Archive: 17 March 1998
50 articles found
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
New commander for Bogor military
New commander for Bogor military BOGOR (JP): Lt. Col. Misjan Anang Sutisna was installed yesterday as the new commander of the Bogor military district, replacing Lt. Col. Widji Utomo. The installation ceremony was led by Brig. Gen. Eddi Budianto, chief of the Bogor Military Command at the local military district's headquarters. Misjan, who graduated from the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy in 1981, was former chief of the operations section of the Bogor Military Command.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:45 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:10 Teenager's Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Science and Technology: Rektor Serbaguna 5:00 English Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Documentary: Seraut Wajah Kabupaten Banggai 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Song and Profile...
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Opera Sembelit' wins second place
'Opera Sembelit' wins second place JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta-based playwright Nano Riantiarno won second place at a play writing contest yesterday with his Opera Sembelit (Opera of Constipation). A member of the judging panel, Noorca M. Massardi, was quoted by Antara yesterday as saying there was no first place winner, while third place was grabbed by Yosef Muldiana from Bandung with his manuscript Bulan dan Kerupuk (The Moon and the Rice Crackers). The Jakarta Arts Institute organized the event.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Juwono gives forest fires top priority
Juwono gives forest fires top priority JAKARTA (JP): Only hours after being installed as the new State Minister of Environment, Juwono Sudarsono declared his intention to instill "a sense of crisis" in the public over the threat of widespread forest fires. Speaking to journalists after taking over the post from Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Juwono said that forest fires would damage Indonesia's international image if the nation failed to properly handle the recurring problem.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan is ready to call on global powers to help RI
Japan is ready to call on global powers to help RI TOKYO (AFP): Japan is ready to call on the international community as it seeks to break an impasse blocking IMF payments for Indonesia, a top government minister said yesterday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka said Tokyo was prepared to play a role in ending the crisis following a weekend summit in Jakarta between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Indonesian President Soeharto.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man tried for raping girl
Man tried for raping girl JAKARTA (JP): An employee of a maid placement agency has been indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court for raping a 14- year-old girl. The defendant, Encon Yusroni, 26, raped Nur Hayati on the premises of the placement agency, Darma Nusantara Foundation, on Jl. Letjen Suprapto, Senen, on Aug. 22 last year, prosecutor Rudi Yulianto said. "The victim temporarily stayed in the office while she was looking for job as a housemaid," Rudi said.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Minister vows to cut imports, boost output
Minister vows to cut imports, boost output JAKARTA (JP): The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah promised yesterday to boost the production of several important commodities including rice, corn and soybeans to cut back on imports. Justika, who replaced her husband Sjarifudin Baharsjah, said increasing the production of such commodities would be her top priority.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI problem political in nature
RI problem political in nature By Dian M. Noer JAKARTA (JP): The world we live in is not perfect. Within this context we must aspire to a society that is not a perfect utopia, but one that is realistic and attainable: a society where each member, regardless of race, ethnic origin and gender can lead a rewarding life. All must have political representation and education.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
City Council endorses 1998/99 austerity budget
City Council endorses 1998/99 austerity budget JAKARTA (JP): The City Council yesterday endorsed the 1998/1999 austerity budget of Rp 2.79 trillion (US$279 million), a ten percent decrease on last year. With the Council's endorsement, the budget now awaits approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before it is officially passed in the form of city bylaw. The bulk of the budget, Rp 1.7 trillion, is allocated for routine expenditure and the remaining Rp 1.09 trillion for development.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI ready for dialog with students: Yudhoyono
ABRI ready for dialog with students: Yudhoyono JAKARTA (JP): The powerful Armed Forces (ABRI) reiterated yesterday its commitment to developing open dialog with students who have been exerting pressure on the government to resolve the economic crisis. A similar open attitude will be shown to other government critics, according to Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Assistant to the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
SEA Games stickers
SEA Games stickers From Republika PT PLN (the state-owned electricity company) has 20 million subscribers throughout Indonesia. Suppose half of them had bought SEA Games stickers at Rp 1,000 each. The total collected amount must have been Rp 20 billion per month from one source. Other companies collecting from subscribers were PT Telkom (five million subscribers), PT Satelindo, Samsat, etc.. We know that the sale of tickets lasted at least four months.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two more nameless bodies found
Two more nameless bodies found JAKARTA (JP): Two more unidentified corpses were brought to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta over the weekend, increasing the number of unknown bodies taken to the morgue to 77 in the last two months. The first body was a man in his 60s, while the second was a woman of about 30 years old. The woman was reportedly found dead near the Bank International Indonesia building at the Roxy Mas Shopping center in West Jakarta on Sunday evening.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP signs accord with Communists
RP signs accord with Communists MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government was due to sign a human rights accord with Communist guerrillas in the Netherlands yesterday. The government said the breakthrough should shortly lead to a cease-fire. Negotiators from the National Democratic Front (NDF), representing the leaders of the 29-year Maoist rebellion, and Manila officials were scheduled to sign the accord in The Hague at 2 p.m. local time (8 p.m. Jakarta time).
