Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 September 2000

52 articles found

Agrowiyana transfers debts

Agrowiyana transfers debts JAKARTA (JP): Oil palm plantation company PT Agrowiyana has transferred debts worth Rp 71.9 billion (about US$8.5 million) from the now defunct Bank Nusa Nasional (BNN) to Bank Muamalat. The company's president Bobby Gafur Umar said that by transferring the debts the company could go ahead with its oil palm project, which was delayed in 1998 following the closure of BNN.

Vietnam, ACPC discuss coffee plan

Vietnam, ACPC discuss coffee plan HANOI (Dow Jones): Officials from Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development and Vietnam Coffee & Cocoa Association, or Vicofa, are meeting on Monday afternoon with Sergio Amaral, chairman of the Association of Coffee Producing Countries, a Vicofa official told Dow Jones Newswires.

Bad business

Bad business Recently I had to send US$400 via Western Union Quick Pay. I went to the Kuta branch of Bank BII who are the agents for Western Union. They would not accept U.S. currency of $400 but told me I could change the dollars into rupiah at a low rate and then buy dollars at a higher rate which I could then send. What a rip off! I then withdrew the sum of Rp 3,484,000 (at the prevailing exchange rate of the day) Rp 8,710 =$400 plus Rp 133,000 charges, from my BII A/C and sent it.

Fears of the unknown

Fears of the unknown For the first time last week, the Indonesian government was confronted with the tough decision of whether or not to give its official seal of approval to a commercial application to develop and sell transgenic products.

Lipposhop, Anderson tie up

Lipposhop, Anderson tie up JAKARTA (JP) : Lipposhop and Andersen Consulting agreed here on Monday to jointly develop and manage a One Stop Online Shopping venture that includes a vertical shopping portal and a 24-hour Call Center. Anderson said in a statement that Lipposhop had chosen the firm as an exclusive partner in its effort to launch the business in the year 2000 and become one of the main players in Indonesia's retail industry over the next three years.

Kwik denies report attacking IMF role

Kwik denies report attacking IMF role JAKARTA (JP): Former coordinating minister for the economy, finance and industry Kwik Kian Gie said he was misquoted in The Jakarta Post 's front-page story on Sept. 18, 2000, headlined Ex- economic ministers attack IMF role in RI. The quotes were taken from statements Kwik made during a discussion in Jakarta on Sept. 16, 2000. The following are the main points of rebuttal, amplification or correction as submitted by Kwik: 1.

Aspac routs Mahaka 60-49 to extend winning streak

Aspac routs Mahaka 60-49 to extend winning streak JAKARTA (JP): Aspac maintained its 100 percent win record in the 2000 Nuvo Kobatama basketball league on Monday with a 60-49 rout of defending champion Mahaka Satria Muda. The result strengthened Aspac's lead in the nine-field tournament with 20 points after winning all its 10 games so far. Aspac is the only unbeaten team so far in the third leg of the league. But Aspac got off to a shaky start on Monday, falling 15-18 after the first quarter.

Govt to seek 'consensus' with House over MSAA

Govt to seek 'consensus' with House over MSAA JAKARTA (JP): The government is to meet with the House of Representatives Tuesday (today) to seek a "consensus" over the controversial Master of Settlement and Acquisition Agreement (MSAA), according to Attorney General Marzuki Darusman. Marzuki said late on Monday that the consensus included a clarification on whether former bank owners who had signed the MSAA should also be held accountable for violating banks' legal lending limits.

Professionals rally at JSX building

Professionals rally at JSX building JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people of different professions rallied at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building on Monday, condemning last week's bomb attack at the building which left at least 11 dead and dozens injured. The protesters, including lawyers, bankers, stock brokers and engineering consultants who work at the building and other business centers in the capital, rallied at the main entrance of the 34-story building during their lunchtime.

