Archive: 6 September 1997
71 articles found
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Army to relaunch campaign to instill better discipline
Army to relaunch campaign to instill better discipline JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Army will relaunch the National Discipline Campaign tomorrow in an attempt to instill better discipline. "We launched the National Discipline Campaign two years ago. But our people's discipline has not shown any improvement," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto told Jakarta-based military correspondents at the Army headquarters. The nationwide Discipline Campaign was launched by President Soeharto on May 20, 1995.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Qantas adds RI services
Qantas adds RI services CANBERRA (Reuter): The International Air Services Commission said yesterday it had allocated additional capacity to Qantas Airways Ltd on the Indonesian route. The commission said Qantas would use the extra capacity to add a fifth weekly Boeing 737 service between Darwin and Denpasar, and to introduce a twice weekly BAe146 service between Cairns and Timika in Irian Jaya.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia offers technical support to Bangladesh
Indonesia offers technical support to Bangladesh JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has offered to cooperate with Bangladesh in technical support in the agricultural sector and gas exploration, a minister said yesterday. In bilateral talks yesterday morning, President Soeharto told visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that Indonesia was ready to share its experience and technology in gas exploration with Bangladesh.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Carmakers call for improved safety controls
Carmakers call for improved safety controls By John Aglionby THE tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, should remind Indonesians that people's attitudes when in a car and not the car itself determine whether they will survive an accident, automotive executives said this week. The secretary-general of the Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers Association, Soeseno, said: "The most important thing is the driving manners of people on the road.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Adisumarmo can handle 6m passengers a year
Adisumarmo can handle 6m passengers a year JAKARTA (JP): The Adisumarmo airport in Surakarta, Central Java is expected to accommodate up to six million passengers per year within the next 20 years, an executive said yesterday. Darma Tyanto Saptodewo, a PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada executive, said the airport's runway had been expanded to 2,400 meters from 1,800 meters to accommodate wide-body aircraft.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
NGOs role in poverty alleviation urged
NGOs role in poverty alleviation urged JAKARTA (JP): Authoritarian regimes or dictatorships do not appear to be conducive to the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), but this condition must not discourage social workers from helping the poor, a Malaysian social activist said yesterday.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
VA Tech gets RI's order
VA Tech gets RI's order VIENNA (Reuter): Two units of Austrian engineering group VA Technologie AG (VA Tech) said yesterday they had received an order worth around 800 million schillings to equip a private hydroelectric power plant in Indonesia. Elin Energieversorgung (EEV) und Voest-Alpine MCE received the order from P.T. Bajradaya Sentranusa for the supply of the complete electro-mechanical equipment for the hydropower plant Asahan 1 in Sumatra, VA Tech said in a statement.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Punishing culprits will curb fires
Punishing culprits will curb fires From Pelita Three hundred thousand hectares of forest in Sumatra and Kalimantan reportedly caught fire and the resulting smoke surged into the air. Even neighboring countries were affected. The burning of wood waste added to the thick smoke. The perpetrators are none other than forest businessmen, or, according to Amien Rais, forest destroyers. The burning of waste yields smoke which is much denser than that emanating from forest fires.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Request to build fewer cheap houses refused
Request to build fewer cheap houses refused JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb. M. Rais strongly rejected yesterday a demand from developers for a reduction from 20 percent to 5 percent in their obligation to build cheap apartments of land appropriated. "It is difficult for the administration to approve the developers' request," Rais told reporters yesterday after attending a meeting at City Hall.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Try the Amazon reptile scares in Luis Llosa's ' Anaconda'
Try the Amazon reptile scares in Luis Llosa's ' Anaconda' By Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): Absorbing the spill-over from America's blockbuster summer means we're bracing ourselves for more disasters (Volcano), aliens (Men in Black), and ... yes ... monsters. There's something so appealing in the showdown between man and beast that makes it possible for flicks such as Jaws, The Relic and Jurassic Park to glut the global market. Sweep the family crowd.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
