Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 September 2000

50 articles found

Kidnappers strike Malaysian resort, three abducted

Kidnappers strike Malaysian resort, three abducted KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (Agencies): Gunmen have seized hostages from an east Malaysian dive resort in the second such kidnapping in five months and were headed by boat for the southern Philippines with their three captives, officials said on Monday. Malaysia launched a massive air and sea search for the gunmen, thought to be Filipinos, and their Malaysian hostages.

Government to consider lifting ban on polygamy

Government to consider lifting ban on polygamy JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan said on Monday that he would consider demands to end a ban on polygamy for civil servants which has been in force since the 1970s. "If the proposal reflects the aspirations of the people, then the government will welcome it," Tolchah was quoted by Antara as saying, responding to an appeal by United Islam (Persis) at its congress which ended in Jakarta on Monday.

House refuses to discuss bill on development plan

House refuses to discuss bill on development plan JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives on Monday postponed initial hearing on a bill on the National Development Program (Propenas) due to the absence of Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli. In a plenary session, led by House deputy speaker A.M.

More bodies of 'massacre victims' recovered in Poso

More bodies of 'massacre victims' recovered in Poso POSO, Central Sulawesi (JP): A fact-finding team investigating the recent sectarian riots here has recovered 19 more bodies in a ravine situated between Taipa and Bancea villages in South Pamona subdistrict, some 95 kilometers south of here. The corpses, believed to be victims of a massacre, were reburied in nearby Lawanga village by the team members and local residents on Monday.

Hotel workers demand management pay salaries

Hotel workers demand management pay salaries JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Sari Pan Pacific hotel workers staged a rally in front of the four-star hotel's lobby on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta on Monday, demanding that management pay their salaries, which have been unpaid since June. The protesters were part of a group of some 100 employees who were suspended by the hotel after staging a protest last December.

State firms 'must set aside' profit for the poor

State firms 'must set aside' profit for the poor JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Monday it would order state-owned companies to contribute 1 percent of their net profit to poor families and small-scale enterprises. The Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy said in a media statement that the decision was reached during a meeting of economics ministers.

10 foreign fund managers eye Indonesia's debt market

10 foreign fund managers eye Indonesia's debt market JAKARTA (JP): Ten foreign fund managers with some US$5 billion in investment funds are on a visit here to take a closer look at the Indonesian debt market, a senior executive at a local investment firm said on Monday. Indonesian Recovery Company Limited (IRCL) director Felix H. Parlindungan said the investors sought opportunities in what he called "distressed debts".

Malaysian palm oil futures fall

Malaysian palm oil futures fall KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Falls in Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Project A screen trading wiped out earlier gains by Malaysian palm oil futures on Monday while August 1-10 export figures failed to remove worries about rising stocks in the coming months, traders said. The benchmark third-month November futures contract ended down five ringgit at 987 ringgit (US$259.73) ton after trading as high as 1,004 ringgit on Friday's rises in Chicago.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 11, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 690 60 483,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 245 -15 126,500 Alakasa Industrindo 695 -95 19,000 Alfa Retailindo 875 0 0 Alter Abadi 265 0 59,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,005 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 0 15,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,060 -5 162,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Tension grips Pasaman after day of unrest

Tension grips Pasaman after day of unrest PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Tension gripped Pasaman regency, located some 150 kilometers southwest of here, on Monday following an overnight riot involving thousands of locals in the Airgadang Simpang plantation area. Thousands of locals stormed the plantation at 10 a.m. on Sunday, demanding a share of the land. The police arrived at the plantation on Sunday night and attempted to disperse the crowd.

Indonesia cuts export taxes on CPO and products

Indonesia cuts export taxes on CPO and products JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut Pandjaitan said on Monday that the government had agreed to cut down export taxes on crude palm oil (CPO) to five percent and on its products to two percent. Luhut said that the new tax policy would be effective starting on Tuesday (today).

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Performances * Traditional Dance, Workshop by Rigas Dance Studio at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 4233562), 3 p.m., Sept. 16-17. * Sundanese Traditional Music Competition, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, 10 a.m., Sept. 19-20. Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 390 (Phone: 022 2500303): - SOB Fun Pub, at 9 p.m.

Kamra wants legal status

Kamra wants legal status YOGYAKARTA: Some 700 members of People's Security (Kamra) civilian militia from Yogyakarta and the Central Java towns of Semarang, Surakarta and Klaten staged a street protest on Monday, demanding their status be clarified. They marched to Yogyakarta gubernatorial office complex in Kepatihan and were received by Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. Rubiyanto, spokesman for the protesters, said their Kamra contracts would expire at the end of this year.

