Archive: 24 October 1998
51 articles found
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir unfazed by Clinton snub
Mahathir unfazed by Clinton snub KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's prime minister on Friday brushed off U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision not to pay a courtesy call on him during a regional trade meeting in Kuala Lumpur next month. Clinton is scheduled to visit Malaysia next month for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. But U.S. officials said Clinton will not pay the usual courtesy visit on the head of the host country because of U.S.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tommy Soeharto reports 'Gatra' weekly to police
Tommy Soeharto reports 'Gatra' weekly to police JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Hutomo Mandala Putra lodged a complaint at the city police headquarters on Friday against a weekly that linked his name to a report of the recent arrest of five Indonesian students in a drug raid in Australia. The youngest son of former president Soeharto insisted that Gatra defamed and slandered him in the report which appears in its latest edition. Hutomo, popularly known as Tommy, said the report was totally baseless.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Batik Exhibition, at Gedung Departemen Perindustrian, Ground Floor, Jl. Gatot Subroto, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Oct. 28. * Painting Exhibition by Ketut Susena and Hanta Guna, at Mitra Hadiprana, Jl. Kemang Raya 30, South Jakarta (Phone: 7198547), Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Nov. 8. * Painting Exhibition: The Beauty of Watercolour, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Local NGOs pledge to work together on political education
Local NGOs pledge to work together on political education JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of non-governmental organizations named on Thursday a priority to work together for political education of the public amid the recent turmoil of political upheaval and the economic crisis. "The three decades of oppression have made us ill-prepared to press changes for a true democratic society.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Women losing out in labor-intensive govt projects
Women losing out in labor-intensive govt projects JAKARTA (JP): Gender bias in labor intensive projects has created fewer opportunities for unemployed women, according to noted demographer Mayling Oey-Gardiner. Mayling said on Friday that most participants in the program of labor intensive projects launched by the government in January were men, although she did not have figures to back up her assertion.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Look into your hearts
Look into your hearts I am writing in response to Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo's letter on Sun Tsu in The Jakarta Post of Oct. 17. We ethnic Chinese-Indonesians, who have no conglomerates and are not profiteers of the state, have indeed come to realize that as a minority group we are making no demands whatsoever with regard to the mid-May riots. Only a number of non-governmental organizations abroad, following the voice of their heart and conscience, do so by focusing on the human rights violations.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Strengthening of rupiah affects trade at expo
Strengthening of rupiah affects trade at expo JAKARTA (JP): The recent strengthening of the rupiah has affected transactions at the 1998 Indonesian Export Products exhibition at the Jakarta Fairgrounds. Several foreign buyers told The Jakarta Post on Friday that they found the exhibited products more expensive than they previously expected. Some complained over prices of wood furniture and textile products.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soekardjo declared mentally healthy
Soekardjo declared mentally healthy YOGYAKARTA: A four-strong team of psychiatrists and psychologists declared on Friday that Soekardjo Wilardjito -- a former aide of founding president Sukarno -- was mentally healthy. According to his lawyer, Soekardjo -- who claimed the founding president was intimidated into relinquishing power to Soeharto in 1966 -- had a strong memory despite his ill-health after 11 serving years in jail.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian currencies weaken as U.S. dollar gains strength
Most Asian currencies weaken as U.S. dollar gains strength SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The U.S. currency's rebound against the yen during Asian trading on Friday also saw the dollar rally against many of Asia's regional currencies. The Singapore dollar, the rupiah and the New Taiwan dollar all slipped back in parallel with the yen. And even though the Philippine peso, the baht and the won succeeded in gaining ground against the U.S.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Transparency 'key' for safety net funds
Transparency 'key' for safety net funds JAKARTA (JP): Transparency in the social safety net scheme is increasingly urgent given the plan to distribute funds of billions of rupiah to 1,500 subdistricts next month, a social researcher said. Isono Sadoko of the Bandung-based Akatiga research center, said on Friday "that transparency is urgent to enable monitoring by the public" and to ensure the funds reach the needy.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mission impossible for local swimmers at Asiad: Official
Mission impossible for local swimmers at Asiad: Official JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's bid to win at least bronze medals in the pool at the 13th Asian Games is unrealistic, an Indonesian Swimming Association official said on Friday. "We will take on a mission impossible if we have to carry the burden of finishing among the continent's top three," the association's deputy technical director, Gerald Item, said. "The monetary crisis has hit our preparations for the games.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Risk-taking key to RI's recovery
Risk-taking key to RI's recovery By C.J. de Koning This is the second of two articles on the Indonesian economic crisis. JAKARTA (JP): When a country, like Indonesia, is funding its economic activities for more than 65 percent by foreign sources, then a number of economic textbook applications apply less or not at all. For instance take Indonesia's balance of payments. Of course the trade and services income and expenses do reflect current cash-flow.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
