Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 March 2001

63 articles found

INRO says all stock sold, about $75 million netted

INRO says all stock sold, about $75 million netted KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) said on Friday it was getting ready to close shop after selling its entire buffer stock and netting an estimated $75 million."We're sold out.

Moerdani quits session early due to ill health

Moerdani quits session early due to ill health JAKARTA (JP): A frail-looking Gen.(ret) LB Moerdani was given permission to leave his questioning session at the Attorney General's Office on Friday after the former minister of defense/armed forces chief could not comprehend investigators' questions...

Government intensifies forest protection ahead of CGI talks

Government intensifies forest protection ahead of CGI talks JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli said on Friday that the government would step up measures to protect the country's tropical rain forests ahead of a key donors meeting next month.

House urged to drop bill on Irian Java

House urged to drop bill on Irian Java JAKARTA (JP): Two outspoken legislators from Irian Jaya called on the House of Representatives to drop the bill on special autonomy in Indonesia's troubled easternmost province as it failed to fully accommodate the Irianese people's aspirations.

KL bans Europe livestock

KL bans Europe livestock KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia has banned the import of livestock, meat, milk and milk products from Europe to prevent foot-and-mouth disease, the Department of Veterinary Services said on Friday.

Thai coal miner eyes expansion into RI

Thai coal miner eyes expansion into RI BANGKOK (Reuters): Thai coal miner Lanna Lignite Plc said on Friday it planned to diversify into other sources of energy because domestic coal reserves were likely to decline in the next few years.

It's a cover-up

It's a cover-up A special committee of the House of Representatives reopened on Thursday the investigation into the death of four students of the privately run Trisakti University in Jakarta nearly three years ago.

New fuel prices threaten textile industry

New fuel prices threaten textile industry JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to raise fuel prices beginning Sunday could trigger a mass shut down of textile firms as the rise in production costs resulting from the fuel hike could further jeopardize their operations, the Indonesian Textile...

BMW claims No.1 in Thai luxury car mart

BMW claims No.1 in Thai luxury car mart BANGKOK (DPA): Despite forecasts that the Thai economy is heading for a slowdown this year, BMW executives claimed on Friday that its sales had increased 40 per cent in the first quarter of 2001, clinching its position as No 1 in the luxury car market.

Hotel Mega told to suspend entertainment

Hotel Mega told to suspend entertainment JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mapaganti said on Friday that he had ordered the management of Hotel Mega Matra on Jl. Matraman Raya to discontinue its entertainment services to avoid more attacks by residents of nearby Berlan Army housing complex.

Sutiyoso hits back, claims success in 2000

Sutiyoso hits back, claims success in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso hit back at his critics on Friday boasting a myriad of achievements delivered during nine months of the 2000 fiscal year, specifically drawing attention to a boost in the city's revenue.

Government says unused aid hard to shift

Government says unused aid hard to shift JAKARTA (JP): A government plan to seek donors' approval to speed up the disbursement of some US$17 billion in unused foreign aid pledged several years ago may be difficult to realize, according to a senior government official who participated in...

S'pore approves bids for 3G mobile phones

S'pore approves bids for 3G mobile phones SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore said Friday it had approved four applications from telecom companies who want to bid for a third- generation mobile phone license in the city-state.

One student dies in high school brawl

One student dies in high school brawl JAKARTA (JP): A high school student died and at least three others were seriously injured on Friday in a brawl between students of Pelita High School and a state vocational high school.

Fires damage shopping malls

Fires damage shopping malls BANDUNG: Separate fires occurred in two shopping malls here on Thursday and Friday, causing hundreds of million of rupiah in damages.No fatalities were reported in the incidents.

Danny, Hulak lead Wotulo Memorial

Danny, Hulak lead Wotulo Memorial JAKARTA (JP): Grand Master (GM) Kronuslav Hulak of Croatia and host chess player International Master (MI) Danny Yuswanto lead the Wotulo Memorial International Grand Master Chess Tournament after 10 rounds on Friday.With both collecting 7.

