Archive: 18 October 1997
71 articles found
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Proposal to cut budget submitted
Proposal to cut budget submitted JAKARTA (JP): The municipality has proposed to cut its Rp 3.37 trillion budget for the 1997/1998 fiscal year by 3.31 percent, or Rp 106.6 billion (US$29.21 million), to the City Council in a plenary meeting yesterday. Governor Sutiyoso said in his report that the cut was made due to overprojected costs of some city projects in last year's budget.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stowaway found in Malaysian warship
Stowaway found in Malaysian warship PEKANBARU, Riau: A young Indonesian stowaway was found aboard a Malaysian warship that was to take home 1,078 Malaysian firefighters who helped fight forest fires in Sumatra. The young man apparently intended to go to Malaysia aboard the ship that was about to sail from Dumai port, 200 kilometers north of here, Riau Deputy Governor Rustam S. Abrus was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday. He said the man was found aboard the ship during the send-off ceremony.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 10:00 a.m. Live Reports: Gelanggang Sea Games XIX 1:00 p.m. Music 2:00 News: Berita 14 2:30 Live Reports: Gelanggang Sea Games XIX 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: Full House 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama 8:05 Variety Show: Dibalik Kreasi 9:00 World News 9:30 Sea Games Journal 10:30 Quiz: Siapa Dia 11:20 Late News 11:30 TV Drama: Jerit Dibelantara Malam Program 2 4:30...
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Euro offers Asia an alternative to U.S. dollar
Euro offers Asia an alternative to U.S. dollar By Yoshiko Mori TOKYO (Reuters): Watch out, U.S. dollar! Asian investors have long been waiting for an alternative to the dollar as the key reserve currency, and monetary officials and economists say it could be the euro. "The idea of a successful euro is intriguing for Asian nations as it means the freedom to shift a major part of their funds out of the U.S. dollar," said Masao Suzaki, professor of economics at Tokyo's Senshu University.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Insurance claim raised
Insurance claim raised JAKARTA (JP): The government has raised the life insurance claim for passengers killed in a land and air traffic accident by around 100 percent -- to Rp 5 million (US$1,428) and Rp 40 million respectively from the previous rates of Rp 2 million and Rp 20 million. The government, through Ministry of Finance decree Nos. 496/KMK 017/1997 and 497/KMK 017/1997 stated that the increase was made to adjust to people's increasing standards of living.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Worsening haze reduces visibility to almost zero
Worsening haze reduces visibility to almost zero JAKARTA (JP): Worsening haze reduced visibility Thursday in cities in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi to almost zero, and wildlife in Kalimantan and Java is being affected, reports said yesterday. The Environmental Impact Management Agency said visibility was only about 100 meters in the Riau subdistrict of Rengat in Sumatra; the Panakukang subdistrict in South Sulawesi; and Pangkalanbun regency in Central Kalimantan.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
100 prostitutes rounded up
100 prostitutes rounded up BOGOR (JP): Bogor regency's public order office has rounded up over 100 prostitutes in a series of operations along certain streets over the last three months, an official said. Kusnadi, head of the office, said on Wednesday the prostitutes, aged between 20 years and 30 years, said they worked as prostitutes because it was hard to get other work. "But some said that they did it because it was a hobby," he said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Workers warned on third parties
Workers warned on third parties JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin called on workers yesterday not to be influenced by others who encourage them to join strikes or demonstrations. Sjafrie said certain people or groups have exploited several shortcomings in development programs -- including the gap between the rich and poor -- to discredit the government.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia copes with haze from Indonesia
Malaysia copes with haze from Indonesia By David Chew SINGAPORE (JP): The song Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by the Platters has always been a popular hit with many Malaysians. But today as its lilting strains come clear over the air waves, they do not evoke romantic memories. Instead they are a constant reminder of a physical discomfort. Much of this irritation is due to the haze that has hit Malaysia for the past month. Its smoke gets in your eyes -- literally.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Orangutan killed after fleeing fires
Orangutan killed after fleeing fires SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Forest fires in the province have forced at least 16 orangutans to flee their habitat, but one of the apes died at the hands of villagers, Antara reported yesterday. The orangutans had wandered into human settlements in East Kalimantan after forest fires in October, the manager of the Semboja Wana Riset Orangutan Rehabilitation Center near Samarinda, Arsyad, said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soccer final decisive for Wullems
