Archive: 29 December 1997
46 articles found
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Aprindo wants list of areas of operation
Aprindo wants list of areas of operation JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) has called on the government to issue a list of regency towns which are open for big retail operations. Association chairman Steve Sondakh said early last week that a list stating which towns were open or closed to retailers was needed so that retailers could plan their business expansion programs. The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a decree on Oct.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Missing the point
Missing the point If we read academic articles, we get the jitters. I repeat my suggestions from in the past to those people in the Directorate of Higher Education, Bandung Institute of Technology and Petra Christian University in Surabaya, that the academics should get out every three years, go on "sabbatical leave" of one year and really work in industry and trade.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mentality of House members
Mentality of House members From Pikiran Rakyat I was saddened upon reading a Dec. 4 article by Mr. Atang Ruswita in Pikiran Rakyat regarding a proposal that the Wisma Randang should be set up as a place where members of the House of Representatives and ministry officials engaged in legislative discussions could spend the night.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
The new state budget
The new state budget The current monetary crisis will have an impact on the government's domestic revenue, particularly tax earnings, due to the sluggishness of economic activities. The government's reduction in its revenue projections is greatly appreciated because tax payers have already suffered much this year. Almost every sector has felt the effects of the crisis, and many are suffering liquidity shortages -- a situation which is not likely to improve next year.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Hasty succession can result in a 'bad choice'
Hasty succession can result in a 'bad choice' JAKARTA (JP): The nation should not seek presidential succession just for the sake of change but must ensure the right person is chosen for the job should succession take place next year, says political observer Nurcholish Madjid. "Succession, should it happen next year, must be made carefully," Nurcholish said after a discussion on modern state administration systems Friday evening.
Mon, 29 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.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Limitations on national press might continue
Limitations on national press might continue By Suwiryo Ismail JAKARTA (JP): The New Order government has tightly limited press activities under the banner of a "free but controlled press" since the 1970s. After the closures of Tempo, Editor and Detik magazines in 1994, however, the government has considered press license cancellations unpopular because critics argued such action was unconstitutional and created a bad international image.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya clubs finish top in national swimming c'ships
Surabaya clubs finish top in national swimming c'ships YOGYAKARTA (JP): The 19th national interclub swimming championships (KRAPNAS) ended here yesterday with Surabaya clubs, Hiu Club and Surya Naga, coming one-two. Hiu Club won the meet with a score of 766 and Surya Naga carded 353 points. Purwokerto's Bina Taruna Club took the third position after garnering a total score of 341 in the annual competition which was held in the Teacher's Training Institute swimming stadium.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Man kills own son during family feud
Man kills own son during family feud JAKARTA (JP): Makasar Police in the city's east have arrested a 64-year-old man for allegedly killing his delinquent son to protect his wife and daughter. The victim, Muhammad Nurdin, 24, died after being stabbed in the right side of his chest and slashed across the right arm and left shoulder. According to one of the family's neighbors, M.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan policy maker's visit
Taiwan policy maker's visit TAIPEI (Reuters): Taiwan's top economic policy maker will lead a business delegation on a visit to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines next month to show concern over currency turmoil in those countries, local newspapers said yesterday.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Cartoon Film: The Big Valley 3:10 TV Drama: Pijar Mentari Telah Bersinar 3:35 Creative Program: Alat Musik Tradisional 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Tepat Guna 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Traditional Market in Monas 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Variety Show: Pelangi 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Talk Show: Sukses Berkarya 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music: Mozaik...
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
PLN struggles for survival amid crisis
PLN struggles for survival amid crisis By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): State-owned electricity company PLN is struggling to survive amid the monetary crisis, which has hit the country since early July. The company has been the most-affected state company by the crisis, which has cut the value of the rupiah by about 60 percent in the last six months.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Unrecognized union gathering dispersed
Unrecognized union gathering dispersed JAKARTA (JP): Police broke up a year-end party organized by an unrecognized labor union and arrested six people, a union official said here yesterday. About 100 people, including members of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), workers and street singers, gathered at the union's headquarters in South Jakarta Saturday to celebrate the New Year. But the party was quickly broken up by police and troops.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
ABRI chief warns military of provocation
ABRI chief warns military of provocation MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung warned soldiers Saturday to beware of attempts made to pit them against the public. Speaking during a Christmas celebration at Hermina Hall here, Feisal said soldiers must work to strengthen the present religious harmony while practicing their own religious faith.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
New Year's in 2000 to be a quiet affair?
