Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 February 2001

58 articles found

Antigovernment demonstrations in Jakarta continue

Antigovernment demonstrations in Jakarta continue JAKARTA (JP): Antigovernment demonstration in Jakarta continued on Friday while the situation in East Java began to return to normal following President Abdurrahman Wahid's visit to the province. About 5,000 students from numerous universities and institutes in Java and Sumatra staged a demonstration near the presidential palace, demanding Abdurrahman resign.

Uzbekistan takes 2-0 lead over Indonesia

Uzbekistan takes 2-0 lead over Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Uzbekistan's Oleg Ogorodov and Vadim Kutsenko defied the broiling temperatures at the Kemayoran Tennis Center in Central Jakarta to take a 2-0 lead over Indonesia on Friday in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania zone Group I match. Ogorodov received a tough challenge from Suwandi in the first match, but was able to pull out a 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Unionists protest outside WB

Unionists protest outside WB SYDNEY, Australia (AP): Australian trade unionists protested outside the World Bank's Sydney offices on Friday in support of workers in Indonesia locked in a pay dispute with the hotel they work for. Some 60 trade unionists protested on behalf of 400 workers at the Shangri-La Hotel in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The World Bank has helped with loans for hotel construction.

Yulianti upset in All-Star tournament

Yulianti upset in All-Star tournament DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Top national women's player Yulianti Fauziah of the Surya Kediri club in East Java unexpectedly fell to teammate Nilasari 21-17, 12-21, 20-22, in the All-Star table tennis tournament at Ngurah Rai Stadium on Friday. The country's second-ranked women's player, Santi of the Surya club, also crashed out, losing to Nuni Sugiani of Bandung's Gani Arta club 15-21, 11-21.

ACTU reports Shangri-La to WB

ACTU reports Shangri-La to WB JAKARTA (JP): The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has urged the World Bank to take action against Robert Kuok, the owner of the Shangri-La hotel chain, for rejecting workers' demands to be paid the minimum monthly wage, it was reported here on Friday.

Pertamina not responsible for Aceh fuel distribution

Pertamina not responsible for Aceh fuel distribution BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The state-owned oil company Pertamina here on Friday refuted allegations that it was responsible for the power blackout that hit Aceh, contending that "we are not responsible for the fuel distribution chain." "The fuel distribution chain is divided into two parts, with one part concerned with (state-owned electricity company) PLN and the other concerned with industrial requirements," Pertamina's Aceh chief Ahmad Faisal...

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary 9:30 Variety Show 10:00 Music 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 p.m. Interval 3:00 News 3:30 Feature 4:00 Children's Songs 5:00 News 5:30 Documentary 6:00 Comics 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:30 Music 9:00 News 10:00 Sports 11:00 Traditional Performance Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 Music 7:30 News (in English) 8:00 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

Kids with worms suffer from anemia

Kids with worms suffer from anemia JAKARTA (JP): Many children in Jakarta with worm-related diseases have also developed anemia, according to a survey by Kusuma Buana Foundation. Buhori, a research staff at the foundation, said recently the survey, conducted in October found that around 1,000 of the 2,864 children who had worms from 10 elementary schools also had anemia.

Gus Dur supporters rally

Gus Dur supporters rally PURWOKERTO, Central Java: At least 300 people calling themselves "The Anti-New Order Society" marched here on Friday in support of President Abdurrahman Wahid. They also demanded that the Golkar Party be dissolved, saying the party is the source of all conflicts in the nation. "We demand Golkar be dissolved.

Rupiah Rates Feb.9

Rupiah Rates Feb.9 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Maluku councilor named suspect

Maluku councilor named suspect AMBON, Maluku: Provincial police stepped up an investigation on Friday into a Maluku councillor who was reportedly caught carrying two assembled bombs last month. "Darul Qutni Tuhepali, a member of the provincial council from the United Development Party (PPP), has been declared a suspect in a case of illegal possession of weaponry," Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said here on Friday.

Legislators divided from the people they 'represent'

Legislators divided from the people they 'represent' JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) has failed to live up to its name, some legislators say. The legislators admit they are no longer close to the people as a whole or their constituents, a result, they said, of the dominant role played by their respective political parties in the decision-making process in the House.

