Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 January 2001

41 articles found

OPIC and PLN reach agreement

OPIC and PLN reach agreement JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT PLN and the United States government-owned insurance firm Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) have reached an agreement on the payment scheme for a US$290 million insurance claim arising from the former's failure to honor power purchase contracts.

Tommy's disappearance

Tommy's disappearance From Adil The fact that the government apparatus has not been able to capture the fugitive Tommy Soeharto has caused deep disappointment and irritation in the society. How fragile our law enforcement agents are! Right from the beginning we felt the process of Tommy's trial was most absurd in relation to the fact that Tommy can do whatever he likes with his money and wealth. Also house arrest had not been imposed on Tommy.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 8:30 Music 9:00 Interval 12:00 p.m. Interval 2:00 News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Documentary 5:30 TVRI News 6:00 Economic News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Talk Show 9:00 News 9:30 TV Drama 10:30 News Program 2 5:00 p.m. TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News 8:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

Sky divers make record leap

Sky divers make record leap KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Fifteen of the world's top sky divers jumped from the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest building, as Malaysians ushered in the new millennium with music and dance. Ten seconds before the stroke of midnight on Sunday, the last day of the year 2000, they jumped from the 88th floor as well as the 60th and 73rd floors of the majestic 451.9-meter, 88-floor twin towers.

C. Java sends two fighters for SEAG

C. Java sends two fighters for SEAG SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) has called two Central Java-based pesilat (fighters) to join its training session for the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asia Games (SEAG), said Central Java chapter chairman Rohadi on Monday. "Ronny Saifullah and Haris Nugroho are now already preparing in the training center.

Bogor Botanical Garden earns profit

Bogor Botanical Garden earns profit BOGOR (JP): Within the six-day period between Idul Fitri and New Year's eve, the Bogor Botanical Garden (KRB) made a profit of Rp 400 million from 348,568 ticket sales, an official said on Monday. "Besides the boom of visitors, both local and foreign, the profit resulted from the hike in ticket price from Rp 1,500 to Rp 3,000 per ticket," Amalia, a KRB employee, said.

Tension grips Palangkaraya

Tension grips Palangkaraya PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Brandishing sharp weapons, dozens of native Dayak tribesmen in the Tangkiling subdistrict here took to the Trans-Kalimantan highway on Monday following rumors of an impending attack by migrants. There was no violence as negotiators from the National Police's Mobile Brigade persuaded the Dayaks to quit the highway and come to the nearby Mobile Brigade office for discussions. The head of the local police station, Supt.

Ten people die in minivan crash

Ten people die in minivan crash PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The holiday season exodus was marred on New Year's eve when 10 people burned to death in a collision 17 kilometers west of here. The crash occurred at about 3:20 p.m. in Ciberung village on Jl. Ajibarang KM. 17-18 in Banyumas regency. The 10 victims were all passengers in minivan B 7419 XL, which caught fire after being hit by a Sinar Jaya bus. The minivan was bound to Jakarta from Purbalingga.

Muslims, be patient

Muslims, be patient From Jawa Pos My observation of the current acts of violence occurring in Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia, which involve certain groups of Muslims in this country, leads me to write the following. In my opinion, in the first place as the majority of Indonesia's population is Muslim, we Muslims should appreciate the existing plurality of our society. In addition, we should also be able to protect the minorities.

Tension, violence mar New Year's celebrations

Tension, violence mar New Year's celebrations BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Tension and violence marred New Year's celebrations in several areas of the country, including the disputed province of Aceh, where at least six people were killed. Four people were killed in North Aceh, East Aceh and Aceh Besar on Monday, while two others died on New Year's Eve. Among the victims was police Chief Sgt. Faisal, who was killed by gunmen in a market in Alueieputeh, Baktia district, North Aceh, on Monday.

Power to the regions?

Power to the regions? The last thing Indonesia needs now is another excuse for more corruption and abuse of public office, and the new regional autonomy policy launched on New Year's Day is in danger of becoming that excuse. Even months prior to its launch, reports streamed in about regional officials turning the new policy into a vehicle to fill up their own personal coffers.

Scam for the gullible?

Scam for the gullible? From Bisnis Indonesia On Dec. 8, 2000, I received a phone call from Iryanto who claimed to be a member of PT Telkom's Telephone Head Office staff on Jl. Gatot Subroto. He informed me that as part of PT Telkom's anniversary celebrations, I had been selected as East Java's third best PT Telkom subscriber and was entitled to receive a prize. Furthermore, he said that if I wanted to know what prize I would receive, I was to immediately contact Ir.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Jan. 13. * Photo Exhibition: Yang Terlupakan by students of SMU Tarakanita I, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta (Phone: 7193731), Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. Performances * Traditional Javanese Play - Wayang Orang Bharata at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No.

Police baffled by bombers' tactics

Police baffled by bombers' tactics JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police admit that the simple methods used by the Christmas eve bombers have baffled investigators in their quest to uncover more evidence. Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen.

