Archive: 2 March 1998
57 articles found
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Visa members still meet all deal requirements
Visa members still meet all deal requirements JAKARTA (JP): Visa International's member banks in Indonesia have proved able to support transactions from both cardholders and merchants despite the economic crisis. Visa International country manager for Indonesia, Ellyana Fuad, said Saturday that her company had agreements and checks in place to ensure all transactions around the world are honored.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
A test of leadership
A test of leadership President Soeharto's accountability speech delivered to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday must have been the toughest he has had to prepare since 1973. The rosy anecdotes of progress achieved under his leadership which peppered his previous five accountability reports have gone. Achievements have been overshadowed, in some cases even eliminated, by the economic crisis that has gripped our country since the middle of 1997.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Talk Show 8:00 Breaking News 8:10 Music 9:00 Breaking News 9:10 Profile: Paket Profil Pembangunan 9:27 Music 10:10 Talk Show 10:40 Music 11:00 TVRI News 11:15 Music 11:40 Profile: Paket Profil Politisi 12:00 p.m.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dorodjatun vows to improve RI-U.S. business ties
Dorodjatun vows to improve RI-U.S. business ties JAKARTA (JP): Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Indonesia's newly appointed ambassador to the United States said Saturday that improving bilateral economic relations was one of his main priorities. Speaking at a business luncheon hosted by the U.S. Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Dorodjatun said that promoting business relationships between the two countries was of utmost importance in the current situation.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pro-Emil sticker disrupts interview
Pro-Emil sticker disrupts interview JAKARTA (JP): Stickers lobbying Emil Salim's vice presidential bid turned out to be amusing yesterday. The butt of the practical joke was a human rights campaigner, Clementino dos Reis Amaral, who has swung his full weight behind Emil.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians are seeking safe haven in Perth
Indonesians are seeking safe haven in Perth By Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): With a three-and-half-hour flight southeast from Jakarta, the city of Perth in Western Australia has always been a popular destination for Indonesian tourists. Who could resist a hop to the Western world, an almost complete change of environment, without breaking your wallet?
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thinking skills can be taught at school
Thinking skills can be taught at school By Hendra Gunawan BANDUNG (JP): In his article "Education: Learning from a crisis" (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 7, 1998), David Harries suggests that in dealing with the crisis and preparing for its aftermath, we must not only think about medicine for the present, but also insurance for the future. In practice this means that we must take care of the young, who will be the managers and leaders of the next generation.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Shell quits Thai exploration
Shell quits Thai exploration BANGKOK (AFP): Oil industry giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group has announced it will pull out of exploration in Thailand and sell its interests in the country's most lucrative oil field, reports said Saturday. Thai Shell's executive director Martin Bradshaw said the group would sell its stake in the prestige Sirikit oil field responsible for 90 percent of the country's crude production, the Bangkok Post and Nation daily reported.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
West African visitors robbed by taxi driver
West African visitors robbed by taxi driver JAKARTA (JP): Two visitors from West Africa were robbed by a taxi driver and his accomplice on their way back to a hotel in Central Jakarta on Friday night, police said Saturday. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said that his office was finding it difficult to trace either the driver or his friend but promised to do his best to catch the two.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Is profiteering a major issue?
