Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 March 2001

55 articles found

New perspective needed in Australian-Indonesian ties

New perspective needed in Australian-Indonesian tiesBy Siswo Pramono CANBERRA (JP): How many Australians would agree with Pauline Hanson that Australia should stop sending aid to Indonesia because the people there had burned Australian flags? In 1999, Australians and Indonesians burned each other's...

Government to set rupiah at 7,800-8,500 in 2002 budget

Government to set rupiah at 7,800-8,500 in 2002 budget JAKARTA (JP): The government will base the 2002 state budget on an exchange rate of between Rp 7,800 and Rp 8,500 against the U.S. dollar although the Indonesian currency remains under strong pressure.

Gus Dur visits riot-torn Sampit

Gus Dur visits riot-torn Sampit JAKARTA (JP): Less than 24-hours after arriving from his overseas trip, President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid flew to Central Kalimantan, which included a brief visit to the riot torn town of Sampit.

Rupiah rate March 8

Rupiah rate March 8 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,400.00 10,400.00 9,850.00 9,950.00Australian dollar 1 4,783.66 5,297.76 5,012.67 5,068.53Austrian schilling 1 635.24 703.19 665.65 672.77Belgian franc 1 216.69 239.87 227.06 229.

City to build 70 public parks by end of this year

City to build 70 public parks by end of this year JAKARTA (JP): The construction of 70 public parks in slum and densely populated areas in the city's five mayoralties will be completed before the end of this year, an official said on Thursday.

Intolerance levels rising in Mahathir's Malaysia

Intolerance levels rising in Mahathir's MalaysiaBy Simon Cameron-Moore KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Intolerance levels are rising in Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's Malaysia judging by arrests of opposition activists, a clamp down on media critics, and use of water cannon and teargas on demonstrators.

Guthrie deal finally closed

Guthrie deal finally closed Common sense has finally prevailed among the politicians from the major factions in the House of Representatives who over the last few weeks have joined forces with several local businesspeople, leaders of farm associations and several non- governmental organizations to...

Fake Viagra not the way to a good time

Fake Viagra not the way to a good time A little diamond-shaped blue pill has brought a new lease on life for many men -- and their partners -- since it was launched two years ago. But Viagra's phenomenal success in treating erectile dysfunction has inevitably drawn con artists who are touting fake...

Ministry, Cisco agree to cooperate

Ministry, Cisco agree to cooperate JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Education and computer software and hardware maker Cisco System Inc. have agreed to cooperate in providing an Internet-based training program for vocational secondary schools.

Two military posts in Maluku, North Maluku vacant

Two military posts in Maluku, North Maluku vacant AMBON, Maluku (JP): Two prominent military posts in the Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku and North Maluku are temporarily vacant following the transfer of the military police chief and the corps of military engineers chief on Thursday.

Indonesia's rating outlook downgraded to negative

Indonesia's rating outlook downgraded to negative JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's descent into political and social chaos have prompted major credit rating agencies to issue warnings about the country's future, reversing the trend toward improving sentiment that began a little more than a year ago.

Undip, UNS to host sports tournaments

Undip, UNS to host sports tournaments SEMARANG (JP): Two state universities, Diponegoro University (Undip) here and 11 Maret University (UNS) in Surakarta, will stage sports events for students across the nation.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Light Ornaments, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until March 24. * Painting Hanafi 2001, Galeri Minima - Maxima, Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda 88D, Arteri Pondok Indah, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., until March 20.

U.S., S'pore to hold talks

U.S., S'pore to hold talks SINGAPORE (DPA): The United States and Singapore announced on Thursday agreement to hold a third round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, brushing aside concerns from Malaysia that such pacts could jeopardize the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

Migrant woman's release sought

Migrant woman's release sought JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers defending a woman migrant worker accused of abandoning her baby demanded on Wednesday the Tangerang District Court acquit her of all charges due to the psychological burdens she was shouldering.

Asian currencies mixed late

Asian currencies mixed late SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): A bearish outlook for the yen pressured most Asian currencies lower Thursday.The beleaguered yen suffered another blow Thursday when Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said Japan's fiscal situation was on the brink of collapse.

Officers involved in incident

Officers involved in incident JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in Papua (KPP HAM) is to summon six officers involved in the Abepura incident late last year including former Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas.

Sud-Chemie to build RI plant

Sud-Chemie to build RI plant JAKARTA (CNI): Sud-Chemie Indonesia, a subsidiary of German specialty chemicals maker Sud-Chemie will spend US$10 million (10.7 million euros) to build a 45,000 ton/year bleaching earth absorbent plant in Medan, North Sumatra.

Sipaeya down, Van Niekerk wins

Sipaeya down, Van Niekerk wins JAKARTA (JP): Top seed boy's singles player Sunil Kumar Sipaeya of India surprisingly fell to eighth seed Markus Egger of Austria 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the 2001 Gas Negara International Junior Championships here on Thursday.

Hendardi drops candidacy for elections commission

Hendardi drops candidacy for elections commission JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association chairman Hendardi has withdrawn his candidacy for the General Elections Commission (KPU), a legislator said on Thursday.

Junior chess circuit to be held in Jakarta

Junior chess circuit to be held in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta will host the first series of the Open Junior Chess Circuit from March 16 to March 18 at the F. Sumanti Chess House of the Jakarta chapter in the National Sports Council (KONI) building on Jl. Tanah Abang I, Central Jakarta.

Business sentiment index 'unchanged'

Business sentiment index 'unchanged' JAKARTA (JP): The business sentiment is virtually unchanged as uncertainty in the country's political front persists, according to a survey by Danareksa Research Institute.

RP cuts rates, more likely

RP cuts rates, more likely MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine central bank said on Thursday it would cut key overnight rates by 50 basis points, effective Monday, following relatively benign inflation in February and a stable outlook for the peso.

Student protesters march backward against Gus Dur

Student protesters march backward against Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Day-to-day rallies may waste energy, but not the brain as hundreds of people returned to the streets on Thursday to make various demands.About 1,000 Muslim students from a number of universities and academies in Jakarta marched...

Ex-soldier tried over gun smuggling

Ex-soldier tried over gun smuggling TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court began on Friday the trial of Masdiki Suparto, 57, a retired Army captain charged with bringing an illegal firearm into the country.

Glodok Plaza to reopen in May

Glodok Plaza to reopen in May JAKARTA (JP): The seven-storey Glodok Plaza mall, which was burned to the ground during the mid-May 1998 riots, will reopen this May, president of the city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya Syahril Tanjung said on Thursday.

Ikadin calls for lawyers' security

Ikadin calls for lawyers' security JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bar Association (Ikadin) has called on President Abdurrahman Wahid to take measures to guarantee the safety of Indonesian lawyers.In its letter dated March 1 and signed by its president Dianna Kempe, Ikadin expressed deep concern of an...

PSM unhappy despite 2-0 win over Arema

PSM unhappy despite 2-0 win over Arema JAKARTA (JP): East-Timorese born Miro Baldo Bento scored two successive goals to bring PSM of Makassar a 2-0 victory over Arema Malang in the eastern division match of the 2001 Bank Mandiri national soccer league on Thursday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March.8, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,775 25 254,500 Adindo Foresta 120 -5 50,000 AGIS Tbk 190 0 1,018,000 Alakasa 140 0 0 Alfa...

Council threatens to punish Indomaret

Council threatens to punish Indomaret JAKARTA (JP): The City Council threatened on Wednesday to take legal action against the management of Indomaret minimarket for twice ignoring the council's summons.

Police to query media expert on Tommy story

Police to query media expert on Tommy story JAKARTA (JP): The National Police is scheduled to "interview" multimedia expert Roy Suryo in connection with a cover story of a local magazine on fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

Court begins trial of SIRA activist

Court begins trial of SIRA activist BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The trial of an Acehnese independence activist charged with revolt opened at the Banda Aceh District Court on Thursday amid a tight security cordon and a silent protest.

'Eurico did not order attack'

'Eurico did not order attack' JAKARTA (JP): Two former East Nusa Tenggara Police officers testified in favor of defendant Eurico Guterres at the North Jakarta District Court on Thursday, saying they had never seen him order his men to attack a police station in Belu to reclaim their weapons.

UN uses riot police to quell E. Timor protest

UN uses riot police to quell E. Timor protest DILI (Reuters): The UN had to send riot police into East Timor's second city of Baucau to disperse stone throwing demonstrators who had burnt a mosque and attacked vehicles, a senior UN official said on Thursday.

Newmont to close Minahasa gold mine

Newmont to close Minahasa gold mine JAKARTA (JP): PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (NMR) plans to close its gold mine in Ratatotok, Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi, in 2003, or 13 years earlier than initially planned, because of the depletion of gold deposits, a company executive said on Thursday.

KL firm unveils RI project

KL firm unveils RI project KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones): -Road Builder (M) Holdings Bhd. Thursday said a Malaysian consortium has discussed providing Rp 800 billion (US$81.6 million) for the cost of land to revive a road project in Jakarta.The consortium comprises Perspec Prime (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Psychologists oppose plans to return refugees

Psychologists oppose plans to return refugees JAKARTA (JP): Psychologists meeting at the University of Indonesia's crisis center on Thursday argued against the premature return of tens of thousands of Madurese refugees to Central Kalimantan, warning that it could spur "a bigger killing spree.

