Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 April 2001

61 articles found

Indonesia protests Indian antidumping move

Indonesia protests Indian antidumping move JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will lodge a formal protest to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against India's move to impose antidumping duties on Indonesian polyester fiber (POY) products.

Restricted area needs reviewing

Restricted area needs reviewing JAKARTA (JP): The City Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency (DLLAJ) submitted on Tuesday a proposal to the city administration that recommended the revocation of the capital's restricted traffic zone called three-in-one, especially on Saturdays and other...

ExxonMobil still uncertain about resuming operations

ExxonMobil still uncertain about resuming operations JAKARTA (JP): American based ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. said on Tuesday that it had no set target for the resumption of its gas production in Aceh as uncertainty in the security field persisted.

KL palm oil extends losses

KL palm oil extends losses KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures extended losses by the close on Tuesday on the back of weak export data, with prices dipping below the 800 ringgit a ton support level.Traders said players sold on fears that exports would slip sharply in April.

'Cendana' nearly extinct

'Cendana' nearly extinct KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Sandalwood trees, locally known as cendana (santalum album), are on the brink of extinction in the province of East Nusa Tenggara due to excessive exploitation, an official said on Tuesday.

Asian currencies mostly up on modest yen support

Asian currencies mostly up on modest yen support SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were slightly higher late Tuesday, finding only modest support from the yen's bounce as participants braced for another roller-coaster ride on Wall Street this week.

Ethnic conflicts pose complex problem: Scholars

Ethnic conflicts pose complex problem: Scholars JAKARTA (JP): The recent spate of ethnic conflicts constitutes a very complex problem, needing careful management in order to preserve the multi-ethnic country, according to noted intellectuals.

Indonesian squash team to train in KL for SEA Games

Indonesian squash team to train in KL for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The national squash team is planning to undergo overseas training in Kuala Lumpur for at least one month prior to competing in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the city starting in June.

Carrefour apologizes

Carrefour apologizes We would like to extend our apology to Juliana NR for the unpleasant experience she had in our store at Hayam Wuruk as described in her letter to The Jakarta Post on April 2, 2001 titled Transaction rejected.

Violence forestalled?

Violence forestalled? However one looks at it, the recommendations made by the recently concluded plenary meeting of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Cilegon, Banten, must be a sort of anticlimax.As we all know, Indonesia's political landscape is at present divided into two sharply opposing camps, with...

NGOs file suit against city

NGOs file suit against city JAKARTA (JP): Nine non-governmental organizations grouped under the NGO Coalition for City Budget Transparency (KOTA) filled a lawsuit against the city administration and the City Council on Tuesday.

Caltex wants government to extend contract

Caltex wants government to extend contract JAKARTA (JP): PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia has asked the government to extend its contract over Coastal Plain Pekanbaru (CPP) for at least one year to enable the oil giant to fully recover its investment in the oil field, the company's president...

High court turns down Soeharto's libel appeal

High court turns down Soeharto's libel appeal JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta High Court has turned down former president Soeharto's appeal against a verdict on a libel suit against Time weekly for publishing an article which alleged that the long-time authoritarian amassed vast wealth.

Fine French food at La Fontaine in Cipete

Fine French food at La Fontaine in Cipete JAKARTA (JP): Jl. Cipete Utara (formerly known as Jl. Abdul Majid) is a well-used shortcut in the north Cipete area of South Jakarta, running between Jl. Fatmawati (almost opposite the junction with Jl. Haji Nawi) and Jl. Pangeran Antasari (also known as Jl.

Rupiah rate April 17

Rupiah rate April 17 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,340.00 11,340.00 10,786.00 10,894.00Australian dollar 1 5,276.50 5,792.47 5,504.10 5,564.66Austrian schilling 1 663.40 728.40 694.88 702.24Belgian franc 1 227.23 249.35 237.03 239.

Peace on borrowed time on RP's 'hostage island'

Peace on borrowed time on RP's 'hostage island'By John Grafilo JOLO, Philippines (DPA): People chatted and laughed as they disembarked from an overnight passenger ferry that had just docked at the port of Jolo island in the southern Philippines.

Avoid horizontal conflicts

Avoid horizontal conflictsFrom Media IndonesiaI am writing because I am worried about possible horizontal conflicts between supporters and opponents of Gus Dur following the plenary session of the House of Representatives slated for April 30, 2001.

Malaysian confidence down, ringgit won't be budged

Malaysian confidence down, ringgit won't be budged KUALA LUMPUR (AP): New economic research released Tuesday lowered Malaysia's economic growth prospects this year from 5 percent to 4 percent and showed that consumer confidence was slumping as people worry about their job prospects.

RI bans Argentine grains

RI bans Argentine grains JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia said on Tuesday it had temporarily banned imports of corn, soymeal and soybeans from Argentina because of fears of foot and mouth disease.Director of veterinary health at the Agriculture Ministry, Bachtiar Moerad, told Reuters the ban, which...

Thais to revive rice cartel

Thais to revive rice cartel BANGKOK (Reuters): Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to resurrect a discarded agreement to form an "OPEC-like" rice cartel with Vietnam during an official visit to Hanoi on April 25, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.

