Consumption of copper cathode for the cable and wire industry had fallen 90 per cent since the crisis started in July 1997, said traders, adding that the bearish trend would stay in 1999.

"It's very hard to make estimates for copper cathode imports this year because Indonesia faces complete uncertainty when it comes to politics and security while local demand is very poor," said one Jakarta-based trader.

He said demand for underground cable from the state-run electricity company, PLN, was also low. "I think the market will watch the outcome of the general elections in June. Then we may have a better idea about this year's outlook," he said.

Some traders said this year's imports of copper cathode could be 15 per cent less than in 1998, seen at 45,000 tonnes. Others said this year's imports would be much lower.

Imports in 1997 stood at 110,000 tonnes.

Indonesia is suffering from its worst economic crisis in decades. The value of the rupiah currency has fallen more than 70 per cent against the US dollar.

Most of the country's property and real estate firms have frozen operations. Crime and violence have flared in recent months in the world's fourth most populous country.

One source at Alumindo Light Metal Industry said imports for aluminium ingot this year were expected to stay at around 50,000 tonnes, unchanged from 1998. Imports in 1997 stood at 120,000 tonnes.

"On the export side, the prospect is much brighter. We are expecting a huge order totalling 7,500 tonnes of aluminium sheet from Peru. Talks are still under way," said the source in Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java.