Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 November 1997

27 articles found

Interest rate hikes from the weakening rupiah pain everyone

Interest rate hikes from the weakening rupiah pain everyoneBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): An unsubstantiated rumor has it that the currency turmoil claimed the life of a private bank director here.The director reportedly had a heard attack after realizing he could no longer repay a highly...

The benefits of an AFTA-CER link

The benefits of an AFTA-CER link P.J. Lloyd explains the value of such a link and the form it should take. In 1993, the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) and Australia and New Zealand, two countries which have established a free trade area, known as the Closer Economic Relations Agreement or CER for...

Paradox of civil society in a reinvestment world

Paradox of civil society in a reinvestment worldDemokrasi dan Civil Society (Democracy and Civil Society) By Mohammad A.S. Hikam LP3ES, Jakarta, 1996 xvi and 249 pages JAKARTA (JP): For historical reasons, the middle class is often assumed to be the pioneer and champion of sociopolitical reform.

Writing still a better way to send messages

Writing still a better way to send messages JAKARTA (JP): "I've just talked to the minister!""Aw, c'mon, just change his diaper.""Put it in the frying pan and don't forget to add some salt."Those odd snatches of conversation were overheard in front of the rest rooms at Soekarno-Hatta International...

Brawling music fans mar glitzy Super Group '97 in Jakarta

Brawling music fans mar glitzy Super Group '97 in JakartaBy Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Super Group '97 was meant as a starting point to bring Indonesia's best rock groups together in one super gig."We'd like to make this an annual event from now on," chief producer Eddy Susilo said before the...

Don't fight a master with his own game

Don't fight a master with his own gameBy Kristianus Liem JAKARTA (JP): From May 17 to May 29 a category 13 tournament was held to celebrate Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf's 87th birthday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Auspicious time for property investors

Auspicious time for property investors JAKARTA (JP): If investors have planting seasons like farmers, now and sometime next year should be the right time for those with extra money to plant their seeds in property.

G15 ministers debate low attendance

G15 ministers debate low attendance KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The foreign ministers of the Group of 15 (G-15) developing nations gathered yesterday ahead of a summit meeting amid concern over low attendance and lack of influence over rich countries.

Barli hails solace, tranquility of watercolors

Barli hails solace, tranquility of watercolorsBy Oei Eng Goan JAKARTA (JP): Most prolific artists believe that beauty is more than just in the eye of the beholder, it also has an inspiring drive to create artistic works that give solace and tranquility, benefiting all humankind.

A scoop may not be sinful for ice cream buffs

A scoop may not be sinful for ice cream buffsBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): Vanilla, strawberry, cookies n' cream, rocky road, pistachio, even durian -- almost all of us have a preference when it comes to the sweet taste of delicious ice cream.

Anonymous

Anonymous Who plants the paddy with which this country,once a rice importer, has become self supportingin staple food? Who pushes your fishing boatsto sail through the stormsto catch fish for you?Who runs sugar cane plantationsthat guarantee a sugar supply for the nation? Who deposits money in...

Black People

Black PeopleBy Sori Siregar With their disheveled colors of brown and reddish yellow, the fallen leaves along Suitland Parkway heralded the coming of fall. Sooner or later, trees in the woods fencing a hidden skyline would have their leaves fall one by one, and apartments dotting the street would...

Property stung by monetary woes

Property stung by monetary woes Property has a dubious distinction as one of the first economic sectors to be badly battered by the currency crisis. The Jakarta Post reporters -- Budiman Moerdijat, Devi M.

New pilots earn their wings in teaching courses

New pilots earn their wings in teaching coursesText and photos by K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): "Working as a flying instructor earns me less money than piloting a commercial airliner," says assistant flight instructor Yasir Ariansyah."But teaching gives me greater satisfaction.

Guess What?

Guess What? Rather than nursing her wounds, actress-cum-film producer Marissa Haque decided to put out flames raised over her controversial teleseries Di Bawah Purnama Aku Berdoa (I Pray Under a Full Moon) by letting her work speak for itself.

Guess What?

Guess What? Scanning art exhibitions for new works for her private collection is a routine for businesswoman Rosita Syofian Noer.When visiting ceramic artist F. Widayanto's exhibition at the Bentara Budaya building in Central Jakarta last week, she could not resist temptation to purchase the...

Rupiah rides rocky road over time

Rupiah rides rocky road over timeBy Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): Since it became the accepted legal tender in Indonesia 51 years ago, the rupiah has had its share of troubles.The overall trend has always been downward.

People powerless under currency crisis

People powerless under currency crisis JAKARTA (JP): The plunge in the rupiah value and skyrocketing interest rates are hurting the lives of many people and hindering business activities.The Jakarta Post interviewed people from different walks of life on how they have been affected, and how they...

Property analyst warns of tougher times

Property analyst warns of tougher timesBy Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Panangian Simanungkalit predicted as long ago as 1991 that the local property sector would collapse. His prediction, which went largely ignored, has proven correct this year.

Meanings and motifs of the 'ikat' weavings of NTT

Meanings and motifs of the 'ikat' weavings of NTTBy Emilie Sueur JAKARTA (JP): NTT, three letters which stand for Nusa Tenggara Timur, the southeastern part of Indonesia, but also, as Jes A. Therik, governor of NTT and specialist in ikat designs subtly notices, three letters for Nusa Tenun Tangan,...

Masters Upi and Maria invited to Holland, Spain

Masters Upi and Maria invited to Holland, Spain JAKARTA (JP): Two Indonesian Women International Masters, Upi Darmayana Tamin and Maria Lucia Ratna, have been invited to compete in three chess competitions in the Netherlands and Spain in December and January 1998.

Govt shuts 16 banks in first reform move

Govt shuts 16 banks in first reform move JAKARTA (JP): The government closed 16 ailing private banks yesterday as part of the International Monetary Fund's reform package to restore confidence in the country's economy.

Tennis body backs up junior stars

Tennis body backs up junior stars JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Tennis Association (PELTI) official Benny Mailili believes national junior players deserve the chance to perform in major events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Tempest over tradition in take on shadow plays

Tempest over tradition in take on shadow playsText and photos by Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Halogen spotlights bathe the stage of the shadow play in dark violet light. Four dancers cavort seductively as gamelan music plays in the background.

Big auction of Asmat woodcarving bodes well

Big auction of Asmat woodcarving bodes wellBy Gus Kairupan JAKARTA (JP): "Going once..., going twice...", followed by a deafening roar in unison accompanied by stomping of, say, a hundred feet (that's 50 people at a conservative guess) and a storm of applause...

Agenda for the Asean Regional Forum

Agenda for the Asean Regional ForumBy Dr Harry Harding Unless the ARF can move to a higher stage of development, it may lose the support it currently enjoys in the United States, says Harry Harding.The Asean Regional Forum (ARF) has achieved remarkable progress in a short space of time.

Watch display revisits era of timeless elegance

Watch display revisits era of timeless eleganceBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): Time seems cradled in showcases, with straps of hand-sewn crocodile skin and soft leather on gleaming gold, jewel and diamond-encrusted watches in no way compromise timing.