Archive: 30 December 1998
48 articles found
Wed, 30 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 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary: Tanah Airku 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indoor campaigns, debates advocated to curb violence
Indoor campaigns, debates advocated to curb violence JAKARTA (JP): Parties are calling for indoor gatherings and public debates rather than street rallies for election campaigning next June, so as to minimize the possibility of violence. A government official said on Tuesday that concern over possible outbreaks of violence had prompted the government to prepare a special "code of conduct" for electioneering which would soon be offered to political parties for debate.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Citibank's customer service
Citibank's customer service We have now, for almost 12 months, tried to receive some form of customer service from Citibank's Card Center. Basically, the problem was one of over payment made by Citibank to Satelindo, who had both double billed and mis-billed. But the Satelindo issue is not the reason for writing to The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Athletes receive cash bonuses from ministers
Athletes receive cash bonuses from ministers JAKARTA (JP): The government has divided a Rp 358 million (US47,735) cash bonus among the country's medalists from the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok. On Tuesday, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono presented the bonus for six gold medalists, 10 silver medalists, 11 bronze medalists and coaches.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Entertainment programming
Entertainment programming My lifetime in Indonesia has spanned three decades -- the last four years as a foreign journalist. As such, I could not be happier to see my Indonesian colleagues finally gain the true voice of journalists, and a level of "freedom of press". The yin of the yang in such freedom is the delicate balance of responsibility. This balance is, by extension, a responsibility bestowed to media at all levels, including programming on public television.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Seoul hits account target
Seoul hits account target SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea said on Tuesday it had reached its targeted current account surplus for this year by end- November despite weakening exports and imports. Analysts said the current account surplus could decline sharply next year on rising exports and imports. Provisional central Bank of Korea figures showed the current account surplus for the first 11 months of the year at US$37.24 billion against an $11.75 billion deficit in the same period last year.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
A Mephistophelian bargain?
A Mephistophelian bargain? Why would Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) even think of inviting Soeharto to have a major role in reconciliation through a public dialog, if Soeharto takes no responsibility for national reconciliation by public repentance? Soeharto deserves no place of official responsibility unless he accepts personal responsibility for corruption and human rights abuses during his reign.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police begin crackdown on firecrackers
Police begin crackdown on firecrackers JAKARTA (JP): Acting on the public fear of the growing use of fireworks in the capital, the city police have arrested five traders and seized thousands of bundles of various types of fireworks and crackers from several markets here in a single-day operation on Tuesday. According to city police spokesman Lt. Col.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mob beats two suspected thieves
Mob beats two suspected thieves TANGERANG (JP): Two men were severely injured by local residents after they were allegedly caught stealing a motorcycle on Jl. Kakap in the Perumnas housing complex here on Tuesday. Tangerang Police Detective Unit chief Capt. Krisnadi said the suspects, identified as Ardi and Yapit, were beaten by a crowd before police officers arrived. "The suspects tried to steal a motorcycle belonging to a resident called Gianto," Krisnadi said.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
10 officials to be dismissed over KKN
10 officials to be dismissed over KKN JAKARTA: Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid said nine regents and one mayor would be dismissed before their terms end because of their involvement in corruption, collusion and nepotism. The dismissed officials included five members of the Armed Forces (ABRI), Antara reported Tuesday.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt will unveil details of bank recapitalization
Govt will unveil details of bank recapitalization JAKARTA (JP): The government will announce the terms and conditions of bank recapitalization bond issues, including the coupon rate, on Thursday, according to Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin. He said late on Monday evening that the coupon rate would likely be a combination of fixed and floating rates.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI must take real steps toward reform
RI must take real steps toward reform Pressure for political reform toppled Soeharto from the presidency on May 21. Political scientist J. Soedjati Djiwandono tracks how far we have traveled on the heralded road to reform under B.J. Habibie.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Emotions still too high
