Archive: 4 December 1998
54 articles found
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military training for civil servants
Military training for civil servants In line with the wave of reform in this country and the Armed Forces' gradually decreasing civil role, the policy obliging civil servant candidates to undergo military-style training needs reviewing. According to the experiences of my colleagues, the training has no bearing on the civil servants' future discipline, as expected by the policymakers. In fact, the training often degenerates into instructors bullying the cadets.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stop destruction
Stop destruction We appeal with all our heart: Let us stop destruction, especially of places of worship, as it conflicts with the so- called SARA in Indonesian politics. SARA issues, which pertain to ethnic, racial, religious and inter-societal groups, are highly sensitive, as shown by the recent Kupang riots in East Nusa Tenggara. We wish that such tragic incidents awaken our consciousness and lead us into a commitment to the establishment of true fraternity among members of the community.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bakrie, cooperatives tie up
Bakrie, cooperatives tie up JAKARTA (JP): PT Agrowiyana, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantation (BSP), will join up with farmers' cooperatives to build a palm oil processing plant in Jambi. Agrowiyana, which operates oil palm plantations in the province, said on Thursday that the company and the cooperatives would spend about Rp 45 billion on construction of the mill.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 3, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 400 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 137,500 Alumindo Light Metal 275 0 36,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 2,500 Aneka Tambang 1,725 0 6,730,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 5,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Childhood trauma in Bandung has life-long consequences
Childhood trauma in Bandung has life-long consequences By Thor Kerr THE HAGUE (JP): Theo Corsmit was a happy eight-year-old living in Bandung when he saw a strange man in uniform with a samurai sword. Now 65, he still shudders when he sees a Japanese. "I have big trouble sleeping, panic attacks, not well controlled habits in moments of shock... I'm really shocked if somebody calls us by telephone," he said.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Dec. 3, 1998: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 7,250.00 7,500.00 7,250.00 7,575.00 Austrian schilling 1 582.20 652.20 - - Australian dollar 1 4,453.30 4,713.30 4,450.00 4,800.00 Belgian franc 1 195.10 220.10 - - Brunei dollar 1 - - 4,315.00 4,640 00 Canadian dollar 1 4,618.80 4,898.80 4,600.00 5,100.00 Swiss franc 1 5,210.20 5,490.20 5,030.00 5,530.00 Deutschemark 1 4,227.40 4,487.40 4,145.00 4,545.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Joint security patrols to police crime black spots
Joint security patrols to police crime black spots JAKARTA (JP): The city authorities would deploy a group of 15 police, soldiers and civilian security personnel at each of the city's crime black spots beginning Friday, a senior official said. Some others would be posted in the areas with warring neighborhoods, deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said on Thursday.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah slides slightly, local stocks lose ground
Rupiah slides slightly, local stocks lose ground JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah failed to hold its ground against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, closing 2.3 percent down at 7,550 as stock prices slid 0.8 percent, currency dealers and stockbrokers said. Dealers said the rupiah, which opened at 7,425, came under pressure for the whole trading day as the result of fresh dollar demand from local banks settling debts quoted in foreign currency.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mitsui wins Aneka Tambang project
Mitsui wins Aneka Tambang project JAKARTA (JP): Japanese contractor Mitsui has come out as the preferred bidder in an international tender for the construction of the third ferronickel plant of state general mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) in Pomalaa, South Sulawesi. Antam's president Dedy Aditya Sumanegara said on Thursday that Mitsui beat off competitors from Germany, the United States, Norway and Britain in the international tender held in August.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI economy on the ment: Ginandjar
RI economy on the ment: Ginandjar JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's tattered economy is on the right track and heading toward recovery in 1999, according to Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita. Speaking at a mining and energy conference, Ginandjar said all macroeconomic indicators showed signs of recovery, including an easing of inflation, a strengthening rupiah and falling interest rates.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian team leaves for Bangkok
Indonesian team leaves for Bangkok JAKARTA (JP): Most of the country's team for the Asian Games left on Thursday for Bangkok in an emotion-filled departure with their families. Led by chef de mission Mochamad Hindarto, the contingent departed from the Halim Perdanakusumah air base on an Air Force Boeing 707. The military aircraft, piloted by commander of the 17th Squadron Lt. Col. Yadi Husiadi, took off at around 11:20 a.m.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Current state budget enjoying $2.2b surplus
Current state budget enjoying $2.2b surplus JAKARTA (JP): The implementation of the current 1998/1999 state budget had resulted in a surplus of Rp 16.39 trillion (US$2.2 billion) as of Nov. 14, 1998, according to an official report. The report by Finance Minister Bambang Subianto to a monthly cabinet meeting on economic matters on Wednesday revealed that the government had collected Rp 128.776 trillion in revenue, or 48.8 percent of the target set in the current budget.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Don't criticize Hartati Murdaya
Don't criticize Hartati Murdaya I am bewildered why Buddhist students and a group of Buddhists personally attacked Hartati Murdaya after she expressed her views in a program on TVRI in which prominent community figures participated. Their opinions were different from the students on the subject of student demonstrations. The attitude of wanting to win for oneself by blaming others, without any introspection, is not right.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students want cut in study fees
Students want cut in study fees TANGERANG (JP): More than 1,000 students at state-run senior high school SMUN 1 in Mauk district here went on strike on Thursday, demanding a reduction in the education support fee and transparency in the use of the student organization's funds. Instead of entering their classrooms, the students gathered in the school yard when the bell rang. Their action astonished the teachers, few of whom were aware of what the students wanted.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Opportunity to become 'hero' opens for Habibie
