Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 March 2001

55 articles found

Last group of refugees leave Sampit

Last group of refugees leave Sampit SAMPIT, Central Kalimantan (JP): The last remaining refugees sheltering in camps here as a result of the bloody ethnic riot have been officially evacuated and transported by ship to East Java.

Probe demanded for past corruption cases

Probe demanded for past corruption cases JAKARTA (JP): Legislators proposed on Wednesday that the House of Representatives (DPR) probe past major corruption cases, including the alleged misappropriation of Rp 144 trillion (US$14.

Indonesia needs shock therapy whereby IMF, WB leave the country

Indonesia needs shock therapy whereby IMF, WB leave the country Someone who holds rather extreme views of the IMF is economist Revrisond Baswir of Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University, who chairs the Institute of Development and Economic Analysis and is a member of an anti debt coalition comprising...

Officer to be tried over wrongful shooting

Officer to be tried over wrongful shooting JAKARTA (JP): A court-martial is awaiting a police officer who wrongfully shot an innocent man to death on Jl. Raya Semanan in Kalideres, West Jakarta, last Wednesday.City Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Suci Bungaran the only Indonesian survivor

Suci Bungaran the only Indonesian survivor JAKARTA (JP): Girl's tennis player Suci Bungaran was the only Indonesian to survive the second round of the 2001 Gas Negara International Junior Championships on Wednesday.

Justice Party only upholds the Constitution

Justice Party only upholds the Constitution The Justice Party's Hidayat Nurwahid explains the change in his party's stance towards the Vice President. Question: What caused the Justice Party to change its position regarding a Megawati presidency?Answer: It is our political position not to support...

Mobile phone menu

Mobile phone menu I have been involved in a localization project of a mobile phone company for quite a while. Localization means that all the display menus and users' guides of a product, in my case, a mobile phone, should be translated into Bahasa Indonesia without disregarding local standards and...

Support needed to help TNI conduct reforms

Support needed to help TNI conduct reforms JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed on Wednesday for support for the Indonesian Military's (TNI) undertaking in conducting internal reforms and for no disruption to its efforts in...

RI to up rice, sugar duties

RI to up rice, sugar duties JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia is considering raising import duties on rice, sugar and soybeans to protect local producers, a senior trade and industry official said on Wednesday.

Talisman profit up threefold

Talisman profit up threefold CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters): Talisman Energy Inc. pumped out a nearly threefold jump in fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, as Canada's third-largest oil and gas explorer and producer reaped rewards from strong prices and rising production.

Manila 'came close to debt moratorium'

Manila 'came close to debt moratorium' MANILA (Dow Jones): Philippine Central Bank Governor Rafael Buenaventura said on Wednesday the country came close to declaring a debt moratorium after foreign banks cut credit lines last December while the leadership crisis was raging.

Plot to kill Xanana foiled

Plot to kill Xanana foiled DILI, East Timor (AP): United Nations police on Wednesday arrested three men in connection with a possible assassination attempt on independence leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, who accused political opponents linked to the Indonesian military of being behind the...

KONI upbeat despite its lack of funds for SEAG

KONI upbeat despite its lack of funds for SEAG JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) deputy chairman Arie Sudewo expressed optimism that the training program for the 2001 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) would continue despite of shortage in funds.

Hoodlum killed by colleague

Hoodlum killed by colleague BOGOR (JP): A dispute over a guitar ended up in the death of a notorious hoodlum. His body was found lying on a soccer field near his home in Pasir Angin subdistrict, Cileungsi on Monday night.

RI makes fuel from palm oil

RI makes fuel from palm oil JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesia, the world's second largest crude palm oil (CPO) producer, is currently developing a fuel from the commodity, Agriculture Minister Bungaran Saragih said Wednesday.

Kostrad declares war against GAM

Kostrad declares war against GAM JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu on Wednesday declared war against Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels."We have prepared our (Kostrad) troops to fight not the people, but only enemies of the state.

Legal battle against PT Freeport reopens

Legal battle against PT Freeport reopens JAKARTA (JP): The legal battle between the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) and the mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia opened on Wednesday at the South Jakarta District Court.

East Kalimantan wary of conflict

East Kalimantan wary of conflict SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Togar M. Sianipar warned here on Wednesday that East Kalimantan could see ethnic violence similar to that in neighboring Central Kalimantan due to the population's heterogeneous ethnic composition.

Rupiah could worsen with further IMF delay

Rupiah could worsen with further IMF delay Opinions have been brewing for quite some time over the "medication" of the country's crisis. The following is an excerpt from a recent interview with economist Mari Pangestu.

S'pore doesn't store nuclear weapons for U.S.

