Archive: 4 February 1998
49 articles found
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Turmoil 'no laughing matter'
Turmoil 'no laughing matter' JAKARTA (JP): It ain't what jokes you say, it's how you say them. Unfortunately for the country's comedians however they are not even getting the chance to crack many gags in these financially fraught times, according to one of Indonesia's leading funnymen. Not that there is any shortage of jokes at a time like this, Kadir, well noted for his thick Madurese accent, said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sports council to start training for Asiad soon
Sports council to start training for Asiad soon JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's 13th Asian Games task force decided yesterday to start training sessions for the Asiad in mid February. Task force chairman Muhammad Hindarto said the council and sports organizations had agreed to delay the start to the second phase of training, which was to have begun on Feb. 1, due to the Idul Fitri holiday. "Some sports organizations started training (first phase) in November.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
U.S. dollar exchange rate
U.S. dollar exchange rate From Pikiran Rakyat In his Jan. 7 draft state budget statement to the House of Representatives, President Soeharto used an estimated exchange rate of Rp 4,000 to the dollar. Later, following negotiations with Mr. Michel Camdessus, the executive director of the IMF, this figure was revised to Rp 5,000 to the dollar. It was stipulated that the exchange rate will remain "floating", in the sense that it will be determined by the "market".
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police urged to keep investigating Yorris
Police urged to keep investigating Yorris JAKARTA (JP): Members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) urged police yesterday to continue their investigation into Yorris Raweyai, an Assembly member, who was apprehended last week for his alleged involvement in gambling. Deputy chairman of Golkar Abdul Gafur said the ruling political organization would not hesitate to punish Yorris if he was proven guilty. "Gambling is a violation of Golkar's moral principle of flawlessness.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Residents oppose Mt. Cyclops park
Residents oppose Mt. Cyclops park JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (Antara): Residents of Depapre district here have rejected a government plan to turn a 48,000-hectare nature reserve on Mt. Cyclops into a national park. "These people draw their water from Mt. Cycloops. They are worried that if it is turned into a national park, its environment would get spoiled," the head of the local cultural institution, C. Seseray, said Monday.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
U.S. security strategy in SE Asia
U.S. security strategy in SE Asia The following is the first of two articles based on a paper delivered by U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen in Singapore on Jan. 15, 1998 during the officiating of the Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies. SINGAPORE: Far too many defense commentators and analysts today paint a portrait of the Asian security landscape in space monochromes that, unfortunately, are less than inspired or inspiring.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
28 killed in road accidents
28 killed in road accidents SEMARANG: Twenty-eight people were killed and 30 others injured in road accidents in Central Java during the fasting month and Idul Fitri holidays. Central Java police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said the most casualties were in Wonogiri, where 10 people were killed and 11 injured. Nine lives were lost in Wonosobo and another nine people were injured while accidents in Semarang left nine people dead and 10 injured, Djajoesman said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Foreign workers seriously injured
Foreign workers seriously injured KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Six foreign workers suffered serious burns when a sawdust collection tank exploded at a sawmill factory about 27 kilometers northwest of here, a report said yesterday. The victims, five Bangladeshis and an Indonesian, aged between 25 and 30, suffered 80 to 90 percent burns, Bernama news agency quoted hospital officials as saying.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Spotlight
Spotlight Photo A: TPI JP/bay DOUBLE DELIGHT: Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (third left) celebrates her 49th birthday and local TV station TPI's 17th anniversary with friends and husband Indra Rukmana (second left). Artists, employees and executives attended the gathering at the TPI studio at Taman Mini Indonesia in Jakarta on Jan. 23.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 3, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 700 200 1,000 AHAP Insurance 350 0 0 Alter Abadi 175 -25 378,000 Alumindo Light Metal 275 0 184,000 Alumindo Perkasa 250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 675 -25 244,500 Aneka Tambang 1,925 50 46,349,500 Anwar Sierad 150 25 284,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Maid forced to eat dog droppings
Maid forced to eat dog droppings SINGAPORE (AFP): A 15-year-old Indonesian maid was twice forced by her employers, including a 13-year-old boy, to eat dog droppings for not cleaning up quickly after the dog, a newspaper reported yesterday. The maid detailed the story Monday to a local court along with other forms of abuse that her employers heaped on her since she went to work for them last year, the Straits Times said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sofjan a faithful supporter of Soeharto: Politician
Sofjan a faithful supporter of Soeharto: Politician JAKARTA (JP): Noted 1966 Generation figure Abdul Gafur said yesterday he had no doubts about Sofjan Wanandi's allegiance to President Soeharto. Gafur was commenting in response to mounting rumors that business tycoon Sofjan had fled the country following a military questioning about his possible involvement in a bomb blast last month. "I know Sofjan well. We struggled together in 1966 for the establishment of the New Order.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
A change of leadership
A change of leadership From Forum Keadilan I am a 40-year-old Indonesian citizen. For most of my life I have had only one president. Now it seems that I'm dreaming of having a new president, with new vision. However, the general chairman of the Golkar Functional Group has stated that the renomination of Soeharto as the presidential candidate is final. Other Golkar functionaries have stated that Soeharto still has the people's confidence as leader of this nation. Is this not an overstatement?
