Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 April 2001

55 articles found

Relocating House plenary session?

Relocating House plenary session? The front page story of The Jakarta Post of April 18, 2001 titled DPR plenary session could be relocated shocked me. I read it three times to make sure that I had read it right. According to the news report, the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) scheduled for April 30 could be held outside the capital for security reasons. The idea of moving the plenary session only over security concerns is absurd in my opinion. Why?

U.S. slowdown to hit Asian banks hardest: S&P's

U.S. slowdown to hit Asian banks hardest: S&P's SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian banks still struggling to recover from the 1997-98 regional crisis are the most vulnerable in the current U.S.-led economic slowdown, ratings agency Standard and Poor's said Monday. "The weaker banks in emerging Asia will be disproportionately hit by the slowdown," said Ian Thompson, the New York-based agency's managing director for financial services ratings in the Asia Pacific.

S'pore device makes the cut in twins operation

S'pore device makes the cut in twins operation SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore developed technology, which offered surgeons virtual and real medical models for practice, was vital to the rare successful separation of a pair of Nepali twins earlier this month. A team of 20 specialists separated 11-month-old Ganga and Jamuna Shrestha -- who were joined at the head and had two brains intertwined in one skull -- on April 10 after almost four days in surgery.

Court to hear 2nd Ginandjar suit

Court to hear 2nd Ginandjar suit JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court will open on Wednesday the trial to hear a lawsuit filed by former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita over a second arrest warrant issued by the Attorney General's Office. Judge Sudharto, who will preside over the hearing, said on Monday that it would take the court less than one week to rule on the case.

Secret forest plays key role in Balikpapan's future

Secret forest plays key role in Balikpapan's future By Lisa Rogers BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Just up the main road from the bustle of Balikpapan is a hidden treasure. The Sungai Wain Protection Forest is several thousand hectares of untouched tropical forest, complete with sun bears, hornbills and four- meter-long pythons. It is the last remnant of primary rainforest left in the Balikpapan-Samarinda area, where nearly half the people of East Kalimantan live.

RP says 'No' to guerrilla release

RP says 'No' to guerrilla release MANILA (AFP): Philippine officials on Monday rejected a communist guerrilla demand to free two comrades serving life terms for the murder of a U.S. military adviser, as government negotiators prepared to fly to Norway for peace talks. President Gloria Arroyo's security advisers decided to reject the National Democratic Front (NDF) demand for the release of the convicted killers of U.S.

Relaxing the rules

Relaxing the rules Malaysia's Human Rights Commission is unlikely to persuade the country's government to scrap the Internal Security Act when it is such a useful tool for suppressing dissent. Nor is Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad enthusiastic about calls for a sweeping review of laws that restrict press freedom or curtail political rallies. But it was he who set up the commission -- known as Suhakam -- and he will have to live with its findings.

Mining investments worth $200m stuck in legal limbo

Mining investments worth $200m stuck in legal limbo JAKARTA (JP): Between US$200 million to $300 million in mining investments remain stuck in a legal limbo caused by a forestry law banning mining activities in protected forests, the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) said on Monday. IMA executive director Paul L. Coutrier said around 120 mining firms owned exploration permits in forests, which were now protected under forestry law No 41/1999.

Stories from the streets: Be street smart

Stories from the streets: Be street smart JAKARTA (JP): There are only two kinds of people: those who have ATM cards and those who do not. At least that is what Bagus T., the owner of a business that sells public transportation tickets through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), believes. There are 210 million people in Indonesia -- only 5 million of them are ATM cardholders. A mere drop in the ocean. Besides, not all of them are frequent travelers of trains, planes or ships.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary 9:00 Children's Program 10:00 Music 11:00 Regional News 12:00 p.m. Interval 3:00 News 3:30 TV Series: Fun with Math 4:00 Children's Songs 5:00 News 5:30 Economic News 6:00 Village News 6:15 TV Drama 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Talk Show 8:00 Music 9:30 TV Series 10:00 News 11:00 TV Drama Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 Music 7:30 News (in English) 8:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

