Archive: 16 August 1997
75 articles found
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian values versus universal human rights
Asian values versus universal human rights By Budiono Kusumohamidjojo JAKARTA (JP): Chin-Ning Chu, author of The Asian Mind Game, recently told Julius Pour of Kompas daily that long ago -- when Europeans were still "barbaric" -- Asians already had sophisticated cultures. It is a sad reality that we (Asians) then lost the competition (Kompas, Aug. 1, 1997). Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dr.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
New police chief in Central Java
New police chief in Central Java SEMARANG: Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman was installed yesterday as the new Central Java Police chief replacing Maj. Gen. Harimas AS. Despite an impressive list of assignments, which included West Java deputy police chief, this will be Noegroho's first assignment in Central Java. Meanwhile Harimas now moves to a new assignment at Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Yesterday's induction ceremony was conducted by National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo. (har)
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
852 inmates get reduced time
852 inmates get reduced time KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Eight hundred and ninety-one convicts in East Nusa Tenggara were granted remissions yesterday in conjunction with this year's Independence Day celebrations. "The remissions granted were from one to eight months," said spokesman of the province's justice office, Daniel Biantong. He explained that, as a result of the remissions, 67 convicts were released because they finished their sentences. East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Freedom more important than peace: YLBHI
Freedom more important than peace: YLBHI JAKARTA (JP): Freedom remains illusive as Indonesia marks its 52nd independence anniversary tomorrow, the chairman of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) said yesterday. Bambang Widjojanto said Independence Day was an occasion to remind the nation that "we still have a problem with independence to this day". Freedom, Bambang said in an Independence Day statement, was an absolute condition for a nation to maintain its existence.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
A reflection of Indonesia's challenges in the future
A reflection of Indonesia's challenges in the future As the nation turns 52 years old tomorrow, political scientist J. Soedjati Djiwandono of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies reflects on its challenges. JAKARTA (JP): As never before, in this age of globalization because of the rapid advancement of information technology, has the world been so open, interconnected, and interdependent. No nation, however powerful, can now afford to isolate itself.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
An oasis of performing arts opens in Jakarta
An oasis of performing arts opens in Jakarta By Sirikit Syah JAKARTA (JP): The city has a new theater. Its name: Utan Kayu (TUK); the address, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta; the opening date: Saturday, Aug. 9. "In Javanese, tuk means a spring, water source for people," said Goenawan Mohamad, who owns the place. He said the theater, located next to Galeri Lontar has a similar mission.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Doll Exhibition: by Siana Kristiani, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A South Jakarta, 11.30 a.m. to 12 a.m., until Sept. 13. * Graphics Exhibition: A European View (of Indonesia), old lithographs, engravings, and other graphics from Europe revealing the old way of life in Indonesia, at the Lagoon Tower, Jakarta Hilton International, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta. The Lagoon Lounge open daily at 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Lagoon Bar, 5 p.m.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Insurance firms asked to invest more in stocks
Insurance firms asked to invest more in stocks JAKARTA (JP): The government called yesterday on insurance firms and pension funds, especially those which are publicly listed and affiliated to listed firms, to invest more in equity and bonds to strengthen local stock markets.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bakrie wins Iran oil deal
Bakrie wins Iran oil deal JAKARTA (JP): A subsidiary of Bakrie Group has won a contract to exploit the biggest oil field in Iran, Antara reported yesterday. Bakrie Investindo will develop the US$170 million Balai oil project in southern Iran with BOW Valley of Canada, Antara quoted Indonesian Ambassador in Tehran, Sumitro, as saying. Iran has also ordered $10 million worth of oil-related equipment from PT Citra Tubindo, he said. Trade between Indonesia and Iran has been growing each year.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Reform school set up in Jambi
Reform school set up in Jambi JAMBI: The province is preparing a reform school for juvenile delinquents in the province who numbers have now reached 200 children. Head of provincial justice office Woerjito said the construction of the reform school was well underway in Muara Bulian, Batanghari. "There are now some 200 juvenile delinquents who are being placed with adult convicts," Woerjito said as quoted by Antara yesterday.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Joko can reach World Cup semifinals
Joko can reach World Cup semifinals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's shuttlers Joko Suprianto and Hariyanto Arbi have a good chance of making it into the semifinals of the 1997 Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship in Yogyakarta next week. Based on the groupings, Susi Susanti and Mia Audina will also have a good chance of reaching the semifinals. Joko is in the men's singles Group B with Chinese Lou Yigang, Thomas Johanson of Sweden and unseeded Gopi Chand of India.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt regulating satellite operation
Govt regulating satellite operation JAKARTA (JP): The government has issued a new regulation requiring foreign satellite operators intending to enter the Indonesian market to cooperate with state-owned PT Indosat. Based on the regulation signed by the Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave on July 18, the cooperation also includes the use of satellite transponders set forth in a joint operating scheme between Indosat and the foreign satellite operator.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Legal, political aspects 'neglected' in rights cases
Legal, political aspects 'neglected' in rights cases JAKARTA (JP): A member of the National Commission on Human Rights, Marzuki Darusman, pointed out yesterday that legal and political aspects were often neglected when reproaching human rights cases here. "When looking at Indonesia we must differentiate between human rights abuses with legal violations, which people abroad don't do...
