Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 May 2001

67 articles found

Malaysia says its beating back Malacca Strait piracy

Malaysia says its beating back Malacca Strait piracy KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): High-speed patrol boats and overnight surveillance have helped Malaysia sharply cut the number of pirate attacks in the Strait of Malacca, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

The problem with autonomy

The problem with autonomy Less than five months after its induction last Jan. 1, some serious flaws in Indonesia's law on regional autonomy are beginning to show. Apparently Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri had some of these flaws in mind when this week she strongly criticized the law -- known...

Man shot, robbed of Rp 100m in North Jakarta

Man shot, robbed of Rp 100m in North Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A man identified as E. Makmun bin Rais, 44, was shot in his right hand during a robbery on Jl. Bugis on Thursday, police said.The four robbers, riding on two motorcycles, were able to escape with Rp 100 million that Makmun had earlier...

Pertamina may amend LNG deals on buyers' request

Pertamina may amend LNG deals on buyers' request JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina said on Thursday that it was ready to amend its existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts to meet buyers' wishes, provided that they agree to purchase more LNG.

Illegal foreigners held in Makassar

Illegal foreigners held in Makassar MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Makassar Port Police arrested some 70 illegal immigrants from India, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Tunisia on Wednesday for illegally entering the country.

Merpati suspends Palembang flights

Merpati suspends Palembang flights PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Merpati Nusantara Airlines has temporarily suspended its services on the Palembang-Pangkal Pinang-Belitung route starting on Tuesday due to a shortage of aircraft.

All Indonesians are corrupt?

All Indonesians are corrupt? I have had to enter an Indonesian police station three times. The first time was in 1983 when I visited a now popular tourist area in the central highlands of Java. I was met on my arrival by the local sergeant who took me into a small back room where he explained that...

JITF sees more corporate debt converted into equity

JITF sees more corporate debt converted into equity JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Jakarta Initiative Task Force (JITF) Bacelius Ruru said on Thursday that there had been a growing amount of corporate foreign debt being converted into equity in the debt restructuring processes mediated by the task...

Rupiah rate May 17

Rupiah rate May 17 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,835.00 11,835.00 11,278.00 11,392.00Australian dollar 1 5,684.04 6,214.56 5,916.44 5,981.94Austrian schilling 1 696.46 761.17 724.94 732.68Belgian franc 1 237.57 259.64 247.28 249.

YLKI calls for vehicle tax boycott, council wants postponement

YLKI calls for vehicle tax boycott, council wants postponement JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) called on Jakartans on Thursday to boycott vehicle registration fees, which went up to 100 percent as of last month, while city council has urged the city administration to...

House refuses to budge on G-15 summit

House refuses to budge on G-15 summit JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid faces possible international embarrassment when he hosts a G-15 summit later this month after legislators on Thursday refused to reschedule a key plenary session which could spell a vote of no confidence against his...

Protesters greet Gus Dur in Kendari

Protesters greet Gus Dur in Kendari JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of protesters in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital Kendari caused a two-hour cut in electricity and telephone services on Thursday, in a show of discontent at President Abdurrahman Wahid's visit.

Council seeks vehicle tax delay, YLKI urges boycott

Council seeks vehicle tax delay, YLKI urges boycott JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) called on Jakartans on Thursday to boycott vehicle registration fees, which went up to 100 percent as of last month, while city council has urged the city administration to postpone the...

Prince Andrew arrives in RP

Prince Andrew arrives in RP MANILA (AFP): Britain's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a three-day visit as part of a tour of Southeast Asia.The prince made no statement as he disembarked from a small plane at the Philippine air force headquarters to...

The value of expatriate experts

The value of expatriate expertsBy Idris Kyrway JAKARTA (JP): The article by Donna Woodward on expatriates in this newspaper last Saturday contains some questionable statements -- but her article has the advantage of bringing the subject out of the closet.

TNI chiefs say no to dissolving DPR

TNI chiefs say no to dissolving DPR JAKARTA (JP): In another signal of the souring relations between Abdurrahman Wahid and the military, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono joined his Army counterpart on Thursday in warning the President not to dissolve the House of Representatives.

RP vote count drags on, no clear winners

RP vote count drags on, no clear winners MANILA (Agencies): Vote counting in the Philippines dragged into a third day amid tight security on Thursday with no clear winner emerging in the race for control of the Senate.With an estimated 28.

