Archive: 9 June 1998
54 articles found
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Scholars warn against parties linked to religion
Scholars warn against parties linked to religion JAKARTA (JP): Religious scholars and a political observer voiced concern yesterday over possible adverse repercussions if people established religion-affiliated political parties. Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid, Jakarta Bishop Julius Kardinal Darmaatmadja and political observer Mochtar Pabottingi spoke in a discussion on the emergence of religion-linked political parties at the Institute of Islamic Studies.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Golden Buddha statues found
Golden Buddha statues found PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Villagers in Cikakak, Wangon subdistrict in Banyumas regency, yesterday found two 15- centimeter-tall golden Buddha statues weighing 1.5 kilograms. The finding was not an accident. Michayat, a local prayer leader from the ancient Saka Tunggal mosque in the village, told The Jakarta Post that he received a premonition about the existence of the statues which were buried in the forest about 200 meters from the mosque.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Riots impair Surakarta business
Riots impair Surakarta business SURAKARTA, Central Java: Material damages in Surakarta from the two days of widespread unrest on May 14 and May 15 are estimated to total Rp 457.5 billion. Rahmadi Wahyudi, head of the team assessing the damage, said much of the losses were from the 10 shopping plazas and 23 showrooms torched during the riots. The damage to shopping plazas, showrooms and major supermarkets alone are estimated at Rp 189.6 billion.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian arrested for murder in Osaka
Indonesian arrested for murder in Osaka JAKARTA (JP): A 23-year-old Indonesian man has been arrested in Osaka, Japan for killing and robbing a local woman, who he tutored in Bahasa Indonesia, an Indonesian diplomat said yesterday.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Poster Exhibition: Jerman di Dalam Khayalan, at Goethe Institut Bandung, Jl. Martadinata 48 (Phone: 022 436440), until June 30. * Silver Accesories by Runa Jewelry at Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 431631), daily. Film * French Film at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Phone: 022 4212417), 4 p.m.: L'enfance nue, June 15.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bali legislators to resign following protests
Bali legislators to resign following protests DENPASAR (JP): After a week-long protest, Speaker (ret.) Brig. Gen. I Ketut Sundria, announced yesterday on behalf of the 46 strong provincial legislature that all members would resign from their posts. Before a crowd of 20,000 demonstrators at the legislature building, an obviously shaken Sundria read out a statement which said the legislator's would resign, "provided that it was done through a constitutional means".
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
'May Revolution' in perspective
'May Revolution' in perspective By Aboeprijadi Santoso JAKARTA (JP): Only a few weeks ago, many analysts watching political developments in Indonesia tended to think in terms of two models of change: the so-called Tiananmen model and the "People Power" model. Much to everybody's surprise, the events in Jakarta turned out to be neither so bloody as in China, nor as abrupt as in the Philippines, but a quick and largely peaceful transition.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Agriculture needs market-oriented policy
Agriculture needs market-oriented policy Indonesia is facing a rice-supply shortage and Bungaran Saragih, head of the Center for Development Studies at the Bogor Agricultural Institute, suggests that the government adjusts its agricultural policy. Question: Do you consider rice supply in the domestic market as being at an alarming level? Saragih: Yes.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Striking workers clash with police
Striking workers clash with police SURABAYA (JP): Thirty people were injured yesterday when 25,000 striking workers clashed with security personnel who tried to stop them marching from Sidoarjo to the provincial legislative council in Surabaya, 20 kilometers away. The Maspion Group workers burned one police motorcycle and threw stones at passing vehicles, damaging 15 cars. At least three injured police officers were rescued by an ambulance after the clashes.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina braces for direct oil trade
Pertamina braces for direct oil trade SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia's state oil and gas company Pertamina is likely to face a number of hurdles as it braces itself for direct trade in the international oil market amid expectations that ties with its two trading affiliates -- Perta Oil Marketing and Permindo Oil Trading Co. -- will either be severed or substantially redefined.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on June 8, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Universal decides not to pay dividend
Bank Universal decides not to pay dividend JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Universal, a subsidiary of widely diversified Astra International, will not pay a dividend for the company's 1997 earnings in a move to safeguard its capital, its president said yesterday. Stephen Z. Satyahadi said a proposal on not paying the dividend was one of several corporate plans approved by the bank's shareholders in an annual shareholders meeting yesterday.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Hun Sen makes surprise visit to Sihanouk, raises party fears
Hun Sen makes surprise visit to Sihanouk, raises party fears PHNOM PENH (Agencies): Cambodian co-premier Hun Sen made a surprise visit to King Norodom Sihanouk at his northern residence in Siem Reap to warn of party politics undermining a key impartial constitutional body, officials said yesterday. Sihanouk and Hun Sen talked for more than an hour in their first meeting since early May, a palace official said.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rates for Tax Payment
Rates for Tax Payment JAKARTA (JP): The new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value-added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax, valid from June 8 to June 14: U.S.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Set all political prisoners free!
