Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 September 2001

Showing 1-50 of 87 articles

Japan's trade surplus with Asia tumbles 72 percent

Japan's trade surplus with Asia tumbles 72 percent TOKYO (AFP): Japan's trade surplus with Asia plunged 71.9 percent in August from a year earlier as Japanese consumers kept buying mobile phones and other gadgets from overseas to sustain electronics parts imports. The trade surplus with the rest of Asia fell to 91.6 billion yen (US$783 million) in August, marking a year-on-year fall for the ninth consecutive month, the finance ministry said Thursday.

S'pore tissue bank to help research

S'pore tissue bank to help research SINGAPORE (DPA): A national bank storing healthy and diseased human tissue will be set up in Singapore to enable scientists to pursue cures for deadly diseases, organizers said on Thursday. The facility boosting the city-state's drive to become a major research center in Asia will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and the Genome Institute of Singapore.

Bin Laden urged to leave Afghanistan

Bin Laden urged to leave Afghanistan ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON (Agencies): Afghan clerics on Thursday recommended that Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in last week's nightmare attacks, leave their country, an overture rejected by the U.S. Washington instead demanded the world's most hunted man be turned over to responsible authorities. "It does not meet America's requirements," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

KL to closely check performance at SEAG

KL to closely check performance at SEAG KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia emerged victorious from the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in their 42-year history, and the government is demanding to know why. Sports Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Thursday he wants a report on his desk by the end of the month from every national sporting association giving a detailed "post-mortem" of their athletes' performance.

Can human race end

Can human race end the cycle of violence? By Omar Halim JAKARTA (JP): The awful and tragic scenes of billowing smoke, huge balls of orange flames, falling people and the ultimate crumbling of the structures of what used to be the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan manifested once more how violent the human race can be. 2. 4Karim -- 1 X 32 36 pt Bodoni To the rescue against radicalism By Karim Raslan KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic nation is a bastion of moderate Islam.

World Bank urges RI do more on tax revenue

World Bank urges RI do more on tax revenue JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank urged the government on Thursday to step up its efforts in raising tax revenue to improve its debt repayment capacity and finance the development of public services. World Bank senior economist Bert Hoffman stressed the importance for Indonesia to secure internal funding for its budget.

Sisters go to court over house

Sisters go to court over house JAKARTA (JP): Fashion designer Dhanny Dahlan has sent her only sister to court in a dispute over a house in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which they inherited from their parents. "I have a message from my father to settle all things related to the house even if this case has to be handled by the court," Dhanny told Central Jakarta District Court. The court is trying Asih Dahlia Sandjoyo Subono, alias Lili, 46, on embezzlement charges.

Alkatiri named to head E. Timor's Cabinet

Alkatiri named to head E. Timor's Cabinet DILI, East Timor (Agencies): Mari Alkatiri, the leader of East Timor's largest political party, was appointed on Thursday to head a new de facto Cabinet that will lead the fledgling nation to independence next year. "This is the first truly representative and democratic government in the history of East Timor," said Sergio Vieira de Mello, East Timor's UN administrator.

Jazz, Titi DJ and hula girls at JAMZ

Jazz, Titi DJ and hula girls at JAMZ JAKARTA (JP): It's been years since I've been to JAMZ. Not since they moved out of the little club across from Blok M Plaza to the Aston Hotel. Talk about moving on up, George and Weezie style. So, after all these years I finally get around to seeing what the place looks like now and guess who else shows up the same night? Titi DJ. What a coincidence, or was it? It seems everywhere I go lately, there's Titi.

Train engineers

Train engineers The article School stresses train engineers must stay alert in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 11, 2001, attracted my attention. A late uncle of mine, born in 1900, happened to work as a train engineer, then called a machinist, some time between 1920 and 1930. He was an active man, physically, mentally and morally. A person for whom right was right and wrong was wrong.