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bosses and luxury cars greet homebound maids
Bosses and luxury cars greet homebound maids JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of luxurious cars were spotted near Pulogadung bus terminal in East Jakarta yesterday as the owners waited to pick up their relatives and, just as importantly, their servants. The cars, ranging from Kijangs to Mercedes Benz, were parked bumper to bumper on a small plot near the terminal while the owners waited impatiently under the blazing sun. Not all holidaymakers arrived weighed down by recession- induced gloom.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Badminton body sends shuttlers out to clubs
Badminton body sends shuttlers out to clubs JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association's athletic development deputy, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said yesterday the association would start its program of sending national players to clubs and provincial branches next week. "Starting next week, we'll send four to eight men's doubles players to be trained at the Djarum club in West Jakarta. Coach Herry IP will accompany them," Siregar said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Senior U.S. commander worried by RI crisis
Senior U.S. commander worried by RI crisis LONDON (Reuters): The U.S. military commander in the Asia- Pacific region on Monday expressed concern about the crisis in Indonesia and said his forces were doing all they could to help stabilize the country. Admiral Joseph Prueher, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, also said it was uncertain whether Washington could build a successful stable long-term military relationship with China.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Feb. 3, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Goh urges multirateral guarantee for RI L/Cs
Goh urges multirateral guarantee for RI L/Cs JAKARTA (JP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong proposed yesterday the establishment of a multilateral committee to guarantee letters of credit (L/Cs) issued by Indonesian banks to help Indonesia finance badly needed imports. Goh flew into Jakarta yesterday to review Indonesia's economic crisis with President Soeharto. He told a joint media briefing after the 90-minute meeting at Soeharto's Jl.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Religious leaders pledge to support government
Religious leaders pledge to support government JAKARTA (JP): Christian and Moslem leaders have expressed concern over the deepening economic crisis and pledged to support the government's efforts to end it. The Communion of Churches in Indonesia said it would be "very irresponsible" for the government to work alone to end the turmoil. "It would be very unchristian," said the statement signed by communion chief Sularso Sopater and secretary J.M. Pattiasina.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Will women's publications vanish from newsstands?
Will women's publications vanish from newsstands? By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): "It's getting thinner," a woman griped as she flipped through a favorite magazine at a newsstand on Jl. Jend. Sudirman. Right she was. The media has felt the full brunt of the currency crisis in falling ad placements and the soaring price of newsprint, charged in U.S. dollars.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: Big Brother Jake 3:10 Indonesian Children 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 Film: Road to Avonlea 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 6:53 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Entrepreneurship Program: Mitra Kita 8:05 Science program: Dunia Teknologi 8:30 TV Drama: RT 09 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Nada dan Dakwah 10:35 Late News...
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stove explosion kills housewife
Stove explosion kills housewife JAKARTA (JP): A mother of two died yesterday of severe wounds she endured from a stove explosion in her Bekasi residence. Muhaji, one of the victim's neighbors, said the incident happened on Jan. 27, when the victim, Sri Winarti, 27, was preparing a meal to break the family's fast. "She lit the kerosene stove and then poured kerosene into its tank. The stove exploded suddenly," Muhaji said. The incident reportedly was witnessed by the victim's youngest daughter.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stearin stocks accumulate after CPO export ban
Stearin stocks accumulate after CPO export ban JAKARTA (JP): Stearin stocks have been accumulating in the storage tanks of palm oil refining companies since a complete ban on the exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and all its derivatives began January. Data released by the internal trade directorate general here showed that the Bukit Kapur Reksa Group in North Sumatra held the largest stock of 45,950 tons of stearin as of the end of last month.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Excessive forex trading margin hurting economy
Excessive forex trading margin hurting economy JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's high foreign exchange trading margin has created tough times for Indonesian businesses, bankers and businesspeople have said. "The margin here is the highest in the world," former senior Central Bank official I Nyoman Moena said yesterday. He pointed out that the margin caused difficulties in doing business in the country, including importing and exporting.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Preparation for security in March
Preparation for security in March JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo officiated an on-the-alert ceremony at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Bogor, yesterday in preparation for next month's General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly. Dibyo said the ceremony was aimed mainly at improving the spirit and commitment among Mobile Brigade members in maintaining security during the General Session.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Suspected bomb plotter arrested
Suspected bomb plotter arrested YOGYAKARTA: The local Legal Aid Institute has protested the arrest of a local resident the authorities suspect of involvement in the recent bomb-making plot in Jakarta. Institute chief Budi Hartono said the arrest by Jakarta police officers on Jan. 31 of Rachmat Kustianto Basuki, alias Yosie, was a mistake. "The police caught the wrong person," he said in a news conference here Monday.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Exit tax hike hits ailing travel agencies
Exit tax hike hits ailing travel agencies JAKARTA (JP): A 300 percent rise in departure taxes to begin tomorrow will pose another crushing blow to the country's battered travel industry as the measure will undoubtedly cause a further plunge in the number of travelers going overseas. Some travel agencies in Jakarta told The Jakarta Post the higher departure taxes imposed on residents leaving the country might drive them to the brink of collapse.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Taking the street for 'lesehan' dining
Taking the street for 'lesehan' dining Once-fat wallets, crammed with crisp Rp 50,000 bills, a string of credit cards and receipts from previous extravagant dining experiences, have gone on an impromptu diet. The leather has lost its luster and the sorry assortment of Rp 1,000 and Rp 5,000 notes contained within sees little daylight these days.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto won't name VP choice
Soeharto won't name VP choice JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto insisted yesterday he would not announce his preferred running mate for another term in office before factions in the People's Consultative Assembly unveiled their vice presidential candidates. The head of the Pancasila state ideology proselytizing body, Alwi Dahlan, said after meeting with the President at the latter's residence on Jl.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two S'pore oil refiners deepen production cuts
Two S'pore oil refiners deepen production cuts SINGAPORE (Reuters): Two Singapore oil refiners have cut production further amid increasing price pressures in Asia, where excess supplies dominate. Industry sources said the refiners are adopting an aggressive stance in an effort to boost profit margins. This week Shell and Esso have announced deeper run cuts at their Singapore refineries.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina has 'no plan' to jack up lubricant prices
Pertamina has 'no plan' to jack up lubricant prices JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina assured the public yesterday that it had no plan to increase lubricant prices and supply was plentiful here and nationwide. "The public need not worry. We have enough supplies of lubricants and there is, thus far, no plan to raise prices," Pertamina's spokesman Ramli Djaafar said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
East Java violence blamed by hoodlums
East Java violence blamed by hoodlums JAKARTA (JP): East Java police said in Surabaya yesterday that the recent disturbances in Tuban and Pasuruan, where shops were attacked and looted, were "purely criminal acts" committed by hoodlums. Police spokesman Lt. Col. Soetrisno T.S. said the police had detained 131 people caught red-handed pelting and looting stores during the unrest sparked by rumors of soaring prices of basic commodities. "It's a crime.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina reduces fuel imports due to low demand
Pertamina reduces fuel imports due to low demand JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina has reduced fuel imports in line with a drop in domestic demand during the economic crisis, company spokesman Ramli Djaafar said yesterday. Ramli said the demand for fuel products like diesel had also decreased significantly as many industries had reduced activities and people were using their cars less as part of efficiency programs to cope with the monetary turmoil.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF-sponsored reforms need not be taken for granted
IMF-sponsored reforms need not be taken for granted By Makmur Keliat SURABAYA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been established to assist countries facing serious problems in their balance of payments and current accounts but it is a great mistake to conclude that it can do nothing wrong. Economist Marie Pangestu noted in The Jakarta Post's Jan. 22 edition that the rupiah's continuous free-fall should not be blamed on the IMF.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie stresses IPTN to continue its operations
Habibie stresses IPTN to continue its operations JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie said yesterday that state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN was financially healthy enough to continue operating. Addressing the opening ceremony of a seminar on aeronautics, Habibie said there were no logical reasons to terminate IPTN's production activities.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Children forced into prostitution
Children forced into prostitution MEDAN, North Sumatra: A notorious pimp on Tanjungbalai Karimun island, Riau, has recruited hundreds of girls aged under 17 into her prostitution den, according to local reports. Three girls recently rescued from the brothel by their families said Monday that most of the sex workers they knew were victims of labor brokers who promised them well-paid jobs in certain companies.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rice stocks enough: Hartarto
Rice stocks enough: Hartarto JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister of Production and Distribution Hartarto strongly dismissed yesterday rumors that the country would soon face rice shortages. "We have enough rice stocks for this year and even for coming years. We are continuing to procure rice and we will import if our supply is not adequate," Hartarto said after meeting with Soeharto at the latter's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ricardo predicts significant rise in grocery prices