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tenaga fix power rates
Tenaga fix power rates KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's power giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd. said yesterday it had agreed with the government that tariffs would remain unchanged for the next two years. "We have compromised and agreed with the government over the tariffs .... it is still competitive considering cost of development and upgrades," said Tajuddin Ali, Tenaga's executive chairman. Tajudin said Tenaga Nasional had wanted higher tariffs.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Holiday on Sunday
Holiday on Sunday From Bisnis Indonesia The Gregorian calendar system has 14 combinations of day, date and month. It has been long known that under the system, Indonesian independence day this year would fall on a Sunday. The 200-year Calendar Index (1867-2066) based on two combinations mentions that Aug. 17 after 1945 would be on a Sunday in the years 1947, 1952, 1958, 1969, 1975, 1980 and 1986.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ciputra lowers this year's profit target
Ciputra lowers this year's profit target JAKARTA (JP): PT Ciputra Development, one of the major publicly listed property developers, has lowered its net profit target for 1997 to Rp 156.36 billion (US$56.85 million) from Rp 163 billion due to the rupiah's sharp depreciation against the U.S. dollar. "The current rupiah depreciation would cut down profit by about Rp 15 billion this year," Managing Director Harun said yesterday.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Umar Kayam's short story impresses Jakartans
Umar Kayam's short story impresses Jakartans By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): If a success was measured by the author's blessing, the music and story reading by brothers Djaduk Ferianto and Butet Kertaredjasa had been a big accomplishment. Author Umar Kayam, whose short story "Drs. Citraksa and Drs. Citraksi" was read last Tuesday, shared the night of laughter with the audience of Graha Bhakti Budaya.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Orangutans Sumo and Sri move to larger home
Orangutans Sumo and Sri move to larger home JAKARTA (JP): Sumo and Sri officially moved to their new home yesterday, one that is more spacious, and with a garden, a pond, a waterfall, a swing and a shelter. For the past 18 years, the pair of orangutans were cooped inside their concrete six-by-eight-meter cage with a single door and a small window for them to look out at the outside world.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Candidates for vice governors
Candidates for vice governors JAKARTA (JP): The City Council's plenary meeting yesterday approved the nomination of Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi and Djaelani, an assistant to a state minister, as deputy governors for administrative affairs and welfare affairs respectively.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asia-Pacific stock markets close mixed
Asia-Pacific stock markets close mixed TOKYO (AFP): Major Asia-Pacific bourses closed mixed yesterday with Japan, Singapore and Australia rallying but Hong Kong plunging on profit taking and Malaysia suffering from currency concerns. Japanese share prices edged up 0.5 percent as international blue chips were bought following modest gains on Wall Street and the dollar's rally against the yen, brokers said.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Salim to float Indomobil soon, BCA next year
Salim to float Indomobil soon, BCA next year JAKARTA (JP): The giant Salim Group plans to float its automotive arm PT Indomobil on local stock markets this year and PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) next year. The group's executive Benny S. Santoso told journalists at the sidelines of a capital market conference here yesterday that the group was also preparing other companies, especially those in plantations and distribution, to enter local stock exchanges. "We will continue to prepare our companies.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
A new slang in contemporary Indonesian art
A new slang in contemporary Indonesian art By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Contemporary Indonesian art, as that represented in works nominated for the 1996 Indonesian Art Awards, according to art critic Agus Dermawan T., "showed a tendency toward the odd, absurd, pathos, artificial and protest". The works nominated in the 1997 Indonesian Art Awards were not much different. Dark, daunting, and chaotic, was the title of an article about the awards in Republika daily.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Euro may challenge 'dollar dominance'
Euro may challenge 'dollar dominance' JAKARTA (JP): The European Monetary Union (EMU)'s new currency could challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar, a European economist said. Chief Economist of Germany's Deutsche Bank Group, Norbert Walter, said here yesterday the proposed European single currency called euro would shift the world's orientation away from the United States dollar. "The establishment of euro will create a new regime outside of the U.S.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Acer sees currency challenges
Acer sees currency challenges SINGAPORE (Reuter): Acer Computer International Ltd said yesterday the turmoil in Southeast Asian currencies would pose additional challenges for the group. "We are not sure we can maintain revenue growth at the same rate as the first half, but our growth should outstrip industry growth," William Lu, Acer's chairman and chief executive officer told reporters at a news conference to announce interim results.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian crude market waits RI allocations
Asian crude market waits RI allocations SINGAPORE (Reuter): Trading on the Asian crude market was at a standstill due to uncertainty about Indonesia's crude allocations for September, traders said yesterday. Some information was starting to emerge about the allocations, with Widuri volumes heard at 17,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), less than August allocations, but similar to the volumes exported in July. The allocation for September Arun condensate was heard around 7,500 bpd.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indian patriot Biju's historic flight for freedom
Indian patriot Biju's historic flight for freedom By Juwono Sudarsono JAKARTA (JP): Compared to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, many Indonesians have no recognition of Biju Patnaik, the Indian patriot, entrepreneur and adventurer from Orissa who took part in a momentous event on July 22 fifty years ago. Biju Patnaik personified the essence of Asian nationalism and true grit.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
10 dead in ferry sinking
10 dead in ferry sinking MANILA (AP): Strong winds and huge waves overturned an inter- island ferry in the central Philippines before dawn yesterday, killing at least 10 people and leaving 47 others missing, the Philippine coast guard said. Lt. Cmdr. Crisolito Agustin, regional coast guard chief, said the 485-ton Kalibo Star left Cebu late Thursday on its way to nearby Tacloban city on Leyte island when it sank at about 2 a.m. yesterday (1 a.m. Jakarta time).
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Two children in Thursday's plane crash uninjured
Two children in Thursday's plane crash uninjured SEMARANG (JP): Four-year-old Drian Pamudji and his seven-month-old baby brother Romadhon Gita Sambora, escaped unhurt in Thursday's plane crash here. The children were among the five passengers of the Cessna 402 aircraft that crashed about 4 p.m. into a residential area of Karangsari village, West Semarang.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt vows to stay out of PDI conflict
Govt vows to stay out of PDI conflict JAKARTA (JP): The government reaffirmed yesterday its pledge not to intervene in the internal matters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), saying the party had to resolve its own conflicts. Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said PDI was even free to hold a congress to elect a new chairman.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bakrie, Astra expect slight impact from rupiah fall
Bakrie, Astra expect slight impact from rupiah fall JAKARTA (JP): Bimantara Citra, Astra International, Barito Pacific and Bakrie Group expect no major impact from the sharp fall in rupiah against the U.S. dollar. Bimantara's finance director Abdul Kadir Assegaf said the fall in rupiah would only have a slight impact given the small amount of the company's foreign loans. "Our debt in U.S.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Police chief wants death sentence for drug dealers
Police chief wants death sentence for drug dealers JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday he wanted courts to give a minimum of life imprisonment, or preferably death sentences, to suspects found guilty in drugs case. "I wish suspects found guilty in drugs cases could be given the death sentence, or at least life imprisonment, so as to prevent them from being involved in the same cases again," Hamami said.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Manggarai station project to commence in December
Manggarai station project to commence in December JAKARTA (JP): The construction of the Manggarai integrated terminal project in South Jakarta is scheduled to start in December, according to Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto. "I learned of this plan from one of the directors of Bukaka," Haryanto said at a meeting with model public vehicle drivers, fishermen and lighthouse attendants Thursday.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
KL's consumer prices up
KL's consumer prices up KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's consumer prices rose 2.1 percent year-on-year in July and were up 0.1 percent from June, the statistics department said yesterday. This brought consumer price inflation to 2.7 percent for the first seven months of this year, the department said in its monthly report released through Bernama news agency.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Alleged jewelry suspects arrested
Alleged jewelry suspects arrested UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Police arrested early yesterday morning seven men suspected of jewelry theft. The deputy chief of the city's detective division, Capt. Lukas Akbar Abriari, said the seven men are believed to be culprits in a July 5 robbery here. He explained that at the time, the victim, 35-year-old Magdalena, left jewelry in her car when she parked it outside a salon.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Hetty celebrates her silver anniversary in music
Hetty celebrates her silver anniversary in music By Achmad Nurhoeri JAKARTA (JP): Whosoever desires constant success must change her conduct with the times. That is Niccolo Machiavelli's recipe for success in Discorsi. Hetty Koes Endang maybe never knew of this Machiavellian concept or the Italian philosopher but it is exactly what she has done in her 25-year-career in the Indonesian music world. She has played the game set by the vivacious musical industry keenly.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malls celebrate RI anniversary with discounts
Malls celebrate RI anniversary with discounts JAKARTA (JP): Major shopping malls are offering huge discounts to mark Independence Day tomorrow. At Mal Ciputra, Seibu, Megamal, Plaza Senayan and Pasaraya, the discounts range from 10 percent to 70 percent. For many shops, the sales are a continuation of the Jakarta Big Sales that started in June to mark the capital's 470th anniversary. Some malls are holding special programs. Mal Ciputra in West Jakarta is holding a Youth Fiesta from Aug.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Prices rise as rupiah keeps tumbling
Prices rise as rupiah keeps tumbling By John Aglionby CAR prices could rise by as much as 7 percent in wake of the devastating fall in the value of the rupiah. Automotive manufacturers are being extremely evasive over exactly when and by how much vehicle prices will be raised but the two biggest, Astra and Indomobil, have indicated that prices will rise.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Australian helps city's orphanage
Australian helps city's orphanage By Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): There are many bizarre sights in Jakarta but one day you might spot one stranger than most: a bule (foreigner) riding a motorbike together with three teenage locals on board. One boy sits in front of the saddle and the other two are squashed at the back between the bule and a box. All of them wear velvet caps and the three boys wear light blue T-shirts and dark blue trousers.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Aircraft purchase
Aircraft purchase From Merdeka To my way of thinking, the purchase of jetfighters from Russia after the cancelled purchase of U.S.-made F-16s is quite appropriate. It seems the accounts are settled with this purchase of Russian jetfighters. The accounts are settled in that the purchase of Sukhoi-30 jetfighters and M-117 helicopters, worth trillions of rupiah, will be bartered with our agricultural produce such as oil palms, tea and so forth.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 9:55 a.m. President Soeharto's Speech (live) 12:40 p.m. Variety Show 2:00 News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Road to Avonlea 3:10 Teenagers' Program: Group Vocal 3:35 Travel: Wisata Nasional 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 TV Series: 13 Wonder 5:55 Music 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 President Soeharto's Speech (rerun) 9:00 World News 9:30...
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Police hunt maid's killers
Police hunt maid's killers JAKARTA (JP): Police are still hunting the four robbers who murdered a housemaid Wednesday and kidnapped two women in Pluit, North Jakarta, an officer said yesterday. City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the police had already identified the suspects. "So far, the police are only naming the four men as suspects.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Wild bear mauls villager
Wild bear mauls villager BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Abudarin, 18, received hospital treatment for serious injuries he sustained after a bear attacked him in a forest near his village on Wednesday. The resident of Karang Bintang village in Kotabaru regency was tending his buffaloes when the bear pounced on him. Antara reported that Abudarin had facial, hand and chest wounds. The bear ran away after Abudarin screamed for help and villagers rushed to the scene. (rms)
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Marubeni, Petronas tie up
Marubeni, Petronas tie up HANOI (AFP): Japan's Marubeni Corp. said yesterday it had received a license to team up with Malaysia's state-owned oil company Petronas and Vietnamese partners to build a 70-million- dollar polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant in southern Vietnam. Trinh Lien, manager of plastic and chemical projects at Marubeni's Ho Chi Minh City representative office, told AFP Marubeni would take a 30 percent stake in the joint venture project and Petronas 40 percent.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
No paper
No paper In observance of Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1997, The Jakarta Post will not appear tomorrow. The Post will be published again on Monday. -- Publisher
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 15, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 875 -75 41,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 950 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,200 -25 1,547,000 Alumindo Perkasa 750 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,100 -125 101,000 Anwar Sierad 1,025 -150 1,801,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Dutch ashamed of colonial past
Dutch ashamed of colonial past By Helmut Hetzel THE HAGUE (DPA): "Awareness of so-called 'police actions' in the Republic of Indonesia is only slowly getting through to us. It is a painful process and far from over." These are the opening sentences of a review in the Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool of a book published by Dutch author Louis Zweers, containing what are described as forbidden photographs of brutality by Dutch colonial police on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
'Nation needs to uphold moral values'
'Nation needs to uphold moral values' By Irawati Wisnumurti JAKARTA (JP): Senior military figure Abdul Haris Nasution greets the commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of Indonesian independence tomorrow with a call on the nation to place priority on moral values and integrity and not on mere wealth and materialism. "Today, material values have dominated people's lives and moral values, and good conduct is no longer a priority," he told The Jakarta Post.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Scholars oppose reintroduction of security decree
Scholars oppose reintroduction of security decree JAKARTA (JP): Observers criticized as inappropriate and groundless a motion to reintroduce a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree that would give a president extra power. Constitutional law expert Harun Al Rasyid and political analyst Deliar Noer separately expressed opposition against the campaign by House of Representatives' legislators to revive the 1988 MPR ruling on preemptive security measures.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bangladesh remembers death of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Bangladesh remembers death of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman DHAKA (Reuter): While India and Pakistan celebrated yesterday the end of the British Raj 50 years ago, a major witness to that triumph, Bangladesh, silently mourned the death of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the hands of power-greedy army officers. Bangladesh was part of Moslem-dominated Pakistan created on Aug. 14, 1947, a day before India was formally declared an independent republic.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Manila taking risks over fishermen, Beijing says
Manila taking risks over fishermen, Beijing says HONG KONG, China (Reuter): China put its diplomatic ties with the Philippines on the line yesterday, calling on Manila to free 23 arrested Chinese fishermen or risk spoiling the two countries' "friendly relations". A spokesman for China's foreign ministry office in Hong Kong said "China's embassy in the Philippines has made formal representations to the Philippines and urged the Philippines to hasten the release of the vessel and the people.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah falls again, share prices plunge
Rupiah falls again, share prices plunge JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian rupiah plunged again yesterday to a new record low against the U.S. dollar and Jakarta share prices followed suit, falling by almost 4 percent, analysts said. Foreign exchange dealers said spot rupiah stabilized in afternoon trading at 2,900 against the American greenback. They said the market lost direction following the floating of the rupiah Thursday.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
IMF hails RI's step to float rupiah
IMF hails RI's step to float rupiah WASHINGTON (Reuter): The International Monetary Fund on Thursday welcomed Indonesia's decision to allow its currency to float, saying the move would allow the country's economy to continue its recent impressive performance. "In present circumstances, a floating exchange rate will enhance the effectiveness of macroeconomic policies aimed at sustaining high rates of growth with financial stability," said Stanley Fischer, acting managing director of the IMF.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Consumer agency proposes more news on TV
Consumer agency proposes more news on TV JAKARTA (JP): Private TV stations should air more news and talk shows, because television can be effective in disseminating information and education, a consumer advocate says. The executive director of the Indonesian Consumers Organization, Tini Hadad, said on Thursday that news, talk shows and education receive 25 percent of television airtime in Indonesia.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Crash
Crash Correction: The Cessna 402 plane that crashed in Semarang, Central Java, Thursday, was incorrectly reported as belonging to PT Deraya Air Service. It belonged to PT Benua Indonesia. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience caused. -- Editor
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah free float
Rupiah free float Bank Indonesia's decision on Thursday to float the rupiah has dramatically changed the currency market as speculators no longer have a particular zone (trading band) to aim at. Previously, the central bank, like a target in a shooting gallery, was fully exposed to the bright lights while the speculators (shooters) were hidden in the dark. Now the game has been reversed.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bogor's Telkom new office
Bogor's Telkom new office BOGOR, West Jakarta (JP): State telecommunication company PT Telkom officially started the construction of its two offices worth Rp 40 billion (US$14.8 million) on Jl. Padjajaran here yesterday. The five-story maintenance center and eight-story administration office are designed to further improve the company's public service quality, said Telkom President Asman Akhir Nasution at the ground-breaking ceremony.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Freeport to stop limestone import
Freeport to stop limestone import JAKARTA (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) will stop limestone imports from Australia and some Middle East countries to cut foreign exchange spending, Antara reported yesterday. The company's environment department manager, Wisnu Soesetyo, was quoted by Antara in Timika as saying that the company spent at least US$8 million per year to import the limestone. He said the money did not include limestone purchases from Java.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's Lee mesmerizes Indonesian audiences
Malaysia's Lee mesmerizes Indonesian audiences By Emilie Sueur JAKARTA (JP): The Royal Netherlands Embassy welcomed the Malaysian pianist Dennis Lee Wednesday evening. Organized by the British Council and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the recital was the first salvo of three days of performances in Indonesia. Lee was played Thursday at the French Cultural Center in Bandung and yesterday at the Heritage Executive Club in Surabaya.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thai PM Chavalit reshuffles cabinet
Thai PM Chavalit reshuffles cabinet BANGKOK (Reuter): Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh announced a cabinet reshuffle yesterday, affecting 10 ministers in his eight-month-old coalition government in an apparent move to shore up its sagging popularity. In a statement signed by Chavalit, two outsiders, conservative economist and former finance minister Virabongsa Ramangkura and communications tycoon turned politician Thaksin Shinawatra, became deputy premiers.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sampang needs 1,700 teachers
Sampang needs 1,700 teachers SAMPANG, East Java: Sampang needs 1,700 elementary school teachers for schools scattered throughout the regency on Madura Island, Antara reported yesterday. The news agency quoted Regent Fadhillah Budiono as calling on unemployed graduates of teachers' training colleges to fill the vacancies. "We will provide them with special incentives," Fadhillah said, but did not elaborate on what kind of incentives.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
10 governors, 5 ministers' wives and Tutut awarded
10 governors, 5 ministers' wives and Tutut awarded JAKARTA (JP): Siti Hardiyanti Hastuti Indra Rukmana, daughter of President Soeharto, along with 10 governors and the wives of five cabinet ministers were among 35 recipients of this year's Mahaputra medal, the nation's second highest award. President Soeharto presented the distinguished award yesterday in a ceremony at the State Palace.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
One step at a time toward democracy in RI
One step at a time toward democracy in RI By Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): For those who did not experience suffering under colonial rule, it might be difficult to grasp the meaning of independence. It might be taken for granted. In its broadest sense, however, independence is not just the absence of foreign colonial rule. It is a nation's endless struggle to fulfill some noble objectives.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Experts debate fate of HK dollar on volatile day
Experts debate fate of HK dollar on volatile day HONG KONG (Reuter): While Hong Kong money market dealers warily awaited monetary authority intervention and the local dollar slipped lower, analysts yesterday debated the future of Asia's last major U.S. dollar fixed exchange rate.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN calls for cease-fire
ASEAN calls for cease-fire BANGKOK (Reuter): ASEAN called yesterday for an immediate cease-fire in Cambodia, telling ousted Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh it was the first priority in finding a solution to the conflict. But Ranariddh said he would not call a unilateral cease-fire and that he and arch rival Second Prime Minister Hun Sen should meet first.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
IPTN, 'Post' dispute likely to go to court
IPTN, 'Post' dispute likely to go to court JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers representing The Jakarta Post accepted but regretted yesterday the state-owned aircraft maker PT IPTN's plan to bring their dispute to court. The lawyers told a press conference yesterday that the IPTN's choice of settlement came as an unexpected ending to their previous four meetings since June 17, in which the two sides had notched significant progress toward out-of-court settlement.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Sabang may be turned into petro center
Sabang may be turned into petro center JAKARTA (JP): The Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the Aceh provincial administration are examining the possibility of developing a petrochemical center in Sabang, north Sumatra.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian, S'pore and RI currencies hit new lows
Malaysian, S'pore and RI currencies hit new lows SINGAPORE (AFP): Malaysian and Singaporean monetary authorities intervened in the markets yesterday as their currencies slumped along with the newly-floated Indonesian rupiah to new lows against the mighty U.S. dollar, dealers said. Speculative funds ignored the central banks' presence, clobbering the ringgit to a 24-year-low of 2.8250 and pushing down the usually robust Singapore unit to a 38-month low of 1.5245 against the greenback.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thai car market set for slow down
Thai car market set for slow down BANGKOK: The recent closure of 42 ailing finance firms by the Thai government is hurting the local car market. Annual sales for the year are now expected to be lucky to reach 400,000 -- 60,000 less than the figure predicted prior to Thailand's financial crisis.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Investors await rupiah stability
Investors await rupiah stability NEW YORK (Reuter): Indonesia's free-floating rupiah should rebound on the strength of economic fundamentals in coming weeks, but volatility will deter foreign investors until then, U.S. experts said. "We may enter in when we feel the likelihood of a stable exchange rate will increase," said Luis Luis, emerging market debt analyst at Scudder Stevens & Clark.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Manila launches satellite
Manila launches satellite MANILA (AFP): The Philippines' first communications satellite will be launched on Monday by its Chinese carrier rocket in Xichang, China, a telecommunications consortium said here yesterday. Cesar Reyes, president of the Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corp. the consortium which owns the Agila II (Eagle II) satellite, said he was informed of the launch date of August 18 by Beijing's aerospace ministry.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Vietnamese is new labor leader
Vietnamese is new labor leader HANOI (AFP): The chairman of Vietnam's General Confederation of labor unions, Nguyen Van Tu, has been elected head of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), a union official said yesterday. Tu was elected to head the five-member WFTU during its 11th conference in Cuba from Aug. 9 to Aug. 10, the official said. Vietnam, a country of 76 million people, has 3.2 million unionized workers, according to official statistics.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Daewoo's aluminum project
Daewoo's aluminum project HANOI (AFP): South Korean chaebol Daewoo Corp. is considering investing in a one-billion-dollar integrated aluminum casting project in Vietnam's Central Highlands, a company representative said Friday. Daewoo had signed a letter of intent with state-owned Vietnam Minerals Corp. to conduct a survey of two bauxite reserves in Daklak, she said.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Fryatt leads Singapore Open golf c'ship
Fryatt leads Singapore Open golf c'ship SINGAPORE (JP): Ed Fryatt, the man whose nationality often attracts more interest than his formidable golf game, fired a seven-under-par 65 today to take the lead in the US$500,000 SingTel Ericsson Singapore Open. The tournament, being played at Jurong Country Club, is the first 'Major' of the year on the Asian PGA's Omega Tour.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rubber mixed in KL and Jakarta
Rubber mixed in KL and Jakarta KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian rubber prices ended the week mixed after adjusting to the fluctuations of a battered ringgit and rupiah, local traders said yesterday. Buying of the SMR20 and other selected SMR grades by agents covering earlier sales to foreign clients helped keep prices steady, said traders. At the close, the benchmark RSS1 for September buyer was officially priced at 250.50 cents (90 cents U.S.), down half cent from Thursday's close.
Sat, 16 Aug 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asia money woes muddy WTO finance service deal
Asia money woes muddy WTO finance service deal TOKYO (Reuter): U.S. officials start a swing through key Asian capitals next week to drum up support for a global pact to open financial services markets, but currency turmoil in the region is complicating efforts to forge a deal.