PPP sticks to its guns on ABRI's House membership
PPP sticks to its guns on ABRI's House membership JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) faction in the People's Consultative Assembly defended on Friday its proposal to abolish the Armed Forces' (ABRI) representation in the House of Representatives. PPP Assembly faction chairman Faisal Baasir said his party had strong grounds to challenge ABRI's representation in the House.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Political will needed
Political will needed What is the definition of corruption? Odd as it may seem, difficulties in answering this simple question in clear-cut legal terms seem to be among the obstacles hampering the search for the billions of dollars former president Soeharto is believed by many to have squirreled away during his 32 years in power. The most basic presumption is that corruption is owning wealth that can be proven to have been acquired unlawfully. Attorney General Lt. Gen.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah 'still has leeway' to advance to 6,000 level
Rupiah 'still has leeway' to advance to 6,000 level JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Friday that he was upbeat that the rupiah would still be able to advance to a level between 6,000 and 6,500 against the U.S. dollar, despite the currency's retreat in the last two days. The central bank chief said he believed a stronger rupiah would not hurt the competitiveness of the country's exports and said it would instead cut exporters's expenditure on imported-raw materials.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mashill delays merger to next year
Bank Mashill delays merger to next year JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Mashill will postpone its merger plan with three other medium-size banks -- Jayabank International, Bank Artamedia and Bank Ciputra -- until early next year. Bank Mashill's president Dradjat Bagus Prasetyo said on Friday the action was approved in an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Thursday.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
WB urges RI officials to declare all their assets
WB urges RI officials to declare all their assets JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank is urging the Indonesian government to require all its major officials to declare their assets and prohibit conflicts of interest in decision making as part of a concerted campaign to stamp out corruption. Following a week-long study in September on the problem of malfeasance in the country, the bank also recommended that the government should protect whistle-blowers on graft practices from legal intimidation.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
New rehabilitation complex to be built
New rehabilitation complex to be built JAKARTA (JP): PT Catur Swasakti Utama (CSU), a subsidiary of Bakrie Group, has started work on a rehabilitation housing complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta, which it agreed to construct in exchange for the plot of land where the luxurious Taman Rasuna Apartments are now sited in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Econit declared 'clean' after director questioned
Econit declared 'clean' after director questioned JAKARTA (JP): The National Police declared consulting agency Econit "clean" after questioning its former executive director Rizal Ramli in connection with allegations of graft against a senior economics minister. The director of the National Police's general crimes, Col. Edi Darnadi, told reporters on Friday that no names were mentioned in the 1996 Econit report as was believed by American professor Jeffrey A. Winters.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Five killed in tour bus crash
Five killed in tour bus crash KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Two Singaporeans and one Thai were among five people killed when a tour bus rammed into an advertising pole near the Malaysian capital. The national news agency Bernama reported on Friday that the Thai woman killed in the crash near midnight on Thursday was pregnant.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Philippine slowdown seen bottoming soon, says LBP
Philippine slowdown seen bottoming soon, says LBP CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Reuters): Philippine banks will likely experience the worst impact of the Asian financial crisis in the last quarter of 1998 before seeing their positions improve next year, the head of the Landbank of the Philippines said on Thursday.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aetna debuts policies
Aetna debuts policies JAKARTA (JP): Life insurer PT Aetna Life Indonesia, an affiliate of the giant Aetna Inc. of the United States, launched on Thursday its Aetna Multi Dana and Aetna Dwiguna policies. Company general manager Vera Sukawati explained that Aetna Multi Dana was a retirement entitlement with insurance benefits. Policyholders receive 5 percent of total claims annually after retirement for the rest of their lifetime.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Paribas cuts RI operation
Paribas cuts RI operation KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones): French investment bank Paribas SA has followed words with deeds in making dramatic cuts to its Southeast Asian stockbroking business in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, company sources said Friday. In Indonesia, an analyst, a salesman, a dealer and a corporate finance staffer have all lost their jobs. Apparently only three analysts are left.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
France, RI to develop distance learning links
France, RI to develop distance learning links JAKARTA (JP): For many people, education might be associated with studying in a classroom with a teacher. Technology, however, is allowing us to study from wherever we are and whenever we want. This new art of learning was discussed here recently in a four-day seminar titled Multimedia and Network: A New Art of Learning.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Insulted Hindus continue protest
Insulted Hindus continue protest JAKARTA: Hindus on the resort island of Bali on Friday demanded that a minister resign or be sacked over remarks deemed insulting to Balinese and Hindus, officials and reports said. "They have now raised their demand, no longer demanding an apology," Bali provincial House Speaker I Ketut Sundria said. "They now want (State Minister of Food and Horticulture) A.M. Saefuddin to resign, or if not, President (B.J.) Habibie should dismiss him," Sundria said.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI needs time to show strong
RI needs time to show strong COLOMBO (AP): Indonesia's economy is likely to take two to three years before returning to strong growth following the Asian financial crisis, the regional head of the International Finance Corporation said Friday. "I think we've seen the bottom of the turmoil, as long as there is no more political instability," Rashad Kaldany, director of the South and Southeast Asia Department of the IFC, told reporters in Sri Lanka to open an office.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian Mursyid banned for life
Indonesian Mursyid banned for life BEIRUT (Agencies): Indonesian soccer player Mursyid Effendy has been banned for life for scoring an own goal that made a mockery of a Tiger Cup match pitting his team against Thailand in August, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Friday. However the AFC, which conducted the draw for the 2000 Asian Cup here on Friday, lifted the international ban on Thailand and Indonesia following the match in which both played to lose.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ainaro regent in corruption probe
Ainaro regent in corruption probe DILI, East Timor: Ainaro Regent Norberto de Araujo is to be questioned by the provincial prosecutor's office over corruption allegations, a local official said on Wednesday. East Timor chief prosecutor Pontas Pasaribu said the questioning was based on an instruction from the Attorney General's Office dated Oct. 7. Pontas added the questioning would take place in the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta since Norberto was still attending a course in the capital.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt asked to put a stop to killing spree in E. Java
Govt asked to put a stop to killing spree in E. Java JAKARTA (JP): Rights activists demanded on Friday that the government put a stop to the mysterious killing spree in East Java which has claimed more than 150 lives, mostly of Islamic teachers and suspected black magic practitioners. Baharuddin Lopa and fellow members of the National Commission on Human Rights told a news conference that the murders constituted gross violations of human rights.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Airport quarantine officials stretched to the limit
Airport quarantine officials stretched to the limit TANGERANG (JP): Holding a myna bird, a Saudi Arabian was about to cross the first check-in control gate in the departure lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport when he was stopped by airport security guards. Minutes later, he was being interviewed by the airport's animal quarantine officials. The officers, who work for the Ministry of Agriculture, asked the man to produce the documents required to carry his pet overseas.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
House determined to make quality new political laws
House determined to make quality new political laws JAKARTA (JP): Golkar legislator Abu Hasan Sazili promised on Thursday that the House of Representatives (DPR) would produce quality political laws despite the limited time available. Abu heads the DPR's 87-strong special committee assigned to deliberate, together with the government, the three new political bills which are expected to be passed on Jan. 28, 1999. "The time may be pressing...
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pre-qualification for Indosat bid to start
Pre-qualification for Indosat bid to start JAKARTA (JP): The government is moving ahead with plans to further divest its holding in the publicly listed international telecommunications provider PT Indosat, with the pre- qualification process for potential strategic investors to start on Saturday. The office of the State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises said on Friday that the privatization process was expected to be completed in June 1999.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Agum warns about political disturbances or disintegration
Agum warns about political disturbances or disintegration JAKARTA (JP): National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Governor Let. Gen. Agum Gumelar says there is a possibility of political disturbances or national disintegration as a consequence of the emergence of numerous groups seeking to further their own interests.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to end Pertamina's oil lubricant monopoly
Govt to end Pertamina's oil lubricant monopoly JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon scrap state oil and gas company Pertamina's monopoly on the production, import and distribution of oil-based lubricants, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto. Kuntoro said on Friday that the ministry was preparing a ruling to replace 1988 Presidential Decree No. 18 which grants the state company a monopoly on the product. "The monopoly on lubricants will soon be eliminated.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt rejects Sentul management offer
Govt rejects Sentul management offer JAKARTA (JP): The government has rejected an offer to take over the management of Sentul international racing circuit near Bogor, West Java, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono said on Friday. Speaking at a media conference in connection with the celebration of Youth Oath Day, Agung asked the circuit's management look to other institutions and foundations for help. "It's impossible for a government office to operate a circuit.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
United Nations Day to be celebrated
United Nations Day to be celebrated JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Information Center (UNIC) will celebrate United Nations Day, which falls on Saturday, with a series of activities in Gedung Dewan Pers on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, from Monday to Friday. UNIC announced on Friday that the week-long open house, organized by UNIC in partnership with all UN field offices in Indonesia, would feature UN worldwide activities in economic, social and cultural areas.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Irregularities found in WB-funded projects
