Archive: 2 December 1997
53 articles found
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Drug smugglers caught in the act
Drug smugglers caught in the act BATAM, Riau: Customs officials at Sekupang port have foiled an attempt to smuggle 15,000 Ecstasy pills by two women arriving from Singapore. The women, identified as Amina Norma and Lisbet Agustina, were caught at the port Saturday, a customs official was reported as saying Sunday by Antara. End destination for the drugs was believed to be Medan, North Sumatra. (mds)
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
AIDS campaign to become part of school curriculum
AIDS campaign to become part of school curriculum JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia extended its AIDS campaign yesterday to schools in the hope of raising young people's awareness of the deadly virus and how they can curb its spread. Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro said the HIV/AIDS campaign would be incorporated into the school's curriculum and extracurricular activities.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Five held over bomb in Thailand
Five held over bomb in Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): Thai police have arrested five people suspected of involvement in the bombing of a bridge in the south of the country hours before the new interior minister visited the area, reports said yesterday. The suspects were "drug-addicted teenagers who wanted to cause a stir," Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart was quoted as saying by the Nation daily.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian rubber price outlook stays bearish
Asian rubber price outlook stays bearish SINGAPORE (Reuters): The outlook for the Southeast Asian rubber market continues bearish this week, with the market likely to be pulled down by further falls in Tokyo rubber futures, dealers said yesterday.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Government sets new rates for tax payment
Government sets new rates for tax payment JAKARTA (JP): The government announced yesterday new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax. According to the Minister of Finance Decree No. 614/KMK.014/1997, the new conversion rates will be valid for one week, from Dec. 1 to Dec.7. Previously, the rates were valid for three months.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Twin boys die from burns
Twin boys die from burns JAKARTA (JP): Eighteen-month-old twins rescued Sunday from an inferno on Jl. Kampung Rawa in Central Jakarta, died yesterday at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. The twins and their father, identified as 45-year-old Ujang, were trapped in the fire, which destroyed at least 120 houses in Johar Baru district. An employee at the hospital's morgue, Oyon, said that Sjahrul died in the morning and his brother Sjahril died later that night.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bali to protect paddy fields
Bali to protect paddy fields DENPASAR, Bali: The provincial administration is drafting a spatial plan to protect paddy fields, which have declined markedly in acreage in the past 20 years. I Gusti Ketut Swastha, head of Bali's agriculture office, said here yesterday that about 1,000 hectares of agricultural land was converted to other uses annually, an average decline which had begun in the early 1980s.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Roar of Sumatran tigers now too close for comfort
Roar of Sumatran tigers now too close for comfort By Ampelsa JAKARTA (ANTARA): The roar of Sumatran tigers living in the forests of Aceh are often heard by locals, but what was once a distant call is now too close for comfort. Villagers say the tigers, protected by law, seem angry. Illegal loggers have reportedly felled trees in the forests and damaged their environment.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
OPEC output increase to benefit Asia little
OPEC output increase to benefit Asia little SINGAPORE (Reuters): Battered and bruised Asian economies cannot expect much respite from OPEC's decision to raise its oil output ceiling, as the price fall will not be enough to offset currency losses, energy analysts said yesterday.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Telephone contractors to meet govt target
Telephone contractors to meet govt target JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Telkom Indonesia said here yesterday that five private companies licensed to build and operate telephone facilities in the country have committed to meet their targets despite the monetary crisis. Telkom's coordinator of the joint operation (KSO) monitoring team, S. Widyonarko, said that some of them might not be able to reach their target for this year.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Number of illegal workers in Saudi not final
Number of illegal workers in Saudi not final JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said yesterday the number of illegal Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia he reported to President Soeharto last month was not final. He said the figure differed from that given by the Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Zarkowi Soejoeti because they were collected at different times. "My figure was obtained when I went to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 5," he said.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bogor mayoralty to contest lawsuit
Bogor mayoralty to contest lawsuit BOGOR (JP): The Bogor mayoralty will defend a lawsuit to be filed by residents of the luxurious Vila Duta housing complex, who oppose the construction of a ring road, the mayoralty's spokesman Anas S. Resmana said yesterday. Anas said the mayoralty had prepared a dossier on the project, which is to link Jl. Warung Jambu to Jl. Pajajaran via Jl. Tunjung Biru.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Begging business
Begging business From Kompas It was hot and dusty at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. At the crossroads of Jl. Sabang, Central Jakarta, a woman in rags carried a cute baby of about five months old. She used the baby to get the sympathy and money of drivers. That same day, there had been intense discussion on bank liquidations and bailout funds from the IMF amounting to trillions of rupiah.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
JIS to perform 'The Nutcracker'
