Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 September 2000

51 articles found

Security is top priority

Security is top priority As far as I can remember we Indonesians have never before lived in such an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Not even during the Japanese occupation, nor during the time of the fierce war of independence against the Dutch colonialists, nor during the U.S. supported PRRI/PERMESTA rebellion and the latest communist uprising have the people been so affected by fear and uncertainty.

Indonesia's Olympic training missed the target

Indonesia's Olympic training missed the target JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Amateur Athletics Federation (PASI) will arrange a comprehensive training program to help its athletes excel in the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. PASI secretary-general Tigor M. Tanjung said here on Tuesday the program would include improvements to the periodical training which would determine the correct time for an athlete to reach his or her peak form.

Sutiyoso wants city police under his power

Sutiyoso wants city police under his power JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso suggested on Tuesday that the city police be placed under the supervision of the city administration to improve the coordination among city officials in maintaining security in the capital. Sutiyoso said the law on regional autonomy stipulated that security affairs were the responsibility of the respective governors.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 26, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 875 75 917,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 150 -20 1,051,500 Alakasa Industrindo 430 0 1,000 Alfa Retailindo 775 0 0 Alter Abadi 190 0 4,000 Alumindo Light Metal 800 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 280 5 65,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 990 5 111,000 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

Bus companies promise not to jack-up fares

Bus companies promise not to jack-up fares JAKARTA (JP): Public bus operators in the capital have vowed to obey the government's instruction not to hike rates following a planned 12 percent increase in the price of gasoline nationwide from Oct. 1, according to chairman of the Jakarta Chapter of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda). "We have no more hope of hiking the rates, as the central government has prohibited us from doing so.

BPS hopes to retain major role despite autonomy

BPS hopes to retain major role despite autonomy JAKARTA (JP): The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said on Tuesday it hoped to keep managing the country's statistics despite the implementation of the regional autonomy law next year. "We don't know what form (the organization) is going to take, but hopefully it will be kept under the bureau," bureau chief Soedarti Surbakti said on the sidelines of a seminar on regional autonomy at her office.

GAM asked to respect humanitarian pause

GAM asked to respect humanitarian pause JAKARTA (JP): The government on Tuesday called on the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to respect the extended humanitarian pause in the restive province to allow for talks on a comprehensive political solution to the region's woes. Secretary to the coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs, Karyono, said the government agreed to the truce's extension but expected GAM to respect it by stopping violence.

Bimantara sells stake in AMI

Bimantara sells stake in AMI JAKARTA (JP): PT Bimantara Citra, the publicly listed business group controlled by former president Soeharto's second son Bambang Trihatmodjo, has sold all of its stake in PT Aqualindo Mitra Industri (AMI), a company executive said.

KL palm oil higher on short covering

KL palm oil higher on short covering KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures closed slightly higher on Tuesday, rebounding from early losses on short covering. But traders said further gains were expected to be capped by continued concerns over a build up in local palm oil stocks. "The market has been falling continuously, so some retracement can be expected. Prices may stabilize around these levels although the market remains weak," said one trader in Kuala Lumpur.

Lee thwarts Taiwanese media

Lee thwarts Taiwanese media TAIPEI (AP): Frustration was apparent on Tuesday among reporters who stalked Lee Kuan Yew for four days, trying in vain to get the Singaporean elder statesman to comment about Taiwan- China relations. The retired Singaporean prime minister's four-day visit has attracted intense media attention because Lee once helped arrange a historic meeting between Taiwanese and Chinese envoys in 1993.

Asian monies mixed, won extends rebound

Asian monies mixed, won extends rebound SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mixed late Tuesday, with the South Korean won outshining its regional peers as it extended Monday's sharp rebound. The Thai baht and the Singapore dollar were also stronger, while the Philippine peso and the Indonesian rupiah were weaker as they succumbed to domestic concerns. The New Taiwan dollar also ended weaker.

Poultry demand drives RI's soymeal imports

Poultry demand drives RI's soymeal imports SINGAPORE (Reuters): Growing local demand, partly driven by rising poultry feed consumption, will boost Indonesia's soymeal and soybean imports, creating a need to expand grain handling facilities, Indonesian industry sources said. "Indonesia's growing demand for both soybeans and soymeal have to depend on imports," said a source at a leading commodity trading firm in Indonesia.

Street vendors given the blame

Street vendors given the blame SURABAYA, East Java: The head of the Surabaya Sanitation Agency, Surjanto, said on Tuesday the agency found it difficult to keep the city clean because of the increasing number of vendors operating on the city's streets. "The number of street vendors is increasing and getting out of control.