Pickpockets shot dead

Pickpockets shot dead JAKARTA (JP): Taman Puring subprecinct police shot dead two alleged pickpockets near the busy Blok M bus terminal on Wednesday after the two suspects resisted arrest and even threatened to fight the officers, police reported on Thursday. The two were seen threatening a female passenger on a public minibus with a knife. Plainclothes officers stationed at the bus terminal fired warning shots but the two turned to the officers and pointed the knife at them, the report said.

1. Growth (3 X 15)

1. Growth (3 X 15) World growth falling to Asian crisis level: ADB 2. Air (2x20) Crisis in global airline industry deepens 3. Fed ( 3 x 14) U.S. economy sluggish before attacks: Fed 4. Gas ( 2 x 16) RP to launch giant natural gas project 5. EU ( 2 x 18) EU ministers to study fallout of attacks 6. Black (1 x 24 ) EU to crackdown on black money 7. Virus (2 x 16) Nimda virus still spreading in Asia

Asian currencies mixed late, dollar fails to sustain rise

Asian currencies mixed late, dollar fails to sustain rise SINGAPORE (Dow Jones) : Asian currencies were mixed late Thursday, after having recouped most of their earlier losses as the dollar remained wobbly against the yen despite the threat of intervention by Japanese authorities. With little in the form of direction from the stable yen in early trading, most of the region's currencies fell under the sway of the Singapore dollar's swift decline, dealers said. But the U.S.

Cybercrime trial on domain name continues

Cybercrime trial on domain name continues JAKARTA (JP): Martha Tilaar, director of PT Martina Bertho, the giant producer of Sari Ayu cosmetics, appeared at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday in the trial of her former employee who had illegally registered the domain name of the firm's competitor, PT Mustika Ratu.

JP/ /

JP/ / Deposit Rate Sept. 19 Bank 1 month 3 months 6 months 12months last updated Mandiri 12.50/5.50 12.50/5.50 12.75/5.50 12.75/5.50 14/08/01 BCA 13.50/4.00 13.50/4.00 13.50/4.00 13.50/4.00 02/07/01 Danamon 14.00/6.00 14.00/6.00 14.00/6.10 14.00/6.10 03/09/01 BII 17.35/6.04 17.66/6.10 17.38/6.18 17.26/6.18 01/09/01 BRI 12.50/5.50 12.50/5.50 12.50/5.50 12.50/5.50 17/09/01 Niaga 13.75/5.00 13.75/5.00 13.25/5.15 13.25/5.15 01/09/01 Bali 11.00/5.25 12.00/5.75 12.00/5.75 12.00/5.75 23/05/01 Bukopin...

JP/12/KPPU

JP/12/KPPU Flour importers criticize new govt policy: KPPU JAKARTA (JP): The country's antimonopoly watchdog said on Thursday that the government's plan to impose antidumping duty on flour imports may create unfair business competition in the industry. Chairman of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Mohammad Iqbal said, however, that the committee would still have to conduct a further evaluation before proposing any recommendations to the government.

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the fact that piracy is rampant here,

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the fact that piracy is rampant here, any hope of obtaining legal redress will require patience, persistence and plenty of time. For the third time in a row, the Central Jakarta District Court failed on Thursday to deliver a judgment in a piracy case involving Microsoft Inc. and four local computer traders. Presiding judge Amiruddin Zakaria opened the hearing at 3:20 p.m., more than four hours late, only to adjourn it for another two weeks.

Legislators admit to accepting gifts, cash

Legislators admit to accepting gifts, cash JAKARTA (JP): Members of the House of Representatives seemed adamant, when confronted with an alleged bribery case, that accepting gifts, cash and facilities from their colleagues was commonplace. Legislators interviewed by The Jakarta Post on Thursday said that the practice was considered acceptable because "practically everybody did it" and they knew they were beyond the reach of the law.

