Archive: 11 April 1998
46 articles found
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt optimistic on rupiah value
Govt optimistic on rupiah value JAKARTA (JP): The latest economic reform package brokered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to quickly strengthen the rupiah's exchange rate, according to an official document published yesterday. The 20-point Supplementary Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies -- worked out jointly by the government and the IMF -- does, however, predict soaring inflation and a contraction of the economy.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
N. Sumatra loses billions in tax
N. Sumatra loses billions in tax MEDAN, North Sumatra: The provincial administration here expects to lose Rp 18 billion (US$2.25 million) in locally generated income after the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered an end to the collection of 73 different taxes and levies. The repeal of these taxes and levies is stipulated in Minister of Home Affairs Instruction No. 10/1998.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 9, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 650 0 10,000 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 425 0 184,000 Alumindo Perkasa 375 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 575 0 25,000 Aneka Tambang 1,700 25 2,650,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 36,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
C. Jakarta gets new military chief
C. Jakarta gets new military chief JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin installed Lt. Col. Susiswo Widodo on Thursday as the new chief of the Central Jakarta military district. He replaces Lt. Col. Moeldoko. "Central Jakarta has a national and international dimension which we should pay attention to whenever we do our duty," Sjafrie said in the ceremony at the military district headquarters in Kemayoran.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
U.S. lawyer denies working illegally
U.S. lawyer denies working illegally JAKARTA (JP): One of two American lawyers recently questioned by police over their practice here has denied that he worked illegally. Mark A. Nelson said Thursday he had a work permit as a technical advisor from the Ministry of Manpower and that his firm PT Mitra Laksana Buana Indonesia (ML&B Indonesia) was registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry as a consultant firm. "PT ML&B Indonesia is 100 percent owned by two Indonesians.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Good Friday messages focus on helping others
Good Friday messages focus on helping others JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Christians were asked yesterday to work hand in hand with their fellow citizens of all creeds in facing the economic hardship. Priests and ministers focused their Good Friday messages on the need for Christians to follow Jesus Christ's example in helping others.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Numberi new Irian governor
Numberi new Irian governor JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Commodore Freddy Numberi was sworn in on Thursday as Irian Jaya's governor for the next five-years, replacing Jacob Pattipi who has held the post since 1993. Numberi was sworn in a ceremony headed by Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono and attended by Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Arief Kushariadi, Antara reported. Hartono in his address stressed the importance of governors during the tough economic times.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Consumption of rice rises
Consumption of rice rises JAKARTA (JP): National per capita rice consumption rose by 11 kilograms in the past 10 years, Minister of Agriculture Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah said Thursday. Justika said the increase to 131 kilograms posed a challenge for the country to feed its people in conjunction with the decrease in agricultural land. "The Ministry of Agriculture is facing a hard challenge in boosting crops production, especially rice, due to the decreasing land allocation," Justika said.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI says 14 rebels among deported workers
ABRI says 14 rebels among deported workers JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) claim it has so far discovered 14 Acehnese separatists among thousands of Indonesian workers recently deported by Malaysian authorities. ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul Wahab Mokodongan said here Thursday that military and police officers in Lhokseumauwe, Aceh, had yet to determine the identify of many of the deported workers and that thousands more were expected imminently.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Time not ripe for people's power, researcher says
Time not ripe for people's power, researcher says DEPOK (JP): Indonesians are so full of rage over the prevailing social and political injustices that they would not be able to wage a campaign for reform through people's power, an expert said.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thai Airways to order 12 planes
Thai Airways to order 12 planes BANGKOK (AP): Thai Airways International said Thursday that its board has approved an investment plan to order 12 new airplanes -- eight from Airbus and four from Boeing. The planes include five Airbus A300-600Rs and three A330-300s, plus one Boeing B777-300 and one B747-400 to be ordered by Sept. 30 and another each of the Boeings over the next two years.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
12 years sought for drug dealer
12 years sought for drug dealer TANGERANG (JP): A prosecutor has demanded the district court sentence a Singaporean charged with smuggling Ecstasy pills to 12 years in prison and a fine of Rp 250 million (about US$30,000). Yeo Wee Ming, 36, is on trial for smuggling the 14,480 pills into the country through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last July.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Riau schools need fixing
Riau schools need fixing PEKANBARU, Riau: Over half of the 6,022 elementary school buildings in Riau are in need of repair. Head of the local education and culture office, Soemardi, said Thursday that at least Rp 336.1 million was needed to repair 3,481 elementary school buildings in the province. However, as reported by Antara, the annual provincial budget allows only Rp 17 million to be allocated for repairs.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ramos lauds Filipino-Americans
Ramos lauds Filipino-Americans WASHINGTON (AP): Philippine President Fidel Ramos, preparing to meet with President Bill Clinton, praised Filipino-Americans for their increasing influence and predicted one would become president of the United States. Ramos, whose successor is to be elected May 11, touted the country's emergence from years of being "the sick man of Asia". "We are now the first Asian tiger to come out of the woods," Ramos declared.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
OECD sees bleak year for crisis-hit Asia
OECD sees bleak year for crisis-hit Asia SINGAPORE (Agencies): The OECD said on Wednesday it saw a bleak year for crisis-hit Asia with recessions in Indonesia and Thailand, and other roaring Tiger economies of the recent past reduced to a crawl. But it said prospects for the region could improve in 1999 as long as governments saw through tough reforms.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Murky waters
Murky waters Although people are aware the government will increase various tariffs, further burdens for them to bear in this devastating crisis, some circles still registered strong reactions with the Jakarta city administration before it decided on the 25 percent increase in tap water tariffs early this week. The protests emphasized the absence of transparency by the administration in running the business, charging that there were thus no grounds whatsoever for increasing the rates.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sound banks' minimum capital cut to Rp 250 billion from Rp 1 trillion
Sound banks' minimum capital cut to Rp 250 billion from Rp 1 trillion JAKARTA (JP): Sound commercial banks will be allowed to operate with minimum capital of Rp 250 billion by year's end, down from a requirement of Rp 1 trillion, Minister of Finance Fuad Bawazier said Thursday. He defined sound commercial banks as those which had cleared their balance sheets of nonperforming loans.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Record food shortages threaten Indonesia: UN
Record food shortages threaten Indonesia: UN ROME (Reuters): Indonesia will face a record food deficit this year as a result of lower harvests and a financial crisis that has raised the cost of imports, two UN food agencies said on Thursday. In a joint report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) said large-scale international assistance would be needed to meet a shortfall in rice, the country's main staple food.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Transmigration target set
Transmigration target set SEMARANG, Central Java: Head of the provincial office of the Ministry of Transmigration Dyah Paramawartiningsih said that it planned to relocate 12,050 families to outlying islands during the 1998/1999 financial year. Dyah expressed confidence that the target could be reached if selected families were given proper guidance and fully understood the program and the opportunities it presented for families to improve their welfare.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
C. Java layoffs top 440,000
C. Java layoffs top 440,000 SEMARANG, Central Java: Over 440,000 Central Java workers have been laid off as a direct result of the economic crisis afflicting the country. Antara quoted provincial legislator Istadjib as saying that 440,528 people have lost their jobs, of which 350,000 worked in the construction industry. "We need to tackle this problem," he told journalists yesterday.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Use of stickers for revenue
Use of stickers for revenue From Neraca Judging from newspaper reports, the Jakarta administration is set to introduce a regulation requiring private vehicles to buy permits in the form of stickers to enter the three-in-one zone, despite the number of people who have expressed doubt about the effectiveness of this system. The proposal for a sticker system was first suggested when the Jakarta administration was trying to ease traffic congestion in major areas.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
S. Sumatra told to maintain rice production
S. Sumatra told to maintain rice production JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered South Sumatra Governor Ramli Hasan Basri to maintain the province's position as one of the country's major rice producing areas. Soeharto told Ramli to convert 360,000 hectares of tidal peat lands in Musi Banyuasin regency to paddy fields and boost food production in the province.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jagakarsa family murder suspect arrested
Jagakarsa family murder suspect arrested JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a 22-year-old student on Thursday for his alleged role in the killing of a couple and their two-year-old son in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Wednesday. Police confiscated a knife believed to have been used in the killings, a shirt stained with blood of the victims and Rp 2.3 million in cash, head of South Jakarta Police Precinct Lt. Col. Yudi Susharianto said.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Target dates for reforms
Target dates for reforms JAKARTA (Reuters): Individual target dates for implementation of key points in a reform package announced yesterday. By April 22, 1998: * set minimum capital requirements for banks of Rp 250 billion by end-1998, after loan loss provisions. * make loan loss provisions fully tax deductible, after tax verification. * transfer claims resulting from past liquidity support from Bank Indonesia (the central bank) to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Grenades found in Malang ditch
Grenades found in Malang ditch MALANG, Central Java: Ten grenades were found in several plastic bags in a sewer on Jl. Tanimber here on Wednesday morning. The grenades were found by residents cleaning the sewer. According to Antara, Malang deputy police chief Lt. Col. Iwan Siregar confirmed the find, but stressed that there was nothing to be worried about.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Djajanti builds fishery project
Djajanti builds fishery project JAKARTA (JP): The well-diversified Djajanti Group is developing a multi-billion rupiah fisheries and aquaculture venture in Opin, Seram island, Maluku. Halomoan Manurung of Djajanti Group told Antara in Ambon on Wednesday that the project included an integrated shrimp and fish processing and packaging plant, 1,600 hectares of shrimp ponds and a seafreight container terminal. The plant, managed by Mina Seram Lestari, is scheduled to begin production in August.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
INACA opposes FedEx flights
INACA opposes FedEx flights JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Air Carriers' Association (INACA) said on Thursday that direct flights by U.S. air cargo giant Federal Express (FedEx) to Jakarta threatened the country's airline industry and freight forwarders. "I ask the government to allow FedEx to fly only to Jakarta airport and not to any other airports (in the country)," INACA's chairman Soelarto Hadisoemarto said.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thailand to review INRO membership
Thailand to review INRO membership BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand plans to review its membership in the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO), a senior agriculture ministry official on Thursday. This followed Thailand's failure to convince INRO to amend its market intervention rules to let the organization buy rubber at higher prices, Sanit Samosorn, deputy director-general of the agriculture department, told Reuters in an interview.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Councilor seek price ceiling for milk
Councilor seek price ceiling for milk JAKARTA (JP): City councilors called on the government on Thursday to establish a price ceiling for milk to ensure that it was always available to the public at an affordable price. Djafar Badjeber, head of Commission B for economic affairs, said the price of milk must be put under government control because it had been included in the group of basic food commodities.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sports council advises a rethink on training plans
Sports council advises a rethink on training plans JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council, due to financial shortages, has called on all sports organizations whose athletes are now being groomed for the 13th Asian Games to reconsider their tryout plans. Project officer of national training for the Games, Mohammad Hindarto, said Thursday that overseas stints looked unrealistic because the sports council would provide each athlete with just Rp 5 million (US$588) for his or her trips abroad.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
25,000 students rally for reform
25,000 students rally for reform JAKARTA (JP): About 25,000 students held noisy but largely peaceful demonstrations demanding reform and clean governance over the past two days in Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and other cities in Java. Some 10,000 Moslem youths assembled after Friday prayers at the Al Azhar Grand Mosque in South Jakarta.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI migrants still in U.S. embassy
RI migrants still in U.S. embassy KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): More than 30 Indonesian immigrants forced their way into foreign embassies in Malaysia's capital yesterday in a desperate effort to avoid deportation, but most were quickly turned over to police and locked up. At least 33 Indonesians burst into the Bruneian, French, Swiss and U.S. compounds, some of them scrambling over high walls, others dashing through gates, in a synchronized move at about 7.30 a.m. (6.30 a.m.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Creditors, debtors meet Wednesday
Creditors, debtors meet Wednesday NEW YORK (Dow Jones): Indonesia and its creditor banks will meet here next Wednesday to establish a framework for restructuring the country's crushing corporate foreign debt, banking sources close to the negotiations said Wednesday. A tri-headed steering committee, composed of Deutsche Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Chase Manhattan, has been appointed to lead the negotiations on the creditor side.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI's higher education system battles to make advances
RI's higher education system battles to make advances Doctors, lawyers, military officers and artists: these are a few of the professions obtainable by Indonesian students of higher education today. Although Indonesia is still developing its education system, it offers a significant choice of educational fields -- almost to the degree of any Ivy League school in America or any centuries- old, tradition-bound institution in Europe.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
A new agreement
A new agreement Following Wednesday's meeting of economic ministers, the results of three weeks of negotiations between Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund were made public by the Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry/Chairman of the National Development Planning Board Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI's arts, literature in regression
RI's arts, literature in regression By Johannes Nugroho SURABAYA (JP): The thunderous roar of disapproval from the contemporary Indonesian arts community in response to Abdul Latief's recent appointment as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture is ironic. The newly titled ministry was shunned by the community it is supposed to represent and interact with.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian marts end higher on hopes of tax cuts in Japan
Asian marts end higher on hopes of tax cuts in Japan HONG KONG (AP): Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday on anticipation of tax cut plans in Japan and hopes that Indonesia would start implementing economic reforms under a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund. In Tokyo, the benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose for the fourth consecutive day as investors anticipated announcement of tax cuts and other stimulus measures.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Workers protest tardy wages
Workers protest tardy wages TANGERANG (JP): About 300 garment workers protested to the regency legislative council Thursday over grievances on salaries and allowances. The workers, mostly women, claimed PT Anugerah in Pasar Kemis subdistrict always postponed their paydays and had scrapped their transport allowance without reason. They met with council members Oman Abdurahman, Poerwodarminto and Masyiah.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asia over the worst, but more grief to come
Asia over the worst, but more grief to come SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asia is over the worst of its economic crisis, but there is still more suffering to come, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday. "The worst is over, but we'll have to weather the storm a bit more," Anwar told a news conference after traveling to Singapore to speak to businessmen.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Haze clouds Brunei's skies
Haze clouds Brunei's skies BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AP): The international airport canceled short-distance flights yesterday as thick smoke from nearby forest fires shrouded the country with critical air pollution levels. In Brunei, the oil-rich kingdom on the northern coast of Borneo island, people wearing surgical masks walked the streets quickly and drove cars slowly, squinting to see more than 150 meters away.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt vows gradual cut in export tax on logs
Govt vows gradual cut in export tax on logs JAKARTA (JP): The government will gradually cut taxes on logs to reach 10 percent in two years to guarantee a sufficient supply for domestic demand, the forestry and plantations minister said Thursday. Sumahadi said the decision would not contravene the government's reform commitment made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 9, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S dollar 1 8,000.00 9,500.00 Austrian shilling 1 549.20 715.40 Australian dollar 1 4,765.30 5,803.60 Belgian franc 1 194.00 235.30 Canadian dollar 1 5,126.10 6,211.30 Swiss franc 1 4,812.60 5,837.20 Deutschemark 1 3,986.90 4,870.20 Danish krone 1 1,049.20 1,273.30 French franc 1 1,192.80 1,449.00 Poundsterling 1 12,195.10 14,755.90 Hong Kong dollar 1...
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
House asked to probe consortium's report
House asked to probe consortium's report JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has urged the House of Representatives to examine the accountability report submitted by the 19th SEA Games (SEAG) underwriting consortium because they believe it lacks transparency.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to lift CPO export ban this month: Minister
Govt to lift CPO export ban this month: Minister JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to lift the export ban on crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives and replace it with export taxes and quotas later this month, a minister said on Thursday. Minister of Forestry and Plantations Sumahadi said the ban would be replaced by export taxes and possibly quotas to ensure an affordable price and adequate supply of cooking oil on the domestic market.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP lifts bans on lumber exports
RP lifts bans on lumber exports MANILA (AP): The Philippines has temporarily lifted a 10-year ban on lumber exports to help stabilize its currency, which has been reeling from Asia's financial crisis, an official said Thursday. Rolando Pena, an environment department official, said lumber exports will be allowed until the end of December. The lifting of the ban is expected to bring in more dollars from exports of Philippine hardwood, thereby reducing demand for the U.S.
Sat, 11 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Involve public in monitoring reforms: Analysts
Involve public in monitoring reforms: Analysts JAKARTA (JP): The government should let the public monitor the implementation of a new agreement for economic reforms it signed with the International Monetary Fund, economists have said. Executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Mari E. Pangestu, said Thursday: "What is important now is the implementation of the reform program.