Archive: 12 October 1998
51 articles found
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toll road pickets urged to end action, go to court instead
Toll road pickets urged to end action, go to court instead TANGERANG (JP): A senior official of the Tangerang Regency Office believes that protesters blocking a toll gate in a dispute over unpaid land compensation would be better served by taking their grievance to court.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN fractures exposed once again
ASEAN fractures exposed once again MANILA (Reuters): The disparate Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has always had a tough job convincing onlookers of its combined purpose, and its divisions are now attracting even more attention than usual. The group, with diverse members ranging from political dictatorships to full-fledged democracies, has just wrapped up a meeting of economic ministers in Manila with a pledge to speed up the creation of a free trade and investment area.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tarman Azzam named new PWI chairman
Tarman Azzam named new PWI chairman SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has elected Tarman Azzam, its Jakarta chapter chairman, as its leader through 2004. Tarman, chief editor of Terbit afternoon daily, was picked from several strong contenders, including former secretary- general Parni Hadi, Dahlan Iskan, owner of the Jawa Pos media group, and Tribuana Said of Merdeka. At its 20th congress, Tarman won 40 votes and Parni gained 26 of 85 votes cast.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
'One out of 1,000' people suffer from cancer
'One out of 1,000' people suffer from cancer JAKARTA (JP): One out of every 1,000 Indonesians in Java and Bali suffers from cancer, an expert said on Saturday. Tjahjono, a professor of anatomic pathology at the Semarang- based University of Diponegoro in Central Java, said based on his research from 1990 to 1995 there were 100 cancer cases for every 100,000 residents on the two islands, Antara reported.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Moral crisis as serious as economic turmoil
Moral crisis as serious as economic turmoil By Harkiman Racheman MEDAN (JP): In a country where absolute power revolves around a single hand, the ruling regime tends to be corrupt and unaccommodating (let alone representative!) toward the aspirations as well as interests of its various social components. The now-defunct New Order government was likely to rotate around the vested interests of a dynasty that prioritized none but its own members at the expense of others in society.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies rally on weakened U.S. outlook
Asian currencies rally on weakened U.S. outlook HONG KONG (AFP): Currencies in the Asia-Pacific region strengthened against the greenback in a week that saw U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan warn of a weakened outlook for the American economy. Japanese yen rallied against the dollar by some 15 percent in the past week to hit its highest level in 14 months as the U.S. unit kept tumbling on foreign exchange markets on bleak prospects for the U.S. economy.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
PAL to take to foreign skies
PAL to take to foreign skies MANILA (Reuters): Resurrected Philippine Airlines is preparing to take off for foreign skies again this week, but may avoid using leased jumbo jets to fly to the United States for fear of action by creditors there. PAL on Sunday began international flights for the first time since shutting down on September 24. An Airbus 320 flew President Joseph Estrada to Singapore on his first foreign trip after taking office in June.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Slain Ita 'a rape victim in May riots'
Slain Ita 'a rape victim in May riots' JAKARTA (JP): An executive of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association said on Sunday that he believed Marthadinata, who was murdered on Friday, was one of the rape victims of the mid-May riots. The association's deputy chairman, Paskah Irianto, surmised that the 18-year-old, who was better known as Ita, was about to recount her assault in the United States in the next few days.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sarimun installed as new mayor
Sarimun installed as new mayor JAKARTA (JP): Sarimun Hadisaputra was installed on Friday as the new mayor of West Jakarta, replacing Sutardjianto, who was appointed inspector of the city administration. In his speech at the installation ceremony, Governor Sutiyoso urged the new mayor to speed up the renovation of buildings destroyed during the mid-May riots, including structures in the Glodok business center and those along Jl. Gajah Mada and Jl. Hayam Wuruk.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Capital inflows 'have destabilizing impact'
Capital inflows 'have destabilizing impact' NEW YORK (Dow Jones): Although capital inflows will be crucial in reactivating the Indonesian economy, they can have a very destabilizing impact and need to be monitored, the head of the country's central bank said Friday. "While a speedy recovery is highly desirable, we have to avoid falling in the same trap in the future," Sjahril Sabirin said in a prepared statement during a conference on Indonesia's economic outlook organized by the Asia Society.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two unions hold congress
