Archive: 26 May 1997
49 articles found
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
What are the implications of Megawati's decision?
What are the implications of Megawati's decision? Megawati Soekarnoputri, deposed leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), put weeks of intense speculation to rest when she announced Thursday she would abstain from voting in the general election. Cornelis Lay, a political science lecturer at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, looks at what the decision will mean when the country goes to the polls on May 29.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Death toll in Banjarmasin riot hits 133
Death toll in Banjarmasin riot hits 133 JAKARTA (JP): The death toll in Friday's riot in the South Kalimantan capital of Banjarmasin reached 133 last night as peace and order began to return to the city, police said. Most of the victims' remains were removed from the second floor of Siola Intimitra shopping complex, Antara reported. A rescue worker said that no remains were found by him and his teammates when they sifted through the third and fourth floors of the building.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
East Timor
East Timor I enjoyed reading The Jakarta Post's articles (May 7) on the International Committee of the Red Cross programs in East Timor to promote clean water and public health and to protect the rights of detainees. The May 7 edition also included articles on the wives of Armed Forces soldiers killed in East Timor by so-called "communist- backed" Fretilin guerrillas (page 3), speculation on Dili Bishop Belo's decision not to vote on May 29 (page 2) and Golkar rallies in East Timor (page 2).
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Legal aid posts also open to foreigners
Legal aid posts also open to foreigners JAKARTA (JP): Foreign citizens standing trial in Jakarta prefer to ask for counsel from the legal aid post attached to each district court to seek help from private defense lawyers. "The legal aid post is open for anyone who is in need of free legal service disregarding his or her nationality," said Ahmad Yani, a legal aid post vice coordinator.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Reclamation firm becomes official
Reclamation firm becomes official JAKARTA (JP): A joint venture firm to carry out a 2,700- hectare reclamation project in North Jakarta Bay was officially set up last week. Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs, Tb. Rais, said the new PT Pembangunan Pantai Utara Jakarta would be supervised by the North Jakarta Reclamation Implementation Board. City Council approved the plan to set up the company last month.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt vows not to curb investment in MDF
Govt vows not to curb investment in MDF JAKARTA (JP): The government will not limit investment in the nation's medium-density fiberboard (MDF) industry despite the market glut, a minister has said. Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said Friday an oversupply of the MDF wood products was normal. "The MDF market, like that of pulp, fluctuates every two to three years," Djamaludin was quoted as saying by Bisnis Indonesia daily.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bats protected for eco-tourism
Bats protected for eco-tourism SORONG, Irian Jaya: Local officials are working to protect bats endemic to Sausapor district to attract international visitors. Sorong regent John Piet Wanane told Antara over the weekend that various bat species are found near the site which is renowned for turtles. Sausapor district, located 100 kilometers from Sorong, has a forest reserve that is being developed as a tourist site. The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Trade expo in Darwin
Trade expo in Darwin JAKARTA (JP): West Nusa Tenggara will send a delegation of 20 businesspeople to Australia next week to take part in Darwin Expo, an executive said Saturday. The chairman of the province's branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, M. Anwar, said in Mataram that the delegates would show locally-made handicrafts and agricultural products at the expo, which would last from June 2 to June 28.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Three arrested for bank robbery
Three arrested for bank robbery MEDAN: Police have arrested three of the four people they suspect of robbing Bank Tamara of Rp 529 million (US$220,000) last week. Head of the detective unit at the province's police command, Sukris Prayitno, said police arrested two suspects, each aged 34, in Deli Serdang Friday, just a day after they caught the first culprit. They admitted receiving Rp 30 million and 50 million each from the loot. The first suspect, MY, was arrested in Jambi.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Share trading likely to grain ground
Share trading likely to grain ground JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta stock market is expected to gain ground this week as fears of riots in the capital eased as the one-month election campaign ended Friday. Analysts said investors were more confident to buy shares. "With the conclusion of campaign activities, more foreign fund managers will be upbeat about the market," Morgan Grenfell Asia Indonesia Securities' analyst Adnan Tan said.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Seven arrested with heroin in raids
Seven arrested with heroin in raids JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested seven people, including three foreigners, and confiscated 318 grams of heroin worth Rp 79.5 million (US$33,125) during raids in Central, East and North Jakarta. City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday the three foreigners held Nigerian, Ethiopian and South African passports. "(They) were believed to be involved in an international syndicate," Hamami said.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tunky denies textile export quota collusion