Shangri-La management to take legal steps over strike

Shangri-La management to take legal steps over strike JAKARTA (JP): The management of the five-star Shangri-La Hotel said here on Saturday that legal steps would be taken to settle the all out workers strike and the 'illegal' occupation of the hotel from Dec. 22 to Dec. 25. Peter J. Carmichael, Shangri-La Indonesia-Fiji General Manager, told reporters that management had tried to accommodate workers demands in line with existing (manpower) laws.

Shops still closed on Monday

Shops still closed on Monday JAKARTA (JP): Most shopping centers in the capital were still closed on the first day of 2001, Antara reported on Monday. The news agency said this included shops at ITC Roxy Mas and the Pasar Baru shopping complex in Central Jakarta, the Pasar Raya Manggarai shopping center and the Pasar Minggu shopping area in South Jakarta, and ITC Mangga Dua, the Glodok electronic center and the Taman Anggrek mall in West Jakarta.

Purity of thinking

Purity of thinking From Rakyat Merdeka As the year 2000 comes to an end the political elite conflicts remain on the increase, which as a consequence has had a negative impact on people's political aspirations. And if this is not ended, I am afraid that people's attitude toward the legislative as well as the executive authority will increasingly become skeptical. This skeptical attitude will in the end be capable of delegitimating the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

IBRA meets 2000 cash target of US$ 2 billion

IBRA meets 2000 cash target of US$ 2 billion JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has met the government's target to raise some Rp 18.9 trillion (US$2 billion) in cash to help finance the 2000 budget. IBRA said in a press statement that it had raised about Rp 20.71 trillion during the fiscal year. "In the fiscal year 2000, IBRA has provided some Rp 20.71 trillion in cash to the finance ministry.

New Year's Eve is business as usual for some

New Year's Eve is business as usual for some JAKARTA (JP): For some Jakartans, the New Year's eve does not hold any great expectations, just business as usual. Suhanda, a 52-year-old street sweeper and a father of three, has to get to work by 4 p.m. on every Dec. 31 and finish before the sun rises the following day. Together with his friends, Suhanda cleaned Jl. MH Thamrin until the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Jl.

Quake rocks southern RP

Quake rocks southern RP MANILA (AFP): A moderately strong earthquake shook large parts of the main southern Philippine island of Mindano on Monday causing widespread panic, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. State seismologist Aimee Guano said the temblor registered 6.6 on the Richter scale and its epicenter was beneath the town of Mati in southern Davao del Sur province. "It was caused by the movement of the Philippine trench.

Police to separate from defense ministry

Police to separate from defense ministry JAKARTA (JP): The National Police will remain a nationwide institution despite the implementation of regional autonomy, which started on Monday. "Police authority will not be delegated to provincial administration despite the inception of regional autonomy," National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said on the sidelines of a New Year celebration in the early hours of Monday morning.

Gus Dur's address

Gus Dur's address From Neraca As a citizen I definitely want to assess our President. As far as public speaking is concerned, it is evident that the former presidents -- Sukarno, Soeharto, Habibie -- and now President Abdurrahman Wahid are different from one another. Our beloved current President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as depicted on TV during his visit to Banda Aceh recently, made my heart pound when I as his fan listened to his public speech. I was afraid he spoke erroneously.

Ryaas Rasyid firm on quitting cabinet

Ryaas Rasyid firm on quitting cabinet JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Administrative Reforms Ryaas Rasyid reasserted his personal desire to quit the cabinet early this month. Ryaas said he had asked for an appointment to be scheduled with President Abdurrahman Wahid to officially tender his resignation from the cabinet.

Worms converted to liquid fertilizer a natural winner

Worms converted to liquid fertilizer a natural winner By Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): Some people find worms disgusting, but for Bayu Suryono, a 37-year-old resident of Kotagede, they mean money. In Bayu's hands, the worms are converted into a liquid fertilizer, which he claims is environmentally friendly. "I have sold 30 tons of fertilizer between May, the first time I marketed the fertilizer, and last month," said Bayu.

Taufik returns to number one

Taufik returns to number one JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttler Taufik Hidayat was back at number one when the International Badminton Federation (IBF) issued its men's singles rankings on Thursday. Taufik, who was at number four in the previous rankings, jumped back to the top while former world number one and Olympic gold medalist Ji Xinpeng of China dropped to number three.

Pessimism greets regional autonomy on Day One

Pessimism greets regional autonomy on Day One JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia officially entered a new era with the implementation of regional autonomy on Monday, but it was greeted mostly by pessimism at the national level as officials feared that it would usher in a period of bureaucratic chaos. There was little fanfare for such a significant occasion, viewed with indifference or pessimism by many senior political figures here who noted the lack of preparation, both administratively and legally.

PT Matahari Putra to expand Yemen operation

PT Matahari Putra to expand Yemen operation JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed department store PT Matahari Putra Prima plans to expand its operation in the Yemen capital of San'a after enjoying success with its first store in the city which opened in early December, a company official said.

One restaurant's beef: 'We're not burgers...'

One restaurant's beef: 'We're not burgers...' JAKARTA (JP): It's somewhat understandable that fast-food restaurants have become synonomous with burgers in the minds of Indonesian consumers. The grandaddy of them all, McDonald's, has stamped itself on the local public's consciousness since it opened its doors to burger lovers at its flagship outlets in Sarinah department store in Central Jakarta 10 years ago.

