Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 May 2001

61 articles found

Gus Dur supporters start pouring into the capital

Gus Dur supporters start pouring into the capital JAKARTA (JP): Amid increasing worries of possible civil unrest over the current political situation, hundreds of supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid arrived here on Monday to show support for their embattled leader.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Batik Prameswari, by Enka Batik, at Grand Hotel Preanger Bandung, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 4231631), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until May 31.Performances* Sundanese Traditional Performance, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl.

President's executive order has no legal footing: Experts

President's executive order has no legal footing: Experts JAKARTA (JP): The old order changes, yielding place to new, but an executive order by President Abdurrahman Wahid does not and will not change the situation in the country as it has no legal footing.

Laborers threaten to strike

Laborers threaten to strike JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of laborers staged a rally that stretched from the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout on Monday, demanding better wages and severance payments.

New leader will still face complex challenges: Mari

New leader will still face complex challenges: Mari JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's prospective new leader would still have to deal with the complex challenges of economic recovery and political stability, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) economist Mari Pangestu warned on Monday.

Arun must resume operations soon: Govt

Arun must resume operations soon: Govt SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. must resume operations at its Arun gas field in the next few weeks in order to meet demand for liquefied natural gas in the peak demand summer season, Indonesia's Minister of Mines and Energy Purnomo...

City police not equipped to handle major rioting

City police not equipped to handle major rioting JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob said on Monday that the police would not be able to handle a situation like the May 1998 riots and have therefore deployed maximum security personnel in the capital to prevent such an...

Bung Karno memorial plaza in Senayan

Bung Karno memorial plaza in Senayan JAKARTA (JP): Joining the rush to reclaim Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, the Senayan Sports Complex management plans to build the Bung Karno Memorial Plaza in the sports complex.The memorial plaza will be built at the complex's Southeast Gate facing Jl.

House endorses law on 12 new mayoralties

House endorses law on 12 new mayoralties JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives passed into law on Monday a bill on the development of 12 mayoralties in eight provinces.The law on the 12 new mayoralties was endorsed during a plenary session presided by deputy House Speaker Soetarjo...

Bickering among the political elite

Bickering among the political eliteFrom Koran TempoThe political elite now are so preoccupied with their own bickering that they have totally ignored the bigger issues closely related with developing the economy. They seem to be really absorbed in defending their own and their party's interests.

Government launches website for the blind

Government launches website for the blind JAKARTA (JP): A website for the blind was launched on Monday in a bid to create an opportunity for the blind to explore and share knowledge with fellow blind people.State Minister of Research and Technology Muh. A.S.

Rupiah rate May 28

Rupiah rate May 28 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 11,100.00 12,100.00 11,542.00 11,658.00Australian dollar 1 5,772.00 6,300.47 6,001.84 6,070.32Austrian schilling 1 692.52 755.35 720.10 727.76Belgian franc 1 236.23 257.66 245.63 248.

Police finding fault

Police finding faultFrom RepublikaOn May 8, 2001, at about 11:30 a.m., while driving on Jl. Kemanggisan Ilir Raya, my driver was stopped by a police officer named Suraji (written on his name tag on his right chest pocket) from the Pal Merah Police.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 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 Music 4:30 Children's Program 5:00 News 5:30 Economic News 6:00 Village News 6:15 TV Drama 7:00...

Abu Sayyaf rebels admit kidnapping foreign tourists

Abu Sayyaf rebels admit kidnapping foreign tourists ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuters): A Philippine rebel group claimed responsibility on Monday for another mass abduction of tourists and foreigners in the Philippines, holding up the nation once again to possible international embarrassment.

Seribu Island residents living in dark times

Seribu Island residents living in dark timesBy Hera Diani TIDUNG ISLAND, Seribu Islands (JP): Residents of Tidung island and several of its neighbors in the Seribu Islands are returning to the Dark Ages, literally.

Thai firms face pressure on free float rules

Thai firms face pressure on free float rules BANGKOK (Reuters): About a quarter of listed Thai firms are under pressure to offer more shares to the public or face eventual delisting, as the stock exchange strives to boost liquidity and improve overall market attractiveness.

G-15 ministers begin globalization talks

G-15 ministers begin globalization talks JAKARTA (JP): Foreign ministers of the Group of 15 developing nations began their meeting here on Monday to discuss the group's strategies in facing globalization.

A double-barreled economic solution and its hair trigger

A double-barreled economic solution and its hair trigger Things are so bad that it seems they couldn't get worse. Economist Mohamad Chatib Basri asks, can the government seize on the remaining opportunities? The following are excerpts of an interview with The Jakarta Post's contributor Dewi...

England fields second-best team against Denmark

England fields second-best team against Denmark JAKARTA (JP): Underdog England, aiming to stay in Division 1 of the Sudirman Cup mixed team championship, will field its second-best team in its opening match against the 1999 runner up Denmark on Monday.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 28, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,675 -200 3,820,500 Adindo Foresta 115 0 51,500 AGIS 135 0 303,500 Alakasa 125 0 0 Alfa...