60% of the Games budget in hand
60% of the Games budget in hand JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games organizing committee has now received 60 percent of the funds it was allocated by the SEA Games consortium to organize the biennial event in October. Organizing committee deputy chairman Arie Soedewo said Thursday that the committee was still waiting for the remaining 40 percent. "The total budget for the Jakarta Games was Rp 105 billion. This will not change despite the fluctuation of the rupiah against the U.S.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Punish scalpers at Pulogadung
Punish scalpers at Pulogadung On Aug. 14, I went to the Pulogadung intercity bus terminal in East Jakarta. I wanted to travel to Purwokerto in Central Java. A scalper offered me a ticket for a Sinar Jaya bus. I asked him whether there were vacant seats on the bus and he said: "yes". On paying, I was not given a ticket for a Sinar Jaya bus but for a Dwi Martha bus, registration number AB 2878 BA.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir warns against graft, religious extremism
Mahathir warns against graft, religious extremism KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned yesterday against the dangers of corruption and Moslem extremism in a speech opening the annual congress of his ruling UMNO party. Mahathir urged members of his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) to eradicate widespread graft, saying it could stifle the country's growth and destroy its economy, eventually impoverishing the nation.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Overcharging on subscription fee
Overcharging on subscription fee I have subscribed to The Jakarta Post since August 1997 through a local agent with an understanding that the agent normally adds a small amount to the official subscription fee. However, I was quite surprised to see my August bill for Rp 25,000, which was Rp 7,000 more than the actual price (an increase of almost 40 percent).
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 5 , 1997: ------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 900 0 57,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 925 75 22,500 Alumindo Light Metal 875 150 4,937,000 Alumindo Perkasa 500 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,050 75 1,514,500 Anwar Sierad 1,050 50 73,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies revive as KL backs off
SE Asian currencies revive as KL backs off SINGAPORE (Agencies): Southeast Asian currencies were lifted yesterday after Malaysia's reversal of a week-old decision to curb short-selling of blue-chip stocks brightened sentiment. The benchmark Kuala Lumpur stock index ended up 12.37 percent at 821.59, racking up its biggest single-day gain since January 1994. The share market strength helped the ringgit shoot to a high of 2.9270 per dollar in early trade before slipping off again.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Amir, Lontoh apologize to IPTN's team of lawyers
Amir, Lontoh apologize to IPTN's team of lawyers JAKARTA (JP): Amir Syamsuddin and Rudhy A. Lontoh, two lawyers representing The Jakarta Post in its legal dispute with aircraft maker PT IPTN, have apologized to the latter's team of lawyers for remarks considered to be inappropriate. Amir and Lontoh said in separate letters, dated Aug. 19, Aug. 20 and Aug. 22, that they regretted their remarks calling IPTN's lawyers "unprofessional".
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
600 factory workers go on strike for timely pay
600 factory workers go on strike for timely pay TANGERANG (JP): About 600 factory workers of a glassware manufacturing company went on strike yesterday in front of the plant on Jl. Daan Mogot, Batuceper. They demanded that their employer, PT Opal Indah Glass Industry, stop delaying the payment of their monthly wages, hand over immediately their social insurance fees and improve the daily menu. The workers blockaded the entrance gate at 10 a.m.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Safety systems required for all buildings
Safety systems required for all buildings JAKARTA (JP): The city will continue to take stern action against building owners who fail to equip their properties with proper fire protection systems, an officer said. Head of the City Fire Agency, Suharso, said yesterday that his office has fined several building operators in the city and would continue to carry out the enforcement of Provincial Decree No. 3, which was issued in 1992.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian investors seek safety in Australia
Asian investors seek safety in Australia SYDNEY (AFP): Nervous Asian investors moved to the relative safety of the Australian stock market yesterday, brokers said, pushing the local bourse higher amid turmoil in regional economies. "Asian investors are coming into our market, treating it as a safe haven from the volatile Asian markets," Henderson Charlton Jones broker Michael Baker said. "(The pick-up) is sort of across the board ...
