Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 September 2000

52 articles found

PT KAI lacks courage to punish employees, Minister Agum says

<p>PT KAI lacks courage to punish employees, Minister Agum says</p><p> BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar criticized on Friday the state railway operator PT KAI for lacking the courage to punish errant employees.

RI firms clinch $1.5m sales

<p>RI firms clinch $1.5m sales</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Five Indonesian companies producing furniture and handicrafts, clinched sales worth around US$1.5 million in London during a gathering organized by the Indonesian Embassy on Wednesday.

1975 murders to be investigated

<p>1975 murders to be investigated</p><p> DILI, East Timor (AP): The United Nations has opened an investigation into the deaths of five foreign newsmen killed during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975, a UN official said on Friday.</p><p>On Oct.

Duty on airplane parts lifted

<p>Duty on airplane parts lifted</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The government has lifted the duty on the imports of materials, spare parts, components and tools for airplanes for a year in a bid to promote the country's aircraft maintenance industry.

Hotel, building owners gear up for bombings

<p>Hotel, building owners gear up for bombings</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): While no one can predict when and which buildings could be bomb targets, operators and management of buildings and hotels in the capital have taken preemptive and responsive measures in anticipation of such acts...

High oil prices likely to dominate APEC summit

<p>High oil prices likely to dominate APEC summit</p><p> KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): High oil prices which could derail East Asia's economic recovery will be one of the main topics when Asia-Pacific leaders hold a summit in November, a top US official said Friday.

Conversion Rates

<p>Conversion Rates</p><p>Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Sept. 15, 2000:</p><p> Bank notes rates TT rates</p><p> Buying Selling Buying Selling</p><p> Rp Rp Rp Rp</p><p> U.S. dollar 1 8,030.00 9,030.00 7,334.47 7,413.

Visitors impressed by exciting table-setting show

<p>Visitors impressed by exciting table-setting show</p><p>By Joko E.H. Anwar</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition showing exciting table settings in various styles, at the Bidakara complex on Jl.

Gus Dur orders arrest of Tommy

<p>Gus Dur orders arrest of Tommy</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Friday he had ordered the arrest of former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

Aborigines stage lonely vigil

<p>Aborigines stage lonely vigil</p><p> SYDNEY (Reuters): As the world watched the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, a handful of Aborigines intent on telling their story of dispossession to the world, staged a lonely vigil around a "Sacred Fire" at Sydney's...

RI looks for $4.8b loans from CGI donors

<p>RI looks for $4.8b loans from CGI donors</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is seeking some US$4.8 billion in loans from its traditional international donors grouped under the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) to help finance the budget deficit in 2001, according to...

RP boosts military build-up on RP hostage island

<p>RP boosts military build-up on RP hostage island</p><p> JOLO, Philippines (Agencies): President Joseph Estrada on Friday boosted the military presence on the remote southern Philippine island of Jolo where the Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding 22 hostages, despite ruling out an...

Malaysian palm oil prices extend losses

<p>Malaysian palm oil prices extend losses</p><p> KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's palm oil futures slid further at the close on Friday on overnight falls at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and worries over a build-up in stocks, traders said.

Indonesia and UNTAET sign agreement

<p>Indonesia and UNTAET sign agreement</p><p> DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The Indonesian government and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) signed on Friday an agreement on jointly resolving the East Timor refugee problem.

Firms promise to cover claims of clients

<p>Firms promise to cover claims of clients</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Two major auto insurance firms, Garda Oto Insurance and Sinar Mas Mobil Insurance, pledged on Friday to cover the claims of their clients whose cars were damaged in Wednesday's blast at the Jakarta Stock...

KL says memoirs will not strain ties

<p>KL says memoirs will not strain ties</p><p> KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The memoirs of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, will not strain good relations with Malaysia, the foreign ministry here said on Friday.

Stock exchange braces for possible sell-off

<p>Stock exchange braces for possible sell-off</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Selling pressure might hit the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) when it resumes trading on Monday as investors remain nervous following the recent bombing of the building, securities analysts said on Friday.

1,772 buyers to join Jakarta trade fair

<p>1,772 buyers to join Jakarta trade fair</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): As many as 1,776 buyers from 68 countries have confirmed their participation in the Export Products Exhibition 2000 to be held at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran next month, a senior official of the Ministry of...

