Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 July 2001

67 articles found

'Bilis' fish near extinction

'Bilis' fish near extinction PADANG, West Sumatra: The bilis fish (mysfacolcucus padangensis), a species exclusive to Singkarak lake in West Sumatra, is on the brink of extinction, a fisheries expert said on Monday.

National Police anniversary

National Police anniversaryFrom Warta KotaCongratulations on the National Police birthday on July 1, 2001. May our police maintain a solid footing in forthcoming attempts to implement their famous slogan i.e.: To protect and to serve.

Taufik to resume training on Tuesday

Taufik to resume training on Tuesday JAKARTA (JP): World number three Taufik Hidayat is scheduled to resume training on Tuesday with new coach Agus Dwi Santoso, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) executive director Karsono told reporters on Monday.

Message from the President

Message from the President To all our kababayans abroad, I convey my warmest felicitations on the occasion of the 103rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence.This year's Philippine Independence Day should be extra meaningful in light of another glorious moment in our history at EDSA II.

Manila to spend $190m, to foil rebels

Manila to spend $190m, to foil rebels ISABELA, Philippines (Agencies): President Gloria Arroyo said on Monday the military would boost its air surveillance assets and spend $190 million to combat security threats, including Abu Sayyaf rebels holding 23 U.S. and Filipino hostages.

Govt to provide poor with potable water

Govt to provide poor with potable water JAKARTA (JP): The government will allocate a portion of its fuel subsidy savings for the construction of potable water reservoirs for at least 1.5 million urban poor in 30 regencies across Java.

ASEAN must rally around new vision

ASEAN must rally around new vision BANGKOK: Supachai Panitchpakdi's proposal for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to include China is sound, given that the group lacks a progressive attitude.In recent years, ASEAN has taken few significant initiatives in making the region more dynamic...

Police stop thieves being mobbed

Police stop thieves being mobbed JAKARTA (JP): Police shot tear gas in order to save two thieves being mobbed by angry residents who caught them red- handed stealing a motor cycle on Jl. Kelapa Lilin II, Utan Kayu subdistrict, Matraman, East Jakarta on Sunday night.

KL seeks help against United

KL seeks help against United KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia is considering boosting its national squad with players from Saudi Arabia for a friendly match against English champions Manchester United on July 22.

A modest figure

A modest figureFrom Suara KaryaIn just one month, the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will be convened. It is expected that this special session will produce policies that will help the Indonesian people, now suffering severely from the protracted economic crisis, emerge...

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSXStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 2, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,475 -25 12,000 Adindo Foresta 110 0 0 AGIS 140 0 515,000 Alakasa 190 0 0 Alfa Retailindo...

S'pore court told SilkAir crash 'deliberate'

S'pore court told SilkAir crash 'deliberate' SINGAPORE (Reuters): Lawyers representing the families of six killed in the 1997 crash of a SilkAir plane went to court in Singapore on Monday, painting a picture of an aircraft that was deliberately put into a nose-dive by the pilot.

Bimantoro rejects ambassadorial post

Bimantoro rejects ambassadorial post JAKARTA (JP): Defiant National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said on Monday that he accepted his dismissal by President Abdurrahman Wahid but had refused the President's offer to appoint him as Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia.

Rupiah rate July 02

Rupiah rate July 02 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,812.00 11,812.00 11,255.00 11,369.00Australian dollar 1 5,514.12 6,030.03 5,740.05 5,803.87Austrian schilling 1 666.07 728.10 693.36 700.80Belgian franc 1 227.20 248.36 236.51 239.

Microsoft's Office XP: Is it a compelling upgrade?

Microsoft's Office XP: Is it a compelling upgrade?By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): You must have heard a lot about it already: Microsoft has just launched the latest version of its Office productivity suite.

Provinces offer a place to call home for refugees

Provinces offer a place to call home for refugees KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Five provinces outside of East Nusa Tenggara have offered places for East Timor refugees who have chosen to stay in Indonesia, an official said on Monday.

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.

Junta releases Suu Kyi's cousin

Junta releases Suu Kyi's cousin YANGON (AFP): Myanmar's military regime Monday released the cousin of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from jail, sources said, in the latest sign of progress in talks between the opposition and the junta.

Gus Dur to open Boy Scout meet

Gus Dur to open Boy Scout meet PURWOKERTO, Central Java: President Abdurrahman Wahid is slated to open the National Boy Scout Jamboree 2001 at the tourist resort of Baturraden in Purwokerto on Wednesday.

Power shortage looms

Power shortage looms While President Abdurrahman Wahid is resorting to every kind of trick to cling to power, a power crisis, which would be no less detrimental than the present economic and political leadership crisis, is looming over the horizon, because investment in that sector has stopped...

Mediators delay preliminary talks with Irianese rebels

Mediators delay preliminary talks with Irianese rebels JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Church officials named to mediate in the abduction of two Belgian filmmakers have delayed their planned preliminary meeting with the Irianese rebel group who had claimed to take the foreigners hostage.

'Sinar Harapan' hits stands after 15 years

'Sinar Harapan' hits stands after 15 years JAKARTA (JP): Afternoon paper Sinar Harapan (Light of Hope) made its comeback to city newsstands on Monday after being shut down for about 15 years since October 1986.

KL-Hanoi plastic JV starts

KL-Hanoi plastic JV starts KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian national oil company Petronas said Monday that construction of a US$70-million joint venture plastics plant in Vietnam has begun.Petroliam Nasional Bhd. (Petronas) holds a 50 percent stake in Phu My Plastics and Chemicals Co. Ltd.

Govt rakes in Rp 73.25 trillion in tax revenue

Govt rakes in Rp 73.25 trillion in tax revenue JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Monday that tax revenue as of June 15 stood at Rp 73.25 trillion (about US$6.42 billion), which is 39.54 percent of the Rp 185.26 trillion target set for 2001.

Students on hunger strike to protest fellows' detention

Students on hunger strike to protest fellows' detention JAKARTA (JP): Six students and an NGO activist, all of whom are members of City Forum (Forkot) have gone on hunger strike in the grounds of the National Commission of Human Rights, demanding the release of fellow students detained by the...

Malaysia's rival parties clash over an Islamic state

Malaysia's rival parties clash over an Islamic state KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Tensions are running high in Malaysia's opposition coalition over the Muslim fundamentalist member's insistence that it will set up an Islamic state if it comes to power, ignoring protests from its ethnic Chinese...

Six Bogor Brimob members dismissed

Six Bogor Brimob members dismissed BOGOR (JP): The Bogor police dishonorably discharged six members of the 1st mobile brigade (Brimob) regiment in Kedung Halang on Monday for desertion and violation of professional norms.Regimental commanding officer Sr. Comr.

Bill on special autonomy for Aceh proposed

Bill on special autonomy for Aceh proposed JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) officially proposed a draft bill on Monday for the Special Autonomy of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, recommending the implementation of Syariah or Islamic Law for Muslims in the province, and a bigger proportion...

Secure parking

Secure parking I work at Graha Iskandarsyah building on Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya St. No. 66c, South Jakarta, and subscribe to a monthly vehicle parking with Secure Parking.On June 22, intending to go home at 9:45 p.m., I found the calipers of my motor cycle's front brake missing.

UN completes count of E. Timor's people

UN completes count of E. Timor's people DILI, East Timor (AP): UN officials said on Monday they had completed a count of East Timor's population as part of preparations for a historic Aug. 30 election, which they say will be held on schedule.

Situation back to normal in Central Kalimantan

Situation back to normal in Central Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): The security situation in Kumai district, West Kotawaringin regency in Central Kalimantan province gradually returned to normal on Monday following outbreaks of interethnic violence on Saturday during which two people were killed.

Persija escapes sanction from PSSI disciplinary commission

Persija escapes sanction from PSSI disciplinary commission JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) disciplinary committee made a surprising decision Monday by deciding not to sanction Persija for the unruly behavior of its fans when hosting Persib Bandung during the Bank Mandiri...

Asian currencies mostly down late, but off lows on yen

Asian currencies mostly down late, but off lows on yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies remained depressed in subdued trading late Monday, but off their morning lows as the Japanese yen regained its footing following a brief fall to 125 yen against the dollar earlier in the day.

Bali temple thief caught

Bali temple thief caught DENPASAR, Bali: Police on Monday detained a 16-year-old boy for allegedly stealing a sacred statue and mask at a Hindu temple here.The suspect has reportedly confessed that he burgled many temples during the past year.

Earthquake shakes Palu

Earthquake shakes Palu PALU, Central Sulawesi: An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale shook Palu and the Donggala and Tolitoli regencies early Sunday morning, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said.

Children abused and their freedom taken away

Children abused and their freedom taken awayBy Tertiani Z.B. Simanjuntak JAKARTA (JP): A sixteen-year-old girl from Kuningan, West Java, was put in prison for a year for a drugs offense. She was not a junkie.

Kalimantan riot

Kalimantan riot Situation back to normal in Central Kalimantan. Page 2 Bus fare Bus operators threaten to hike fares arbitrarily. Page 3 Moro Muslims Moro Muslims in the Mideast eyes. Page 4 Golf Montgomerie ends barren spell with Irish Open win.

Great promotions launched despite uncertainties

Great promotions launched despite uncertainties JAKARTA (JP): Housing and property developers are currently promoting their projects with attractive advertisements in the media. Property exhibitions are also held regularly in the capital.

Toll collector enjoys her daily routine

Toll collector enjoys her daily routineBy Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Sitting inside a little booth in the middle of a toll road for seven hours a day sounds rather unpleasant, if not downright tortuous, but some people enjoy it.

Bank does nothing about Organda's debt

Bank does nothing about Organda's debt JAKARTA (JP): City-owned Bank DKI insisted on Monday that the bank could not compel bus companies, members of the city's Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) to pay their debt amounting to Rp 56.3 billion (US$5.1 million).

Bank Mandiri to take over publicly listed BII

Bank Mandiri to take over publicly listed BII JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest bank, state-owned Bank Mandiri, will take over publicly listed PT Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), in what could be the government's last bid to rescue BII from the burden of its massive nonperforming loans.

Auditors issue 'disclaimer of opinion' on IBRA

Auditors issue 'disclaimer of opinion' on IBRA JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA)'s 2000 financial report gets from auditors a "disclaimer of opinion", which may further damage the reputation of the agency.

Oil procurement ruling will kill local firms

Oil procurement ruling will kill local firms JAKARTA (JP): A group of local suppliers blasted on Monday a number of production-sharing contractors (PSC) of state oil and gas company Pertamina for setting tough requirements for companies wishing to be their suppliers.

Property market remains bleak

Property market remains bleak By I. Christianto There are no promising signs yet that there is even a slow recovery in the property and real estate sector. Meanwhile, in the stock market, concerns over weak consumer demand has dragged down property and real estate heavyweights.

Can a decree solve problems?

Can a decree solve problems?From Media IndonesiaIn a recent afternoon news report aired by a private television station, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri apparently had rejected President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid threat of issuing a decree to declare a state of emergency.

Aiming for Market Leadership in Information Technology Services

Aiming for Market Leadership in Information Technology Services The information technology (IT) industry in the Philippines has been going through remarkable progress and growth in recent years. In the hardware sector, the Philippines' semiconductor and electronics industries have been growing at...

RI water polo team badly need tryout for SEA Games

RI water polo team badly need tryout for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The national water polo team desperately needs a tryout session with a stronger team to prepare itself for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September.

Moro Muslims in the Mideast eyes

Moro Muslims in the Mideast eyesBy Riza Sihbudi JAKARTA (JP): The Moro Muslims of the Philippines have once again been the focus of world attention after the Abu Sayyaf group embarked on a kidnapping spree, holding 21 Americans and Filipinos captive on a resort island.

Bus operators threaten to hike fares arbitrarily

Bus operators threaten to hike fares arbitrarily JAKARTA (JP): Dissatisfied with the City Council's decision on bus fares, bus operators in the capital threatened on Monday to increase fares by 57 percent starting on Tuesday, in accordance with a proposal from Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

Rice, corn, soybean output seen to slip this year

Rice, corn, soybean output seen to slip this year JAKARTA (JP): The country's production of unhusked rice, corn and soybean will likely slip this year due to a decrease in total crop areas as well as productivity, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS).

Bus fumes annoying

Bus fumes annoyingFrom KompasWe, the residents of Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan (Gg. Perintis I) Kelapa Gading Timur Sub-district, North Jakarta, feel deeply annoyed and disturbed by the presence of Arion Bus depot and the reckless acts of its drivers who start work at around 5 a.m.

Kalimantan storytelling

Kalimantan storytelling JAKARTA (JP): Kalimantan music, dances and storytelling, both in Indonesian and English, will be presented to the public free of charge in Depok every weekend from July 7 to August 5.The shows, organized jointly by the Rindang Banua Association Foundation and the F.

Riau sand exports taking a toll on environment, activists say

Riau sand exports taking a toll on environment, activists sayBy Haidir Anwar PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): For years environmentalist have been fighting a mostly losing battle against sand quarrying for export to Singapore. But the regional autonomy law which went into effect on Jan.

Media workers conduct smile campaign

Media workers conduct smile campaign JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 joint staff and employees from tabloid Senior health weekly and Bola sport weekly staged a smile campaign at Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta on Monday morning, calling for Jakartans to smile more.

June inflation remains in double digits

June inflation remains in double digits JAKARTA (JP): Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), increased to 1.67 percent from the previous month's level and was higher at 12.11 percent on a year-on-year basis, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported on Monday.

Honda predicts 'satisfactory' sales

Honda predicts 'satisfactory' sales KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Japanese automaker Honda said Monday it will post "satisfactory" sales growth in Southeast Asian countries this year despite a slowdown in their economies.

Every computer needs a peripheral

Every computer needs a peripheralBy Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Come to think of it, a computer system is so much like our stomach. It typically consists of one or more input devices, one central processing unit (CPU), and one or more output devices.

Insurance merger approved

Insurance merger approved JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Finance has approved the acquisition of PT Asuransi Jiwa Allstate by PT Prudential BancBali Life Assurance on Monday.Prudential BancBali's president Kevin Holmgren said that the transition period for integrating Asuransi Jiwa Allstate into...

Asian currencies seen pressured by slowdown

Asian currencies seen pressured by slowdown SINGAPORE (Reuters): The outlook for Asian currencies worsened in the second half of 2001, infected by a longer-than-expected global economic malaise.The latest Reuters poll shows analysts have revised down their forecasts for regional currencies from a...

New installed population chief sets database target

New installed population chief sets database target JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed chief of the recently formed National Population Agency, Rozy Munir, said on Monday he wanted to set up a comprehensive system and database of the country's population that could also ease administrative procedures...

Asia trails China in reforms: ABN

Asia trails China in reforms: ABN SINGAPORE (AFP): Asia's commitment to push ahead with structural reforms in the aftermath of the 1997-98 crisis paled in comparison to that of China, Dutch bank ABN Amro said.

Jakarta-Palembang route fully booked

Jakarta-Palembang route fully booked PALEMBANG, South Sumatera: Those planning to buy airplane tickets for the Jakarta-Palembang route may be in for a long wait as a surge in passengers in the past few weeks has left air tickets in short supply.

IMF to send mission Thursday: Minister

IMF to send mission Thursday: Minister JAKARTA (Dow Jones): The International Monetary Fund will send a team to Indonesia Thursday for a review of the economy which could pave the way for the restarting of the fund's lending program, said the country's top economics minister Monday.

Baffled, Gus Dur complains to God

Baffled, Gus Dur complains to God JAKARTA (JP): Frustrated by the mounting political pressure facing him, President Abdurrahman Wahid slammed his critics on Monday saying he had nowhere else to turn to except the heavens to seek some respite.

City to fight against vendors' backers

City to fight against vendors' backers JAKARTA (JP): The city administration plans to set up a special team to investigate city employees who allegedly back street vendors.Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said on Monday that illicit backing from city employees meant that the...

House approves trademark bills

House approves trademark bills JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives passed into law on Monday bills on trademarks and patents which are expected to boost foreign investors' trust and the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR).

Honda launches Malaysian JV

Honda launches Malaysian JV KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Japan's third-largest automaker, Honda Motor Co Ltd, launched on Monday the operations of its joint venture in Malaysia, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia ahead of tariff cuts in 2003.