Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 March 2001

78 articles found

'Media self-censorship is essential'

'Media self-censorship is essential' JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian media should develop a self- regulatory mechanism to control articles and news programs, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar said on Tuesday.

Politicians urged to practice self-restraint

Politicians urged to practice self-restraint JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' Special Committee on national harmony urged all members of the political elite on Tuesday to practice self-restraint as their behavior and remarks could trigger upheaval and disintegration in the country.

Water privatization must not neglect poor

Water privatization must not neglect poor JAKARTA (JP): Privatization of water services must not lead to poor people being denied clean and healthy water, State Minister for the Environment Sonny Keraf warned local administrations on Tuesday.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment* Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 545 4333) - Indigo Restaurant and Bar: Acoustic Quartet, nightly 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. except Wednesday. Weekly Indigo Jazz Performance with Howie Chen and Virtuoso band, 7:30 p.m.

Citibank opens Medan branch

Citibank opens Medan branch JAKARTA (JP): Citibank N.A. officially opened its new branch office in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, on Tuesday, to strengthen its corporate service in the province."The opening of Citibank's Medan branch office is a concrete step in demonstrating our commitment...

Taufik concerned over Hendrawan's ranking

Taufik concerned over Hendrawan's ranking JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian world number two shuttler Taufik Hidayat expressed concern over compatriot Hendrawan's absence in the upcoming Japan Open championships early next month as it would severely affect the latter's world ranking.

Sipping something cool at Es Teler Daksa Galuh

Sipping something cool at Es Teler Daksa Galuh JAKARTA (JP): If you are in your 30s or 40s and grew up in Jakarta, especially South Jakarta, you must know Es Teler Galuh.Remember hanging out there after school, sitting on the trunk of your car, sipping the cold, sweet es teler while glancing at the...

Civil emergency authority to crack down on rioters

Civil emergency authority to crack down on rioters AMBON, Maluku (JP): Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa revealed on Tuesday a plan by the Governor as the leader of the Maluku Civil Emergency to crack down on provocateurs and rioters.

Ministry of Forestry's secretary general Soeripto dismissed

Ministry of Forestry's secretary general Soeripto dismissed JAKARTA (JP): Following the dismissal of Minister for Forestry Nurmahmudi Ismail two weeks ago, President Abdurrahman Wahid replaced the ministry's secretary general Soeripto on Tuesday.

KL targets RM30m SEAG sponsorship

KL targets RM30m SEAG sponsorship JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the 21st Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are expecting to raise RM 30 million (US$7.9 million) in sponsorship for the biennial event.

Elite now root cause of crisis

Elite now root cause of crisisFrom Media IndonesiaThe political game engaged in by the members of the country's political elite at the central level is both ridiculous and boring in the eyes of laymen. I am a layman in politics but can see clearly that they are devoid of any political will and have...

Timber tycoon 'Bob' Hasan sent to Nusakambangan

Timber tycoon 'Bob' Hasan sent to Nusakambangan JAKARTA (JP): The government transferred on Tuesday convicted timber tycoon Muhamad "Bob" Hasan from the Cipinang penitentiary in Central Jakarta to the notorious prison island of Nusakambangan in Central Java, in an effort to deter other corruptors.

Nasrul alleges Rp 4.3b Korpri's funds fraud

Nasrul alleges Rp 4.3b Korpri's funds fraud JAKARTA (JP): A former executive of the Indonesian Civil Servants' Corps (Korpri) confessed on Tuesday that the organization had misappropriated funds totaling Rp 4.3 billion (approximately US$430,000).

Sailing a culinary wave at Karavella

Sailing a culinary wave at Karavella JAKARTA (JP): It was early evening when we found ourselves in Taman Ria amusement park on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda, Central Jakarta.Taman Ria's main claim to fame and centerpiece is its large lake, but it is also home to a mini-amusement park which boasts lots of...

Late general's wealth probed

Late general's wealth probed BANGKOK (AP): The government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra bowed to public pressure on Tuesday and agreed to set up a committee to investigate sources of the wealth of a deceased general who reportedly left a 6 billion baht (US$135 million) estate.

