Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 6 January 2001

47 articles found

Suspect says he learned to make bombs in Afghanistan

Suspect says he learned to make bombs in Afghanistan JAKARTA (JP): A senior police detective revealed on Friday that one of four suspects in the Christmas Eve bombing case has confessed to having received explosives training in Afghanistan. "Dedi Mulyadi, a 31-year-old suspect from Pangandaran, West Java, has told police that he and his dead colleague, Yoyo, had both received military training in the making of bombs in an Afghan militia camp," National Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen.

Indonesia's economy not as bad as people think: Economist

Indonesia's economy not as bad as people think: Economist Noted economist Dr. Mubyarto said recently that he had a different opinion about the state of Indonesia's economy to most mainstream economists. The following interview attempts to pinpoint those differences. Question: You said you disagreed with other economists who are pessimistic about the Indonesian economy. How do you explain that?

New Order figures must 'be tried'

New Order figures must 'be tried' JAKARTA (JP): The director of the Institute of Public Policy Studies said that in the rush to indict former president Soeharto and his family, the activities of other prominent players in the New Order regime should not be overlooked. "The New Order regime included not only Soeharto and his family but also many other important figures," Ichsanuddin Noorsy said during a seminar on reform held here on Friday.

C. Java to send full team to c'ship

C. Java to send full team to c'ship SEMARANG (JP): The Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association will send a full team to the LG Cup National Taekwondo Championship in Jakarta in early February, an official said on Friday. "We will send as many taekwondoins as possible to the championship, but the backbone of the team will be those who competed in the 2000 National Games in Surabaya," coach Bambang Wijanarko said here.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Music 9:30 Variety Show 11:00 Talk Show 2:00 p.m. Interval 3:00 News 3:30 Feature 4:00 Children's Program 5:00 TVRI News 5:30 Documentary 6:00 Comics 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Quiz 9:00 News 10:00 Sports 11:00 Traditional Culture Program 2 5:00 p.m. TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News TPI 5:30 a.m.

Subagyo upbeat about RI men's singles chances in Korea Open

Subagyo upbeat about RI men's singles chances in Korea Open JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo expressed optimism that Indonesian men's singles shuttlers would perform well at the six-star Korea Open despite the absence of the country's two top players.

Indover creditors may be named as suspects

Indover creditors may be named as suspects JAKARTA (JP): State prosecutors could name several businessmen as suspects in the loan scandal involving two of Bank Indonesia's (BI) foreign based subsidiaries, an official said on Friday. Head of the team investigating the scam, Muchtar Arifin, said the prosecutors found indications of misuse of the loans by the creditors which allegedly caused the central bank some US$1 billion in losses.

Asia looks to region for growth in 2001

Asia looks to region for growth in 2001 HONG KONG (AFP): Asian economies will have to look to regional and domestic demand for growth in 2001 as the U.S. economy slows down, a bank report said on Friday. Credit Suisse First Boston said a continuing rise in United States electronic inventories and the country's slowing economy would lead to a sharp deceleration in Asian exports there in 2001.

Joint investigation on Xmas bombings proposed

Joint investigation on Xmas bombings proposed JAKARTA (JP): The Forum for Indonesian Peace (FID) in a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday appealed to be given access to information on the Christmas Eve bombings. The Forum, formed by several noted figures following the Dec. 24 attack, has established its own investigating team.

Government asked to be flexible on tax policy

Government asked to be flexible on tax policy By Berni K. Moestafa JAKARTA (JP): Legislators on Friday called upon the government to show willingness to review recent regulations that raised income taxes on interests from bank time deposit, and imposed value added taxes on agriculture and animal husbandry products, saying that the policies lacked adequate publicity.

Corruption as role distortion

Corruption as role distortion By Ignas Kleden JAKARTA (JP): Corruption in Indonesia should always be a question and an issue, never to be taken for granted because almost everybody is tempted to practice it. If one looks at corruption in terms of class differentiation, it becomes obvious that the motives behind it can be very different.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 5, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 2,175 100 414,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 100 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 425 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 975 75 1,041,500 Alter Abadi 115 -5 8,000 Alumindo Light Metal 725 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,125 -25 1,013,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 260 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 900 50 2,085,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex...

Textile association hails new export quota policy

Textile association hails new export quota policy JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Textile Association (API) on Friday welcomed the government's new regulation on the allocation of export quotas, calling it a concrete step towards eradicating rampant quota trading practices among textile producers. API vice chairman Lili Asdjudiredja said that the new regulation allowed for a fairer allocation of export quotas among textile producers.

Shangri-La Hotel staff seek help from House

Shangri-La Hotel staff seek help from House JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of striking workers from Shangri-La Hotel went to the House of Representatives on Friday to ask legislators to intervene in their dispute with the hotel. The workers, who have been on strike since Dec. 22 last year, were received by House Deputy Speaker Muhaimin Iskandar.

Crime rate drops in Bogor

Crime rate drops in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Bogor Police recorded a sharp decline in its crime rate throughout 2000, but 40 percent of the cases investigated during the same period remain unsolved. The regional police's Chief Comr. Taufik Ridha told a press meeting recently that 1,620 crimes were committed last year, down from 3,950 recorded in the previous year. Taufik said vehicle theft and armed theft topped the crime list, and such a trend was expected to continue in the current year.

School building needs renovation

School building needs renovation TANGERANG (JP): The Cempaka Putih state elementary school building in the district of Ciputat, Tangerang, is in very poor condition, forcing students from two classes to go home when it rains. The roof of the whole building has been decaying for a long period of time. "We are afraid that strong winds will destroy the building, especially Class 3 and Class 6 rooms," Saifuddin, the school principal, said.

National Education Minister opens Papua University

National Education Minister opens Papua University JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education inaugurated on Friday the new Papua State University and appointed the first rector for the university located in Manokwari city, some 638 kilometers west of the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura. Frans Wanggai, previously the dean of the school of agriculture at Cendrawasih University in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura, was appointed the rector for the new Papua State University.

IBRA to resume talks with Marubeni over Chandra Asri debt

IBRA to resume talks with Marubeni over Chandra Asri debt JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to start fresh negotiations with Japanese Marubeni Corp. early next week over the crucial restructuring of petrochemical giant PT Chandra Asri's debt, according to a senior official at the agency. IBRA deputy chairman Irwan Siregar said that the agency was expected to reach a new deal with Marubeni.

Chief justice gets death threat over Estrada trial

Chief justice gets death threat over Estrada trial MANILA (AFP): Philippine Supreme Court chief justice Hilario Davide on Friday read out a death threat sent to him for presiding over the corruption trial of President Joseph Estrada for allegedly taking bribes from illegal gambling bosses.

Exploring the Hyde Park of Batavia

Exploring the Hyde Park of Batavia By Ida Indawati Khouw It's the Jakarta landmark that everybody knows and looks up to. The National Monument (Monas), located in the heart of the capital, was once a favorite spot for residents to enjoy a breath of fresh air and a stroll. This is the 70th article in our series on historical sites of Batavia.

Bintang deserves to be president

Bintang deserves to be president From Rakyat Merdeka Amien Rais honestly said the other day that the present and future of Indonesia does not rest on the four top national leaders. There are many younger figures who are energetic and capable of becoming national leaders. Among the younger figures, only Sri-Bintang Pamoengkas has openly expressed his desire to become president (an interview with Rakyat Merdeka, Dec. 12, 2000) Sri Bintang Pamoengkas meets the requirements of a president.

Withdrawal of Ajinomoto's products closely watched

Withdrawal of Ajinomoto's products closely watched JAKARTA (JP): The government said it is closely monitoring PT Ajinomoto Indonesia's recall of its monosodium glutamate (MSG) products, which the company has promised to withdraw from store shelves within three weeks. PT Ajinomoto Indonesia general affairs manager Bagus Sudarta claimed the company began withdrawing its products from stores on Wednesday by repurchasing them at market price.

Faulty conversion

Faulty conversion As a regular reader of The Jakarta Post, I feel I must point out this time one of the Post's regular mistakes: the conversion of monetary values from rupiah to U.S. dollar. In page 12 (Business and Investment) of Jan. 4 issue there is a report IBRA to sell Bank Niaga, BCA in June: Edwin, the author quoted: the sale of two banks would contribute about Rp 6 trillion (US$6.38 billion). I was overjoyed when reacting first to the U.S. dollar figure.

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. * 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: Yang Terlupakan by students of SMU Tarakanita 1, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta, until Jan. 8.

A hidden treasure in Sumatra

A hidden treasure in Sumatra By Naswan Iskandar Like it or not, this province is probably the most forgotten region in the country. It seems many Indonesians have no idea that, for instance, 60 percent of Jambi comprises forests. To commemorate the 44th anniversary of this "hidden" province, The Jakarta Post presents this page to explain the latest facts and figures about Jambi and its people, businesses, cultures and other important issues.

Compensation for S'pore PoWs

Compensation for S'pore PoWs SINGAPORE (AFP): More than 70 Singaporean survivors of Japanese World War II prison camps are seeking compensation from Britain for their wartime suffering, a report said on Friday. The claims were lodged after the British War Pensions Agency ruled that Singaporeans were eligible for a 10,000 pound (US$15,000) payout awarded to British survivors of Far East PoW camps. "The war years were terrible and many people were badly treated by the Japanese.

Dutch man arrested over fake passport

Dutch man arrested over fake passport MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): A Dutch national was arrested on Thursday for using a fake passport to live in Makassar for two years, an Immigration official said here on Friday. The man, identified as Frans Hubert Wessel, is now in the custody of the Makassar Immigration Office, the head of the supervision department at Makassar Immigration, Rustanto, said.

Adi Sasono's interpretation

Adi Sasono's interpretation From Republika The comment by the chairman of the Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) Adi Sasono on the series of bombings on Christmas eve (Republika, 29, 2000) was in general heartening enough. However, unfortunately, in the fourth paragraph Adi Sasono distorted President Abdurrahman Wahid's statement concerning the New Order, misleading people who are unaware of the true speech of the President. It can also create instability in the society.

IT training centers in Asia

IT training centers in Asia TOKYO (Nikkei): The Japanese government by 2003 plans to create 30 information technology training centers mainly in Southeast Asia as part of a US$15 billion initiative pledged by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to help erase the so-called digital divide between industrialized and developing nations, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Friday morning edition. Mori promised the funding at the Okinawa summit meeting of the Group of Eight nations in July.

Aceh talks to resume in Switzerland

Aceh talks to resume in Switzerland JAKARTA (JP): Make or break talks on Aceh will commence in Davos, Switzerland, on Saturday with Indonesian government negotiators likely to make one final offer to Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representatives for special autonomy in the province. Failure to make headway will likely doom the Humanitarian Pause signed last year as Cabinet ministers have said that Jakarta does not wish to extend the accord that expires Jan. 15.

Malaysia's palm oil higher

Malaysia's palm oil higher KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's palm oil futures ended mostly higher on Friday on pre-weekend covering, but traders said such gains were artificial because of uncertainties in future trends. The benchmark third-month March futures contract rose 10 ringgit to 759 ringgit (US$199.73) a ton on volume of 1,244 lots, down from 1,911 lots at the close on Thursday. Physical January (south) crude palm oil was offered at 705 ringgit a ton against bids of 700.

Trouble in Shangri-La

Trouble in Shangri-La While millions of Jakartans were reveling in a binge of merrymaking celebrating Christmas, Idul Fitri and the coming of the new year, the end of the year was anything but happy for Jakarta's Shangri-La Hotel. On Friday, Dec. 22, the five-star hotel, located in the city's elite business district near Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, was forced to halt all operations, relocate guests and cancel bookings due to a strike involving hundreds of key employees.

Airlines boost seats for holidaymakers

Airlines boost seats for holidaymakers JAKARTA (JP): Several national airlines are boosting their seat capacity to accommodate people returning to Jakarta from December holidays. At least two airlines -- flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia and privately-owned PT Awair International -- confirmed they had boosted their capacity to return holidaymakers to Jakarta. Garuda's spokesman Pujobroto said the state-owned airlines increased its passenger seats by 5,079 to 29,012 from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8.

Princess Selaras and the Chosen Land

Princess Selaras and the Chosen Land Jambi (JP): Once, Princess Selaras Pinang Masak, one of the ascendants of King Adityawarman, who resided in Pagaruyung (also known as Minangkabau in what is now West Sumatra), wished to return to her native land in the Malay Kingdom, east of the Pagaruyung Kingdom. After an exhausting journey, she arrived at the upper reaches of Batanghari River. Momentary at a loss over where to go next, the princess decided to sail downstream.

JSX bomb suspects to be handed over

JSX bomb suspects to be handed over JAKARTA (JP): The City Police will hand over the six suspects in the bomb explosion at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building on Sept. 13 last year, to the Jakarta Prosecutors Office, early next week. "The suspects will be handed over with the evidence in the bombing case early next week... following the completion of the dossiers of all six suspects on Dec. 26 last year," Jakarta Police's chief of detectives Chief Comr. Harry Montolalu said on Thursday.

Megawati arrives in Dhaka on 3-day visit

Megawati arrives in Dhaka on 3-day visit DHAKA (Agencies): Indonesian Vice President Megawati Soekanoputri arrived here on Friday on a three-day official visit, the first by a senior Jakarta leader since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed welcomed her guest at Dhaka's Zia International Airport as Megawati and her 72-member entourage flew in from Geneva, AFP reported.

President denies shifting task to VP Megawati

President denies shifting task to VP Megawati JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid denied accusations on Friday that he had been trying to shift the responsibility for making major political decisions to his deputy Megawati Soekarnoputri. Abdurrahman, who was on a two-day visit to the South Sumatra capital of Palembang, was quoted by Antara as saying that it was his prerogative to involve the Vice President in decision-making.

Going for laughs with comedian Tika Panggabean

Going for laughs with comedian Tika Panggabean By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Tika Panggabean is accustomed to being the odd woman out. She is the lone female performer in comedy group Project P and one of the few women entertainers in the country who does not conform to the entertainment industry dictates of being reed-thin and conventionally beautiful. Tika clearly celebrates her differences -- and the opportunities they have afforded her.

PDI-P under fire for 'illogical' protest

PDI-P under fire for 'illogical' protest JAKARTA (JP): Government and parliamentary watchdogs slammed the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at the City Council on Friday, for its walkout during a plenary session which endorsed the city's draft budget last week. Speaking at a joint press conference, coordinators of the Jakarta Parliament Watch (Japwa), Parliament Watch Indonesia and the Jakarta Governance Watch said the move was "illogical".

Payoff scam prompts mayor's resignation

Payoff scam prompts mayor's resignation PADANG, West Sumatra: Padang mayor Zuiyen Rais finally resigned following his alleged involvement in a payoff scandal, deputy speaker of the provincial legislature Muhidi said on Friday. According to Muhidi, a copy of Zuiyen's letter of resignation was received by the legislative council on Thursday. "The letter was addressed to the President. The legislative council will hold a meeting to respond to the letter," said Muhidi.

Police report two deaths

Police report two deaths JAKARTA (JP): City Police reported two deaths on Thursday and Friday, with the latter case appearing to be murder. A police clerk, Rojak, identified Friday's victim as 35-year- old Baharudin from Medan, North Sumatra, a driver of the local Swa Sembada taxi group. "Baharudin was found dead at 10 a.m. on Friday on the football field at the Bebek market in Marunda, Cilincing, in North Jakarta. He had wounds on his head," Rojak said.

Rupiah Rates Jan. 5

Rupiah Rates Jan. 5 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Minister demands law to combat ticket scalpers

Minister demands law to combat ticket scalpers JAKARTA (JP): In response to the rampant incidents of ticket scalping occurring over the recent holiday period, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar pledged on Friday an all-out effort to stamp out the practice.

Heidelberger to buy Indocement shares: IBRA

Heidelberger to buy Indocement shares: IBRA JAKARTA (JP): German cementmaker Heidelberger Zement AG has agreed to purchase the government's interest in publicly listed PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa at Rp 1,900 per share, an official at the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Friday. IBRA asset management investment director Dasa Sutantio, however, declined to say how large a stake the German company would acquire. "Rp 1,900 is the share price agreed to by Heidelberger.

Tension still grips Lombok rival villages

Tension still grips Lombok rival villages JAKARTA (JP): Tension continued to grip the border between the warring villages of Bongor and Parampuan on the resort island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara on Friday amid a heavy security deployment in the area. "Security personnel were deployed to guard Parampuan village, which was attacked by locals from Bongor village," West Nusa Tenggara Police chief of detectives Comr. I Gusti Kesuma told The Jakarta Post by phone from Mataram on Friday.

Jakarta gets approval to buy Chinese buses

Jakarta gets approval to buy Chinese buses JAKARTA (JP): The central government has endorsed the city administration's proposal to import some 4,000 completely-built- up (CBU) buses from China, Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday. "President Abdurrahman Wahid gave his approval to the plan late last month. The office of the State Secretary has sent the letter of recommendation to us," Sutiyoso said after joining the Friday prayers at the City Hall.

RI among Asia's major sugar buyers

RI among Asia's major sugar buyers BANGKOK (Reuters): Indonesia, Pakistan and China are likely to be Asia's major sugar importers in 2001 due to shortfalls in domestic production, traders in the region said on Friday. Indonesia and Pakistan are in the market now, mainly for shipment in the first half of 2001, while China is expected to emerge as a buyer in the second half of the year.