Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 August 2001

76 articles found

Security in Aceh generally improving, police claim

Security in Aceh generally improving, police claimBy Muharram M. Nur BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Security in Aceh has generally improved over the past few days although tension remains high in some villages where troops have been raiding places they suspect were Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist...

Farmers threaten to demolish dam

Farmers threaten to demolish dam PANGKEP, South Sulawesi: Hundreds of farmers in Minasatene and Pangkajene subdistricts, Pangkep regency, South Sulawesi, have threatened to demolish the Tabo-Tabo dam, which is about 60 km of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

Sampoerna's ratings upgraded by S&P

Sampoerna's ratings upgraded by S&P HONG KONG (Reuters): Indonesian cigarette maker PT HM Sampoerna saw its credit rating boosted above that of sovereign risk on Thursday, but ratings agency Standard & Poor's said its rare move was unlikely to be repeated elsewhere in the country.

Give up legislative post first

Give up legislative post firstFrom Rakyat MerdekaAfter reading in Koran Tempo the biodata of the vice presidential candidates on July 26, 2001 and the results of the People's Consultative Assembly's Special Session on July 27, 2001, I concluded that the installment of Hamzah Haz as vice president...

Ascott rebrands three properties

Ascott rebrands three properties JAKARTA (JP): Serviced residence operator The Ascott Group, has rebranded three of its four properties in Indonesia to further strengthen its marketing and operations in the country, a senior executive said on Thursday.

War on piracy fails to quell worldwide attacks this year

War on piracy fails to quell worldwide attacks this year KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Pirate attacks mounted worldwide in the first six months of this year, buoyed by Indonesia's sinking economy and straggling sea patrols, a monitoring group reported Thursday.

Foreign investors ask government to cut red tape

Foreign investors ask government to cut red tape JAKARTA (JP): Foreign investors called on Thursday for the government to further streamline investment procedures to help attract more investment into the ailing economy.

Asian currencies mostly up, Singapore dollar leads rise

Asian currencies mostly up, Singapore dollar leads rise SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The dollar lost its luster against most Asian currencies on Thursday as the debate over the strong dollar policy raged on, and the prospects for a U.S.

Multiparty system unsuitable

Multiparty system unsuitableFrom Rakyat MerdekaThe presence of many political parties in Indonesia has not been able to solve difficulties. The multiparty model is in fact more suitable to the parliamentary system like those in European countries.

Asian coal firms targeting Europe

Asian coal firms targeting Europe LONDON (Reuters): European electricity generators are being increasingly targeted as a market for Indonesian and Chinese coal exports as the cost of transporting it half way round the world slides to two-year lows.

Power's corrupting effect

Power's corrupting effect Former President Abdurrahman Wahid was keenly aware of the need to attack widespread corruption and cronyism to promote democracy in Indonesia. Facing fierce resistance from those with ties to the old regime willing to resort to terrorism against opponents.

Brawl leaves one injured

Brawl leaves one injured JAKARTA (JP): A brawl involving several visitors of Grand Menteng Hotel on Jl. Matraman Raya, East Jakarta and residents of the Matraman subdistrict left one man injured.Antara reported an eyewitness as saying that the brawl started at midnight on Thursday in front of the...

Haggling stalls Cabinet making

Haggling stalls Cabinet making JAKARTA (JP): The much-awaited Cabinet line-up will not be unveiled until next week, accentuating apparent horse trading among major political parties for key positions and leaving the financial markets bearish.

Delay in Cabinet announcement gets mixed response

Delay in Cabinet announcement gets mixed response JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri's failure to strike a deal with political party leaders on the new Cabinet line-up received mixed reactions from politicians on Thursday.

People's burden unbearable

People's burden unbearableFrom Pikiran RakyatThe nation of Indonesia should thank All-merciful God for His blessings bestowed on us, by granting the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly the wisdom to elect, respectively, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Hamzah Haz as President and Vice...

