Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 January 1998

62 articles found

SE Asia slow to use USDA export credit

SE Asia slow to use USDA export credit WASHINGTON (Reuters): Southeast Asian nations - with the exception of Thailand - have been slow to use existing export credit guarantees to buy U.S. farm goods, despite the U.S. Agriculture Department's recent decision to more than double their allocation. As of Tuesday, the Philippines had used none of an initial tranche of US$20 million in GSM-102 short export credit guarantee for fiscal 1998.

Govt bans exports of CPO products

Govt bans exports of CPO products JAKARTA (JP): The government moved further to stabilize cooking oil prices by prohibiting the export of all commodities derived from crude palm oil (CPO), including those not consumed locally, starting yesterday. The move, which was criticized sharply by palm oil producers as a capricious policy, was disclosed by Director General of Domestic Trade Ilchaedi Elyas to CPO producers at a meeting in Medan yesterday afternoon.

RP battles to save its peso and economy

RP battles to save its peso and economy MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines said yesterday it planned to slash government spending and seek money from abroad as its currency fell to a new low and stocks tumbled. "I think we have some preliminary figures which show about 25 percent cutback in both capital outlay and (other expenses)," Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo told reporters. "We have to be selective in terms of which infrastructure projects we will prioritize," he said.

No end to gloom in Asian stock markets

No end to gloom in Asian stock markets SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian bourses plummeted yesterday on the back of sliding regional currencies which deepened the gloom hanging over financial markets. Stocks in Hong Kong fell 5.9 percent, Singapore 4.9 percent, Kuala Lumpur 0.9 percent, Sydney 1.5 percent, Jakarta 2.0 percent, Manila 4.0 percent, Taipei 1.6 percent and Shanghai 6.3 percent.

BNI seeks best arrangement in its takeover plan of BTN

BNI seeks best arrangement in its takeover plan of BTN JAKARTA (JP): Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) is still studying the best financial arrangement in its takeover of Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), BNI president Widigdo Sukarman said yesterday. Widigdo said BNI had several financial options to finance the takeover of state-owned BTN, such as issuing rights shares or through a share swap. "We are still studying the value of the acquisition.

Lightning kills mother, daughter

Lightning kills mother, daughter TEGAL, Central Java: An elderly woman and her daughter were killed by lightning as they were preparing their morning meal yesterday. Antara quoted the police as saying that Tjasiah, 70, and her 27-year-old daughter, Djuharoh, residents of Danasari village, were working in their bamboo-made kitchen when lightning struck. Tjasiah's husband, Sujai, found the two dead with severe burns to their bodies.

Asian-crisis spillover effect on European increasing

Asian-crisis spillover effect on European increasing PARIS (AFP): The Asian economic crisis is having an increasing effect on European businesses as Asian companies scale down their ambitions in Europe and because many firms fear increased competition from Asian exports. U.S.

The year of reform

The year of reform Ismail Hasan Metareum could not have put the arguments for thorough political reform better than anyone else. His position as chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), the larger of the two minority parties, makes him an ideal candidate to carry the reform torch. But his arguments were no less forceful or eloquent than those already presented by equally reform-minded people.

Draft state budget on the right track

Draft state budget on the right track On the whole, the draft state budget reflects the government's concern over the present protracted crisis. Still, the government remains confident that it can finance the strategies, even though it will have to resort to funds derived from foreign aid. One important note regarding this budget concerns the assumed average rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar.

Security plan 'must protect rights'

Security plan 'must protect rights' JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists expressed their alarm at the implications of human rights protection of the Armed Forces' stern plans to crack down on possible disturbances during March's plenary meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Marzuki Darusman of the National Commission on Human Rights said the Armed Forces' determination to secure the meeting should not disregard the importance of human rights protection.

Bank Niaga opens new offices

Bank Niaga opens new offices JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Niaga has expanded its banking network by adding three more offices in Jakarta since December last year, according to the company. According to a report yesterday, Bank Niaga has added one branch office in Gedung Sarana Jaya, Central Jakarta, one cash office in the Jakarta Stock Exchange building and relocated one branch office in Hotel Grand Mahakam, South Jakarta.

RI to participate in 22 events as planned in Bangkok

RI to participate in 22 events as planned in Bangkok JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said yesterday the council had not changed its mind about sending athletes from 22 sports to compete in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December. Wismoyo was commenting on State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman's call to reduce the number of sports Indonesia would contest at the Asiad due to the country's economic crisis.

