Archive: 26 December 1997
52 articles found
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Fight against graft launched to ease crisis
Fight against graft launched to ease crisis JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered cabinet ministers and heads of government agencies on Wednesday to avoid all unnecessary spending and take tough measures against corruption and abuses of power in their respective offices. Soeharto also told them to restrict local and overseas trips and prohibited them from using state money to pay for spouses or family members to accompany them on working trips.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Search for SilkAir remains extended
Search for SilkAir remains extended By Budiman Moerdijat PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): The search for the remains of the SilkAir MI-185 airplane which was due to end today has been extended for another week as investigators called in an excavator to dig-up a newly detected hole suspected to be the primary impact point in the Musi River.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
ICMI urges transparent leadership succession
ICMI urges transparent leadership succession JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) ended its two-day annual conference Wednesday evening, calling for transparency in the five-yearly state leadership succession. The recommendation, read out by young ICMI cadre Aida Pitalaya, said it is now necessary to develop a peaceful and transparent tradition on state presidential and vice presidential elections.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang church attacked, residents escape in fear
Tangerang church attacked, residents escape in fear TANGERANG (JP): A new Protestant church in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex here was severely damaged Tuesday evening by dozens of unidentified youths. Residents who live near the church in the Kencana Loka area of the complex -- where many houses are vacant -- say the attack on the church on Jl. Pustaka Kencana in Blok U occurred about 7 p.m.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Fire-prone buildings checked
Fire-prone buildings checked JAKARTA (JP): The city's fire department has established a special team to identify buildings which are prone to fire, an official said Wednesday. The department's head, Suharso, said the team, which consists of senior firefighters and private consultants, would be assigned to examine the fire safety system and equipment of high-rise buildings here.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt to import 1m tons of rice
Govt to import 1m tons of rice JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will have to import up to one million tons of rice in anticipation of a late harvest next year, a minister has predicted. Minister of Agriculture Syarifuddin Baharsyah said Wednesday the long dry season could delay seedling and crop periods by one- and-a-half months. "The delayed harvest will cause a shortage of public rice stocks.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
1997: A horrible year for Indonesia
1997: A horrible year for Indonesia By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): The year 1997 has not been a pleasant one for Indonesia. In fact, for many people, it has been downright horrible -- socially, economically and politically. It opened with the bitter aftertaste of 1996, a year when riots and violence flared in some regions, including West Kalimantan and East Java, leaving trails of death and destruction.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sermon planed for New Year's Eve
Sermon planed for New Year's Eve YOGYAKARTA: In response to the local administration's call for quiet New Year's Eve celebrations, the state-owned Natour Garuda Hotel is offering a special religious package, with an Islamic arts performance. "We will invite, among others, noted preacher Kosim Nurseha from Jakarta and the famous Qasidah (Middle Eastern music) band Nasidaria from Semarang," Natour's marketing manager, Waluyo, said Tuesday at a press conference.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Moody's may cut six paper firms' ratings
Moody's may cut six paper firms' ratings NEW YORK (Reuters): Moody's Investors Service has placed the long term debt ratings of six Indonesian paper companies under review for possible downgrade. This action is prompted by the economic and financial turmoil that sparked the downgrade of the sovereign rating of the Republic of Indonesia from Baa3 to Ba1, the rating company said. Ratings under review are: Asia Pulp & Paper group: APP Finance (II) Mauritius Ltd.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Forestry permits to be cut to reduce illegal levies
Forestry permits to be cut to reduce illegal levies JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry will no longer issue licenses or notification letters for 12 forestry activities in an attempt to eliminate illegal levies, according to a senior official. Director General of Forest Utilization Titus Sarijanto said Wednesday that the licenses or notification letters were often misused to collect illegal levies from forestry ministries.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bomb threat at RP airport
Bomb threat at RP airport ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (DPA): Police stepped up security over the Christmas holidays at a key southern Philippine airport following bomb threats from suspected Moslem terrorists, officials said yesterday. With Zamboanga City International Airport crowded with travelers on the holiday, police said they had received telephone calls from unidentified men claiming time bombs were planted inside the terminal building.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah falls to Rp 6,200, stocks stable
Rupiah falls to Rp 6,200, stocks stable JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah broke the psychologically 6,000 level against the U.S. dollar Wednesday and hit an all-time low of 6,200 as corporate borrowers snapped up greenback to pay their maturing offshore debts. Currency dealers said the Indonesian currency strengthened in afternoon trading following the central bank's intervention.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian crude mart stable on RI allocations