Inadequate evidence to try Soemarjono, claim lawyers

Inadequate evidence to try Soemarjono, claim lawyers SURABAYA (JP): Lawyers for Col. (ret) Soemarjono in their written rebuttal before the court maintained that there was insufficient evidence to charge their client for producing and distributing counterfeit money totaling Rp 4.2 billion.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Exhibition * Food, Clothes, Ceramics, Exhibition, at Taman Budaya - West Java Province Cultural Center, Jl Bukit Dago Selatan 53 A (Phone: 022 2504912), 7 p.m., Sept. 20-25. Performances * Sundanese Traditional Music Competition, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 4233562), 10 a.m., Sept. 19-20.

Winarni lifts Indonesia to second bronze

Winarni lifts Indonesia to second bronze SYDNEY (Agencies): Former world champion Winarni handed Indonesia its second bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games here on Monday when she finished third in the women's weightlifting competition. Inspired by teammate Lisa Rumbewas who clinched a bronze the day earlier, Winarni hoisted 90 kgs in snatch and 112 kgs in clean and jerk for a total lift of 202.5 kgs in the 53 kg division event.

GAM urged to end violence in restive Aceh

GAM urged to end violence in restive Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A diplomat urged the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday to end their campaign of violence and focus on joint peaceful efforts with the government to resolve the Aceh problem. The call was voiced by Indonesia's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nugroho Wisnumurti, after attending a meeting with Aceh provincial leaders and local religious leaders here.

U.S. warns Indonesia over West Timor crisis

U.S. warns Indonesia over West Timor crisis JAKARTA (JP): United States Defense Secretary William Cohen strongly warned Indonesia on Monday to disarm pro-Jakarta militias and thoroughly resolve the Atambua issue or risk loosing further economic assistance.

UNTAET, Australia will review Timor Gap treaty

UNTAET, Australia will review Timor Gap treaty CANBERRA (Antara): The Australian government and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), along with representatives of the former Portuguese colony, are slated to renegotiate the Timor Gap Treaty in Dili on Oct. 9-11.

A thousand new drug users everyday: Father Somar

A thousand new drug users everyday: Father Somar JAKARTA (JP): A 12-year-old girl approaches a sweet corn seller in Blok M, South Jakarta. "Pak, your tummy looks so chubby. I have just the right thing for you," she tells him. The girl opens her palm, showing him a small pack of shabu- shabu (crystal metamphetamine). "This is a very good drug. It'll make you thinner in three days. Guaranteed. If not, you can have your money back," she says.

Indonesia admits chance slimmer for double gold

Indonesia admits chance slimmer for double gold JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian chef de mission Arie Sudewo admitted on Monday his team's chances of reaching its target of two gold medals suffered a blow after a series of defeats on the badminton court. But Ari remained confident the country's remaining athletes would be in high spirits thanks to the contingent's second bronze, won by female weightlifter Winarni.

Gus Dur dismisses Gen. Rusdihardjo

Gus Dur dismisses Gen. Rusdihardjo JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid dismissed National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday, who he appointed to the position nine months ago. The President did not clearly explain the firing but said: "In general, the situation requires the replacement of the National Police chief." Abdurrahman appointed Rusdihardjo's deputy, Comr. Gen.

Sutiyoso bars bomb squad from combing his office

Sutiyoso bars bomb squad from combing his office JAKARTA (JP): The bomb squad which was deployed to City Hall after someone called in a bomb threat to the building was barred from entering Governor Sutiyoso's office. "Yes, I did not allow them to comb my office simply because there are lots of confidential documents (in there) which should be seen only by myself," the governor said. The governor said the bomb threat, which proved to be a hoax, did not worry him.

Ending bombings lies with police

Ending bombings lies with police By Mulchis Anwar YOGYAKARTA (JP): Jakarta has now become a city of terror involving bombs. The explosion at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) followed an earlier one with limited damage at the Attorney General's Office and the one at the residence of the Philippine envoy which took a few victims. There were dozens of victims at the JSX and further explosions could hurt more people if they are not properly anticipated.

Police chief's dismissal gets mixed reactions

Police chief's dismissal gets mixed reactions JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's replacement of National Police chief. Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday received mixed reactions with some suggesting that the decision is not valid unless it is approved by the House of Representatives.