Set all political prisoners free! To President B.J. Habibie: Former president Soeharto appointed you to replace him when the state's political situation was very difficult and critical. Therefore, we can imagine how difficult is the burden that you are shouldering today, especially with the political crisis dragging on, the economic crisis worsening, the legal crisis remaining uncertain, and the continued crisis of confidence on the part of the people and the international community.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies fall but recover
SE Asian currencies fall but recover SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies are weaker across the board late in Asian trading yesterday compared with levels seen late Friday, but have recovered from lows against the U.S. dollar reached yesterday morning. Regional currencies moved sharply lower early yesterday after the U.S. dollar surged against the Japanese yen, reportedly on strong U.S. dollar interest from U.S. investment banks and a large U.S. insurance company.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fischer agrees with subsidies
Fischer agrees with subsidies WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): Stanley Fischer, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said yesterday he expects the revised economic program with Indonesia to include further "temporary subsidies" to protect the poor.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Little help for foreign AIDS patients
Little help for foreign AIDS patients By Yvonne Chang TOKYO (Reuters): Prapaporn Yoskorn, a registered nurse from Thailand, has become a celebrity among Thai prostitutes working in Japan. Prapaporn returned to Thailand recently after seven months in Japan offering advice on AIDS treatment to Thai women in the sex industry.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV program
TV program TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 Children's Film: Family Album 3:05 Children's Program: Pancasilaku 3:30 Village Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary Film: Artha 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports: Monitor Olah Raga 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama: Segores Biru Lara 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV Drama: Segores Biru Lara (contd.) 8:30 Talk Show: Dialog 9:00...
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Illuminating tale of malaria at the Belimbing lighthouse
Illuminating tale of malaria at the Belimbing lighthouse By Agus Suroso BANDARLAMPUNG (Antara): A leaning but solid old lighthouse is seen as one enters the Sunda Strait from the Indian Ocean. In order to reach the 119-year-old Teluk Belimbing lighthouse, 200 kms southwest of Bandarlampung in West Lampung regency, one has to travel by sea for six hours from Kota Agung, Tanggamus regency. There is no road to the location.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bapepam has not imposed penalty on erring firms
Bapepam has not imposed penalty on erring firms JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) has yet to penalize 35 listed companies which missed the April 30 deadline on submitting their 1997 financial reports, the agency's chairman said yesterday. I Putu Gede Ary Suta said a penalty would be handed down only after the agency received complete information on the reason for the delay. In previous years, Bapepam imposed the penalty one month after the deadline passed.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Chinese urged not to speak Chinese
Chinese urged not to speak Chinese PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The speaker of the provincial legislature, H.M. Arub, yesterday called on Indonesians of Chinese descent to use Bahasa Indonesia or the predominant ethnic language in the area for everyday use. The statement came as Arub yesterday received a delegation of 25 students from Taman Siswa University.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Unsolved mysteries of May 14
Unsolved mysteries of May 14 Were the riots of May 14 in Jakarta a spontaneous action by the masses? The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has come to the conclusion that they were instigated by an organized group. This (unspecified) group made use of the fact that the state security apparatus was at that time preoccupied with watching the students' actions on campus.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gov't officials told to be more responsive
Gov't officials told to be more responsive BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid advised government officials yesterday to heed people's aspirations and work hard to win their trust, as hundreds of students protested nearby against the reappointment of the West Java governor. Syarwan endorsed dialog between officials and the public in an address at the reinstallation ceremony for Maj. Gen. (ret.) R. Nuriana at the legislative council here.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Extraordinary session not to query Soeharto
