Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 October 1997

68 articles found

Hamami supports public efforts to nab criminals

Hamami supports public efforts to nab criminals JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata gave his support yesterday to civilians who assist police eliminate crime by capturing and handing over alleged criminals. But Hamami warned the public not to take the law into their own hands by assaulting suspects. "People participation in fighting crime is very helpful," the two-star general said.

Talks on new energy soon

Talks on new energy soon JAKARTA (JP): An international conference on renewable energy and energy efficiency will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16, an official has said. Director General of Electricity and Energy Development Endro Utomo Notodisuryo said early this week that the objective of the conference was to exchange information on energy use among the Asia-Pacific countries.

Satelindo gets new ratings

Satelindo gets new ratings JAKARTA (JP): Two leading international rating companies, Moody and Standard & Poor's Corp. have assigned Baa3 and BBB ratings, respectively, to PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo). Satelindo said in a statement yesterday that the company was assessed for its business, future finance and management.

Interest rates at Danamon

Interest rates at Danamon From Kompas I joined Danamon Bank's House-Ownership Loan Program almost two years ago. In the first year, the interest rate was 18 percent per year and the installment was Rp 400,000 per month. Everything ran smoothly during the first year. In mid-August, Danamon's marketing division notified me that the interest rate had been increased to 19.5 percent per annum and that, therefore, the monthly installment now stood at Rp 421,600.

Japan to set up Asia fund to curb regional crisis

Japan to set up Asia fund to curb regional crisis TOKYO (Reuter): Japan may be fine-tuning a plan to establish an Asia fund to deal with regional economic crises which can win broad sympathy from Western nations and multilateral institutions, government sources said yesterday.

APRIL's wood use permit reinstated

APRIL's wood use permit reinstated SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd (APRIL) group said yesterday Indonesia has reinstated the wood use permit of its subsidiary P.T. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (Riapulp). APRIL has a 98.9 percent interest in Riapulp, which operates a 750,000 ton-per-year pulp mill in Indonesia.

Bakrie wants BI to give loans in U.S. dollar

Bakrie wants BI to give loans in U.S. dollar JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has appealed to Bank Indonesia, the central bank, to provide U.S. dollar-denominated loans to help local companies pay off their offshore debts. The chamber's chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, said yesterday that dollar loans were essential given the shortage of greenback supply in the market.

RI to celebrate Food Day

RI to celebrate Food Day JAKARTA: Indonesia will celebrate the 17th World Food Day and the second World Rural Women's Day on Oct 16, it was announced here yesterday.

Rupiah climbs on market optimism as stocks gain

Rupiah climbs on market optimism as stocks gain JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah strengthened for the third consecutive day yesterday on optimism that proposed financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would help mend the country's monetary problem. Currency dealers said that the rupiah rose sharply in late trading yesterday breaking the psychological level of 3,400 to close at 3,355/65 against the opening of 3,470/90 in the morning.

RP grounds alleged drug cheat

RP grounds alleged drug cheat MANILA (AFP): The Philippines has grounded an athlete in its Jakarta-bound Southeast Asian Games contingent for using drugs, an official said yesterday. The unnamed athlete, identified only as a member of the softball team, tested positive for the banned stimulant metamphetamine hydrochloride, known as "ice" or "shabu," said commissioner Eli Bontigao of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Teenager faces court for killing mother's lover

Teenager faces court for killing mother's lover JAKARTA (JP): An 18-year-old boy was indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday on charges of beating to death his mother's boyfriend. Prosecutor M. Syafe'i said the defendant, identified as Munadi, killed Nano Waryono, 39, in a park on Jl. Kembang Sepatu in the Kramat subdistrict, Central Jakarta on June 29. Syafe'i said Munadi was angry when he saw his 40-year-old mother, identified as Muhini, and Waryono return home about 9:30 p.m.

Sinar Mas, LG establish insurance firm

Sinar Mas, LG establish insurance firm JAKARTA (JP): PT Asuransi Sinar Mas, an insurance arm of the widely diversified Sinar Mas Group, and South Korea's LG Insurance Corporation Ltd agreed yesterday to jointly operate a general insurance company. Indra Widjaya, the chief commissioner of PT Asuransi Sinar Mas, said the insurance company, which would be named PT LG Simas General Insurance, would cover losses in property, marine and cargo services.

