Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 July 2000

54 articles found

S'pore mission to Cambodia

S'pore mission to Cambodia SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore would send a trade mission to Cambodia from August 1-4, the Trade Development Board (TDB) said Friday.The four-day visit is in conjunction with Minister for Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo's visit to the country, it said.

NGO protests gun trade

NGO protests gun trade JAKARTA (JP): Government Watch (Gowa), a nongovernmental organization which keeps tabs on the government's performance, protested on Friday the National Police's decision to openly sell guns to public.Gowa coordinator Farid R.

No business, no friendship

No business, no friendship When browsing through my diary I came across the following memo. More than three decades ago, when I held the distributorship of Tiga Durian safety matches (there were only two distributors) this commodity had no competitor (in fact the import was banned) especially in...

Government says PLN makes progress in talks with OPIC

Government says PLN makes progress in talks with OPIC JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT PLN is making progress in its negotiations with American state insurance firm Overseas Private Investment Corp.

Four police chiefs get new postings

Four police chiefs get new postings JAKARTA (JP): Four chiefs of police in the capital and several senior officers at Jakarta Police Headquarters will officially assume new posts beginning next Tuesday, about a week prior to the start of the Aug. 7 through Aug.

Philippine, Indonesian bonds weaken

Philippine, Indonesian bonds weaken HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Philippine and Indonesian benchmark bonds dipped this week because of continued social, political and economic concerns, while other Asian benchmark bonds held firm in overall thin summer trading.

Expo expected to help boost flower business

Expo expected to help boost flower business JAKARTA (JP): Rawa Belong used to be an ordinary residential area, mostly home to the native Betawi until the 1980s. The locals who would pedal their bicycles several kilometers away to Cikini where they traded flowers, decided to run their businesses...

Asian currencies mixed; expected lower next week

Asian currencies mixed; expected lower next week SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mixed late Friday, with the Thai baht and the Philippine peso resuming their recent downtrend, heralding more weakness for these Southeast Asian units.

Comedian Doyok to stand trial soon: Officer

Comedian Doyok to stand trial soon: Officer JAKARTA (JP): The dossiers on comedian Doyok Sudharmaji, a self-confessed drug user, will soon be handed over to the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office, an officer said on Friday."We are working on it.

Laos, Cambodia accede to accord

Laos, Cambodia accede to accord BANGKOK (DPA): Laos and Cambodia acceded to the 1980 European Community-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement on Friday, opening the two desperately poor countries up to further development assistance from the European Community.

Gus Dur to take part in summit

Gus Dur to take part in summit JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid confirmed on Friday that he would take part in a meeting of political leaders in Yogyakarta next week.People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, meanwhile, continued his campaign to have the summit expanded to involve...

Ethnic groups plot along Thai border

Ethnic groups plot along Thai border BANGKOK (Reuters): Anti-government ethnic groups in Myanmar met on Friday on the Thai border to discuss plans to counter a new military offensive, ethnic leaders told reporters.

Action to combat piracy urged

Action to combat piracy urged JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should join forces to combat rampant copyright and trademark piracy in the region, officials and experts on intellectual property rights said on Friday.

Where to go in Yogyakarta:

Where to go in Yogyakarta:Exhibitions * Painting exhibition Trouble Obsession Product by Yani Halim, Cemeti Art House, Jl D.I. Panjaitan 41 (phone: 0274-371015), July 5-31. * Artwork exhibition by Kontras Group ISI Yogyakarta, Beteng Vredeburg Museum, Jl A. Yani (phone: 0274-586934), July 15-22.

Sharing India's experience

Sharing India's experienceBy G.S. Edwin JAKARTA (JP): Democracy is peoples' aristocracy. As is the case with every aristocracy, it has its downside, which wrecked Indonesia's brief association with democracy, soon after it gained independence in 1945.

UNPATTI vows to stay open despite damage

UNPATTI vows to stay open despite damage AMBON, Maluku (JP): State-run Pattimura University vowed on Friday to remain open despite massive damage to its 30-hectare campus.Most buildings were gutted when the campus came under armed attack on July 4, raising doubts about whether classes could resume...

Nitiprayan, a suburban artists' village

Nitiprayan, a suburban artists' villageBy Anis Suryani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Vincent Meyer, a French musician once wrote to his Indonesian friend, Yanto. Part of the letter was quoted in Yogyakarta CCF French Cultural Center's La Revue publication of the April-May 2000 edition.

Govt steps in on Hanoi's 1st trading

Govt steps in on Hanoi's 1st trading HANOI (DPA): Vietnam's stock exchange finally began trading Friday, but regulators stepped in to cap rising share prices as buyers scrambled to find sellers during the historic opening day.