Ex-Dutch shipyard now trendy cafes

<p>Ex-Dutch shipyard now trendy cafes</p><p>By Ida Indawati Khouw</p><p> The VOC shipyard in Old Jakarta, which was once among the busiest in the region, has turned into an upscale dining and wining complex.

RI eyes business prospects in PNG

<p>RI eyes business prospects in PNG</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government would encourage the country's textile manufacturers to invest in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as part of efforts to promote bilateral trade between the two countries, Minister of Industry and Trade...

Aceh violence costs hundreds of lives

<p>Aceh violence costs hundreds of lives</p><p> BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence in restive Aceh province in the last year cost over Rp 42,8 billion (US$5.1 million) in material losses, the province's governor Ramli Ridwan said on Friday.

Freeport violated Government Regulation: Minister Sonny

<p>Freeport violated Government Regulation: Minister Sonny</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Environment Sonny Keraf announced mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia misled the public in recent advertisements by not revealing the full results of its environmental audit.

Asian women set to dominate in Olympic debut

<p>Asian women set to dominate in Olympic debut</p><p> SYDNEY (AP): From the farms of China, the island of Taiwan and even seemingly less likely places like Thailand and Indonesia, Asian women weightlifters have come to Sydney prepared to dominate a sport which makes its debut at...

Man killed for suspicious behavior

<p>Man killed for suspicious behavior</p><p> SALATIGA, Central Java: A man suspected of stealing one kilogram of green beans was mobbed to death on Wednesday by local residents in Bandungan village, an officer said on Friday.</p><p>Salatiga Precinct Police chief Supt.

PBB to strive to become big party

<p>PBB to strive to become big party</p><p> YOGYAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who is also minister of justice and human rights, said here on Friday that his party was determined to become one of the "big three" in the 2004...

Sacred cows

<p>Sacred cows</p><p> The public has since long lost even the slightest confidence in the police and security apparatuses, who have the authority to investigate the recent bombings in the country.

Blast investigation aims at elements within TNI

<p>Blast investigation aims at elements within TNI</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said the investigation into Wednesday's blast at the Jakarta Stock Exchange building now was aimed at elements within the Indonesian Military.

Most of Asia on track for strong growth: Polls

<p>Most of Asia on track for strong growth: Polls</p><p> SINGAPORE (Reuters): Growth forecasts for much of Asia have been raised once again after a generally stellar first half performance, although a few nations with persistent domestic problems bucked the trend.

Malaysian 'died of illness'

<p>Malaysian 'died of illness'</p><p> TANGERANG (JP): Police probing the death of a retired Malaysian Army officer at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport concluded that the Bouraq Airline's passenger who had just disembarked from a domestic flight had died from an...

Bring Soeharto by force to court, say observers

<p>Bring Soeharto by force to court, say observers</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Legal and media observers said on Friday that force could be used by prosecutors to bring former president Soeharto to court should he fail to show up at the next hearing of his US$571 million graft trial on...

Govt awards RSAF chief Swa Buana Paksa Utama

<p>Govt awards RSAF chief Swa Buana Paksa Utama</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government awarded on Friday the Bintang Swa Bhuana Paksa Utama medal to the chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Maj. Gen.

Iwan Fals turns from rebel to concerned star

<p>Iwan Fals turns from rebel to concerned star</p><p>By Matdon</p><p> BANDUNG (JP): Without any intention of playing down other singers, Iwan Fals along with Chrisye remain Indonesia's top singers.

Golf tourney raises Rp 305m

<p>Golf tourney raises Rp 305m</p><p> BOGOR, West Java (JP): Over Rp 305 million (US$35,000) was raised on Friday during the 3rd Annual Charity Planet Hollywood- DHL golf tournament at the Rancamaya golf and country club in Bogor.

IMF approves $399m loan to Indonesia

<p>IMF approves $399m loan to Indonesia</p><p> WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund approved a US$399 million payment from its loan to Indonesia on Thursday and said economic reforms were at "a crucial stage.

PAN condemns bomb blast

<p>PAN condemns bomb blast</p><p>From Jurnal Indonesia</p><p>In relation to the recent increases in violence, the latest, a bomb blast at the Jakarta Stock Exchange Building killing 15 people and injuring many more, the National Mandate Party (PAN) hereby expresses the...