Maluku seeks central government's help in restoration of peace

Maluku seeks central government's help in restoration of peace AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku's civil emergency executors urged the central government on Friday to provide adequate policies and aid for the restoration of law and order in the disputed province.

Sports law suggested for improved performance

Sports law suggested for improved performance JAKARTA (JP): A comprehensive sports law will be necessary to help boost Indonesia's sportsmen and women to achieve better results and to regulate all sports-related issues.

Where to go in Yogyakarta:

Where to go in Yogyakarta:Exhibitions * Dutch Lamp, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Jl. Suroto 2 (phone: 0274-560404), until April 3. * Painting by Kelompok Sekawan-kawan, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Bulaksumur (phone: 0274-561914), until April 3. * Installation by Agus Sumage, Cemeti Art House, Jl. D.I.

Ikahi ends 13th congress

Ikahi ends 13th congress BANDUNG (JP): The Indonesian Judges Association (Ikahi) concluded its 13th national congress here on Friday by appointing Toton Soeprapto to head the association from 2001 until 2004.Toton, who was elected in a closed plenary meeting at the Grand Aquila Hotel on Jl. Dr.

Asian currencies down late on yen, won the hardest hit

Asian currencies down late on yen, won the hardest hit SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies tumbled late Friday, as the dollar's surge to its highest level against the Japanese yen since October 1998 underscored the U.S. currency's safe haven status, dealers said.

BP plans seismic study in Irian

BP plans seismic study in Irian SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): BP Amoco PLC. plans to conduct seismic surveys on its East and West Arguni blocks, in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, in July or August this year, a Jakarta-based spokesman for BP said late Thursday.

Seizures of motorbikes, cars

Seizures of motorbikes, carsFrom Warta KotaIn Jakarta, seizures of motorbikes or motor cars or crimes against riders or passengers take place nearly every day. The criminals have increased their actions everywhere, not just in the remote outskirts of the capital.

Chiang Mai swap deals by May: ADB

Chiang Mai swap deals by May: ADB BEIJING (Dow Jones): The first bilateral currency swap agreements under the Chiang Mai initiative are expected to be completed before an ASEAN plus Three meeting in May, an Asian Development Bank official said Friday.

Marzuki dismisses rumors about his replacement

Marzuki dismisses rumors about his replacement JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman dismissed on Friday speculation that he would soon be replaced over his failure to prosecute major corruption cases."I've just met with President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace.

Akbar may convey compromise idea to Gus Dur

Akbar may convey compromise idea to Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Friday that he would likely convey his ideas on a power-sharing scheme to President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid if it secures support from major factions at the legislature.

Hole in one at Corporate Golf

Hole in one at Corporate Golf JAKARTA (JP): The Fedex-RPX Corporate Golf League first round was marked with a hole in one on Friday at the Cengkareng Golf Club, Banten.Tatang Pardjaman, an invitee of the Media Indonesia team, made the hole in one at the 17th hole.

Mustika Ratu to open spa in Malaysia

Mustika Ratu to open spa in Malaysia JAKARTA (JP): Traditional cosmetics company PT Mustika Ratu will open one of its Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spas in Kijal in the nothern part of Malaysia in July this year in cooperation with Awana Hotels and Resorts Management Sdn Bhd.

El Nino may blow RI smoke over Southeast Asia, says expert

El Nino may blow RI smoke over Southeast Asia, says expert SINGAPORE (AP): If El Nino occurs this year as many meteorologists are predicting, smoke from Indonesian forest fires will blow over Southeast Asia and could mark the return of choking haze in the region, satellite experts said on Friday.

KL rights body to investigate racial violence

KL rights body to investigate racial violence KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's human rights commission would investigate claims that police stood by while ethnic Malays attacked ethnic Indians during recent ethnic violence which was the country's worst in three decades, a senior member said on...

Police detain one in armed robbery

Police detain one in armed robbery JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives for violent crime (Jatanras) are hunting three men in connection with a Rp 10 million (US$1,000) armed robbery in the parking lot of Gambir railway station, Central Jakarta on Friday afternoon.Jatanras chief Adj. Comr.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 30, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,150 -125 174,000 Adindo Foresta 100 0 0 AGIS 180 -5 741,500 Alakasa 140 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,275 0...

Rupiah rate March 30

Rupiah rate March 30 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,900.00 10,900.00 10,348.00 10,452.00Australian dollar 1 4,851.00 5,346.45 5,070.52 5,126.71Austrian schilling 1 633.27 697.63 661.93 668.96Belgian franc 1 216.01 237.97 225.79 228.

Pertamina to end Shell deal

Pertamina to end Shell deal SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia's national oil company, Pertamina, will halt an existing crude processing deal with Shell Eastern Petroleum Ltd.'s Bukom refinery in Singapore for April, a Pertamina spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires Friday.

Unemployment rampant in Bogor

Unemployment rampant in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Unemployment stood at a staggering 49,000 in 2000 in the Bogor mayoralty, despite ceaseless attempts to reduce it, Mayor Iswara Natanegara said on Friday.In his progress report delivered before the mayoralty legislative council, Iswara said unemployment...

Major reshuffle in National Police

Major reshuffle in National Police JAKARTA (JP): The National Police unveiled on Friday a major reshuffle involving 19 high-ranking officers.City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam said an order stipulating the rotation was signed by National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro on Thursday.

Bentoel to boost cigarette production by 25 percent

Bentoel to boost cigarette production by 25 percent JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Bentoel International Investama Tbk plans to increase its cigarette production by 25 percent to 10 billion cigarettes this year from 8 billion last year, a senior executive announced on Friday.

Sumitro's life mirrors the turbulent of Indonesian history

Sumitro's life mirrors the turbulent of Indonesian historyBy Peter McCawley CANBERRA (JP): Revolutionary nationalist, diplomat, economics professor, government minister to both Sukarno and Soeharto, exile, intellectual, economic adviser and businessman -- Sumitro was all of these things and more.

Indonesians return from winter challenge

Indonesians return from winter challenge JAKARTA (JP): Ten Indonesians participating in the Marlboro Adventure Team Winter Challenge 2000 have returned from Telluride, Colorado, and the Moab desert in Utah.

Sea cruises to be held

Sea cruises to be held JAKARTA: The Ministry of National Education in cooperation with the Indonesian Navy will hold a week of round-trip sea cruises from Surabaya to Makassar involving youth organizations, military and police cadets, students and journalists from Monday.

North Sulawesi ready to ward off violence

North Sulawesi ready to ward off violence MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): North Sulawesi police have been intensifying training and stepping up city patrols following the governor's warning of possible sectarian violence and rioting.

Legislators must voice the truth

Legislators must voice the truthFrom RepublikaRallies have been held recently at and around the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly compound. As a layman, I only hope that these rallies do not disrupt the process of representative democracy that we pursue.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Italian Contemporary Art, Shapes of Mind, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12, Central Jakarta: (Phone: 3812346, 3868172), until April 7. * Painting 18 Estetika Realis, by 18 painters, at World Trade Center, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.

S&P affirms Dayabumi rating

S&P affirms Dayabumi rating JAKARTA (JP): Standard & Poor's affirmed Friday its double-'C' rating on the US$150 million senior secured bonds due 2010 issued by DSPL Finance Co. B.V. and guaranteed by Indonesia's Dayabumi Salak Pratama Ltd.

Sutiyoso begins wealth audit

Sutiyoso begins wealth audit JAKARTA (JP): The State Official Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) handed out on Thursday forms to Governor Sutiyoso and other top officials in the city to declare their wealth.

Coach hopes for all-Indonesian final in Japan Open

Coach hopes for all-Indonesian final in Japan Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia men's doubles badminton coach Herry Imam Pierngadi expressed the hope that his shuttlers would be able to secure an all-Indonesian final at the five-star Japan Open next week.

Why is the rupiah weakening?

Why is the rupiah weakening?From Warta KotaBoth economic players and ordinary people are seized with worry about the weakening rupiah. There is fear that the exchange rate of the rupiah will continue to drop against the U.S.

Nasrul seeks legal aid

Nasrul seeks legal aid JAKARTA (JP): A former executive of Jakarta's Indonesian Civil Servants' Corps (Korpri) office has engaged lawyers from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) after current Korpri executives filed a complaint with police alleging that he defamed them.