Nico Pelealu wins FEI World Dressage

Nico Pelealu wins FEI World Dressage JAKARTA (JP): Leading Indonesian rider Nico Pelealu on his horse Loretto won the FEI World Dressage at Parongpong, Bandung, on Wednesday. Pelealu was awarded a score of 381 point by the two judges in his group; judge C (191 points) and judge E (190 points). Pelealu comes from SKJP Riding School in Jakarta. Joifie Momongan (Tridan Stable Jakarta), on Eduardo Rex, was second with 374 points (183 191).

Widyono, an ex-Cambodian governor from Indonesia

Widyono, an ex-Cambodian governor from Indonesia By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Benny Widyono may not be a household name here, but in diplomatic circles he has his own place, particularly in the United Nations. A man who speaks many languages, he is the only Indonesian to have once been a governor of war-torn Siem Reap, a Cambodian province that has witnessed a great deal of violence.

IMF aid

IMF aid It appears that the monetary crisis that is at present hitting our country is regarded as truly serious. After a limited cabinet meeting on Wednesday, it was announced that the government would be seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in order to surmount the effects of the monetary upheaval. This decision is rather surprising.

Huge crowd cheers SEA Games torch

Huge crowd cheers SEA Games torch JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Jakarta yesterday to welcome the 19th SEA Games torch, paraded in an ebullient 15-kilometer procession. Setting out from South Jakarta mayoralty office on Jl. Trunojoyo, the torch went to City Hall in Central Jakarta followed by a parade of cultural performances. A 10-member cavalry squad who rode Australian-bred Torrobrat horses led the pack of torch bearers.

'Don't repeat old habits after IMF cure'

'Don't repeat old habits after IMF cure' The government has resorted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it through the currency crisis. Communications expert Wimar Witoelar says that realizing one's sickness is already half the cure. JAKARTA (JP): There is no relationship between IMF and the inter-galactic trouble-shooting elite cops portrayed in the blockbuster movie Men in Black starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

Veteran shuttlers picked to make Games clean sweep

Veteran shuttlers picked to make Games clean sweep JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to meet the National Sports Council target of a clean sweep in badminton, the Badminton Association of Indonesia has decided to rely on veteran players instead of its second stringers.

TV stations fight for Games viewers

TV stations fight for Games viewers JAKARTA (JP): While some 5,800 athletes from 10 Southeast Asian countries are flexing their muscles for medals in the regional sporting meet that officially kicks off today, six local TV stations are launching a programming war. State-owned television TVRI will dedicate at least four and a half hours of air time every day to the SEA Games which runs through Oct. 19. The special coverage excludes some live shows, including soccer matches.

Forest fires have delayed resettlement

Forest fires have delayed resettlement JAKARTA (JP): More than 20,000 transmigrant families from densely populated Java have had to delay their departure for three-months due to the forest fires raging across the country, a minister said yesterday. The delay also means that the government will probably not be able to achieve its target of resettling 65,000 families during the 1997/1998 fiscal year.

Australia counts the cost of RI's downturn

Australia counts the cost of RI's downturn SYDNEY (DPA): As Australian officials moved yesterday to shore up international confidence in Indonesia's ability to deal with its worst financial crisis in decades, business executives began to count the cost of Jakarta's sliding fortunes. Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, speaking on the eve of a visit to Thailand and Indonesia, was upbeat about the region's future and pledged that Canberra would consider any request from Jakarta for assistance.

Sutiyoso upset on Games eve

Sutiyoso upset on Games eve JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso found last-minute hitches with several sports facilities on the eve of today's opening of the 19th SEA Games, and told his officials to spare no effort to rectify them in the time remaining. Sutiyoso was particularly upset at the sports hall being used for the karate competition in North Jakarta, which he said was appallingly dirty.

Councilors brush off disgruntled farmers

Councilors brush off disgruntled farmers JAKARTA (JP): City councilors refused to meet with a group of farmers from Kalideres, West Jakarta, yesterday, who sought help to settle their land dispute with a private developer. Members of Commission A for administration refused to comment, but a representative of the 10-member group, Muhajin, was told that the councilors wanted to have a "private session" with the developer, PT Citra Garden.

