Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 August 2000

55 articles found

BCA to hike wages after workers protest

BCA to hike wages after workers protest JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 Bank Central Asia (BCA) employees rallied on Wednesday in front of the company's headquarters on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta, demanding more pay. The protesters, mostly wearing a red ribbon on their arm, arrived at 10 a.m. and gave speeches in the parking lot. Around 14 of them then met with the management. "We demand a 30 percent to 50 percent wage hike," said the spokesman of the workers' union, M.

Portal for paper and pulp

Portal for paper and pulp SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Alliance Technology & Development Ltd. on Thursday said ATD.com Pte Ltd., a unit, has formed a joint venture company with Indonesia's The-eWorld.com Ltd. to operate an online portal for the pulp and paper industry, www.epulppaper.com

Observers stress need for professional Cabinet

Observers stress need for professional Cabinet JAKARTA (JP): Observers have emphasized the need to recruit professionals, instead of people linked to political parties, for the new Cabinet. Economist Sri Adiningsih from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University said the government was facing more daunting tasks in the economic field as the public and market expect better performance of the government.

Two train passengers murdered in two days

Two train passengers murdered in two days BANDUNG (JP): Two passengers died in two different economy- class trains on Monday and Tuesday, forcing railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to engage in further efforts to improve security on board its trains. On Tuesday, a 20-year-old woman, Tri Wijayati, was found dead with severe slash wounds to her neck on the Pasundan train serving the Surabaya-Bandung route. The alleged murderer, a 19-year-old snack seller, was arrested on Wednesday.

KONI expels Supeni from Olympic weightlifting squad

KONI expels Supeni from Olympic weightlifting squad JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) finally expelled women's weightlifter Supeni from its Olympic Games squad but she will still be groomed for the 2001 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur and 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea. Olympic executive training director Arie Sudewo told reporters on Wednesday that he decided to pick three of the four lifters to the quadrennial event in Sydney next month.

Legislator practices politics for people

Legislator practices politics for people JAKARTA (JP): Efforts to brush aside the long-standing image of the House of Representatives as a mere rubber-stamper of the government should not simplify the role played by a young politician from Golkar Party, Ade Komarudin. The nation saw "a political taboo" maintained for more than three decades broken when the House questioned, if not criticized, the policy of the President.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Aug. 16, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Archipelago food promo at the Peninsula

Archipelago food promo at the Peninsula By Grace Segran JAKARTA (JP): From Aug. 14 until the end of the month, the Menara Peninsula will be running a food promotion featuring cuisines from around the Indonesian archipelago at its Kafe Coleman. Kafe Coleman Wintolo executive chef Suparto and food and beverage manager Stephane Servin were on hand to see that the promotion was running smoothly. "The concept of the promotion is to showcase the different ethnic cuisines of Indonesia," said Suparto.

Sandvik's deal with Freeport

Sandvik's deal with Freeport STOCKHOLM (Dow Jones): Engineering group Sandvik AB has received two orders worth a combined SEK120 million for machinery, tools and other equipment for mining and construction work in Australia and Indonesia. Sandvik will supply drilling rigs and loaders to Peabody Resources Ltd. of the U.S. for its operations in Ridgeway, Australia and underground trucks and loaders to Indonesian copper mine PT Freeport.

Bank Patriot's assets up

Bank Patriot's assets up JAKARTA (JP): Bank Patriot, a private banks included in the government-sponsored recapitalization program, reported an improved performance during the first half of this year. The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said here on Wednesday the bank's total assets rose by about 10 percent to Rp 212.61 billion as of June from Rp 190.33 billion in the same period last year.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition Bukan Pelukis by Sitok Srengenge, Butet Kartaredjasa, Djaduk Ferianto, and Agus Noor, at Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza complex, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Aug. 30. * Fine Arts Exhibition Kenapa Sih Cina? by Anna Zuchriana at Cemara 6 Gallery, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No.9-11, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3918761), Aug. 18.

Ginandjar to be summoned for further clarification: Marzuki

Ginandjar to be summoned for further clarification: Marzuki JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Wednesday that his office would soon summon former coordinating minister for the economy, finance and industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita to clarify his previous statement before government investigators last month. "We plan to invite Ginandjar to the Attorney General's Office for further clarification later this month.

China, Korea dumping steel

China, Korea dumping steel WASHINGTON (Reuters): The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that China, South Korea and other countries appear to be dumping steel used to reinforce concrete on the United States, but cleared Japan and Russia of the same charges. In a report sent to the U.S.

Qaddafi acts to free RP hostages

Qaddafi acts to free RP hostages By Rudolph Chimelli PARIS (DPA): If Libyan revolutionary leader Muammar Qaddafi manages to secure the release of the hostages being held in the Philippines, then he will have taken an enormous step towards casting off his persona non grata label and his rehabilitation into the international community.

'Syariah' bid based on false assumption

'Syariah' bid based on false assumption The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has decided to postpone for a year deliberations on the possible inclusion of syariah (Islamic law) in the Constitution. The rector of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN), Azyumardi Azra, discusses the possible political and sociological impacts of including syariah in the Constitution.

Negotiators behind peaceful rallies

Negotiators behind peaceful rallies JAKARTA (JP): Smarting from the past, when demonstrations were prone to clashes between protesters and security personnel, police have found a recipe for dealing with street rallies, regardless of their size, during the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) now underway.

Two taxi rapists sentenced to 14 years and 13 years

Two taxi rapists sentenced to 14 years and 13 years JAKARTA (JP): Rusdi bin Busri, 25, and Arkomi, alias Komeng, 30, stared at the floor when judges respectively handed down a 14-year jail term and a 13-year jail term for a vicious robbery and rape of a 23-year-old woman in a taxi last January. "Rusdi bin Busri is guilty of violating Article 365 of the Criminal Code on robbery and Article 285 on rape," presiding judge Munawir said in a hearing at the South Jakarta District Court.

Household workers

Household workers It is a cause for hope when a leading national newspaper devotes its editorial space to the needs of the disenfranchised. The Jakarta Post's Aug. 12 editorial spoke out on behalf of Indonesia's lowest level of female household workers, our pembantus. These workers are the Ministry of Manpower's forgotten constituents.

KPC waiting for govt action before making final decision

KPC waiting for govt action before making final decision JAKARTA (JP): PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) is waiting for the government to end a blockade of its mine in Sanggata regency, East Kalimantan, before issuing a final decision on whether it will maintain its operation or pull out of the province. The KPC representative in Jakarta, Bambang Susanto, said the company was waiting for the government to disperse the KPC workers blockading the mine by next Friday.

Announcement of new Cabinet delayed

Announcement of new Cabinet delayed JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has decided to delay announcing his new Cabinet until Aug. 24 at the earliest, as he needs to further consult with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and other political leaders, Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace, Marsilam said the President's announcement would be made next Thursday or Friday.

Malaysia, S'pore could end problems in months

Malaysia, S'pore could end problems in months KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said on Thursday that his country and neighboring Malaysia could resolve bilateral problems in two to three months if there was enough political will on both sides.

BI estimates inflation to exceed government target

BI estimates inflation to exceed government target JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Wednesday that inflation would likely be at about 7.67 percent this year, exceeding the government's target of between 5 percent and 7 percent. The central bank said in its latest economic report that prices would be higher than initially expected due to the weakening of the rupiah and a planned increase in fuel prices later this year. Bank Indonesia said that the weakening of the rupiah against the U.S.

BAT books first profit

BAT books first profit JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cigarette producer PT BAT Indonesia booked a net profit of Rp 64.75 billion (US$7.8 million) during the first semester of this year, up from Rp 54.07 billion in the same period last year. The company's first semester financial report said that sales declined to Rp 1.025 trillion from Rp 1.105 trillion last year.

Gus Dur vows to restructure govt

Gus Dur vows to restructure govt JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid pledged on Wednesday to restructure his administration to ensure it would be more able to effectively develop policies for the betterment of the people. The President said in his state of the nation address he had designed a governmental restructuring policy aimed at sharpening the focus and priority of national policies.

State security bill must not be signed

State security bill must not be signed By Matthew Draper and Yuli Swasono JAKARTA (JP): There are strong fears that President Abdurrahman Wahid plans to quietly sign the state security bill in the coming months. This is the same act that led to widespread protests in September 1999 that ended in soldiers fatally shooting at least two students.

RI plans to axe CPO tax

RI plans to axe CPO tax JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia plans to axe its taxes on exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and palm oil by-products this month to make its products more competitive internationally, a senior trade ministry official said on Wednesday. "The plan to cut CPO and palm oil by-products taxes to zero percent has been recommended by a tariff team," international trade director-general Djoko Muljono told Reuters.

SE Asia needs reforms to catch neighbors

SE Asia needs reforms to catch neighbors KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Southeast Asia lags behind Japan and its neighbors in overcoming the region's financial crisis and will catch up only if it embraces structural reforms, Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said on Wednesday.

Bad weather holds up release of hostages in RP

Bad weather holds up release of hostages in RP ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Agencies): Bad weather on Thursday delayed the expected release of foreign hostages taken by Moro rebels, but officials were confident all 17 captives would be freed from a southern Philippine island this week.

Tegal doctors remove 15 kgs tumor

Tegal doctors remove 15 kgs tumor SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): A team of doctors from Kardinah General Hospital in Tegal here has succeeded in removing a 15 kilogram tumor from a 72 year-old woman's ovary. The three-hour surgery on Siti Marsiti was carried out on Thursday morning by a team of three doctors and six paramedics led by gynecologist Cholid W. According to Cholid, the tumor was not malignant.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 16, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 700 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 300 -5 474,500 Alakasa Industrindo 700 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 880 -15 5,000 Alter Abadi 275 0 50,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 345 0 14,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,205 -5 500,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Brunei prepares for APEC meeting

Brunei prepares for APEC meeting JAKARTA (JP): Brunei, gearing up to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, is training 2,000 job-seekers to help cater to the needs of the region's political and business elite, an official of APEC secretariat in Bandar Seri Begawan has said.

KADI remains objective

KADI remains objective The Anti-Dumping Committee of Indonesia (KADI) wishes to refer to the article in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 15, 2000, titled Anti- dumping Body still has much to do, written by Erry Bundjamin. The article rightfully credits KADI for avoiding recourse to the WTO dispute settlement. However, the fact that interested parties to a proceeding may choose recourse to the WTO should not be seen as undermining the credibility of an investigating authority.

Vitamins for MPR deputy speaker

Vitamins for MPR deputy speaker JAKARTA (JP): Everyone has their secret potions, including People's Consultative Assembly deputy speaker Sucipto. In order to keep fit during the long sessions, Sucipto takes a daily dose of Vitamin A, Vitamin E and honey. "I have been taking honey for a long time, but I added vitamins during the sessions," Sucipto, who is also secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said.

PLO to reassess planned statehood declaration: Arafat

PLO to reassess planned statehood declaration: Arafat JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said on Wednesday the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) would "reassess" its plan to unilaterally declare an independent Palestinian state on Sept. 13. Arafat said the decision on whether to declare Palestinian independence would be taken at "the beginning of next month" by the Palestinian Central Council. "We have decided before (that the declaration would be made on Sept.

Watch out for boar meat!

Watch out for boar meat! From Suara Karya The mass media in Jakarta has contained news about the illegal sale of boar meat which is sold as beef, not in local government- owned markets but in other places. The marketing system of the meat vendors is reportedly modern enough, namely by using box trucks just like those used in the sale of beef. As a person who has lived in Bengkulu long enough, I am of the opinion that consuming boar meet can be harmful to one's health.

Confidence drops again in July: Danareksa survey

Confidence drops again in July: Danareksa survey JAKARTA (JP): The confidence of chief executives in the country's economy declined in July by 1.3 percent to a level of 116 percent, according to the latest survey conducted by the Danareksa Research Institute.

Sawung Jabo's new band offers contemplative music

Sawung Jabo's new band offers contemplative music By Matdon BANDUNG (JP): Yogyakarta musician Sawung Jabo was linked to the bands SWAMI and Kantata for the last decade, but now he is forging his own path. "I got fed up with SWAMI and Kantata's musical styles. I was eager to try something new, lighter and funnier," commented Jabo after a recent show with his new band GengGong at the Sunan Ambu Building at the Bandung Institute of the Arts (STSI).

GM launches first model of CBU Chevrolet Blazer

GM launches first model of CBU Chevrolet Blazer JAKARTA (JP): As the competition in the local automobile market heats up, General Motors Indonesia (GMI) launched on Wednesday its first completely built up (CBU) vehicle, the Chevrolet Blazer V6. GMI's director of sales, marketing and after-sales service, Kris A. Mayer, said the company was confident its new vehicle would be able to compete with other CBU automobiles, particularly in the sport utility vehicle market. "We'll do very well.

Asia, spared so far, keeps wary eye on oil price

Asia, spared so far, keeps wary eye on oil price TOKYO (Reuters): Asia's plump trade surpluses and plentiful spare capacity are cushioning the impact of stubbornly high oil prices on its economies, analysts said on Wednesday. But if prices remain at 10-year highs of around US$32 a barrel reached overnight, they said Asia's post-recovery cocktail of strong growth and low inflation could lose some of its fizz.

Independence Day passes peacefully across the country

Independence Day passes peacefully across the country JAKARTA (JP): People across the country, including those in troubled areas, marked the 55th Independence Day on Thursday with solemn ceremonies and traditional games. No reports of violence were recorded. Groups of students rallied in Jakarta and Makassar, calling for further reforms and demanding that the political elite focus on ways to improve the country's economy and avoid national disintegration.

S'pore dotcom business up

S'pore dotcom business up SINGAPORE (AP): The number of private sector businesses going online has increased more than 50 times in the past five years to about 16,000 Web sites in Singapore, a government official said on Thursday. The rise shows that the government's drive to "dot-com" the entire nation is gaining ground, said Lim Swee Say, minister of state for communications and information technology.

Oil up in Asia as OPEC refuses to raise output

Oil up in Asia as OPEC refuses to raise output SINGAPORE (Reuters): Oil prices in Asia inched higher on Thursday, as OPEC signaled an output rise was not likely in the near term, despite current sizzling prices. The news gave an added lift to a market that has already seen crude prices rise over 12 percent in the last fortnight on the back of low stocks in the United States, oil's largest consumer. At 0721 GMT, U.S.

House alerts IBRA over revenue target

House alerts IBRA over revenue target JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives budget committee called on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on Wednesday to speed up its asset disposal program to raise some Rp 11.4 trillion (US$1.37 billion) in cash over the next three months. Head of the committee Abdullah Zaini said on Wednesday that out of the Rp 18.9 trillion targeted by IBRA this year, only some Rp 7.5 trillion had been collected.

Limit foreigners in airline sector: Official

Limit foreigners in airline sector: Official JAKARTA (JP): Restrictions on foreign investment in Indonesia's airline industry should be retained to prepare local airlines for the free trade area, a senior official at the Ministry of Communications said on Wednesday. "Give local companies a chance to prepare themselves in this capital-intensive and high technology industry.

Aug. 17 celebration at palace marred by rally

Aug. 17 celebration at palace marred by rally JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid led on Thursday a solemn commemoration of Indonesia's 55th anniversary on the grounds of the official residence, Istana Merdeka, as students staged noisy demonstrations in the Monas Square nearby the palace. Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri assisted the President during the ceremony, including handling of the country's first official flag, made by her mother the late Fatmawati.

Past rights crimes may get protection under Constitution

Past rights crimes may get protection under Constitution JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly is almost certain to pass a controversial constitutional amendment which will protect anyone from being charged for crimes committed in the past, including human rights abuses, using a newly invoked law. The amendment, which is expected to be endorsed on Friday, effectively bars the retroactive application of any state law. The passing of the amendment comes at a critical juncture.

Top seed Taufik beats Sun, Hashim

Top seed Taufik beats Sun, Hashim JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian teen idol Taufik Hidayat made a giant stride on Thursday at the US$150,000 Proton-Eon Malaysia Open at Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam, Malaysia, after overwhelming Sun Jun of China and Roslin Hashim of Malaysia. Nineteen-year-old Taufik beat the 1999 world champion Sun 15- 11, 15-13 in 54 minutes. Later in the afternoon the top seed Indonesian overcame Hashim 15-13, 15-13. He will meet Chen Hong of China in Friday's quarterfinals.

Body found in parked car

Body found in parked car JAKARTA (JP): A decomposing body was found inside a Kijang van parked in the Hilton Hotel compound on Thursday, a police officer said. Tanah Abang Police Sr. Insp. Angesta Romano Yoyol said the body, later identified as Erwin Sapta Wiradi, was noticed by the hotel parking attendant, Kaslan. "The victim's remains are in an early decomposing state as he checked into the hotel two days ago," he said. The police have not found a motive for the killing, he added.

PDI-P, Golkar dismiss antimilitary protests

PDI-P, Golkar dismiss antimilitary protests JAKARTA (JP): The two largest factions in the People's Consultative Assembly -- the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party -- have brushed off the outcry over the continued presence of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police in the nation's highest legislative body, saying they were still needed to help advise on and tackle security and defense issues.

Kotagede festival opens

Kotagede festival opens YOGYAKARTA: A two-week festival featuring traditional arts, performances and cuisine began on Thursday in Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta. "We plan to hold Festival Kotagede every August," said the chairman of the festival's organizing committee, M. Natsier. The event ends on Sept. 2. According to Natsier, one reason people in Kotagede are participating in the festival is to change the image of the town as merely a town of silversmiths.

BPKP KO'd, KKN OK?

BPKP KO'd, KKN OK? From Republika The 1945 Constitution on state finances puts the President in a hard position. The President does not have the authority to fully arrange the supervisory function of state finance. He cannot set up a supervisory institution to assist him in running the administration as it would be against the Constitution.

Light tremors shake Bengkulu

Light tremors shake Bengkulu BENGKULU, Bengkulu: A deep-seated earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale rocked Bengkulu and its surrounding villages on Wednesday morning. No casualties were reported. The epicenter of the quake was located some 19 kilometers northwest of Bengkulu 80 kilometers under the seafloor.

Akbar calls on the nation to boost spirit of nationalism

Akbar calls on the nation to boost spirit of nationalism JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung in his address at the official start of a new House session on Wednesday stressed the need for the nation to evoke the spirit of nationalism to face the country's problems.

YACB to hold tours on anti-drug abuse

YACB to hold tours on anti-drug abuse JAKARTA (JP): Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YACB), a foundation preventing drug abuse, is organizing a series of tours and seminars in Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo and Bali from Aug. 21 until Sept. 4, a foundation official said on Wednesday. YACB spokesman Alice Joe said the seminar series would begin at Gradhika Bhakti Praja in Semarang, Central Java, on Aug. 22, and continue with events at Graha Sabha Pramana in Yogyakarta on Aug.

Sawung Jabo bangs a gong for world music

Sawung Jabo bangs a gong for world music By Sonya Sandham SYDNEY (JP): If you thought you had heard the last of Sawung Jabo and his words of condemnation for social injustice, think again. He is back with more songs, a new outlook and a band with a difference. Ten years on, Jabo is as passionate about his homeland as he was when, together with Iwan Fals, he penned the words to the song that gained him national notoriety -- Bongkar.