Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 February 2001

63 articles found

Second round of troop withdrawal begins in Maluku

Second round of troop withdrawal begins in Maluku AMBON, Maluku (JP): The second round of troop withdrawal from Maluku was held on Wednesday with Battalion 403 of the Central Java's Diponegoro Regional Military Command leaving Halong Naval base, some six kilometers east of Ambon, in a ceremony led...

House and people's aspirations

House and people's aspirationsFrom KompasRecently the government has been blamed for all the turmoil in this country: bomb blasts, strikes, community protests, street rallies, uprisings in Aceh and Irian Jaya, and many other similar incidents.

Council delays selection of parking operators

Council delays selection of parking operators JAKARTA (JP): The City Council has delayed its approval of the private parking operators bidding to help the administration manage on-street parking, a councillor said on Wednesday.

Food, drug control office gets new name

Food, drug control office gets new name JAKARTA (JP): Directorate General for Food and Drug Control (POM) on Wednesday became an independent institution separated from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and was renamed as the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM).

U.S. grants $1 million to combat cocoa pest

U.S. grants $1 million to combat cocoa pest JAKARTA (JP): The United States has agreed to give a $1 million (Rp 9.5 billion) grant to help Indonesian cocoa farmers fight against a pest which is threatening production of one of Indonesia's main export crops.Alfons Eurling, deputy director of the U.S.

APP's rating implication negative

APP's rating implication negative JAKARTA (AFX-ASIA): Standard & Poor's said it has revised the CreditWatch implications on its CCC+ long-term local and foreign currency ratings on Asia Pulp & Paper Co Ltd (APP) and its operating subsidiaries to negative from developing.

S'pore, Japan officially begin free trade talks

S'pore, Japan officially begin free trade talks SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore and Japan on Wednesday officially began talks on a free trade agreement, as Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said such pacts were a way of reaching out to the world.

City to build new seaport terminal

City to build new seaport terminal JAKARTA (JP): A new seaport terminal for passengers will be constructed in Ancol Timur, North Jakarta next year to replace the existing one in Tanjung Priok harbor.Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony which marked the signing of an MOU with Minister of...

Sri Chinmoy -- Indian guru of peace voicing world harmony

Sri Chinmoy -- Indian guru of peace voicing world harmony DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The 69-year old Indian master Sri Chinmoy enchanted hundreds of viewers at the Bali Art Center's Ksirarnawa auditorium with his enlightening music last week.

SIRA activist wants to be tried in Aceh

SIRA activist wants to be tried in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Detained chief of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) Muhammad Nazar rejected on Wednesday the proposal to move the trial against him to Medan, capital of neighboring North Sumatra province.

Governor defends Sarana Jaya's sale of camping site

Governor defends Sarana Jaya's sale of camping site JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso defended on Wednesday the sale of 3.2 hectares of land located in the Cibubur Campsite in East Jakarta by city property company PT Pembangunan Sarana Jaya."(The allegation) is not true.

VP inaugurates computerized system at justice ministry

VP inaugurates computerized system at justice ministry JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated on Wednesday a computerized system in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights that will accelerate the process of the endorsement of limited companies.

Rupiah Rates Jan.31

Rupiah Rates Jan.31 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,950.00 9,950.00 9,403.00 9,497.00Australian dollar 1 4,892.07 5,443.65 5,139.68 5,195.81Austrian schilling 1 602.55 670.38 633.05 639.86Belgian franc 1 205.54 228.67 215.94 218.

Asian currencies mostly higher late, U.S. rate cut foreseen

Asian currencies mostly higher late, U.S. rate cut foreseen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were stronger against the dollar Wednesday, helped by expectations of another interest rate cut in the U.S.

Police loose key lead in TMII bomb case

Police loose key lead in TMII bomb case JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police detectives learned on Wednesday that they had been duped by a person whom they had attempted to apprehend over the past two days.Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr.

Students' protests echo of the past

Students' protests echo of the past Are the students again the determining factor for an incumbent president to resign, in the case of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, the most democratically elected head of state, who championed democratic reforms, press freedom and human rights at the start...

