Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 November 1998

47 articles found

MPR session ends with PPP standing firm

MPR session ends with PPP standing firm JAKARTA (JP): Insulated from the violent street protests raging nearby, legislators of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) concluded their Special Session on Friday by unanimously adopting 11 decrees they believe will pave the way for political reform.

Scenes from Black Friday

Scenes from Black FridayPhoto A/B/C: WarJP/IGGP Bayu Ismoyo, JP/IGGP Bayu Ismoyo, JP/Arief SuhardimanWAR THEATER: Students lie down on the ground to stop soldiers from marching toward Atma Jaya University (left photo).

'Indikator' tabloid hits the streets

'Indikator' tabloid hits the streets JAKARTA (JP): A new economic and political tabloid, Indikator, was launched on Thursday night, intensifying the already tight competition among dozens of new tabloids which have gained permits since the end of the Soeharto era in May.

Ometraco Multi Artha declared bankrupt

Ometraco Multi Artha declared bankrupt JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial court declared PT Ometraco Multi Artha (OMA), a multifinance arm of the publicly listed PT Ometraco Corporation, bankrupt on Friday after its 28 creditors rejected the company's debt restructuring proposal.

Calls for MPR to do its duty color end of session

Calls for MPR to do its duty color end of session JAKARTA (JP): Demands, criticism and appeals defined the countdown to the end of the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Friday as the toll from violence in street rallies increased.

Southeast Asian currencies lifted by yen

Southeast Asian currencies lifted by yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Southeast Asian currencies lifted slightly during Asian trading on Friday as the Japanese yen nosed higher against the U.S. dollar.The rupiah, however, ended lower, after Indonesia's supreme military chief advised the population...

U.S. reaffirms commitment to help RI

U.S. reaffirms commitment to help RI JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to support Indonesia's efforts to revive its crisis- torn economy and to continue with the political reform process.Deputy U.S.

Randhawa leads Thailand Open

Randhawa leads Thailand Open BANGKOK (AFP): Jyoti Randhawa of India hit a six-under-par 66 on Friday to move into a two shot lead at the halfway mark of the Thailand Open.Randhawa fired six birdies in another flawless display, and leads on 13 under par 131 from James Kingston of South Africa who...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 Children's Film: Thunder Cats 3:05 Flora Program: Pesona Flora 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 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports News 6:30 TVRI News (in...

New order govt blamed for cultural freeze

New order govt blamed for cultural freeze JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais, reformist leader and chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), delivered Culture and Power, a speech criticizing the impact of an authoritarian vision on culture and the arts.

More cola, please

More cola, please JAKARTA (JP): Participants at the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly can choose from a variety of free drinks that have been made available to the illustrious legislators.

Rupiah remains unaffected by bloody Jakarta clash

Rupiah remains unaffected by bloody Jakarta clash JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained steady on Friday, practically unmoved by bloody clashes between antigovernment demonstrators and security personnel.Currency dealers said the rupiah weakened in morning trade and breached the 8,000 level but bounced...

The wisdom of moustaches

The wisdom of moustaches JAKARTA (JP): Men traditionally grow moustaches to make them appear masculine. Except for People's Consultative Assembly legislator Poedjono Pranjoto.The chairman of the Assembly Working Committee revealed on Thursday that it was "wisdom" that inspired him to adorn his...

Two cops still kidnapped in E. Timor

Two cops still kidnapped in E. Timor DILI, East Timor: Two police officers were still being held by Falintil resistance movement as of Friday, while the troops had not yet tried to attack them as both parties were still under negotiation, chief of Wira Dharma regional military command Col.

Artists comment on Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center

Artists comment on Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center JAKARTA (JP): If you hope to come across senior or popular artists hanging out at the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center these days, you might be disappointed, said the manager of Teater Koma, Ratna Riantiarno.

Success or failure?

Success or failure? After four tense days of debates heavily marred by violent clashes and bloodshed in the streets outside the impressive conference building, the much touted Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is over.

RP seeks support from Asia

RP seeks support from Asia MANILA (DPA): Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Friday he would enlist the support of other Asian nations in pressing China to stop construction work on a disputed South China Sea reef.

970,000 tons of imported rice to arrive soon

970,000 tons of imported rice to arrive soon JAKARTA (JP): At least 970,000 tons of rice imported by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) will arrive in several ports throughout the country by the end of the year, Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan has said.

Japan donates Rp1.5b stationery

Japan donates Rp1.5b stationery JAKARTA (JP): Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Takao Kawakami has donated 9 million (Rp 1.5 billion) worth of stationery to elementary and junior high schools in Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bali.

Support for students

Support for studentsFrom MerdekaMerdeka wrote on Nov. 9 that "students, too, are ready to engage themselves in a jihad". We must acknowledge the big role the students played in bringing down the New Order regime. Certainly with the help of the media.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.13, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 25 5,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 85,000 Alumindo...

TIM marks 30th anniversary with problems

TIM marks 30th anniversary with problemsBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): On the morning of Nov. 10, hundreds of young civilian security guards armed with long bamboo sticks, spears and other sharp weapons converged on the main gate of Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center, which was celebrating...

Sulawesi students occupy airport, legislatures, gubernatorial hotel

Sulawesi students occupy airport, legislatures, gubernatorial hotel UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Around 300 students protesting the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) occupied the runway of Hasanuddin Airport here on Friday.

Toddler killed in Semarang flooding

Toddler killed in Semarang flooding SEMARANG, Central Java: A three-year-old kid was buried in a landslide caused by heavy flooding in Genuk Krajan village here on Thursday.The victim, identified as Dewi, was found among the remnants of her damaged house, Harini, spokesman of the Semarang...

