Archive: 14 April 1998
51 articles found
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Price of onions hits new high
Price of onions hits new high JAKARTA (JP): Many housewives expressed shock yesterday on finding the price of onions rising yet again to an amazing new high. The price of onions has jumped from about Rp 5,000 (about 63 U.S. cents) per kilo last week to Rp 9,000 per kilo yesterday. Suryati, a 27-year-old housewife, said when shopping in a Rawamangun market in East Jakarta that she never imagined the price of onions would ever reach its current level.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bus drivers protest against police
Bus drivers protest against police JAKARTA (JP): The drivers of at least 20 Kopaja-502 buses stopped plying the Kampung Rambutan - Tanah Abang route yesterday in protest at police action against them they believe to be excessive and unfair. The strikers said police officers along the route often ticketed them without reason. They also claimed the officers demanded money for reasons they would not explain.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Irwan wins motocross race
Irwan wins motocross race JAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta rider Irwan Ardiansyah took out the overall championship title for the national motocross races at Lido Lake Resort, in Sukabumi, West Java, Sunday. Irwan, riding a Yamaha YZ 125, dominated the 125cc competition and finished second in the 250cc event behind Steven Andrew of Australia. The placings earned Irwan the most points (72), much to the delight of the 15,000-strong crowd which packed the circuit's stands.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man killed in robbery
Man killed in robbery BOGOR (JP): Local police said yesterday they know the whereabouts of a man who killed a resident of Rawa Kalong subdistrict in Gunung Sindur and severely injured his wife in a robbery on Saturday. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira, head of Bogor police, said Aliansyah Sule, 41, died from 13 stab wounds to his body. His wife, Rosmawati Hutapea, 35, is being treated at PMI hospital in Bogor after being stabbed four times.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
'RCTI' to provide full Cups coverage
'RCTI' to provide full Cups coverage JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta-based private TV station RCTI has won broadcasting rights to this year's Uber Cup and Thomas Cup badminton finals across Asia and Australia. James White of the International Management Group, commercial agent of the events, said yesterday that at least three Asian TV companies would relay RCTI's coverage. Five other stations, including one from Australia, have also shown interest in broadcasting the biennial event.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Poor bank service draws complaints
Poor bank service draws complaints TANGERANG (JP): Several customers of Lumbung Mekar Sentosa secondary bank on Jl. Daan Mogot in Batuceper district complained yesterday of difficulties in withdrawing their savings. One of the customers, who asked for anonymity, said he could not withdraw Rp 25 million owned by 500 elementary school students from his account.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Union calls for hike in minimum wages
Union calls for hike in minimum wages JAKARTA (JP): The Federation of the All-Indonesia Workers Unions urged the government yesterday to increase the official minimum wage by 20 percent across the board. The country's only officially recognized labor organization effectively withdrew its earlier support for the government's ruling to postpone any increase in minimum wages pending a resolution of the economic crisis.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hospitals told to aid dengue patients
Hospitals told to aid dengue patients JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged hospitals here yesterday not to reject or fail to give priority to those with dengue fever during the current outbreak. Soeparmo, head of Commission E for welfare affairs, said yesterday that refusing to provide medical treatment would only worsen a sufferer's condition. He said the latest data from the City Health Office revealed that this year's death toll was 36 as of yesterday, up from 31 on Friday.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gen. Wiranto names new Inkai board
Gen. Wiranto names new Inkai board JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Karate Federation (Forki) chairman, Gen. Wiranto, installed Sunday the new executive board for the Indonesian Karate-do Institute (Inkai), calling on them to boost the development of the sport nationwide. "The former board has done a good job, but I urge the new executives to make the sport a popular one among people," Wiranto, who is minister of security and defense and Armed Forces commander, said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Three Koreans 'misuse' visas
Three Koreans 'misuse' visas JAKARTA (JP): Three South Koreans have been questioned by immigration officers for allegedly misusing their visas. Zaiman Nurmatias, the director for supervision at the Directorate General of Immigration, said yesterday the foreigners were arrested at Kheun Sol Fashion shop in Ciledug, Tangerang, last Wednesday.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
New depot for Timor Gap gas
New depot for Timor Gap gas JAKARTA (JP): PT El Nusa, a subsidiary of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina, has almost completed the development of a Rp 30 billion (US$4 million) logistical depot in Kupang, East Nusatenggara, to support the Timor Gap gas project. "We only have to complete the finishing touches to the depot," said Stanis Tefa, president of PT Flobamor, the project's main contractor, in Kupang yesterday.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police seek former banker for scandal
Police seek former banker for scandal JAKARTA (JP): Police are seeking a former Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS) director, Melinda Wijaya, who is suspected of selling the bank's assets before it was liquidated last year. City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the allegations against Melinda surfaced in a complaint filed by Dahril Dewantoro, president of PT Arta Buana Sakti, a company associated with BHS.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:45 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Children's Program: Pesawat Terbangku 3:30 Village Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 News: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama: Persinggahan Sesaat 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV Drama: Persinggahan Sesaat (contd.) 8:30 Talk Show: Dialog 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Kamera Ria...