New Year's in 2000 to be a quiet affair? JAKARTA (JP): Most major cities around the world are already in the throes of preparing a huge bash for New Year's Eve 1999 -- to welcome the new millennium. But Jakarta is in a quandary and still pondering what to do. The city is home to 10 million people, about 90 percent of whom are Moslems, but authorities have not determined whether to allow Jakartans to hold New Year's parties on Dec.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Battered planet Earth may get a better and safer future
Battered planet Earth may get a better and safer future By Ian MacKenzie JAKARTA (Reuters): Planet Earth was battered by floods, drought and fire in 1997, a year which ended with the world's major polluters squabbling over ways to prevent further environmental disaster. The 160 nations attending a UN conference on global warming, billed as one of the most vital ever held, finally reached a consensus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions through the next decade.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thailand may be forced 'to seek IMF leniency'
Thailand may be forced 'to seek IMF leniency' BANGKOK (AFP): Premier Chuan Leekpai warns that Thailand may be forced to ask the IMF to relax the terms of its rescue package as the economic slump further erodes state revenues. Chuan, who has been in power less than two months, admitted that the economic crisis confronting his government was worse than he had anticipated when he took office.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto calls for solidarity
Soeharto calls for solidarity JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto expressed hope that the Christmas and Ramadhan seasons which fall in close proximity to each other, can help impart a spirit of goodwill and social solidarity. Soeharto said such a spirit should prompt the nation to bury narrow-minded attitudes and the selfishness of seeking to further individual interests. The President highlighted Indonesia's diversity and said harmonious pluralism is the country's beacon of strength.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian currency holds key to palm oil in 1998
Malaysian currency holds key to palm oil in 1998 KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The outlook for Malaysian palm oil in 1998 can be summed up in one word -- currencies. Crude palm oil prices have surged about 70 percent since July, moving steadily up as the Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah have slumped against the U.S. dollar. The declines in the regional currencies' values make exports of palm oil products from those countries more competitive.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia strong in the sky in regional 'Star Wars'
Indonesia strong in the sky in regional 'Star Wars' By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, with its two decades of experience in satellite telecommunications technology, will undoubtedly maintain its dominance in the satellite business in the Asia- Pacific region in the coming years. In mid 1970's, along with the United States and Canada, Indonesia was among the first countries to operate its own communications satellites.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's motor vehicle sales January to November 1997
Indonesia's motor vehicle sales January to November 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. *Nov.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Firecrackers, alcohol seized
Firecrackers, alcohol seized MANADO, North Sulawesi: Police seized 589,626 firecrackers and 374,428 bottles of alcohol during its annual operation, code named Lilin Samrat, this year. All of the items confiscated were destroyed in the presence of Manado Mayor Lucky Korah, according to Capt. Gatot R Handoko. Handoko said Saturday that the operation aimed to control the illegal sale of firecrackers and alcohol, which are banned in the province because they tend to disrupt peace and order. (swe)
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Le Kha Phieu means to end instability
Le Kha Phieu means to end instability HANOI (AFP): The appointment of Gen. Le Kha Phieu as Vietnam's new Communist Party chief is intended to end instability in the ranks and has been forced on the ruling party by events at home and in the region. It also shows the reinforced power of the military at a time when the country is facing many difficult challenges, diplomats said yesterday.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Vietnam FDI declines
Vietnam FDI declines HANOI (AFP): New foreign investment approvals in Vietnam this year have registered a decline for the first time since the country launched its open door policy, according to official statistics released on Saturday. Foreign investment capital approved by Hanoi in 1997 only reached US$5 billion compared with $8.7 billion last year, the official Vietnam News Agency reported.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Don't conceal food shortages: Professor
Don't conceal food shortages: Professor By Joko Sarwono BOGOR, West Java (JP): In recent months, people have become more aware of the rising death toll in famine-stricken Irian Jaya -- which now exceeds 600 -- and the thousands of others facing a drought-related food shortage in Maluku.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rp 350b to rid Barito of silt