Mulyo accepts PBSI offer to coach Taufik until May

Mulyo accepts PBSI offer to coach Taufik until May JAKARTA (JP): Former national coach Mulyo Handoyo accepted an offer by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to coach world number four Taufik Hidayat until the World Championships. "I decided to take the second offer because it gives me enough time to help Taufik reach his peak at the World Championships," he told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

KL palm oil closes lower in tight range

KL palm oil closes lower in tight range KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures ended lower on Friday but were off the day's lows, helped by short covering interest, traders said. Prices were trapped in a tight range as the market looked for a clear direction. Traders said a sharp drop in soyoil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade overnight and high stocks in Malaysia weighed on prices.

Malaysia's Malay talks a tussle for core support

Malaysia's Malay talks a tussle for core support By Patrick Chalmers KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's main Malay-based parties are inching towards wide-ranging talks as they indulge in preliminary sparring for control of their shared political heartland ahead of a general election in 2004.

S'pore minister to sign US$7b deal in Indonesia

S'pore minister to sign US$7b deal in Indonesia SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry George Yeo will make a four-day visit to Indonesia starting Sunday to drum up new investment opportunities, the government said Friday. "The aim of the visit is to enhance Singapore's bilateral ties with Indonesia and to explore new business opportunities," the ministry of trade and industry said in a statement.

A power grab cloaked in moralism

A power grab cloaked in moralism By John Roosa JAKARTA (JP): One reason for the continuing volatility in Indonesian politics resides in the fact that the legislature, almost from the moment it elected Abdurrahman Wahid as President, has been frenetically busy trying to find some pretext for unseating him.

Danamon, SPU sign new deal

Danamon, SPU sign new deal JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed PT Bank Danamon signed on Friday a cooperation agreement with the state-owned credit guarantor Perum Sarana Pengembangan Usaha (SPU) to help the former in lending to cooperatives, and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Danamon president Arwin Rasyid said that the cooperation agreement would help overcome the problem of the lack of collateral faced by SMEs and cooperatives in obtaining credit from banks.

Search continues for missing helicopter

Search continues for missing helicopter PURWAKARTA, West Java (JP): The fate of three crew members of a N-Bell 412 helicopter which went missing on a flight from Semarang to Bandung remained unclear on Friday, with rescue workers stepping up the search in a 30-kilometer radius, from Rendeh Cikalong Wetan village in Bandung regency to the mountainous Burangrang area. The control tower lost contact with the helicopter, piloted by Capt. Bobby and copilot Sucahyo Wahyu, at about 2:45 p.m.

Megawati calls on media to help calm

Megawati calls on media to help calm SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri asked the national media on Friday to create a favorable political climate through constructive reporting "to help bring the country out of the prolonged crisis". "Being professional is not enough, the press should participate in efforts to politically educate the public.

BI officials to be named suspects over loan scam

BI officials to be named suspects over loan scam JAKARTA (JP): Three of Bank Indonesia's senior officials will soon be investigated over their alleged role in the abuse of the Rp 144.5 trillion (US$15 billion) bank liquidity support facility during the country's deepening financial crisis in the late 1990s, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Friday.

Residents attack hotel

Residents attack hotel JAKARTA (JP): Over 100 angry residents of Kebon Manggis subdistrict in East Jakarta threw rocks and bottles at the nearby Hotel Mega Matra on Jl. Matraman Raya on Friday evening. There were no reports of serious damage or fatalities. According to witnesses, the residents were taking revenge on behalf of a neighbor who had a fight with one of the hotel's security guards. Initially 20 people marched to the hotel, but their number quickly grew to 100.

Balinese enriched old Jakarta

Balinese enriched old Jakarta By Ida Indawati Khouw The city of Batavia, now Jakarta, was known as a melting pot of various ethnic groups. However, for various reasons, most of the ethnic identities have disappeared. The 73rd article on old Jakarta looks into the history of the Balinese here. JAKARTA (JP): Quite a large number of Balinese ethnic groups lived in the city of Batavia, old Jakarta, many years ago.

