Archive: 1 August 2000
56 articles found
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fuel siphoners earn a living by running after dregs
Fuel siphoners earn a living by running after dregs By A'an Suryana JAKARTA (JP): Motorists in and around the capital are probably familiar with the sight of teenage boys and young men chasing after passing fuel trucks, opening the valves on the backs of the vehicles, collecting drops of fuel in small buckets and scattering. These people are usually found near toll gates, at traffic lights and along streets known for their traffic congestion. They arm themselves with buckets or plastic bags.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Percasi to stage Olympics selection
Percasi to stage Olympics selection JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) will hold a selection tournament which will determine the men's and women's teams that will compete in the Chess Olympics in Istanbul from Oct. 28 to Nov. 14. The tournament will take place at the F Sumanti chess hall on Jl. Tanah Abang I, Central Jakarta, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Films * French Film at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Phone 4212417), 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m.: La vie est un long fleuve tranquille, August 1. Le bonheur est dans le pre, August 8. E.T. I'Extraterrestre, August 11. Indiana Jones et le Temple Maudit, August 15. Jurassic Park, August 18. Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 390 (Phone: 022 2500303): - SOB Fun Pub, at 9 p.m.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
The new letter of intent between IMF and Indonesia
The new letter of intent between IMF and Indonesia The following is the complete text of the new Letter of Intent signed by the Indonesian government and the International Monetary Fund on Monday. The text and tables may be found on http://www.thejakartapost.com. I. INTRODUCTION 1. The government has strengthened implementation of the program set out in the Memoranda of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) of Jan. 20 and May 17, 2000.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Maid found dead in E. Jakarta
Maid found dead in E. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Duren Sawit Police detectives are still searching for robbers believed to have broken into a house in the Cipinang Indah residential complex, East Jakarta. "The thieves killed the young maid and escaped with 500 grams of jewelry on Sunday night," said chief of Duren Sawit Police Subprecinct Sr. Insp. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pros and cons over non Jakarta-based taxis
Pros and cons over non Jakarta-based taxis JAKARTA (JP): The decision adopted recently by the Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) for its Jakarta chapter to prohibit non Jakarta-based taxis has received strong objections from owners of Jakarta-based taxis. However, several taxi drivers are in favor of the decision.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Akbar furious over Golkar flag burners
Akbar furious over Golkar flag burners SEMARANG (JP): Chairman of Golkar Party Akbar Tandjung has urged the police to be tough on people who burned the party's flags during protests last week. "We respect the law and we want the law to be enforced," Akbar, who is also the House of Representatives' speaker, said at a meeting with executives of Golkar's Central Java chapter on Sunday night. "Golkar doesn't want to retaliate. We will let the people judge what has happened.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
No civilian militias allowed at MPR building
No civilian militias allowed at MPR building JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Nurfaizi called on all civilian militias on Monday to stay away from the Senayan legislative building complex during the upcoming Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) next week. He said the civilian militias' presence at the building complex would only trigger clashes among different militia groups. "It's the police's task to maintain security and order during the MPR Annual Session.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Megawati last to confirm for Yogya summit
Megawati last to confirm for Yogya summit JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri agreed on Monday to attend a meeting with three other national leaders in Yogyakarta on Tuesday after some intensive lobbying by President Abdurrahman Wahid and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the ruler of the tiny Javanese kingdom who will host the summit.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Anton and Ismu to show up at Indocement Cup tournament
Anton and Ismu to show up at Indocement Cup tournament JAKARTA (JP): Men's table tennis players Anton Suseno of NHI club and Ismu Harinto of Gani Artha club will compete at the fourth Indocement Cup table tennis open tournament from Aug. 3 to Aug. 6. Chief of the organizing committee Ridwan Subagio confirmed in a media briefing on Monday that Anton and Ismu, who are being groomed for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, would represent their clubs in the tournament.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Letters on record
Letters on record I feel encouraged to learn from the "Letters" column of July 31 that Mr. Sukardi has been included in the Museum of Records as the most productive letter writer in The Jakarta Post's "Your Letters" column, and encouraged not to break Mr. Sukardi's records some day, but to write more, expressing opinions. This award must be a kind of recognition for Mr. Sukardi, after all, being one among other record setters. Mr.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mandiri merges subsidiaries
