Archive: 10 December 1998
54 articles found
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Prolonged crisis leads to gloomy parcel business
Prolonged crisis leads to gloomy parcel business JAKARTA (JP): The end of the year is nearing but the usual joy at the thought of the holidays -- Christmas, New Year's Day, Idul Fitri and the Lunar New Year -- is hardly felt, because Indonesia is still suffering the pains of the prolonged economic crisis.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ideas on uniforms welcomed
Ideas on uniforms welcomed JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso on Wednesday welcomed a recommendation from two city councilors that students should change out of their uniforms into regular clothes after classes in an attempt to curb the growing number of student brawls. The governor, who referred to the councilors' suggestion as "a good idea", planned to discuss the thought further with officials from the city office of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
World aghast at Imelda claim to gold hoard
World aghast at Imelda claim to gold hoard By Martin Abbugao MANILA (AFP): Flamboyant former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos claims her late husband, dictator Ferdinand Marcos, had amassed 4,000 tons of gold, more than half the gold at Fort Knox. The widow said in a newspaper interview published Tuesday that the former president built up the hoard in the 1970s at a time when the Central Bank of the Philippines had a reserve of only 650 tons.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
On religion and unity
On religion and unity Thank you very much for publishing my letter Religion and national unity on Dec. 7, 1998. However, a small error in perception has occurred in the one of the sentences.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lignite plants ignite Thai protest
Lignite plants ignite Thai protest BANGKOK (AP): More than 5,000 protesters burned Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in effigy while demanding the government back off plans to build three lignite power plants, a local paper reported on Wednesday. Protesters in the port city of Prachuab Khiri Khan, 230 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, gathered in front of the provincial hall on Tuesday and said they would return on Wednesday, The Bangkok Post reported.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dengue cases rise in Yogyakarta
Dengue cases rise in Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA: Dengue has been more fatal in the Yogyakarta area this year than in 1997, with 76 deaths compared to 36, Antara said on Monday. Between January and September, 3,332 were treated for the disease against 953 in the corresponding period of 1997, Muchamad Harsono, the head of Yogyakarta's Health Office, said. Poor sanitation is one of the main causes for the massive outbreaks of dengue, Harsono said. (01)
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Exhibitions * Exhibition of French Mode: Mode dari Masa ke Masa, by Esther Winoto, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., until Dec. 11. * Photo Exhibition: Satu Ekspresi, by Hari Density, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 14-19. Film * French Film, CCCL - French Cultural Center, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.: Les acandiers, Dec. 10-11. Farinelli, Dec. 14-18.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Financial market is unmoved by questioning of Soeharto
Financial market is unmoved by questioning of Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The local financial market lost ground on Wednesday as former president Soeharto was questioned by investigators from the Jakarta chief prosecutor's office, currency dealers and stockbrokers said. The rupiah fell to 7,475 against the U.S. dollar in light trading on Wednesday, and stock prices also declined, falling .03 percent.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
PriceWaterhouse's new team
PriceWaterhouse's new team JAKARTA (JP): PriceWaterhouse Cooper, an international professional service firm, introduced on Wednesday a team of 26 energy and mining specialists to the Indonesian market.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rahmayani recreates unjust treatment against the weak
Rahmayani recreates unjust treatment against the weak By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The lights were turned off and silence fell. The visitors were stunned for a moment. Then a sad and depressing sound arose, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of a tambourine. A scene from a slide projector was shown: a black figure watching a burning building. The smoke from the building billows darkly into the sky. There is nothing but that black figure and black cloud of smoke.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
DPR, Malik lament shameful recent religious conflicts
DPR, Malik lament shameful recent religious conflicts JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fadjar and House of Representatives (DPR) legislators held an intensive discussion on Wednesday on recent outbreaks of religious and ethnic conflict, and agreed the country was witnessing a critical deterioration in what used to be a harmonious religious coexistence.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian foreign exchange reserves rise to US$14.27b
Indonesian foreign exchange reserves rise to US$14.27b JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves rose mildly to US$14.27 billion as of Nov. 30 from $14.21 billion a week before mainly due to the disbursement of overseas loans and oil export revenues. Bank Indonesia announced on Wednesday that reserves were well above the adjusted target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which amounts to $10.86 billion.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Frozen banks' vehicles go for Rp 6b
Frozen banks' vehicles go for Rp 6b JAKARTA (JP): A two-day auction of cars and motorcycles seized by the government from suspended banks raised Rp 6 billion (US$800,000), far exceeding the Rp 5 billion target. Managing director of privately owned auction firm PT Balai Lelang (Balindo), G. Gunawan, said the proceeds included Rp 2.1 billion on the auction's final day on Wednesday.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Demolition at BSD done on wrong site