Muslims, Christians patrol churches

Muslims, Christians patrol churches PALU, Central Sulawesi: Muslims and Christians in the district of Ampana Kota in Poso regency have been patrolling churches in the area following the explosion at a church in the area on Monday.Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Indonesia upbeat on KL palm oil pact

Indonesia upbeat on KL palm oil pact KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): An Indonesian palm oil industry leader ruled out on Thursday talk that an accord between Malaysia and close rival Indonesia to prop up palm oil prices could fall apart.

Telkom GM urged to resign

Telkom GM urged to resign BANDUNG: Angry employees of the West Java branch of state telecommunications company PT Telkom, have threatened to hold a strike beginning March 21, if the general manager of Regional Division III, Michael Lee Towne, is not replaced.

RP warns neighbors against giving aylum to Estrada

RP warns neighbors against giving aylum to Estrada MANILA (Agencies): Vice President Teofisto Guingona on Thursday warned neighbors and other countries against giving sanctuary to the Philippines' ousted leader Joseph Estrada, who faces possible arrest for alleged massive corruption.

W. Cup matches with N. Korea likely

W. Cup matches with N. Korea likely SEOUL (AP): A proposal for North Korea to hold some 2002 World Cup soccer matches is likely to be discussed when a South Korean cabinet minister visits the reclusive communist North this weekend, Seoul officials said Thursday.

Car-jacking gangs busted

Car-jacking gangs busted KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysian police have busted three car- jacking gangs which stole expensive foreign cars and smuggled them abroad including to Thailand, Singapore and Australia, a news report said on Thursday.

Garuda's apology

Garuda's apology In response to a complaint from reader Mrs. Juliana Lestari Tanie in this column (March 1), please accept our apology for the incident which caused inconveniences to Mrs. Juliana and her colleagues.

Q Bar keeps on hopping 'til wee hours

Q Bar keeps on hopping 'til wee hours JAKARTA (JP): For our latest bacchanalian adventure, we decided to take a trip down memory lane by visiting Jl. Jaksa, one of the old stomping grounds in the halcyon days of the early 1990s.

Ignorance about Viagra leads to pill-popping public

Ignorance about Viagra leads to pill-popping public JAKARTA (JP): Somehow, amid all the publicity about Viagra and the inevitable follow-on jokes about erectile dysfunction, the message about the drug's proper use has become blurred.Urologist Dr.

Manulife bid to unveil Harvest owners dismissed

Manulife bid to unveil Harvest owners dismissed JAKARTA (JP): A Hong Kong court has dismissed an application by Canadian insurance company Manufacturer's Life Insurance (Manulife) seeking the disclosure of the principals of the Hong Kong-based Harvest Hero International Ltd.

Amien backs off from call for early special session

Amien backs off from call for early special session JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais on Thursday said he would end his calls for an expedited special Assembly session and adhere to the proper Constitutional route of issuing three memorandums before proposing such a...

Death knell of price hikes

Death knell of price hikes It is not difficult to predict that the government may hike fuel prices in April, which will influence the price of kerosene, bus and train fares and possibly water and electricity bills. This will be a death knell to the common people.

Unions call for equal partnership in industry

Unions call for equal partnership in industry JAKARTA (JP): Labor activists called on management to treat labor unions as equal partners in bipartite negotiations in an attempt to create mutually beneficial relations.

NU can no longer rely solely on the masses

NU can no longer rely solely on the masses The leaders of the country's two largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), must work to prevent clashes between their supporters given the supercharged political atmosphere, says political observer Azyumardi Azra, who is also...

Ethnic conflict or policy failure?

Ethnic conflict or policy failure?By Sidhesh Kaul JAKARTA (JP): The recent spate of violence in parts of Indonesia, be it secessionist or ethnic in nature, are the result of relentlessly pursuing years of lop sided developmental strategies.

Nine trucks of illegal logs seized

Nine trucks of illegal logs seized PALU, Central Sulawesi: Four men, including a soldier, have been arrested for the illegal possession of 50 cubic meters of logs seized by police in the district of Tawaeli, North Palu, an officer said.Comr.

MAS ups S'pore flights for GP

MAS ups S'pore flights for GP KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia Airline Systems (MAS) will add six flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, already one of Asia's busiest shuttle routes, to cater to the increased demand from March 18 through March 19 during the Malaysian Grand Prix.

KPKPN can check officials' accounts

KPKPN can check officials' accounts JAKARTA (JP): The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) asserted on Thursday that it had the authority to audit the private bank accounts of state officials in order to ascertain whether the officials concerned had honestly declared their wealth.