Dissolving the DPR is ridiculous

Dissolving the DPR is ridiculous The suggestion by Wimanjaya K. Liotohe DPR should be dissolved published in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 5, 2001 is unthinkable to me. The idea is not only ridiculous but outrageous and unconstitutional. According to our 1945 Constitution, Article 2, the sovereignty of the nation is in the hands of the people exercised by the People's Consultative Assembly.

APP woes not over despite payment

APP woes not over despite payment HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Although Indonesia's PT Tjiwi Kimia managed to meet an interest payment missed last week, bond market observers say liquidity problems for its parent, the U.S.-listed Asia Pulp and Paper Company Ltd., aren't yet over. More coupon payments are coming due over the coming weeks, keeping the APP group under pressure as it seeks to raise funds to meet those deadlines.

Nasdaq board to examine IPO

Nasdaq board to examine IPO BOMBAY (Reuters): The U.S. Nasdaq stockmarket has set up a board committee to examine plans for an initial public offering and expects a decision later this year, Nasdaq vice chairman Alfred R Berkeley told Reuters Television on Friday.

Tower owner 'must pay compensation'

Tower owner 'must pay compensation' JAKARTA (JP): The owner of a billboard structure on Jl. S. Parman, West Jakarta, which was knocked down by strong wind and incessant rain on Thursday should compensate the victims, a city official said on Friday. City Revenue Agency chief Deden Supriyadi said the huge structure, previously displaying a billboard advertising a well- known cigarette brand, belonged to advertising company PT Nestra Esta Muda.

Dunkin' Donuts is 'halal'

Dunkin' Donuts is 'halal' From Media Indonesia In reply to some questions of Mr. H. Jendang Muljaya of Cempaka Putih, Jakarta, which were written in Media Indonesia, Jan. 15, 2001 we deem it necessary to give the following explanation: With regards to Fatwa MUI (a binding ruling in religious matters issued by the Indonesian Council of Ulemas), Dunkin' Donuts obtained a halal certificate (No.05980797), in July 1997, which has been renewed up to August 2002.

BI has sufficient forex reserves to defend rupiah

BI has sufficient forex reserves to defend rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin emphasized on Friday that if necessary, the central bank would intervene in the currency market by selling dollars to help stabilize the rupiah during the current political instability. Sjahril said the central bank had sufficient foreign exchange reserves to intervene in the market.

Thaksin becomes Thailand's 23rd prime minister

Thaksin becomes Thailand's 23rd prime minister BANGKOK (AFP): Billionaire businessman Thaksin Shinawatra was formally installed as Thailand's 23rd prime minister on Friday, more than a month after his Thai Rak Thai party scored an historic election victory. "My government will work tirelessly and honestly, and will be devoted to ... improving the welfare of the Thai people," he said after the House of Representatives voted 340 to 127 to hand him the nation's top job.

Better to dissolve RT/RW

Better to dissolve RT/RW From Warta Kota Referring to a recent Warta Kota report Repetition of election of village council members, I am concerned with the fate and dignity of neighborhood community boards (RT/RW) which were blamed by Jakarta Administration officials for mistakes they did not make. With their limited facilities, the RT/RW have striven to carry out their respective tasks as instructed by village chiefs and subdistrict heads.

Telkom to market its VoIP facility in March

Telkom to market its VoIP facility in March JAKARTA (JP): Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a facility allowing people to make long distance calls at local rates, should become available in Jakarta and Surabaya next month, according to a partner of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom).

PRSI hires Rumanian coach for water polo

PRSI hires Rumanian coach for water polo JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) has hired Rumanian Paul Nikulesku to coach the water polo team ahead of the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2001. "Nikulesku will arrive here on Monday and handle the water polo athletes," PRSI deputy secretary-general Dadeng Kurnia was quoted as saying by Antara news agency on Thursday. "He was assigned as the head coach because he has shown good results.

Former pro-Anwar leader fined

Former pro-Anwar leader fined KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A former vice-president of a party supporting jailed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was found guilty on Friday of inciting racial discord in a speech during the 1999 general election campaign, her lawyer said. Marina Yusoff, who left Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party) last year after some bitter infighting, was fined 5,000 ringgit ($1,316) under Malaysia's Sedition Act.

