Archive: 28 January 1999
52 articles found
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drugs suspects flee police detention
Drugs suspects flee police detention JAKARTA (JP): Police are still suffering a headache in tracking down the whereabouts of one of the two suspected drug traffickers, who early Sunday managed to escape from detention at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta. "We're still in the dark about him," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M. Sianipar said here on Wednesday, referring to jailbreaker Nur Salim. According to him, four officers had been questioned following the 2 a.m.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tirtamas to settle debt
Tirtamas to settle debt JAKARTA (JP): The widely-diversified Tirtamas Group has agreed to provide a Rp 1.6 trillion guarantee as a requirement for the recapitalization of its affiliate Bank Papan Sejahtera. PT Harawi Sekawan, Bank Papan's new majority shareholder, said in a statement that the guarantee also covered all of Tirtamas' obligations to the bank.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia may release grip on East Timor
Indonesia may release grip on East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may let East Timor go if the government's proposal to grant special autonomy for the territory is rejected by the East Timorese and the international community, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said on Wednesday. Another government official said the separation process could start as soon as July 2000.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Traumatized residents leave troubled area
Traumatized residents leave troubled area JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of traumatized residents continued to leave parts of Ambon and East Timor on Wednesday in the aftermath of violent clashes in the two areas. Four died during clashes between pro and anti-integration groups in Suai, the capital of Kovalima regency in East Timor. On Wednesday, regent Herman Setiono told The Jakarta Post the dead had not yet been identified. The clashes first broke out on Monday.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Powers that be behind Megawati
Powers that be behind Megawati From Tempo The view that the president and vice president should be male Muslims is deemed by many "religious politicization", supposedly aimed at obstructing Megawati Soekarnoputri from becoming the nation's leader. My view is that it was not meant to block Megawati but to check those behind her, the "queen makers" if you will. As an individual, Megawati is not to be reckoned with. It is the groups behind Megawati who are the real players.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie approves Freeport's controversial expansion plan
Habibie approves Freeport's controversial expansion plan JAKARTA (JP): Mining company PT Freeport Indonesia has secured President B.J. Habibie's firm support for its controversial expansion of the giant Grasberg mine in Irian Jaya, although Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto has asked for further assessment of the plan.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt still undecided over state banks' merger plan
Govt still undecided over state banks' merger plan JAKARTA (JP): The government cannot put a firm date on when the operational merger of four troubled state banks will be completed, a senior official said on Wednesday. The biggest question mark came from the huge amount of funds needed to recapitalize the banks and provide compensation to thousands of employees to be laid off, said Markus Permadi, an assistant to State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tommy questioned over land scam
Tommy questioned over land scam JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra was grilled for more than 12 hours at the Attorney General's Office on Wednesday. Tommy, as the businessman is popularly known, has been named as a suspect in an Rp 52.5 billion land scam in Jakarta. He was banned from leaving the country after he was first questioned last November. He later refused to meet a summons from the attorney general during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Garuda Indonesia flight GA-405 hit by bomb hoax
Garuda Indonesia flight GA-405 hit by bomb hoax JAKARTA (JP): A plane serving national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's domestic route from Bali to Jakarta on Wednesday received a bomb threat which turned out to be a hoax, a Garuda official said. Garuda Indonesia's spokesman Pujobroto said the plane landed safely at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 10:28 a.m. after departing from Denpasar at 9:40 a.m.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 27, 1999: -------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 25 27,500 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 10,000 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 302,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,425 -25 5,573,000 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies drift sideways
SE Asian currencies drift sideways SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Trading interest in regional foreign- exchange markets evaporated Wednesday, leaving Southeast Asian currencies free to drift sideways against the U.S. dollar for most of the day. North Asian markets also saw little price action, as most participants sat on their hands, awaiting fresh news. "People are still very defensive as far as taking positions goes," complained a trader at a U.S. bank in Singapore.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina begins probe into Caltex dealings
Pertamina begins probe into Caltex dealings JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina's inspectorate has started investigating a questionable deal made by oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia for the development of its US$190 million cogeneration plant in the province of Riau.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bill grants political civil servants favorable treatment
Bill grants political civil servants favorable treatment JAKARTA (JP): The newly-issued Government Regulation No. 5/1999 stipulates that civil servants who pursue political activities will lose their posts in the bureaucracy but retain their status, receive compensation which could last for as long as five years, regular wage increases, and various other benefits.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protest staged at DPR building