Police closing in on suspects of deadly RP bombings

Police closing in on suspects of deadly RP bombings MANILA (AFP): Philippine police said on Monday they were closing in on a group responsible for a wave of deadly bombings that left 14 people dead and nearly 100 wounded, as troops were asked to help boost security in the capital. Leaders of the influential Catholic church joined authorities in appealing for calm and vigilance amid rumors of bomb discoveries reported to the police.

Internet users expected to double to 4 million in 2001

Internet users expected to double to 4 million in 2001 JAKARTA (JP): The number of Internet users in Indonesia will double to four million in 2001, even if e-commerce is only picking up slowly due to problems with online payments, the Indonesian Association of Internet Service Providers (APJII) says. APJII Chairman Heru Nugroho explained that his optimistic projection was based on the rapid growth of the Internet industry in Asia, including Indonesia, over the past two years.

Afraid of beef from Ireland

Afraid of beef from Ireland From Warta Kota The decision by the Jakarta Cattle Breeding Office to import beef from Ireland is lamentable. Without any consultation or recommendation from competent sources, beef was allowed to be imported from a country which is evidently still not free of the mad cow disease. The question is: Isn't it similar to importing diseases into Indonesia? Are the officials concerned sure that the beef is free from the mad cow virus?

City budget approved despite PDI-P walkout

City budget approved despite PDI-P walkout JAKARTA (JP): Despite the walkout of 19 councilors from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, the City Council approved on Saturday the Rp 7.49 trillion (US$788.42 million) city budget proposal for 2001. The decision was accepted by members from seven factions, while two others -- the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Justice Party (PK) -- said they agreed but under certain circumstances.

Mahfud to reshuffle defense ministry

Mahfud to reshuffle defense ministry YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said here on Saturday that he would soon 'reshuffle' his office by putting four civilians in the first echelon lineup as part of efforts to restructure relations between civilians and the military.

Let the young generation lead the nation: Budiman

Let the young generation lead the nation: Budiman The crisis dogging Indonesia is partly due to an excessive number of old generation leaders affected by past political trauma, says young leader Budiman Sudjatmiko who heads the militant Democratic People's Party (PRD), in an interview with The Jakarta Post's contributor I. Christianto. Budiman and his family suffered greatly as a result of his antigovernment activities during Soeharto's rule.

Malaysia's Mahathir vows to unite Malays: 'Bernama'

Malaysia's Mahathir vows to unite Malays: 'Bernama' KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Monday vowed to unite the country's dominant, but deeply divided Malay community and protect their interests, the national Bernama news agency reported. "We must remember that we need not unite solely to oppose others. It's just to safeguard our interests," Mahathir told reporters, referring to his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party's 2001 resolution.

Threats fail to stop revelry

Threats fail to stop revelry JAKARTA (JP): New Year's Eve celebrations went forward in the capital with hundreds of thousands of people pouring onto the city's main thoroughfares despite a number of bomb threats earlier in the evening. People from all walks of life honked car horns, blew cardboard trumpets and set off firecrackers as the clock struck midnight on Sunday, marking the start of the new millennium.

Homegrown Indonesian franchise branches out

Homegrown Indonesian franchise branches out JAKARTA (JP): Sukyatno Nugroho never tires of telling the story of how his food franchise came into being 18 years ago. Or the fact that, with only a junior high school education and a class ranking of 40th out of 50, he has been able to branch out with franchises in 22 provinces and two foreign countries.

Abdurrahman should not repeat Soeharto's failings

Abdurrahman should not repeat Soeharto's failings In an interview with The Jakarta Post, the economist and political observer of Indonesian economic and political affairs Dr. Howard Dick, identified "a strike by capital" as the root of Indonesia's current dilemma. Excerpts of the interview with the associate professor at the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Melbourne. was conducted by The Jakarta Post Melbourne-based contributor Dewi Anggraeni.

Strong quake jolts Ternate

Strong quake jolts Ternate TERNATE, North Maluku: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook Ternate, the main island in the violence- stricken province of North Maluku, on the first day of 2001. No casualties or damage were reported following the afternoon quake, which also was felt in Manado, the capital of the neighboring province of North Sulawesi.

Kei Shin Kan to hold gashuku

Kei Shin Kan to hold gashuku SEMARANG (JP): The Kei Shin Kan school of karate is slated to hold its national gashuku (training session) in Salatiga, Central Java, from Jan. 1 to Jan. 4, an executive said on Monday. "Karateka from our chapters in Bali, Central Java, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, South Sumatra, West Java and West Sumatra will take part in the session," chairman of Kei Shin Kan's board of instructors Bambang Dewantoro said.

President predicts improvement in 2001

President predicts improvement in 2001 JAKARTA (JP): After surviving a tough spell in 2000, President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Sunday he believed the new year would bring Indonesia more blessings, particularly on the economic front. "I look ahead to the future with guarded optimism that we will soon overcome our infrastructure problems. The economy has begun to revive and we will refine its rhythm in 2001," the President said in a year-end speech broadcast nationwide.