Housing complex residents rally

Housing complex residents rally JAKARTA (JP): Some 200 residents of the Angkasa Pura housing complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, rallied at the Kemayoran New Town Authority (DPPPKK) offices on Monday, demanding the right to buy their houses.

Kerinci Seblat Park: Conservation vs economic interest

Kerinci Seblat Park: Conservation vs economic interest By Yusran Edo Fauzi KERINCI SEBLAT, West Sumatra (JP): Conservation efforts at Kerinci Seblat National Park are being thwarted. The park, which straddles Jambi, West Sumatra, Bengkulu and South Sumatra provinces, has become a stage where the interests of conservation and economics clash.

Mini tennis tour for students

Mini tennis tour for students SEMARANG (JP): The Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Tennis Association is organizing a mini tennis tournament for elementary school students. "We expect to recruit talented young players from the tournament. We have been organizing the tournament since 1999 for elementary school students in Ambarawa," the chairman of the chapter's athlete development division, Soehartono Lenggono, said.

Honor must be protected

Honor must be protected No prophet has ever prohibited any believer, man or women, to run, jump, throw, wrestle, knock or swim for the honor of his or her country or to compete for the glory of sports. But what begun about 500 BC in honor of Zeus, a god from Greek mythology, in Olympiad, Greece -- from where the flame for the modern Olympic Games is taken, continues until today.

One killed as group attacks school

One killed as group attacks school BOGOR (JP): A high school student was killed and another one severely injured when a group of armed scoundrels, allegedly from SMK YTKB high school in Pasar Mawar area, raided and attacked a public minivan in the crowded street of Jl. Empang Bogor on Monday morning. Sixteen-year-old Dede Sulaiman of SMK YZA high school died in the minivan due to severe injuries to his chest and both of his legs.

Bob Hasan's graft trial begins on Sept. 20

Bob Hasan's graft trial begins on Sept. 20 JAKARTA (JP): The multimillion dollar graft trial against timber tycoon and former president Soeharto's golfing buddy, Muhamad "Bob" Hasan, will begin on Wednesday next week at the Central Jakarta District Court, an official said on Monday. "The panel of judges will comprise judges Poerwanto and Ali Akmal Haqy as members and myself as the presiding judge.

ASEAN warned of being sidelined

ASEAN warned of being sidelined SINGAPORE (DPA): ASEAN parliamentarians were warned on Monday the regional organization will be marginalized and relegated to the sidelines by international investors if it continues to be perceived as "weakened and drifting." "We must prove them wrong," Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the opening of the 21st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organizations (AIPO) meeting in Singapore.

'It was Soeharto's order': Sutiyoso

'It was Soeharto's order': Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, a retired three-star Army general, admitted on Monday that military personnel were assigned to take over the PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, on July, 27, 1996 after then president Soeharto had implicitly ordered some senior military and police officers to stop the free speech forum which was being staged at the building.

Few Malaysian visitors to RI

Few Malaysian visitors to RI JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is not a very attractive place to visit for Malaysians compared to several other countries in the region, despite the close cultural ties between the nations, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Tunku Iskandar said.

Investment climate key to recovery: BI

Investment climate key to recovery: BI MELBOURNE (Reuters):Indonesia's central bank acting governor on Monday declared that improvement in the country's investment climate was key to a sustainable recovery for its economy. "We are very serious about improving the investment climate. For sustainable growth we need this," Anwar Nasution told Reuters in an interview at the World Economic Forum.

Youths call on government to ban luxury car imports

Youths call on government to ban luxury car imports JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of people calling themselves the Anti- Luxury Cars Movement (GAMM), staged a rally at the Jakarta Convention Center on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, on Monday demanding the government ban the import of luxury cars.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 Music 9:00 TV Drama 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Show 3:30 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Talk Show 5:30 News (in English) 6:00 Sports 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports 9:00 News 9:30 TV Drama 10:30 News Program 2 5:30 p.m. News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Music and Information 7:30 Music 9:00 Indian Film 12:00 p.m.

JAL to pay repairs to houses damaged by falling engine

JAL to pay repairs to houses damaged by falling engine JAKARTA (JP): Japan Airlines (JAL) announced on Monday it would pay for repairs to houses in three Tangerang villages that were damaged when engine parts from a Boeing 747 fell on them last week. However, the airline did not say whether it would pay compensation to villagers who suffered shock during the incident.

