Archive: 4 October 1997
64 articles found
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Surjadi leaves a legacy of progress
Surjadi leaves a legacy of progress By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): After serving the city for five years, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, who is known for his discipline, modesty and consistency, ends his term of office on Monday. Once an assistant in the Armed Forces sociopolitical section and Jakarta military commander, Surjadi said that he never dreamed of being governor of the capital.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Singapore's risk profile up: PERC
Singapore's risk profile up: PERC SINGAPORE (Reuter): The recent turmoil in Southeast Asian financial markets has increased Singapore's risk profile slightly, Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said. PERC said in its country risk report, received by Reuters yesterday, that it had cut Singapore's overall rating to 2.73 points in August from 2.63 on a scale of zero to 10 with zero representing the best possible situation and 10 the worst.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 3, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 0 2,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 625 -100 668,000 Alumindo Perkasa 550 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 800 -50 334,000 Anwar Sierad 1,000 -125 151,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Garuda gets half of haj fare
Garuda gets half of haj fare JAKARTA: More than half of the total haj pilgrimage fare goes to PT Garuda Indonesia to pay for airfare, an official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said yesterday. Bambang Pranowo said the airfare represents the biggest chunk of the haj fare (52 percent), followed by accommodations in Saudi Arabia (44.6 percent), and operational costs.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Quake causes billions in losses
Quake causes billions in losses UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The earthquake that shook the province Sunday caused losses of about Rp 11.7 billion (US$3.9 million), Antara reported yesterday. The quake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit the areas of Pinrang, Pare-pare, Sidrap and Barru. Worst hit was Pinrang where the quake caused material losses of Rp 6.8 billion, according to S.N. Sitepu, the secretary of the South Sulawesi Agency for Natural Disaster Management.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
'RCTI' goes online
'RCTI' goes online JAKARTA (JP): Privately-owned TV station RCTI has gone online through Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Thursday, featuring dynamic visual, text and audio displays. RCTI president M.S. Ralie Siregar told a press conference Thursday that anybody in any part of the world who was interested in Indonesian business and the country's economy could learn much from RCTI's website.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Currency crisis won't affect APEC forum: U.S.
Currency crisis won't affect APEC forum: U.S. JAKARTA (JP): A senior United States official is confident that the Southeast Asian currency crisis will not have irreparable long-term effects nor be detrimental to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. U.S.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stop blaming RI for haze: Anwar
Stop blaming RI for haze: Anwar KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The deputy prime minister called on Malaysians yesterday to stop blaming Indonesia for the eye- burning smog that has blanketed Southeast Asia. While acknowledging the haze had affected public health and could harm the economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the problem must be handled in a way that won't jeopardize Malaysia's relations with Indonesia.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah breaks 3,700 barrier against dollar
Rupiah breaks 3,700 barrier against dollar JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah broke yesterday the 3,700 barrier as the rush for U.S. dollars continued on the local foreign currency market. Foreign exchange dealers said the rupiah plunged to a new historic low of 3,725 against the American dollar in midday trading but it managed to recover in the afternoon to close at 3,640/50, a 7 percent drop from its 3,395/3.405 opening.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Coordination urged in capital's development
Coordination urged in capital's development JAKARTA (JP): An expert called yesterday for a clear-cut difference between the city agency in charge of coordinating development programs in Greater Jakarta and the new coordination team formed by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), to prevent future overlapping roles.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Pedicab and cart drivers rap with legislative councilors
Pedicab and cart drivers rap with legislative councilors YOGYAKARTA (JP): Many becak (pedicab) and andong (horse-drawn cart) drivers were seen mingling with lawyers, journalists, students and social activists yesterday in the first rap session held by the local legislative council. The newly inducted members of the council held their first "morning coffee break" at the council building's Lobby Room where ordinary people were invited to speak their minds.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
QAF to convert listing
QAF to convert listing SINGAPORE (Reuter): Bread making company QAF Ltd said yesterday its plan to convert its Singapore dollar listing to U.S. dollar, in a bid to buy Indonesia's PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, had been approved by the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES). The SES also approved QAF's 1-for-5 rights issue to partly finance the acquisition of a 50.1 percent stake in Indofood estimated to cost around S$2.75 billion (US$1.78 million), QAF said in a statement.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
A house of cards?
