Mahathir, Bolkiah talk crisis KUDAT, Malaysia (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he discussed the Asian economic crisis and regional cooperation with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during an overnight visit to the sultanate. "We made assessments about the economic situation and the kind of cooperation between ASEAN countries," he told reporters on his arrival in the eastern state of Sabah, which shares a border with the oil-rich country.

Currency board the wrong way forward By Akhmad Mukhtar JAKARTA (JP): The Currency Board System (CBS) is not a new concept in economics. Dangers regarding the implementation of a CBS in Indonesia mean that it is important to first determine if the idea to adopt such a system is being touted for political or sound economic reasons.

Battered hotel industry faces gloomy outlook JAKARTA (JP): The battered hotel industry is facing a gloomy outlook as fears of social unrest in the country continue. Rudy Setiawan, an executive of the Hotel Sales Management Association, said here yesterday that occupancy rates of star- rated hotels plunged last month to 40 percent from an average monthly level of 75 percent before the economic crisis hit the country in July.

Teenager killed in traffic accident JAKARTA (JP): A teenager who came to the city in search of work was hit by a bus and killed on Jl. Ir. H. Juanda in Ciputat, South Jakarta, on Wednesday night. The victim, Yuhri, 16, from South Lampung in Sumatra, was treated at IAIN clinic but later died from his injuries. According to a cousin, Rohim, 27, Yuhri was returning from a relative's house on his bicycle at the time of the accident. "I was informed that Yuhri was hit by a bus about 9 p.m.

Police, Bapepam join forces to prevent crime JAKARTA (JP): National Police and the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) agreed yesterday to jointly investigate crimes in the local stock markets. A memorandum of understanding was signed by National Police chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo and Bapepam's chairman I Putu Gede Ary Suta, with Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad overseeing the event.

Soedradjad admits failure over crisis JAKARTA (JP): Former Bank Indonesia governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono acknowledged that he failed to contain the monetary crisis and restore confidence in the banking system. Speaking to journalists after attending the ceremony to install the new central bank governor, Sjahril Sabirin, at the state palace yesterday, Soedradjad said he tried his best as the head of the monetary authority to stop the economic crisis from spreading.

Bomb hoaxes are 'political ploys' JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo hinted yesterday that all the bomb threats and rumors of riots were the ploy of a certain group which had its own political agenda. "These activities have tended to be politicized. The group must have certain political interests on their mind," he said.

Smog causes health problems in Samarinda JAKARTA (JP): Thick haze from the spreading forest fires in East Kalimantan has forced flights to be delayed and is causing health problems for the locals, a media report said yesterday. The smog blanketed the provincial capital Samarinda and surrounding areas, reducing visibility to only about 500 meters and forcing the authorities to close Temindung airport at 7 a.m. the Antara news agency reported.

PSSI denies treating Henk Wullems unfairly JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) has expressed surprise over Henk Wullems' statement that it treated him unfairly by not extending his contract. Nirwan Dermawan Bakrie, the federation's technical director, said Wednesday that the termination was because no agreement could be reached between PSSI and Wullems, the former national soccer team coach, over handling the team. "PSSI was never one-sided in terminating the contract.

LDP report urges G-7 nations to work together on rupiah TOKYO (Reuters): The Group of Seven (G-7) nations should promote international cooperation to stabilize Indonesia's rupiah, a delegation of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which visited the country recently proposed in a report yesterday.

Authorities order minivan and bus crews not to go on strike JAKARTA (JP): The city police, military and municipality have instructed the crews of minivans and city buses not to go on strike demanding ticket price increases or protesting against the skyrocketing prices of spare parts. Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Wednesday such strikes would be utilized by certain groups who have different agendas to the drivers' demands.