Soccer final decisive for Wullems By Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): Self-confidence and optimism are the two key traits that have enabled the Indonesian soccer team's Dutch coach Henk Wullems cope with the unrelenting pressure to win the gold medal in the 19th SEA Games soccer competition. Having seen off Singapore in Thursday's semifinal, only Thailand now stands between Indonesia and gold. Tonight's final will seal Wullems' fate.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Design Exhibition: 3 tahun Desain UPH, at the Lippo Supermal Karawaci, until Oct. 19. * 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 and Ceramics Exhibition: Manusia dan Alam Pikirannya, works of Firman, Tisna Sanjaya, Agus Suwage and Suyatna, at the Lontar Gallery. Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H East Jakarta, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ssangyong faces uncertain future
Ssangyong faces uncertain future FOLLOWING hot on the heels of Kia's cash crisis comes news that Ssangyong -- South Korea's smallest carmaker -- may also be facing financial trouble. For the past year Ssangyong -- which launched its four wheel drive Boxer here in June -- has been suggesting that Daimler Benz was interested in increasing its share of the ailing South Korean manufacturer to maintain investor confidence.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto noncommittal about his renomination
Soeharto noncommittal about his renomination JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto indicated yesterday his commitment to the constitution when he was requested to open an international historian conference in August next year. The President chose to be noncommittal when senior historian Taufik Abdullah asked him to open the forthcoming international conference organized by the Association of Asian Historians here next year.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso to seek info on Monas gas station
Sutiyoso to seek info on Monas gas station JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday that he would invite representatives of the company managing the controversial gas station located at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta to brief him on the project's purpose. "I will hold a meeting with the company to get a clear explanation on the existence of the gas station project," Sutiyoso said after a meeting with City Council members.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
19th SEA Games Results
19th SEA Games Results Athletics Men: Discus throw: 1. Tuck Yim Wong (Sin) 52.18m 2. Wunsawan Sawusdee (Tha) 49.78 3. Ismail Sroyer (Ina) 47.52 200m: 1. Worasit Vechaphut (Tha) 21.02 2. Yanis Raubaba (Ina) 21.34 3. Ganeshwaran Raman (Mas) 21.36 400m: 1. Romzi Bakar (Mas) 47.13 2. Nadarajan Devarajo (Mas) 47.74 3. Novian Suhendra (Ina) 48.18 5,000m: 1. Ramachan Murusamy (Mas) 14:22.67 2. Win Thein (Mya) 14:32.22 3. Munusami Arumugam (Mas) 14:40.23 Women: 200m: 1. Shanti Govindasamy (Mas) 23.49 2.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Australia acts to reel in investors
Australia acts to reel in investors SYDNEY (AFP): The Australian government is reportedly considering giving overseas investors a tax break in a bid to lure their business from its crisis-stricken Asian neighbors. The Australian newspaper said yesterday that Treasurer Peter Costello could abolish the 9.8 percent interest withholding tax levied on overseas investors holding government bonds.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thailand rescinds oil tax increase
Thailand rescinds oil tax increase BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and a special meeting of economic ministers yesterday agreed to rescind the cabinet's decision this week to increase taxes on oil to meet IMF austerity requirements. Government spokesman Varathep Ratanakorn said the decision would take effect at midnight, and would be placed on the cabinet agenda next Tuesday for ratification. "The oil price will go back to the old price," Varathep said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia unveils mesures to curb account deficit
Malaysia unveils mesures to curb account deficit KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday a two percentage point cut in the corporate tax rate and new measures to help narrow the nation's current account deficit. Delivering his annual budget speech to parliament, Anwar said the Malaysian economy was now "entering a period of transition" following the recent collapse of share prices and the local currency.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Police detective shot dead in raid
Police detective shot dead in raid JAKARTA (JP): A City Police detective was shot dead yesterday when he and his team raided a cheap apartment in Pejompongan in Central Jakarta. City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang confirmed that Chief Sergeant Kamino, 37, was shot in the raid at about 6 a.m. "We cannot say much about the case since we are still investigating it. Kamino was probably shot by a criminal in the apartment," Aritonang said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
500,000 PNG people face famine
500,000 PNG people face famine PORT MORESBY (Reuters): An estimated 500,000 people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are in urgent need of food and water, according to an official assessment of the worst drought to hit the South Pacific nation in 50 years. PNG drought relief coordinator Peter Barter called on the government yesterday to release Kina 20 million (US$14 million) for drought relief as effects of the El Nio weather pattern bite hard.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 17, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 950 -25 70,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 675 -25 92,500 Alumindo Light Metal 700 0 45,000 Alumindo Perkasa 400 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 675 0 4,500 Anwar Sierad 775 0 330,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Agribusiness falls short of expectations: Expert
Agribusiness falls short of expectations: Expert By Joko Sarwono BOGOR, West Java (JP): The 1993 State Policy Guidelines, Indonesia's development blueprint for the past five years, provides numerous stipulations on agribusiness development, but realization is far from expectations. "What has been achieved is far from what has been expected," said Didin S. Damanhuri, an agricultural economist at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian wrestlers pin down golds
Indonesian wrestlers pin down golds By Christiani S.A. Tumelap JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's wrestlers have a slight edge over Vietnam as action on the mat concludes today. Host wrestlers stayed atop the medal table after the third day of freestyle wrestling yesterday, adding three golds, one silver and one bronze for a total of seven golds, six silvers and two bronzes.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
El Nino, man-made disaster threaten Dayaks
El Nino, man-made disaster threaten Dayaks By Carol Colfer BOGOR (JP): Pictures of the dramatic flooding that characterizes El Nino in the western hemisphere have been rampant in recent weeks. But there is a different side of El Nino in the eastern hemisphere: drought. It may provide less dramatic disaster photographs but the effects on local people are just as profound. I first went to Kalimantan in 1979, to do ethnographic research on the interactions between people and forests.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Shiitake mushrooms 'promising venture'
Shiitake mushrooms 'promising venture' By Sri Wahyuni WONOSOBO, Central Java (JP): Supriyadi, 23, could not help but beam watching Minister of Agriculture Sjarifuddin Baharsjah harvest the first shiitake mushrooms that he and other young farmers in Kreo village, Kejajar district, had been cultivating for the past six months.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN seeks closer ties with CER, southern Africa
ASEAN seeks closer ties with CER, southern Africa By Riyadi KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Closer Economic Relations (CER) group of Australia and New Zealand agreed in a consultation meeting here yesterday to eliminate trade barriers. Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz said that ministers from the regional countries had received a list of trade barriers from private sectors of both regions.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysians and Thais share the spoils in athletics
Malaysians and Thais share the spoils in athletics By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian sprinter Shanti Govindasamy confirmed her status as the fastest woman in the region yesterday when she won the 200 meters gold medal, three days after her victory in the 100m. Crossing the line in 23.49 seconds, Shanti again overcame her two arch rivals - Thailand's Dokjun Dokduang and Myanmar's Htay Than Than - who had also tailed her closely in the shorter sprint on Tuesday.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia assured four golds from badminton
Indonesia assured four golds from badminton By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): The loss of Joko Suprianto to Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock in the men's singles yesterday was the lone blemish for the home country in the individual badminton events. Despite the support of a packed stadium, Joko went down 15-18, 11-15. Ong will meet Indonesian Hariyanto Arbi for gold. But Indonesia is assured of at least four gold medals.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Foreign fans wave flags for their athletes
Foreign fans wave flags for their athletes By Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Crowd support can make all the difference in a tense game, but who is cheering on the foreign contingents in these Games in their quest for gold? A familiar face at the event is Lydia de Vega, formerly the queen of the 100 meters dash (her decade-old record still stands). Now a sports broadcaster for a private television station in Manila, she took time out to support the Philippine athletics squad yesterday.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia and Thailand rule wave
