Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 January 2001

55 articles found

The making of Islamic studies

The making of Islamic studiesBy Azyumardi Azra JAKARTA: As far as Islamic studies in Indonesia are concerned, there are two main traditions: one that originates from Middle Eastern universities and the tradition of Islamic studies developed at Western universities.

RP readies for foreign tourists

RP readies for foreign tourists MANILA (DPA): A Philippine tourism official said on Wednesday hotels and airlines were already gearing up for an influx of foreign visitors into the country for Chinese New Year celebrations despite a wave of deadly bombings in the capital.

FID seeks political support from Gus Dur

FID seeks political support from Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for Peace (FID) met with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to obtain the President's political support for its efforts to identify the perpetrators behind the Christmas Eve bombing incidents.

Government drafts bill on coastal management

Government drafts bill on coastal management JAKARTA (JP): The government is drafting a bill on coastal spatial layout and management in a bid to help the country and its regions cope with the implementation of regional autonomy.

City recruits 850 ex-Kamra

City recruits 850 ex-Kamra JAKARTA (JP): At least 850 former members of the People's Security civilian guards (Kamra) have been employed by the Jakarta administrations as public order officers.Deputy Governor for Administrative Affair Abdul Kahfi said on Wednesday that the new recruits were...

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Paintings by German artist Peter Dittmar, at Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl Raya Sayan (Phone: 0361 979253), until Feb. 10. * Paintings Wings and Excursions by Astari Rasjid, Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran, Denpasar, until Jan. 12.

Heavy selling persists in Malaysia palm oil

Heavy selling persists in Malaysia palm oil KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Heavy liquidation persisted in Malaysian palm oil futures at the close on Wednesday, reflecting losses in the Chicago market and talk of Indian plans to further increase import duties on edible oils.

S'pore library to set up ASEAN network

S'pore library to set up ASEAN network SINGAPORE (DPA): Singapore's National Library Board has been picked by ASEAN leaders to set up a shared information resource base for the 10-country grouping, it was reported on Wednesday.

Justices named for top appeal trials

Justices named for top appeal trials JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has named presiding justices for the trials to hear appeals sought by lawyers of former president Soeharto and his fugitive son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

POM to become independent body directly under President

POM to become independent body directly under President JAKARTA (JP): In line with the implementation of regional autonomy, the Directorate General of Food and Drug Control (POM) will separate from the Ministry of Health to become an independent body directly under the President's supervision.

Open season in the Philippines

Open season in the Philippines SINGAPORE: The Filipino people are coping reasonably well in the aftermath of the awful string of bomb explosions last Saturday in Manila and its environs, which left 15 people dead.

Malaysia PM visits Myanmar amid hopes for dialog

Malaysia PM visits Myanmar amid hopes for dialog YANGON (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad began a week-long working visit to Myanmar on Wednesday, raising hopes he could help broker dialogue between the military government and its pro-democracy opposition.

Artist Bimo brings glory of color to tableware

Artist Bimo brings glory of color to tablewareBy Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): Only a few years ago Bimo Chondro was just another employee in a bank.Then his colorful past returned to haunt the young Sundanese.

Controversy looms over deputy mayor

Controversy looms over deputy mayor BOGOR (JP): Leading councilors here have been split over a proposal to appoint a deputy mayor.Head of the city council's commission D for regional development affairs John Lahay said on Wednesday the city was in need of a deputy mayor due to the myriad of...

Pertamina's new executives installed

Pertamina's new executives installed JAKARTA (JP): The government installed the new board of directors of the state oil and gas company Pertamina on Wednesday, as part of a restructuring program for the country's largest state company being conducted in anticipation of the free market era.

Progress of Banten depends on the people

Progress of Banten depends on the peopleBy Ridwan M. Sijabat CILEGON, Banten (JP): In entering the autonomy era, there is no doubt that the newly established Banten province lags in many areas particularly as it is sandwiched between two powerful provinces -- Jakarta and West Java.

Actor Tino Karno passes away

Actor Tino Karno passes away JAKARTA (JP): Actor and movie director Tino Karno, 42, died of cardiac arrest at the Puri Cinere Hospital in Cinere, South Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon.Family members said that Tino died after doctors failed to revive him after suffering respiratory failure.

Ajinomoto given 3 week deadline to withdraw products

Ajinomoto given 3 week deadline to withdraw products JAKARTA (JP): PT Ajinomoto Indonesia have been given a three- week deadline to withdraw all of its products which contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) from store shelves following findings that it used substances derived from pigs in the process of...

