Archive: 21 January 1999
42 articles found
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Voilence mars Idul Fitri
Voilence mars Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): The Idul Fitri holiday this year was marred by violence in Maluku, Central Sulawesi and Aceh, but signs of progress toward peace in East Timor gave cause for optimism when Catholic and Muslim leaders shared the celebrations. In Jakarta, President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Levies continue despite reform
Levies continue despite reform Corruption, I thought, ended with the "reform drive". But when exporters wished to export a container last week, they were forced to make a payment to guarantee their containers would reach the wharf. It's called a security payment due to trucks being banned from the roads over Idul Fitri.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Export smuggling of CPO 'continues'
Export smuggling of CPO 'continues' JAKARTA (JP): While the 60 percent export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) has not proven effective in securing adequate supplies of CPO for domestic cooking oil producers, it has prompted profiteers to smuggle the commodity to foreign markets, industry analysts here said.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Slamet Rahardjo hits 50 with much to look forward to
Slamet Rahardjo hits 50 with much to look forward to By Marselli Sumarno JAKARTA (JP): Director Slamet Rahardjo, who celebrates his birthday today (Thursday), is involved in various organizations. As an actor, he is listed as a member of the Association of Indonesian Film Artists. In his capacity as a director, he is active in the Film and Television Workers' League and has even become its chairman. As a producer, he is a member of the Association of Indonesian Film Producers.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie visits Nasution on 1st day of Idul Fitri
Habibie visits Nasution on 1st day of Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie spent the first day of Idul Fitri Muslim holiday on Tuesday receiving illustrious well- wishers, among them ministers and ambassadors, and visiting some of the country's elders, including Gen. (ret) A.H. Nasution. His predecessor, Soeharto, in his first Idul Fitri as a private citizen in 32 years, met with relatives and neighbors at his mansion in Surakarta, Central Java.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABRI 'cannot follow up Aceh rights abuses'
ABRI 'cannot follow up Aceh rights abuses' By Ridwan Max Sijabat JAKARTA (JP): The Acehnese, still hurting from the violence inflicted during the years of antiseparatist military operations, are now demanding justice. Many Acehnese leaders have said that Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto's apologies last August mean nothing unless past rights abuse cases are resolved. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Chief of Army Strategic Reserves Command Lt. Gen.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Obituary
Obituary S.H. MINTARDJA, a writer of popular historical fiction of the 1960s, died at age 66 at the Bethesda Hospital in his home town of Yogyakarta on Monday. Mintardja had been treated since Dec. 26 for kidney and heart ailments, Antara reported. His son-in-law, Agus Setiawan, said Mintardja, who was born on Jan. 26, 1933, in Yogyakarta, was to be buried on Tuesday.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian dialog, 50 years ago
Indonesian dialog, 50 years ago In 1949, a sequence of monumental episodes occurred. It began with the emergence of the Resolution of the UN Security Council of Jan. 28, which signaled a turning point in the world body's attitude toward Indonesia. The resolution called upon the Netherlands to return the leaders of the Republic of Indonesia, detained in Bangka, to Yogyakarta.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Education reform: Mind over matter
Education reform: Mind over matter By Simon Marcus Gower JAKARTA (JP): Reform has become an extremely popular word in Indonesia, but have its implication and accompanying objectives been fully articulated, understood and explored? Is the concept of reform being swept away in a whirlwind of popular hopes and aspirations, while true reform becomes a distant prospect?
