Archive: 12 May 1998
45 articles found
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
USAID, WB, ADB extend grant to PLN
USAID, WB, ADB extend grant to PLN JAKARTA (JP): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have extended a grant to the government to help the state-owned electricity company PLN renegotiate with its power contractors.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Canadian Paul wins second leg of Indonesian drag race
Canadian Paul wins second leg of Indonesian drag race JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Robert Paul of the Star Mild team won the second leg of the national drag race at Sentul, near Bogor, on Sunday. Paul, driving his Holden Torana, clocked 11.502 seconds, bettering his 11.716 secs recorded in the first leg of the drag race on April 5. Paul is a consultant at an oil company based in Jakarta. "I had already set a target to better my record and I made it.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Political woes may foil stocks
Political woes may foil stocks JAKARTA (JP): Stocks on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) are likely to remain under heavy selling pressure this week due to the country's heated political developments and high interest rates, stockbrokers and analysts said. They said escalating student demonstrations were likely to ignite into violent street clashes in coming days making investment risks soar drastically.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soemitro buried with military honors
Soemitro buried with military honors JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret) Soemitro, the former commander of a defunct internal security agency, was buried at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, South Jakarta, with full military honors yesterday in the presence of top military brass. The 71-year-old general died Sunday at the Mitra Kemayoran hospital, where he had lain in a coma for 10 days after a stroke which led to a brain hemorrhage. Soemitro, once dubbed "Indonesia's No.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
WTO sees boom in Asia
WTO sees boom in Asia LONDON (Dow Jones): Renato Ruggiero, director-general of the World Trade Organization, said Saturday he anticipates an export boom in 1998 in those countries hit hardest by the Asian financial crisis.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Auto expo features antique cars, parts
Auto expo features antique cars, parts JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of car and motorcycle enthusiasts flocked to an automotive exhibition at the Gelora Senayan sports stadium on Saturday and Sunday. At least 25 booths offered new or used parts at discounted prices, while others offered new and secondhand vehicles. Organizers said the event aimed to give people the opportunity to either sell or buy vehicles or parts at reasonable prices.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's juniors book tickets to world tennis meet
Indonesia's juniors book tickets to world tennis meet JAKARTA (JP): The nation's junior tennis players bagged berths in the final of the World Junior Tennis Championships in Nagoya, Japan, next August in the closing matches of the qualifying event of the Asia/Oceania zone here Sunday. The boys' team finished in the top position of their event by blasting Chinese Taipei 2-1. Chinese Taipei and India, in second and third places, also qualify for Nagoya.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian stock markets rise, but Seoul key index dives
Asian stock markets rise, but Seoul key index dives HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets rose yesterday, but Seoul's key index slumped 3.5 percent because investors were disappointed that President Kim Dae-jung did not announce any measures against rising unemployment. In Sunday's televised "conversation with the people," Kim appealed to South Koreans to endure "the pain of reforms" to overcome the country's deepening economic crisis.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Software industry a vital player in SE Asia economies
Software industry a vital player in SE Asia economies JAKARTA (JP): Higher employment, more skilled workers. Increased fiscal revenues in direct and indirect taxes. Superior global competitive advantage. These were among the chief benefits cited in the first comprehensive study on the economic contribution of the software industry to the Southeast Asian markets, covering Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fire destroys 'TVRI' building and studio
Fire destroys 'TVRI' building and studio JAKARTA (JP): A fire destroyed a broadcasting studio inside the state-owned TVRI television station compound on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sunday night, causing about Rp 15 billion in material losses. The fire, which started at about 10:30 p.m. in the control room on the second floor, destroyed the two-story Studio II, from where Dunia Dalam Berita (World News) was screened live. No fatalities were reported in the incident.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police catch three wanted for killing of taxi driver
Police catch three wanted for killing of taxi driver JAKARTA (JP): The city police apprehended three people yesterday for their alleged involvement in the killing of a taxi driver on the Cikampek toll road several hours earlier, an officer said. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Aritonang said the three suspects were Adi Zakarsih, 18, Hasanuddin, 17, and Doni Dozer, 23. The three young men were apprehended in Bekasi by the police, who noticed blood on the President Taxi they were in.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Returned activist vows to testify at YLBHI office
Returned activist vows to testify at YLBHI office JAKARTA (JP): Activist and lawyer Desmond J. Mahesa, who was released after being abducted by an unknown group, is in Jakarta and has vowed to reveal all today. The chairman of the Nusantara Legal Aid Foundation, who turned up April 3 after being missing for two months, said he would deliver his testimony at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office here. "I will tell the truth...
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Millions of students may quit school
Millions of students may quit school BOGOR, West Java (JP): About eight million elementary and junior high school students across the country may have to drop out of school of because of the prolonged economic crisis. Hidayat Syarief, deputy chairman of the National Development Planning Board, said the latest prediction was much higher than the first estimate of "only" 2.8 million made in the early months of the crisis last year.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: exhibitions * Art exhibition: Recent Works 1996-1998, by Susanna Samanek, at Galeripadi Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 329 Bandung (Phone: 022 2500578), Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 31. * Painting exhibition: Seni Membawa Kasih, at Galeri Bandung, Jl. Siliwangi 16, Bandung (Phone: 022 236515), Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 15. Performance * Concert at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
VDHI's net profit rises 4.77%
VDHI's net profit rises 4.77% JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plastic and flexible packaging manufacturer PT Van Der Horst Indonesia (VDHI) reported a 4.77 percent increase in net profit last year, to Rp 1.88 billion (about US$235,000) from Rp 1.79 billion the previous year. Earnings per share rose slightly to Rp 23 per share from Rp 22 per share. The company said yesterday that the increase in the net profit was attributed to foreign exchange gains of about Rp 2.23 billion.
Tue, 12 May 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: Tunas 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 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV Drama 8:30 Talk Show: Dialog 9:00 World News 9:35 Music: Kamera Ria 10:30 Late News 10:40 Film Program 2 4:30 p.m.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Funds shun Asian shares
Funds shun Asian shares LONDON (Reuters): Asia Pacific fund managers are less bullish about the outlook for Asian shares, according to a monthly Merrill Lynch survey released yesterday. Bears on the Indonesian market outnumber bulls by 50 percent, while bears on Malaysia hit 64 percent, according to the survey. "Reduced optimism about the Chinese economy and renewed fears over Asian currency weakness could be to blame," Merrill Lynch said in a statement.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Desperate move
Desperate move Bank Indonesia (BI) raised its benchmark interest rates across the board again to as high as 58 percent last Thursday in another concerted bid to rebuild confidence in the rupiah and to curb inflation, which has exceeded 33 percent in the last four months alone. It is a desperate move to cope with a desperate economic situation which has seen the rupiah collapse again to almost 10,000 against the U.S. dollar, its lowest rate since mid-March. The rate stood at 2,450 last July.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Yogyakartans deplore onlooker's death
Yogyakartans deplore onlooker's death YOGYAKARTA (JP): Friends and family buried Mozes Gatotkaca, who died during a clash between students and security forces, on Sunday and called for a stop to the harsh measures against student protesters. The local branch of the Indonesian Bar Association (Ikadin) said in a statement Saturday that it deplored the clash, saying the incident had gone beyond the limit.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
JFN denies suspension
JFN denies suspension JAKARTA (JP): PT Jardine Fleming Nusantara (JFN) has denied reports its local brokerage and underwriting licenses have been suspended by the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam). President director Jonathan Chang said the investment management license of PT Jardine Fleming Nusantara Investment Management (JFNIM) was voluntarily returned to the agency because of business considerations.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Amal wins students' heart
Amal wins students' heart By Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political scientist Ichlasul Amal rose up to the first test of his leadership when he met hundreds of students demonstrating for reform on the day he was installed as rector of Gadjah Mada University on March 23. "I promise to provide as wide a space as possible for your aspirations.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Free deworming tablets in W. Java
Free deworming tablets in W. Java BANDUNG: Over a million elementary school children in West Java will be given free deworming medicine over the next year. The provincial administration's spokesman, Hasymi Romly, said Governor Nuriana had stressed the importance of deworming, since worms could directly affect a child's cognitive development and level of intelligence.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian palm oil marts wary over riots
Asian palm oil marts wary over riots KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil traders are expected this week to keep a close watch on the turmoil in Indonesia, traders said. The outlook for the Indonesian market was uncertain amid outbreaks of violence in Medan, a key commodity trading city in North Sumatra, they said. Several people have been reported killed in protests in Medan.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
UGM alumni sells subsidized meals
UGM alumni sells subsidized meals YOGYAKARTA: The Gadjah Mada University (UGM) alumni association is selling low-cost lunches to the public at a price of just Rp 400. Not surprisingly, the association's secretariat on Jl. Pancasila, Bulaksumur, is always crowded at noon with a long line of people waiting to purchase the meals. Those waiting in line come from a variety of backgrounds -- from students to becak (rickshaw) drivers.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Balindo holds first property auction
Balindo holds first property auction JAKARTA (JP): Private auction company PT Balai Lelang Indonesia (Balindo) held its first property auction Friday, selling off houses, office buildings and land worth over Rp 20 billion (US$2.2 million). Balindo's managing director G. Gunawan said the company would be holding further auctions on a biweekly basis, in cooperation with international auction company Ray White.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar uses Thai satellite
Myanmar uses Thai satellite BANGKOK (AP): Myanmar is dumping Hong Kong's Asiasat-1 satellite for its local communications system and replacing it with ThaiCom-3 from Shinawatra of Thailand, the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported yesterday. Four Shinawatra engineers are in Myanmar installing antennas and other equipment necessary for the military government to lease transponder space on ThaiCom-3 for government-run Myanmar Post and Telecommunications.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta hails progress in debt talks with creditors
Jakarta hails progress in debt talks with creditors TOKYO (Reuters): Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday that the Southeast Asian nation achieved much progress with creditor banks during talks here to resolve its corporate debt problem. "I see that we have made a lot of progress," Ginandjar, coordinating minister for economics and finance, told reporters in Tokyo.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dengue epidemic may be lessening
Dengue epidemic may be lessening JAKARTA (JP): The dengue fever epidemic, which has claimed at least 78 lives in Jakarta in less than five months, is showing signs of abating, a senior government official says. The number of people admitted to hospitals for the disease has significantly dropped thanks to government-sponsored fumigation against the virus carrier, the Aedes Aegypty mosquito, deputy governor of social welfare, Djailani, said over the weekend.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Construction worker falls to death
Construction worker falls to death JAKARTA (JP): A construction worker fell to his death from the 15th floor of Permata Executive Apartment project in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Friday. The victim, identified only as Sri, 40, apparently stepped on a unstable board on the roof structure of the building on Jl. Raya Pengumben. An eyewitness, Tasmin, 26, said that Sri died instantly. "There was nothing I could do to save him because it happened so fast," he said. Sri died from multiple injuries.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Principal committed to Indonesian market
Principal committed to Indonesian market JAKARTA (JP): Iowa-based pension fund company Principal Financial Group says it is committed to Indonesia's long-term prospects despite the current crisis. The company's president, J. Barry Griswell, announced here recently that Indonesia's 207 million population was a vast market for an insurance company like Principal Financial Group, which runs a retirement fund scheme.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia backs IMF plan, but risks persist
Indonesia backs IMF plan, but risks persist WASHINGTON (Reuters): Indonesia's finance minister said here over the weekend Indonesia would stick to the terms of a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, learning to live without subsidies despite the pain they bring. But Fuad Bawazier admitted political turmoil in his country of 200 million people could slow the reform package.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Maternal mortality
Maternal mortality "It's like a jumbo jet full of women crashing down every week, but nobody hears of it, no one makes a fuss." This comment was made by Dr. Kumara Rai, the director general of community health, at a luncheon with the theme Businesses who care. The event was sponsored by the Menteng Rotary Club and the World Health Organization (WHO) in commemoration of WHO's 50th anniversary and mother's day. Dr. Kumara Rai was referring to the maternal mortality rate (MMR), i.e.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia loans Indonesia $250 million
Malaysia loans Indonesia $250 million KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): Malaysia has loaned Indonesia US$250 million while Jakarta waited for the next installment of its IMF bailout package, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying by the national news agency yesterday. Indonesia would repay the loan once the International Monetary Fund released the balance of its rescue package, Mahathir said in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where he is attending a summit of developing countries.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hesitant reform proposal
Hesitant reform proposal All of a sudden (the ruling party) Golkar has broken its silence. Amid the endless roar of demonstrations and mass action, Golkar's chairman, who is concurrently the paramount leader of both the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, Harmoko, spoke to the media in a specially convened gathering in Jakarta yesterday (Friday).
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI urged to join reform movement
ABRI urged to join reform movement JAKARTA (JP): A group of retired generals and government critics appealed to the Armed Forces (ABRI) on Saturday to join the growing movement for political reform. The group said in a meeting that the reform movement would not be successful without the Armed Forces' active involvement. "Almost all sections society, except ABRI, have agreed on the need for thorough political reform in the country," said Lt. Gen. (ret.) Solichin G.P.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Minivan fares up in Bogor
Minivan fares up in Bogor BOGOR (JP): The Bogor mayoralty has decided to increase public minivan fares by at least 50 percent, from Rp 300 to between Rp 450 and Rp 500, an official said over the weekend. The mayoralty's spokesman Hari Harsono said that the decision to raise the fares was made following the government's increase in fuel prices by up to 71 percent early last week. Hari hoped the action would end confusion among both the drivers and passengers after the fuel price hikes.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
'People's leadership team' to push demands for reform
'People's leadership team' to push demands for reform JAKARTA (JP): Vocal government critic Amien Rais warned yesterday that a coalition of leading public figures, or a "people's leadership team", would be formed by the end of the month to push demands for reform. "Just you wait and see sometime around May 20 and afterward," he told an enthusiastic crowd of over 1,000 at Jami Attaqwa Mosque in Bintaro Jaya, South Jakarta, yesterday.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah's response satisfactory: Sjahril
Rupiah's response satisfactory: Sjahril TOKYO (Dow Jones): The rupiah's response to Friday's increase in interest rates on all maturities of Sertifikat Bank Indonesia money market instruments was satisfactory, and the central bank stands ready to adjust interest further if needed to stabilize exchange rates, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Sjahril Sabirin said yesterday.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nestle's warehouse center
Nestle's warehouse center JAKARTA (JP): Food company PT Nestle Indonesia is developing a high-tech regional distribution center in East Java in anticipation of the fast growth of its product market in the country. The 18,000-square-meter modern warehouse on 6.5 hectares is being built by PT Cardig Air and Wiley Indonesia, a branch of Wiley Planning and Construction Consultants of Australia, the company said in a statement. Construction will be completed within one year, it added.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
PWI issues special ID cards
PWI issues special ID cards BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The Aceh branch of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) issued special identification cards yesterday for reporters covering student demonstrations in the province. Branch office chief Syamsul Kahar said here yesterday that the special cards, different from the association's regular identification cards, were made to help prevent any "miscommunication" between on-duty reporters and security personnel.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Perumka raises fares for noneconomy trains
Perumka raises fares for noneconomy trains JAKARTA (JP): State-owned railway company Perumka has increased business and executive class fares by between 41.5 percent and 100 percent from today, following last weeks government backed increases in the fares for other forms of public transportation. Perumka president Soemino Ekosaputra said Saturday that he had discussed the increase with House Commission IV for Communications.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto warns of crisis contagion
Soeharto warns of crisis contagion By Kornelius Purba CAIRO (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that Asia's economic crisis could endanger not only the region's social welfare and political stability but could also spread to other continents. Speaking on behalf of Asia at the opening of the Group of 15 developing countries' (G-15) eighth summit here, the President pointed out that since the crisis broke out in mid-1997, it had persisted with no indication as to when it would abate.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Economic crisis take toll on fresh graduates
Economic crisis take toll on fresh graduates JAKARTA (JP): The 10 month-old economic crisis is taking its toll on new graduates from the prestigious Catholic Atmajaya University, a college official said on Saturday. Antonius Yongky, who oversees the student career development program at the university, said that many company officials who regularly recruited Atmajaya graduates stopped visiting the institute last year.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
G-7 tells Indonesia to use restraint over social unrest
G-7 tells Indonesia to use restraint over social unrest LONDON (Dow Jones): The Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized nations on Saturday signaled their mounting concern over civil unrest in Indonesia, and the need for the government to stay on the course of economic reforms. "Indonesia is surely the country in Asia that we are most worried about," said German Economics Minister Guenter Rexrodt. U.S.
Tue, 12 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dedicated worker fights for justice
Dedicated worker fights for justice JAKARTA (JP): Joko, a 51-year-old father of four, has been roving around not knowing what else to do to feed his family after he lost his job in a furniture company in Tanah Abang last month. He became jobless when Suka Utama, where he had dedicated 20 years of his life, went bankrupt and was sold. He was a contract worker up until he was dismissed. "The problem is my employer fired me just like that... without giving me a rupiah in severance pay.