Archive: 24 March 1998
48 articles found
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia slams Thai sailors
Indonesia slams Thai sailors BANGKOK (AFP): The Indonesian authorities have accused Thai fishermen of spreading AIDS in Indonesian ports by sleeping with prostitutes, Thai officials were quoted as saying yesterday. The Thai ministry of public health held seminars for non- government organizations (NGOs), businesses and state authorities to halt the problem following complaints from Indonesia.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto urges critical students to offer solutions
Wiranto urges critical students to offer solutions YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar called on students who have recently become increasingly loud in their criticism of the government's handling of the economic crisis to offer their own solutions.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rare kangaroo found in Irian
Rare kangaroo found in Irian JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Researchers for the World Wide Fund for Nature have reportedly found an unusual type of kangaroo in the 2.5 million hectare Lorentz National Park, but do not yet know if the animal constitutes a new species. An organization official, Benjamin Mambai, said here on Monday that the tree kangaroo (dandrologus sp.) found in the reserve differed from the type commonly found in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to go all out in fight against forest fires
Govt to go all out in fight against forest fires JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry and Plantations Sumahadi vowed yesterday to do his best to tackle the prolonged forest fires in East Kalimantan despite his ministry's limited budget and equipment. The minister acknowledged shortages of sophisticated equipment, including water bombers, had slowed efforts to tame the fires.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ironsides vital for Thomas, Uber Cups
Ironsides vital for Thomas, Uber Cups JAKARTA (JP): National selectors will weed out those who crack under pressure in their picks for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton team championship finals in Hong Kong in May. Athlete development director of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said yesterday players displaying fighting spirit and iron nerves were desperately needed because nontechnical skills were the pivotal factor in the championships.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Power and the law
Power and the law The various statements which have been made by Minister of Justice Muladi have had a refreshing effect. Having expressed his determination to put an end to the practice of collusion in the courts, he went a step further by saying that those in power were not to interfere in judicial affairs.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Housewives' plight
Housewives' plight From Media Indonesia The impact of the economic crisis on all sectors worries us, mothers, to a high degree when we think of work possibilities for our children. The medical profession is no longer attractive due to the very high prices of medicine. A job in the technical field brings a great risk of unemployment due to the closing of projects. The farmers are not productive because apparently fertilizers cannot be imported anymore. Chances for bank jobs have become slimmer.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
PSSI told to be firm over soccer bribery
PSSI told to be firm over soccer bribery JAKARTA (JP): The government asked the All-Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) yesterday to follow its crackdown on referees found guilty of collusive practices with probes of club owners and managers allegedly involved in the match-fixing scam.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Suicide suspected in Pakistani's death
Suicide suspected in Pakistani's death JAKARTA (JP): A Pakistani national was found hanging by a plastic rope and a shawl in his residence on Jl. Cempaka Putih Timur in Central Jakarta early yesterday. A relative who asked to remain anonymous identified the man as Muhammad Javaid, 37, a trader of Moslem apparel at the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. He said Javaid's Indonesian wife, Yani, found him dead on the staircase as she prepared for the predawn prayer at about 5:30 a.m.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
New power prices not yet decided
New power prices not yet decided JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said yesterday the government was still calculating new prices for fuel oil and electricity brought about by devaluation of the rupiah. "I have asked the state electricity company PLN to make a thorough calculation of power cost prices," Kuntoro told reporters after a meeting with President Soeharto.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
50,000 Hindus to attend rite
50,000 Hindus to attend rite SEMARANG, Central Java: About 50,000 Hindus in Central Java are expected to attend the Tawur Agung Sasih Kesanga ceremony, which will be held on Saturday at Prambanan Temple just outside Yogyakarta. The ceremony is part of celebrations to mark the annual Hindu day of silence, which falls on Sunday this year. The purpose of the ritual is to cleanse the universe of unfavorable elements so that a spiritual balance with nature can be achieved.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI worker may escape execution for murder
RI worker may escape execution for murder JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian worker facing execution for murder in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, may escape death because the family of the victim, his own wife, pardoned him yesterday. Dimyati Usro, 40, reportedly killed his Indonesian wife Jumanah last year after a quarrel. There has so far been no official statement on whether the man has been found guilty, but labor activists from the Solidaritas Perempuan (Women's Solidarity) organization said that he had.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Water Boom opens at Lippo Cikarang