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Torganda's new CPO plant
Torganda's new CPO plant JAKARTA (JP): Plantation firm PT Torganda announced on Monday it would build a crude palm oil (CPO) processing plant and crumb rubber plant in Bengkulu. Torganda's president D.L. Sitorus was quoted by Antara as saying in Medan, North Sumatra, that the new CPO plant would support its planned integrated cooking oil industry. "We want to build an integrated cooking oil industry which can absorb local workforce.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Street children taught about AIDS
Street children taught about AIDS SEMARANG: The Central Java branch of the Indonesian Family Planning Association is teaching various subjects to street children such as arithmetic, writing, ethics and the dangers of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Forty-nine street children will be involved in the program starting February and going through to December this year, Antara on Monday quoted the provincial association director, Farid Husni, as saying.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF admits misgauging Asian crisis
IMF admits misgauging Asian crisis By Reiner S. SINGAPORE (JP): The International Monetary Fund, although admitting it underestimated the severity of the Asian economic crisis, is standing behind its much-criticized high interest rate and banking closure prescriptions as the right remedies. "The program projections badly misgauged the severity of the downturn," the IMF said in a 147-page internal assessment of its bailout programs for Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rain fails to dompen Idul Fitri spirit in Jakarta
Rain fails to dompen Idul Fitri spirit in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Millions of city residents marked Idul Fitri festivities on Tuesday and Wednesday by performing traditional prayers, visiting others to ask forgiveness and flocking to major recreation areas to unwind with family and friends despite the rain.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Less Asians visit Australia
Less Asians visit Australia SYDNEY (DPA): The number of Asians visiting Australia continues to fall because of the regional economic down-turn, with arrivals from Malaysia down by a third and those from Indonesia down by a quarter. Official figures released Monday for October show arrivals from Northeast Asia were down an average 22 percent, with the steepest falls in South Korea (72 percent), Taiwan (22 percent), Japan (9 percent) and Hong Kong (3 percent).
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prospect of unfair poll 'likely'
Prospect of unfair poll 'likely' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid's optimism political bills under deliberation will effect a just general election in June may hold little sway with observers fearful that past bugaboos of rigging and cheating could resurface. Syarwan said he believed the political bills would be adopted by the House in time for the Jan. 28 deadline, despite the stalemate on several crucial issues. "I am confident," he said as quoted by Antara here on Tuesday.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Honorary consul work permit held
Honorary consul work permit held KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The East Nusa Tenggara office of the Ministry of Manpower is keeping the work permit of Australia's honorary consul, Donald Eric van Cooten, 39, pending Antara reported Monday. "So far I have not signed his permit," the head of the office, Priyono said. "There are still several things we have to check regarding his presence here." According to the immigration office here Van Cooten was only permitted to stay up to Dec. 31.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar apology brushed aside
Golkar apology brushed aside JAKARTA (JP): Observers have dismissed Golkar's recent apology for its past mistakes as too little too late, while rival politicians said it was merely a ploy to salvage the group's tattered reputation.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Reckless firework use mars festive 'takbiran' parades
Reckless firework use mars festive 'takbiran' parades JAKARTA (JP): Unofficial street parades along the city's major thoroughfares marking the takbiran prayer celebration on Monday night were marred by the reckless use of fireworks. Even though there were no casualties, fireworks set off by celebrants along major streets, including Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin, frightened many people, especially motorists.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Exiled Indonesians celebrate Idul Fitri holiday
Exiled Indonesians celebrate Idul Fitri holiday JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians in New York City and surrounding areas said their Idul Fitri prayer in the only Indonesian mosque in the United States, where khotib (preacher) M. Achmad Padang told leaders to emulate King Solomon who listened even to the aspiration of mere ants. The preacher said leaders must not be arrogant, but to serve the people.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tourism to recover this year
Tourism to recover this year JAKARTA (JP): Tourism in Indonesia should begin recover after political stability is restored following the general election in June, according to the Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture. Marzuki Usman said at a meeting with German travel agents and writers here on Monday that he was optimistic that tourists would return to Indonesia in their former numbers once political uncertainties here have been resolved.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: by Yanuar Ernawati at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Feb. 26. * Woodcarving Exhibition: The Legacy, at Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Phone: 0361 975136), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Feb. 29.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil, gas exploration increases despite financial catastrophe
Oil, gas exploration increases despite financial catastrophe JAKARTA (JP): Oil and gas contractors intensified exploration last year in anticipation of a recovery in oil prices over the next few years, according to state oil and gas company Pertamina. Pertamina said recently that in 1998 a total of 130 exploration wells were drilled across the country, a 48 percent increase on the 88 wells sunk in 1997.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rumors of attacks cloud Idul Fitri in Lhokseumawe
Rumors of attacks cloud Idul Fitri in Lhokseumawe JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri passed quietly on Tuesday among tense residents of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, as rumors circulated that alleged separatist leader Ahmad Kandang was planning to attack the town during the holiday. Antara said no festivities were seen in the town, about 300 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, with streets and alleys were deserted.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Riots flare up in Ambon and South Sulawesi
Riots flare up in Ambon and South Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): Ten people died and more than 100 were injured in communal clashes that exploded on Tuesday in the Maluku provincial capital of Ambon. The incident followed Thursday's rioting in Dobo, Southeast Maluku, 700 kilometers to the east, in which eight people died and dozens more were injured.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Producer of hydrocarbon
Producer of hydrocarbon With reference to your article Pertamina may raise output by 56 percent next year dated Dec. 22, 1998, we were very much surprised that Total Indonesie, a production sharing contractor of Pertamina operating in the Mahakam Block in East Kalimantan, was not quoted as being a major producer of hydrocarbon in Indonesia.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
SIA, Changi are the best
SIA, Changi are the best HONG KONG (AFP): Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the city-state's Changi Airport swept the board in the OAG Worldwide annual industry awards announced here Tuesday. Frequent business travelers voted SIA the world's best airline for its services to the Asia-Pacific region, its short-haul first and business class flights as well as its long and short-haul economy services, a statement said.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
The millennium bug: Mild cold or nasty flu?
The millennium bug: Mild cold or nasty flu? By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): People have made such a big deal about the millennium bug. Recently, there has been a marked increase of advertisements offering assistance and consultation on how to deal with the potential problem that could be caused by systems failure due to the calendar systems within computers. Actually, the millennium bug was identified early enough so that most computers in use today will not be effected by it.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lower farm produce exports expected
Lower farm produce exports expected JAKARTA (JP): Exports of agricultural produce are expected to fall this year, while manufactured exports are forecast to show a slight increase, according to an official report. The report issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade forecast that crude palm oil (CPO) exports would fall in value by six percent to US$505 million in 1999, from $538 million in 1998. In 1997, CPO exports were worth $1.45 billion.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI asks Japan to help fill budget shortfall
RI asks Japan to help fill budget shortfall TOKYO (Agencies): Indonesia's top economic minister called on Japan Tuesday to join international institutions in forming a rescue package to help fill Indonesia's budget shortfall. Ginandjar Kartasasmita, the coordinating minister for economy, finance and industry, made the request when he met International Trade and Industry Minister Kaoru Yosano in Tokyo.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian stocks end mixed as Tokyo shares rise 1.9%
Asian stocks end mixed as Tokyo shares rise 1.9% TOKYO (AFP): Tokyo shares rose 1.9 percent Wednesday on expectations of massive government spending to lift the real- estate sector as Asian stock markets ended mixed. After a modest rise overnight on Wall Street, Hong Kong gained 0.2 percent, Singapore ended barely higher, Sydney rose 0.6 percent and Auckland was up 1.1 percent.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from Jan. 18 to Jan. 24
Rates for tax payment, valid from Jan. 18 to Jan. 24 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 7,925.00 Austrian schilling 1 771.10 Australian dollar 1 4,996.71 Belgian franc 1 263.23 Canadian dollar 1 5,171.63 Swiss franc 1 5,658.69 Deutschemark 1 4,660.67 Danish krone 1 1,244.53 French franc 1 1,618.85 Poundsterling 1 12,911.41 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,022.74 Italian lira 100 548.42 Japanese yen 100 6,971.32 Malaysian ringgit 1 2,032.16 Dutch guilder 1 4,818.69 Norwegian krone 1 1,061.54 Swedish krona 1 1,014.12...
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Three die in accident
Three die in accident DILI (ANTARA): A public transport vehicle fell into a ravine in Lautem regency in East Timor, killing three of its passengers. Antara reported Monday that five others were severely injured in the accident on Saturday around 2 p.m. in the Moro district. East Timor police spokesman Widodo said the three victims were Theresia Freitas, 38, Vidal Amaral, 9, and Igino dos Santos, 17. The brakes of the vehicle had malfunctioned, police said.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds kept waiting at port
Hundreds kept waiting at port JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people were kept waiting for over five hours on Monday after the Kambuna and Sirimau were late to arrive at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta. Many passengers arriving in time for the scheduled departure were forced to wait outside due to the limited capacity of the port's passenger terminal. The boats were initially scheduled to depart at 3 p.m. Port officials failed to announce the delay or the revised departure time, Antara reported.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's 'reformasi' movement shifts tack
Malaysia's 'reformasi' movement shifts tack By Benjamin Low KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Off the city streets and back to the villages. Cowed by police batons and tired of fighting, anti-government demonstrators in Malaysia's capital say they have not given up the fight, just shifted tactics. "To say that the feelings are dying, that is rubbish!" an irate 30-year-old management consultant said.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Domestic tourist industry urges open-skies policy
Domestic tourist industry urges open-skies policy JAKARTA (JP): Tourist industries here remain adamant that the government should take further steps to open up domestic air routes to foreign carriers, arguing that the changes would be a welcome boost to tourism. However, domestic airlines remain unenthusiastic about the plan, an industry source said.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
WB mulls loans for Indonesia and Malaysia
WB mulls loans for Indonesia and Malaysia BANGKOK (Reuters): The World Bank is preparing a package of structural adjustment loans for Indonesia under a US$1 billion pledge made in March last year when the country was struck hard by crisis. A decision on that would hinge on substantial domestic financial and political reforms, according to Jean-Michel Severino, the bank's vice president for the East Asia region.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies drift sideways, won and Taiwan dollar rally
Asian monies drift sideways, won and Taiwan dollar rally SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies ended Asian hours mixed against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, as trading in regional markets was slow to restart after Tuesday's holidays. Unsure exactly how Brazil's floating of the real, which was confirmed late Monday, will affect medium-term sentiment toward Asia's crisis-hit economies, traders and investors were reluctant to build fresh positions in the regional markets.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military goes ahead with militia recruitment
Military goes ahead with militia recruitment JAKARTA (JP): The city military command began recruiting 12,000 people for the People's Security (Kamra) in the capital as part of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) controversial militia recruitment plan, an official said. The command's spokesman, Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi, said on Tuesday that the recruitment, which started on Jan.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two furniture shops gutted by fire
Two furniture shops gutted by fire JAKARTA (JP): Two furniture shops were gutted by a fire on Jl. Jembatan Tinggi in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday. The fire was discovered in a shop belonging to Aming at 4:30 p.m. Despite falling rain, the fire spread quickly to a neighboring shop. Thirteen fire engines were dispatched to the scene, but their arrival was delayed by hundreds of vendors who had set up temporary stalls on roads surrounding the burning shops.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pests attack Sumba crops
Pests attack Sumba crops MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Around 750 hectares of crops have been destroyed by locusts in the past few weeks, according to the head of food crops of East Sumba. The official, Umbu Kaludang, was quoted as saying over the weekend that the pests had attacked crops in 26 villages. He hoped the government could help wipe them out as the local agricultural agency had ran out of pesticides. Residents were now trying traditional methods such as burning them.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Exhibition * Painting Exhibition at Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Phone: 031 5661550), until Jan. 24. Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - The Tavern Pub: Phenomenon Band, Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Sunday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Friday to Saturday, 7 p.m.
Thu, 21 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shoe producers predict exports down this year
Shoe producers predict exports down this year JAKARTA (JP): Local shoe producers foresee a continuing drop in export orders to US$1.5 billion this year from $1.8 billion in 1998 as foreign buyers anticipate economic and political instability in Indonesia, an industry executive has said.