Archive: 13 November 1998
52 articles found
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
APEC's future direction largely depends on ASEAN
APEC's future direction largely depends on ASEAN By Edward Neilan Clinton 'victory lap' is sideshow to regional concerns; Japan's role seen as crucial. TOKYO (JP): In the alphabet soup of Southeast Asian regional politics and economics, it is important to be aware of the subtle differences between Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN). Many will be attempting to employ this discernment while U.S.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Officer killed in MPR showdown
Officer killed in MPR showdown JAKARTA (JP): Tens of thousands of students defied a heavy downpour and a massive security cordon to march toward the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) building on Thursday to press their demand for speedy political reform. One police officer died in various clashes that also left at least three students with gunshot wounds and more than 120 others injured. Few of the students made it to the MPR building.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Female president
Female president From Neraca The Indonesian Women's Congress, a federation established in 1928 of 72 women's organizations, strongly rejects the opinion that Indonesia's president and vice president should be male, an opinion which is quite contradictory to human rights. Article 27 paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution stipulates that every citizen is the same before the law and government with no exception.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
A biomedical view of mass rape
A biomedical view of mass rape Among the findings of the joint fact-finding team on the mid- May riots was that rape and other forms of sexual assault occurred during the rioting. This is the first of two articles by Wimpie Pangkahila, a professor at the School of Medicine of Udayana University in Bali and an andrologist and sexologist, discussing characteristics of rape. DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Rape is nothing new in Indonesia; many cases have been reported, including those followed by homicide.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan to determine $30b Asia aid in go alone fashion
Japan to determine $30b Asia aid in go alone fashion KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The United States on Thursday appeared to be trying to elbow in on a US$30 billion Japanese plan to aid the battered Asian region but Tokyo was having none of it. "Japan will use the $30 billion aid based on its own policy decision and we do not expect any intervention on how to spend the aid by a third party," a Japanese finance ministry official said. A U.S.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gen. Wiranto apologizes for journos' beating
Gen. Wiranto apologizes for journos' beating JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto early Thursday visited 12 people injured in a clash between security personnel and demonstrating students at two different hospitals. The 12 were one photojournalist and two students beaten up by soldiers, and nine troops who were hit by a car driven by demonstrating student Anas Alamudi. Wiranto apologized to the journalists through the executives of their respective media.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Nov. 12, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Daun di Atas Bantal' honored at Tokyo film festival
'Daun di Atas Bantal' honored at Tokyo film festival JAKARTA (JP): Garin Nugroho's Daun di Atas Bantal (Leaf on a Pillow) has been awarded a special prize by the Tokyo International Film Festival 1998 jury and is ready for showing in a number of art-film cinemas in Japan. The festival, from Oct. 31 through Nov. 8, presented 17 films selected from hundreds of films from 20 countries.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI reaches agreement with IMF on monthly review
RI reaches agreement with IMF on monthly review JAKARTA (JP): The government has reached agreement in principle with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new letter of intent which would pave the way for the release of another US$1 billion in bailout funds, a senior minister said. Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said on Thursday that the contents of the agreement would be announced on Friday.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pope will not be invited to Vietnam
Pope will not be invited to Vietnam HANOI (AP): Despite a request from Vietnamese bishops, the communist country has no plans to invite Pope John Paul II to visit next year, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said on Thursday. The bishops had hoped the pontiff would be able to visit next August for the 200th anniversary of the sighting of an apparition of the Virgin Mary at the tiny village of La Vang. This year's commemoration drew more than 100,000 people.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Purwokerto stays on red alert
Purwokerto stays on red alert PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A security red alert is still in effect for Purwokerto and surrounding areas due to the escalating number of people beaten to death by mobs, a military official said on Thursday. Purwokerto Regional Military chief Muhammad Noer Muis said mobs had so far killed nine people they suspected of being "ninjas" killers.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Assembly reaches conclusion on human rights protection
Assembly reaches conclusion on human rights protection JAKARTA (JP): The Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) reached a smooth conclusion on Thursday in its deliberations of human rights protection. Members of Commission E in charge of debating the issue agreed that rights protection should be set out in an MPR ruling. The motion was initiated by the United Development Party (PPP) and won the support of all the other factions.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Probe into Soeharto's wealth on the agenda
Probe into Soeharto's wealth on the agenda JAKARTA (JP): A Special Session commission assigned to issue a decree on clean governance will on Friday continue to debate whether provision for an investigation into former president Soeharto should be included in a separate decree.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Levi's fights against counterfeiting acts
Levi's fights against counterfeiting acts JAKARTA (JP): Levi Strauss & Co., the producer and holder of Levi's intellectual property rights, with the help of Jakarta police is striving to fight against counterfeiting practices in the capital by targeting infringing manufacturers.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP, China ties remain stable
RP, China ties remain stable MANILA (AFP): Relations between the Philippines and China remain calm, despite a dispute over a group of islands in the South China Sea, foreign affairs spokesman Oscar Valenzuela said on Thursday. The Foreign Affairs office was working closely with its Chinese counterparts to firm up details of President Joseph Estrada's talks with Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, when they meet in next week's summit of Asian and Pacific leaders in Malaysia, Valenzuela said.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
PPP takes MPR to brink of vote
PPP takes MPR to brink of vote JAKARTA (JP): United Development Party (PPP) legislators, in a show of stubborn politicking, have forced the other four factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to the brink of a vote following a hotly contested debate on the Armed Forces role in politics.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Telkom certifies Nokia
Telkom certifies Nokia JAKARTA (JP): Finnish telecommunications company Nokia has received a quality certificate from state telecommunications company PT Telkom for its V5.2 Access Network product, the company said on Thursday. The V5.2 Access Network product is an international open standard for switch to access interfaces, which allows an operator to connect one company switches with another supplier's access networks.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
The magnificent five
The magnificent five According to the government's agenda, its time spans from the on-going Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to the MPR General Session in December 1999. In between, is the general election milestone, to be held in May 1999, which cuts this time span in two, making each half a period of about six months.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Financial bodies bring Dharmala Agrifood to court
Financial bodies bring Dharmala Agrifood to court JAKARTA (JP): Three financial institutions -- publicly listed Bank Niaga, ING Indonesia Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) -- have jointly filed a bankruptcy petition against PT Dharmala Agrifood at the Jakarta Commercial Court for the latter's failure to repay debts. According to the court data, the three financial institutions are seeking the repayment of their loans worth Rp 16.04 billion and US$51.7 million.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie pledge to stay until until the end of 1999
Habibie pledge to stay until until the end of 1999 JAKARTA (JP): In an apparent response to mounting demands from students and opposition groups for his early resignation, President B.J. Habibie said on Thursday that his Cabinet would continue to serve the country until the end of next year. He told executives of the Association of Indigenous Indonesian Entrepreneurs (HIPPI) that he had no intention of reshuffling the Cabinet.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Commission split over use of 'indigenous' in decree
Commission split over use of 'indigenous' in decree JAKARTA (JP): A dispute at the People's Consultative Assembly over use of the term "indigenous Indonesian" in a draft decree on political economy was narrowly prevented from going to a vote late on Thursday after some frantic behind the scenes lobbying.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Security around MPR session
Security around MPR session From Suara Karya As an ordinary citizen, I am greatly concerned about the placement of civilians (AMPI, Pemuda Pancasila and FKPPI) to help secure the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives MPR/DPR. My question is: why them? If the Armed Forces and the government allow civilians to participate in guarding the MPR/DPR compound, why don't they involve students?
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Many schools give students time off
Many schools give students time off JAKARTA (JP): Many schools in the capital have temporarily closed their doors due to social uncertainty caused by a series of student demonstrations, an official said on Thursday. "Ten schools, including elementary and junior and senior high schools located mainly in South Jakarta, have given their students time off since Wednesday," Alwi Nurdin, head of the Jakarta office of the Ministry of Education and Culture, said.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
863 Akabri cadets to be inducted
863 Akabri cadets to be inducted MAGELANG, Central Java: Some 863 new cadets of the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy (Akabri) will be inducted by Defense Minister and Armed Forces Chief Gen Wiranto here Saturday. The cadets have just completed a 13-week basic military training course and will be given the rank of cadet corporal, the academy's spokesman, Lt. Col. Heru Kartono, was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Permata Katulistiwa, works of L. Eland, at Galeri Santi, Jl. Benda No. 4, Cilandak Timur, Kemang, South Jakarta (Phone: 7806079), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Dec. 5. * Painting Exhibition: Bahasa Kalbu, by Enrico Soekarno, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya 24a, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194270), 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., until Nov.30. * Painting Exhibition, Festival of Abstraction, at Duta Fine Arts Foundation, Jl.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
What about Soeharto?
What about Soeharto? To most of us it must be heartening to see that besides setting a definite agenda for democratic reform through fair and open general elections as soon as possible, other issues of grave national concern such as putting a limit on the political role of the now all-powerful Armed Forces (ABRI) -- especially by reducing, if not altogether abolishing, the number of seats it is appointed in the House of Representatives -- are getting the due attention of representatives at the...