Extraordinary session not to query Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will hold an extraordinary session only to revoke decrees on elections, and not, as many have demanded, to question former president Soeharto over his leadership. MPR deputy chairman Poedjono Pranyoto made it clear yesterday that the Assembly would not revoke its decrees appointing Soeharto president and B.J. Habibie vice president for the 1998/2003 term. "We won't go that far.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 8, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 500 0 0 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alter Abadi 550 -25 941,000 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -100 89,500 Alumindo Perkasa 200 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 25 500 Aneka Tambang 1,400 -50 1,817,500 Anwar Sierad 125 0 5,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Analysts laud PLN for canceling deal
Analysts laud PLN for canceling deal JAKARTA (JP): State-owned electricity company PLN's move to unilaterally annul a power purchase contract with PT Cikarang Listrindo received backing from analysts yesterday, but there was silence from the power industry.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Business tycoons' role in reform
Business tycoons' role in reform From Pikiran Rakyat In these hectic days of reform trends, we have nearly forgotten the business tycoons. If we ponder on the two words reform and tycoons, they are very meaningful to the monetary and economic crisis. The most important reform is the endeavor of the cabinet to immediately reduce and stabilize commodity prices, especially those of staple foods.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto celebrates birthday with family
Soeharto celebrates birthday with family JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto celebrated his 77th birthday yesterday with a cheerful, albeit simple ceremony attended by his six children and spouses, 12 grandchildren and great-grandchild at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta. Security officials politely asked journalists not to cover the party, saying that Soeharto wanted to have an intimate dinner with his family.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian palm oil market to stay uncertain this week
Asian palm oil market to stay uncertain this week KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil prices are likely to be influenced by currency movements, prospects of fresh exports and developments in the countries of major buyers, regional traders said. Technical factors alone could influence price movements in the absence of supply and demand, traders said. Indonesian traders said prices of olein would fluctuate on a weaker rupiah against the U.S. dollar. "Prices will fluctuate.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Danone buys stake in RI firm
Danone buys stake in RI firm PARIS (Reuters): French food group Danone said yesterday that it had signed an agreement to buy a 40 percent stake in PT Tirta Investama, the holding company of Indonesia's Aqua Group. The Aqua Group is Asia's largest water business with annual sales of more than one billion liters, Danone said in a statement.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
State firms' performance poor in 1997, says Tanri
State firms' performance poor in 1997, says Tanri JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said yesterday that 160 state-owned companies booked a combined net profit of Rp 11.83 trillion (US$1.03 billion) last year, compared to Rp 12.70 trillion in 1996.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Administration to merge 200 elementary schools
Administration to merge 200 elementary schools JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will soon merge about 200 state elementary schools which have a scarcity of students, an official said yesterday. Deputy head of the city's teaching and education office, Gito Poernomo, said the decision to merge the schools was taken because they failed to meet the official requirement for a school to accommodate at least 100 students.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie secures rights body's help
Habibie secures rights body's help JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie secured the assistance of the National Commission on Human Rights yesterday to help ensure credibility for his reform efforts by allowing them to form a special working group to monitor the implementation of reform programs. During a meeting, which lasted over an hour, Habibie agreed to a proposal from six senior commission members to set up a team to assist the government in eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two resign to avoid corruption charges