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
El Nino may bring famine to Papua New Guinea
El Nino may bring famine to Papua New Guinea PORT MORESBY (AFP): Up to a million people are facing starvation here because of severe drought and frosts caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon, Papua New Guinea's emergency services officials warned yesterday. National Disaster and Emergency Services director-general Leith Anderson said the worst drought for 50 years had afflicted the whole country and in three Highlands provinces severe frosts destroyed the last of the food crops.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Proper regulation best answer to pressure: Tung
Proper regulation best answer to pressure: Tung SINGAPORE (Reuter): The best response to foreign economic pressure is proper regulation, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said yesterday in the midst of market turmoil in Southeast Asia. That included market transparency and efficiency, Tung said in a speech to business leaders in Singapore.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stocks up, rupiah stable
Stocks up, rupiah stable JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose 11.28 percent and the rupiah remained stable below the psychological 3,000 level yesterday on the back of the new reform package announced Wednesday. The JSX composite index, the main price indicator on JSX closed 60.24 points higher at 594.11 with 844.4 million shares valued at Rp 972.4 billion (US$342.19 million) changing hands on the regular market yesterday.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia has ample room for higher crude output
Malaysia has ample room for higher crude output SINGAPORE (Reuter): Malaysia has ample room to raise crude production by as much as 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 15 percent, in response to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's call for more output. Raising gas production was also possible, but would be problematic because of the long-term lead time needed in the gas market. Late last week, Mahathir called on state oil company Petronas to raise oil output.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Half of officials suffer heart disease
Half of officials suffer heart disease UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Over half of the officials working at the city administration are said to be suffering from heart disease. Ujungpandang mayor HA Malik B Masry said after a medical checkup conducted by the provincial branch of the Indonesian Heart Foundation, that 55 percent of city officials were subject to the disease. The mayor called on everyone to heed the warning and take precautionary measures.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rating cut seen for Thailand, Malaysia
Rating cut seen for Thailand, Malaysia NEW YORK (Reuter): Asian financial market turmoil would likely pull down the credit standing of Thailand, Malaysia and Korea, said John Seel, Asia economist at Bear Stearns. In a tele-conference with investors, Seel, who is based in Hong Kong, said Thailand had not demonstrated an effective response to its financial crisis and especially to its troubled banking sector. "Thailand has not bottomed out," he said.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
House questions granting of new power project to CEPA
House questions granting of new power project to CEPA JAKARTA (JP): PT Consolidated Electric Power Asia (CEPA) Indonesia has been granted a new power project in Jepara, Central Java in a deal which some House of Representative members have questioned. In a House hearing with Minister of Mines and Energy I.B.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asian monetary crises tests will to reform
Asian monetary crises tests will to reform By Philippe Ries HONG KONG (AFP): Asia's monetary crises are testing the will of regional governments to pursue structural reforms, especially financial deregulation, economists have said.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Police foil shark fin smugglers
Police foil shark fin smugglers MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: Police at Mopa airport yesterday foiled an attempt to smuggle out 233 kilograms of shark fins worth some Rp 20 million (US$7,000). The shark fins were being transported through the airport in 10 cartons without appropriate documents. It was due to be loaded on a plane bound for Surabaya, East Java, when security officials noticed a peculiar smell. Shark fins are Merauke's primary commodity and may be traded only with permits.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rp 17b loans for Anugerah Unggul
Rp 17b loans for Anugerah Unggul JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Nusa Internasional and five other local banks agreed yesterday to provide Rp 17 billion (US$5.8 million) in syndicated loans to PT Anugerah Unggul Persada. Bank Nusa, the arranger of the syndicated loan, said the loan would mature in five years, with a two-year grace period. Members of the bank syndication include Bank Aspac, Bank Inter-Pacific, Bank Dharmala and Bank Eksekutif Internasional.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Houses of ashes: Expression of respect toward ancestors
Houses of ashes: Expression of respect toward ancestors By Listiana Operananta JAKARTA (JP): In the modern age, where most people are absorbed in their own lives and tend to increasingly forget their close relatives who have passed away, it is hard to fathom the existence of buildings used to offer prayers to ancestors. There are dozens of such houses, which are commonly known here as Rumah Abu (literally ashes houses), scattered around the Mangga Besar area of West Jakarta.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia dominates c'ship
Indonesia dominates c'ship KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): Indonesians dominated play at the Asian Badminton Confederation Championship Thursday, capturing five spots in the men's singles quarterfinals. China, Taiwan and Malaysia each had one player qualify. Top seeded Sun Jun of China easily defeated South Korean Kim Hyung-joon, 15-1, 15-4 Thursday for a semifinal berth. Indonesia's Ardy Wiranata, seeded second, took much longer to defeat Malaysian Ismail Saman, 15-17, 15-8, 15-3.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tapis crude sold at massive discount
Tapis crude sold at massive discount SINGAPORE (Reuter): Sentiment on the prompt Asian light crude market was bearish on news that a shosha had sold its September Tapis cargo at a very low level, traders said yesterday. A shosha heard sold its September Tapis cargo to a South Korean refiner at a hefty discount of 90 cents per barrel to the Tapis APPI. The cargo was scheduled to load on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, but was heard pushed back to Sept. 17 and Sept. 18.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Scientist warns about drought, rupiah problems
Scientist warns about drought, rupiah problems YOGYAKARTA (JP): This year's prolonged drought, which coincides with the rupiah's sharp decline in value, is a serious national problem that may lead to dangerous ramifications if it does not end by the end of the year, a sociologist says. The head of the Center for Rural and Regional Development Studies of Gadjah Mada University, Loekman Soetrisno, said the drought may eventually force the government to import rice and corn.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
20,000 Thai village headmen rally
20,000 Thai village headmen rally BANGKOK (AFP): About 20,000 Thai village headmen opposed to a new draft constitution being debated by lawmakers staged a peaceful rally in front of parliament here yesterday, police said. The orderly demonstration began as parliament began the second and final day of a key debate on the charter, which includes radical proposals to shake-up local government.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Matsushita's new plant
Matsushita's new plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Matsushita Semiconductor Indonesia (MEI), jointly owned by the Japanese firms Matsushita Electronic Corp and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, has officially opened its US$60 million semiconductor plant in Karawang, West Java. MEI vice president Masayuki Matsushita said yesterday the new plant has a production capacity of 700,000 microcontrollers and 1.3 million ICS per month.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Abducted villager found dead
Abducted villager found dead DILI, East Timor: A local resident, Carlito Maulaka, who was believed to have been abducted by separatist guerrillas on Sunday has been found dead with eight stab wounds to his body. His body was found 10 kilometers from where he was kidnapped inside a secluded cave. According to East Timor Military Commander Col. Slamat Sidabutar, Carlito, 27, was abducted from his village by three armed men. After hearing the report, military forces went in pursuit.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
China aims to improve ties with ASEAN
China aims to improve ties with ASEAN By Rizal Sukma JAKARTA (JP): Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng's recent visit to Malaysia and Singapore marked a further attempt by Beijing to forge closer ties with ASEAN countries. The visit provided a good opportunity for China to explain its role and policies in Southeast Asia, in particular, and the Asia- Pacific, in general. In Singapore, for example, Li once again maintained that the so-called "China threat" theory was baseless.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Proof of foul play in woman death
Proof of foul play in woman death BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Legal organizations here pledged they would investigate the death of a female worker from the province who was working in Singapore. Director of the Bandar Lampung Legal Aid Foundation, Abi Hasan Mu'an, said an investigation would be conducted on Sutarmi's death. Many here believed Sutarmi, 28, did not commit suicide as originally reported.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, September 6, 1997
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, September 6, 1997 Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Estetika 5 Ekspresi, at Hilton Executive Club, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept. 10. * Painting Exhibition: Nuansa Decoratif by Sutopo, Djoko Maruto, Petrus Pranagung at Mon Decor Gallery, Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No.1 Blok B 13-14 Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Sept. 14.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Third suspect in Grogol gold robbery caught
Third suspect in Grogol gold robbery caught JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives have arrested in a raid a third person suspected in last month's robbery in West Jakarta in which a police sergeant was shot dead. But in the raid Thursday on a house in Bangil, Pasuruan, East Java, one of the detectives, Maj. Sergeant Sumarto, and the suspect were shot. City Police Detectives Chief Col.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rubber trade remains quiet in Jakarta, S'pore
Rubber trade remains quiet in Jakarta, S'pore SINGAPORE (Reuter): Trading in the Singapore rubber market was quiet by midsession yesterday as the trade remained skittish about the currency problems of Southeast Asia, dealers said. The market was also sidelined due to concern over the looming decision by the Thai government next week on whether to sell an estimated 100,000 tons in excess stocks, they said. "The currency situation is still bothering the market.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Balloon festival at Mal Ciputra
Balloon festival at Mal Ciputra JAKARTA (JP): Mal Ciputra is holding a seminar, festival and competition on balloons at the mall's center atrium from Sept. 1 to Sept. 14. The events, jointly organized with balloon maker PT Jossa Cipta Kreasi Indah, began with a three-day seminar, and include a series of competitions on balloon decorations, Halida Hajadi, from the mall, said yesterday.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Palm oil steady in Europe despite lower close in KL
Palm oil steady in Europe despite lower close in KL LONDON (Reuter): Palm oil prices held steady on the European vegetable oil market yesterday morning despite a sharply lower close in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian palm oil futures fell sharply as the ringgit bounced back against the dollar. "The recovery of the ringgit is very much a local matter and has little effect on the international market, where steady demand for palm olein is supporting prices," said one trader.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
S & P affirms triple-B rating on DSPL Finance
S & P affirms triple-B rating on DSPL Finance NEW YORK (Reuter): Standard & Poor's affirmed yesterday its triple-B' rating on DSPL Finance Co. B.V.'s US$150 million 9.12% senior secured notes due 2010, which are guaranteed by Dayabumi Salak Pratama Ltd. The rating outlook is stable.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah woes hit travel agencies
Rupiah woes hit travel agencies From Neraca We, along with some university mates, have been running a small-scale travel agency since 1994. Early this year business improved when we got a contract from a certain university for a study tour, involving hundreds of participants. Scheduled for August 1997, the tour had two destinations: Batam and Singapore. We booked tickets and hotel rooms and the reservation was made in U.S. dollars, as is the practice in the travel business.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
1,200 hotel rooms booked for world rally championship
1,200 hotel rooms booked for world rally championship JAKARTA (JP): Although the Gudang Garam World Rally Championships in Medan, North Sumatra, are still two weeks away, world class rally drivers and their teams have already booked 1,200 hotel rooms. "The rally drivers and their teams have booked 800 hotel rooms in Medan and another 400 in Parapat," Bob Nasution, chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association, said Thursday.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
MAS won't defer jet delivery
MAS won't defer jet delivery KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (MAS) said yesterday it will not defer the delivery of new aircraft despite concerns that it may add to the country's current account deficit. MAS needs the aircraft to service its expanding network and destinations, airline chairman Tajudin Ramli was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying. He also said the airline is short of aircraft.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
KISDI protests newspaper
KISDI protests newspaper JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Committee for World Moslems Solidarity (KISDI) has launched a protest against a national newspaper claiming that its editorial on violence in Algeria had slandered Islam. Ahmad Sumargono, KISDI's vice chairman, led a small delegation of 10-people yesterday to the Ministry of Information to submit a protest letter to Minister of Information R Hartono. The letter was received by the minister's personal secretary.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Writer Nasjah Djamin dies at 73
Writer Nasjah Djamin dies at 73 YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's profound writer and painter Nasjah Djamin died here Thursday of diabetic complications and was buried yesterday. He was 73. Known for memorable works, including children's books Si Pai Bengal (1951) and Hang Tuah (1952), Nasjah was a name that most students in Indonesia were familiar with as his books were compulsory reading in school.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Five more species on export quota list