Emotions still too high Indonesian people today are like dying grass in a long season of draught, catching fire at the smallest of sparks, said a noted scholar recently. The veracity of this statement is, ironically, seen all around us during this fasting month of Ramadhan. Last week alone there were outbursts in several parts of the country. People seem to have forgotten that they must control their emotions and remain calm during this holy month.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Special police team for Pantura
Special police team for Pantura JAKARTA (JP): The national police have set up a special team to anticipate a growth in the number of street bandits extorting money from and hijacking motorists along the North Java coastal roads during the New Year and Idul Fitri festive seasons. National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Tamara needs $87m
Bank Tamara needs $87m JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Bank Tamara needs some Rp 700 billion (US$87 million) to meet the government-mandated 4 percent capital adequacy ratio (CAR) level, an official of the bank said on Tuesday. The official, who requested anonymity, said the China Development Corporation of Taiwan, which holds 10 percent of equity, has already pledged to contribute the remaining 20 percent of the additional funds by the March deadline.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Fake' fertilizers sold amid scant supplies
'Fake' fertilizers sold amid scant supplies JAKARTA (JP): Scant supplies of fertilizer have led to an upsurge in the sales of "fake" fertilizers to rice farmers across the country. The provincial administration of East Kalimantan found at least eight tons of substandard SP-36 fertilizer, normally used for rice and food crops, being sold in a market, Antara reported.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Grief haunts parents of Black Friday victim
Grief haunts parents of Black Friday victim By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Every day is grim for Sumarsih. Tears etch out her grief as she tries to accomplish the simplest of tasks. "Every day, from the early hours until dusk, I cry endlessly. My eyes are filling up with tears when I wash my face, comb my hair," she admitted.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Corruption inflicts $380m in financial losses to govt
Corruption inflicts $380m in financial losses to govt JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Tuesday that rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism during the 32 years former president Soeharto held power inflicted financial losses of more than Rp 2.85 trillion (US$380 million) to the country. Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and State Administrative Reforms Hartarto was quoted by Antara as saying the losses came from corruption in at least eight government agencies.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Securities law in China
Securities law in China BEIJING (AFP): China's top legislature has passed the country's first Securities Law which takes effect on July 1 next year, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. The 214-article law adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, has been debated for six years and governs all aspects of the securities industry, the report said. It prohibits foreigners from trading in so-called "A-shares" which are restricted to domestic investors.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ricky/Antonius enter Copenhagen Masters final
Ricky/Antonius enter Copenhagen Masters final JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian men's doubles team of Ricky Ahmad Subagja and Antonius went through to the finals of the 1998 Copenhagen Masters after winning twice on Monday. The new partnership of Ricky and Antonius defeated the host duo of Michael Soogard and Jim Laugesen 15-10, 6-15, 15-7 in the first session. Later, in the second session, the Indonesians overcame Chris Hunt and Simon Archer of England 16-17, 15-5, 15- 9.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asia has to sort out troubled banks: Expert
Asia has to sort out troubled banks: Expert HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asia cannot thrive again unless its governments make the hard decisions necessary to restructure their problem-ridden financial sectors, the president of London- based think tank Independent Strategy said Tuesday.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police recruits better than militia
Police recruits better than militia The matter of establishing a civilian militia has its pros and cons. If the Police seriously lack police officers, I propose the following as a way out: 1. The projected annual cost of Rp 35 billion to organize a 70,000-strong militia would better be used to establish police recruit units with 35,000 personnel. 2. Recruitment should take place among secondary school graduates and be conducted thoroughly to check their intelligence and physical condition. 3.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tortured, raped migrant workers seek justice
Tortured, raped migrant workers seek justice JAKARTA (JP): Imas binti Enan went to Saudi Arabia to work and improve her lot. Instead, she lost her face. Literally. The 22-year-old woman from Ciliwuk village, Karawang, West Java, is now in deep distress following a nightmarish incident last September. It was around midnight on Sept. 27, 1998, when her Saudi employer, identified only as Husein, suddenly went berserk.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Central Java floods and landslide kill five
Central Java floods and landslide kill five JAKARTA (JP): Five people have died in floods in Banyumas, following another accident that saw a whole family killed in a landslide on Sunday. The latest victim was a woman found in the Cirongkang river in Banyumas district on Monday afternoon, Antara reported Tuesday. Sources said Risol, 30, died after a strong current swept her away when she and her husband Surin were crossing a bridge.
Wed, 30 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. * Batik Exhibition: The Awakening of Batik at the end of the Millennium, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194270), 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., until Dec.31. Performance * Theater: Fragmen Semar Gugat, Teater Koma, at Teater Utan Kayu, Jl.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Contests to mark Habitat Day
Contests to mark Habitat Day JAKARTA (JP): The office of the State Minister of Housing and Settlement is organizing a writing and a poster drawing contest on the theme "Creating Safe and Prosperous City Settlements". Djoko Kirmanto, assistant to the minister, told reporters on Tuesday that the public are invited to submit their entries, either for the popular or scientific category, by Feb. 10.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
El Nino continues to haunt troubled RI coffee growers
El Nino continues to haunt troubled RI coffee growers By Sylvia Gratia MN JAKARTA (JP): A blistering drought, believed to have been triggered by an El Nino weather pattern continues to haunt Indonesia's coffee growers. Indonesia's coffee crop for the 1997/1998 coffee year, from Oct. 1, 1997, to Sept. 30, 1998, was partially destroyed, allowing the country to produce only 410,000 metric tons, 40,000 tons below its normal annual output of 450,000 tons.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah flirts with 8,000 level to dollar
Rupiah flirts with 8,000 level to dollar JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah weakened against the U.S. dollar in moderate trading on Tuesday, breaking briefly through the 8,000 level as fresh year-end demand hit the market. Currency dealers said bearish sentiment on other regional currency markets coupled with fresh dollar demand by local state banks put the rupiah under severe pressure.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Residents kill soldiers in Aceh
Residents kill soldiers in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): In what may be a fresh outbreak of conflict in one of Indonesia's troubled provinces, the Armed Forces (ABRI) reported on Tuesday that seven off-duty military personnel were killed in an attack by about 200 residents of Lhok Nibung village in East Aceh. Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said in a statement the mob, armed with machetes, attacked soldiers who were on their way to the North Sumatra capital of Medan.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 29, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 425 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -25 34,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 -25 20,000 Aneka Tambang 1,625 25 1,841,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 32,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bambang denies misusing funds
Bambang denies misusing funds JAKARTA (JP): Bambang Trihatmodjo, the second son of former president Soeharto, denied on Tuesday allegations that charity funds controlled by his father had been diverted into business interests. Bambang denied that there had been any movement at all when asked whether assets or funds of the Dana Sejahtera Mandiri foundation, of which he was treasurer, had gone to business interests.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies recover against dollar
Asian currencies recover against dollar SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian currencies recovered on Tuesday after losing ground against the U.S. dollar following a fall in the baht amid fears Thailand's bad loans problem was getting worse, dealers said. The regional currencies ended mixed when fortunes reversed with the dollar sliding amid position-squaring by funds before the new year and reports that Japanese houses might unload U.S. Treasury bills to cover up positions at home.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aid for malnourished children to arrive
Aid for malnourished children to arrive GUNUNGKIDUL, Yogyakarta (JP): The government of Denmark is assisting malnourished children in Gunungkidul by providing food aid. Antara reported that the government of Denmark was working with the Nationwide Family Welfare Movement to provide the aid.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Dec. 29, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
LBH takes number of complaints during the year
LBH takes number of complaints during the year JAKARTA (JP): As many as 20,357 people, mostly from Greater Jakarta, visited the capital's Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) to seek legal advice from December of last year to November, its executive said. Out of that number, 14 women complained that men had refused to marry them after taking their virginity, the institute's director, Apong Herlina, said at a year-end press conference on Tuesday.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Land reoccupation, labor dismissals highlight 1998
Land reoccupation, labor dismissals highlight 1998 By Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): Reoccupation of land by grassroots people and labor disputes following massive dismissals at many companies due to the monetary crisis were just two of the highlights during the year in Greater Jakarta. As a result, the two issues were among the major components of regular complaints received by the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute and the National Commission on Human Rights this year.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gold trader robbed at home
Gold trader robbed at home BOGOR (JP): Police are searching for six suspects in the armed robbery of a gold trader at his home near the Pongkor mining area in Nanggung district here early on Monday. According to the chief of the local Leuwiliang police station, First Lt. Kusin, the robbers broke into the house of Saji Jahir, threatened him with guns and stole 40 grams of gold, Rp 50 million in cash and a wristwatch.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Imelda takes blame for RI loss in Asiad
Imelda takes blame for RI loss in Asiad JAKARTA (JP): Women's badminton doubles coach Imelda Wiguna Kurniawan said Tuesday she would be ready to take the blame for Indonesia's loss in the women's team event at the just-concluded 13th Asian Games. "If people think that I alone should be blamed for making a crucial mistake, I'll have to accept it," she told reporters before the handing over of bonuses by the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Agung Laksono.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mysterious explosion rocks Sudirman area
Mysterious explosion rocks Sudirman area JAKARTA (JP): Passersby were stunned by an unidentified explosion at a vacant plot sandwiched between the city police headquarters and the Jakarta Stock Exchange on Jl. Sudirman on Tuesday afternoon. Police had not made an official announcement on the blast or disclosed preliminary findings by Tuesday night.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Wednesday Maghrib 6:11 p.m. Thursday Imsak 4:08 a.m. Subuh 4.18 a.m.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI diplomacy loses swagger in crisis-hit 1998
RI diplomacy loses swagger in crisis-hit 1998 By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's carefully-constructed foreign policy stature as a prudent, respected regional player and a defender of so-called "Third World" causes took a battering in 1998 because of the economic and financial crisis. Gone is the swagger of Indonesian diplomacy as its domestic foundations as a proud developing state crumbled.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Border guard kills five
Border guard kills five HANOI (AFP): A border guard in central Vietnam opened fire on his colleagues, killing five and injuring two, before turning the gun on himself, police said on Tuesday. Pham Dinh Giap, a border guard based in Dien Chau district of central Nghe An province, sprayed seven guards with his AK-47 while they were eating in a camp canteen, killing five, a provincial police officer said. He then put the gun to his head and took his own life, police said.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Poverty on the rise
Poverty on the rise How much we are at present racing against time is illustrated clearly by the problems which we are facing. A researcher at Gadjah Mada University's Center for Population Studies, Muhajir, predicts that 130 million Indonesians will be living in poverty by the end of next year. This is more than half the total number of Indonesians. This explosion will be caused, among other things, by the lack of job opportunities and high inflation.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Unfairness likely to cloud polls
Unfairness likely to cloud polls By J. Sumardianta YOGYAKARTA (JP): The 1999 general election, scheduled for next June, may be regarded as the "soul" of the entire reform process. Hopefully it will produce a legitimate and credible government. It has become an important issue since some still question the legitimacy and credibility of President B.J. Habibie's government. The coming general election has put that government at its greatest political risk.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
KKA's paper exports rise
KKA's paper exports rise JAKARTA (JP): Aceh-based paper producer PT Kertas Kraf Aceh (KKA) exported 2,582 tons of paper during the July to September period. Its total export earnings reached US$1.15 million in the three-month period, the local office of the Ministry of Trade and Industry announced. Ministry official Cut Hasanan said 800.8 tons of the paper exported in the third quarter were sold to Vietnam, 1,756 tons to Sri Lanka and 25.6 tons to Thailand.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto should be included in dialog on 'dwifungsi'
Soeharto should be included in dialog on 'dwifungsi' JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto is now wanted for another dialog -- one on the controversial dual function doctrine of the military. Minister of Transmigration and Resettlement of Forest Nomads, A.M. Hendro Priyono said on Tuesday that senior figures from the Armed Forces (ABRI) and civilians should conduct a dialog to review the dwifungsi doctrine.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Christmas spirit in East Timor
Christmas spirit in East Timor BAUCAU, East Timor: At least 200 residents of Baucau, 130 kilometers east of Dili, received free medical services organized by the local military command. Commander Lt. Col. Richard Hutajulu told Antara here on Tuesday that the aid was a spontaneous gesture from his officers. Officers also visited orphanages and helped to clean churches and mosques, he said.
Wed, 30 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Official says low cultural sensitivity breeds brutality
Official says low cultural sensitivity breeds brutality JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Education and Culture is urgently prioritizing the filling of what it says is a gap in understanding of the humanities among people here. Director General of Culture Edi Sedyawati said Monday that better awareness of culture and history could help curb the rampant violence the nation has seen this year. Without such awareness people were unable to be critical, she said.