Archive: 2 April 1998
52 articles found
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
ICMI proffers cadres for vice presidential staff
ICMI proffers cadres for vice presidential staff JAKARTA (JP): The acting chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), Achmad Tirtosudiro, confirmed yesterday that the association had proposed some of its cadres to be staff members in the vice presidential office. "Pak Z.A. Maulani is now at the State Secretariat to propose a number of ICMI cadres for vice presidential staff positions," he told reporters after meeting Minister of Home Affairs R.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Unused land opened to poor
Unused land opened to poor JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta mayoralty will allow poor people suffering from the economic crisis to cultivate over 200 hectares of land owned by property developers which have fallen into disuse. Mayor Sutardjianto said Tuesday he was preparing legislation guaranteeing that the developers would retain ownership of their land and would be able to reclaim the properties at any time.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 1, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 8,000.00 9,500.00 Austrian shilling 1 574.40 740.20 Australian dollar 1 5,106.10 6,167.20 Belgian franc 1 202.70 243.50 Canadian dollar 1 5,460.90 6,548.80 Swiss franc 1 5,058.70 6,076.10 Deutschemark 1 4,167.60 5,040.80 Danish krone 1 1,096.70 1,318.00 French franc 1 1,247.30 1,500.40 Poundsterling 1 12,990.20 15,575.30 Hong Kong dollar 1 988.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Batam's electronic goods exports reach $2.25 billion
Batam's electronic goods exports reach $2.25 billion JAKARTA (JP): The new head of the Batam Industrial Development Authority, J.E. (Fanny) Habibie, said yesterday that exports of electronic goods from the island last year exceeded US$2.25 billion, almost 80 percent of the island's total exports. Fanny, who replaced his brother Vice President B.J.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP lets airline fly again
RP lets airline fly again MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines Air Transportation Office (ATO) said yesterday it would allow Cebu Pacific Airways to fly again after one of its aircraft crashed in February in the country's worst air disaster. A preliminary ATO report released last week said the crash was probably caused by human error and ruled out mechanical failure, a criminal act and bad weather as causes.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to make new bankruptcy law
Govt to make new bankruptcy law JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered Minister of Justice Muladi yesterday to quickly prepare bankruptcy and antimonopoly bills to improve the legal infrastructure for businesses in the country. The President said the government would issue a regulation (Perpu) next month as an alternative bankruptcy law before enacting a new law due to the urgent need for the government to address the issue. "The issuance of a Perpu is allowed by the 1945 Constitution...
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Brunei cracks down on polluters
Brunei cracks down on polluters BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): Brunei has beefed up laws governing open burning and pollution to check the spread of forest and bush fires raging in the oil-rich sultanate. The stiffer laws included the introduction of jail sentences and fines for an "unlimited amount", said Brunei's Minister of Law Pengiran Bahrin, who had announced tougher measures Monday to deal with the smoky haze that enveloped the tiny kingdom and forced the closure of schools.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Press needs help
Press needs help From Merdeka The price increase of newsprint from Rp 1,300 to Rp 7,000 per kilogram is a cause of great concern for the national press, especially considering that it is not easy to obtain a publishing license. Therefore, the national press must be helped. Besides, the meritorious contribution of the national press in our fight for independence deserves proper attention.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hanoi hopes for 10-member ASEAN
Hanoi hopes for 10-member ASEAN HANOI (Reuters): Vietnam said yesterday it hoped Cambodia would be soon able to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost economic development and stability in Southeast Asia. The Foreign Ministry said Vietnam was following events in Cambodia but declined to comment on whether the return of ousted premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh and elections in July would hasten Cambodia's admission to ASEAN.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
UNEP chief set to meet Soeharto
UNEP chief set to meet Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Executive Director of the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Dr. Klaus Topfer, is scheduled to meet President Soeharto today to review UN relief contributions to help control forest fires in Indonesia. Topfer, who coordinates the UN response to environmental disasters, will also hold talks with Minister of Forestry and Plantations Sumahadi, State Minister of Environment Juwono Sudarsono and other senior officials.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lawyers of Megawati supporters quit court
Lawyers of Megawati supporters quit court JAKARTA (JP): A court proceeding of a suit against the city police chief by 57 Megawati Soekarnoputri supporters over their detention descended into chaos yesterday when their lawyers walked out in protest over the authorities' refusal to release their clients for the session. The 15 lawyers acting on behalf of members of Barisan Merah Putih (the Red-and-White Front) said the proceedings would be legally flawed if the plaintiffs' were not present.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Arbitration agency PLN's best option
Arbitration agency PLN's best option JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PLN should ask an international arbitration agency to settle its dispute with gas and power suppliers over payment, an analyst said yesterday. Energy analyst Iskandar Mandji said the move would be the best alternative for PLN, which has not been able to fully pay its gas and power suppliers following the rupiah's sharp depreciation against the dollar.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bengkulu's airport awaits new name