Lacks of incentives pulls down palm oil

Lacks of incentives pulls down palm oil KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The absence of fresh incentives dragged down Malaysia's palm oil futures on Thursday, traders said.News that the monsoon in India was progressing normally was likely to kill off hopes of a possible cut in palm oil import duty.

The story titled China blocks Taiwan's WTO bid published on page

The story titled China blocks Taiwan's WTO bid published on page 15 of The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 was incorrect. It should be WHO, not WTO. We apologize for the error. Editor.

682 thugs netted in one month

682 thugs netted in one month JAKARTA (JP): In an anti-hoodlum campaign, the city administration, in cooperation with the Jakarta Police, netted 682 thugs and shot dead 36 others across the city in a one-month operation starting April 16, an official said.

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): On a recent weekend escape to

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): On a recent weekend escape to Bandung, it seemed like half of Jakarta had the same idea, with most hotels booked up and "B" vehicle registration plates seemingly everywhere on the streets.

'Flor Contemplacion Story' flawed but still respectable

'Flor Contemplacion Story' flawed but still respectableBy Joko E.H. Anwar The Flor Contemplacion Story (**1/2 out of ****); Drama, 120 minutes; Starring Nora Aunor, Ian De Leon, Julio Diaz, Vina Moralez, Gloria Sevilla; Directed by Joel Lamangan; A Viva Films Presentation; In Tagalog and English...

JP/10/JOB

JP/10/JOBNetworking for competitive advantage JAKARTA (JP): Relationships are at the heart of our lives. And it can also be said that our professional relationships are at the heart of our success.Networking, therefore, has become an invaluable skill, tool or orientation.

Asian currencies mostly up late on yen, central bank fears

Asian currencies mostly up late on yen, central bank fears SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The yen's rebound and Wall Street- inspired gains on many of the region's bourses lifted most Asian currencies late Thursday, dealers said.

Laskar Jihad commander offers to stop lawsuit

Laskar Jihad commander offers to stop lawsuit JAKARTA (JP): Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammaah commander Ja'far Umar Thalib offered on Thursday to revoke his lawsuit against the National Police on the condition that they drop the murder charges against him.

Bandung chic with a view at trendy McNzie

Bandung chic with a view at trendy McNzie BANDUNG, West Java (JP): On a recent weekend escape to Bandung, I decided to head up to the cool climes of Dago, one of the main attractions for visitors to the city.

Fuel, power prices to go up in June

Fuel, power prices to go up in June JAKARTA (JP): The government finally decided on Thursday to raise fuel prices by an average 30 percent and electricity rates by 20 percent next month in a bid to help keep the 2001 state budget deficit at a safer level.

Indonesia Muda buries Bima Sakti beneath avalanche of threes

Indonesia Muda buries Bima Sakti beneath avalanche of threes JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Muda (IM) of Jakarta came from behind to crush Bima Sakti Nikko Steel Malang 92-73 on the last day of the 2001 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league's third leg on Thursday.

Irian Jaya

Irian Jaya 25 Irian Jaya officers implicated in rights abuses. Page 2 Bombing probe Police to question governor, artist over bomb blast. Page 3 Expat experts The value of expatriate experts Page 4 NBA MVP Iverson leads 76ers to Game 5 win over Raptors Page 7 Food Favorite 'Soto Gebraak' boasts a...

Mustika Ratu expects 50% increase in income in 2001

Mustika Ratu expects 50% increase in income in 2001 JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed traditional cosmetic company PT Mustika Ratu expects its profit to increase by 60 percent to Rp 50 billion (US$5.45 million) in 2001 from Rp 31 billion last year.

Feeding a need for nightlife at Manna

Feeding a need for nightlife at Manna JAKARTA (JP): A new bar has opened in Jakarta and is gaining a reputation as the hottest place in town, the place to be. Manna by Dionysus is along the same lines as Cinna Bar and upstairs at Paprika, which is good and bad.

Girl burns to death while playing

Girl burns to death while playing BOGOR (JP): A seven-year-old girl playing with matches was burned to death on Thursday morning after she set buckets filled with fuel on fire outside her residence in Sadeng Kolot village, Leuwiliang, Bogor.Leuwiliang police subprecinct chief First. Insp.

W. Java Council jet-setters

W. Java Council jet-setters BANDUNG: Despite various financial problems, there always seems to be just enough money for councillors to conduct a "comparative study" tour abroad.The latest example is West Java council's plan for councillors to visit five countries in the near future.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 17, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,575 0 5,098,000 Adindo Foresta 125 10 360,000 AGIS 140 0 383,500 Alakasa 125 0 500 Alfa Retailindo...

PT Pos, Wanaartha tie up

PT Pos, Wanaartha tie up JAKARTA (JP): Policy holders of insurance company PT Asuransi Wanaartha can now pay their insurance premium at state-owned postal service company PT Pos Indonesia, which has 5,000 offices across Indonesia, under a cooperation agreement recently signed by the two companies.

Surya sells stake to pay debts

Surya sells stake to pay debts JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Surya Semesta Internusa announced on Thursday the sale of its entire stake in PT Giri Lingga Abadi for Rp 28 billion (US$2.5 million) to help repay subsidiaries' debts.

IBRA has yet to obtain Eka's guarantee

IBRA has yet to obtain Eka's guarantee JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has so far failed to obtain the personal guarantee of business tycoon Eka Tjipta Widjaja in return for the guarantee given by the agency on loans made by Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) to Eka's...

Female shuttlers told to prove their mettle

Female shuttlers told to prove their mettle JAKARTA (JP): Mixed doubles specialist Tri Kusheryanto urged his female teammates to prove their skills in the upcoming Sudirman Cup so as to quell the mounting criticism of their poor achievements over the last two years.

Telkom books 18.5% rise in net income

Telkom books 18.5% rise in net income JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom reported on Thursday an unaudited consolidated net income of Rp 891.3 billion (about US$81 million) for the first quarter of the year, an increase of 18.5 percent from the same period last year.

The story titled China blocks Taiwan's WTO bid published on page

The story titled China blocks Taiwan's WTO bid published on page 15 of The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 was incorrect. It should be WHO, not WTO. We apologize for the error. Editor.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Advertisement Postcard, Gallery RPC, Jl. Suryo 8 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, until May 31. * Painting by Rusli, Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), until May 19.

Wimar Witoelar suffers minor heart attack

Wimar Witoelar suffers minor heart attack JAKARTA (JP): Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar was rushed to Pondok Indah Hospital in South Jakarta on Thursday after suffering what is believed to be a minor heart attack.

Indonesia, U.S. hold naval exercises

Indonesia, U.S. hold naval exercises JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy and its American counterpart have shrugged off the strained relationship between their governments as they are taking part in an annual series of disaster relief simulation exercises.

House developers face bankruptcy

House developers face bankruptcy MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Around 90 percent of house developers in South Sulawesi, who depend on housing credit from state-owned Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), could go broke if the government goes ahead with plans to suspend subsidies to the banks in question.

Raffles Restaurant in Puncak, Bogor. Cheap and delicious.

Raffles Restaurant in Puncak, Bogor. Cheap and delicious. Offering Sundanese, Indonesian and European cuisines, with Gurame Goreng Menari, Sapo Tahu and Kangkung Hot Plate as recommended dishes. Also available playground for kids, music, pool-side areas for eating on mats (lesehan) with a beautiful...

Major political parties defend Vice President

Major political parties defend Vice President JAKARTA (JP): The country's two top political parties, Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), jumped to the defense on Thursday of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has come under attack by President...

Englishman deported

Englishman deported JAKARTA (JP): The immigration office deported on Thursday an English national through Soekarno-Hatta international airport for abusing his immigration permit, an official said.Immigration spokesman Mursanudin Ghani said that David John Eddy, who holds a limited stay permit card...

Police want school alcohol lessons

Police want school alcohol lessons MANADO, North Sulawesi: North Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Erald Dotulong stated here on Thursday that it is time to teach school students the dangers of being drunk."There should be a special class about the dangers of being intoxicated," Erald told reporters.

25 Irian Jaya officers implicated in rights abuses

25 Irian Jaya officers implicated in rights abuses JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Thursday submitted to the Attorney General's Office the names of 25 Irian Jaya police officers who were allegedly responsible for physically abusing and torturing civilians...

Maxus clarifies

Maxus clarifies Referring to the article published in The Jakarta Post on May 16, 2001, titled Govt threatens firms abusing fuel subsidies, we deem it necessary to clarify some points so that the readers are not misled by incorrect information.

Pertamina signs 3 new oil and gas contracts

Pertamina signs 3 new oil and gas contracts JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina signed on Thursday two new production sharing contracts with PT Chevron Kisaran Ltd, Texaco Kisaran Inc, and with Coparex Banyumas BV, and one technical assistance contract with Buana Sadpetra Ltd.

Washington readying new ambassador to Indonesia

Washington readying new ambassador to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The United States government has quietly made preparations to replace the current Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Gelbard, with Ralph "Skip" Boyce, Antara reported from New York.

Court accepts Danamon bankruptcy case

Court accepts Danamon bankruptcy case JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta Commercial Court on Thursday decided to proceed with a bankruptcy petition filed by Bank IFI against publicly listed Bank Danamon, despite the objection from the central bank, Bank Indonesia.

Politicians hail Mahathir's move

Politicians hail Mahathir's move KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Politicians from Malaysia's ruling coalition hailed on Thursday the decision by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to appoint an ethnic Chinese special assistant to get closer to the community.

Dismiss those involved in KKN

Dismiss those involved in KKNFrom Sinar PagiBefore the dawn of the reform era, people opposing the government would be beaten, shot and incarcerated by the powers- that-be, such as AM Fatwa of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Sri Bintang Pamungkas of the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI)...

Business sentiment index turns to pessimistic

Business sentiment index turns to pessimistic JAKARTA (JP): The Business Sentiment Index (BSI) continued on a downward trend over growing fears that political mayhem might further affect business progress, according to a survey by Danareksa Research Institute.

House sidelines government on Papua autonomy

House sidelines government on Papua autonomy JAKARTA (JP): Disregarding its internal rules, the House of Representatives has decided to deliberate the draft law on special autonomy for Irian Jaya proposed by the provincial legislature.

Well tax to increase by 500%

Well tax to increase by 500% JAKARTA (JP): While the controversy about the increase in vehicle registration fees still rages, the city administration revealed on Thursday a plan to increase artesian well tax by 500 percent.Head of the City Mining Agency M.

U-15 player falsifies age

U-15 player falsifies age JAKARTA (JP): A Jakartan soccer player has allegedly falsified his age in order to compete in the Bogasari Under-15 soccer league despite having twice passed administration procedures and medical screenings in Bandung and Jakarta.

Favorite 'Soto Gebraak' boasts a broth with a big bang

Favorite 'Soto Gebraak' boasts a broth with a big bang JAKARTA (JP): Soto is most often translated in English as chicken soup, which really does not do justice to this popular, delicious, satisfying dish. For it's much more than a simple broth for when you are feeling under the weather.

Well tax to increase 500 percent

Well tax to increase 500 percent JAKARTA (JP): While the controversy about the increase in vehicle registration fees still rages, the city administration revealed on Thursday a plan to increase artesian well tax by 500 percent.Head of the City Mining Agency M.

Police to question governor, musician over bombing

Police to question governor, musician over bombing JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob said on Thursday that police would question prominent people whose names have emerged amongst the evidence at the Guntur blast site in South Jakarta, that claimed three lives.

L&M seeks new term with VDH

L&M seeks new term with VDH SINGAPORE (Reuters): Property group L&M Group Investments Ltd. said on Wednesday it was seeking new terms with the judicial managers of Van der Horst (VDH) in its takeover of the engineering and infrastructure firm.

Groups seek revision of broadcasting bill

Groups seek revision of broadcasting bill JAKARTA (JP): Thirty groups from various professional fields have united in their fight to revise a broadcasting bill as legislators continued to snub proposed revisions to the bill, which is entering its penultimate deliberation stage at the House of...

Local professional basketball players set up association

Local professional basketball players set up association JAKARTA (JP): Professional basketball players of the Kobatama national league premier division will set up the Players Association (Apbama) to act as a mediator between the players and sponsors and clubs.

Cibinong to boost cement sales

Cibinong to boost cement sales SEMARANG (JP): Publicly listed cement producer PT Semen Cibinong expected to increase the volume of its domestic sales to 25 million tons of cement this year from about 22.3 million tons last year, a senior executive said.

Myanmar responds to Thai threat

Myanmar responds to Thai threat YANGON (AP): In a clear warning to Thailand, Myanmar said on Thursday its troops would join an ethnic army, accused of producing drugs, in defending its homeland from external attacks.The remarks by Maj. Gen.