Archive: 24 June 1998
51 articles found
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
ICC: New hope for human rights protection
ICC: New hope for human rights protection By Pribadi Sutiono JAKARTA (JP): Following the post-World War II trials in Nuremberg and Tokyo, the international community is now entering the final phases of work on the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC). From June 15 to July 17, 1998, representatives of various governments are gathering in Rome for a diplomatic conference of plenipotentiaries to adopt a treaty creating the ICC.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Defense claims Trisakti trial 'unfair' and 'fake'
Defense claims Trisakti trial 'unfair' and 'fake' JAKARTA (JP): The sixth session of the Trisakti shooting incident court martial turned into a heated debate between the presiding judge and the defense lawyers yesterday. Presiding judge Col. Sudji Suradi even threatened to expel chief defense lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution, who called the trial unfair, fake and engineered. "This is not a fake trial!" Sudji shouted after banging his gavel. "Are you trying to disrespect this court?
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
ADB meets on RI debt
ADB meets on RI debt MANILA (Dow Jones): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said its board is scheduled to meet today to approve a US$1.5 billion program loan to strengthen and reform Indonesia's financial sector. The political turmoil in Indonesia caused the loan to be delayed over the past month, but the International Monetary Fund's agreement this week to release the next tranche of its rescue package for Indonesia in early July has put the ADB loan back on track.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Righting a wrong
Righting a wrong Amid the endless and often absurd demands for reform aired lately, Monday's joint statement by Abdurrahman Wahid, the respected leader of the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization, and William Soeryadjaya, one of Indonesia's most prominent Chinese-Indonesian business tycoons, was without a doubt one of the most sensible and constructive to date.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI needs time: Habibie
ABRI needs time: Habibie JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie is asking for the public's patience to allow the Armed Forces (ABRI) to conduct "internal consolidation" and thorough investigations into the recent highly publicized occurrences of the Trisakti shootings, disappearances of political activists and widespread riots.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Yen stability boosts SE Asian currencies
Yen stability boosts SE Asian currencies SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies continued to ride higher on the back of the yen's precarious stability during Asian trading hours yesterday. In quiet trading, the baht, the Philippine peso, the ringgit and the Singapore dollar all edged higher against the U.S. dollar, prompting some observers to predict that, should the yen remain steady, Southeast Asian markets may be in for a repeat of February's bear market rally.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's 'forces' won't come back: Nurcholish
Soeharto's 'forces' won't come back: Nurcholish SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Political observers remain unconvinced that forces loyal to former president Soeharto could make a comeback and stifle the wave of reform sweeping the country, despite still wielding strong influence in important circles. Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid maintained that Soeharto's "force" was not based on state ideology but merely on the distribution of material benefits and power.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
A question of relevance
A question of relevance Now, there's an interesting question in your June 20 editorial: Is Golkar still relevant, given its past blemished record? Taking relevance in its broadest sense -- i.e. having a bearing on, or being pertinent to, the present situation -- it is difficult to see how Golkar could be, well, irrelevant. Until the party disbands, it remains relevant.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Inflation may exceed 80% this year: Indef
Inflation may exceed 80% this year: Indef JAKARTA (JP): The worsening economy and the government's "populist" approach could push this year's inflation rate to over 80 percent, the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) predicts. The Institute's program director, M. Nawir Messi, said yesterday that the inflation rate might even reach three digits, if the situation did not improve.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Palm oil prices decline
Palm oil prices decline LONDON (Reuters): Palm oil prices continued to drift lower on the European vegetable oil market yesterday following the lower close in Kuala Lumpur. Traders said slow demand coupled with forecasts of high-than- expected Malaysian palm oil output during June depressed prices.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Neighborhood security system
Neighborhood security system JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has urged city residents to improve security in their residential areas in a bid to help fight disturbances, particularly riots and burglaries. Sjafrie said in a statement yesterday that the system was also aimed at improving people's alertness to face the rising number of groundless rumors.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso cuts his Rp 105m dress quota
Sutiyoso cuts his Rp 105m dress quota JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso yesterday abruptly eliminated his Rp 105 million (US$7,500) official dress allowance from the city administration's 1998/1999 fiscal year budget. Speaking to reporters, the governor said the decision was made in line with the city's retrenchment policy.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
World Cup kicks up lofty TV ratings
World Cup kicks up lofty TV ratings JAKARTA (JP): World Cup 98 has lived up to expectations by drawing big television audiences, with the opening match between Brazil and Scotland topping the ratings so far. Kusmarsanto of A.C. Nielsen-SRI, a research company which measures TV ratings, said the tournament's opener on June 10 drew a 41 percent share of almost 5,000 viewers in 1,000 sample households in the country's five major cities.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Art exhibition: Works of Agus Suwage, at Galeripadi Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 329 Bandung (Phone: 022 2500578), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 27 through July 19. * Poster Exhibition: Jerman di Dalam Khayalan, at Goethe Institut Bandung, Jl. Martadinata 48 Bandung (Phone: 436440), until June 30. * Silver Accesories by Runa Jewelry at Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 431631), until June 30.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians mind their language at British Council
Indonesians mind their language at British Council JAKARTA (JP): The British Council has been in Indonesia almost since the country's independence. It was established here in 1948 and was then located in Bandung. About two decades later, it moved to Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta. "We only began to rent space here at the S. Widjojo Center, South Jakarta, in 1979," director Neil Kemp said.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Air Force flies stranded passengers
Air Force flies stranded passengers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Air Force launched a humanitarian operation, the Air Bridge Operation, at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport yesterday, deploying three C-130-type Hercules military carriers to transport 403 people to Pontianak, West Kalimantan. Airforce spokesman Col. Bachrum Razir said the passengers were left stranded for three days at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta due to overloading on a ship of the state-owned Pelni line.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Australia wheat sales to Indonesia set to drop
Australia wheat sales to Indonesia set to drop CANBERRA (Reuters): Indonesia's imports of Australian wheat were expected to fall in 1998/99 because of its financial crisis, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics (ABARE) said in its June quarter forecasts. The country was Australia's second-largest market in 1996/97 (July-June), taking 2.4 million metric tons.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Mutilated body disposer only a courier: Police
Mutilated body disposer only a courier: Police TANGERANG (JP): Police said yesterday they strongly believe that the man who disposed of a mutilated female body on Sunday was just a courier hired by the murderer to dump the limbs. Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo told the media that the killer must have had a special relationship with the victim and that the dismemberment of her body, which was cut into 12 parts, might well have taken place far away from the dumping site.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian stock exchanges close lower
Asian stock exchanges close lower HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets fell yesterday, with shares slumping in Tokyo as investors remained nervous about the Japanese government's ability to boost the country's faltering economy. Tokyo's 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 254.49 points, or 1.66 percent, closing at 15,054.60. On Monday, the Nikkei had gained 41.11 points, or 0.27 percent.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
220 youths join sailing training
220 youths join sailing training JAKARTA (JP): At least 220 students joined the 1998 Youth Sailing Training using five tall ships on the Java sea for three days, ending on Monday. The program was launched by Navy chief Adm. Kushariadi at Tanjung Priok port on Saturday to mark the International Year of the Seas. The five vessels involved in the training program were the country's famous Dewaruci tall ship, Arung Samudera, Taruna Laut I, Arsa I and Phinisi Nusantara.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on June 23, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina to import 1.8m barrels of gas oil in July
Pertamina to import 1.8m barrels of gas oil in July SINGAPORE (Reuters): Indonesia is looking to buy 1.8 million barrels of gas oil in July, the same volume as in June, a state- owned oil company Pertamina official said yesterday. Pertamina is still looking at issuing a tender for its July oil imports, but there will be no purchase tenders for fuel oil and jet/kerosene, said the official, who asked not to be identified.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thais want rethink on ASEAN policy
Thais want rethink on ASEAN policy BANGKOK (AP): Thailand's foreign minister is urging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to review its long-held doctrine against noninterference in the affairs of member states. Hopes of modifying the policy, used over the years to discourage criticism of human rights abuses in Myanmar and East Timor, have been raised since one of its main supporters, Soeharto, was forced out as Indonesia's leader last month.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Government sets standard selling prices for timber
Government sets standard selling prices for timber JAKARTA (JP): The government has set standard selling prices of various forest products destined for export as the basis for calculating the resource royalty provision. The industry and trade minister said in a decree dated June 8 obtained by the media yesterday that the standard selling prices of timber were calculated by averaging prices on the international and domestic markets.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchanges
Stock Exchanges Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 23, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 0 0 AHAP Insurance 575 0 0 Alter Abadi 525 0 105,000 Alumindo Light Metal 300 0 2,500 Alumindo Perkasa 250 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 5,000 Aneka Tambang 1,450 0 2,213,500 Anwar Sierad 100 -25 25,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar chief cites media 'lies'
Myanmar chief cites media 'lies' YANGON (AP): A senior general in Myanmar's military government has accused Western powers of trying to discredit the country by spreading lies through the news media. Lt. Gen.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Total reform of the economy not practical: Expert
Total reform of the economy not practical: Expert JAKARTA (JP): The view that Indonesia needs a complete structural economic reform to lift its economy out of its worst ever economic crisis might not be practical, a foreign expert said here yesterday. "This is a very radical view.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
70,000 people attend emotional service
70,000 people attend emotional service SEMARANG (JP): Seventy thousand people from all five recognized religions attended an emotional service here yesterday to pray for the nation's survival amid the economic turmoil. Moslems, Christians, Protestants, Buddhists and Hindus, accompanied by their respective religious leaders, flocked to the Diponegoro Regional Military Command's parade ground for this rare event. Visiting Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lyonnaise to embark on two water projects worth Rp 87 billion
Lyonnaise to embark on two water projects worth Rp 87 billion JAKARTA (JP): City-owned tap water company PDAM Jaya and French firm Lyonnaise des Eaux have reached an agreement to embark on the construction of two water projects worth Rp 87 billion (US$5.8 million) in West Jakarta.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tourist numbers to dip amid scary media reports: Govt
Tourist numbers to dip amid scary media reports: Govt JAKARTA (JP): The government projected yesterday the country's foreign tourist arrivals may fall 5 percent this year over 1997's number due to the battery of negative foreign media reports. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman said the decline -- from 5.2 million to 4.9 million -- would result in an 8 percent drop in foreign exchange revenues from the tourism sector this year to US$4.97 billion from $6.6 billion in 1997.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gulf finds new gas well
Gulf finds new gas well JAKARTA (JP): State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina announced yesterday that Gulf Indonesia Resources Ltd had drilled a new gas well, the Rebonjaro Dalam-1, in its Corridor production sharing contract (PSC) area in South Sumatra. The Rebonjaro Dalam-1 exploration well, tested four zones at between 1,801 meters and 2,124 meters. Gas flowed at an initial rate of 6.2 million cubic feet per day during an eight-hour period.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cilacap may open to charter flights
Cilacap may open to charter flights CILACAP, Central Java: Tunggul Wulung Airport here may be reopened on a chartered basis in the coming months pending negotiations with PT Pelita Air Service (PT PAS). Cilacap regent Herry Tabri said Pelita had shown interest in serving a Cilacap-Jakarta route utilizing the airport, which has been shut down since April after Merpati Nusantara Airlines stopped flights here. He said Pelita had offered Rp 6.72 million for each day it used the airport.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Labor union to defy military's threat
Labor union to defy military's threat JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) indicated yesterday it remained determined to hold a workers demonstration today despite warnings from the military that troops would clamp down on any such protests. Yudi Rahmat, coordinator of the planned SBSI rally, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that as many as 7,000 workers would be mobilized for this morning's protest.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie to meet Belo today on East Timor
Habibie to meet Belo today on East Timor JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will meet with Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo here this afternoon on what many expect to be a follow-up on the initiative to give greater autonomy to East Timor. But Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung stopped short yesterday of saying the troubled province would be the main agenda, and maintained the meeting was part of Habibie's efforts to gather input from different national figures.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Yunus: Information ministry may become obsolete
Yunus: Information ministry may become obsolete JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus, acknowledging the government in the past spent too much money on his ministry which often only functioned to restrict information, said yesterday he could envision the department being scrapped altogether. In precedent-setting candor for an information minister, Yunus said the day might come when a government bureau took over the tasks of the ministry.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Proposal to issue municipal bonds hailed
Proposal to issue municipal bonds hailed JAKARTA (JP): City councilors hailed yesterday the city administration's plan to issue municipal bonds as one of the alternatives to help raise locally generated revenue. Head of Commission C for financial affairs Amarullah Asbah urged the administration to prepare all the requirements needed for the issuance of the bonds as soon as possible.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah still under pressure while shares climb 0.6%
Rupiah still under pressure while shares climb 0.6% JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained weak at 14,500 yesterday while stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) edged up 0.6 percent on reports of a possible International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout disbursement, dealers and stockbrokers said.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Sulawesi food supply adequate
SE Sulawesi food supply adequate KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has categorized Southeast Sulawesi as one of Indonesia's provinces no longer facing food shortages. Unicef's announcement was based on its research with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture conducted last March, head of the provincial agriculture office, Manggo Yosman, said yesterday.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Star hotels host Betawi food festival
Star hotels host Betawi food festival JAKARTA (JP): There are no big celebrations this year to mark Jakarta's anniversary. There are no colorful banners decorating the city's main streets. Jakarta turned 471 on Monday. But people are understandably not in the mood for a fiesta, neither the prolonged monetary crisis nor the political situation seems much closer to being resolved. What's more, many are still upset by the riots that rocked the capital last month.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Golkar's sins
Golkar's sins Top functionaries of (the ruling party) Golkar assembled at Lembang, near Bandung, on Saturday, said the current reform tide had brought home to them the fact that they had not been doing things right.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Half-hearted reform of media policy
Half-hearted reform of media policy By Atmakusumah JAKARTA (JP): A quick positive response by Information Minister Muhammad Yunus to demonstrating young journalists' demands for looser press control is quite astounding. But does his new policy guarantee the absence of government intervention in the internal affairs of the media in the future?
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
A solution for forests
A solution for forests The world's forests have been under siege since the turn of the century, but this year has been calamitous. In Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Central America, Africa and Indonesia, fires have destroyed some 16 million forested hectares (40 million acres). the easy explanation is El Nino, a perverse weather system that has flooded some regions but left others bone dry.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
PLN $105m short on gas, power payments
PLN $105m short on gas, power payments JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PLN has failed to make payments on US$105 million owed for gas and power supplies over the past two months, its president said yesterday. Djiteng Marsudi said PLN had requested the Ministry of Finance inject subsidies to help the cash-strapped company meet its financial obligations, but the ministry had yet to disburse the money.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Japan's rice aid for RI
Japan's rice aid for RI TOKYO (AP): Japan will extend 10.99 billion yen in emergency grant aid to help economically battered Indonesia import rice, Japanese officials said yesterday. The Indonesian government will use the sum to import 500,000 tons of rice from Japan under lease contracts signed in Tokyo on Tuesday. Akihiro Ishibashi, spokesman of the government's Food Agency, said the first shipments of rice will arrive in Indonesia in August.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Controversial governor focuses on development
Controversial governor focuses on development By Efendy Naibaho MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Acrimonious allegations of collusion had tarnished news of his nomination, but Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin was eventually sworn in last week as governor of North Sumatra. The former chief of the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing northern Sumatra won the gubernatorial election in the provincial council last month, receiving an overwhelming majority of 49 from 54 votes. He replaced Lt. Gen.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Former Telkom employee tried for phone bill scam
Former Telkom employee tried for phone bill scam JAKARTA (JP): A former employee of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom was indicted at the West Jakarta District Court yesterday for his alleged involvement in a phone bill scam which cost the firm Rp 2.37 billion (US$158,000) in losses. Prosecutor Uri Hasan Basri said the defendant, Sofian, 38, and his accomplices, M.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
EFIC pays A$1m insurance claims on exports to RI
EFIC pays A$1m insurance claims on exports to RI CANBERRA (Dow Jones): The Australian government's Export Finance and Insurance Corp., or EFIC, said yesterday it has paid around A$1 million insurance claims in recent months relating to exports to Indonesia. EFIC, in its Export Active June newsletter said a further A$6 million is still owed to EFIC clients by Indonesian buyers, and likely will be added to the claims total.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
BI's net forex reserves drop on yen fall
BI's net forex reserves drop on yen fall JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia's net international reserves (NIR) declined by US$65.8 million on June 19 to $14.6 billion on June 12 due to overseas debt payment and the depreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar, the central bank reported. The NIR level of $14.6 billion, however, was still above the IMF requirement, BI said yesterday in a statement.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Farmer unrest dogs Chuan's government
Farmer unrest dogs Chuan's government By Anchalee Koetsawang BANGKOK (Reuters): The moment of truth is almost at hand for Thai premier Chuan Leekpai and his government as thousands of poor farmers prepare to descend on Bangkok to air their grievances today. For Chuan, a humble grassroots leader, it will be painful to see the farmers, their anger stoked by the opposition, march into the capital and accuse his government of helping the rich at the expense of the poor.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI, Malaysia eye local currencies for trade
RI, Malaysia eye local currencies for trade KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Indonesia and Malaysia Monday discussed the use of their currencies in bilateral trade, an Indonesian minister said after a meeting with Malaysian leaders. "We discussed with Malaysian leaders investment cooperation and intra-Asean trade and the use of local currencies to help increase the value of local currencies and reduce dependence on foreign currency," said Adi Sasono, minister of cooperatives and small enterprises.
Wed, 24 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bapepam probes Semen Gresik case
Bapepam probes Semen Gresik case JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) is currently investigating suspected insider trading of state- owned cement maker PT Semen Gresik shares on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX). Bapepam chairman Jusuf Anwar, who replaced I Putu Gde Ary Suta on Monday, told journalists yesterday that the agency had set up a team to investigate possible fraud in the local bourse.