Archive: 27 January 1999
54 articles found
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Preconditions attached to emergency loans
Preconditions attached to emergency loans JAKARTA (JP): Poor city residents hoping to get a portion of the Rp 109.52 billion emergency aid fund must first meet certain requirements, heads of the Village Resilience Board (LKMD) said Tuesday. According to LKMD executives in charge of channeling the aid money, people wanting loans from the fund would, for instance, have to submit a proposal to their neighborhood chief.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Net forex reserves rise again to $15b
Net forex reserves rise again to $15b JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia's (BI) net foreign exchange reserves rose by US$731.6 million to $15.05 billion on Jan. 22, up from the previous week's level of $14.32 billion. The central bank said in its latest weekly report on Tuesday that the increase was the result of the disbursement of loans from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and proceeds from oil and gas exports.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies boosted by Zhu's statement
Asian monies boosted by Zhu's statement SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies snapped back from Monday's lows in Asian trading on Tuesday, regaining most of the previous day's losses after Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji quashed market fears China was about to devalue its currency.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Six wounded during intervillage brawl
Six wounded during intervillage brawl PEMALANG, Central Java: Security forces firing into a mob during a fight between residents from two villages in Central Java wounded six people. Hundreds of residents of the Sugihwaras and Widuri villages in Pemalang were involved in clashes on Saturday, and security personnel fired into the mob after warning shots were ignored. The attack by villagers from Sugihwaras also left one shop burned and several houses damaged in the village of Widuri.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Low-cost apartment project abandoned
Low-cost apartment project abandoned TANGERANG (JP): The development of low-cost apartments for factory workers in the Jatiuwung industrial district here has come to a halt because of the prolonged economic crisis, an official said on Monday. "The apartments were designed to provide adequate units for factory workers and other low-income people. Only 80 percent of the construction has been completed," Undang Suherman, chief of the Tangerang housing agency, said.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Put prices back to regular level
Put prices back to regular level From Neraca As usual, basic food commodities have become more expensive because prices of agricultural produce are subject to supply and demand. This year, the price of a chicken went up to Rp 30,000 and chilies reached Rp 25,000 per kg. Nonfood products have also increased in price. It is customary that once prices have increased they will remain high, and often do not return to their former level. I appeal to traders to mark down prices to regular rates.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1999
TV Program: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1999 TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:00 Morning News 7:00 Children's Program: Lagu Anak Nusantara 7:30 TV Series 8:30 Tour and Travel 9:00 Music: Hiburan Keluarga 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 26, 1999: --------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 25 43,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal 250 -25 178,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 35,000 Aneka Tambang 1,450 25 2,139,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 39,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hotel Borobudur enters new era
Hotel Borobudur enters new era JAKARTA (JP): The transformed Hotel Borobudur Jakarta entered a new era on Tuesday when the infant Discovery Hotels & Resorts officially replaced Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts as manager of the five-star hotel. PT Jakarta International Hotels and Development (JIHD), the owner of Hotel Borobudur, said the move to change the hotel's management was aimed at keeping the hotel afloat during the prolonged economic turmoil.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Int'l auditors get bitter welcome
Int'l auditors get bitter welcome By Andy Budiman JAKARTA (JP): International auditors assigned by Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to carry out the due diligence of banks in the country have been assailed with so many unkind remarks.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank PDFCI to become export funding agency
Bank PDFCI to become export funding agency JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan has confirmed that Bank PDFCI, one of the private banks nationalized last year, will be transformed into a government- sponsored export financing agency. Rahardi told reporters on Monday that publicly listed PDFCI would start operation in March to overhaul problems in the country's export-related activities.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Railroad rails from Austria
Railroad rails from Austria JAKARTA (JP): Some 300 kilometers of railroad rails from Austria will arrive soon for installation in South Sumatra, Anwar Suprijadi, secretary general of the communications ministry, said on Tuesday. Anwar told reporters that the railroad rail imports were funded by a soft loan from the Austrian government which would be repaid by the Indonesian government, not the state railway company. (vin)
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students deny planning major protest rallies
Students deny planning major protest rallies JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta students grouped in the City Forum (Forkot) and Salemba Forum (Forsal) have strongly denied rumors that they plan to stage massive anti-government street rallies over a three-day period starting on Wednesday. Forkot spokesman Syahdatul Kahfi accused the government of starting the rumors to create antipathy toward the students and discredit their struggle to win democracy for Indonesia.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Witness recognizes one defendants in kidnapping case
Witness recognizes one defendants in kidnapping case JAKARTA (JP): A member of the East Jakarta Military Command told a military tribunal on Tuesday that he believed he recognized one of the 11 Army Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers on trial as one of the kidnappers of three activists. Summoned to the witness stand, First Sgt.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Man shot dead by group of armed men
Man shot dead by group of armed men DILI, East Timor: A Carabau villager in the Bonobaro regency was shot dead in the village of Wababa, Covalima, by a group of armed men on Sunday. Fernando Cardoso, 25, and his two friends were riding on a motorbike from Carabau to Covalima when they spotted a red Toyota van with six passengers. The six men reportedly became upset because Fernando and his friends tried to overtake them.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
40-year-old minivan driver commits suicide
40-year-old minivan driver commits suicide JAKARTA (JP): After three failed attempts to commit suicide, 40-year-old minivan driver Junaedi was finally found dead on Tuesday hanging from the rail of a double bunk bed at a relative's house in South Jakarta. None of his family, including his wife Didin Saidah, could really understand his motive for ending his life.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Effective education calls for critical, intellectual teachers
Effective education calls for critical, intellectual teachers By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Joko Kusmanto's article in the Jan. 9 edition of The Jakarta Post stirred ambivalent feelings in me. On the one hand, I completely agree with his vision that our teachers should become "critical and transformative -- or transforming -- intellectuals". On the other, I have grave doubts such a vision can materialize in our present society.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Businessmen call for restoration of order, security
Businessmen call for restoration of order, security JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian business community urged President B.J. Habibie on Tuesday to immediately restore order and security in the country as a prerequisite for businesses to resume normal operations. Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Aburizal Bakrie said the government had to stamp out the rising incidence of rioting and looting which had been endangering businesses.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Comfort women' seek compensation
'Comfort women' seek compensation JAKARTA (JP): About 300 former soldiers, workers and sex slaves who worked for the Japanese occupation forces during World War II tried again on Tuesday to press the Japanese government for compensation and unpaid wages. Led by Yusuf Tamin, the former soldiers (heiho), workers (romusha) and "comfort women" marched to the Japanese embassy in Central Jakarta on Tuesday morning.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Col. Soenarko gets new posting
Col. Soenarko gets new posting JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman installed Col. Soenarko D.A. on Monday as the new chief of the center of operations and control, replacing Col. Faizal Arwien. The move was marked by a modest ceremony at the headquarters of the Jakarta Police on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto says ABRI is having 'credibility test'
Wiranto says ABRI is having 'credibility test' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto has acknowledged that prolonged social unrest in parts of the country has put the Armed Forces' credibility at stake. "There are numerous problems of social unrest which ... demand the Armed Forces has the credibility to handle.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kadin suggests 10% export tax on CPO
Kadin suggests 10% export tax on CPO JAKARTA (JP): A planned cut of the export tax imposed on crude palm oil (CPO) and its by-products would not be enough to help farmers and plantation companies cope with the current economic crisis, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said on Tuesday.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Army kills rebels in the Philippines
Army kills rebels in the Philippines COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): At least six rebels were killed in fierce fighting on Tuesday as 2,000 soldiers launched a ground assault on a southern separatist training base, Philippine officials said. A guerrilla spokesman said 10 soldiers were killed, which the military denied while conceding two of its men were killed in an ambush on Monday.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
More trouble ahead
More trouble ahead Law and order is irretrievably breaking down in Indonesia. Even the most casual observer of the Indonesian scene will agree that there has not been a time like this when the slightest provocation is enough for wanton destruction and bloodshed. After a long weekend of sectarian slaughter in Ambon on Maluku, villagers have torched a large, export-oriented pig farm on Java. By comparison with some other bouts of violence in the country recently, these two incidents were mild.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Garuda eyes $31m in profits this year
Garuda eyes $31m in profits this year JAKARTA (JP): National flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia said on Tuesday it expects Rp 280 billion (US$31 million) in net profit this year, a drastic rise from the estimated Rp 400 billion net loss incurred last year.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Singapore group to shell stake in Indorayon
Singapore group to shell stake in Indorayon JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of the Singapore-registered Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd. (APRIL) have voted to divest the group's 62 percent stake in the publicly listed pulp and rayon producer PT Inti Indorayon Utama. In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, Indorayon said the Tanoto family would retain a controlling stake in the widely criticized company.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tin plate dumped here
Tin plate dumped here JAKARTA (JP): The finance minister has imposed countervailing duties ranging from 5 to 68 percent on tin plates from Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. The minister, by decree No.23/1999 dated Jan. 18, set antidumping duties on tin plates from BHP Steel and other Australian producers at 28 percent. Tin plates from Japan are subject to 68 percent countervailing duties.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Domestic airfares raised after polls
Domestic airfares raised after polls JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) plans to raise domestic airfares after the general election in June to adjust to increasing operational costs that have been driven up by a weakening rupiah. The association's chairman Soelarto Hadisoemarto told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday the planned airline tariffs hike would follow an expected rise in jet fuel prices after the government removes subsidies on the fuel this year.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Amien warns against great economic hopes
Amien warns against great economic hopes SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesian opposition leader Amien Rais warned Tuesday against inflated economic expectations if a "clean and grand coalition" government replaces the current government in elections slated for June. "The economic future in Indonesia is still...very, very gloomy," he said in a lecture delivered in Singapore.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur meets with Soeharto
Gus Dur meets with Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid visited former president Soeharto at the latter's residence on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon for a belated Idul Fitri get-together. Abdurrahman said he had also conveyed to Soeharto a special message from Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, requesting the former president to use his power to stop unrest created by his followers.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Stop violence against women migrant workers'
'Stop violence against women migrant workers' JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Women's Affairs Tutty Alawiyah said on Monday that she regretted violence toward migrant workers, particularly women, and said it must be stopped. Minister of Justice Muladi also said reports of victimized migrants "had to be taken seriously". They were speaking after addressing a one-day seminar held by the Mitra Perempuan crisis center and the United Nations Population Fund on overcoming violence against women.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Flooding in Ende claims two lives
Flooding in Ende claims two lives MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Three-days of heavy rains that began last Wednesday caused flooding in the Detusoko and Maurole districts of Ende, claiming two lives. As of Monday, dozens of bridges and hundreds of hectares of fields were still underwater. According to Petrus Lengo, the head of the Ministry of Public Works' local office, the flooding caused an estimated Rp 1 billion in financial losses.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Deal struck on civil servants
Deal struck on civil servants JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives and the government struck an eleventh hour agreement on Tuesday over the question of civil servants' political rights, as pressures mounted to finalize the new legislation for the June general election.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Jan. 26, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Urgent action needed
Urgent action needed Notwithstanding the buoyant first reactions to Sunday's meeting between Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and a number of religious, political and community leaders known as the "Ciganjur-plus" group, one should not be surprised that many people remain skeptical about that unprecedented encounter. One could perhaps argue that in Indonesia's current situation, any effort, however small, to end the recurring violence and overcome the crisis is better than no effort at all.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
House remains deadlocked over military's presence
House remains deadlocked over military's presence JAKARTA (JP): Faction leaders lobbied intensively until late Tuesday night but failed to decide whether to satisfy the Armed Forces (ABRI) proposal of 38 unelected House of Representatives seats, or 15 as the United Development Party (PPP) demanded.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two generals asked to testify in trial
Two generals asked to testify in trial YOGYAKARTA: Gen. (ret) M. Panggabean and Gen. (ret) M. Yusuf are obliged to testify in the trial of Soekardjo Wilardjito, a former guard of founding president Sukarno, a lawyer said on Tuesday. The presence of the two generals was absolutely needed because they were the ones who filed a report against Soekardjo with the police last year for defamation. "Old age cannot be used as an excuse to avoid the court," said Budi Hartono, Soekardjo's defense lawyer.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
ARCO says PLN is after all a good customer
ARCO says PLN is after all a good customer JAKARTA (JP): The president of Atlantic Richfield Indonesia Inc. (ARII), Leon Codron, has termed state electricity company PT PLN a good customer despite the latter's failure to meet its financial obligations. Codron said PLN's controversial decision to pay its power and gas suppliers, including ARII, at the precrisis rate of Rp 2,450 per U.S. dollar was understandable given the heavy impact of the economic crisis on the company.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
It's 'only a brick' at 'RRI'
It's 'only a brick' at 'RRI' JAKARTA (JP): The National Police bomb squad revealed Tuesday that the object originally believed to have been an explosive device at the state-run Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) building in Central Jakarta was "merely a brick", an officer has said. "We've been fooled again, it's only a brick," a source at the squad told The Jakarta Post. According to the officer, the brick was neatly wrapped with bundles of papers and a white plastic sheet.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local financial market perks up as yuan fears abate
Local financial market perks up as yuan fears abate JAKARTA (JP): The local financial market regained some of its recent losses on Tuesday, calmed after tremors subsided from a rumored devaluation of the Chinese yuan. The rupiah strengthened to close at 9,100 against the U.S. dollar in thin trading and stock prices rose 4 percent, taking heart from Wall Street's overnight gains. Currency dealers cautioned that the rupiah failed to break the 9,000 boundary level despite its slight recovery.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina faces land seizure
Pertamina faces land seizure TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang property tax office has threatened to seize a 33.2 hectare plot of land belonging to state oil and gas company Pertamina in Pondok Cabe Udik, Pamulang, if the firm fails to pay tax arrears of Rp 6.41 billion (US$754,117), an official said on Tuesday. Djunaidi AB-Ham, who heads the property tax office, said on Monday that Pertamina owed Rp 6.5 billion in unpaid taxes as of April last year.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fresh report add to Maluku's riot toll
Fresh report add to Maluku's riot toll JAKARTA (JP): At least 12 died in an additional clash in Ambon, Antara reported Tuesday. The agency said a military vehicle from Ambon traveled to the village of Benteng Karang last week to bury 12 people, including a number of women and children, who were allegedly killed in clashes there which reportedly occurred last week.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Official warns of dengue fever threat
Official warns of dengue fever threat JAKARTA (JP): The irregular rainfall this wet season will pose the danger of a dengue fever epidemic in the capital, a health official said Tuesday. Aslan Lasman, head of the city health agency, said the number of victims would be comparable to last year, in which 133 deaths and 15,422 infections were attributed to the disease.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four soldiers admit to torturing detainees
Four soldiers admit to torturing detainees JAKARTA (JP): Four defendants in a court-martial in Banda Aceh on Tuesday admitted to having tortured detainees and causing the deaths of four of them. Their confessions were heard in the second session of the trial, D&R reported Tuesday from Banda Aceh. Their superior, a major, is being tried separately. The defendants, part of a group of 27 due to be brought to trial, were privates first class Amsir, U. Harahap, Marolaum Situmorang, and Effendi.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Monas cafe owners seek return of levies
Monas cafe owners seek return of levies JAKARTA (JP): Owners of street cafes located in National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta which were looted and damaged by security guards last week want the site operator to return their levies and security fees immediately. In a meeting with local officials on Tuesday, the 50 cafe owners, mostly local television and movie stars, said that the amount of money they paid daily to site manager Amijaya reached some Rp 300 million.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
House members' severance pay
House members' severance pay From Merdeka I was horrified after reading a report that House of Representatives (DPR) members will receive severance pay of Rp 200 million because their term, originally to last until 2002, will be cut short. They will also receive retirement pay calculated until 2002. The matter is being discussed in the House's administrative office.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed gangs hijack cars, victims unhurt
Armed gangs hijack cars, victims unhurt JAKARTA (JP): Gangs of armed men hijacked vehicles driven by two lone motorists in South Jakarta then abandoned their victims on the Jagorawi toll road between Jakarta and Bogor in separate incidents on Monday night. The first victim was identified as Ajid, 22, a resident of Jl. Baung in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. He was found with his hands bound by a toll road patrol in the Cipayung area at around 10 p.m.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mitsubishi's Asia car for RI
Mitsubishi's Asia car for RI TOKYO (Dow Jones): Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will introduce its Asia car in Indonesia as early as this spring, the company's president, Katsuhiko Kawasoe, said at an Osaka news conference Monday, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday morning edition. The car, which can be used as both a passenger and commercial vehicle, is part of the company's efforts to introduce vehicles designed for various Asian markets.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Dharmala Sakti taken to bankruptcy court
Dharmala Sakti taken to bankruptcy court JAKARTA (JP): PT Hanil Bakrie Finance, a multifinance arm of widely diversified Bakrie & Brothers, lodged a bankruptcy petition against publicly listed PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera at the Jakarta Commercial Court on Tuesday. Data from the court said Hanil Bakrie was seeking recovery of US$2.21 million in promissory notes issued by Dharmala Sakti, which fell due on July 7 last year, and demanded the court declare Dharmala Sakti bankrupt.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta's backpackers paradise no longer so Edenic
Jakarta's backpackers paradise no longer so Edenic By Juliane Gunardono JAKARTA (JP): "Hello Mister, need a room, some food, a cold drink?" This was how foreign tourists on Jalan Jaksa, the center for backpackers in Jakarta, used to be greeted. Before they could answer, they would be dragged into a restaurant or a hostel and offered everything they could want. Now, a foreigner on Jalan Jaksa meets with nothing but silence and "closed" signs on the door.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Calm returns to Asian stock markets
Calm returns to Asian stock markets HONG KONG (AFP): Calm returned to jittery Asian stock markets Tuesday after China delivered soothing assurances it was committed to upholding the value of its yuan currency. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur indices ended barely higher, but Tokyo gained 1.2 percent, Singapore put on 1.4 percent, Bangkok climbed 0.9 percent and Jakarta surged 4.0 percent in the day's best performance by a regional bourse.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Permana new customs chief
Permana new customs chief JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association welcomed yesterday the appointment of Permana Agung as the new director general of customs and excise duty. Permana will replace Martiono Hadianto, who has been installed as the president of Pertamina oil company. Permana, 36, a career customs official who is now the director for planning and revenues at the directorate general, will be installed at the finance ministry on Wednesday.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
House to decide on Caltex's oil contract in two weeks
House to decide on Caltex's oil contract in two weeks JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives promised on Tuesday to make a decision in two weeks on the status of the development of the Coastal Plains Pekanbaru (CPP) oil block in Riau after the contract of PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia expires in 2001.
Wed, 27 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Man jailed for forging money
Man jailed for forging money TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang District Court sentenced a man to three years and four months in jail on Monday for forging Rp 50,000 bank notes worth nearly Rp 5 billion (US$588,235). Presiding judge Syamsul Hadi said Asiong, alias Cakra, 58, was found guilty of forging the money in a shop-house in the Citra Raya housing complex in Cikupa between March and April last year. "Forged notes worth Rp 4.6 billion were seized and will shortly be destroyed," Syamsul said.