Archive: 12 January 1999
44 articles found
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Tuesday Maghrib 6:17 p.m. Wednesday Imsak 4:16 a.m. Subuh 4.26 a.m.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ahmad Badawi takes office amid warnings
Ahmad Badawi takes office amid warnings KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's new deputy prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office on Monday amidst warnings from his detained predecessor Anwar Ibrahim that his credibility would be at stake. Abdullah, 59, who also took over the home ministry from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad amid an outcry over the beating of Anwar in police custody, said the ministry would strive to adopt a "people-friendly administration," Bernama news agency reported.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
State budget not meant to cure economic crisis
State budget not meant to cure economic crisis The government has unveiled a draft budget worth Rp 218.2 trillion (US$27.27 billion) for fiscal 1999/2000, with a deficit of Rp 77.40 trillion which will be covered by foreign aid. Economist Kwik Kian Gie comments on the planned budget, which will mark a 17.3 percent decline from the level of the current fiscal year.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 11, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 -25 49,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 25 5,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 275 75 737,500 Aneka Tambang 1,625 0 1,819,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
A problem of image
A problem of image To judge by the frequency with which they occur and the ease with which they are provoked, one might believe that attacks on police posts have become something of a new fad among Indonesians these days.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Robbers suspected in maid's murder
Robbers suspected in maid's murder DENPASAR: A 20-year-old maid was found dead here on Monday in the bathroom of her employer's home, with wounds to her head and neck. Nengah Seriani, 20, from the village of Selat in Karangasem, worked in the house in the village of Damgin Puri Kangin, Antara reported. A witness said that at 9 p.m. he heard a scream followed by sounds of a struggle coming from the house. Five minutes later the screams stopped. Badung Police chief Lt. Col. S.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Beautiful Thousand Islands have a thousand complex problems
Beautiful Thousand Islands have a thousand complex problems By M. Habiburrohman JAKARTA (Antara): The string of 108 Indonesian islands known as the Thousand Islands, located just off the Jakarta shore, has long associated with various problems. This is commonly expressed in the phrase "Thousand Islands with a thousand problems." The problems are intertwined and extremely complex, said Otto Ongkosono from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences oceanography research and development center.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cemex buys RP cement firm
Cemex buys RP cement firm MANILA (AFP): Cementos Mexico SA (Cemex) is to acquire Apo Cement Corp. of the Philippines for about US$400 million, Apo's parent firm said here Monday. Cemex and unnamed Filipino investors have reached preliminary agreement to acquire the 99.9 percent equity and debt interest of JG Summit Holdings Inc. in Apo Cement, listed JG Summit said in a disclosure statement.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
S'pore opposition politician seeks president's aid
S'pore opposition politician seeks president's aid SINGAPORE (Reuters): A Singapore opposition politician speaking out for free speech will ask President Ong Teng Cheong to refer his campaign to the constitutional court, his lawyer said on Monday. "It is the president who can refer any matter to the constitutional court and so we've got to write to the president to ask whether he would send this up," Joshua Jeyaretnam told reporters outside Singapore's Subordinate Court.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang firms pay Idul Fitri bonuses
Tangerang firms pay Idul Fitri bonuses TANGERANG (JP): Despite the prolonged economic turmoil, most companies operating in the city managed to give Idul Fitri bonuses to their workers in line with the government's regulations, an official said on Monday. "No information about inability to provide the bonus has thus far been received," said Apon Suryana, head of the Tangerang office of the Ministry of Manpower.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Banyuwangi residents unite to call for regent's dismissal
Banyuwangi residents unite to call for regent's dismissal JAKARTA (JP): Residents of the East Java town of Banyuwangi urged on Monday the government to dismiss Regent Turyono Purnomo Sidik for his alleged involvement in the murders of 117 people between January and September, 1998. The residents delivered to Director General for Sociopolitical Affairs Dunidjat at the Ministry of Home Affairs a petition that said Purnomo had lost the people's respect because of his neglect of their plight.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
BI's net forex reserves drop to US$13.96 billion