Mandiri merges subsidiaries JAKARTA (JP): State Bank Mandiri signed here on Monday a legal document for the merger of its three securities companies into a single business entity. The bank said PT Bumi Daya Securities, formerly operated by Bank Bumi Daya, and PT Exim Securities, formerly owned by Bank Expor Import Indonesia, would be incorporated into PT Merincorp Securities Indonesia under the bank's new business structure.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI IT ace gets green card
RI IT ace gets green card NUREMBERG, Germany (AFP): Indonesian computer specialist Harianto Wijaya became the first person Monday to receive a special permit allowing non-European Union nationals to work in Germany because of their sought-after information technology (IT) skills. He received the authorization from Employment Minister Walter Riester in a ceremony in Nuremberg also attended by the head of the federal labor office, Bernhard Jagoda.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
The Army reshuffle
The Army reshuffle As could have been expected, the replacement on Monday of Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, the chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), has opened up a trail of questions that are begging to be answered. Kostrad, after all, is considered to be the Army's preeminent combat force as well as a power base and stepping stone toward more lofty positions within the Indonesian Military (TNI). Gen.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
City to have three new fish auction centers
City to have three new fish auction centers JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta will soon have three new fish auction centers, besides the one in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, as part of the administration's double-edged campaign to promote the fishing industry and the consumption of fish. The new centers will be built in Kamal Muara, Kali Baru and Cilincing, Moch. Rahardjo, head of the Fishery Agency said on Monday.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Team to discuss request for MPR special session
Team to discuss request for MPR special session JAKARTA (JP): The plenary session of the People's Consultative Assembly's working committee was postponed on Monday after a group of legislators presented two letters, one of them demanding that the Assembly provide the possibility of turning the incoming Annual Session into a special session.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia palm oil closes lower on data, Project A
Malaysia palm oil closes lower on data, Project A KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures closed lower on Monday, pressured by bearish export figures and sharp falls in Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures in Project A screen trading. Cargo surveyor Societe Generale de Surveillance Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SGS) said on Monday that Malaysian palm oil exports for July were at 719,360 tons, down from 768,149 tons in June.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Eight cops discharged
Eight cops discharged BANDUNG: West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Daradjatun dishonorably discharged eight noncommissioned officers on Monday for theft, drug abuse and desertion. "This is our way to achieve police professionalism. We can't tolerate any errant police officers if we are to regain the people's trust," he told journalists after a ceremony at the provincial police headquarters to mark the men's dismissal. Only four of the officers attended the ceremony. The rest remain at large.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Wild boar meat sold as beef
Wild boar meat sold as beef JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta administration warned shoppers on Monday not to buy inexpensive wild boar meat which may be sold in markets as beef. The meat, believed to have been smuggled in from Sumatra and to have bypassed inspection authorities, has been passed off as beef and sold for as low as Rp 14,000 (US$1.50) a kilogram, the head of the Jakarta Animal Husbandry Agency, Edi Setiarto, said.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
S'pore's C&C profit seen hit by Astra
S'pore's C&C profit seen hit by Astra SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore motor distributor Cycle & Carriage's interim profit is likely to be dragged down by its 30 percent stake in Indonesia's loss-making Astra International, analysts said on Monday. "We expect the numbers to be poor in the first half. Astra is going to be a drag on its earnings and that will probably offset a very strong Singapore motor performance," said Michael Ong, an analyst at SG Securities.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
EVA Air says traffic loads back to precrisis level
EVA Air says traffic loads back to precrisis level JAKARTA (JP): The number of passengers flying between Taipei and three Indonesian cities on EVA Air has returned to its precrisis level, the Taiwan-based airline said on Monday. The load factor on flights from Taipei to Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar averaged 70 percent during the low season this year, compared to 60 percent at the peak of the economic crisis in 1998, EVA Air deputy general manager Makmun Hamsa said.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies mostly down; baht hits new 10-month low
Asian currencies mostly down; baht hits new 10-month low SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mostly weaker late Monday, undermined by the dollar's strength against the yen, dealers said. Concerns were increased the prospect of widening interest rate differentials between Asian currencies and the dollar Surprisingly robust U.S. second-quarter economic growth has renewed concerns that the Federal Reserve may raise rates at its next policy meeting on Aug. 22.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta wins Junior C'ships