Does crisis still prevail?

Does crisis still prevail? Life at the moment, particularly in Jakarta, is extremely contradictory. On the one hand there are too many unemployed people, or those who do any kind of work provided they are paid for it. People cannot afford to buy things they need, or they are broke and do not know what to do to make money. On the other hand, there are people who waste money and buy luxury things like new cars and other things. Question: Are we still in a crisis, a time of difficulty?

Rexy wants to change shirt

Rexy wants to change shirt SYDNEY (AFP): Indonesia's badminton players are unhappy with their kits for the Sydney Olympic Games. Star player Rexy Mainaky let the cat out of the bag after a doubles match with partner Ricky Ahmad Subagja. "I was uncomfortable," said Mainaky. "My shirts are not cotton. It was too hot. Maybe I will change it if they let me."

Global currencies Sept. 18

Global currencies Sept. 18 Current High Low Euro* 0.8525 0.8574 0.8519 Japanese Yen 106.85 107.18 106.69 British Pound* 1.3972 1.4015 1.3962 Swiss Franc 1.7860 1.7891 1.7777 Austrian Schilling 16.1354 16.1525 16.0545 Belgian Franc 47.3030 47.3530 47.0660 Danish Crown 8.7580 8.7633 8.7118 Dutch Guilder 2.5841 2.5868 2.5711 Finnish Markka 6.9720 6.9794 6.9370 French Franc 7.6918 7.6999 7.6532 German Mark 2.2934 2.2958 2.2819 Greek Drachma 397.22 397.59 395.34 Irish Punt 1.0825 1.0883 1.0817...

Data on Kerinci Seblat national park unreliable

Data on Kerinci Seblat national park unreliable By Yusran Edo Fauzi KERINCI SEBLAT, West Sumatra (JP): Kerinci Seblat National Park is about 1.4 million hectares in size, making it Indonesia's second largest national park after Lorentz National Park in Irian Jaya, which measures 2.15 million hectares.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,475.00 Austrian schilling 1 528.38 Australian dollar 1 4,652.78 Belgian franc 1 180.24 Canadian dollar 1 5,697.48 Swiss franc 1 4,778.96 Deutschemark 1 3,718.74 Danish krone 1 982.43 French franc 1 1,108.40 Poundsterling 1 11,877.71 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,086.73 Italian lira 100 375.50 Japanese yen 100 7,876.39 Malaysian ringgit 1 2,230.32 Dutch guilder 1 3,299.31 New Zealand dollar 1 3,561.20 Norwegian krone 1 913.21 Swedish krona 1 871.86 Singaporean dollar 1...

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Olympics Program 12:00 p.m. Interval 2:00 News 2:30 Olympics Program 6:30 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Talks Show 8:00 Olympics Program 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.

Local share prices fall to 17 month low

Local share prices fall to 17 month low JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) plunged seven percent on Monday as trading reopened after last week's bomb blast at the bourse. Securities dealers said that share prices dived across the board amid uncertainty over the country's security situation, pushing down the JSX Composite Index to a 17-month low at 411.03 -- a seven percent drop on Wednesday's close.

Canadian firm finds no oil

Canadian firm finds no oil JAKARTA (JP): Canadian oil and gas company PT Canadian Petroleum Manna Ltd. had failed to find oil deposits during its exploration activities off the coast of Manna in the southern part of Bengkulu province, a provincial official said on Monday. Head of the province's Oil, Power and Renewable Energy Office Soegito was quoted by Antara as saying the company had drilled to a depth of 2,120 meters in quartz areas of the Baturaja and Talang Akar formations.

Confrontation?

Confrontation? With President Abdurrahman Wahid orally and undauntingly during a public meeting ordering the head of the police to arrest the youngest son of former president Soeharto, on suspicion of complicity in the latest bombing incident, confrontation has surfaced between the reformist camp and the New Order elements and sympathizers.

