Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 April 2001

41 articles found

Street vendors attack customers

Street vendors attack customers JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detained on Saturday a street vendor for provoking an attack against a customer. According to police the street vendor, Amri Deni, urged his fellow vendors to mob two men who decided not to go ahead with the purchase of a Rp 15,000 Zippo lighter at Jendral Urip street market on Jl. Matraman Raya, East Jakarta. According to one of the victims, Hendra, the vendor refused to offer them a bargain for the lighter.

Sutiyoso to brief United Nations

Sutiyoso to brief United Nations JAKARTA (JP): City Governor Sutiyoso is scheduled to address the United Nations (UN) in New York to discuss energy and transportation at the end of this month. Antara reported that apart from Sutiyoso, the Ugandan minister of energy and the Czech environmental minister will also present a speech during the discussion. The meeting is part of a 13-day assembly of the UN Sustainable Development Commission which begins on Monday.

Student killed for trying to help his attacked mother

Student killed for trying to help his attacked mother JAKARTA (JP): A Karunia senior high school student died as he was rushed to hospital while his mother remains in the emergency ward at Husada Hospital, West Jakarta, after two men attacked them at their house on Sunday afternoon. Roslina, 50, was in a critical condition after suffering several stab wounds. Her son Tarmuji, 19, died en route to the hospital.

Rare animals seized in raid

Rare animals seized in raid JAKARTA (JP): The Natural Resources Conservation Agency conducted a sweeping operation of rare animals displayed on Jl. Barito in South Jakarta on Sunday, but only managed to seize seven animals from dozens due to a minimal police presence. "We had difficulty with this operation since we were only assisted by a few police officers," the agency's conservation chief for western region Yunus Makasuah said.

Fresh violence in Aceh leaves six people dead

Fresh violence in Aceh leaves six people dead BANDA Aceh, Aceh (JP): At least six people were killed in a series of renewed violence in the disputed province of Aceh at the weekend, police and residents said. Gunfires were also heard early hours Sunday close to Point A area of a vast natural gas field in Lhoksukon district of North Aceh, forcing hundreds of locals to flee to nearby mosques amid fear of possible conflicts between rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and security forces.

Jihad calls send markets another negative signal

Jihad calls send markets another negative signal JAKARTA (JP): A new wave of negative sentiment could hit the financial market this week as jihad calls to defend President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid intensifies. Analysts say investors are concerned that Gus Dur's supporters will enter the capital and clash with his opponents.

PAN sets to drop religious clause from its platform

PAN sets to drop religious clause from its platform JAKARTA (JP): The National Mandate Party (PAN) has renewed its commitment not to insert iman dan takwa (faith and devotion) into its existing platform of Pancasila, but added a few terms concerning political ethics. Ahead of the party's three-day national meeting in Denpasar, Bali, the special team, set up at the end of the party's congress early last year, has formulated small changes to the party's platform, which will be announced on Monday.

Guns, bullets seized in weekend police raid

Guns, bullets seized in weekend police raid JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Police detectives arrested a man for the alleged illegal possession of two guns and 11 bullets on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta during an early Saturday morning raid, an officer said later on Saturday. West Jakarta Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Syahar Diantono identified the suspect as Nofan, 30, who originally comes from Subang, West Java. "A Yamaha motorcycle, carrying two people, passed us by on KM 11 of Jl.

Christmas Eve bombing trial begins

Christmas Eve bombing trial begins MEDAN, North Sumatra: The hearing into the Christmas Eve bombings here is scheduled to begin in a Medan Court on Monday morning with the reading of an indictment against a defendant who reportedly made 14 bombs. Antara identified the defendant only as Es. The court is due to be presided over by Judge K. Sianturi. The court hearing is expected to be held under tight security, with the defendant being tried wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Krakatau Steel to be privatized next year

Krakatau Steel to be privatized next year BANDUNG (JP): PT Krakatau Steel, the state-owned steel producer based in Cilegon, West Java, will go ahead with its privatization next year. PT Bahana Prakarya Industri Strategies (BPIS), the holding company of the country's largest steel producer, said improvements in the company's financial performance in the last three years had encouraged the steel company to go ahead with its delayed privatization.

UPC places banners to reject tax

UPC places banners to reject tax JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of activists from the non-governmental organization, Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), erected at least 100 banners in several locations across Central Jakarta, calling on the public not to pay tax as a protest to the 2001 city budget. UPC's secretary Abdul Rohim said UPC had earlier installed hundreds of similar banners on Tuesday across the city's five mayoralties but they were later taken down by public officials.

Annan seeks for UN second term

Annan seeks for UN second term By Arto Suryodipuro JAKARTA (JP): The word in the United Nations headquarters in New York for more than a year was that Kofi Annan would possibly seek a second term as secretary-general. The rumors were laid to rest when, on March 22, Annan announced his intention to seek reelection, adding that "if member states decide to offer me a second term as secretary- general, I shall be deeply honored to accept (the offer)".