Megawati, accompanied by a number of Cabinet ministers, held a

Megawati, accompanied by a number of Cabinet ministers, held a closed-door meeting with members of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning (late Thursday night Jakarta time). Megawati had a one-hour meeting with Patrick Kennedy, a Congressman vocal on human rights issues, Valium Mavega, who is critical on the Irian Jaya issue, and Porter Goss and Hendry Hyde, the officials in charge of receiving foreign guests on Capitol Hill.

U.S. showers Indonesia with promises

U.S. showers Indonesia with promises By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja WASHINGTON, D.C. (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri has reaped instant rewards from U.S. President George W. Bush for her commitment to join the global war against terrorism. During their meeting here on Wednesday morning, Bush promised the visiting President a restoration of military aid and a total of US$657.4 million in financial aid.

Clear-cut separation needed between police and military

Clear-cut separation needed between police and military JAKARTA (JP): Observers have called for the prompt issuance of regulations to clearly define the respective functions of the military and police so as to avoid the kind of overlapping that has frequently sparked conflicts between the two organizations.

Ex-marine steals to outdo brass

Ex-marine steals to outdo brass BOGOR (JP): A former marine currently in police custody over a Rp 1.8 billion robbery that left two people dead has admitted that he robbed to prove to his former supervisors in the Navy that he could lead a better life than they. "I am a former marine. My (former) senior often mocked me, saying that outside the Navy, I would be a vagrant. That motivated me to work really hard," Antono Dwi, 36, told reporters at Bogor Police Headquarters on Wednesday.

Textbook thinking

Textbook thinking Although the idea to allow elementary and secondary schools throughout Indonesia to select textbooks for use in their schools on their own is at this stage no more than just that -- an idea -- the enthusiasm with which it has been greeted by educators and parents alike, can justly be taken as an expression of the pent- up discontent that has for decades been brewing among the public.

Indonesia sympathizes with U.S. people and government

Indonesia sympathizes with U.S. people and government The following is the address of President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the gala dinner in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, held by the United States-Indonesia Society during her visit to the U.S. 2.

Preserving Malay arts through annual gathering

Preserving Malay arts through annual gathering By Fadli BATAM, Riau (JP): Former prominent Malay figure Hang Tuah once said that the Malay culture would never be lost. Now, it would seem that the preservation of Malay culture is indeed confronted with difficult challenges in the face of modernization. Malay people fear that one day they will have to give up their own land as a result of their failure to cope with globalization.

IMF dismisses worries over Paris Club meeting delay

IMF dismisses worries over Paris Club meeting delay JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) dismissed on Thursday worries that a delay in the Paris Club meeting had put at risk a US$2.8 billion debt rescheduling deal for this year. The IMF senior resident representative for Jakarta, David C.L. Nellor, expressed confidence that Indonesia's debt rescheduling deal with the Paris Club was safe.

KPPU: Flour importers criticize new policy

KPPU: Flour importers criticize new policy JAKARTA (JP): The country's antimonopoly watchdog said on Thursday that the government's plan to impose antidumping duty on flour imports may create unfair business competition in the industry. Chairman of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Mohammad Iqbal said, however, that the committee would still have to conduct a further evaluation before proposing any recommendations to the government.

Give IBRA chief enough time

Give IBRA chief enough time Set up in July last year at the request of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Oversight Committee of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's (IBRA) has worked without much fanfare. Dubbed "Mr. Clean" for his integrity, former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad, the committee's chairman, disclosed in an interview with The Jakarta Post's' Dadan Wijaksana and Johannes Simbolon what his committee had thus far accomplished.

Two foreign investors eye Chandra Asri: Govt

Two foreign investors eye Chandra Asri: Govt by Berni K Mustafa JAKARTA (JP): Two foreign investors have expressed interest in acquiring government stakes in the financially ailing PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center, which could end the petrochemical giant's long and complicated debt restructuring effort. Secretary of the Financial Sector Policy Committee (FSPC), Syafruddin A.