Japanese demand spurs RI's Minas crude

Japanese demand spurs RI's Minas crude SINGAPORE (Reuters): Recent disruptions to gas output in Indonesia have proved a boon for the country's Minas crude oil exports, as hungry Japan power plants eye the grade as an alternative fuel, traders said on Tuesday.

U.S. Dollar Rates March 27

U.S. Dollar Rates March 27 Latest Previous %Change Yen 123.11-12 122.59-69 +0.42 Euro* 0.8954-59 0.8955-60 -0.01 Sterling 1.4338-48 1.4342-52 -0.03 Swiss Franc 1.7132-42 1.7140-50 -0.05 Canadian Dollar* 1.5590-00 1.5572-82 +0.12 Australian Dollar* 0.4970-75 0.5002-07 -0.64 New Zealand Dollar 0.

UN disarmament talks a bust

UN disarmament talks a bust GENEVA (AFP): The UN Conference on Disarmament has wound up nine weeks of talks here without any glimpse of negotiation on any item on the agenda, including the demilitarization of space.

Can Cambodia's flimsy judiciary effectively try Khmer Rouge?

Can Cambodia's flimsy judiciary effectively try Khmer Rouge?By Chris Decherd PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP): Sok Sethamony studied law by night. By day he meted out justice as a Phnom Penh city judge. He finally got his university law degree in January -- six years after being appointed to the bench.

IMF review team expected to visit Jakarta next month

IMF review team expected to visit Jakarta next month JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Prijadi Praptosuhardjo expressed hope on Tuesday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would send a review team here some time in April to negotiate a new agreement with the government that could release the...

Indian town bans meat sales

Indian town bans meat sales NEW DELHI (Reuters): The sale of meat has been banned in a northern Indian town to encourage vegetarianism among its 150,000 inhabitants, a local official said on Tuesday."The municipal corporation imposed a ban on selling meat in the town to promote vegetarianism and...

Justice in doubt

Justice in doubt So persistently weird are the rumors one hears about Indonesia's prison system that nowadays one hardly knows what to think about what's going on in the institutions officially known as lembaga pemasyarakatan -- that is, the institutions designed to prepare crooks and criminals of...

Fuel talk lifts Malaysia palmoil

Fuel talk lifts Malaysia palmoil KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Fresh talk about the immediate use of crude palm oil (CPO) as fuel and bullish exports data for the first 25 days of March triggered covering on Malaysia's palm oil futures, traders said on Tuesday.

Jayapura traffic lights out

Jayapura traffic lights out JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Residents here are urging the local City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) to repair the traffic lights throughout the city which had not been functioning for the past month, as a result of which many traffic jams and accidents had occurred.

Mahathir unveils US$789m package to boost economy

Mahathir unveils US$789m package to boost economy KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed unveiled Tuesday a three-billion-ringgit (US$789 million) supplementary budget to shore up the Malaysian economy amid a U.S. slowdown.

Rupiah rate March 27

Rupiah rate March 27 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,875.00 10,875.00 10,323.00 10,427.00Australian dollar 1 4,931.58 5,436.41 5,155.31 5,212.46Austrian schilling 1 643.51 709.07 672.71 679.86Belgian franc 1 219.51 241.87 229.47 231.

What fruit is good for my infant son?

What fruit is good for my infant son? Dear Dr. Donya,I need your advice on the following:* Is it all right to allow my 17-month-old baby to have juice early in the morning before his breakfast?* Can I give him a ripe banana? How about its vitamin content? Previously, a doctor advised me not to give...

Singapore firm gets permit

Singapore firm gets permit JAKARTA (JP): The Singapore-based LY Holding Pte Ltd has obtained a provisional permit from the Indonesian government, through the Indonesian embassy in the city state, to open a garment factory in Majalengka, West Java.

Nazar rebuffs accusations

Nazar rebuffs accusations BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) chief Muhammad Nazar on trial for sedition, defiantly rejected all charges against him and proclaimed in court that he had not committed acts against the state.

Farmers to get paddy seeds

Farmers to get paddy seeds TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang regency administration is considering the provision of 75 tons of paddy seed as an emergency aid for farmers whose fields were destroyed in the flood in January.