Water Boom opens at Lippo Cikarang JAKARTA (JP): PT Lippo Cikarang, an urban development company, has launched Water Boom, a water recreation park at its complex in Cikarang, Bekasi. The new facility was officially opened Saturday by James T. Riady, deputy chairman of the Lippo Group, company spokeswoman Jeanny L. Wullur, said in a statement yesterday.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
When stressed dad rocks cradle
When stressed dad rocks cradle TANGERANG (JP): The 30-year-old father detained since Saturday on charges of killing his own baby son had been suffering stress since he was fired from his work, a relative said yesterday. Dulgani appeared moody and often mistreated his five-month-old baby, Adam, after he was fired from shoe factory PT Pratama Abadi three months ago, his sister-in-law Yuli said.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
130,522 unemployed back to work in North Jakarta
130,522 unemployed back to work in North Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Labor-intensive projects in North Jakarta have put 130,522 jobless back to work, an official said yesterday. North Jakarta Deputy Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra explained the program was conducted in two phases covering 35 geographical areas in the city's poorest mayoralty. "The first phase involved 18 areas and started on Jan. 8, while the second stage in 17 spots started on March 2. Both are scheduled to end this month.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
New cabinet members sending mixed messages
New cabinet members sending mixed messages New cabinet members have started rolling up their sleeves for the battle ahead of them, but economist Kwik Kian Gie finds confusing signals in their opening salvos. JAKARTA (JP): Former cabinet member Frans Seda was right when he said we should develop a sense of crisis and urgency in facing our economic woes, which could evolve into a long-term economic depression.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Futures exchange will be open to all commodities: Official
Futures exchange will be open to all commodities: Official JAKARTA (JP): Trading activities in the planned futures commodity exchange will not only be limited to coffee and palm oil, a senior official said yesterday. Arifin Lumban Gaol, the chairman of the country's commodity exchange, said that the futures exchange, which is expected to start operating next year, would be open to all commodities. "There will be no restrictions.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
On banknote
On banknote I can sympathize with Mr. A. Hovers, Bank credibility, March 20), about being confused that his dollars were not accepted by BRI. It seems BRI is not alone with this strange dollar bill mentality. I guess BRI staff did not tell him that according to local banks, the dollar notes are not a currency but a "commodity". Well, I did not realize this until I tried to transfer US$5,000 through BII Kemang when one $50 bill was rejected, although it was very clean but had shown some folds.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian currencies firmer against U.S. dollar
Most Asian currencies firmer against U.S. dollar SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian currencies were firmer against the U.S. dollar yesterday, continuing last week's rebound as investors separated regional units from the plight of the Indonesian rupiah. "The markets have differentiated the currencies' strengths and have separated them from what has been happening to the rupiah," said a currency dealer with a European bank here.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lepetelo retains IBF title
Lepetelo retains IBF title JOHANNESBURG (AFP): South Africa's Zolani Lepetelo outpointed Faisol Akbar of Indonesia over 12 rounds to retain his IBF strawweight crown at the Carousel entertainment complex here. Lepetelo, making his first defense, won by scores of 118-110 and 115-113 against a 113-115 on a split decision. The South African southpaw, who won the title from Thailand's Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in December, improved his record to 12 wins, two defeats and two draws.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
The refugee tragedy
The refugee tragedy The outside world can feel nothing but pity for the thousands fleeing the crisis in Indonesia. They end their voyage hauled before the Singaporean and Malaysian courts and are punished with a prison sentence or a caning. But while a flotilla of boats, hundreds strong, is heading towards their shores, it is equally hard not to sympathize with the neighboring states struggling to cope with problems of their own.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Milk producers agree to cut prices up to 20%
Milk producers agree to cut prices up to 20% JAKARTA (JP): Milk producers agreed yesterday to reduce factory prices of their products between 10 percent and 20 percent in response to a mounting outcry over the good's soaring cost. The chairman of Milk Processing Industries (IPS), Sabama, said yesterday producers would cut prices of powdered milk for adult and infants by 20 percent, and of baby formula milk by 10 percent.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices end lower on news of SBI rate rise
Stock prices end lower on news of SBI rate rise JAKARTA (JP): Prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) reversed their upward trend yesterday on news of the increase in interest rates on Bank Indonesia's promissory notes (SBI), brokers said. The brokers said buying dominated the market in early trade but was not sustained as investors sold their stocks to get quick cash. "Many investors sold their stocks to benefit from the increase in interest rates.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rates for Tax Payment
Rates for Tax 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 23 to March 29: U.S.
Tue, 24 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 Teen Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Development Program: Hamkamnas 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Teen Drama: Yang Bersemi di Hati 5:00 English Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Documentary: Hijau Bumiku 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 Music: Orkes Symphoni 9:00 World News 9:30...
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI raises amount of cash allowed abroad to Rp 5m
BI raises amount of cash allowed abroad to Rp 5m JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, has raised the ceiling for the amount of rupiah allowed to be physically carried out of or into the country to Rp 5 million (US$555) per person from Rp 50,000. Bank Indonesia said in a statement yesterday that the new policy was aimed at stabilizing the rupiah's exchange rate and preventing forgery of rupiah notes or coins abroad. According to Bank Indonesia (BI) ruling No.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ranariddh plans March 30 return to Cambodia: Aide
Ranariddh plans March 30 return to Cambodia: Aide BANGKOK (Agencies): Ousted Cambodian first premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh plans to return to Cambodia on March 30 following his pardon by his father, an aide said yesterday. "He will return on Monday the 30th," Kong Vibol told Reuters from Ranariddh's residence.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN to seek statement on crisis
ASEAN to seek statement on crisis NASUGBU, Philippines (AFP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will seek a special leaders' statement at a London meeting urging other nations to do more to address the regional currency crisis, an official said here Monday. The move was agreed at a meeting of senior ASEAN officers outside Manila, Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja said.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
250 RI workers repatriated from KL
250 RI workers repatriated from KL PEKANBARU, Riau: Some 250 Indonesian workers have been repatriated from Malaysia through the nearby port of Dumai each week for the past two months. Head of the Dumai immigration office, Taswem Tarib, said a ship docked in port at least once a week carrying hundreds of workers. Dumai has become a transit port for illegal Indonesian workers deported from Malaysia.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man arrested for subletting vehicles
Man arrested for subletting vehicles BOGOR (JP): Police have arrested a man for allegedly subletting rented cars, Lt. Col. Edmon Ilyas, the chief of the Bogor Police precinct, said yesterday. Edmon said that officers arrested the suspect, identified as Badrudin, 52, based on information and complaints from his victims.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF 'flexible' on subsidy issues
IMF 'flexible' on subsidy issues JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is prepared to be flexible in ongoing negotiations with the Indonesian government on subsidy issues, including in the fuel sector, an IMF official said yesterday. IMF Asia-Pacific director Hubert Neiss said the world body could tolerate some allotment of subsidies when it was based on strong extenuating considerations and would not endanger the country's budgetary health.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crisis and confidence
Crisis and confidence From Bisnis Indonesia We appreciate the step taken by the President and his ministers to contribute their basic salaries for one year to help those who have been laid off from work in the wake of the economic crisis. The problem is whether such contributions will be sufficient to cope with the crisis, which has affected the majority of the people.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 23, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 700 -25 13,000 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 575 -25 142,500 Alumindo Light Metal 400 25 2,377,000 Alumindo Perkasa 375 50 81,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 0 915,000 Aneka Tambang 1,550 0 1,771,000 Anwar Sierad 375 -25 937,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
PT Gresik Gases builds new plant
PT Gresik Gases builds new plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Gresik Gases Indonesia is developing an industrial gas plant in Gresik, East Java, with a daily production capacity of 1,100 tons of oxygen, the company said yesterday. The joint venture between Britain's BOC Group and PT Garama Dhananjaya announced that the construction of the plant and its utilities center would require total investment of about US$95 million.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Seventeen deported from Pangkalpinang
Seventeen deported from Pangkalpinang PANGKALPINANG, South Sumatra: Immigration officials here have deported 17 foreigners this year. Head of the local immigration office, A Malik, said the 17 people deported came from Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. "This month alone we have already deported three Singaporeans for misusing their tourist visas," he was quoted by Antara as having said. Three Myanmar nationals are also awaiting deportation pending a response from their government.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forex tax canceled for IMF package
Forex tax canceled for IMF package JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to go back on its plan to impose a 5 percent tax on foreign exchange purchases is to allow the IMF-sponsored reform package to stabilize the rupiah, a senior official said yesterday. Minister of Finance Fuad Bawazier said the cancellation of the plan, announced Friday and due to be effective yesterday, was a result of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review team.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Raw sugar premiums steady in Thailand
Raw sugar premiums steady in Thailand BANGKOK (Reuters): Thai raw sugar premiums were steady this week as re-purchases by sugar mills slowed, trade sources said yesterday. Thailand has so far met most of its export commitments to Indonesia, its biggest white sugar buyer this year, they said. Indonesia is said to have bought 1.3 million tons of white sugar since last October that should cover the country's needs at least until June.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Multipolar to battle on against Wal-Mart
Multipolar to battle on against Wal-Mart JAKARTA (JP): PT Multipolar Corporation, a publicly listed retailer, announced yesterday that it will continue with legal proceedings against its U.S. partner, retail giant Wal-Mart, despite a call from a U.S. district judge to halt the action. A lawyer for PT Multipolar, Hotman Paris Hutapea, said the statement by U.S.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hermawan waits for bonus
Hermawan waits for bonus JAKARTA (JP): Former badminton star Hermawan Susanto demanded yesterday the Badminton Association of Indonesia hand over his bonus worth US$4,500 for winning the Malaysia Open last July. The bonus was given by Japanese sports equipment maker Yonex to the badminton body for Hermawan. He said players usually received their bonuses less than a year after winning a tournament. "It's been nine months, but I haven't heard anything from the badminton body.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Amien denies allegations of conspiracy against govt
Amien denies allegations of conspiracy against govt JAKARTA (JP): Government critic Amien Rais dismissed allegations that he and several colleagues conspired in a recent meeting to disrupt stability and order as "worthless" yesterday. He suggested that police discontinue the investigation into the alleged conspiracy, or risk ruining their image and alienating the public. He said he had evidence that would deflect police accusations that a meeting held on Feb.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on March 23, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Actress Ratna unable to present lawsuits on police
Actress Ratna unable to present lawsuits on police JAKARTA (JP): The hearings of lawsuits filed by popular stage actress Ratna Sarumpaet and five other people against the police were postponed yesterday because the police did not release the plaintiffs from detention.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crisis help
Crisis help From Media Indonesia The government has taken an impressive step to relieve the people's suffering by appealing to high-ranking officials to contribute to the government. The President, his ministers and officials of the first echelon are contributing their basic salaries for one year to help the needy. We appreciate this generous gesture, but to expand this system to involve the state employees of the fourth category needs further consideration.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI places $500m at 5 foreign banks
BI places $500m at 5 foreign banks JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia has placed US$100 million at each of five foreign banks as a guarantee for letters of credits (L/Cs) issued by local state banks. Bank Indonesia director of monetary and economic statistics, Miranda S. Goeltom, said yesterday the five foreign banks were ABN Amro, Standard Chartered, Bank of America, Citibank and Deutsche Bank. They would all confirm locally issued L/Cs.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
81,456 workers lose jobs
81,456 workers lose jobs JAKARTA (JP): A total of 81,456 people have been fired and another 3,381 laid off across the capital since January because of the deteriorating economic crisis, an official said yesterday. S. Sianturi, the head of the city office of the Ministry of Manpower, said the figures covered 18,551 workers from 112 companies with the rest being contract workers.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Interest rates raised to curb inflation
Interest rates raised to curb inflation JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) raised interest rates on its short-term promissory notes (SBIs) again yesterday for all terms except overnight in an effort to curb inflation and strengthen the rupiah. BI governor Sjahril Sabirin told reporters the rate increase was "aimed at absorbing excess liquidity in the market which could lead to higher inflation and further weaken the rupiah".
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI defuses tension with food bazaar
ABRI defuses tension with food bazaar By Ridwan Max Sijabat BANDUNG (JP): Contrary to charges, the Armed Forces have not responded to intensifying demonstrations over staple food prices with force alone. Instead, the military go to places in Java where the economic crisis is biting hardest and distribute basic commodities, an officer says.
Tue, 24 Mar 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Tamara seeking local merger partners
Bank Tamara seeking local merger partners JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Tamara is seeking to merge with local banks to meet the new paid-up capital requirement of Rp 1 trillion (about US$100 million) by the end of this year, a bank executive said here yesterday. Bank Tamara's vice president Hendrik Suhardiman said merging with mid-sized local banks is the most likely way the bank will act to meet the new capital requirements.