Ex-Taiwan president an old friend of Japan

Ex-Taiwan president an old friend of Japan By Benjamin Kang Lim TAIPEI (Reuters): The "scum of the nation" as Beijing calls Lee Teng-hui, had a knack for goading Chinese leaders into fury while he was Taiwan president. They hated him for planting democracy on Taiwan, loathed him for his dogged attempts to help the island break out of its diplomatic isolation, and more than anything despised him for his call for "special state-to-state" relations, which they saw as a grab for independence.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 23, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 950 25 39,500 Adindo Foresta 100 0 1,500 AGIS 140 0 78,000 Alakasa 105 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,100 -50 13,500 Alter Abadi 70 0 0 Alumindo Light 575 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,775 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 -15 35,000 Aneka Tambang 800 0 310,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 Apac Citra 290 0 0 Aqua Golden...

Thai electricity running Myanmar drug plants: General

Thai electricity running Myanmar drug plants: General BANGKOK (Reuters): A Thai general called on Monday for Thailand to stop selling electricity to military-ruled Myanmar, saying Myanmar authorities were supplying the power to drug factories. Lt. Gen. Wattanachai Chaimuanwong told a radio station electricity Thailand was supplying to the northeast Myanmar border town of Tachilek was powering machines for making methamphetamines run by an ethnic minority militia group.

Differentiate or die

Differentiate or die By Yuswohady JAKARTA (JP): The above title is the title of Jack Trout's latest book published last year. Jack Trout, as you may still remember, is the guru of positioning who, with Al Ries in 1969, invented a marketing concept that is powerful today. It is called positioning. I like the title because it accurately describes the competitiveness in today's turbulent and volatile business environment. What Trout said was right.

Asiana launches World Cup flights

Asiana launches World Cup flights SEOUL (AFP): Asiana Airlines of South Korea said it would launch a new service from Seoul to Miyazaki in Japan beginning on Tuesday as part of efforts to improve services between the two hosts of the 2002 World Cup soccer finals. An Asiana official said there would be three flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The airline also launched a three times a week service from Seoul's Inchon International Airport to Yonago in western Japan on April 2.

The World Bank -- again

The World Bank -- again On April 17, 2001 The Jakarta Post carried my letter Babies and corruption in which I said that in canceling the US$300 million poverty alleviation loan, the World Bank had made it clear it had found corruption in the program. I waited to see a letter from the bank's Jakarta office correcting my exaggeration; for in fact their announcement wasn't as unambiguous as that.

Conflict of farm survival, stability

Conflict of farm survival, stability By H.S. Dillon and S.R. Tabor JAKARTA (JP): Both food security and macroeconomic stability are important, and both suffer sometimes from overly complicated definitions. The former basically means that everyone can afford to eat and that the nation has enough food on hand, in both good times and bad.

Mobisel investing $200m to install CDMA technology

Mobisel investing $200m to install CDMA technology JAKARTA (JP): Cellular operator PT Mobile Selular Indonesia (Mobisel) will invest US$200 million to replace its current analog Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) technology with the more advanced digital technology of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), the company announced on Monday.

Mahfud dismisses threats of resistance by GAM

Mahfud dismisses threats of resistance by GAM JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. dismissed on Monday, as a "bluff", threats of all-out resistance against Jakarta troops by separatist rebels in the restive province of Aceh. On Sunday, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which has been fighting for independence for the last 25 years, warned Jakarta it would deploy guerrillas from its bases across the province to face increased security forces.

Harsher penalties needed to protect creative rights

Harsher penalties needed to protect creative rights JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa said on Monday that intellectual property rights issues are only understood by certain groups of people. Economic advantage, he added, is not necessarily related to an understanding of the subject, as many people from middle to upper classes remain unaware of it. "As if property rights are limited to certain people.

On mass prayer

On mass prayer From Rakyat Merdeka Allow me to comment on Mr. Said Agil's recent statement about Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)'s istighosah (mass prayer) scheduled for April 29, in Jakarta as follows: 1. Istighosah is the prayer of prophets conducted when something is at stake. For example, the Prophet's prayer when he was ready to go to war in Perang Badar (Badar War). But the Prophet did not ask his troops to collectively say amen. 2. The venue for the prayer.