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Officials that we can be proud of
Officials that we can be proud of From Kompas In Mang Usil's column "Rasa sayang-sayange" (a feeling of love), which appeared in Kompas on Oct. 26 , the columnist comments on President Habibie's statement: "I want to be loved as a friend who is respected and not feared." Likewise, the community also wants to be loved and attended to. Moreover, the Indonesian people want a president they can take pride in. They also want to have an Armed Forces they can feel proud of.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Album
Album Photo A: Hammas JP/bay IN SPIRIT: Moslem students calling themselves Hammas raise their fists in support of the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly. They staged a protest against "anarchic campaigns" to foil the session on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta on Thursday and said the event was the sole gate toward further reform. Photo B: Van JP/afs NOWHERE TO GO: Student protesters aboard a van try to force their way through a cordon of troops on Jl.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Troops ready to spring priest
Troops ready to spring priest ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine troops were prepared to rescue abducted Italian priest Luciano Benedetti from armed kidnappers if negotiations for his release collapsed, the military said on Thursday. But Col. Rafael Romero, spokesman of the military's southern command, said they remained hopeful Benedetti would be released this week within the prescribed two-week deadline given by President Joseph Estrada.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Polish minister seeks better bilateral ties
Polish minister seeks better bilateral ties JAKARTA (JP): Poland's deputy foreign minister Macyej Kozlowski offered on Thursday exchange of technology with Indonesia as a way of enhancing bilateral relations. Kozlowski, who arrived here from Malaysia on Wednesday, identified technology for shipbuilding, power plants and aircraft for combating forest fires as the most prospective fields for Poland to assist Indonesia.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
APEC officials mired in tricky negotiation
APEC officials mired in tricky negotiation KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Official-level talks aimed at securing a APEC free trade plan dragged on into an unscheduled third session on Thursday with fish and forestry products still the main sticking point for Japan. "In the case of forestry and fisheries products Japan is one of the economies having some difficulty," Hong Kong director- general of trade Alan Lai told reporters earlier during a break in official-level talks.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir, Anwar trade barbs over jet purchase
Mahathir, Anwar trade barbs over jet purchase KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his ousted deputy Anwar Ibrahim engaged in a verbal joust on Thursday over a lavish jet purchase as high-profile APEC meetings began here. On the ninth day of his corruption trial, Anwar alleged that Mahathir had ordered a jet costing 200 million ringgit (US$52.63 million) and accused him of violating a court ban on public comment of his case.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Factions divided over ABRI representation in legislature
Factions divided over ABRI representation in legislature JAKARTA (JP): As widely expected, factions in the People's Consultative Assembly were divided on Thursday over the Armed Forces' (ABRI's) representation in the legislative body. The United Development Party (PPP) faction stuck to its guns and insisted that the military should not be given seats in the legislative bodies.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
HK eyes RP phone market
HK eyes RP phone market HONG KONG (Reuters): Hong Kong's First Pacific Co Ltd appears to be close to a deal for a major stake in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. as both firms said an announcement may be made later on Thursday. Such a deal would give First Pacific a sizable chunk of the Philippines' market-leading telecommunications company and the chance to wring more profits out of PLDT by improving the company's efficiency, analysts said.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian press system still seeks best format
Indonesian press system still seeks best format By Junarto Imam Prakoso JAKARTA (JP): The famous words of John Stuart Mill that one single view different from all others should be respected and that humankind does not have the right to silence that view have become the fundamental principle of the freedom of the press, fought for over hundreds of years in the west. In Indonesia -- in order that we do not become pessimistic -- now at least we are experiencing a transformation of the press system.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Commodity woes pose threat to Thailand's recovery
Commodity woes pose threat to Thailand's recovery By Anchalee Koetsawang BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's economic recovery may be thwarted by falling world prices for its key commodities and a rapidly firming baht which could undercut exports and generate less revenue for farmers, analysts said on Thursday. Although commodities exports account for only 10-12 percent of Thailand's country's gross domestic product (GDP), the farm sector's importance has become pronounced during the crisis.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Factions open door to reforming the Constitution
Factions open door to reforming the Constitution JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly removed on Thursday the longtime barriers for amendments to the 1945 Constitution, an effort repeatedly thwarted during Soeharto's 32- year rule. The five factions' representatives on Commission B approved the revocation of a stipulation that a referendum be held before amendments could be made to the Constitution.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Color and fee