Two unions hold congress JAKARTA: The tourist sector's union elected Ali Samioen as its chairman and Sofyan to the secretary-general position through 2003 at a recent congress in Cianjur, West Java. Ali said the congress, attended by 250 delegates representing all 27 chapters and 125 sectoral union units, proceeded smoothly and democratically.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Peaceful demo staged in Dili
Peaceful demo staged in Dili DILI, East Timor (JP): At least 30,000 people demonstrated here on Sunday, demanding that Governor Jose Abilio Soares step down following his statement that civil servants who did not support the government's proposal on autonomy for the province should resign or be fired. Security forces stood guard but did not intervene in the rally that went around the town. It proceeded peacefully but migrants, fearing for their safety stayed home.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Women face threat of abuse as economic crisis deepens
Women face threat of abuse as economic crisis deepens By Brigid O'Halloran JAKARTA (JP): A young woman studies her battered reflection in a large ornate mirror. "He said he wouldn't beat me anymore," she says. "He's said this before." The poster of this woman, to be used in an upcoming campaign against domestic violence, was displayed last Wednesday at a United Nations panel discussion on gender and domestic violence in Indonesia.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Art Summit schedule
Art Summit schedule Oct. 11-12: Theater, Ngeh (Understand), Teater Mandiri (Indonesia), Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3154087). Oct. 13-14: Dance, Diez-Diez Danza SL (Spain), Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ), Jl. Pos No. 2, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3441892). Oct. 16-17: Music, Tsuchitori Toshiyuki (Japan), TIM. Oct. 18-19: Music, Kaija Saariaho (Finland), GKJ. All performances start at 8 p.m.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Wayang, at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta (Phone: 323707), until Oct. 23. * Painting Exhibition: Lukisan Dalam Gejolak Reformasi, by Irawan Karseno, Yoes Rizal, etc., in Bebek Bali Resto-Cafe- Gallery, Jl. Gerbang Pemuda, Taman Ria Senayan, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., until Oct. 25. * Painting Sketches Exhibition: Ragamu Ragaku by Lita Darmawan, Maud van der Lely, Seemun Leong, at Galeri Teguh, Jl.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Natural resources and economy
Natural resources and economy We have tried all kinds of things to improve our economy, including praying to God, tightening our belts, borrowing money, rescheduling our debts, cutting down subsidies, increasing taxes, clamping down on graft, recovering laundered money, eating less, reducing traveling activities etc. Yet no changes in our economic situation seem to happen. However, there is one thing that we have not tried seriously: optimizing the utilization of our abundant natural resources.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Killer's arrest stuns peacefull neighborhood
Killer's arrest stuns peacefull neighborhood JAKARTA (JP): The arrest of 22-year-old Suryadi, alias Otong, alias Bram, for the murder of volunteer counselor Marthadinata shocked his neighbors along Jl. Berlian III in Sumur Batu subdistrict in Central Jakarta. In the eyes of the locals, Otong -- as they often called him -- was a calm person. Therefore it was not easy for them to believe that one of the young men in their peaceful neighborhood had brutally killed his own next-door neighbor.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
IDI demands Dewi retract Sukarno's death charges
IDI demands Dewi retract Sukarno's death charges JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) has demanded that a widow of president Sukarno, Ratna Sari Dewi, retract her statement charging that his medical team killed him with an overdose of sleeping pills. IDI Chairman Merdias Almatsier said there was no proof to back her assertion and it had tarnished the image of the country's medical profession. Sukarno died at age 69 on June 21, 1970 at the Army's Gen.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI's gross foreign exchange reserves rise to US$21.5b
BI's gross foreign exchange reserves rise to US$21.5b JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank, announced on Friday that its gross foreign exchange reserves rose to US$21.5 billion in the week ending Oct. 7 from $20.5 billion the previous week. The central bank said in its latest weekly report that the increase was due to the disbursement of the International Monetary Fund's fresh monthly loan of $936.7 million.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Proactive planning needed to develope telecommunications
Proactive planning needed to develope telecommunications By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): My article on wired versus wireline telephones last week seems to have attracted a few responses. Unfortunately, when people were calling me over that article, I happened to be away in Bandung to attend the opening of the annual Techno Pre- Eminent (TPE) Conference 98 held by RisTI, a research division of PT Telkom. I am still waiting for the readers to call me again.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank mergers
Bank mergers In normal economic conditions there are four goals if a company or bank decides to merge with other companies or banks. First, to make the total assets bigger so as to enable them to compete with the established institution peers. Second, to increase their performance which will create a sound company or bank. Third, to expand their market share. And fourth, to diversify their market.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rate ceiling for Oct. 12 - Oct. 18
Rate ceiling for Oct. 12 - Oct. 18 Time deposit Maximum rate Maximum rate Rp deposit (%) $ deposit (%) ------------------------------------------------- 1-month 64 15 3-month 61 15 6-month 50 15 12-month 48 15 24-month 30 18 Maximum overnight rate for rupiah : 58 percent Maximum overnight rate for U.S. dollars: 14 percent * Maximum interest rates which are covered by government guarantee. Source: Bank Indonesia
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Statement on opposition to Habibie sparks speculation
Statement on opposition to Habibie sparks speculation JAKARTA (JP): A recent statement by a close presidential advisor that President B.J. Habibie's strongest opposition in a presidential election bid would come from within Golkar's own ranks has triggered speculation from political observers.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rival camps of labor export companies fail to reconcile
Rival camps of labor export companies fail to reconcile JAKARTA (JP): The two conflicting camps in the Association of Labor Export Companies Association (Apjati) failed to reconcile on Saturday because one of the warring parties failed to attend an agreed congress. Apjati chairman Mahfudzt Djailani expressed his disappointment over the absence of the splinter Apjati Reformasi executives despite receiving their agreement to attend the congress which was meant to reunite the two camps.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Farmers demand savings back
Farmers demand savings back PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): More than 5,000 clove farmers from Banyumas regency complained to the University of Gen. Soedirman on Saturday, requesting help from the institution for the return of their savings from the government. One of the farmers, Muhammad Suharto, said the compulsory savings amounting to Rp 11 billion were still in the coffers of cooperatives under the defunct Clove Marketing and Buffer Stock Agency (BPPC).
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two more people fall victim in East Java killing spree
Two more people fall victim in East Java killing spree SURABAYA (JP): The mysterious killing spree in East Java has claimed two more victims, including one man slain in a mob attack because he was suspected of complicity in the murders. Their deaths in Jember bring the number of murders to 159, according to the estimate of the independent Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). Most previous victims were either suspected practitioners of black magic or Moslem preachers.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia fails to win Sentul road race
Indonesia fails to win Sentul road race JAKARTA (JP): The host team finished empty-handed in the four categories of the Asian road race in Sentul, near Bogor, on Sunday. Thailand took three classes of the 125cc, 150cc sports production and 110cc underbone, and Japan captured the 250cc sports production. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan took part in the one-day event.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
No easy way out of RI's crisis
No easy way out of RI's crisis By Bambang Subianto The following is an excerpt from a paper presented at the National Issues Forum put on by the Brookings Institute and the Harvard Institute for International Development in Washington D.C. on Oct. 2. This is the first of two articles.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Greater Jakarta workers set up new labor group
Greater Jakarta workers set up new labor group JAKARTA (JP): Employees of 100 companies operating in Jakarta and its surrounding areas established on Sunday a new union called Serikat Buruh Jabotabek (Greater Jakarta Labor Organization) in a bid to improve their bargaining position. The new organization was announced at the end of a two-day congress attended by about 200 employees of the 100 companies.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Agum pledges uninterrupted soccer league
Agum pledges uninterrupted soccer league JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed All Indonesia Soccer Federation (PSSI) chief Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar guaranteed on Saturday that the upcoming league would run as planned. In his statement read by the federation's deputy chairman in charge of organizational affairs, Eddi Elison, Agum said he found no legitimate reason to stop the league despite the mounting economic and political concerns. "The show must go on no matter what.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Estrada makes first foreign trip to Singapore
Estrada makes first foreign trip to Singapore SINGAPORE (Agencies): Philippine President Joseph Estrada arrived in Singapore on Sunday on his first state visit abroad since taking power 15 weeks ago. In keeping with his "man of the masses" appeal, Estrada's first scheduled event upon arrival was a meeting with Filipino workers. "I bring to you today the message and prayers of a grateful nation," Estrada told a cheering crowd of some 4,000 Filipinos.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Befuddled by banking policy
Befuddled by banking policy From Merdeka It's simply fantastic -- the lobbying of prominent bankers has relegated the government to second place. The government is like a shadow forced to follow in the bankers' steps. What have the bankers done? No less than delaying the repayment of the Bank Indonesia liquidity support loans, the amount of which is astronomical. Initially, the government granted a limit of five years to the bankers, but it has subsequently been reduced to one year.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Reclamation halted on resort island
Reclamation halted on resort island JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta mayoralty has ordered a stop to reclamation work on Air resort island in the popular Thousand Islands chain in Jakarta Bay due to a lack of required permits. Mayor Soebagio said on Sunday he had ordered Air's owner -- noted businessman and hotelier Pontjo Sutowo -- to stop reclamation of the island, which has been extended from 4.8 hectares to about 10 hectares, until he acquired the documents.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Suggestions to Habibie
Suggestions to Habibie From Sinar Pagi Mr. Habibie, your government has been running for over three months. Things, however, have gone from bad to worse. Common people can hardly afford to buy the nine basic necessities, the rate of unemployment continues to rise and this country has now found itself in the category of poor nations. In the meantime, political buffoons, who have never experienced the difficulty of not being able to afford the basic necessities, are busy establishing new parties.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia, RI to have small summit delegation
Malaysia, RI to have small summit delegation SINGAPORE (AP): As central bank governors, finance ministers and stock exchange chiefs meet for the World Economic Forum's East Asian summit this week, the two countries in the worst economic straits -- Indonesia and Malaysia -- will have only meager representation.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI to keep tight monetary policy until worries over
BI to keep tight monetary policy until worries over BOGOR, West Java (JP): Bank Indonesia will stick to its tight monetary policy until worries over the rupiah exchange rate and inflation truly subside, director Achjar Iljas said here on Saturday. Achjar said pressure on the rupiah would remain high until local corporations with huge overseas debts managed to reschedule their obligations, while primary pressure on inflation might come from the expectation of higher inflation.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
APEC calls for investment in energy infrastructure
APEC calls for investment in energy infrastructure TOKYO (Agencies): Energy ministers from 21 Asian and Pacific nations called Saturday for continual investment in energy infrastructure to pull the region out of its economic crisis. They also agreed to promote wider and more efficient use of natural gas and to set voluntary goals on energy-saving to cope with an anticipated shortage in the region.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt stops issuing plantation licenses
Govt stops issuing plantation licenses JAKARTA (JP): The government has stopped issuing new licenses to open up forests for plantation estates as most investors have neglected the projects. Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on Friday that only 1.4 million hectares (16.5 percent) had been realized from the nine million hectares of forests licensed for plantation estates since early 1990.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Merpati reports Rp 300b loss for first semester
Merpati reports Rp 300b loss for first semester JAKARTA (JP): State-owned airline PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines suffered a loss of Rp 300.3 billion (US$33.37 million) in the first semester of this year, an increase of nearly 300 percent from Rp 77.39 billion in the same period of last year. Merpati attributed the losses to the steep rise in operational costs and the huge losses accrued from other business activities.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tap water project targets Marunda's poor families
Tap water project targets Marunda's poor families JAKARTA (JP): British tap water company Thames Water will provide a Rp 1 billion (US$100,000) donation to finance the installation of an 11-kilometer pipeline project in the low- income Marunda subdistrict of North Jakarta. The company is making the donation in conjunction with its worldwide initiative for urban development organized in association with the World Bank, Thames Water's subsidiary, PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ), said on Friday.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Megawati gets it right with party lineup: Observers
Megawati gets it right with party lineup: Observers By Imanuddin & M.M.I. Ahyani DENPASAR (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri has sidestepped potential ruptures in her faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) by appointing all of the right people to the executive board, according to an American political observer. Jeffrey A.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Wayang paintings on display
Wayang paintings on display JAKARTA (JP): Paintings of traditional Javanese wayang (puppets) are on display at Hotel Sari Pan Pacific through Oct. 23. The exhibition, held in cooperation with artists from the Hastara Art Community, is part of the hotel's Year of Art and Culture 1998 program. Proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the ailing Wayang Bharata theater in Senen, Central Jakarta.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Talk Show: Sebaiknya Anda Tahu 3:30 TV Drama: Tamu Tak Diundang 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:30 Education Quiz: Tangkas Cermat 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports: Monitor Olah Raga 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Teen Music: Gelar Musik Remaja 8:30 Belief in God The Almighty 9:00 World News 9:35 Dialog on Sports...
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rejuvenated rupiah may start to flag
Rejuvenated rupiah may start to flag JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah, which perked up to break through the psychological barrier of 9,000 against the U.S. dollar last week, is expected to take a breather from its surge and most probably lose ground due to selling pressure. Share prices on the local stock market are also expected to go in the downward direction as last week's bullish sentiment will likely be curtailed by investor profit taking, analysts said.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Former official gives back property
Former official gives back property BEKASI (JP): Former Bekasi deputy regent H. Dede Satibi has returned all the property belonging to the Bekasi administration he used during his tenure in office, an official said. Regency spokesman Agus Sjamsuridjal said on Thursday that the returned goods consisted of 24 items, ranging from cupboards, beds and television sets to a Daihatsu jeep, Toyota Kijang van and Toyota Corona car.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
It must be call from heaven
It must be call from heaven JAKARTA (JP): When a Blue Bird operator received a call ordering a taxi, he was pretty sure that the voice was that of a long-time male customer whose name was on the database. So a taxi was dispatched to the usual address. But the taxi's arrival amazed the son, who immediately called Blue Bird telling the operator he was certain his father had not ordered a taxi. "You see my father is not with us anymore...
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Catch rare art treats while you can at Summit
Catch rare art treats while you can at Summit By Stevie Emilia and Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): Art lovers only have a week left to enjoy top- quality performances as the Second Art Summit Indonesia nears its final curtain. Planned to be held once every three years, the event presents a rare opportunity to enjoy the work of highly respected artists. Tickets are relatively affordable, and it was no wonder last week's performances were packed with viewers.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
More evidence needed to prosecute Prabowo
More evidence needed to prosecute Prabowo JAKARTA (JP): National Military Chief Maj. Gen. Syamsu Djalal said on Saturday that investigators were still looking for further evidence to prosecute former Army Special Force (Kopassus) chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto for his involvement in the abductions of political activists. "Prabowo has admitted his involvement in the abductions, as quoted by Army Chief Gen.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto family's oil, gas interests suffer heavy blow
Soeharto family's oil, gas interests suffer heavy blow By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): A death knell has been sounded for Soeharto's family, relatives and friends who have dominated the country's oil and gas industry for decades. They have lost at least 30 lucrative business contracts with the state oil and gas company Pertamina in less than five months of the former president's downfall.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
PDI coming of age?
PDI coming of age? Sighs of relief are no doubt being heaved all across Indonesia, and around the power centers in Jakarta in particular, that the fifth party congress of PDI Perjuangan -- the Megawati- led faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party -- ended in Bali over the weekend without any unrest worth mentioning.
Mon, 12 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
NU wants a more accountable ABRI
NU wants a more accountable ABRI JAKARTA (JP): Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Moslem organization, has avowed its support of the Armed Forces (ABRI), but urged it to be more accountable for the safety of the nation. Speaking before a gathering of more than 5,000 people in the eastern Senayan parking lot in Central Jakarta, NU Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid reminded ABRI that it must remain the guardian of the country.