Bengkulu's airport awaits new name BENGKULU: The name of Indonesia's initial first lady, Fatmawati Soekarno, looks set to be the new name for Padang Kemiling Airport in Bengkulu. Governor Adjis Ahmad was quoted by Antara as saying that based on the reaction from the local community, many favor Fatmawati as the new name for the airport. Fatmawati was wife of Indonesia's first president Sukarno.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dozens of soldiers reprimanded
Dozens of soldiers reprimanded BOGOR (JP): Dozens of Armed Forces (ABRI) personnel have been reprimanded for violating military regulations, Commander of the Bogor Military Regional Command Brig. Gen. Eddi Budianto said yesterday. The negligent individuals were rounded up in an operation on Jl. Raya Bogor-Jakarta, Cibinong district, on Tuesday, Eddi said. He did not reveal the exact number of people caught in the operation.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Merging timber firms 'counterproductive'
Merging timber firms 'counterproductive' JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Forest Utilization Titus Sarijanto said yesterday that merging state timber companies into a single entity would be counterproductive. Titus also said that merging the six forestry companies under the control of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations was not necessary because their respective financial performances were relatively strong.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fischer due in Jakarta for Indonesia-IMF talks
Fischer due in Jakarta for Indonesia-IMF talks WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): Stanley Fischer, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, will arrive Thursday in Jakarta for meetings to review what could be the final details of a reinvigorated economic program, an IMF official said Tuesday.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asiad contingent still short of cash
Asiad contingent still short of cash JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Asian Games contingent organizers expressed relief yesterday on hearing about the team's free flight to Thailand, but doubted they had enough money to cover other expenses. The deputy head of the National Sports Council's athletes development body, Muhammad Hindarto, said yesterday that the free flight on a military cargo aircraft would reduce the transportation expenses from US$523,000 to only $75,000.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stocks plunge 3.2% amid heavy selling pressure
Stocks plunge 3.2% amid heavy selling pressure JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) plunged further yesterday, losing 3.2 percent due to heavy selling pressure from foreign investors. Securities brokers said foreign investors mostly sold their stocks during the first trading day of the new 1998/99 fiscal year, which began yesterday.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Canada offers RI $198m in aid
Canada offers RI $198m in aid JAKARTA (JP): Canada yesterday offered a C$280-million (US$198 million) bilateral support package for Indonesia to help the country overcome its economic crisis. Canada's Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific Raymond Chan told journalists that the package included C$250 million in agricultural export credit facilities through the Canadian Wheat Board.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Debt payment still required
Debt payment still required Japanese banks, in an effort to prevent greater difficulties, are reported to have written off about US$1.5 billion worth of bad loans made to private Indonesian companies. This, however, does not mean that the Indonesian companies have been absolved from their obligation to pay, which must still be done as usual in normal debtor-creditor relationships.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI confident inflation rate won't exceed 40 percent
BI confident inflation rate won't exceed 40 percent JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia is optimistic that inflation will not exceed 40 percent this calender year even though it reached nearly 20 percent in January and February alone, a central bank executive said here yesterday. The central bank's deputy director, Hartadi A. Sarwono, said yesterday that although it was difficult to predict what would happen in the next eight months, it was still possible to ease the high inflationary pressure.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tadjus calls for delay of sticker system
Tadjus calls for delay of sticker system JAKARTA (JP): The head of Golkar's Jakarta chapter, Tadjus Sobirin, has urged the city administration to postpone the implementation of the sticker system designed to replace the three-in-one traffic regulation. Tadjus said on Tuesday the sticker system's implementation should be delayed because it would add to the burden of motorists during the economic crisis. He said the system should be started after the crisis was over.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Patients stay away from doctors
Patients stay away from doctors PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The recession descending upon the country has forced many to reassess their lifestyles, but one man may have taken it a bit too far. The director of Emmanuel Hospital in Banjarnegara, Dr. Yahya Wardoyo, said yesterday that one of his regular dialysis patients had decided to cancel his monthly treatment when he was told it had gone up from Rp 225,000 (US$26.50) to Rp 500,000. The patient went home after rejecting the near double price.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Last group of haj pilgrims depart
Last group of haj pilgrims depart JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's last group of haj pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia yesterday, bringing to a close the first stage of the country's massive airlift of 201,961 people which began March 6. The last flight of haj pilgrims departed from Polonia Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, and consisted of 93 pilgrims from Medan and 96 from Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, Antara said.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
New water meters introduced
New water meters introduced JAKARTA (JP): Water company PT Kekar Thames Airindo (Kati) has begun its service improvement program by replacing defective water meters with new ones, the company said in a statement yesterday. The replacement of water meters is mainly intended to ensure that customers receive an accurate bill and only pay for water they use, the company said.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
No fun in law-making forum
No fun in law-making forum JAKARTA (JP): Two subdistrict chiefs from Bekasi are in hot water after they were caught arm wrestling while attending a plenary meeting of the regency legislative council Tuesday. Sindang Jaya chief Sundan Jasan and Lambangsari chief Marsan N. are facing disciplinary measures because councilors considered them to be acting disrespectful during the region's law-making forum.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Triple-tier project funding uncertain
Triple-tier project funding uncertain JAKARTA (JP): City councilors urged the developer of the triple-tier transit system yesterday to reveal who will finance the Rp 6.2 trillion (US$730 million) project.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sawangan land dispute lingers after 20 years
Sawangan land dispute lingers after 20 years JAKARTA (JP): Some 125 people from Sawangan, in Bogor, staged a protest here yesterday renewing compensation demands for their land acquired by a property developer 24 years ago. They demonstrated outside the Bank International Indonesia (BII) headquarters on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, where the company, PT Cisadane Persada, has its office.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Coke won't raise prices
Coke won't raise prices SYDNEY (Reuters): Soft drink bottler Coca Cola Amatil Ltd said it will not raise the prices of its smaller-sized bottles of Coke in Indonesia for the time-being, despite high inflation there. The company also said that volumes growth from its Indonesian group was flat.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
WB lends RI $234m for road projects
WB lends RI $234m for road projects WASHINGTON (Reuters): The World Bank said on Tuesday it had loaned Indonesia $234 million toward a road project in northern Sumatra, as well as $103.5 million toward an education project in West Java.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
New bankruptcy law
New bankruptcy law The government moved yesterday to act on an important component of the IMF-brokered reform package of Jan. 15 when President Soeharto instructed Minister of Justice Muladi to draft a new bankruptcy law and the first antimonopoly law as quickly as possible. They are among the business and commercial laws Indonesia urgently requires to ensure the fair and smooth running of its market economy.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nationalism
Nationalism From Merdeka For hundreds of years, our freedom fighters fought many wars to drive out the Dutch imperialist power. And with the establishment of Boedi Oetomo in 1908 and the declaration of the Youth Pledge in 1928, they worked against all odds to build up the nation's sense of nationalism and nurture their patriotism.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asiad hopefuls enter KASAD Cup
Asiad hopefuls enter KASAD Cup JAKARTA (JP): Four of the nations top karate experts will face their first test before the Asian Games when they compete in the fifth KASAD (Army Chief of Staff) Cup to be held in the Senayan indoor tennis stadium starting from tomorrow.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 1, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 650 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 675 25 101,000 Alumindo Light Metal 400 -75 454,000 Alumindo Perkasa 375 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 -25 635,500 Aneka Tambang 1,725 150 31,608,500 Anwar Sierad 325 0 276,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' driver found murdered
'Ojek' driver found murdered TANGERANG (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was found murdered in the industrial area of Jatiuwung at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, eyewitnesses and police said yesterday. His motorcycle had been stolen. Anas Nasuari, 28, may have been killed by two passengers he accepted only 30 minutes before his body was discovered, fellow drivers said.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Labor leaders reject govt decision on minimum wages
Labor leaders reject govt decision on minimum wages JAKARTA (JP): Labor leaders rejected yesterday the government's decision not to raise monthly minimum wages for 1998/1999, citing possible unrest among workers. Chairmen of the 13 sectoral trade unions in the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) urged the government to reverse the decision and allow workers to directly negotiate their pay with employers.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thai shrimps gain from RI problems
Thai shrimps gain from RI problems BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand, the world's top shrimp exporter, stands to benefit from the problems faced by the shrimp farming industry in competitor Indonesia, industry sources said yesterday. Analysts said that Indonesia's world market share may have fallen to around five percent from 20 percent since last November-December because of a sharp drop in production as its currency crisis made it expensive to import feed.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aid offered to Indonesian students in N. America
Aid offered to Indonesian students in N. America JAKARTA (JP): More than 15,000 Indonesian students studying in North America can breathe easier following announcements by the Canadian and United States governments that assistance would be accorded to the many cash-strapped students. A statement received here yesterday said the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, the U.S.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sakakibara visits Jakarta
Sakakibara visits Jakarta TOKYO (Reuters): Eisuke Sakakibara, Japan's Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs, will visit Singapore and Indonesia beginning today, a finance ministry official said. Sakakibara will visit Singapore first and is expected to arrive late Wednesday night, the official said, adding that the length of his stay in each country was not yet determined. "(The length of his stay) has not been decided.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Local banks may face huge derivative losses
Local banks may face huge derivative losses JAKARTA (JP): The sharp plunge in the rupiah's value represents a "time bomb" for Indonesia's banking sector which is bloated by a much larger overseas obligation than what has officially been reported, according to Bank Niaga director Arwin Rasyid. In addition to the government figure of US$14.23 billion in financial obligations to overseas institutions, banks are believed to be engaged in $20 billion worth of forward contracts.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Decree on cigarette price hike revised
Decree on cigarette price hike revised JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has cut back price increases of cigarettes produced by small companies to give them a chance to survive in the tightening cigarette market. The Ministry of Finance issued a newly revised decree Monday to reduce the price hike for cigarettes produced by small manufacturers to between 50 percent and 70 percent instead of the 60 percent and 90 percent announced early last month.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
NIKE clarifies baby case
NIKE clarifies baby case I would like to clarify some inaccuracies that appeared in The Jakarta Post on March 24, 1998 on page three in an article titled 'When stressed dad rocks cradle'. On behalf of NIKE Inc. and PT Pratama Abadi Industri, we would like to inform you that Dulgani, the father who was detained on charges of killing his own baby, was never fired from Pratama Abadi Industri as he has never been employed in any capacity by the company.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF is not the good Samaritan
IMF is not the good Samaritan By T.J. Addati This is the first of two articles on the role of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the global economy. JAKARTA (JP): American folk tradition frequently refers to the "Company Store". On his first day in a new job the hapless fellow and his hungry family are shown into the store, told to take what they need and not to worry about having no money. But the family must pay its bill the following week when the man gets paid.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Muladi told to conceptualize substance of students dialog
Muladi told to conceptualize substance of students dialog JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that he was serious in his commitment to a dialog with students and instructed Minister of Justice Muladi to make the necessary arrangements. "The President said the dialog was very important. He asked me to conceptualize the method and substance of the dialog", Muladi told reporters after meeting President Soeharto at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film 3:05 Environment Program: Lembah Seribu Bunga 3:30 Science Film 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 TV Series 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 Comedy 8:20 Koran Recital 8:30 Religious Teachings: Islam 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Selekta Musika 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Drama: Menunggu Teduh Program 2...
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
More migrants arrive in Medan from Malaysia
More migrants arrive in Medan from Malaysia MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Another group of Indonesian illegal migrants deported from Malaysia arrived yesterday at the Teluk Nibung Port in Tanjungbalai, eight of them needing immediate hospital attention. Some of the migrants said they were ill because of rough treatment from Malaysian officials, but Tanjungbalai Mayor Abdul Muis Dalimunthe said they were only dehydrated.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Grassroots groups want people at heart of ASEM
Grassroots groups want people at heart of ASEM LONDON (Agencies): Grassroots groups want this week's Asia- Europe summit to tackle Asia's financial crisis with new economic solutions that put ordinary people at their heart. Instead of the free-market reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund and the United States, they want solutions that attack Asia's underlying political and human rights problems along with its growing poverty and unemployment.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
UNDP warns of food insecurity in RI
UNDP warns of food insecurity in RI JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations warned yesterday that the long drought and monetary crisis is threatening Indonesia's food security and that rice imports could reach record levels this year.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
YLKI strongly protests phone tariff increase
YLKI strongly protests phone tariff increase JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has strongly protested the government's decision to raise local and intercity telephone rates from yesterday. The consumer protection foundation's vice chairman, Agus Pambagio, charged that the decision was based on certain parties' commercial interests and did not take the rising burden on consumers into account.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lawyer's arrest an insult to profession: PHBI
Lawyer's arrest an insult to profession: PHBI JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) lodged a protest with Chief Justice Sarwata yesterday over the arrest of one of its lawyers on March 10. Alexius Surya Tjahaya Tomu was arrested while providing legal assistance to the besieged organizers of the illegal Indonesian People's Summit at a North Jakarta hotel.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Donations pour in from C. Java
Donations pour in from C. Java SEMARANG, Central Java: The people of Central Java have so far contributed over 10 kilograms of gold, over Rp 400 million and hundreds of dollars in foreign exchange to help the state pull itself out of the financial crisis. The head of Bank Indonesia's Semarang branch, Sidarto, said 10.15 kilograms of gold had been collected along with funds in local currency totaling Rp 407.2 million. The foreign currency donated was US$508, four Singapore dollars and 950.
Thu, 02 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Acquiring special skills for the art of dialog
Acquiring special skills for the art of dialog By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Dialogs can be conducted in different formats. The simplest is a conversation between two people. But not every such exchange of words, however, can be called a conversation or dialog.