Protest staged at DPR building JAKARTA (JP): About 100 students braved heavy rain on Wednesday to protest outside the House of Representatives building as the discussion on political bills by the legislative body was reaching its end. The students, calling themselves the Bina Sarana Informatika Computer College Student Action, demanded that the Armed Forces (ABRI) be totally excluded from the legislature.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian stocks end firmer on Wall Street rally
Asian stocks end firmer on Wall Street rally SINGAPORE (Agencies): Asian stock markets finished firmer on Wednesday, encouraged by an overnight rally on Wall Street and a pledge by China's central bank governor that the yuan would not be devalued. Shares in Seoul shot up more than six percent, while Tokyo edged 0.47 percent higher and Hong Kong climbed more than two percent.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Donggala cacao farmers savor robust business amid crisis
Donggala cacao farmers savor robust business amid crisis By Iriandi Ibrahim DONGGALA, Palu (JP): The economic crisis has gripped the country for more than a year and a half. People are crying and praying, hoping that it will end soon. But things are different in the Donggala regency of Central Sulawesi, the main cacao bean exporting area of Indonesia. Cacao farmers are harvesting a bundle of money during the current crisis.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Executive dies in West Jakarta fire
Executive dies in West Jakarta fire JAKARTA (JP): An executive of a fire protection devices supplier firm was killed in a blaze that gutted his office at the three-story Grogol Permai shophouse complex on Jl. Latumeten in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, on Thursday evening. Operations officer of the local fire department unit, David Zulkarnaen, identified the victim as Edy Sanjaya, 44, head of the Jakarta office of the Surabaya-based PT Firotec.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police question retired general over speech
Police question retired general over speech JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. (ret.) Theo Syafei, former chief of the Udayana Regional Military Command, was summoned by the city police on Wednesday for questioning concerning reports that he was responsible for spreading anti-Muslim information and fomenting hatred against Islam. City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman told reporters that the six-hour questioning was part of the police investigation into the allegations.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Polysindo restructures debt
Polysindo restructures debt TOKYO (Dow Jones): Japan's Aoyama Trading Co. said Wednesday that Indonesia's PT Polysindo Eka Perkasa failed to make a Jan. 25 interest payment on debt. Aoyama Trading said in a statement it now fears the Indonesian company will either default on redemption of the debt or will delay redemption. But a Polysindo executive said in Jakarta his company had sent notice to its creditors of its plan to restructure debts amounting to $1.4 billion.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
What awaits the erratic rupuah?
What awaits the erratic rupuah? By Seamus McElroy JAKARTA (JP): After hitting Rp 16,000 to the U.S. dollar in mid-June in the aftermath of the May riots, the rupiah staged a gradual comeback to hit Rp 7,000 in early November. Since then the rupiah to dollar rate has weakened again, this time by nearly 30 percent, to Rp 9,000 to the dollar last Friday.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Riot masterminds 'may know sociology'
Riot masterminds 'may know sociology' JAKARTA (JP): There is a possibility that those responsible for instigating the riots have a certain degree of knowledge of sociology, and used this to stir up chaos, Minister of Justice Muladi said Wednesday. He said that this knowledge had helped to identify which areas were easily provoked. Muladi was commenting in response to questions on why "provocateurs", while often accused of being behind recent riots, were never revealed.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Whales come to Kendari
Whales come to Kendari KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Residents of the Moramo district have been entertained for the past month by the antics of two whales who ventured into the nearby Staring Bay. "People feel entertained, because the whales, about 10 meters long, can be approached by fishermen in boats," Asri, a government employee, told Antara on Wednesday. Locals said there were initially three whales in the bay some 45 kilometers from the Kendari township.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Flooding forecast for 128 subdistricts
Flooding forecast for 128 subdistricts JAKARTA (JP): This rainy season's floods will likely affect an area twice the size of that in 1996, the worst year in recorded history, an official said Wednesday. Tabril Dachlan of the city's social welfare agency predicted 128 subdistricts would be hit, compared to 70 subdistricts inundated during 1996.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Military will be gone from DPR by 2004'
'Military will be gone from DPR by 2004' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid has expressed confidence that there will be no Armed Forces (ABRI) appointees sitting in the House of Representatives (DPR) by 2004. "I predict that ABRI will no longer be in the House five years from now," Syarwan told reporters during a media conference at the House. He was commenting on an agreement reached by House factions which gives the military 38 unelected seats in the DPR.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelni fares all at sea
Pelni fares all at sea From Kompas I am an elderly man and frequently use the services of state- owned shipping company PT Pelni. In 1998 alone I made six voyages by Pelni. But I sensed something odd in that the company's ticket discounts for the aged differed from one area to another. On Feb. 16, 1998, I was entitled to a 20 reduction on a Tanjung Priok-Ujungpandang ticket. Two months later I had to pay full price for a Pantoloan-Surabaya ticket. On Aug.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Foreign travelers told to avoid Indonesia
