Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 June 2001

48 articles found

Two Belgians missing in Irian

Two Belgians missing in Irian JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Two Belgian scientists have gone missing while conducting research in Illaga district, Puncak Jaya regency, Irian Jaya. The two Belgians have been identified as Johan Elia Theo van Dem Eynde, 47, and Philippe R.D. Simon, 49. Antara news agency quoted sources as saying the two were kidnapped by separatist guerrillas. The police, however, have denied these claims. Irian Jaya Police spokesman Comr.

Festival highlights city's anniversary

Festival highlights city's anniversary JAKARTA (JP): More festivities for the city's anniversary continue on Monday, including the Pasar Baru Festival that is held around the area of Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. Pasar Baru (New Market) is known as a melting pot for Chinese and Indian Jakartans, and also Betawi (native Jakartans) people. The festival will feature decorated boats and canoeing competitions in the nearby Ciliwung River.

Democracy in peril

Democracy in peril The raid by the police at an international conference in Sawangan near Jakarta on Friday, and the arrest of 40 of the participants, including 32 foreigners, was bizarre, if not disturbing, to the conscience. You could be forgiven thinking that news reports of this incident, which also appeared in this paper on Sunday, were mistakenly taken from a leaf of the history book of a recent bygone era, when undemocratic practices such as dissolving a gathering were normal.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Art in Italian and Indonesian Ceramics in the framework of the Indonesian-Italian Workshop on Advanced and Conventional Ceramics, Italian Cultural Institute, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto 117, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3927531), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until June 30. * Mexican Lacquerwork Pieces from five states. La Casa de Mexico, Jl. Panglima Polim III No. 1 - 3, Kebayoran Baru. Until June 15. * A History of Today, Anne Frank, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R.

Generating 'chemistry' in an interview

Generating 'chemistry' in an interview By Pri Notowidigdo JAKARTA (JP): "Am I ready for the interview?" You have undoubtedly asked yourself this question in the past, prior to a job interview, or maybe you are asking this question now as you prepare for an interview in the not too distant future. No doubt, you have discovered that preparation is the key to success. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of being hired. So how do you prepare for an interview?

Abdurrahman firm on not stepping down from post

Abdurrahman firm on not stepping down from post JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid insisted on Sunday he would not resign before the end of his term in 2004 even if the military turned its guns on the presidential palace. A defiant Abdurrahman challenged the military and police to try to use force to oust him, which he said would not change his position in the least. "They can point their guns and shoot at the palace ...

Mending ties with Myanmar not at cost of sovereignty: Thailand

Mending ties with Myanmar not at cost of sovereignty: Thailand CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Agencies): Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said on Sunday that Thailand was eager to mend ties with Myanmar, but warned that it would not tolerate insults on its sovereignty and its royal family. In a speech at a one-day conference on Thai-Myanmar ties held in this northern town, Surakiart said the government would "fight with all efforts" if their dispute boiled down to these two issues.

East Timor refugees make the ultimate choice

East Timor refugees make the ultimate choice By Yemris Fointuna KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): The scorching sun and uncompromising atmosphere in West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, seemingly cooled as hundreds of refugees voluntarily gathered at registration sites to determine their future -- to be resettled and live in Indonesia or return home to their native East Timor.

Casual in the office doesn't mean dress-as-you-please

Casual in the office doesn't mean dress-as-you-please By Muara Bagdja JAKARTA (JP): It used to be a Friday thing, when men squeezed themselves into their best jeans and women had the freedom to put on a pair of pants for work. But now wearing casual clothes to the office has become standard attire in some workplaces.

Police shoot one, arrest five

Police shoot one, arrest five JAKARTA (JP): A man was shot in the hip and five others were arrested on Friday afternoon for alleged motorcycle thefts in the Kembangan area of West Jakarta. Chief of Kebayoran Lama Police subprecinct in South Jakarta, Comr. Heri Wibowo, said the shooting and the arrests were made following an incident early on Friday morning when an officer of the elite National Police mobile brigade (Brimob) was involved in a robbery attempt of his motorcycle on Jl.

Democracy in peril

Democracy in peril The raid by the police at an international conference in Sawangan near Jakarta on Friday, and the arrest of 40 of the participants, including 32 foreigners, was bizarre, if not disturbing, to the conscience. You could be forgiven thinking that news reports of this incident, which also appeared in this paper on Sunday, were mistakenly taken from a leaf of the history book of a recent bygone era, when undemocratic practices such as dissolving a gathering were normal.