A house of cards? While many politicians and observers underscore President Soeharto's call for a stronger House of Representatives -- on an equal footing with the presidency -- we can be sure that most of them have little or no idea whether or how this is possible.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * 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. to 5 p.m., until Oct. 28. * Painting Exhibition: Manusia dan Benda-Benda at Santi Gallery, Jl. Benda No. 4, Cilandak Timur, Kemang, South Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Oct. 16. * Painting Exhibition: Pesona Alam dan Kehidupan IX by NG.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
One good turn deserves another
One good turn deserves another From Berita Yudha One day last week about 10 p.m., I was riding my motorbike under the Semanggi (cloverleaf) bridge on Jl. Sudirman when my front tire became flat. Luckily there was somebody in the semidarkness who could help me. The man turned out to be a tire repairman with simple equipment. He was in the process of packing up his belongings due to the late hour and I asked him whether he could still repair my tire. He did so willingly.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
APEC summit urged to take bolder steps
APEC summit urged to take bolder steps By Vincent Lingga SANTIAGO, Chile (JP): The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has urged the 18 economies grouped in APEC to take bolder steps to provide the private sector with greater certainty. PECC said in a statement issued at the end of its 12th General Meeting here Thursday that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum should maintain a high level of credibility through concerted unilateral measures toward liberalization.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto to attend ABRI birthday
Soeharto to attend ABRI birthday JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto and Gen. (ret.) Abdul Haris Nasution will get a chance to show off their newly awarded fifth star tomorrow when they don their uniforms once again for the Armed Forces anniversary celebrations. The committee chairman of the celebrations, Maj. Gen. Fachrul Razi, said Soeharto would preside over the ceremony which would be held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Morality: A piece in the national development puzzle
Morality: A piece in the national development puzzle By Mochtar Buchori We are reprinting this article due to discrepancies in the Oct. 2 edition which were caused by technical problems. JAKARTA (JP): A friend of mine, an economist, has been telling me that what really ails Indonesia is not its economy but its morality. Morality is a cultural issue so the main problem facing Indonesia today is not economic but cultural. And cultural problems are much harder to solve than economic ones.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
BI drives firms to sell dollars
BI drives firms to sell dollars JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, introduced yesterday a new foreign exchange trading facility for export- oriented companies in its latest move to shore up the falling rupiah. Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono said the new facility included arrangements for swap and forward purchases. "The swap facility is aimed at encouraging these exporters to unload their dollar holdings," Soedradjad said after the announcement.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Swiss musicians join singing stones in East Java
Swiss musicians join singing stones in East Java By Tarko Sudiarno PACITAN, EAST JAVA (JP): The shrill sound of a bell suddenly broke the silence in the darkness of Gong Cave, a natural cave in Bomo village, East Java. The walls of the cave echoed back the sound, making it difficult to ascertain its source. Before complete silence prevailed again, the booming sound of a gong reverberated throughout.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Teacher killed, another injured by separatists
Teacher killed, another injured by separatists DILI, East Timor (JP): A school teacher was killed and another severely injured on Thursday afternoon when two separatist guerrillas allegedly attacked a primary school in Uathohako, Baucau, 160 kilometers east of here. Jacinto da Piedade, 31, was fatally shot in the chest, while Julio Pereira, 34, was shot in the head in the school yard. The school is about four kilometers from a local military office.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
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 Environment Program: Pengawasan Pesisir 3:35 Travel: Wisata Nasional 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 7:30 Live Reports: Perintah Harian Pangab 9:00 World News 9:30 Quiz: Siapa Dia 10:30 Late News 10:40 Saturday Night Drama: Warisan Program 2 4:30 p.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
'No force' in foster parents donation
'No force' in foster parents donation JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told organizers of the National Foster Parents Movement yesterday not to use force in collecting donations from the public. The President said donors should be convinced that their contribution would be very useful for the education of poor children. "Their donation is an after-life investment, so (they should) open their heart to...
