Archive: 31 October 1998
52 articles found
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
'No Soeharto land in SE Sulawesi'
'No Soeharto land in SE Sulawesi' KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The provincial office of the National Land Agency has come up empty-handed in its search for land belonging to former president Soeharto, Antara reported on Friday. "We have (searched) for two weeks but found no plots of land registered under Soeharto's name," said Soekartono, chief of the office.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie vows an end to Java killing spree
Habibie vows an end to Java killing spree JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie vowed on Friday to bring an immediate end to the mysterious killing spree which has gripped Java over the past few months and claimed the lives of more than 150 people. "He (Habibie) will devote his best efforts to settling the matter," Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Quraish Shihab quoted the President as saying.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students behind antigovt protest to be summoned
Students behind antigovt protest to be summoned JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi said on Friday that the police would summon student activists responsible for the massive anti-Habibie protest at the House of Representatives' (DPR) building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Former regent gets travel ban
Former regent gets travel ban MEDAN, North Sumatra: Facing charges of embezzling public funds, former Langkat regent Zulkifli Harahap is seeking the attorney general's permission to leave the country for medical treatment in Beijing, Antara reported on Friday. Anwar Dirham, an official at the North Sumatra provincial prosecutor's office, said dossiers on Zulkifli had been submitted to the Stabat District Court for trial in the near future.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Newmont facing financial crisis
Newmont facing financial crisis MANADO, North Sulawesi: The world's second largest gold mining company, U.S.-based Newmont Mining Ltd, is experiencing a financial crisis following a decline in the price of gold in the world market from US$400 to $300 per troy ounce, a company spokesman said.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Board set up to help cope with rapid language developments
Board set up to help cope with rapid language developments JAKARTA (JP): The seventh National Congress on the Indonesian language concluded on Friday by issuing an action plan which includes the establishment of an advisory board to cope with rapid change in the language. Around 800 domestic and foreign experts who attended the five- day congress discussed dozens of papers identifying obstacles to the development of the language.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta upbeat on corporate debt restructuring prospects
Jakarta upbeat on corporate debt restructuring prospects JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Jakarta Initiative corporate debt restructuring task force Jusuf Anwar has said he is optimistic that dozens of indebted companies will begin a debt restructuring process following a creditor-debtor forum to be held here next week. Jusuf said on Friday that foreign creditors were now more willing to tread a path toward out-of-court debt settlements in the wake of positive developments in the economy.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Debate rages over military in DPR
Debate rages over military in DPR JAKARTA (JP): Political expert Arbi Sanit says the Armed Forces (ABRI) should no longer be represented in the House of Representatives, but Golkar legislator Abu Hasan Sazili campaigns for the military's presence to be retained for "the sake of the nation." Sazili said on Friday that if ABRI had to go, it must be done gradually. Arbi, however, insisted that "50 years is enough".
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
IDI and Otsuka to help the needy
IDI and Otsuka to help the needy JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) reached an agreement with pharmaceutical firm PT Otsuka Indonesia on Friday to hold a Rp 250 million (US$33,333) program to help poor people who are severely affected by the economic crisis. IDI's chairman, Merdias Almatsier, said the program would include the provision of free medical services and iron tablets for pregnant women and nursing mothers and staple food donations.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt divestment in Indosat capped at 14% of total stock
Govt divestment in Indosat capped at 14% of total stock JAKARTA (JP): The divestment of the government's stake in international telecommunications provider PT Indosat may be limited to only 14 percent of the company's total stock to ensure the government remains its majority position, a company official said.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Starwood controls more hotels
Starwood controls more hotels JAKARTA (JP): U.S-based international hotel chain Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is to manage 12 more hotels in Indonesia following its acquisition of ITT Sheraton Corp. and Westin Hotels and Resorts, the hotel chain announced on Thursday. Starwood's Area managing Director Bruce McKenzie said Starwood would manage 11 hotels under the Sheraton brand and one under the Westin brand in Indonesia.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Should APEC leaders boycott Kuala Lumpur?