Ad hoc human rights tribunal established

Ad hoc human rights tribunal established JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday issued a decree on the establishment of an ad hoc tribunal to prosecute two major cases of human rights abuses, the 1984 Tanjung Priok violence and the massacres in East Timor in 1999. In his decree No. 53, issued on Monday, the President stated that the establishment of the ad hoc court was based on the proposal of the House of Representatives (DPR) as mandated by Law No.

Security authorities gear up for upcoming major political events

Security authorities gear up for upcoming major political events JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday that the security authorities had taken all necessary measures to prevent chaos in the capital in connection with two major political events on April 29 and April 30.

Rp 400 m for Matraman youths

Rp 400 m for Matraman youths JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta Mayoralty has allocated Rp 400 million for the second phase of an outbound project for youths in the Matraman area in a bid to change their juvenile behavior that has led to pointless brawls. East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mappaganty said the funds would help about 200 youths get involved in the second project. A total of 113 youths participated in the first outbound project in Cisarua, Bogor, which was also sponsored by the mayoralty.

Telkom employees stage protest

Telkom employees stage protest YOGYAKARTA: Hundreds of employees of the regional division office (Divre) IV of state-run telecommunications company PT Telkom, which covers Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, staged a protest here on Monday opposing the sale of company assets to PT Indosat. The protest, organized by the Alliance of Telkom Employees (Sekar), began with the placing of flowers in front of Telkom's Yogyakarta office.

Five killed in fresh violence

Five killed in fresh violence AMBON, Maluku: Fresh violence broke out in Ambon, killing five people and injuring two others, officials said on Monday. Ambon Sector security chief Col. N.G. Sugiartha said on Monday a huge bomb explosion took place at an abandoned house in the Ahuru area in Waihoka subdistrict, Sirimau at 5:55 p.m. on Sunday. "The house apparently was used as a base to assemble bombs and weaponry ...

KL aims to recruit more non-Malays into police, army

KL aims to recruit more non-Malays into police, army KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia will recruit more non-Malays into the police and army and encourage more Malays to go into business under a five-year development plan unveiled on Monday. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, tabling the Eighth Malaysia Plan, said various programs would be undertaken to ensure that the employment structure reflected ethnic composition.

Army officer charged with JSX bomb blast

Army officer charged with JSX bomb blast JAKARTA (JP): An Army non-commissioned officer went on trial on Monday for his alleged involvement in last year's bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, and a grenade explosion in the parking lot of the Malaysian Embassy on Jl. HR Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. After the first hearing, Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Second Corp.

People oppressed by 'greed levies'

People oppressed by 'greed levies' YOGYAKARTA (JP): People are being overburdened by levies imposed by local administrations trying to increase their regional revenues, says a Yogyakarta-based political observer. Pratikno, who teaches political science at Gadjah Mada University, said on the sidelines of a seminar most local administrations -- regencies, mayoralties and provinces -- lacked the ability to generate revenue for their regions.

IMF, govt reach agreement on difficult fiscal issue

IMF, govt reach agreement on difficult fiscal issue JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund told Indonesia's main international donors, who gathered here on Monday for a two- day meeting, it had reached a broad agreement with the government on resolving the country's crucial fiscal deficit problem.

Libel trial begins against man claiming to have bribed justices

Libel trial begins against man claiming to have bribed justices JAKARTA (JP): The trial opened on Monday in the Central Jakarta District Court of a defamation lawsuit filed by two Supreme Court justices against a middleman who claimed to have bribed them in order to win a case. Prosecutor Hasan Madani told the court that defendant Endin Wahyudin had sullied the reputation of Justices Supraptini Sutarto and Marnis Kahar as he claimed that he had paid them money in order to win a case.

'GO' beats 'Tempo' 7-0

'GO' beats 'Tempo' 7-0 JAKARTA (JP): GO sports tabloid showed off its power in an overwhelming 7-0 victory over Tempo weekly magazine on the second day of The Jakarta Post 18th anniversary soccer tournament. In an earlier match on Monday, Inter Admark topped Borobudur Hotel 3-0. The tournament, being held at the ABC field in the Bung Karno sports complex, is employing a knock-out format.

Horta quits E. Timor's interim parliament

Horta quits E. Timor's interim parliament DILI, East Timor (AP): Nobel peace laureate Jose Ramos Horta on Monday stepped down from East Timor's interim parliament to return to his former position as cabinet member for foreign affairs. In a letter addressed to the United Nations administration in East Timor, Ramos Horta said he was resigning from the 36-member National Council after it rejected his bid for the top post of speaker last week.

Epson targets 50% sales increase

Epson targets 50% sales increase JAKARTA (JP): PT Epson Indonesia, the marketing arm of Japanese firm Seiko Epson Corp, is aiming for a 50 percent increase in sales to US$33 million this year from $22 million in the previous year. Company general manager, Yamamoto Kazuyoshi told The Jakarta Post that the company's sales volume is also expected to grow by 70 percent to 170,000 in 2001 from 100,000 units last year.

Govt to revise ministerial decree on compensation

Govt to revise ministerial decree on compensation JAKARTA (JP): The government will revise controversial Ministerial Decree No. 150/2000 on Compensation for dismissed or resigning employees and make it more investor-friendly, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Al Hilal Hamdi said on Monday.

Adaro targets output of 19m tons

Adaro targets output of 19m tons JAKARTA (JP): Coal mining company PT Adaro Indonesia has planned to increase its output to 19 million tons of coal this year, up from 16 million tons in 2000, amid stronger world demand for the commodity. Adaro general manager A.H. Chia said that, despite a slump in the world economy, there was an increase in coal demand globally.

Megawati consents second censure

Megawati consents second censure JAKARTA (JP): Vice President and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri has given consent for her party, the largest faction in the national legislature, to support the issuance of a second memorandum of censure against President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Fifty rally at CGI pre-session

Fifty rally at CGI pre-session JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 activists from several non-governmental organizations staged a rally here on Monday protesting the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which, they claim, had aggravated the situation in the country. The rally was conducted in front of the Ministry of Finance office in Central Jakarta as a CGI pre-session meeting was about to begin.

U.S. Dollar Rates April.23

U.S. Dollar Rates April.23 Latest Previous %Change Yen 121.91-01 121.96-04 -0.04 Euro* 0.8997-99 0.9017-21 -0.22 Sterling 1.4402-12 1.4418-26 -0.11 Swiss Franc 1.7010-20 1.6957-67 +0.31 Canadian Dollar* 1.5486-96 1.5445-55 +0.27 Australian Dollar* 0.5054-59 0.5141-46 -1.69 New Zealand Dollar 0.4088-95 0.4119-26 -0.75 Deutsche Mark 2.1731-39 2.1681-90 +0.23 Czech Koruna 38.200-30 38.175-05 +0.07 Hungary Forint 296.76-89 296.09-11 +0.23 Danish Krone 8.2942-82 8.2714-70 +0.28 Norwegian Krone...

Yogyakarta Labuhan ritual honors an ancient queen

Yogyakarta Labuhan ritual honors an ancient queen By Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): The waves, four times the height of an adult man, came crashing down on the hundreds of people gathered on Parangkusumo beach, Bantul, Yogyakarta. Their screams rang out as they took part in the Labuhan Sura ceremony on the beach south of Central Java. "Watch out, don't go too far from the shore," a member of the Coast SAR team shouted repeatedly through a megaphone.

Japan LNG buyer relaxed despite Aceh uncertainty

Japan LNG buyer relaxed despite Aceh uncertainty TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's Tohoku Electric Power Co Inc said on Monday it saw no immediate need to seek alternative liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes beyond September, despite uncertainty about the resumption of Indonesian supplies. ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. said earlier on Monday that it was prepared to wait indefinitely for security conditions to improve before reopening three gas fields in the rebellious province of Aceh.

The wealth of civil servants

The wealth of civil servants For all its shortcomings, the recent publication by the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission of the personal wealth owned by President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri must be commended as a first step in the right direction.

Asian rubber held hostage by rupiah, new lows set

Asian rubber held hostage by rupiah, new lows set SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Asian physical rubber market is held hostage by Indonesia's weakening rupiah, with prices already at lows not seen in more than three decades, prompting talk of defaults by China, traders said on Monday. Indonesia's SIR20 was seen last traded at 22 U.S. cents per pound for July, FOB Palembang -- well below 50 U.S. cents per kilo. This was below lows seen in March this year and in mid- 1999.