JIS to perform 'The Nutcracker' JAKARTA (JP): High school students from Jakarta International School (JIS) will stage their own version of The Nutcracker, a fairy tale set in 19th century Germany during Christmas. It will be performed at the Cilandak campus, South Jakarta at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the school said in a release yesterday. The E.T.A. Hoffmann tale is about a young girl, Clara, who rescues her godfather's nephew who has been transformed into a nutcracker doll.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto warns of adverse groups
Soeharto warns of adverse groups JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of the acrimonious roles played by certain minority groups to create unrest, adding that minor issues could fester adversity by inflaming sequestered tensions. "From the various social turmoils that have occurred we can clearly see the negative role played by certain small groups," Soeharto said.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI not optimistic over Kyoto conference
RI not optimistic over Kyoto conference JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia hopes the United Nations climate change conference in Kyoto, Japan, will reaffirm the 1992 Rio commitment to reduce gas emissions, but says it will opt for "reasonable" solutions if the meeting is deadlocked. State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said here yesterday that due to the apparent deadlock between major countries on the target for reduction, Indonesia was taking a "realistic" stance to the 10-day conference.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Hotel Mulia had 'green light' to breach rules
Hotel Mulia had 'green light' to breach rules JAKARTA (JP): A Hotel Mulia Senayan executive said the hotel had been given permission to breach height restrictions during the construction of its first tower. Speaking on behalf of the hotel's management, Enggartiasto Lukita, said that there had never been any talk of fines for the breach.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Military doctor aborted 10 babies a day
Military doctor aborted 10 babies a day JAKARTA (JP): A military doctor has admitted to having aborted 10 babies a day in two clinics in Central Jakarta, the Jakarta Military Command Spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said yesterday. Nachrowi said the doctor, identified only as Lt. Col. JL, 48, had been detained since Saturday at the Jakarta Military Police Headquarters.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Subagyo elected as badminton body chief
Subagyo elected as badminton body chief JAKARTA (JP): Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, the Army's deputy chief of staff, has been elected as the chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia for the 1997-2001 period. Subagyo, who replaced Soerjadi, said yesterday at the closing of the association national congress that he would reform the association's athletes' development program to retain the country's supremacy in the sport.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Arms build-up unlikely to spark enmity in SE Asia
Arms build-up unlikely to spark enmity in SE Asia JAKARTA (JP): Increased arms spending in Southeast Asia does not indicate the presence of enmity among countries in the region, but the demand for modern military equipment, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday. Alatas told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I there was evidence that cooperation among Southeast Asian countries had been on the increase, comprising all fields including defense.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
AIDS drugs must be available at health centers
AIDS drugs must be available at health centers By Samsuridjal Djauzi and Husein Habsyi JAKARTA (JP): The actual number of HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia is unknown. Officially, at the end of October, there were 599 people with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or with full-blown Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This figure includes both those who have died and those living with AIDS.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
What about monopoly on clove trading?
What about monopoly on clove trading? The government has abolished monopolies in some commodities but maintained a private agency's monopoly in clove trading. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses the costs and benefits of the clove monopoly.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Haze and currency crisis hit Singaporean tourism
Haze and currency crisis hit Singaporean tourism SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore faces nearly zero growth in tourist arrivals this year after smoky haze from Indonesian forest fires and a regional currency crisis hit travel in Southeast Asia, officials said yesterday.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Inflation may reach double digits
Inflation may reach double digits JAKARTA (JP): The country's inflation rate could break the double digit barrier this year if the government does not take extra measures to facilitate the supply of goods and services, chief of the Central Bureau of Statistics, Sugito, warned yesterday. Sugito said month-on-month inflation rates were increasing especially after the outbreak of the currency crisis last July.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Krama Yudha to lower its car sales target
Krama Yudha to lower its car sales target JAKARTA (JP): PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors, the sole distributor of Japanese automobile producer Mitsubishi, is unlikely to meet its sales target this year due to an unexpected drop in demand over the last three months. The company's president Gunaevy H.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Blackout draws ire from YLKI
Blackout draws ire from YLKI JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI) yesterday urged state-owned electricity company PLN to enhance its maintenance and control system at its facilities and improve public service. YLKI chairperson Tini Hadad said the massive blackout in several areas in South Jakarta Sunday and yesterday reflected PLN's failure to meet public expectations in its maintenance and control systems.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Kota Wisata going strong despite economic gloom
Kota Wisata going strong despite economic gloom JAKARTA (JP): While most property developments appear to be at a standstill, the owners of Kota Wisata -- a mega housing complex in Cibubur, East Jakarta -- have claimed that business is booming. Fumio Okita, vice president of the 1,000-hectare project, said yesterday that construction on the first stage of the project started in March 1996 and had been completed now.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Minister denies paying legislators to pass bill
