Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 May 2001

64 articles found

National Dance Sport C'ships set for July

National Dance Sport C'ships set for July JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Dance Sport Championships will be staged for the first time in the country on July 14 at the Senayan Assembly Hall."By staging the event, we hope Indonesians become more familiar with ballroom and Latin American dance and we...

RI shuttlers look past Asia Cup to World C'ships

RI shuttlers look past Asia Cup to World C'ships JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Indonesia will face host Singapore on Wednesday in their first match of the US$170,000 Asia Cup at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

ExxonMobil not yet ready to resume Aceh operations

ExxonMobil not yet ready to resume Aceh operations JAKARTA (Antara): ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia will need at least one month to resume its operations in Aceh in order to conduct technical tests in the field, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here on Tuesday.

Sampit refugees in Madura, a ticking time bomb

Sampit refugees in Madura, a ticking time bombBy Santi W.E. Soekanto SAMPANG, East Java (JP): Locals of Bunten Barat village in Ketapang district, Madura Island, are struggling to suppress the growing strain of accommodating thousands of fellow Madurese from conflict-torn Central Kalimantan.

Abdurrahman deserves censure, says his brother

Abdurrahman deserves censure, says his brother JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's brother Salahuddin Wahid remarked here on Tuesday that his sibling deserved the censure against him, hoping it would galvanize Abdurrahman's performance and compel him to cooperate with other political...

Renown art works to be auctioned

Renown art works to be auctioned JAKARTA (JP): Paintings, sculptures and other art works by local renowned artists such as Affandi, Basuki Abdullah, Srihadi Soedarsono, Djoko Pekik, AD Pirous, Made Sukadana, Le Mayeur, and others are currently on display at Hotel Mulia Senayan.

It's not only about tin and pepper

It's not only about tin and pepperBy Hyginus Hardoyo Indonesia has declared the two tiny but resource-rich islands of Bangka and Belitung as its 31st province. The government, which officially launched the new province on Feb.

Yen gets boost from equity mart

Yen gets boost from equity mart SINGAPORE (Reuters): Gains in Japanese shares helped boost the yen against the dollar and the euro and were the highlight in Asian markets on Tuesday, as most countries were shut for a public holiday.

Is it ready to be touted as a single tourist destination?

Is it ready to be touted as a single tourist destination? SUNGAILIAT, Bangka-Belitung (JP): Has the proclamation of Bangka as one of the country's tourist destinations in the early 1990s met its expectations?Yes, but its growth is not as good as was predicted.

Court to continue with JSX bombing trial

Court to continue with JSX bombing trial JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court decided on Tuesday to proceed with the trial of last year's bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building despite demands from the defendants to drop charges.

Utut fails to enter World C'ship

Utut fails to enter World C'ship JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto failed to fulfill his ambition of competing in the 2001 World Championship after losing to GM Dao Thin Hai of Vietnam in the play-off late Monday.Both Utut and Dao had earned 6.

IMF's rebuff a warning to Indonesian govt

IMF's rebuff a warning to Indonesian govt SINGAPORE: Support for the Indonesian government has reached a new low, as demonstrated by the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) decision to delay disbursement from its US$5-billion (S$9- billion) loan program, pending economic reforms.

RI soccer squad full of optimism despite injuries

RI soccer squad full of optimism despite injuries JAKARTA (JP): Undefeated in the 2002 World Cup Group Nine qualifying round, Indonesia will enter Sunday's away match with Maldives in Male optimistic of continued success.Team manager Irawadi D.

Appeal to Muslims

Appeal to MuslimsFrom Media IndonesiaHaving regard to the current critical situation in the country, which is becoming increasingly critical particularly concerning the Muslim community in Indonesia, we appeal to the ulemas, political party leaders and the leaders of Islamic mass organizations to...

Rupiah rebounds as tension eases

Rupiah rebounds as tension eases JAKARTA (JP): A peaceful Jakarta on the second day of the climax of the political fight between President Abdurrahman Wahid and legislators lent strength to the ailing rupiah.Forex dealers said that the rupiah reached an intraday high of Rp 10,750 against the U.S.

161 hoodlums arrested during operation

161 hoodlums arrested during operation JAKARTA (JP): The authorities announced that they had arrested 161 thugs -- 11 of them shot -- across the city's five mayoralties since Governor Sutiyoso declared war against hoodlums last month, an official said on Tuesday.

Legislators warn of politicking over antigraft bill

Legislators warn of politicking over antigraft bill JAKARTA (JP): Legislators warned on Tuesday against possible politicking by the remaining supporters of the corrupt New Order regime in deliberations on the revised anticorruption bill that was submitted to the House of Representatives on the...

Akbar is 33 times richer than Amien

Akbar is 33 times richer than Amien JAKARTA (JP): A list of the declared wealth of 77 officials and legislators issued by the State Officials' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) here on Tuesday revealed House of Representatives speaker Akbar Tandjung to be 33 times richer than People's Consultative...

BI says political stability a must for economic reform

BI says political stability a must for economic reform WASHINGTON (Reuters): Improving Indonesia's fragile political stability is the key to restoring the credibility of the country's stalled economic reform program, the deputy governor of Indonesia's central bank said on Monday.

Local cellular operators unite to boost SMS services

Local cellular operators unite to boost SMS services JAKARTA (JP): Three local global system for mobile communications (GSM) cellular phone operators will unite to give customers open access to short message services (SMS) within the next few months, a senior company executive says.

HSBC-BII sign credit card agreement

HSBC-BII sign credit card agreement JAKARTA (JP): Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) credit card holders in Indonesia can now pay their bills through Bank Internasional Indonesia's (BII) Automatic Teller Machine under an agreement signed here on Tuesday.

Disturbed elephants run amok

Disturbed elephants run amok BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Disturbed by the activities of illegal logging and squatters in their zone, elephants reared by the Seblat elephant training center in Bengkulu province ran amok in Pondok Suguh district and damaged a 20 hectare plantation, Antara reported on Tuesday.

Aceh truck drivers strike over extortion

Aceh truck drivers strike over extortion JAKARTA (JP): Truck drivers in Banda Aceh, who daily transport goods and staple foods to and from the North Sumatra capital of Medan, said on Tuesday they would remain on strike.

S&P lowers APP unit rating

S&P lowers APP unit rating JAKARTA (AFP): Standard and Poor's placed a default rating Tuesday on US$500 million in convertable bonds issued by a financing unit of pulp and paper group Asia Pulp and Paper after the company failed to make an interest payment.

Indonesian workers mark Labor Day with rallies

Indonesian workers mark Labor Day with rallies JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian workers took the opportunity of Labor Day on Tuesday to hold rallies and voice their demand for better pay and working conditions.

City still allocates Rp 1b for Korpri

City still allocates Rp 1b for Korpri JAKARTA (JP): The city budget for the 2001 fiscal year allocates Rp 1 billion as a donation to the city chapter of the Indonesian Civil Servants Association (Korpri), despite allegations that the organization's executives have misappropriated Rp 4.

Local airlines may soon raise domestic fares

Local airlines may soon raise domestic fares JAKARTA (JP): The price of domestic airline tickets may soon increase following the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA)'s recent decision to raise the exchange rate of their U.S. dollar-based fares.

PT Palyja responds

PT Palyja responds Referring to the letter from Ms. Yoshi Nuhayati of Taman Palem Lestari Blok AG No.11 (The Jakarta Post, April 10, 2001, No tap water) we would like to give the following clarification.

Indian spice spoiled during a soggy supper

Indian spice spoiled during a soggy supper JAKARTA (JP): What a difference a day makes, and even more so a couple of years. Yes, it had already been a couple of years since I had the privilege of attending the opening night of the Copper Chimney restaurant at Jl. Antara No. 5, Pasar Baru.

Thailand-Myanmar row flares

Thailand-Myanmar row flares YANGON (Agencies): A bitter row between Thailand and Myanmar over the drugs trade along their border flared again on Tuesday, marring the start of Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai's first official visit to Yangon.

IBRA denies Bank Universal, BCA merger rumor

IBRA denies Bank Universal, BCA merger rumor JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) Chairman Edwin Gerungan denied on Tuesday rumors that the agency would merge Bank Universal with Bank Central Asia (BCA).

Indonesia wants INCO to set coffee quotas

Indonesia wants INCO to set coffee quotas JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will ask the Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC) to impose production quotas on global coffee output to prop up falling coffee prices, an executive of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (AEKI) said on Tuesday.

Bankers, lawyer banned from traveling

Bankers, lawyer banned from traveling JAKARTA (JP): Seven bankers and a lawyer, implicated in the misuse of Bank Indonesia liquidity funds, have been banned by the Attorney General's Office from traveling overseas for one year starting April 30.

Know your enemy

Know your enemyFrom Pikiran RakyatResolving problems of the state and nation by way of jihad( holy war) is far from being a satisfactory solution as it is highly likely that it would trigger unrest.The most important point is that we, Indonesians, must clearly proclaim the mission and vision of our...

Muddling through uncertainty

Muddling through uncertainty The big question arising, now that the political uncertainty has escalated to the probability of a change in government, is how the economy will muddle through the transition period.

Timber companies upset over local fee payment

Timber companies upset over local fee payment JAKARTA (JP): Timber companies have to pay a number of fees to local government following the implementation of regional autonomy in January this year, an executive of a forestry-based company said here on Tuesday.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 1, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,175 200 712,000 Adindo Foresta 95 5 76,000 AGIS 145 0 16,160,500 Alakasa 90 0 0 Alfa...

Man dies under uprooted tree

Man dies under uprooted tree JAKARTA (JP): A becak (pedicab) driver who took shelter under a big tree during Monday's heavy rain was tragically killed as it suddenly collapsed and hit him.Another man broke his arm.

Former top forestry official arrested

Former top forestry official arrested JAKARTA (JP): City Police arrested former secretary-general of the forestry ministry Soeripto on Tuesday for allegedly leaking state secrets.Soeripto, dismissed by President Abdurrahman Wahid last month for reportedly holding a meeting to plot his downfall, was...

Aurora committed to Indonesian mine

Aurora committed to Indonesian mine CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Australian-based gold miner Aurora Gold Ltd. is committed to its Mount Muro project in central Kalimantan, Indonesia, but still wants to sell its suspended Toka Tindung operation in northern Sulawesi, Chief Executive Alan Scott said Tuesday.

Fourteen youngsters banned from league

Fourteen youngsters banned from league JAKARTA (JP): At least 14 players were banned from participating in the Bogasari Under-15 soccer league after falsifying their ages.Another player from Lampung is still trying to confirm his age, with his original birth certificate being brought here by his...

B'ball all-star game in Surabaya

B'ball all-star game in Surabaya JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) will hold the 2001 Nuvo Kobatama All-Star Game at the Kertajaya basketball hall in Surabaya on Sunday.The Perbasi official in charge of the national basketball league, Doeddie Gambiro, said on Tuesday the...

Three killed in Narogong accident

Three killed in Narogong accident BOGOR (JP): Three people riding a vespa motor scooter were killed instantly when it collided head-on with a public minivan on Jl. Raya Narogong, Cileungsi, Bogor regency on Monday night.

Pickpocket mobbed during rally

Pickpocket mobbed during rally JAKARTA (JP): Police on duty at the House of Representatives compound arrested on Monday a man for allegedly stealing the wallet of an Abdurrahman Wahid's supporter who was joining a rally in support of the embattled President.

Onus on ASEAN to perk up on trade, investment

Onus on ASEAN to perk up on trade, investmentBy Alan Wheatley TOKYO (Reuters): With the Americas eying a huge free trade zone and China exerting a magnetic attraction for foreign firms, worries are growing that Southeast Asia will end up as the wallflower at the global trade and investment dance.

Crack down launched against illegal mining

Crack down launched against illegal mining BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial administration of South Kalimantan is set to crack down against mushrooming illegal coal mining activities in the province by tightening controls on local seaports, an official said.

Rupiah rate May 1

Rupiah rate May 1 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,875.00 11,875.00 11,318.00 11,432.00Australian dollar 1 5,560.39 6,077.63 5,786.89 5,850.90Austrian schilling 1 700.93 765.82 729.49 737.25Belgian franc 1 239.09 261.23 248.83 251.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in SurabayaMusic and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Except Saturday), Solo Pianist, Monday to Friday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 1, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,175 200 712,000 Adindo Foresta 95 5 76,000 AGIS 145 0 16,160,500 Alakasa 90 0 0 Alfa...

Water supplies in some areas disrupted

Water supplies in some areas disrupted JAKARTA (JP): Joint venture tap water firm PT PAM Lyonaise Jaya (Palyja) is installing tap water pipes in Tebet area, South Jakarta, and Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, that may disrupt water supplies to customers in those areas.

Women and children

Women and childrenFrom Media IndonesiaThe multidimensional crisis coupled with the conflicts prevailing among the political elite and the seemingly unsuccessful effort for reconciliation among the power holders have apparently caused prolonged suffering to the people, and in this context, it is...

Police bust Kadera attack suspect

Police bust Kadera attack suspect JAKARTA (JP): City Police arrested on Tuesday Amrin, a suspect behind the bloody attack against workers protesting at his car upholstery producing company PT Kadera AR Indonesia (KAI).City Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr.

Pertina undecided on boxing team

Pertina undecided on boxing team JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) is still undecided about which boxers to select for its sole overseas tryout at the Arafura Games this month in Darwin, Australia, as the National Sports Council (KONI) has yet to advise the...

Late paper

Late paper Due to technical problems, The Jakarta Post arrived late to subscribers in West Java on Tuesday. We apologize for the inconvenience. -- Publisher

House awaits Gus Dur's response

House awaits Gus Dur's response JAKARTA (JP): A day after the House of Representatives passed a second motion to censure President Abdurrahman Wahid, leaders of major political parties sent mixed signals on whether they would proceed with a special session and impeachment hearings.

PPA issue: Grumbles versus concerns

PPA issue: Grumbles versus concernsBy Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Pharmaceutical industries grumble and suspect "business competition" is the motivation behind the new regulation reducing the content of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in cough and flu medicines.

Pepper farmers laughing their way to the bank

Pepper farmers laughing their way to the bank TOBOALI, Bangka-Belitung (JP): Pepper farmers here and clove farmers in Tondano, North Sulawesi share something in common. They have both enjoyed a "golden age".

Mahathir calls Anwar a liar

Mahathir calls Anwar a liar KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused his jailed former protege on Tuesday of concocting "lies" in an effort to go overseas for medical treatment for a back injury.

Chess tourney to break world record

Chess tourney to break world record JAKARTA (JP): The Bhakti Olahraga Indonesia Foundation (YBOI) plans to break a world record by organizing the largest number of participants to play in a chess tournament, scheduled to be held on Aug. 17 to commemorate Indonesian Independence Day.

Candy makers to boost sales

Candy makers to boost sales TOKYO (Nikkei): Three major candy makers are stepping up their overseas marketing efforts, in light of the poor growth prospects in the domestic market, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday morning edition.Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd.

Not all E. Timor rights cases to be sent to court

Not all E. Timor rights cases to be sent to court JAKARTA (JP): In compliance with a presidential decree on the establishment of an East Timorese human rights tribunal, some suspected rights abusers will not be brought before the tribunal.

Do workers turn away investment?

Do workers turn away investment?By Vedi R. Hadiz SINGAPORE (JP): Like most Indonesians, industrial workers have expected that reforms instigated after the fall of Soeharto would be beneficial to all areas of life.

Govt looks to boost tax revenue with higher cigarette prices

Govt looks to boost tax revenue with higher cigarette prices JAKARTA (JP): The cash-strapped government plans to once again raise the minimum retail cigarette price in a bid to gain higher excise tax revenues this year, Director General for Customs and Excise Permana Agung said on Tuesday.

Telkom employees stage protest

Telkom employees stage protest YOGYAKARTA: Over 500 employees of the Regional Division Office (Divre) IV of state telecommunications company PT Telkom staged a rally at their office on Tuesday, protesting the company's takeover by PT Indosat.