AriaWest sets May deadline for Telkom to settle buyout rift

AriaWest sets May deadline for Telkom to settle buyout rift JAKARTA (JP): PT AriaWest International has set May as the deadline for state telecommunication firm PT Telekommunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) to find a solution to the lingering dispute over the buyout price of AriaWest's shares. AriaWest said on Sunday that if both parties found no solution by the deadline, it would file arbitration proceedings against the state company.

Democracy threatened

Democracy threatened When President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's fanatical supporters first began to register themselves (to be sent to Jakarta), people thought they were all merely taunting (their opponents). But now, since they have been given military-style training, it seems they truly mean business. They plan to come to Jakarta if the House of Representatives (DPR) passes a second memorandum to censure the President.

Another Kadera worker dies

Another Kadera worker dies JAKARTA (JP): A worker of PT Kadera AR Indonesia, who was seriously injured after being attacked during a demonstration at the factory on March 29, died on Sunday morning. Several nurses at Cipto Mangukusom General Hospital told The Jakarta Post that Rachmat Hidayat, 21, died at about 12:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Reka-reka Erica, by Erica Hestu Wahyuni, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), until April 19. * Celebrating Indonesian Women, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until April 21. * Italian Contemporary Art, Shapes of Mind, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12, Central Jakarta: (Phone: 3812346, 3868172), until April 20.

Merrill Lynch, Danareksa named to lead BCA sale

Merrill Lynch, Danareksa named to lead BCA sale JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has appointed U.S. investment bank Merrill Lynch and state-owned securities firm PT Danareksa Sekuritas to lead the divestment of the government's 40 percent share in the publicly listed Bank Central Asia (BCA) this year. IBRA deputy chairman Felia Salim said the divestment would be implemented through a private placement and through the stock market.

Minister attacks justice advocates

Minister attacks justice advocates YOGYAKARTA (JP): Many critics condemning a reversal of the burden of proof for corruption cases were those who had participated in construction of the web of corruption during the New Order regime, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said here on Saturday.

What's new in Aceh?

What's new in Aceh? The executive order signed last week by President Abdurrahman Wahid to restore law and order in Aceh essentially contained nothing new in terms of policy, except for his formal approval to involve the Indonesian Military (TNI) in this endeavor. The order calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the Aceh problem, involving no less than 17 members of his Cabinet, including Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

New players in race to offer GSM-1800

New players in race to offer GSM-1800 JAKARTA (JP): Coming soon to your palms: the GSM-1800. New players including TelkoMobile of Telkom and IM-3 of Indosat as well as GSM-900 operators are scrambling to advertise the service, which will be launched soon.

Malaysia sees no gain from ringgit depreciation

Malaysia sees no gain from ringgit depreciation KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia would gain nothing from depreciating its ringgit currency right now, central Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said on Saturday. Speculation whipped through stock market last week after falls in Asian currencies, led by a weak yen, raised questions how long Malaysia could hang on to its 3.8 ringgit-to-the-dollar exchange rate.

BI wants its role, status stipulated in Constitution

BI wants its role, status stipulated in Constitution JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia wants its role and status to be explicitly stipulated in the country's Constitution, which is currently undergoing an amendment process, to provide a greater guarantee of its independence. Bank Indonesia deputy governor Achjar Iljas said that the measure would help prevent politicians from forcing changes on the independent central bank during any temporary shift in the country's political direction in the future.

Teater Garasi's 'Rain' not dry for ideas

Teater Garasi's 'Rain' not dry for ideas Text and photo by Lauren Bain JAKARTA (JP): When Yogyakarta-based Teater Garasi performed its latest work Reportoar Hujan (literally "rain repertoire") in Surakarta recently it seemed fitting that many of the audience, this reviewer included, were caught in the rain.

In search of a compromise

In search of a compromise By J. Soedjati Djiwandono Last year four national leaders met in Yogyakarta. Political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono reviews what people can hope for -- and whether there is any hope -- in the next meeting.

China may ban Korean imports

China may ban Korean imports SEOUL (AFX-ASIA): China has threatened to ban imports of South Korean mobile phones and polyethylene goods in a trade dispute over garlic, a South Korean trade official said. Beijing has said South Korea has only imported 22,000 of the 32,000 tons of Chinese garlic it promised to import last year. "China has set next Wednesday for the deadline for Seoul to import the remaining 10,000 tons or face punitive actions," an unnamed trade official told Agence France Presse.

15 universities in tennis tourney

15 universities in tennis tourney SEMARANG (JP): Tennis players from 15 Java-based universities will take part in the seventh Diponegoro University (Undip) School of Economics Dean Cup which starts on Monday. The tournament will take place at the Undip and Bank BNI tennis courts. "Fifteen universities have confirmed that they will send players. There will be men's singles, men's doubles as well as team events," organizer secretary Mudiantono told reporters on Sunday.

Edy should be tried in Yogyakarta: LBH

Edy should be tried in Yogyakarta: LBH YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta chapter of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reiterated its request here on Sunday that Second Adj. Insp. Edy Wuryanto, a police officer accused of destroying evidence in the case of slain reporter Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin alias Udin in 1996, be tried at the Yogyakarta Military Tribunal. A.