Fiji's new govt shuts out Speight's men

Fiji's new govt shuts out Speight's men SUVA (Reuters): Fiji appointed a new interim government on Friday without any rebel backers of jailed coup leader George Speight, who caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said no longer posed a threat.

JSX delists 4 companies

JSX delists 4 companies JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) delisted four companies on Friday after they failed to disclose their 1999 financial statement to the public by the extended deadline of July 24.

Police detect log theft spots

Police detect log theft spots PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Local police here have located six areas prone to log smuggling to neighboring Malaysia and 21 other areas where rampant border violations are the norm.Police spokesperson Ass. Supt.

Abdurrahman approves questioning of generals

Abdurrahman approves questioning of generals JAKARTA (JP): The President has issued an approval for a joint Indonesian Military/National Police investigative team to question several high-ranking military officers allegedly involved in the 1996 attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)...

Alarming attitude of minister

Alarming attitude of ministerFrom Suara KaryaMinister of Mines and Energy's instruction to Pertamina for import of premium at any cost to overcome the scarcity of fuel in East Java and Bali caused by the breakdown of Balongan refinery (Bisnis Indonesia July, 20), seems too responsive; it even...

Local labor unions to help protect RI workers overseas

Local labor unions to help protect RI workers overseas JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Labor Exporting Companies (Apjati) and 18 labor unions signed on Friday an unprecedented memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide protection and improve the bargaining position of Indonesian workers overseas.

Gomies, Saparipan reach quarterfinals

Gomies, Saparipan reach quarterfinals SANUR, Bali (JP): Indonesian boxers Bara Gomies and Juan Saparipan helped the host country save face by reaching the quarterfinals of the 19th President Cup after defeating their rivals on Friday at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel.

PT Inco sees jump in second quarter unaudited net earnings

PT Inco sees jump in second quarter unaudited net earnings JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) announced on Friday unaudited net earnings of US$29.2 million in the second quarter of 2000, or 12 cents per share, up from $4.

Drivers stage one-day strike

Drivers stage one-day strike PADANG, West Sumatra: Land communications between Bukittinggi and Padangpanjang were practically paralyzed on Thursday, as the drivers of inter-city mini vans, which connect the two cities, staged a one-day strike on Thursday.

Nail 'mine' trap

Nail 'mine' trapFrom Suara KaryaI also got annoyed because of the accident experienced by my friend when riding his motorbike on Jl. M.T. Haryono (from Tebet to Cawang, East Jakarta) around 9 p.m. recently. In front of Sinar Pagi office, the tire of my friend's motorbike deflated.

Puppet craftsmen turn to farming

Puppet craftsmen turn to farmingBy Bambang Trisno YOGYAKARTA (JP): Tracking down handicrafts around and about this ancient city, you will arrive in Gendeng village in the Bantul area, which has been well-known for its wayang or leather puppet production for years.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jul. 28, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 675 10 21,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 310 0 1,076,500 Alakasa Industrindo 900 0 0 Alfa...

13 RP preachers no longer hostages, says negotiator

13 RP preachers no longer hostages, says negotiator JOLO, Philippines (AFP): Thirteen Christian preachers held by extremist kidnappers here for almost a month are no longer considered to be hostages, the government's chief negotiator said on Friday.

Govt provides Rp 2b for SEAG training

Govt provides Rp 2b for SEAG training JAKARTA (JP): The government has allocated some Rp 2 billion (US$222,000) to help the National Sports Council (KONI) stage its four-month training program for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Gus Dur ignores Amien's impeachment fulmination

Gus Dur ignores Amien's impeachment fulmination JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid lightly dismissed on Friday a suggestion by People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais that he could face an impeachment process in three months' time.

S'pore patriarch Lee to visit KL

S'pore patriarch Lee to visit KL BANGKOK (Reuters): Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew will make his first visit to Malaysia in 10 years, probably next month, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Friday.

Hotel Indonesia's history filled with art

Hotel Indonesia's history filled with artBy Ida Indawati Khouw In the early years of Hotel Indonesia, one of Jakarta's most important landmarks, the hotel dealt very much with art. The hotel will celebrate its 38th anniversary on Aug. 5.

ASEAN praised for its action on crisis

ASEAN praised for its action on crisisBy Meidyatama Suryodingrat BANGKOK (JP): Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were praised here on Friday for taking tough action to overcome its economic crisis, but were also warned that further structural reform was needed to...