Wamena airport to be upgraded

Wamena airport to be upgraded JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Wamena airport will be upgraded to accommodate Boeing 737 passenger airplanes by 2004. The head of the provincial transportation office, HF Nelwan, said here yesterday that construction had begun with the extension of the airport's 1,400-meter runway. According to Antara, the airport currently can only accommodate the smaller Fokker 28, Fokker 27 and Hercules airplanes.

Murders by MILF on peace agenda

Murders by MILF on peace agenda MANILA (AFP): The execution-style shooting of two men by a Philippine Moslem guerrilla group (MILF) will be discussed in upcoming peace talks between the rebels and the government, the two sides said yesterday. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front lined up two suspected murderers before a guerrilla firing squad in the town of Masiu Monday, provoking an uproar by civil rights groups.

Hairdresser, monks deported

Hairdresser, monks deported JAKARTA (JP): The immigration directorate general deported yesterday a Japanese hairdresser from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for violating an immigration permit. Immigration director for supervision and control Zaiman Nurmatias said Matsuo Shuji left the country on a Singapore Airlines flight. "Immigration officials arrested the man at Centra Beauty Pro salon at Plaza Indonesia shopping center in Central Jakarta on Sept. 24," Zaiman said.

S&P affirms Matahari rating

S&P affirms Matahari rating SYDNEY (Reuter): Standard and Poor's Corp said yesterday it affirmed the "BB" corporate credit rating of Indonesian retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima. S&P has also removed Matahari from its CreditWatch-Developing rating and said its outlook is positive. S&P also said the BB rating on the US$100 million notes issued by Matahari International Finance Co BV, which are guaranteed by Matahari, had been affirmed and removed from CreditWatch- Developing.

Coaches stunned by RI's 4-0 soccer win

Coaches stunned by RI's 4-0 soccer win JAKARTA (JP): Coaches from Singapore, Myanmar and Thailand were all surprised to see Indonesia crush Malaysia 4-0 in the soccer SEA Games competition at Senayan Stadium Thursday. "What! Indonesia beat Malaysia, it's unbelievable. Malaysia is a strong team that could not be beaten easily by any team in Southeast Asia," coach Barry Whitebread of the Singaporean team said at the Lebak Bulus Stadium, South Jakarta Thursday, as quoted by Suara Pembaruan.

Attempt to smuggle rare monkeys foiled

Attempt to smuggle rare monkeys foiled MANADO, North Sulawesi: The Sam Ratulangi Airport authorities foiled Thursday an attempt to smuggle six rare monkeys aboard a plane bound for Jakarta, Antara reported. Airport quarantine officer Mukhibin Arief said yesterday the tarsius spectrum monkeys, the smallest monkeys in the world, were brought by a man from Minahasa regency identified only as BS. He was arrested just before boarding a Bouraq plane.

Raisio buys RI's firm

Raisio buys RI's firm HELSINKI (Reuter): Finnish food and chemicals group Raisio said yesterday its chemicals arm Raisio Chemicals had bought 50 percent of Indonesian PT Intercipta Kimia Pratama for an undisclosed sum. "Intercipta's turnover this year will be around $5 million, and it employs 55 people," it said.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Graphic Art Exhibition: by Marida Nasution, at the Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Oct. 16. * Painting Exhibition: Van Der Sterren from New Zealand, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Oct. 19. * Painting Exhibition: by Ling Nan Lung, Tjeng Tjiam Hwie, L. Mantarja, Eveline Hilman, Chien Pang L, at Balai Budaya, Jl.

ASEAN sportsmanship

ASEAN sportsmanship The 19th Southeast Asian Games which officially get underway in Jakarta today could not have come at a better time. They are held as the region's spirit of neighborliness and friendship are severely tested by the currency contagion that started in Thailand, and the haze problem originating mostly from forest fires in Indonesia.

Oil chief succeeds Kazakh premier

Oil chief succeeds Kazakh premier ALMATY (Reuter): Kazakhstan's parliament appointed the resource-rich country's oil chief as prime minister yesterday and he said there would be no change in policy -- despite President Nursultan Nazarbayev's criticism of the outgoing team.

ASEAN ministers to meet in Kuala Lumpur

ASEAN ministers to meet in Kuala Lumpur JAKARTA (JP): Nine ASEAN ministers of finance and their senior officials will gather at the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN Conference and Exhibition on Finance, to be held at the Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. The conference, organized by the ASEAN Business Forum in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat, will focus on the theme of ASEAN Financial Initiatives for the 21st century.

Ecotourism meeting

Ecotourism meeting BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The 10th meeting of the environmental commission of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) will be held here from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14, Antara reported yesterday. Head of the provincial tourist office HA Suprijadi said Thursday 150 delegates from at least 133 WTO member countries would attend the meeting.

Terry fox run and cleanliness

Terry fox run and cleanliness For the first time ever, I joined the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 14, 1997 in Jakarta. It was a great event as it has helped to support the war against cancer. That morning I could meet people of all walks of life and nationalities participating in the event. Many completed the course on bikes, some on their roller skates and the rest on foot. Mrs.

Small-time traders profit from rupiah's ups and downs

Small-time traders profit from rupiah's ups and downs By Ahmad Junaedi JAKARTA (JP): The adage "one man's meat is another man's poison" is apt for the current slide in value of the rupiah against the greenback. For officials, businesspeople and common folk, the rupiah crisis -- which is ongoing -- has caused an irksome headache for most Indonesians. Many projects have been canceled and others reviewed.

Forest fires

Forest fires From Suara Karya The greed of Indonesian people, particularly the forest concessionaires, is already beyond common sense. We have had forest fires in the past, but they were not that catastrophic. The current forest fire disaster in Sumatra and Kalimantan has been a real danger with smoke reaching Malaysia. Malaysia has since declared a state of emergency. The situation has become so dangerous that each ministry has to consider its role.

Power blackouts

Power blackouts I moved to Permata Hijau (Simpruk), South Jakarta, about a month ago. It was a great relief for me and my family to live in our new house, after waiting a long time for its completion. Then the unexpected happened. In only one month, the whole area experienced more than five blackouts. Upon each inquiry, I was told that they were repairing something somewhere. Could PLN (the state-owned electricity company) give further clarification? WIDODO Jakarta

Income target from tourism lowered

Income target from tourism lowered JAKARTA (JP): The government has lowered the projection for foreign exchange receipts from foreign tourists this year on fears that the haze problem will cause a decline in tourist arrivals. According to data provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, revenue from foreign tourists will total about US$6.5 billion this year, much lower than the initial projection of between $6.64 billion and $7.14 billion.

Meshindo Corporation riding high on its wheel of fortune

Meshindo Corporation riding high on its wheel of fortune By John Aglionby NOT many Indonesian automotive companies are riding high at present. Anything that has to be imported has soared in price, local demand is decreasing daily, and there is no end in sight to the financial crisis. One of the few exceptions is PT Meshindo Corporation, an alloy wheel manufacturer based in Surabaya. Not only is it bucking the trend, Meshindo is about to expand its production capacity by 40 percent.

Traffic at Tanjung Barat

Traffic at Tanjung Barat From Republika My office is located in the Tanjung Barat area of South Jakarta. Regarding the congestion along Jl. Simatupang outside the toll road (both the Pondok Indah and the Kampung Rambutan bound traffic), I would like to suggest the following to the relevant government agencies: 1. Make a new U-turn in the direction of Pasar Rebo located far from the railroad. The old U-turn is too close to the railroad. 2.

ABRI expected to spearhead democratization

ABRI expected to spearhead democratization JAKARTA (JP): The country's oldest living general, Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, said yesterday that in coming years the Armed Forces' (ABRI) should be at the forefront of democratization. Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers at the Cut Meutia Mosque in Central Jakarta, Nasution said current ABRI leaders have a greater opportunity and capability to carry out the task.

Regent denies famine hits Donggala regency

Regent denies famine hits Donggala regency JAKARTA (JP): A government official denied yesterday that 12 people had died of starvation in Donggala regency, Central Sulawesi, and that thousands of others were facing the same fate. Donggala Regent Syachbuddin Lobajo said the region had an ample supply of food and as it was one of the rice bowls of the province it was impossible for people to die of hunger. "Even now there's a surplus of rice stock.

Vietnam poised to maintain winning streak

Vietnam poised to maintain winning streak As part of our coverage of the SEA Games, The Jakarta Post is running a profile of each of the 10 participating countries. The story below is the ninth in the series. JAKARTA (JP): Vietnam's desire to double its medal collection at the coming SEA Games is not just wishful thinking, if statistics are worth believing. After missing seven meets, Vietnam returned to the biennial event in 1989 in Kuala Lumpur with a startling performance.