Asian crude mart stable on RI allocations SINGAPORE (Reuters): The heavy Asian crude market was steady on Wednesday, as the final heavy sweet allocations from Indonesia was revealed to be much higher than earlier expected, traders said. Indonesia allocated 30,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) of Minas, 11,000 bpd of Widuri and 4,000 bpd of Cinta. This is in contrast to the 7,000 bpd of Minas and no Widuri or Cinta that the market had expected to be allocated.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
El Nino effect to disrupt cocoa production in 1998
El Nino effect to disrupt cocoa production in 1998 By Sylvia Gratia M.N. JAKARTA (JP): A dry spell, believed to have been triggered by the El Nino weather pattern, has hit Indonesian cocoa plantations and may disrupt production of next year's crop. Executive director of the Indonesian Cocoa Association, P.S Siswoputranto told The Jakarta Post that Indonesia's cocoa production is expected to fall by 10 percent in the 1997/1998 cocoa year -- from Oct. 1 to Sept.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI, India sign MOU for consultation
RI, India sign MOU for consultation JAKARTA: Indonesia and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of a Joint Consultative Forum for Bilateral Consultation. Indonesia's Director General for Political Affairs Nugroho Wisnumurti and Ambassador of India Sudhir Tukaram Devare represented their respective countries in Tuesday's signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affair.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Good year in dance, but old woes still hobble development
Good year in dance, but old woes still hobble development By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Just a few months before economic turmoil hit the nation, dance was no exception among the performing arts in enjoying a packed schedule of events. There were works by veterans like Farida Oetoyo, Edi Sedyawati, Yulianti Parani, Sardono W.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
ITB students win scholarships
ITB students win scholarships JAKARTA: Ten students from the Bandung Institute of Technology have been granted scholarship worth Rp 25,000,000 by DuPont, a chemical research and technology company from United States. The scholarships were given to high-achieving but cash- strapped students. DuPont did not give the names of the students. Apart from the scholarship, DuPont has contributed 100 safety glasses for researchers in the college's school of chemical engineering. (09)
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Amir Santoso cleared of plagiarism allegation
Amir Santoso cleared of plagiarism allegation JAKARTA (JP): Noted political observer Amir Santoso was cleared Wednesday of allegations that he plagiarized fellow observers' work in order to seek a professorship at University of Indonesia. Rector M.K. Tadjudin led a closed-doors meeting with the university's senate of professors and later told reporters they could not find any proof to support the allegations.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
IBCA downgrades rating for Bank Exim
IBCA downgrades rating for Bank Exim JAKARTA (JP): International ratings agency Fitch IBCA has assigned an individual rating of "D" for Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia (Exim) and changed its legal rating for the bank from "2" to "2T." Fitch IBCA said Wednesday that the change of its legal rating for Bank Exim to "2T" indicated the potential for arising transfer risk, given the current political, economic and financial developments in Indonesia.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 24, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 750 50 2,500 AHAP Insurance 450 0 0 Alter Abadi 450 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 200 -25 1,456,500 Alumindo Perkasa 250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 900 100 1,332,500 Aneka Tambang 1,325 0 2,492,000 Anwar Sierad 225 -25 221,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian Moslems need to put aside differences
Indonesian Moslems need to put aside differences By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): When Amien Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid agreed to appear together during a book launch last December at Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Central Jakarta, some people saw it as a reconciliation of Moslem groupings. Maybe the public was reading too much into the rare meeting or, rather, they saw what they wanted to see.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
CPO yield to rise next year
CPO yield to rise next year JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will produce about 6.3 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO) next year, up 5.6 percent from this year's production, the Ministry of Agriculture has predicted. The Director General of Plantation in the ministry, AR Tondok, said yesterday some oil palm plantations which had not produced this year would harvest next year, boosting the CPO output. "This year we estimate to produce 5.3 million tons," Tondok was quoted by Antara as saying.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta must nurture its collectivity, Soeharto says
Jakarta must nurture its collectivity, Soeharto says JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto says Jakarta needs special territorial supervision to foster a feeling of collectiveness among residents in the metropolitan city. In a written statement commemorating the 48th anniversary of the Jakarta Military Command on Wednesday, the president said territorial supervision doctrines were based on experiences in Indonesian villages during guerrilla warfare, when collectivity was still strong.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Shaman's wife tried as accomplice
Shaman's wife tried as accomplice MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Lubuk Pakam District Court began Tuesday the trial of Tumini, a local woman accused of assisting her shaman husband in killing women clients and burying them in the Sei Semayang sugar cane plantation in Deli Serdang. The shaman, Achmad Suradji, alias Datuk Kelewang, began his trial Monday. He is accused of killing 42 women who came to him for spiritual and other forms of help.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Regional stocks mixed in Christmas-eve trade
