Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 April 2004

83 articles found

Asia not ready for security pact

Asia not ready for security pactSimon S.C. Tay, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore There has been recent talk of an Asian military alliance, equivalent to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). There are also suggestions for an ASEAN security community.

Changing political map

Changing political map We predicted that Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung and Gen. (ret) Wiranto would dominate the party's presidential convention, and that Akbar would eventually be selected as Golkar's presidential candidate.

Wiranto pays a visit to Hamzah Haz

Wiranto pays a visit to Hamzah HazTiarma Siboro Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post JakartaFresh from winning the Golkar Party's convention, Gen. (ret) Wiranto met Thursday with Vice President Hamzah Haz who is also the leader of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP) at Hamzah's residence...

RI's Maya rewarded SEAG gold

RI's Maya rewarded SEAG goldEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia can add another gold medal to its tally from the 22nd SEA Games 2003 in Vietnam after six findings of positive doping involving Vietnamese and Myanmar athletes.

Lack of training limits support for women' victims of violence

Lack of training limits support for women' victims of violenceLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite the rising awareness in the community toward violence against women, health workers remain unqualified to deal with such cases due to their lack of education and an absence of a proper...

Bank Indonesia sees room for more interest rate cuts

Bank Indonesia sees room for more interest rate cutsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaBank Indonesia (BI) sees the possibility of further reducing its benchmark interest rate, as inflation and the rupiah exchange rate against the U.S dollar have remained in check, a central bank official said.

Asian states eye sea security after threats, U.S. warning

Asian states eye sea security after threats, U.S. warningEd Cropley, Reuters, BangkokLetters sent to the South Korean and Pakistani embassies in Thailand threatening America's Asian allies sparked fresh security fears on Thursday as Washington told the region to be on alert for attacks on its...

12 killed in West Java landslide

12 killed in West Java landslideYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungHours before Indonesians commemorated Earth Day across the country on Thursday, a landslide hit Bandung in West Java following two days of rain, leaving at least 12 people dead and three others missing.

Two cavers die in Godawang Cave

Two cavers die in Godawang Cave BOGOR: Two members of different Tangerang outdoor adventure clubs were found dead on Thursday morning in Godawang Cave, Cigudeg district.It is suspected that the two, Sopian M. Nur, 27, and Harjono, 30, died due to asphyxiation.

Police blame state firm in sugar debacle

Police blame state firm in sugar debacleAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe National Police said on Thursday that state-owned PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI) may have violated a government regulation in the import of sugar.National Police Chief of Detective Coms. Gen.

Fish poaching harms local fishermen

Fish poaching harms local fishermen SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Fishing grounds in the northern part of East Kalimantan are still subject to widespread poaching by a number of fishermen from Malaysia. In 2002, security forces succeeded in intercepting seven Malaysian fishing vessels that were using...

Review requests rejected

Review requests rejected JAKARTA: The Constitutional Court stated on Thursday that it would not review Law No. 23/2003 on the presidential election because the plaintiffs were not affected by the law and thus were not legally in a position to file a complaint.

Trend of foreign investment approvals by country of origin, 1997 to March 31, 2004

Trend of foreign investment approvals by country of origin, 1997 to March 31, 2004 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 P I P I P I P I P I P I P I P I Ttl Europe 102 11,741.5 161 5,308.6 231 723.4 224 5,931.5 200 923.1 169 1,358.2 156 1,265.6 29 422.8 EU Existing members UK 31 5,473.6 49 4,745.

'Cafes, shops in museums are fine'

'Cafes, shops in museums are fine'The country's first high-rise hotel, Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta, will be soon be integrated with a 'super-mall', while the ongoing renovations on the 200-year-old Luar Batang Mosque in Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, have given it a modern aspect.

RP seeks to abolish import tariffs

RP seeks to abolish import tariffs MANILA: The Philippines wants import tariffs on the trade of electronics and semiconductor products among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members be abolished by next year, Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima said.

CIFOR invites locals to adopt Darmaga forest

CIFOR invites locals to adopt Darmaga forestTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorIn conjunction with World Earth Day on April 22, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) donated Rp 45 million (US$5,294) in cash to residents and schools located in the vicinity of the protected...