Is profiteering a major issue? I am a foreigner who gets my paycheck from my headquarters outside of Indonesia. I travel to Indonesia very often on business trips. Of course, I shop here whenever I have a chance to do so. Usually when I buy something, I first calculate the amount into foreign currency even if I am paying for it in rupiah.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Help those who are in need
Help those who are in need If any certainty existed that the situation would improve soon, the general suffering in our country would not be as great. The problem is that in order to cure our ailing economy, even greater suffering is necessary before the illness can be healed. Among other things, a number of subsidies that are now burdening our state finances must be eliminated.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Paramedics stand by early
Paramedics stand by early JAKARTA (JP): Feeling a bit fatigued after sitting in one of those meeting rooms for hours? The paramedic team at the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly may just have the cure for Assembly members. On the opening day of the 11-day event, the City Health Agency provided nine ambulances on site. Each ambulance had three paramedics. And the team is an early riser.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
MAS ends Davo flight
MAS ends Davo flight DAVAO, Philippines (AFP): The Asian currency crisis has forced the cancellation of the only direct flight between the southern Philippines and nearby Malaysia, it was announced here Saturday. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) district manager Fadzil Mairon said the twice-weekly Davao to Kota Kinabalu service, which began in November, 1995, would end after the last flight Saturday.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crisis threatens development
Crisis threatens development JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto in his accountability address to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) bemoaned that events of the past few months have exposed internal weaknesses and threatened to undermine the country's hard built development.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Amex checks
Amex checks I carried American Express (Amex) travelers' checks when I traveled to the U.S. in September 1997. The checks were stolen in Los Angeles. Immediately after the incident, I reported it to the local police, the local Amex office and the Amex office in Jakarta. I have the supporting documents thereto. The local Amex office in the U.S. promised me that I would receive a refund in one month's time.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Weekend pollution levels up in S'pore
Weekend pollution levels up in S'pore SINGAPORE (Reuters): Air pollution levels in Singapore, threatened by smoke from fires in neighboring Indonesia, climbed into the moderate range on the weekend. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) at 4 p.m. (3 p.m. Jakarta time) yesterday was 55, the Ministry of Environment said, up from 53 Saturday. PSI levels at 50 or below are considered good, and from 51 to 100 moderate.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nightspots close as nightlife slows
Nightspots close as nightlife slows JAKARTA (JP): Almost two-thirds of the city's 157 nightspots have temporarily closed and dozens are expected to follow as fewer revelers venture out on the town at night, a senior official said over the weekend. Toha Reno from the City Public Order Office said at least 97 entertainment centers have reported their closure following a 75 percent drop in the number of patrons over the past two months.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
PPP to press its stance on crisis
PPP to press its stance on crisis JAKARTA (JP): The General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly kicked off yesterday with the United Development Party (PPP) faction setting its sights on breaking the long held convention of having a uniform opinion. Chief of the PPP faction in the Assembly, Jusuf Syakir, said after an internal meeting with his team that his party would ask the Assembly to include economic crisis as a global phenomenon in the 1998/2003 State Policy Guidelines.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Business leaders support CBS plan
Business leaders support CBS plan JAKARTA (JP): Prominent business leaders in the People's Consultative Assembly expressed support yesterday for President Soeharto's effort to stabilize the rupiah through a currency board system. The Assembly members, however, noted that the planned measure would require an overhaul in the economic system as well as vast funds.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
We will continue to implement reforms: Soeharto
We will continue to implement reforms: Soeharto Following is an excerpt of the accountability address presented by President Soeharto at the opening of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday in his capacity as Mandatory of the nation's highest institution. JAKARTA: As a result of past achievements, our people have numerous new hopes. New opportunities are awaiting us. New challenges are before us. These new hopes are higher than the previous ones.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
The dirty politics of the boardroom
The dirty politics of the boardroom Politiking Di Panggung Bisnis (Politicization in the Business Sector); By Rhenald Kasali; Published by Gramedia & TIARA, Jakarta, 1998; 241 pp + xxii; Rp 17,000 YOGYAKARTA (JP): The meaning of politics has always been misunderstood as the effort to reach, capture and preserve power. People will justify any means to gain power, and politics has descended into a sort of barbarian arena where tricks and violence prevail.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
IBM wins IPTN contract
