Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 July 2001

70 articles found

PKB chapters defy leaders' policy

PKB chapters defy leaders' policy MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The central executive board of the National Awakening Party (PKB) suffered another blow on Wednesday as its provincial chapter here declared its recognition of new president Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Oil rallies as OPEC set to decide on cut

Oil rallies as OPEC set to decide on cut LONDON (Reuters): Oil prices rose on Wednesday, buoyed by news that OPEC was set to announce a one million barrel-per-day (bpd) production cut that will bring the cartel's daily output to the lowest level in over two years.

City to sell Wisata Hotel in Bali

City to sell Wisata Hotel in Bali JAKARTA (JP): The city administration said on Wednesday it would sell a city-owned hotel in Kuta, Bali, which is reportedly suffering debts of Rp 40 billion (US$4 million).

Ratings agencies says RI still in woods post-Wahid

Ratings agencies says RI still in woods post-Wahid NEW YORK (Dow Jones): The peaceful ascension of Megawati Soekarnoputri to the Indonesian presidency alone isn't enough to help the country's near-term outlook, according to two major ratings agencies.

Disharmony

DisharmonyFrom Koran TempoThe recent disharmony in the relationship between the former president and his vice president is one of the reasons why the government could not execute its actions smoothly and instead of steering Indonesia out of the crisis, it caused the nation to be drawn deeper into...

IBRA sues Artha Swadaya

IBRA sues Artha Swadaya JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Wednesday it had filed a bankruptcy petition against PT Artha Swadaya with the Jakarta Commercial Court following the latter's failure to repay outstanding debts worth Rp 14.107 billion (US$1.

Arnold leads Sri Lanka to five-wicket win

Arnold leads Sri Lanka to five-wicket win COLOMBO (Reuters): Russel Arnold struck a timely unbeaten 91 to spur Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the triangular one-day series on Wednesday.

Okinawa demands imposition of curfew for U.S. troops

Okinawa demands imposition of curfew for U.S. troops TOKYO (AFP): Civic leaders in Okinawa on Wednesday urged the U.S. and Japanese governments to impose a midnight curfew and create off-limits areas for U.S. troops on their island after a series of alleged crimes involving servicemen.

Bombers must repent

Bombers must repentFrom Suara KaryaThe bombs you detonated recently were terrifying, enough to cause panic and fear among us, which is clear evidence that you have achieved your goal. If you still can listen to our plea, please do not claim any more human lives the next time you decide to plant...

RI must consolidate its base for democracy

RI must consolidate its base for democracy TOKYO: It was the classic story of a politician falling prey to the corrupting effects of political power.Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly, the nation's highest legislative body, has dismissed embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid in a vote that...

Gresik books rise in sales

Gresik books rise in sales JAKARTA (JP): State owned cement company PT Semen Gresik said on Wednesday its sales rose 10.2 percent to 7.42 million tons in the first half of this year from 6.73 million tons in the same period last year."It follows a 28.2 percent increase to 11.

What kind of Cabinet?

What kind of Cabinet? Now that we have a new president and vice president, the focus of the ongoing power struggle is shifting to the lineup of the new Cabinet. President Megawati Soekarnoputri may have the constitutional prerogative in forming the new Cabinet, but political reality dictates that...

Mykonos Taverna -- attractively simple, yet great food

Mykonos Taverna -- attractively simple, yet great food KUTA, Bali (JP): On a recent trip to Bali, I was very much aware of how quickly things change there in the food and beverage industry. The Jakarta and Bali markets are completely different, as Bali is much more affected by tourism's seasonal...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Variety Show 10:00 Children's Program 10:30 30 Minutes with Anita Rahman 11:00 Regional News 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:00 News 2:15 Debating 3:15 Children's Program 4:30 Documentary 5:00 News 5:30 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Technology 8:00...

Art classes becoming the latest trend

Art classes becoming the latest trendBy Muninggar Sri Saraswati JAKARTA (JP): A nude young man sat quietly with an empty look on his face in the middle of a dimly lit room. His face showed no emotion even though he was surrounded by several people who now and then carefully observed him.

Megawati brings with her a whole host of problems

Megawati brings with her a whole host of problems One of the most interesting questions regarding Megawati Soekarnoputri's elevation to the presidency is her relations with the Muslim community. The following are the views of M.

Indonesia's woes spice up Grenada's nutmeg trade

Indonesia's woes spice up Grenada's nutmeg trade SAINT GOERGE'S, Grenada (DPA): Grenada, known as "the Spice Island of the West", has enjoyed two years of robust sales on the world's nutmeg market thanks to Indonesia's political and social woes.In fiscal 1999/2000, Grenada sold 6.

Gus Dur's family apologizes to the nation

Gus Dur's family apologizes to the nation JAKARTA (JP): One day before Abdurrahman Wahid was to vacate the presidential palace and depart to the United States for "health reasons", his family thanked the nation and apologized for any errors they might have committed during the former president's...

Guitarist Balawan makes a name for himself

Guitarist Balawan makes a name for himself DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A blend of various music -- rock, pop, jazz and traditional Balinese gamelan orchestra -- makes the newly released solo album of guitarist I Wayan Balawan unique.

Three companies launch e-banking

Three companies launch e-banking JAKARTA (JP): Internet solutions provider PT Jatis Solutions, together with PT Microsoft Indonesia and Biznet launched on Wednesday a service to provide Internet banking applications to small and medium banks in Indonesia.

Pancasila unites the nation

Pancasila unites the nation As the state philosophy, the five principles of Pancasila are superior in position to the constitution. Consequently, a political move that fails to conform with Pancasila must be rejected although on paper or logically it can be justified.

Indonesian women lost to Canton junior 59-93

Indonesian women lost to Canton junior 59-93 JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian women's basketball team suffered a 93-59 defeat at the hands of the Canton junior team in their first friendly in Canton, China.Women's team manager Max B.

WB urges Megawati to fight graft, poverty

WB urges Megawati to fight graft, poverty JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank (WB) hailed on Wednesday the appointment of President Megawati Soekarnoputri as Indonesia's leader into times of greater political stability, but urged her to fight corruption and reduce widespread poverty.

BNI Bekasi robbed

BNI Bekasi robbed JAKARTA (JP): Six men robbed the Bekasi branch of Bank Negara Indonesia early Wednesday morning and took away a safe containing Rp 100 million in cash and important documents.Bekasi Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Wahyu Handoyo said the robbers arrived at the bank on Jl.

Bapepam probes investors in alleged BCA manipulation case

Bapepam probes investors in alleged BCA manipulation case JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) said it had focused its investigation on stock investors of PT Bank Central Asia (BCA), after it found indications of 20 security companies collaborating to manipulate the price...

Megawati visits her father Sukarno's grave

Megawati visits her father Sukarno's grave JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri visited the grave of her father, the country's first president, in Blitar, East Java, on Wednesday morning.This was her first trip out of Jakarta since replacing Abdurrahman Wahid as president on Monday.

Aceh peace talks must continue, Imam says

Aceh peace talks must continue, Imam says JAKARTA (JP): Muslim and community leaders in restive Aceh have asked newly installed president Megawati Soekarnoputri to continue peace talks with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebel group.

Security forum highlights rift between Europe, Asia on Myanmar

Security forum highlights rift between Europe, Asia on Myanmar HANOI (AFP): Asia's premier security forum adopted an upbeat statement on the progress of political reconciliation in Myanmar Wednesday sparking immediate criticism from the European Union.

Telkom plans to sell noncore subsidiaries

Telkom plans to sell noncore subsidiaries JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom plans to divest a number of subsidiaries and shareholdings in several noncore businesses, a senior executive said on Wednesday.

President Megawati needs the support of the Muslims

President Megawati needs the support of the Muslims Question: What does Megawati Soekarnoputri's rise to the presidency mean for Indonesian Muslims?Answer: (Her win) was a natural occurrence; the consequence of a democratic life conducted through political activities, which are based on the...

Lessons from Special Session: Constitutional change urgent

Lessons from Special Session: Constitutional change urgent To avoid repeated mistakes, the overhaul of the Constitution should be a consideration, writes political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono. JAKARTA (JP): The Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has put a new light on...

Officers grilled over insubordination

Officers grilled over insubordination JAKARTA (JP): Police internal affairs and intelligence continued on Wednesday to grill eight mid-ranking police officers over insubordination charges.The officers had allegedly led some 150 middle-ranking police officers to stage a revolt against National...

Poso protesters detained by police

Poso protesters detained by police PALU, Central Sulawesi: The Poso Police detained on Wednesday four protesters for the possession of weapons.They are being held with 61 others being questioned over an explosion at the Central Sulawesi Police Headquarters.Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr.

Fewer hot spots found in Indonesian forests

Fewer hot spots found in Indonesian forests JAKARTA (JP): There were 2,239 hot spots resulting from forest fires in Indonesia by the middle of 2001, about half the count recorded several years ago, a forestry ministry senior official disclosed on Wednesday.

Report on Ambon to be retracted

Report on Ambon to be retracted AMBON, Maluku: The Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs has withdrawn a report on the damage that occurred during two years of communal conflict here, following a request for verification by Governor Saleh Latuconsina.

Court case against three former justices begins

Court case against three former justices begins JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta District Court began proceedings on Wednesday against former Supreme Court justice M. Yahya Harahap, who is charged with receiving Rp 96 million in bribes while presiding over a land dispute in 1998.

ARF security forum graduates to deter diplomacy

ARF security forum graduates to deter diplomacy HANOI (AFP): The Asia-Pacific region's sole security forum adopted landmark operational procedures on Wednesday that will help prevent disputes from flaring up into a full-blown war, officials said.

Gunung Kawi, a place for spiritual goings-on

Gunung Kawi, a place for spiritual goings-onText and photo by Alpha Savitri GIANYAR, Bali (JP): Rich in historical and spiritual significance, Gunung Kawi was once a favorite site of the country's first president Sukarno when he visited Tampaksiring Palace in Gianyar regency, a kilometer away from...

New father Hendrawan loses in 1st round

New father Hendrawan loses in 1st round JAKARTA (JP): World champion Hendrawan lost his first round match of the US$170,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium, but won an even bigger prize by becoming a father earlier on Wednesday morning.

Little revelry in Bali over Megawati's presidency

Little revelry in Bali over Megawati's presidency DENPASAR, Bali (JP): There was little sign of festivity and no public displays of euphoria in the streets of Denpasar and other cities in Bali when Megawati Soekarnoputri was sworn in as Indonesia's fifth president on Monday.

Leadership change proceeds smoothly

Leadership change proceeds smoothly It is too bad that events in Jakarta have overshadowed the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Hanoi. It should be remembered by everyone that the last Indonesian government was overthrown in months of destructive and murderous violence that included the...

'Bung Karno' Sports Center

'Bung Karno' Sports CenterFrom KompasRecently, quite a number of exhibitions and the like have been held in the East Park of the "Bung Karno" Sports Center, Senayan, Jakarta. To hire a space in the area is very costly and various extra charges must be covered.

26 brothel owners refuse compensation

26 brothel owners refuse compensation JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta Mayor Soebagio said on Wednesday the owners of at least 26 brothels in the former Kramat Tunggak brothel complex continued to refuse the compensation offered by the mayoralty.

Asian currencies mixed late; rupiah falls as euphoria ebbs

Asian currencies mixed late; rupiah falls as euphoria ebbs SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Indonesian rupiah gave up some of its recent gains Wednesday as euphoria over Megawati Sukarnoputri's presidency ebbed and market players awaited word on the composition of her new government.

Traffic in Gajah Mada diverted

Traffic in Gajah Mada diverted JAKARTA (JP): Traffic passing along Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Jl. Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta will be temporarily rerouted on Thursday evening due to the construction of a pedestrian bridge in front of Duta Merlin complex on Jl. Gajah Mada.

A moment of truth for political elite

A moment of truth for political eliteBy Richard W. Baker HONOLULU, Hawaii (JP): Indonesia has just gone through another chaotic change of presidents -- its third in just over three years after only one in the preceding 30.

Megawati asked to set example in fighting corruption

Megawati asked to set example in fighting corruption JAKARTA (JP): To set an example, President Megawati Soekarnoputri is urged to declare zero tolerance against corruption by openly calling on all not to give any facility to members of her family or political party.

Choong, Lee quit Grand Prix finals

Choong, Lee quit Grand Prix finals JAKARTA (JP): The Malaysian pair of Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah have pulled out of the World Grand Prix finals in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 due to Lee's back injury.

Top officers, retirees hold closed-door talks

Top officers, retirees hold closed-door talks JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) top brass and retired generals from both the police and military convened a closed-door meeting at Wisma Persada in Halim, East Jakarta on Wednesday.

PKB's position

PKB's positionFrom Rakyat MerdekaIt's time now for the National Awakening Party (PKB) to act proudly as a critical and constructive opposition party. Don't bear grudges or harbor resentment, but develop a healthy democracy in the country.

Many Jakartans made homeless by crisis

Many Jakartans made homeless by crisis JAKARTA (JP): The number of homeless people and urban poor families in Jakarta is relatively high, due to the ongoing economic crisis, according to the latest census.

Simple but great food at Mykonos Taverna

Simple but great food at Mykonos Taverna KUTA, Bali (JP): On a recent trip to Bali, I was very much aware of how quickly things change there in the food and beverage industry.The Jakarta and Bali markets are completely different, as Bali is much more affected by tourism's seasonal variations.

Rupiah rate July 25

Rupiah rate July 25 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9,470.00 10,470.00 9,920.00 10,020.00Australian dollar 1 4,816.44 5,330.28 5,045.31 5,101.18Austrian schilling 1 601.50 665.39 630.08 636.79Belgian franc 1 205.18 226.97 214.93 217.

Hamzah, Akbar to go through to final vote

Hamzah, Akbar to go through to final vote JAKARTA (JP): The nation was kept in suspense overnight as the election of the vice president went down to the wire with the last two candidates, Akbar Tandjung and Hamzah Haz, having to fight it out in a third and final ballot on Thursday morning.

Drug suspect verdict postponed

Drug suspect verdict postponed TANGERANG (JP): The defendant in a major drug case, who was due to be sentenced by Tangerang District Court, failed for the second time to appear before court on Wednesday.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 25, 2001:Shares Close Change TradingVolume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,400 -25 114,500 Adindo Foresta 110 0 184,500 AGIS 140 -5 740,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 1,200 75...

Announcement

Announcement Due to the increase in production costs over the past year, which have been exacerbated by the recent increase of fuel and electricity prices, The Jakarta Post, while continuing to provide readers with up-to-date news and high quality information, has been compelled to raise its...

Bomb scare at money changer

Bomb scare at money changer BANDUNG: A suspected bomb was found in the restroom of the Golden Megah Money Changer on Jl. Oto Iskandar Dinata on Wednesday afternoon.The man who found the bomb, Asep, said he was going to use the restroom when three young men entered ahead of him with a package...

Exspan finds gas, oil

Exspan finds gas, oil JAKARTA (JP): Oil and gas company PT Exspan Nusantara and its state-owned counterpart Pertamina have discovered a large gas reserve of about 5 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in Luwuk Banggal Regency, Central Sulawesi.

Willem ready to replace Juan for training in Cuba

Willem ready to replace Juan for training in Cuba JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian light welterweight (63.5 kgs) boxer Willem Papilaya said he was ready to replace Juan Sapariban for an overseas stint in Cuba before the national squad leaves for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur in September.

Pornography in the media

Pornography in the mediaFrom RepublikaLembaga Media Ramah Keluarga (Family Friendly Media Center) and Media Watch and Consumer Center (MWCC) are non-governmental organizations and have been actively monitoring the mass media.

IMF sees Indonesia board meet late August

IMF sees Indonesia board meet late August WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that it expects its executive board to discuss lending for Indonesia at the end of August or in early September.

Ratings agencies says RI's future still uncertain

Ratings agencies says RI's future still uncertain NEW YORK (Dow Jones): The peaceful ascension of Megawati Soekarnoputri to the Indonesian presidency alone isn't enough to help the country's near-term outlook, according to two major ratings agencies.

MPR Special Session keeps the media busy

MPR Special Session keeps the media busy JAKARTA (JP): Some of the people who have been expending the most energy during the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly are from the media.Whether they are from the print, electronic or broadcast media, journalists compete with each other...

Teen pregnancy a serious problem

Teen pregnancy a serious problem JAKARTA (JP): Marriage is a serious topic of discussion. But it could also be fun, especially if it involves teenagers, as was demonstrated on Wednesday during a talk about teen marriage.

U.S. watching Indonesian military, official says

U.S. watching Indonesian military, official says HANOI (Reuters): The United States is closely watching the Indonesian military after the rise to power of new President Megawati Soekarnoputri, but has not decided whether to increase limited ties with Jakarta's armed forces, a senior U.S.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Exhibitions * Arts: Hierarchy by Koniherawati, Seniwati Showspace, Jl. Raya Ubud (Phone: 0361 975485), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Aug. 29. * Painting: Zen to Video, by Wayan Karja, Peter Dittmar, Filippo Sciascia, Wolfgang Widmoser, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl.

Visa holders hit 1.85m

Visa holders hit 1.85m JAKARTA (JP): Visa International announced on Wednesday that the number of its credit card holders in Indonesia rose to 1.85 million as of end of March, a 42 percent increase from a year ago.Visa's country manager for Indonesia Ellyana C.

Indonesia gets opportunity to change itself

Indonesia gets opportunity to change itself SINGAPORE: The swift and peaceful political transition in Indonesia opens a small window of opportunity for a country that has suffered from uncertainty and impasse in the recent past.

Anusapati's works in wood an austere vision of life

Anusapati's works in wood an austere vision of lifeBy Carla Bianpoen JAKARTA (JP): Art historians, art critics and the public may well be at a loss when it comes to the distinction between art and craft, but the contemporary crafts movement is proceeding to erase that division, and at a...