Arroyo pops her pills to keep going

Arroyo pops her pills to keep going MANILA (AFP): Diminutive Philippines President Gloria Arroyo said on Tuesday that sleep, golf and a big dose of post-menopause drugs keep her going in the difficult task of ruling the Asian nation of 76 million."Clean living I guess. Time management.

Ikahi urges Gus Dur to appoint chief justice

Ikahi urges Gus Dur to appoint chief justice BANDUNG (JP): The Indonesian Judges Association (Ikahi) on Tuesday urged President Abdurrahman Wahid to name a new chief justice to optimize the judiciary's performance.

Schumacher aims for seventh win in a row

Schumacher aims for seventh win in a row SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters): While Michael Schumacher chases a magnificent seventh win in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, the same number means only misery for his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Myanmar marks key date with praise for democracy

Myanmar marks key date with praise for democracy YANGON (Agencies): Myanmar's military government marked a key national anniversary on Tuesday with cautious praise for democracy, with one senior official saying secretive talks with the pro-democracy opposition were going well.

U.S. Embassy rejects Mahfud's charges

U.S. Embassy rejects Mahfud's charges JAKARTA (JP): The United States on Tuesday refuted a statement by Indonesian defense minister Mahfud MD that Washington was maintaining its ban on the supply to Indonesia of spare parts for Hercules C-130 aircraft.The U.S.

Police vow to crush violent demonstrations

Police vow to crush violent demonstrations JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro issued on Tuesday a shoot-on-sight order for those who attempt to incite violence in rallies to be held while the House of Representatives (DPR) legislators convene to hear President Abdurrahman...

Prosecutors unmoved over Tibo

Prosecutors unmoved over Tibo PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): The team of prosecutors stood firm by their demand on Tuesday for the death penalty for three defendants charged with instigating the Poso riots, which claimed hundreds of lives last year.

Safe stolen in Bali

Safe stolen in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: A safe containing cash in several currencies amounting to Rp 69 million (US$6,900) was stolen in a burglary from the office of the trading firm Bali Holding Company here.

Petronas finds oil in Java

Petronas finds oil in Java KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian oil company Petronas Tuesday said an initial test for oil in an area off the coast of Indonesia's East Java had yielded positive results."An initial test at the Bukit Tua-1 discovery well in the Ketapang Production Sharing Contract (PSC) area...

Surabaya cellular operator to start up next month

Surabaya cellular operator to start up next month SURABAYA (JP): Cellular operator PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler will commence operation of its DCS-1800 global system for mobile communication services in East Java next month.

California executes double-murderer

California executes double-murderer SAN QUENTIN, California (AP): Double-murderer Robert Lee Massie was executed by injection early on Tuesday after spending 28 years as a condemned man, longer than any inmate now on death row in California.

Asian currencies mixed late, all eyes on Japanese yen

Asian currencies mixed late, all eyes on Japanese yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were mixed late Tuesday, as several found solace from a stable Japanese yen, dealers said.The Indonesian rupiah, which was earlier showing signs of weakening, was steady after the central bank came to...

KL 2000 tourist arrivals up

KL 2000 tourist arrivals up KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): Tourist arrivals rose to 10.221 million visitors in 2000 from 7.931 million in 1999, the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) said.In a statement, the NEAC said the 28.

Global Stock Index March 27

Global Stock Index March 27 Latest Change %Change New York DJ Indus 9687.53 +182.75 +1.92 Mar 26 Nasdaq 1918.49 -10.19 -0.53 Mar 26 S&P 500 1152.69 +12.86 +1.13 Mar 26 London FTSE 100 5649.20 +72.60 +1.30 Intraday Tokyo Nikkei 225 13638.33 -223.98 -1.62 Close Nikkei 300 268.77 -1.62 -0.

Groups want shark's fin soup off the menu

Groups want shark's fin soup off the menu HONG KONG (AP): International environmental groups have launched a campaign in Hong Kong aimed at getting gourmands to give up one of their favorite delicacies: shark's fin soup.

Matraman mob clash with police officers

Matraman mob clash with police officers JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of residents in the Matraman district of East Jakarta clashed with police officers on Tuesday, following the death of a local who had been assaulted by several security guards of Hotel Mega Matra on Jl. Matraman Raya early on Monday.

