Archive: 3 September 1998
48 articles found
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian media should help empower civil society
Indonesian media should help empower civil society By Djafar H. Assegaff JAKARTA (JP); The Indonesian mass media is in the throes of a press freedom honeymoon. It is an understandable condition after 30 years of the suppression of that freedom and the curtailment of people's civil rights. A similar press freedom euphoria came about shortly after president Sukarno's downfall in the mid 1960s and the advent of the New Order. At the time, the regained press freedom lasted only briefly.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
PT Servcorp clarifies
PT Servcorp clarifies I am writing in response to a letter titled Ex-employees seeking justice published on Sept. 2, 1998 regarding PT Servcorp Indonesia. There are a number of issues that require clarification. They are: PT. Servcorp Indonesia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dharmala Group, a local company, which operates as a franchise in Indonesia. The company is not an Australian-owned operation as quoted in the letter.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Thieves resort to looting rice straight from fields
Thieves resort to looting rice straight from fields JAKARTA (JP): Grim reports are continuing to pour in from across the country about the toll from the economic crisis, including food shortages, looting and theft. In Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara -- which for years ranked among the country's most important rice suppliers -- a mob reportedly intercepted trucks transporting the staple and plundered them.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibitions, by Mohammed and Joni, in Artissimo Gallery, Novotel Benoa Bali, Tanjung Benoa (Phone: 0361 772239), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept. 15. * Painting Exhibitions, in Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran (Phone: 0361 701010): Images of Meditating Figures, by Jerry T, until Sept. 17. * Painting Exhibition: Cakrawala Seni, Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud (Phone: 0361-975136), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Sept. 8.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Market renovation protested
Market renovation protested BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: A crowd of people claiming to represent traders of Pangeran Antasari shopping center here marched to city hall on Wednesday to protest plans to renovate the market. The protesters, marching peacefully and carrying banners, walked about two kilometers from the market to the municipality office. Upon arriving, the crowd placed their banners around the grounds and waited for Mayor Sadjoko to meet with them, Antara reported.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man stabbed in attempted robbery
Man stabbed in attempted robbery JAKARTA (JP): A resident of Jl. Merak, Balaraja in Tangerang was severely injured late Tuesday night when a group of three unidentified men tried to rob his motorcycle. The victim, Ahmad Fauzi, 23, was heading for Kampung Ceriyu in Balaraja with his girlfriend when three men, who were also riding motorcycles, forced him to stop, Antara reported.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Habibie to attend National Sports Day
Habibie to attend National Sports Day JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie is scheduled to attend the National Sports Day celebration to be held at the November 10 Stadium in Surabaya on Sept. 9. His wife Ainun Habibie and a number of cabinet ministers will accompany the President to the event. During his visit to Surabaya, Habibie will inspect the city's ongoing preparations for the 15th National Games (PON), to be held in 2000.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Qualcomm system certified
Qualcomm system certified JAKARTA (JP): Qualcomm Incorporated, pioneer and developer of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, announced Wednesday it had been awarded with type approval and quality certification for its IS-95 CDMA system in Indonesia.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 2, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 200 -25 12,500 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 225 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 25 15,500 Aneka Tambang 1,400 25 26,776,000 Anwar Sierad 75 25 59,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah, stocks gain over regional strength
Rupiah, stocks gain over regional strength JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's financial markets gained ground on Wednesday as they tracked the rise of regional markets, currency dealers and stockbrokers said. They said the rupiah continued to sustain gains in moderate dealing against the U.S. dollar and stock prices rose 1.1 percent, Currency dealers said the rupiah, which opened at 10,900/11,000 against the dollar, traded above the 11,000 level for the whole trading day and closed at 10,800/10,900.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
DHL starts same-day service to Malaysia
DHL starts same-day service to Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (JP): International air express company DHL Worldwide Express has opened a new service aimed at facilitating growing business ties between the Malaysian capital and Jakarta. Under its Same Day Service launched in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and in Jakarta on Wednesday, documents collected in the Indonesian capital will receive same-day delivery to the Kuala Lumpur.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Health ministry gets funds to give the needy health care
Health ministry gets funds to give the needy health care JAKARTA (JP): The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) will provide Rp 1.05 trillion to the Ministry of Health to improve health care to the needy during the crisis. "The additional fund aims to assist health services for the poor," ministry secretary-general E. Sutarto said on Wednesday.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Music 2:35 Children's Film: Thundercats 3:05 Environment Program: Mengenal Linkungan 3:30 Science World 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 TV Series: The Man from Uncle 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Documentary: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Comedy: Buah Pikiran 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Comedy: Buah Pikiran (contd.) 8:20 Koran Recital 8:30 Religious...
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI personnel reployed to guard rice distribution
ABRI personnel reployed to guard rice distribution JAKARTA (JP): The city has started deploying soldiers and police officers to oversee rice distribution throughout Jakarta to ensure that the staple food reaches targeted city residents. Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that Armed Forces (ABRI) personnel were being stationed at locations where market operations, aimed at stabilizing rice prices, were being held.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI education system needs a revolution
RI education system needs a revolution By Nirwan Idrus This is the second of two articles on Indonesian education. JAKARTA (JP): Proof that the government is moving to improve the quality of the country's higher education institutions to a level more on par with the world's best schools can be seen in its adoption of three projects: the Development in Undergraduate Education (DUE) Project, the Quality for Undergraduate Education Project and the Engineering Education Development Project (EEDP).
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI not involved in May riots, says BIA chief
ABRI not involved in May riots, says BIA chief JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Intelligence Agency (BIA) chief Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim said on Wednesday that the Armed Forces (ABRI) was not involved in the May riots which left 1,200 people dead and led to the downfall of veteran ruler Soeharto. A member of the fact-finding team set up by the government, Bambang W. Soeharto, quoted Zacky as saying that he nevertheless admitted there were a number of agitators behind the deadly unrest.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI postpones withdrawal of troops from troubled Aceh
ABRI postpones withdrawal of troops from troubled Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI), which recently pulled out 900 troops from Aceh, is canceling further withdrawals and even reportedly sending 200 new troops to restore order in the province following two days of unrest. Minister of Defense and Security/ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto announced the decision on Wednesday. He said: "It is the responsibility of ABRI to maintain security...
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bank Exim clarifies
Bank Exim clarifies Referring to a Reuters news report published by The Jakarta Post, June 25, 1998, titled RI govt and Central Bank sued for $58.59 billion, we, Bank Exim, would like to clarify as follows: 1. Bank Exim never had any agreement to act as a conduit and has never issued any letters of confirmation or received any funds regarding the so-called "Gustaff D. Parengkuan/The Group of BA Ltd's transaction." 2. So, we state that any such allegations are false and have no basis whatsoever.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Two jailed for aiding doctors in illegal abortions
Two jailed for aiding doctors in illegal abortions JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced a clinic owner and a midwife on Wednesday to 20 months and 12 months in prison respectively for assisting two doctors in performing 15 to 25 illegal abortions a day. Presiding judge Agus A.G.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
23 die of dengue in N. Sulawesi
23 die of dengue in N. Sulawesi MANADO, North Sulawesi: Twenty-three people have died of dengue fever in North Sulawesi from January to August this year. Most of the patients were from Manado, according to H. Sompotan, an official of the local health agency. Sompotan, who is the head of the office for the prevention of contagious diseases, said January had seen the highest number of patients, with seven fatalities out of 208 patients.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bankers released from detention
Bankers released from detention JAKARTA (JP): Police have released three executives of three newly suspended banks and another from a bank liquidated last year on their own recognizance, an officer said on Wednesday. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - The Tavern Pub: Cosindos Band, Monday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., X-Men Band, Sunday, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 12 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. * Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Economic freedom for provinces 'indispensable'
Economic freedom for provinces 'indispensable' JAKARTA (JP): The government must provide provincial administrations with real economic autonomy to prevent the country from disintegrating, according to the Institute for Development, Economics and Finance (Indef).
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
New Order duties overburdened ABRI: Bambang
New Order duties overburdened ABRI: Bambang JAKARTA (JP): As the debate rages over the scope of the Armed Forces (ABRI) role in the reform era, a senior ABRI officer has admitted the military was overburdened during the New Order regime of former president Soeharto. Addressing foreign and local executives and diplomats at a luncheon of the Indonesian Executives Club Wednesday, ABRI Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
The unrest in Aceh
The unrest in Aceh The military presence in Aceh during the time it was declared a military operations zone has left a psychological climate of hostility between the people and the military. Both sides have left signs of hostility that cannot be easily removed through acts of symbolism. This explains why the troops leaving the region on Monday were seen off with a hail of stones. The rioting and looting sparked by Monday's incident continued on Tuesday and spread to other areas.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
People told to intensify monitoring of political bills
People told to intensify monitoring of political bills JAKARTA (JP): Indonesianist Adam Schwarz urged the country's reform forces to maintain their pressure to ensure that the upcoming deliberations on crucial political bills produce laws which are neutral and objective. While questioning the "legitimate right" of the existing political system, the American political analyst said the country should work with whatever tools it had at its disposal and squeeze the best possible result from them.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Only Rp 5b of riot victims' insurance claims so far
Only Rp 5b of riot victims' insurance claims so far JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Retail Merchants Association (Aprindo) said on Wednesday that only Rp 5 billion (US$462,962) of claims worth Rp 661.5 billion submitted by its members in the aftermath of the May riots has been paid out by insurance companies. The association's executive director, Kustarjono Prodjolalito, said on Wednesday that insurance firms had only honored claims for damage worth less than Rp 1 billion.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Polyester workers continue protest
Polyester workers continue protest TANGERANG (JP): Thousands of workers from polyester manufacturing company PT Yasulintex marched to the Tangerang legislative council on Wednesday after failing to force the company's management to meet their demands forwarded during a two-day strike.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Anwar Ibrahim fired from all govt positions
Anwar Ibrahim fired from all govt positions KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was fired on Wednesday after months of economic policy differences with the prime minister. A three-paragraph statement issued by the prime minister's department said Anwar had been removed of all other positions, including that of finance minister. Anwar's firing came after weeks of rumors about his being fired or quitting, always followed by emphatic denials.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conoco strikes oil in Natuna
Conoco strikes oil in Natuna JAKARTA (JP): Conoco Indonesia Inc., a subsidiary of Conoco Inc. of the United States, has struck oil in the offshore Natuna area bordering the South China Sea, state oil and gas company Pertamina said Wednesday. Pertamina said in a statement that two exploration wells drilled in the Natuna Block B area had yielded a total output of 6,500 barrels of oil a day at depths of 5,300 feet (1,590 meters) and 8,300 feet (2,470 meters) respectively.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Golkar branches hold congresses
Golkar branches hold congresses JAKARTA (JP): Golkar activists in various provinces are holding congresses to elect their new leaders and to discuss strategies to survive stiffer competition in the general election next year. In Medan, North Sumatra, Golkar chief Akbar Tandjung opened the local chapter's congress on Wednesday, during which he assured civil servants that they were no longer required to vote for Golkar.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia rules out foreign exchange control option
Indonesia rules out foreign exchange control option JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita dismissed rumors on Wednesday that Indonesia would follow Malaysia and impose foreign exchange controls. "We will stick to the free foreign exchange system for the time being, but we will continue to study new developments," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Sept. 02, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia and Thailand fined for bizarre match
Indonesia and Thailand fined for bizarre match HANOI (Agencies): Indonesia and Thailand have been fined unspecified amounts for a Tiger Cup match that both teams tried to avoid winning, officials said Wednesday. They also were warned about their on-field performance and could face further punishment after the eight-nation competition ends Saturday if they are found to have brought the sport into disrepute.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Salt gatherers look for new work
Salt gatherers look for new work PALU, Central Sulawesi: Up to 200 salt gatherers along Talise Beach here have been forced to find new ways to earn a living since constant rain has prevented them from collecting salt. Many have shifted to catching benur (young shrimp), selling bread or working in construction. "We can no longer work the salt fields since it has continually rained over the past five months," Haris Ali, 56, a gatherer said on Wednesday.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tyfountex upset by govt's unfair handling of dispute
Tyfountex upset by govt's unfair handling of dispute JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian-Hong Kong textile joint venture PT Tyfountex Indonesia, based in Surakarta, Central Java, complained on Wednesday of what it considered the unfair handling of its labor dispute by the the arbitration board at the manpower ministry. Tyfountex director Suwatna Djajasaputra said his company had met all the demands of the striking workers but operations continued to be disturbed by demonstrating laborers.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Manila on alert after bomb threat
Manila on alert after bomb threat MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine government on Wednesday alerted its top security body over a Kuwaiti report that the U.S. embassy in Manila had been targeted for a bomb attack this week. The U.S. embassy in Manila said it had heard about the Kuwait report but refused comment. Diplomatic sources in Kuwait said a handwritten note containing a threat to blow up the U.S.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Asian states unlikely to follow Malaysia
Asian states unlikely to follow Malaysia SINGAPORE (Reuters): Other Asian countries are not expected to copy Malaysia in imposing rigid exchange controls, economists and analysts said on Wednesday. "We see the likelihood of the Malaysian measures being duplicated elsewhere in Asia as being extremely slim," economic consultants IDEA said in a commentary.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia announces new ringgit peg
Malaysia announces new ringgit peg KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The Malaysian central bank fixed the ringgit's exchange rate at 3.80 to the dollar with immediate effect on Wednesday. The announcement by Bank Negara Malaysia came a day after the central bank and the government unveiled sweeping foreign currency controls. "Definitely it is a suitable level. Anything above 4.000 is too high," a forex dealer with a local bank told AFP. "Nobody knows how long the peg will be at this rate.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Event planned in memory of Benyamin
Event planned in memory of Benyamin JAKARTA (JP): The Betawi Arts Foundation (LKB) is to hold a 12-day Betawi cultural event called In Memory of Bang Ben to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of legendary Betawi artist Benyamin. S., popularly known as Bang (brother) Ben.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
MPI Reformasi calls for forest concessions to be redistributed
MPI Reformasi calls for forest concessions to be redistributed JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forestry Society for Reform (MPI Reformasi) called on the government on Wednesday to transfer forest logging rights which have expired to cooperatives. Organization chairman Sofyan Siambaton said 105 forest concessions covering five million hectares of forest would expire over the next three years. The breakdown is 20 concessions this year, 35 concessions next year and 50 concessions in 2001.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
New suspects named in Udin murder
New suspects named in Udin murder YOGYAKARTA: Police have identified three new suspects in the murder case of journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafrudin, alias Udin, according to local chief detective Lt. Col. Erwin Tobing. Tobing said here on Wednesday the three were all residents of Bantul regency, where the murder took place in August 1996, and that police were keeping them under close watch.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
S'pore legislature in for hard debate
S'pore legislature in for hard debate SINGAPORE (AP): Parliament members have prepared tough questions for Friday's session on what the government plans to do for Singaporeans facing higher prices, lower wages and the growing possibility of unemployment. Questions about continued aid to Indonesia and demands for specifics on Singapore's many disputes with neighboring Malaysia are also on the order paper made public on Wednesday.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Use seatbelts
Use seatbelts From Media Indonesia On Sept. 17 every passenger sitting in the front seats of a motorized vehicle will be required to put on a seat-belt. The regulation does not require passengers on the rear seats to put on seat-belts. The reason may be that not all cars have rear seat-belts fitted. The problem now is that given the economic crisis, buying seat-belts, which are quite expensive, is a fairly heavy financial burden to place upon the average car owner.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Special autonomy for E. Timor
Special autonomy for E. Timor By Johannes Nugroho SURABAYA (JP): The post-Soeharto era has laudably brought soothing breezes to the East Timorese because their territory will soon enjoy a status of special autonomy. The trilateral deliberation of Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations (UN) has produced a joint communique, which will grant such a status to East Timor.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Regional monies mixed, mart edgy over ringgit
Regional monies mixed, mart edgy over ringgit SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies are mostly mixed against the U.S. dollar in late Asian trading Wednesday with broader trading interest in these currencies grinding to a halt, said market players. With low liquidity in the rupiah and none in the ringgit, movements in the Singapore dollar and the Philippine peso were the highlights of Asian dealings in a rather choppy trading session, said market players.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt lifts subsidies on commodities
Govt lifts subsidies on commodities JAKARTA (JP): The government on Wednesday lifted subsidies on wheat flour, sugar and soybeans, simultaneously liberalizing their importation and scrapping applicable import duties to reduce its burden in meeting people's needs for the commodities. Effective immediately, the move is also meant to accelerate implementation of its market-oriented economic policy.
Thu, 03 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
A shaking but not rocking bartender championship
A shaking but not rocking bartender championship By Izabel Deuff JAKARTA (JP): If you were asked who you would define as the aristocrats of working class people, it is unlikely you would choose bartenders. However, that was how Doug Coughlin, a master bartender in the American blockbuster Cocktail, viewed his job.