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Council unhappy with joint venture records
Council unhappy with joint venture records JAKARTA (JP): The city council has demanded that the administration review its business partnerships with private enterprises because many of them are money losing. The head of the council's Commission C for financial affairs, Amarullah Asbah, said Sunday the partnerships did not generate sufficient profits for the city's coffers. Some of the 25 joint ventures generate no revenue for the city at all, he said.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Palm oil markets hold back
Palm oil markets hold back KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Southeast Asian palm oil markets are likely to watch official Malaysian February crop data this week and look out for whether Indonesia lifts its ban on crude palm oil exports, regional traders said. Malaysia's Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority (PORLA) will announce February's output, stock and export crop data at 0430 GMT on Monday.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Three farmers drown at sea
Three farmers drown at sea TANGERANG (JP): Three farmers drowned and one went missing while they were catching rajungan (small crabs) along the Tanjung Anom coast over the weekend, eyewitnesses and police said. The incident happened Friday afternoon when huge waves unexpectedly washed the victims, aged between 22 and 26, into the sea, eyewitnesses said. Tangerang police chief Lt. Col.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 16, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soaring office rental rates 'strangle' tenants
Soaring office rental rates 'strangle' tenants JAKARTA (JP): The practice of charging office rents in U.S. dollars in the city's prime areas has driven many tenants to consider alternative accommodation in shop-houses since the rupiah plunged in value against the dollar, a firm of property consultants has said.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia to rethink Indonesia plane deal
Malaysia to rethink Indonesia plane deal KUALA LUMPUR (Antara): The agreement by the Malaysian Armed Forces to purchase the Indonesian-made CN-235 carrier aircraft to transport its troops will be reviewed following the latest developments involving the manufacturer and Indonesia's economy.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students press ahead with demands for reform
Students press ahead with demands for reform JAKARTA (JP): Students pressed ahead with their demands for political reform and lower prices of basic commodities as small scale protests continued in several universities. Unlike previous days, there were no protests at four of the country's major state-run universities -- the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Diponegoro University in Semarang, and Airlangga University in Surabaya.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
All England defeats prompt introspection
All England defeats prompt introspection JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) called psychologist Singgih Gunarsa back to his old job yesterday as it gears up for its Thomas Cup and Uber Cup world team championship titles defense. The association's athlete development head, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said Singgih would help national shuttlers analyze their weaknesses that cost them their campaign in the All England championships in Birmingham over the weekend.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 16, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 550 0 54,000 Alumindo Light Metal 350 25 843,000 Alumindo Perkasa 300 50 6,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 575 0 10,000 Aneka Tambang 1,600 0 1,461,000 Anwar Sierad 450 50 2,884,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rates for Taxes Payment
Rates for Taxes Payment JAKARTA (JP): The new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value-added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax, valid from March 9 to March 15: U.S.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
JGBs higher on buy backs
JGBs higher on buy backs TOKYO (Reuters): Key June 10-year Japanese government bond futures were higher by midday yesterday on short-covering by dealers and concern about weak economic fundamentals. "Dealers who took short positions on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's visit to Indonesia were buying back," said a trader for a domestic brokerage house.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dengue fever kills 125 in S. Sumatra
Dengue fever kills 125 in S. Sumatra PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: An alarming trend has developed here judging from the number of people suffering and dying from dengue fever over the last five years. In the first two months of this year alone, the disease has killed 125 people. In January, 86 of the 1,300 people suffering from dengue fever died, while last month there were 1,256 cases with 39 deaths.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
7,000 schools need a 'facelift'
7,000 schools need a 'facelift' SEMARANG, Central Java: About one-third of all primary school buildings in Central Java are said to be damaged and in need of repairs. The head of the Ministry of Education and Culture's provincial office, Soekendro, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that 7,000 of the 21,157 primary school buildings were in need of some sort of repairs. "Of those that need repair, about 10 percent had sustained heavy damage and 23 percent moderate damage.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Politically linked shares gain ground in active trade
Politically linked shares gain ground in active trade JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose marginally by 0.8 percent yesterday on the back of some gains on stocks related to those in the power, stockbrokers said. They said most local investors grabbed stock related to newly installed ministers like Citra Marga Nusaphala Persadha and Astra International.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Kuntoro to improve investment climate
