Archive: 31 August 1998
44 articles found
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
CA's loans restructured
CA's loans restructured TOKYO (Nikkei): Japanese banks have agreed to reschedule US$180 million of loans to Indonesian petrochemcial venture PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Saturday morning edition. The Export-Import Bank of Japan, Fuji Bank and Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi agreed with Japan Indonesia Petrochemical Investment Corp, an investment firm set up by Marubeni and others, to suspend debt repayments until August 2001.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Workers find jobs in West Malaysia
Workers find jobs in West Malaysia MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Labor export company PT Indosima Mahkota Indah has received an order from West Malaysia for at least 4,000 Indonesian workers from West Nusa Tenggara province. "Since June, we have already sent 2,000 workers to West Malaysia," head of the company's office here, I Putu Ersan Sugiartha, said yesterday.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two men questioned over burning of Ciawi nightspot
Two men questioned over burning of Ciawi nightspot BOGOR (JP): Police were still questioning two men over the weekend who are believed to have incited hundreds of people to burn three entertainment spots in the popular Ciawi mountainous resort area here last Thursday. Bogor regional police chief Col.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Graft probe of Balongan project nearing completion
Graft probe of Balongan project nearing completion JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto has said officials looking into alleged graft in the development of the US$2.45 billion Balongan refinery in West Java would wind up their investigation by October.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Police search for missing students
Police search for missing students MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Lombok Barat Police continued their search yesterday for two students who have not been seen since they began a trek up Mount Rinjani three weeks ago. Police chief Lt. Col. Junaidhy Thiansyah said the two Padjadjaran University students from Bandung, West Java, had not contacted their parents and friends since Aug. 9.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students debate danger of AIDS
Students debate danger of AIDS JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian AIDS Foundation held an AIDS discussion with senior high school students at Taman Ria Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday with the aim of disseminating information about the deadly disease. Mira Fajar Aviatri, coordinator of the discussion, said the discussion was also intended to make students between the ages of 15 and 20 more aware about AIDS.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
KL gears up to host its biggest ever sporting bash
KL gears up to host its biggest ever sporting bash By Gwen Benjamin KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): With less than two weeks to go, Kuala Lumpur is frenziedly sprucing itself up to play host to Malaysia's biggest-ever sporting bash -- the 16th Commonwealth Games. Potholes are being paved over, palm trees are springing up along highways, grimy buildings have been painted and clogged drains are being cleaned out.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Greater political role for women a must
Greater political role for women a must By Chusnul Mar'iyah JAKARTA: Economic development has contributed to the change of the sex role stereotype, with women no longer confined to the home. However, the power relationship, which can be described as patriarchy, still operates very strongly in an organized and structured way to the disadvantage of women.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Crisis blamed for prickly relations
Crisis blamed for prickly relations SINGAPORE (AP): Although Southeast Asian nations need each other most during bad times, shrinking resources make relations more difficult, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a weekend speech. "We have always warned Singaporeans not to take the good life for granted and not to assume that our high economic growth will go on forever," Goh said at a rally last Saturday night, ending the country's two weeks of National Day celebrations.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Astra Agro's profits rise
Astra Agro's profits rise JAKARTA (JP): PT Astra Agro Lestari said yesterday it booked a net profit of Rp 55.7 billion (US$5.06 million) during the first half of this year, an improvement on the Rp 36.1 billion recorded over the same period last year. Astra Agro, a publicly listed plantation firm under the Astra Group, attributed the increase in profit to a rise in its sales. Sales rose 52.1 percent to Rp 332.9 billion from Rp 218.9 billion.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two brawls rock S. Jakarta slums, one man injured
Two brawls rock S. Jakarta slums, one man injured JAKARTA (JP): Two separate brawls rocked Bukit Duri and Manggarai, both in South Jakarta, over the weekend, leaving one man injured and seven buildings vandalized, police said. South Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Satrya Hari Prasetya told The Jakarta Post that the first fight took place in Bukit Duri, at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Chain collision on toll road