UN officials hope E. Timor refugees will return home

UN officials hope E. Timor refugees will return home DILI, East Timor (Agencies): A senior UN official said on Tuesday he was hopeful thousands of East Timorese refugees still living in the Indonesian province of West Timor will soon return home.

Marines reveal findings of shootout

Marines reveal findings of shootout JAKARTA (JP): The marines disclosed on Tuesday that marine Chief Sgt. Aliman was armed without the permission of his superiors at the time he was shot dead by police earlier this month."The marines have discovered that marine Chief Sgt.

Ginandjar still in cell at Attorney General's Office

Ginandjar still in cell at Attorney General's Office JAKARTA (JP): Former mines and energy minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita continued to remain in his cell at the Attorney General's Office detention center on Tuesday, while his lawyers and supporters continued the struggle for his release.

Police kill drug suspect

Police kill drug suspect JAKARTA (JP): A drug suspect lost his life early on Tuesday morning in Duren Sawit district, shot down by East Jakarta Police officers as he attempted to flee.Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam identified the slain suspect as 25-year-old Anser Tambunan.

Easter boat accident leaves 21 dead and one missing

Easter boat accident leaves 21 dead and one missing JAKARTA (JP): Easter celebrations in the Sangihe Talaud islands turned tragic when 21 people died and one passenger was reported missing after their traditional pamo boat capsized in the waters off the islands, Antara reported on Tuesday.

Singer sues producers

Singer sues producers JAKARTA (JP): Local jazz vocalist Iga Mawarni filed on Tuesday a defamation suit at Jakarta Police Headquarters against two top directors of the record company which produced her debut album, Kasmaran (Infatuated).

Farmers eager to reclaim land rights, FSPI claims

Farmers eager to reclaim land rights, FSPI claims JAKARTA (JP): While an estimated 70 percent of Indonesians depend on the agricultural sector for a livelihood, little has been done to ensure the rights of farmers, with complaints of exploitation and abuse of their rights a frequent occurrence.

Police conduct internal inquiry over Bogor murders

Police conduct internal inquiry over Bogor murders JAKARTA (JP): National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said on Tuesday that the police were conducting their own internal investigation following Monday's fatal burning and stabbing of two police officers over the accidental fatal...

Bimantara buys 25 percent stake in 'Metro TV'

Bimantara buys 25 percent stake in 'Metro TV' JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Bimantara Citra agreed on Tuesday to invest Rp 40 billion (US$3.7 million) in equity participation in the newly operated TV station PT Media Televisi (Metro TV).

RI forex reserves decline

RI forex reserves decline JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Tuesday that the country's gross foreign exchange reserves in the week ending April 12 fell to US$28.66 billion, compared to $28.76 billion in the previous week.

DPR plenary session could be relocated

DPR plenary session could be relocated DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Top legislators agreed on Tuesday that a House of Representatives (DPR) plenary session later this month could be held outside the capital due to security concerns.

'Bughot', from law to politics

'Bughot', from law to politicsBy M. Ishom Hadzik JOMBANG, East Java (JP): In the early 1950s, Indonesian Muslims were preoccupied with the question, "When a Muslim woman, who no longer has a wali nasab (guardian by lineage, such as father or uncle), is married by a wali hakim (appointed religious...

Traffic jam to and from airport

Traffic jam to and from airportFrom Bisnis IndonesiaTraffic jams on turnpikes, especially during the rush hours, are a common sight. We get used to such a situation and then forget about it as if it were something normal.

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:FilmThe British Film Festival 2001, in Mitra 21 Theater: 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m., April 28, 2 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:15, April 29. Further information is available at (031) 568-9958, http://www.britishcouncil.or.id/arts/bff_schedule.htm.

Government, IMF to sign new LoI at the end of this month

Government, IMF to sign new LoI at the end of this month JAKARTA (JP): The government expects to sign a new Letter of Intent (LoI) on reform measures with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the end of this month, according to Dipo Alam, who leads the government team in the current review of...

Most councillors reject wealth audit commission

Most councillors reject wealth audit commission JAKARTA (JP): Most of the city councillors rejected on Thursday a mandatory audit of their wealth to be conducted by the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN), a commission member revealed.

Gus Dur told to control his supporters

Gus Dur told to control his supporters JAKARTA (JP): Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid asked President Abdurrahman Wahid on Tuesday to warn his ready-to-die supporters grouped under the "Defenders of Truth" force not to make any anarchic moves during a planned mass prayer of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)...

What to do when holiday spoiler of traveler's diarrhea hits

What to do when holiday spoiler of traveler's diarrhea hitsBy Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): Those tempting images of beautiful panoramas and ways of life so different from our own are hard to resist.

S'pore to open office in Riau

S'pore to open office in Riau SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore is to open a new consulate in Indonesia's Riau province, the Singapore ministry of foreign affairs said Tuesday.The consulate will start operations on Wednesday in Pekanbaru, the provincial capital of Riau, the ministry said in a statement.

Malaysians suffer legal setback

Malaysians suffer legal setback KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Five opposition activists held under Malaysia's hard-hitting security laws suffered an early setback on Tuesday in efforts to secure their release.