Cabinet meets over Atambua killings

Cabinet meets over Atambua killings JAKARTA (JP); Under international pressure following the killing of three UN workers in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, last week, President Abdurrahman Wahid called a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the latest situation in the area shortly after returning from a week-long overseas trip on Monday morning.

Nandar's post as Indonesia's head coach still unclear

Nandar's post as Indonesia's head coach still unclear JAKARTA (JP): With only one month left to go to the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) remained tight-lipped on the fate of national coach Nandar Iskandar. PSSI secretary general, Tri Goestoro, said on Monday he was still unsure as to whether the association would take the opportunity of replacing Nandar with Dutchman Henk Wullems.

Thailand opens further to foreign investors

Thailand opens further to foreign investors BANGKOK (Reuters): The Thai Securities Exchange Commission said on Monday it would allow foreign investors to buy non-voting depositary receipts (NVDRs) for Thai shares within two months, widening investment options for foreigners. Until now, foreign investors have been constrained by laws preventing more than 49 percent of any Thai company being in foreign hands.

PanAsia Paper inks contract

PanAsia Paper inks contract Singapore (Dow Jones): Singapore's PanAsia Paper Co., a major newsprint producer in Asia, said on Monday it has inked a three- year contract to supply up to 42,000 metric tons of newsprint a year to Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. "This is a significant agreement given that the newsprint situation worldwide is very volatile," according to a PanAsia Paper press release quoting Andre M.J. van Hattum, its president and chief operating officer.

East Timor case a whitewash

East Timor case a whitewash From Jurnal Indonesia The Attorney General's Office announced on Sept. 1, 2000, 19 "possible suspects" in the East Timor violence. General Wiranto and other leaders of the Indonesian Military, which were earlier recommended by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) after an investigation, were not mentioned. This was because of manipulation of, and deviation from, the meaning of human rights crimes by the Attorney General's Office.

Ambarawa-Bedono Special steams again

Ambarawa-Bedono Special steams again By Tjahjono Rahardjo SEMARANG (JP): It was midday at the railway station of Ambarawa, a small town in Central Java. The engineer sounded the shrill whistle of the locomotive. Some passengers who were still on the platform, among them a number of Europeans, hurriedly boarded the train. Within minutes the steam locomotive and its complement of three dark green and cream colored teakwood carriages slowly pulled out of the station.

Bomb hoax rocks Yogyakarta

Bomb hoax rocks Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA (JP): An unidentified man called the Yogyakarta Police early on Monday claiming that bombs had been planted on the campus of the University of National Development (UPN). First. Isnp. Junaidi received the call. He then reported the bomb threat to center of control and operation chief Sr. Supt. Karyono, who then informed the UPN campus, located in Condong Catur. "Two units of the bomb squad were immediately sent to the campus.

President's help sought in Sampang regent row

President's help sought in Sampang regent row SURABAYA (JP): The East Java administration will seek President Abdurrahman Wahid's help in handling a rift over the newly elected regent of Sampang, Madura, Governor Imam Utomo said on Sunday evening. The decision was made after a meeting between two groups of ulema on Sunday evening to discuss the disputed regent's induction ended in a deadlock. "Both groups remained firm in their arguments ....

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 11, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Gus Dur judges his trip to U.S. a success

Gus Dur judges his trip to U.S. a success JAKARTA (JP): Brushing off international condemnation of Indonesia's role in the deaths of three UN workers in West Timor, President Abdurrahman Wahid boasted on Sunday his visit to the United States was a diplomatic success.

Citra drivers want Organda dissolved

Citra drivers want Organda dissolved JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 taxi drivers staged a protest against the Jakarta office of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) in Mayestik, South Jakarta, and later gathered at the compound of the legislators' building in Central Jakarta. The protesters of the Citra taxi company urged the organization to clarify its statement about the firm, and apologize. "Organda must withdraw the statement, it's an insult," drivers yelled.

Two explosive devices rock Aceh, police officer says

Two explosive devices rock Aceh, police officer says BANDA ACEH (JP): Two homemade bombs exploded at two separate locations in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh early Monday morning, a police officer said. Aceh Besar police chief Supt. Sayed Hoesainy said no fatalities or significant damage had been reported as a result of the two incidents. "The first device, a homemade grenade, exploded at the Baiturrahman police subprecinct office at 3 a.m., causing minor damage to the office's terrace.

Students enforce Indian oil blockade

Students enforce Indian oil blockade GUWAHATI, India (AFP): Production and transportation of crude oil in the northeastern Indian state of Assam was hit by thousands of student protesters Monday who demanded more jobs in the sector, officials here said. The All Assam Students' Union called a 120-hour blockade beginning Monday to press for the employment to some 300 jobless local Assamese in the state-owned Oil India Limited (OIL), the country's main oil exploration firm.