Irregularities found in WB-funded projects JAKARTA (JP): A joint investigation by the World Bank and the Ministry of Education and Culture has found deficiencies and irregularities in the construction of a number of World Bank- financed schools, an official said here on Friday. The "irregularities" were found in junior high school buildings recently completed in East Java and West Sumatra.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rate ceiling for Oct.26-Nov.1
Rate ceiling for Oct.26-Nov.1 Time deposit Maximum rate Maximum rate rupiah deposit (%) U.S. dollar deposit (%) --------------------------------------------------------- 1-month 61 15 3-month 60 15 6-month 49 15 12-month 47 15 24-month 30 18 Maximum overnight rate for rupiah : 53 percent Maximum overnight rate for U.S. dollars: 11 percent * Maximum interest rates which are covered by government guarantee. Source: Bank Indonesia
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Global indexes
Global indexes Close Date Net Changes 1 Day 1998 New York (DJIA) 8499.67 10/23* -33.47 -0.39% +7.48% London (FTSE 100) 5173.00 10/23* -56.90 -1.09% +0.73% Tokyo (Nikkei 225) 14144.70 10/23 -150.86 -1.06% -7.30% Hong Kong (Hang Seng) 9817.75 10/23 +159.17 +1.65% -8.44% Singapore (Straits Times) 1113.59 10/23 -3.91 -0.35% -26.14% * At 14:00 GMT Source: Bloomberg
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
'King and I' out of favor in Thailand
'King and I' out of favor in Thailand BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's film board has recommended a new 20th Century Fox production of Anna and The King not be allowed to film in Thailand because it could offend the royal family, the English-language Nation reported Friday.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 Children's Film: Thunder Cats 3:05 Children's Program: Dunia Ku 3:30 Science Film: Invention 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: Big Brother Jake 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports News 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Saturday Night Music 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Saturday Night Music (contd.) 8:30 Entertainment News: Majalah Udara 9:00 World News 9:35 Quiz: Siapa Dia 10:30 Late...
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian marts mixed in cautious Friday trade
Asian marts mixed in cautious Friday trade TOKYO (AFP): Asian stock markets closed mixed Friday as cautious investors locked in profits ahead of the week-end and waited for signals from Wall Street, dealers said. Gains or losses on regional bourses were limited, with investors searching for direction in the absence of concrete leads. Tokyo's Nikkei slipped back 1.1 percent but Hong's Hang Seng gained 1.6 percent.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Bali's conversion rates on Oct. 23, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Solo aviator touches down in jakarta
Solo aviator touches down in jakarta JAKARTA (Reuters): An Australian aviator recreating a flight from London to Darwin in northern Australia in a single-engine aircraft 70 years ago landed in Jakarta on Thursday, and was greeted by a tropical thunderstorm. "We've had a lot of bad weather, it was raining all the way, as you can see I am soaked and wet," said Lang Kidby on his arrival from Singapore. "I haven't seen a blue sky for ages," he said.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Can Megawati lead reformed government?
Can Megawati lead reformed government? By Donna K. Woodward MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was reelected as chairwoman and nominated as a presidential candidate by the government-ousted faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in its recent congress in Bali, has become a leading opposition figure. But is she a reformer who can lead the government in the reformation era?
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Officials' decisions
Officials' decisions From Merdeka I would like to comment on some decisions taken by our high- ranking government officials. There have been many incidents and cases that have disappeared from circulation. Prabowo Subianto's is, in my opinion, a big case and is important as a momentum for Indonesia's reform. Why did Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto only dismiss (honorably?) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto from military service and appoint nonactive Maj. Gen. Muchdi and Col. Chairawan?
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 23, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 275 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 -25 50,000 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 150,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,425 -25 3,483,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two policemen detained for shooting trader to death
Two policemen detained for shooting trader to death JAKARTA (JP): The military police have detained two police sergeants who were allegedly involved in the shooting dead of a used book vendor in Senen market in Central Jakarta on Thursday. One was reportedly drunk at the time. Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian exports show recovery
Indonesian exports show recovery JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta-based consultancy firm PT TradeData announced on Friday some early, albeit tentative evidence of a recovery in Indonesian exports for the first time since the onset of the crisis. TradeData said in its latest report that Indonesia's exports in May were only 4.4 percent below the trend established before the crisis.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cheap loans for small firms and cooperatives
Cheap loans for small firms and cooperatives JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Friday it had allocated more than Rp 10 trillion (about US$1.3 billion) for heavily subsidized loans to small and medium businesses and cooperatives, and another Rp 100 billion for ailing public transportation companies in major cities.
Sat, 24 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Reverse prosecution on Soeharto 'unviable'
Reverse prosecution on Soeharto 'unviable' JAKARTA (JP): Guilty until proven innocent -- in which one has to prove one's innocence -- cannot be applied to Soeharto and his family who allegedly amassed a fortune during the former president's 32 years in power, a law professor says. Chainur Arrasyid of the Medan-based Sumatra Utara University (USU) in North Sumatra told Antara news agency on Thursday that the approach was not viable in the country's "conventional" legal system.