Kadera workers demand probe results from city police

Kadera workers demand probe results from city police JAKARTA (JP): At least 80 people representing several non- governmental organizations (NGOs) marched to city police headquarters on Monday, demanding police thoroughly investigate the Feb. 29 attack on PT Kadera AR Indonesia workers. This was the second rally held this month in connection with the case. "Police have still not arrested a single suspect.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Traditional and Modern Art Collaboration, by Kalingga Gallery the lobby of Grand Hotel Preanger Bandung, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 4231631), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until April 30. * Sculpture: Para Rupa, by Toni Kanwa, CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Phone:

KL palm oil ends higher

KL palm oil ends higher KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil prices closed higher on Monday on further short covering interest after recent losses and private crop forecaster Ivan Wong's preliminary estimates of April output, closing stocks and exports. The benchmark third-month July contract rose eight ringgit to 796 ringgit ($209.47) a ton. Wong said Malaysia's palm oil output was expected to rise slightly to 900,000-905,000 tons in April from 885,013 a month earlier.

Governor criticized for budget allocation

Governor criticized for budget allocation JAKARTA (JP): City councillors on Monday criticized the administration's failure to make optimum use of its budget, arguing that most of the money went to needless programs rather than essential development initiatives. Binsar Tambunan, chairman of the Council's Commission A on governmental affairs, pointed out that Rp 3.925 billion earmarked to promote legal affairs was wasted on ephemeral law enforcement campaigns.

TPJ repairs old valves

TPJ repairs old valves JAKARTA (JP): Tap water joint venture PT Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) is repairing and undertaking maintenance work on main pipe valves for the first time since they were installed 80 years ago. The company's trunk mains manager Horas Batubara said in a statement that the repair work was aimed at improving water quality and pressure and reducing wastage.

Rupiah rate April 23

Rupiah rate April 23 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

APP, Golden Agri in talks with investors

APP, Golden Agri in talks with investors SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia's Asia Food & Properties Ltd. and its unit, Golden Agri-Resources Ltd., said on Monday the two companies are in talks with strategic investors. Trading in the shares of the two Singapore-listed companies will remain suspended, they said.

Two arrested for bogus money

Two arrested for bogus money DENPASAR, Bali: Police arrested two people on Monday on suspicion of possessing and passing counterfeit money. Police made the arrest after receiving a complaint from a cigarette vendor in Kuta. The vendor, I.G.P. Darmawan, told police that Poniran, 22, and Ahzan, 16, had purchased cigarettes from his using what he suspected was counterfeit money. Police arrived at the scene and found the two suspects in a nearby convenience store on Jl. Raya Kuta.

Shangri-La union executives seek international support

Shangri-La union executives seek international support JAKARTA (JP): The Shangri-La Independent Worker Union (SPMS) is looking for international support in its fight against Shangri-La Hotel management. SPMS secretary Odie Hudiyanto told The Jakarta Post on Monday that they were continuing the struggle to regain their jobs by filing a suit through the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Schools allowed to close over fear of unrest

Schools allowed to close over fear of unrest JAKARTA (JP): Schools across the capital will be allowed to close if they think it necessary in anticipation of unrest if and when the House of Representatives (DPR) issues its expected second rebuke of President Abdurrahman Wahid next Monday.

SEAG organizers face tender allegation

SEAG organizers face tender allegation JAKARTA (JP): With the event less than five months away, the organizing committee of the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is facing an allegation of tender irregularities. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is also chairman of the board of directors of the Games, said on Sunday that he would leave the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate the allegation.

Woman reports robbery in unlicensed taxi to police

Woman reports robbery in unlicensed taxi to police JAKARTA (JP): A woman on Monday filed a report with the police stating that she had been robbed in a chartered private sedan at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The woman, who identified herself as Lisa Mamonto, 33, a resident of Pangkal Pinang in South Sumatra, was on an overnight stopover in Jakarta on her way the next day to Manado, North Sulawesi.