Archive: 14 September 1998
45 articles found
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Gripe PO box inundated in Aceh
Gripe PO box inundated in Aceh BANDA ACEH: The Prosecutor's Office in Aceh has received 90 complaints regarding corruption, collusion and nepotism from various areas in the province since opening PO Box 777 in June. "Of the 90 reports, 45 have been delivered to regencies to be settled and the rest are handled by a team of the Prosecutor's Office," said the head of the office B. Fachri Nasution.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pakistan to pay all debts
Pakistan to pay all debts ISLAMABAD (Reuters): Pakistan said on Sunday there was no chance of default on its US$30 billion debt because Moslem states had come to its rescue. "The prophets of doom and gloom ought to wake up now and recognize the upbeat note of the situation," a spokesman for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Muslim League said.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
SES not to blame for losses
SES not to blame for losses SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Investors who lost money in Singapore's over-the-counter, or Clob market amid the country's dispute with Malaysia shouldn't blame the Stock Exchange of Singapore, said Lim Choo Peng, the president of the exchange, the Straits Times reported Saturday. Singapore regulators thought they had an agreement on the transfer of Malaysian shares traded in Singapore back to Malaysia after the country unveiled capital controls and new investment rules.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Lee takes aim at Malaysia
Lee takes aim at Malaysia SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore's elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew, in memoirs published on Sunday, accused Malaysia of "bullying and intimidation" during the two countries' brief federation, and believed it could use the still contentious issue of water supplies to cow its southern neighbor. The comments by the former prime minister, who led Singapore through the two-year union which ended in 1965, were published as a first extract of memoirs by The Sunday Times.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
KDI yet to receive guidelines for cooking oil sale
KDI yet to receive guidelines for cooking oil sale JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Distribution Cooperative (KDI) said on Saturday that it had not received any guidance or instruction from the government, despite last week's decision to make it the official distributor of cooking oil in the country. KDI chairwoman Dewi Motik said that KDI, which groups 19 federations of cooperatives, was unable to begin the new job because it did not understand what it was supposed to do.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
PWI Jaya's team to defend 'Tajuk'
PWI Jaya's team to defend 'Tajuk' JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the government-backed Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI Jaya) has set up a team of legal advisors to defend the Tajuk fortnightly should the Jakarta Military Command file a lawsuit against the magazine. The move could be dubbed as an extraordinary maneuver, as the association had for many years been lacking in a show of support of the media, particularly when the latter was dealing with the authorities.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Why is eviction often problematic?
Why is eviction often problematic? By Hayati Sari Hasibuan This is the first of two articles on the issue of land clearance. JAKARTA (JP): There is a new land-related phenomenon in this reform era. Evicted people, whose lands were cleared to make way for development projects in the city and surrounding areas, have pledged to take back vast tracts of their land. The taking over of land by formerly evicted people is becoming a growing trend.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI's 3rd memorandum of economic and financial policies
RI's 3rd memorandum of economic and financial policies This is the full text of Indonesia's Third Supplementary Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies attached to the letter of intent to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus in Washington. The letter was signed by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita on Sept. 11 in Jakarta.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
PAN urges quick creation of new election policies
PAN urges quick creation of new election policies JAKARTA (JP): The National Mandate Party (PAN) demanded on Sunday that President B.J. Habibie's administration and the House of Representatives complete the country's new election rules as soon as possible. Any delay in producing the election's game rules, according to party chairman Amien Rais, would only cause further political uncertainty and destructive protests, and indicate that Habibie was "buying time" to consolidate power.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dialog vital among political groupings
Dialog vital among political groupings The burgeoning of political parties in this post-Soeharto era is just one of many indications of people's restlessness in coping with change. B.S. Mardiatmadja, a lecturer at Driyarkara School of Philosophy, strives to find the reason for this restlessness. JAKARTA (JP): There are many currents in our society: Some moving toward union and others toward fragmentation.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Belief in God the Almighty 3:30 TV Drama: Suka-Suka 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:30 Education Quiz: Tangkas Cermat 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports: Monitor Olah Raga 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 TV Drama Festival: Gelar Sinetron Pilihan FSI'98 9:00 World News 9:35 Sport News 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Series:...
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Four killed in road mishap
Four killed in road mishap SERANG, West Java: Four people died and dozens of others were seriously injured on Sunday when their bus collided head-on with another vehicle, and plunged into a ravine 10-meter deep on Jl. Raya Baros in Kebon Jati village, Banten regency. Antara said that the Asli Prima bus carrying 75 people, bound for Labuan from Jakarta, was speeding and trying to overtake another vehicle when a speeding Kijang van appeared from the opposite direction.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rector asks students to work not rally
Rector asks students to work not rally JAKARTA (JP): University of Indonesia (UI) rector Asman Boedisantoso on Saturday called on students to replace their street protests with social work programs to help hungry people. Speaking during a graduation ceremony for 4,871 postgraduate students at the university's Depok campus, Asman said that students could also help investigate allegations of corruption in the distribution of rice.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Negara sets maximum spread for money changers
Bank Negara sets maximum spread for money changers KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's central bank, Bank Negara, said on Sunday it had set the maximum spread money changers could charge at two percent for major currencies. "The maximum spread between buying and selling for major currencies i.e. U.S. dollar, Deutsche mark, Sterling pound, Japanese yen and Hong Kong dollar and Singapore dollar is two percent (plus or minus one percent from the middle rate)," Bank Negara said in a statement.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia has many wounds to bind
Indonesia has many wounds to bind For a number of years after its infamous American-sponsored overthrow of the democratically elected government, Chile's Pinochet regime would extend its sinister shadow across the world. The first weeks of September were its choice time, political opponents of all shades its quarry. A car bomb here, a gun attack there. It is 25 years since Pinochet took power with the active cooperation of the CIA and Henry Kissinger, then Richard Nixon's secretary of state.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Abolish free exchange system
Abolish free exchange system From Merdeka One-and-a-half years ago, apatriotic businesspeople -- most of them nonindigenous -- transferred more than US$100 billion in foreign exchange to Singapore. This apatriotic economic measure was possible because of Indonesia's free foreign exchange system.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt agrees to revamp new labor export body
Govt agrees to revamp new labor export body JAKARTA (JP): Following fierce criticism, the government has agreed to revamp the newly launched coordinating agency for labor export (BPTKI) and allow the private sector to play a role in labor exports.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
East Timor dialog ends with nod to diverse views
East Timor dialog ends with nod to diverse views DILI, East Timor (JP): A two-day meeting on reconciliation between East Timor's political figures ended late on Friday with a joint statement signed at the site of the dialog in Dare, West Dili. One of the 11 points in the communique signed at 9 p.m.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Paku Alam VII buried with military honors
Paku Alam VII buried with military honors YOGYAKARTA (JP): Both military and elaborate Javanese ceremonies marked the burial on Sunday of acting governor and traditional monarch Paku Alam VIII at the Astana Girigondo royal cemetery in Temon, Kulonprogo, some 43 kilometers west of here. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S. officiated over the military ceremony at Pakualaman Palace, while the chief of the regional military command, Maj. Gen.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Graphic Art Exhibition: Reflection of My Homeland, by Mansyur Mas'ud, at Galeri Kafe Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 16 to Oct. 4. * Painting Exhibition: by Five Indonesian Painters, Gallery Room, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto kav. 2-3, Central Jakarta (5268833), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept.16. * Painting Exhibition: by Seventeen Painters from Malang, East Java, Galeri Cipta II, Jl.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rotten system
Rotten system Although we have had B.J. Habibie's administration for a little over 100 days, since the fall of Soeharto in May, we still feel that the decades-old rotten system of the New Order remains. Many figures of Soeharto's Cabinet are found in the present government. Also, it is interesting to note some articles in the media discussing and criticizing the dual function of the Armed Forces (ABRI).
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Harassment stalks people working with rape victims
Harassment stalks people working with rape victims JAKARTA (JP): Volunteers working with victims of rape, especially from the May riots, say they are still facing terror targeted at them and their families. Sandyawan Sumardi and Karlina Leksono-Supelli of the Volunteers for Humanity revealed here on Thursday that targets have included gynecologists.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Teacher detained for abortions
Teacher detained for abortions UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: An elementary school teacher was detained by police on Friday following reports of involvement in abortions. Antara did not say whether the teacher, identified as Ma, was male or female. The Tamalate police post chief Capt. Mahendra Jaya said Saturday that Ma was detained for questioning regarding allegations the abortions were conducted in Ma's home with the help of a nurse beginning three years ago.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
LEMIGAS develops microbe to enhance oil recovery
LEMIGAS develops microbe to enhance oil recovery By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned Research and Development for Oil and Gas Technology (LEMIGAS) has been developing technology using microbes to enhance oil recovery in the country's oil fields. The agency recently reached a milestone in its venture by completing a five-year laboratory research which proves the use of microbes to enhance oil recovery.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Try terms Tanjung Priok incident an 'accident'
Try terms Tanjung Priok incident an 'accident' JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno said on Saturday the 1984 Tanjung Priok incident, in which troops opened fire on a mass demonstration at close range, was not a massacre but an unexpected accident. "There was never any slaughter. It was an accident that we never expected to happen," said the former vice president who was, at the time of the incident, the Jakarta military chief.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Undaunted Anwar soldiers on in telling his side of the story
Undaunted Anwar soldiers on in telling his side of the story KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Unfazed by warnings against public rallies, Malaysia's sacked deputy prime minister resumed his political roadshow on Sunday to tell his side of an alleged sex scandal. Anwar Ibrahim drove south to the state of Malacca on Sunday for an evening rally after drawing a massive crowd of more than 30,000 people the night before in northern Malaysia.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Pursuing a civil society amid multicultural forces
Pursuing a civil society amid multicultural forces By Mochtar Buchori KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Common sense has it that multiculturalism is a phenomenon which can be observed only in pluralistic societies. In Indonesia and Australia, for instance, multiculturalism can be readily seen and felt in everyday life. It is rare in homogeneous societies like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and, I guess, the Czech Republic, for people to talk about multiculturalism as a critical social problem.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI ends obligation to pick Golkar in polls
ABRI ends obligation to pick Golkar in polls JAKARTA (JP): Spouses and children of Armed Forces members are no longer obliged to vote for the ruling political organization Golkar and are free to choose whatever political party they want. The historical statement, issued on Saturday by the Armed Forces Veterans Association (Pepabri), may serve to break the tradition of ABRI support for Golkar which has existed since the first election held by the New Order government in 1971.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Perbanas urged to hold special congress soon
Perbanas urged to hold special congress soon JAKARTA (JP): Some members of the Federation of Private Domestic Banks (Perbanas) have urged the federation's executive board to hold a special congress to change the its leadership. Haga Bank's director, Timothy Marnandus, said on Saturday that it was very urgent to appoint a new chairman and secretary- general to fill the position left vacant following the resignation of Perbanas' chairman Subowo.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toba locals raise a stink over firm
Toba locals raise a stink over firm MEDAN, North Sumatra: The community around Lake Toba in Simalungun regency here has demanded the review of a business permit awarded to a fishing company because of the putrid odor from its activities. Tohap P. Simamora, who heads a group called the People's Initiative Body claiming to represent locals of the Purba district, said the firm's activities in farming nila fish in fishing stations (keramba apung) created a foul odor.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
On National reconciliation
On National reconciliation Mr. B.J. Habibie's government is becoming a government of nouns instead of verbs: a government comprised of teams and commissions and institutes instead of a government energized by deciding and executing and implementing. Investigations and initiatives are begun, then seem to be aborted or just quietly expire. (Whatever happened to the Jamsostek billions?). Regarding who is guilty of what, no one is ever the wiser, and few seem held accountable.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
A crucial moment for Habibie
A crucial moment for Habibie Twenty-one draft decrees are reported to be ready to be discussed during the forthcoming extraordinary session of the People's Consultative Assembly. The United Development Party faction is reported to have proposed a draft decree that would mandate President B.J. Habibie to investigate former president Soeharto concerning his policies while in office, his personal wealth and that of his family and the high-ranking officials of his New Order regime.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Book fair taps into the signs of the times