Demolition at BSD done on wrong site TANGERANG (JP): Demolition work on a 2.5-hectare plot of disputed land at the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex, which led to a clash between security guards and officers of the Tangerang District Court on Saturday, was undertaken on the wrong site, an official said on Wednesday. Arief Setyabudi Cany, head of the Tangerang office of the National Land Agency (BPN), said that BPN officers remeasuring the disputed land on Wednesday discovered the error.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forestry bill does not support small firms
Forestry bill does not support small firms JAKARTA (JP): The proposed forestry bill fails to address local administrations' demand for greater autonomy in managing the country's forest assets, according to the Indonesian Forestry Society for Reform (MPI Reformasi). The organization's chairman, Sofyan Siambaton, said on Wednesday that the draft law also gave no support to the government's program to empower cooperatives and small industries in the forestry sector.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 9, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 400 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 110,000 Alumindo Light Metal 275 -25 79,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 500 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 30,500 Aneka Tambang 1,650 25 3,276,000 Anwar Sierad 125 0 19,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
EU helps forest protection
EU helps forest protection JAKARTA (JP): The European Union (EU) is committed to protecting the world's remaining tropical forests, including in Indonesia, the director of an EU-funded forestry project said on Wednesday. Speaking at a recent workshop in Surabaya, East Java, John Keating, the director of the Forest Liaison Bureau, said the EU supports the government's efforts to protect and preserve the country's forests.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bogor farmers demand their land back
Bogor farmers demand their land back JAKARTA (JP): At least 270 farmers staged a rally outside the National Land Agency (BPN) in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, to demand the return of lands taken from them by force and by stealth. The farmers, who were grouped in the Indonesian Farmers Solidarity, came from Malasari and Cibedug in Bogor and Pontianak in West Kalimantan.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
South Korea stops China's march with record jerk
South Korea stops China's march with record jerk BANGKOK (AFP): South Korea's Kim Hak-bong put on a sensational final burst to win the men's 69kg class title Wednesday and halt China's sweep of the Asian Games weightlifting. Kim, who had 180kg after two tries in the jerk, suddenly asked the weight to be raised to 195kg for his third attempt, five kilos more than what the International Weightlifting Federation perceived to be fit for a world record.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
17 students injured in clash with security officers
17 students injured in clash with security officers JAKARTA (JP): At least 17 student protesters were injured and 33 others detained by the police when demonstrators opposed to President B.J. Habibie and security personnel clashed near the President's residence on Jl. Patra Kuningan XIII in South Jakarta on Wednesday. The injured students were rushed by their fellow colleagues to the nearby MMC hospital on Jl. Rasuna Said and Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
S. Korea to repay IMF loan
S. Korea to repay IMF loan SEOUL (AFP): South Korea on Wednesday decided to repay the first 2.8 billion dollar tranche of its International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan which matures on December 18, news reports said. Foreign exchange reserves are expected to reach 47 billion dollars by the end of this year even after the country reimburses the 2.8 billion dollars, Yonhap news agency said.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Power politics blurs rights debate
Power politics blurs rights debate By Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): Even though the universality of human rights was declared 50 years ago through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), there is still a heated debate between Western and Asian leaders regarding the application of that principle in real life.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students go after former governor
Students go after former governor PEKANBARU, Riau: A group of students called on the Riau administration on Wednesday to investigate the wealth of former governor H. Soeripto, Antara reported. The students from the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) said any portion of Soeripto's wealth that resulted from embezzlement should be returned to the people.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 6:30 News: Nuansa Reformasi 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 7:30 Cartoon: Thunder Cats 8:00 Music 8:30 Documantary Film 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nomiya's motorcade in accident
Nomiya's motorcade in accident BANGKOK (AFP): Japanese Prince Tomohito Mikasa Nomiya's motorcade was involved in an accident on the way to an Asian Games venue on Wednesday but the prince was unharmed, Thai police said. A vehicle in the prince's motorcade glanced off an oncoming car as the procession met traffic flowing onto an expressway leading to Muang Thong Thani sport complex.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Islamic song contest staged in Jakarta
Islamic song contest staged in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Muhammadiyah's culture council is staging an Islamic song contest here to mark the upcoming Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri holiday. Nasrullah M. Dilla Makkawi, who chairs the organizing committee, said the contest, entitled Nuansa '99 Lomba Cipta Lagu Islam, was being staged to encourage musicians to create songs with an Islamic nuance.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indosat, NTT tie up
Indosat, NTT tie up JAKARTA (JP): Indosat, in cooperation with NTT Worldwide Telecommunications Corporation, began providing a high-quality, managed international frame relay service in Indonesia in November, the company said in a statement. NTT said in a statement that the relay service was connected into the Arostar network, the global telecommunications network provided by the NTT group outside Indonesia.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Government to recapitalize 70 banks