Chain collision on toll road JAKARTA (JP): A chain collision involving eight vehicles occurred on the Cawang-Grogol toll road in front of the Ministry of Manpower on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, at noon yesterday. No fatalities were reported in the incident and those involved in the accident escaped without a scratch.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
394 combat troops pull out of Timika
394 combat troops pull out of Timika TIMIKA, Irian Jaya: The Irian Jaya military command pulled out on Saturday a total of 394 combat troops posted here, Antara reported. Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said the reduction in the number of troops assigned to the area was part of the Armed Forces (ABRI) new territorial operations.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Entrepreneurs want levies on roadside traders abolished
Entrepreneurs want levies on roadside traders abolished JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Small and Medium- Sized Entrepreneurs (KUKMI) has demanded that the Jakarta administration stop collecting levies from sidewalk vendors in the capital unless they want to see the outbreak of more riots like those that rocked the city in May.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Riots fact-finding team to query BIA chief
Riots fact-finding team to query BIA chief JAKARTA (JP): The government fact-finding team on the May riots plans to question Armed Forces Intelligence Agency (BIA) chief Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim early this week. "We need to meet him to learn about the intelligence coordination during the riots," team member Bambang W. Soeharto told The Jakarta Post Saturday.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Improving rice distribution
Improving rice distribution The government may risk taking a misguided measure if it considers the current steep rice prices simply a result of supply-demand disequilibrium.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Activists call for excavation of all suspected mass graves
Activists call for excavation of all suspected mass graves JAKARTA (JP): Activists, responding to Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto's skepticism over figures for victims of alleged military atrocities in Aceh, are urging the excavation of all suspected mass grave sites to put lingering doubts to rest.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt earmarks up to Rp 160b for scholarship scheme
Govt earmarks up to Rp 160b for scholarship scheme YOGYAKARTA (JP): To stop financially strapped university students from dropping out, the government has earmarked up to Rp 160 billion for scholarships, a senior education ministry official said Saturday. Director General of Higher Education Bambang Soehendro said President B.J. Habibie was slated to launch the scholarship fund on Thursday in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
The weak worst hit by crisis
The weak worst hit by crisis By Solita Sarwono WASSENAR, the Netherlands (JP): The economic crisis hitting Indonesia in the past year has affected different aspects of people's lives -- income, jobs, education, health, housing and security -- with the poor and low-income groups suffering the most. Immediate effects can be seen in the drastic shortage of food supplies, as well as increases in unemployment, crime rates and the number of children forced to leave school.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
May riots bring riches to military officers
May riots bring riches to military officers JAKARTA (JP): In one man's misery lies another's good fortune sums up the windfall for military members following the May riots. In the climate of fear still prevailing in the city, many soldiers were paid handsomely for a few days' work of guarding a private home. In calmer times, the guarding of a residential area was entrusted to the civilian security unit personnel, or satpam, usually positioned at the entrance or exit of the area.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Banjarmasin braces for flood
Banjarmasin braces for flood BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Provincial natural disaster coordinating units here are bracing for floods which are predicted to come soon as the La Nia wet weather phenomenon settles in next month. Head of the provincial natural disaster coordinating unit (Satkorlak PB) Bachtiar Murad said Saturday the province had prepared over 10,000 sandbags to anticipate the breaching of several dams in the area.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rumors cause pillaging
Rumors cause pillaging SURABAYA, East Java: East Java Governor Imam Utomo Suparno said here yesterday that attacks on rice mills and stores which broke out in several areas in the province were caused by false reports spread by irresponsible parties about free rice distribution.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
ASTON Int'l sees chance to expand in Indonesia
ASTON Int'l sees chance to expand in Indonesia By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): The Honolulu-based ASTON International hotel chain, a newcomer to Indonesia, sees wide opportunities to expand its operations in the country despite the current downturn in tourism. The company's president and chief executive officer, Charles E. Brookfield, said the crisis had made Indonesia a more attractive place to expand into.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Nine arrested for stealing rice from state warehouse
