Archive: 17 October 1998
54 articles found
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Theater festival to boost rights
Theater festival to boost rights JAKARTA (JP): Four theater companies will bring up the theme of violence in society in a Human Rights Theater Festival from Oct. 16 to Nov. 9. Four theater companies that will participate in the festival are Teater Kubur, Teater Satu Merah Panggung, Lenong IKIP Rawamangun and Bela Studio. Most of the performances will be held in Gedung Teater Luwes, Jakarta Art Institute, Central Jakarta.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sjumandjaja films get screening
Sjumandjaja films get screening JAKARTA (JP): A retrospective of movies by award-winning director Sjumandjaja will be shown from Oct. 23 to Oct. 28 at the Usmar Ismail Film Center, Jl. Rasuna Said Kav. C-22, South Jakarta. The late Sjumanjaja, often known as Sjuman, was known for his romantic nature, spare direction and well-scripted storylines on moral, social and controversial political concerns, according to legendary poet Rendra, who worked on many of the movies.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
PKB distances itself from Megawati
PKB distances itself from Megawati JAKARTA (JP): The People's Awakening Party (PKB) has asserted that it does not support Megawati Soekarnoputri and will pick its own candidate in next year's presidential election. The party -- whose establishment in July was facilitated by Abdurrahman Wahid, the chairman of Indonesia's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama and a close ally of Megawati -- also said it was confident that it would win the general election.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
What's true democracy?
What's true democracy? The road to democracy seems now to be jammed with noisy mopeds. The craze about politics in a newly freed Indonesia has revealed some strange behavior among young Indonesian males, especially in Bali where the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) congress was held. The enthusiasm for Megawati Soekarnoputri (chairman of the party) looked more like a football supporters' frenzy or rock star fans hysteria than anything related to political matters.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan responds
Taiwan responds I would like to respond to the article China-Taiwan tension has yet to dissipate published in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 14, 1998. The article quoted U.S. scholar Robert Ross as saying "Taiwan's unspoken long-term objective was independence from the mainland" etc. Mr. Ross' statement was without factual basis. Therefore I would like to express another viewpoint, from the side of the Taiwan people. Taiwan has become a fully fledged democracy.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1998
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1998 Exhibitions * Textile Exhibition, by Nelwan Anwar, at Klub Bimasena, The Dharmawangsa, Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya 39, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 20-23. * Painting Exhibition: Apa Siapa di Pikiranku, by Kukuh Nuswantoro, at Galeri Kafe Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Nov. 1. * Painting Exhibition: Wayang, the traditional Javanese puppet, at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Jl. M.H.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian stock markets rally over rate cuts
Asian stock markets rally over rate cuts HONG KONG (AFP): Stock markets across Asia staged a turbo- charged rally Friday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time in two weeks to avert the specter of recession. Regional bourses took the lead from Wall Street, where the surprise quarter-point cut in the federal funds rate and the discount rate had pushed the Dow Jones 4.1 percent higher overnight.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta authorities brace for possible spread of killings
Jakarta authorities brace for possible spread of killings JAKARTA (JP): City authorities are on the alert to prevent the possibility of a spate of mysterious killings of sorcerers, known locally as santet, from reaching the capital after it was reported to have spread from East Java into Central Java and West Java, officials said on Friday. "Security personnel have been put on the alert.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Bali's conversion rates on Oct. 16, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japanese aid for National Museum
Japanese aid for National Museum JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese embassy has given the National Museum audio-visual and recording equipment worth 47 million yen (US$400,000). The equipment was handed over on Friday to Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono by the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Takao Kawakami. Kawakami said the assistance was designed to help preserve the Indonesian culture and to increase the friendship between Japan and Indonesia.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Putu Wijaya's 'Ngeh' depicts terror, bravery and cowardice
Putu Wijaya's 'Ngeh' depicts terror, bravery and cowardice By Oei Eng Goan JAKARTA (JP): Like cubist Pablo Picasso who innovated his own painting style after mastering conventional painting techniques, playwright Putu Wijaya is innovating his theatrical performances while adopting the genre of theater of the absurd. Putu's Ngeh is a living example of his absurdist trend, emphasizing intellectual seriousness and the human condition as well as the incoherence of characters and actions.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Businessman sought over wife's murder
Businessman sought over wife's murder TANGERANG (JP): Police detectives here are looking for a 33- year-old businessman in connection with the murder of his wife and her sister, both of whom were found dead floating in a river in Serang on Tuesday.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Reform 'sinetron' capture society's scenes
Reform 'sinetron' capture society's scenes By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): Local TV series which sell dreams win ratings but they are destructive, not only for the viewers but also for the industry. They are not educative and fail to socially stimulate the audience, according to moviemaker Garin Nugroho, who added that the homogeneity of the stories merely further fueled the market's already all-pervasive passivity. "A passive market may win ratings but it destroys...
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan lends RI $430 million
Japan lends RI $430 million TOKYO (AFP): Japan is to give Indonesia 50 billion yen (US$430 million) in low-interest loans to build roads and increase the country's agricultural production, the foreign ministry said Friday. The money is part of the 150 billion yen Japan pledged to lend to Indonesia in July this year, a ministry official said.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Finnish group's Indonesian debut to close Art Summit
Finnish group's Indonesian debut to close Art Summit By Izabel Deuff JAKARTA (JP): Art Summit Indonesia II: Performing Arts draws to a close with two concerts by the Petals Ensemble, which comes from Finland and is led by electroacoustic composer Kaija Saariaho. It will perform on Sunday and Monday at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, although the second show is for invitees only.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Polysindo appoints advisers
Polysindo appoints advisers JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Polysindo Eka Perkasa, a member of the Texmaco Group, announced on Friday the appointment of financial advisers to help renegotiate its debts. Polysindo, a major vertically integrated polyester producer, appointed Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) as its financial adviser for the negotiations of the terms of its long-term bonds. The company also appointed PT Asia Kapitalindo Securities to negotiate the terms of its short-term notes.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI disburses cheap credits
BI disburses cheap credits JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia pledged on Friday to speed up the disbursement of liquidity credit for small-scale businesses and cooperatives, a key central bank official said on Friday. "Several requirements which have placed a burden both on the banks and customers, including the legal lending limit requirement and conditions pertaining to banks' health will be reviewed," BI director Aulia Pohan said in a statement.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir voices 'shock' at Anwar's injury: Report
Mahathir voices 'shock' at Anwar's injury: Report TOKYO (Agencies): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday he was shocked and angry to learn that his sacked deputy Anwar Ibrahim sustained a black eye and bruises while in police custody. "We are as much upset and angry over this thing as anybody else because we don't treat prisoners like that," Mahathir, who arrived here on Friday, was quoted by Kyodo News as telling a group of Japanese reporters.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Antimonopoly bill fails 'to ensure fair competition'
Antimonopoly bill fails 'to ensure fair competition' JAKARTA (JP): The draft law on monopoly practices does not go far enough in ensuring healthy and fair business competition, a non-governmental organization (NGO) says. Zaim Saidi of the Public Interest Research and Advocacy Center (Pirac) said on Thursday the bill lacked strong protection for consumers and small businesses against unfair business competition. It is currently under review by the House of Representatives.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Official behind Freeport deal defends Ginandjar
Official behind Freeport deal defends Ginandjar JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita has been given the support of a former subordinate in his fight to clear his name of allegations of malfeasance in the award of a contract of works to copper and gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah surges further, share prices rise 10.7%
Rupiah surges further, share prices rise 10.7% JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah surged to 8,200 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, sparking a 10.7 percent gain in share prices. Currency dealers said the rupiah, like all regional currencies, was boosted by the unexpected U.S. interest rate cut. "A lot of it has to do with the rate cut.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
7,000 stalls owned by Pasar Jaya empty
7,000 stalls owned by Pasar Jaya empty JAKARTA (JP): Out the 91,100 stalls owned by city-owned market management company PD Pasar Jaya at 152 traditional markets in the city, 7,000 are left unoccupied, an official of the firm said on Friday. Spokesman of PD Pasar Jaya, Lihardin Sipayung, welcomed the many unoccupied kiosks were caused mainly by the fact that their locations were no so strategic.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI envoy visits Australia
RI envoy visits Australia CANBERRA (AFP): Indonesian President B.J. Habibie will send a special business envoy to Australia next week in an attempt to lift confidence in his country's economy. James T. Riady, one of seven business envoys appointed by Habibie to try to regain the confidence of the international business community, will arrive in Australia on Sunday.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt provides Rp 12 billiion for street children program
Govt provides Rp 12 billiion for street children program JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Social Services has allocated Rp 12 billion (US$1.33 million) to a city program helping street children in the capital, Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Article on UNDP
Article on UNDP I would like to correct an article which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 7 on page 2 titled UNDP assists three cities. In this article it is said that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is providing US$800 million. This figure is not correct. The correct amount is $800,000. Some other details were also wrong. Lulu Muhamad (a he, not a she) is UNDP program assistant, not an assistant manager.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nike okays pay rise for RI shoe workers
Nike okays pay rise for RI shoe workers BEAVERTON, U.S. (AP): Nike Inc., responding to the Asian financial crisis and criticisms of its labor practices, Thursday announced a 25 percent minimum wage increase for its footwear factory workers in Indonesia. The monthly minimum rises to Rp 250,000 - about US$23 - from the previous government-mandated monthly minimum of Rp 200,000, or $18.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
100% foreign holdings OK'd in RI banks
100% foreign holdings OK'd in RI banks JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives approved a new banking bill on Friday paving the way for foreigners to own 100 percent of domestic banks. The new revised banking law will be effective after President B.J. Habibie signs it, which, Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said, would be done "as soon as possible". "There will no longer be a limitation on foreign ownership in domestic banks," Sjahril said following the House's approval of the bill.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
New Australian consul in Medan
New Australian consul in Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Australia opened its second consulate in the country on Thursday in this provincial capital. Australian envoy John McCarthy installed Fraser Cargill as the new consul. The reception was held on the Australian naval ship, HMAS Brisbane, at the Belawan port. Guests included North Sumatra governor, Rizal Nurdin, chief of staff of the Bukit Barisan military command Brig. Gen. Djibut Hindarto and representatives from other countries.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 16, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 275 -50 8,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 839,000 Alumindo Light Metal 325 75 10,000 Alumindo Perkasa 225 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 125 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,500 125 29,059,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 77,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tennis warm up plans under threat
Tennis warm up plans under threat JAKARTA (JP): The cash-starved Indonesian Tennis Association may drop plans to warm up its Asian Games-bound team at foreign tournaments unless the National Sports Council provides it with financial aid, an official said on Friday. The deputy secretary-general of the tennis body, Subiyanto, said an estimated US$18,500 would be needed to send five players being groomed for the Asiad to various international tournaments in Asia.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students protest against human rights group
Students protest against human rights group JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Moslem university students staged protest at the National Police Headquarters on Friday to demand the executives of the Volunteers for Humanity group be questioned for spreading groundless information. Students, grouped in an union called Hammas, also demanded the police reveal who is behind the killing spree in Banyuwangi, East Java.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir calls in publisher
Mahathir calls in publisher KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The publisher of Moslem opposition newspaper Harakah will be ordered to the home ministry next week to explain why the newspaper is still being sold openly, a report said on Friday. Ministry secretary-general Samsudin Osman said the newspaper owned by Parti Islam Semalaysia (Pas) continued to be available on the streets when it was meant for distribution to members only.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
House, govt make progress on bill debate
House, govt make progress on bill debate JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives and the government have reached an agreement on 12 principles to be included in the bill on freedom of expression. Sutradara Ginting, a member of House Commission I on information and law, said that he was optimistic the draft law would be in favor of democracy.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Illegal foreigners fleeing Malaysia
Illegal foreigners fleeing Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Illegal foreign workers have been leaving Malaysia in droves before a two-month amnesty period runs out at the end of the month, reports said on Friday. So far, 46,345 illegals have left for home ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline. Almost 40,000 were Indonesians, with the rest mainly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Myanmar, Nepal and China.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
MPR urged to issue press freedom decree
MPR urged to issue press freedom decree JAKARTA (JP): Media experts have called on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to issue a decree to guarantee press freedoms. A team representing the experts participating in a national discussion said in a statement on Thursday that the ongoing social, economic and political crisis was partly caused by an absence of an uninhibited flow of information.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Eye infections on the rise
Eye infections on the rise PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Vitamin A deficiency is believed responsible for a sharp increase in the incidence of eye infections in the past three months in Banyumas regency, official said on Friday. Wiradi of the local eye treatment center said Friday that cases increased from 150 to 1,200 per month. "This condition is sad because the public are in a very difficult situation in getting good nutrition," Wiradi said, referring to the soaring prices of basic commodities.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
MUI to hold 'largest' Islamic gathering
MUI to hold 'largest' Islamic gathering JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) plans to hold "the largest Moslem gathering since 1945" from Nov. 4 to Nov. 8 to discuss ways to equip the community to face new social, political and economical challenges in the reform era. Around 1,000 ulemas, public figures and the leaders of Islamic organizations from across the country will attend, MUI deputy chairman Ali Yafie said on Friday.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
20 deceived over job offers
20 deceived over job offers JAKARTA (JP): Twenty people deceived by a local labor supplier promising them jobs in Australia have asked immigration officials for help to reclaim their passports from the company. A spokesman for the directorate general of immigration, Mursanudin Ghani, said on Thursday that his office suspected the firm's president, identified as Taufiq Abdad, of misusing the applicants' passports.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Typhoon Zeb heads for Japan after hitting RP
Typhoon Zeb heads for Japan after hitting RP TOKYO (AP): A weakened typhoon Zeb approached islands in southern Japan on Friday after killing at least 74 people in the Philippines and seven in Taiwan in a trail of destruction. With maximum sustained winds of 108 kph, Zeb was located about 180 kilometers west of the island of Ishigaki in Okinawa prefecture, as of 8:00 p.m. (7 p.m. Jakarta time), Japan's Meteorological Agency said.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Civil service flunkers upset
Civil service flunkers upset TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of Tangerang mayoralty contract employees who flunked the civil service entry examination protested on Friday the alleged demand for bribes to earn a passing grade. They complained that only six of 382 contract employees who took the test passed. All of those who passed were senior high school graduates.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Workers face food shortages
Workers face food shortages BANDAR LAMPUNG, South Sumatra: At least 2,000 casual workers of a pineapple plantation and canning firm which was burned down by locals in September are suffering from food shortages, Antara news agency reported. Workers said on Friday they had virtually no income since PT Tris Delta Agrindo, a joint venture with Taiwan, closed down.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Team find manipulation of decrees
Team find manipulation of decrees JAKARTA (JP): At least 79 out of 528 presidential decrees issued between 1993 and 1998 were legally and materially manipulated to benefit certain parties, according to a study by the Indonesian Transparency Society's legal team.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Strong yen helping Asian stability
Strong yen helping Asian stability HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Most of Asia's crisis countries are now stabilizing, with the Indonesian rupiah's recent gains a particularly encouraging sign, according to Stanley Fischer, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. The official said the strength in the yen is among the factors aiding Asian economies, adding that Japan could even post positive growth this year.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Experts hail rounding out of history textbooks
Experts hail rounding out of history textbooks JAKARTA (JP): Two observers have supported the plan to revise school history textbooks, arguing it will help students put recent tumultuous changes in the country into perspective.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian monies move higher on sentiment swing
SE Asian monies move higher on sentiment swing SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies - benefiting from a tangible sea change in global sentiment toward the region - are stronger than they were a week ago, with Thursday's impromptu 25-basis-point cuts in two key U.S. interest rates further fueling gains against the U.S. dollar. "There have now been rapid rate cuts by the U.S.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Secretary: A job path to run your own business
Secretary: A job path to run your own business JAKARTA (JP): A secretary is not a boss, but he or she can become one, too. Having closely worked with executives is a major asset that secretaries can use to become bosses themselves. The path is there if they have the ambition, ability and effort to directly enter the business world as employers. Entrepreneur Enny Hardjanto explained that secretaries learn to juggle a broad variety of jobs, just like managers.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Going bankrupt
Going bankrupt Creditors and debtors expected some start-up problems when the Jakarta Commercial Court, the first judicial institution in Indonesia's 53-year history specially established to judge bankruptcy proceedings, began operating on Aug. 20. But most still seem perplexed by the court's first two verdicts it handed down on insolvency cases. The problem is not that the court has no real teeth, as many had predicted, but rather it made ill-judged bites.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hun Sen rejects rivals' dmands to hold talks outside Cambodia
Hun Sen rejects rivals' dmands to hold talks outside Cambodia PHNOM PENH (AP): Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Friday rejected opposition parties' demands for talks outside the country, accusing them of trying to "internationalize" the political crisis. Government and opposition parties have asked King Norodom Sihanouk to host a summit meeting after a series of post-election negotiations between the two opposition groups and Hun Sen's party to form a new government failed.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mob raids Surabaya police station over 'sorcerer'
Mob raids Surabaya police station over 'sorcerer' SURABAYA (JP): Hundreds of fearful residents ransacked a police station in Kenjeran district on Friday morning after officers refused to hand over a man they suspected was a sorcerer. A clash occurred when the mob continued to vandalize the building despite the officers' insistence that Jupri, a resident of Gempol district, Pasuruan regency, had merely come to meet a Koranic instructor.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military chiefs told to stay distant from parties
Military chiefs told to stay distant from parties JAKARTA (JP): A three-day meeting of regional military commanders ended here on Friday with a commitment to maintain a distance from all political groupings -- a break from New Order tradition where military chiefs very often made policies that favored Golkar. Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
1997 labor law to be enacted in 2000
1997 labor law to be enacted in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): All factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) have agreed to enact the 1997 Manpower Law in October 2000 to give the government ample time to improve the document. A plenary session at the House on Friday presided over by Deputy House Speaker Ismail Hasan Metareum decided to pass a bill on the deferral of the manpower law.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timber firms told to give 20% stakes to cooperative
Timber firms told to give 20% stakes to cooperative JAKARTA (JP): Timber companies will have to give at least 20 percent of their shares to cooperatives if they want their concessions to be extended, Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said here on Friday. Muslimin said that the move was designed to involve cooperatives in logging operations and would be one of several preconditions for the renewal of concessions.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
E. Timorese issues raised at campus
E. Timorese issues raised at campus JAKARTA (JP): Discussions and exhibitions on East Timor at the University of Indonesia on Friday raised student curiosity over official versions of the territory's integration.
Sat, 17 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Abduction probe powerless: Kontras
Abduction probe powerless: Kontras JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists say National Military Police investigating the abduction of political activists were "powerless" and that the 11 members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) suspected of the crime were still on the loose.