Inhumane teenagers

Inhumane teenagers From Media Indonesia I read in Media Indonesia of Sept. 14, 2000 that Aditya Wicaksono, a fifth grade elementary school pupil, was killed when he was pushed out of a moving train after being robbed by some teenagers. Unsatisfied with the cash of Rp 4,000 they had robbed Aditya of, the teenagers allegedly tortured and then pushed him out of the moving KRL Jabotabek train in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

Youth forum head named suspect in consulate attack

Youth forum head named suspect in consulate attack SURABAYA (JP): The deputy chief of the East Java branch of Military Pensioners' Children Forum (FKPPI) Gatot Sutantra was officially named suspect on Tuesday in the attack on the U.S. consulate general here last week. Gatot is now at the police detention, bringing the total in custody to four. The other three are identified as Soegeng, Kodrat and Bukadi. Kodrat and Bukadi are becak (pedicab) drivers. Surabaya City Police chief Sr. Supt.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 26, 2000: Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Courier service remains prospective despite reduced market

Courier service remains prospective despite reduced market JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's courier service remains prospective with sharper competition despite a reduced market and steady growth rates, executives of the industry have said. The current situation, in which the economy is recovering from a prolonged economic crisis, forced the players in this sector to introduce innovative services to maintain or attract customers.

Economist warns of a second banking crisis

Economist warns of a second banking crisis JAKARTA (JP): Noted economist Sri Mulyani warned the government on Tuesday that it must retire part of its outstanding bank recapitalization bonds within the next two years to help reduce pressure on the state budget. Sri said that failing to reduce the outstanding bonds could bring another crisis to the country because the 2003 budget would be overly burdened when some of the bonds and the International Monetary Fund loans started to mature.

Preliminary results on Tanjung Priok case done

Preliminary results on Tanjung Priok case done JAKARTA (JP): The government-sponsored joint team of forensic experts established to investigate the 1984 violence at Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, announced the preliminary results of the autopsies of 14 of the victims. According to the team, the skulls of at least two of the exhumed victims revealed similar gun-shot wounds. "There were gross human rights abuses here," the chief of the team, Maj. Gen.

How to stop the violence

How to stop the violence From Suara Karya Disarming former president Soeharto's bodyguards at the behest of President Abdurrahman Wahid is going too far, especially if the decision to do so is related to the bomb blasts that have occurred in several parts of Indonesia. The order to disarm should have been directed to members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the groups involved in the Poso and Maluku clashes, and Irian Jaya's "security-disturbing" gangs.

One year jail term for Maya demanded

One year jail term for Maya demanded JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor Achjadi Sartono asked a West Jakarta District Court on Tuesday to sentence Gusti Maya Firanti Noor, wife of former president Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit, to just one year in prison for possession and use of psychotropic substances. The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. "The defendant violated Article 62 of Law No. 5/1997 on psychotropic substances.

175 firms join Telecom expo

175 firms join Telecom expo JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecoms company PT Telkom will host the 2nd international communications and network solutions exhibition, the Techno Pre-eminence (TPE)-Connectivity Indonesia 2000, which will involve over 175 companies from 20 countries. The event, which will be held from Oct. 2 to Oct. 5 at the Jakarta Convention Center, will feature the latest products and services from various telecoms companies.

Acting chief justice installs 16 new justices

Acting chief justice installs 16 new justices JAKARTA (JP): Acting Chief Justice Th. Ketut Sura Putra swore in 16 new justices, who had been appointed by President Abdurrahman Wahid, in a ceremony at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. To journalists, the new justices pledged after the ceremony that they would above all fight against the injustices that the people are faced with.

Political uncertainty leads investors to shun industrial estates

Political uncertainty leads investors to shun industrial estates SURABAYA (JP): The prolonged economic crisis, worsened by protracted political uncertainty, has lead the business climate into a dark state. It has also affected business in industrial estates which require interrelated and complex management and a solid marketing strategy. Attracting investors means initiating strategy, while soliciting them to join the industrial zones takes more strategy.

New practice

New practice From Jurnal Indonesia The reform era, which was ushered in by Soeharto's bold act of relinquishing power, has seen stepping down or withdrawal from one's position become a new trend. Apart from former president Soeharto, former president B.J. Habibie also withdrew from the presidential race. A few other government officials have done likewise in certain cases. However, after stepping down became a common practice, relieving a person of his post then became a trend.