Myanmar tarnishes ASEAN's image

Myanmar tarnishes ASEAN's image MANILA: The Burmese (Myanmarese) military authorities have clamped severe restrictions on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party colleagues after 200 police hauled them back to Rangoon (Yangon) last weekend from Dala, a suburb where they had been stopped from proceeding to a meeting with party members set some 50 miles outside the capital.

Investing in RI companies

Investing in RI companies In the past few months many investors have complained about the lack of protection from capital market authorities, via radio, TV shows, etc., when the company they had shares in were delisted. However, I would like to suggest that investors do not totally depend on others to protect their investments. Even in the mature U.S. stock exchanges, there are stories of companies going bust, leaving investors with worthless stock.

Thriving China to provide opportunities for HK: Rubin

Thriving China to provide opportunities for HK: Rubin HONG KONG (AFX-ASIA): Chairman of Citigroup Inc's executive committee Robert Rubin said a thriving economy in China will provide tremendous business opportunities for Hong Kong, although he added that the territory's importance will "diminish" as Shanghai becomes a financial center.

22 candidates named for election commission

22 candidates named for election commission JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives announced on Monday it had received a list of 22 candidates for the General Elections Commission (KPU) from President Abdurrahman Wahid. Deputy House Speaker A.M. Fatwa said the House, which received the list on Friday, would approve half of these candidates for the commission, as stipulated in the law on general elections which the legislative body approved in June this year.

Sydney-based Indonesians to support RI athletes

Sydney-based Indonesians to support RI athletes JAKARTA (JP): The more than 28,000 Indonesians living in Sydney are ready to throw their weight behind Indonesian hopefuls at the Sydney Olympic Games. "The residents, about 6,000 to 7,000 of which are students, will give their support, especially to our shuttlers who are expected to win gold medals," Sydney Indonesian consulate general information officer Andre Marentek was quoted by Antara news agency as saying on Monday.

PSF producers take EU row to government

PSF producers take EU row to government JAKARTA (JP): Makers of polyester staple fiber (PSF) products have called on the government to intervene after the European Union and Turkey imposed antidumping duties on their products. The Association of Indonesian Synthetic Fiber Makers (APSyFI) in a statement, proposed that the row be discussed at ministerial levels with the European Commission and Turkish government.

Plan to buy buses from China opposed

Plan to buy buses from China opposed JAKARTA (JP): A transportation expert from Yogyakarta's Gajah Mada University, Heru Sutomo, urged the Jakarta city administration to be cautious in its plan to import buses from China. Heru told Governor Sutiyoso and his staff overseeing the plan to ensure the imported buses would not burden the city administration and the private bus companies which would purchase the Chinese vehicles.

The shackles of the farming life

The shackles of the farming life By Muyanja Aba Ssenyonga YOGYAKARTA (JP): One day during a break in a Bahasa Indonesia class there was a seemingly relaxed boy in his late teens idling away under the acacia shade on the campus grounds. He was slightly weighed down by a school bag strapped on his slim slightly stooping shoulders; his pouted lips exhaled the last puff on a butt of a cigarette.

Asian, Middle Eastern gas producers told to cooperate

Asian, Middle Eastern gas producers told to cooperate PATTAYA, Thailand (AP): Asian and Middle Eastern gas producers should join hands to benefit from the growing market for gas fuel in Asia, especially in China and India, a top official said Monday. Considering the potential size of these two markets, competition among suppliers of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, has been intense, said Mohamad Hasan Marican, president of Petronas, Malaysia's state oil and gas company.

Probe on Jihad Force leader

Probe on Jihad Force leader AMBON, Maluku: Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said on Monday that his office was currently gathering evidence and statements from witnesses for the investigation of alleged provocateurs in the strife-torn province. "We'll then summon the alleged provocateurs for further questioning, including the Laskar Jihad's Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Jihad Force) chief Jafar Umar Thalib, probably this week," Firman said.

Asian economies hit oil patch as prices stay high

Asian economies hit oil patch as prices stay high SINGAPORE (Reuters): Despite the weekend agreement by OPEC to boost output by 800,000 barrels per day, analysts envisage sustained high energy prices and a knock-on impact on highly oil- dependent Asian economies. If prices stay around current levels, Asia's key macroeconomic variables such as trade balances, inflation, fiscal balances and growth would inevitably be hit, analysts said.