Opportunity to become 'hero' opens for Habibie By Donna K. Woodward MEDAN (JP): Soeharto's barely veiled attempt to intimidate Habibie publicly may be the first time he has shown him any respect. He is clearly afraid of Habibie's dawning (albeit belated) independence. The students are implacable. Women have left the kitchen and taken up the struggle in the streets.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Seizures of fake banknotes rise
Seizures of fake banknotes rise JAKARTA (JP): The authorities seized counterfeit rupiah banknotes totaling Rp 5.96 billion (US$795,000), about 0.012 percent of the Rp 46.82 trillion currency in circulation and a huge increase from previous years, in the first nine months of the year. H.Y. Sumanto, a senior official at Bank Indonesia, said on Thursday it was the highest amount of counterfeit money recorded by the central bank.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timber firm linked to military may lose license
Timber firm linked to military may lose license JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on Thursday that his office was considering revoking a logging license of a timber company linked to the Ministry of Defense and Security for allegedly smuggling logs.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military admits rights abuses in E. Timor: UN
Military admits rights abuses in E. Timor: UN JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations' investigator on violence against women, Radhika Coomaraswamy, said here on Thursday that the military admitted past human rights abuses in the troubled province of East Timor. Radhika, who was scheduled to leave on Friday after completing a 10-day trip here, including a three-day visit to East Timor, said that the military however has made commitments to the promotion and protection of human rights in the province.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Black pinkies in store for voters after poll
Black pinkies in store for voters after poll JAKARTA (JP): On June 7, Indonesians may have something more in common than just their nationality, language and ideology. More than half the population could have their little fingers stained with ink.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Elections still a mystery
Elections still a mystery When the government and the House of Representatives reached an agreement on May 29, 1998 to hold a general election the following year, many people saw it as a necessary move, because the country was badly in need of a stable and democratically elected government to put an end to the chaotic situation left in the wake of the resignation of former president Soeharto. The question remained as to what kind of elections we would have and who would organize them.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Recapitalization 'to be successful'
Recapitalization 'to be successful' JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Thursday that the owners of 15 private national banks had pledged to recapitalize their banks with their own resources. "This means they will not have to join the government's bank recapitalization program in order to meet the minimum capital requirement of 4 percent," Sjahril told the House of Representatives.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ensuring a free and fair election should begin right away
Ensuring a free and fair election should begin right away The following is an interview with Andrew Ellis, a British expert on electoral systems. Ellis has experience in designing and implementing technical assistance programs for elections in Cambodia, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan and Russia. He came to Indonesia at the invitation of the National Democratic Institute, an American NGO that assists with the development of democratic processes worldwide.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lawlessness worse than disintegration
Lawlessness worse than disintegration Violent outbursts threaten to break down social trust, throwing national unity in limbo and unleashing chaos and lawlessness. Political scientist J. Soedjati Djiwandono thinks the latter is more dangerous than disintegration. JAKARTA (JP): The slogan unitariness and unity of the nation (persatuan dan kesatuan bangsa) has been on the lips of most leaders in this country since Soeharto came to power.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
On decency
On decency Referring to the letter "Show some decency" in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 2, I would like to write some comments. I lived in Western countries for more than 20 years and married a European. For the whole time I lived there I kept in touch with Westerners, so I know their mentality pretty well. I am Indonesian (Javanese). We all know that expatriates who live in Indonesia enjoy a high standard of living -- with drivers and maids -- and it is like a dream for them.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Anwar's ex-driver says he did not write letter
Anwar's ex-driver says he did not write letter KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The former driver of Malaysia's sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that he did not write the letter accusing Anwar of sodomizing him. Azizan Abu Bakar told the capital's High Court that Anwar's main accuser, Ummi Hafilda Ali, drafted the 1997 letter which was later sent to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad saying his deputy had committed adultery and sodomy, a crime in Malaysia.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Three shot dead, 68 nabbed for street crimes
Three shot dead, 68 nabbed for street crimes JAKARTA (JP): Police officers shot five alleged criminals, three of them dead, and arrested 68 others for their involvement in a street crimes in the capital in the period between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, a police officer said on Thursday. City police spokesman Lt. Col.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cooling down the political temperature
Cooling down the political temperature Are we turning into a nation of looters, rapists, murderers and arsonists, or are we being punished by God for our cowardly acts in rectifying the decades-old abuse of power? Riots have been breaking out all across this vast archipelago, and always for trivial reasons. Lately, riots have been erupting for what appears to be ethnic, racial, religious and inter-group sensitivity.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Newspaper angry at phone disruption
Newspaper angry at phone disruption BOGOR (JP): Newly established Radar Bogor daily is to sue the Bogor branch of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom for cutting a crucial telephone line to the newspaper's editorial office without warning, the daily's general manager said on Thursday. Alfian Mudjani said PT Telkom arbitrarily cut one of the daily's telephones line on Tuesday, disrupting the transmission of news from its parent company, the Surabaya-based Jawa Pos daily.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soldiers of conscience
Soldiers of conscience Their assault on the central nervous system of Habibie's Reform Order, the Attorney General's Office and its temporary occupation has caught security guards, as well as observers without a cause like myself, by surprise. In a moral sense it constitutes a strategic gain by the reform movement started by students, who I prefer to call "soldiers of conscience".
