Archive: 8 September 1998
53 articles found
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Investors advised to pull out of local stock market
Investors advised to pull out of local stock market SEMARANG (JP): Stock market analyst Hasan Zein Machmud advised investors here on Monday to pull their investments out of the battered local stock market because of its high risks. Hasan, former president of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), noted that the risks of investing in local stocks now were greater than the possible yields.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Support voiced for E. Timor reconciliation dialog
Support voiced for E. Timor reconciliation dialog JAKARTA (JP): East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares expressed support on Monday for a reconciliation dialog planned by Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Baucau Bishop Basilio do Nascimento for Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. Abilio, as quoted by Antara in Dili on Monday, however apologized that he would not be able to attend the dialog, planned to help unify East Timorese, because he was scheduled to attend meetings in Jakarta and Bali.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Toward a reconciliation
Toward a reconciliation Demands are growing that (former president) Soeharto be put on trial, not to mention the calls for him to account for his past policies in the scheduled special session of the People's Consultative Assembly. We are not sure whether the current investigation of people who are close to him -- such as Prabowo Subianto and Mohamad "Bob" Hasan -- is any indication pointing in that direction.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Reduction in air services may cause famine in Irian Jaya
Reduction in air services may cause famine in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): An official has warned Irian Jaya, especially Jayawijaya regency, could suffer a repeat of last year's famine because ample food stocks may be depleted by the grounding of commercial and missionary airline flights during the crisis. Moch.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
RI may register slight growth in two years: WB
RI may register slight growth in two years: WB WELLINGTON (AP): Indonesia may begin to move out of its profound economic crisis and see slight growth within two years, a senior World Bank official said Monday. Benjamin Fisher, the bank's country program coordinator for Indonesia, told a seminar that Indonesia could see the beginnings of growth of between zero and 2 percent in the financial year ending on April, 2000.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Policeman stabbed to death in Medan
Policeman stabbed to death in Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra: Donald Simanjuntak, a police corporal in Percut Sei Tuan district here, was stabbed to death in a robbery on Friday. Lt. Col. Amrin Karim, the spokesman for the North Sumatra Provincial Police, said over the weekend that Simanjuntak was killed while riding his motorcycle in a village in the district. Two brothers, identified as Hasrul Siregar and Hendrik Siregar, allegedly stopped the officer and asked him for a ride.
Tue, 08 Sep 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 Sept. 7 to Sept. 13: U.S.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Phone installation discounted
Phone installation discounted JAKARTA (JP): State telecommunications company PT Telkom has discounted new telephone installation in the Greater Jakarta area, Purwakarta and Serang by 53 percent, one of the firm's officials said. Guntur Siregar, the head of the firm's Jakarta division, said on Sunday that in addition to the discounted installation, the company was also giving new customers 530 free pulses for long- distance direct dialing.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
PDAM Jaya told to rework its agreements with foreign firms
PDAM Jaya told to rework its agreements with foreign firms JAKARTA (JP): City Council on Monday demanded the city-owned water company PDAM Jaya revise its cooperation agreement with joint venture partners Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) and Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ). During a meeting with the three parties, councilors of commission D for development affairs queried a contract term allowing for an automatic increase in the water rate every six months, charging it would be burdensome to the people.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
ABRI's dual function: Interference or assistance?