Nine arrested for stealing rice from state warehouse JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested nine men for allegedly robbing a rice warehouse of Jakarta's State Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya) on Jl. Raya Pegangsaan in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, an official said over the weekend. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the nine suspects were believed to have broken into the warehouse and made away with some 130 30-kilogram sacks of rice on Aug. 18.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
RP to use ASEAN currencies
RP to use ASEAN currencies MANILA (AFP): A Philippine government agency is looking into measures to encourage the use of ASEAN currencies in intra- regional trade to save dollars in the worsening financial crisis, the presidential palace said Saturday. A palace statement said the Economic Mobilization Group, a special body headed by President Joseph Estrada's chief aide, executive secretary Ronaldo Zamora, was seeking a report on developments towards use of intra-ASEAN currencies.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Activist to sue Prabowo over abduction incidents
Activist to sue Prabowo over abduction incidents JAKARTA (JP): Now that he is a civilian, former Army Special Force (Kopassus) chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto may have to stand trial in a civilian court after one of the freed abducted victims revealed plans to sue him. Student activist Pius Lustrilanang is planning to sue Prabowo for his alleged involvement in the abduction and torture of activists.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
NTA opens acrylic plant
NTA opens acrylic plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Nisshoku Tripolyta Acrylindo (NTA) has announced a successful start to its operation to manufacture acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters, the first venture of its kind in Southeast Asia. Acrylic acid is a basic raw material used in the manufacture of a number of consumer products, while acrylic acid esters are used to produce paints, adhesives, textiles, and paper treatment products.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Wardiman to be envoy to Japan: Source
Wardiman to be envoy to Japan: Source JAKARTA (JP): Japan has given its green light to the appointment of former education minister Wardiman Djojonegoro as ambassador to the country, a reliable source said over the weekend. "The Japanese government has officially informed your government of our approval," a Japanese source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Jakarta Post Saturday. Wardiman, a minister from 1993 until March this year, is an old friend of President B.J. Habibie.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
UI graduates weigh uncertain future amid crisis
UI graduates weigh uncertain future amid crisis JAKARTA (JP): Concern about the country's teetering economy, which has suddenly swelled the ranks of jobless and made the few available job positions highly coveted, is shadowing the dreams of thousands of fresh university graduates this year. But some graduates still put on a brave face about their futures.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Astra performance hit by rupiah's collapse
Astra performance hit by rupiah's collapse JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's largest carmaker, publicly listed PT Astra International, took a very hard beating in the first semester on account of the rupiah's steep fall virtually killing off the automotive market, despite the robust growth of its agribusiness and export operations.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tradition takes pride of place in devoutly Islamic Aceh
Tradition takes pride of place in devoutly Islamic Aceh Text and photos by Arief Suhardiman BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Perched on the westernmost tip of Sumatra, Aceh is proud of its Islamic traditions. With a population of 3.5 million, the province is one of the country's most sparsely peopled areas. But the ancient territory, which enjoyed its cultural heyday in the 16th century under Sultan Iskandar Muda, retains the legacies of its past as its main attraction.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Third Malaysian central bank executive leaves
Third Malaysian central bank executive leaves KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A third senior executive is to leave Malaysia's central bank and a fourth is under pressure to follow after the resignations of the bank's governor Ahmad Mohamad Don and his deputy, officials said Saturday. Bank Negara Malaysia advisor Wan Norhiyati Wan Ibrahim denied she was resigning but said she would nevertheless be leaving when her contract expires on Monday, a public holiday in Malaysia.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Megawati told to continue political struggle
Megawati told to continue political struggle JAKARTA (JP): Political observers urged Megawati Soekarnoputri over the weekend to continue her struggle for recognition as leader of the Indonesia Democratic Party (PDI) despite the government's immediate acknowledgment of Budi Hardjono as the official PDI chief.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man shot dead during bar brawl