Jakarta safe and under control: Wiranto

Jakarta safe and under control: Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said Jakarta was safe and under control on Friday morning, only hours before the capital erupted in violence and at least four more people died in clashes between security personnel and masses of students and...

Petrokimia to build NPK plant

Petrokimia to build NPK plant JAKARTA (JP): State-owned fertilizer producer PT Petrokimia Gresik and state plantation companies PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) II, III, IV and V are to jointly set up a nitrogen, phosphate and kalium (NPK) fertilizer plant.

Violence reinforces intolerance of ABRI

Violence reinforces intolerance of ABRI JAKARTA (JP): The violent clashes this week which have resulted in hundreds of injuries and a number of deaths among students, security forces, and civilian security volunteers appear to have reinforced people's intolerance of the Armed Forces' conduct.

Security by vigilantes

Security by vigilantesFrom Suara KaryaIt gave me the shivers when I looked at the television and newspapers showing civilian security guards in the context of the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

20 queried over land scam

20 queried over land scam BOGOR (JP): Bogor prosecutors have questioned 20 witnesses in connection with the alleged embezzlement of a 24.3-hectare plot of state land on Jl. Dr Semeru by the head of a Bogor psychiatric hospital.

Biologist claims to have found eight new fish species

Biologist claims to have found eight new fish species JAKARTA (JP): An Australian marine biologist said on Friday that he had discovered eight new fish and 15 coral species in Indonesian's eastern waters.Gerard R.

S'pore tightens labor rules

S'pore tightens labor rules SINGAPORE (AP): Responding to falling productivity in the building industry, Singapore will require all foreign construction workers to pass a basic skills test before they can enter the country to work, a newspaper reported on Friday.

Probing officials' wealth

Probing officials' wealth There is a strong demand today that the wealth of officials/former officials should be subject to investigation (for example in the case of former president Soeharto).However, there may be no legal foundation for state apparatuses, for example the Attorney General's...

'Ciganjur' leaders fail to appear

'Ciganjur' leaders fail to appear JAKARTA (JP): Friday came and went, but neither Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri nor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono appeared at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as was possibly planned.

Grieving family buries Tangerang shooting victim

Grieving family buries Tangerang shooting victim TANGERANG (JP): With tears in their eyes, hundreds of relatives, schoolmates and neighbors of senior high school student Lukman Firdaus attended the burial of the 19-year-old boy at his family cemetery at Dangkal village, Cipondoh here Friday...

Moslem male president

Moslem male president It is shocking how ignorant a group of Moslem clerics can be about today's presidential/vice presidential candidates. Last year in November, clerics from the East Java chapter of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, recommended that a woman might have been...

12 nabbed for trading currencies illegally

12 nabbed for trading currencies illegally JAKARTA (JP): Police officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have arrested 12 men for trading currencies illegally in the airport compound.Posing as perfume sellers, the suspected illegal currency traders offered their services to the passengers,...

W. Sumba death toll rises to 26

W. Sumba death toll rises to 26 MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The toll in the killing spree in last week's clash on West Sumba has risen to 26, of which 25 have been identified and returned to their families, while one remained unidentified, Regent Rudolf Malo said on Friday.

Govt to fund tourism board

Govt to fund tourism board JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Marzuki Usman said yesterday that the government would increase its budget for tourism promotion next fiscal year, by giving additional funds to finance the Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board's (BPPI) activities.

Rotary Club builds maternity clinics

Rotary Club builds maternity clinics JAKARTA (JP): The Rotary Club of Victoria, Australia, has teamed up with the Rotary Club of Jakarta-Thamrin to build several maternity clinics in villages around Mauk, Tangerang.

'Krumbach Declaration': A stab in the back

'Krumbach Declaration': A stab in the backBy Dino Patti Djalal JAKARTA (JP): A forum of reconciliation among conflicting East Timorese groups is facing a gloomy future after the failure of their recent dialog in Krumbach, Austria.

Hoisted on their own petard

Hoisted on their own petard JAKARTA (JP): What should a soldier do before firing tear gas at demonstrators outside the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)? Pull out his handkerchief, of course.Antara observed that soldiers attempting to disperse protesters with tear gas suffered from the...

Seven armed men rob BRI branch

Seven armed men rob BRI branch JAKARTA (JP): Seven armed men robbed a branch of state Bank Rakyat Indonesia on Jl. Garuda in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Friday, making away with the bank's computers and a television set.Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col.

Violence forces city's business to shut up shop

Violence forces city's business to shut up shop JAKARTA (JP): Business activities in the capital practically ground to a halt on Friday due to fear and the chaotic conditions brought about by major clashes between protesting students and security officers in which at least four students were killed.

Rock group /rif tackles environmental beat on 2nd album

Rock group /rif tackles environmental beat on 2nd albumBy Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Since it captivated and divided the music scene 40 years ago, rock has kept its prominent place in popular culture. New generations of musicians interpret it in their own way and add individual touches.

BLACK FRIDAY

BLACK FRIDAY JAKARTA (JP): Twelve people died and dozens were injured as parts of the Indonesian capital turned into a virtual battlefield on Friday pitting students, supported by the masses, against heavily armed police and soldiers.

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.

Excerpts of the 12 draft decrees endorsed by MPR session

Excerpts of the 12 draft decrees endorsed by MPR session JAKARTA (JP): The following are excerpts of the 12 draft decrees adopted by the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly on Friday.* The decree on the amendment of the Assembly's internal rules stipulates that following the...