Gus Dur calls for patience

Gus Dur calls for patience PASURUAN, East Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid told members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and his supporters here on Friday to stop their destructive acts, exercise restraint and try to understand the process of democracy. Speaking after noon prayers at Al-Anwar Grand Mosque in Pasuruan, some 60 kilometers east of Surabaya, the President told the 10,000 people in the congregation, mostly NU members, that NU members were enraged.

FSPC approves debt restructuring for four companies

FSPC approves debt restructuring for four companies JAKARTA (JP): The Financial Sector Policy Committee (FSPC) has approved the debt restructuring of three companies proposed by the Jakarta Initiative Task Force (JITF), and one company proposed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

Attorney General's Office threatened

Attorney General's Office threatened JAKARTA (JP): The city police bomb squad combed the compound of the Attorney General's Office on Friday following a bomb threat by telephone. The female caller told Gunawan, a staffer at the South Jakarta Prosecutor's Office, at 10:40 a.m. that the bomb would explode at 1 p.m. sharp. The woman, who refused to identify herself, said: "You'll see for yourself if you don't believe me," before ending the call.

Vandalism in East Java

Vandalism in East Java From Rakyat Merdeka In view of the escalation in the political tension at home, the Central Executive Board of the Muhammadiyah Students' Association (IMM) issues herewith a call for wisdom and a statement of the organization's stance as follows: 1. A quick response must be given to the continued heated atmosphere in East Java following the vandalism committed by the followers of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Bramasto's Collections 1939-1996, Gallery Twilite Cafe, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194270), until Feb. 28. * Comic and Animation Week, Pusat Perfilman H. Usmar Ismail, Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta, until Feb. 16. * Photo: Artlife on Bali: 1930-1958 by Paul Spies, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Feb. 24. * Ceramics: Noor Sudiyati Agung, Galeri Lontar, Jl.

PRD accuses Akbar of defamation

PRD accuses Akbar of defamation JAKARTA (JP): The Democratic People's Party (PRD) filed a police complaint on Friday against chairman of the Golkar Party, Akbar Tandjung, and its deputy chairman, Mahadi Sinambela, for accusing PRD of being behind the vandalism of Golkar offices in East Java.

Floods displace 18,000 people across Jakarta

Floods displace 18,000 people across Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): As many as 18,000 people were forced to flee on Thursday and Friday when floods struck their homes in various neighborhoods across Jakarta on Friday. Three days of incessant rain in the capital combined with floods in Bogor, from where many rivers in Jakarta originate, caused rivers to overflow, inundating 11 subdistricts. Kampung Melayu in the Jatinegara district in East Jakarta was the worst hit by the floods.

Payment card for retailers launched

Payment card for retailers launched JAKARTA (JP): Consumer goods distributor PT Wicaksana Overseas International launched a Visa card that allows customers to settle their bills from their mobile phones. Wicaksana president Bachtiar Yusuf said on Friday that merchant customers with a Visa credit card account could process payment through LippoBank by using a mobile phone and the card.

Quake diplomacy may ease Indo-Pakistan tension

Quake diplomacy may ease Indo-Pakistan tension By M.V. Balaji NEW DELHI (DPA): It took a devastating earthquake before Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistani Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf spoke to each other on the telephone for the first time. According to officials, the conversation centered mainly on the plight of the Gujarat earthquake victims. Musharraf expressed sympathy for them and Vajpayee thanked him for providing relief materials.

RI to propose oil output cut

RI to propose oil output cut JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro reiterated on Friday that Indonesia would propose a cut of between 1.5 million and 2 million barrels a day in oil output by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Purnomo said Indonesia will present this plan at OPEC's meeting March 16 meeting.

Gunadarma invites seven Grand Masters

Gunadarma invites seven Grand Masters JAKARTA (JP): The University of Gunadarma has invited seven Grand Masters (GMs) to take part in the Wotulo Memorial Cup chess tournament to be held here from March 20 to March 31.

City's trees prone to uprooting in rain and stormy weather

City's trees prone to uprooting in rain and stormy weather JAKARTA (JP): Trees in the capital are vulnerable to uprooting by strong winds and rain because they are aging plants that have been transplanted from other areas, a city official said on Friday. City Parks Agency head Dadang Ruskendar said about 400,000 trees from a total of 500,000 trees in Jakarta were cultivated elsewhere and transplanted in the 1970s.