TV Today: Friday, April 23, 2004

TV Today: Friday, April 23, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi6:30 Talk Show: Saran dan Pendapat7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings12:30 p.m.

Govt to issue bonds to finance toll road project

Govt to issue bonds to finance toll road projectFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to issue bonds in a bid to raise cash to help finance 70 kilometers (km) of toll road in Java, according to a senior minister.

NEWMONT

NEWMONTCorrection: The life expectancy of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara's Batu Hijau mine, referred to in an article titled Major mining firms report good results in the General Issue report on page 17 of this newspaper on Thursday April 22, is 2025, instead of 2005 as stated.We apologize for the error.

Sutiyoso in hot water over gridlock, flood

Sutiyoso in hot water over gridlock, floodDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAngered by Wednesday's gridlock and flooding in many parts of the capital, non-governmental organization the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) opened a hotline on Thursday for Jakartans to lodge complaints -- part of...

Earth Day observed with calls for actions

Earth Day observed with calls for actionsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar/SemarangBuried beneath the political headlines about a certain party in mustard yellow, the 34th annual Earth Day on Thursday came and went without much fanfare in the media, but environmentalists called for more concrete...

Driver arrested for indecent exposure

Driver arrested for indecent exposureEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA 24-year-old single man hired by parents to drive their children to kindergarten in Bintaro, South Jakarta, and back home again has been arrested for indecent exposure, a police officer revealed on Thursday.

Trend of foreign investment approvals by country of origin, 1997 to March 31, 2004

Trend of foreign investment approvals by country of origin, 1997 to March 31, 2004 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 P I P I P I P I P I P I P I P I Ttl Europe 102 11,741.5 161 5,308.6 231 723.4 224 5,931.5 200 923.1 169 1,358.2 156 1,265.6 29 422.8 EU Existing members UK 31 5,473.6 49 4,745.

NEWMONT

NEWMONTCorrection: The mine life of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara's Batu Hijau mine, referred to in an article titled Major mining firms report good results in the General Issue report on page 17 of this newspaper on Thursday April 22, should be 2025, instead of 2005 as stated.

Australia grants A$3m to SMERU

Australia grants A$3m to SMERU JAKARTA: The Australian government donated on Thursday A$3 million funds to the Social Monitoring and Early Response Unit (SMERU), a local research institute, to help finance research on social and economic issues.

Net occupancy of Jakarta office space hits record high

Net occupancy of Jakarta office space hits record highDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe net take-up of Jakarta's office property market in the first quarter of 2004 has hit its highest quarterly figure since 2000, signaling the country's improving economic condition.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 22, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 22, 2004 _________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume __________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

Newspaper office attacked in Medan, six injured

Newspaper office attacked in Medan, six injuredApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North SumatraThursday was yet another in a long list of bad days for press freedom over the past two years. In the early morning hours here, an unidentified armed mob attacked the office of Sinar Indonesia Baru...

KPU gears up for presidential poll

KPU gears up for presidential pollMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith vote counting in the April 5 legislative election yet to be completed, the General Elections Commission (KPU) is now bracing for an even bigger task -- organizing the presidential election.

Teachers to make Sundanese fun

Teachers to make Sundanese fun BOGOR: In preparation for implementing the merit-based national education system in July, about 100 Sundanese language teachers of local middle schools are attending a course on how to make learning the indigenous language more fun.

Pedicab driver to vie for governatorial race

Pedicab driver to vie for governatorial raceThe Jakarta Post, JakartaA pedicab driver, Ujang, returned on Thursday his completed application forms to the gubernatorial election committee, in a bid to enter the governor's race in Lampung province for the period of 2004-2009.

Sutiyoso speech likely to be rejected

Sutiyoso speech likely to be rejectedBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGovernor Sutiyoso's accountability statement faces possible rejection by the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, the Justice Party (PK) faction, the United Development Party (PPP) faction and the Indonesian...

KPK proposes that candidates endorse anti-graft document

KPK proposes that candidates endorse anti-graft documentThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has proposed that presidential and vice presidential candidates declare their principles and policies on corruption, which would be morally binding one they assumed power.

British Embassy to move from Jl. Thamrin to Kuningan

British Embassy to move from Jl. Thamrin to KuninganDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAmid growing security concerns, the British Embassy has decided to move its office to a location on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, in Kuningan, South Jakarta, from Jl. M.H. Thamrin, in Central Jakarta.

