Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 January 2001

55 articles found

Probe delays announcement of Thai election results

Probe delays announcement of Thai election results BANGKOK (AFP): Thai election authorities grilled on Sunday dozens more candidates suspected of cheating in the Jan. 6 national polls, forcing the release of official results to be postponed yet again.

House begins deliberating three state finance bills

House begins deliberating three state finance bills JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives starts today (Monday) the deliberation on three new bills on regulating state financial affairs which are crucial in creating a clean government.

Philippine rebels, soldiers clash

Philippine rebels, soldiers clash ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP): At least seven Muslim separatist rebels and one soldier were killed in a clash in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday.One guerrilla from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was also captured by soldiers in the clash on...

Congolese mourn deceased Kabila, war allies meet

Congolese mourn deceased Kabila, war allies meet KINSHASA (Reuters): Thousands of Congolese mourned slain President Laurent Kabila when his body arrived back in the capital Kinshasa on Sunday and his military allies met to discuss the many-sided war he leaves behind.

Teachers propose Balikpapan mayor

Teachers propose Balikpapan mayor BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: The East Kalimantan Teachers' Solidarity Forum on the first day of the formal nomination of candidates for Balikpapan mayor and deputy mayor on Sunday proposed Rizal Effendi and Jammal Noor for the two positions, Antara reported.

Violence erupts anew in Maluku islands

Violence erupts anew in Maluku islands AMBON, Maluku (JP): After a period of relative calm, violence briefly resurfaced in the Maluku islands over the weekend, killing at least four people.The latest outbreak of violence took place on Sunday when armed mobs attacked Wahai village in North Seram...

North Korean intentions perplex the world

North Korean intentions perplex the world SEOUL: North Korea has produced a series of proposals for improving inter-Korean relations this year. The proposals range from holding the next round of Red Cross talks Jan.

Ericsson markets new cell phone

Ericsson markets new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): Cell phone manufacturer PT Ericsson Indonesia introduced its newest product, the Ericsson T20, specially designed for young people."The T20 is the result of Ericsson listening to young consumers' demands and trend preferences," Ericsson director of...

Stabilizing Asia's currencies

Stabilizing Asia's currencies Over the weekend, finance ministers participating in the Asia- Europe Meeting in Kobe reached an agreement to study exchange rate regimes for emerging markets and developing countries.

UI wins debate contest

UI wins debate contest BANDUNG: The University of Indonesia debating team for the fourth consecutive year walked away on Saturday as the champions in the national university English debating contest.The all-girl debating team comprising Dayu Nirma, Yohanna Florence and Rully Sandra won with their...

FID should be honest

FID should be honestFrom Rakyat MerdekaAs a public institution, the Indonesian Forum for Peace (FID) needs to be transparent regarding its meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid. FID, in the meeting, had provided the President with information regarding the possible mastermind behind the...

Questions on on budget use

Questions on on budget use BANDUNG: A member of the West Java council's budget committee, Rafani Akhyar, is alleging that Council speaker Eka Santosa bought a Rp 600 million sedan using funds that were allocated for natural disasters in the 2000 provincial budget.

New team negotiates with Irian Jaya kidnappers

New team negotiates with Irian Jaya kidnappers JAKARTA (JP): A team of local authorities and community leaders are continuing negotiations with rebels currently holding 16 hostages, including three Koreans, in the remote jungle of Irian Jaya, an officer said on Sunday.

RI hopes Japan will help IT projects

RI hopes Japan will help IT projects JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expects the Japanese government will allocate part of its US$15 billion "digital divide" fund to finance information technology development projects.

Asian lawmakers meet in Cambodia

Asian lawmakers meet in Cambodia PHNOM PENH (AFP): Asian lawmakers will begin five days of talks in newly-peaceful Cambodia on Monday to map out strategies for promoting peace in the region, officials said.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New YearFrom Media IndonesiaI would like to suggest to the President and governors that Chinese New Year (Imlek) be made a public holiday in Indonesia for the following reasons: 1. To be indiscriminative in the spirit of regional autonomy. 2.

Americans to Bali down 80%

Americans to Bali down 80% JAKARTA (JP): The number of tourists from the United States visiting Bali plunged by 80 percent last year, largely due to the travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, an executive of a travel company said.

Candra named IBF Player of the Year

Candra named IBF Player of the Year JAKARTA (JP): Just one day after his wedding day, Indonesia's Candra Wijaya was granted another big surprise when the International Badminton Federation (IBF) announced on Sunday that he had been honored with the "Eddy Choong Player of the Year" award for 2000.

Dealers to meet RI's central bank again on FX rules

Dealers to meet RI's central bank again on FX rules JAKARTA (Reuters): Representatives of several foreign banks will meet Indonesia's central bank again on Monday to clarify foreign exchange curbs that are aimed at bolstering the rupiah but which have puzzled many market players.

Government prepares for first oil block tenders

Government prepares for first oil block tenders JAKARTA (JP): The government is, for the first time in years, preparing the tendering of 21 new oil blocks, after it took over the task this month from state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, a senior government official said.

Man arrested over firearms possession

Man arrested over firearms possession JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police mobile detectives (Resmob) arrested a man over possession of five firearms on Jl. Tulodong Bawah No. 17B in South Jakarta, a police report said.The report identified the suspected illegal gun trader as Stephanus Turangan.

RP investor confidence set to rebound

RP investor confidence set to rebound MANILA (AFP): Philippine stocks and the country's battered currency were expected to perk up with the installation of a business-friendly government led by U.S.-trained economist Gloria Arroyo, but analysts cautioned against over-exuberance.

Yogyakarta man flying high with model aircraft designs

Yogyakarta man flying high with model aircraft designsBy Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): What Gatot Sugiarto is doing today may come as a surprise to his teachers back at state engineering secondary school STM Negeri I in Malang, East Java.

Mt. Merapi shows intensified volcanic activity

Mt. Merapi shows intensified volcanic activity YOGYAKARTA (JP): Volcanic activity in the 2,968-meter-high Merapi volcano in Central Java has been intensifying, with the discharge of thin dust, lava and heat clouds threatening the densely populated area below, a volcanologist said on Sunday.

President Macapagal-Arroyo begins forming Cabinet

President Macapagal-Arroyo begins forming Cabinet MANILA (Agencies): The Philippines' new president turned quickly Sunday from celebrating her sudden rise to power to the difficult task of rebuilding national unity and business confidence, both devastated by a three-month political crisis.

RI to co-host Brunei int'l off-road event

RI to co-host Brunei int'l off-road event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Off-road Federation (IOF) will co-host the 5000-kilometer Brunei Four-Wheel Drive International Challenge 2001 as part of the Visit Brunei Year 2001 program.

Army set to take top defense ministry posts

Army set to take top defense ministry posts YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD acknowledged he has nominated a number of senior military officers for top posts in his restructured office.Mahfud said here on Saturday he expected military officers, mostly from the Army, to hold seven of...

Shoemakers more reluctant to expand RI investments

Shoemakers more reluctant to expand RI investments JAKARTA (JP): Foreign-owned footwear companies are becoming more reluctant to expand their Indonesian operations due to concern over growing labor disputes, a local official said.

Gus Dur to meet House members on Monday

Gus Dur to meet House members on Monday JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has agreed to meet on Monday, the House of Representatives special committee, which is investigating two financial scandals allegedly implicating the President, the committee's chairman said Sunday.

Grenade found in Pasar Rebo

Grenade found in Pasar Rebo JAKARTA (JP): An active grenade was found on Sunday morning, hidden in the grounds of Lewa alley in Pekayon area of Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, a police officer said.East Jakarta police chief of detectives Adj. Comr.

'Tommy gave me bombs': Suspect

'Tommy gave me bombs': Suspect JAKARTA (JP): Police revealed on Sunday that a woman arrested here on Friday in the possession of three bombs, admitted that not only did Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the fugitive son of former president Soeharto, give her the bombs, but also taught her how to...

Residents ask city administration not to increase water rates

Residents ask city administration not to increase water rates JAKARTA (JP): Citing the poor quality of tap water in the area, residents of Cengkareng Timur subdistrict in West Jakarta asked the city administration on Saturday not to raise the water rates.

Gas station owners seek higher profit from fuel sales

Gas station owners seek higher profit from fuel sales JAKARTA (JP): Owners of gas stations in the capital urged the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina on Sunday to give them a greater profit margin from fuel sales, which is needed to cover their increasing operational expenditures.

Let speculators panic

Let speculators panic Bank Indonesia should not budge on its move last week to slash the supply of rupiah that can be used for speculation overseas despite noisy protests and complaints from banks in Singapore, where the bulk of offshore rupiah trading is done.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Photo: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Photo: Solidaritas, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no.

Most Asian stock markets may rise this week

Most Asian stock markets may rise this week MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine stocks may surge this week after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over as president from Joseph Estrada, who quit after a corruption scandal lost him the support of his cabinet, the military and the Filipino public.

Two dead in Bogor drowning

Two dead in Bogor drowning BOGOR (JP): Two young men drowned here on Sunday in two separate incidents.The first incident occurred at the Bogor Botanical Gardens when Budi Utomo, 24, drowned while swimming in the river inside the complex.

Missing students found

Missing students found BOGOR (JP): A search and rescue team in the Gede Pangrango mountains in Sukabumi, West Java, found on Sunday two Germans, who had been missing since Thursday.Both were students and were identified as Manuel Heller, 25, who was found with an injured leg in Cipelang...

Proton, RI firm to team up

Proton, RI firm to team up KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) said its unit Proton Edar Sdn Bhd will jointly set up a company with PT Ningz Multiusaha to undertake the assembly and distribution of Proton cars in Indonesia.

Transport problems in C. Sulawesi

Transport problems in C. Sulawesi PALU, Central Sulawesi: Interprovincial public transport has been disrupted by the escalating sectarian tension in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso, Antara reported on Sunday.

Several top PAN executives finally submit resignations

Several top PAN executives finally submit resignations JAKARTA (JP): After a week of propositions and speculation, 16 National Mandate Party (PAN) members finally submitted their resignations from the party on Sunday, saying that much of the party's agenda violated the initial platform of the...

Fallen RP leader faces barrage of graft charges

Fallen RP leader faces barrage of graft charges MANILA (AFP): Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada faces a barrage of corruption charges including an offense punishable by death, but experts say weak courts and legal loopholes might allow him to stay free and even attempt a political comeback.

No more mediators for Aceh dialog, says Susilo

No more mediators for Aceh dialog, says Susilo JAKARTA (JP): A top cabinet official said on Sunday that the government would dispense of third party mediation at the end of the month long moratorium on violence in Aceh on Feb. 15 and engage in dialog directly with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Groups win Nigerian telecoms licenses

Groups win Nigerian telecoms licenses ABUJA (AFP): Telecoms consortiums backed by operators from South Africa and Zimbabwe and one from Nigeria emerged Friday as winners of three mobile phone licenses in a billion dollar auction here.

Humanitarian pause

Humanitarian pauseFrom RepublikaThe humanitarian pause in Aceh has been terminated. The score is one to zero for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The government has made a sacrifice, and GAM has reaped the advantages.

NGOs protest local police chief

NGOs protest local police chief YOGYAKARTA (JP): Eight local non-governmental organizations lodged a complaint here on Sunday against the Yogyakarta police chief Brig. Gen. Logan Siagian for accusing the organizations of "mentally" terrorizing his leadership.

Topple Gus Dur and tear Indonesia apart, or else...

Topple Gus Dur and tear Indonesia apart, or else... Get rid of Gus Dur and plunge the country into chaos or retain him but save the country. To choose the lesser evil between the two has intrigued political observer Soedjati Djiwandono .

Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated

Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated on Saturday the completion of the first-phase construction of a Betawi (native Jakartan) cultural reserve in Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in the Jagakarsa area of South Jakarta.

Soeharto case can be decided soon: Justice Artidjo

Soeharto case can be decided soon: Justice Artidjo JAKARTA (JP): Supreme justice Artidjo Alkausar said that the panel of justices handling an appeal sought by lawyers of former president Soeharto found no obstacles in the case, saying that it was merely an "ordinary" one.

New economy needs new strategy

New economy needs new strategyBy Hermawan Kartajaya JAKARTA (JP): The Internet has given rise to a new economy in mid-1990s which has since changed the nature of companies.The way people run a company and deliver values to customers has changed.

Landslide deaths feared in N. Sulawesi

Landslide deaths feared in N. Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): Dozens are feared dead after landslides and an earthquake hit villages on remote islands in Sangihe Talaud regency in North Sulawesi over the weekend.

Gus Dur loses more support

Gus Dur loses more support JAKARTA (JP): Two more members of the Axis Force, a loose coalition of several Islamic parties which played a key role in bringing Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to the presidency in 1999, announced over the weekend their disappointment over the president's performance.

JSA organizes spring leagues

JSA organizes spring leagues JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Softball Association (JSA) is organizing spring leagues to play both men's and women's slow pitch softball. There is an already well established league in both the men's A and B level competition and also a women's league.

Regional survey finds Asia will ford U.S. slump

Regional survey finds Asia will ford U.S. slump SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian countries should ride out the expected US economic slowdown this year, although Thailand and the Philippines remain susceptible to recession, according to a regional survey released Sunday.

Problem with drinking water

Problem with drinking waterFrom Warta KotaYes, providing potable water for residents of Jakarta is a priority for the Jakarta administration in 2001. If it fails to accomplish this task, I am afraid the residents of Jakarta will suffer, as they will be extremely thirsty because there will be very a...