Government to recapitalize 70 banks JAKARTA (JP): The government will recapitalize 70 out of 166 national commercial banks at a cost of Rp 257.5 trillion (US$34.3 billion) in a bid to revamp the beleaguered banking industry, Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Wednesday. The banks which will be recapitalized include six state banks, 49 privately-owned banks (including four taken over by the government) and 15 provincial development banks.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Recapitalization program should be selective: Sri
Recapitalization program should be selective: Sri JAKARTA (JP): The government should select only banks with strong prospects to join its recapitalization program which aims to create a strong banking system, economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati suggests. That way, Sri said at a panel discussion Tuesday night, the government could reduce the number of banks from some 200 now to less than 30.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Dec. 9, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,250.00 7,450.00 7,250.00 7,500.00 Austrian schilling 1 580.10 650.10 - - Australian dollar 1 4,320.25 4,580.25 4,305.00 4,655.00 Belgian franc 1 197.80 222.80 - - Brunei dollar 1 - - 4,250.00 4,575.00 Canadian dollar 1 4,548.60 4,828.60 4,550.00 5,050.00 Swiss franc 1 5,192.75 5,472.75 5,015.00 5,515.00 Deutschemark 1 4,206.00 4,466.00 4,115.00 4,515.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
2,600 poor families get rice donation
2,600 poor families get rice donation BOGOR (JP): At least 2,640 families in West Bogor district each received 5 kilograms of rice on Tuesday to help them cope with the effects of the prolonged economic crisis. The rice donation, which was part of food aid provided by the Singaporean government, was handed over by M. Djumala, the Mayor of Bogor's assistant for administration and development affairs.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Robber' shot dead at traffic light
'Robber' shot dead at traffic light JAKARTA (JP): Police officers shot dead a man for allegedly attempting to rob a female motorist at a traffic light in North Jakarta late on Tuesday, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang said on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Hadi Suyono alias Gareng, 22, was shot for ignoring a police warning shot when he tried to run away after snatching a handbag from the female motorist on Jl. Lodan at about 10 p.m., Aritonang said.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Health reform more urgent than aid'
'Health reform more urgent than aid' YOGYAKARTA (JP): An expert has called for bureaucratic reform in the health sector, describing the campaign as more urgent than soliciting financial assistance. Terence Hull, the director of the Graduate Studies in Demography, Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, said reform of the bureaucracy was already a problem even before the onset of the economic crisis.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina annuls contract with IKPT for LNG project
Pertamina annuls contract with IKPT for LNG project JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has annulled a contract to build a giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Irian Jaya awarded to PT Inti Karya Persada Teknik (IKPT), a company controlled by former president Soeharto's golfing partner Mohamad "Bob" Hasan.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Big challenges ahead for KOMNAS independence
Big challenges ahead for KOMNAS independence JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights still faces serious challenges in retaining and improving its independence, because so far its reputation of being fairly independent of the government has relied more on its individual members, researchers said.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Citizen' Soeharto questioned
'Citizen' Soeharto questioned JAKARTA (JP): Citizen Soeharto was grilled for more than three hours by three government prosecutors amid heavy security here on Wednesday over allegations of corruption connected to him during his 32 years in power. The former president left his Cendana residence in Central Jakarta in a Mercedes Jeep escorted by a convoy of luxury vehicles for the questioning at the Jakarta high prosecutor's office on Jl. HR Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Central Java provides fertile ground for unrest
Central Java provides fertile ground for unrest BLORA, Central Java (JP): Looting broke out again in Blora on Wednesday when crowds of people said to be from out of town ransacked stores in search of fertilizers. Witnesses said 1,000 people arrived in Todanan, 40 kilometers northwest of Blora, early on Wednesday morning. They arrived on motorcycles, in trucks and on foot. District head Adi Purwanto said the people had come in search of fertilizers from villages in the nearby regency of Grobogan.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition: "Movement" Read " Stillness" by Pande Gede Supada, at Sika Contemporary Art Gallery, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Ubud, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 13-31. * Arts Exhibition: by Mangu Putra at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), until Jan. 4. * Painting Exhibition: No Retreat, by Barbara Anello, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Valeriu Sepi, at the Oberoi Bali, Jl. Laksmana, Legian Beach, Dec. 17 to Jan. 7.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt softens political party general election requirements
Govt softens political party general election requirements JAKARTA (JP): The government and the House of Representatives agreed on Wednesday to ease requirements for existing political parties to contest the general election scheduled for next June 7.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Factions want bill deliberation open to public
Factions want bill deliberation open to public JAKARTA (JP): In response to recent criticism, factions at the House of Representatives passed a motion on Wednesday to have its Working Committee deliberate the political bills in open session. Djufrie Asmoredjo of the United Development Party (PPP) said his faction agreed to have the sessions open to the public so progress or lack of it could be monitored directly.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian judokas go home after shocking defeats in Asiad