Two resign to avoid corruption charges TANGERANG (JP): Two middle-ranking Tangerang Regency and Mayoralty officials submitted their resignations yesterday in a bid to avoid accusations of corruption. The two were identified as Agus Rachmat, the head of the regency's regional development board, and Muhaemin, the head of the mayoralty's parks and funerals office. Agus is the brother-in-law of regency secretary M.H. Thamrin, while Muhaemin is the younger brother of Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Mahmud.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tiananmen Square massacre, nine years on
Tiananmen Square massacre, nine years on The Jakarta Post's Asia Correspondent Harvey Stockwin reports on the latest and ninth anniversary of the Beijing Massacre on June 3, 4 and 5, 1989. There were predictable happenings within China -- and some unexpected ones. HONG KONG (JP): On the ninth anniversary of the Beijing Massacre in June 1989, all the predictable events happened once again.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
A view on space science and how it operates
A view on space science and how it operates By Bambang Hidayat BANDUNG (JP): In the past three decades our consciousness about space and the earth as a habitable planet has been influenced by a new discipline which is called space science. In many ways space science has presented us with a new conception of the world.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two councilors urged to resign
Two councilors urged to resign JAKARTA (JP): A group of 50 members of the United Development Party (PPP) have asked the party's Jakarta chapter chairman Rusjdi Hamka and his brother Affif Hamka to leave their posts at the City Council. The group coordinator, Andy M. Sholeh, accused Rusjdi, who is deputy council speaker, of acting nepotistically in recruiting Affif as a councilor for the 1998/2003 term. His brother is now deputy chairman of Council Commission E for social welfare.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
'ANteve' offers Rp 1b in penalty contest
'ANteve' offers Rp 1b in penalty contest JAKARTA (JP): A penalty kick which hits the target will be worth Rp 1 billion (US$100,000) to the lucky shooter in a contest organized by private ANteve television station. Catch is there will be only one contestant for the once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to be held on July 13. It will be the luck of the draw as the shooter will be picked from applicants on July 8.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Avoiding semantic chaos
Avoiding semantic chaos Since president Soeharto's resignation last month, people have been noisily calling for an end to corruption, collusion and nepotism. People also discuss ways to avoid a recurrence of such illicit business practices and ridicule those they believe are at the root of the three evil diseases. The topic has become so popular that people here have given the three problems a popular acronym, KKN, standing for 'korupsi', 'kolusi' and 'nepotisme'.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Three political groups face internal dissent
Three political groups face internal dissent JAKARTA (JP): The three recognized political groupings -- Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- which have monopolized the political scene for over 25 years, are facing growing internal dissent which is boiling over into public rows. Demonstrations and public statements of discontent plagued the three major political groups yesterday. The PPP headquarters on Jl.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
City urged to lower water tariffs
City urged to lower water tariffs JAKARTA (JP): Following widespread public complaints over the city's water tariff hike, city council speaker Edy Waluyo urged the administration yesterday to follow through with its promise to lower tap water prices soon.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt pressure Sutiyoso to settle Hotel Mulia case
Govt pressure Sutiyoso to settle Hotel Mulia case JAKARTA (JP): The government urged Governor Sutiyoso yesterday to insist that the owners of Hotel Mulia immediately pay their Rp 20.5 billion (US$1.7 million) fine for building the hotel two-and-a-half times higher than their permits allowed.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
KL's leaders keep investors guessing
KL's leaders keep investors guessing By Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Will it be guerrilla warfare? Or the welcome mat? On the same day last week that Malaysia's prime minister predicted a "guerrilla war" against foreign capitalists, his second in command was appealing to overseas investors for billions of dollars. The conflicting messages from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have many scratching their heads.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Over 150,000 flee abroad during riots: Ministry
Over 150,000 flee abroad during riots: Ministry JAKARTA (JP): More than 150,000 Indonesians and foreigners fled the country during last month's riots which led to the downfall of Soeharto, according to the Ministry of Justice. Pranowo, the director general of immigration, told a media briefing yesterday that 152,363 Indonesians and foreigners from at least 47 countries left the country from May 14 to May 20.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Governor urged to return assets