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Human rights seminar adopts 12 distinct recommendations
Human rights seminar adopts 12 distinct recommendations JAKARTA (JP): A national human rights workshop which closed here Thursday recommended that military personnel who perpetrated human rights abuses should be brought to civil court instead of court- martial to ensure impartiality. It was one of 12 recommendations raised by some 150 participants.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Guard found dead after robbery
Guard found dead after robbery JAKARTA (JP): A security guard at metal processing company PT Perkasa Manis was found dead at the company's compound on Jl. Darma Wanita, Cengkareng, West Jakarta on Thursday, after being stabbed by two robbers, a police officer said. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang said the victim, identified as Ignatius Balawa, 62, was believed to have died from severe wounds all over his body.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI too hot to handle for reinsurers
RI too hot to handle for reinsurers JAKARTA (JP): Increasing risk from the simmering political and social tension in the country are discouraging foreign reinsurers from continuing their deals in Indonesia, the Insurance Council of Indonesia (DAI) said on Thursday. The director of the council's reinsurance division, Frans Sahusilawane, said some foreign reinsurers were hesitant to renew contracts -- covering riot-related damage policies -- with local insurance firms due to the risks involved.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
House divided on typeof PR arrangement
House divided on typeof PR arrangement JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives was locked in a heated debate on Thursday over what kind of proportional representation (PR) voting system to use at next year's general election. The dividing issue was whether candidates will represent a province, as they did in past elections, or a regency.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dengue outbreak feared in C. Java
Dengue outbreak feared in C. Java SEMARANG, Central Java: Central Java health authorities are quickly taking steps to avert a dengue fever epidemic after six children died and another 140 have been treated for the potentially deadly illness in the last four weeks. The six deaths occurred in Demak regency and greater Semarang area.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
DPR sets 1999 election date
DPR sets 1999 election date JAKARTA (JP): Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Harmoko announced on Thursday that the general election will be held on June 7 and that the newly elected People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will convene on Aug. 29. But Harmoko did not specify when the MPR would elect the new president, saying that the main agenda on Aug. 29 would be the swearing in of the new MPR members and the establishment of the MPR working committee.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Delon's 40-year acting career celebrated in Jakarta, Surabaya
Delon's 40-year acting career celebrated in Jakarta, Surabaya By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): Legend has it that Alain Delon came to Cannes in the cool spring of 1956 wearing a rented tuxedo jacket. He arrived at the right time: the big screen's bad boy, James Dean, had died a year earlier. The world was waiting for a new star to blossom.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Major smuggling attempts foiled at airport
Major smuggling attempts foiled at airport JAKARTA (JP): Customs and Excise officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport foiled attempts to smuggle historical artifacts, compact discs and dried marijuana worth a combined value of billions of rupiah in the month of November, an official said on Wednesday. The airport's head of customs and excise, Heru Santoso, told reporters that the most valuable single haul of contraband consisted of antique swords. The consignment was uncovered on Nov.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI foreign exchange reserves down to $14.21b
RI foreign exchange reserves down to $14.21b JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves declined by US$1.8 million to $14.21 billion in the week ending Nov. 30 due mainly to repayment of part of the government's overseas debt. Bank Indonesia said in a statement released on Thursday that reserves were still well above the adjusted target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which stands at $11.26 billion.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP wants charges for fishermen
RP wants charges for fishermen MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Thursday that 20 Chinese fishermen seized near a disputed reef in the South China Sea earlier this week should be charged. On Tuesday China demanded the immediate release of the fishermen.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Swapping tempeh for bricks
Swapping tempeh for bricks SURABAYA, East Java: Nearly one-third of the 38,000 traditional tempeh and tofu makers in East Java have suspended their activities and taken up work as construction workers as they can no longer attain working capital.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to impose higher royalties in mining firms
Govt to impose higher royalties in mining firms JAKARTA (JP): The government will impose higher royalties on mining contractors awarded new contracts of work (COWs) to increase earnings from the development of the country's mineral resources, the Ministry of Mines and Energy's Director General of Mining Rozik B. Soetjipto said on Thursday.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Alatas warms up to Phnom Penh
Alatas warms up to Phnom Penh JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas hailed on Thursday the formation of the new coalition government in Cambodia, saying that this bodes well for Phnom Penh's intention to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this month.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indovina Bank up for sale
Indovina Bank up for sale HANOI (Dow Jones): Indovina bank, a joint venture between Indonesia's Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI) and state-owned Industrial & Commercial Bank of Vietnam (Incom Bank) is up for sale, a source at Indovina told Dow Jones Newswires. He said that a number of companies have expressed interest in Indovina whose future has been the subject of much speculation ever since its Indonesian parent was shut down Aug.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Student comes face-to-face with 'recruiter'
Student comes face-to-face with 'recruiter' JAKARTA (JP): A military officer on Thursday challenged directly the student who claims he was forced to become an informer by him. Media were allowed to attend the face-to-face meeting of second private Budi Leksono, a military police officer in the presidential guard unit, with student Wiwid Pratiwo at military police headquarters. Presiding was National Military Police chief Maj. Gen.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Astra's unit sales completed
Astra's unit sales completed SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): PT Astra Indonesia has completed the sale an electronics unit to a U.S.-owned investment fund, one of the first sales by a debt-ridden Indonesian group. An Astra executive and CIBC World Markets, its advisors, told Dow Jones Newswires on Thursday that all documentation for the US$90 million sale to Newbridge Capital Asia was completed Tuesday night in Jakarta. "The deal is done and the payment will be made shortly," the Astra executive said.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Deranged person' detained for safety
'Deranged person' detained for safety JAKARTA (JP): A local man, believed to be mentally ill, was detained for burning a Koran in a mosque and a podium in another one in Ngbang, a small town near the West Kalimantan provincial capital of Pontianak on Thursday. Sgt. Irwanto of the Ngabang police station told The Jakarta Post said the man identified as Ibok was in police custody to save him from "being tried" by the local people.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
The Soeharto foundations
The Soeharto foundations From Neraca Of his own will, former president Soeharto handed over the management of seven foundations established by himself to the government. A good action amid the waves of society's demands to investigate his wealth. The main purpose of the handover was to maintain the continuity of the help given so far, including help to orphanages, scholarship students, etc. Criticism was also voiced at the handover of the foundations.
Fri, 04 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: Pesona Flora 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rp 109b allocated for poor families
Rp 109b allocated for poor families JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has set aside Rp 109.52 billion (US$14.6 million) to help poor families in the city as part of its social safety net program, secretary to the City Council's Commission E for social welfare Agus Waluyo said on Thursday.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Student relates kidnapping tale
Student relates kidnapping tale BOGOR, West Java (JP): A student activist revealed at the Ampera Legal Aid Office (LBH-Ampera) on Wednesday that he was abducted and detained for 24 hours by three unidentified men. G. Anwar Abilio Soares, a student at Bogor's Djuanda University, said he was questioned regarding the university law school's plan to commemorate Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore urged to help Indonesian economy
S'pore urged to help Indonesian economy SINGAPORE (AFP): An outspoken Indonesian economist on Thursday urged Singapore to step up assistance in reviving lending to businesses in Indonesia, saying some of the capital which has fled to the city-state should flow back.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * 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. * Photo Exhibition: My Imagination, by Aendra H. Medita, at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Salemba Raya 25 Central Jakarta (Phone: 3908580,3908585), until Dec. 15. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Ekspresi 18 Perupa, at Cemara 6 Galeri Kafe, Jl.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military stops more students from 'trespassing in red zone'
Military stops more students from 'trespassing in red zone' JAKARTA (JP): Inspired by the astounding maneuver of Trisakti University students who breached the military cordon around Merdeka Palace on the previous day, 2,500 students from two different groups launched abortive attempts to follow suit.
Fri, 04 Dec 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bukit Asam severs ties with Soeharto's children
Bukit Asam severs ties with Soeharto's children JAKARTA (JP): State coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam has terminated contracts with five companies linked to former president Soeharto's children as part of its efforts to scrap business deals allegedly landed through corruption, collusion and nepotism.