Indonesian judokas go home after shocking defeats in Asiad BANGKOK (JP): The Indonesian judo team will leave the 13th Asian Games empty-handed after its last two medal hopefuls made early exits on Wednesday. Men's light-middleweight Kresna Bayu lost on points to Xiao Degiang of China, while his teammate Aprilia Marzuki was defeated by Olga Artamonova of Kyrgystan in their women's light- middleweight bout.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Keep Xmas feast modest: PGI
Keep Xmas feast modest: PGI JAKARTA: The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) appealed to all Christians in Indonesia on Wednesday to keep their Christmas celebration modest as a sign of respect for Moslems who are observing the Ramadhan fasting month, slated to begin on Dec. 20.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur meets with Wiranto to discuss nation's problems
Gus Dur meets with Wiranto to discuss nation's problems JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto visited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid at the latter's residence on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the country's social and political affairs.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Riot reports hurt tourist industry
Riot reports hurt tourist industry JAKARTA (JP): Reports of riots have reversed the recovery of the country's tourist industry as many tourists have canceled their Indonesian trips due to security reasons, a senior government official said here on Wednesday.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
President Habibie warns nation about mass actions
President Habibie warns nation about mass actions JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie warned the nation on Wednesday evening that ongoing mass actions, especially those which have been marred by vandalizing and looting, were against the spirit of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the 50th anniversary of which falls on Thursday. He said stern action was needed to stamp out the trend without neglecting human rights.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ical looks certain to again lead Kadin
Ical looks certain to again lead Kadin JAKARTA (JP): Aburizal Bakrie looks practically certain to be reelected chairman of the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Thursday after most participants at the chamber's national congress were united in their support for him on Wednesday.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ross fails to break deadlock over West Bank
Ross fails to break deadlock over West Bank RAMALLAH, West Bank (Agencies): U.S. peace envoy Dennis Ross has failed to break the impasse over a second Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank scheduled to follow U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit, Palestinian officials said on Wednesday.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
New regulations for exports introduced
New regulations for exports introduced JAKARTA (JP): A new Ministry of Industry and Trade decree on export commodities changes the status of several products previously permitted or prohibited from export. The decree, signed by trade minister Rahardi Ramelan on Dec. 4, divides export products into four categories, two identifying products permitted for exports, and two for prohibited items.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Antigraft drive could save govt more than $1b
Antigraft drive could save govt more than $1b JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said on Wednesday that the government could save more than US$1 billion from anticorruption measures launched in state companies. Tanri said that his office had found 167 projects in state companies (outside the oil and gas sector), which could involve "KKN", the popular acronym for corruption, collusion and nepotism.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students for, against military in Jambi
Students for, against military in Jambi JAMBI: A group of students from nine colleges visited the headquarters of the local military command on Wednesday, expressing their support for the Armed Forces (ABRI) dual function but saying that it had exceeded its authority, Antara reported. "We are for ABRI's dual-function. The problem is that ABRI has intervened too deeply in social affairs," Sigit, a member of the group, said in an oration during the protest. Col.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan edges RI 2-1 in Asiad quarterfinals
Japan edges RI 2-1 in Asiad quarterfinals By Primastuti Handayani BANGKOK (JP): An uninspired Indonesia crashed out of the men's tennis team competition at the 13th Asian Games on Wednesday, losing to second seed Japan in a virtually one-sided quarterfinal at the Muang Thon Tani sports complex.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia: Bizarre, absurd and deceitful
Indonesia: Bizarre, absurd and deceitful I have been observing the situation in Indonesia and think it is bizarre, absurd and deceitful. Just look at the following: 1. Some 12 student activists were kidnapped by Group IV of the Army's special force (Kopassus). It is clear who the kidnappers were, but until now, they have not been arrested. Another 14 had mysteriously disappeared and the culprits are known. 2. The May 12 Trisakti incident.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian shuttlers go to Asian Games semifinals
Indonesian shuttlers go to Asian Games semifinals BANGKOK (JP): Badminton powerhouse Indonesia received some early scares but regained its winning form to crush Hong Kong 5-0 in the men's team quarterfinals at the Asian Games on Wednesday. Indonesia's first two singles players, Hendrawan and Taufik Hidayat, each dropped an early set, later blaming the competition's organizers for not allowing them time to become accustomed to the court, located in the sports complex of Thammasat University.
Thu, 10 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Briefcase stolen, few items returned
Briefcase stolen, few items returned I have returned recently to Jakarta after a three-year absence. Within 48 hours from arrival, my briefcase was stolen in the Sahid Jaya Hotel. The theft occurred on Nov. 4. I have not "gone public" before now as I had hoped to secure cooperation, and compensation, from the hotel's management. Now, five weeks later, my frustration level has risen to a point where I must perform a nonviolent act to get this unhappy experience out of my system.