Should APEC leaders boycott Kuala Lumpur? Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines have expressed disquiet over current developments within Malaysia. The Jakarta Post's Asia correspondent, Harvey Stockwin, who has been following Malaysian developments since Malaya became independent in 1957, suggests that there are good reasons why APEC leaders should at least consider taking the ASEAN criticism of Malaysia one step further. Following is the last of two installments.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Live TV shows
Live TV shows The followings are sport competitions to be broadcast live on local TV stations in the coming week (all times in West Indonesia Time): Saturday (Oct. 31) Badminton: Indonesia Open semifinals, RCTI at 7 p.m. Soccer: English Premiership, Chelsea v Aston Villa, SCTV at 10 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 1) Badminton: Indonesia Open finals, RCTI at 7 p.m. Soccer: Indonesian league, Persikota v Pelita Jaya, ANteve at 3.30 p.m.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Seminar on cooperatives
Seminar on cooperatives JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry and Plantations in cooperation with the Forestry Journalists Group, the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI) and the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo) is to hold a one-day seminar on empowering the role of cooperatives in the forestry businesses.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
SI and Sucofindo urged to merge 'for efficiency'
SI and Sucofindo urged to merge 'for efficiency' JAKARTA (JP): A legislator is recommending the government merge the two state-owned surveyors to improve business efficiency and eliminate their competing interests. La Ode Kamaluddin of the House of Representatives' Commission VIII for the State Budget and finance contended on Friday it was too costly to have PT Surveyor Indonesia (SI) and PT Superintending Company of Indonesia (Sucofindo) operating in the same field.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ivanchuk, Gelfand into semifinals
Ivanchuk, Gelfand into semifinals JAKARTA (JP): Ukrainian top seed Vassily Ivanchuk and defending champion Boris Gelfand of Belarus set up a rematch in the semifinals of the Intercontinental Rapid Chess tournament in Cap d'Agde, France, on Thursday. World number five Ivanchuk swept home-crowd favorite Iossif Dorfman 2-0 in the quarterfinals, while Gelfand edged out African hopeful Hichem Hamdouchi 1.5-0.5.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Junior Taufik knocks top seed Hendrawan out
Junior Taufik knocks top seed Hendrawan out JAKARTA (JP): Taufik Hidayat raised Indonesia's hopes of restoring its standing in the badminton world when he edged out top seed and compatriot Hendrawan in the US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open championships in a devastating display. Still 17, Taufik showed maturity beyond his age with nearly flawless attacks and defense to send his world number three teammate crashing 15-1, 15-9 and booked a place in Saturday's semifinals.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forestry minister blasts cheating by timber firms
Forestry minister blasts cheating by timber firms JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution on Thursday accused timber companies and government officials of pilfering mandatory forest royalties and fees. Muslimin criticized forest concessionaires for frequently failing to pay sufficient mandatory royalties and reforestation funds and blasted them for misusing the self-assessment method entrusted to them.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Halloween Parties * Halloween Night, at B.A.T.S., Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta (Phone: 5707440), Oct. 31. * Halloween Costume party, at Stix, The Park Lane Jakarta, Jl. Casablanca, South Jakarta. (Phone: 8282000), Oct. 31. * California Nightmare, at Borobudur Inter-Continental, Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3805555), Oct. 31. Scream The Night, Tattoo design, face painting, fortune telling, screaming contest, Champions, Jl.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Deported Frenchman caught returning with false identity
Deported Frenchman caught returning with false identity JAKARTA (JP): The government has deported a Frenchman for attempting to enter the country using a fake identity after he had been blacklisted for working in Indonesia illegally, an immigration official said on Friday. Vu Anh Quanh was deported to Singapore from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on a Garuda Indonesia flight on Thursday, the director of supervision and law enforcement at the immigration office, Zaiman Nurmatias, said.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI denies military build up in East Timor
ABRI denies military build up in East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto has denied reports that Indonesia increased its military presence in East Timor, one month after it began to withdraw troops from the country's youngest province. "It is not true, it's nonsense, (the reports) that the number of ABRI personnel in East Timor has reached 17,000.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crude palm oil export tax to remain in place: Minister
Crude palm oil export tax to remain in place: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Industry and trade minister Rahardi Ramelan has reiterated that the government will not reduce export taxes on crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives, despite the recent decline in cooking oil prices on the domestic market.
Sat, 31 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 Science World 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 News 10:40...