Tunky denies textile export quota collusion JAKARTA (JP): The minister of industry and trade, Tunky Ariwibowo, has denied there is a collusion in the distribution of textile export quotas, Antara reported Saturday. Tunky said an investigation proved there was no collusion in the allocation of quotas for the export of textiles and textile products. But he asked people to report any irregularities in quota distribution if they had evidence.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Islamic artists go to Italy
Islamic artists go to Italy JAKARTA (JP): Three Indonesian artists and a curator will take part in the Biennale Venezia international art exhibition in Italy from June 14 to November. The three artists are Anusapati, Setiawan Sabana and Hendrawan. The art curator is A.D. Pirous. The five-month exhibition, jointly sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Aga Khan Trust, focuses on contemporary Islamic art.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Campaign compensation
Campaign compensation From Jayakarta I felt like I was in hell when I was caught in a campaign rally in mid May in Cisarua, Puncak. My car was suddenly stopped by grim looking youngsters. They knocked on the windows and, eventually, scratched the vehicle. They also demanded cigarettes from me. I do not need to disclose the name of the party as all the supporters are the same in my opinion. They are vicious, make unreasonable demands and hostile. I am one of the campaign victims.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nike employee taken to court
Nike employee taken to court HANOI (AFP): The prosecution of foreign Korean supervisor for labor abuses at one of Nike's exclusive shoe suppliers in southern Vietnam has begun, reports said yesterday. The official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) said that Hsu Jui Yun, who formerly worked as a supervisor at the Korean-owned Pou Chen Shoe Factory was suspended after she allegedly forced 56 women to run around the factory floor in International Women's day in March.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
S'pore, Brunei sign open skies pact
S'pore, Brunei sign open skies pact SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore and Brunei on Saturday signed an open skies agreement allowing their airlines unrestricted routing, frequency and capacity between and beyond both countries, officials said. The open skies pact, signed here by Singapore's Communications Minister Mah Bow Tan and his Brunei counterpart, Pehin Zakaria Sulaiman, is the first among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), officials said.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ministers inaugurate projects in E. Timor
Ministers inaugurate projects in E. Timor DILI, East Timor (JP): Two ministers inaugurated 13 projects in East Timor on Saturday, including a textile factory, a salt- processing plant and several public facilities. The state minister of investment, Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo, opened textile maker PT Dili Text and PT Garam Manatuto's iodized salt making plant.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Residents attack vehicle
Residents attack vehicle JAKARTA (JP): Last week's scenes of mobs stoning and burning vehicles that hit pedestrians or other vehicles were nearly repeated a third time on the weekend. But security officers managed Saturday to prevent a Suzuki Escudo jeep from being burnt. Residents stoned and overturned the jeep after it hit a couple on Jl. Samanhudi, in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Gadbaw ready to tell RI tale to Americans
Gadbaw ready to tell RI tale to Americans By Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON D.C. (JP): Indonesia is drawing greater attention among the American public these days. Most news that appear in the American media however cast Indonesia in a bad light. Human rights and labor rights problems, East Timor and the campaign contribution scandal involving the Lippo business group have all overshadowed most other news about Indonesia, and certainly the overall relationship between the two countries.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Nine Asian nations vow to stabilize their currencies
Nine Asian nations vow to stabilize their currencies BANGKOK (Agencies): Top officials from nine Asian central banks agreed at a meeting here on Saturday to strengthen cooperation to maintain the stability of regional currencies, a Thai central bank official told Reuters yesterday.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Observers condemn Banjarmasin riots, seek explanation
Observers condemn Banjarmasin riots, seek explanation JAKARTA (JP): Observers condemned Friday's rioting in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan that left at least 133 people dead, and sought an explanation for the tragedy. "Why have we become such a callous, cold-blooded nation?" asked Moslem scholar Amien Rais. "There has been various scales of unrest, and yet there were still officials who said the situation was normal, safe and under control," he said. "We have sunk to a very low level of humanity.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Cartoon Film: Silvan 3:10 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 3:35 Belief in God The Almighty 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Family's Program: Kesehatan Keluarga 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show: Country Tracks 5:30 Sports: Diving 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Education Program: Dunia Mahasiswa 8:00 New: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music: Mozaik...
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Former bank directors held for corruption
Former bank directors held for corruption JAKARTA (JP): Six businessmen were arrested for alleged involvement in corruption related to the issuance of commercial papers and bad credits at Bank Arta Prima in Jakarta, police said yesterday. City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said the men were involved in a scam worth Rp 1.2 trillion (US$516 million) consisting of Rp 324 billion of commercial papers underwritten by Bank Arta Prima and Rp 700 billion in bad credits.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians in UK go to the polls
Indonesians in UK go to the polls JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian citizens in the Great Britain town of Glasgow voted Saturday, five days ahead of schedule for administrative reasons, a press report said yesterday. Spokesman for the Indonesian embassy in London, Haris Nugroho, said ballot papers had to be pooled in London by mail, Antara reported. He said Indonesian citizens in other towns in Great Britain had also cast their ballots ahead of schedule.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Reformist officers still hold sway
Reformist officers still hold sway By Hendrajit JAKARTA (JP): In a seminar on nationalism last month, Maj. Gen. Theo Syafei spoke frankly and firmly about the possibility of the Army waging a coup against the existing government (Jakarta Post, April 21, 1997). According to the former chief of the Udayana regional military command which encompasses, among others, the East Timor province, from a historical perspective a coup d'etat is not in the Indonesian vocabulary.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Conditions for a fair general election
Conditions for a fair general election By Makmur Keliat SURABAYA (JP): Is there a correlation between the election and legitimacy? Is it right to say that the election would strengthen the government's legitimacy? These questions are not far-fetched. In any political system, the government is always faced with the problem of how to strike a balance between authority and legitimacy.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
District court rejects 'yellowization'case
District court rejects 'yellowization'case YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Semarang District Court ruled last week it did not have the authority to try the lawsuit filed by local branches of the United Development Party (PPP) against Central Java Governor Suwardi for his "yellowization" drive. The court suggested the lawsuit be taken to a state administrative court.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Yarsi center to study elderly
Yarsi center to study elderly JAKARTA (JP): Yarsi Foundation's Yarsi university will open a study center on the elderly the foundation's chairman, Jurnalis Udin, says. Jurnalis said yesterday the Islamic university was concerned about senior citizens. "There were only 9.4 million elderly people in 1985, but this is expected to increase to 16.2 million in 2000, or 4.8 percent annually," he said at a press meeting on the university's 30th birthday. The university is on Jl.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soepandi on delayed flight
Soepandi on delayed flight JAKARTA (JP): The president of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, Soepandi, was caught in one of his airline's notorious delays Friday when he had to wait for three hours at Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar, Bali. According to Antara, Soepandi and several fellow-Golkar campaigners had to wait because the carrier's MD-11 aircraft -- flight number GA 801 -- to Jakarta had technical problems.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Dai-ichi Hotel, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta: - Morgan's 1072 Classic Disco: Lemon Tea Band/Time Motion Band, Tuesday, 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; Smart Band, Wednesday, 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; R and Co Band, Saturday, 9.30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Acid Speed Band, Friday, at 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; Progress Band, Thursday, at 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. * Kartika Chandra Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta: - Prambanan Cafe: Singers, Agape Trio, Monday, Tuesday, 12 p.m.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
The Mega-bintang phenomenon
The Mega-bintang phenomenon From Republika The Mega-bintang signs at recent United Development Party (PPP) campaigns indicates that supporters of the ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri have channeled their aspirations in the democratic feast and funneled their votes to the party of the star. This has propelled a strong reaction among several parties.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Workers stream home to vote
Workers stream home to vote DILI: Thousands of employees are leaving for their home villages to vote on May 29. Hundreds of people flocked to bus terminals in Becora, Tasitolu and Lahane yesterday to fight for seats to get home early. Auto repair shop employee, Alfredo de Aaraujo, said he had to go home to Bobonaro, 64 kilometers west of the capital, because he was registered there.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Lots of cheap books
Lots of cheap books JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of book publishers, roadside book sellers and student cooperatives will meet to hold a big book sale at the National Monument square on June 14 and June 15. Sponsored by the Association of Indonesian Publishers (IKAPI), the sale is to encourage reading the organizing committee's chairwoman, Upi T. Sundari, said. "People can buy cheap books from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.," she said.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Modified soundness rules to boost prudence banking
Modified soundness rules to boost prudence banking JAKARTA (JP): The newly introduced banking soundness rating system will not disrupt most commercial banks' performance but will encourage them to practice prudent banking, experts said. Mirza Adityaswara from BZW Niaga Securities and Al Njoo of publicly listed Bank Papan Sejahtera said the new regulation would not negatively affect most listed banks. They said most listed banks met all the soundness criteria set by the central bank.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sheraton in Ambon
Sheraton in Ambon JAKARTA (JP): The Sheraton Group is planning to build a three- star hotel in Ambon, Maluku, following the government's plan to expand the city's Pattimura airport. State-owned PT Pos Indonesia's Pension Fund's investment manager, H.R. Kamarullah, said the hotel's development would depend on how much land the local government allocated the project, but suggested 1.3 hectares was "enough". Pos Indonesia will be one of Sheraton's partners in the project.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
In the name of solidarity
In the name of solidarity From Surabaya Post As an international event, the SEA Games requires support from all the people, both physically and financially, to make it a success. It is not fitting to tarnish our image amid this example of Asian solidarity. For this very reason we should be willing to make sacrifices. The fund raising drive through donations and sales of SEA Games stickers is a matter of necessity.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Top list of illegal workers
Top list of illegal workers KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Singaporeans topped the list of illegal professional and skilled workers in Malaysia last year, accounting for more than 50 percent, it was reported here Saturday. Deputy Home Minister Megat Junid Megat Ayub said that of 21,926 cases detected, 11,926 were Singaporeans. "We have identified these people and will take action against them soon," he said.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Spatial plan amendment debated
Spatial plan amendment debated JAKARTA (JP): Sociologist Sardjono Jatiman said changes to the urban spatial plan was acceptable as long as there was legal certainty to protect people. "People living in a big city like Jakarta are aware that they should adapt to any possible changes in the spatial plan. But the changes should be based on legal certainty," Sardjono said Saturday in response to statements by the deputy governor for economic and development affairs, Tb. M. Rais.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI grooming 1,017 athletes for SEA Games
RI grooming 1,017 athletes for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games centralized training is grooming 1,017 athletes for the biennial event in October. Training chairman Togi M. Hutagaol said before the athletes, National Sports Council officials, representatives of the Games consortium and chairman of several sports organizations at the Gathering Night at the Senayan Tennis Indoor Stadium yesterday that the athletes were selected from 1,214 athletes earlier this month.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
People grow more critical of government and its policies
People grow more critical of government and its policies People grow more critical of the govt By Tedy Novan & Gin Kurniawan YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Islamic University of Indonesia's legal and political expert, Moh. Mahfud MD, has been studying people's struggle to attain justice. Mahfud said people are becoming more critical and outspoken against the government, a result of national development programs.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Drug smugglers deported
Drug smugglers deported DENPASAR: An American and his Thai girlfriend suspected of smuggling drugs into Bali last week were deported to Guam Saturday, police said yesterday. Bali police chief Col. Surya Dharma Lubis said Saturday that American Michael Miller, 48, and Thai Inthiharn Jaranya, 20, arrived here on board yacht Huma-Huma with a "large delivery" of marijuana. Surya said Miller and Jaranya were detained at the Bali police precinct for two days before their deportation.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
A nation in transition
A nation in transition Aside from toward the parties competing in the general election, our attention has been focused on the government. The government plays a central role in the management of our political life and has control over every function in the general election process, up to the allotment of funds. Evidently, Golkar benefits from the government's strong position, while the opposite is true for the PPP (United Development Party) and PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party).
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bali's star-rated hotels see fewer guests
Bali's star-rated hotels see fewer guests By I. Christianto NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): There were fewer luxury hotel guests in Bali during the 27-day election campaign, which ended Friday, local hoteliers said Saturday. ITT Sheraton's director of sales and marketing James L. Papineau, said the average occupancy rate in star-rated hotels in Bali would reach 55 percent this month, down from 67 percent in the same period last year.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Election exodus to West, Central Java starts
Election exodus to West, Central Java starts JAKARTA (JP): Vendors, housemaids and other Jakartans flocked to intercity bus terminals and train stations during the weekend to reach home in time for the May 29 election. Terminals and stations were not as full as they were for the Lebaran exodus, but passengers had markedly increased during the past few days.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Vectra 500: An ideal solution for small businesses
Vectra 500: An ideal solution for small businesses By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): In this country, small-scale business owners have reason to envy their North American counterparts. In the United States, small businesses have long been recognized as the engine of economic growth. The same is true in many other parts of the world. Small business entrepreneur associations (there are hundreds of them in the United States) have the power and influence to lobby in Washington, D.C.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
The Golput phenomenon
The Golput phenomenon When Megawati Soekarnoputri announced last week her intention not to vote in the May 29 general election, it was very much what everyone had expected. After all, she has been excluded from the election system that does not recognize her as the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Kept in the dark
Kept in the dark From Neraca The April disruption of rail services was unexpected. The electricity on the Jakarta-Bogor electric train was suddenly cut off, affecting the line between the Pasar Minggu station and Tanjung Barat. A minor incident occurred at the Manggarai station, but I think it was not extraordinary under the circumstances. Regrettably, the railway management did not act quickly to inform waiting passengers of the disturbance in services.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Megawati's decision not to vote causes controversy
Megawati's decision not to vote causes controversy JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision not to vote in the general election sparked mixed reactions from an intellectual, religious leader and army general Saturday. Sociologist Arief Budiman and Islamic preacher Yusuf Hasyim said Megawati's decision was nothing to worry about while East Java military chief Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo asked her supporters to vote.
Mon, 26 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Entrepreneur helps the unemployed get ahead
Entrepreneur helps the unemployed get ahead JAKARTA (JP): A young Moslem entrepreneur pledged to increase the amount of credit he extends to unemployed people in a southern Jakarta subdistrict. Tasman, the manager of Baitul Mall Wattamwil, or Balai Usaha Mandiri Terpadu (Integrated Self-help Business Unit), said in his office on Jl. Mampang Prapatan that he had provided Rp 14 million (US$5,833) in interest-free loans to 107 unemployed people.