Seeking allies, Wiranto eyes PPP

Seeking allies, Wiranto eyes PPPTiarma Siboro and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFresh from winning the Golkar Party's convention, Gen. (ret) Wiranto met Thursday with Vice President Hamzah Haz who is also the leader of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP) at Hamzah's...

Sunov up bid for Novus, Medco undeterred

Sunov up bid for Novus, Medco undeterredRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The bidding process for Australia's oil and gas producer Novus Petroleum is heating up, as Australian-based Sunov Petroleum Pty said it would raise its bid for the company to counter a takeover bid by Indonesia's PT...

IBRA declares BII, Permata, Danamon financially fit

IBRA declares BII, Permata, Danamon financially fitThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has declared Bank International Indonesia (BII), Bank Permata and Bank Danamon financially sound, as it handed back the monitoring of the three banks to Bank Indonesia (BI).

1. SAFETY 2x20

1. SAFETY 2x20 Nowhere safe for Jakarta's disabled people 2. ROAD 2x18 Human psyche produces road-rage drivers

Lack of fertilizer hits Gunungkidul

Lack of fertilizer hits Gunungkidul YOGYAKARTA: Entering this year's second rice planting season two weeks ago, urea fertilizer produced by Pusri (the state-owned fertilizer company) has disappeared from market shelves in Gunungkidul regency.

Malaysia's AirAsia prepared for price war with rival ValuAir

Malaysia's AirAsia prepared for price war with rival ValuAir Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysian no-frills carrier AirAsia is prepared for a price war with Singapore's first budget airline, ValuAir, to protect its market share, a report said on Thursday.

Officers withdraw, students free to return to class

Officers withdraw, students free to return to classDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThree days after they were kicked out of their school and left to conduct classes in the adjacent parking lot, the 64 students of state middle school SMP 56 on Jl.

Palu students reject mining bylaw

Palu students reject mining bylaw PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 100 Palu student activists from the Students Against Mining League stated their opposition to Bylaw No.1/2004 on permission to carry out mining in protected forests.

AM Fajar replaces Jusuf Kalla as welfare minister

AM Fajar replaces Jusuf Kalla as welfare ministerThe Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri accepted on Thursday the resignation of former coordinating minister for people's welfare Jusuf Kalla and transferred his tasks to Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fajar.

1 x 35

1 x 35 Lampung to resettle forest dwellers JP/5/GAS2 x 28 Pertamina disciplines 14 fuel distributors in Central Java JP/5/aceh2 x 21 Rally backs extension of martial law in Aceh JP/5/ACROSS2 x 22 Pedicab driver to vie for gubernatorial race

1. PROPERTY: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. PROPERTY: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Net occupancy of Jakarta office space hits record high 2. SUGAR: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28PPI violates procedure: Police Police blame state company in sugar debacle 3. OIC: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 U.S. told to drop Israeli plan, bring UN into Iraq 4.

Amid Mideast instability, Japan pushing Asian neighbors to boost oil stockpiles

Amid Mideast instability, Japan pushing Asian neighbors to boost oil stockpilesNatalie Obiko Pearson Associated Press Tokyo Amid surging instability in the Middle East, Japan is pushing Asian neighbors to limit the region's vulnerability to a potential energy crisis by boosting oil stockpiles.

Jakarta stock index falls first time in five days

Jakarta stock index falls first time in five daysDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, JakartaHaving risen by more than 4 percent in the past week, the Jakarta stock index started to run out of steam and fell by 1.

Pertamina disciplines 14 fuel distributors in Central Java

Pertamina disciplines 14 fuel distributors in Central JavaSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, SemarangState oil and gas company PT Pertamina has disciplined 14 kerosene distributors in Central Java for violating their distribution contracts, said a senior official at Pertamina's Central Java and...

1 x 35

1 x 35 Lampung to resettle forest dwellers JP/5/GAS2 x 28 Pertamina disciplines 14 fuel distributors in Central Java JP/5/aceh2 x 21 Rally backs extension of martial law in Aceh JP/5/ACROSS2 x 22 Pedicab driver to vie for gubernatorial race

JP/5/ACROSS

JP/5/ACROSSPalu students reject mining bylawPALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 100 Palu student activists from the Students Against Mining League stated their opposition to Bylaw No.1/2004 on permission to carry out mining in protected forests.

