Archive: 24 July 1998
54 articles found
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies under strong pressure
SE Asian currencies under strong pressure SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies took it on the chin yesterday after international credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service announced that it had put Japan's triple-A sovereign rating on review for possible downgrade. The U.S. dollar surged more than one yen to a high of Y142.10 in late morning trading after the Moody's news broke in the market.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' driver killed and robbed
'Ojek' driver killed and robbed TANGERANG (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was killed by his own passenger at Kampung Waru, Cikupa district here on Wednesday night in the second such attack this week. The victim was identified as Sayuti, 35, a resident of Telagasari village in Cikupa district. He was stabbed by the passenger and his motorcycle was taken away.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Farmers supply 40% of Astra's CPO output
Farmers supply 40% of Astra's CPO output JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plantation company PT Astra Argo Lestari said yesterday that almost 40 percent of its crude palm oil (CPO) production came from its local farmer partners. Astra Argo president Benny Subianto said yesterday smallholders who owned and cultivated 36,000 hectares of oil palm plantations under its extension service program contributed 35 to 40 percent of the company's total fresh fruit bunch production.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ex-policeman wins village head election
Ex-policeman wins village head election BOGOR (JP): A police first sergeant who resigned from the force to become a candidate for village chief in Bubulak, West Bogor, has won the election by defeating three other contestants. In Monday's poll, Ade Wahyudin, 41, collected 1,763 votes, or 38 percent of the 4,609 votes, Bogor municipality spokesman Hari Harsono told reporters Wednesday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition at Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Aug. 10. * Arts Exhibition by I Made Wianta and Andreas Straub, at the Regent Jakarta, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta (Phone: 2523456), until July 31. * Painting Exhibition: Kriyono's Cynorure by Kriyono, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), 10 a.m.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pressure mounts on palm oil prices
Pressure mounts on palm oil prices LONDON (Reuters): Vegetable oil prices face increasing pressure from higher than expected production and low demand, European traders said yesterday. Crude palm oil was finding few buyers because European consumers stocked up on RBD palm oil from Malaysia during the Indonesian export ban at the beginning of the year.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
400 Rancamaya farmers query land certificates
400 Rancamaya farmers query land certificates BOGOR (JP): About 400 Rancamaya farmers have urged the local administration to reexamine 100 land certificates used by PT Suryamas Duta Makmur to take over 257 hectares of land and develop a luxurious housing complex and golf course here.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
City-owned hospital sound despite crisis
City-owned hospital sound despite crisis JAKARTA (JP): The four city-owned hospitals are still economically sound despite the prolonged economic crisis, which has severely hit almost all sectors of the economy, an official has claimed. The head of the service and expertise unit of the City Health Office, A.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
25 firms face delisting
25 firms face delisting JAKARTA (JP): At least 25 companies listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange face being delisted due to their worsening financial performance.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Early warning system needed
Early warning system needed KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): APEC should set up an early warning system for its economies to avoid sudden shocks like those that have torn through Asia over the last year, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday. Downer, on a three-day visit to Malaysia, said the 18-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum could do more to address the Asian economic crisis.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toyota Motor stresses commitment to SE Asia
Toyota Motor stresses commitment to SE Asia TOKYO (Dow Jones): Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's biggest automaker, considers Southeast Asia's slump over the past year as mostly cyclical and has no plans to shut factories in the region, said top officials in a recent interview. In fact, it is significantly lifting the number of parts sourced by its Japanese factories from the Southeast Asian operations, and will shift some product lines into the region and out of Japan.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt role in election must be reduced: Researchers
Govt role in election must be reduced: Researchers JAKARTA (JP): Leading political researchers say a limited government role is a prerequisite to a fair and honest general election, itself vital to putting the country back on its feet. Led by Mochtar Pabottingi and Indria Samego, a team of political scientists from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) underlined the social, economic and political rut left behind by former president Soeharto's regime.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stocks take tumble but rupiah holds its ground
Stocks take tumble but rupiah holds its ground JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah maintained strength yesterday, staying at 14,200 against the U.S. dollar, while stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) dropped 2 percent on continuing profit taking and security concerns. Currency dealers said the rupiah rebounded slightly in late trading with the focus on Indonesia's donors meeting in Paris next week.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Debt settlement scheme to start soon
