Archive: 19 December 1998
56 articles found
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
TPJ supplies water with the help of 26 tankers
TPJ supplies water with the help of 26 tankers JAKARTA (JP): PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ), one of city-owned water company PDAM Jaya's partners, announced on Friday that it had supplied over 140,000 liters of water to its customers experiencing water shortages following a rupture of the West Tarum canal in West Java.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
ICW accuses Soeharto's relative of tax evasion
ICW accuses Soeharto's relative of tax evasion JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) alleged on Friday that a company owned by a relative of former president Soeharto was involved in a tax scam that caused the state at least Rp 30.2 billion (US$4.02 million) in losses.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students defend attacks on security personnel
Students defend attacks on security personnel JAKARTA (JP): Protesting students involved in a clash with troops and police officers on Thursday have defended their actions, saying that assaults on security personnel were in retaliation for heavy handed crowd control measures used against them during demonstrations. "We used to demonstrate peacefully, but we were often beaten and shot at by the security forces.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie heads poll on technology wizards
Habibie heads poll on technology wizards YOGYAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie came first in a poll on the country's most popular figure -- among students asked to name the foremost figure in the technology world. This was a result of an annual survey by Gadjah Mada University's Bulaksumur publication, which asked students to name people they thought most popular in 10 fields.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Liberian faces jail term for theft
Liberian faces jail term for theft JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday to sentence a Liberian to eight months in jail for his involvement in the theft of US$50,000 in cash. Prosecutor Lukimanto said the defendant, James Kelvin Wolo, 27, and another Liberian, George Smith, alias James William, stole the money from South Korean businessman Soo Yul-yum at Hotel Ibis on Jl. Sabang, Central Jakarta, on Aug. 14.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN finds little unity in diversity
ASEAN finds little unity in diversity By Dean Yates HANOI (Reuters): With one word, tiny Laos symbolized the lack of unity at a summit of Southeast Asian nations in Vietnam this week. Lao Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan, speaking at a scripted opening ceremony on Tuesday, said it was "regrettable" Cambodia was not a full member at the summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
JIHD picks local chain to manage Borobudur
JIHD picks local chain to manage Borobudur JAKARTA (JP): PT Jakarta International Hotels and Development (JIHD), the owner of Hotel Borobudur Intercontinental Jakarta, has appointed Discovery Hotels & Resorts to replace Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts in managing the five-star hotel. JIHD president Jusuf Indradewa said on Friday the management arrangement for the hotel, to be renamed Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, would commence on Jan. 1, 1999.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan to loan rice to RI
Japan to loan rice to RI TOKYO (DPA): Japan agreed Friday to loan 200,000 tons of rice to Indonesia, in addition to previous commitments, to help Jakarta alleviate a severe food shortage, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. "We hope the additional food aid will lead to social stability by easing the food shortage," the ministry said. Japan decided in June on rice aid totaling 550,000 tons - 500,000 tons in rice loans and 50,000 tons in grants.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
School off in Brebes as fear spreads
School off in Brebes as fear spreads BREBES, Central Java: Four elementary schools in Buara village have been closed since Monday reportedly because of fears of escalating violence in the area following last week's election of the village head, Antara reported. Teachers of the schools said they had been threatened by supporters of one of the losing contestants in the election. The elected village chief Sudaryanto beat two other contestants in the election.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Shoe firm donates food
Shoe firm donates food TANGERANG (JP): Sports shoemaker PT Dong Joe Indonesia presented a Rp 300 million (US$40,000) food donation to local villagers and its workers on Wednesday in conjunction with the commemoration of its 10th anniversary. The South Korean-Indonesian joint venture's donation to the villagers consisted of 80 metric tons of rice. For workers, 5,700 packages containing 5 kilograms of rice and one liter of cooking oil were distributed.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rights groups join chorus against militia
Rights groups join chorus against militia JAKARTA (JP): Human rights groups joined on Friday the chorus of opposition to the Armed Forces' (ABRI) plan to establish a 70,000-strong civilian militia.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Imsak 4:02 a.m. Subuh 4.12 a.m.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
UI to take part in debate contest