Media must play role in heading off crisis: Forum

Media must play role in heading off crisis: Forum BANGKOK (AFP): Southeast Asia's media must play a stronger role in heading off political crises like those that have befallen Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, press advocates said on Monday.

JORR tender winner unveiled in August

JORR tender winner unveiled in August JAKARTA (JP): The tender process to find new strategic investors for the 56.87 kilometer Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) project is expected to be finalized by late August, a senior executive said on Monday.

... Soeharto didn't fall because of his lifting of the fuel

... Soeharto didn't fall because of his lifting of the fuel subsidy ... it appears that President Abdurrahman Wahid ... could do without anything that might serve as a trigger.

Change before customers say goodbye

Change before customers say goodbyeBy Budi W. Soetjipto JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever told someone goodbye, forget it or I don't care anymore?The experience must have been so bad that you had good cause to say these words.

PAM books first win

PAM books first win SEMARANG (JP): Central Java's PAM volleyball team booked its first victory on the first day of national inter-club volleyball championships at the Jati Diri sports hall on Monday.PAM defeated Alco Telkom of West Java 25-18, 25-1, 25-22 in the men's division.

E. Timorese leaders meet in Kupang

E. Timorese leaders meet in Kupang KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Twenty three East Timorese liurai (chieftains) from two warring groups are scheduled to gather in the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, Kupang, on Tuesday to hold reconciliation talks.

BI to maintain tight money policy amid uncertainty

BI to maintain tight money policy amid uncertainty JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said on Monday that the central bank would continue with its tight monetary policy by raising the interest rate amid the current inflationary threat.

Non-executable order

Non-executable order The new executive order issued by President Abdurrahman Wahid, empowering his most senior political minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take whatever measures are necessary to restore security, law and order, contains one major flaw, making it almost unenforceable.

Unclear issues in mass media

Unclear issues in mass mediaFrom Suara KaryaThe polemics on the possible issuance of presidential edict by President Abdurrahman Wahid have been raging, until finally the President himself denied he would issue an edict.

Pro-democracy activists warn of military comeback

Pro-democracy activists warn of military comeback JAKARTA (JP): Pro-democracy activists, alarmed of strong signs of a reappearance of the military within politics, warned the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday not to enter the political contest, saying that this would be the biggest contribution...

Enron, India utility dispute intensifies

Enron, India utility dispute intensifies BOMBAY (Reuters): A dispute between U.S. energy giant Enron Corp and an Indian utility has worsened ahead of a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fate of the controversial US$2.9 billion project.

Borobudur replica in Viennese museum

Borobudur replica in Viennese museum SEMARANG, Central Java: Central Java Governor Mardiyanto is to officially present a replica of Borobudur temple to a museum of tourism in the capital of Austria, Vienna, during his visit to the city on June 3 the chairman of Central Java's trade chamber,...

Chandra Asri deal not final: Prijadi

Chandra Asri deal not final: Prijadi JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesian Finance Minister Prijadi Praptosuhardjo said on Monday a debt deal for petrochemical giant PT Chandra Asri was still subject to change even though it has been approved by the powerful state financial sector policy committee (KKSK).

A feasible solution

A feasible solution As the political tension in Indonesia escalates and the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) is around the corner, as an ordinary citizen I would like to suggest the following: * Mr. Akbar Tandjung should resign as DPR's speaker.

How much longer can beeper operators go?

How much longer can beeper operators go? JAKARTA (JP): The recent breakthrough of three local GSM operators in introducing a joint SMS service have undoubtedly boosted message sending via cellular phones in the country.But one party is left behind: radio paging operators.

Political foes dismiss executive order

Political foes dismiss executive order JAKARTA (JP): Senior political figures outside President Abdurrahman Wahid's camp dismissed the newly issued executive order, describing it as a mere "announcement" with little statutory weight.

Indorayon rating withdrawn

Indorayon rating withdrawn JAKARTA (AFX-ASIA): Moody's Investors Service said it affirmed and then withdrew the 'Ca' rating on PT Inti Indorayon's US$150 million senior notes and $110 million guaranteed notes.

Australian exports to ASEAN up

Australian exports to ASEAN up SYDNEY (AFP): Australian exports to Southeast Asia jumped by 34 percent to a record A$15.1 billion (US$7.92 billion) last year despite political uncertainty in some countries, officials said Monday.

A bright idea

A bright ideaFrom Suara KaryaSometime ago I read an article about kancil (small vehicles) in Suara Karya. The kancil -- a gas-fueled vehicle capable of seating four passengers -- is slated for mass production to replace the bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle).

Six factions to go ahead with special session

Six factions to go ahead with special session JAKARTA (JP): Ignoring embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid's executive order, major House factions said on Monday they would go ahead with their plan to call for a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

G-15

G-15 G-15 ministers begin globalization talks. Page 2 Seribu Seribu Island residents living in dark times. Page 3 Economy A double-barreled economic solution and its hair trigger. Page 5Soccer Nine-man Milan holds Roma 1-1 in Serie A.

Natural disaster put the squeeze on once popular Garut orange

Natural disaster put the squeeze on once popular Garut orangeBy Kafil Yamin SAMARANG, West Java (JP): Haji Ridwan died two years ago, but he is still talked about in his home village of Samarang, Garut, some 45 kilometers from Bandung.

Local,foreign guests flee from RP kidnap island

Local,foreign guests flee from RP kidnap island ARRECIFE, Philippines (AFP): Dozens of foreign and local guests fled an upmarket resort in this western Philippine island on Monday, grateful they were spared by Muslim guerrillas who kidnapped 20 other people.

Top security alert imposed, violence flares up in E. Java

Top security alert imposed, violence flares up in E. Java SURABAYA, East Java (JP): As police called for a top security alert throughout the country amid the heightened tension between members of the political elite, riots hit several towns of East Java province on Monday when thousands of...

Factions reject new council structure

Factions reject new council structure JAKARTA (JP): Almost all party factions urged the city administration on Monday to review its proposed bylaw on a new city organizational structure with particular attention to the command line between the governor and his subordinates.

Gus Dur is clean, says AGO

Gus Dur is clean, says AGO JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office announced late on Monday that President Abdurrahman Wahid was not involved in two financial scandals, which have led him to be threatened with impeachment.

Fan sent to hospital after clash

Fan sent to hospital after clash JAKARTA (JP): One of 25 soccer supporters from Semarang, Central Java, rushed to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) after local residents attacked them at Manggarai railway station in South Jakarta on Sunday evening, died on Monday.

Order issued to restore security

Order issued to restore security JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid issued on Monday an executive order instructing his top security minister to take steps to prevent disorder brought about by the frenzied political climate.

Fewer tourists to S'pore

Fewer tourists to S'pore SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore tourist arrivals fell 3.8 percent year-on-year to 612,800 in April, caught by downturns in its two biggest markets, Indonesia and Japan, the Singapore Tourism Board said Monday.

Yen weakness pulls down Asian currencies

Yen weakness pulls down Asian currencies SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): A combination of yen weakness and local factors pushed Asian currencies lower across the region Monday, with the New Taiwan dollar plunging nearly 3 percent after the central bank quit propping up the currency late in the session.

Malaysian journalists stage protest

Malaysian journalists stage protest KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Opponents took to the streets Monday to protest the planned takeover of two influential Chinese-language newspapers by allies of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who shrugged off fears of political interference and refused to block...

Airport taxes to rise by up to 100% in June

Airport taxes to rise by up to 100% in June JAKARTA (JP): The country's two major state-owned airport operators announced on Monday a plan to increase airport taxes imposed on passengers flying overseas by 50 percent to 100 percent in June.

Police deployed to guard school exam papers

Police deployed to guard school exam papers JAKARTA (JP): The national final examinations for high school students began on Monday with the deployment of police officers at certain schools.The police were assigned to watch over the examinations at, among others, SMUN 68 high school on Jl.

Housewives protest over brothels

Housewives protest over brothels WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Hundreds of housewives from the United Women's Organization took to the streets here on Monday to complain about brothels in their neighborhood.The housewives went round the small town during the morning to locations which were believed to be...

Commuter passengers stranded

Commuter passengers stranded JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of train commuters heading to Jakarta from Bekasi were stranded on Monday morning at railway stations along the Bekasi to Jakarta route due to electrical problems.

Leaders abuse religion for gain

Leaders abuse religion for gainBy Hery Haryanto Azumi JAKARTA (JP): Islamic movements in Indonesia's era of transition are marked by their declining sociocultural roles and an increase in their political orientation.

Eradicating KKN

Eradicating KKNFrom RepublikaAllow me to suggest that, in the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), those involved in these practices must be given a chance to repent if they are willing to admit their misconduct and surrender to the government part of what they have unlawfully...

Tanker sinks in Malacca Strait

Tanker sinks in Malacca Strait KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Marine police on Monday rescued 12 Indonesian crew members of a Panama-registered tanker when their vessel sank after colliding with another tanker in the narrow waters off Malaysia's west coast.

Independent body needed to spur IT investment: IFC

Independent body needed to spur IT investment: IFC JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's financial arm for the private sector, has suggested that Indonesia speed up the establishment of an independent telecommunication regulator in a bid to encourage foreign...

Graft watchdog urges govt not to pay OPIC claim

Graft watchdog urges govt not to pay OPIC claim JAKARTA (JP): An independent corruption watchdog urged the government on Monday not to pay a US$260 million-worth insurance claim by the United States owned Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), as the claim was linked to a power project...