Crouch to speak in Yogya seminar

Crouch to speak in Yogya seminar YOGYAKARTA: Noted political scientist Harold Crouch of the Australian National University (ANU) is slated to speak in a seminar organized by the School of Social and Political Sciences at the Gadjah Mada University here on Tuesday. Crouch plans to speak about The Experience of Democratic Consolidation in Malaysia in the one-day seminar entitled Democratic Consolidation in the Comparative Perspective. Another foreign speaker, David G.

Future has never looked bleaker for Anwar

Future has never looked bleaker for Anwar By Simon Martin KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Two years after his dramatic arrest by scores of armed and hooded riot police, the future has never looked bleaker for Malaysia's ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. A team of lawyers, acting unpaid for the man once seen as premier in waiting, has lost every round of an exhaustive court battle to prove his innocence.

MILF vows not to assist rival Abu Sayyaf rebels

MILF vows not to assist rival Abu Sayyaf rebels MANILA (AFP): The Philippines' largest Muslim separatist guerrilla group pledged Monday to stay out of the way as a large military task force hunted down rival Islamic rebels holding 19 hostages. "We condemn their activities," Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu said of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. "They are simply lawless elements," he said over radio station DZMM.

West Sumatran forests in distress

West Sumatran forests in distress By Tantri Yuliandini PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Driving through the countryside around the provincial capital, there is no way you can miss the natural wealth endowed on this part of Indonesia. There is a sea of lush green forests spread out as far as the eye can see, rising and falling gently following the contours of the land, broken only by small villages and the winding country roads. Just outside Padang, at the Dr. M.

Faith healer turned killer gets 16 years in jail

Faith healer turned killer gets 16 years in jail JAKARTA (JP): Fichri Richard Datulong, 22, sat quiet on Monday as a judge sentenced him to 16 years in jail for strangling and bludgeoning a hotel manager and his wife to death at their home in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, in November last year. "The defendant is guilty of violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder," presiding judge Nachrowi told the East Jakarta District Court.

Hong Kong flag not standard issue

Hong Kong flag not standard issue SYDNEY (AFP): Games officials have apologized to Hong Kong athletes after it was revealed they marched under a wrongly- designed flag during the Games opening ceremony. The five stars and pointed petals of the bauhinia, the territory's flower, were slightly out of position on the flag. The Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games apologized and assured Hong Kong that there were no other incorrect Hong Kong flags.

Atambua murders

Atambua murders We, the whole family, wish to express condolences over the murder of three UNHCR relief workers and 11 locals as a result of the assassination of Olivio Mendosa Moruk.

Outline of Biodiversity Wealth

Outline of Biodiversity Wealth Name Scientific Name ------------------------------------------------------------ - Two-horned Sumatran rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensis - Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrensis - Branch tiger Neofelis nebulosa - Honey bear Helarctos malayanus - Golden cat Felix termminnckii - Forest cat Felix bengalensis - "Kukang" cat Nycticebus coucang - Tarcius Tarsius sp - Sumatran forest goat Capricornus sumatranus - Sumatran elephant Elephas maximus sumatrensis - Tapir...

Man caught carrying explosive materials

Man caught carrying explosive materials DENPASAR, Bali: A Philippine national named Hernandus Oscar Mercado, 48, is being detained after he was discovered transporting 20.5 kilograms of chemical substances believed to be ingredients for making explosives. Mercado was apprehended at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Monday morning while on his way to Dili, East Timor. Airport officers scanning luggage through an X-ray machine found suspicious items among his belongings.

Former VIPs' guards must be from TNI, Police

Former VIPs' guards must be from TNI, Police JAKARTA (JP): The protection of former presidents and vice presidents should be the charge of the National Police in cooperation with the Indonesian Military (TNI) to help avoid the possession of illegal guns among civilians, Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto said.

RI male shuttlers survive in singles, tumble in doubles

RI male shuttlers survive in singles, tumble in doubles JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's singles survived their first tests in the Olympics second round matches but doubles tumbled in the quarterfinals. Top seed Taufik Hidayat got off to a shaky start in his first test against little known Hidetaka Yamada. Luckily his experience in major tournaments including the Thomas Cup championships in May, the 1999 World Championships and the 1998 Asian Games helped him overcome his psychological barrier.