U.S. scales down presence at KL show

U.S. scales down presence at KL show KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): The United States has scaled down its participation in Malaysia's premier air and sea defense exhibition next month, following last week's terror attacks in New York and Washington, news reports said Thursday. Although the U.S. has confirmed it will still take part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA), some participants have pulled out, Defense Minister Najib Razak said.

U.S. hostages alive, more troops sent

U.S. hostages alive, more troops sent MANILA (AFP): An American couple and 16 other hostages held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen are still alive in the jungles of Basilan island in the southern Philippines, the military said on Thursday. Intelligence reports indicate that the rebels are holding Christian missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham and 16 Filipinos in Tuburan, a jungle-clad town in Basilan, armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan told reporters.

Sibi tribe members block wharf owned by PT Pelindo

Sibi tribe members block wharf owned by PT Pelindo JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Some 100 members of the Sibi tribe blocked the Jayapura wharf belonging to state-owned PT Pelindo on Thursday, demanding Rp 7.5 billion in compensation for the land which they claim belongs to them. On Wednesday around 100 members of the Yableh and Yahim tribes blocked the Sentani Airport, forcing the airport authority to halt flights to and from the airport.

Give IBRA chief enough time and space: Mar'ie

Give IBRA chief enough time and space: Mar'ie Set up in July last year at the request of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Oversight Committee of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's (IBRA) has worked without much fanfare Dubbed "Mr. Clean" for his integrity, former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad, the committee's chairman, disclosed in an interview with The Jakarta Post's' Dadan Wijaksana and Johannes Simbolon what his committee had thus far accomplished.

Can cycle of violence end?

Can cycle of violence end? By Omar Halim JAKARTA (JP): The awful and tragic scenes of billowing smoke, huge balls of orange fire, falling people and the ultimate crumbling of the structures of what used to be the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan manifested once more how violent the human race can be. 2.

Cilacap teachers go on back pay shopping spree

Cilacap teachers go on back pay shopping spree CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Teachers and other civil servants in Cilacap regency, Central Java, went on spending and shopping sprees on Wednesday after receiving their six-month back pay ahead of schedule. Some of the jubilant public servants assembled dozens of local pedicab drivers and journalists to treat them to light meals, while others went out shopping in the nearest supermarkets before returning home from their schools and offices.

Amien calls for combined effort against terrorism

Amien calls for combined effort against terrorism JAKARTA (JP): Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais urged on Thursday the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia and New Zealand to work hand in hand in fighting terrorism, as Muslim students intensified their protests against any U.S. military strikes against Afghanistan.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.20 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,350 25 10,000 Adindo Foresta 90 0 0 AGIS 140 5 2,353,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 600 -50 44,000 Alakasa 215 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 875 0 3,000 Alter Abadi 85 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 0 0 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 230 0 0 Aneka Tambang 975 0 172,500 Apac Citra 300 0 0 Aqua Golden...

ILO team meets with Suu Kyi, officials

ILO team meets with Suu Kyi, officials YANGON (AFP): An International Labour Organisation (ILO) team investigating the Myanmar junta's efforts to eradicate forced labour has met with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and been given access to every minister concerned, sources said on Thursday. The four-member ILO team, and seven experts accompanying it on the three-week mission, had a working lunch with Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, an official source said.

Police to probe court incident

Police to probe court incident JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacoeb pledged on Thursday to probe the clash between students, lawyers and police at the trial of two student activists at the South Jakarta District Court. At least one student and three lawyers were injured after reportedly being beaten by police officers safeguarding the trial.

JP/12/Beef

JP/12/Beef Indonesia's beef imports to fall by 10 percent this year JAKARTA (JP): The country's beef imports are expected to reduce by 10 percent this year partly due to lower demand for imported beef amid higher prices in the international market, a senior executive of the Association of Indonesian Beef Importers (Aspidi) said on Thursday. Aspidi's chairwoman Frieda Nalapraya said the country's beef imports would fall to 22,500 tons this year, as compared to 25,000 tons last year.