Minister denies paying legislators to pass bill JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief denied growing allegations yesterday that he had paid legislators to pass the manpower bill that his office sponsored. He told reporters here yesterday that he did ask for money from the state-owned workers' insurance company PT Jamsostek to pay for some expenses for the House of Representatives' members deliberating the bill between July and September.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
PLN's debts will reach $8.8 billion this year
PLN's debts will reach $8.8 billion this year JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned electricity company PLN estimates that its foreign and local short-term and long-term debts will reach Rp 26.4 trillion (US$8.8 billion) by the end of the year. The company's director of finance, Muslim Abuhujus, told a hearing of House of Representatives Commission V for energy that the figures were based on a rate of Rp 3,000 for a U.S. dollar.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nario, Yahya win medical literature prizes
Nario, Yahya win medical literature prizes By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Nario Gunawan was recently awarded second prize in a writing contest for doctors held by Medika medical journal, for his essay on toilets in Wanasaba in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. But the essay is not just about toilets. The 30-year-old doctor witnessed the poor health conditions in the village when he was first posted there in 1993 as a state physician to provide health services and conduct research.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Foster Parents Movement goes remote
Foster Parents Movement goes remote By Antoni Tambunan BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): While most organizations struggle to find their feet in the first year of operation, the Foster Parents Movement has shown an outreach that surpasses many other campaigns. Established by President Soeharto and chaired by Halimah Bambang Trihatmodjo, the organization has an impressive array of names from both the military and the bureaucracy across the country.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto hits at speculators
Soeharto hits at speculators JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday blamed currency speculators and El Nio weather phenomenon for the recent economic losses suffered by the country and the region. Speaking at the 103rd conference of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Soeharto said that currency traders could easily wipe out developing countries' wealth nurtured over decades.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Lampung land rehab begins this month
Lampung land rehab begins this month BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: A band of 1,000 people will soon begin replanting on 3,200 hectares of disused land in the province. "Their activities will include raising seedlings and tree planting," Lampung forestry office head, Sjamsuddin Rachmat, explained yesterday. The program, expected to be focused in the northern and western areas of the province, will likely begin in the middle of this month.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 1, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 825 0 0 AHAP Insurance 600 0 0 Alter Abadi 500 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 553,000 Alumindo Perkasa 275 0 11,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 750 -50 170,500 Aneka Tambang 1,400 0 3,843,500 Anwar Sierad 250 0 20,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bandwidth Cowboy
Bandwidth Cowboy While in Bandung, I put 90,000 kilograms in a Kijang going through a good part of West Java. From Sindangbarang to Darmaga you name it. I was almost everywhere. A piece of trivia: there are places in West Java with telephones but no electricity. Then I came to Jakarta. As I went through the traffic jams I looked at those huge office blocks and imagined them full of cool telecommunication stuff. That is until I started noticing those small dishes pointing right up.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Crisis drives East Asia to unite
Crisis drives East Asia to unite By Eiichi Furukawa TOKYO (JP): When an international conference for the rescue of the Thai currency was held in Tokyo on Aug. 12, three noteworthy points emerged. First, US$17.2 billion in total was raised for the rescue fund, exceeding the original target of $16 billion. Second, apart from the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, all individual contributors were East Asian countries.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Monetary crisis
Monetary crisis From Merdeka The economic crisis recently hitting Indonesia has made our country very small compared with Singapore, Japan and even Australia. We have in a way been forced to ask the IMF for help and finally 16 banks have been liquidated. Who is to blame? The government? The Minister of Finance or...? The most important thing is to take the lessons from this. What is our economic system? Capitalistic? Or... obviously the crisis of the capitalistic system, i.e.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI-Netherlands Forum to discuss role of small firms
RI-Netherlands Forum to discuss role of small firms JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia-Netherlands Forum (FINED), a nongovernmental organization based in Jakarta, and its Dutch counterpart, the Netherlands-Indonesia Forum (FNI), will hold their third annual meeting in Surabaya from Dec. 17 to Dec. 19. FINED's chief executive Frans Seda said here yesterday the meeting would focus on efforts to help small and medium businesses in both countries.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Local driver Arief wins Goro Champ of Champs title
Local driver Arief wins Goro Champ of Champs title JAKARTA (JP): Leading local driver Arief Indiarto won the overall Goro Champ of Champs competition held in Subang and Bandung, West Java on Saturday and Sunday. The event included a sprint rally, and gocart and moped road races. Some 30,000 spectators watched the two days of racing with the gocart and road races in Bandung, and the sprint rally at the Pasir Bungur sugarcane plantation around Purwadadi and Subang.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Hotel's free lunch for taxi drivers
Hotel's free lunch for taxi drivers JAKARTA (JP): Five-star hotel Gran Melia Jakarta yesterday started a three day publicity campaign in which it is distributing free lunch boxes to 1,000 taxi drivers per day in an effort to establish closer ties with the city's taxi industry. The so-called Power Lunch campaign was also held last year.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Traditional ornamental roof ridges exhibition: Wuwungan at Rio Brazil Churrascaria, Jl. Kemang Raya 81, South Jakarta, 12 - 9 p.m., Dec. 5-14. * Painting Exhibition: The Southern Charm by Katrina Bohan- Tyrie, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Dec. 7. * Painting Exhibition: From Mooi Indi to Persagi, at Museum Seni Rupa Jakarta, Jl. Taman Fatahilah, West Jakarta, on Tuesday to Friday, Sunday at 9 a.m.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Three surrender to police in abortion case
Three surrender to police in abortion case JAKARTA (JP): Three more people wanted for their alleged involvement in abortion practices and the dumping of fetuses and babies have surrendered to police. Ten people were apprehended last week and yesterday's arrests bring the number of suspects to 13. The three have been identified as Herlina, a nurse who owns a clinic in the Johar Baru district of North Jakarta, her assistant Bale, and another man identified as Daniel.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
World goodies on sale at women's charity bazaar
World goodies on sale at women's charity bazaar JAKARTA (JP): Some walked away with Norwegian smoked salmon and Chilean wine. Others preferred the Columbian coffee and the Belgian chocolate. Visitors yesterday to the opening of the 30th Women's International Club Jakarta charity bazaar had the chance to buy snacks and other specialities from 39 countries. The goods, provided by the embassies and by 240 businesses, will be on sale until from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Jakarta Convention Center.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI to invest $4b annually in information technology
RI to invest $4b annually in information technology JAKARTA (JP): Investments in Indonesia's information technology such as telecommunications infrastructure and multimedia facilities may reach US$4 billion a year, according to a senior official. Secretary-general of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, Jonathan L. Parapak, said yesterday that about 80 percent of the total investment would come from the private sector.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN to set up new short-term aid facility
ASEAN to set up new short-term aid facility By Devi M. Asmarani KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed here yesterday to establish a new short-term facility for members in need of assistance. The group also agreed to establish and implement a regional economic surveillance mechanism soon to prevent a monetary crisis similar to the one currently affecting the region.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
KONI announces 22 sports for Asian Games
KONI announces 22 sports for Asian Games JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI)'s task force announced yesterday that Indonesia would compete in 22 sports at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok next December.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rp 10m on offer at writing contest
Rp 10m on offer at writing contest JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Art Council is holding a script-writing contest with Indonesian children as the event's subject matter, a senior executive said yesterday. Ratna Riantiarno said the contest is open to members of the public, including scriptwriters, but there are some admission requirements. Entrants must be Indonesian citizens, the script should be written in Bahasa Indonesia and the play must have a 90-minute duration, Ratna said.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: The Big Valley 3:10 Teenagers' Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Economic News 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Science and Technology 5:00 Soccer: Toyota Cup, Borussia Dortmund vs Cruziero (live) 6:45 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music: Prestasi dan Lagu 9:00 World News 9:30 Sports: Arena dan Juara 10:30 Late News 10:40 Film: Matlock Program 2 4:30 p.m.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
ITB alumni to elect chairman
ITB alumni to elect chairman JAKARTA (JP): The 32,000-strong alumni association of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) begins its fifth congress today to elect a new chairman.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bali to host meeting of CFC council
Bali to host meeting of CFC council JAKARTA (JP): The governing council of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), a United Nations' finance institution for commodities, will hold their annual meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali next week. Director General of Foreign Economic Relations Soemadi DM Brotodiningrat said that the three-day assembly, which would open Sunday, would discuss commodity projects to be financed by the CFC.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Disagreement emerges in Seoul-IMF talks
Disagreement emerges in Seoul-IMF talks SEOUL, South Korea (AP): Reluctant to accept some harsh conditions, South Korea backpedaled yesterday and said it was still discussing terms of a multibillion-dollar international bailout of its foundering economy. "We still have some points to be cleared with the IMF (International Monetary Fund)," said Chung Ui-dong, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
PLN suffers from mismanagement, says Djiteng
PLN suffers from mismanagement, says Djiteng JAKARTA (JP): The president of the state-owned electricity company PLN, Djiteng Marsudi, admitted yesterday the company suffered from mismanagement. But Djiteng said in a hearing with Commission V of the House of Representatives that the mismanagement occurred due to massive intervention from "outsiders". At the hearing, most of the commission's members raised questions over the World Bank's letter dated Nov.
Tue, 02 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Share prices and rupiah fall again
Share prices and rupiah fall again JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) fell again yesterday as local investors awaited the return of foreign buyers. Securities analysts said the absence of foreign investors, which previously controlled over 70 percent of trading activities, remained the main factor for the sluggish market. "How can we expect foreign investors to enter the Jakarta stock market while regional markets weaken," Fadjar Limin Sutandi of Sigma Batara asked.