18 injured in Yogyakarta clash

18 injured in Yogyakarta clash YOGYAKARTA: At least 18 people were injured on Sunday when a clash broke out between local supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and residents. Yogyakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Toto Sunyoto said the skirmish occurred along Jl. Mataram. "Two of the 18 people are now being treated at Muhammadiyah Hospital for serious injuries, while the remaining 16 are being detained at the city police station," Toto said.

Kimia Farma sets share price at Rp 200

Kimia Farma sets share price at Rp 200 JAKARTA (JP): State-owned pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma said on Saturday it plans to sell its shares at Rp 200 (about 1.78 U.S. cents) each during the initial public offering (IPO) later this month. Kimia Farma said in a press statement that the price was based on recommendations from its lead underwriter PT Danareksa Sekuritas.

A nation crying

A nation crying From Rakyat Merdeka In the June 5 issue of Rakyat Merdeka, there was a very interesting article and photo depicting Bung Karno crying. But I think, not only is Bung Karno crying but the entire Indonesian nation and state. Why? Because the 1999 general election which was touted as the most successful and democratic one to date has resulted in a mess of a government which faces a formidable future. We have an incompetent President and enigmatic Vice President.

RP troops kill two as rebels threaten to execute hostages

RP troops kill two as rebels threaten to execute hostages ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuters): Philippine troops shot dead two Muslim rebels on Sunday while a government emissary pursued talks with the guerrillas to stop the threatened execution of three U.S. hostages. The extremist Abu Sayyaf group has set a Monday deadline for executing the Americans -- held on southern Basilan island with 10 Filipinos -- if Manila does not yield to their demand for a Malaysian to negotiate with them.

Indonesian shuttlers take two titles at World C'ships

Indonesian shuttlers take two titles at World C'ships JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesians won two titles at the World Badminton Championships in Seville, Spain, on Sunday, bringing home the men's singles and doubles crowns. Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan broke the runner-up jinx by defeating second seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark 15-6, 17- 16 in a dramatic 61-minute final at San Pablo Stadium.

Experts warn of unrest over fuel price hike

Experts warn of unrest over fuel price hike JAKARTA (JP): The plan to increase fuel prices by an average of 30 percent in the middle of this month could create social unrest because the government would not have enough time to properly inform the public about the new policy, experts warned. University of Gadjah Mada economist Sri Adiningsih said on the weekend that sufficient preparation was needed to ensure the rise was well-accepted by the public. "I'm a little bit worried about the timing.

Norway's envoy in firing line

Norway's envoy in firing line COLOMBO (AFP): Norway's efforts to broker peace in Sri Lanka have suffered another blow with the Colombo government and Tamil rebels locking horns over the removal of Oslo's special envoy, diplomats said on Sunday. The separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) expressed its displeasure over the "unilateral initiative" of the Sri Lankan government to effect a change in the role of Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim.

Message from Teofisto T.Guingona,JR.

Message from Teofisto T.Guingona,JR. Vice President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs The Republic of Philippines It is with great pride and joy that Filipinos all over the world celebrate the 103rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Today, we honor with even greater attention the memory of our heroes. We recall their martyrdom for the freedom that we now enjoy. We are profoundly grateful.

Aceh produces 25 judges

Aceh produces 25 judges BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The continuing shortage of judges in strife- torn Aceh will be eased as 25 locals have passed tests to fill in judiciary posts in district courts across the territory. Personnel officer at the provincial high court, Nurkhalis BS, told Antara on Saturday the qualifiers were shortlisted from 38 school of law fresh graduates who underwent tests in Jakarta recently. Nurkhalis said the new judges, seven of whom are women, had been appointed as civil servants.

Philippines-Indonesia Relations, a continuing partnership

Philippines-Indonesia Relations, a continuing partnership Philippine-Indonesian relations are characterized by a genuine sense of brotherhood borne out of centuries of close and vibrant interaction as neighbors. In precolonial times, trade, commerce and transmigration flourished between our peoples. Intermarriages and alliances solidified these cross-cultural and economic links. Over the centuries, the movement of peoples, goods and ideas between the two archipelagos intensified.

Retired officers told to leave residences at Police HQ

Retired officers told to leave residences at Police HQ JAKARTA (JP): The City police have instructed 13 families of elderly, retired police officials to evacuate the official residences they have occupied at the Jakarta Police Headquarters for more than 20 years. The City police declared that the official residences had been allocated to currently active police officials who are in need of homes.

Is silence still golden?

Is silence still golden? It is not often that one hears Megawati Soekarnoputri -- our Vice President and the person most likely to replace President Abdurrahman Wahid if, and when, he loses his job -- speak out in public on the myriad problems the nation is currently facing. That is why Indonesians were rather agreeably surprised when late last month the Vice President spoke out quite strongly against absolute power in leading this country towards modernity.

