard Chartered Bank responds This refers to the letter from Mr. Adrianus Hiyung Tjung that appeared in The Jakarta Post on June 20, 2000. We have since investigated the matter, and following a meeting between Mr. Tjung and officers from the bank, the issue has now been resolved to his satisfaction. We regret the inconvenience faced by Mr. Tjung and have taken appropriate measures to ensure that there is no repetition of such an incident in the future.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 23, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 675 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 350 0 3,540,500 Alakasa Industrindo 600 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 875 25 73,000 Alter Abadi 200 0 17,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,150 -50 35,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 25 3,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,100 -25 1,171,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Tragedy of the seas in RI archipelago

Tragedy of the seas in RI archipelago By Roger Michael Johnson and Daniel Rosyid This is the second of two articles on fisheries. SURABAYA (JP): An artisanal fishery is characterized by much greater importance being placed on labor rather than on capital, by small, flexible and locally significant operations, and by having a very low impact on the environment. Boats belong to owner-operators and crew are rewarded with a share of the catch.

Govt considers dissolving BPIS

Govt considers dissolving BPIS JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering to dissolve the operation of state owned holding company PT Bahana Prakarya Industri Strategis (BPIS) in a bid to give more independence and flexibility to its 10 subsidiaries. The office of the State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development said that the 10 companies, which are now under direct control and supervision of BPIS, would be allowed to operate independently.

Yogyakarta homestays offer friendly atmosphere

Yogyakarta homestays offer friendly atmosphere By Anis Suryani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Despite the mushrooming star hotels in Yogyakarta, traditional home stays are still attractive and are able to draw and maintain visitors. One of the traditional homestays is Indraloka Family Homestay located on Jl. Cik Di Tiro, in the center of the city. The homestay, built in l947, belongs to Moerdiyono Danoesastro family.

Administration is halting gambling in Pluit: Official

Administration is halting gambling in Pluit: Official JAKARTA (JP): An official dismissed on Friday allegations that the city administration did not take action against rampant gambling in the Pluit area of North Jakarta. "We tore down one building and revoked the cooperation agreement with a tenant for violating a building permit.

Staff braced for possible Tenda Semanggi closure

Staff braced for possible Tenda Semanggi closure JAKARTA (JP): Workers in cafes and restaurants in Tenda Semanggi are bracing themselves for the possible closure of their establishments, with some saying they will stay put in Jakarta to continue their trade elsewhere in the city.

Traders agree to rent increase

Traders agree to rent increase JAKARTA (JP): Traders at government-supported markets (locally known as pasar inpres) have finally agreed to the city administration's decision to upgrade the markets' status to self- supported markets under certain conditions, an official revealed on Friday.

Indonesia in need of 10,000 IT experts

Indonesia in need of 10,000 IT experts JAKARTA (JP): More and more job vacancies for information technology (IT) professionals are opening up everyday. Rough estimates cite as many as 10,000 IT professionals are needed in this country. But unfortunately there are simply not enough qualified people for the job, an IT lecturer said on Friday.

East Java still on top of PON medal tally

East Java still on top of PON medal tally By Ivy Susanti SURABAYA (JP): There were no records broken in the swimming pool at the 15th National Games (PON) here on Friday, with experienced swimmers and Olympic hopefuls taking most of the medals on offer. In the overall standings, the Games 1999 overall champion, Jakarta, leapfrogged West Java into second place with 29 golds, 30 silvers and 34 bronzes.

Officials undecided on Aug. 16 State of the Nation Address

Officials undecided on Aug. 16 State of the Nation Address JAKARTA (JP): Speakers of the People's Consultative Assembly and House of Representatives maintain that no decision has been made on whether the "traditional" president's Aug. 16 State of the Nation Address will be abolished.

IMF urges IBRA to speed up asset sales

IMF urges IBRA to speed up asset sales JAKARTA (JP): International Monetary Fund (IMF) Asia Pacific deputy director Anoop Singh has once again called on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to speed up the restructuring and disposal of its assets. Singh said on Friday that the measure was crucial to help revive market confidence in the economy.