Gumarang Sakti draws on Minang heritage in dance

Gumarang Sakti draws on Minang heritage in dance By Mariam K. Sutalaksana JAKARTA (JP): Plates flew across the stage with dancers catching, throwing and running with them. Clanking sounds of the dishes as they collided into a pile opened performances by Gumarang Sakti Dance Company last Tuesday and Wednesday nights. At one point a plate broke, and the audience was kept on the edge of their seats wondering if another would smash.

Djamaludin urges timber firms to unload dollars

Djamaludin urges timber firms to unload dollars JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo asked timber and other forest-related companies yesterday to unload their American dollar holdings to help cool down the dollar rush. Djamaludin said selling dollars would help stabilize the rupiah, which had dropped by over 35 percent since early January this year due to selling pressure from overseas fund managers and local companies.

U.S. university fair held

U.S. university fair held JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-four American universities will take part in a university fair hosted by the American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation (Aminef) at the Balai Pustaka building on Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 6, Central Jakarta, today. The fair, cosponsored by Aminef and the International Students College Exchange, will feature admissions officers from the colleges and universities from throughout the United States.

Draught, haze, money crisis have mixed impact on mining

Draught, haze, money crisis have mixed impact on mining JAKARTA (JP): Director General of General Mining Adjat Sudradjat said the drought, the haze and the rupiah's depreciation against the U.S. dollar had a mixed impact on the mining sector. Adjat said Thursday that the depreciation of the rupiah against the dollar was expected to raise mining revenue, but the haze had disrupted some mining activities of companies located in West Indonesia.

Electronics to benefit from currency woes

Electronics to benefit from currency woes SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asian electronics firms are benefiting from the regional currency crisis since they earn US dollars and weak local currencies cut operating costs, an international investment house said yesterday. "I think electronics companies as a whole are net beneficiaries in the currency crisis," said Pearly Yap, research manager at SocGen-Crosby Securities Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of French bank Societe Generale.

Brunei, Malaysia to host next two SEA Games

Brunei, Malaysia to host next two SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games Federation Executive Council Meeting yesterday officially declared Brunei Darussalam as the Games host in 1999. The federation's secretary-general, Rudolph S. Warouw of Indonesia, told reporters that for the 21st Games in 2001, the federation recommended Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "Malaysia has agreed to host the event.

Thailand couts Soros to invest, says report

Thailand couts Soros to invest, says report BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand last month urged U.S. billionaire currency trader George Soros to invest in the local stock market and promote the country in international financial markets, a news report said yesterday.

Ministers, BI chief meet 20 foreign fund managers

Ministers, BI chief meet 20 foreign fund managers JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad promised yesterday to accelerate financial sector strengthening, deepen structural economic reform through deregulation and consolidate fiscal management to pull the country out of its monetary crisis. After meeting with 20 foreign fund managers, Mar'ie said the government had actually taken measures to restore market confidence but they were not enough.

Water supply for Halim area

Water supply for Halim area JAKARTA (JP): The Air Force, in cooperation with city-owned water company PDAM Jaya, supplied 20 tons of water free of charge to residents of Halim Perdanakusuma subdistrict in East Jakarta yesterday. The water, sent in five tankers, was symbolically handed over by Marshal Mulyanto, commander of the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, to local residents, who have been short of water since September.

Last two bodies from chopper crash found

Last two bodies from chopper crash found JAKARTA (JP): Search teams discovered yesterday the bodies of the last two missing people aboard the police helicopter which crashed Wednesday in South Sumatra. "The bodies of co-pilot Lt. Eko and passenger Murod were found floating on a nearby river," Col. Ivan Sihombing, an officer of the South Sumatra police force, told Antara in Palembang, South Sumatra. The body of the pilot, Capt. Sriono, was found floating on Jerungau Kecil river Thursday evening.

S'pore PM appeals libel verdict

S'pore PM appeals libel verdict SINGAPORE (AP): Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is appealing a court verdict that awarded him 20,000 Singaporean dollars (US$12,903) in libel damages from an opposition politician, it was reported yesterday. Goh had asked for 200,000 dollars ($129,032) from Workers' Party leader J.B. Jeyaretnam for statements he made at an election campaign rally in January.

