Archive: 6 April 1998
51 articles found
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI comitted to economic reform: Minister
RI comitted to economic reform: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is pledging its grave commitment to carry through on economic reforms but stressed that it still needs international support, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita has said. "This is not just lip service," Ginandjar told a media briefing Saturday after another meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives to review the reform programs.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Monday, April 6, 1998
TV Program: Monday, April 6, 1998 TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:45 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Economic Program: Kiat Manajemen 3:30 TV Drama: Angkat Derajat 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:30 Religious Teachings: Hindu 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Live Reports: 2 Tahun Wafatnya Ibu Tien Soeharto 9:00 World News 9:30 Sports 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV...
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia today
Indonesia today It struck me during my recent first visit to Indonesia that many Javanese cities lack the transformation that is common in Europe and the U.S., and which was made possible by the increase in wealth. Looking at the railway tracks, for example, one can see that the Dutch did not do enough when they were in power to organize railway transportation according to the same standard as Europe.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta troops turn farmers
Jakarta troops turn farmers JAKARTA (JP): The city military command is to send 500 soldiers to help open about 240 hectares of unused land in Greater Jakarta for agriculture. The land belongs mostly to property developers The use of troops to open up the land for poor local farmers bearing the brunt of the economic crisis is part of the city administration's commitment to helping the poor. Command spokesman Lt. Col.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rectors warned over unrully student protests
Rectors warned over unrully student protests JAKARTA (JP): The authorities have warned several universities across the city that student demonstrations could lead to anarchy if they spill onto the streets. City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata told the media in Sawangan, Bogor, on Saturday that he sent letters to university rectors instructing them to confine student protests within campuses.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Law: Missing link in stabilizing the rupiah
Law: Missing link in stabilizing the rupiah Various theories on how to fight the economic crisis have been forwarded. Charles Himawan, professor of law and economics at the University of Indonesia, argues that the Supreme Court could play a major role in helping to alleviate the suffering. JAKARTA (JP): Long before the "Thailand storm" of July 2, 1997, hit Indonesia, many foreign entrepreneurs often complained openly that there seemed to be no law in Indonesia. They misdefined law.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students, lawyers urge probe into Yogya incident
Students, lawyers urge probe into Yogya incident YOGYAKARTA (JP): A team of students and lawyers are calling on the National Commission on Human Rights and Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto to investigate violence marring last week's student demonstrations here from which dozens were injured and seven students were still reportedly missing. Five uniformed and two plain-clothed security officers were injured along with 31 students in two demonstrations on Friday and Saturday.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Few islanders have land title
Few islanders have land title JAKARTA (JP): Only about 20 percent of 1,180 plots of land in the Thousand Islands have been titled, a local senior official said over the weekend. Deputy subdistrict chief Kusno said few people on the sprawling islets were aware that legal land documents were needed. On the islands, residents get a receipt when they buy a plot of land, while the regulation requires a certificate from a notary, he said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian crisis puts graft in spotlight: PERC
Asian crisis puts graft in spotlight: PERC SINGAPORE (Reuters): The cost of corruption to Asian economies has become more apparent amid the financial crisis, but in several countries graft is getting worse, Hong Kong-based Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said. Business executives polled felt that corruption had fallen in five of 11 countries polled, significantly in South Korea and China. But corruption had increased in six countries, it said in a report released over the weekend.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Uses of logic
Uses of logic My daughter-in-law, who is now working at one of the banks in Jakarta, studied civil engineering in Bandung, after which she did a two-year stint in banking in the United States. One day I said to her: "It seems to me that when you finished your senior high school, you did not seem to know or you were not convinced what sort of career to choose. If you had only chosen economics after your senior year you would have been a more accomplished banker.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Over 12,500 workers lose jobs in Bekasi
Over 12,500 workers lose jobs in Bekasi JAKARTA (JP): The Bekasi branch of the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation has helped arranged the dismissal of 12,586 workers between October 1997 and last month, an official said over the weekend. The branch's secretary, R. Abdullah, said that the federation's role included mostly negotiations on severance pay the fired workers were entitled to.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Release of funds week away: Fisher
Release of funds week away: Fisher JAKARTA (Dow Jones): A deal between the Indonesian government and the International Monetary Fund could still be a week away, the IMF's Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer said yesterday. But even then, disbursement of a second $3 billion tranche to Indonesia could take weeks as the Fund will observe a "period of testing" of Indonesia's commitment to reform before releasing the funds.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI pilgrims go to Mt. Arafat for peak of haj ritual
RI pilgrims go to Mt. Arafat for peak of haj ritual JAKARTA (JP): More than 3,000 buses were used yesterday to transport Indonesia's 200,000 pilgrims from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to Mt. Arafat for wukuf, or "standing", a rite that signifies the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage. Today the pilgrims will climb the mountain, and spend their time there from midday to sunset reciting the Koran or saying prayers.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tycoon launches corn pilot project
Tycoon launches corn pilot project JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of farmers watched as tycoon Hutomo Mandala Putra, Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Haryono Suyono and Minister of Agriculture Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah get their hands dirty at the weekend by symbolically picking the first corn crop in Watumilok village, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara. Saturday's event was part of a pilot project sponsored by Hutomo, popularly known as Tommy.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Economic crisis drives Indonesia into nutritional disaster
Economic crisis drives Indonesia into nutritional disaster By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The long-lasting economic crisis is likely to lead the majority of Indonesians to nutritional disaster because of the rocketing prices of staple foods and other basic commodities, said an executive of the United Children's Fund (Unicef). Stephen J.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aid of food staples
Aid of food staples From Media Indonesia The people are experiencing ever greater difficulty in coping with the price increases of daily necessities. The basic problem is the price of staple foods. Lower, affordable prices are eagerly awaited, especially by the less fortunate in our community. The holding of cheap markets at various locations offering Rp 5,000 packages of sugar, noodles and cooking oil is of great help to the people.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
People turn to 'alternative' food items for survival
People turn to 'alternative' food items for survival By Lorensius Molan KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (Antara): As food shortages take a grip on the eastern provinces, people have taken to eating "alternative" food to survive. For adults in rural areas in Kupang district, putak is a foodstuff usually eaten only when stocks of rice, corn, tubers and other crops are running low. Putak is the dried or boiled flesh of the stem of a kind of sugar palm called gewang (Corifa gebana).
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
CPO producers urge government to lift export ban
CPO producers urge government to lift export ban JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association has said the new agreement between the International Monetary Fund and the government, to be signed this week, should include the revoking of the export ban on crude palm oil (CPO) and most of its derivatives.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
How Kalimantan farmers are surviving the monatary crisis
How Kalimantan farmers are surviving the monatary crisis By Amon Stefanus KETAPANG, West Kalimantan (JP): While most Indonesians are living in apprehension as a result of the ongoing monetary crisis, farmers in rural areas of this province have a different story to tell. Although they are often made the scapegoats for forest destruction, forest fires and the haze, farmers are proving their resilience during the nine-month monetary crisis.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military questions tycoon over swindle
Military questions tycoon over swindle JAKARTA (JP): A real estate tycoon has been questioned by the Jakarta Internal Security Agency for allegedly building condominiums on state land, incurring a massive financial loss on the government. Spokesman for the Jakarta Military Command, Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi, identified the suspect over the weekend as 38-year-old Seno Margono, alias Tjiang Tjek Seng, a director at various real estate companies.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Property sector may stay sluggish until December
Property sector may stay sluggish until December JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's ailing property sector has not shown any positive sign of recovery and will continue to be sluggish until the end of the year, property research agency The Burwood Report Indonesia has said. The monetary crisis, which has hit Southeast Asia since early July, has greatly destroyed the country's property sector, resulting in decreasing sales and forcing many developers out of business.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fire experts call for containment strategy in extinguishing blazes
Fire experts call for containment strategy in extinguishing blazes By Budiman Moerdijat SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan (JP): Fire-fighting experts, confronting raging forest fires in this province, maintain it would be better to focus on prevention efforts at this stage and let the fires burn themselves out.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto's prohibition of student politics slammed
Wiranto's prohibition of student politics slammed JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar banned Saturday students from being involved in practical political activities, a move that immediately drew harsh criticism from an observer. Amien Rais, leader of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, warned the ban might force students to let off steam through channels that might lead to anarchy.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Medical services on dengue
Medical services on dengue TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang General Hospital is offering free medical services to dengue fever victims who cannot afford to pay for treatment, a hospital official said. Syartil Arfan, a hospital director, said that the provision had been made in consideration of the fact that medical treatment for the disease was very expensive. He said three out of 47 patients treated for the disease at the hospital late last month had died.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Violence mars village election
Violence mars village election SUKOHARJO, Central Java: At least 10 residents were injured and three houses damaged following violence in the election of the Grogol village chief in Sukoharjo regency last week. The violence involved supporters of Raharjo, one of the five candidates, who were dissatisfied after Supriyadi came out the winner during Thursday's election. On Friday, dozens of Raharjo's supporters rode on motorbikes and in cars and attacked the houses of Supriyadi's supporters.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt move on banks 'not enough'
Govt move on banks 'not enough' JAKARTA (JP): Banking analysts and economists cautiously hailed the government's move to suspend the operation of seven commercial banks and take over the management of seven more, saying it could eventually restore the health of the banking sector. However, they argued, the new move alone would not restore public confidence in the banking industry unless the government follows it up with stern punitive measures against people responsible for the failed banks.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aussie underwrites cotton
Aussie underwrites cotton CANBERRA (Reuters): Australia plans to extend about A$250 million in export guarantee assistance for cotton exporters to Indonesia, Industry Minister John Moore said yesterday. The assistance, to be arranged through the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, follows insurance cover for wheat sales to Indonesia, announced last month and since increased to around A$500 million.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man suspected of slaying his wife
Man suspected of slaying his wife JAKARTA (JP): Police believe a woman, who had her neck slashed Saturday at her house on Jl. Bojong Utama IV in the Narogong Indah housing complex, East Bekasi, was killed by her husband. Head of the Bekasi Police precinct Let. Col. (Pol) Adjie Rustam said yesterday a kitchen knife had been used to inflict the 10-centimeter neck wound. The victim, identified as Christina Dwinanda Mardi, 32, is believed to have died instantly.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
A real leader of people's hearts
A real leader of people's hearts From Merdeka A leader who feels he has been chosen by the people must be clean, honest and just. He must be an example to the people. He must be oriented toward the people's welfare. He should not make scapegoats of people or abuse their rights. If a leader abuses people's trust and money for his own interests and that of his family and his cronies, the country is be headed for destruction. The public would be the victims.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
How do we define political reform?
How do we define political reform? By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): The word reform has become very popular these days, to the extent of becoming a household word. Initially, this phenomenon made me feel optimistic. I thought that the thinking class in our society sincerely wants reform. If that is the case, then there should be no problem whatsoever for our nation to introduce political and economic reforms.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
C. Java begins pay cuts in May
C. Java begins pay cuts in May SEMARANG, Central Java: Governor Soewardi said that senior provincial officials would next month take pay cuts and the money would be donated to the needy. He said he would also be willing to sacrifice a portion of his Rp 800,000 monthly basic salary for the cause. "The pay cuts will begin simultaneously in the province in May," he said Saturday without elaborating on how much would be cut from each official's pay packet.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt's banking move casts shadow on stock trading
Govt's banking move casts shadow on stock trading JAKARTA (JP): The government's move to freeze the operation of seven commercial banks, and to take over the management of seven others, is likely to cast a shadow on trading activities in the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) this week, stockbrokers and analysts have said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Worst air polluters are vehicles
Worst air polluters are vehicles JAKARTA (JP): Three million motorized vehicles contribute up to 70 percent of air pollution in this city of 10 million people, a government official has said. Prawoto S. Danoemihardja, chief of the city's Environmental Impact Management Agency, said over the weekend that almost all the vehicles use leaded gasoline. Two million of the vehicles are motorbikes and bajaj (motorized pedicabs). The rest are private and public transportation vehicles, Prawoto said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sticker project turns sticky over supervision
Sticker project turns sticky over supervision JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation has stated that fairness in awarding tenders should be top of the agenda if the private sector is involved in managing the planned sticker system in restricted traffic areas. Agency chairwoman Tini Hadad said Saturday that failure to do so by the city administration would draw public condemnation.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
25% hike in tap water tariffs under attack
25% hike in tap water tariffs under attack JAKARTA (JP): An executive of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation has criticized city-owned water company PDAM's decision to raise tap water prices by an average of 25 percent from this month. Zumrotin KS said yesterday the rise was not fair and that the company had several other options it could have employed to rid itself of internal problems. She said the price increase victimized the public, making customers pay more to cover the firm's losses.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP inflation at 7.86%
RP inflation at 7.86% MANILA (Reuters): Philippine inflation is forecast to have edged higher in March to 7.86 percent, compared to 7.4 percent in February and 4.8 percent last year, a Reuters poll of seven analysts showed. Inflation data is expected to be released today. The Philippine economy was still feeling the pinch from the peso's sharp devaluation despite more stable and lower interest rates that prevailed in March, economists said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP halts small miners
RP halts small miners MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Fidel Ramos on Saturday halted the operations of small-scale miners after they were found to be extensively using mercury in refining gold. The directive came after he received reports that miners in Mount Diwata and Mount Diwalwal in southern Davao del Norte province on the island of Mindanao were using mercury which is considered a high-risk substance that could harm people. "The Chief Executive has...
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore unveil $3b program for RI
S'pore unveil $3b program for RI LONDON (Agencies): Singapore will set up a US$3 billion program to guarantee trade financing for Indonesia, the nation hardest hit by Asia's financial crisis, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said Saturday. The program can be expanded to $5 billion in the future to guarantee exports from other Asian countries like Thailand, which also have been hit by the crisis, he said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ramos to seek bell from U.S.
Ramos to seek bell from U.S. MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Fidel Ramos leaves today for a meeting with President Bill Clinton to seek the return of war booty seized by the United States a century ago. "It is the battle of the bells," Ramos said at the weekend, referring to a four-day official visit to Washington and New York.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore and HK discuss plans to boost financial sectors
S'pore and HK discuss plans to boost financial sectors SINGAPORE (AP): Amid a lingering Asian economic crisis, the central banks of Hong Kong and Singapore discussed plans to boost their finance sectors at their annual meeting on Saturday. The two bodies "also exchanged views on economic and financial developments in the region and their respective economies," according to a statement from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the island republic's effective central bank.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mystery remains over string of activist disappearances
Mystery remains over string of activist disappearances JAKARTA (JP): "I am in danger" were reportedly the last words uttered by Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) politician Haryanto Taslam before disappearing a month ago. Mangara Siahaan, a PDI deputy chief loyal to ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, claimed he had a brief conversation with Haryanto on the afternoon of March 9.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, April 6, 1998
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, April 6, 1998 Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: The Life of the Pioneer of Modern Indonesian Painting by Sudjojono at Pelita Harapan University, Building B 3rd floor, Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, until April 7. * Painting Exhibition: Grafis-Grafis Kritis dari Masa Republik Weimar, at Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa Depdikbud, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3813021, 3848791), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., April 9-17.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Move on bad banks
Move on bad banks What had been rumored for the past few weeks turned into blunt reality over the weekend when the government moved to freeze the licenses of seven banks and put seven more under the management of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt leaders asked to show their abilities
Govt leaders asked to show their abilities JAKARTA (JP): Public suffering brought on by the monetary crisis should prompt state leaders to reflect upon their conduct and gracefully bow out if they feel they are not up to their jobs, Moslem leaders say. Prominent members of the Indonesian Committee for World Moslem Solidarity (KISDI) gathered hundreds of Jakartan Moslems at the Al Azhar Grand Mosque in a tabligh akbar (grand prayer gathering) yesterday.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japanese reform 'crucial' to Asia, world economy
Japanese reform 'crucial' to Asia, world economy HAMBURG (Reuters): The world economy could plunge into turmoil if Japan does not reform its economy and financial system to stem the tide of Asia's financial crisis, Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in an interview in Germany. "If Japan doesn't revive its economy, it could come to worldwide deflation," he said according to a pre-publication of an interview due to appear on Monday in newsweekly Der Spiegel.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two Thais beg for clemency
Two Thais beg for clemency MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two Thai women convicted of smuggling 12 kilograms of heroin into the country are hoping for President Soeharto's clemency after their request for a case review was rejected by the Supreme Court last October. If Soeharto rejects their appeal for clemency, Saelow Prasert, 56, and Namsong Sirilak, 26, will face the death penalty.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
No paper
No paper In observance of Idhul Adha, the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Wednesday. -- Publisher
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Partial text of ASEM statement on Asian economic crisis
Partial text of ASEM statement on Asian economic crisis LONDON (Reuters): Following is a partial text of a statement on the financial and economic situation in Asia issued at the Asia-Europe summit last Friday: 1. Leaders discussed the recent financial and economic situation in Asia, emphasizing its impact on the global economy and stressing their concern about the human cost to the people of Asia.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Canadian wins first leg of national drag race
Canadian wins first leg of national drag race JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Robert Paul and Ronny Hermawan of Indonesia took out first and second places in the free-for-all category in the first leg of the national drag race in Sentul, near Bogor, yesterday. Paul, driving a Holden Torana, clocked in at 11.716 seconds while Ronny (Ford RS 200) crossed the line in 12.280 seconds. Herry Agung (Datsun Fairlady) took third place with a time of 12.510 seconds.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Up to 1,000 homes inundated in Kendal
Up to 1,000 homes inundated in Kendal KENDAL, Central Java: Nearly 1,000 houses in five villages around the Kendal regency were inundated with meter-high floodwater Saturday following torrential rains Friday night. Four thousand people were forced to evacuate their homes late Saturday when the water began to swamp their homes about 3 p.m. "When the water was 70 centimeters high and kept going up we decided to move to higher ground," Solikun, 48, a resident of Truko, said.
Mon, 06 Apr 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lack of transparency
Lack of transparency From Media Indonesia I used to be an employee of PT Mediasarana Multi Finance and during my term of employment I always showed great dedication and loyalty to the company. My employment was terminated on March 1, 1998, but until now I haven't got a clear statement about the status of my dismissal, especially because I haven't received a written decision from the board of directors concerning my termination. As a result, there is no certainty yet about severance pay.