TNI gear up security for MPR session

TNI gear up security for MPR session JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto has called on all regional military commanders to help police maintain security in the run up to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August.

Chinese loan to buy buses falls through

Chinese loan to buy buses falls through JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has failed to clinch a soft loan from the Chinese government for the purchase of new buses from the country but will still buy Chinese buses under a new scheme, Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.

EC chief defends antidumping action against RI products

EC chief defends antidumping action against RI products JAKARTA (JP): European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy defended on Friday the antidumping measures imposed on some Indonesian products, saying they were made in congruence with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Landasan Terus slams bankruptcy ruling

Landasan Terus slams bankruptcy ruling JAKARTA (JP): PT Landasan Terus Sentosa of the Ongko Group challenged on Friday the bankruptcy ruling issued by the Jakarta Commercial Court.John K. Azis, a lawyer representing Landasan Terus, said the court's bankruptcy ruling not only breached the spirit of...

Conversion Rates

Conversion RatesBank Indonesia's conversion rates on July 28, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,453.00 9,453.00 8,908.00 8,998.00Australian dollar 1 4,995.72 5,591.45 5,264.63 5,322.32Austrian schilling 1 572.41 640.33 603.22 609.

Rupiah won't drop during MPR session: Economist

Rupiah won't drop during MPR session: Economist JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah is not likely to weaken much in the run up to the Aug. 7 through Aug. 18 People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) General Session as some have feared, according to an economist at a state bank.

School for poor children opened

School for poor children openedBy Joko E.H. Anwar JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of children between four and 10 years old gathered under the Gedung Panjang 2 flyover in Penjaringan district, North Jakarta, on Friday morning.

Bridging gap between leaders

Bridging gap between leaders YOGYAKARTA (JP): The revered Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta is scheduled to host a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker...

Ginandjar clarifies role in recent graft allegation

Ginandjar clarifies role in recent graft allegation JAKARTA (JP): Former coordinating minister for economy and finance Ginandjar Kartasasmita visited the Attorney General's Office on Friday to clarify recent allegations that he was involved in graft concerning several dubious government contracts.

Employees in Sunter rushed to hospital with food poisoning

Employees in Sunter rushed to hospital with food poisoning JAKARTA (JP): Some 186 employees of PT Pulogadung Pawitra Laksana, an assembler of Isuzu Panther minivans located on Jl. Gaya Motor in Sunter district, North Jakarta, were rushed to three separate hospitals on Friday after complaining of...

Hendri goes to Future-4 singles and doubles final

Hendri goes to Future-4 singles and doubles final JAKARTA (JP): Rising Indonesian tennis star Hendri Susilo Pramono advanced to the men's singles and doubles finals on Friday at the Extra Joss Future-4 at the Kemayoran Tennis Center.

Competition drives insurance premiums too low

Competition drives insurance premiums too low JAKARTA (JP): The Insurance Council of Indonesia (DAI) has expressed concern over the unhealthy competition among insurance companies in the domestic market that has caused the premiums for general insurance to fall to an unreasonable level.

Pedicab drivers gear up for verdict

Pedicab drivers gear up for verdict JAKARTA (JP): Over 1,000 people, mostly becak (pedicab) drivers, will be waiting at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday for the outcome of a lawsuit filed on their behalf against Governor Sutiyoso.

Calm before the storm?

Calm before the storm? An eerie calm prevails as the countdown to the annual meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) begins. It seems that just about every party is going out of its way to ensure a successful meeting of the country's highest state institution, which opens on Aug. 7.

Australia PM urges RI to tackle Timor militias

Australia PM urges RI to tackle Timor militias CANBERRA (Agencies): Australian Prime Minister John Howard called on Indonesia on Friday to beef up efforts against pro- Jakarta militias on the East Timor border after a New Zealand soldier was shot dead this week.

Rich nations treating Asia as 'the cesspit'

Rich nations treating Asia as 'the cesspit' BANGKOK (AFP): The world's rich nations are treating Asia as the cesspit of the industrialized world by paying developing countries to take their toxic wastes, Greenpeace said on Friday.

Educated people go insane

Educated people go insane BANYUMAS, Central Java: Director of the state-run Banyumas Hospital, Sutoto, disclosed a surprising fact on Friday that the majority of psychiatric patients are educated people from the middle and upper income groups.

Companies extend park conservation agreement

Companies extend park conservation agreement JAKARTA (JP): Eight East Kalimantan-based companies united in the Friends of Kutai National Park (Mitra TN Kutai) have agreed to continue their partnership in managing and developing the park, which has been damaged by forest fire and illegal logging.