Nowhere safe for Jakarta's disabled people

Nowhere safe for Jakarta's disabled peopleTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWatching the participants of the Road Safety Day Workshop at the Office of the Ministry of Communications recently, I became aware of the formidable difficulty people with disabilities face in trying to get around...

Sports ministry irrelevant

Sports ministry irrelevantFrom Koran TempoThe chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Agum Gumelar, has said that we need a sports ministry in view of our declining sporting achievements, and that sports matters must be separated from youth matters.

Sentul to host Asia road race

Sentul to host Asia road race JAKARTA: The Sentul Circuit near Bogor, West Java, will host the opening two races of the 2004 Asia Road Racing Championship, according to a media release here on Thursday.The Sentul races will run on May 16 and June 27.

Vice presidential candidates wanted

Vice presidential candidates wanted Now we know that at least five presidential candidates will participate in the presidential election on July 5. They are Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party, Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid of the National...

IEO donates Rp 100m for elephants

IEO donates Rp 100m for elephants BENGKULU: The United States-based International Elephant Organization has donated Rp 100 million (US$12,000) for elephant conservation activities in Bengkulu.The donation, which was handed over on Thursday by Heidi Riddle and Dennis Schmitt of IEO to Agus Pambudi,...

* Headlines:Susilo sees Wiranto as toughest contender 2

* Headlines:Susilo sees Wiranto as toughest contender 2 * National:Amendments require referendum 4 * Archipelago:Lampung to resettle forest dwellers 5 * Opinion:A new, more effective way to fight against corruption 6 * City:Sutiyoso's speech likely to be rejected 8 * Sports:Roma's title hopes in...

Local TV stations slaves to 'idolatry'

Local TV stations slaves to 'idolatry'Tony Ryanto, Contributor, JakartaIt's not exactly the battle of the Titans but starting April 9, Indosiar has had to compete fiercely with RCTI, the number two TV network, in searching for an "idol" for Indonesia.

Two cavers die in Gudawang Cave

Two cavers die in Gudawang Cave BOGOR: Two members of a Tangerang outdoor adventure club were found dead on Thursday morning in Gudawang Cave, Cigudeg district.It is thought that the two, Sofyan M. Nur, 33, and Hariono, 33, had died of asphyxiation.

Ibrahim firm on land issue

Ibrahim firm on land issueNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehAceh is not just about the bloody prolonged fighting between separatist rebels and the Indonesian Military, with all of the unrecorded brutalities and countless devastations of people and their lives.

Court to issue ruling on Gus Dur's request

Court to issue ruling on Gus Dur's requestMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Constitutional Court is scheduled on Friday to deliver its ruling on the judicial review filed by former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and his National Awakening Party (PKB) against a General...

Australia refuses arbitration to settle East Timor dispute

Australia refuses arbitration to settle East Timor disputeAgence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia/DiliAustralian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer rejected appeals to settle a maritime boundary dispute with East Timor in international courts on Thursday and lashed critics who accuse Canberra of...

River-polluting firms to face the music

River-polluting firms to face the musicMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThe Tangerang Regency Environmental Agency has alleged that industrial firms in Tangerang regency and Tangerang municipality are dumping untreated liquid waste into rivers.

JP/7 /TIMOR

JP/7 /TIMORClarification on Wiranto report On April 19, The Jakarta Post published a report titled Wiranto rights trial unlikely by Wahyoe Boediwardhana. The Prosecutor General of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Dr.

Amendments 'require referendum'

Amendments 'require referendum'Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Constitutional Commission has proposed that constitutional amendments in the future would require the approval of the people through a national referendum, in a bid to prevent frequent changes to the Constitution.

1. CORRUPTION: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. CORRUPTION: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Watchdog wants candidates to sign anti-graft document 2. SBY: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 30 Susilo sees Wiranto as stiffest contender or Susilo sees Wiranto as toughest contender 3. EARTH: 30 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Earth Day observed with calls for concrete actions 5.

Leaders must be more honest

Leaders must be more honestFrom Media IndonesiaSome party leaders have reacted in panic to results of the 2004 legislative election by initiating a 19-party coalition against the vote gains, despite a subsequent correction of this statement by the relevant political parties.