Indonesia and Thailand rule wave By Innocentius Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Thailand won five gold medals each and Singapore snatched four in the 19th SEA Games yachting finals in Jakarta Bay yesterday. Oka Sulaksana was the first of the five Indonesians to step on to the podium after scoring a nearly perfect three points to retain the Mistral Heavy Weight title he won in the previous Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand two years ago.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Siemens to boost sales
Siemens to boost sales JAKARTA (Antara): German company Siemens AG aims to become the seventh largest supplier of personal computers in Indonesia by increasing its market share from 2 percent last year to 6 percent this year, its marketing manager said. Last year, Siemens was the ninth largest supplier of PCs in the country, Siemens Nixdorf marketing manager Steen Myrhoj said Thursday at the launching of their new product, the electronic point of sale Beetle '20.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Withdrawing dollars
Withdrawing dollars If not for Mr. Smith's letter of Oct. 9, I would not have known that BCA, or any other Indonesian bank, charges customers a commission for withdrawing his or her own money (dollars). I checked with BCA Setiabudi branch, Bandung. The bank official there said: "When you withdraw you have to pay a commission to the bank of 1 percent.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
French-RI artist exchange program features wayang
French-RI artist exchange program features wayang By Emilie Sueur JAKARTA (JP): Cultural collaboration between France and Indonesia seems to be on a right track as, for the second time, the French Cultural Center (CCF) in Jakarta invited French artists to take part in its artist-in-residence program. The aim of this program, also called Nusantara, is to initiate enriching cultural exchanges between French and Indonesian artists.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bogor mayor gets award
Bogor mayor gets award BOGOR (JP): Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi received an award from the Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises for his success in developing cooperatives. The award was presented by West Java Governor R. Nuriana in Bandung yesterday. Anas S. Rasmana, acting spokesman for the Bogor mayoralty, said that the number of cooperatives had developed steadily under Eddy's leadership.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia earns gold in men's team golf
Indonesia earns gold in men's team golf JAKARTA (JP): Ten years of trying and hard work finally earned Indonesia a gold medal in men's team golf, something it has long dreamed of since 1997 when it proposed the sport be included in the SEA Games. Taking a commanding lead from tee off on Tuesday through to yesterday's final day, Sukamdi, Dana Mahmud, Denny Supriadi and Jemin Saputra spurred ahead of the field of 28 players from seven countries.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Birthday Carol
Birthday Carol JAKARTA (JP): The following athletes taking part at the SEA Games mark their birthday today: PG Haji Idris DK Hjh Mariani (team official, Brunei Darussalam, 1961); Tulus Priyadi (pencak silat, Indonesia 1964); Nuniek Nurdiaty (water skiing, Indonesia 1966); Mohammad Hashim Desa (shooting, Malaysia 1958); Nan Soe Soe (sepak takraw, Myanmar 1975); Walter Dean Vargas (taekwondo, Philippines 1971); Wacharee Rittiwat (track and field, Thailand 1976); Somnuk Teeralertpanit (basketball,...
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
77 questioned in gambling raid
77 questioned in gambling raid JAKARTA (JP): Seventy-seven people were taken to City Police Headquarters for questioning after a raid on an amusement center which allegedly also operates as a gambling den on Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta in Central Jakarta. City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the police also confiscated 100 pinball machines and coins from the amusement center. "The people we caught were gamblers, employees of the amusement center and other patrons," he said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's women take three karate gold medals
Indonesia's women take three karate gold medals By Sylvia Gratia Miranda JAKARTA (JP): It was a golden day for Indonesia's female karate squad as they took top honors in three out of four women's events, one more than closest rival Vietnam. In the two men's events, the hosts squared off in a two-team race with Malaysia in the 55 kg and below, and 60 kg and below.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
BAGOC to learn from SEA Games
BAGOC to learn from SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): Free spectator entry and incentives for world record breaking athletes are two of the features of the SEA Games which the Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) said it might adopt when it hosts the continent's premier sporting event. BAGOC marketing director Santiparb Tejavanija said these were some of the "various good points" which could be used in next December's Games. "All the sports are free for all the people," he said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soleha: A tragedy that will continue?