Carriages on view at Yogyakarta palace

Carriages on view at Yogyakarta palace By Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): In the next century or two, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X's Baby Mercedes Benz may well share the same fate as the carriages owned by his predecessors, and be preserved in a museum as sacred heirlooms.

Empowering women to build the nation

Empowering women to build the nation From Suara Karya The problems of women are social ones that must be solved by both men and women in an attempt to ensure synergy in our nationalism in the future. Women had a bigger challenge during the New Order era. In facing international neocapitalism, they were confronted by a fascist structure and culture at home. This is something that male politicians, who have adopted the thinking of the New Order, have failed to take into account.

Nobleness must be maintained

Nobleness must be maintained From Warta Kota In various places, particularly within the Jakarta-Bogor- Tangerang-Bekasi (Jabotabek) area, many people are earning their living by dirty means such as making pornographic pictures, films and videos, and putting them on sale. Also they turn to practices of prostitution, abortion etc. either done illegally or even publicly. All these practices are supported by sophisticated and modern technologies.

KL denies encroachment

KL denies encroachment KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A minister Friday denied Indonesian claims that Malaysian loggers moved border markers on Borneo island so they could steal timber from Indonesian territory. Land and Cooperative Development Minister Kasitah Gaddam said checks by mapping department officials showed that marker stones were still where they had been planted by joint border demarcation teams.

KL palm oil ends lower

KL palm oil ends lower KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures closed lower on Friday in volatile trade as prices fell back after failing to breach a recent high, traders said. "Profit-taking came in after the September contract failed to break yesterday's high of 1,077 ringgit," said a trader. The benchmark third position September contract KPOU0] ended down eight ringgit at 1,064 ringgit ($280) a ton after trading between 1,063 and 1,077.

FPI members attacks rights commission headquarters

FPI members attacks rights commission headquarters JAKARTA (JP): Some 300 members of the Front for Defenders of Islam (FPI) attacked the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Headquarters on Jl. Latuharhary in Central Jakarta on Friday. The assault was in protest over a report by the commission's investigation team into the mass killing and burials in the 1984 Tanjung Priok shootings in North Jakarta.

Two illegal immigrants nabbed

Two illegal immigrants nabbed BOGOR (JP): Immigration officials here detained two foreigners for not having proper travel documents when they were attempting to obtain Indonesian passports. "We caught Iraqi Radhi Damad Omnan and Jordanian Abdel Hado Wannas Jaber Bais on Wednesday when they came to our office in an bold attempt to get Indonesian passports," head of the supervision and operational section at Bogor Immigration Office, M. Yusron, said on Friday.

Law breakers

Law breakers The increasing number of traders in Pasar Anyar (New Market) and on Jl. Ahmad Yani in Tangerang as reported in Media Indonesia on June 16, 2000 is concrete evidence that the regional authorities are slow maintaining order (unintentionally or intentionally) so that determined action and strong political will be needed to solve the problem. Delayed measures will only cause unnecessary loss (sometimes loss of lives).

Changing off-roading's image for the better

Changing off-roading's image for the better JAKARTA (JP): Off-road motor sports are usually known for being dangerous, dirty and male-dominated. However, in a bid to challenge this image, a weekend of fun off-road recreation is taking place at Bukit Sentul, about 30 kilometers south of Jakarta, starting on June 30.

Policeman stabbed to death in Aceh

Policeman stabbed to death in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A policeman was stabbed to death by four attackers in Kaju village, Darussalam district, while drinking coffee at a kiosk on Thursday. Local police chief Lt. Col. Sayed Husaini said on Friday that Sgt Maj. Zulkifli, 45, was relaxing in a kiosk when four unidentified men on motorbikes approached at about 10 p.m. and stabbed him to death.

Gus Dur to open NU Youth congress

Gus Dur to open NU Youth congress SEMARANG: President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to open the 12th congress of GP Ansor, the youth wing of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), on June 28. The five-day congress will take place in Boyolali, some 60 kilometers southeast of here. More than 1,900 provincial representatives across the country have confirmed their participation.