S'pore doesn't store nuclear weapons for U.S. SINGAPORE (AP): In an unusual parliamentary debate in Singapore, several legislators demanded information from the government on Wednesday about the city-state's secret military agreement with the United States.

Megawati 'would be better' than Gus Dur

Megawati 'would be better' than Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais expressed confidence on Wednesday that Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri would be a better leader than incumbent President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Rupiah Rates March 7, 2001

Rupiah Rates March 7, 2001 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,390.00 9,390.00 9,939.00 9,841.00Australian dollar 1 5,344.62 4,825.53 5,112.62 5,057.29Austrian schilling 1 706.29 637.97 675.64 668.62Belgian franc 1 240.92 217.62 230.47 228.

Soeharto used to demand protection: Sudjana

Soeharto used to demand protection: Sudjana JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of mines and energy Ida Bagus Sudjana revealed on Wednesday that ex-president Soeharto told him to "protect" a company belonging to the latter's son, Bambang Trihatmodjo.

Parties reach peace deal over Priok bloodshed

Parties reach peace deal over Priok bloodshed JAKARTA (JP): The families of Tanjung Priok riot victims and military officers who were active when the bloody shooting took place have reached a peace after more than 16 years.

Customer sues Lippo Shop

Customer sues Lippo Shop TANGERANG (JP): A customer, Kusnoro, has filed a lawsuit with the Tangerang District Court against Lippo Shop Internet-based shopping website for deception and demanded Rp 2 billion (US$210,000) in compensation.

Government replaces PLN president

Government replaces PLN president JAKARTA (JP): The government replaced Kuntoro Mangkusubroto as president of state electricity company PT PLN on Wednesday, to leave the burden of restructuring the ailing state company with PLN former marketing and distribution director, Eddie Widiono.

Faltering confidence

Faltering confidence The higher-than-expected 4.8 percent economic growth Indonesia posted in 2000 has apparently failed to increase market confidence or raise expectations of a stronger recovery. Instead, last year's economic spurt, from zero growth in 1999 and a contraction of almost 14 percent...

3G has promising future in Asia Pacific: Analyst

3G has promising future in Asia Pacific: Analyst SINGAPORE (AFP): The Asia Pacific region has all the ingredients for third-generation (3G) wireless phone services to flourish, according to a leading industry analyst.

Giant statue taking shape on a hill in Bali

Giant statue taking shape on a hill in BaliText and photos by Pandaya JIMBARAN, Bali (JP): As the taxi from Denpasar dropped me off at a hotel in Kuta, I suddenly remembered the giant multimillion dollar statue built somewhere in the general area some four years ago.

RP official wants stop to executions

RP official wants stop to executions MANILA (AFP): The justice secretary of the Philippines, Hernando Perez, pronouncing himself against the death penalty, said on Wednesday he would block practically all judicial executions for as long as he was in charge of the country's prisons.

Japanese grant aid for refugees

Japanese grant aid for refugees AMBON, Maluku: The Japanese government awarded on Wednesday a total of US$540,217 (Rp 5.1 billion) in grants under the grass roots assistance scheme for projects designed to help with the transporting of refugees in Maluku and North Maluku provinces.

Luhut downplays impact of U.S. economic growth

Luhut downplays impact of U.S. economic growth JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut Pandjaitan played down on Wednesday the impact of the slowdown in the U.S. economy on Indonesia's exports.Speaking at a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR), Luhut said the impact of the U.S.

La Paene to earn Rp 5m in first professional bout

La Paene to earn Rp 5m in first professional bout JAKARTA (JP): Fast money is what former national boxer La Paene Masara will get from his first professional bout next week.La Paene's manager, Waris, confirmed on Wednesday that a promoter from the RCTI private TV station Abraham Bisma had agreed to...

Gus Dur back home as anti-government rally over

Gus Dur back home as anti-government rally over JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid arrived home after midnight on Thursday, an hour after some 4,000 youths from different camps rallied peacefully in front of the Merdeka Palace.

Italian artist's work an homage to athletes

Italian artist's work an homage to athletesBy Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): What does Italy mean to you? To many students of Universitas Negeri Jakarta, the boot-shaped country in Europe conjures up images of Ferraris and soccer.

Fire guts Jambi hotel

Fire guts Jambi hotel JAMBI: A fire gutted the Telanaipura Hotel, located on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo, on Friday which left the 30-room hotel gutted.Antara reported that the fire began at about 3 p.m. and firemen were only able to put it out three hours later.

Foreign tourist spends $77.35 per day on average in Bali

Foreign tourist spends $77.35 per day on average in Bali DENPASAR, Bali (Antara): The result of a survey conducted by local tourism authorities shows a foreign tourist visiting Bali spent an average of US$77.35 per day with a stay averaging 11 days last year.

Teen marriages cause serious social problems

Teen marriages cause serious social problemsBy I Ketut Sutika Denpasar, Bali (Antara): The ongoing multi-dimensional crisis has badly affected efforts of the Bali provincial government to prevent the island's teenagers from tying the knot with their young lovers, said a minister.

Marlev and Ronny cruise to All England second round

Marlev and Ronny cruise to All England second round JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers breezed through the second round of the 2001 Yonex All England Open on Wednesday.Marlev Mainaky, seeded seventh in the men's singles grabbed his first-round victory by defeating Swede Daniel Eriksson 15-12, 15-10.

City Council approves two parking operators

City Council approves two parking operators JAKARTA (JP): City Council Speaker Edy Waluyo said on Wednesday the council had recommended two private parking operators to manage the city's on-street parking.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibition * Painting, Titin Hartini, Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women, Jl. Sriwedari 2b, Banjar Taman, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975485), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until March 24.Museums and Galleries * Blue Moon Gallery, Jl.

Paris Club meeting likely to go ahead

Paris Club meeting likely to go ahead JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Prijadi Praptosuhardjo said here on Wednesday that uncertainty regarding the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) review on Indonesia's economic reform program would not affect the Paris Club meeting.

Semarang to hold volleyball c'ships

Semarang to hold volleyball c'ships SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) will stage the PBVSI Cup national junior championships here from March 25 through April 1.Secretary of the PBVSI's Central Java chapter Sofyan T.

Employees suspected of killing employer

Employees suspected of killing employer JAKARTA (JP): A team of Central Jakarta Police detectives are hunting down a gardener and a driver who allegedly killed their employer, Megawati Purnomo, on Monday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March. 7, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Astra Agro 825 0 26,000 Asuransi Bina 475 0 8,500 Andhi Chandra 1,875 0 771,000 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,750 -25 204,500...

BDNI abused liquidity support, says witness

BDNI abused liquidity support, says witness JAKARTA (JP): A central bank official testified on Wednesday Bank Dagang Negara Indonesia (BDNI) used liquidity support it received from Bank Indonesia to buy foreign currency from Bank Bali.

Govt agrees to IBRA's deal with Guthrie

Govt agrees to IBRA's deal with Guthrie JAKARTA (Dow Jones): The government has agreed to the sale of palm oil plantations to Malaysian firm Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd. after months of delay caused by political interference in the deal.

Pemuteran village successful in boosting tourism

Pemuteran village successful in boosting tourismBy Alpha Savitri BULELENG, North Bali (JP): Prior to the 1990s, Pemuteran was one of Bali's poorest villages but not anymore. Not only have the villagers successfully made their village more attractive but also more prosperous thanks to tourism.

Marzuki determined to reform Attorney General's Office

Marzuki determined to reform Attorney General's Office JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman says he is determined to reform and restructure his "corrupt" and "inefficient" office in response to public demands for professional and independent prosecutors.

Megawati may be the cure of Indonesia's ill

Megawati may be the cure of Indonesia's ill HONG KONG: Abdurrahman Wahid's presidency is looking more precarious with every passing week. The nation's economy has not been turned around, political reforms are going nowhere and ethnic violence is tearing apart the provinces.

Repsol-YPF finds oil in RI

Repsol-YPF finds oil in RI MADRID (Dow Jones): Spanish-Argentine oil and energy group Repsol YPF SA (REP) has discovered three new oil fields in West Madura, off the East coast of Java, Indonesia.Through its YPF Madura Barat subsidiary, Repsol YPF has a 25 percent stake in the West Madura operation.

We give priority to national interest: PBB party official

We give priority to national interest: PBB party official The Crescent Star Party (PBB) is another party which no longer supports President Abdurrahman Wahid as much as it did in the beginning of his term. Party executive M.S. Ka'ban shared his views on this matter with The Jakarta Post.

Sampit tragedy

Sampit tragedyFrom KompasMany have attributed the human tragedy in Sampit to the tardiness of government, including those in charge of security. Under regional autonomy, utmost responsibility would lie with the head of a province or regency.

KPU must be independent, professional: Candidates

KPU must be independent, professional: Candidates JAKARTA (JP): The integrity of the 2004 general election will depend much on the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU)'s independence and its members' professionalism, KPU candidates said on Wednesday.

Court ruling affects Kia car project

Court ruling affects Kia car project JAKARTA (JP): The recent ruling by the Supreme Court that ordered PT Timor Putra Nasional car company to pay the tax directorate general Rp 3.2 trillion (US$326 million) in back taxes and duties has further put the fate of the Kia car project in limbo, Trade and...