Ricardo predicts significant rise in grocery prices JAKARTA (JP): The prices of the nine basic commodities, such as rice and cooking oil, are likely to rise by between 10 percent and 15 percent next week, Ricardo Gelael, president of the Goro Batara Sakti wholesale company, said yesterday. "The prices of several household items such as detergent and soap could jump by 70 to 75 percent... while the prices of imported products could soar by 300 percent," he said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Share prices fail to sustain Monday's gains
Share prices fail to sustain Monday's gains JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) failed to sustain their impressive gains yesterday, losing about 3 percent due to profit takings and reports of sporadic riots. Securities brokers said market sentiment remained bullish in the morning but profit takings by short-term investors and reports of riots in several towns in East Java and Sulawesi killed the buying mood.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Private sector debts and offshore deposits
Private sector debts and offshore deposits By Joe L. Spartz JAKARTA (JP): So far, neither IMF intervention nor the economic reform package announced by the government have been able to stem or to reverse the increasingly catastrophic fall of the rupiah.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Ketupat' casing business a moneymaker during Idul Fitri
'Ketupat' casing business a moneymaker during Idul Fitri By Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): For most Jakartans, the Idul Fitri celebration would not be complete without feasting on some ketupat (rice wrapped in young coconut palm leaves). Although it is unclear when and where the dish was first introduced, ketupat has become an integral part of the holiday tradition, particularly for Betawi (native Jakartan) people.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Teenager arrested for killing mother
Teenager arrested for killing mother JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a 17-year-old man in Central Jakarta for allegedly stabbing his mother to death yesterday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the suspect, identified as Hardiansyah, was believed to have killed his mother after she berated him. The teenager's 50-year-old mother, Jumriati, died at the scene from two stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. Police arrested the suspect a short distance from his house on Jl.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF opposes rate cut
IMF opposes rate cut SEOUL (AFP): A senior official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday rejected South Korea's request that it be allowed to lower interest rates, citing a still unstable foreign exchange market. "We have to be very cautious in bringing them back (to earlier lower levels of interest rates)," said Hubert Neiss, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team working in South Korea.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Air Lanka privatization
Air Lanka privatization COLOMBO (AFP): Sri Lanka yesterday announced it was entering into talks with the Dubai-based Emirates airline to sell 40 percent of its national carrier, Air Lanka, under a privatization plan. The privatization authority here said it will hold negotiations exclusively with Emirates on the sale of Air Lanka after evaluating proposals from seven companies but gave no time- frame for concluding a deal.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tigaraksa to get a grand mosque
Tigaraksa to get a grand mosque JAKARTA (JP): A grand mosque with a capacity of 4,000 is to be built on a 26,757-square-meter plot of land in Tigaraksa, Tangerang at a cost of more than Rp 5.89 billion (US$589,000), an official said yesterday. A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the two- story mosque, which will have floor space of 5,526 square meters, was conducted Friday by Tangerang Regency Saifullah AR after the Idul Fitri prayer, the regency's spokesperson, Ena Karlina, said.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
New interest rate policy will force bank innovation
New interest rate policy will force bank innovation JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia's (BI) latest move to control interest rates will force commercial banks to be more innovative, analysts have said. Jusuf Arbianto Tjondrolukito, a commissioner of Bank Danamon, said yesterday the measure would force banks to improve services and efficiency to attract customers rather than only advertising high interest rates.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sugar import squeeze seen to affect Asia
Sugar import squeeze seen to affect Asia LONDON (Reuters): Asia's financial crisis has slowed the growth of emerging Far Eastern sugar markets, but the full impact of an uneven import squeeze has still be felt, sugar analysts and traders said. Starting in Thailand last July, a sharp depreciation of Asian currencies against the U.S. dollar, amounting to some 70 percent for the Indonesian rupiah, escalated the cost of importing sugar and other dollar-denominated products.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
6,000 lose jobs in Kebumen
6,000 lose jobs in Kebumen SEMARANG: About 2,500 bag and cap home businesses that employ 6,000 workers in Kebumen regency have gone bankrupt because of the deepening economic crisis. The chief of the Association of Kebumen Bag and Cap Entrepreneurs, Nurhamid, said the companies were unable to buy imported raw materials because prices had soared 300 percent. Those that could buy the materials were consequently forced to offer goods at very high prices which meant many items remained unsold.
Wed, 04 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forest fires may be manmade, says official
Forest fires may be manmade, says official JAKARTA (JP): Satellite images and aerial photos suggest the fresh forest fires in East Kalimantan may have been started intentionally, a government official said yesterday. The director for environment damage control at the Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal), Yon Artiono Arba'i, said he would dispatch a team to the province tomorrow to investigate.