Pornographic VCDs flood Tangerang

Pornographic VCDs flood Tangerang TANGERANG (JP): Vendors selling pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) are selling their wares on several main streets here. Unlike VCD traders in Glodok in West Jakarta, most of the VCD traders in Tangerang do not openly sell their illegal goods to customers, but do not hesitate to offer the items discreetly to passersby. "I sell between three and five pornographic VCDs everyday," one of the street vendors, Ujang, 32, said.

Wesnawa retains PDI-P chief post

Wesnawa retains PDI-P chief post DENPASAR, Bali: Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa, unchallenged for the chief post at the provincial chapter of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), won a second five-year term on Friday. Wesnawa left it late to win reelection as the congress went beyond midnight bickering over his official job as the speaker of the provincial legislature. All but one of the party's nine district branches in the province voted for him.

Mob, bribery are press enemies

Mob, bribery are press enemies YOGYAKARTA: Bribery and the use of mobs are nemeses of the free press in the current reform era, the Indonesian Journalists Alliance (AJI) branch here said. In its statement which marked its second anniversary on Friday, the journalists said the two enemies "have threatened the media's freedom and independence." It blamed the low income most journalists are earning and lack of appreciation of their work for their vulnerability to bribes.

Attorney General rejects Sjahril's release appeal

Attorney General rejects Sjahril's release appeal JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman rejected on Friday the appeal of Bank Indonesia board of governors to release Sjahril Sabirin from detention. "The ongoing investigation into Sjahril's case makes it impossible (for his release) at this time," Attorney General's Office spokesman Yushar Yahya told reporters.

Semen Gresik sales grow on exports

Semen Gresik sales grow on exports JAKARTA (JP): State cement maker PT Semen Gresik (SG) sold 5.5 million tons in the January to May period this year, a 12 percent increase from 4.88 million tons during the same period last year, the company's president, Urip Timuryono, said here on Friday. Urip said that the increase in the total sales volume was mainly due to a sharp increase in exports during the January to May period.

Clash marks church anniversary

Clash marks church anniversary BANDUNG: A clash flared up on Friday when two disputing groups of the Protestant Christian Batak Association (HKBP) church congregations fought over the venue to celebrate the church's 65th anniversary. At least 10 people were injured and a car was burned during the brawl pitting supporters of reverend A. Sitorus and S.L. Simanjuntak. No casualties were reported as of Friday evening.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on June 23 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, June 24, 2000

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, June 24, 2000 Exhibitions * Painting exhibition by Nico Siswanto and Agus Sahri, Bentara Budaya, June 20-27, 09.00-13.00 and 17.00-21.00. * Installation exhibition Lapendoz by Agung Kurniawan, CCF French Cultural Center, Jl Sagan 3 (phone: 0274-566520), July 3-21. * Fine art exhibition, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (TBY), Bulaksumur (phone 0274-561914) and Beteng Vredeburg Museun, Jl A. Yani (phone: 0274-586934), June 7-July 7.

Finishing touches being put on bankruptcy law amendments

Finishing touches being put on bankruptcy law amendments JAKARTA (JP): The government will submit its draft of amendments to the 1998 Bankruptcy Law to the House of Representative in August, according to Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra. Yusril said here on Friday the draft amendment would receive a final touch next Wednesday.

The case of Warni

The case of Warni When Warni was seen off at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, her parents may have worried a little about her welfare, but promise of a good salary in dollars no doubt quietened their fears. She promised to write regularly and of course to send them money from her salary to pay for her younger sibling's school fees. Like so many young girls in Indonesia, Warni went to work in Saudi Arabia as a housemaid.

Don't give your child 13 years of schooltime hell

Don't give your child 13 years of schooltime hell By Frank Richardson TANGERANG (JP): Have you ever stopped to wonder what you are putting your child through in sending him to school? If you did not enjoy your own schooling, do you do all you can to make sure your child does not ascetically suffer in a similar way for some 13 years of her life?

Tembi gives tourists taste of traditional life

Tembi gives tourists taste of traditional life By Bambang M. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Yogyyakarta has abundant tourist attractions ranging from historical sites like temples and old palaces to pristine beaches and rural settings. If you enjoy a peaceful and natural rural atmosphere, Yogyakarta has a lot to offer. One particular site, called Tembi, is located around eight kilometers south of Yogyakarta on the way to Parangtritis.