Archive: 30 December 1997
54 articles found
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Going, going, gone for the masters' works
Going, going, gone for the masters' works By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): The auction scene continues to be the main indicator of the Indonesian art boom. Sotheby's and Christie's had their art auctions in Singapore in March, featuring four works by the 19th century Indonesian artist Raden Saleh. Both auctions saw a general trend in that most of the paintings with Indonesian subjects sold rather poorly, except for a few extraordinary pieces which fetched high prices.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Commoner's conscience
Commoner's conscience From Pelita From TV and newspaper reports we feel concerned about the fate of our nation, now being hit by a rupiah-value crisis as the rupiah has continued to depreciate from about Rp 2,900 in September 1997 to over Rp 6,000 now. Many experts have expressed their opinions but they don't seem to be convincing enough. So, allow me, a commoner, to express my conscience through this column. This Indonesian state is ours. We fought for over 350 years to gain independence.
Tue, 30 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.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Collective solution to debt problems ineffective
Collective solution to debt problems ineffective The demand for speedier private sector debt repayment has been cited as the main reason behind the recent run on U.S. dollars. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses joint efforts by the government and the business sector to solve the debt problem. Question: President Soeharto has assigned Radius Prawiro, an economic consultant to the government, to lead businesspeople in seeking a solution to their foreign debts. What do you think about this?
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Diarrhea affects over 500 people
Diarrhea affects over 500 people KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: An outbreak of diarrhea has affected 541 residents of Katikutana district in West Sumba over the past two weeks, Antara reported yesterday. The news agency quoted Agus Barek, the head of the provincial health office, as saying that two people had died of the illness while hundreds of others had been hospitalized. The office had sent 37 medical personnel and medical supplies to 15 affected villages, he said.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt bans palm oil export to boost domestic supply
Govt bans palm oil export to boost domestic supply SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia has banned palm oil exports in the first quarter of 1998 in a bid to boost domestic supplies and keep prices under control, a move that would benefit top producer Malaysia, trade sources said yesterday. They said the surprise decision would also force many players to declare force majeure on export contracts or fulfill them with Malaysian palm oil, keeping prices there firm in the near term.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Government promises not to increase haj fee
Government promises not to increase haj fee JAKARTA (JP): The government promised yesterday that haj pilgrims would not be asked to pay a rupiah more than they have already paid for next year's pilgrimage to Mecca, despite the recent plunge in the rupiah's value. Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said that PT Garuda Indonesia, the airline entrusted to fly the 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims, would not lose money.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Hanged man feared to be suicide
Hanged man feared to be suicide JAKARTA (JP): A 23-year-old jobless man is believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself with a plastic rope in his room at his parents' house on Jl. Raya Pondok Gede, Lubang Buaya, in East Jakarta yesterday. The body of Tji Ci Cang, alias Frans Witono was found at 7 a.m. when one of his housemaids knocked on the door of his room on the top floor of his parents' five-story shop/house. His motive is still unclear.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Our rights record
Our rights record Indonesia will take part in the worldwide National Plan of Action for human rights as United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced recently. The program, according to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, is part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights next year. The UN chief also urged all countries to improve their respective human rights records.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stop food brokers 'meddling with prices'
Stop food brokers 'meddling with prices' JAKARTA (JP): City councilors urged Governor Sutiyoso yesterday to get tough with brokers who were behind the skyrocketing price of staple foods, particularly rice, in Jakarta. They said brokers bought up stable food supplies -- which are meant to be set at low, affordable prices -- and created stockpiles so they could control the price for their own benefit.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Two-headed infant dies in Aceh
Two-headed infant dies in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: A severely deformed baby -- with two heads, three arms and a cleft palate -- died yesterday, 28 hours after she was born Sunday, Antara reported. Doctor Hanafiah Hasan assisted in the child's birth at the Bunda Maternity Hospital here and led efforts to save the baby girl's life. The parents were identified only as EMT, 28, and HSB, 30.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Good going in local art scene despite end to boom
Good going in local art scene despite end to boom By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): At the end of this year, the economic crisis should have put paid to the decade-long Indonesian art boom. Sales of Indonesian art at auctions in Singapore, Amsterdam and at home indicated the market had indeed reached saturation point. However most of the year was promising. Indonesian artworks featured in many important international exhibitions held in Japan, Italy, Cuba, Denmark and Malaysia.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Only safe planes to fly in RI: Minister