Five more species on export quota list JAKARTA (JP): Five more Indonesian animal species have been added to the export quota list set by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), an official said yesterday. The inclusion would be effective starting Sept. 20, head of the city forestry office, Purwadi Mangunwardoyo, said.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Economic crisis 'govt's fault'
Economic crisis 'govt's fault' KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's parliamentary opposition leader suggested yesterday the government's "sudden policy changes" were a main cause of investors losing confidence in the country's stock and financial markets. Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party, also accused the government of creating an "intimidating, xenophobic atmosphere" by blaming foreign investors of manipulating the local market.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Currencies crisis swallows Asian metal demand
Currencies crisis swallows Asian metal demand SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asia's currency crisis has hammered base metal demand, although there was light buying in Indonesia following Jakarta's market-friendly reforms aimed at restoring economic confidence, traders said yesterday. "It's very bad. Business shrank," a senior dealer for a Japanese metal trading house told Reuters.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ministers review projects rescheduling
Ministers review projects rescheduling JAKARTA (JP): Economic ministers met for several hours at the finance ministry yesterday to review investment projects that could be rescheduled in anticipation of lower revenues due to the currency turmoil. But the meeting, which followed a reform package announced Wednesday to cope with the impact of the currency crisis, did not make a final decision on specific budget cuts. "We took stock of projects according to their scale of priority.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
House pledges to finalize COWs deliberations soon
House pledges to finalize COWs deliberations soon JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives' Commission VI has promised to finalize deliberations on the seventh generation draft contracts of work (COWs) this month as the government had cleared the bribery issue related to the mining contracts. Commission VI for industry, mining, manpower and investment had threatened to delay deliberations on the contracts until the government cleared the bribery issue. Minister of Mines and Energy I.B.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
3,000 to take part in Terry Fox Run
3,000 to take part in Terry Fox Run JAKARTA (JP): About 3,000 people are expected to participate in the third annual Terry Fox Run in Jakarta on Sept. 14, starting and finishing at the Regent Hotel on Jl. HR. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. The people taking part in the fun run event are expected to make their contribution, which will later be donated to the Indonesian Cancer Foundation for cancer research programs.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Ramos vows to step down
Ramos vows to step down MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos has urged his countrymen to keep faith in his leadership as the Philippines goes through an economic slowdown, and vowed to stand down next year in accordance with the constitution. "Dramatic developments have been taking all over Asia, challenging the stability of Asian currencies and causing distress in Asian stock markets," he said at a private dinner with trade officials late Thursday.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Councilor urges quarrying stopped
Councilor urges quarrying stopped JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged the city administration yesterday to take stern action against illegal sand quarrying activities on the Thousand Islands, North Jakarta. Saud Rachman, member of Commission D for development affairs, made the appeal in response to the disappearance of six islands in the chain of islands as a result of excessive sand quarrying for nearby projects, including the North Jakarta coast reclamation project.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Govt's new stance over riot hailed
Govt's new stance over riot hailed JAKARTA (JP): Observers welcomed yesterday the government's decision to follow up with renewed vigor the National Commission on Human Rights' recommendation on the July 27 riots last year. Political observer Arbi Sanit, usually known for his critical views on many government policies, and lawyer R.O. Tambunan separately praised yesterday the government's stance.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
C. Java residents iodine deficient
C. Java residents iodine deficient SEMARANG, Central Java: One in six people in Central Java suffer from a lack of iodine. It is estimated that some five million of 30 million people in the province are suffering from symptoms of iodine deficiency. Dr. Eko from Dr. Kariadi Hospital in Semarang said some six million lipiodol capsules were needed to overcome the situation.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI firms vulnerable to debt meltdown: Foreign analyst
RI firms vulnerable to debt meltdown: Foreign analyst HONG KONG (Reuter): Concern is mounting that Indonesian corporations will soon hit a debt wall despite Thursday's rate cut, worsening the outlook for the nation once credited with Southeast Asia's most credible currency policy.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Thailand: Life after a booming economy meltdown
Thailand: Life after a booming economy meltdown The consumerist culture that engulfed Thailand at the height of an economic boom is fading. And as Johanna Son of Inter Press Service writes, it took a serious economic crisis to make people see sense. BANGKOK: Huge banners and billboards announce sales of up to 70 percent off at Bangkok's many shopping malls, but the crowds there have noticeably thinned out in recent months.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Regional stocks rise across the board
Regional stocks rise across the board KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Share prices in Asia-Pacific markets rose across the board yesterday as governments moved to bring back investors' confidence to the region. The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite 100 index soared 12.4 percent in its highest single day rise in almost four years, followed by a record 11.3 percent rise in share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's deficit drops
Malaysia's deficit drops KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia recorded a trade deficit of 900 million ringgit (US$300 million) in July, sharply lower than June's 2.8 billion ringgit, the statistics department said yesterday. Exports rose 3.7 percent from last month to 17.150 billion ringgit while imports declined 6.9 percent to 18.006 billion ringgit, the department said in its monthly report released through Bernama news agency.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Japan and China cite 'progress' at WTO talks
Japan and China cite 'progress' at WTO talks BEIJING (AFP): Beijing and Tokyo negotiators have issued a joint statement citing "substantive progress" in a just-ended round of talks on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the official Xinhua news agency said yesterday. The two sides completed an overall framework agreement on market access in goods trade during the negotiations -- held in Tokyo on Aug. 27 and Aug. 29 and here from Sept. 2 to Sept.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Asia-Pacific tariff cut to boost tade
Asia-Pacific tariff cut to boost tade SINGAPORE (Reuter): Removing tariff barriers between Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand would boost intra-regional trade by at least US$16 billion a year, the author of a new study told Reuters yesterday. "The absolute minimum that would be gained by the removal of tariffs on goods is a $16 billion increase in real consumption," said Andrew Stoeckel, executive director of the Center for International Economics in Canberra.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
Garuda eyes tariff rise
Garuda eyes tariff rise HONG KONG (Reuter): Senior executives of Garuda Indonesia are to meet next week to discuss possible increases in air cargo rates and passenger prices, a cargo department source in Jakarta told Reuters by telephone. Garuda raised its domestic air cargo rates by 40 percent last November but has not increased its international rates for more than two years, he added.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian financial markets ease
SE Asian financial markets ease SINGAPORE (Reuter): The crisis in Southeast Asian financial markets eased yesterday after a dramatic U-turn in economic policy by Malaysia, but analysts warned that problems remain in the underlying economies of the region. Stock markets across Southeast Asia were generally firmer yesterday with most regional currencies up against the U.S. dollar. At Friday's midday break, Kuala Lumpur's composite index of the top 100 stocks was up 79.90 points to 811.02.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN key to Asia-Pacific region
ASEAN key to Asia-Pacific region By Juwono Sudarsono The following article is based on a paper presented at ASEAN's 30th anniversary seminar in Sydney on Aug. 26 this year. The ASEAN Focus Group, the Asia-Australia Institute and the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific organized the seminar in cooperation with ASEAN's Canberra committee. SYDNEY: The regional role of ASEAN is to effect the smooth transition of three important geopolitical and geo-economic shifts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
AIPO confirms support for government plans
AIPO confirms support for government plans By Dwi Atmanta DENPASAR (JP): The 18th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO) conference ended yesterday with fresh support for ASEAN governments to form common policies. The signing of a 42-point joint communique on political, security, economic, social and organizational matters marked the closing ceremony presided over by outgoing AIPO president, Wahono.
Sat, 06 Sep 1997, 00:00 WIB
An intuitive musical experience at TIM
An intuitive musical experience at TIM By Emilie Sueur JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Performing Art Market 1997 (Pastojak '97) ended last Monday at Taman Ismail Marzuki with the uncanny chords of the Ensemble for Intuitive Music Weimar. A little background on the ensemble. Piano and synthesizer player Michael Von Hintzenstern established the German group in 1980.