Will Vice President Hamzah outshine taciturn Megawati?

Will Vice President Hamzah outshine taciturn Megawati? Indonesia's major partners, including Japan, the biggest lender and largest investor in Indonesia, is ready to cooperate with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, says Takashi Shiraishi, a prominent Indonesian observer at Kyoto...

Rare flower blooming

Rare flower blooming BOGOR (JP): A rare plant called bunga bangkai (corpse flower), Amorphophallus titanum, at the Bogor Botanical Garden is blooming, and the flower, which has a strong odor, has reached 2.9 meters high.Unfortunately its growth is not normal.

KAI blames bus driver for fatal accident

KAI blames bus driver for fatal accident PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Preliminary investigations indicate that the railroad crossing attendant was not to blame for a fatal crash involving the Empu Jaya train and a Sinar Jaya bus which killed 13 people on Wednesday, a railroad official has said.

'Fit and proper test' for ministers

'Fit and proper test' for ministersForm Koran TempoPresident Megawati's immediate job is to recruit ministers to help run the administration in the best possible manner.The recruitment and appointment of ministers are the prerogative of the President.

Power outage hits parts of Jakarta

Power outage hits parts of Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A number of areas in Jakarta were hit by a power outage for several hours on Thursday due to the malfunction of a transmission cable between Cibinong and Bekasi.Eddie Widiono S.

Suffering creatures

Suffering creatures I would just like to write to say how much I applaud The Jakarta Post in being so supportive of conservation and environmental issues.Another excellent article in July 31 edition brings readers' attention again to this horrific trade in animals that abounds here and how helpless...

Telkom lodges counter suit

Telkom lodges counter suit BANDUNG, West Java (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom will lodge a counter complaint on Aug. 29 against its joint operation partner PT AriaWest International, a senior executive revealed on Wednesday.

Legislators hail death penalty for drug dealers

Legislators hail death penalty for drug dealers TANGERANG (JP): Legislators lauded the Tangerang District Court for imposing the death sentence on nine drug traffickers, including five foreigners, over the past seven months.

Peaceful end sought for Maluku conflict

Peaceful end sought for Maluku conflict AMBON, Maluku (JP): Pattimura Military chief Brig. Gen. Mustopo stated on Thursday that the prolonged conflict in the Maluku islands could not be settled with repressive measures from the military and police.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting, Ceramics Paul Husner, F. Widayanto, Galeri Minima - Maxima, Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda 88D, Arteri Pondok Indah (Phone: 7207171, 7209009), 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., until Aug. 23. * Painting Barli Sasmitawinata, Sriyanto Gallery, Jl.

Cosmetics company starts legal battle over domain

Cosmetics company starts legal battle over domain JAKARTA (JP): A former manager of local giant cosmetic producer PT Martina Berto stood trial on Thursday at the Central Jakarta District Court for illegally registering the domain name MustikaRatu.com after the company's main rival PT Mustika Ratu.

War on piracy fails to quell attacks

War on piracy fails to quell attacks KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Pirate attacks mounted worldwide in the first six months of this year, buoyed by Indonesia's sinking economy and straggling sea patrols, a monitoring group reported Thursday.

Guitar concert charms music fans

Guitar concert charms music fans JAKARTA (JP): So ubiquitous is the guitar that it can even be seen in great numbers in Jakarta's streets. But not a guitar concert. Hence, when six Jakartan guitarists staged a concert here on Sunday July 29, it was a welcome treat.

Atrium blast related to earlier bombings: Police

Atrium blast related to earlier bombings: Police JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob voiced belief on Thursday that the Atrium Plaza bombing in Central Jakarta was related to blasts under the Slipi flyover, West Jakarta, and at two churches in East Jakarta.

Asian commodity financing hit by economic slowdown

Asian commodity financing hit by economic slowdown SINGAPORE (Reuters): The global economic slowdown has had a knock-on effect on commodities trade financing in Asia but China's anticipated entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) offers a ray of hope, industry officials said on Thursday.