ABRI's dual function: Interference or assistance? By J. Soedjati Djiwandono This is the first of three articles in a series on the dual function of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI). JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) play a dual function which gives it both a socio-political role in the country's affairs and responsibility for the nation's defense and security.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Attorney General says he believes Soeharto's denial
Attorney General says he believes Soeharto's denial JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Andi Muhammad Ghalib said on Monday that he believed the public denial by ousted president Soeharto against allegations that he had accumulated a fortune worth trillions of rupiah (hundreds of millions of dollars) during his 32 years in power. "He is a former president.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt acknowledges inability to provide education for all
Govt acknowledges inability to provide education for all JAKARTA (JP): The government has admitted it has been unable to provide education for all as stipulated by the Constitution, especially now with the worsening economy. Soedijarto, director general for nonformal education at the Ministry of Education and Culture, said Friday the government did not have enough funds to ensure that all school-age children attend school, provide necessary facilities or pay teachers proper wages.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
NU rejects Lia's claim
NU rejects Lia's claim SURABAYA, East Java: The board of Nahdlatul Ulama's East Java branch has rejected a recent claim by ascetic Lia Aminuddin that she is the reincarnation of the messianic Imam Mahdi. Antara reported on Monday that the statement was signed by the head of the branch's legislative board, Imron Hamzah.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Adequate food and business confidence a must
Adequate food and business confidence a must By Howard Dick MELBOURNE (JP): Flying an aircraft is much easier than piloting an economy. The vectors of aircraft speed, wind speed and turbulence can be precisely calculated to determine actual direction and speed over the ground. By contrast, the economy is much more like a hot air balloon that is highly vulnerable to turbulence. This is the situation of the Indonesian economy in the middle of krismon (economic crisis).
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Chinese and privileges
Chinese and privileges Ms. Donna K. Woodward, in her letter of Aug. 20, responding to my letter of July 31, did not address the very important question I asked about where she got the data from for her allegation that Chinese-Indonesians are privileged in the economic sector. Instead of producing a more compelling argument, she repeated the same folly again that in commerce, the Chinese ascended to the position of privilege.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
IMF to focus review on rice, debt issues
IMF to focus review on rice, debt issues JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund will focus this month's review of the country's reform program on lowering the price of rice and settling domestic debt of local corporations. IMF Asia Pacific director Hubert Neiss said on Monday the current price of rice was too high and actions had to be taken to correct the problem.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bob Hasan questioned over bank scam
Bob Hasan questioned over bank scam JAKARTA (JP): Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, a close business associate of former president Soeharto, was formally named a suspect in an investigation into the misuse of central bank liquidity credits. Hasan, 67, a plywood tycoon and owner of suspended PT Bank Umum Nasional (BUN), reported to National Police Headquarters at about 6 a.m. to undergo eight hours of questioning which started at 8 a.m.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Policy on staple food confusing
Policy on staple food confusing The government has decided to let prices for most of the nine basic commodities to be determined by market forces. Economist Kwik Kian Gie discusses how this policy sits with the 1945 Constitution. JAKARTA (JP): Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution states that "production branches" (production in different sectors of the economy) which are important for the country and affect the lives of the general public must be controlled by the state.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Players await upshot of own goal shame
Players await upshot of own goal shame JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) will announce on Tuesday the punishment for Mursyid Effendy and Kuncoro for an intentional own goal in a Tiger Cup group match against Thailand last week. PSSI secretary-general Nugraha Besoes guaranteed the punitive measures were not intended to end the careers of the players. "We will definitely punish them just to educate them.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
German composer to perform here
German composer to perform here JAKARTA (JP): A rare music performance blending Jazz Rock and classical compositions will be staged in Erasmus Huis on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Organized by the Goethe Institute and the Association of Indonesian Composers (AKI), the concert features German composer Detlev Muller-Siemens and the Linos Ensemble. The 11-member ensemble will play compositions by Siemens's and German composers Franz Schubert and Gyorgi Ligeti.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Singapore Power to sign RI gas import MOU this month
Singapore Power to sign RI gas import MOU this month SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): State utility Singapore Power is due to sign a memorandum of understanding to import natural gas from southern Sumatra, Indonesia, on Sept. 15, a senior official close to the deal told Dow Jones Newswires Monday.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
BA clarifies
BA clarifies We would like to refer the article which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Sunday, Aug. 30, Chipmunk roams free on BA flight, and wish to clarify the issue. Investigation on this case has begun in Hong Kong as to why the animal was not detected by airport authorities at the normal departure screening checks, and we will provide you with findings once produced.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Monash University's motives questioned
Monash University's motives questioned By I. N. Cider As Monash university seeks Asian expansion questions arise concerning its motives. HOWTHORN, Victoria (JP): Despite serious confusion over the future of several departments at Australia's Monash University in Australia, the institution is expanding into Indonesia. At a time when staff and departments are being cut, Monash has begun a feasibility study in consultation with the Indonesian Government to establish an Indonesian campus.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Measures against official demanded
Measures against official demanded TANGERANG (JP): Bencongan villagers urged Tangerang regent Agus Djunara on Saturday to take stern action against a local regency official for his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of a four-hectare plot of land. The official, identified as Hafrudin who is now head of Pamulang district, is one of three officials allegedly involved in the illegal land sale. The two other officials, namely H.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
IPTN wins $5.5m contract to make Boeing-757 parts
IPTN wins $5.5m contract to make Boeing-757 parts JAKARTA (JP): State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has won a contract worth US$5.5 million to supply B-757 pressure bulkhead components to U.S giant Boeing Co. The contract was signed earlier this month by Syaifurachman Noer, IPTN North America president, and Boeing representatives in Seattle, IPTN announced Monday. IPTN spokesman M.T.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Students back to DPR, insist Habibie quit
Students back to DPR, insist Habibie quit JAKARTA (JP): Students, who spearheaded the movement to remove Soeharto from the presidency earlier this year, took up where they left off on Monday and staged a vociferous demonstration at the House of Representatives (DPR) demanding President B.J. Habibie's resignation. About 1,000 members of Forum Kota -- an association of students of 37 universities and colleges in the greater Jakarta area -- broke down the House's front gate and forced their way in.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt to review 50 toll road projects
Govt to review 50 toll road projects JAKARTA (JP): State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga announced on Monday it would review 50 toll road projects to determine whether private firms had obtained contracts due to preferential treatment. Jasa Marga president Maryadi Darmokumoro said 10 of the toll roads were already operational, 13 were currently either under construction or in the process of acquiring land, while the remaining 27 projects were still in the planning stage.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Speculators and people's stomachs
Speculators and people's stomachs From Neraca It seems that the plight of the common people, instead of coming to an end, is worsening. While their earnings are shrinking -- in fact many people have lost their jobs and earn nothing as a result -- the prices of basic needs continue to soar. The price of rice, which is a staple food for the majority of Indonesians, has been increasing uncontrollably. In a week, the hike can be Rp 1,000/liter.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Vietnam sells rice to RI
Vietnam sells rice to RI HANOI (Dow Jones): Vietnam will sell 400,000 metric tons of rice to Indonesia in two deliveries, with half to be shipped late this year, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture said Monday. He confirmed press reports that the deal will go ahead and said the second shipment will take place early in 1999. The official didn't provide information as to the financing arrangements in this government-to-government deal and didn't say what kind of rice will be shipped.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Dozens of building razed in Kebumen riot
Dozens of building razed in Kebumen riot JAKARTA (JP): At least 35 shops and warehouses and a truck were burned and dozens of other buildings badly damaged in a riot in the Central Java town of Kebumen on Monday. At nightfall, the situation remained tense as troops brought in from other areas attempted to restore order. Crowds ignored the security personnel, looting shops belonging to Chinese-Indonesians and setting the buildings alight. Traffic in the town was disrupted and electricity was cut.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Councilors call for dismissal of Dolog Jaya boss
Councilors call for dismissal of Dolog Jaya boss JAKARTA (JP): Councilors on Monday strongly urged Governor Sutiyoso to recommend the dismissal of the current chief of the Jakarta Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya), Achmad Zawawi, for his failure to stop widespread fraud and malpractice associated with the distribution of rice in the city. The head of the United Development Party (PPP) faction in the council, Achmad Suaidy, and Sumekar K.W.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Public bus driver flees after accident
Public bus driver flees after accident JAKARTA (JP): At least two passengers were seriously wounded and some 30 others slightly injured when a Mayasari Bhakti bus hit a tree and overturned on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan in East Jakarta early Monday. Driver Syahril fled the scene after the incident, while bus conductor Hasan Basri was detained by traffic police, who arrived shortly after the mishap which occurred at around 2 a.m.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta High Court gets new chief
Jakarta High Court gets new chief JAKARTA (JP): Chief Justice Sarwata installed I. Gde Sudharta as head of Jakarta High Court on Monday, replacing Slamet Riyanto. The installation ceremony was held at the City Hall. Sarwata said the replacement was aimed at improving the performance of the court. He called on the new high court chief to remain objective in his judgment and not declare suspects to be guilty with too much ease.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 7, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 325 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 225 25 140,000 Alumindo Light Metal 225 0 15,000 Alumindo Perkasa 225 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 5,500 Aneka Tambang 1,400 50 7,414,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 22,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
MPR to impose limit on presidential term
MPR to impose limit on presidential term JAKARTA (JP): The five factions of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) agreed on Monday that the special Assembly session planned for November should impose a limitation on the presidential term and abolish the president's extraordinary power granted by the last session. The team of assistants to the body's working committee (BP- MPR) told a media briefing it had also recommended that the committee deliberate in its next session set for Sept.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Kim freed from all charges in bank scam case
Kim freed from all charges in bank scam case JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta District Court cleared businessman Kim Johanes Mulia on Monday of all charges of complicity in a scam over promissory notes worth Rp 150 billion (US$13.6 million). Presiding judge M. Thoyib said Kim, president of garment manufacturer PT Detta Marina, was not guilty of involvement in the forgery of the promissory notes, which were endorsed by Bank Arta Prima.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Tyfountex workers want rebel staff fired
Tyfountex workers want rebel staff fired JAKARTA (JP): Following strikes last week by hundreds of workers of textile company PT Tyfountex Indonesia in Kartasura, Central Java, more than 500 out of around 6,000 workers who remain loyal to the company staged a counter-demonstration at the Ministry of Manpower on Monday. The earlier strikes against the management of the Hong Kong- Indonesian joint venture lasted a week in Jakarta and involved 700 workers.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Banking crisis: Who's to blame?
Banking crisis: Who's to blame? By Eddy Soeparno JAKARTA (JP): Many Indonesians find it difficult to accept that the economic crisis has changed their lifestyle -- as well as their status, notably from being employed to unemployed -- in a matter of months. As late as July 1997, the World Bank announced that the Indonesian economy was "performing very well" and had a chance to maintain an annual growth of about 7.5 percent in coming years.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
University recommends Supreme Advisory Board dissolution
University recommends Supreme Advisory Board dissolution YOGYAKARTA (JP): Gadjah Mada University has recommended the dissolution of the Supreme Advisory Board on the grounds that it overlapped with other state agencies. A proposal released on Saturday by the university's team created to draw up political recommendations said the Supreme Advisory Board's function was unclear.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Local people to decide on Aceh troop withdrawals
Local people to decide on Aceh troop withdrawals JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi said here Monday it would be up to the religious leaders and people of Aceh to decide when troop deployment should end in the province. Speaking to reporters after attending a briefing by Minister of Defence and Security/ABRI Commander Gen.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Govt urged to declare nation's top debtors
Govt urged to declare nation's top debtors JAKARTA (JP): The government should announce the names of the nation's top debtors and investigate if they were involved in improprieties which have brought the country's banking industry to its knees, a senior banking analyst said Monday. "Nobody dared to name the debtors and investigate them in the past, but the government should do that now," said Thomas Suyatno, a former executive of the Federation of Indonesian Private Banks (Perbanas).