Foreign travelers told to avoid Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Foreign travelers have been advised to stay away from Indonesia, as riots continue to sweep even the normally calm areas across the country, triggering concerns for the already troubled tourism industry. As the United States urged its nationals to "consider carefully" before traveling to Indonesia, and Japan maintains its level 2 travel warning for the country, tourism-related industries confessed they expected there would be worse to come.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Verdict on major expected Friday
Verdict on major expected Friday BANDA ACEH: The verdict on a major involved in the assault and battery of detainees in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, is expected on Friday. Major Bayu Najib, former commander of Battalion 113 Jaya Sakti, faces a maximum penalty of 12 years if proven guilty of battery leading to death. Four Acehnese died following a raid by dozens of soldiers on a makeshift detention center on Jan. 9 holding 40 civilians.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan slaps tax on RI paper
Taiwan slaps tax on RI paper TAIPEI (DPA): Taiwan paper companies have asked authorities to slap anti-dumping taxes on paper imports from Japan, Indonesia and Thailand, the Economics Ministry said Wednesday, The complaint was filed by the Taiwan Paper Industry Association against eight Japanese, four Indonesian and two Thai companies. The association charges that these companies have been selling art paper and the uncoated print and writing paper - at prices far lower than their home prices.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Novus sells gas to PGN
Novus sells gas to PGN SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Australia's Novus Petroleum Ltd. said Wednesday it has signed an agreement to sell gas from its Wunut field in Indonesia to PT Perusahaan Gas Negara, an Indonesian government utility. Wunut is part of the Brantas joint venture, which is 50 percent-owned by Novus and 50 percent by Lapindo Brantas Inc., the Indonesian operator. The first delivery of gas was on Jan. 25 and a price in U.S. dollars has been agreed, Novus said in a statement.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABRI gets seats in the House
ABRI gets seats in the House JAKARTA (JP): New legislation for the June general election was finally agreed to on Wednesday and will be enacted at the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday. The breakthrough came after the four factions agreed to restrict the Armed Forces (ABRI) to 38 unelected seats in the new 500-member DPR. The Armed Forces currently receive 75 unelected seats in the DPR.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Satan at work
Satan at work Conflicts in Ambon and elsewhere are not a religious conflict, but a satanic one. Only Satan wants to destroy the mosques, churches and temples where the name of God is remembered. Desperately needed is, in fact, a religious solution. Muslim members of the Armed Forces (ABRI), supported by local God-fearing people and disciplined Muslim volunteers placing themselves under military command, should defend the mosques, with their lives if need be.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Censure debate begins in Thailand
Censure debate begins in Thailand BANGKOK (AP): A no-confidence debate against three key ministers in the government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai got off to a lackluster start on Wednesday, with no apparent points scored by the opposition. "A great depression is coming," warned former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as he opened the opposition's onslaught.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Extortionists beaten to death
Extortionists beaten to death JAKARTA (JP): Two alleged criminals were mobbed and beaten to death after being caught red-handed extorting money from a minibus passenger on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta on early Tuesday. Severe wounds caused by blunt objects were found on most parts of the bodies of Hamdan, 22, and his unknown accomplice, according to a source at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. West Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah weakens as stocks rise 3 percent
Rupiah weakens as stocks rise 3 percent JAKARTA (JP): The country's financial market ended on a different note on Wednesday with the rupiah weakening nearly 1 percent against the U.S. dollar but local stocks prices rising 3 percent. Currency dealers said the rupiah, which opened at 9,100/9,150, fell to an intraday low of 9,350 against the American dollar as some offshore players lodged another unexpected speculative attack on the local beleaguered unit during the lunch break.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indocement expected to strike accord with foreign firms soon
Indocement expected to strike accord with foreign firms soon JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cement maker PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa is expected to strike an accord with two foreign partners -- French firm La Farge and Germany's Heidelberger Zement -- in February to set up a strategic alliance, an executive of the company said.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Plywood producers expect export increase
Plywood producers expect export increase JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo) predicted on Wednesday that exports of plywood would start picking up again in the second quarter of this year after a drastic slump last year.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Jan. 27, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
U.S. navy flagship to visit Singapore
U.S. navy flagship to visit Singapore SINGAPORE (DPA): The USS Blue Ridge, flagship of the U.S. Navy's 7th fleet, is due to stop in Singapore from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, officials said on Wednesday. The 7th Fleet patrols more than 135 million square kilometers of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from the international dateline to the east coast of Africa, and from the Kuril Islands to the Antarctic, the United States embassy in Singapore said in a news release.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang youths want part in militia
Tangerang youths want part in militia TANGERANG (JP): Interest in high in joining the People's Security (Kamra) militia at the local military district command. Dozens of youths are registering daily, commander Lt. Col. Meria Wiryadi said on Tuesday. Recruitment, part of the controversial militia program launched by the Armed Forces (ABRI), started in the greater Jakarta area on Jan. 11 and will last until March 12, Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi, spokesman for the Jakarta Military Command, said earlier.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Some questions remain
Some questions remain When President B. J. Habibie signed a regulation clarifying the political status of civil servants on Tuesday, the government appeared satisfied that the drawn out controversy over the matter was at an end. However, many questions remain. The special regulation became necessary after the House of Representatives became irreconcilably divided over the issue.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999 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. Music and Entertainment * Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Nusa Dua (Phone: 0361 771210): - Budaya Cultural Theatre: Ramayana Balet, Tuesday, 8 p.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Recent dialog may ease tension: Wiranto
Recent dialog may ease tension: Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander General Wiranto has expressed hope his recent meeting with opposition and reform leaders, including Amien Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid, will help ease tensions in the country and prevent new ones from developing. Wiranto said on Wednesday a dialog -- "or whatever it is called" -- may be held at the national or local levels, but must involve all sectors of society.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar may soon go on the web
Myanmar may soon go on the web YANGON (AFP): Myanmar is poised to take another small step into the information age with the launch of a public Internet access service, a government official said. Businesses will be given priority when the new service is up and running, officials said. Myanmar currently allows limited access to electronic mail but the service is largely confined to businesspeople and foreign embassies.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Photo captitons
Photo captitons Photo A: Wiranto Antara WE MADE IT: Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto (right) listens attentively to Harry Sabarno, chairman of the ABRI faction at the House of Representatives. On Wednesday they attended the faction leaders' lobby meeting over the number of House seats for ABRI. The factions finally agreed to give 38 unelected seats to the military after drawn-out debates.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cambodia wants stolen artifacts returned
Cambodia wants stolen artifacts returned By Thaksina Khaikaew PRACHIN BURI, Thailand (AP): Prachin Buri archaeological officials have some priceless artifacts they don't own and want to give back - 117 pieces of an Angkor-era sandstone wall carving from Cambodia. Now under 24-hour watch at the provincial Art Museum, the wall pieces were stolen from a temple in northwestern Cambodia and smuggled into Thailand, part of the criminal plunder and traffic of Cambodia's unique architectural heritage.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Team begins food security inspection
Team begins food security inspection JAKARTA (JP): A fact-finding mission of non-government organizations of seven Southeast Asian countries has started work on the food security condition in six provinces here. Chairman of the group of non-government organizations (NGO), researcher Walden Bello, said Wednesday the mission, which has got under way in Jakarta, began on Jan. 25 and will end on Feb.6.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt slaps duty on steel
Govt slaps duty on steel JAKARTA (JP): The government has slapped anti-dumping duties of up to 62 percent on I-shaped and H-shaped steel pieces from Russia and Poland, according to a decree of the finance minister. The decree, issued by Finance Minister Bambang Subianto on Jan. 18, says products from Russian steel manufacturers including Niznhy Tagil Iron & Steel Works are subject to 62 percent import duties.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Toyota Astra boosts Kijang van exports
Toyota Astra boosts Kijang van exports JAKARTA (JP): Export sales of PT Toyota Astra Motor have increased, offsetting the company's falling domestic sales. As domestic sales dropped 83 percent to 16,515 vehicles in 1998, from 98,139 in the previous year, the company's exports of vehicles rose both in volume and value. Toyota Astra exported 8,704 popular Kijang vehicles worth US$17 million in 1998, up from only 1,419 in 1997.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
A problem of communication
A problem of communication The phrase "Ciganjur Group" is used to circumvent the use of the word opposition, which is still abhorred in our political and official vernacular.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two Indonesians beheaded in Saudi Arabia
Two Indonesians beheaded in Saudi Arabia RIYADH (AFP): Two Indonesians convicted of murder were beheaded in the Mecca region of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, in the first execution reported so far this year in the Gulf kingdom, the interior ministry announced. It said the two men killed the wife of a fellow Indonesian after breaking into their home to steal her jewellery. A total of 29 executions were announced last year in Saudi Arabia, a country which strictly applies Islamic laws.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya, for Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999
Where to go in Surabaya, for Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999 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. to 9 p.m. - Garden: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thu, 28 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Renny Djajoesman returns to theater in 'Tumirah, The Pimp'
Renny Djajoesman returns to theater in 'Tumirah, The Pimp' By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Theater people have found inspiration in the country's turbulent times during the past 20 months. Another entry in the line is Tumirah, Sang Mucikari (Tumirah, The Pimp), starring and directed by Renny Djajoesman. The play, to be performed by her Teater Yuka company at 8 p.m. at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Friday, marks Renny's comeback to the theater.