Vendors refuse to be removed

Vendors refuse to be removed MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A clash occurred here on Sunday between street vendors at Losari Beach and policemen who were trying to force vendors to leave the beach which will be developed as part of a reclamation project by the city administration. The incident started in the morning when police moved the vendors' carts from the beach. Vendors, after a brief pause, decided to fight back by trying to stop the police.

Fire razes warehouse, causing losses at Rp 600m

Fire razes warehouse, causing losses at Rp 600m JAKARTA (JP): A huge fire burned down a warehouse containing sewing equipment in Bojong village, Bintara, West Bekasi, on Saturday reportedly causing some Rp 600 million (US$55,500) in losses. There were no casualties in the fire. Jakarta Police records identified the owner of the industrial warehouse, as M. Amran, 59, a resident of Duta Kranji housing complex, on Jl. Borobudur in Bekasi.

Money opens most Jakarta prison doors for visitors

Money opens most Jakarta prison doors for visitors JAKARTA (JP): If one thinks that a prison is a barren compound with maximum security imposed at every access, that is totally wrong. Maybe that statement is too strong. Some prisons could be tightly guarded, like the one on Nusakambangan Island, which is now the home of former president Soeharto's crony Muhamad "Bob" Hasan. In Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta, however, money is surely the key.

Peaceful rally pleases both sides

Peaceful rally pleases both sides KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's government and opposition have both claimed credit after a banned weekend rally by thousands of supporters of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim passed off peacefully. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said last week's detention without trial of seven activists nipped plans for a violent, Indonesian-style protest in the bud last Saturday.

PSM maintains lead in national league

PSM maintains lead in national league JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion PSM Makassar maintained its top position in the eastern division after a narrow 1-0 win over Arema Malang in the last match of the first round of the Bank Mandiri national league at Gajayana stadium in Malang, East Java. The 1999 league champion, Persebaya of Surabaya, trails in second place with only three points difference following its 6-0 drubbing of PSS Sleman at home on Sunday. PSM collects 32 points after 13 matches.

Angie wins in Japan Open

Angie wins in Japan Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian junior tennis player Angelique Widjaja snatched both the women's singles and doubles titles on Sunday at the group 1 Japan Open tennis tournament in Nagoya. In the singles event, Angie, her nickname, beat Hsieh Su Wei of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1 in about two hours, as reported by the online news provider, satusports.com. Angie now leads 4-3 in their head-to-head meets. She was beaten in their last meeting in the Philippines.

Maluku to review emergency status

Maluku to review emergency status AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina asserted on Sunday that the civil emergency status on the disputed province will be evaluated in June by a team comprising central government officials led by Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and security Affairs, House of Representatives (DPR) members and the civil emergency executors.

'NU feels Gus Dur is being ousted'

'NU feels Gus Dur is being ousted' CILEGON, Banten (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization would accept ikhlas (sincerely) the reality that Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid be deposed from power only if the incumbent were to be replaced via a constitutional political procedure, chairman Hasyim Muzadi said on Sunday. "If Gus Dur is removed via a constitutional process, I think there would be no resistance from the grassroots.

Semen Kupang II to operate in June

Semen Kupang II to operate in June JAKARTA (JP): The East Nusa Tenggara-based cement company PT Semen Kupang will commence the operation of its second plant in June, after a delay of almost three years, a company executive said. Madjid Nampira, the finance and sales director of the state- owned company, said late last week the construction of the second plant, Semen Kupang II, in Osmo, East Nusa Tenggara, was 88 percent complete.

Thousands of PPP supporters attend mass prayer in Sleman

Thousands of PPP supporters attend mass prayer in Sleman YOGYAKARTA (JP): More than 7,000 supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) attended on Saturday a mass prayer in Ngaglik, Sleman, some 12 kilometers north of here, with ulema KH Zaenuddin MZ from Jakarta as the key speaker.

Woman swept away by flash flood

Woman swept away by flash flood BANDUNG: A housewife was killed when she was swept away by a flash flood which gushed through Cipaku village in Paseh Majalaya district, West Java. Wati, 55, died in the flood, which began on Friday, that has also swept away seven houses in the village. Brig. Mulyana of the Paseh police said on Sunday that police were still searching for Sari binti Otang, 12, who was also swept away in an overflow of the Cisanggalan river.(25/hdn)

2nd memorandum inevitable: Major factions

2nd memorandum inevitable: Major factions JAKARTA (JP): With the schedule for the issuance of a second memorandum of censure just a fortnight away, major factions at the House of Representatives insisted over the weekend that nothing now could stop them from issuing the second memorandum against President Abdurrahman Wahid.

The expatriate experience

The expatriate experience I read with some interest the article by Donna Woodward which touched on the actual responsibilities of the highly paid foreign advisers and consultants that currently worked here in Indonesia. No doubt this touched a few nerves around the luxury apartments that are the homes of such individuals, but I wonder if the feeling of guilt will last long enough to see breakfast out of the way.

Observer warns of horizontal conflict

Observer warns of horizontal conflict YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political observer Arbi Sanit from the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia warned here on Saturday that the country would be on the brink of horizontal conflict unless the planned meeting of four national leaders proceeded.