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Councilor wants checks on cabbies
Councilor wants checks on cabbies JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor is demanding that local authorities immediately carry out spot checks of all taxi drivers in the capital to curb a crime wave and return peace of mind to passengers. Councilor Lukman F. Rais from Commission A for administrative affairs said on Friday that a spate of robberies, assaults and murders committed by taxi bandits had frightened Jakartans.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Kuntoro rejects plan to ease oil tax burden
Kuntoro rejects plan to ease oil tax burden JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto has rejected a proposal to ease the tax burden on the country's oil and gas contractors. "Sorry, but after much debate I have decided to stick to the current fiscal regime, until there are new developments which can change my mind," Kuntoro said on Friday at a weekly news conference.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Brunei gives ASEAN boost in investments
Brunei gives ASEAN boost in investments BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): Oil-rich Brunei, whose funds span across the globe, will focus its investment drive on Southeast Asia to help the region recover from a rapid economic slowdown, a top official said on Friday. Brunei's minister of industry and primary resources Abdul Rahman Mohamed Taib made the statement after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad held talks here with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, among the world's richest men.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Campus campaigns put off-limits
Campus campaigns put off-limits JAKARTA (JP): A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Education says political parties are allowed to hold and attend discussions at universities. Director General of Higher Education Bambang Soehendro said here on Friday politicians may visit and address seminars and gatherings on campuses as long as they are meant as scientific activities. However, they would be barred from campaigning at the universities.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Antam's profit jumps to $40m
Antam's profit jumps to $40m JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed state general mining firm PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) announced on Friday that its unaudited net profit reached Rp 301.2 billion (US$40.2 million) in the third quarter of the year, a massive increase from Rp 30.6 billion in the corresponding period of last year. Sales also jumped to Rp 836.32 billion over the same period, up from Rp 246.23 billion in the third quarter of last year.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ex-mayor detained for corruption
Ex-mayor detained for corruption BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The provincial prosecutor's office has questioned 13 people in relation to the case it was building against former Banda Aceh mayor and two other officials for corruption at the local water company. Antara quoted chief prosecutor Bachtiar Fachri Nasution as saying that he now had ample evidence to try the three. The alleged corruption caused Rp 250 million in losses to the state, he said.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Komura to visit Indonesia
Komura to visit Indonesia TOKYO (DPA): Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said on Friday he will express support for Indonesian plans to hold a general election next May as scheduled when he meets with Indonesian leaders next week. At a news conference here, Komura said he appreciates efforts being made by the Indonesian government led by President B.J. Habibie to bring about political and economic reforms.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rigid management by LIA
Rigid management by LIA From Kompas My child joined recently an English language course organized by the Indonesian-American Institute Foundation (YLIA) and passed the Intermediate 1 level at LIA on Jl. Pramuka. During the following semester, the teacher told my child that she should move to LIA in Kelapa Gading because she was still in junior high school. The teacher said there was no place at LIA Jl. Pramuka for junior high students.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 30, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 275 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,325 -25 2,211,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Law versus reality
Law versus reality The rowdy demonstrations which tens of thousands of university students managed to stage in Jakarta and elsewhere on Wednesday despite elaborate security precautions must have looked to many like a deliberate act of defiance against President B.J. Habibie's five-month old government. After all, the students staged their protests simultaneously in Jakarta and several other big cities scarcely a week after the President signed into law a bill on the freedom of expression.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Discrimination and self-esteem
Discrimination and self-esteem There is little that will guarantee a more negative and speedy response than a perceived assault on our self-esteem and feeling of worth. The recent reports of at least two young ladies having been treated with less than the respect they deserved by management at the B.A.T.S. nightclub in the Shangri-La Hotel is an example of a practice that has been going on in Indonesia for as long as I have been here, that of discrimination against selected Indonesians.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah rate and competitiveness
Rupiah rate and competitiveness Your front page news on Thursday, Oct. 22, about the ideal range of the rupiah as stated by Coordinating Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita is really absurd. As everyone knows, for 32 years Indonesia never dreamed of developing up-stream industries producing raw materials. Present manufactures in Indonesia are still importing 60 percent to 75 percent of their raw materials. Certainly they won't be able to do so at Ginandjar's rate.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah remains volatile, stock prices down 3 percent
Rupiah remains volatile, stock prices down 3 percent JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah continued its volatility on Friday closing flat at 7,600 against the U.S. dollar as share prices declined almost 3 percent on the back of the heated political environment at home. Currency dealers and stock analysts said that fears regarding the country's political uncertainty had discouraged investors to make a new position in both rupiah and stock trading.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bogor minivans facing crackdown
Bogor minivans facing crackdown BOGOR (JP): The Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) here has warned drivers of 180 public transportation minivans, locally called angkot, in the past two months for violating various regulations. But from now on, according to the head of the town's DLLAJ branch, Ridwan, all violators would be fined in line with the existing laws. "Previously, we just wanted to remind them that they have to have the required documents to operate their vehicles.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Javanese opera troupes make sure the show still goes on
Javanese opera troupes make sure the show still goes on By Agus Maryono and Ngudi Utomo PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): An Indonesian phrase Hidup enggan, mati tak mau, which means "Don't want to live, don't want to die", describes the current situation of a traditional stage show, ketoprak, in Banyumas, Central Java. The Javanese word ketoprak can be translated as kentong (a gong instrument).