Man shot dead during bar brawl JAKARTA (JP): A man was fatally shot by a police officer, who was beaten up when he tried to disperse an angry crowd at Bar MW on Jl. Tubagus Angke, West Jakarta, early Saturday morning, Jakarta Military Police Commander Col. Hendardji said. He said on Saturday that Yudi, alias Rasiding, 31, believed to be a customer at the bar, was shot in the chest. He was rushed to Atmajaya Hospital in Pluit, North Jakarta, but was announced dead on arrival.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Expert urges abolishment of export taxes to boots revenue
Expert urges abolishment of export taxes to boots revenue JAKARTA (JP): Eliminating the export tax is the only way to boost foreign exchange revenue from exports and allow businesses to optimally benefit from the sharp depreciation of the rupiah, an economist believes.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Cilacap people remain on edge
Cilacap people remain on edge CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Residents braced for another series of unrest last night in the usually quiet coastal town of Cilacap, despite the presence of military troops. At 9 p.m. last night mobs were seen stoning several shops, but security forces quickly chased them away. Residents were preparing for the worst after nervous calm had been restored during the day.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
On visa
On visa At the beginning of this year I visited Indonesia for the first time and stayed in Bali for two months. I liked the people and the country, and I am both an art lover and collector. I am going to spend most of the year in Bali in the future. I bought some nice pieces of old furniture, an English- Indonesian dictionary. I went back to my country and applied for a six-month visa.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Local market set to follow regional bearish trend
Local market set to follow regional bearish trend JAKARTA (JP): Prices on the local stock market are expected to sink further this week in line with the trend in the region's markets, analysts and brokers said. They said that forecasts of global recession as result of problems in the Russian economy would continue to hammer Asian financial markets. "As a result, our small stock market is likely to fall even further," head of research at Vickers Ballas Tamara, Noraya Soewarno, said.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Trisakti students vow to meet with Wiranto
Trisakti students vow to meet with Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): A gathering of 5,000 Trisakti University students, called "Sense of Unity", issued a statement yesterday demanding that the government thoroughly investigate the fatal shooting of four of their colleagues in May.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Independence
Independence Like the late Martin Luther King Jr, I have a dream, that I shall no longer see beggars on the streets of Jakarta, at least not on independence day. However, each year, this has become a pipe dream. African nationalist leader Nelson Mandela has called his testimony of his people's independence struggle "The long road to freedom". We have found out now that the road to prosperity or just material well-being, after gaining independence, is longer and more treacherous.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
A global crisis in the making?
A global crisis in the making? Day by day, the number of countries affected by the economic crisis keeps increasing. Starting in Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia, the crisis has since ensnared Japan, Hong Kong and now Russia. Fear of the contagion has already spread to India, the United States and Europe. In brief, the world is moving toward a global recession. One after another, countries are sliding into crisis.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Analysts want govt to ease rice control
Analysts want govt to ease rice control JAKARTA (JP): The skyrocketing prices of rice in the past two months should be enough justification for the government to end the State Logistics Agency's (Bulog) active role in rice trading, experts say. They also called on the government to end its policy of keeping the prices of rice low through subsidies as it discouraged production and spurred on consumption at the expense of food diversification.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
President's apology
President's apology President Habibie's state address had a religious content. Different from Indonesia's two former presidents, he readily admitted human rights violations in the country and humbly offered his apologies to the Indonesian people in general, and the families of the victims in particular. He has instructed the commander of the Armed Forces to investigate the matter.
Mon, 31 Aug 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Ceramics, Sculptures, Accessories Exhibition: Noon at Majapahit-High Tea, by Harry Darsono Couture, The Dharmawangsa, Jl. Brawijaya Raya 26, South Jakarta (Phone: 7258181), 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 3. * Photo Exhibition: Bajajizam by Kwendeche, at Mitra Hadiprana, Jl. Kemang Raya 30, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194715, 7198547), 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 6. * Painting Exhibition by Naturalist Sambodja and his 20 students at Balai Budaya, Jl.