IBM wins IPTN contract JAKARTA (JP): State aircraft manufacturer PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has signed a series of contracts with IBM to supply additional workstations and software to support the N-2130, the country's first passenger jet project. IBM said Saturday that they would supply RISC System/6000 workstations and CATIA software. "The RS/6000 contract is to supply additional workstation requirements until mid 1998," the statement says.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Emil could be Golkar's choice
Emil could be Golkar's choice JAKARTA (JP): The old saying vox populi vox dei is worth believing as the Golkar faction failed yesterday to assert its vice presidential candidate before a group of visitors who lent support to senior economist Emil Salim.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Vice presidential election not yet over, Sudomo says
Vice presidential election not yet over, Sudomo says JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council Sudomo scoffed yesterday at cynics who say that no vice presidential election is necessary because B.J. Habibie is already assured of winning the post. Sudomo pointed out that the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) had just begun, and that the final decision on who would be the next vice president rested with the elected president.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sultan Bolkiah plans to aid Asia economies
Sultan Bolkiah plans to aid Asia economies KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's richest men, plans to help Asian economies pull through a financial crisis with strategic investments, Malaysia's prime minister said on Saturday. Mahathir Mohamad met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who was on a one-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, for lunch.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Message from the Publisher
Message from the Publisher More than a month ago The Jakarta Post implemented several cost-efficiency measures -- including the reduction of the number of pages of the newspaper from 16 to 12 -- to cut financial losses caused by shrinking advertising revenue and rising newsprint prices. We had hoped that the economic situation would improve to avoid having to increase our subscription rate. Unfortunately the economic uncertainty persists and production costs keep rising.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF holds key to World Bank loans to Indonesia
IMF holds key to World Bank loans to Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): Decisions by the International Monetary Fund hold the key to the approval of more than US$1 billion of World Bank loans to Indonesia, a senior bank official said on Friday. But World Bank Vice President Jean-Michel Severino told a news briefing he was less pessimistic about Indonesia than many other commentators. "Our assessment of the situation is not as dark as many people make it," he said.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia fights illegal immigrants
Malaysia fights illegal immigrants KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A regional official wants 45,000 army reservists to help police keep illegal immigrants from entering the country, a newspaper said yesterday. Shahidan Kassim, chief minister of the northwestern state of Perlis, has urged the Defense Ministry to mobilize the Territorial Army to secure coastal areas and land borders, the New Sunday Times reported. That army is made up of men and women who have received military training in off hours from work.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Expats the holy cow
Expats the holy cow A lot of debate concerning expatriates has recently been published in the press. Certain myths and fallacies prevail in these discussions and various facts have been overlooked. I would like to rectify this situation. Approximately US$900,000,000 in tax revenue is collected from expatriates, against emoluments estimated to be $3 billion.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Presidential accountability speech incomplete: PPP, PDI
Presidential accountability speech incomplete: PPP, PDI JAKARTA (JP): The two minority parties criticized President Soeharto's account of his last five years of leadership as incomplete and suggested improvements yesterday. United Development Party (PPP) chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum and Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chairman Soerjadi separately said the President failed to include in his speech certain strategic issues, including the need for political reform.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
More thieves in C. Java forest
More thieves in C. Java forest SEMARANG, Central Java: Theft of timber from Central Javan forests has increased since the monetary crisis began last year. Over 117,000 teak logs and 450 pine logs worth a total of Rp 1.44 billion have been stolen, an official said. Sundoro, a spokesman for state-owned PT Perhutani forestry company told The Jakarta Post Friday that the wave of timber theft stemmed from current economic woes. Thieves have been operating in large groups.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet ministers bid farewell
Cabinet ministers bid farewell JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto hosted a farewell reception for the sixth development cabinet at the Merdeka Palace yesterday, thanking them for their hard work over the last five years. The atmosphere was buoyant with many of the ministers, more accustomed to wrestling with the nation's problems, smiled and laughed as they enjoyed lighter moments with their colleagues, the President and Vice President Try Sutrisno.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya students stage peaceful food protest
Surabaya students stage peaceful food protest SURABAYA, East Java (JP): With the support of senior professors and lecturers, thousands of state-run Airlangga University students staged a peaceful demonstration on campus Saturday. Similar to other recent on-campus rallies, the crowd -- led by the university's former rector and former Indonesian ambassador to UNESCO Prof.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto urges IMF to help stabilize rupiah
Soeharto urges IMF to help stabilize rupiah JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has organized Indonesia's US$43 billion rescue package, to do more to help stabilize the rupiah which he says is key to solving the current economic crisis. Soeharto also raised publicly for the first time the question of adopting a Currency Board System (CBS), in which the rupiah would be set at a fixed foreign exchange rate.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Calm stock trading expected during MPR General Session
Calm stock trading expected during MPR General Session JAKARTA (JP): Trading activities in the local stock market are expected to remain calm this week as investors watch the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), stock brokers and analysts said. Brokers said that short term investors, who made large transactions last week, would probably take a wait and see attitude toward the General Session.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
15 Sri Lankans nabbed for traveling without passports
15 Sri Lankans nabbed for traveling without passports JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen Sri Lankans have been arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for traveling without the correct documents, police said Saturday. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said that the 15 were detained by immigration staff at the airport as they queued at passport control on Thursday night.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI, Malaysia, Thailand to jointly promote tourism
RI, Malaysia, Thailand to jointly promote tourism JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to jointly promote tourism in their shared border area, an Indonesian official said Saturday.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aladdin the magic to protect your data from prying eyes
Aladdin the magic to protect your data from prying eyes By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): You leave your office late in the evening. You make sure the door is locked before you go home. You think your software and data are safe. Think again. In the wee hours of the morning someone may sneak into your office, take your CPU apart and pocket the hard disk. When you arrive at work the next day, a nasty surprise awaits you.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Confidence in Asia shattered: Greenspan
Confidence in Asia shattered: Greenspan WASHINGTON (Reuters): U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan offered a bleak assessment on Friday of the financial crisis gripping Asia, saying bank runs had reached crisis proportions in Indonesia and confidence was shattered.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
All hands on deck to lift RI out of crisis
All hands on deck to lift RI out of crisis BOGOR (JP): Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) rector Soleh Solahuddin underlined here Saturday the importance of introducing a new mass guidance (Bimas) movement to help lift Indonesia out of crisis. The movement would work to intensify the use of neglected and unproductive land to bolster agricultural productivity in key crops such as rice, soybean and corn, he said. Indonesia is currently dependent on imports of all three staples.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
I'm no president: Bambang
I'm no president: Bambang JAKARTA (JP): If you can't get to the father, try the son. That may have been the motive of reporters when they flocked around President Soeharto's second eldest son Bambang Trihatmodjo after his father's accountability speech yesterday. Despite the barrage of questions leveled at him, Bambang managed to remain aloof when asked to comment on his father's speech. "(The speech) was realistic, open and unpretentious," he was quoted by Antara as responding to one question.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto bids farewell to his cabinet members
Soeharto bids farewell to his cabinet members JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto bid farewell to his cabinet yesterday afternoon, apologizing to them for his shortcomings as the cabinet's chief and to their families for the sacrifices they had to endure. In a farewell reception to mark the completion of the five- year term of the 41-member cabinet at Merdeka Palace, the President expressed gratitude for their assistance.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Excelcomindo's billing system
Excelcomindo's billing system JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phone operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama has upgraded its existing billing system to improve customer service, the company announced Saturday. The company said that it had upgraded its customer care and billing software from Business Support and Control System (BSCS) version 3 to BSCS version 4. BSCS is produced by LHS, an American company specializing in the production of billing and customer care software.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' driver robbed, killed
'Ojek' driver robbed, killed JAKARTA (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was believed to be the victim of a robbery after he was found dead Friday morning in Cibitung, Bekasi, police said. The victim, Nemon bin Sirin, 54, was found by residents of Pasir Limus village, Wangunharja about 6 a.m., First Lt. Heri Muntiarto of Cibitung Police subprecinct said.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Strength from competition
Strength from competition The storm is still blowing through our economy. I do not intend to forecast the future for our economy but I want remind everyone that the era of fortress Indonesia must end.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Human rights activist says General Session extravagant
Human rights activist says General Session extravagant JAKARTA (JP): The ongoing General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly which will eat up almost Rp 45 billion (US$5 million) and put up its 1,000 members in lavish hotels is an extravagance, a leading human rights campaigner said yesterday. Clementino dos Reis Amaral said now that the national economy was teetering on the brink of calamity, the budget for the 11-day meeting could have been trimmed.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Emil has no chance for VP post: Golkar officials
Emil has no chance for VP post: Golkar officials JAKARTA (JP): Emil Salim kept to his word yesterday and pressed ahead with his vice presidential bid only to find that the dominant Golkar faction, which supports B.J. Habibie, had shut the door in his face. Golkar officials in the People's Consultative Assembly told Emil's supporters that their support for Soeharto and Habibie as the next president and vice president was final.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sale of SEA Games stickers to be probe
Sale of SEA Games stickers to be probe JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumer Foundation is to investigate the distributors of stickers sold to raise funds for the 19th SEA Games, held in Jakarta last year, the foundation's vice chairman Agus Pambagio said over the weekend.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Angry Surabaya people run amok
Angry Surabaya people run amok SURABAYA, East Java: About 600 residents of Jl. Kalirungkut in East Surabaya ran amok on Saturday evening after a property developer failed to bulldoze parts of the development which are causing flooding in the neighborhood. Residents said that the building had blocked the flow of water, causing their houses to flood during recent heavy rain. No fatalities were reported during the Saturday's disturbance.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
El Paso to open regional headquarters in Jakarta
El Paso to open regional headquarters in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): American power giant El Paso Energy International has chosen Indonesia for the site of its Southeast Asian regional headquarters despite the country's economic uncertainties. Company president John D. Hushon said here last Monday the decision to open the regional headquarters in Jakarta was made in the third quarter of last year. The new headquarters office would be officially opened in the next few weeks, he said.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Art Exhibition: The Winning Entries of The ASEAN Essay, Photo, and Poster Competitions at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the ASEAN Secretariat, Jl. Sisingamangaraja 70A, South Jakarta, until March 30. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Identitas Mengambang by Aminudin Siregar, Nandang Gawe, Dodi Rosadi, Dikdik Sayahdikumullah, Heru Hikayat, at Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu No. 68 H, East Jakarta, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until March 27.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI could face global sanctions over forest fires
RI could face global sanctions over forest fires JAKARTA (JP): The country could face international trade sanctions unless the government and businesspeople take this year's forest fires in East Kalimantan seriously, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja warned Saturday. Speaking at a media conference here, Sarwono said the forest fires in East Kalimantan were mostly burning in the concession areas of industrial timber companies.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
FedEx launches new service
FedEx launches new service JAKARTA (JP): The United States cargo firm FedEx has launched a new service in Indonesia which will cut shipping cost for its customers. The company said Saturday that it will offer Indonesian customers standard rates on 10 kilogram and 25 kilogram boxes. The boxes are bigger in size than those provided by its competitors.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man tried for 'ganja' possession
Man tried for 'ganja' possession JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor has asked Central Jakarta District Court to sentence a man to five years in jail for possessing three kilograms of ganja (marijuana). Prosecutor Fatriza Muchtar said Thursday the defendant, Asep Sapaat Zaenudin, 30, was arrested on Nov. 30, last year on Jl. Kramat Pulo in Senen about 2 p.m.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds laid off in Maluku
Hundreds laid off in Maluku AMBON, Maluku: Hundreds of workers have been laid off by construction companies due to the soaring price of building materials, an executive said Saturday. Soebeno, secretary of the Provincial Indonesian Builder's Association (Gapensi) said that the sharp fall in the rupiah against the US dollar had caused building materials to increase in price by between 300 percent and 400 percent.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dead couple's car found in Cilegon
Dead couple's car found in Cilegon JAKARTA (JP): A missing red Peugeot sedan thought to belong to a couple found dead in the Modernland housing complex in Tangerang was discovered by a tire repair man on Jl. Raya Merak in Cilegon last Tuesday. Cilegon police chief Lt. Col. Indra said yesterday that the car was found on Tuesday morning, three days before the bodies of businessman Hendra Rusmawan, 47, and his wife Prastiwi, 42, were found at their home.
Mon, 02 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Album
Album Photo A: Dialogue Antara OFFERING ALTERNATIVE: Senior scholars Saparinah Sadli and Selo Sumardjan (left and second left) enjoy a light moment during a meeting with leaders of the ruling Golkar faction. The two are part of a coalition of non-governmental organizations and activists that has been campaigning to have economist Emil Salim nominated for the 1998/2003 vice presidency. Golkar leaders informed the visiting group that they would only nominate B.J. Habibie.