Jakarta wins Junior C'ships SEMARANG (JP): Jakarta won the overall championship at the National Karate Junior Championships at Jatidiri indoor stadium on Sunday evening. The team from the capital finished with nine golds, seven silvers and five bronzes. North Sumatra finished in second with four golds, three silvers and two bronzes and South Sumatra in third with two golds.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia fails to meet coffee retention 'deadline'
Indonesia fails to meet coffee retention 'deadline' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia had failed to meet the July 31 deadline set by the Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC) to decide whether to join the global coffee retention program, an executive of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (AEKI) said on Monday.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Jayapura accepts refugees fleeing strife-torn Maluku
Jayapura accepts refugees fleeing strife-torn Maluku SORONG, Irian Jaya (JP): The remaining 968 refugees fleeing strife-torn Maluku on board the KM Dobonsolo disembarked in Jayapura on Monday. "After a few days of disputes and rejection from some locals, the refugees were finally dropped off in Jayapura and will be sheltered temporarily at the naval base here," a police officer in Jayapura said in a telephone interview.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mob attacks kill 21
Mob attacks kill 21 BANYUMAS, Central Java: Fourteen people have been burned alive and seven more hacked to death by mobs in Cilacap regency over the last seven months. Cilacap Police chief Supt. Bambang Sudarisman said on Monday that the violence had left 44 people injured, 75 houses gutted and more than 7,000 rubber trees destroyed. Financial losses resulting from the attacks have been estimated at Rp 3.5 billion.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Criticized at home, British schools prosper in SE Asia
Criticized at home, British schools prosper in SE Asia By Joshua Kurlantzick BANGKOK (AFP): Under fire at home, British schools are gaining popularity in Southeast Asia, where they are making changes schools in Britain should heed, teachers and parents have said. Over the past six months, the British school system has come under fire for perpetuating elitism and failing to adapt to trends in education, such as making classrooms more child- centered.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from July 31 to August 6
Rates for tax payment, valid from July 31 to August 6 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,850.00 Austrian schilling 1 599.22 Australian dollar 1 5,178.14 Belgian franc 1 204.41 Canadian dollar 1 6,013.05 Swiss franc 1 5,317.23 Deutschemark 1 4,217.70 Danish krone 1 1,108.52 French franc 1 1,257.02 Poundsterling 1 13,367.93 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,134.95 Italian lira 100 425.84 Japanese yen 100 8,109.59 Malaysian ringgit 1 2,329.01 Dutch guilder 1 3,741.68 New Zealand dollar 1 4,048.88 Norwegian krone 1 1,009.17...
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Anwar supporters defect to UMNO
Anwar supporters defect to UMNO KUALA LUMPUR (AP): About 50 members of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim's opposition party from his hometown in northern Malaysia defected to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ruling group on Monday, a news report said. The defections in Permatang Pauh, which Anwar represented in Parliament for 16 years until he was sacked by Mahathir in 1998, were the latest in a long line of desertions to hit the National Justice Party in recent months.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Honesty and responsibility
Honesty and responsibility We would like to thank Vredy Hopkins of the American Women's Association (AWA) for reporting her story about the Blue Bird taxi driver. It is indeed unusual to entrust a taxi driver with US$100 to change at the money changer. Thankfully, due to the honesty of the driver, the rupiah was dutifully returned to the passengers. In order to communicate your appreciation to the driver concerned, some details would help us very much.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Salim Group debt 'won't be annuled'
Salim Group debt 'won't be annuled' JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie said on Monday the government would not cancel a debt settlement agreement signed between the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) and the Salim Group.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gold medalists to get Rp 1b awards
Gold medalists to get Rp 1b awards JAKARTA (JP): Companies are catching Olympic fever, pledging money to sponsor the Indonesian contingent at the quadrennial event. With seven weeks to the Olympics, the National Sports Council (KONI) managed to entice PT Bintang Toedjoe, the producer of the isotonic drink Extra Joss, to sign a memorandum of understanding to provide Rp 1 billion (US$111,100) cash bonuses for gold medalists.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pedicab drivers win lawsuit against Jakarta governor
Pedicab drivers win lawsuit against Jakarta governor JAKARTA (JP): Over 1,000 people crammed into the Central Jakarta District Courthouse and joyfully screamed after the judges ruled in favor of becak (pedicab) drivers, declaring unlawful the Jakarta governor's ban on pedicabs in the capital. "The plaintiffs (pedicab drivers) are allowed to operate in and around residential complexes, marketplaces and other selected areas in the capital," presiding judge Manis Soejono told the court.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia signs new LoI to receive $400m aid from IMF