Only safe planes to fly in RI: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday that all airlines serving the country had met international aviation safety standards. Speaking at a year-end press conference, the minister said there was no unsuitable aircraft flying in Indonesia. "We never allow airlines to fly to Indonesia if they are unable to maintain proper airplanes. This is also about the discipline of airlines which own the aircraft," he said.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Dec.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Four die in deadly RP landslide
Four die in deadly RP landslide ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (DPA): At least four workers were killed and an undetermined number of others were trapped after a landslide buried a mining site in the southern Philippines, the military said yesterday. Colonel Adelberto Yap, deputy chief of the Armed Forces' Southern Command, said heavy rains since Friday triggered the landslide at Mount Diwalwal in the town of Monkayo, Davao province, 945 kilometers south of Manila.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sumalindo to acquire Suryaraya for $66.66m
Sumalindo to acquire Suryaraya for $66.66m JAKARTA (JP): PT Sumalindo Lestari Jaya, a publicly listed timber company, has agreed to take over PT Suryaraya Wahana, another timber firm. The company's director, Djojo Boentoro, said the takeover, approved by shareholders yesterday, would cost Rp 333.33 billion (US$66.66 million). "The acquisition is expected to contribute about 30 percent to Sumalindo's sales next year," he told reporters following the shareholders meeting.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Storms delay RP satellite launch
Storms delay RP satellite launch MANILA (DPA): Thunderstorms over the China launch site yesterday delayed for 24 hours the takeoff of the first Filipino- owned international communications satellite, officials said. The decision was made to cancel the fueling procedure as "lightning could disastrously jeopardize the entire project," said Hector Villanueva, President Fidel Ramos' press secretary.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Going to work shouldn't mean dying on the job
Going to work shouldn't mean dying on the job By Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Death is one of life's certainties. Nobody is exempt from death and it can happen at anytime to anyone. The only precaution we can take is to protect ourselves from harm, something casual workers in this city rarely do. As a result, at least one worker is reportedly killed at their workplace every four days, while an unknown number of others are injured.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment
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. The new conversion rates will be valid for one week, from Dec. 29, 1997 to Jan. 4,1998.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Export of wood products drops 25% this year
Export of wood products drops 25% this year JAKARTA (JP): The value of wood and wood-related exports is likely to drop by 25 percent this year to US$6.24 billion, from US$8.3 billion last year, a government minister said yesterday. Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo predicted that Indonesia's exports of wood products would probably continue to decline next year due to expected falling demand from the main buyers, Japan and South Korea.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
A nation of winners
A nation of winners Indonesians at this point of time are experiencing difficulties, economically and also politically. We are confused about the value of the rupiah which continues to nosedive and we do not know exactly what the reasons are. The Indonesian economy is said to be sound and strong, and I believe this, but the situation is growing worse, and I feel the people are becoming more confused.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Wednesday Imsak 4:09 a.m. Subuh 4.19 a.m.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Firms told not to rely much on govt's help
Firms told not to rely much on govt's help JAKARTA (JP): The private sector should not rely much on the government's help in coping with their mounting offshore debts, a former senior minister said here yesterday. Radius Prawiro, recently assigned by President Soeharto to head a task force to assist the private sector in negotiating with creditors, said Indonesian companies should not expect protection or a bailout from the government.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's gathering not seeking to rock the boat
Gus Dur's gathering not seeking to rock the boat YOGYAKARTA (JP): A group of prominent intellectuals gathered last week at Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid's residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, warning the country against social disintegration. The group called for national solidarity in order to cope with the ongoing monetary crisis in a written statement titled the "Ciganjur Appeal".
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
City still safe despite 5.4% rise in crime: Police
City still safe despite 5.4% rise in crime: Police JAKARTA (JP): There has been a record number of crimes in the city this year, Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday. Based on police data, crime in the city increased 5.4 percent to 19,432 incidents compared to 18,428 last year, he told a year- end press conference. But Hamami quickly denied that the rise meant the city was no longer safe.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Foreign exchange
Foreign exchange A local daily recently reported a prominent economist as saying that the government cajole private enterprise or individuals who keep their money abroad in the form of time deposits to withdraw it and transfer it back to Indonesia. According to the economist, if hundreds of billions of U.S.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
National Scene 1997
National Scene 1997 Photo A/B/C: Drought JP/leo, Reuters, Special HOT AND DRY: It was a long, hot dry season this year as Indonesia experienced failed harvests and widespread forest fires. A man walks over parched earth in Wonosari, Yogyakarta, after collecting grass (photo far left). In Kalimantan and Sumatra, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest and land caught fire causing a choking haze to envelop much of Indonesia and neighboring countries.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Golkar cadres criticize government