2nd memorandum still expected

2nd memorandum still expected JAKARTA (JP): Although President Abdurrahman Wahid will appear before the House of Representatives (DPR) to reply to the House of Representatives' first memorandum of censure today, the legislature is still likely to proceed with a second memorandum, a move that could...

Philippines seeks to intervene in KL-RI island row

Philippines seeks to intervene in KL-RI island row MANILA (Agencies): The Philippines has sought permission to "intervene" in a territorial dispute between neighbors Indonesia and Malaysia under consideration by the International Court of Justice, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Ill-fated F-27 black box found

Ill-fated F-27 black box found SURABAYA: The Merpati Nusantara Maintenance Center (MNC) in Surabaya announced that the black box of the ill-fated Fokker-27 plane belonging to Merpati Nusantara was found on Tuesday some 50 meters away from the crash site in the Sampiran area in Sidoardjo, East Java.

Pelti to send junior players to Asian tennis tournaments

Pelti to send junior players to Asian tennis tournaments JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) will send 12 junior players to compete in two under-14 tournaments in Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Ginandjar testifies in Pertamina corruption case

Ginandjar testifies in Pertamina corruption case JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita was questioned at the Attorney General's Office on Tuesday as a witness in a corruption case involving state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina and PT Ustraindo Petro Gas.

Pertamina asks ExxonMobil for 'limited operation'

Pertamina asks ExxonMobil for 'limited operation' JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has asked U.S.-based ExxonMobil to resume the "limited operation" of its gas fields in Arun, Aceh, citing improved security in the area.

Government to defend Lumintang over rights case

Government to defend Lumintang over rights case JAKARTA (JP): The government will defend Ministry of Defense secretary-general Lt. Gen. Johny Lumintang, who is facing an in- absentia trial in the United States over his alleged role in East Timor rights violations.

Indonesia, KL to sign $8.5b gas pact

Indonesia, KL to sign $8.5b gas pact JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesia and Malaysia will sign a comprehensive agreement in Jakarta Wednesday on US$8.5 billion worth of natural gas sales, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Tuesday.

Government threatens to seize assets of Timor executives

Government threatens to seize assets of Timor executives JAKARTA (JP): The government threatened on Tuesday to confiscate assets of PT Timor Putra's senior executives, commissioners and shareholders if the value of the company's assets fell short of the amount of back taxes owed by the company.

Police nab six for Kebayoran Lama brawl

Police nab six for Kebayoran Lama brawl JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta Police Precinct has arrested six men for allegedly mobbing a local resident to death in Kebayoran Lama traditional market on Monday.The police chief of detectives Comr.

Flood victims camp in public cemetery

Flood victims camp in public cemetery JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people who fled their homes in South Cipinang Besar and North Cipinang Besar, East Jakarta, because of flooding on Tuesday morning have sought refuge among the dead, forced to camp in a local cemetery.

Kaltim Prima Coal may declare force majeure due to strikes

Kaltim Prima Coal may declare force majeure due to strikes JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia's largest coal miner PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) -- jointly owned by Rio Tinto and BP Amoco Plc -- said on Tuesday it may declare force majeure on some commercial contracts due to a prolonged strike.

Cyclists to warm up at Asian Championships

Cyclists to warm up at Asian Championships JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian cycling team will use the Asian Championships in Taipei in mid-July as a warm-up prior to the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September.

Aiming at producing all-rounded children

Aiming at producing all-rounded children SURABAYA (JP): There are currently several international schools in Surabaya, so Japanese expatriates have options when selecting the school of choice for their children while they live and work in Surabaya.

Heading for the ravine?

Heading for the ravine?From Rakyat MerdekaAbdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Akbar Tandjung and Amien Rais are currently four central figures in Indonesia who are driving a vehicle with 210 million passengers.

Danny Juswanto seeks GM norm

Danny Juswanto seeks GM norm JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian chess International Master (MI) Danny Juswanto opened his bid to obtain Grand Master (GM) Norm after collecting 4.5 Match Points (MPs) at the Wotulo Memorial International Grand Master Chess Tournament.