Women's role

Women's role The report by Ms. Linawati Sidarto entitled Women bear heaviest burden (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 29) was interesting and deserves a comment.In an agricultural society there is a division of labor in the family.

KL man writing book on hostage crisis

KL man writing book on hostage crisis KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A well-connected Malaysian businessman who helped negotiate the release of hostages held by Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines said on Wednesday he is writing a book that will "expose the secrets and lies" surrounding the crisis.

The Ajinomoto case

The Ajinomoto case Thank the holiday season and the good sense of all the parties involved for the fact that, for once, an argument involving religious principles did not get blown out of proportion and prompt street protests.

Soedradjad questioned over loan scandal

Soedradjad questioned over loan scandal JAKARTA (JP): Former Bank Indonesia (BI) governor Soedradjad Djiwandono was questioned at the Attorney General's Office on Wednesday over a loan scandal which allegedly caused the central bank some US$1 billion in losses.

Japan mulls piracy pact with ASEAN

Japan mulls piracy pact with ASEAN TOKYO (AFP): Japan is considering an antipiracy pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to allow it to join international patrols against pirates, a report said on Wednesday.

Asian currencies down with U.S. economic slowdown news

Asian currencies down with U.S. economic slowdown news SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies slipped late Wednesday, as data pointing to a sharp U.S. economic slowdown and regional political uncertainties weighed on sentiment, dealers said.

Antam forecasts higher output

Antam forecasts higher output JAKARTA (Dow Jones): Indonesia's listed nickel and gold miner PT Aneka Tambang expects to raise gold output by between 5% and 10% this year after it managed to bolster it to four tons last year, from 2.

Government expects Rp 500b from stolen logs

Government expects Rp 500b from stolen logs JAKARTA (JP): The government hopes to earn Rp 500 billion this year from the sale of timber confiscated from illegal loggers, the Ministry of Forestry said.The ministry's secretary-general, Suripto, also said the House of Representatives had agreed to...

Holiday allowance for legislators

Holiday allowance for legislators In line with the steps of Indonesia's reform across all fields, we feel we have acquired the courage to comment on matters related to members of the House of Representatives (DPR) as follows:Early in December 2000 PT (Persero) Angkasa Pura II received visitors from...

Civil emergency remains in Maluku

Civil emergency remains in Maluku AMBON, Maluku (JP): Governor Saleh Latuconsina told reporters on Wednesday that the civil emergency status in Maluku still exists, given the current state of the province.

IBRA to sell Bank Niaga, BCA in June: Edwin

IBRA to sell Bank Niaga, BCA in June: Edwin JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to divest the government ownership in the publicly listed Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Niaga sometime in June, according to agency Chairman Edwin Gerungan.

Government not to allow provinces to borrow funds yet

Government not to allow provinces to borrow funds yet JAKARTA (JP): The finance ministry will not provide the necessary government guarantees to enable provincial or regency administrations to borrow funds this year, according to Director General of Budget Anshari Ritonga.

Christmas bombings aim at toppling Gus Dur: Police

Christmas bombings aim at toppling Gus Dur: Police JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said on Wednesday that the bomb explosions at churches in seven provinces on Christmas Eve were targeted to topple the President and the government.

PM Mahathir, opposition urged to hold talks

PM Mahathir, opposition urged to hold talks KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The party of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Wednesday it would urge him to open new talks with opposition leaders aimed at healing rifts within the Muslim Malay ethnic group, which has long dominated Malaysian politics.

RP economic zone investment up in 2000 despite troubles

RP economic zone investment up in 2000 despite troubles MANILA (AP): Investment in Philippine special economic zones nearly doubled last year to 74 billion pesos (US$1.5 billion) despite economic and political problems besetting the country, authorities reported on Wednesday.

Government slams autonomy critics

Government slams autonomy critics JAKARTA (JP): Home Affairs Minister Surjadi Soedirdja struck back at the mounting criticism over the newly-implemented regional autonomy on Wednesday, saying that the issue had been "overly politicized".

Inflation reached 9.35 percent in December: Statistics Bureau

Inflation reached 9.35 percent in December: Statistics Bureau JAKARTA (JP): Inflation in 2000 reached 9.35 percent compared to the government's initial target of between 5 percent and 7 percent, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) announced on Wednesday.

Indonesian population 203.45 million: BPS

Indonesian population 203.45 million: BPS JAKARTA (JP): Population growth in the last decade has been declining as indicated by the results of the latest census which shows that Indonesia now has a population of 203,456,005 of which nearly 60 percent live on Java island.

All believers should be aware

All believers should be awareFrom Media IndonesiaThe sadness, suffering and sacrifices of the victims of the recent bomb blasts in several parts of Java and elsewhere have profoundly touched the hearts of all right-thinking people.

Opening access to economic opportunity in Indonesia

Opening access to economic opportunity in Indonesia The following is the first of two articles by Roderick Brazier, the director of economics programs of The Asia Foundation in Jakarta, identifying nine key areas to open access to economic opportunity.

RI's forex reserves up

RI's forex reserves up JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Wednesday that foreign exchange reserves in the fourth week of December 2000 increased by US$112.3 million to $29.39 billion from its level in the previous week.

Troubled Indonesia: It is sailing around a flat earth

Troubled Indonesia: It is sailing around a flat earthBy Kusnanto Anggoro JAKARTA (JP): Post-Soeharto Indonesia has learned the nuances of democracy: from street demonstrations to party organizing, from "retreat of the general" to militarizing civilian, from utopian philosophizing to the beginnings...

First phase of SEA Games training may be a failure, says KONI official

First phase of SEA Games training may be a failure, says KONI official JAKARTA (JP): The beginning of the year 2001 has not been good for the National Sports Council (KONI) as its first phase of training program for the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games may be a failure.

Singapore mosques wire up for the times

Singapore mosques wire up for the timesBy Amy Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters): Every Friday, tens of thousands of Muslim men crowd into Singapore's 70 mosques to hear an identical sermon that had been distributed over the Internet earlier in the week.

Abdurrahman delays decision on Ryaas' resignation

Abdurrahman delays decision on Ryaas' resignation JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid delayed responding to State Minister for Administrative Reform Ryaas Rasyid's resignation submission from the Cabinet post, and asked him to stay, pending consultation with Vice President Megawati...

Edy says Council's plenary session legitimate

Edy says Council's plenary session legitimate JAKARTA (JP): City Council Speaker Edy Waluyo defended on Wednesday the way he presided over the Dec. 30 plenary session which endorsed the city draft budget, saying he just followed the wishes of the floor.

South Korea struggles to finish World Cup venues

South Korea struggles to finish World Cup venues JAKARTA (JP): South Korea, which will jointly host the 2002 soccer World Cup with neighboring Japan, is struggling to finish the construction of local stadia this year.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 3, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 2,100 -150 96,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 100 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 425 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 900 -50...

Bukittinggi gets tourist windfall

Bukittinggi gets tourist windfall PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Recreational areas in Bukittinggi during the past week of holidays were packed, officials said on Wednesday.Famous tourist attractions such as the Kinantan Cultural and Wildlife Reserve, which is part of the Ford De Kock Fort, attracted...

Court yet to notify Pande's lawyers about prosecutors' appeal

Court yet to notify Pande's lawyers about prosecutors' appeal JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court has yet to notify Pande Nasorahona Lubis' team of defense lawyers about an appeal by prosecutors against a Nov.

Estrada's main accuser unfazed in cross-examination

Estrada's main accuser unfazed in cross-examination MANILA (Reuters): The prosecution's star witness in Philippine President Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial clung firmly on Wednesday to testimony that he funneled millions of dollars in gambling payoffs to the former actor.

Indonesia supports OPEC plan to cut crude oil output

Indonesia supports OPEC plan to cut crude oil output JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Wednesday that it supported calls for a production cut of between 1 million to 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 TV Series 9:00 Children's Program 10:00 Comedy 11:00 Music 12:30 p.m. TV Series 2:00 News 2:30 Music 3:30 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Children's Program 5:30 TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 9:00 News 9:35 Music 10:30...

President to visit Palembang

President to visit Palembang JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is due to arrive in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday for a two-day visit, the Press and Media Bureau at the Presidential Secretariat announced on Wednesday.

Rupiah Rates Jan. 3

Rupiah Rates Jan. 3 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,015.00 10,015.00 9,467.00 9,563.00Australian dollar 1 5,078.15 5,646.46 5,332.76 5,391.62Austrian schilling 1 622.58 692.01 653.80 660.78Belgian franc 1 212.37 236.05 223.02 225.

E. Kalimantan seeks medical staff

E. Kalimantan seeks medical staff SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan (JP): Local officials here on Wednesday highlighted the need for more medical staff in the province saying that the lack of human resources severely impeded health care.

KAI adds more cars to reduce passenger backlog

KAI adds more cars to reduce passenger backlog JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT KAI railroad company has added more cars, or in some instances combined two train services, in an effort to cut a huge backlog of passengers left stranded by disruptions to services earlier in the week.