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia, France sign accord
Malaysia, France sign accord KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia yesterday signed an agreement with a French government-backed agency to promote the transfer of French technology and encourage joint ventures between companies in the two countries. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) replaces a seven-year bilateral economic cooperation agreement that expired at the end of last year and which had yielded mixed results, officials said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tough times ahead
Tough times ahead The nation is in for the roughest stretch of the economic reform process over the next six months as all price subsidies for essential commodities, except rice and soybeans, will be eliminated by October. The target dates for the implementation of the structural reforms, as agreed on by the government and the International Monetary Fund on April 7, call for the phasing out of subsidies on sugar, wheatflour, corn, soybean meal and fish meal.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
First group of haj pilgrims arrive home safely
First group of haj pilgrims arrive home safely JAKARTA (JP): The first batch of Indonesia's 202,000 haj pilgrims touched downed safely yesterday, with the initial group led by Minister of Religious Affairs Quraish Shihab landing at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, early in the morning. The 5:40 a.m. landing with 480 pilgrims on board was followed by the arrival of haj pilgrims in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Medan in North Sumatra.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Denying harsh realities only makes things worse
Denying harsh realities only makes things worse By J. Sumardianta YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's economic failure is the cost of bad political decisions amid the neglect of modern democratic rationalism. But the severity of the crisis leads shell-shocked people to believe there must be another reason beyond plain economics. What is actually striking down this country is the absence of political reforms.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Teenager tried for killing his own mother
Teenager tried for killing his own mother JAKARTA (JP): A 17-year-old boy was indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday for allegedly killing his mother. Prosecutor Roskanedi said the defendant, Hardiansyah, killed his 53-year-old mother, Jumriyati, on Feb. 3 in their house on Jl. Setiakawan, Duri Pulo, for berating him. "He killed her because he was also ashamed of having a mentally ill mother. He had planned to kill her," Roskanedi said in proceedings closed to the public.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Paradise lost?
Paradise lost? One should not be ungrateful, especially to those who have been good to you. So, in writing this, it is not to be ungrateful but because of a feeling of disappointment and frustration. Why is that?
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
UI rector defends his students' political rallies
UI rector defends his students' political rallies DEPOK (JP): University of Indonesia (UI) rector Asman Boedisantoso Ranakusuma maintained yesterday that political rallies held by his students had not encroached on "practical politics". "I believe the protests held by UI students should be considered 'high politics' because they are voicing the people's aspiration," he said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Practical politics not for students?
Practical politics not for students? By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): What is "practical politics" (politik praktis)? To be honest, I have no idea. What I know is that since it was first launched by Admiral (ret.) Sudomo, this term has never been clearly defined. Thus it can mean different things to different people. It means one thing to the minister of education and culture and it apparently means another thing to demonstrating students.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forests open to new oil palm plantations
Forests open to new oil palm plantations JAKARTA (JP): A new decree permits plantation companies to establish oil palm estates in forest areas outside Riau and North Sumatra. Minister of Forestry and Plantations Sumahadi said in the decree, dated April 8, that the forests must be located in nonforestry planting areas and should be unoccupied or idle land of more than 10,000 hectares.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Army gives thumbs up to candidate
Army gives thumbs up to candidate MEDAN, North Sumatra: Army Commander Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo has given his support for Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin -- chief of the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing North Sumatra, Aceh, West Sumatra and Riau -- to be nominated for North Sumatra governor for the 1998/2003 period. Jana Sudjana, spokesman for the provincial legislature's Armed Forces faction, said that of the 18 military officers proposed, the Army commander had given his approval to Nurdin.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
City to reduce 1998/1999 budget 35% to Rp 1.8t
City to reduce 1998/1999 budget 35% to Rp 1.8t JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will reduce its current budget of Rp 2.79 trillion (US$372 million) by 35 percent in line with the negative growth projection for the national economy, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Harun Al Rasyid said yesterday. Harun said the city budget would likely be set at only Rp 1.8 trillion for the 1998/1999 fiscal year.
Tue, 14 Apr 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 April 13 to April 19: U.S.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto wants all local levies stopped
Soeharto wants all local levies stopped JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono yesterday to ensure that all business levies imposed by provincial, regency and city administrations be abolished immediately. Hartono, speaking to the media after meeting with the President at the Bina Graha presidential office, said teams from the ministry would be sent to the regions periodically to ensure compliance.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sports tax
Sports tax From Media Indonesia It is still fresh in our memories the various efforts made to collect funds for sports development, including through different national lotteries (Lotto, Porkas and SDSB) and compulsory donations charged with electricity and telephone bills and so forth. The fact that this compulsory donation is usually collected not on the basis of a law is something that the public has frequently complained of.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Chinese issue is RI 'internal affair'
Chinese issue is RI 'internal affair' JAKARTA (JP): China considers the issues raised by the presence and activities of ethnic-Chinese Indonesians a domestic matter and will not interfere in it, visiting Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said at a media briefing yesterday.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Market responds positively to new deal
Market responds positively to new deal JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah closed slightly higher against the U.S. dollar yesterday due to a positive market response to the new economic reform accord between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), currency dealers said. They said the spot rupiah, which opened at 7,800/7,850 in Jakarta market, rose higher to touch the 7,500 level before closing at 7,550/7,625 against the American dollar in thin trading.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Three killed ahead of RP elections
Three killed ahead of RP elections COTABATO, Philippines (Reuters): Gunmen armed with assault rifles shot dead a mayor and two others in the southern Philippines yesterday in the first violence ahead of the May 11 national election. Mayor Abdullah Paglas, a member of President Fidel Ramos' ruling Lakas party, was eating in his kitchen when 15 men surrounded his house in Colombio, Sultan Kudarat province, and opened fire, police said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI's foreign exchange reserves at US$16.58b
RI's foreign exchange reserves at US$16.58b JAKARTA (JP): The country's gross foreign exchange reserves were US$16.59 billion as of March 31, down slightly from $16.6 billion as of March 13 and $17.07 billion on Feb. 16, Bank Indonesia said yesterday. Miranda Goeltom, the central bank's director in charge of monetary and economic statistics and research, said the current reserves were enough to finance non-oil and gas imports for 4.3 months.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Canada, RI sign techno deal
Canada, RI sign techno deal JAKARTA (JP): The Canadian and Indonesian governments have agreed to cooperate on a two-year project called Canada-Indonesia Technology Network. Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary J. Smith and the vice chairman of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, Zuhal, signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday to start the project later this month, an embassy statement said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cepu inundated after heavy rain
Cepu inundated after heavy rain CEPU, Central Java: Hundreds of houses in several villages in Cepu were inundated when the river flowing through Surakarta burst its banks following a heavy downpour over the last two days. No casualties have been reported. Floodwater inundated hundreds of hectares of paddy and corn fields, causing more than Rp 4 million in material losses to local farmers, Antara reported yesterday.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto: RI committed to reform
Soeharto: RI committed to reform JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto reaffirmed yesterday his commitment to the government's economic and financial reforms, explaining they were the only way for the country to lift itself out of its economic turmoil. The President said the 1998/2003 Seventh Development Cabinet had worked hard to formulate the reforms deemed necessary in the economic and financial sectors to restore the country's beleaguered economy.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Five more arrested for murder of Army sergeant
Five more arrested for murder of Army sergeant JAKARTA (JP): Another five men have been arrested for the murder of Army officer First Sgt. Moh. Irsal Rumalian at Hotel Sentral, Central Jakarta, on March 24, police said yesterday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the five suspects were captured between April 1 and April 12. He refused to name them. "The suspects said they killed Irsal because they had a grudge against him.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
French minister due here
French minister due here JAKARTA (JP): French Foreign Trade Minister of State Jacques Dondoux and a delegation of officials from his ministry are scheduled to arrive here today on a two-day visit. Dondoux will meet Vice President B.J. Habibie tomorrow to officially open the French Technology Exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center. He will also meet with several top government officials during the visit before returning to France on Thursday evening. (das)
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aetna buys NYL Health Care
Aetna buys NYL Health Care JAKARTA (JP): United States-based insurance company Aetna has bought the NYL Care Health Plans business, a subsidiary of the New York Life Insurance Company, for US$1.05 billion. Aetna said yesterday the transaction was expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year and would be financed with fixed-income securities.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF supplementary reform may repeat old mistakes
IMF supplementary reform may repeat old mistakes The government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached an agreement on supplementary reforms needed to restimulate the Indonesian economy. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses its impact. Question: Do you believe the supplementary reforms will help the Indonesian economy recover? Kwik: Not in the short run, considering that the economic crisis has been caused by the widening of the savings investment gap.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Kadin seeks big debt cut from foreign creditors
Kadin seeks big debt cut from foreign creditors JAKARTA (JP): Foreign lenders are expected to grant an average 30 percent to 40 percent reduction in Indonesia's private sector debt, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said. The chamber's chairman Aburizal Bakrie said lenders understood the difficulties faced by Indonesian corporations and had agreed to restructure terms of their loans, even granting reductions on the principal and interest payments.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Prices of three fertilizers increased 12.5 percent
Prices of three fertilizers increased 12.5 percent JAKARTA (JP): The government increased sale prices of three commonly used fertilizers yesterday by an average of 12.5 percent to cut back on subsidies, but said the move would not eat into farmers' income. Minister of Agriculture Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah announced the increase in urea fertilizer prices to Rp 450 (6 U.S.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt projects unemployment to reach 15%
Govt projects unemployment to reach 15% JAKARTA (JP): Some 13.4 million people, or nearly 15 percent of Indonesia's 90 million-strong workforce, will be unemployed by the end of March next year, Minister of Manpower Theo L. Sambuaga said yesterday. Theo told reporters after meeting President Soeharto that 4.8 million of those projected to be unemployed would be carried over from last year, while another six million would be young people entering the job market for the first time this year.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Put off traffic sticker plan: PPP legislator
Put off traffic sticker plan: PPP legislator JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) urged the city administration yesterday to shelve its controversial traffic sticker project until the economic crisis is over. Hamzah Haz, a PPP deputy chief, said the project scheduled to begin trials in August was inappropriate when the people had to bear the brunt of the deepening economic crisis.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Palm oil markets seen mixed
Palm oil markets seen mixed KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil markets are likely to be mixed this week with news India may soon cut import duties on edible oils and unexpectedly good Malaysian crop numbers seen triggering some short-covering, traders said. But news that Indonesia is to lift its palm-oil export ban later this month could continue to dampen prices, they said. Traders said regional markets were also tracking currency movements.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 13, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asia crude mart likely weaker
Asia crude mart likely weaker SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Asian crude market is expected to be under pressure on ample supplies this week, as refinery shutdowns for maintenance cut demand even as Indonesia and China reduce oil production, traders said yesterday. "The output cutbacks may in the mid to longer term help stabilize heavy regional crude prices, but there is still a fair bit of supply around right now," said a trader with a major oil company.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
On water bills
On water bills I am writing in response to PT Kekar Thames Airindo's (KATI) letter of April 8 regarding the reason for the late delivery of a customer's monthly water bill. It said that the delivery could not be made in time because there was nobody at home to receive the bill. Why should the serving of a bill be so complicated? Just drop it in the mail box or push it under the door or throw it on the verandah.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
PDI requests ABRI protection to safeguard June congress
PDI requests ABRI protection to safeguard June congress JAKARTA (JP): The government-recognized board of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has formally requested the protection of the Armed Forces for its June congress. Board chairman Soerjadi led a delegation to meet yesterday with ABRI Chief/Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto at ABRI headquarters on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto confirmed to attend G-15 summit next month
Soeharto confirmed to attend G-15 summit next month JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will attend the summit of the Group of 15 (G-15) developing countries in Egypt next month, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday. Besides attending the summit the President also intends to pay a state visit to Egypt, Alatas said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 13, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 650 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 800 50 65,500 Alumindo Light Metal 425 0 135,000 Alumindo Perkasa 375 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 575 0 64,500 Aneka Tambang 1,700 0 3,336,000 Anwar Sierad 325 25 102,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
UN given the go-ahead to observe student protests
UN given the go-ahead to observe student protests SEMARANG (JP): Minister of Justice Muladi said here yesterday that the United Nations could send representatives to monitor the waves of student protests in Indonesia, but their presence should only be as observers. Speaking to reporters, Muladi also said that the UN's presence must be certified by the foreign ministry. "The UN can come here, but its capacity can only be as an observer, not more than that," he said.
Tue, 14 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students protest misuse of funds
Students protest misuse of funds PEKANBARU, Riau: Hundreds of students staged a demonstration at their school here yesterday to protest against the recent purchase of a palm oil plantation in the province using school funds. The students from Annur Senior High School rallied around their main building with banners which read: "Give back our money" and "Our computers aren't working but you keep asking for money".