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Bankers interrogated
Bankers interrogated The daily parade of bankers, both owners and directors, arriving for interrogation at the National Police headquarters and Attorney General's Office since early this month has understandably dominated newspaper headlines. For most of them were close cronies of either former president Soeharto or his children who, during the Soeharto regime that came to an end after 32 years in May, were seen as the "untouchables" to law enforcement agencies.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
IBRA will finish bank restructuring by December: Govt
IBRA will finish bank restructuring by December: Govt JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is expected to complete its rehabilitation of the local commercial banks under its supervision by the end of this year, Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Monday. He said that starting next year the state-sponsored IBRA would focus its efforts on dealing with the bad assets of commercial banks through the asset management unit (AMU).
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Golkar chapter has new chairman
Golkar chapter has new chairman MEDAN, North Sumatra: Yunus Harahap, outgoing deputy chairman of the North Sumatra Golkar chapter, was elected chairman in a party meeting here on Wednesday. Yunus, who garnered a majority of the votes during the election, beat rival Zainuddin Tanjung. The meeting was also attended by Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung. (21)
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah, stocks rise on regional boost
Rupiah, stocks rise on regional boost JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rattled financial market showed uncharacteristic stability on Monday despite reports of a large student rally at the House of Representatives (DPR). The rupiah, which opened at 10,900 against the dollar, held firm all day due to an improvement in the region's financial markets before closing at 10,850/10,875.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Man arrested for pickpocketing
Man arrested for pickpocketing JAKARTA (JP): A 31-year-old pickpocket was caught by a City Hall official on Monday for allegedly snatching the latter's mobile phone as he was about to get off a Kopaja minibus on Jl. Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta. The pickpocket, identified as Saidi, was taken to the City Hall security post before being handed over to police officers of the Gambir police subprecinct.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Firm apologizes for high-risk rating
Firm apologizes for high-risk rating MANILA (DPA): A United States intelligence service company has apologized for a misleading travel risk report it published on the Philippines, which described the country as a "high-risk" place for visits and business, the presidential spokesman said on Monday.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Music and Entertainment * Hotel Papandayan, Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 83 (Phone: 022 310799): - The Burangrang Lounge at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Piano Solo, Monday. Jazz Duo, Tuesday. Piano Solo, Wednesday. Piano, Jazzy Voices, Thursday. Jazz Quartet, Friday. Fusion Jazz Bit, Saturday. Piano and Jazzy Voices, Jazz Afternoon, Sunday. * Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 (Phone: 022 431631): - TD Bar: B.U.M Band, Monday, 8 p.m.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Graft badly hurts SE Asian soccer
Graft badly hurts SE Asian soccer HANOI (Reuters): Bribery and match-fixing hamper the development of soccer in Southeast Asia, and a farcical game in the recent Tiger Cup championship has further tarnished the sport's image, coaches and officials said. The region's most popular sport was being held back by unscrupulous bookmakers and players seeking personal gain, they said.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
KPC reclaims mining areas
KPC reclaims mining areas JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest coal mining company, PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), has reclaimed 850 hectares of its former mining areas in Sangatta, East Kalimantan, in its effort to reforest the area. Company public relations executive Ali Nurdin said in Sangatta on Monday that KPC had planted 2,000 tropical trees of several species originating from Kalimantan and outside.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on Sept. 7, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Security asked to stop agitators
Security asked to stop agitators BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of villagers from Rancamaya, Kertamaya, Bojong Kerta and Genteng near here asked local security officers on Monday to stop the actions of a group of men who continuously provoked people to take part in demonstrations. In a meeting with Bogor's police and military commanders, the residents said the group had also routinely staged protests at many institutions here claiming to be acting on behalf of the local people.
Tue, 08 Sep 1998, 00:00 WIB
Ananda fifth in Formula 3
Ananda fifth in Formula 3 JAKARTA (JP): Young Indonesian driver Ananda Mikola failed to improve his position in the Italian Formula Three championship after finishing fifth in the seventh race of the series at the Binetto circuit on Sunday. Starting from the sixth row, Ananda stormed into third place shortly after the flag-off. He followed up his brisk start with persistent efforts to overtake Italy's Michelle Gasparini.