Book fair taps into the signs of the times By Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): With seemingly no end in sight to the economic crisis, the Indonesian Publishers Association (Ikapi) has daringly held its annual book fair offering discounts of up to 50 percent. Organized with the support of the Ford Foundation, the Indonesia Book Fair attracted hundreds of book lovers on its opening day at the Senayan sports hall in Central Jakarta on Saturday. It will be held until Sept. 20.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Student demos cast a shadow over JSX
Student demos cast a shadow over JSX JAKARTA (JP): Fears of escalating student demonstrations and reports of looting will continue to cast a shadow on the country's financial market this week. Securities analysts said on Friday that such fears would dampen positive sentiment arising from the latest letter of intent signed by the government and the International Monetary Funds.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bambang says family unfazed by legal maneuvers
Bambang says family unfazed by legal maneuvers JAKARTA (JP): The second son of former president Soeharto, Bambang Trihatmodjo, said on Saturday that he and his family would be ready to face legal prosecution in connection with the ongoing investigation into his family's wealth. "I do not feel that I've made mistakes.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soaring prices hit food stall business
Soaring prices hit food stall business TANGERANG (JP): Skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs due to the economic crisis are taking a chunk out of the business of food stall owners as customers closely watch their expenses. The fall in the number of diners, most of whom are bus or truck drivers and construction workers, is apparently caused by their inability to pay the higher prices. "My business is flat," said Darti, who operates a food stall on Jl. Daan Mogot.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Minister warns against possible major flooding
Minister warns against possible major flooding JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono has alerted Jakartans residing on the riversides of the Ciliwung River to take precautionary measures against the possibility of major floods, which he said were likely to hit the capital soon.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Many stock brokerage firms suffer losses
Many stock brokerage firms suffer losses JAKARTA (JP): Nearly half of the brokerage houses on the Jakarta Stock Exchange reported significant losses in the first half of this year as the crisis bit deeper into their dwindling fee-based earnings. Data from JSX management shows that of a total 174 securities houses in the local exchange, 75 posted substantial losses. The number of the losing brokerage houses increased significantly from 37 in the same period last year.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rorotan residents cry for clean water
Rorotan residents cry for clean water JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Rorotan subdistrict in Cilincing, North Jakarta, expressed concern to the city administration on Friday over chronic drinking water shortages. The residents said they had been forced to purchase water for years from local neighborhood community heads, who oversaw water tanks provided by the city-owned tap water company PDAM Jaya. The underground water in the area is salty and undrinkable.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
USFilter, Enerkon set new ventures
USFilter, Enerkon set new ventures JAKARTA (JP): USFilter of the United States will expand its water treatment business into Indonesia by October, a director of the company said on Saturday. USFilter's director for Southeast Asian affairs, Richard Jacob, said here that his company would tie up with PT Enerkon to work on several projects. "We're now working on this joint venture.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
17m families 'hit by dire food shortages'
17m families 'hit by dire food shortages' JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin, acknowledging that 17.1 million families are facing food shortages nationwide, said on Sunday the government was prescribing special measures for poverty-stricken areas vulnerable to social unrest. He said that in Central and East Java provinces 60 percent of 7.3 million poor families -- averaging four people to a household -- could afford only one meal a day.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
'Jamsostek program must stay a monopoly'
'Jamsostek program must stay a monopoly' JAKARTA (JP): The prospect of having a private company manage the country's social security program during the crisis has led to strong support of a continued state monopoly of the program. Representatives of workers and employers, a legislator and an insurance industry executive said in a discussion here on Saturday that they rejected the government's idea to privatize the program.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Official backs sweeping power for banking agency
Official backs sweeping power for banking agency JAKARTA (JP): A key government official has defended the new banking bill vesting the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) with controversial special powers, arguing they are imperative to salvage the chaotic banking sector. Director General of Financial Institution at the Ministry of Finance Susiati B.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's plea
Soeharto's plea As could have been expected, former president Soeharto's call to the government and the National Commission on Human Rights to protect him against slanderous and humiliating remarks made by members of the public proved to be counterproductive.
Mon, 14 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
IDB loans Indonesia $700m
IDB loans Indonesia $700m RIYADH (AFP): The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has extended Indonesia a loan of US$700 million to ease its financial crisis, the IDB announced Sunday. The Saudi-based bank said $500 million was earmarked for imports of food and medicine, and another $100 million each for development projects and to support the stock market. The 52-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) founded the bank in 1975.