Debt settlement scheme to start soon JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank, plans to launch the Indonesian Debt Restructuring Agency (INDRA) on Aug. 3 to help restructure corporate debt and lend support to the beleaguered rupiah. BI director Dono Iskandar said INDRA would target 2,000 indebted local companies which together owe US$64 billion to foreign creditors.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
NU chairman launches new political party
NU chairman launches new political party JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization, sounded a rallying call yesterday for the newly founded People's Awakening Party (PKB), declaring it was an open organization without ethnic or religious prejudice. Although the party is not officially affiliated to NU, its formation signifies the return of senior NU members to formal politics under a united institution.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Garment workers stage protest
Garment workers stage protest JAKARTA (JP): Workers of garment manufacturer PT Tongkyung Makmur Abadi in Cilincing, North Jakarta, campaigned yesterday against their firm's decision to ban them from setting up a branch of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI). Thirty of their representatives lodged a protest with the National Commission on Human Rights.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
APRIL's unit misses payment
APRIL's unit misses payment SINGAPORE (Reuters): A unit of Indonesia's Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd (APRIL) has been declared in default, a statement from Aperchance Company Ltd said yesterday. Aperchance, a unit of ABN Amro Trust, said it was declaring a default against PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP), a subsidiary of APRIL, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It said RAPP failed to honor commercial papers due July 16, 1998, totaling US$5 million.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Greenspan sees no sign of recovery in Asia yet
Greenspan sees no sign of recovery in Asia yet WASHINGTON (Reuters): Pessimism is feeding on pessimism in Asia's deepening financial crisis and there is no sign yet of a recovery, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Wednesday. Greenspan, using strong language in testimony to the House of Representatives Banking Committee, said it was hard to predict when Asia's troubled economies would start to improve.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Teater Koma
Teater Koma Correction: Teater Koma is scheduled to perform Opera Sembelit (Constipated Opera) at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (The Jakarta Playhouse) for two weeks beginning July 25, not July 23, as printed on this page in yesterday's paper. We apologize for any inconvenience. -- The Editor
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to raid firms exploiting child workers
Govt to raid firms exploiting child workers JAKARTA (JP): The government will crack down on companies, including those in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, which exploit child workers, Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said yesterday. "We will impose stiff sanctions, as stipulated under the new labor law, on employers found guilty of labor exploitation," Fahmi said in a meeting with about 200 child workers from Greater Jakarta here yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Fix the rupiah
Fix the rupiah There has been so much talk about the effects of the crisis that it seems to me everyone is forgetting the reason. The most important comment made by Steve Hanke, as he tried his best to help, was "It's the rupiah, stupid." The solution is simple and it involves exchange controls, tax amnesty and strict legal penalties for transgressors: a. President Habibie and coordinating ministers Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Hartarto announce -- at 7 p.m.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rice shortage may reach 10 million tons: Scientist
Rice shortage may reach 10 million tons: Scientist JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may suffer a rice shortage of up to 10 million metric tons this year, or more than three times that predicted by the government, a scientist has said. "It's horrifying," agricultural climatologist Rizaldi Boer of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture said in a discussion at The Jakarta Post yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timah puts feelers out on buying KPC shares
Timah puts feelers out on buying KPC shares JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state tin company PT Timah has shown interest in acquiring a stake in the country's largest coal mining company, PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), a senior mining official said yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
10 notorious freight robbers apprehended
10 notorious freight robbers apprehended JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives have nabbed 10 members of the two most wanted freight robbery gangs during separate raids this week, city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Corruption puts an end to new schools
Corruption puts an end to new schools BANDUNG, West Java: Japan's Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) has decided to stop financial assistance it was providing to the West Java office of the education and culture ministry because the funds have been misused, Antara reported yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Cartoon: Warner Kartun 3:05 Student's Program: Bermain Musik 3:30 Village Program 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Performance: Cakrawala Budaya 5:00 Educational Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:25 Documentary Film: Anak Seribu Pulau 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports News 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Culture Program: Sapuh Leger 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Culture Program: Sapuh Leger (contd.)...
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
PLN 'mistakes' ring up record loss of Rp 14.7t
PLN 'mistakes' ring up record loss of Rp 14.7t JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT PLN is set for a record loss of Rp 14.7 trillion (US$1.05 billion) this year due to mistakes made by its current board of directors, State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng said yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Timely interference
Timely interference Old habits die hard in countries where conservatism is entrenched, but recent events promise to push the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), toward a more interventionist approach to members' domestic affairs. The past months have made the long-held noninterference tenet something of a nonstarter. Delegates to the ministerial meeting in the Philippines this week will find it hard to avoid that conclusion.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt yet to approve lottery concept
Govt yet to approve lottery concept JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Social Services has yet to approve a proposal to revive a lottery to raise funds for sports development in the country, an official said yesterday. Ministry Secretary-General Syafei Anjasmaya told reporters that the plan would first be scrutinized by a team to be set up by minister Justika Baharsjah as soon as possible. "There has been no approval from us.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN ministers turn eyes to recession-wracked Japan
ASEAN ministers turn eyes to recession-wracked Japan MANILA (DPA): Southeast Asian foreign ministers bludgeoned by economic havoc are looking to recession-gripped Japan to reinvigorate their economies and help cash-strapped governments. On the eve of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting, diplomats viewed developments in the world's second largest economy as key to determining whether the region's crisis deepens.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia eases foreign equity curbs
Malaysia eases foreign equity curbs KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia said yesterday it will ease curbs on foreign stakes in several key sectors, including manufacturing, to woo foreign investment needed to rescue the troubled economy. A government agency with the job of finding how to kick-start economic recovery, proposed that foreign companies investing in non-strategic manufacturing sectors be exempted from the existing 30 per cent equity limit from Thursday until December 31, 1999.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
New bankruptcy law will help restore confidence: Experts
New bankruptcy law will help restore confidence: Experts JAKARTA (JP): The new bankruptcy law scheduled to come into effect next month will be a significant step toward restoring investor confidence in Indonesia, a business consultant has said. Cliff Sanderson, a principal in the corporate recovery and insolvency practice of Ernst & Young Australia, said yesterday that the new law might restore lenders and investors' trust in the country's legal system.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Air Force officer held for abusing houseboy
Air Force officer held for abusing houseboy JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Police have detained an Air Force first lieutenant for allegedly abusing his male housekeeper, an official said yesterday. Deputy Commander of the Jakarta Military Police Lt. Col. Darmadi said First Lt. Setiabudi, who works at the Air Force Headquarters, was picked up at his residence in Duren Sawit Baru housing complex, East Jakarta, on Wednesday evening.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tale of the hard working Indian-made 'bajaj'
Tale of the hard working Indian-made 'bajaj' By Alex Abraham JAKARTA (JP): It looks like an unsuccessful cross between a kitchen cupboard and a tricycle, sounds like stones rolling on a tin roof and smokes like a battalion of kretek (clove cigarettes) addicts. Yet, after years of yeoman service, this intrepid survivor of Jakarta's crowded arteries chugs on, defying time, technology, restrictions and sheer age.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie failing to win over the hearts of the people
Habibie failing to win over the hearts of the people JAKARTA (JP): A poll jointly conducted by the University of Indonesia and Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated shows that in the first three-months of his presidency, B.J. Habibie's policies have failed to win over the hearts of the people. Only 46.2 percent of the survey respondents found his policies "acceptable" while a mere 1.1 percent said they were "very acceptable".
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Suggestions for the govt
Suggestions for the govt From Sinar Pagi As I love this country, I think it is appropriate for me in this era of reform to give the following suggestions and input to the government and other interested parties: 1. The law in this republic must be enforced, with all parties obeying it. All law enforcement personnel must be proud of and satisfied with the trust and compensation given by the state.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt launches investigation into May riots
Govt launches investigation into May riots JAKARTA (JP): The government announced yesterday its much- awaited team to investigate the massive May riots in Jakarta and other cities which left 1,200 people killed, more than 160 women violated and led to the downfall of president Soeharto. The team includes representatives from the Armed Forces, government agencies, the National Commission on Human Rights and other non-governmental organizations.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
A house for Soeharto
A house for Soeharto Many people have reacted with astonishment upon hearing that the government was allocating Rp 26.6 billion for a house for former president Soeharto at Puri Jatiayu (Bali Pavilion), Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta. As we see it, the government is unwise to spend such an amount of money on a yet another house for the former president while tens of millions of citizens are suffering under the never-ending crisis.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Utut scores hat trick at Biel Masters c'ship
Utut scores hat trick at Biel Masters c'ship JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master Utut Adianto scored a hat trick in the Biel Masters chess championship in Switzerland on Wednesday with a win over International Master Dejan Antic of Yugoslavia. Despite playing black, Utut showed a flair that drew the praise of chess enthusiasts watching the tournament. Local media has dubbed Utut Mr. Iron Determination on account of his cool head.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