Golkar cadres criticize government JAKARTA (JP): Cadres of the ruling political organization Golkar issued a bold statement yesterday criticizing government performance and urging it to undertake political and economic reforms. At two separate press briefings, Golkar leaders and officials from Kosgoro, one of Golkar's seven founding mass organizations, separately urged Golkar members in the bureaucracy to work hard to regain public trust in the government's credibility.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tour and travel agents fix U.S. dollar rate at Rp 4,000
Tour and travel agents fix U.S. dollar rate at Rp 4,000 YOGYAKARTA (JP): The local branch of the Association of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Agents (Asita) has decided to apply a maximum rupiah rate of 4,000 against the U.S. dollar beginning in January. Branch chairman Noegroho Soeprapto told local journalists that the rate -- which was far below the local market's rate of over Rp 5,000 per dollar -- was valid for the city's accommodation and tour-related prices.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Value of foreign investment deals up 13 percent
Value of foreign investment deals up 13 percent JAKARTA (JP): The value of foreign investment approvals rose by 13 percent to US$33.8 billion this year, State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo said yesterday. Sanyoto said the number of projects approved for foreign investors this year, however, declined by 11.4 percent to 790 projects. The value of domestic investment approvals also increased this year by 19.1 percent to Rp 119.9 trillion.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Students urge Ramadhan purge
Students urge Ramadhan purge BOGOR (JP): At least 30 students from different universities here went to the Bogor Regency Office compound in Cibinong yesterday, demanding the local administration takes stern action against owners of restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues during the Ramadhan fasting month.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian Moslems start fasting tomorrow
Indonesian Moslems start fasting tomorrow JAKARTA (JP): The start of the Ramadhan fasting month begins tomorrow. Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher through decree No. 887/Dec. 29, 1997, announced yesterday that the first day of the Ramadhan Moslem fasting month, 1418 Hijr year, would fall on Dec. 31.
Tue, 30 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 Teenager's Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sport: Professional Boxing Championship 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:45 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV Drama: Jalan Yang Dipilih 9:00 Special News: Kilas Balik Luar Negeri 10:00 Music: Martabe '97 10:30 Late News 10:40 Film:...
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
1998 a hard year for businesses: Kadin
1998 a hard year for businesses: Kadin JAKARTA (JP): Next year will be a hard year for businesses, especially for domestically oriented firms, as economic growth will slow down, according to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). But the chamber is optimistic the current crisis will ease in the second half of next year, right after the election of the president and vice president in March, providing the new government pursues good governance.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan is a time for 'taqwa'
Ramadhan is a time for 'taqwa' By Akhmad Rifai This is the Book; In it is guidance, sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah. (The Holy Koran) YOGYAKARTA (JP): Taqwa has a special place in the life of Moslems because it keeps them on constant guard against all forms of evil. Taqwa is an Arabic word which signifies the fear of God. Men and women who fear God, both secretly and openly, are called muttaqiin.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Market intervention fails to shore up rupiah
Market intervention fails to shore up rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Market intervention by Bank Indonesia, the central bank, failed to shore up the rupiah yesterday as demand for U.S. dollars by local companies remained high. Meanwhile, stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) were stable, with the composite index practically unmoved.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Infrastructure projects 'must be continued'
Infrastructure projects 'must be continued' JAKARTA (JP): The government should continue with planned labor-intensive infrastructure projects despite the economic crisis to prevent more unemployment, an expert on urban issues said yesterday. Urban and Regional Development Institute director BS. Kusbiantoro said rising unemployment due to the crisis would put the government in a difficult position later if adequate preparations were not made now.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
W. Sumatra gets new governor
W. Sumatra gets new governor PADANG, West Sumatra: Brig. Gen. (ret) Muchlis Ibrahim was sworn in yesterday as the governor of West Sumatra for the 1997/2002 term, replacing Hasan Basri Durin, Antara reported. Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. presided over the inauguration ceremony yesterday. The 55-year-old governor will now lead the province of 4.3 million people.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
'Putaw' user faces 10 months in jail
'Putaw' user faces 10 months in jail JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the West Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence a private university student to 10 months in jail for consuming putaw, a low-grade heroin. Prosecutor Agus Widodo said Andi Wuryanto, in his 20s, was arrested in his rented room in the Kota area, West Jakarta in July. Agus said police seized from the defendant a few grams of putaw and an aluminum foil believed to have been used as a tool to inhale the heroin.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Disabled told to keep chin up
Disabled told to keep chin up JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno told physically disabled people yesterday not to feel inferior but accept their condition and live a normal life. The Vice President said their physical shortcomings should not be an obstacle for them to work together with other people to develop the nation.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Iwik still weighs up plan to sue police