Governor urged to return assets MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The chief of the provincial prosecutor's office, R. Himawan, is calling on Governor Warsito to stop the sale of his official Volvo sedan and the provincial legislature's (DPRD) residence before the end of his term in August. "I implore Governor Warsito to be open-minded and thoroughly consider the issue of his official Volvo sedan and the DPRD residence," Himawan told journalists here yesterday.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two girls nabbed for iguana theft
Two girls nabbed for iguana theft JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested two young girls, identified as Sarina and Ely Parninggolan Tampubolon, for allegedly trying to steal an iguana, a unique reptile usually kept as a pet. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the two girls were caught red-handed by the iguana's owner, Didit Susianto, 22, at his house on Jl. Mas Koki Raya No. 32, Jati Pulo, East Jakarta.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Investors put Bintan development on hold
Investors put Bintan development on hold SINGAPORE (DPA): Plans for a large-scale Singapore-Indonesia resort complex on Indonesia's Bintan island are threatened by the region's disastrous financial crisis, a report said yesterday. Malaria, water problems and smoke haze from forest fires have already plagued the beach resort development since its first phase opened in 1996.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toward a new and better Indonesia
Toward a new and better Indonesia The "time bomb" finally exploded and caused massive riots to erupt in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities. The mobs attacked, looted and set buildings on fire. Public facilities, banks, malls, shops and even homes were destroyed and looted. And most of them belonged to Indonesians of Chinese descent. Some experts said that the social gap triggered the lootings and arson, which especially targeted the properties of Chinese- Indonesians.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Obstacles to reform
Obstacles to reform From Kompas Father Mangunwijaya wrote again (May 22). He seemed to have lost his patience. I subscribe to his opinion that basically this nation has lost its system of values. The words of leadership figures cannot be trusted, their promises are liable to denial afterward and their nature is treacherous. How can reform take place if it is led by a person whose words and stance just the week before were clearly an obstacle to real reform (not reform that is mere rhetoric)?
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Shoe firm workers strike in protest at intimidation
Shoe firm workers strike in protest at intimidation JAKARTA (JP): A South Korean shoe firm ground to an abrupt standstill yesterday when all 2,500 workers went on strike to protest alleged intimidation by two police officers hired by the company as executives. About 100 of their colleagues lodged their grievance with the National Commission on Human Rights, demanding the body insist PT Bosaeng Jaya immediately fire the two officers.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Private sector owes $29b by April 1999
Private sector owes $29b by April 1999 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's private sector foreign debt due this fiscal year, including that owed by commercial banks, totals US$29.2 billion, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday. Speaking to journalists after meeting President B.J. Habibie, Ginandjar said external corporate debt stood at US$20 billion and the non-trade liabilities of commercial banks at $9.2 billion.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Import activities drop 80 percent: Ginsi
Import activities drop 80 percent: Ginsi JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association (Ginsi) said yesterday that import activities had dropped more than 80 percent over the last few months. Association chairman Amirudin Saud said the sharp drop in imports, which totaled US$41.67 billion last year, was caused by the refusal of most Indonesian letters of credit (L/C) by foreign banks.
Tue, 09 Jun 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah slides against dollar as stock prices fall
Rupiah slides against dollar as stock prices fall JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah slid against the U.S. dollar again yesterday and stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued their decline in quiet trading amid fears of a worsening economic situation and lingering political tension. Currency dealers said the rupiah was barely traded yesterday. It closed at 11,750 against the greenback, compared to Friday's close of 11,500.