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly Indonesia's major partners, including Japan, the biggest lender and largest investor in Indonesia, is ready to cooperate with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, says Takashi Shiraishi, a prominent Indonesian observer at Kyoto University.

Hotel gutted by fire in Padang

Hotel gutted by fire in Padang PADANG, West Sumatra: Fire engulfed one of the principal hotels in Padang in the early hours of Thursday, razing its newly opened karaoke hall and causing Rp 2 billion (US$210,526) in losses.

High-ranking officials

High-ranking officials drive Harleys illegally JAKARTA (JP): Former governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto and 10 high ranking city officials have been using Harley Davidson motorbikes belonging to the government for private use without proper procedures, a source said.

Mega's overseas trips

Mega's overseas trips Precisely a month after her appointment as the fifth president of Indonesia, i.e. Aug. 23, 2001, President Megawati will begin an overseas trip to all ASEAN member countries. This means that she will visit eight countries.

Peaceful end sought for Maluku conflict

Peaceful end sought for Maluku conflict AMBON, Maluku (JP): Pattimura Military chief Brig. Gen. Mustopo stated on Thursday that the prolonged conflict in the Maluku islands could not be settled with repressive measures from the military and police.

Floods, landslides killed at least 188 in Nepal in 2001

Floods, landslides killed at least 188 in Nepal in 2001 KATHMANDU (Agencies): At least 188 people have been killed in floods and landslides in different parts of Nepal so far this year, according to data made available on Thursday.

UMPTN results announcement

UMPTN results announcement JAKARTA (JP): The results of the entrance test for state universities (UMPTN) will be announced on Aug. 6 through the print and electronic media, the UMPTN organizing committee said in a media statement on Thursday.

PKB members withdraw support for party official

PKB members withdraw support for party official PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): A National Awakening Party (PKB) official said here on Thursday that party members in the regency of Indramayu, West Java, had officially withdrawn support for one of the party's House of Representatives' members, Abdul...

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly Indonesia's major partners, including Japan, the biggest lender and largest investor in Indonesia, is ready to cooperate with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, says Takashi Shiraishi, a prominent Indonesian observer at Kyoto University.

Funds allocated for

Funds allocated for Depok's environment JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to sustain Depok's environment, which is the source of water and oxygen for the capital, the city administration has decided to set aside funds for its maintenance.

Pekalongan Batik conforms to demand

Pekalongan Batik conforms to demandBy Ahmad Solikhan PEKALONGAN, Central Java (JP): Batik has been known for several centuries as a reflection of Indonesia culture. It was developed through interisland trade, nurturing the creation of various decorative designs and colors adapted to the culture of...

Rare flower blooming

Rare flower blooming BOGOR (JP): A rare plant called bunga bangkai (corpse flower), Amorphophallus titanum, at the Bogor Botanical Garden is blooming, and the flower, which has a strong odor, has reached 2.9 meters high.Unfortunately its growth is not normal.

Government asked to anull decision on export inspection

Government asked to anull decision on export inspection JAKARTA (JP): Disappointed, the Association of Indonesian Exporters (GPEI) has taken its case to newly-elected President Megawati Soekarnoputri, urging her to annul the recent government decision to entrust the customs office to manage export...

5. PLN 2x17

5. PLN 2x17Power outage hits parts of Jakarta or Jakarta hit by power outage on Thursday

A tale of two systems in city transportation

A tale of two systems in city transportation This is the second of two articles on transportation in Jakarta by Heru Dewanto, who heads the Center for Technology and Industry Development. He is also CEO of the Jakarta-based Rekainfra International company which is among the consultants involved in...

Abdurrahman suspects U.S. of siding with Megawati

Abdurrahman suspects U.S. of siding with Megawati WASHINGTON (Agencies): Indonesia's ousted president Abdurrahman Wahid said in interviews published Thursday he believes the United States aided his rival, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her rise to power.

Delay in Cabinet announcement gets mixed response

Delay in Cabinet announcement gets mixed response JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri's failure to strike a deal with political party leaders on the new Cabinet line-up received mixed reactions from politicians on Thursday.

Rupiah Rates Aug. 2

Rupiah Rates Aug. 2 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 9.073.00 10,073.00 9,525.00 9,621.00Australian dollar 1 4,701.63 5,224.87 4,990.41 4,935.86Austrian schilling 1 581.09 645.51 610.04 616.54Belgian franc 1 198.22 220.19 208.09 210.

Controversy widens over information ministry revival

Controversy widens over information ministry revival JAKARTA (JP): The reported plan to revive the information ministry, which was dissolved in 1999 by former president Abdurrahman Wahid, was the target of increasing opposition from various parties on Thursday.

Death toll reaches 31 in Nias calamity, 150 missing

Death toll reaches 31 in Nias calamity, 150 missing MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The death toll in the Nias flood disaster has reached 31, with 11 seriously injured and more than 150 still reported missing, reports from the Nias Disaster Task Force said on Thursday evening.A.A.

Diarrhea affects infants in Batam

Diarrhea affects infants in Batam BATAM (JP): Dozens of infants and under-five children have fallen victim to gastroenteritis in Batam, with some of the children having been sick now for over a week.The children are being treated at a number of clinics, Antara reported on Thursday.

17 foreigners stranded in Sambas

17 foreigners stranded in Sambas PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Seventeen aliens identified as fifteen Afghans and two persons of Afghan origin who claimed to be Britons were stranded in the district of Paloh, Sambas regency, West Kalimantan, after being set down from a speedboat on Thursday.

... legal reform is most unlikely to come about unless there

... legal reform is most unlikely to come about unless there is serious reform and true accountability of the Indonesian military. ATAU... there is a link between ultimate success in terms of economic recovery and real reform of the military.

Judging Megawati

Judging Megawati Only days after the People's Consultative Assembly installed Megawati Soekarnoputri as President of the Republic of Indonesia, it is interesting -- and also more than a little discouraging -- to note the disparaging observations with which Indonesia's new President has been greeted...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 2, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,325 -25 83,500 Adindo Foresta 110 -5 152,500 AGIS 135 -5 125,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 1,600 0 0...

KL scorns damage claims for car tariff delay

KL scorns damage claims for car tariff delay KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia on Thursday dismissed regional neighbors' complaints about its plans to delay import tariff cuts on cars, adding critics had scant cause for compensation.

Amateurs shine at Open

Amateurs shine at Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian golfers being groomed for the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games offered tough opposition to their seasoned rivals on the third day of the Rp 350 million (US$36,000) 2001 Olympic Open at the Taman Dayu Golf Club in Pandaan, East Java, on...

Mahfud replaces warden of Cipinang penitentiary

Mahfud replaces warden of Cipinang penitentiary JAKARTA (JP): Caretaker Minister of Justice and Human Rights Mahfud MD appointed Ngusman on Thursday as the new Cipinang Penitentiary warden, replacing Asep M. Firdaus, who suffered a stroke two months ago.

Problems mounting ahead of SEA Games

Problems mounting ahead of SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): With only about a month left before the commencement of the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, several sports organizations here are busy seeking an end to the internal and external problems plaguing their final preparations.

Gusdur -- 28HBC, 3 cols, 2 lines

Gusdur -- 28HBC, 3 cols, 2 lines Abdurrahman suspects U.S. of siding with Megawati

High-ranking officials drive Harleys illegally

High-ranking officials drive Harleys illegally JAKARTA (JP): Former governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto and 10 high ranking city officials have been using Harley Davidson motorbikes belonging to the government for private use without proper procedures, a source said.

Court's decision a warning to Megawati

Court's decision a warning to Megawati The recent Supreme Court ruling on Golkar was a bitter pill to swallow for many of the party's critics. Professor of law and former member of the National Commission on Human Rights Charles Himawan discusses the issue.

Explosive sources should be tracked down: Kontras

Explosive sources should be tracked down: Kontras JAKARTA (JP): Bomb attacks are likely to escalate and terrorize the public if all government institutions concerned fail to track down where the culprits get their explosives from, a nongovernmental organization dealing with violence said here on...

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly

Megawati's silence could cost her greatly Indonesia's major partners, including Japan, the biggest lender and largest investor in Indonesia, is ready to cooperate with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, says Takashi Shiraishi, a prominent Indonesian observer at Kyoto University.

Brawl leaves one injured

Brawl leaves one injured JAKARTA (JP): A brawl involving several visitors of Grand Menteng Hotel on Jl. Matraman Raya, East Jakarta and residents of the Matraman subdistrict left one man injured.Antara reported an eyewitness as saying that the brawl started at midnight on Thursday in front of the...

Ministry of information revived? Dump the old paradigms

Ministry of information revived? Dump the old paradigms The issue to revive the ministry of information has received mixed reactions. The Jakarta Post's Israr Ardiansyah talked to multimedia expert RM Roy Suryo Udoro, better known as Roy Soeryo, who teaches at the Gadjah Mada University and the...

Gus Dur heads home, plans white book

Gus Dur heads home, plans white book JAKARTA (JP): Ousted president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid left Johns Hopkins Hospital on Wednesday, and is planning to set up a foundation on democracy once he arrives home, according to a news report.

Indonesian PKI

Indonesian PKI The news that British intelligence was involved in serious cover-up work over the 1965-1966 bloody purges in Indonesia is old news really, but no less important for that.The British had long been hostile to Indonesia's first president Sukarno and well before "confrontation".

Priorities: Legal, military reform

Priorities: Legal, military reformBy Peter Milne JAKARTA (JP): It is obviously impossible to say at this stage whether the rather surprising delay in announcing the cabinet line-up is a positive sign or not. It could be that great care is being taken over the suitability of the appointees.

Members withdraw

Members withdraw support for PKB chiefs PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): A National Awakening Party (PKB) official said here on Thursday that party members in the regency of Indramayu, West Java, had officially withdrawn support for one of the party's House of Representatives' members, Abdul Khalik,...

Ministry

Ministry Controversy over info ministry revival widens. Page 2 Warden Mahfud replaces warden of Cipinang penitentiary. Page 3 Reform Priorities: Legal, military reform Page 4Batik Pekalongan Batik conforms to demand . Page 8Currencies Asian currencies mostly up, Singapore dollar leads rise.

UMPTN results announcement

UMPTN results announcement JAKARTA (JP): The results of the entrance test for state universities (UMPTN) will be announced on Aug. 6 through the print and electronic media, the UMPTN organizing committee said in a media statement on Thursday.

Australian PM Howard first to visit Megawati

Australian PM Howard first to visit Megawati JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard is scheduled to visit Indonesia later this month, making him the first head of state to visit President Megawati Soekarnoputri, an Australian Embassy official said on Thursday.

Cabinet delay frustrates market

Cabinet delay frustrates market JAKARTA (JP): Further delays in the Cabinet announcement frustrated the market and tempered optimism of a competent economic team, as suspicion grew of intensified politicking undermining the team's capability, economists said on Thursday.

E. Java province opens radio station

E. Java province opens radio station SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo launched on Wednesday a new radio station, JT-FM 92.7 Radio Musik Indonesia, which is owned by the local provincial administration, with the aim of disseminating information about its development achievements to the...

Jakartans still visit malls despite bombings

Jakartans still visit malls despite bombings JAKARTA (JP): It was business as usual as people shopped and browsed in shopping malls on Thursday morning, seemingly indifferent to the bomb explosion at the Atrium Plaza in Senen, Central Jakarta, the night before.