Kuntoro to improve investment climate JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto pledged yesterday to improve the investment climate in the country's mining and energy sector. Kuntoro said the improvement of the investment climate would be the ministry's top priority to boost the government's dollar- based earnings from the sector.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Observers welcome women ministers
Observers welcome women ministers JAKARTA (JP): Observers have welcomed the appointment of three prominent women to the cabinet and have called on them to continue promoting gender equality. Rudini, Lies Marcus and Wardah Hafidz agreed in separate interviews yesterday and Sunday that great challenges lay ahead for new Minister of Social Services Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, State Minister of Women's Roles Tutty Alawiah and Minister of Agriculture Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
WB upbeat on Thailand
WB upbeat on Thailand BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand should largely escape fallout from Indonesia's economic crisis, but it will still feel some impact, the World Bank's Thailand country director said yesterday. "I think because of what is happening in Indonesia, there could be some setbacks to the way foreign investors look at the region as a whole. But Thailand has differentiated itself from the rest of the pack," J. Shivakumar told Reuters in an interview.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
OPEC to name new president
OPEC to name new president LONDON (Dow Jones): The United Arab Emirates Oil Minister Obaid bin Saif Al-Nasseri is to be the new president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, confirmed an OPEC official yesterday. Dow Jones had reported on Sunday that Al-Nasseri was to be the new president, citing a U.A.E. official. Al-Nasseri replaces Indonesian Mines and Egergy Minister I.B.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF team will arrive tomorrow
IMF team will arrive tomorrow JAKARTA (JP): A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to arrive here tomorrow to review the country's reform program, said former coordinating minister for economy and finance Saleh Affif yesterday. "They will be here on Wednesday," he told reporters at a ceremony to hand over his post to Ginandjar Kartasasmita. He, however, was not clear on whether it would be top level management or just a staff team visiting.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Call her 'Ibu' Tutut now: Subiakto warns
Call her 'Ibu' Tutut now: Subiakto warns JAKARTA (JP): Newly reappointed Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaja yesterday called for a show of respect for his fellow ministers. "Please do not call her Mbak Tutut anymore but Ibu Tutut because she is now a cabinet minister," he reminded journalists who swarmed around new Minister of Social Services Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, whose nickname is Tutut.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pakistani jailed for possessing heroin
Pakistani jailed for possessing heroin JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Muhammad Rafiq Choudry of Pakistan yesterday to two years and six months in jail and fined him Rp 1 million for possessing 450 grams of heroin. The verdict, which was read by presiding judge Pieter Purba, was one year more than demanded by prosecutor Djoko Isworo. "The defendant was found guilty of violating Article 23 (3) of Law 9/1976 on narcotics," Pieter said.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Agung pledges to work with sports council
Agung pledges to work with sports council JAKARTA (JP): Newly inaugurated State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono paid a courtesy call to National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday to make pledges of cooperation between the two sports authorities. Agung, who came to Wismoyo's office after his inauguration at the State Palace, also promised to seek solutions to financial problems burdening the country's preparations for December's 13th Asian Games in Bangkok.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
19 foreigners to be questioned
19 foreigners to be questioned YOGYAKARTA: The 19 foreigners who swam ashore Saturday after jumping from a deserted boat were transported yesterday to Jakarta for further questioning at the central immigration office. They boarded a bus bound for Jakarta yesterday morning. The head of Yogyakarta Immigration Office, Yusuf Hadi, expressed his suspicion about the 19 foreigners, saying they had refused to provide a reasonable explanation about their identity during questioning.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI crisis may spark new disaster
RI crisis may spark new disaster By Jonathan Thatcher MANILA (Reuters): Indonesia's continuing economic problems could lead to a second crisis in the region, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mitsuo Sato said yesterday. But he said in an interview he saw little chance of flexibility being given to Indonesia over structural reforms it is under pressure to adopt.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aspirations for reform
Aspirations for reform The clamor for economic and political reform may die down temporarily now that the new cabinet has been installed. Unlike the students and housewives, however, who can only grumble if, within the next few months, prices do not go down significantly, the rest of the population may just pray and wait for better times. Of course, the above is a scenario drawn up and engineered by the governmentmakers.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bomb suspects in police custody
Bomb suspects in police custody JAKARTA (JP): The three men arrested in an East Jakarta apartment last week on charges of making bombs and plotting a political maneuver have been transferred from the city's military command to police headquarters for further investigation. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the suspects, who were arrested in Klender, were moved to Jakarta Police Headquarters on Sunday night. Aritonang refused to name the three.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Oil production facilities face shortage of spare parts
Oil production facilities face shortage of spare parts JAKARTA (JP): Most of the country's oil and gas production facilities face a shortage of spare parts due to the difficulty in importing the equipment, an oil executive said yesterday. President of PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia Baihaki H. Hakim said local vendors could not import the parts because overseas companies were refusing letters of credit issued by local banks.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Criticism may find expression
Criticism may find expression President Soeharto has heartened many, including the editors of this newspaper, with his humble admission in his inaugural speech that to become a better President he needs to receive criticism. This invitation to express criticism is an important step in the direction of the reform that the people are now pleading for. But the President will need to ensure that others do not derail his new initiative.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto swears in the new cabinet
Soeharto swears in the new cabinet JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto swore in his new 36-strong cabinet in a solemn ceremony at the State Palace yesterday. Moslem clergyman Basiq Djalil, standing next to the 34 ministers who are Moslem, held a Koran above their heads, while Jason Lase held a Bible for Minister of Manpower Theo Sambuaga, the lone Christian in the cabinet, to put his hand on.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dynaplast, Trepak sign deal
Dynaplast, Trepak sign deal JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plastic producer PT Dynaplast has signed an agreement with a Dutch leading crate manufacturer, Wavin Trepak B.V., to produce plastic bottle crates and to use recycling technology in Indonesia The company said in a statement yesterday that both companies have agreed to speed up recycling technology to help their customers here in Indonesia cope with the current economic crisis.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Global ties vital, says Hasan
Global ties vital, says Hasan JAKARTA (JP): Controversial new Minister of Industry and Trade, Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, said yesterday that Indonesia ought to continue cooperating with the international community in order to escape the economic crisis. "We need to cooperate with foreign parties because what we are dealing with here are global issues," Bob said at his first press conference as a minister, two hours after President Soeharto swore in his new 36-member cabinet.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thailand inspires fatigued Asian currencies: Dealers
Thailand inspires fatigued Asian currencies: Dealers SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian currencies were off their highs but relatively firm yesterday as traders turned towards Thailand's brightening prospects after an event-filled weekend in Indonesia failed to stir fresh interest. Talk of strong buying of the Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit and Singapore dollar by large U.S. investment houses and even the Brunei government's investment arm kept the U.S. dollar on soft ground in Asia, dealers said.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mob burns buses in N. Jakarta
Mob burns buses in N. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A mob set alight two Metromini buses after one of them fatally hit two pedestrians and seriously injured another on Jl. Sunter, North Jakarta, on Sunday, police said yesterday. The two dead were identified as M. Jainuri, 33, and Sri Sugiarti, 35, both residents of Jl. Sunter Jaya, said city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang. The injured man was identified as Hirsam, 30, also a local resident.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Governor hopefuls need ABRI's nod
Governor hopefuls need ABRI's nod MEDAN, North Sumatra: Armed Forces (ABRI) members, whether retired or active, still need the "blessing" of the military chief if they wish to pursue a civilian position, head of the ABRI faction in the North Sumatra legislature said. H.A. Hafidz said such consent was also necessary for those with a military background currently running as a candidate for North Sumatra governor.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Miscommunication affects Indonesia-IMF ties
Miscommunication affects Indonesia-IMF ties There has been some friction in the relationship between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the methods to improve Indonesia's economic situation. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses the possible cost. JAKARTA (JP): Relations between Indonesia and the IMF have become strained for an unclear reason. Instead of speculating about the reasons for the tension, we had better discuss the next step that Indonesia should take.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sports council stages congress
Sports council stages congress JAKARTA (JP): The national team's preparations for the 13th Asian Games look to be highlighted at the National Sports Council's three-day congress which starts today. Representatives of all 36 sports organizations under the council's auspices will attend the annual meeting to be held at Hotel Atlet Century Park in Senayan, Central Jakarta. They will also discuss the long-term training program which aims to put Indonesia in at least sixth place at the 2008 Asiad.
Tue, 17 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
New economics team
New economics team The economics team of any new cabinet has always commanded much more attention than other portfolio because the performance of economics ministers directly influences the living conditions of the people. The role of the economics team of the seventh development cabinet which President Soeharto installed yesterday is even more crucial now because of the worst economic crisis the nation has ever faced.