Archive: 16 May 1998
53 articles found
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Clinton says Soeharto's fate rests with Indonesia
Clinton says Soeharto's fate rests with Indonesia BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters): U.S. President Bill Clinton urged Indonesia yesterday to embrace political reform but said the fate of President Soeharto rested with his people. Clinton made his comments at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto ahead of a Group of Eight summit in the central English city of Birmingham. "We're both very concerned about the situation in Indonesia.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds of locals, foreigners flee riot-torn Jakarta
Hundreds of locals, foreigners flee riot-torn Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of Indonesians and expatriates flocked to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport yesterday in a bid to flee the riot-torn city where hundreds of people have been killed over the past three days. Indonesians, mostly those of Chinese descent, and foreigners lined up at check-in counters while hundreds more queued for hours to buy domestic and international tickets.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Take action against looters: Soeharto
Take action against looters: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto appealed to the nation to maintain law and order together and instructed the Armed Forces to take firm action against looters and those who broke the law, Minister of Information Alwi Dahlan said yesterday.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
ADB management wants RI loan to go through
ADB management wants RI loan to go through MANILA (Reuters): Officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), whose board has delayed a decision on a loan package to Indonesia, say it is crucial that it is approved to help the economy stay afloat. An ADB official said the bank's board was due to meet on Thursday but one governor called for a delay until next Monday, citing procedural reasons. The source did not say which country the governor came from.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Influential public figures, residents deplore lootings
Influential public figures, residents deplore lootings JAKARTA (JP): Residents were in dismay and some in fear in the aftermath of widespread looting and destruction of public property which has been strongly condemned by religious and community leaders. Islam condemns the looting of shops and houses of people of Chinese descent and other non-Moslems, the influential chairman of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, Amien Rais, said here yesterday.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian crisis will pressurize yen
Indonesian crisis will pressurize yen TOKYO (Reuters): The Japanese yen is expected to come under increasing pressure as the crisis in Indonesia takes its toll on Japanese banks and companies operating there, dealers and analysts in Tokyo said yesterday. "Japan is most susceptible to Indonesian problems due to its close relationship with the country in various areas, such as trade and finance," said Taisuke Tanaka, a strategist at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) in Tokyo.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lower fuel prices will not quell unrest: Experts
Lower fuel prices will not quell unrest: Experts JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to set lower fuel and power prices may have a little impact in dampening the escalating social unrest in the country, economists said yesterday. The compromise to lower fuel prices seemed to be a response to the increasing social unrest throughout the country during the past two weeks, said Mari Pangestu, an economist with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aeroflot maintains Jakarta flights
Aeroflot maintains Jakarta flights MOSCOW (Reuters): Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot said yesterday it would continue its new scheduled flights between Moscow and Jakarta despite unrest in the city. Vice-president Valery Vdovenko told Reuters the company had no plans to suspend the weekly flights on a service launched only on April 1. "We see no reason to for now," he said.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aurora Gold halts gold shipments
Aurora Gold halts gold shipments PERTH (Reuters): Indonesian gold miner Aurora Gold Ltd said yesterday it had halted shipments of gold from its Mt Muro mine in East Kalimantan province due to civil unrest in Jakarta but that mining was not affected. "Obviously trucks on the street filled with bullion, given there is looting and rioting going on in Jakarta, is not something Brambles (security firm) wants to guarantee," Aurora's general manager of finance David Maroney told Reuters.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aneka Tambang's operations normal
Aneka Tambang's operations normal SINGAPORE (Reuters): PT Aneka Tambang nickel mining operations in southeast Sulawesi and Gebe island are functioning normally, a company spokesman said by telephone from Jakarta. Nickel mining is concentrated in Pomalaa in southeast Sulawesi and Gebe (Maluku). The ferro-nickel plant in Pomalaa, which uses highly concentrated nickel ore from Pomalaa and Gebe, was also unaffected.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Our sympathy
Our sympathy From Merdeka First, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to parents of the six Trisakti University students who died during the students' demonstration recently. I am deeply concerned over the tragedy. I wish to call on the rest of the students to learn a lesson from the incident and to continue their struggle for reforms. Let there be no more victims. It's true that there is a dear cost for every struggle, but no sacrifice should be made unnecessarily.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Art Exhibition: Works of Suromo, at Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 28. * Painting Exhibition: Study for Distance by Hanafi, at Galerie Focus, Jl. Kemang Selatan X B No. 3, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., until May 24. * Painting Exhibition: Three Worlds by Ledek Sukadi, Herly Gaya, Kukuh Nuswanto, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian folk songs
Indonesian folk songs Thank you for the articles about Indonesian folk music in The Jakarta Post on May 9, 1998. I found them extremely interesting. As the Indonesian language is widely taught in Australian primary and secondary schools, the majority of these language students are able to sing many Indonesian songs. The most popular are Burung Kakatua, Naik ke Puncak Gunung, Nona Manis, and Halo- Halo Bandung.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Long queues at gas stations
Long queues at gas stations JAKARTA (JP): Many gas stations reopened yesterday after closing on Thursday when rioting spread throughout the city. Long queues of vehicles were seen at gas stations along Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta; and Senen, Kwitang, Jl. Agus Salim, Pecenongan and Menteng in Central Jakarta. The rioting that started on Tuesday following the killing of three Trisakti University students forced most gas stations, especially those in West Jakarta, to close.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds of bodies found in debris
Hundreds of bodies found in debris JAKARTA (JP): The remains of at least 136 people, including of women and teenagers, were recovered yesterday from riot-torn shopping centers throughout the city torched by mobs Thursday. Scores, or perhaps hundreds, of dead bodies have yet to be recovered due a shortage of equipment and professional workers.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Capt. Siagian's body buried
Capt. Siagian's body buried JAKARTA (JP): The body of Capt. R.E. Siagian, one of three soldiers killed during rioting on Tuesday, was buried with military honors at Tanah Tinggi Christian cemetery in Tangerang yesterday. Siagian, Commander of Cengkareng Military District, West Jakarta, was killed while supervising the containment of a mob which were looting and burning shops in Cengkareng on Tuesday night. "He received a severe head injury," one of his relatives told The Jakarta Post.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rampages leave long trail of destruction
Rampages leave long trail of destruction JAKARTA (JP): Massive rioting which broke out following the deaths of four Trisakti University student demonstrators Tuesday and continued up to yesterday wrought a heavy toll in destruction of public and private property across the capital. The city administration is only beginning to estimate the damages, but it has issued a provisional list of major buildings, shops and offices damaged, looted and/or destroyed.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto denies 'resignation' statement
Soeharto denies 'resignation' statement JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday denied media reports suggesting that he was prepared to stand down from office. Soeharto, who flew in from Cairo before dawn yesterday, asked Minister of Information Alwi Dahlan to clarify the reports, which had appeared in both local and foreign newspapers. Alwi told reporters that "he (Soeharto) never said that `I'm ready to resign' as interpreted by some in the media".
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia beats England 5-0 in Uber Cup
Indonesia beats England 5-0 in Uber Cup HONG KONG (Agencies): The Indonesian women's badminton team, led by legend Susi Susanti crushed England 5-0 in their first Uber Cup tie yesterday. Susi opened Indonesia's first victory over England beating Julia Mann 11-0, 11-1. Eliza and Rosiana Zelin took the second victory although they had to struggle 15-10, 9-15, 8-17 over Donna Kellog and Joanne Meiluawati. Meiluawati put the team to 3-0 with a straight games win over Rebecca Pantaney 11-2, 11-0.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
BP to import due to Balongan outage
BP to import due to Balongan outage SINGAPORE (Reuters): British Petroleum will purchase gasoline to cover a shortfall caused by an outage at Indonesia's 125,000 barrel-per-day Balongan refinery, a BP source said yesterday. BP lifts 150,000 barrels per month of the higher octane 97, 95 and 92-octane gasoline from Balongan, but the company source said the amount of gasoline they expect to replace with imports is "a lot more than 150,000 barrels".
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Radio station offers round the clock riot news
Radio station offers round the clock riot news JAKARTA (JP): "Be prepared. Men... wake up and be vigilant. You'd better awaken your neighbors and guard your area against the possibility of looting," a broadcaster from the privately run Sonora Radio announced. The broadcaster made the announcement on Thursday night following complaints by Jakartans who phoned the station to inform him that the looting spree which hit the capital had spread to residential areas.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian crises loom over G-8 annual summit leaders
Asian crises loom over G-8 annual summit leaders BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters): World leaders gathered yesterday for an annual summit likely to give graphic proof of their inability to influence Asia's crises. Chaos on the streets in Indonesia and impotent global anger at India's nuclear tests set a somber backdrop as leaders of the eight major industrial powers flew in to Britain's second city, Birmingham.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Scores rush Bank Central Asia
Scores rush Bank Central Asia BOGOR (JP): Scores of people spent hours queuing for cash at a Bank Central Asia (BCA) automatic teller machine on Jl. Juanda because of fears that an attack on the bank's branch office in the mayoralty was imminent. They said rumors of a mob attack on BCA and other banks in the town abounded following the looting and destruction of many BCA offices in Jakarta. The BCA branch office in question was closed yesterday, apparently due to fears of attack.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Yue Yuen to stay despite unrest
Yue Yuen to stay despite unrest HONG KONG (Reuters): Sports shoe maker Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd said yesterday it had no intention of closing its operations in Indonesia despite the unrest and the company's business was operating normally. "The company has no intention of closing its operations in Indonesia and no contingency plans for the current political turmoil in Indonesia if that leads to the closure of the operation," Yue Yuen said in a statement.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students' struggle for reforms
Students' struggle for reforms From Merdeka Statements made by some officials that the students' struggle for reforms did not represent the voice of the people are naive and a priori in nature. As a demonstrator of the 1966 generation, I have the moral obligation to join in speaking out that the present students' struggle is directly or indirectly a manifestation of the people's sufferings, which have resulted from the government's policies which were not oriented to the people's concerns.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rioting provoked by anarchic actions of authorities
Rioting provoked by anarchic actions of authorities The rule of law ended in the capital this week following the fatal shooting of four university students on Tuesday. Mochtar Buchori, an observer of social and cultural affairs, speculates on what caused the anarchy. Question: What lifted the rioters to such anarchic heights?
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt cuts fuel prices after tragic rioting
Govt cuts fuel prices after tragic rioting JAKARTA (JP): The government announced a cut in fuel prices and electricity tariffs yesterday, effective from today, after recent increases were blamed for igniting riots in the capital and several other cities.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina to get piece of oil and fuel import action
Pertamina to get piece of oil and fuel import action JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina will end the monopoly of crude oil and fuel imports now held by politically connected Perta Oil Marketing Ltd and Permindo Trading Oil Co Ltd, the company said yesterday. Company processing director Samto Utomo said Pertamina would establish a new trading division to handle crude oil and fuel imports in competition with both companies.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Notice
Notice NO EXCHANGE RATE: There were no foreign exchange rates available yesterday due to a suspension of currency trading by Bank Indonesia prompted by the riots in Jakarta. -- Editor
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Natuna gas project to go ahead
Natuna gas project to go ahead TOKYO (Reuters): Key members of a Japanese consortium due to develop Indonesia's Natuna natural gas field said yesterday they were not reviewing their participation in the project despite the escalating social unrest in Indonesia. "There's absolutely been no move of that kind," a consortium source said.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Palm oil prices rise in Europe
Palm oil prices rise in Europe LONDON (Reuters): Political and economic concerns in Indonesia drove opening crude palm oil prices up by as much as US$15 a ton at the opening of the European vegetable oil market yesterday. "The market should be falling on the back of the Latest Malaysian data, but Indonesian sentiment is driving it higher," said one trader. Data released for April by the Malaysian Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority (PORLA) was viewed as bearish by traders.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
DPR's incompetence
DPR's incompetence From Pikiran Rakyat Many circles have given their comments on the price increases of fuel and made their analyses on the impact of the price hike. All versions concluded that the fuel price increases would only add to the suffering of the little people. I wonder whether the government listens to the people's voice.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
U.S. begins evacuating American citizens
U.S. begins evacuating American citizens JAKARTA (JP): The United States began evacuation procedures for nonessential embassy staff and its citizens here during the wee hours of this morning despite Indonesian government assurances. Other embassies in Jakarta have prepared contingency plans and heightened their alert status.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 15, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 600 0 0 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 225 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 350 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,225 0 0 Anwar Sierad 150 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Coffee trade active on Indonesia fears
Coffee trade active on Indonesia fears HANOI (Reuters): Trade in Vietnamese coffee picked up amid high prices in the past two days as buyers, nervous about widespread rioting in Jakarta, sought to buy from alternative sources, dealers and exporters said yesterday. The price of robusta benchmark grade 2, five percent black and broken was quoted at between $1,920 to $1,940 per ton, One foreign trader told Reuters that some deals had been closed at $1,900 a ton early yesterday.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur cool on establishment of MAR
Gus Dur cool on establishment of MAR JAKARTA (JP): A new alliance of civilian leaders was established yesterday, grouping prominent government critics such as Abdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri. Forum Kerja Indonesia (FKI) or Indonesia Working Forum also boasts the support of activists Zoemrotin K.S., Asmara Nababan, Bambang Widjoyanto, Emmy Hafild and Nursyahbani Katjasungkana.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Oil products bearish RI woes
Oil products bearish RI woes TOKYO (Reuters): The Tokyo oil products market was bearish yesterday on concern near-term demand from Indonesia could fall due to the social unrest there, traders said. "Gas oil seems to be most affected purely because of the sheer volume Indonesia imports every month," one trader said. Indonesia, China and India are the region's three heavyweight gas oil buyers. Open-spec naphtha for second-half July was assessed at $157/$158 per ton in afternoon trade.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: Red Shoes 3:05 Children's Program: Duniaku 3:30 Science Film: Ticket to Adventure 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: Big Brother Jake 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 Saturday Night Music 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Saturday Night Music (contd.) 8:30 News: Majalah Udara 9:00 World News 9:35 Quiz: Siapa Dia 10:30 Late...
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian markets calmer as Indonesian marts paralyzed
Asian markets calmer as Indonesian marts paralyzed SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian markets stabilized yesterday despite a rising body count in Indonesia's troubled capital, paralysis on Jakarta's financial markets. After several days of sharp losses and volatility caused by Indonesia's descent into near chaos, dealers said the region's markets had priced in most of the bad news from Indonesia although trade was still very cautious.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
City may amend bill on entertainment
City may amend bill on entertainment JAKARTA (JP): The City Council is currently debating an amendment to a 1996 bylaw proposed by the city administration on the taxation of commercial shows and games. City councilor Lukman F. Mokoginta from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction said Thursday that, in principle, the council had no objection to the content of the bylaw.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Riots, looting worsen Indonesia's economy
Riots, looting worsen Indonesia's economy JAKARTA (JP): The widespread riots and lootings in the capital over the past few days may further worsen the country's already weak economy, a top economic government official has said.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gold higher on overnight buying
Gold higher on overnight buying LONDON (Reuters): Gold gained near US$3 in early trade on Friday, on the back of good institutional buying while sentiment was affected by Indonesia's spiraling conflict, dealers said. Gold was last quoted at US$302.20/$302.70 an ounce previous close in New York at $298.80/$299.30. Bullion was fixed $6.15 higher on Friday morning at $302.30.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia unrest boosts tin prices
Indonesia unrest boosts tin prices PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters): Rioting and economic troubles in the world's top tin producer Indonesia could help drive up already bullish prices, analysts and industry sources said yesterday. The said, however, any price boost from the unrest was likely to result from sentiment more than anything else as some analysts expected the Indonesian woes to have only a short-term impact on the country's production. "Sentiment will play a lot of role in this.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
IPA cancels convention
IPA cancels convention JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) said yesterday it had canceled its 26th annual convention scheduled for next Monday to Wednesday at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan, South Jakarta. The association's board of directors said in a statement that it had postponed the convention "until further notice" due to deep concern "over the situation currently experienced by the people of Indonesia".
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asahan mulls more production cuts
Asahan mulls more production cuts SINGAPORE (Reuters): PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum is considering further cuts in output as a result of falling water levels in the lake that generates power for the plant in north Sumatra, sources close to the company said. "We're studying the feasibility of a production decrease or some other protection arrangement, but we have not decided yet," said one source by telephone from Jakarta.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rubber prices firm on Indonesia woes
Rubber prices firm on Indonesia woes SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore rubber futures ended yesterday slightly firmer after a light day's trade dampened by continued fears over crisis-torn Indonesia. "Indonesia has basically kept everybody out of the market," a dealer with a local brokerage said. The virtual shutdown of Indonesia's financial markets and fears strikes could spread to major rubber production centers kept traders sidelined, dealers said.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta hotel occupancy rates increase as riots continue
Jakarta hotel occupancy rates increase as riots continue JAKARTA (JP): Massive unrest throughout the city boosted the occupancy rates of many Jakarta hotels over the past two days, as local and foreign guests sought shelter to avoid the violence- torn streets. "Yes, it is a rather sensitive issue, but our occupancy rate has been 100 percent since yesterday (Thursday)," Sari Pan Pacific marketing communications director Satria Wira told The Jakarta Post.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore denies meeting on rupiah
S'pore denies meeting on rupiah SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) denied rumors yesterday that it was due to meet banks to discuss trading in the Indonesian rupiah. An MAS spokesman told Reuters by telephone: "That's not true." There were rumors on foreign exchange markets earlier on Friday that Singapore's de facto central bank had called in local banks to discuss the rupiah and the settlement of trades in the currency.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
More foreign firms quit Indonesian operations
More foreign firms quit Indonesian operations TOKYO (Reuters): More foreign companies said they had decided to halt their operations in Indonesia and were taking steps to protect employees and clients from the violence there. Among the top Japanese firms affected are Toyota Motor Corp, Hitachi Ltd, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi Ltd (BTM).
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Unrest spread to Surabaya, Yogyakarta and other towns
Unrest spread to Surabaya, Yogyakarta and other towns SURABAYA (JP): Economic activities ground to a halt and tension and fear reigned yesterday when a demonstration of thousands of people degenerated into an orgy of large-scale rioting, burning and looting in this capital of East Java. Mobs stoned shops and vehicles in different parts of the city, sometimes resorting to setting them ablaze.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Economy crippled
Economy crippled Not a single economic measure, however sound it may be, seems to matter anymore as Indonesia descends into near chaos and a number of foreign governments contemplate evacuation of their citizens from the country. President Soeharto's concession yesterday to downwardly revise the price of fuel oils and electricity, which were increased on May 5 to prevent the state budget from running into an unmanageable deficit, will do very little to lighten the burden on ordinary people.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso abhors scandalous acts of mobs
Sutiyoso abhors scandalous acts of mobs JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday he was ashamed and disappointed by actions of marauding mobs in vandalizing buildings and looting their contents. "As a governor and people's leader, I am really ashamed that my people's behavior is like that... Such conduct does not show our personality," he said.
Sat, 16 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
ANZ lending to RI firms $141m
ANZ lending to RI firms $141m SYDNEY (Reuters): Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd's lending to local corporate clients in Indonesia totals US$141 million, a bank spokesman told Reuters yesterday. "Where we've got concerns, the concerns are in the local lending area," the spokesman said from Melbourne. "Our assessment of our exposures to Indonesia remain unchanged," he said. The ANZ branch in central Jakarta was shut on Friday.