Archive: 13 January 1999
46 articles found
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP trims key interest rates
RP trims key interest rates MANILA (AFP): The Central Bank of the Philippines said Tuesday it had lowered key short-term rates by 0.375 percentage points. The overnight borrowing rate was reduced from 13.375 percent to 13 percent while the overnight lending rate was cut from 15.375 percent to 15 percent. The cut in short-term rates followed a fall in benchmark Treasury bill rates and the stabilization of the local currency in recent weeks.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Heavy rains flood Banjar
Heavy rains flood Banjar BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: One person was killed when thousands of homes were flooded following heavy rains in Banjar regency here, which also led to the collapse of a bridge. A staff member at the natural disaster coordination post here, H.A. Zaini Razak, told Antara Tuesday that the worst affected areas were eight villages or subdistricts: Sungai Rangas, Keliling Benteng, Tangkas, Sungai Batang, Teluk Selong, Pekauman Dalam, Pekauman Ulu and Murung.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Offer of coalition
Offer of coalition From Merdeka In the context of the development of the political bills being deliberated at the House of Representatives (DPR)/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the capability and creativity of political parties are being tested by demands for an alternative vision. It is inevitable that the new political parties must work hard to gain the people's support to place their representatives in the DPR and MPR.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil, gas draft law completed
Oil, gas draft law completed JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Mines and Energy has finished drafting the new oil and gas law, which is to be handed over to the House of Representatives for deliberation. Spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Energy Budhi Sulistyo said on Tuesday the ministry expects the House to pass the bill into law by March.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
39,800 ha of plantation areas looted last year
39,800 ha of plantation areas looted last year JAKARTA (JP): At least 39,800 hectares of plantations were looted during 1998, causing an estimated material loss of around Rp 196 billion (about US$26 million), a senior official of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations has said. "Most of the looted plantations are oil palm and rubber plantations, the majority located in North Sumatra and East Java," Director General of Plantations Agus Pakpahan said on Tuesday.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Akbar must choose
Akbar must choose The upheavals which have wracked the ruling Golkar since Akbar Tandjung was elected to chair the grouping in an extraordinary congress last July are far from over. Akbar will need all the skill he can muster to keep Golkar afloat on our nation's political waters.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Witnesses refuse to testify in Kopassus trial
Witnesses refuse to testify in Kopassus trial JAKARTA (JP): Two witnesses refused on Tuesday to testify in the trial of eleven Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers charged with abducting political activists in the last months of the Soeharto regime. The two, Aan Rusdianto, 24, and Desmon J. Mahesa, 33, repeated the moves of two other activists, Pius Lustrilanang and Andi Arief, who in a Jan.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indovision vows to satisfy customers
Indovision vows to satisfy customers JAKARTA (JP): PT Matahari Lintas Cakrawala (Malicak), the management of Indovision, have pledged to soon appease its disappointed customers over its poor service following the loss of the screening of Star TV, its executives said.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students must push for fair polls: Experts
Students must push for fair polls: Experts JAKARTA (JP): A political researcher and activists preparing to monitor June's general election said on Tuesday that student demonstrators should continue to campaign for a free and fair poll because it was a prerequisite for a legitimate government. J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Ani Sutjipto of the University Network for Free and Fair Elections and Mulyana W.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan English course a rigorous language lesson
Ramadhan English course a rigorous language lesson By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In a room measuring six by nine meters some 50 students of a pondok pesantren (traditional Muslim boarding school) in Purwokerto were reading the Koran. They had just performed the asar (afternoon) prayer in the mosque only two meters away from the room.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Boarding schools to help street kids
Boarding schools to help street kids JAKARTA: The Ministry of Social Services is to cooperate with 45 pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in all 27 provinces to help care for and educate 45,000 street children across the country, Antara reported on Tuesday. Minister of Social Services Justika S. Baharsyah said the cooperation will not only help the government's program of compulsory education, but also provide better protection for homeless children.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Central Bank anounces new banking regulations
Central Bank anounces new banking regulations JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) on Tuesday announced several new banking laws, designed to limit foreign exchange and lending risks, and to improve transparency. BI director Subarjo Joyosumarto said the central bank had lowered banks' maximum net open foreign exchange to 20 percent of capital, from the previous 25 percent, to reduce the risks of exposure on foreign exchange.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Robbery foiled in Plaza Indonesia
Robbery foiled in Plaza Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): A foreigner who allegedly attempted to rob a bank at the Plaza Indonesia shopping center in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon was arrested after causing panic among employees, shoppers and security guards. Police later identified the suspect of the attempted midday robbery of the branch office of Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) as Tony Bradley.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso wants 24-hour security for the capital
Sutiyoso wants 24-hour security for the capital JAKARTA (JP): Distressed over the seeming lack of security and law enforcement in the capital, Governor Sutiyoso said he had to send an official letter to President B.J. Habibie begging for a full 24-hour security patrol in certain locations in Jakarta.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese are Indonesians, too
Acehnese are Indonesians, too My fears have been sadly borne out over these long years. Nowhere in Indonesia is more violence sustained on a daily basis than in Aceh because of military and separatist operations since 1989. Far from trying to soothe the Aceh problem, irresponsible soldiers, whose conduct Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto once admitted "exceeded acceptable norms", are coming back again.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 8:00 Music: Dendang Pagi 9:00 Music: Hiburan Keluarga 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Experts want immediate reform of the judiciary
Experts want immediate reform of the judiciary JAKARTA (JP): Legal experts called for immediate reform in the country's judiciary Tuesday, saying that it must include the revocation of several laws considered conflicting with judges' independence. Speaking on the second day of a seminar on seeking an independent judiciary here, supreme judge Paulus E. Lotulong and legal activist Benny K. Harman agreed that reforms on judges' mentality was also important.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
State of Louisiana
State of Louisiana Referring to my article "Focusing on English teaching in RI" published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 9, 1999, I would like to highlight that the Cajun people are not from a Swiss town of Louisiana but are from the state of Louisiana in the United States. SIMON MARCUS GOWER Note: Thank you for your correction. We apologize for the error. -- Editor
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
A Rp 300t question
A Rp 300t question While it is clear that the cost of restructuring the banking sector will exceed Rp 300 trillion, most of us are still in the dark as to how the government intends to finance this massive bail out program. Regardless of where the money comes from, it is the taxpayer who will ultimately be called on to pick up the bill. For those not accustomed to dealing in such orders of magnitude, a trillion has 12 zeros.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Riot refugees to go back to Kupang
Riot refugees to go back to Kupang UJUNGPANDANG: South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna said his office will help migrants from the area return to Kupang, East Nusatenggara, where they earn a living. Up to 2,000 migrants fled Kupang for South Sulawesi following riots last Nov. 30 in which six mosques were burnt and vandalized and many homes attacked.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Try warbling a tune to bring on sleep
Try warbling a tune to bring on sleep By A. Jo Seng Bie BANDUNG (Antara): Before going to bed Jos Usin sings, sometimes whistles, and makes continuous small movements with both his hands. "The recipe comes from God," said Jos Usin, 84, who fought insomnia for one year. "Now I am really free and can sleep soundly," he said. After one or two hours, or sometimes after only half an hour when he is very tired, he falls asleep and wakes up refreshed in the morning.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' drivers flock to police station 'to teach suspect a lesson'
'Ojek' drivers flock to police station 'to teach suspect a lesson' JAKARTA (JP): A crowd of ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers gathered outside the East Jakarta Police headquarters on Jl. Matraman Raya in the early hours of Tuesday to demand that officers hand over a suspected motorbike thief in custody at the station. The angry crowd had been informed by an unidentified person that the police were about to release the suspect, who is also accused of assaulting an ojek driver. The station chief, Lt.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kujang plans a new plant
Kujang plans a new plant JAKARTA (JP): State-owned fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Kujang has began construction of a new plant adjacent to its existing facility in Cikampek, West Java, in order to make up for a supply shortage in the province, Antara reported on Tuesday.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Railway firm steps up patrols
Railway firm steps up patrols CIREBON, West Java: In anticipation of the Idul Fitri exodus officials at the Cirebon branch of the state-run railway company Perumka are stepping up the frequency of their patrol rounds, from twice to four times a day. The head of the branch, Makbul Suyudi, was quoted by Antara as saying Tuesday that the increased patrol was needed to watch out for areas which were prone to floods, stone-throwing and thefts.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Wednesday Maghrib 6:17 p.m. Thursday Imsak 4:16 a.m. Subuh 4.26 a.m.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tearful protagonist?