Iwik still weighs up plan to sue police YOGYAKARTA (JP): Dwi Sumaji alias Iwik, exonerated recently from a murder charge by the Bantul District Court, was still undecided yesterday over whether to sue the police for wrongful prosecution. Iwik said he needed to thoroughly consider the consequences of the lawsuit, should he file one, and promised to announce his decision after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan, which starts tomorrow.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI's legal system not independent: Megawati's lawyers
RI's legal system not independent: Megawati's lawyers JAKARTA (JP): A team of lawyers who have been waging a losing battle for Megawati Soekarnoputri, the toppled leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), accused the Indonesian judicial system as being a mere extension of the government. The Public Defenders for Indonesian Democracy (TPDI), led by R.O. Tambunan, said at a press conference here yesterday that the Indonesian court system was neither independent nor impartial.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
AFP invests in RI firm
AFP invests in RI firm SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asia Food & Properties Ltd. (AFP) said yesterday it had paid Rp 8 billion, or Singapore $2.8 million, for an 80 percent stake in an Indonesian company. AFP said in a statement it had subscribed for 8,000 shares in IMTR, a private company which is involved in trading and investment holding. IMTR has an authorized capital of Rp 10 billion.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Defect in existing press law needs to be fixed
Defect in existing press law needs to be fixed By Ignatius Haryanto This is the second of two articles on Indonesian press law and regulations. JAKARTA (JP): In Indonesia, the definition of the Press Council is confusing because, as regulated in the law of the press, it is none other than a joint institution of the government and the press, which are not on equal standing.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Theft of art treasures on the rise this year
Theft of art treasures on the rise this year JAKARTA (JP): The art boom and an attendant general lack of knowledge about the sector have played their parts in the growing number of art-related crimes. While the number of these reached a high last year, art thefts and the like have continued this year. In February, the local art world was shocked by the theft of 19 paintings from the studio of Sudjana Kerton in Bandung.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nation's crime rate down in 1997
Nation's crime rate down in 1997 JAKARTA (JP): The country's crime rate may have dropped this year but National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo warned yesterday that growing economic hardship could push the rate up in 1998. The number of crimes reported to police fell by more than 8 percent this year to 134,892 offenses from 147,144 last year, Dibyo said during a yearend presentation of the 1997 Crime Index. "A crime is committed every three minutes and 53 seconds," he said.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ex-BI directors formally charged
Ex-BI directors formally charged JAKARTA (JP): Three former directors of Bank Indonesia (BI) have been formally charged with corruption, police announced yesterday. Hendrobudiyanto, Paul Soetopo Tjokronegoro and Heru Soepraptomo -- who were dismissed from the central bank last week -- were questioned at Jakarta Police Headquarters yesterday and then allowed to go home. But Lt. Col.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
S'poreans brace for tough year amid regional crisis
S'poreans brace for tough year amid regional crisis SINGAPORE (AFP): Singaporeans are bracing for tough times in 1998 as the financial turmoil that has wrought havoc and misery in much of Southeast Asia weighs on the city state's prosperous economy. Economic growth forecast for trade-driven Singapore next year has dived to as low as 1.8 percent from around seven percent expected in 1997 while corporate earnings are projected to shrink to single-digit growth.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Turkey, Italy to end Kurd refugee influx
Turkey, Italy to end Kurd refugee influx ANKARA (AFP): Turkey said yesterday that it would cooperate with Italy to put an end to the influx of Kurdish immigrants arriving illegally in Italian ports. "We are aware of the scale of the problem and are ready to cooperate fully with Italian authorities," Necati Utkan, spokesman for the Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto to attend Christmas in Dili
Wiranto to attend Christmas in Dili DILI, East Timor: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto is scheduled to attend a Christmas celebration today in East Timor, the chief organizer said over the weekend. "Wiranto's presence in the planned celebration is to represent Armed Forces Commander General Feisal Tanjung," said Abel de Fatima as quoted by Antara Sunday.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
IMF to send tax experts
IMF to send tax experts MANILA (AFP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is dispatching a team of tax experts to the Philippines to help the government plug tax loopholes, sources in the finance department said yesterday. The experts will arrive on Jan. 12 for a two-week stint during which they will consult with government officials on their attempts to boost revenues.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Crisis of confidence
Crisis of confidence From Merdeka When the exchange rate of the rupiah came close to Rp 4,000 per U.S. dollar, the print media published opinions expressed by economic observers saying essentially that we could still afford to laugh, but if the exchange rate remained near Rp 4,000, within a few months the entire population would cry in anguish.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 29, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 750 0 0 AHAP Insurance 450 0 0 Alter Abadi 450 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 100 8,154,500 Alumindo Perkasa 250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,150 250 1,508,000 Aneka Tambang 1,325 0 1,033,500 Anwar Sierad 225 0 521,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 30 Dec 1997, 00:00 WIB
National Scene 1997
National Scene 1997 Photo A/B/C: Scene JP/alx, JP/msa, Antara MAKING THE SCENE: President Soeharto and (ret.) Gen. Abdul Haris Nasution don their military uniforms once again as the Armed Forces accorded them the rank of five-star generals (left). R. Hartono (above, sitting left) replaced Harmoko as minister of information in June.