BI's net forex reserves drop to US$13.96 billion JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Monday that its net foreign exchange reserves decreased by US$91.6 million to $13.96 billion on Jan. 7 compared to last week's level. The drop was particularly due to the repayment of government foreign debts, the central bank said in its weekly indicator report. BI said its net international reserves were still above the IMF adjusted target of $10.90 billion.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Idul Fitri revelers continue to congest terminals, harbor
Idul Fitri revelers continue to congest terminals, harbor JAKARTA (JP): The outflow of city residents continued on Monday, with thousands flocking to major bus terminals, railway stations and the passenger terminal of Tanjung Priok harbor on their way to their home towns to celebrate Idul Fitri.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unifying interethnic community
Unifying interethnic community By Eka Wenats Wuryanta JAKARTA (JP): What is happening to the spirit of "unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika)"? How will Indonesia's structure of pluralism be rebuilt after the recent racist riots? To answer these critical questions, one must return to the original spirit of the nation's founding fathers, who were imbued with the spirit of freedom and liberation. Discrimination must be wiped out.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Translation: Engine of cultural progress that moves very slowly
Translation: Engine of cultural progress that moves very slowly By A Jo Seng Bie BANDUNG (Antara): Although translators are one of the engines of a nation's cultural progress, in Indonesia this engine moves only a little due to lack of fuel.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Car investment running down the drain
Car investment running down the drain By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): The desolate engine manufacturing facility of PT Mazda Indonesia Mfg. in the West Java industrial city of Bekasi provides a glimpse of the bitter reality currently endured by the country's automotive industry.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Java gets new commander
East Java gets new commander SURABAYA: The post of the Brawijaya military command will be officially handed over to its new commander, Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, on Thursday. Antara reported that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo HS was scheduled to lead the ceremony handing the post over from former commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Subroto to Ryamizard in Surabaya. The handover follows the Armed Forces' announcement of a major reshuffle in the Armed Forces involving several high ranking officers.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 6:30 News: Nuansa Reformasi 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 7:30 TV Series 8:00 Music 8:30 Variety Show 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students vow to resume rallies after Idul Fitri
Students vow to resume rallies after Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Student movement groups have vowed to take to the streets of the capital again shortly after the Idul Fitri holidays to voice their strong objections to this year's planned general election, their leaders said Monday.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four questioned for role in provoking Lampung brawl
Four questioned for role in provoking Lampung brawl JAKARTA (JP): Central Lampung Police are questioning four men for allegedly instigating a brawl between rival residents of East Jabung district on Friday which claimed four lives, a police officer said on Monday. "Police are continuing to question the suspects, but we need more witnesses," Central Lampung Police chief Lt. Col. P.L. Tobing was quoted by Antara as saying.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japanese rice in good condition, says Rahardi
Japanese rice in good condition, says Rahardi JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan has denied reports that 500,000 metric tons of rice sent here by the Japanese government is rotting in warehouses. Speaking on Monday, Rahardi, who is also chairman of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), admitted that the government had only distributed a fraction of the Japanese rice. "As of December 1998, the sales of Japanese rice reached 7,158 tons.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bimoli employees demand higher wages
Bimoli employees demand higher wages JAKARTA (JP): At least 1,300 workers from two factories owned by PT Inti Boga Sejahtera, the makers of Bimoli cooking oil, protested against their employer on Monday, demanding a rise in their salaries. The workers, in Pluit, North Jakarta, and Sunter, Central Jakarta, demanded their wages be increased by between 60 percent and 70 percent, claiming the wage rise had been denied for two years.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's troubles
Indonesia's troubles Since the dramatic fall from power last May of President Soeharto, things have not been going smoothly for the world's fourth most populous nation. Just in the past few days, some of the worst violence of the year has raked Aceh, a separatist- minded province of Sumatra. At least eight soldiers and 17 civilians have been killed and many more injured in riots and a subsequent crack-down.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, detective chief says