Color and fee After living in a tight work schedule in Indonesia for the past two-and-a-half years, I was excited to be able to visit the Borobudur temple last weekend. Myself and 15 other company employees (all Indonesian) were en route to a colleague's wedding. On arrival at the ticket gate I was ushered up to pay and was charged Rp 10,000. I experienced a moment of panic, as I knew many of the staff would be unable to afford this.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 12, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 65,500 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 119,000 Alumindo Light Metal 250 -25 25,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 10,000 Aneka Tambang 1,475 -50 9,312,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 1,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rp 1.4t funds allotted for health safety net
Rp 1.4t funds allotted for health safety net SEMARANG, Central Java: The government has allocated funds worth Rp 1.4 trillion for the health safety net program, Health Minister Farid Anfasa Moeloek said on Thursday.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ceramic workers stage protest
Ceramic workers stage protest TANGERANG (JP): Thousands of Masterina ceramic factory workers staged a second day of demonstrations in Kemis market here on Wednesday in protest over the company management's failure to increase their wages by 15 percent. The head of the Tangerang branch of the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) Hermanto Achmad said the protest was the result of workers' dissatisfaction after the management broke a promise to increase their wages in May.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Number of cellular users falls
Number of cellular users falls JAKARTA (JP): The number of cellular users in Indonesia dropped by 26.8 percent to 762,602 as of September this year from around one million in September last year, the state telecommunication firm PT Telkom said on Wednesday. The company said that Komselindo, the operator of the Advance Mobile Phone System (AMPS) recorded the biggest drop of 56 percent from 114,000 subscribers to 50,165 subscribers.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Juwono urges students to follow demo rules
Juwono urges students to follow demo rules JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono charged on Thursday that students had failed to abide by the Law on Freedom of Expression, thus causing dozens of injuries in a clash that occurred during their protest against the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Wednesday.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Political tensions push rupiah down against dollar
Political tensions push rupiah down against dollar JAKARTA (JP): High anxiety over the precarious situation during the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) weighed heavily on market sentiment on Thursday, with the rupiah closing down at 7,900 against the U.S. dollar and share prices falling 1.3 percent.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aussie medical aid for Maluku hospitals
Aussie medical aid for Maluku hospitals JAKARTA (JP): The Australian government, which has pledged A$4.5 million in emergency medical aid to Indonesia's district hospitals and clinics, delivered on Thursday a medical aid shipment to Ambon, Maluku.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
S. Korean firm enters Medan
S. Korean firm enters Medan JAKARTA (JP): The South Korean-based chemical firm Marks and Spencer Corp. plan to build a large chemical plant in Medan Industrial Estate (KIM), North Sumatra. KIM president Papo Hermawan was quoted by Antara news agency as saying in Medan on Thursday that the Korean investor had rented around eight hectares of the KIM II site, the expansion of the existing industrial estate for its plant.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies mirror yen's fall
SE Asian currencies mirror yen's fall SINGAPORE (Agencies): Southeast Asian currencies took a downward ride along with the yen on Thursday, as the U.S. dollar became a safe-haven currency ahead of a possible U.S. military strike on Iraq, traders said. "An Iraqi attack would help the U.S. dollar and push the yen lower.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
New crop varieties launched
New crop varieties launched JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Agriculture introduced on Wednesday several new premier varieties of soybean, peanut, green bean, sweet potato, cassava, orange, durian fruit and chrysanthemum flower.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Unfair revenue format protested
Unfair revenue format protested JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Telecommunications Kiosks Operators (APWI) demanded on Thursday that the government revise its current 20 percent:80 percent revenue sharing arrangement with state-owned domestic telecommunications monopoly PT Telkom. APWI chairman Ahmad S. Daulay asked the Ministry of Communications to double the kiosks operators' share to 40 percent.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thousands are left stranded owing to MPR traffic detours
Thousands are left stranded owing to MPR traffic detours JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of passengers of public transportation vehicles were stranded on Thursday due to the closure of numerous streets around the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) building, where a four-day special session ends on Friday. The city police decided to close the toll road and Jl. Gatot Subroto between the Semanggi cloverleaf and the Slipi intersection from 6 a.m. and diverted traffic elsewhere.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bulog has 2.38m tons of rice in warehouses
Bulog has 2.38m tons of rice in warehouses JAKARTA (JP): The State Logistics Agency's (Bulog) rice stocks stood at 2.38 million metric tons at the end of October, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The statement said that the agency procured 191,196 tons of rice domestically during the January-October period of this year.
Fri, 13 Nov 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI's dual function
ABRI's dual function The current issue regarding the military's dual function (sociopolitical as well as defense and security) is now focused on the appointment of representatives of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) in the House of Representatives -- a consensus agreed upon under the former New Order political system.