Regional stocks mixed in Christmas-eve trade TOKYO (AFP): Asia-Pacific stock markets ended mixed in quiet Christmas-eve trade Wednesday, with investors adopting caution amid the region's financial woes. Tokyo, Singapore and Taipei ended up. Seoul led the decliners with a 4 percent drop amid fears of potential bankruptices. Hong Kong and Sydney shares shed 0.2 percent each, Kuala Lumpur dipped 1.1 percent, Bangkok 0.7 percent and Jakarta 0.1 percent.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Assembly to proceed smoothly: Moetojib
Assembly to proceed smoothly: Moetojib JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body Lt. Gen. Moetojib has predicted that the People's Consultative Assembly session next March will proceed smoothly, despite some irresponsible groups' attempts to disrupt it even now.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Golkar holds writing contest
Golkar holds writing contest JAKARTA: Students and the public are invited to take part in a writing competition being organized by the Jakarta chapter of Golkar, in conjunction with its 33rd anniversary. Prizes totaling Rp 8.9 million (US$1,780) in cash and trophies will be presented by the state minister of women's roles, governor of Jakarta, Jakarta military chief and Golkar Jakarta's chairman.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: New Year Program * Bali Hilton International, Nusa Dua: - New Year's Eve: Experience a magical night with Aladdin in his Palace, 8:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom. The 9-Peace Band, 7 p.m., in Octopus Restaurant and Fun Pub. Batak Quartet Performance, 7 p.m., in Waterfall Restaurant. Japanese traditional Kaiseki dinner, 7 p.m., Genji Japanese Restaurant. Move into New Year with an exquisite set menu, 7 p.m., Lagoona Restaurant.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Love of your life
Love of your life It is difficult to believe that before the end of the year a blatant advertisement should appear in The Jakarta Post, especially given the banning of New Year's Eve parties. But then came the Gran Melia Jakarta, which I normally like to frequent, with its advertisement offering a romantic 24 hours in their hotel for US$10,000 by asking the stupid question whether the love of our lives was worth that amount.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
537 foreigners deported this year
537 foreigners deported this year JAKARTA (JP): The number of people deported this year has doubled to 537 foreigners from last year with Chinese, Malaysians and Indians topping the list of those expelled. Director of supervision and law enforcement at the Directorate General of Immigration, Zaiman Nurmatias, said the number has risen from last years' 277 foreigners.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
T. Abang clash due to 'lack of understanding'
T. Abang clash due to 'lack of understanding' JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has called Tuesday's clash between Kebon Melati residents in Tanah Abang and Irian Jaya youths a "misunderstanding". "The situation is now under control. I checked on the location myself when the clash happened," he said Wednesday. Sjafrie urged Tanah Abang residents and all Jakartans not to take the law into their own hands.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
BDNI gets $50m loans
BDNI gets $50m loans JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI) and the Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank (DKB) of Japan have signed a US$50 million bilateral, medium-term loan facility. BDNI said the bilateral loan reflected DKB's confidence in BDNI, but did not elaborate. BDNI and DKB entered into an agreement in 1991, establishing a joint venture bank, PT Indonesia Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
1997 tourism growth rates rocked by the haze
1997 tourism growth rates rocked by the haze By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): The thick haze which blanketed most parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan for several months has resulted in significantly reduced tourist arrivals this year. Many foreign tourists from the United States, Europe and other industrialized nations such as Japan canceled their trips due to the choking haze, caused by forest fires in the country's two largest islands.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian diplomacy traverses a rocky road
Indonesian diplomacy traverses a rocky road By Medyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Nineteen ninety-seven will go down as a "testy" year in Indonesian diplomacy because events rocked the foundations and sound relations which had been so carefully built.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Medco denies takeover deal
Medco denies takeover deal JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed oil and gas company PT Medco Energy Corp. has denied that the company is planning to buy part of petrochemical firm PT Chandra Asri. The company's finance and administration director, Sugiharto, made the remarks Tuesday to counter a press report which said that the company was about to buy a 25 percent stake in Chandra Asri.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
First Family ready to sacrifice for the nation: Hartono
First Family ready to sacrifice for the nation: Hartono JAKARTA (JP): Two cabinet ministers claiming to be close friends of President Soeharto and his children said the First Family would sacrifice anything for the nation, including valuable time together should he be renominated. Minister of Information R. Hartono and State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: Tom and Jerry Kid 3:10 Children's Program: Tunas 3:35 Talk Show: Sambung Rasa 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Student's Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:10 Documentary Film: Science World 5:30 Music: Paket 27 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 Dynamic 8:05 Song and Profile 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Sepekan Music 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Drama: Baretta...
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Solidarity called for to cope with crisis
Solidarity called for to cope with crisis JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders and intellectuals have called for solidarity to help the nation cope with the crisis that has plagued the country in the past few months. The group made the call in a rare gathering Tuesday evening. They included Abdurrahman Wahid of Nahdlatul Ulama, who hosted the meeting at his home in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, and Jakarta's Archbishop Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Telkomsel's billing
Telkomsel's billing It is very difficult to understand why Telkomsel cannot provide a proper schedule for its billing. I started to subscribe to Telkomsel on March 17, 1997 and my first bill was for three days use of the service, from March 17 to March 19. Since then, Telkmosel has sent its bill irregularly, sometimes after one month and sometimes after only half a month use of the mobile phone.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
South Jakarta offers a tour of native Jakartan culture
South Jakarta offers a tour of native Jakartan culture JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta to many people is not much other than the Blok M shopping area, cafes and elite housing complexes. Only few people know that the area also has several attractive tourist sites, such as the Ragunan Orchid Garden, Situ Babakan and Situ Mangga Bolong water reservoirs and Betawi kampongs in Jagakarsa, and Ciganjur's freshwater fish nursery.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto still has strong grip on state affairs
Soeharto still has strong grip on state affairs By Imanuddin JAKARTA (JP): Amid complaints of irregularities and cheating, the National Election Committee delivered in June the final results of the May 29 general election, sealed and endorsed by the three contestants: the United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Slipups, carelessness behind tragedies
Slipups, carelessness behind tragedies JAKARTA (JP): The past year may not be called an accident prone year, but it has had more than its share of tragedies on the ground, at sea and in the air. Unfortunately, too many lives were lost as a result of negligence and human error. Jan. 25 Seven people were killed and 20 injured when a bus crashed into a stalled dump truck on a highway connecting Buton and Pekanbaru, Riau.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Business and government must work together
Business and government must work together A few days ago, scores of major private business leaders were invited to meet with the President, and a number of aspects of the meeting deserve to be underlined. The current fall in the rupiah's value has brought dire consequences for all Indonesians. The poor are finding that their life's burdens are becoming heavier because the high prices of essential goods. A call is made on businesspeople to actively help in finding a solution.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Human negligence intensifies Mother Nature's fury
Human negligence intensifies Mother Nature's fury By Sugianto Tandra JAKARTA (JP): A long drought and the resulting forest fires, haze, famine and deaths that plagued Indonesia in the past year have all been blamed on the El Nino weather pattern affecting the region. But at least one accusatory finger should have been pointed at ourselves. Human negligence resulted in the country's worst natural disaster.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Labor hurdles mar birth of new manpower law
Labor hurdles mar birth of new manpower law By Dwi Atmanta and Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): The passage of the controversial manpower bill this year has laid a new milestone in the country's labor history, as it was born amid workers' growing outcries over the poor protection of their rights. Not to mention the fraud allegations that tarnished the making of the new law which was signed by President Soeharto early in October. Some observers say Indonesia's labor record this year was poor.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Hotel, Jl. Embong Malang 25-31: - Bongo's Fun Pub & Restaurant: The Brilliant Creatures band performance, Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. - Kawi Lounge: the Hip Fidelity Duo, Monday to Saturday, 8 p.m. to 12 midnight. * Ibis Rajawali Hotel, Jl. Rajawali 11-9: - Yudhistira Bar, at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: George T. (Pianist), Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Duo Erna and Robin, Tuesday. Q'Sera Band, Friday. * Garden Palace Hotel, Jl.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Pancasila-based economy
Pancasila-based economy From Suara Karya This beloved republic is based on the five-point state philosophy called Pancasila. All political parties and mass organizations should adhere to this philosophy. To implement this state philosophy, our founding fathers drew up a constitution -- known as the 1945 Constitution -- which contains matters relating to the economy. It is for this reason that our economy has been described as a Pancasila-based economy.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Fireworks at Ancol today, tomorrow
Fireworks at Ancol today, tomorrow JAKARTA (JP): The management of Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta will celebrate Christmas and New Year with a fireworks display today and tomorrow in its former drive-in theater. Before the fireworks -- which start at 9 p.m. -- there will be a live show featuring world-renowned trumpeter Kenny G.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Austerity and frugality
Austerity and frugality Those who still remember the economic hardship of 1982 and 1985 when gross domestic product growth was merely 2 percent may react cynically to the buzzwords -- austerity, frugality, efficiency and clean government -- which were the central theme of President Soeharto's instructions at the plenary cabinet session on Wednesday.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
The Listening Post
The Listening Post "Building English Skills Through Newspaper + Radio" Produced by American Language Center in cooperation with The Jakarta Post and Radio Sonora FM 100.9 Mhz * Winter is upon us, though you wouldn't know it to look at lush, green Jakarta. Back where I come from, temperatures hover near freezing; days are short and often gloomy.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Kilas Balik 97, at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, daily except Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., until Jan. 14. * Painting Exhibition: Impressions of Indonesia by Hetty Ansing at Nusantara Gallery, Jl. Arteri Raya, Paradiso Executive Complex, Central Jakarta, until Jan. 10. * Architectural Photo Exhibition: Space and Time, by Yori Antar, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl.
Fri, 26 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Dec.