More players to liven up the TV industry

More players to liven up the TV industry By Gatot JAKARTA (JP): In Indonesia, privatization of television has been rapid since 1989, when the first private pay-TV service was introduced. There are now six private channels (RCTI, SCTV, TPI, Indosiar, ANteve and MetroTV) and one government channel (TVRI). Metro TV, the newcomer, which made its debut as the country's first round-the-clock news channel on Nov.

Migrant workers flee Malaysia

Migrant workers flee Malaysia PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Three Indonesian women have escaped from their labor placement agent in the Malaysian town of Miri after discovering that they were to be employed as sex workers. The women, who introduced themselves as Dwi, 29, Feny, 20, and Anti, 20, told Antara on Saturday that they left their hometown Semarang after their agent offered them jobs as restaurant waitresses.

Investors to sideline due to lack of fresh leads

Investors to sideline due to lack of fresh leads By Berni K. Moestafa JAKARTA (JP): The absence of fresh political developments could push the financial market into lackluster trading this week with the rupiah moving flat to lower, and the stock market index likely to break the 400 level, analysts said over the weekend. They said that lack of incentives on the political front and uncertainties over the economy, provided little ground to trade on.

Telkom finally postpones plan to raise phone rates

Telkom finally postpones plan to raise phone rates JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom has finally postponed the plan to raise telephone rates, initially scheduled for Sunday, due to strong opposition from the public. Telkom's assistant vice president for corporate communications A.M. Sampurna said here over the weekend that the new rates would be implemented after the government had finished reviewing the new rate structure.

Ruwiyati, Suroto win 10K c'ships

Ruwiyati, Suroto win 10K c'ships SEMARANG (JP): Women's long distance runner Ruwiyati of Salatiga won the Rinnai 10K national championships here on Sunday, clocking a time of 40 minutes 10 seconds. Hanny Melon of Salatiga finished second in 41:05 followed by Erni Ulatningsih of Salatiga in 41:27. In the men's competition, Suroto of Sragen clocked a time of 34:32 to finish first and bring home Rp 7 million (US$610).

Rape cases up in S. Sumatra

Rape cases up in S. Sumatra PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The number of reported rapes in the province continues to rise at an alarming rate, with the police reporting at least 119 cases in 2000. In the first five months of this year there have been 38 rapes reported to the police. Most of the rape victims in the province, which has a population of over 6.5 million, were teenagers, but some of the victims were elementary school students under the age of 10.

Gus Dur seeks compromise to evade MPR impeachment

Gus Dur seeks compromise to evade MPR impeachment YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. sees a ray of hope in President Abdurrahman Wahid's last-ditch efforts to evade his possible impeachment, saying that major political parties have positively responded to the President's proposed dialog.

Resources management sharing

Resources management sharing By Ryad Areshman Chairil MELBOURNE (JP): The declaration by Exxon Mobil to temporarily halt its gas production facilities in Aceh was the latest blow to the Indonesian resources industry after a couple others including from PT Caltex, PT Newmont, PT Freeport, Indo Muro Kencana, PT Kaltim Prima Coal and PT Kelian Equatorial Mining.

Rachmadi's works the stuff that dreams are made of

Rachmadi's works the stuff that dreams are made of By Peter Kerr JAKARTA (JP): Dream-inspired and dreamlike, the simple landscapes of Rachmadi Fiedorowicz appear like beautiful, mystical scenes glanced from a moving train. It may be their transcendental quality, their sensitivity, and perhaps a familiarity (like memories of a shared dream) that have moved people during the current exhibition for JakArt 2001.

Passport renewal

Passport renewal From Kompas As an Indonesian citizen of Chinese descent, I have long experienced discriminatory treatment in renewing my passport.

'Halal' labels

'Halal' labels From Republika I have come across a lot of food and drinks which bear no halal (rightful according to Islam) labels on their packages, despite the fact that those merchandise are marketed in Indonesia. Since Indonesia's population is predominantly Muslim, the producers should put the halal labels on their products if they are truly halal. On the other hand, haram (not halal) labels must be present on food items which are not rightful for Muslims to consume.

Questioning of foreigners criticized

Questioning of foreigners criticized By Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): The police's recent detention of participants of a seminar in Sawangan has angered many people both at home and abroad, with even the immigration office here questioning the alleged visa violations police claim were committed by foreign seminar participants. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, the chairman of the Institute for Human Rights Research and Advocacy, said Friday night's raid was a direct violation of the freedom of assembly.

Ticket scalpers operate openly at Gambir

Ticket scalpers operate openly at Gambir By Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): Getting a train ticket at weekends is not easy, especially if you do not make a reservation. But even if it is announced that tickets are sold out, this does not mean that they are not available. Scalpers are ready to "help" you, of course if you do not mind paying extra. The scalpers could be found hanging around at the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)'s reservation office on Jl.

Journalists protest

Journalists protest From Bisnis Indonesia We the organization of journalists hereby protest President Abdurrahman Wahid's statements and attitude, which continually insults the press. His statements and attitude later became a means of justification for his supporters to act violently toward journalists and the media. During the last year, acts of violence and intimidation toward journalists and the media by President Abdurrahman Wahid's supporters have dramatically increased in number.

Democracy in peril

Democracy in peril The raid by the police at an international conference in Sawangan near Jakarta on Friday, and the arrest of 40 of the participants, including 32 foreigners, was bizarre, if not disturbing, to the conscience. You could be forgiven thinking that news reports of this incident, which also appeared in this paper on Sunday, were mistakenly taken from a leaf of the history book of a recent bygone era, when undemocratic practices such as dissolving a gathering were normal.

Alleged drugs boss arrested in Bali

Alleged drugs boss arrested in Bali KUTA, Bali (JP): Police officers here struck a devastating blow to the island's narcotic syndicate when during a predawn raid on Saturday they detained a suspected major drug dealer and confiscated almost 100 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine), 200 ecstasy pills and a hand grenade. Denpasar Police detectives chief Comr.

Low income earners regret fuel price hike

Low income earners regret fuel price hike JAKARTA (JP): Many Jakartans, especially from the low income bracket, regret the government's decision to raise fuel prices starting next Friday, saying that the decision has been made too hastily. Public transportation drivers told The Jakarta Post on Saturday and Sunday that any increase in fuel prices would increase the burden on their already hard lives, and they called on the government to find ways to reduce their burden.

Six duped with jobs in the U.S.

Six duped with jobs in the U.S. JAKARTA (JP): Six people were allegedly duped into handing over nearly US$10,000 to two men who promised to send them to the United States and secure them jobs at hotels there. The victims' spokesman, Dani Suryadi, 33, filed a complaint with the police against the two men, Rudi Setiawan and Alfred Afri Mentang, on Sunday afternoon.

Ailing Indoexchange takes further cost-cutting step

Ailing Indoexchange takes further cost-cutting step JAKARTA (JP): PT Indoexchange Dotcom, one of the few dotcom companies listed on the local stock exchange, has taken major cost-cutting measures to cope with acute financial problems. Company president Eddie Daradjat said here over the weekend that Indoexchange would cut employee salaries as part of its business consolidation measures.

JP/2/DAYAK

JP/2/DAYAK Follow-up actions to Dayak-Madura reconciliation urged PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan (JP): Several local tribal leaders have called on all levels of the government to promptly follow up results of the newly concluded Dayak people's congress, which recommended the settlement of interethnic conflicts that occurred months earlier.

SMEs economic backbone during crisis

SMEs economic backbone during crisis It has become evident that small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy that prevents its total collapse, says Sri-Edi Swasono, a senior economist and adviser to the coordinating minister for the economy. JAKARTA (JP): Small and medium scale enterprises use mostly local materials and components and have no foreign debts.

Malaysia pulls out of Junior Indonesia Open

Malaysia pulls out of Junior Indonesia Open By Novan Iman Santosa SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The Malaysian team of eight shuttlers made a last-minute decision to withdraw from the US$9,000 Milo Junior Indonesia Open here for reasons not yet clear.

MPR's regional representatives may back Gus Dur

MPR's regional representatives may back Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): The regional representatives threw down another gauntlet as they officially proposed on Saturday the formation of their own faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). The regional representatives said they would do President Abdurrahman Wahid "a favor" in the special session of the Assembly, scheduled to begin on Aug. 1, if their demand was rejected.

House pressures government to combat fuel smugglers

House pressures government to combat fuel smugglers By Reiner S. JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives is exerting strong pressure on the government to combat the country's notorious fuel smugglers believed to be backed by influential people.

More SE Asians visit Bali

More SE Asians visit Bali DENPASAR, Bali: The island of Bali registered 17,900 tourists coming from neighboring Southeast Asian countries over the first quarter of the year, a 46 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Head of local tourism agency I Gede Pitana Brahmanda said on Saturday most of the tourists were Malaysian, Singaporean, Filipino and Thai nationals, who flew directly to Bali.