Ajinomoto to get 'halal' certificate

Ajinomoto to get 'halal' certificate JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) is in the process of issuing a halal certificate for Ajinomoto's new monosodium glutamate (MSG) taste enhancer, which uses mameno enzymes -- extracted from soybeans -- instead of the pork-based bactosoytone...

House set to accept investigation result

House set to accept investigation result JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives looks set to accept the result of the investigation into the Bulog and Brunei financial scandals but remained undecided on recommendations regarding President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's alleged involvement in the...

Agum names new director general

Agum names new director general JAKARTA (JP): The Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Agum Gumelar, on Wednesday installed Djamhari Sirat as the new Director General of Post and Telecommunications, replacing Sasmito Dirdjo.

Wiranto signs dossier on lawsuit against Tomagola

Wiranto signs dossier on lawsuit against Tomagola JAKARTA (JP): Former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto appeared at the National Police headquarters on Wednesday to sign his dossier of defamation he had filed against a University of Indonesia sociologist.

Resignation of Faisal Basri

Resignation of Faisal BasriFrom Pikiran RakyatAllow me to congratulate Faisal Basri and his colleagues on their resignation from the National Mandate Party (PAN), because by doing so they have demonstrated their honesty.

SE Asia 'written off': S'pore the exception

SE Asia 'written off': S'pore the exception SINGAPORE (AP): Investors have "written off" all Southeast Asia, except Singapore, because of political instability in the region, the island's deputy prime minister told a group of university students.

Malaysia palmoil futures ends lower

Malaysia palmoil futures ends lower KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's palm oil futures closed lower on Wednesday due to poor export figures and prospects of high production in January, traders said.The benchmark third-month April futures contract was down four ringgit at 780 ringgit ($205.

Changes needed alongside UN extension in East Timor

Changes needed alongside UN extension in East Timor East Timor will formally become a new nation when the temporary administration under the United Nations ends. But problems in meeting the initial deadline of the Jan.

Indonesia wants Mateas Wenda

Indonesia wants Mateas Wenda JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika said here on Wednesday that Indonesia hoped that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government would return Mateas Wenda, who was arrested by PNG police for illegally entering the territory and...

New cable links China, ASEAN

New cable links China, ASEAN SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) said Wednesday the first overland telecommunications cable linking China and mainland Southeast Asia will start carrying traffic from Thursday.

S'pore mulls overseas voting, election rumors gather pace

S'pore mulls overseas voting, election rumors gather pace SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has fueled speculation of an early election, saying a decision will be made this year on extending the vote to overseas nationals.

Hotel workers stage protest in Bali

Hotel workers stage protest in Bali DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Thousands of workers from some 40 Bali hotels staged a peaceful protest here on Wednesday in support of employees of Kartika Plaza Beach Hotel currently striking for more money and better conditions.The protest started about 9 a.m.

Defending champion PSM upset by PKT

Defending champion PSM upset by PKT JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion PSM Makassar of South Sulawesi was surprised by host Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) of Bontang, East Kalimantan, 0-2 in the Eastern division match of the 2001 Bank Mandiri soccer league at Mulawarman Stadium on Wednesday.

WB approves new loan program for Indonesia

WB approves new loan program for Indonesia WASHINGTON (Agencies): The World Bank approved a new loan program for Indonesia on Tuesday worth $400 million a year for three years and said future aid levels could be higher if significant progress was made on economic and social reforms.

Bali tourism development should be based on local culture: Ardhika

Bali tourism development should be based on local culture: Ardhika DENPASAR, Bali (Antara): The development of tourism in Bali must be based on the life and culture of the locals and it could imitate the subak system, said Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardhika.

PPD told to seek private sponsors

PPD told to seek private sponsors JAKARTA (JP): A senior official at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications suggested on Tuesday that state-owned city bus company PPD cooperate with private counterparts in a bid to survive.

Marzuki in Holand to probe graft

Marzuki in Holand to probe graft JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman has been in the Netherlands since last week to probe a corruption case involving a central bank subsidiary in Amsterdam. The Attorney General's Office spokesman Moeljohardjo confirmed that Marzuki departed on Friday,...

Women artists together for a cause

Women artists together for a causeBy Matdon BANDUNG (JP): It is still relatively uncommon for women artists, either alone or in joint exhibitions, to have a forum to show their art. Some notable exceptions in recent years were the 1995 Group Six Exhibition, one of 100 Indonesian women painters, the...

Another man arrested over drugs

Another man arrested over drugs TANGERANG (JP): Zimbabwean Ozias Sibanda, 33, became the fifth African to be arrested over drug possession this month, after custom officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport apprehended him, on Tuesday morning, for attempting to smuggle heroin into the country.

Gus Dur says Megawati and military behind him

Gus Dur says Megawati and military behind him JAKARTA (JP): Under pressure over his alleged involvement in two financial scandals, President Abdurrahman Wahid claimed here on Wednesday that he still had the support of his deputy Megawati Soekarnoputri and the military.

Worldwide piracy attacks surge to 10-year high, Indonesia worst

Worldwide piracy attacks surge to 10-year high, Indonesia worst KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Pirate attacks on seafarers worldwide hit a ten-year high last year and Indonesia accounted for a quarter of the total, a maritime watchdog body said on Wednesday.

Govt wants to name October national labor strike month

Govt wants to name October national labor strike month JAKARTA (JP): The government will seek approval from labor unions to name October as national labor strike month, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Al Hilal Hamdi said here on Wednesday.

BMW to set up RP subsidiary

BMW to set up RP subsidiary MANILA (AFX-ASIA): BMW AG said it will set up a Philippine subsidiary on April 1 in a 70:30 joint venture with businessman Jose Alvarez, owner of current BMW importer, Asian Carmakers Corp.

U.S. economic slow down threatens Indonesia's export

U.S. economic slow down threatens Indonesia's export JAKARTA (JP): The economic slowdown in the United States, one of Indonesia's main business partners, could deal a major blow to the country's exports, economists have warned.With recession looming in the U.

Yusril: Law on Supreme Court should be revised

Yusril: Law on Supreme Court should be revised JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice and Human Rights Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra suggested on Wednesday that the Law on Supreme Court should be revised to prevent future debate on the appointment of the Chief Justice."The Law on Supreme Court No.

Banks' NPLs dropped to below 20% in September

Banks' NPLs dropped to below 20% in September JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia director for banking supervision Siti Fadjriah said Wednesday that non-performing loans (NPLs) in the country's banking sector in November last year declined to less than 20 percent from 28 percent in September.

Artist Made Wianta holds retrospective display

Artist Made Wianta holds retrospective display UBUD, Bali (JP): Having been involved in the local art scene for more than 30 years, renowned Balinese artist Made Wianta feels the urge to display some of his creative art works in a special exhibition called Retrospective 1970-2000.

Massive protests expected at House on Thursday

Massive protests expected at House on Thursday JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people, supporters and opponents of President Abdurrahman Wahid, are almost certain to flock to the House of Representatives building on Thursday when the House plenary session is scheduled to discuss two scandals linked to...

Dossiers on West Java bombings completed

Dossiers on West Java bombings completed BANDUNG (JP): Police handed over on Tuesday dossiers on ten suspects in the Christmas Eve bombings in West Java to the provincial Prosecutors' Office, a senior prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Govt expected to divest stake in Bank Niaga in May

Govt expected to divest stake in Bank Niaga in May JAKARTA (JP): The government is expected to complete the sale of more than 50 percent of its stake in the publicly listed Bank Niaga in May, according to the bank's president Peter B. Stock.

RI 'has not provided' money for coffee plan

RI 'has not provided' money for coffee plan SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia hasn't provided promised financial support for a coffee retention program aimed at propping up world coffee prices, according to Nuril Hakim, vice chairman of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters, or AEKI.

Pregnancy not snag for Irawati

Pregnancy not snag for Irawati JAKARTA (JP): Former national tennis player Irawati Moerid Iskandar may be the only expectant mother slugging it out in tournaments.The 32-year-old Irawati, who is seven months pregnant, said she has had no problem playing tennis during her pregnancy.