Tearful protagonist? Media Indonesia of Dec. 30, 1998, reported that Gus Dur held an open house for University of Indonesia students. There were three points of interest. 1. The students hailed Gus Dur as the Nation's Protagonist. 2. Gus Dur showed great concern for the little people's fate. 3. Gus Dur lost heart for a while when Achmad Tirtosudiro, Nurcholish Majid and Dawam Raharjo criticized him.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Five more troops arrested for murder in Aceh
Five more troops arrested for murder in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Five more soldiers have been arrested in connection with Saturday's brutal murder of four alleged separatist rebels who were in military custody in Aceh, a local military commander said on Tuesday. Twenty other prisoners were seriously injured in the attack for which a total of 16 soldiers have now been detained. Lilawangsa Military Commander Col.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mob kills man for ojek murder
Mob kills man for ojek murder JAKARTA (JP): A mob beat a man to death after he allegedly killed an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver to confiscate his motorcycle in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, early on Tuesday morning. The ojek driver, identified as Yahya, 32, was a resident of Jl. Kemajuan of Petukangan in South Jakarta. The suspected thief has not been identified.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah, stocks ended flat on Tuesday
Rupiah, stocks ended flat on Tuesday JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained unchanged on Tuesday, closing at 8,050 against the U.S. dollar in thin trading as a lack of fresh incentives kept most players out of the local market, currency dealers said. Profit taking on certain blue chip stocks weighed down the stock market, with share prices falling 0.2 percent, stock brokers said.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cheap market in Tangerang
Cheap market in Tangerang TANGERANG (JP): The economics section of the Tangerang mayoralty is organizing a market selling cheap foodstuffs on Tuesday and Wednesday to enable the needy to celebrate the Idul Fitri holidays. E. Habibah, chairwoman of the section, said on Tuesday that the market was intended mainly for the mayoralty's employees of the lowest rank, contract workers and poor people living near the mayoralty office.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mistrust blamed for deadlocked bills
Mistrust blamed for deadlocked bills JAKARTA (JP): "Deep mistrust" among factions and government representatives has been blamed for the House of Representatives' failure on Tuesday to notch up any progress in its deliberation of the political role of the country's 4.1 million public servants. A source close to the deliberation described how legislators from Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP) -- under pressure to complete the reading of three political bills by a Jan.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia shifts stance on Timor
Australia shifts stance on Timor ADELAIDE (Agencies): Australia unveiled a major policy shift over East Timor on Tuesday and said it could see the restive province eventually winning independence from Indonesia, Reuters reported. The Australian government, which previously only supported autonomy for the territory, said it backed a political settlement that could put East Timor on the path to long-term independence.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Antifraud drive nets only Rp 2.29b
Antifraud drive nets only Rp 2.29b JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has recovered a mere Rp 2.29 billion out of an estimated Rp 7.78 billion (US$972,500) embezzled by corrupt city officials since 1982, an official said on Tuesday. The secretary to the city administration, Fauzi Bowo, said the funds had been recovered from among 86 cases of corruption unearthed in a number of city offices, including the supplies office, the sanitation agency and the public works office.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bus firms, brokers hike fares by 50%
Bus firms, brokers hike fares by 50% TANGERANG (JP): At least 20 bus companies at the Cimone bus terminal here have raised ticket prices ahead of the Idul Fitri celebration by up to 50 percent, far above the official allowable raise of only 35 percent. Prices were further raised by "ticket brokers", who swarmed the terminal, forcing travelers to buy tickets from them rather than from the companies directly.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Working group established to prevent student brawls
Working group established to prevent student brawls JAKARTA (JP): A number of sociologists, psychologists and experts from related disciplines have set up a working group to help solve the escalating numbers of student brawls and other juvenile delinquency in the capital, an official said.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Seven local firms renegotiate with foreign creditors
Seven local firms renegotiate with foreign creditors JAKARTA (JP): Seven debt-ridden local companies are currently negotiating with their foreign creditors to restructure their loans amounting to a combined total of US$11 billion, according to Yusuf Anwar, task force chairman of the Jakarta Initiative debt relief program.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tourism body offers islands for gambling
Tourism body offers islands for gambling JAKARTA (JP): The Thousand Islands Marine Tourism Association has offered two islands as possible sites for localized gambling activities, the association's chief said on Tuesday. Djafar Tirtosentono said the offer for Thousand Islands, a chain north of Jakarta in the Java Sea, was a response to Governor Sutiyoso's recent remarks.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taekwondo prepared for SEAG
Taekwondo prepared for SEAG JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Taekwondo Association has called up 40 young athletes to participate in a training program for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The association's secretary-general, Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid, said on Tuesday that the training program began on Dec. 31 in Yogyakarta, Surabaya in East Java and Batam Island in Riau. He said the three locations had been picked for practical reasons.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI gets $500m from ADB
RI gets $500m from ADB MANILA (AP): The Asian Development Bank approved Tuesday the release of an additional US$500 million to help Indonesia implement financial reforms and recover from the region's currency crisis. The money is part of a $1.4 billion financial restructuring loan approved by the Manila-based multilateral bank last June. An initial $500 million was released shortly after the loan's approval.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank recapitalization plan questioned
Bank recapitalization plan questioned JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives urged the government on Tuesday to scale back the massive allotment in the state budget for the bank recapitalization program, and determine the institutions worthy of the assistance. During a budget hearing with finance minister Bambang Subianto, the ruling Golkar faction in the legislature complained the proposed Rp 18 trillion (US$2.4 billion) allotment was too burdensome on the 1999/2000 State Budget.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Exploring the true nature of colors
Exploring the true nature of colors JAKARTA (JP): A visual sensation depends on the effects of light and color, which happens due to the light's special features. Light creates projecting energy. The human eye distinguishes different wavelengths from projected energy which are later interpreted by the brain as colors -- different colors. The human ability to identify colors, aside from being extremely useful, allows us to enjoy certain sensations.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hardship, tensions create a powder keg
Hardship, tensions create a powder keg By Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political tension and economic hardships are combining to create a powder keg of social disorder, unrest and soaring crimes, according to noted sociologist Loekman Soetrisno. The situation is aggravated by the lack of public trust in the government and the Armed Forces, said the Gadjah Mada University lecturer.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
On waste import
On waste import We refer to your article Emil blasts Singaporean waste import on Jan. 7, 1999. Singapore is a party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. We have in place legislation and procedure to regulate the export, import and transit of hazardous waste in full compliance with the provisions in the Basel Convention.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 12, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 450 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 315,500 Alumindo Light Metal 325 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 250 -25 194,500 Aneka Tambang 1,625 0 1,254,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
PT Bukit Asam to raise coal output
PT Bukit Asam to raise coal output JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam has said it plans to raise its coal output to 12.1 million tons this year from 10.1 million tons last year. Company president R.A. Sunardi said late on Monday that last year the company had to curtail output to 10.1 million tons after originally planning to extract 11.8 million tons because of sluggish demand in both foreign and domestic markets.
Wed, 13 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hartford Life buys Kumho
Hartford Life buys Kumho SEOUL (AFP): U.S. financial giant Hartford Life International Ltd. agreed Tuesday to buy a 60 percent stake in Kumho Life Insurance Co. for US$100 million, the Korean company said. Hartford became the first foreign insurance firm to invest here since South Korea went cap-in-hand for a 57-billion-dollar bailout from the International Monetary Fund in December 1997. Under an agreement signed in Seoul, the U.S.