New auction opened for debt-ridden Daewoo Motor

New auction opened for debt-ridden Daewoo Motor SEOUL (AFP): Creditor banks of Daewoo Motor Co. on Monday opened a new auction for the bankrupt South Korean car firm following Ford Motor Co.'s withdrawal from a US$6.9-billion takeover deal. The chiefs of five major creditors of the auto company and Daewoo's restructuring committee sought fresh bids from General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler, which had taken part in an earlier auction with Ford.

Government plans to tax river water users

Government plans to tax river water users JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna Witoelar warned on Monday that a tax could be imposed in the future on those exploiting river water. Opening a two-day international course on planning and management of river basins in Jakarta, Erna said people living on the river banks, private companies and state-owned companies, including provincial tap water producer (PDAM), could all be taxed for using the river water.

Fifty percent of charity money goes to city coffer

Fifty percent of charity money goes to city coffer JAKARTA (JP): Fifty percent of earnings collected for charity by private organizations must be handed over to the city administration, an official said on Monday. Head of the City Social Agency, Eddy Widodo, insisted that the policy was stated in a 1994 city rule, the implementation of which is being "intensified" after the agency found that many needy sectors lacked funds while there are those with adequate contributions.

Sjahril's detention period extended

Sjahril's detention period extended JAKARTA (JP): Suspended Bank Indonesia governor Sjahril Sabirin must stay in detention at the Attorney General's Office for another 30 days, pending the completion of corruption investigations into him, an official said on Monday. Spokesman to the Attorney General's Office Yushar Yahya said the Central Jakarta District Court issued an extension for Sjahril's arrest on Friday as requested by prosecutors. The last 30-day detention period, which started on Aug.

Family day

Family day From Kompas An Aug. 20 article in Kompas daily Almost uniform television dynamics made me very angry. It cited Keluarga Cemara (Cemara Family), a miniseries being screened by RCTI, as an example of a nonuniform piece of drama. In my opinion, why is it only now that the program is showered with praise because of an "awareness and importance of the value of a family?" It is an awareness of this perspective that makes the product what it is.

Garuda to buy 7 more jets as business grows

Garuda to buy 7 more jets as business grows JAKARTA (JP): State-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will buy at least seven more aircraft to meet a surge in demand, its company operation's director said on Monday. Rudi Hardono said that in line with its fleet expansion the company was also planning to open up new routes, especially those that were closed due to the economic crisis in 1997. "We're still shopping around.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 14, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Violence in Maluku erupts again

Violence in Maluku erupts again AMBON, Maluku: Shooting on the waters off Cape Oum in the Central Maluku regency has triggered further clashes in nearby towns and villages leaving at least two dead and five injured, police said on Monday. Saparua Police subprecinct chief Sr. Insp. Ronny Nusamara said the incident occurred when a passenger boat was attacked by gunmen on the waters off Cape Oum on Saparua Island, Central Maluku regency, on Monday afternoon.

RI auto sales up in August

RI auto sales up in August JAKARTA (JP): Sales of four-wheel vehicles on the domestic market increased to 29,365 units in August from 28,452 units in July, according to data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo). Astra International maintained its leading role in the market, contributing almost half of the national sales with 13,510 units, down slightly from its July sales of 13,728 units.

KL palm oil drops on domestic stock fears

KL palm oil drops on domestic stock fears KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures fell sharply to close at fresh 6-1/2 year lows on Monday on commission house selling and liquidation by players worried about growing domestic stocks. Traders said overnight losses in Chicago soyoil futures also prompted liquidation, while technical selling emerged after prices broke through the 950-ringgit-a-ton support level.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 18, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 695 -25 372,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 195 -30 260,000 Alakasa Industrindo 695 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 -50 59,500 Alter Abadi 210 -30 20,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,005 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 275 -50 77,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 990 -45 1,186,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.