Police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, detective chief says JAKARTA (JP): City police confiscated 31 stolen vehicles, mostly Kijang vans and sedans, in the period between Dec. 23 and Jan. 11, and invited city residents whose cars were missing to check them out at its headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. The city police detective chief, Col. Alex Bambang Riatmojo, told a media conference on Monday that out of the 31 confiscated vehicles, 16 were seized from Dec. 23 to Jan.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
11 soldiers arrested for murder
11 soldiers arrested for murder JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces said on Monday that it arrested 11 soldiers for torturing to death four alleged separatist rebels in Aceh on Saturday, while condemnation of the brutality came strong and fast. Lilawangsa Military Commander Col.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
New group formed to push for independent judiciary
New group formed to push for independent judiciary JAKARTA (JP): A group of legal experts established on Monday a pressure group to push for an independent judiciary and a freer and more professional justice system. The group, called the Indonesian Institute for an Independent Judiciary, would concentrate on compelling government and legislators to form a concrete agenda on law reforms, lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution told a media conference.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Phone problems in South Jakarta
Phone problems in South Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): In a similar fashion to the impact of water and electricity company repair work, the drilling project of telecommunication firm PT Telkom on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta has left hundreds of its customers in trouble. According to head of Telkom's South Jakarta district, Rizal Saat, the repair work has disrupted the use of 400 telephone lines with numbers starting 790, 791, 792... through 799.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Jan. 11, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rain keeps students at home in Ambon
Rain keeps students at home in Ambon AMBON: Every time the rains come, students get a holiday in the East Seram district of Central Maluku because the roof of their school is full of holes, and part of it has blown away. Antara quoted the principal of Al-Hilal Guliar school, A. Rumakar, as saying that the walls of the school were in very bad condition and that there were many holes in the zinc roof. "It's impossible for the children to study in such conditions," Rumakar said.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government plans to revive national car program
Government plans to revive national car program JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Monday that it was determined to revive the now defunct and much criticized national car program, which in the past was infested with nepotism and collusion. Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan said a measure regarding the development of locally produced vehicles would be incorporated in the automotive policy currently being drafted by the government.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kali Mati drivers look to City Hall to end dispute
Kali Mati drivers look to City Hall to end dispute JAKARTA (JP): After staging a one-day strike on Sunday, drivers of the M-39 minivans plying the Kota-Pademangan-Senen route packed City Hall on Monday morning to ask Governor Sutiyoso to take strict measures against becak (pedicab) drivers along the route. Dozens of minivan drivers, whose routes have been blocked by pedicab drivers following clashes on Friday and Saturday between the two groups on Jl.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pakistani indicted for smuggling
Pakistani indicted for smuggling TANGERANG (JP): A Pakistani identified as Munaf A Latif, 40, was indicted at Tangerang District Court for attempting to smuggle out three boxes of pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) to Pakistan by airplane through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Prosecutor Supriati said in her indictment at the trial presided over by Judge Tukiran that the defendant tried to smuggle out the VCDs on Dec. 1.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah breaches 8,000 level as stocks slide
Rupiah breaches 8,000 level as stocks slide JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah fell on Monday, breaching the 8,000 level against the U.S. dollar in very thin trading, as stock prices also lost ground, falling 0.5 percent, currency dealers and stockbrokers said. Currency dealers said the rupiah, which closed at 7,950 on Friday, failed to hold its ground as it was undercut by fresh dollar bids by state banks.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Performances * Puppet Show: Bang Bang Lengkana, narrated by Nandang Karbasuhaya, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 9:30 p.m., Jan. 16. * Sundanese Traditional Drama produced by Lingkung Seni Dewi Murni, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, 8 p.m., Jan. 23. * Poetry Reading by Rendra, Soni Farid Maulana, etc., at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, 8 p.m., Jan. 24. Music and Entertainment * Hotel Papandayan, Jl.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Troubled companies look to Miyazawa Plan for salvation