UN to send free contraceptives
UN to send free contraceptives JAKARTA: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is to send a US$3 million emergency consignment of contraceptives to Indonesia. "The assistance is one of UNFPA's emergency projects in response to the economic crisis," the UN Information Centre said in a press statement yesterday.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
House upset over foreign aid chunk of State Budget
House upset over foreign aid chunk of State Budget JAKARTA (JP): The four factions of the House of Representatives (DPR) approved yesterday the revised version of the 1998/1999 State Budget, but continued to query the unprecedented amount of foreign aid financing. They pointed to the 43 percent of foreign aid financing in the Rp 263.88 trillion budget.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
New MPR members sworn in today
New MPR members sworn in today JAKARTA (JP): Chief Justice Sarwata will today swear in 36 new members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), including those chosen to replace the seven relatives of former president Soeharto recently purged by Golkar.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Military to set up honorary council over abductions
Military to set up honorary council over abductions JAKARTA (JP): An honorary military council led by a four-star general will soon be assembled to further investigate a string of abductions of activists, which the Armed Forces alleges was committed by Army special force (Kopassus) members. Although little detail has been provided on members of the council or the scope of its investigation, it appears Army chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo will most likely be its head.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crisis impacts on education
Crisis impacts on education JAMBI: Thousands of children in the province are on the verge of dropping out of school because their parents can no longer afford to send them to school, an official has said. Soegito Soedarmo, an official in the local social affairs office here, said the sharp decline in many families' income had left them unable to send their children to school, despite the government's decision to waive school tuition fees.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 23, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 575 0 0 Alter Abadi 525 -25 39,500 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -25 15,000 Alumindo Perkasa 200 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 -25 368,500 Aneka Tambang 2,425 -325 34,645,000 Anwar Sierad 125 0 5,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
OPEC's basket price rises
OPEC's basket price rises LONDON (Reuters): The price of OPEC's basket of seven crudes rose to $12.32 on Wednesday from $12.22 on Tuesday, the OPEC news agency said quoting the OPEC Secretariat. The basket comprises Algeria's Saharan Blend, Indonesia's Minas, Nigeria's Bonny Light, Saudi Arabia's Arabian Light, Dubai of the UAE, Venezuela's Tia Juana and Mexico's Isthmus.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
What is lacking in Indonesian politics?
What is lacking in Indonesian politics? By Ignas Kleden JAKARTA (JP): The rising demand for political reform needs serious rethinking of the prevalent basic tendencies within Indonesian politics. This is required in order that the people and the government can avoid repeating past mistakes, simply because they are not aware of past wrongdoings stemming from such tendencies.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
General elections in era of reform
General elections in era of reform From Merdeka Mr Sutan Ali Asli's article in Merdeka of June 27, 1998, titled Why worry about multiparties?, clearly expresses his ideas. Since 1963 I have regularly read articles in the mass media about the institutional development of the Indonesian Armed Forces and therefore I hope that my interpretation of part of the above-mentioned article agrees with what the writer really means.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Women pray for end of violence
Women pray for end of violence JAKARTA (JP): More than 100 women of different faiths came together last night in a joint prayer to end years of violence in the country. Many Chinese-Indonesian women were among those who streamed into the Nyai Ageng Serang women's building in Kuningan, South Jakarta. Public figures including playwright Jajang C. Noer read their poems.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rice market quiet on RI deal
Rice market quiet on RI deal HANOI (Reuters): Vietnam's rice trade has been quiet this week on firm prices with much interest focused on how the government would price a deal to sell Indonesia 100,000 tonnes of rice, traders said yesterday. "The market is quiet and everyone is paying attention to deals with Indonesia and Iraq," said one international rice trader in southern Ho Chi Minh City.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Foreign investors reassured on mining contract security
Foreign investors reassured on mining contract security JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto reassured foreign investors yesterday that the government would honor existing mining, gas and gas contracts despite future changes in the country's regulations on the sector.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on July 23, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN held back by poor image problem: Official
ASEAN held back by poor image problem: Official MANILA (Agencies): The secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said yesterday that ASEAN had itself to blame for its poor image among its own people and warned this was hurting its effectiveness as a regional bloc. Rodolfo Severino of the Philippines urged the ASEAN foreign ministers' conference, which is due to open in Manila today, to deal with the image problem.
Fri, 24 Jul 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nonindigenous students
Nonindigenous students It seems unlucky to be nonindigenous Indonesians. We cannot forget their losses and suffering (physically and mentally) during the mid-May riots. There was article in Pos Kota, July 18, reporting that there is a limit on the number of nonindigenous students permitted to study in government higher learning institutions. In the report, the minister of education and culture said: "Structurally, the students hailing from the nonindigenous group are superior.