Gang in Besakih

<p>Gang in Besakih</p><p> I wish to relate a very disturbing experience I had when visiting the Besakih temple complex in Bali on Sept. 10, 2000.</p><p>On reaching the entrance to the temple complex, the tour group with which I was traveling was confronted by a group...

Changing images of teachers and 'kyai'

<p>Changing images of teachers and 'kyai'</p><p>By Mochtar Buchori</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Do you have stereotype images of occupations or professions? Have the stereotypes changed over time? Mine have.

Asian sports marginal in Olympics

<p>Asian sports marginal in Olympics</p><p>By Kalinga Seveviratne</p><p> SINGAPORE: A jam-packed stadium of 10,000 boisterous drum- beating spectators roared their delight as a cartwheeling Thai kicked a rattan ball over a "badminton" net past his Malaysian...

Economic team 'flirts' with unscrupulous tycoons: Kwik

<p>Economic team 'flirts' with unscrupulous tycoons: Kwik</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Former chief economics minister Kwik Kian Gie warned here on Friday that there were indications that the economic team in the new Cabinet had started "flirting" with the...

Lee Kuan Yew's views

<p>Lee Kuan Yew's views</p><p> It seems this wise old man (Lee Kuan Yew) gave his opinion during the recent launching of his volume two memoirs, stating that it is dead wrong to bring Soeharto to court.

Settling traffic jam

<p>Settling traffic jam</p><p> Now that we have come to the era of globalization, all countries compete to be more successful. Therefore, even though Indonesia's national production is increasing, Indonesia should not be satisfied.

Hardcourt troubles Indonesian shuttler

<p>Hardcourt troubles Indonesian shuttler</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian badminton mixed doubles specialist Bambang Suprianto said on Friday the hardcourt in the Dome's Pavillion 3 at the Olympics Park in Homebush Bay, Sydney, could jeopardize his opening campaign at the...

Enron gets World Bank's 1st-ever insurance payout

<p>Enron gets World Bank's 1st-ever insurance payout</p><p> WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): Enron Corp. received the first-ever payout from the World Bank's political risk insurance arm this year, as Indonesia broke a taboo that has surrounded bank guarantees offered for...

Motorcycle thief mobbed to death

<p>Motorcycle thief mobbed to death</p><p> TANGERANG (JP): One of four men who was caught in the act of stealing a motorcycle, belonging to a policeman, at Bitung subdistrict in Cikupa on Friday, was mobbed to death after stabbing the policeman.

Betawi preservation project begins

<p>Betawi preservation project begins</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a Betawi cultural reserve began on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Governor Sutiyoso.</p><p>The project in Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, is part...

Storm demolishes dozens of houses

<p>Storm demolishes dozens of houses</p><p> SEMARANG, Central Java: Heavy rain and strong winds knocked down dozens of houses in Demak and Blora regencies on Thursday and damaged hundreds others. No fatalities were reported.

Hospitals asked to check radiology devices

<p>Hospitals asked to check radiology devices</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The Nuclear Energy Control Agency (Bapeten) asked hospitals on Friday to service and organize their equipment used in nuclear medicine treatments following a number of incidents in the country.

UOB signs pact with Bo-Coms

<p>UOB signs pact with Bo-Coms</p><p> SINGAPORE (DPA): United Overseas Bank (UOB) has signed a pact with China's fifth-largest bank in a bid to increase the Singapore institution's market share in the country, it was reported on Friday.

Fire razes shops

<p>Fire razes shops</p><p> PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Fire razed a three story Rita supermarket and several adjacent shops on Jl. Kol. Suprapto here on Friday morning. No one was injured in the blaze which caused an estimated Rp 5 billion (US$595,000) in material losses.

Wynne, Yayuk fighting flu in Sydney ahead of matches

<p>Wynne, Yayuk fighting flu in Sydney ahead of matches</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Women's tennis hopefuls Wynne Prakusya and Yayuk Basuki are fighting off the flu as Sydney's chilling temperature is proving to be a hurdle to Indonesia's bid to excel in the Olympic Games.

UN calls for shipping tieup

<p>UN calls for shipping tieup</p><p> SINGAPORE (DPA): A U.N. official called for greater cooperation among ASEAN's public and private sectors in the shipping industry at a Singapore conference winding up on Friday.

Govt's policy on CPO gets cool response

<p>Govt's policy on CPO gets cool response</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): The government's recent move to cut the export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) has received a cool response from producers.