Rp 350b to rid Barito of silt BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: About Rp 350 billion is needed to remove millions of cubic meters of silt which has built up along Indonesia's longest river, the Barito, a local official said Saturday. Without the fund there will be no permanent solution to the problem and silt will continue to accumulate in the river, head of the provincial development planning board, Ismet Ahmad, said as quoted by Antara. Ahmad said dredging the river was only a temporary solution.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
558 Chinese get citizenship
558 Chinese get citizenship TERNATE, Maluku: The government has granted Indonesian citizenship to 558 stateless people of Chinese-descent in the Maluku Utara regency, Antara reported yesterday. The head of the social and political affairs office here, Fachri Amari, said 608 stateless residents had applied for citizenship at three district courts in the regency.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Aneka Tambang to spend $385m on expansion
Aneka Tambang to spend $385m on expansion JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state-owned mining firm PT Aneka Tambang has allocated Rp 2 trillion (US$385 million) for the expansion of its nickel plant in Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi. The company's president, Dedy Aditya Sumanagara, said the company would develop three projects in Pomalaa within the next two years.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Late rainy season affects planting
Late rainy season affects planting SEMARANG, Central Java: The planting of rice and other crops in Central Java during the 1997/1998 planting season will cover a total area of 363,155 hectares, the head of local agriculture services, Widodo Gondowerdoko, said here Saturday. Rice planting intensification programs will stretch over 169,784 hectares, or 15.3 percent of the 1.05 million hectares of the planned area, Widodo said.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Lifting the bank's veil
Lifting the bank's veil We were still recovering from the shock of the untimely removal of four Bank Indonesia directors when news surfaced last week that these four men had become the target of a police probe. Although the police have not disclosed the grounds for their investigation, most analysts believe that the four men were being questioned about their authority and some of their decisions to bail out ailing banks.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Never break your notebook's plastik casing
Never break your notebook's plastik casing By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Some of you might still remember I wrote about the Toshiba 100CS in this column in the middle of last year. I had bought it in a hurry before I left on a trip to Australia. I used it during the trip and I raved about it in my subsequent article. In fact, a reader from Medan then decided to buy one for herself. I still enjoy using the notebook today.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Workers protest less in Tangerang
Workers protest less in Tangerang TANGERANG (JP): The number of protests here, home to 18,359 large and small factories which employ about 300,000 casual workers, have dropped to 22 cases this year from 64 recorded in 1996. Most of the protests were staged by garment, footwear and electronics workers, the chairman of All-Indonesia Workers Union's Tangerang branch, Yusuf Makatika, said Saturday.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
14 detained over Sentul clash
14 detained over Sentul clash BOGOR (JP): Police have detained at least 14 people following a clash Thursday involving 200 residents of Sentul village in Citeureup that left dozens injured and damaged a house. Bogor Police Precinct chief Lt. Col. Ruslan Riza said over the weekend that the questioning would hopefully help police identify those who sparked the violence.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Search for crash victims until Jan. 2
Search for crash victims until Jan. 2 JAKARTA (JP): A Singapore-Indonesia rescue team has set Jan. 2, 1998 as the last day of their search for victims and wreckage from a Singapore SilkAir Boeing 737-300 which crashed in the estuary of the Musi river in southern Sumatra on Dec. 19.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Local car industry to face greater challenge in 1998
Local car industry to face greater challenge in 1998 By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian car industry, one of the worst hit sectors during this year's financial upheaval, will probably have to travel an even rockier road next year, with the worst jolts expected to come from gloomy sales and inflated import costs.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Markets to become real estate
Markets to become real estate JAKARTA (JP): City-owned market company PD Pasar Jaya will convert some of its poor-performing markets into low-cost apartments, according to the firm's president, Albert Napitupulu. Albert said over the weekend that the plan was meant to optimize Pasar Jaya's assets instead of leaving the markets vacant for years. "What are the markets for if business there is poor and only a few people go there?
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Activity on JSX is likely to remain quiet this week
Activity on JSX is likely to remain quiet this week JAKARTA (JP): Activity on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to remain minimal this week as most fund managers are still on their year-end holiday, brokers and securities analysts believe. But some analysts said that a sprinkling of local fund managers might enter the market for superficial purposes, to make their year-end financial reports look better.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
More aid for Irian Jaya
More aid for Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): The city branch of Indonesian Red Cross has sent relief aid to Irian Jaya in the form of food, clothes and Rp 108 million for villagers suffering the effects of the prolonged dry season. Deputy Governor for Development and Finance Affairs Harun Al Rasyid said over the weekend the aid was flown to the Timika area on Friday along with international relief packages. The food consisted mostly of instant noodles and biscuits, he said.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Miner's body retrieved
Miner's body retrieved ANKARA (DPA): Rescue workers retrieved the body of a worker from a coal mine in Bolu in northwestern Turkey following a cave- in five days ago, the Anadolu news agency reported yesterday. Five miners had been trapped at a depth of 70 metres after the roof collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday. One was rescued 16 hours later, while the bodies of three others were removed Wednesday.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ulemas join fight against AIDS
Ulemas join fight against AIDS BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Ulemas in the Moslem-dominated province of Aceh are joining the fight against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) through their Friday prayer sermons, Antara reported yesterday. "Hopefully, the Friday sermons will help alert Moslem youths about the dangers of (unsafe) sex practices," the news agency quoted H. Zainuddin A.G., the vice governor of Aceh, as saying.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Honest dialog needed to build common vision
Honest dialog needed to build common vision The year 1997 will soon come to an end. Political scientist J. Soedjati Djiwandono reflects upon the year's events and upon what is urgently needed for the future. JAKARTA (JP): The whole world is anticipating the end of 1997 and the new year. But in this country, we have more reason than most to be anxious. In the words of Adam Schwartz, in this decade of the 1990s, we have remained a "nation in waiting".
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
High achievers sufer stress, expert say
High achievers sufer stress, expert say JAKARTA (JP): About 25 percent of students at super schools -- geared only for high achievers -- suffer from stress due to study overload and heavy parental expectations, an expert says. "They suffer from stress because they have such a tight schedule of activities, and their parents expect them to apply themselves and excel," said Iswinarti, chairwoman of the psychology department of Muhammadiyah University in Malang, East Java.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Scholars accuse officials of 'living in denial'
Scholars accuse officials of 'living in denial' JAKARTA (JP): Two leading scholars have blasted government officials for "burying their heads in the sand" and living in denial when faced with crises. Sociologist Loekman Soetrisno of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta and Abdurrahman Wahid of the Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) said the habit failed to solve problems. "Such an attitude does not bode well for us as a nation," Loekman told The Jakarta Post yesterday.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Regency promotes rafting for tourists
Regency promotes rafting for tourists BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Southeast Aceh is promoting rafting and trekking to lure both foreign and domestic tourists, its district head Syahbuddin BP was quoted by Antara as saying recently. The district administration is now preparing better facilities for rafting and trekking at Mt. Leuser National Park, he said. Tourists can raft along Alas River, which is known for its strong currents, while enjoying the beauty of the national park's forests, he said.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Police probe graft at BI
Police probe graft at BI JAKARTA (JP): Three former Bank Indonesia (BI) directors are being questioned about alleged acts of corruption at the central bank, their lawyer said. On Saturday, while accompanying his three clients to Jakarta Police Headquarters, Amir Syamsuddin told reporters that the former executives were summoned on the basis of Article 28 of Law No. 3/1971 on corruption.
Mon, 29 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Press law needs improvement
Press law needs improvement By Ignatius Haryanto This is the first of two articles on Indonesian press law and regulations. JAKARTA (JP): In its recent conference in Pontianak, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) expressed the need to improve the press law. Law No. 1/1984 on the press, passed by the minister of information, has always been a hurdle to people in the press. Our first press law, Law No.