Putting the corrupt on notice

Putting the corrupt on noticePatrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com In his eloquent and insightful article (Foreign consultants could help fight corruption, The Jakarta Post, Monday, April 12, 2004), Ziad Salim suggests that the deployment of foreign...

ASEAN's long road to economic integration

ASEAN's long road to economic integrationKamrul Idris, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur "Consensual looseness" compared to the European Union, which will be enlarged by 10 new members on May 1, ASEAN looks like a regional community on life-support.

Indosat's poor service

Indosat's poor service I have tried several times to reach a customer service officer at Indosat Mega Media, but cannot get through to him.I have been a subscriber to Indosat Cable Internet for the last few months.

Courts say no to debt-free letters

Courts say no to debt-free letters JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Thursday that it had received reports from two political parties that several lower courts had refused to issue non-bankruptcy and zero-debt letters for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Susilo sees Wiranto as stiffest contender for president

Susilo sees Wiranto as stiffest contender for presidentTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWiranto's upset win over Akbar Tandjung in the Golkar Party convention has left presidential election contenders scrambling for changes in their strategy, with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono no exception.

Lampung to resettle forest dwellers

Lampung to resettle forest dwellersOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung, LampungThe destruction of Lampung's forests has prompted authorities here to press forward with plans to resettle some 5,000 families who have been living in a forest community for several years.

TV Today: Friday, April 23, 2004

TV Today: Friday, April 23, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi6:30 Talk Show: Saran dan Pendapat7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings12:30 p.m.

Bank Danamon's net profit leaps 86.3 percent

Bank Danamon's net profit leaps 86.3 percentZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaBank Danamon announced on Thursday that its net profit in the first quarter of this year jumped by 86.3 percent to Rp 503 billion (US$59.18 million) compared to Rp 270 billion in the same period last year.

Pedicab driver to vie for governor race

Pedicab driver to vie for governor raceThe Jakarta Post, JakartaA pedicab driver, Ujang, returned on Thursday his completed application forms to the gubernatorial election committee, in a bid to enter the governor's race in Lampung province for the period of 2004-2009.

(For Country Profile advertisement)

(For Country Profile advertisement)MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR: H.E. Norman Manuel MashabaneThe past we have come from Apartheid divided society along racial lines. Black people did not have the right to vote. The social exclusion and neglect of the majority was state policy.

Astra may up stake in Astra Agro

Astra may up stake in Astra AgroBloomberg, Jakarta PT Astra International, Indonesia's biggest auto company, plans to raise its stake in PT Astra Agro Lestari by buying 7 percent of the company from businessman Edwin Soeryadjaya at a 70 percent premium, to honor a commitment agreed to in 1995,...

Rally backs extension of martial law in Aceh

Rally backs extension of martial law in AcehTeuku Agam Muzakir, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Nanggroe Aceh DarussalamAround 2,000 people here staged a rally on Thursday, demanding that martial law, which was strongly opposed by a number of human rights groups, be further extended in May.

Rupiah Rates April 22

Rupiah Rates April 22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,664.90 5,931.23 6,331.47 6,264.43 Brunei dollar 1 5,390.02 4,797.15 5,120.37 5,066.64 Canadian dollar 1 6,727.79 5,988.22 6,391.22 6,324.62 Swiss franc 1 6,956.82 6,192.90 6,608.79 6,540.

Competence and honesty vital

Competence and honesty vitalFrom Suara Karya As Indonesians will directly elect their president and vice president on July 5 next, the candidates must be backed by political parties in accordance with the stipulation laid down by the General Elections Commission.

Water for life

Water for life It is only proper that "Water for Life" has been picked as the slogan for the annual commemoration of Earth Day in Indonesia. Water, of course, has been a familiar feature of the Indonesian landscape for as long as there have been people inhabiting the land.

Police announce major reshuffle

Police announce major reshuffleP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Police announced on Thursday a major reshuffle within the institution, which included the replacement of 20 middle-ranking to high-ranking officers."The tour of duty is standard practice in any institution.

Australia, NZ welcome ASEAN proposal

Australia, NZ welcome ASEAN proposal WELLINGTON: Australia and New Zealand Thursday welcomed a proposal by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to seek negotiations later this year on free-trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.