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies wilt as rupiah dives
SE Asian currencies wilt as rupiah dives SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Indonesian rupiah skidded to fresh lows yesterday as anxiety about possible corporate debt defaults fueled a dollar buying spree in very thin markets. But dealers said the rupiah's drop of more than eight percent to an all-time low of 3,720 to the U.S. dollar had only a limited knock-on impact on other Southeast Asian currencies, most of which steered clear of their historic lows.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Two gold medals dropped from SEAG events
Two gold medals dropped from SEAG events JAKARTA (JP): Two weightlifting gold medal events will be dropped from the 19th SEA Games because not enough countries have entered for them, the SEA Games training director said yesterday. Djoko Pramono said that the men's 91kg division and the women's 83kg weightlifting class would be dropped because only Thailand and Myanmar had registered to compete in these events.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar leader visits Singapore
Myanmar leader visits Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): Myanmar military strongman Khin Nyunt, accompanied by three ministers, arrived here yesterday for talks with Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and to forge pacts in shipping and other business, officials said. Singapore is Myanmar's largest trading partner and second biggest foreign investor. Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt was accompanied by Hotels and Tourism Minister Lt. Gen. Kyaw Ba, National Planning and Economic Development Minister Brig. Gen.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Global ecosystem in danger
Global ecosystem in danger The raging fires in Indonesia demonstrate how Southeast Asian nations have devoted huge resources to economic development at the expense of lifestyle and environmental improvements. The region's governments have long accepted that fire is the cheapest way to clear land for cultivation. The two-week blaze that now menaces the region is believed to have been started by such a land-clearing fire.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI buys Brazil's sugar
RI buys Brazil's sugar LONDON (Reuter): Indonesia last week bought one cargo of Brazilian white sugar for prompt delivery, traders said yesterday. They said they believed the purchase was made at around US$20 a ton fob under London March futures. They noted that although Indonesia imported around 1.2 million tonnes of whites a year, it normally bought from Thailand but high premiums recently made it switch.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
SingTel sues U.S. regulator over rates
SingTel sues U.S. regulator over rates SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) said yesterday that it was suing the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over a dispute in fees for settlement of international calls. Lawyers for SingTel, one of Asia's top listed companies, filed a petition Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia for a review of an FCC benchmark for international settlement rates, a statement said.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Dazzling Ijaz wins cricket for Pakistan over India
Dazzling Ijaz wins cricket for Pakistan over India LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuter): Makeshift opener Ijaz Ahmed blasted a 68-ball century as Pakistan thrashed arch rivals India by nine wickets at the Qaddafi Stadium in the decisive third one-day international Thursday to take the series 2-1. After bowling out the visitors for a modest 216 in 49.2 overs, the Pakistanis romped home in a mere 26.2 overs.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Firms' permits revoked for burning forests
Firms' permits revoked for burning forests JAKARTA (JP): The government revoked 151 wood-use licenses of 29 plantation and timber companies yesterday after they failed to present documents disproving the government's allegations that they were responsible for starting brush and forest fires.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Volvo's Indomobil and PT Timor delay new cars
Volvo's Indomobil and PT Timor delay new cars By John Aglionby VOLVO and PT Timor Putra are two companies at opposite ends of the automotive spectrum. The former is a European heavyweight with a long history of producing safe, reliable, comfortable and respectably performing cars, the second is Indonesia's national car. However, horror of horrors, believe it or not, they have something in common. And it is something neither is particularly proud of nor willing to talk freely about.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Five killed in RP shooting
Five killed in RP shooting MANILA (AFP): A man went on a shooting rampage north of Manila, killing four people and wounding two others before killing himself, police said yesterday. Nixon Tagyan, 34, late Thursday shot his estranged wife Evelyn Marcos-Tiong, who had remarried to a Hong Kong man, then killed her seven-year-old daughter and parents inside their house in Meycauayan town, Bulacan province north of the capital .
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Guidelines to be set up for emission tests
Guidelines to be set up for emission tests JAKARTA (JP): The administration is to set up guidelines on vehicle emission tests in Jakarta, according to the head of the city's environmental bureau, Aboejoewono Aboeprajitno. A special team involving staff from the city's Environmental Bureau, Environmental Control and Management Agency, Land Transportation Agency and Police Headquarters has already been formed to collect ideas for the guidelines, Aboejoewono told reporters yesterday.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
IPB, Cianjur to cooperate
IPB, Cianjur to cooperate BOGOR, West Java: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) and the administration of Cianjur signed a cooperation agreement Thursday aimed at helping the area, known to be the traditional rice barn of West Java, to increase agricultural production. Representing IPB at the signing of the agreement was Rector Prof. Soleh Solahuddin, while Cianjur was represented by Regent Harkat Handiamihardja.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bogor to set up disaster post
Bogor to set up disaster post BOGOR (JP): Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi ordered the town's district heads yesterday to each establish a disaster post to help improve disaster prevention management. "The order is made in response to an instruction from Minister of Home Affairs No. 20/1997 regarding the regional management of disaster prevention," said Eddy, who gave the order in a coordination meeting at the town hall.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Much hope and doubt for new House leaders
Much hope and doubt for new House leaders JAKARTA (JP): New legislators praise and place great hope in the new leadership of the House of Representatives, but political observers express doubt whether the body will live up to expectations. Hari Sabarno of the Armed Forces (ABRI), Ary Mardjono of the ruling Golkar and Usamah Hisyam of the United Development Party (PPP) separately agreed yesterday that the new House, under new speaker Harmoko, will be as solid as President Soeharto called for.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
CanOxy enters Indonesia
CanOxy enters Indonesia CALGARY (Reuter): Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd has signed a new production sharing contract in Indonesia, covering operations on the 11,100 square km Manna Block. The block included onshore and offshore acreage in southwest Sumatra, adjacent to CanOxy's interest in the Merangin Block, the company said Thursday. CanOxy said the block covers a lightly explored area of Sumatra which is close to producing basins in the south.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
'Kompas' and TPI settle allegations amicably
'Kompas' and TPI settle allegations amicably JAKARTA (JP): The leading Kompas daily reached an amicable settlement with a group calling itself the Team of Defenders of Islam (TPI) following allegations that the daily had printed unfounded reports which were disruptive to the Islamic community.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian shares moderate but trading in SE Asia weak
Asian shares moderate but trading in SE Asia weak HONG KONG (AFP): Some Asian stock markets posted moderate gains yesterday but most southeast Asian economies saw weak trading as investors were pushed to the sidelines because of the region's currency crisis. Singapore's share market fell 1.3 percent on concerns over ceaseless regional currency turmoil, while share prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange closed 4.0 percent lower in panic selling as the rupiah weakened to all-time lows.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sea nomads prioritized
Sea nomads prioritized KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The province promised to prioritize children of the Bajau ethnic group, a nomadic people in the region, in its last day of the National Immunization Program (PIN) on Oct. 7, Antara reported. The agency quoted Dr. Mohammad Ali of the local health office as saying that the Bajau constantly moved from one island to another, so that it became a problem to contact them.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stranded boat people deported
Stranded boat people deported SURABAYA, East Java: A boat carrying 39 Chinese that landed at a quay in Gresik, East Java, was sent back to the open sea Thursday afternoon escorted by an Indonesian naval vessel, Antara reported yesterday. Gresik port security personnel arrested the 39 boat people on Wednesday, including seven women, who were without passports. Authorities inspected the old, wooden boat and found that the passengers did not have any navigational equipment except for a compass.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Attempted robbery ends in beating
Attempted robbery ends in beating JAKARTA (JP): A crowd of angry residents in Kembangan, West Jakarta, beat up a 27-year-old man for attempting to rob a taxi driver, City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said. The alleged robber was still being questioned and officers were also starting to collect information from eyewitnesses in an attempt to arrest those involved in the beating, Aritonang said yesterday. "Beating is a crime.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thailand to ask Japan to roll over private sector debts
Thailand to ask Japan to roll over private sector debts BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand will ask Japan to roll over huge debts owed by the Thai private sector when Premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh makes an official visit to Tokyo next week, reports said yesterday. Thailand wants Japanese creditors -- who have lent about half of the nearly US$80 billion borrowed abroad by Thai firms -- to extend repayment terms as Thailand faces a crippling liquidity crunch, the Bangkok Post said.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
European tin market tightens
European tin market tightens LONDON (Reuter): Stubborn tightness in good quality tin brands, particularly Chinese and Indonesian, is driving European premiums steadily higher, traders said yesterday. Traders said Chinese tin was trading at premiums as high as $60 per ton over LME cash prices. Last week premiums were quoted at US$40/$50. "The Chinese shipments aren't regular monthly shipments so occasionally you'll see a glut of metal, reflected in a $20/$30 premium.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia police sue 'Asiaweek'
Malaysia police sue 'Asiaweek' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian police have lodged a report against Asiaweek magazine over an article about break-ins at residences of foreign diplomats in the country, a news report said yesterday. Kuala Lumpur police chief Bakri Omar said the report, under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, would enable a probe into false allegations in the article titled Hardship in Asiaweek's Oct. 3 issue. The magazine is distributed here ahead of its listed date.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Woman faces one year in jail
Woman faces one year in jail JAKARTA (JP): An unemployed woman on trial on Thursday for possessing and smoking marijuana broke down when a prosecutor demanded a one-year jail term for her. Wirdaningsih, 31, urged presiding judge Rusdy As'ad at the Central Jakarta District Court to give her a lighter punishment, saying that a year in prison was too much for her. Prosecutor A.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Assembly split on human rights charter issue
Assembly split on human rights charter issue JAKARTA (JP): The campaign to establish a human rights charter as a powerful decree of the People Consultative's Assembly (MPR) faced further obstacles yesterday when the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction followed Golkar's rejection of the notion. The uphill campaign for deliberation of the charter now rests on the minority United Development Party (PPP), which stated yesterday that it would fight in favor of the charter.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Two tried for heroin trafficking
Two tried for heroin trafficking JAKARTA (JP): Two expatriates from Ghana and Nigeria were indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday on charges of trafficking 450 grams of heroin. Prosecutor S. Sitanggang said the Ghanaian and Nigerian defendants, identified respectively as Kofi Frimpong, 24, and Enu Otutu Patric, 28, were charged with Article 23 (4) of Law No. 9/1976 on Narcotics.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thailand closes border post
Thailand closes border post BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand has shut a border post with Cambodia after fresh fighting broke out between rival factions on the Cambodian side, the Thai military said yesterday. The border post at An Mah, usually open three times a week, remained shut yesterday after reported clashes between troops loyal to Phnom Penh strongman Hun Sen and Khmer Rouge guerrillas, a senior Thai officer said.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
BankPos aims for customer expansion
BankPos aims for customer expansion JAKARTA (JP): PT Bank Pos Nusantara (BankPos), which was officially launched here yesterday, targets to significantly increase its customers to at least one million by 2002 from 3,000 currently registered, the bank's president Robert Leman said yesterday.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Progress made on Cambodia
Progress made on Cambodia MANILA (DPA): Southeast Asian foreign ministers mediating the Cambodian crisis made progress in New York toward bringing back the exiled royalist forces, but no agreement was reached, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon said yesterday.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Clogged Karachi awaits promised rail system
Clogged Karachi awaits promised rail system By Ovais Subhani KARACHI (Reuter): Like many of Asia's fast-growing cities, Pakistan's financial and commercial capital Karachi is choking on traffic, and mass transit is still only a promise. A century ago, British rulers laid a 16-km (10-mile) diesel tramway in the business district of Karachi, recognizing the port city's growing needs.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Finding our way without a map
Finding our way without a map This is my 100th letter to appear in the "Your Letters" column of The Jakarta Post. Hitting a century in letter writing, more so in a single publication, must be something of a record. I can, however, confidently say that writing has indeed enriched my thoughts and actions. My fellow writers, who regularly contribute to this page, would surely understand the "pain" and "pleasure" associated with developing and expressing one's opinions in the form of letters.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Activists deplore poor support given to maid
Activists deplore poor support given to maid JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists have expressed concern over the reported poor support given by the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to Sulaita Anam Kafiran, who was executed in Mecca on Tuesday.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Cambodia leaves turmoil for Games
Cambodia leaves turmoil for Games As the 19th SEA Games draw near, The Jakarta Post will run a profile of each the 10 participating countries starting on Oct. 3. The story below is the second in the series. JAKARTA (JP): Cambodian athletes are heading here for the 19th SEA Games, shrugging off the domestic political turmoil which almost slumped the country back into its past nightmare.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Another dead baby found
Another dead baby found JAKARTA (JP): A newborn baby was found dead on the first floor of the Kopro market in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, yesterday, taking the death toll of abandoned babies sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital this year to 50. The baby boy was found by a passerby in a black plastic bag with its head covered with ladies blood-stained underwear, a Tanjung Duren subprecinct police officer said.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir says currency crisis can be managed
Mahathir says currency crisis can be managed KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday the country can weather the attack on its local currency and urged his countrymen not to despair as he took another swipe at foreigners he blames for the country's problems.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Kocinski to defend title at World Superbike C'ship
Kocinski to defend title at World Superbike C'ship JAKARTA (JP): American John Kocinski is set to defend his title at the World Superbike Championship at Sentul, near Bogor, Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Little known Dewi wins Srikandi Cup
Little known Dewi wins Srikandi Cup JAKARTA (JP): Playing patiently and consistently proved the winning formula for little-known Dewi Suhartati from Medan's Deli Golf Club in the prestigious Srikandi Cup. The member of Medan's Deli Golf Club took the Indonesian Ladies Amateur Open after carding her third consecutive 78 in the final round at Cikarang Golf and Country Club near here yesterday for a total score of 234.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Star Mild team ready for national drag race
Star Mild team ready for national drag race JAKARTA (JP): The Star Mild team drivers are set to capture their third national drag race title at Sentul, near Bogor this afternoon. Robert J. Paul of Canada, in a BMW M3, will lead the team. Ronny Hermawan, in a Ford RS200, is the team's second driver. "We are ready for the race in Sentul. Our cars have arrived here safely from Manado so we have time to make some adjustments to our cars," Ronny said Thursday.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
Choice wins deal to manage Quality Hotel
Choice wins deal to manage Quality Hotel JAKARTA (JP): PT Elangperkasa Pratama, a unit of the Bakrie Group, has appointed PT Choice Hotels Indonesia to manage the Aquila Hotel Jakarta, renamed Quality Hotel Jakarta. Under an agreement signed here yesterday, Choice, an affiliate of the United States-based Choice Hotels International, will manage the hotel for a five-year period and another extendible five-year period.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
The military versus civilian dilemma
The military versus civilian dilemma I felt uncomfortable reading Juwono Sudarsono's recent statement in The Jakarta Post (Sept. 15) that civilians were not ready to lead this nation until 2005. He said it was the military that was ready to do so. I believe the statement was based merely on surface issues. If we dare to look at the past 30 years, with regard to the developing culture, we may be able to understand why the situation is as it is.
Sat, 04 Oct 1997, 00:00 WIB
MPR sets up committee to elect president and VP
MPR sets up committee to elect president and VP JAKARTA (JP): The general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) concluded yesterday the establishment of a complete lineup of the Assembly's working committee whose tasks will include electing a president and vice president. Forty-five people are included in the Assembly's working committee, whose elected chairman is Poedjono Pranjoto, while another 45 will act as reserves. The working committee will later be divided into two groups.