Troubled companies look to Miyazawa Plan for salvation JAKARTA (JP): The business sector here is hoping that aid disbursed under the auspices of the Miyazawa Plan will help to bail out firms facing the prospect of bankruptcy, according to a leading businessmen. Fadel Muhammad, who is a director of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), said on Monday that over one thousand companies were in urgent need of fresh capital to stave of bankruptcy.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Estrada lauds dubious tycoon
Estrada lauds dubious tycoon MANILA (AP): President Joseph Estrada called a business tycoon accused of massive tax evasion a hero on Monday for continuing to run Philippine Airlines despite massive financial losses. Estrada said Lucio Tan, PAL's chairman and chief stockholder, has been losing at least 25 million pesos (US$658,000) a day but continued running the Philippine flag carrier in response to an appeal from the president.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Former minister of mines to sue tabloid for libel
Former minister of mines to sue tabloid for libel JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of mines and energy I.B. Sudjana lodged a libel complaint against the new tabloid Penta at National Police Headquarters on Monday. The retired lieutenant general arrived at the police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta at around 10 a.m., accompanied by a team of six lawyers from Ruhut Sitompul and Associates. In his complaint, Sudjana said that the Dec.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Furniture export made easy
Furniture export made easy JAKARTA (JP): Cashing in on the booming imports of Indonesian furniture, a London-based trading company has established a showroom in Semarang, Central Java, to assist British buyers. Aspen Lander Ltd. has also opened a warehouse which will function as a final quality checking facility and will arrange packing and shipping as well as documentation for buyers, according to Young Editorial Services, the company's public relations representatives.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Central bank governor upbeat about bank recapitalization
Central bank governor upbeat about bank recapitalization HONG KONG (Bloomberg): Details of Indonesia's bank bailout plan will be unveiled by the end of the month, and will include the issue of some bonds that will trade in the capital market, the country's central bank governor said on Monday. "I am optimistic that a group of banks will be recapitalized in the month of January," said Sjahril Sabirin in an interview.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Officers should be wary of press reports: Wiranto
Officers should be wary of press reports: Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto has warned against the abuse of press freedom and told his officers to avoid being influenced indiscriminately by what is reported in the media. Addressing almost 500 middle-ranking officers at the School of Command for Police Officers in Lembang, West Java, Wiranto said that the press had an enormous influence over forming public opinion.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
New power plant for Riau oil fields
New power plant for Riau oil fields JAKARTA (JP): PT Mandau Cipta Tenaga Nusantara is building a US$190 million cogeneration plant in the Riau province to support the oil operation of its sister company, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia. Caltex said in a statement on Monday that the 300 megawatt plant, the country's largest, will supply power and steam to support oil extraction at Caltex's steamflood operation in Duri, the world's largest such operation.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future
Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid confirmed on Monday that East Timor Governor Jose Osorio Abilio Soares could lose his job after being publicly accused of corruption and collusion. Syarwan said he had no immediate plans to replace the governor, but said that he would do his best to accommodate public opinion when making future decisions about the provincial leadership in East Timor.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar expected to soften stance on civil servants
Golkar expected to soften stance on civil servants JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid are calling on Golkar to soften its stance on the political role of the country's 4.1 million public servants. Syarwan said after a meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace here on Monday that the President was optimistic the stalemate over the issue could be resolved peacefully by the House of Representatives.
Tue, 12 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Female activists seek greater political role
Female activists seek greater political role JAKARTA (JP): Women activists and scholars, demanding a greater say in politics, are urging that at least 30 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives be allotted to women legislators. Led by journalist Herawati Diah and psychology professor Saparinah Sadli, the activists grouped under the Women for Election Awareness Movement aired their views during a meeting with Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday.