Archive: 12 February 1998
52 articles found
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Music and entertainment * Ramada Bintang Bali, Kuta: - La Brasserie Cafe Restaurant: Crosstil Quatro, daily. - Alun-alun Lounge: The Heart Beat Band, nightly except on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. - Poolside Open Theater: Tek-Tekan Dance, Saturday. Legong Terompong Dance, Tuesday. Ramayana Dance, Thursday. - BB Discotheque: Fashion show, every Friday. Dance show by Andromeda, the Valentine's Night, Saturday. * Bali Inter.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Memories eatery to close down
Memories eatery to close down JAKARTA (JP): Memories restaurant will serve up its final meals on Valentine's Day this Saturday, its manager said Tuesday. Klaas Kemp said the eatery serving predominantly Dutch cuisine was unable to continue operating due to the economic crisis. "Our rental payment of nearly US$10,000 had become exorbitant due to the depreciation of the rupiah," he said at its location in the Wisma Indosemen building on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lee Kuan Yew's comment
Lee Kuan Yew's comment Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew has offered his view of the monetary crisis currently hitting Asia. In his comment, published in the Feb. 8 edition of the Sunday Times newspaper, Lee said the crisis engulfing Asia at present tended to be viewed (by the region) primarily in political dimensions because regional leaders here are accustomed to facing political complications -- a reality that has caused them to miss the signals sent by the market.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Misconduct must be eliminated: Scholar
Misconduct must be eliminated: Scholar JAKARTA (JP): The rampant misconduct in the political elite should be wiped out if Indonesia wants to survive the current economic crisis, a respected scholar said yesterday. Franz Magnis-Suseno of the Jakarta-based Driyarkara School of Philosophy warned that the crisis would shatter the country's 30 years of achievement unless a total correction was made.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian markets look to stronger Wall Street
Asian markets look to stronger Wall Street SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian markets were looking yesterday towards moves by Indonesia to institute a currency board to better regulate trade in the beleaguered rupiah after a stronger Wall Street sparked early rises and profit-taking, dealers said. Singapore share prices ended 1.1 percent higher on the back of firmer regional currencies, dealers said.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar to create new middle class
Myanmar to create new middle class YANGON (Reuters): Myanmar's ruling military junta aims to create a new middle class in the country which is vital for economic revival and for democracy to flourish in coming years, a government spokesman said yesterday. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) believed that a middle class was necessary before people could engage in a multiparty democratic system that was envisaged for Myanmar in the future, the spokesman Colonel Hla Min told Reuters.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.11, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 0 AHAP Insurance 350 0 0 Alter Abadi 550 -75 128,500 Alumindo Light Metal 400 0 543,000 Alumindo Perkasa 275 0 10,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 700 25 904,000 Aneka Tambang 1,725 -75 11,959,000 Anwar Sierad 175 -50 81,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Alleged robber shot dead
Alleged robber shot dead JAKARTA (JP): An alleged robber was shot dead in Central Jakarta early yesterday morning after resisting arrest, city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said. He said the suspect, identified as Hidayatulah, alias Pedrik, was a notorious hoodlum who used to hang out around Senen market in Central Jakarta. Hidayatullah was shot in the shoulder and back of his neck, the spokesman said.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
National leader candidate
National leader candidate From Merdeka Newspaper reports over the past month have speculated on the identity of the next vice president. Some of the opinions expressed by various leading figures regarding one of the candidates, Pak Habibie, have angered me. One article cast doubt on Habibie's leadership qualities. Leading a nation is not, they said, the same as taking control of machinery.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
World press photo expo opens today
World press photo expo opens today JAKARTA (JP): The annual 1997 World Press Photo Exhibition is to open today at Erasmus Huis on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, and continue until Feb. 22. The Royal Netherlands Embassy announced yesterday that the traveling exhibition would display winning pictures from the worldwide photography competition. This year's exhibition in Indonesia is jointly sponsored by Erasmus Huis and Suara Pembaruan daily, the embassy said.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto warns of plot to ruin economy
Soeharto warns of plot to ruin economy SUBANG, West Java (JP): President Soeharto warned the nation yesterday against groups plotting to destroy the country's economy by engineering a dramatic fall in the rupiah against the US dollar. Without identifying the groups, the President said there were strong indications that the rupiah might be forced down to 20,000 against the greenback by the plotters. He did not elaborate. "It means there is an intentional plot to destroy our economic foundations.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
New gasoline launched
New gasoline launched JAKARTA (JP): Elnusa Petrofin, a subsidiary of state oil and gas company Pertamina, has introduced a new unleaded gasoline for motorbikes. The product, called Bensin Biru 2 Langkah, was launched Tuesday by the head of Pertamina's marketing and provision unit for Jakarta and West Java, Harry Purnomo, in Depok. Production of the unleaded gasoline is part of Pertamina's participation in the government's Blue Sky antipollution campaign, Harry was quoted by Antara as saying.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hotel serves up Valentine's treats
Hotel serves up Valentine's treats JAKARTA (JP): Sweethearts can celebrate this Valentine's Day with dinner promotions at restaurants of the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, the hotel's public relation officer said yesterday. "With only Rp 66,000, exclusive of taxes, guests can enjoy a lover's dinner buffet at KafeKafe coffee shop, or they can have a romantic four-course menu at our Italian restaurant, Zigolini, for Rp 95,000, also exclusive of taxes," Joya Marilynn said.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cool reception for media mergers idea
Cool reception for media mergers idea JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave has proposed financially troubled media companies should merge to survive the worsening economic crisis. But top media executives cold shouldered the idea offered during a seminar Wednesday on multimedia, saying that each media company had its own policies and "ideology" that were impossible to mix.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Departure tax burdensome
Departure tax burdensome We are foreign investors who have had to stay in Jakarta to monitor our new investment. I believe that our business here is genuine and within Indonesian government guidelines. There are plenty of capable people in Indonesia who will eventually be able to take charge of the business, but time is needed to transfer the necessary skills. Getting local people to take charge of the business depends on two factors. The first is the ability of local people to do the job.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Holland to set up trade facility for RI firms
Holland to set up trade facility for RI firms JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Hans van Mierlo said here yesterday the Dutch government planned to establish a trade facility to guarantee Indonesian imports.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Radisson Plaza Suite Hotel, at Plaza Boulevard, Jl. Pemuda 31- 37: - Kartini's Restaurant: Chinese Food Festival, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Electone Player, daily. Tanira Band, Friday, Saturday. - Cafe Taman: Tanira Band, daily at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. * Mercure Grand Hotel, Jl. Raya Kupang Indah: Pasar Senggol with traditional music - keroncong or langgam, every Wednesday night. * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Amount of dollar deposit lessening
Amount of dollar deposit lessening From Bisnis Indonesia On Nov. 5, 1997, I deposited US$10,000 at Bank BNI Senayan Branch, Jakarta, for a three-month term. On Feb. 5, 1998, upon the maturity of the deposit, I became puzzled when I was told that I could not withdraw the deposit because the bank had run out of dollars. A bank officer called Tuti suggested that the deposit be shifted to Dolar Plus BNI, another of the bank's deposit schemes.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students protest basic commodity price hikes
Students protest basic commodity price hikes JAKARTA (JP): College students in North Sumatra and Central Sulawesi staged massive demonstrations yesterday demanding the government do more to bring down prices of basic goods. In Central Sulawesi, hundreds of students took to the streets of the capital Palu, carrying posters and chanting slogans demanding prices be lowered.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stocks fall 5.81% on profit taking
Stocks fall 5.81% on profit taking JAKARTA (JP): The main Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) index fell 5.81 percent yesterday due to a combination of mounting fears over sporadic riots and profit taking on several blue chip stocks. The JSX Composite Index plunged sharply lower by 30.09 points to 487.61 from the previous day's close of 517.70 with a total turnover of around 1.18 billion shares changing hand on the regular market valued at Rp 1.03 trillion (US$143.05 million).
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Four rob Nigerian of cash, camera
Four rob Nigerian of cash, camera JAKARTA (JP): City police are searching for three men and a woman who robbed a Nigerian national at his house on Jl. Sunter Muara Indah in North Jakarta on Tuesday evening, an officer said yesterday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the group threatened the expatriate with sharp weapons and a gun, forcing him to hand over Rp 1 million, US$500 and a video camera.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Yogya women run out of sanitary napkins
Yogya women run out of sanitary napkins YOGYAKARTA (JP): Women here have added another item to their worry list of things running short in this economic crisis: sanitary napkins. Some women have complained they cannot find the feminine napkins anywhere in the city. Store managers are in a state of shock because some disappointed customers have accused them of hoarding the commodity.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Government needs 'to reach out more'
Government needs 'to reach out more' Former U.S. ambassador to Jakarta, Paul D. Wolfowitz, warns that unless Indonesia selects a vice president who enjoys broad support and establishes a cabinet which accommodates all elements of society, the country could become the "basket case of Asia". The dean of John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies spoke to The Jakarta Post after he addressed the Senate Banking Committee in Washington D.C. on the crisis facing Indonesia.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Betawi people to show unified front in crisis
Betawi people to show unified front in crisis JAKARTA (JP): At least 50,000 Betawi native Jakartans are expected to give a public display of unity at a post Idul Fitri get-together in Central Jakarta this Saturday morning.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Corruption leads to economic crisis
Corruption leads to economic crisis From Jayakarta Creating the desired clean government in this country seems to be very difficult. This situation can ascribed to the vicious circle of corruptive practices and lack of shame on the part of those perpetrating the corrupt acts. There have been attempts to control the bureaucracy, but corruption nevertheless continues.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Protesters clash with police, 150 apprehended
Protesters clash with police, 150 apprehended JAKARTA (JP): At least 150 people, including 14 women and two children, were apprehended during a demonstration yesterday over soaring prices, and taken to Jakarta Police Headquarters. They were among 500 protesters who marched to the Attorney General's Office in the Blok M business district before heading to the Ministry of Manpower on Jl. Gatot Subroto, both in South Jakarta.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Feisal warns of groups exploiting economic crisis
Feisal warns of groups exploiting economic crisis BOGOR, West Java (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung has again pinned the blame for recent riots and demonstrations for total reform, on "certain groups" seeking to subvert the government. Feisal said the political moves were exploiting the economic crisis to undermine the government's credibility, demoralize the elite and use the momentum to force a change of national leadership.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Harmoko, Habibie named Golkar's VP choices
Harmoko, Habibie named Golkar's VP choices JAKARTA (JP): The ruling political organization Golkar has decided to support both its chairman Harmoko and State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie in next month's vice presidential election, deputy chairman Abdul Gafur said yesterday. Gafur announced the two names at a media conference after a plenary meeting of the political organization's executive board late last night at its secretariat in West Jakarta.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
SEAG Consortium told to report to public
SEAG Consortium told to report to public JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman yesterday urged the 19th SEA Games Consortium to give transparent reports to the public about the fund raising it did to finance the biennial event last year.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah will be pegged to fixed exchange rate
Rupiah will be pegged to fixed exchange rate JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will soon establish a currency board system (CBS) to stabilize the shattered rupiah and is now finalizing legal and institutional frameworks to operate the fixed peg arrangement, Finance Minister Mar'ie Muhammad confirmed yesterday. "The primary objective of the system is to restore public confidence in the rupiah and the banking system," Mar'ie said at a meeting with the House of Representatives.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
On the holy war
On the holy war The Indonesian Ulemas Council has beaten the drum of jihad (holy war) against speculators and hoarders of staple commodities in an effort to protect the country from political and economic pressures. According to the council's statement, read by its chairman KH Hasan Basri at the end of its three-day meeting Tuesday, the practices are violations of Islamic law. The statement said the war would be waged in cooperation with military authorities down to provincial level.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Feb.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fires gut Maluku forests
Fires gut Maluku forests AMBON, Maluku: Fires in three drought-hit subdistricts here have gutted a wide area of forest over the past two weeks, Antara reported yesterday. Mayor Chris Tanasale said the fires were raging in the villages of Amahusu and Eri in the Nusaniwe subdistrict, Hatiwe Besar and Negeri Lama in the Baguala subdistrict, and Hutumuri and Leahari in the Sirimau subdistrict. "The ravaged areas are forests producing fruit, cloves, and nutmeg.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sidewalk vendors to be tolerated
Sidewalk vendors to be tolerated JAKARTA (JP): Sidewalk vendors near Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta will be allowed to operate until the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly next month, an official said yesterday. Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said the dispensation was given because the mayoralty was concentrating on how to cope with the economic recession, including holding temporary bazaars offering basic commodities at low prices.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
ITB students, teachers want succession
ITB students, teachers want succession BANDUNG (JP): Most Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) students and lecturers said in a recent poll they wished to see a new president soon. Students said they favored Moslem leader Amien Rais as the next president, while lecturers said they would prefer Vice President Try Sutrisno to succeed. Poll organizer Ardi P. Utama of the college's Ganesha magazine said here yesterday that 800 questionnaires were distributed and 645 were returned.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Oil companies to spend $6.3b on exploration and production
Oil companies to spend $6.3b on exploration and production JAKARTA (JP): Oil and gas contractors will raise their exploration and production budgets 40 percent to US$6.3 billion this year, state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina said yesterday. Pertamina exploration and production director Priyambodo Mulyosudirdjo said the considerable rise in expenditures indicated that the country was still an attractive investment for oil and gas contractors.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Municipality vows to supply ample basic commodities
Municipality vows to supply ample basic commodities JAKARTA (JP): The city municipality will go all out to provide adequate supplies of basic commodities -- particularly rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil and kerosene -- for Jakartans, officials said yesterday. The commodities will be supplied directly to local vendors and mayoralty offices in a bid to stop certain parties hoarding the items, which have soared in price and become increasingly difficult to find in the markets, they said.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bengkulu coral reef damaged
Bengkulu coral reef damaged BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Coral reefs near Tikus and Enggano islands here have been seriously damaged due to fish bombing, Antara reported yesterday. A local fisheries official, Roebimin Wibisono, said the destruction had pushed much marine life to the brink of extinction. "Too much damage to the coral reef could cause the extinction of some species," he said. It would take a long time for the coral to grow back, he added.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto dedicates industrial complex
Soeharto dedicates industrial complex JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto dedicated Indonesia's first heavy industrial complex yesterday owned by the country's leading conglomerate, the Texmaco Group. Soeharto said the heavy industrial complex, in Subang, West Java, was a milestone in the country's economic development as it would reduce Indonesia's longtime dependency on imported heavy machinery to support its industries.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fuel subsidy to be aimed at halting smuggling
Fuel subsidy to be aimed at halting smuggling JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad said here yesterday that the government's future fuel price subsidization policy would be designed to limit the smuggling of oil products from the country. Mar'ie said that subsidizing fuel prices on the domestic market provided opportunities for smugglers to illegally export fuel products -- especially diesel oil -- to neighboring countries with higher fuel prices.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indosat's net income rises 22 percent
Indosat's net income rises 22 percent JAKARTA (JP): PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation (Indosat) announced yesterday a 22 percent increase in its consolidated net income for 1997 to Rp 636.5 billion (US$136.9 million) from Rp 521.7 billion the previous year despite the country's monetary crisis. Company president Tjahjono Soerjodibroto contributed the increase to the strong growth in telephone traffic and high speed leased lines.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aspac ready to compete in first ABA league
Aspac ready to compete in first ABA league JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta-based Aspac basketball club is ready to compete in the new, professional Asian Basketball Association (ABA) league, which will be staged for the first time on Aug. 13 in Tokyo. Irawan Haryono, the club's owner and one of the association's directors, said Tuesday that Jakarta had been chosen to be one of eight host cities to stage the league matches. "We're lucky we can perform in the first ABA league.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Help foreign ministry
Help foreign ministry From Merdeka The impact of the monetary crisis has been felt far and wide, from the government to the private sector. No one is to blame. It is a situation beyond control. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been seriously affected by the crisis. The secretary-general admitted that the uncontrollable depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar had compelled the ministry to reduce the number of diplomats posted overseas.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Oil city Balikpapan celebrates 101 birthday
Oil city Balikpapan celebrates 101 birthday By Antoni Tambunan BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Some residents have reportedly complained that this City of Oil is so rich that beggars haunting some shopping centers refuse Rp 100 coins and hold out for at least Rp 500 notes. No wonder. This city that celebrated its 101st anniversary Tuesday, boasted order and cleanliness, and has become the main development center of the province's southern regions.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fires bring orangutans misery
Fires bring orangutans misery SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Two thousand orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Kutai National Park have been affected by the fires that have spread through the protected area, park chief Warsito, has said. Some orangutans have been seen fleeing the fire-ravaged park, he said Wednesday as quoted by Antara.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
State firm regulations affect five timber firms
State firm regulations affect five timber firms JAKARTA (JP): Five state timber companies PT Inhutani I to V will be treated like private timber firms due to a change in state enterprise operations regulations, a minister said yesterday. Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said his ministry would no longer be directly involved in the management of state timber companies.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah extends gains on currency peg news
Rupiah extends gains on currency peg news JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah extended gains against the U.S. dollar for a second consecutive day yesterday on the confirmation that the government will fix the rupiah exchange rate under a currency board arrangement, currency dealers said. Currency dealers said the rupiah closed firmer at 7,200/7,300 against the U.S. dollar yesterday, up 62 percent from its lowest level of 16,800 early last month.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Currency board's resume; system's pros and cons
Currency board's resume; system's pros and cons SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia has said it is exploring the possibility of establishing a currency board to maintain the value of the rupiah. The following is a brief resume of how a traditional currency board works and some of the pros and cons of using such a system. A currency board - Fixes or pegs a currency to another currency at a set rate.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Emil calls for support for social safety net
Emil calls for support for social safety net JAKARTA (JP): Senior economist Emil Salim has called for public support for the government's effort to build the social safety net for the poor it promised in its economic reform package. Speaking at a seminar on political and economic reform to commemorate the second anniversary of Tempo Interaktif magazine yesterday, Emil said the government's concept of a social safety net would not succeed without public participation in its implementation.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Minibus overturns, 2 passengers die
Minibus overturns, 2 passengers die JAKARTA (JP): Two minibus passengers were killed and three others seriously injured yesterday morning when a speeding and overloaded Metromini 92 -- plying the Grogol-Ciledug route -- overturned while making a turn on Jl. Meruya Ilir Raya, West Jakarta. A preliminary police report attributed the accident, which took place at 6:15 a.m. when the street was still deserted, to the driver's failure to control the minibus.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
King Carlos marks RP independence
King Carlos marks RP independence MACTAN, Philippines (AFP): King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain arrived here yesterday to join Philippine celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of almost four centuries of Spanish colonial rule. The monarch's private plane landed at an air base in this small central island where the couple were met by provincial governor Pablo Garcia and town mayor Ernest Weigel in formal ceremonies.
Thu, 12 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Matahari sells Prapatan stake
Matahari sells Prapatan stake JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest listed retail firm PT Matahari Putra Prima sold its 12.61 percent stake in PT Hotel Prapatan yesterday through the crossing board at the Jakarta and Surabaya stock markets yesterday. The company announced that the transaction had been reported to the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) and the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX).