Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 January 1999

41 articles found

Ojek thief caught and killed by mob

Ojek thief caught and killed by mob JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents beat a man to death after allegedly catching him trying steal an ojek (motorcycle taxi) from its driver in Cipari village in Cikupa, Tangerang, on Wednesday night. The victim, identified as Bisri Irawan, 35, was attacked by the local people when they heard the ojek driver, named Syaitot, 32, of Ciakar village, Cikupa, screaming for help, Antara said.

Maj. Bayu faces four years imprisonment for Aceh killings

Maj. Bayu faces four years imprisonment for Aceh killings JAKARTA (JP): A military prosecutor demanded on Sunday that a court martial in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh imprison a former battalion commander to four years prison and dismiss him from the Armed Forces. The prosecutor said that Maj. Bayu Najib, of North Aceh Battalion 113 Jaya Sakti, was guilty of battery that led to the deaths of four Acehnese detainees on Jan. 9, Antara reported.

3,000 drop-outs in East Kalimantan

3,000 drop-outs in East Kalimantan SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The crisis has led to some 3,080 students becoming school drop-outs in the province in the past year. The head of the education office here, Rijani Asnawie, also said an open junior high school system was being applied for those who could not continue studies. In this system teachers come to teach the children at the school nearest to them.

Gold price rise catches debtors

Gold price rise catches debtors NGANJUK, East Java: Two hundred elementary school teachers in Nganjuk who took out debts linked to the price of gold have been caught short by sharp rises in the price of the precious metal. "Last year, many teachers were contacted by salesmen working for a man called Wagiran. They were offered loans linked to the price of gold," a teacher who asked for anonymity told Antara on Saturday.

7 questioned over mosque murder

7 questioned over mosque murder JAKARTA (JP): Police are still investigating the murder case of a mosque caretaker, who was found dead on Saturday morning at the Al-Jihad Grand Mosque compound on Jl. H. Juanda in Ciputat, South Jakarta, a police chief said on Sunday. South Jakarta Police Detectives Chief Capt. Rycko Amelza Dahniel said seven people had been questioned in connection with the death of Abdul Halim, 65, who was found dead at 1:30 a.m. in his bedroom at the mosque.

Fung Permadi, Zhou Mi wins Korea Open badminton finals

Fung Permadi, Zhou Mi wins Korea Open badminton finals SEOUL (Agencies): Taiwanese Fung Permadi and Zhou Mi of China took the singles titles in the Korea Open badminton championships on Sunday. Fung, a former Indonesian, handed fellow veteran Thomas Stuer- Lauridsen his first big defeat in more than a year by beating the Dane 17-14, 15-6 for the men's title.

Public phones fixed 'for holiday'

Public phones fixed 'for holiday' JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta office of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom has assigned 48 employees to repair and maintain 135 public telephones in busy locations. The office said in a statement that the repairs were intended mainly to improve service ahead and during the Idul Fitri holiday, which falls on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Rewards for stray dog killers

Rewards for stray dog killers BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial government of South Kalimantan has said it will reward any residents who succeed in capturing or killing stray dogs roaming the area. Sobari, the head of the animal husbandry office here said on Sunday that the government would pay Rp 25,000 for each dog killed in an effort to contain the rabies virus.

Tabloid gives food to its distributors

Tabloid gives food to its distributors JAKARTA (JP): The weekly tabloid Tekad, in cooperation with the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, handed over 1,400 food packages to newspaper sellers in the Greater Jakarta area. Parni Hadi, chief of the newspaper's editorial board, said the donation was to show the tabloid's gratitude to the newspaper sellers for their role in expanding its circulation.

Ways to better RI English skills

Ways to better RI English skills By A. Chaedar Alwasilah BANDUNG (JP): Success in implementing educational programs depends on many variables. Mixed in are teachers, student motivation, textbooks, bureaucrats' attitude and government policy. All form a vicious circle when the programs end up as a failure. Often we find ourselves in the dilemma of deciding which to fix first.

Astra International unlikely to be declared bankrupt

Astra International unlikely to be declared bankrupt JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest automaker, PT Astra International, is unlikely be taken to bankruptcy court by its creditors despite the current stalemate in debt talks, a joint venture securities house has said.

West Natuna pipeline project to be bid soon

West Natuna pipeline project to be bid soon JAKARTA (JP): The West Natuna gas contractors will soon hold a tender for the construction of the underwater pipeline megaproject to channel natural gas from the gas fields west of the Natuna islands to Singapore. Rab Speirs, president of Premier Oil Natuna Sea Ltd, a subsidiary of Britain's Premier Oil, one of the contractors, said on Friday that the invitation for the tender would be sent to prospective bidders later this month.

Is it possible to print and scan with the same device?

Is it possible to print and scan with the same device? By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Is scanning the reverse of the printing process? Canon, one of the companies that have accumulated the largest numbers of patent rights in the world, apparently thinks so. Therefore, for some time now it has been marketing several ink jet printer models that can be turned into scanners. A printer and a scanner in one single unit is nothing new, actually.

SME loan collateral liquidation to end

SME loan collateral liquidation to end JAKARTA (JP): Three Indonesian business associations have urged the government to stop liquidating collateral belonging to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) held by state banks. The associations claimed on Saturday that Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita had instructed Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto to discontinue the liquidations.

TV programs

TV programs 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 Variety Show: Mega Idul Fitri 8:00 Music 8:30 TV Drama: Ramadhan Bulan Ibadah 9:00 Music 9:30 Interval 2:00 p.m.

Local auto sales dropped 83% in 1998: Association

Local auto sales dropped 83% in 1998: Association JAKARTA (JP): Domestic automobile sales in 1998 nosedived 83 percent, according to the latest report from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries. The 68,413 vehicles consisted of 46,398 commercial vehicles and 11,613 passenger vehicles. Sales for 1997 were 392,203. December ranked the worst sales month of 1998 with 1,813 units moving from showrooms, down from 2,394 in November.

Sabah election to test Mahathir

Sabah election to test Mahathir KOTA KINABALU (Reuters): Malaysia's political battleground soon shifts to Sabah state on Borneo Island where Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad faces his first test of strength since sacking his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim. The Sabah legislature's five-year term ends on March 18, and polls in the oil-rich state are widely expected in coming weeks.

Severe problems may pitch Thai banks back into crisis

Severe problems may pitch Thai banks back into crisis BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's crippled banks have made tangible progress in tackling billions of dollars of debt but severe problems are looming which could pitch the sector back into crisis, analysts warn. Burdened by bad debts equal to 46 percent of total loans, the struggling sector is unable to offer the magnitude of new lending desperately needed to promote demand, growth and recovery, analysts say.

Cilacap refinery upgraded

Cilacap refinery upgraded JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has increased the capacity of its refinery in Cilacap, Central Java, to 348,000 barrels of oil per day from 300,000 barrels. Refinery spokesman Husni Banser was quoted by Antara news service as saying on Friday in Cilacap that Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto was scheduled to inaugurate the completion of capacity improvement project next month.

PGI demands equal protection for people of all religions

PGI demands equal protection for people of all religions JAKARTA (JP): The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) demanded last week that the government make good of its repeated promise to give equal protection to people of all religions. "We urge the government and security personnel to carry out their duty and ensure the rights for protection, for propriety and for religious freedom are held up in this country," the organization said in its assessment of 1998 in term of religious affairs.

Thousands of school buildings in disrepair

Thousands of school buildings in disrepair JAKARTA (JP): More than 100,000 elementary school buildings across the country are in a state of serious disrepair as a result of old age and poor maintenance, a legislator reported on Saturday. Engkoswara, the deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission VII for education, confirmed that 60 percent of 170,000 elementary school buildings surveyed across the country were in poor condition.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Calligraphy Exhibition: by Yoesoef Effendie, at Jl. Mesjid I/19, Pejompongan, West Jakarta (Phone: 5733912), Jan. 18. * Batik, Furniture Exhibition: Batik dan Antik, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194278), Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., until Jan. 31.

Much-maligned ABRI

Much-maligned ABRI The province of Aceh is once again the center of Indonesian political attention. This is because of the Wibawa military operation and the attack of soldiers on unarmed civilians, which caused the death of at least four and wounded many more. This is to be regretted and should be condemned by all law-abiding citizens. The National Committee on Human Rights and several other organizations have sent people to Aceh to investigate.

Bandung Propertindo in court

Bandung Propertindo in court JAKARTA (JP): Property firm PT Para Bandung Propertindo was taken to commercial court on Thursday by three small-scaled firms. Data from the Jakarta Commercial Court said that PT Daine Citra Abadi, PT Agrabudi Komunika and Choida Sport Market jointly filed a bankruptcy petition against Bandung Propertindo after the latter failed to return their down payment of US$135,551 to rent space in Bandung Supermal. Bandung Supermal, located on Jl.

Passengers flock to bus terminals, railway stations

Passengers flock to bus terminals, railway stations JAKARTA (JP): All of the city's major bus terminals and railway stations were inundated on Sunday by thousands of people anxious to travel home to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday. A large crowd of would-be passengers could be seen at East Jakarta's Pulogadung bus terminal, where nearly 32,000 people were forced to stay overnight on Saturday due to a shortage of buses.

Luwu clashes continue in run-up to Idul Fitri

Luwu clashes continue in run-up to Idul Fitri By Jupriadi LUWU, South Sulawesi (JP): On more person died on Sunday as clashes continued between armed residents in the Sabbang district of Luwu regency, bringing the death toll from the week-long strife to six. In Rantela'bi hamlet in Kalotok village, attackers also looted homes, mainly targeting electronic items, police said.

A matter of rights

A matter of rights In past years anyone who was branded as a member or supporter of the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) had to face death, whether physically or socially. The PKI mark was also a most effective weapon in the hands of those who were in power to dispose of anyone who differed in their opinions. Now, after 34 years, that stigma is beginning to fade.

SIA gives scholarship

SIA gives scholarship JAKARTA (JP): Singapore Airlines and the Wipara Foundation awarded on Saturday scholarships to 235 eligible students. Singapore Airlines General Manager Indonesia Vijendran Alfreds said that the scholarship program was aimed at helping to ease the impact of the economic crisis which has affected students' ability to continue their studies. "We were very sad when we heard that some parents were having difficulty sending children to school.

Six killed in Manila fire

Six killed in Manila fire MANILA (Reuters): Five children were among six people killed in a fire which razed a row of houses in a slum in the Manila district of Paranaque on Sunday morning, fire officials said. Official Daniel Mercado said the fire broke out at dawn and was brought under control after about three hours. The victims included a 66-year-old woman and five children under 10, he said.

Idul Fitri for presidents past and present

Idul Fitri for presidents past and present JAKARTA (JP): The Idul Fitri Muslim holiday on Tuesday will be the first for B.J. Habibie as President of Indonesia. It will also be the first for Soeharto as an ordinary citizen after celebrating it as the head of state for 32 consecutive years. Soeharto and an entourage of 150 people are expected to arrive on Monday in Surakarta, Central Java, to greet the holiday -- known locally as Lebaran -- at his private mansion Dalem Kalitan.

Idul Fitri

Idul Fitri In celebration of Idul Fitri, The Jakarta Pos will not appear on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Post will resume publication on Thursday. We wish you a happy Idul Fitri. -- Publisher

Golkar apologizes for past mistakes

Golkar apologizes for past mistakes JAKARTA (JP): The dominant ruling group Golkar apologized to the public on Sunday for its past mistakes. The apology, given in the Idul Fitri spirit of asking forgiveness of one another, was thought by many to be long overdue. "Apart from its achievements, Golkar admits it has yet to implement much of the public mandate (entrusted to it)," Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said in a statement.

Idul Fitri revelers brave congestion, rains and flooding

Idul Fitri revelers brave congestion, rains and flooding JAKARTA (JP): Some crisis-stricken residents are preparing to gather with families and celebrate Idul Fitri with whatever they have, braving much larger risks than in previous years. Apart from the usual congestion, there have been landslides and floods, worsening roads, the danger of looters faced by homebound urban workers, and possible riots on the routes they must pass.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Monday Maghrib 6:18 p.m.

Bars, cafes face gloomy trade during Idul Fitri holidays

Bars, cafes face gloomy trade during Idul Fitri holidays JAKARTA (JP): Most the capital's noted bars, cafes and restaurants, including those in five-star hotels, are projected to record a drastic downturn of between 25 percent to 50 percent in sales during the Idul Fitri holidays from last year's figures, their managers have said. Contacted separately on Friday and Saturday, the managers said that this drastic downturn would be caused mainly by the impact of the prolonged economic crisis.

Palm sugar makers stuck in bitter bind of debt

Palm sugar makers stuck in bitter bind of debt By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): For all his 60 years, Munarjo can still agilely climb a 12-meter-high palm tree. Two empty sap-collecting bamboo tubes, each about 50 cm long, hang from his waist. Bare-chested, he jumps onto the tree stem and midrib to affix the tubes to the tip of fruit ovules. Then the old man clambers down, taking with him tubes containing liquid.

Gitic declared bankrupt

Gitic declared bankrupt BEIJING (DPA): A southern China court on Saturday announced the formal bankruptcy of the Guangdong International Trust and Investment Company and assigned a special task force to liquidate its assets, the official media reported Sunday. The Higher People's Court of Guangdong said Gitic and its four subsidiaries had failed to meet maturing debt obligations because of poor management and illegal fund-raising, the Xinhua news agency said.

One soldier dies in latest Aceh violence

One soldier dies in latest Aceh violence JAKARTA (JP): A soldier was killed by Keudu Karieng villagers early Sunday morning in the Meurah Mulia district of North Aceh, shortly after the visit of outgoing chief of the Armed Forces (ABRI) General Affairs Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi on Saturday. Soldiers recovered the body of First Sgt.

Asian lending cut by 66% in 1998 as economies slump

Asian lending cut by 66% in 1998 as economies slump HONG KONG (Bloomberg): Banks cut lending to Asian companies and governments by two-thirds in 1998 from 1997, as international lenders decided not to sink any more money into a region where defaults were already rife. One of the biggest retreats came from HSBC Holdings Plc, the U.K.'s largest bank and still one of the most active lenders in Asia.

Agriculture minister joins outcry on rice import tax

Agriculture minister joins outcry on rice import tax JAKARTA (JP): Agriculture minister Soleh Solahuddin has sided with analysts in faulting the state minister of food affairs and horticulture's proposal for a 40 percent duty on rice imports. Soleh said on Friday the government should improve the distribution mechanism of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and the provincial logistics agencies (Dolog), rather than blindly imposing an import duty recommended by A.M. Saefuddin.

Japan lends $1.4b to RP

Japan lends $1.4b to RP MANILA (AP): President Joseph Estrada Sunday said Japan has approved a request from the Philippines for $1.4 billion in loans to be obtained from a fund the Japanese government created to help crisis-hit Asian countries. The loan's approval was finalized in a meeting between Philippine Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu and his Japanese counterpart, Kiichi Miyazawa, in Frankfurt on Friday, Estrada said in a statement.