Chime of antique clocks make devoted collector Soejono tick

Chime of antique clocks make devoted collector Soejono tickText and photo by Ridlo Aryanto YOGYAKARTA (JP): Antique clock collector Soejono Prawirohadikusumo lives his life by the old Dutch saying that the chime of a clock never sounds quite the same in a place other than home.

Malaysia palm oil futures off highs due to profit-taking

Malaysia palm oil futures off highs due to profit-taking KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Profit-taking hit Malaysia's palm oil futures at the close on Friday after players concluded the country's plan to cut stocks and raise prices will only benefit rival vegetable oils producers.

Appreciating Jasa Marga

Appreciating Jasa MargaFrom RepublikaOn March 17, 2001 my driver, my son Dipo Islam Ibnu Hasky and I were on our way from Jakarta to Pesantren Nurul Fikri at Cimanggis, Kelapa Dua, when our car radiator ran dry. As soon as my driver got out of the car, a patrol car No.12-211 approached us.

Monuments tell own version of history of 'General Attack'

Monuments tell own version of history of 'General Attack'Text and photo by Asip A. Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): As he looked across at the imposing stone monument before him, Burhanuddin was puzzled.On a field trip to the city, the high school student from East Java found there were no less than three...

Telkom needs one month to implement new tariff

Telkom needs one month to implement new tariff JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) said it would need at least one month before it could implement the hike in fixed line telephone services this year.

Ginandjar still on sick leave in hospital

Ginandjar still on sick leave in hospital JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office had still not arrested former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita by late Friday night, because it had not received official military approval, despite an order from President Abdurrahman Wahid...

Are Javanese buggies riding into oblivion?

Are Javanese buggies riding into oblivion?Text and photo by Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): The clip-clop of andong (horse-driven buggies) can still be heard on streets in Java, especially the sedate world of towns in Central Java and the ancient royal seat of Yogyakarta.

Police question car upholstery maker's executives

Police question car upholstery maker's executives JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives questioned on Friday two executives of car upholstery producer PT Kadera AR Indonesia in connection with a nighttime attack on the company's striking workers that left one dead and several injured.

Sinar Mas's AFP suffers S$174m loss

Sinar Mas's AFP suffers S$174m loss SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asia Food & Properties Ltd., a Singapore-listed company run by Indonesia's financially troubled Sinar Mas Group, Friday announced a loss of S$174 million for the year ended Dec. 31, compared with a net profit of S$102.6 million a year ago.

Batavia also a center for batik

Batavia also a center for batikBy Ida Indawati Khouw Some will be surprised to know that parts of old Jakarta, like Yogyakarta and towns in Central Java, were centers of batik- making. The history of the batik areas and their disappearance in the last 20 years is the 76th article in The Jakarta...

1,400 cellphones confiscated

1,400 cellphones confiscated PADANG, West Sumatra: As many as 1,400 cellular phones packed in 14 boxes shipped anonymously from Singapore were confiscated by Tabing Airport officials on Thursday for lacking proper documentation.

Gus Dur fit for office: Doctor

Gus Dur fit for office: Doctor JAKARTA (JP): Chief of President Abdurrahman Wahid's medical team denied on Friday reports suggesting that the head of state was medically unfit to perform presidential duties.

PBSI eyes five golds in SEA Games

PBSI eyes five golds in SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) only aims to grab five of seven gold medals at stake in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September, despite a demand by the National Sports Council (KONI) to make a clean sweep.

Old Javanese church a mix of faiths

Old Javanese church a mix of faithsText and photo by Bambang Tiong BANTUL, Yogyakarta (JP): Thinking of an image of Jesus in Javanese garb seems a little strange, if not sacrilegious. But it becomes a reality in the small Ganjuran Catholic church here.

Supreme Advisory Council approves government's Aceh action

Supreme Advisory Council approves government's Aceh action JAKARTA (JP): Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro said on Friday that the council had given its political approval and support to the government's policy on Aceh."National security has become of paramount importance.