Government submits new clemency bill

Government submits new clemency bill JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa on Tuesday submitted to the House of Representatives a new clemency bill to replace outdated Law No. 3/1950 on Clemency Appeal.

Journalist's mission

Journalist's missionFrom Warta KotaThere have recently been two violent incidents involving the police and on-duty journalists, in particular photographers as well as television cameramen: (1) cameramen were threatened by the police at the Atma Jaya university campus, Jakarta, on the evening of...

Value of reform

Value of reformFrom Rakyat MerdekaThe reform movement has been going on for two years but its results are yet to be seen. Far from what was initially agreed upon, the values of the reform movement are still ornamental to political players.

Power of capital in decentralization

Power of capital in decentralization The following is the second of two articles on cities undergoing decentralization by architect and urban expert Marco Kusumawijaya. JAKARTA (JP): The fact that none of the intended superblocks were completed in Jakarta by the time the economic crisis began,...

Students can make stress work for them at exam time

Students can make stress work for them at exam time Students can be left bothered and bewildered by the pressure of impending examinations. Clinical psychologist Shirley Tan from Mount Elizabeth Medical Center discusses ways for stressed students to take time out and look after their mental health.

Women's voice

Women's voiceFrom Media IndonesiaIt sounds as if it is enough to talk about Indonesian women's sufferings, which have been inherited from generation to generation. It has been tiring enough to trust men to fight for our future and rights.

Students want principal removed

Students want principal removed JAKARTA (JP): Some 300 students from SMU 97 senior high school in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, staged a protest at the Ministry of National Education on Tuesday, demanding the removal of their headmaster for his alleged involvement in school funds graft.

Handicraft exports expected to increase

Handicraft exports expected to increase JAKARTA (JP): The National Agency for Export Development forecasts Indonesia's handicraft exports will surge 15 percent to US$575 million this year from $500 million in 2000.

Oil truck drivers stage protest

Oil truck drivers stage protest JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,500 oil truck drivers hold a strike along Jl. Yos Sudarso, which leads to the office of state oil and gas company Pertamina in Plumpang, North Jakarta.

Bogor needs new prison

Bogor needs new prison BOGOR (JP): Bogor mayoralty is in need of a new and larger penitentiary to replace the existing over-capacity prison, which was built by the Dutch colonial government.Chief warden of Paledang Penitentiary Rachmat Tanoe said on Tuesday he was discussing with officials of the...

Minimum retail cigarette prices to be raised by Rp 15 to Rp 30

Minimum retail cigarette prices to be raised by Rp 15 to Rp 30 JAKARTA (JP): Finance Minister Prijadi Praptosuhardjo said on Wednesday that minimum retail cigarette prices that are used as the basis for calculating excise tax would be increased by between Rp 15 and Rp 30 per cigarette starting on...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 27, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,475 -25 13,000 Adindo Foresta 105 0 0 AGIS 175 -10 493,500 Alakasa 140 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,300 0...

Shangri-La apt for full opening

Shangri-La apt for full opening JAKARTA (JP): Six days after resuming its services, the Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta is preparing for a complete reopening, with the four restaurants still closed scheduled to resume business within the next 10 days.

Diego set to celebrate 100th cap

Diego set to celebrate 100th cap BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters): His name is Diego and he is the most capped player in Argentine soccer history.But he is not Maradona. He is Diego Simeone, who is expected to win his 100th cap for Argentina against Venezuela on Tuesday after a 13-year career at the heart...

Man arrested over series of bank customer robberies

Man arrested over series of bank customer robberies JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta Police have arrested a member of a gang that specialized in robbing bank customers in the city.Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr.

Rates for tax payment, valid from March 26 to April.1

Rates for tax payment, valid from March 26 to April.1 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 10,300.00Austrian schilling 1 Rp 664.24Australian dollar 1 Rp 5,084.08Belgian franc 1 Rp 226.58Canadian dollar 1 Rp 6,540.51Swiss franc 1 Rp 5,973.78Deutschemark 1 Rp 4,679.05Danish krone 1 Rp 1,225.23French franc 1 Rp 1,393.