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
40 foreigners buy houses at Bumi Serpong Damai
40 foreigners buy houses at Bumi Serpong Damai JAKARTA (JP): Forty foreigners have bought private properties in the upmarket Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) housing complex in Tangerang since the government passed legislation in 1996 that allows foreigners to buy property in Indonesia, an executive said on Friday.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hunger strike ends after a day
Hunger strike ends after a day MEDAN, North Sumatra: Lasmaria Simatupang stopped her hunger strike on Friday after suffering stomach problems, Antara reported. Simatupang began the strike on Thursday, together with a fellow worker protesting at the Medan Legal Aid office over poor wages and the arrest of fellow protesters.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Village chief election protested
Village chief election protested TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of residents of Ketapang village in Mauk district went to the Tangerang regency's office on Thursday to protest the removal of their choice candidate from the race for village chief.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to ease repayment terms for ailing banks
Govt to ease repayment terms for ailing banks JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto confirmed on Friday the government would ease repayment terms for central bank liquidity support used by troubled banks to stay afloat. The minister indicated the government might relent on its demand that owners of indebted banks repay in cash more than Rp 141 trillion (US$18.8 billion) in one year, the previously announced time period. Bambang declined to disclose the revised debt repayment terms.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thoughts on language planning
Thoughts on language planning By Setiono JAKARTA (JP): The development of Bahasa Indonesia since 1928 has encountered a great number of obstacles. One of the obvious is reflected in the conflict to develop the lexicon of this language.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
JSX and SSX set to merge in April
JSX and SSX set to merge in April JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) and Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) are expected to conclude their merger plan in April next year after the former's shareholders approved the plan in an extraordinary meeting on Friday. "Our target is that the merger plan is expected to be concluded on April 15 next year," JSX chief commissioner Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said after the meeting.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Saefuddin remarks on Megawati
Saefuddin remarks on Megawati With reference to a letter by Masli Arman published on Oct. 28, 1998, I would strongly contest Masli Arman's notion that the remarks by State Minister for Food and Horticulture Prof. Dr. A.M. Saefuddin were made with good intention. Rather, Saefuddin's remarks regarding Hinduism and the presidency gave an impression of cheap party-political maneuvering at the expense of offending Indonesians of the Hindu religion.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aid for RI corporate restructuring sought
Aid for RI corporate restructuring sought TOKYO (Bloomberg): Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Indonesia's chief economics minister, asked on Friday for financial aid to restructure Indonesia's corporate sector at a meeting with Japan's Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. This was one of his five proposals for Japanese aid to help the ailing Indonesian economy.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Collusion
Collusion From Kompas The Indonesian Medical Association governing board's general chairman, Dr. Merdias Almatsier SpS (K), has been quoted recently in a number of mass media publications as attributing the difficulty in taking action against certain physicians involved in collusion with pharmaceutical companies to insufficient evidence. Let me now inquire, what kind of evidence is needed to bring to court physicians colluding with pharmaceutical companies?
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies continue upward climb
SE Asian currencies continue upward climb SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The U.S. dollar's downward spiral against the yen and Southeast Asian currencies continued Friday, as investor optimism about the well-being of American and Latin American economies fades. Global markets are now awaiting fresh statements and measures to come out of this week's Group of Seven leading industrial nations finance ministers tete a tete in London.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police probe arson at station
Police probe arson at station BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The police have promised to probe the recent burning of a police station in Pagelaran, Tanggamus regency, and seek trial for those responsible. Antara quoted chief detective Lt. Col. Yoyon Prasetyo at the provincial police office as saying here on Friday that no arrests had been made from the hundreds of residents and ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers who burned down the police station last month.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Twilite Orchestra launches album feting national songs
Twilite Orchestra launches album feting national songs JAKARTA (JP): Twilite Orchestra conductor Addie M.S. bowed his head and stretched his cheeks with the palms of his hands, as if cowering from a scolding or terribly ashamed of something he had done. There was none of that. He was merely overcome by shyness after praise was heaped upon him by Youk Tanzil, the general manger of Teater Tanah Airku opera house, who recorded the national songs arranged and conducted by Addie and Singgih Sanjaya.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Halloween tradition has Druid origins
Halloween tradition has Druid origins JAKARTA (JP): Halloween parties are celebrated here not only by expatriates but also by locals. Halloween, the festival of the dead, might have a scary history but it is surely full of fun. Halloween, a festival of Scottish-English origin, is short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve), and is held on the night of Oct. 31. Customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid ceremony in pre-Christian times.
Sat, 31 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB
Protests, counter protests continue over Hindu slur
Protests, counter protests continue over Hindu slur JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Hindus in Bali and hundreds of Moslems in Jakarta staged on Friday separate demonstrations. The first group blasted State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin for his remark on Hinduism, while the second group was in his defense. Antara described how the Gilimanuk ferry port -- the only gate for land transportation connecting Bali and Java, stopped operations for three hours because of the demonstration.