Indonesia signs new LoI to receive $400m aid from IMF JAKARTA (JP): The government signed a new letter of intent (LoI) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday, paving the way for the next disbursement of IMF funds. The LoI is attached to the so-called Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), which basically outlines a set of key economic measures to be completed by the government over the next couple of months.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bulog to become state company next year: Ramli
Bulog to become state company next year: Ramli JAKARTA (JP): The government will change the status of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) to a state firm by June next year in a move to improve the agency's performance, Bulog chief Rizal Ramli said on Monday. Rizal said that the change to a state company would allow for better transparency of the use of Bulogs' resources.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Agus, Ryamizard deny political motives behind reshuffle
Agus, Ryamizard deny political motives behind reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Army Strategic Reserves (Kostrad) commander Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah and his successor Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu have brushed aside political motives behind their reshuffle. Speaking after the Indonesian Military (TNI) announced his removal, Agus said he was happy to relinquish the post he had held for just four months. "In the name of God, I'm not disappointed at all.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Locals shine in President's Cup quarters
Locals shine in President's Cup quarters SANUR, Bali (JP): Indonesian welterweight Bara Gomies survived a hard fight in the quarterfinals of the 19th President's Cup international amateur boxing tournament on Monday, narrowly beating Chinese Lu Zong Wei 8-7. Bara will challenge Junie Tizon of the Philippines, who defeated Australian Daniel Geale 14-13. Teammate Albert Papilaya, competing in the heavyweight division, also had a narrow victory 14-12 over Mahdi Kalani of Syria.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Shrinking habitat and greedy men endanger rare birds
Shrinking habitat and greedy men endanger rare birds By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): A good soldier knows what he is supposed to give as a present to his commander when he returns from duty in the jungle. Not fresh fruit or live fish, but a rare species of monkey, bird or deer. The importance of a military officer can be seen from his private collection of animals. A general holding a key position usually has a vast collection of animals, including rare species.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
East Timor issue
East Timor issue Indonesia's credibility over the East Timor issue has once again been brought into question by the failure of the court in Kupang to handle the notorious Eurico Gutteres seriously. Within hours of the UN Security Council's call for Jakarta to take firm action against the pro-integration militia, Judge Adelbert Tobing dismissed firearms charges against Gutteres on the grounds, reportedly, that it was unclear if he was a member of a militia or of the Indonesian military (TNI).
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
School enrollment fees
School enrollment fees From Suara Karya While the issue of enrollment fees was explained when enrollment began, we've read in the newspapers lately of state- owned schools collecting enrollment fees amounting to Rp 1 million and above for state Senior High Schools. I just do not understand how state schools, in particular those in Jakarta, can do such a terrible thing without giving a second thought.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Jihad group raids discotheque
Jihad group raids discotheque PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Around 150 people claiming to represent the Toriqotul Jihad Front (FTJ) Muslim group raided a discotheque on Sunday, seizing 52 bottles of alcohol and bringing them to the police. Members of the front's Kebumen and Banyumas chapters forced their way into the discotheque located in a three-star hotel and damaged glass cabinets and several bottles of spirits. Two of the hotel's employees were assaulted during the attack.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian manufacturers: Adjust or perish
Indonesian manufacturers: Adjust or perish By Lion A. Kraaybeek JAKARTA (JP): The dawn of globalization has brought new challenges to manufacturing companies all over the world. Old concepts are being replaced by new ones, competition is becoming more fierce and everyone is forced to adjust. The current financial-economic crisis in Indonesia has revealed that Indonesian manufacturers are not yet ready for the challenges of globalization.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
MPR factions still undecided over regional representatives
MPR factions still undecided over regional representatives JAKARTA (JP): Party factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) remain undecided about a plan by 164 regional representatives to form their own faction at the upcoming MPR Annual Session. Golkar faction, according to its deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf, said it would agree to the proposal with reservations.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 31, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 635 -40 5,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 305 -5 165,500 Alakasa Industrindo 900 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 895 0 90,000 Alter Abadi 270 -15 39,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,250 200 11,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 335 0 12,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,195 0 1,198,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta workers get 20% wage hike
Jakarta workers get 20% wage hike JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower has granted workers in Jakarta a 20 percent mid-term minimum wage (UMR) rise effective from next month, an official said on Monday. "The ministry has approved increasing the minimum wage from Rp 286,000 (US$32) to Rp 344,257 a month starting September," ministry spokesman Tianggur Sinaga said in a written statement.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on July 31, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Agus W.K. removed from Kostrad
Agus W.K. removed from Kostrad JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, a controversial Army figure, was replaced as the chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) on Monday after only four months on the job. The announcement by the Indonesian Military (TNI) ended weeks of speculations about the fate of Agus, whom many insiders regard as too brash in his campaign to reform the military, to pull it out of politics and to uproot the alleged corruption of his seniors.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
One killed, nine injured in crash
One killed, nine injured in crash TANGERANG (JP): A man was killed and nine others severely injured when a public minibus plying between Cimone and Balaraja collided head-on with a water tanker at around 5 a.m. on Monday in Cikupa district, police said. "The minibus driver, Atta, was trying to overtake a vehicle near the turning in front of Cikupa district office when the truck, coming from opposite direction, smashed into the front of the minibus," Cikupa Police subdistrict chief First Insp.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Destruction of Tanjung Puting continues
Destruction of Tanjung Puting continues JAKARTA (JP): The destruction of Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan shows no sign of stopping, leaving its few remaining orangutans -- Asia's only great ape -- on a desperate plight, environmentalists have warned. The recommendation of local and international environmentalists for drastic action to stop illegal logging and save the endangered orangutans has so far fallen on the government's deaf ears.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Regent Hotel program
Regent Hotel program I'm writing about the recent campaign held by Regent Hotel Jakarta. The campaign is promoting the Platinum Plus Program wherein a new member is entitled to a (1) complimentary stay; (2) vouchers worth 75 percent off the room rate; a 750 milliliter bottle of wine or liquor to be consumed at the Regent bar, a discount card for dining and one month membership at the health club given that one enrolls for three consecutive months.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto fit for trial: Marzuki
Soeharto fit for trial: Marzuki JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto is fit to face trial over charges of corruption, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Monday. "A comprehensive medical examination on Pak Harto one month ago has again proved that he is fit to undergo questioning," Marzuki told reporters after meeting President Abdurrahman Wahid at Bina Graha presidential office. "So this should serve as further support for past medical examinations (on Soeharto).
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
OPIC claim needs DPR approval: Government
OPIC claim needs DPR approval: Government JAKARTA (JP): The government needs approval from the House of Representatives to settle an outstanding US$290 million claim made by the U.S. government's Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC), Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo said on Sunday. Bambang said approval from the House was necessary to settle the claim because the amount was too high and payment of it could affect the state budget.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia okays plan to close East Timor refugee camps
Indonesia okays plan to close East Timor refugee camps JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has approved a plan to close shelters for East Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara amid growing allegations that anti-independence activists were using the camps as a base to sneak into the former Indonesian province.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Djoko S. Tjandra faces jail term of 18 months
Djoko S. Tjandra faces jail term of 18 months JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor demanded on Monday a jail term of one year and six months for Djoko S. Tjandra, the primary defendant in the Rp 546 billion (US$61.3 million) Bank Bali scandal. "The defendant has violated Paragraph 1a of Article 1 of the 1971 Corruption Law.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bigotry rears its ugly head in multi-racial Malaysia
Bigotry rears its ugly head in multi-racial Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran politician Lim Keng Yaik wears the look of a troubled man. As the Primary Industries Minister, he has been through the wars before -- seen rubber prices plummet to a 30-year low and battled a robust campaign by soya-bean producers in the United States to discredit Malaysia's palm-oil products. But it is the changing face of Malaysia that puts the plain- speaking leader in a reflective mood these days.
Tue, 01 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia supports EC proposal to hold new WTO round this year
Indonesia supports EC proposal to hold new WTO round this year JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has thrown its support behind the European Commission's proposal to relaunch a new round of talks for global trade liberalization in the World Trade Organization framework this year, Minister of Industry and Trade Luhut Pandjaitan said on Monday.