Indonesia must disarm East Timorese militias

Indonesia must disarm East Timorese militias By Charles Himawan JAKARTA (JP): Many nationalists in the field of politics, economy, military and law have cried for the government to resist international demand to disarm the militias with regard to the Atambua case. However they have overlooked the fact that in the murdering of the three United Nations staff, the international community sees the militias as having committed a crime against humanity.

Disability conference closed

Disability conference closed SANUR, Bali (JP): The three-day Asia-Pacific Conference for People with Disability was closed here on Tuesday with more than 400 participants from 16 countries agreeing to adopt the Bali Declaration on barrier-free tourism. The participants noted in the declaration that most tourist agencies in the region did not recognize the importance of barrier-free tourism.

Bank of China exec jailed for six years

Bank of China exec jailed for six years SINGAPORE (AFP): A Bank of China deputy manager in Singapore was sentenced to a six-year jail term for embezzling S$1.8 million (US$1 million) from clients, The Straits Times reported on Tuesday. Deputy manager Lum Yue Mun siphoned off the deposits from three Indonesian clients over a 12-year period from 1986 to 1998 to buy shares, cover the losses he incurred in shares trading and also to pay for his personal expenses.

TNI confirms two bombing suspects are soldiers

TNI confirms two bombing suspects are soldiers JAKARTA (JP): Top military officials on Tuesday confirmed that two of the 27 suspects apprehended by police in connection with the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building bombing were members of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) and the Army's Special Force (Kopassus). Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto said he had ordered the commanders of the two Army units concerned to investigate the matter.

IMF urges Indonesia to ensure recovery does not falter

IMF urges Indonesia to ensure recovery does not falter WASHINGTON (Agencies): Indonesia must dispel political uncertainty and intensify reforms if economic recovery is to take hold, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday. "There are many risks in the near term, and achievement of (economic) objectives is predicated on swift reduction of political uncertainties and intensified program implementation," the IMF said in a press summery of its annual "Article IV" review of Indonesia.

IMF concludes Article IV consultation with Indonesia

IMF concludes Article IV consultation with Indonesia On Sept. 14, 2000, the International Monetary Fund's Executive Board concluded the Article IV consultation with Indonesia. The following is the complete report. WASHINGTON: Since the last Article IV Consultation, Indonesia has undergone a major political transition to democratic government. The reform program of the new government has been strongly supported by the international community.

Indonesia regrets WB involvement in noneconomic activities

Indonesia regrets WB involvement in noneconomic activities JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has expressed a strong concern over the increasing tendency of the World Bank to involve itself in non-socioeconomic matters of its member countries, Minister of Finance Prijadi Praptosuhardjo said on Tuesday.

Australia upbeat on Timor Sea talks

Australia upbeat on Timor Sea talks SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Australia is approaching negotiations to divide revenues from natural gas reserves in the Timor Sea with "a feeling of good will, a feeling of being generous," Daryl Manzie, Minister of Resources for the Northwest Territories, said Tuesday.

Five killed in community clashes on Ambon island

Five killed in community clashes on Ambon island AMBON, Maluku (JP): Community clashes broke out in three villages on Ambon Island on Tuesday morning, claiming at least five lives and destroying dozens of houses. The clashes, which erupted separately at Hative Besar village in Teluk Ambon Baguala district, Galala village in Sirimau district and at Suli village in Salahutu district were believed to be related to a series of recent clashes in neighboring Saparua Island.

The changing world of PT Pos Indonesia

The changing world of PT Pos Indonesia While Indonesia has given birth to various companies, PT Pos Indonesia has helped create Indonesia. It has been transforming itself through history to play a significant role in the nation's survival. PT Pos' embryonic stage was a Dutch colonial organ called Post en Telegraafdienst, which delivered mail and radiograms and had a telegraph service for the colonial administration.

Japan's funds for ASEAN

Japan's funds for ASEAN PRAGUE (Dow Jones): Japan announced on Monday that it will provide funds to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, to help set up an office that will manage Chiang Mai Initiative activities. The Chiang Mai Initiative is a regional financing arrangement that the 10 ASEAN members plus China, South Korea and Japan are aiming to finalize in November.

Tommy gets 18-month jail sentence

Tommy gets 18-month jail sentence JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court sentenced on Tuesday former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra to 18 months in prison for his involvement in a Rp 95.4 billion (US$11.2 million) land exchange deal with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in 1995. Tommy's lawyer Nudirman Munir said he would file a request with the Supreme Court for a review of the case as soon as he received a copy of the verdict.

Police force KPA activists

Police force KPA activists JAKARTA (JP): Two activists testified in a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday that they saw the police using force to expel four of their colleagues, who were on a hunger strike, from the People's Consultative Assembly complex last month. The witnesses corroborated the claim by the four activists from the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) -- Anton Sulton, Idham Kurniawan, Mohamad Hafiz Azdam and Usep Setiawan -- that they were removed from the building against their will.

New bus terminal plan put on hold

New bus terminal plan put on hold TANGERANG (JP): A plan to build a bus terminal in the Poris Plawad area of Cipondoh district has been postponed until amendments to the existing two city bylaws are issued, an official of the Tangerang Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) said on Saturday. Dadang Durachman said that the area in which the terminal was to be built was a residential area, according to city bylaw No. 14/1994 on guidelines for the development of Tangerang, and city bylaw No.

City hopes to speed up IMB permits

City hopes to speed up IMB permits JAKARTA (JP): All houses built on 200 square meters of land at the maximum will have their construction permits by January of next year at the latest as part of a planned gradual improvement in the issuing process, a city official said on Tuesday.

Military boost necessary to combat regional threats

Military boost necessary to combat regional threats KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Warning of "worrisome trends" in Indonesia and the Philippines, Malaysian defense authorities pledged Tuesday to magnify their military might to protect national security. "We are realistic to note that regional issues could well pose a direct threat to our national security," Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak told senior security officials.

Fuel crisis hits fishing industry in Maluku

Fuel crisis hits fishing industry in Maluku JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Fishing Companies (Gappindo) urged the government on Tuesday to help fishing companies in Maluku and Irian Jaya which have been suffering from a fuel crisis over the past two months.

Storm blasts Blora regency

Storm blasts Blora regency SEMARANG: Strong winds and torrential rain hit Blora regency late on Monday, destroying at least 35 houses and damaging 120 others. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the freakish weather. "The strong wind and rain hit seven districts here, namely Kradenan, Ngawen, Banjarejo, Kenduran, Randublatung, Ngawen and Todanan," Blora regency office spokesman Suwignyo said on Tuesday.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * The Westin Surabaya, Jl. Embong Malang 85-89 (Phone: 031 5458888): - Java Jimmy's Irish Pub: Live music, Sunday to Thursday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Friday to Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. * Shangri-La Hotel, Jl.

Atambua tragedy may not be the last

Atambua tragedy may not be the last By Aboeprijadi Santoso AMSTERDAM (JP): Disarming the militias without breaking up their masters' local networks may be too little and too late. Xenophobic nationalism in response to the international condemnation of the Atambua killings reveals a syndrome common after a painful decolonization. The issue is no longer to free East Timor from Indonesia, but to free Indonesia from East Timor.

Expert warns of fat reduction products

Expert warns of fat reduction products JAKARTA (JP): Many products promising to reduce people's weight that are currently available on the market have not been tested properly to know whether they are effective or whether they have negative side effects, an expert warned on Monday.

More than one wife: Why not?

More than one wife: Why not? From Media Indonesia The recent marriage law has led to arguments in the mass media and in seminars. This government regulation has sparked debate not only because it is one of the New Order regime's laws but also because prostitution, adultery and other indecent acts are rampant.

Broadband connections to make life easier

Broadband connections to make life easier By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): We all know that the world now moves at Internet speed. Unfortunately, our telecommunications infrastructure seems to crawl at a snail's pace. The accompanying photo of cables hanging from the two poles perhaps best reflects the level of professionalism of our telephone operator. What would happen if a drunk driver happened to knock these poles down?

Number of women, men balanced: Census

Number of women, men balanced: Census JAKARTA (JP): The ratio of men to women in the capital is almost equal, according to the 2000 official census. According to data released by the Jakarta Statistical Office, Jakarta has 4,216,347 males, just slightly higher than the female population of 4,152,790. According to the preliminary results of the census, East Jakarta is the most populous mayoralty in the capital with 2,344,594 people.

Youth violence erupts in Bali

Youth violence erupts in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: Dozens of local youths vandalized a police traffic post in Suci area midday Tuesday following an overnight brawl that claimed the life of Ketut Sudiartana, 23. The youths were angry over the attack by an unidentified gang on Ketut and his friend Nyoman Aryana who was seriously wounded in the fighting. The gang fled the scene and reportedly have left Bali.

BNI to channel new loan in 2nd semester

BNI to channel new loan in 2nd semester JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) will channel a total of Rp 2.5 trillion (US$294.12 million) in new loans in the second semester of this year, according to the state bank's corporate director Suryo Sutanto. Suryo said here on Tuesday that 65 percent of the bank's new lending would go to the retail sector, while the remaining 35 percent would be allocated to corporate borrowers.