Archive: 22 April 1998
57 articles found
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ban on CPO exports finally lifted
Ban on CPO exports finally lifted JAKARTA (JP): The government has finally lifted its ban on exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its byproducts, beginning today, through a ministerial decree. The decree, signed last Friday by Minister of Industry and Trade Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, ended the much-criticized ban on the export of CPO, refined bleached deodorized (RBD) palm oil, crude olein and RBD olein.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian stock markets close mostly lower
Asian stock markets close mostly lower HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets closed lower yesterday, with the key index in Jakarta tumbling 2.1 percent after the Indonesian central bank raised interest rates to support the battered currency. Dealers at the Jakarta Stock Exchange said there was selling across the board after Bank Indonesia, the nation's central bank, raised interest rates by between 3 and 6 percentage points in an attempt to strengthen the rupiah.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
CPO price tumbles on RI news
CPO price tumbles on RI news KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): News at least 100,000 tons of crude palm oil (CPO) is ready for loading on waiting vessels in Indonesia yesterday and a stronger ringgit against the U.S. dollar dragged down Malaysian palm oil prices at the close, traders said. "There was panic selling after the (Indonesian) news that at least 100,000 tons of palm oil is to be loaded after the lift of the export ban tomorrow," said a trader.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bias cited on demolition of villas
Bias cited on demolition of villas BOGOR (JP): The local administration's policy to demolish illegally built villas has been smeared as "discriminative" because buildings belonging to people with powerful connections have always been spared, Antara reported yesterday. Officials usually tear down illegal villas belonging to people they believe do not have the "power to create problems" while powerful people's buildings remain untouched, the report said.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Govt inconsistent' on women's rights issue
'Govt inconsistent' on women's rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Despite its endorsement of an international convention against discrimination, the government is inconsistent in its implementation of laws on the empowerment of women and the protection of their rights, an activist said yesterday.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto warns of foreign takeovers
Soeharto warns of foreign takeovers JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of a possible wholesale takeover of Indonesian companies by foreign investors if the nation failed to resolve the economic crisis. In off-the-cuff remarks during a dialog with small-scale entrepreneurs and cooperative leaders, Soeharto said the government and the people should work hard to hasten the recovery. "Do you know what will happen if these (upheavals) continue?
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Familiarity reigns among city arts council's new board lineup
Familiarity reigns among city arts council's new board lineup JAKARTA (JP): Unfamiliar faces were the minority as the Jakarta Academy of Arts and Culture officially installed the new Jakarta Arts Council for a three-year term yesterday at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta. The council is in charge of setting up programs and seeking funds for arts and cultural events, for which TIM is a main venue. Most of the council lineup are reappointees, and there is a distinct lack of those under 35.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt urged not to maintain high rates for too long
Govt urged not to maintain high rates for too long JAKARTA (JP): The government should not maintain interest rates at the current high level for too long so that the business sector can expand and create employment, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said yesterday. Aburizal Bakrie, chairman of the organization, said that Kadin cautiously welcomed Bank Indonesia's decision to raise benchmark interest rates by between 3 and 5 percentage points.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Local franchisers lack commitment
Local franchisers lack commitment JAKARTA (JP): Many local franchise operators lack the commitment and the ability to develop their businesses properly, a consultant said yesterday Amir Karamoy said many of the local franchisers took the fees from the holders of their licenses but did not assist them in developing their businesses. "Many of the local franchisers are known to sell their licenses to the franchisees and just leave them take care of the business themselves," he said.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Road to economic recovery full of potholes
Road to economic recovery full of potholes Government officials have made confusing statements on the reforms sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati, vice chairwoman of the University of Indonesia's Center for Economic and Social Studies, discusses the government's commitment to the measures. Question: Do you think the government will again backtrack on the implementation of the IMF-sponsored economic reform?
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bechtel to sends engineers abroad to work
Bechtel to sends engineers abroad to work JAKARTA (JP): Giant engineering and construction company Bechtel International Inc. of the United States will send 50 percent of its Indonesian engineers to overseas operations due to the decline in business activities here, the company said yesterday. Company vice president and country manager in Indonesia F.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Deli fishermen's shooting reported
Deli fishermen's shooting reported MEDAN (JP): The wives of two fishermen shot dead by marine police in a recent clash in Sei Tuan, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, reported their husbands' tragic deaths to the Military Police office here on Monday. Nuraisyah and Zaniah, the wives of Ramli and Ridwan respectively, demanded the military punish those who killed their husbands. They threatened to sue the police if measures were not taken against the officers suspected of carrying out the shooting.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Effectiveness of fumigation questioned
Effectiveness of fumigation questioned JAKARTA (JP): City residents complained yesterday that fumigation efforts to fight the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the carrier of the dengue fever virus, were largely ineffective. The city health office announced yesterday that the number of dengue fever patients in Jakarta totaled 4,980 as of yesterday afternoon. The outbreak's death toll currently numbers 50, it said.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Indonesia sets up monetary monitoring team
Bank Indonesia sets up monetary monitoring team JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) has formed a monetary monitoring committee in an effort to implement more of the reforms agreed to with the International Monetary Fund. The central bank said in a decree, signed Monday but released yesterday, that BI director Miranda Gultom would head the team, which included Sean Nolan of the IMF, Jaime Jaramillo of the U.S. Treasury Department and Ditrich Domanski, a Deutsche Bundesbank expert, as members.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian stories get English editions
Indonesian stories get English editions JAKARTA (JP): Cats, the moon and an army general are among the subjects of the latest collection of English language Indonesian short stories published by the Monash Asia Institute in Australia. The collection, based mostly on works published over three decades in the literary magazine Horizon, is titled Beyond the Horizon, the Institute said. It includes stories by 18 writers, including the well known writers A.A. Navis, N.H. Dini and Y.B. Mangunwijaya.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ornate Sumatran finery a national legacy
Ornate Sumatran finery a national legacy JAKARTA (JP): Model-strutting was nowhere to be seen on the catwalk at a fashion show of traditional Sumatran costumes in Jakarta last weekend. The show, which paraded eight Sumatran dance costumes, was part of a traditional fashion event, My Beautiful Indonesia, being staged at Plaza Indonesia's La Moda Cafe in Central Jakarta from April 15 through May 19.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Striker Kurniawan to train young local soccer hopefuls
Striker Kurniawan to train young local soccer hopefuls JAKARTA (JP): A group of 50 Indonesian children aged between eight and 15 years old will get a rare opportunity to develop their soccer skills under the watchful eye of ace national striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto at a week-long training session to be held in July.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Angry crowd burns minivan
Angry crowd burns minivan JAKARTA (JP): A mob set fire to a public transportation minivan on Jl. Raya Bintara, Bekasi, after it fatally struck an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, police said yesterday. The motorcycle passenger was also injured. The minivan's driver, Colfrit Aritonang, 24, was slightly hurt but hid from the crowd in fear of his life. He later turned himself in to the police. Bekasi Police Chief Let. Col.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 21, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 12,500 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,025 -50 270,500 Alumindo Light Metal 375 -50 105,000 Alumindo Perkasa 300 50 500 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 -50 98,000 Aneka Tambang 1,525 -50 3,588,500 Anwar Sierad 250 -25 11,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Debt puts location of Tiger up on the line
Debt puts location of Tiger up on the line JAKARTA (JP): The 19th Southeast Asian Games row continued yesterday with the National Sports Council admitting that it owes the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) US$58,384. The debt has become a headache for the All Indonesia Soccer Federation because the AFC has threatened to change its plans to stage the 2nd Tiger Cup in Indonesia if the sports council fails to pay its dues by May 14.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
New military chief for northern Sumatra
New military chief for northern Sumatra MEDAN (JP): Army Chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo installed Maj. Gen. Ismed Yuzairi yesterday as new commander of the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Riau. Ismed replaced Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin, who has been nominated for the North Sumatra governorship, currently under Let. Gen. (ret.) Radja Inal Siregar.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stifling interest rates
Stifling interest rates Bank Indonesia has increased its interest rate for Bank Indonesia promissory notes (SBI) to 45 percent a month. One consequence is an increase of commercial banks' interest rates to 47.5 percent for one-month time deposits and 19 percent for one year. The central bank's purpose for increasing its SBI interest rate is to attract the people to deposit their money in banks, with the expectation that the rupiah exchange rate will be strengthened.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students and politics
Students and politics According to the European press, 14 Indonesian student activists were sentenced last year from two to 13 years' imprisonment for their calls for a reform of Indonesia's political system. They were tried under Indonesia's antisubversion law and the Criminal Code, which punishes "the spreading of hatred" against the government. Indonesia inherited this code from Dutch colonial times.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction
Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction TANGERANG (JP): The planned eviction of more than 2,000 residents of Gaga Indah subdistrict in Ciledug here yesterday was postponed after a duel between angry residents and the driver of the bulldozer used to demolish their houses. Hundreds of residents had guarded their homes and blocked the entrance road with large rocks and coconut tree trunks since dawn, demanding that the clearance of their 11,000 square-meter plot be delayed.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toeing to IMF conditions
Toeing to IMF conditions The new agreement between the Indonesian government and the International Monetary Fund is an improvement on the previous two. But is that enough to ensure compliance by the Indonesian government where it was lacking before? The new agreement's provisions to allow continued fuel, rice and soybean subsidies, and so help protect the poorest Indonesians from the shock of economic restructuring, are worthwhile.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Incarcerated female job seeker dies in hospital
Incarcerated female job seeker dies in hospital JAKARTA (JP): A woman died of a bad illness in hospital Friday after being incarcerated for about three months in a house on Jl. Taman AA in Sukabumi Selatan subdistrict, West Jakarta, police said yesterday. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the woman, identified only as DN, 22, died in Permata Hijau Hospital, West Jakarta, two days after the police raided the house which was used to incarcerate female job seekers.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students walk out of dialog with Hartono
Students walk out of dialog with Hartono JAKARTA (JP): A dialog between government officials and students ended in confusion yesterday after dozens of participants walked out of the meeting and held a "dialog of their own" outside.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timber firms prefer to export sawn timber
Timber firms prefer to export sawn timber JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to ease wood export restrictions will encourage timber companies to export sawn timber rather than logs, the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI) said here yesterday. APHI's deputy executive chairman, Hendro Prastowo, said that selling sawn timber overseas would be more profitable than exporting logs due to its higher added-value and the growing market.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Interest rate rise has little impact on ASEAN monies
Interest rate rise has little impact on ASEAN monies SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): An increase in rupiah interest rates yesterday had little impact on trading in Southeast Asian currency markets as regional currencies rose against the U.S. dollar in line with the yen during Asian hours. Although the rupiah inched slightly higher against the U.S. currency, in line with rises in the ringgit, the Singapore dollar and the baht, traders and analysts dismissed Bank Indonesia's rate rise as ineffectual.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cheap meals from officials' wives
Cheap meals from officials' wives BOGOR (JP): Members of the Bogor Civil Servants' Wives Association sold 2,000 cheap meals to the poor in East Bogor subdistrict yesterday. The food packages were sold for Rp 500 each to people who have become unable to make the ends meet because of the economic crisis. The meals, consisting of rice, egg, tempeh and vegetables, were distributed at five bus terminals, the Ciawi roundabout, and at an ojek (motorcycle taxi) terminal.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ryan wins gold in Asian bowling
Ryan wins gold in Asian bowling JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang captured the boys' singles gold medal in the Asian Student Bowling Championships in Singapore yesterday. Aswin Limansantoso, deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Bowling Association said yesterday that Ryan, making his international debut, scored 1179 points to beat Sing Ling of Singapore who scored 1168 points. James Kelly of New Zealand took the bronze with 1163 points.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
A good beginning
A good beginning The dialog between the government and citizens, which was held at the Jakarta Fair ground in Kemayoran on Saturday, has attracted widespread attention. Such attention is natural considering the number of participants that were involved and the heterogeneous nature of the groups they represented. As was reported by the media, the atmosphere that prevailed during the dialog was notably open.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Time to remember journalists
Time to remember journalists By Ignatius Haryanto JAKARTA (JP): This year The New York Times won three Pulitzer prizes for stories on corruption in Mexico, special coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court and for critical commentary on police brutality in New York (Kompas, April 16). It is a sort of rite for journalists the world over to devote special attention to the months of April and May.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip
Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip JAKARTA (JP): The national karate team has set a modest target of winning two golds in the Australian Open Championship in Sydney, its first outing ahead of the 13th Asian Games in December. Head of the contingent Brig. Gen.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on April 21, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S dollar 1 7,500.00 9,000.00 Austrian shilling 1 565.10 677.80 Australian dollar 1 4,794.30 5,369.30 Belgian franc 1 199.50 222.60 Canadian dollar 1 5,171.00 5,757.40 Swiss franc 1 4,956.50 5,528.60 Deutschemark 1 4,105.30 4,612.40 Danish krone 1 1,079.50 1,204.90 French franc 1 1,228.00 1,372.00 Poundsterling 1 12,404.30 13,801.00 Hong Kong dollar 1 943.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students explain motives for demonstrating
Students explain motives for demonstrating YOGYAKARTA (JP): A small group of female students in tight jeans stood a little distance away from their colleagues assembling near the student hall at Gadjah Mada University shouting protests over the government's handling of the economic crisis. "Oh, come on. Join us," said one of the protesting students to the female students. "Come on...
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to unveil new bankruptcy law today
Govt to unveil new bankruptcy law today JAKARTA (JP): The government will announce today regulations to amend the bankruptcy law and improve the legal infrastructure for business in the country, Minister of Justice Muladi said yesterday. Muladi told reporters here that a government Perpu (regulation in lieu of a law) would be announced by the State Secretariat and would serve until a new bankruptcy law was established and enacted.
Wed, 22 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: White Lies 3:05 Family's Film: Road to Avonlea 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Teen Program: Remaja Indonesia 5:00 Science and Technology 5:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama: Informasi Berantai 8:05 Health News: Lintas Kesehatan 8:30 News: Laporan Peristiwa 9:00 World News 9:35 TV Drama: Petaka Bumi Angsana 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV...
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japanese universities ponder paucity of foreign students
Japanese universities ponder paucity of foreign students By Kelly Olsen TOKYO (AP): Their alumni include some very prominent people. The Philippines' foreign secretary, for example, was Tokyo University class of 1964. Indonesia's top economic minister was Tokyo U. '65. These days, however, Japanese universities are finding it harder to attract foreign students, despite offers of cash and easier admissions.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
YLKI, LBH pick holes in traffic sticker plan
YLKI, LBH pick holes in traffic sticker plan JAKARTA (JP): The city administration's decision to replace the three-in-one regulation with a traffic sticker system came under fire yesterday. The Indonesian Consumers Association (YLKI) and the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) said the city administration had not listened to people's objections. YLKI chairwoman Tini Hadad said the general public had rejected the idea but the administration had still insisted on implementing it.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI oil product imports surge again, say traders
RI oil product imports surge again, say traders SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia's oil product imports are creeping up again after it was crippled for months by the country's worst financial crisis in decades, traders said yesterday. Traders estimate that Indonesia could import in May at least three million barrels of gas oil, 500,000 barrels of jet fuel and 50,000 tons of fuel oil.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Return activists 'must explain their whereabouts'
Return activists 'must explain their whereabouts' JAKARTA (JP): Rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman pleaded yesterday that three political activists who have just returned after reportedly disappearing for weeks should not stay silent but explain their much-publicized disappearance for the sake of those still missing.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Spotlight
Spotlight Photo A: Luncheon Aryaduta VIP LUNCHEON: Director General of Politics, Department of Foreign Affairs, Nugroho Wisnumurti (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (second left) talk with South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Nzo (second left) and Ambassador of South Africa to Indonesia BS Kubheka (right). Alatas hosted a luncheon last Monday at Hotel Aryaduta, Central Jakarta. Photo B: Sony JP/msa ON DISPLAY: President of PT Sony Indonesia Y.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block
Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block JAKARTA (JP): Those who believe that fine art is not a just luxury but a necessity can always turn in their hour of need to Christie's, the world's oldest firm of fine art auctioneers, which offers scores of paintings by Indonesian artists. Interest in collecting works of Indonesian masters seems to be growing among connoisseurs. This is reflected in two forthcoming Christie's auctions, in Amsterdam yesterday and in Singapore on May 18.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Total to cut crude output
Total to cut crude output SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesian state-oil company Pertamina has requested Total SA cut its local crude oil production to 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) as part of OPEC cuts, Total general manager in Indonesia, Bernard Vitry, said yesterday. Vitry told Reuters by telephone the cut represented a reduction of around five percent in output of its two crudes -- Handil and Bekapai. Total is operator, but Pertamina and Japan's Indonesia Petroleum Ltd (INPEX) are shareholders.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Kaswanto forced to abandon Philippines cycling road race
Kaswanto forced to abandon Philippines cycling road race ANTIPOLO, Philippines (Agencies): Kaswanto completed Indonesia's poor performance in the Marlboro Centennial Tour of Philippines when he abandoned the fifth stage of the race yesterday. With Kaswanto, the only remaining rider from the six-man Indonesian squad, quitting, the country saw its hopes of improving its feat vanish. It finished fifth overall last year.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Trawlers illegally prowl Medan coast
Trawlers illegally prowl Medan coast MEDAN, North Sumatra: About 125 trawlers have been violating a government ban by operating in the western waters of the province, ruining the livelihood of many traditional fishermen. Tamsar Hutagalung, the leader of a group of local fishermen, said the trawlers had been banned from the area since 1980 because they caught fish indiscriminately and ruined the environment.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
In Kartini's memory
In Kartini's memory Though it may be true that many Indonesians still regard subservience and meekness as traditional female virtues that should be retained, women in dominant positions are not exactly a new phenomenon in Indonesia. One only has to think of Cut Nya' Dien, the Acehnese heroine whose courageous leadership inspired her people to continue to resist the Dutch for many years at the beginning of this century.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Obstetrician on trial for illegal abortions
Obstetrician on trial for illegal abortions JAKARTA (JP): An obstetrician, identified as Budiman, 51, was indicted at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday on charges of illegal abortion practices. Prosecutor Andi Tjudai said the defendant performed abortions at Herlina and Amalia clinics in Tanah Tinggi, Central Jakarta, between 1989 and last November. "The defendant performed abortions without taking into consideration requirements in Article 15 of the Health Law No.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya turtledove-breeding farm booming despite crisis
Surabaya turtledove-breeding farm booming despite crisis By Widyarto SURABAYA (JP): The way money circulates here is just the way it does in other business spots: clearly visible in huge amounts. The difference is that this place is free from any formality related to time and location. Few wear a tie. Many only don a sarong and wear sandals. Another difference is that a buyer will be very careful before deciding to buy. He may need hours or even days.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Migrant Workers
Migrant Workers From Media Indonesia I am concerned about the violence experienced by our migrant workers, legal or otherwise, in Malaysia recently. It is time that the Indonesian government find solutions to problems related to migrant workers. One possible solution is to turn Sumatra into a center for agribusiness, just like the Malaysian peninsula. Known in ancient literature as Svarnadwipa, much of the potential of Sumatra is still untapped.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
MAF resumes relief flights
MAF resumes relief flights JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), an airline owned by missionaries, has resumed flights to rural areas in the province after receiving 300 drums of fuel from the local office of the state-owned oil company, Pertamina. Spokesman Samuel Basary said food relief operations could resume to areas badly hit by drought and food shortages.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Forbidden love at Betawi theater
Forbidden love at Betawi theater JAKARTA (JP): Forbidden love based on the classic Sampek Engtay Chinese folktale is the plot of a drama scheduled to be staged tomorrow in the form of a Betawi (native Jakarta) farce. The play, Sami'un Engtay (Sami'un is a common Betawi male name) will be performed by the Kembang Latar theater group headed by former politician and Betawi native Ridwan Saidi. Directed by Agus Firmansyah, the story is of people of two different ethnic backgrounds falling in love.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
SBI rates raised to prop up rupiah
SBI rates raised to prop up rupiah JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) raised again yesterday its interest rates on short-term promissory notes (SBIs) for all maturities by between 3 percent and 5 percent in an effort to shore up the rupiah and curb inflation. The central bank governor, Sjahril Sabirin, said yesterday he understood the measure would force more companies out of business and put a further burden on the people.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
New executive train launched
New executive train launched YOGYAKARTA: Minister of Communications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono inaugurated the new executive class train Dwipangga yesterday at Balapan Solo Railway Station. Poernomo, spokesman of the state railway company Perumka, said the new six-car executive train should satisfy demands for an increased capacity in comfortable modes of public transportation. He said the economic crisis had raised the price of plane tickets and that train ticket sales had consequently increased.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
KSOs install 1m new phone lines as of 1997
KSOs install 1m new phone lines as of 1997 JAKARTA (JP): State telecommunications firm PT Telkom's five contractors announced yesterday they had installed 1.01 million new telephone lines by the end of 1997, or 50.1 percent of the target to be reached by the end of 1999. The contractors, known as Telkom's KSO partners, said they had invested US$1.12 billion in their two years of existence and paid Telkom $200 million as an initial investment.
Wed, 22 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests
Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests JAKARTA (JP): Housewives, several nuns and a number of sex workers were seen mingling with thousands of female students and activists holding rallies demanding an end to the economic crisis and sweeping reforms in various cities yesterday.