Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 August 2000

57 articles found

President must be given chance to improve

President must be given chance to improve JAKARTA (JP): While calling for a tighter rein on President Abdurrahman Wahid due to his glaring flaws which have come to the fore in the past 10 months, scholars warned that replacing him now would be politically more costly to the nation. Respected Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid warned that there was no guarantee Abdurrahman's alternative would be any better or could bring about a better situation for the country.

Charity concert to promote the arts

Charity concert to promote the arts JAKARTA (JP): Noted pianist Ananda Sukarlan will perform a solo recital at the Hotel Mulia Senayan in Central Jakarta at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The event, part of a series of charity concerts to support local youth in the arts, is hosted by the Jakarta Foundation for the Arts. Sukarlan will play works by composers such as F. Chopin, L. V. Beethoven, Mochtar Embut, Jaya Suprana and Aaron Copland. The "Ananda Sukarlan Piano Recital No.

Hero reschedules $25m debt

Hero reschedules $25m debt JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Hero Supermarket announced on Wednesday the extension of the maturity of its US$25 million debt to June 2002. Hero president and CEO Ipung Kurnia said in a statement that the company had negotiated the average interest rate cost of between 2.5 and 3 percentage points above the Singapore interbank offered rate (Sibor) after withholding tax.

A long and bumpy road towards an East Asian Community

A long and bumpy road towards an East Asian Community By M.C. Abad, Jr. BANGKOK: It seems that East Asia has taken the challenge. On July 26 foreign ministers of 13 East Asian countries met here for the first time to firm up institutional arrangements that would coordinate the implementation of East Asian cooperation agenda. No less than the leaders of East Asia launched the seven-point East Asian cooperation agenda at their summit held in Manila in November 1999.

Government vows to crack down on tax evasion

Government vows to crack down on tax evasion JAKARTA (JP): Finance Minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Wednesday the government would crack down on tax evasion, which is estimated to cost the government billions of dollars a year. Bambang said that his office had stepped up cooperation with the Attorney General's Office, including exchanging information on individual taxpayers, to curb tax crime.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Furniture FURNITURE EXPO: The Ideal Furniture and Interior Expo 2000 will run at the Jakarta Convention Center through Aug. 6, 2000. The exhibition is a regular event held by PT Debindomulti Adhiswasti. National and international buyers and traders are expected to visit the expo. More than 100 companies of branded furniture are showing modern, classic and contemporary models and styles.

RI foreign debt $144.24b

RI foreign debt $144.24b JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance, and Industry Kwik Kian Gie said on Wednesday that Indonesia's foreign debts as of March 31 totaled US$144.24 billion. He said $75.04 billion of the total were the government's debts, and $69.2 billion were private companies' offshore debts.

Bali quiet after annual school vacation

Bali quiet after annual school vacation By I Ketut Suarja DENPASAR, Bali (ANTARA): The school vacation is over, students are back at school and Bali is once again deserted. A number of popular destinations in Bali such as Tanah Lot, Alas Kedaton, Kintamani, Sangeh, Kuta, Sanur, Tampak Siring palace and the mother temple Besakih in East Bali are now very quiet.

Haze in Riau: Case of deja vu

Haze in Riau: Case of deja vu By Roderick Bowen PALEMBANG (JP): The vegetation fires along the Riau - North Sumatra border that started on July 7 and sent smoke across the Straits of Malacca until July 20 should have been no surprise to anybody.

Government to boost health care in Irian Jaya

Government to boost health care in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health will launch an intensive health care program in Irian Jaya this August in order to improve community health in Indonesia's easternmost province, which is below national standard. The program begins on Tuesday with a three-day polio immunization campaign and distributing high dosages of vitamin A to some 292,000 infants below five years of age.

CPO benchmark unchanged

CPO benchmark unchanged JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade has decided to retain the export benchmark prices for palm oil and its derivatives, including crude palm oil (CPO), for the Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 period.

More companies issue bonds to raise funds

More companies issue bonds to raise funds JAKARTA (JP): More companies are turning to the bond market to raise funds because the banking sector remains hesitant to provide large loans to the industrial sector, analysts said. Economist Mari Pangestu of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said she saw a growing trend of companies issuing bonds as an alternative way to raise investment funds.

Reviewing debt deals

Reviewing debt deals It is comforting to note that President Abdurrahman Wahid acted quickly to end the controversy caused by inconsistent and contradictory statements by senior economic officials about the agreements hastily drawn with five conglomerates in October, 1998, for the settlement of billions of dollars of their debts to the central bank.

Telkom, Indosat welcome move to remove monopoly

Telkom, Indosat welcome move to remove monopoly JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state-owned telecommunications companies PT Telkom and PT Indosat welcomed on Wednesday the government's decision to terminate their monopoly over the sector in 2002 and 2003, ahead of the original schedules of 2010 and 2004 respectively. Both companies said they were upbeat about their future prospects despite the removal of their exclusive rights in the country's telecommunications sector.

Artist utilizes cultural symbols, identity in work

Artist utilizes cultural symbols, identity in work By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Anna Zuchriana's work entitled Kenapa Sih Cina? (Why Chinese?, 1997) surprised its audience when it was first exhibited. In the middle of the canvas, appears a bride in full costume. To her right, there is an advertisement: "Just married: Oey Twat Nio and M. Jusuf Rasjid.

ADB to finance Timor project

ADB to finance Timor project MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 4.5-million-dollar project to repair the damaged water supply in East Timor, the Philippines-based lender said Wednesday. The project will be financed by a grant from the ADB-managed Trust Fund for East Timor which was established through contributions from many donors, the ADB said in a statement.

More than just sun 'n' sand in detailed Bali guide

More than just sun 'n' sand in detailed Bali guide By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Travel guides often fall into one of two categories. They are either weighty picture books, crammed with luscious images but short on information, or seriously interesting bits of travel scholarship, fit to be thumbed through and returned to long after the vacation has ended. Few authors can find a harmonious marriage of the two, particularly when it comes to a daunting subject like Bali.

IMF okays $314m loan for Manila

IMF okays $314m loan for Manila WASHINGTON (DPA): The International Monetary Fund's Executive Board has approved a US$314-million disbursement to the Philippines under the country's IMF-directed credit arrangement, the institution said on Tuesday. The additional financing comes under a long-term structural adjustment program. With the latest loan, the total amount provided to the Philippines under the program amounts to $887 million.

Land scam

Land scam Given that two former forestry ministers were named recently in a land scam that has cost the state over Rp 140 billion, it is not difficult to imagine that Soni Keraf inherited a fundamentally corrupt department. Thus, dealing with plantation companies responsible for yet more forest fires may be more difficult than it first appears. But in a culture where face is almost everything he can begin with a simple principle. Name them and shame them.

Marine exploration

Marine exploration From Media Indonesia As a nationalist and a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, I am proud of the initiative taken by President Abdurrahman Wahid to set up the Marine Explorations and Fishery Ministry, one of the ministries in his National Unity Cabinet.

Galungan signifies a spiritual renewal

Galungan signifies a spiritual renewal DENPASAR, Bali (ANTARA): Millions of Balinese Hindus solemnly celebrated Galungan yesterday. Galungan, which fell on Wednesday, is one of the most important religious events for the Balinese Hindu and it is celebrated every six months (210 days) according to the Balinese calendar. Galungan will be followed by Kuningan, which marks the end of the Galungan period and lasts for 12 days. Galungan is a time for prayers, family-gatherings and offerings.

Backlash seen for RP as it squeezes out rebels

Backlash seen for RP as it squeezes out rebels By Cecil Morella MANILA (AFP): International terrorists could be targeting the Philippines due to President Joseph Estrada's move to stamp out Moro extremism in his own backyard, officials and diplomats said Wednesday after a deadly bomb attack on Manila's envoy to Indonesia.

Seminar on energy outlook

Seminar on energy outlook JAKARTA (JP): The upcoming Indonesian International Oil, Gas & Energy Conference and Exhibition 2000 (IIOGE 2000) will address Indonesia's energy outlook and its effects on the global energy markets, the conference's organizer said on Wednesday. The conference, to be held from Sept. 19 to Sept.

Maya Sigit drug hearing begins at district court

Maya Sigit drug hearing begins at district court JAKARTA (JP): Gusti Maya Firanti Noor, 29, wife of former president Soeharto's grandson, Ari Sigit, appeared at the West Jakarta District Court without her husband on Wednesday for the initial hearing of her alleged involvement in drugs.

Drought hits C. Java regencies

Drought hits C. Java regencies SEMARANG: A total of 72 villages in 15 districts in Grobogan regency are suffering clean water shortages as nearby wells and rivers are empty due to a long dry spell. Chief of Central Java's Social Unit in Grobogan, Mudakir Adi, said some of the districts most severely affected were Purwodadi, Wirosari, Brati, Kedungjati, Tawanghardjo and Kradenan. "We will start distributing clean water by tanker. Each of them will carry around 5,000 liters," he said on Wednesday.

Police distribute sketches of suspected office bomber

Police distribute sketches of suspected office bomber JAKARTA (JP): After four weeks of investigation, South Jakarta Police distributed on Wednesday sketches of a man suspected of detonating a bomb at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta on July 4. Two sketches of the man, one in profile, show that the suspect has a slight moustache, round eyes, wavy hair, a sharp nose and some facial hair.

Stern action against boar meat vendors urged

Stern action against boar meat vendors urged JAKARTA (JP): City Council Commission B for economic affairs demanded the city administration on Wednesday to take stern action against vendors who sold wild boar meat as cheap beef at marketplaces in the capital. Commission chairman Syarief Zulkarnaen said the City Animal Husbandry should involve the police in its follow-up of findings.

Malaysia seizes smuggled Thai rice

Malaysia seizes smuggled Thai rice KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia has seized 216 tons of smuggled rice from Thailand since July and pledged to continue a crackdown on the contraband grain, a government minister said on Wednesday. Last month, the government set up a task force whose members include police, customs and excise department, port authorities and Malaysia's largest rice trader, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) in order to curb smuggling.

Thieves active on Galungan day

Thieves active on Galungan day DENPASAR, Bali: Thieves broke into Federal International Finance (FIF) credit company on Wednesday morning and made away with at least Rp 30 million in cash. The robbery took place while the office was closed because locals were commemorating Galungan, a religious festival. Thieves cut through the steel padlock on the iron rolling door of the office located on Jl. Gatot Subroto, an emerging business area in the northern outskirts of Denpasar.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 2, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 655 30 26,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 315 5 501,500 Alakasa Industrindo 900 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 895 0 13,500 Alter Abadi 280 -5 200,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 335 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,190 -10 255,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

RP rebels seize three new hostages

RP rebels seize three new hostages JOLO, Philippines (AFP): Philippine kidnappers appear ready to release some of their 17 hostages, even as they abducted three more Filipinos they plan to use as human shields, sources close to the negotiations said on Wednesday.

Fresh violence in Ambon, 11 injured

Fresh violence in Ambon, 11 injured AMBON, Maluku (JP): Explosions erupted and gunshots rang out again in ravaged Ambon city on Wednesday, leaving at least 11 people injured. Heavily armed rioters raided the areas of Trikora, Pohon Pule, Diponegoro and Paradise Tengah in downtown Ambon at about 11 a.m., causing panic among passersby, motorists and local residents. According to data from Dr.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Aug. 2, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

IBRA to sell catering firm

IBRA to sell catering firm JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Wednesday that it would sell all of its stake in industrial catering company PT Pangansari Utama, which was formerly owned by Mohamad "Bob" Hasan. "Pangansari will be sold this year to help raise Rp 18.9 trillion for the state budget," IBRA head of asset disposals Dasa Sutantio said in a statement.

KKN alleged in West Java

KKN alleged in West Java BANDUNG: A special provincial council committee on graft in the West Java administration alleged on Tuesday that Governor R. Nuriana may be involved in corruption. Committee secretary Rizal Fadillah said the Governor "could be involved in formulating policies that are based on corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) which have caused the state to lose around Rp 209 billion".

Summit distraction and destruction

Summit distraction and destruction Undeniably, the recent summit of influential political leaders -- Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais, Akbar Tandjung -- arranged in the former capital city of the Republic, Yogyakarta, and hosted by the popular Sultan of that special autonomous territory, provided a cooling distraction from the accumulation of political tension in the capital city in anticipation of the annual meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) when anything...

Bomb attack was personal: Caday

Bomb attack was personal: Caday JAKARTA (JP): The blast in front of the residence of the Philippine Ambassador, Leonides T. Caday, came from a high explosive bomb, similar to the unexploded bomb found at the Attorney General's office early last month, a senior police forensic officer disclosed on Wednesday. From Manila, Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she had personally talked with Caday and he told her that he believed the blast on Tuesday was aimed at him.

First the bomb, now the hoaxes

First the bomb, now the hoaxes JAKARTA (JP): Still gripped by horror after Tuesday's powerful blast in front of the Philippine envoy's residence, Jakartans received more scary news: bomb hoaxes. According to City Police data, bomb squad personnel rushed to at least four buildings, where owners or management reported they had been called by unidentified callers from Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon and warned about bombs hidden on the premises.

Speculation continues of motive behind bomb blast

Speculation continues of motive behind bomb blast JAKARTA (JP): Speculation continued on Wednesday on the motive behind the bomb explosion in front of the Philippine ambassador's house, with theories ranging from international terrorism, a personal vendetta to local groups bent on creating chaos. Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who was in Washington when the blast occurred, said he had a very strong suspicion terrorists were behind Tuesday's attack.

Relatives identify one of bomb blast fatalities

Relatives identify one of bomb blast fatalities JAKARTA (JP): One of the two fatalities of the bomb blast at the Philippines ambassador's residence was identified by her relatives on Wednesday as Titin, 42. "We were able to identify her face and a scar near her left eye," Iwan, who said he was a nephew of the victim, told reporters at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital morgue.

Indosat profit rises by 41.5% in first half

Indosat profit rises by 41.5% in first half JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed international telephone operator PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation (Indosat) announced on Wednesday unaudited consolidated net income of Rp 944.4 billion (US$108.1 million) for the first half of 2000. The international direct dial (IDD) provider said profits were 41.5 percent higher than the corresponding period in 1999.

KL palm oil stays weak on liquidation

KL palm oil stays weak on liquidation KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures remained weak on Wednesday with players liquidating their positions due to a lack of fresh leads. The benchmark third position October futures contract closed two ringgit down at 1,030 ringgit (US$271.05) a ton after trading as low as 1,023. Overall volume improved to 964 lots against 543 on Tuesday. Physical Aug (south) crude palm oil was offered at 1,020 ringgit a ton against bids of 1,015.

Banser members flood Jakarta

Banser members flood Jakarta SURABAYA (JP): Huge numbers of Banser civilian militiamen have arrived in Jakarta from East Java to safeguard the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) Annual Session, despite an official ban. Chairman of the East Java provincial chapter of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Choirul Anam revealed here on Wednesday that hundreds of Banser members were now in Jakarta. "They are staying at their relatives' homes in the capital, watching the situation.

Wynne Prakusya earns Olympics wild card

Wynne Prakusya earns Olympics wild card JAKARTA (JP): Young women's tennis player Wynne Prakusya managed to reach her goal of competing in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney after the International Olympics Committee (IOC) awarded her a wild card earlier this month.

Stablehand jailed for doping horses

Stablehand jailed for doping horses SINGAPORE (DPA): A Singapore stablehand who took bribes from a Malaysian to dope horses considered favorites in races was sentenced to a year in jail and fined S$9,000 (US$5,200), the published verdict said on Wednesday. Mohamed Iruanda Kamaruddin, 27, was caught at the Kranji Turf Club while injecting the animal in his last attempt to drug a horse.

Chia leads second day despite heavy rain

Chia leads second day despite heavy rain JAKARTA (JP): Danny Chia of Malaysia played more convincingly in the second day of the Olympic Golf Championship at the Rancamaya golf course in Bogor Wednesday despite heavy rain which halted the match. Chia, who jointly led with Indonesians Ilyasak and Maan Nasim on the opening day, played aggressively with long strokes and beautiful backspin chips. His well-placed balls always landed near the pins.

Malaysia leads ASEAN car sales

Malaysia leads ASEAN car sales KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian new vehicle sales in the first half of this year were the highest in Southeast Asia, a trade association said on Wednesday. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which represents distributors, said 163,721 vehicles were sold against 129,722 in the first half of 1999, a 26 percent rise. Aishah Ahmad, MAA president, said the figure was the highest among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

KPC workers back on strike

KPC workers back on strike JAKARTA (JP): Coal mining company PT Kaltim Prima Coal halted its operations once more on Wednesday as workers backed away from negotiations and blockaded the company's mine in Sanggata regency, East Kalimantan, an executive at the company said on Wednesday. This was the third time within the past two months that KPC was forced to stop its operations, damaging the company's ability to serve its customers.

Indonesia eyes two golds in President's Cup

Indonesia eyes two golds in President's Cup JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is aiming to take two gold medals in the final of the 19th President's Cup international amateur boxing tournament at the Grand Bali Beach hotel at Sanur, Bali, on Thursday night. However, the three Indonesian boxers who earned the final berths will have to fight hard to overcome Mexico, who also qualified three boxers to the final round. Both countries have so far collected 15 points after 16 bouts of competition.

Gus Dur to embark on overseas visit next month

Gus Dur to embark on overseas visit next month JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid will visit the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand early next month, a presidential aide said on Wednesday. The President's secretary Djoko Moeljono said Wahid will first travel to New York to attend the UN Millennium Summit, which is expected to draw heads of state from around the world to discuss the future of the world body. Abdurrahman will later travel to Canada and Europe.

Nine men's chess players advance to second round

Nine men's chess players advance to second round JAKARTA (JP): Nine men cruised into the second round of the 34th Chess Olympic Games national selection tournament on Wednesday. FIDE Master (FM) Awam Wahono of West Java posted a comfortable 2-0 win over National Master (NM) Mirwansyah of East Kalimantan. NM Nessy Suheri of East Java overcame NM Sugeng Prayitno of Jakarta 2-0, while International Master (IM) Dede Liu of Jakarta beat NM Ali Bahar of Aceh 2-0.

Informatics network

Informatics network Informatics is glad to reply to the article in The Jakarta Post on July 21, 2000, from Mr. Adrianus Hiyung Tjung. Mr. Adrianus's interest in obtaining an IT academic accreditation led him to the long-sanding name of Informatics Computer School (ICS) of the Informatics Group in Singapore. There are ICS centers in Taman Aries and Pondok Cabe, with new centers to be set up in Pluit in the months of August and September, and Slipi in the months of September and October.

Can legislators evaluate their own performances?

Can legislators evaluate their own performances? JAKARTA (JP): A political observer considered it strange and paradoxical that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), a majority of whom are members of the House of Representatives (DPR), will have to evaluate the House's progress report in next week's first Annual Session.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Ceramics Exhibition: Traveling Exhibition of Peoples Ceramics and Tilted Potter's Wheel Technique Pager Jurang, at Kintamani Hall, Santika Beach Bali Hotel, Jl. Kartika Plaza, Tuban (Phone: 0361 751267), until Aug. 4. * Painting Exhibition: Kebiar Seni VI Bibit, at Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Phone: 0361 975136), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Oct. 2. * Painting, Sculpture Exhibition by N.A.

Yemeni investors build palm oil plant in North Sumatra

Yemeni investors build palm oil plant in North Sumatra MEDAN, N. Sumatra (JP): State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Rozy Munir praised the two palm oil factories built by Yemeni investors in the Medan industrial estate as a vote of confidence in Indonesia's future despite the multidimensional crisis the country currently is mired in.

Djajanti blames delisting on Maluku unrest

Djajanti blames delisting on Maluku unrest JAKARTA (JP): Fishery and plantation concern Djajanti Group on Wednesday blamed the failure of its publicly listed subsidiaries to complete their financial reports on time on the continuing violence in Maluku. The failure of PT Daya Guna Samudra (DGS) and PT Bintuni Mina Raya (BMR) to finalize their 1999 financial reports caused the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) to delist the two companies on July 28.

Central bank claims on-site inspections helping rupiah

Central bank claims on-site inspections helping rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) acting governor Anwar Nasution said on Wednesday the central bank's recent move to send its inspectors to foreign exchange banks operating in the country had been effective in helping to stabilize the rupiah. Anwar reiterated that the on-site inspections were aimed only at ensuring that the banks abided by the existing prudential rulings.