Guard implicated in Garuda crash

Guard implicated in Garuda crash JAKARTA (JP): Despite a large-scale search involving hundreds of Armed Forces (ABRI) personnel, civilian volunteers and experts, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder of the ill-fated Garuda Indonesia Airbus remain missing.

Another $500m for Senayan expansion

Another $500m for Senayan expansion JAKARTA (JP): PT Senayan Trikarya Sempana, a subsidiary of Japan's leading construction company Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd, plans to invest another US$500 million into the expansion of its shopping, office and apartment complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, the company said yesterday.

Habibie sympathizes with IPTN staff

Habibie sympathizes with IPTN staff JAKARTA (JP): President of the state-owned aircraft manufacturing company PT IPTN, B.J. Habibie, sympathized yesterday with employees' wage demands but said the company lacked the financial resources to meet them. While saying he understood the rising daily needs of his employees, Habibie said it would be difficult to meet demands for a 200 percent to 300 percent pay raise.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 10, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 950 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 850 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 775 125 1,426,500 Alumindo Perkasa 400 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 725 -25 348,000 Anwar Sierad 1,050 50 53,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

Is anyone else left in Doctor IMF's waiting room?

Is anyone else left in Doctor IMF's waiting room? By Phil Smith SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia is the latest country to call on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help but despite severe economic problems elsewhere in the region, analysts doubt others are in line for immediate treatment. Indonesia is expected to get between US$4 billion to $6 billion and the IMF is already giving the Philippines a helping hand of around $1.0 billion.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:45 Children's Film: The Crystal Maze 3:10 Culture Program: Lingkar Budaya 3:35 Travel: Wisata Nasional 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: Full House 5:45 The 19th Sea Games' Opening Ceremony (live) 9:00 World News 9:30 Sea Games Journal 10:00 Quiz: Berpacu dalam Melodi 10:30 Late News 10:40 Performance: Tetalu dan Tetari Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Power brownouts

Power brownouts From Republika We are subscribers of the power supplied by state-owned electricity company PLN to the Perumnas I housing complex in Tangerang. We experience frequent power outages, especially on Jl. Beringin Raya. These brownouts started two years ago. One time during the rainy season, the outages occurred four times in one week. Now in the dry season brownouts still occur. In mid-1996, we lodged a complaint with PLN.

Cuts of 100 billion baht proposed

Cuts of 100 billion baht proposed BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's Budget Bureau said yesterday it will propose cuts of 100 billion baht (US$2.7 billion) for the year to September 1998 to meet conditions imposed on an IMF bailout. Budget Bureau director-general Seri Susathaporn said the cuts, which would reduce the budget to 823 billion baht, would slow gross domestic product (GDP) growth to between one percent and percent next year.

New millennium to unlease man's moral, political imagination

New millennium to unlease man's moral, political imagination Dr. Herbert Feith, a visiting lecturer in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta talked about various topics including globalization and the Soros phenomenon in a recent interview with The Jakarta Post. The topics have earlier been touched on by Dr. Richard Falk, an American professor from Princeton University, during his various talks when he visited Indonesia last month.

S'pore to study Indonesian fires

S'pore to study Indonesian fires SINGAPORE (DPA): A team of Singapore scientists, known for their earlier satellite crime-busting work, are setting their sights on Indonesia's notorious forest fires, reports said yesterday. The Center for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Protesting (CRISP) gained fame a year ago when its scientists used satellite photos to prove an oil tanker was the source of a 5 kilometer oil slick in Singapore waters.

Pecatu builds more hotels

Pecatu builds more hotels JAKARTA (JP): PT Bali Pecatu Graha, a tourist resort developer in Bali, has signed an agreement with ANA Hotels International of Japan to jointly develop and manage a four-star hotel in Jimbaran. The planned hotel, to be called ANA Hotel Bali, will be ANA's first in Bali and second in Indonesia, Pecatu said in a statement yesterday. The US$80 million hotel project is scheduled to open by the year of 2000. The four-star hotel will have 400 rooms.

'Waterzooi' is a dance with heart and soul

'Waterzooi' is a dance with heart and soul By Emilie Sueur JAKARTA (JP): Let's take a little test on general perceptions of contemporary dance. Tell a male friend that you have a couple of tickets for a contemporary dance performance. Watch the scope of emotions flit across his face -- incredulity as he refuses to believe his ears, unabashed horror and a preview of the boredom he foresees.