UI to take part in debate contest JAKARTA (JP): Two teams from the University of Indonesia (UI) will take part in the World Universities Debating Championships which open in Manila on Dec. 27, their manager said on Friday. Achmad Nurhoeri Sukarsono, who is also president of UI's English Debate Society, said this would be the first time an Indonesian had participated in the prestigious annual event, which is being contested by about 100 universities from around the world.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Public figures call for no rallies during fasting
Public figures call for no rallies during fasting JAKARTA (JP): A day after clashes between students and security personnel in Jakarta ended with dozens injured on both sides, noted scholars, religious leaders and the military renewed their appeals for an end to demonstrations during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Revenue to be cut for gas exploitation
Revenue to be cut for gas exploitation JAKARTA (JP): The government is prepared to cut the revenue it earns from the exploitation of natural gas reserves to encourage the development of gas reserves and promote the use of gas as an alternative source of energy, Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Friday.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah still weak as stocks slip further
Rupiah still weak as stocks slip further JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained weak, closing flat at 7,750 against the U.S. dollar in very quite trading on Friday as stock prices closed 0.3 percent lower due to profit taking, currency dealers and stock brokers said. Currency dealers said that the beleaguered rupiah continued to be traded in a very narrow range between 7,750 and 7,800 on Friday due to lack of fresh leads in the local currency market.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Will new council be effective?
Will new council be effective? By Ikrar Nusa Bhakti JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie, under decree No. 191/1998, established a Council for the Enforcement of Security and Law with the aim of accelerating the government's reform programs. Under the decree, which was signed on Nov. 9 but announced by Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung on Dec.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
PLN's Bogor revenue shrinks
PLN's Bogor revenue shrinks BOGOR (JP): The Bogor office of state electricity company PLN's monthly revenue has declined by Rp 4.5 billion (US$600,000) since May mainly due to the impact of the prolonged monetary crisis, a spokesman of the office said on Friday. Nandang Sutedi told The Jakarta Post that many of PLN's major customers in the city had either cut down on usage or had stopped using electricity altogether.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Food supply for festive season sufficient: Sutiyoso
Food supply for festive season sufficient: Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday that food supplies ahead of and during the upcoming festivities -- the Ramadhan fasting month, Christmas, the New Year and Idul Fitri -- were adequate to meet demand in the city. The governor explained that rice stocks held by the Jakarta chapter of the National Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya) reached 541,551 tons at present, enough to meet demand for eight months.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore crash probe zeros in on cause
S'pore crash probe zeros in on cause SINGAPORE (AFP): Investigators have ruled out terrorism, weather and aircraft maintenance as possible causes of a Singapore SilkAir jet crash that killed all 104 people on board a year ago, a report said on Friday. The possibility of the Boeing 737 aircraft carrying hazardous materials had also been ruled out, the investigators in Jakarta told Television Corp. of Singapore ahead of the first anniversary of the crash on Saturday.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bills threatened by civil servants issue
Bills threatened by civil servants issue JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) threatened on Friday to boycott the remaining deliberations of the election bill, thus rendering it unlawful, if the dominant Golkar faction insists on Indonesia's 4.1 million civil servants being allowed to join political parties. PPP legislator Djufrie Asmoredjo said his faction would not compromise on the matter.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forestry ministry to auction logging rights next month
Forestry ministry to auction logging rights next month JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on Friday that his office will auction next month concession rights to carry out logging activities in a number of forest blocks in the country. Muslimin said the logging rights on offer would be those which formerly belonged to companies which had been suspended for breaching logging regulations and failing to manage their concessions in a sustainable manner.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
German aid for RI
German aid for RI JAKARTA (JP): Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, a German financial institution, will provide DM 65 million (about US$39.07 million) in loans to Indonesia for healthcare, education and resource protection. The agency said on Friday that DM 23 million would be used to finance a healthcare program in East Nusa Tenggara, Another DM 24 million is earmarked for the Ministry of Education and Culture to improve elementary school science instruction.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Blue Bird clarifies
Blue Bird clarifies We have received many calls lately from confused customers asking whether Prestasi Taksi is a member of the Blue Bird Group. Through this letter we would like to enlighten the public, as follows. It has become apparent during recent years that there is an increase in the number of blue-colored taxis. At present, aside from Blue Bird, there are over 10 companies using blue-colored taxis.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Paying devout homage to The Ministry of Sound
Paying devout homage to The Ministry of Sound By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): The congregation had eagerly awaited his appearance for hours. At 1 a.m., the 6,000-strong assembly of teenagers and college students stood shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting for the high priest of rave music to come to his altar. Music was loud and spirits high in a night full of energy at Bengkel Nightpark, South Jakarta, last weekend.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timor misses tax deadline: Official
Timor misses tax deadline: Official JAKARTA (JP): PT Timor Putra Nasional, a controversial automotive company controlled by the youngest son of former president Soeharto, missed Friday's deadline to pay Rp 3.09 trillion (US$412 million) in backdated import duties, an official said. The director of planning and revenues in the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Permana Agung, said on Friday that Timor had not responded to attempts to collect the money, Antara reported.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students testify in murder trial
Students testify in murder trial MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two junior high school students testified in court on Thursday that they were invited by M. Fachrizal, who stands trial for killing of his family, for a party in his house the day of the murder in October. M. Akhir Nasution and Fuad Juliarti told the court that Ical, as the suspect is referred to, had invited them for a "party", Antara reported. "We went to Ical's house and found there was no party," Akhir said.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
PAN names Amien presidential candidate
PAN names Amien presidential candidate BANDUNG (JP): The National Mandate Party (PAN) officially nominated its chairman Amien Rais its presidential candidate on Friday, and vowed at the end of its congress here to win up to 35 percent of the vote in the general election next June. Amien told a media briefing: "With all humbleness and a sense of responsibility...Insya Allah (God willing), I accept the nomination." When asked for comment over the possibility of President B.J.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
UNHCR to help border crossers
UNHCR to help border crossers JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has offered to help Irian Jaya repatriate 143 Irianese border crossers now living in Papua New Guinea (PNG), an official said Wednesday. The offer was conveyed when UNHCR representatives, led by Stavan Boemar, met with Deputy Governor of People's Welfare Basyir Bachtiar, the provincial government's head for public relations, F.X. Suryanto, was quoted by Antara as saying.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Dari Lengser Sampai Semanggi, at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., until Jan. 14. * Fine Arts Exhibition: by Gotot Prakosa, at Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3140554), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Dec. 28. * Batik Exhibition: The Awakening of Batik at the end of the Millennium, at Galeri TC, Jl.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Night spots' guidelines for next month issued
Night spots' guidelines for next month issued JAKARTA (JP): Entertainment spots in the city would be allowed to open during the upcoming festive seasons, including Ramadhan fasting month, but under limited operating hours in the evening.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
General public want student rallies to stop
General public want student rallies to stop JAKARTA (JP): Members of the general public on Friday urged students to stop their rallies on the capital's streets as their agenda was no longer clear and the daily traffic congestion was reducing many Jakartans' earnings.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indorayon to pass govt audit
Indorayon to pass govt audit SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesian rayon and pulp maker PT Inti Indorayon Utama is likely to pass an environmental audit ordered by the Indonesian government, said Singapore-based Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd., or the April Group. "We think the audit will be quite positive in most aspects," said Mark Blackburn, April's chief financial officer, in the company's quarterly conference call late Thursday.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tales of two environmental project disasters
Tales of two environmental project disasters (1) The Mega-Rice Land Conversion Project This project, which commenced in January 1996, involved the wholesale destruction of about one million hectares of forested peatland in order to clear the area prior to its conversion to a plantation for rice cultivation. Two and a half years after this scheme began, it became apparent that it would never achieve its objectives and the President of Indonesia, B.J.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Somluck - some fight - some gold at Games
Somluck - some fight - some gold at Games BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Olympic champion Somluck Kamsing gave a royal performance as he became undisputed king of Asian boxing here Friday. Somluck, watched by Thai crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, defeated Uzbekistan's Tulkunbav Turgunov 8-3 in the 57-kilogram final to complete a golden night for the host with its fifth gold medal of the Asian Games boxing competition.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Protest decries gambling dens
Protest decries gambling dens TANGERANG (JP): Dozens of students from an Islamic college here visited the Tangerang Regency office on Thursday, demanding the closure of several alleged gambling dens in the city. The students' spokesman, Nasrudin, said they demanded that Regent Agus Djunara close down the gambling dens located in several areas, including Balaraja and Mauk districts.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Supriati wins historic Asian Games gold medal
Supriati wins historic Asian Games gold medal By Primastuti Handayani BANGKOK (JP): Indonesia's Supriati Sutono carved out a piece of history as she stormed to victory in the women's 5,000 meters at the Asian Games on Friday, ending Indonesia's 36-year gold- medal drought in the quadrennial event's track and field competition.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
BAGOC promises Asiad grand closing
BAGOC promises Asiad grand closing BANGKOK (JP): The Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) promised on Friday a grandiose display during the closing ceremony of the 14-day event to be held at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Sunday. Crown Prince Maha Vajralongkorn is expected to declare the last regional sport event of the century closed, on behalf of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indosat to raise $200m through rights issue
Indosat to raise $200m through rights issue JAKARTA (JP): International telecommunications operator PT Indosat expects to raise some US$200 million through a rights issue early next year to finance its expansion plans, according to State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng. Tanri said on Friday that the rights issue would be part of the government's two-stage privatization plan for the company in the current fiscal year.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
UN official confirms rapes during May upheaval
UN official confirms rapes during May upheaval COLOMBO (Reuters): A United Nations investigator on Friday accused the Indonesian military under former president Soeharto of carrying out widespread rapes in various parts of the country. Radhika Coomaraswamy, U.N. special rapporteur on violence against women, backed reports by non-governmental organizations in Indonesia that many women of Chinese ethnic origin had been raped in the riots which preceded Soeharto's downfall in May.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI doctor refuses Thai massage
RI doctor refuses Thai massage BANGKOK (JP): Massage parlors are scattered across the city here but not all visitors are comfortable about their presence, or even pronouncing the words. It was still in the morning when an Indonesian medical official had a little argument with a taxi driver in front of the hotel where he is staying during the 13th Asian Games.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Allianz's firms set up foundation to help poor
Allianz's firms set up foundation to help poor JAKARTA (JP): The Allianz's companies in Indonesia, PT Asuransi Allianz Utama Indonesia and PT Asuransi Allianz Aken Life, have set up the Allianz Care Foundation with the aim of paying medical bills for the needy who are unable to cover their treatment. The establishment of the charity and nonprofit organization was intended mainly to help alleviate the burden of economic constraint and hardship, Herris B.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian stay put in Baghdad, says Alatas
Indonesian stay put in Baghdad, says Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has no plans to evacuate its 123 citizens who are registered with the Indonesian Embassy in Baghdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said on Friday. "We'll leave the matter entirely up to the Indonesian Ambassador in Baghdad, Moebramsjah, to do whatever is necessary," Alatas was quoted as saying by Antara. Alatas said there had been no reports of Indonesian casualties in the U.S.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Poor English causes headaches
Poor English causes headaches BANGKOK (JP): Bangkok people were happy to welcome visiting athletes, officials and journalists to the 13th Asian Games, but they were not prepared to speak to the guests... in English. An Indonesian photographer was desperate to pronounce "restroom" to a dazed-looking security guard at the Muang Thon Tani sports complex so he could fulfill the call of nature.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Live TV shows
Live TV shows The following are sports competitions to be broadcast live this weekend on local TVs (all times in West Indonesia Time): Saturday: English soccer league: Chelsea v Tottenham SCTV at 10 p.m. Sunday: English soccer league: Arsenal v Leeds United Indosiar at 10:30 p.m. Asian Games closing ceremony TVRI at 6 p.m.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Dec. 18,1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,675.00 7,825.00 7,675.00 7,875.00 Austrian schilling 1 613.25 683.25 - - Australian dollar 1 4,624.40 4,884.40 4,635.00 4,935.00 Belgian franc 1 205.40 230.40 - - Brunei dollar 1 - - 4,495.00 4,770.00 Canadian dollar 1 4,800.20 5,080.20 4,750.00 5,250.00 Swiss franc 1 5,529.25 5,809.25 5,380.00 5,880.00 Deutschemark 1 4,440.30 4,700.30 4,465.00 5,865.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Southeast Asian currencies drift higher as yen surges
Southeast Asian currencies drift higher as yen surges SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The U.S. dollar's fall against the yen in thin Asian trading late on Friday finally pushed sluggish Southeast Asian currencies higher, traders said. "The U.S. raids on Iraqi are a non-factor now. Only the lack of liquidity is managing to drive the market. One or two bank orders can quickly drive the U.S. dollar higher or lower," said one trader at a U.S. bank in Singapore.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 18, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 500 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 91,500 Alumindo Light Metal 375 25 40,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 225 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,625 25 1,077,000 Anwar Sierad 125 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina scams could cause Rp 191 billion loss
Pertamina scams could cause Rp 191 billion loss JAKARTA (JP): Evidence of corruption uncovered by the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) at state oil and gas company Pertamina during the January-November period could inflict an Rp 191 billion (US$24.5 million) loss on the state, Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said here on Friday. Kuntoro said that he had ordered the ministry's Inspector- General Muzani Syukur to investigate the matter further.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Peat forests facing extinction from crisis-hit profiteers
Peat forests facing extinction from crisis-hit profiteers By Jack Rieley PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan (JP): We are witnessing the demise in Southeast Asia of one of the last wilderness ecosystems on this planet -- tropical peat swamp forest. This waterlogged, inhospitable and barely penetrable landscape used to occupy about 50 million hectares throughout the perhumid tropics but because of human impact it has reached the brink of extinction.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt demands a premium for Indofood stake sale
Govt demands a premium for Indofood stake sale JAKARTA (JP): The government will sell its 10.18 percent stake in PT Indofood Sukses Makmur at a higher price than that received by the Salim Group in its recent deal, State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said on Friday. Tanri said that selling its shares in Indofood, the world's largest instant noodle maker, was the top priority for the government.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Monument for parachutists
Monument for parachutists BUN AIR BASE, Central Kalimantan: Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Hanafie Asnan dedicated a monument on Friday to mark the force's first ever parachute operation during the revolutionary struggle 51 years ago, Antara reported. The Palagan Sambi monument, built in this airbase in Kotawaringin Barat regency, is dedicated to the force's airborne unit known as Kopaskhas (Special Force).
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Supriati captures overdue RI gold
Supriati captures overdue RI gold BANGKOK (JP): Practice makes perfect for middle-distance runner Supriati Sutono, who won the 5,000-meter title at the 13th Asian Games here. A rigorous altitude training program in the tea plantations near the West Java town of Pangalengan, 350 kilometers east of Jakarta, paid dividends for the army sergeant last year when she won three gold medals in record breaking times in the Southeast Asian Games in 1997.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Drivers protest route overlaps
Drivers protest route overlaps TANGERANG (JP): Dozens of minivan drivers have staged a protest at the local office of the Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) here, demanding that chronic route overlap be sorted out as soon as possible.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling
Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused the United States on Friday of supporting a move to topple his government while blaming ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim for "rioting" in Malaysia. "He caused the rioting and he seemed to be aided by foreigners such as Americans who have interfered in our domestic affairs," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
Sat, 19 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Muslims to start fasting on Sunday
Muslims to start fasting on Sunday JAKARTA (JP): The Ramadhan fasting month will begin on Sunday, Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fadjar announced on Friday. Following a meeting of mathematics experts and representatives from major Muslim organizations, the ministry issued decree No. 654/Dec. 18, 1998 which said that the first day of Ramadhan of the year 1419 Hijr falls on Dec. 20. Among the organizations represented were the Indonesian Council of Ulemas, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah.