Archive: 23 May 1998
54 articles found
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie
Habibie Correction: The credit for the profile article of President B.J. Habibie on Page 5 yesterday should be given to The Jakarta Post (JP) and not AFP as printed. -- Editor
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to reevaluate PDAM Jaya's accord with private firms
Govt to reevaluate PDAM Jaya's accord with private firms JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will reevaluate its cooperative agreement with private companies in the management of city-owned water company PDAM Jaya and possibly cut tap water tariffs, Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Cartoon Exhibition: Population Issue, by Cartoonists from 9 countries in Asia, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Gallery Pasar Seni Jaya Ancol, Jl. Lodan Timur, North Jakarta, until May 31. * Art Exhibition by Sixteen Female Artists, at the Regent Jakarta, Main Lobby, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta (Phone: 2523456), until Jun. 20. * 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.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia has no alternative but to rely on IMF
Indonesia has no alternative but to rely on IMF By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund has come under fire for making a bad situation worse in Indonesia but analysts say Jakarta has little alternative to reliance on the fund, no matter who rules the troubled nation. Indonesian President Soeharto, bowing to domestic and international pressure, resigned on Thursday.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan set aside provisions for RI loans
Taiwan set aside provisions for RI loans TAIPEI (Dow Jones): Concerned about their exposure to Indonesia, offshore banking units (OBUs) of Taiwanese financial institutions are setting aside provisions to cover these loans, executives at the banks said yesterday.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students continue with demonstrations for reform
Students continue with demonstrations for reform JAKARTA (JP): Students in many cities continued rallying for reform yesterday, with most demanding a fresh presidential election through a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the trial of former president Soeharto for alleged abuses of power.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Line up of the new cabinet
Line up of the new cabinet JAKARTA (JP): This is the list of 36 names of the Reform- Development Cabinet announced by President B.J. Habibie at the Merdeka Palace yesterday. (Names spelt as in Habibie's speech) Coordinating ministers 1. Political and Security: Feisal Tanjung 2. Economy, Finance and Industry: Ginandjar Kartasasmita 3. People's Welfare/Poverty Eradication: Haryono Suyono 4.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Prabowo replaced as Kostrad chief
Prabowo replaced as Kostrad chief JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto was replaced yesterday by Lt. Gen. Johny Lumintang in a ceremony presided over by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo. Army spokesman Brig. Gen. I Dewa Putu Rai confirmed the transfer of duty, which was said to be the first in a series of transfers planned for the military in the near future. "It is true that Lt. Gen.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet has plenty of academic power
Cabinet has plenty of academic power JAKARTA (JP): Question: How many professors does the new cabinet have? Answer: 11, if one includes President B.J. Habibie. The cabinet has plenty of academic power to tackle the daunting tasks ahead but only time will tell whether they can handle them. President Habibie is a professor, doctor and engineer, while the other professors in the cabinet are Muladi, Rahardi, Soleh, Farid, Juwono, Malik, Yustika, I.B. Oka, Ginandjar and Haryono.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Trial sessions postponed
Trial sessions postponed JAKARTA (JP): All trial sessions scheduled for Wednesday in Central Jakarta District Court were postponed because suspects could not be released from Cipinang penitentiary for security reasons. "The suspects could not be brought here because besides difficulties guaranteeing security, all roads leading to the court were blocked by the military in anticipation of possible demonstrations against the government," a court officer said.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian foreign exchange markets barely move
SE Asian foreign exchange markets barely move SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian foreign exchange markets were barely active yesterday, the majority finishing Asian hours almost utterly flat on the day. Most traders and analysts considered the relief from volatility a temporary phenomenon, however. The resignation on Thursday of Indonesia's President Soeharto and his replacement by former Vice President B.J. Habibie, has done little to change the grim outlook for regional currencies.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Amien 'neutral' over new cabinet
Amien 'neutral' over new cabinet JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leader Amien Rais said yesterday he neither supported nor opposed the new cabinet appointed by President B.J. Habibie. "The cabinet has a lot of technocrats in it but some of the names still reflect old ways," said Amien, who had been among the most outspoken members of the movement to oust former president Soeharto. Soeharto stepped down Thursday after 32 years at the nation's helm and Habibie was immediately sworn in to replace him.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Arifin sells Dragon stake
Arifin sells Dragon stake LONDON (Reuters): Oil exploration and production company Dragon Oil Plc. said yesterday its chairman Arifin Panigoro wanted to sell his 46 percent stake in the firm, to channel his resources into business opportunities in Indonesia.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hotel occupancy rates drop sharply again
Hotel occupancy rates drop sharply again JAKARTA (JP): City hotel occupancy rates dropped sharply yesterday as apprehension over unrest and riots subsided following president Soeharto's resignation Thursday. Sari Pan Pacific's marketing communications manager Satria Wira told The Jakarta Post that his hotel's occupancy rates fell yesterday to about 52 percent from 76 percent the previous day.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Chinese descendants
Chinese descendants Many people took a break during the recent tense atmosphere to watch the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup on TV. Indonesians, no matter what background or ethnic group all cheered for the red and white flag. Everyone embraced the proud feeling, seeing our young players, either Chinese descendants or indigenous Indonesians, unruffled by opponents, simply doing their best to bring glory to our country.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on May 22, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to speed up processing of permits for ravaged buildings
Govt to speed up processing of permits for ravaged buildings JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will speed up the processing of permits for renovations on buildings destroyed during last week's rioting, an official has said. "The procedure of the permit processing will be different from that on ordinary days.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Traffic creeps back to normal after last week's rioting
Traffic creeps back to normal after last week's rioting JAKARTA (JP): Gambir Railway Station in Central Jakarta reopened yesterday and road traffic started to creep back to normal after last week's massive rioting crippled the city of 10 million people. Roadblocks the military set up to foil an antigovernment demonstration last week were removed, except for a few leading to the National Monument (Monas). The demonstration was planned to begin at the monument.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI debt talks still in June
RI debt talks still in June FRANKFURT (Dow Jones): The next round of debt restructuring talks between Indonesia and its international creditors is still planned for the week of June 1, a Deutsche Bank AG spokesman said yesterday. "There is no reason to change that plan," the spokesman said, in response to a query on whether the resignation of Indonesian President Soeharto a day earlier will affect the scheduled talks.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 22, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 650 50 25,000 AHAP Insurance 500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 350 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,425 175 4,262,500 Anwar Sierad 175 50 27,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian stock markets lose ground, except Jakarta
Most Asian stock markets lose ground, except Jakarta HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets slumped yesterday, but the key index in Jakarta soared nearly 5 percent after Indonesia's new president unveiled a reform cabinet following the resignation of Soeharto. Brokers said trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange was dominated by local brokerage houses, because most foreign companies remain closed following the departure of employees in the wake of last week's riots.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rahardi's appointment concerns businessmen
Rahardi's appointment concerns businessmen JAKARTA (JP): Business associations have expressed their doubts over the ability of Rahardi Ramelan as the new minister of industry and trade. Chairmen of the associations told The Jakarta Post yesterday they were concerned that Rahardi, a former research and technology minister and the chairman of the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology, was not the best person to take charge of the industry and trade sectors.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Aussie exports to RI collapse
Aussie exports to RI collapse SYDNEY (Reuters): Australian exports to Indonesia were nearly cut in half in the March quarter, with live cattle sales feeling the brunt of the downturn. Bureau of Statistics data issued this week showed that exports to Indonesia plummeted to A$474 million from A$858 million in the December quarter of 1997.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
New faces in the cabinet vow to ring the changes
New faces in the cabinet vow to ring the changes JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed cabinet members charged with rescuing the nation from economic turmoil vowed yesterday to usher in a new era. State Minister of Investment/Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board Hamzah Haz, one of the new faces, said improving investor confidence was a top priority.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Evacuees make plans to return to Jakarta
Evacuees make plans to return to Jakarta SINGAPORE (Reuters): Sunday flights from Singapore to Jakarta have been fully booked as Indonesians and expatriates make plans to return to Indonesia, travel agents said yesterday. Flights earlier than Sunday still had seats available, as many of those who had fled violence in Indonesia this month waited another day or two to see if the dust had really settled.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
The people's voice
The people's voice In his televised address last night (Thursday), President B.J. Habibie declared his commitment to remain faithful to the people's aspirations and open to criticism. This is one commitment which the President will have to immediately fulfill. In the end it is the people who will judge whether or not that commitment is being truly met. This newly opened chapter in our history has taught us an important lesson.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
The Habibie team
The Habibie team President B. J. Habibie, fully aware of the odds being stacked against his integrity and credibility, tried his best to impress the nation with a core team of what he expects to eventually develop into good governance. But the Cabinet he announced yesterday, though not perceived as corrupt, collusive and nepotistic as the last Soeharto Cabinet, fell far short of what is needed to accelerate the overall reform process and to lead a paralyzed economy into a robust recovery.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Share prices up, rupiah muted over new cabinet line-up
Share prices up, rupiah muted over new cabinet line-up JAKARTA (JP): Local stock prices rebounded yesterday while the rupiah remained weak in response to Soeharto's resignation and the announcement of a new cabinet line-up by President B.J. Habibie, stockbrokers and currency dealers said. They said the increase in stock prices was largely supported by speculative trading by local brokerage houses for second- and third-line stocks in the absence of foreign investors.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
UPM welcomes cabinet change
UPM welcomes cabinet change HELSINKI (Reuters): Finnish forest industry group UPM-Kymmene yesterday welcomed the change of power in Indonesia, but said that Soeharto's decision to resign would have little impact on the company's business in Indonesia. UPM-Kymmene executive vice president Martin Granholm said on Finnish radio that Soeharto's decision to step down on Thursday helped resolve an intolerable situation, but that the business community has little confidence in his successor B.J.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Do students' demands have popular support?
Do students' demands have popular support? From Merdeka I refer to the views of H. Tjetje Hidayat Padmadinata (former House of Representatives Commission X member) and Dr. H. Rusadi (lecturer at Pajajaran University's School of Social and Political Sciences) in Pikiran Rakyat on April 24, 1998, page 3, that conflict with Minister of Home Affairs Hartono's view concerning the values of students' demands. * Both H. Tjetje and Dr.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's support crumbled as economy weakened
Soeharto's support crumbled as economy weakened The students' moral movement finally toppled Soeharto from his presidency. Mochtar Mas'oed, a political science lecturer from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta discusses matters which accelerated their demands toward a successful conclusion. Question: What accelerated the progress of the demonstrating students' struggle to topple Soeharto down from his power?
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Reform and Development Cabinet boasts several fresh faces
Reform and Development Cabinet boasts several fresh faces JAKARTA (JP): About two-thirds of the 36-member Reform and Development Cabinet is comprised of members of the previous Cabinet. Here are profiles of the 16 new faces brought in by President B.J. Habibie: Minister of Home Affairs: Syarwan Hamid His name became familiar to the public when he served as Armed Forces spokesman in 1995. He moved up to the position of Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs a year later.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie unveils 'reform' cabinet
Habibie unveils 'reform' cabinet JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie announced the line up of his cabinet yesterday, reappointing 20 ministers from the previous cabinet, and recruiting 16 new people. In an apparent move to woo support from a wider section of the public, Habibie included three politicians from the two minority parties, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). The technology czar recruited more people from the academia.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Vegetable oil traders hail Hasan's departure
Vegetable oil traders hail Hasan's departure LONDON (Reuters): European vegetable oil traders welcomed the departure of Trade and Industry Minister Mohamad "Bob" Hasan from the Indonesian government yesterday. Hasan was replaced by Rahardi Ramelan in Indonesian President B.J. Habibie's new "reform and development" cabinet. But many in the European trade doubted whether much had really changed.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan's OECF mission to RI may be delayed
Japan's OECF mission to RI may be delayed TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) may delay its regular mission to Indonesia to decide on new yen loans amid upheaval in the country, Kyosuke Shinozawa, the OECF's newly appointed president, said yesterday. "We usually start the process on what to do with new yen loans in June and July. But with the way things are over there, we don't know if a mission team can immediately fly to Indonesia.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
City to reopen damaged traditional markets soon
City to reopen damaged traditional markets soon JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will soon reopen traditional markets damaged during last week's mass rioting in a bid to help revive the city's crippled economic life, Governor Sutiyoso has said. Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that business would be resuscitated by opening temporary markets on sites adjacent to the damaged ones. "Due to the tight city budget it isn't an easy job to totally renovate the markets.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI turmoil has little impact on Japanese oil traders
RI turmoil has little impact on Japanese oil traders TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's energy market should see little impact from the social and economic turmoil in oil producer Indonesia, Japanese crude traders said yesterday. "I don't expect to see (events in Indonesia) having a big impact on Japan," one trader with a Japanese oil refiner said.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia and Malaysia set up Thomas Cup final
Indonesia and Malaysia set up Thomas Cup final HONG KONG (Reuters): Former Danish coach Morten Frost led his adopted Malaysia into the Thomas Cup final against holder Indonesia after a thrilling 3-2 victory over his old team yesterday. Frost, who broke up with the Danish squad, beamed with delight after the lowly-ranked Roslin Hashim beat Kenneth Jonassen in the deciding fifth match.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Armed troops flush students out of House building
Armed troops flush students out of House building JAKARTA (JP): The five-day occupation of the House of Representatives (DPR) by some 3,000 anti-government students ended abruptly this morning after hundreds of armed troops entered the compound. The operation caused a commotion, but witnesses said it ended peacefully. There were no casualties, according to medical staff sent to the area. Several ambulances were on stand by.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sempati staff seek redress
Sempati staff seek redress JAKARTA (JP): At least 250 laid-off employees of financially troubled Sempati Air pressed their demand yesterday for severance pay commensurate with manpower regulations if the private firm ultimately decides to dismiss them. They sought mediation with officials of the company controlled by former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute office on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nation urged to hold on to spirit of reform
Nation urged to hold on to spirit of reform JAKARTA (JP): Respected Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid urged the nation yesterday to hold on to its recently promulgated spirit for reform and strive for "a just, open, and democratic civil society". In a statement read before about 150 participants at a discussion organized by the Paramadhina religious discussion group here, Nurcholish said it was only through such a society that social justice could be upheld.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Inefficiency in Pertamina?
Inefficiency in Pertamina? From Media Indonesia Some are under the impression that inefficiency exists in state-owned oil company Pertamina. This was noted during a hearing of the minister of mines and energy with Commission V of the House of Representatives recently. Unfortunately the statement was rather vague and gave no mention of the particular section/department where inefficiency supposedly exists.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pokphand writes off RI assets
Pokphand writes off RI assets HONG KONG (Reuters): C.P. Pokphand Co. Ltd. said it had decided to completely write down its assets in Indonesia to zero due to political uncertainty in the country, resulting in a provision of US$20.7 million in its 1997 results. "Our decision to write down our Indonesia assets during the last financial year represents prudent management as it means that there is no future impact on the company from the current political turmoil there," C.P.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Environmental concern still lacking
Environmental concern still lacking By Juwono Sudarsono JAKARTA (JP): Even before the monetary and economic crises engulfed East Asia almost a year ago, Indonesia's problems in the political, economic and social spheres were formidable.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
OUB resumes RI operations
OUB resumes RI operations SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): United Overseas Bank Ltd. (UOB), one of Singapore's big four banks, said yesterday it has reopened its branches in Bandung, Surabaya and Batam. However, the Jakarta branch remains closed. It "will open again when Bank Indonesia requires us to do so," the bank said in a short statement. United Overseas Bank Bali is the Indonesian operation of the Singapore bank and was shut since last week as rioting spread throughout the country.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia may turn to India for rice
Indonesia may turn to India for rice NEW DELHI (Reuters): Thailand's decision to suspend rice shipments to Indonesia and a Vietnamese ban on fresh exports could force Indonesia to turn to India for supplies, Indian grain traders said yesterday. "I am quite bullish about rice sales to Indonesia this year," Gurnam Arora, joint managing director of Satnam Overseas Ltd, a leading New Delhi-based rice exporter, told Reuters.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mayors urged to account for relinquished loot
Mayors urged to account for relinquished loot JAKARTA (JP): City councilors demanded Jakarta's five mayors yesterday to account for every item of loot people have relinquished through government offices. They said they wanted all surrendered items to be properly recorded and reported to the governor who would see to it that the plunder gets back to the rightful owners.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie's team gets cautious welcome
Habibie's team gets cautious welcome JAKARTA (JP): The local business community gave a cautious welcome to the appointment of the country's economic team in President B.J. Habibie's new cabinet, though international financial institutions received the news more warmly. Domestic business associations and economists doubted the capability of the economic line-up to tackle the country's enormous economic problems, since Habibie and the cabinet as a whole lack popular support.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Media frustated with student security at the House
Media frustated with student security at the House JAKARTA (JP): Euphoric over their growing clout since president Soeharto's resignation, protesting students occupying the House of Representatives complex have started lording it over the media, according to local and foreign journalists. The students imposed tight security measures over whoever entered the building, to the point of being excessive, some journalists said.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan's banks reopen offices
Japan's banks reopen offices TOKYO (Nikkei): Bank sources said Japanese banks planned to resume business operations in Indonesia yesterday, expecting the social unrest to subside with the resignation of President Soeharto, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in its yesterday morning edition. But other Japanese companies remain wary of the situation and were eagerly awaiting a televised speech due to be given by the new president B.J. Habibie on Thursday evening.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fund managers remain wary about Indonesia
Fund managers remain wary about Indonesia SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Despite the resignation of Indonesia's President Soeharto Thursday, fund managers say it's not time yet to plough funds back into Indonesia as fears of continued political and economic upheavals linger. While Soeharto's decision to step down may defuse some of the political tensions, fund managers say it doesn't do much to resolve the country's manifold economic problems. Concerns now focus on the new president, B.J.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina reduces prices
Pertamina reduces prices JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has reduced prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) and the Bensin Biru Dua Langkah (BB2L) gasoline but maintained those of Premix, Super TT gasoline, lubricating oils and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Pertamina's spokesman Ramli Djaafar told The Jakarta Post yesterday the price increases for Premix and Super TT gasoline, LPG and lubricating oils made on May 5 were still in effect.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
Deadline for phone bill extended
Deadline for phone bill extended JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta division of state telecommunications company PT Telkom has extended the deadline for the payment of telephone bills from May 20 to May 31 because many banks and automatic teller machines were forced to close down business by last weeks rioting. Guntur Siregar, head of the division, said that the extension was intended mainly to help customers in Greater Jakarta who had found it difficult to pay their bills.
Sat, 23 May 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI calls on students to end protests
ABRI calls on students to end protests JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto has urged university students and other government critics to end their protests. The four-star general said yesterday the new government should be given a chance to restore the country's economy and politics; it would not be able to do any work if protests continued to disrupt the country. He said the students should return to their campuses and concentrate on their studies.