Listed firms win awards

Listed firms win awards JAKARTA (JP): Ten publicly listed companies, including several state-owned enterprises, have won awards for implementing good corporate governance. The corporate governance awards were distributed by local corporate governance watchdog the Indonesian Institute for Corporate Governance (IICG). The awards were the first of their kind to be given out by the agency, which plans to grant similar awards annually.

Study invitation in Brunei

Study invitation in Brunei From Media Indonesia A letter has recently circulated inviting the alumni of Pakuan University to conduct a comparative study in the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam. We therefore call the alumni's attention to the following points: 1. There is no cooperation to conduct a comparative study in the fields of economics, engineering or teacher training between Bogor Agricultural Institute and Bogor Pakuan University; 2.

Lippo Cikarang clarifies

Lippo Cikarang clarifies We would like to inform the public, in particular the relations, the partners and customers of PT Lippo Cikarang regarding a letter offering a joint advertisement. The ad referred to reads "Congratulations on and Success in the eighth Anniversary of PT Lippo Cikarang Tbk", which is carried out by an institution claiming to be the publication team of PT Lippo Cikarang Tbk. The team uses the following address: Jl.

Bank Indonesia mulls lowering interest rate

Bank Indonesia mulls lowering interest rate JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) will allow its benchmark interest rate to decline if pressure on prices and the rupiah continue to lessen over the next couple of weeks, central bank deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said on Thursday. Miranda said that although Bank Indonesia would retain its tight money policy for the moment it was possible that reign over the policy would be considerably lessened in the near future.

Japan's surplus with Asia tumbles 72%

Japan's surplus with Asia tumbles 72% TOKYO (AFP): Japan's trade surplus with Asia plunged 71.9 percent in August from a year earlier as Japanese consumers kept buying mobile phones and other gadgets from overseas to sustain electronics parts imports. The trade surplus with the rest of Asia fell to 91.6 billion yen (US$783 million) in August, marking a year-on-year fall for the ninth consecutive month, the finance ministry said Thursday.

Malaysia will closely examine performance at SEA Games

Malaysia will closely examine performance at SEA Games KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia emerged victorious from the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in their 42-year history, and the government is demanding to know why. Sports Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Thursday he wants a report on his desk by the end of the month from every national sporting association giving a detailed "post-mortem" of their athletes' performance.

Microsoft judgment delayed for third time

Microsoft judgment delayed for third time JAKARTA (JP): Despite the fact that piracy is rampant here, any hope of obtaining legal redress will require patience, persistence and plenty of time. For the third time in a row, the Central Jakarta District Court failed on Thursday to deliver a judgment in a piracy case involving Microsoft Inc. and four local computer traders.

Who bears BCA's bond?

Who bears BCA's bond? From Koran Tempo The House of Representatives (DPR) has finally approved the divestment of 51 percent of BCA's shares after arguing persistently against the step. Thus, the government will no longer be a majority shareholder in the bank. The divestment will cause a sharp drop in the portion of government's ownership from 92 percent, when the government took over the bank's management.

1. Mega --

1. Mega -- 1 X 35 48pt Bodoni We're convinced U.S. will be stronger The following is the address of President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the gala dinner in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, held by the United States-Indonesia Society during her visit to the U.S. 2.

JAKARTA (JP): With doubts hanging over main singles player

JAKARTA (JP): With doubts hanging over main singles player Suwandi's fitness, the Indonesian tennis team's chances in the Asia-Oceania relegation play-off match against China look slim. The tie, to be played at the Kemayoran tennis complex, begins on Friday, with Peter Handoyo drawn to take on Yu Zhang in the first singles. Suwandi will be up against Zu Beng Qiang. The visiting team is led by Ma Ke-Qin. "But I doubt if he (Suwandi) will be fit in time.