Rupiah's drop saddens many, benefits some

Rupiah's drop saddens many, benefits some JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah's downfall has delighted some Jakartans, especially those who are paid or have deposits in U.S. dollars. But the weakening of the rupiah (from Rp 2,300 in June to over Rp 8,150 against the U.S. dollar yesterday) has paralyzed the businesses and the future of many people here. The Jakarta Post reporters talked with Jakartans about the issue and here are some excerpts.

Megawati 'not allowed' to hold PDI ceremony

Megawati 'not allowed' to hold PDI ceremony JAKARTA (JP): City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday that his office would not let ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri hold a celebration of the party's 15th anniversary. Aritonang said the police would take a tough stand and breakup such a meeting if she held a ceremony without permission.

Export of footwear may keep declining

Export of footwear may keep declining JAKARTA (JP): Export of footwear products would not reach its target unless the government lent it a hand in reducing transactional costs, an executive said yesterday. The chairman of the Association of Footwear Producers, Anton J. Supit, said the association targeted the export of footwear products at US$2.5 billion this year.

Government urged to go all-out to stabilize rupiah

Government urged to go all-out to stabilize rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Legislators and business leaders urged the government yesterday to go all out in stabilizing the rupiah's exchange rate at Rp 4,000 to the U.S. dollar this year to help Indonesia's ailing economy. They were commenting on the government's 1998/1999 draft state budget unveiled Tuesday which was based on an average exchange rate of Rp 4,000 to the dollar between April 1998 and March 1999.

Govt vows to continue food relief operation to Irian

Govt vows to continue food relief operation to Irian JAKARTA (JP): The government will continue its food-relief operation and supply more cassava flour to the drought-hit regencies in Irian Jaya, Minister of Social Services Inten Suweno said yesterday. The minister said 143,604 Irianese were still facing a shortage of food in the remote provinces and famine would continue because the villagers would probably not be able to harvest for another three months.

Hyundai Group shelves giant steel plant project

Hyundai Group shelves giant steel plant project SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's giant Hyundai Group said yesterday that it had put a US$6 billion steel project on ice, citing economic retrenchment required in return for the country's massive International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. "We have decided to suspend the project for a while because of various difficulties under the IMF. It is not a total cancellation," a Hyundai official told AFP.

State budget's power to boost economy limited

State budget's power to boost economy limited The government has unveiled the 1998/1999 draft state budget amounting to Rp 133.49 trillion (US$33.3 billion based on a rate of Rp 4,000 to the dollar) or an increase of 32.1 percent from the current budget. Economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a researcher at the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research discusses the impact of the budget plan on the country's economy.

U.S. farm exports to Asia may fall further

U.S. farm exports to Asia may fall further CHICAGO (Reuters): U.S. agriculture exports to Southeast Asia this fiscal year may drop by more than the US$500 million the U.S. Agriculture Department estimated last month, U.S. Agriculture Department Deputy Chief Economist Joseph Glauber said Tuesday. "The situation since Dec. 2 has worsened a bit. I would expect a revision downward in terms of exports to that region," Glauber told a Chicago Board of Trade economic outlook conference.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Thursday Maghrib 6.16 p.m. Friday Imsak 4:13 a.m. Subuh 4.23 a.m.

Fuel prices must not increase amid crisis: Analysts

Fuel prices must not increase amid crisis: Analysts JAKARTA (JP): Analysts urged the government yesterday not to raise fuel prices until the current monetary crisis was over to prevent the country's economy from worsening.

Capital market dismal for new listings

Capital market dismal for new listings By Aloysius Unditu JAKARTA (JP): Nineteen ninety-seven has gone and 1998 has arrived. But a different year does not necessarily mean a positive change in the country's capital market. Nineteen ninety-eight does not yet offer good prospects for new listings, securities analysts predict.

Shipowners don't want rice on foreign ships

Shipowners don't want rice on foreign ships JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Shipowners Association complained yesterday that most rice imports were carried by foreign-flagged vessels. Chairman Firdaus Wajdi said the association had filed a complaint with Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto who had promised to pass it on to Beddu Amang, chairman of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), which imported the rice.

Palm oil has good prospect

Palm oil has good prospect HAMBURG (Reuters): World palm oil prices are expected to rise sharply over the next three to four months in response to Indonesia's export ban, the independent Oil World newsletter said Tuesday. Palm oil and olein prices would probably develop premiums over competing soybean, rapeseed and sunflower oils, it added.

Indonesian student found dead in S'pore

Indonesian student found dead in S'pore JAKARTA (JP): A 19-year-old Indonesian student was found dead Tuesday morning in a park in Woodlands, a new residential area in Singapore. An official at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore said yesterday that evidence suggested that the deceased, Dini Haryati, had been raped and severely abused.

YKPK voices different opinion on Soeharto

YKPK voices different opinion on Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): A nationalist-oriented group, the National Brotherhood Foundation (YKPK), urged the People's Consultative Assembly yesterday not to renominate incumbent President Soeharto for the next presidential term.

Floods inundate thousands of homes

Floods inundate thousands of homes PADANG, West Sumatra: As many as 1,668 houses in seven villages of the 50 Kota regency were inundated by floods after incessant rain since Saturday, Antara reported. Regent Azis Haily said as many as 2,000 people have been evacuated from the worst-hit Kapur IX subdistrict where the flood reached a height of 1.5 meters.

Economists call for action not words

Economists call for action not words YOGYAKARTA (JP): Economists called on the government yesterday to quit its rhetoric and immediately undertake concrete action to settle the monetary crisis. Two economists from the Gadjah Mada University, Anggito Abimanyu and Revrisond Baswir, said separately the government should be realistic in viewing the economic crisis. "What the Indonesians, including myself, now need is the government's genuine actions to seriously settle the crisis," Anggito said.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Exhibition * Ramadhan Exhibition featuring handicraft, fashion, food, at the Lobby, Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81, Central Bandung, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Jan. 29. Music and Entertainment * Holiday Inn, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 33, Bandung: - Kutilang Restaurant: Sundanese music, Kecapi Suling, daily, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Braga Bar and Lounge: Prospect Band, Thursday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. * Sheraton Hotel, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No.

Badminton body wants 20 shuttlers in Asian Games

Badminton body wants 20 shuttlers in Asian Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Badminton Association asked the National Sports Council yesterday to send a letter to the Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) to change the number of shuttlers allowed to compete in the quadrennial event in December. The association's athletes development deputy, Hadi Nazri, told reporters yesterday that BAGOC had decided to permit a maximum of eight male and eight female shuttlers from each country.

46 foreigners arrested last year for violations

46 foreigners arrested last year for violations JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreigners arrested for abusing immigration regulations increased to 46 last year from only 23 in the previous year, an officer said yesterday. Capt. IM Pande Cakra of the City Police foreigners supervision department said that many of the arrested foreigners violated regulations by illegally working at local companies. "Many of them did not have licenses to work.

Six students undergo trial for killing

Six students undergo trial for killing JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence six junior high school students to between two and a half years and four and a half years in jail for killing a senior high school student. Prosecutor M.

Young business achievers

Young business achievers JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank NISP will sponsor the national selection for the World Young Business Achiever Award '98, an annual award for young executives with outstanding achievements worldwide, the bank said yesterday. "We believe the competition will allow young Indonesian executives to show their achievements on the international stage," Bank NISP managing director Parwati Surjaudaja said.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Kid Pix Ninja The Wonder Boy 3:10 Science Film: Animal Odyssey 3:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Orchestra Film 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 Religious Program: Celah-Celah Ramadhan 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 6:53 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Performances: Cakrawala Budaya 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Spectrum 9:00 World News...

Kia unveils survival strategy

Kia unveils survival strategy SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's insolvent Kia Motors Corp. yesterday unveiled an aggressive survival strategy for 1998 to increase total sales from 6.36 trillion won (US$3.53 billion) last year to 7.3 trillion won this year. The strategy, called "Turn Around 365," also called for a 32.7 percent increase in exports. "Exports is the only way for us to survive," a Kia spokesman told AFP. "The won's fall has improved our market situation abroad.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 7, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 825 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 425 -25 3,000 Alumindo Light Metal 325 0 553,000 Alumindo Perkasa 250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,000 -125 243,000 Aneka Tambang 1,400 25 5,587,500 Anwar Sierad 125 -50 569,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

IMF's $100b Asian bailout targets in growing danger

IMF's $100b Asian bailout targets in growing danger LONDON (Reuters): Tough targets set by the IMF for more than US$100 billion of Asian bailouts were in growing jeopardy on Tuesday following a disappointing Indonesian budget, analysts said. Indonesia's failure to meet budget targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) followed Thailand's call on Monday for a review of its belt-tightening requirements.

Medan newspapers on brink of bankruptcy

Medan newspapers on brink of bankruptcy MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Five weekly newspapers in Medan are on the brink of bankruptcy due to skyrocketing newsprint prices, a publisher said yesterday. Chairman of the provincial branch of the Association of Newspaper Publishers (SPS) Faudin Daulay said the five weeklies had already reduced the newspaper from 12 to eight pages. "We are facing a bitter situation, we are just waiting for our death," said Daulay.

E. Java workers may lose jobs

E. Java workers may lose jobs SURABAYA, East Java: The economic crisis has caused 10 companies in East Java to ask for the government's permission to dismiss 2,864 workers. An official with the province's manpower office, Mul Effendy, said yesterday the request for the mass dismissal had been made in the last three months.

Nervous Asian currencies pull out of depths

Nervous Asian currencies pull out of depths SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asia's ravaged currencies limped tentatively out of the depths in late yesterday trade as fears of concerted central bank action halted a mad scramble for dollars. Speculation Japan might ask the United States to help it prop up the sagging yen pushed the U.S. dollar below 133 yen ahead of a meeting between U.S. and Japanese monetary officials, injecting a note of caution in other Asian currency markets.

Dinner at Dunia Sea Food

Dinner at Dunia Sea Food From Bisnis Indonesia On Jan. 2, my family and I went for dinner at Dunia Sea Food, located on the third floor of Diamond Mall, Tangerang, West Java. The publicized price of Rp 6,000 per head all-you-can-eat was a point of attraction. However, low prices can be deceptive. For example the snail served with a variety of fish smelled nasty.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Jan.

Garuda operates extra flights

Garuda operates extra flights JAKARTA (JP): National air carrier Garuda Indonesia announced yesterday that it would operate extra flights to cope with an expected travel boom during the upcoming holiday of Idul Fitri. Head of the company's Surabaya branch Iman Suntoro said Garuda planned to offer additional flights linking Surabaya and Jakarta using DC-10 aircraft, with 248 seats, from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28 and Feb. 1 to Feb. 25.

More people fired in Central Java

More people fired in Central Java SEMARANG, Central Java: As many as 1,268 workers here have been laid off in the last four months due to the economic crisis, an official said yesterday. Head of the local Ministry of Manpower office, Bambang Hudi, said the number of layoffs would continue should the current crisis continue. "The companies they were working for have been badly battered by the monetary crisis," Hudi said.

IMF worried over crisis in Indonesia

IMF worried over crisis in Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): IMF officials on Tuesday called Indonesia's economic crisis worrisome and faulted the Jakarta government for failing to follow through on pledges to restructure the nation's economy, the Washington Post reported yesterday. "We would like to see the senior leadership in Indonesia stand up and be counted on the reforms," the newspaper quoted a senior International Monetary Fund official as saying.

Families demand compensation from PLN

Families demand compensation from PLN BOGOR (JP): About 180 families in two villages here have vowed to force state-owned electricity firm PT PLN to provide them with proper compensation to move from under high-voltage electric cables running above their houses. Family representatives Abdul Madjid of Malang Nengah and Hartono of Jampang told The Jakarta Post Tuesday evening that there was an urgent need to move from the area because residents feared to live under such risky conditions.

Graphic

Graphic CORRECTION: The bottom line figures in the two graphics which accompanied our headline story yesterday should read Rp 101.08 trillion and Rp 133.49 trillion respectively instead of those printed. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. -- Editor

Policeman killed in accident

Policeman killed in accident JAKARTA (JP): A traffic police officer died Tuesday when his motorcycle hit another speeding motorcycle in Tangerang. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the officer, First Sgt. Tatang, 27, died of severe head injuries. "He was on his way home from work driving his motorcycle along Jl. Gatot Soebroto when he crashed into another motorcycle coming from the opposite direction," he said.

Prison guard jailed for receiving bribe

Prison guard jailed for receiving bribe BOGOR (JP): Bogor District Court sentenced a 41-year-old prison officer, Munandar, to five months and 15 days in jail for aiding the escape of the man behind the Jagorawi toll road murder and robbery. Judge Ginalita Silitonga said the defendant, the former head of security at Paledang Penitentiary, was guilty of receiving Rp 100,000 (US$14) to allow Erling Doli Wijaya, alias Mikel, to leave the prison on June 18, 21 and 24 last year.

Businesspeople disappointed by govt revelation

Businesspeople disappointed by govt revelation JAKARTA (JP): Government explanations on the budget and financial matters to businesspeople were disappointing as they did not address the most basic issue on how to revive local businesses, a businessman said yesterday. Property businessman Muhammad Hidayat said after attending a 1998/1999 budget briefing at the Ministry of Finance yesterday that he was disappointed by government explanations which he said were very superficial.

Workers hold staff hostage

Workers hold staff hostage SERANG, West Java: At least 160 workers of PT Univenus held two members of staff hostage as they rallied to demand for wages here Tuesday. The workers, who were serving temporary layoffs, urged the company management to pay half of their wages as stipulated by a 1996 decree issued by the Minister of Manpower. They released the hostages after legislative councilors of the regency stepped in, Antara reported.

Landslide kills two while digging trench

Landslide kills two while digging trench JAKARTA (JP): Two workers suffocated to death when dirt excavated for the installation of wastewater pipes collapsed and buried them in their trench on Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur in Central Jakarta early yesterday. The victims, identified as Riswanto, 22, and Sunarto, 36, were both migrant workers from Pekalongan in Central Java. Another worker, 21-year-old Kastro, was also buried during the same incident but managed to survive.

Latief rejects firms' proposal on wage payment

Latief rejects firms' proposal on wage payment JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief has flatly rejected a proposal by industry associations that the monthly fee paid to the state workers insurance company PT Jamsostek be remitted to allow companies to increase workers' minimum wage. Latief told reporters after attending the plenary session of the House of Representatives late Tuesday evening that the idea proposed by four industry associations earlier that day was "irrelevant".

W. Kalimantan to install governor

W. Kalimantan to install governor PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The legislative body has set Jan. 12 for the inauguration of the West Kalimantan Governor for the 1998/2003 period although President Soeharto has not approved any of the top three candidates yet. Chief of the legislative body, Muchalli Taufiek, told Antara yesterday a rescheduling was unlikely because incumbent Governor Aspar Aswin would have to end his tenure by the date set for the ceremony.

American batik artist paints loving odes to children's spirit

American batik artist paints loving odes to children's spirit By G. Rahayu JAKARTA (JP): Self-taught artist Linda Kaun can testify to the uniqueness and intricacy of using the batik technique in painting on fabric. The American said she had been trapped in the thrall of combining wax and dyes since she started in the medium more than 20 years ago. She termed the process a "personal mystery" which only ended when the wax was boiled and the finished cloth revealed.

Unlawful sale of 18 'becak' causes a stir

Unlawful sale of 18 'becak' causes a stir TANGERANG (JP): Mayor Djakaria Machmud pledged to take stern action against officials if they were found guilty of selling 18 becak (pedicab) netted in a routine operation recently. Speaking at a weekly morning ceremony early this week, Djakaria reminded his staff that the officials' alleged behavior had tarnished the image of the Tangerang mayoralty office.

Bus passengers beware of trickery

Bus passengers beware of trickery From Kompas Be wary of fellow bus passengers who are solicitous. My husband traveled recently by intercity bus from Jakarta to Bandung aboard a Parahiangan Ekspres bus which left Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal at 7 p.m.. A young man occupied the seat next to him and started a conversation, later offering my husband some candy. He declined the offer. At Puncak, the young man made another overture, asking my husband if he wanted to have a carton-packed drink.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Kumuh by Margono at Galeri Cipta III, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 9-18. * Photo Exhibition: 100 old photos from Indonesia and Singapore, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl. Kemang Raya No.24A South Jakarta, Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., until Jan. 29.

Soeharto unveils nation's draft budget for recovery

Soeharto unveils nation's draft budget for recovery President Soeharto unveiled on Tuesday the draft state budget for fiscal year 1998/1999 before a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR). The following is a condensed version of the provisional translation of the budget speech provided by the State Secretariat. The year 1997 we have just passed has been a year full of concern for our nation. We have been repeatedly subjected to major disasters on land, at sea and in the air.

Rupiah recovers after all-time low of 8,450

Rupiah recovers after all-time low of 8,450 JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah plunged to a record low of 8,450 in morning trade yesterday as financial markets gave a cool response to the 1998/1999 state budget but recovered later to close at 7,900/8,100. The weakened rupiah also dragged down share prices, pushing down the Jakarta Stock Exchange's (JSX) composite index below 400 points. The rupiah hit a low of 8,450 against the U.S.

Three brothers drown in Cilemer River

Three brothers drown in Cilemer River PANDEGLANG, West Java: Three teenage brothers from Saketi village drowned in the six meter deep Cilemer River yesterday. Antara quoted residents as saying that Asep Sopian bin Empu Sanjaya, 12, Dodi Sohadi, 13, and Eep Supandi bin Ganda, 15, were waiting for the breaking of the fast when they took a bath in the river. "None of them could swim, so Asep either got himself in trouble in deep water or was swept away by the current.