Mahathir berates religious studies and free speech

Mahathir berates religious studies and free speech KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad chided Muslims for weakness in global affairs on Tuesday, saying too much emphasis on religious studies has led to world where Muslims are no longer feared by their enemies.

S'pore non-oil exports fall

S'pore non-oil exports fall SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's key non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in March fell 2.1 percent from a year ago, sharply down on the 5.4 percent growth the previous month, the government said Tuesday.

Pasar Jaya president summoned to testify

Pasar Jaya president summoned to testify JAKARTA (JP): The president of city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, Syahril Tanjung, said on Tuesday that he had received a summons from West Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to testify as a witness over an alleged corruption case.

Malaysian tin price increases

Malaysian tin price increases KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's tin price closed up on Tuesday, correcting two straight days of losses, as the London Metal Exchange (LME) prepared to reopen after the long Easter break.

RP, Norway discuss peace talk venue

RP, Norway discuss peace talk venue MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government is negotiating to establish a Norwegian venue for peace talks with communist guerrillas, Vice President Teofisto Guingona said on Tuesday.

Jakarta hosts figure skating

Jakarta hosts figure skating JAKARTA (JP): The capital will host the sixth 2001 Jakarta Open figure skating competition from Friday through Sunday at the Sky Rink in Taman Anggrek Mall, West Jakarta, which will also feature skaters from Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Car-free day in Denpasar

Car-free day in Denpasar DENPASAR, Bali: In a bid to ease traffic congestion, the Denpasar mayoralty is set to launch a car-free day which will fall every Friday starting on April 20.Denpasar mayoralty spokesman Nyoman Subrata was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday that the decree on the new...

End confusing rules to improve bureaucracy

End confusing rules to improve bureaucracyBy D. Chandramouli JAKARTA (JP): "How many bureaucrats does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to assure us that everything possible is being done while the other screws the bulb into a water tap.

ExxonMobil sets target for Cepu oil block

ExxonMobil sets target for Cepu oil block JAKARTA (JP): U.S.-based ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Corp. hopes to produce up to 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the Cepu oil block in Central Java and East Java.

Foreign relief workers are free to return to NTT

Foreign relief workers are free to return to NTT KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): It is safe for foreign relief workers to return to East Nusa Tenggara and help the Indonesian government resolve the refugee problem there, Governor Piet A. Tallo said on Tuesday.

Gaikindo predicts car sales to drop by 15% this year

Gaikindo predicts car sales to drop by 15% this year JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian car sales are likely to drop by about 15 percent this year to 250,000 units, from more than 300,000 last year, Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) chairman Bambang Trisulo said on Tuesday.

SEA auto sales override economic fall

SEA auto sales override economic fall SINGAPORE (AFP): New vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's four biggest markets rose 19 percent in the first two months of the year despite the regional economic slowdown, an industry monitor said Tuesday.

Thailand, South Korea, Japan plan swap deals

Thailand, South Korea, Japan plan swap deals TOKYO (Reuters): A plan to create an Asia-wide currency safety net will take a big step forward when Japan signs bilateral deals with Thailand and South Korea next month, a year after the ambitious scheme was launched.

Aussie rejects UN suggestion

Aussie rejects UN suggestion CANBERRA (AFP): Foreign minister Alexander Downer said Tuesday Australia was unlikely to agree to a United Nations suggestion that all oil profits from the Timor Sea should be given to East Timor.

Regional advertising expenditure nears $30b

Regional advertising expenditure nears $30b HONG KONG (AFP): The advertising market in the Asia-Pacific region broke the US$29 billion mark amid strong growth in 2000, but several markets are showing signs of a slowdown this year, ACNielsen Media International said Tuesday.

Indofarma to sell 29% stake to investors

Indofarma to sell 29% stake to investors JAKARTA (JP): State-owned pharmaceutical company PT Indofarma plans to sell an additional 29 percent of its shares to strategic investors as part of the government's divestment program.

Febi, Hendri strive to improve rankings

Febi, Hendri strive to improve rankings JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Febi Widhiyanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono are hoping to improve their ranking by competing in the German third division tennis competition for the third year.

39 RI fisherman on trial in KL court

39 RI fisherman on trial in KL court KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Malaysian court commenced on Tuesday the trial of 39 Indonesian fishermen arrested after a two-hour sea chase during which the Malaysian navy fired on their boat, killing one crew member.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April. 17, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 -25 37,000 Adindo Foresta 95 0 0 AGIS 170 -5 577,500 Alakasa 105 -5 2,500 Alfa Retailindo...

We want a better Indonesia

We want a better Indonesia I refer to the front page of The Jakarta Post of Sunday, April 15, 2001 titled NU mass prayer to go on as scheduled: Chairman.How arrogant and pathetic the present administration under President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is.

Revision of presidential instruction on Aceh urged

Revision of presidential instruction on Aceh urged JAKARTA (JP): Observers urged the government on Tuesday to revise the recently issued presidential instruction on the approach to be adopted in Aceh, saying that it merely served to provide a legal basis for the military to stage a comeback in the...