Nuriana grilled for corruption

Nuriana grilled for corruption BANDUNG: West Java Governor R. Nuriana was again grilled for more than eight hours on Wednesday for his alleged roles in corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices involving a total of more than Rp 38 billion in state funds after his first round of questioning by...

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibition * Painting by German artist Peter Dittmar, at Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl Raya Sayan (Phone: 0361 979253), until Feb. 10.Museums and Galleries * Blue Moon Gallery, Jl. Tirta Tawar, Banjar Kutuh Kaja, Ubud (Phone: 0361 976727), daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mechanics face dismissal

Mechanics face dismissal TANGERANG (JP): At least 50 mechanics are facing dismissal after a local motorcycle dealer unilaterally halted its contract with four motorcycle repair shops where they work.Owner of the repair shops, Napendy, said on Thursday PT Wahana Makmur Sejati, the sole dealer of...

Farmer arrested over Marijuana

Farmer arrested over Marijuana PADANG, West Sumatra: A farmer in the village of Koto Lalang in the Kubung district in Solok regency here was apprehended on Tuesday for allegedly growing 17 marijuana trees on his field, a police officer said on Wednesday.Solok Police chief Adj. Comr.

KL opposition leaders charged

KL opposition leaders charged KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Three more Malaysian opposition activists were charged on Wednesday with offenses committed during polling day in a by-election last November which the government lost.

BNI 46 responds

BNI 46 responds We refer to the letter from Chris Tumelap published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 9, 2001 titled Bank BNI 46's service. First of all we thank you for your trust in BNI card center. For your information we changed your billing address as soon as we received your request through...

Veteran Yustedjo Tarik out, seeds go through

Veteran Yustedjo Tarik out, seeds go through JAKARTA (JP): Former national men's singles champion Yustedjo Tarik bowed out to junior Surya Wijaya 3-6, 6-1, 0-6 in the second round of the 2001 Cigna Open Colors of Life at the Bung Karno tennis complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The passing of painter Amang Rachman

The passing of painter Amang Rachman JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian surrealist painter Amang Rachman can now be remembered only through his work. The 70-year-old painter passed away on Jan. 15, 2001, leaving numerous records for the country's art history.Born in Surabaya on Nov.

Asia's beloved three-wheelers are cleaning up their act

Asia's beloved three-wheelers are cleaning up their act BANGKOK (AFP): "Tuk tuks", the three-wheeled vehicles spluttering along the streets of many Asian cities, are cleaning up their act and starting to comply with strict pollution regulations, a conference heard on Wednesday.

Controversies galore

Controversies galore Despite the twice-repeated warning from defense minister Mahfud MD that any further deterioration of the political situation might induce the military to take over, few Indonesians seem to believe that a coup is imminent -- all the more so since reassurances have also been...

Indonesia's SEA Games athletes to join roll call ceremonies

Indonesia's SEA Games athletes to join roll call ceremonies JAKARTA (JP): National athletes, being groomed for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, will join roll call ceremonies in six cities on Thursday to mark the second phase of the biennial event's decentralized training program.

Only two firms object to wage hike

Only two firms object to wage hike JAKARTA (JP): On the eve of the new monthly minimum wage implementation in the capital on Feb. 1, only two companies have filed complaints to the province's ministry of manpower and transmigration office over the hike, an official said on Wednesday.

More Japanese going to Bali during holidays

More Japanese going to Bali during holidaysBy Coco Kubota TOKYO (DPA): The number of Japanese tourists to Bali is expected to recover after rioting there in 1998. Bali has recently become the "in" destination among single Japanese females in their 20s and 30s who enjoy relaxing at expensive hotels...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 31, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,950 25 418,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 135 5 604,000 Alakasa Industrindo 425 0 0 Alfa Retailindo...

Kabelvision sees revenues reaching Rp 400 billion

Kabelvision sees revenues reaching Rp 400 billion JAKARTA (JP): Cable television company, Kabelvision, expects to book total revenues of about Rp 400 billion (about US$42 million) this year, far higher than the Rp 60 billion recorded in 2000, thanks to the company's massive expansion program.