The Golkar backlash

The Golkar backlash Growing calls to outlaw the Golkar Party may seem justifiable given the ghastly record it accrued while ruling the country for 32 years, but they have come too little and too late. To many people, Golkar remains a stigma from the New Order regime, but the fact that it has managed to survive the reform era has given it the legitimacy for continued participation in this country's political landscape.

Political, economic observers ask Gus Dur to step down

Political, economic observers ask Gus Dur to step down JAKARTA (JP): As the National Police and the Attorney General's Office study the report on President Abdurrahman Wahid's alleged involvement in the two financial scandals, calls have mounted that the President step down and allow Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri to take control of the nation.

El Paso takes over RP firms

El Paso takes over RP firms MANILA (Dow Jones): East Asia Power Corp. said on Friday it ceded assets as well as control over two of its power companies to El Paso Philippines Energy Co. as payment for a total $60.89 million in loans. East Asia said among those to be turned over to El Paso Philippines are its entire stakeholdings in East Asia Utilities Corp., including assets such as Cebu Private Power Corp.

Army will remain loyal to the government: Endriartono

Army will remain loyal to the government: Endriartono JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Friday that the Army would remain loyal to the government and not let anybody topple the national leadership by unconstitutional means. "The nation's interests are paramount. We should never think of short-term interests, but rather be in for the long-term.

Batam technically already free trade zone: BIDA

Batam technically already free trade zone: BIDA JAKARTA (JP): Batam island has technically become a free trade zone although the law which will formalize its status as such is still being prepared, chief of the Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) Ismeth Abdullah said. "In its development, Batam has functioned as a free trade zone ...

Bangka-Belitung officially declared 31st province

Bangka-Belitung officially declared 31st province JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja officially inaugurated Bangka-Belitung as the country's 31st province on Friday, and installed Amur Muchasim as the province's acting governor. In a traditional and modest ceremony in the new province's capital Pangkal Pinang, Surjadi officially assigned Amur to establish an organization and structure for the province within the next six months.

100 stateless people seek Indonesian citizenship

100 stateless people seek Indonesian citizenship JAKARTA (JP): More than 100 stateless people in the Tegal Alur slum in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, have appealed to the government to grant them Indonesian citizenship. Esther Indahyani Jusuf, executive director of Solidarity of Nations, an organization that fights against discrimination, said on Friday the stateless people had been living in the area of Cengkareng for years.

Minister Lopa vows to instill sense of justice

Minister Lopa vows to instill sense of justice JAKARTA (JP): Newly sworn Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa vowed on Friday to instill a sense of justice in all matters related to his office, include the country's courts. Lopa told reporters after taking his oath before President Abdurrahman Wahid that his main concern was not just to settle court cases, but also to create a conducive atmosphere so that the courts could produce verdicts that reflect justice.

Harassment by immigration officials

Harassment by immigration officials It seems that things are getting worse, much worse, in certain areas of the Indonesian bureaucracy. And the immigration department seems to be the worst of all. Virtually every expatriate of my acquaintance has a "horror" story to tell, while more and more tourists are complaining of harassment from immigration officials.

RP prosecutor issue writs for more Estrada accounts

RP prosecutor issue writs for more Estrada accounts MANILA (Agencies): Corruption investigators ordered on Friday the local unit of U.S. lender Citibank NA to surrender records of deposits of ousted Philippines leader Joseph Estrada, who faces a barrage of lawsuits.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 9, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,800 -50 71,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 130 5 35,000 Alakasa Industrindo 190 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 975 0 242,000 Alter Abadi 115 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 650 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,425 0 2,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 190 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 900 -50 380,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

New tremors spark brief panic in India quake zone

New tremors spark brief panic in India quake zone BHUJ, India (Reuters): A series of fresh tremors struck fear into the hearts of thousands living in India's earthquake-ravaged western state of Gujarat overnight, but officials said they appeared to have caused little damage. "We have no report of any damage from the entire district, we are still updating our reports, but I believe the impact has not been significant," Anil Mukim, district magistrate of Bhuj, told Reuters on Friday.