Soleha: A tragedy that will continue? From Republika I was really shocked to read a report on the beheading in Saudi Arabia of an Indonesian woman migrant worker called Soleha and became all the more so when it was also reported -- in newspapers -- that she had been incarcerated since 1993 and that our embassy there claimed ignorance of her case all these years. It makes me wonder how our embassy in Saudi Arabia could have no knowledge at all about an Indonesian citizen committing a crime there.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Italian PM's set to strengthen ties
Italian PM's set to strengthen ties JAKARTA (JP): Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and his entourage will arrive here Monday for a two-day state visit to strengthen bilateral ties with Indonesia. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday that the prime minister's entourage will include Italian Minister of Foreign Trade Augusto Fantozzi and 80 Italian high-ranking government officials and prominent business delegates.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nurhayati pedals to golden clean sweep
Nurhayati pedals to golden clean sweep By Johannes K. Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Nurhayati has crowned herself the region's cycling queen by winning all five events in which she competed in the Games. Yesterday, she completed her haul by winning the individual road race, a tiring 70-km slog around the Subang ringroad, in 2:08.22.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
SEA Games Medals Tally
SEA Games Medals Tally Medal's tally as at 21.45 last night: Gold Silver Bronze --------------------------------- Indonesia 143 76 82 Thailand 70 79 59 Malaysia 42 52 59 Philippines 35 43 80 Vietnam 26 41 35 Singapore 23 14 39 Myanmar 6 22 39 Brunei 0 2 3 Laos 0 0 7 Cambodia 0 0 6 --------------------------------- Total 345 329 409 Some events gave two golds and several events gave more than one bronze.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Japan to help deal with currency woes
Japan to help deal with currency woes JAKARTA (JP): Japan's Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Eisuke Sakakibara said here yesterday that the Japanese government was ready to help Indonesia cope with its currency crisis. "The Japanese government stands solidly behind Indonesia... and is ready to extend bilateral financial or technical assistance to the country," Sakakibara said following a meeting with Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
BCA's silence
BCA's silence I find it quite incredible that after nearly 10 days and four public complaints, BCA has not responded to clarify or even defend its BCA dollar account policy. Doesn't Indonesia's "largest private bank" have a public relations department or a management which reads English newspapers? Or is the number of BCA dollar account holders too insignificant for them to bother replying?
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sending of illegal workers foiled
Sending of illegal workers foiled MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Police in West Lombok have thwarted the dispatch of 68 illegal workers, including one woman, to Malaysia. Antara quoted West Lombok Police Chief Lt. Col. Djunaidhy Tiansyah as saying Thursday that the workers were arrested as they were about to board a bus at their lodging in Karang Jangkong, in the Mataram municipality, last Wednesday.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
IPTN agrees to award pay rise to most workers
IPTN agrees to award pay rise to most workers JAKARTA (JP): PT IPTN, the state-owned aircraft manufacturer, agreed yesterday to award a Rp 150,000 pay increase across the board for all its workers whose net monthly earnings were less than Rp 700,000 (US$200), Antara reported. The increase, which is effective with this month's payroll, comes after a rare three-day stoppage by thousands of IPTN workers at its main plant in Bandung, West Java, last week.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Aussie bank eyes Malaysia, Thailand
Aussie bank eyes Malaysia, Thailand MELBOURNE (Reuters): One of Australia's major banks said yesterday it was considering expanding into Thailand and Malaysia by acquisition, seizing on financial turmoil in the region to boost its Asian profile. The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) said the heavy fall in Southeast Asian currencies and asset values was a chance for the bank to widen its Asian coverage and be better positioned to ride the next wave of economic growth.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Amanjiwo Hotel opens
Amanjiwo Hotel opens BOROBUDUR, Central Java (Antara): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave officially opened the Amanjiwo Hotel here Thursday evening. On the occasion, he said the government was determined to continue deregulating the hotel industry to further stimulate its growth. The Amanjiwo Hotel is located at a strategic location along a highway linking Yogyakarta and Semarang.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI's palm oil output up
RI's palm oil output up MANILA (Reuters): Production of Indonesian crude palm oil is expected to increase to 5.5 million tonnes next year, up from a projected 5.2 million this year, Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute director Kabul Tamin said yesterday. Crude palm oil production was 4.9 million tonnes last year. "(It's) because of expansion in the areas covered and increased maturity of palm trees," Tamin told Reuters.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI medal machine still powering on
RI medal machine still powering on JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia enters the penultimate day of the 19th Southeast Asian Games without giving any trace of running out of steam in its quest for gold medals. Even though the host failed to take any golds in track and field or shooting yesterday, its cyclists, yachtsmen, rowers, tennis players and karatekas made up for these setbacks.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sounding out the opposition
Sounding out the opposition JAKARTA (JP): Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanusagarn could be forgiven for mistaking the Senayan tennis stadium for a lion's den yesterday. Think tennis, and the hallowed Center Court at Wimbledon and genteel crowds come to mind. But Indnesian fans turned the definition on its ear as they ranted, screamed, beat drums and shouted down a small and increasingly subdued group of Thai spectators.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Haze: Test in Jakarta-KL ties
Haze: Test in Jakarta-KL ties By Paridah Abd. Samad JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia has a very long history of bilateral ties with Indonesia, disrupted only during a confrontation in the mid-1960s. Gen. Soeharto was then one of the key people on the Indonesian side to help end the confrontation. When he became President, and with ASEAN established in 1967, the mostly social and cultural ties between the two countries developed another significant dimension -- economic ties.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Credit card rejected
Credit card rejected On Oct. 10, my friend and I had lunch at Gunung Mas Restaurant which serves Chinese and Japanese food in the basement of Wisma Danamon Aetna Life. As soon as we were seated, a waiter gave us the menu. Upon seeing the prices, we both thought that the food was quite expensive for such a restaurant, but we didn't care about it at the time. The names of many of the dishes were also not familiar to us, so we asked the waiter for descriptions.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stars stumble in slippery sand
Stars stumble in slippery sand JAKARTA (JP): To most people sand is just sand. But to beach volleyballers there is much more to the yellow stuff than meets the eye. And yesterday many of the competitors grumbled that the sand being used in the Games, which comes from Bangka island in Riau province, was not up to scratch. Malaysia's Lim Poh Hong said: "The sand is very dry and we need more energy to play.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Coach's sniping humbles shooter
Coach's sniping humbles shooter JAKARTA (JP): Finishing second was bad enough for top-ranked marksman Panichpatikum Jakkrit. But the Thai then had to suffer the second humiliation of a public dressing-down. He had already won gold in the team free pistol event when he stepped up to the shooting line in the individual competition. In an agonizingly close contest, Panichpatikum lost by just 0.1 point to Carolino Gonzales of the Philippines. The worst was yet to come.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
6 motorists arrested for bribery charges
6 motorists arrested for bribery charges JAKARTA (JP): City Police plan to prosecute six motorists who were arrested after allegedly trying to bribe traffic police officers. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said on Thursday that all the offenses had taken place on city toll roads. He said five of the motorists were truck drivers -- identified only as ACE, aged 21, JBN, 32, MR, 38, ML, 28, and RK, 32 -- and the sixth was a bus driver, identified as MT, 36.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Skyrocketing rates hit developers
Skyrocketing rates hit developers JAKARTA (JP): About half of the 2,400 housing developers in Indonesia have stopped activities because of skyrocketing lending rates due to the ongoing currency crisis, a minister said yesterday. State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung said the government would fail to reach its target of building 500,000 low-cost houses, under an ongoing five-year national development program which ends in 1999, if the monetary situation does not recover soon.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
S'pore oil spill could cost $100m
S'pore oil spill could cost $100m SINGAPORE (Reuters): The worst oil spill in Singapore's history, which poured 25,000 tons of heavy marine fuel oil across the Singapore Strait, could cost up to US$100 million, insurance industry sources said yesterday. "What they're estimating is a total loss of no more than $100 million. That's vessels, cargo, pollution clean up and any claim the Singapore government might have," said one.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Successful Games
Successful Games With two days of competition still to go, one can safely conclude that the 19th Southeast Asian Games have been successful in almost every aspect. The huge cost that Indonesia has incurred to stage the Games, including for the lavish opening ceremony last Saturday and the renovation of various sport venues, has been well worth every penny.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bank BNI launches credit card service
Bank BNI launches credit card service JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Negara Indonesia (Bank BNI) launched a MasterCard credit card yesterday, the first of its kind by an Indonesian state-owned bank, in cooperation with MasterCard International. BNI's president Widigdo Sukarman said the credit card would be fully introduced to the public in December after a trial run this month and November.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Another body found at Garuda crash site
Another body found at Garuda crash site JAKARTA (JP): Rescue workers found Thursday the remains of another victim of the Garuda Indonesia Airbus crash, bringing the total number of newly discovered victims to four. All 222 passengers and 12 crew members were killed when the Airbus A-300-B4 crashed in Buah Nabar village in Sibolangit, on Sept. 26. The plane was heading for North Sumatra's capital Medan from Jakarta.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nightspots, party goers reject alcohol restrictions
Nightspots, party goers reject alcohol restrictions JAKARTA (JP): Restaurateurs and nightspot patrons reacted angrily yesterday to the government's new regulations on alcohol, particularly the restriction on selling hours. Concerned that their businesses would go bankrupt, operators of bars, cafes and discotheques here demanded that the government review its policy immediately.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Wukirasih turns the tables upside down in tennis final
Wukirasih turns the tables upside down in tennis final By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): History books will show that Indonesia's Wukirasih Sawondari won the women's singles at the SEA Games, beating Thai top seed Tamarine Tanusagarn 6-2, 7-5 in just over an hour and a half on the Senayan Clay Court. But the facts do not tell the whole story of yesterday's match. Wukirasih perfectly executed her game plan against an out- of-sorts opponent rattled by the constant jeering of the rowdy local crowd.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Three arrested for drug trafficking
Three arrested for drug trafficking JAKARTA (JP): City Police have arrested three men in different parts of the city for allegedly possessing 4.6 kilograms of marijuana, an officer said. Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said on Thursday that one of the men, identified as Dede Sukandar, was arrested at his home on Jl. Bungur Besar, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday. "Police confiscated 4.5 kilograms of dried marijuana from Dede," Aritonang said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to go all-out in soccer final
Indonesia to go all-out in soccer final By Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will pull out all the stops tonight in its bid to wrest the SEA Games soccer title from defending champion Thailand. The final kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Senayan Stadium. "We will do our best to win the game," the team's Dutch coach Henk Wullems said yesterday. He expects all the players to play with the same fighting spirit they have demonstrated from the first kick of the first match of the tournament.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI to host APCA meeting
RI to host APCA meeting JAKARTA (Antara): Indonesia will host the fourth annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Counter-Purchase Association (APCA) scheduled to be held here from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24. Chairman of the conference's organizing committee, Hasjim S. Djojohadikusumo, said Thursday that the conference would be attended by 175 participants, 125 of whom would be from foreign countries. President Soeharto was slated to open the conference at the State Palace on Oct. 22, he said.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Governor entitled to control Jakarta Bay area: Councilor
Governor entitled to control Jakarta Bay area: Councilor JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged yesterday the Ministry of Transportation to hand over control and supervision of the Jakarta Bay reclamation project to the city administration. The immediate transfer of authority is vital because a "superior law" already exists which "legally supports the city... to run the project", according to Ali Wongso Sinaga, the head of Commission D for development affairs.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
RP President arrives in Laos
RP President arrives in Laos VIENTIANE (AFP): President Fidel Ramos arrived in Vientiane yesterday for the first ever visit by a Philippine head of state. Ramos' two day visit is intended to boost bilateral ties and help kick start economic relations between the two which are currently minuscule. He is also the first president from a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to visit since Laos was admitted to the regional grouping in July.
Sat, 18 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
IMF bailouts get mixed press as next aid nears
IMF bailouts get mixed press as next aid nears WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund has had a mixed press this year, damned for encouraging investors to throw caution to the winds but praised for preventing the possible meltdown of the global economy. Some analysts say big IMF loans to Thailand and the Philippines, and now a promise of help for Indonesia, are helping the region weather an economic storm caused by a damaging currency crash and a dangerous shortage of cash.