Archive: 4 January 1999
42 articles found
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local shipping firms buy Malaysian tankers
Local shipping firms buy Malaysian tankers By Johannes Simbolon JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia (JP): Shipping companies PT Bumi International Tankers and PT Layar Sentosa Shipping Corporation have bought two oil tankers from Malaysia worth between US$13 and $14 million each. The firms received the two tankers from Malaysia Shipbuilding & Engineering Sdn Bhd at the latter's shipyard in Pasir Gudang, Johor, on Saturday. The 6,500 dead weight ton tankers, named M.T. Jayne and M.T.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Nine killed, 50 wounded in RP grenade attack
Nine killed, 50 wounded in RP grenade attack ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Extremists unleashed a grenade attack in the southern Philippines, killing nine people and wounding 50 others to avenge the death of their leader, officials said on Sunday. Suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrillas lobbed at least one grenade late on Saturday into a crowd watching firemen put out a blaze in Jolo, capital of the southern province of Sulu, a Muslim stronghold.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Coal firm looks abroad
Coal firm looks abroad JAKARTA (JP): State coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (BA) plans to expand its exports to United States, Turkey, Taiwan and Europe starting early this year, Antara reported on Saturday. The company's production director, Tommy Isnutomo, said in Tanjung Enim on Monday that the market expansion plan was essential because most buyers had lowered their orders.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
GARUDA ADDITIONS:
GARUDA ADDITIONS: National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is adding six new B-737 aircraft to its fleet to rejuvenate its operations. They arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Saturday. They include five 104-seat B-737-300s and one 92-seat B-737-500. The aircraft were officially handed over by State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng to Garuda Indonesia president Abdul Gani.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV 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 TV Series 8:00 Music 8:30 Talk Show: Kesejahteraan Keluarga 9:00 Music 9:30 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Troops look on as people pick factory clean
Troops look on as people pick factory clean JAKARTA (JP): A steady stream of people flowed back and forth, hauling iron and other construction materials from a deserted auto assembly factory in North Jakarta on Saturday. Several trucks and hired carts were parked near the compound on Jl. Lodan as the people, mostly scavengers and used goods vendors, went about their business. A handful of soldiers armed with rifles could only watch the plundering, which has occurred for the past two weeks.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Beggars' earnings up during Ramadhan
Beggars' earnings up during Ramadhan SURABAYA: Beggars' earnings in Surabaya have increased by up to 100 percent during Ramadhan as compared to non-holiday times, Antara reported on Saturday. Beggars operating in several main areas of Surabaya said that their incomes have increased from an average of Rp 25,000 per day to about Rp 50,000 per day during the fasting month, the agency said. The beggars said that people usually handed them Rp 100 to Rp 500.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Coalition govt probable, but who would lead the pack?
Coalition govt probable, but who would lead the pack? By Sugianto Tandra JAKARTA (JP): For more than three decades the only suspense about general elections was the margin of victory for the ruling Golkar. But today's sudden leveling of the political playing field makes the prospect of a coalition government almost inevitable after the June 7 general election. Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid has acknowledged that at least 15 political parties have viable chances.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students fight to stay in school
Students fight to stay in school By Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): Under the weight of the economic crisis, about 2.5 million students have dropped out of the nation's schools and universities over the past year. Alarming as the number may be, some consolation can be taken in the fact it is below the projection of up to 8 million, Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono said.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rice sale descends into free-for-all
Rice sale descends into free-for-all TANGERANG (JP): A discounted rice sale for the poor in Laksana village here descended into looting on Saturday, with witnesses claiming it was ignited by rumors of officials' malfeasance. Stories had circulated that subdistrict and district officials colluded with brokers in the sale of the rice to villagers in Pakuhaji district, a local youth leader said. Harto said people became incensed because the price was higher than the government rate.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Violence intensifies in Aceh
Violence intensifies in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Violence escalated in Aceh on Sunday, with at least five shooting deaths recorded as the military cracked down on pockets of a separatist movement in Lhokseumawe. Dozens of injured were treated at Lhokseumawe General Hospital and incensed locals vented their anger by attacking government facilities. The military commander of Lilawangsa in East Aceh, Col. Inf. Johnny Wahab S.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cardoso vows to modernize ailing Brazilian economy
Cardoso vows to modernize ailing Brazilian economy RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP): In a speech inaugurating his historic second term as president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso vowed on Friday to continue fighting to modernize the Brazilian economy and deal a "death blow" to the nation's social inequality. "I was chosen by the people to continue to build a stable, modern, open and competitive economy," Cardoso said in the capital Brasilia after being sworn in.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
GKBI builds canvas plant
GKBI builds canvas plant JAKARTA (JP): The Federation of Indonesian Batik Cooperatives (GKBI) and two Japanese investors, Daiwabo and Nichimen, are nearing completion of a canvas fabric factory worth US$11.4 million in Cirebon, West Java, Antara reported on Thursday. "The factory, which is expected to support local paper industries, is in the final stage of construction and should start operations in April 1999," said GKBI's chairman Noorbasha D.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government scraps VATs to help shipping industry
Government scraps VATs to help shipping industry JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia (JP): The government took steps to help the country's ailing shipping industry by lifting all value added taxes (VATs) on the purchase and lease of ships, docking and port services. The director general for sea transportation at the Ministry of Communications, Agus Rudyanto Ruwadi, said here on Saturday that President B.J. Habibie issued a decree on Thursday eliminating these 10 percent VATs.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prisoner serving life freed
Prisoner serving life freed MEDAN, North Sumatra: Timsar Zubil alias Sudirman, 49, sentenced for life in 1986 for his involvement in separatist activities launched by the Free Aceh Movement, was released on Saturday following the issuance of a presidential pardon on Dec. 31, 1998. Antara reported he had admitted to have launched many "radical" actions in disappointment with the past New Order government.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Seven killed as floods blanket six provinces
Seven killed as floods blanket six provinces JAKARTA (JP): Floods hit at least six provinces over the weekend, causing seven deaths in North and South Sulawesi as of late Sunday. Heavy rains flooded schools and business centers, and destroyed rice fields. Among the dead were a mother and her four-year-old child who were swept away by the raging water in Barru regency, South Sulawesi, according to Police Chief Lt. Col. Himrat T. Another person drowned in Maros, South Sulawesi, witnesses said.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Disturbing the peace rises in Irian Jaya
Disturbing the peace rises in Irian Jaya JAYAPURA: Police in Irian Jaya reported a 28 percent rise in cases of disturbing the peace in 1998 compared to 1997. On Sunday Antara reported that Police chief Brig. Gen. Hotman Siagian said, however, that there were less traffic violations. He said in Jayapura that there were 1,701 cases of disturbing the peace compared to only 1,327 in 1997.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students' rank basis fails to meet the grade
Students' rank basis fails to meet the grade By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Ranking students is an established practice in the Indonesian educational system. At the end of every quarter, and every school year, students are ranked on the basis of their scores in achievement tests. Students who succeed in placing themselves at the higher ranks of the scale are praised and hailed. Those at the bottom are reprimanded and ridiculed, while those in the middle, the majority, are largely ignored.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Swiss climber still missing in Jambi
Swiss climber still missing in Jambi JAMBI, Jambi: A Swiss mountain climber last seen Dec. 15 had not returned as of Saturday, and a search operation to locate him was ongoing. Marc Affartel, 23, began his attack on Kerinci mountain, 3,805 meters high, on Dec. 15 and had not returned to the inn where he was staying in Sungai Penuh, Antara reported. Dwi Susanto, a staffer at Kerinci Seblat National Park, said he was hopeful that the climber would be found this week.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Monday Maghrib 6:14 p.m. Tuesday Imsak 4:10 a.m. Subuh 4.20 a.m.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fire razes 100 homes in Palembang
Fire razes 100 homes in Palembang PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Some 100 homes in the town of Palembang were razed on Saturday night by a fire that tore through the Lorong Tangga Raja area of the Seberang Ulu I district. The fire began at around 9:05 p.m. while most residents were watching the news, Antara reported. No casualties were reported from the fire which damaged a predominantly Arab-Indonesian residential area. The fire was put out at 1:30 a.m.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local stock market likely to stay stagnant
Local stock market likely to stay stagnant JAKARTA (JP): Trading activities on the local stock exchange are expected to remain inactive in the first week of the year as many investors are still on holiday, stock analysts and brokers said. They said that the absence of fresh leads in the local hammered market would also deter foreign investors from reentering the bourse.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Attorney General's Office takes heat for luxury cars
Attorney General's Office takes heat for luxury cars JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib is in the hot seat for providing luxury cars for his staff despite the country's desperate financial straits. Critics said the fund allocation, reaching billions of rupiah, would be better used to improve the professionalism of the Attorney General's Office and better the welfare of staff members.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Khmer Rouge chiefs slip away, trial unlikely
Khmer Rouge chiefs slip away, trial unlikely PHNOM PENH (Reuters): The Cambodian government allowed two Khmer Rouge leaders to return on Sunday to a Khmer Rouge-run area and the chances of their standing trial for genocide appeared to have faded away. The government, which horrified human rights groups and many ordinary Cambodians for giving a VIP welcome to Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea last week instead of arresting them, denied it was letting them escape justice.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Six men rob shop of Rp 300m
Six men rob shop of Rp 300m JAKARTA (JP): A group of six men robbed a shop in Tanah Abang market on Jl. Fakhrudin, Central Jakarta, on Sunday morning, escaping with gold and cash worth a total of Rp 300 million (US$40,000), a police officer said. The officer at the identification unit of the Central Jakarta Police precinct, who asked for anonymity, said the robbers entered the shop at 6:30 a.m through the wall of an empty shop next-door.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto guilty in Timor car case
Soeharto guilty in Timor car case From Bisnis Indonesia Former president Soeharto decreed two policies for the national car project. First, through presidential decree No.42/1996, PT Timor Putra Nasional (TPN) was allowed to import sedans as CBU (completely built-up) and non-CBU (to be assembled here) from South Korea for three years. This was a special policy.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Euro's debut helpful to Asian currencies
Euro's debut helpful to Asian currencies SINGAPORE (AFP): Europe's new single currency will make its international debut in Asia on Monday, but analysts say trading will hinge on the greenback's strength. The regional currencies were poised to enjoy some strength against the dollar with the introduction of the euro on Jan. 1, but Asian governments want currency stability to maintain export competitiveness, they said.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bakrie & Brothers confident that 1999 will bring better fortunes
Bakrie & Brothers confident that 1999 will bring better fortunes JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Bakrie & Brothers entered 1999 confident its fortunes will pick up after two difficult years. Bakrie & Brothers president Irwan Sjarkawi said on Thursday the conglomerate expected to reach agreement by June at the latest with international creditors on restructuring its US$1.2 billion foreign debt. "We hope to restructure all of our debt some time between April and June.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibition * Photo Exhibition: Dari Lengser Sampai Semanggi, at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., until Jan. 14. Performances * Theater: Fragmen Semar Gugat, Teater Koma, at Teater Utan Kayu, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), 7 p.m., Jan. 6. * Javanese Traditional Play: Wayang Orang Bharata, Aswatama Nglandak, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI cocoa production expected to bounce back this year
RI cocoa production expected to bounce back this year By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang JAKARTA (JP): After being hit by a severe dry spell caused by El Nino, Indonesia's cocoa production is expected to recover in 1999. The executive director of the Indonesian Cocoa Association (Askindo), P.S. Siswoputranto, told The Jakarta Post that Indonesia's cocoa production is expected to reach 330,000 tons in 1999, a six percent increase compared to the 310,000 tons produced last year.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
3,500 rallies were held nationwide in 1998
3,500 rallies were held nationwide in 1998 JAKARTA (JP): The nation witnessed over 3,500 rallies in various places across the country in 1998, according to a police year-end report. It is the largest number of rallies in the country over the past three decades. Students took the lion's share as rally organizers. According to police data, students staged 1,995 demonstrations, followed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with 1,287 rallies and workers with 496.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
City police shot 191 suspects in '98, 90 dead
City police shot 191 suspects in '98, 90 dead JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Police shot 191 suspected criminals for various reasons in 1998, killing 90 of them, but its chief said the action was justified in every incident. "The officers had no choice but to fire as the suspects were either endangering the lives of the victims or attacking the officers," Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman told a news conference last week reviewing the 1998 police log.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Improved service vital for survival
Improved service vital for survival Compliments must be given to Mrs. Donna K. Woodward, Mr. Erik Versavel and other foreigners who openly point out the shortcomings in Indonesia. We are supposed to keep our mouths shut because we are only guests here. The reason we are so blunt about it is because we love this country and its people. If we did not care, we would keep silent or leave the country. Services in Indonesia will deteriorate further in 1999, as Mr. Versavel correctly pointed out.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Farmers 'gain little' from unhusked rice price hike
Farmers 'gain little' from unhusked rice price hike JAKARTA (JP): Agricultural experts believe the government's plan to increase the price of unhusked rice by up to 50 percent will fail to assist farmers because prevailing market prices are almost at the price level. Bungaran Saragih of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture said on Saturday the government move would be inconsequential in helping the farming community deal with soaring fertilizer prices and other rising farming costs.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ecstasy smuggling foiled in Batam
Ecstasy smuggling foiled in Batam BATAM, Riau: Security personnel at the Hang Nadim Airport in Batam foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,576 Ecstasy pills by a man identified as Dar, 29, Antara reported on Sunday. "We caught him when he passed through the X-ray machine at his gate about 3:20 p.m. on Saturday. He planned to bring the pills to Jakarta aboard Garuda flight number GA-175," the security director of the Batam Island Industrial Development Authority, Col. Eric Wotulo, said on Sunday.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Six questioned over bomb blast
Six questioned over bomb blast JAKARTA (JP): Police have questioned six people in connection with Saturday's bomb blast which badly damaged the vacant Ramayana department store on Jl. H. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta, an official said on Sunday. City police detectives chief Alex Bambang Riatmojo said the people, including two store security guards, were questioned as witnesses. "We have no suspects so far. The people were just questioned, not arrested.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Purwakarta locals run amok over factory pollution
Purwakarta locals run amok over factory pollution JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people in Purwakarta went on separate rampages on Saturday over air pollution caused by two rayon factories in the city. Antara reported on Sunday that the mobs damaged facilities at the plants, including security guard posts, several buildings and houses belonging to executives. Maj.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thousands evacuated in Malaysian floods
Thousands evacuated in Malaysian floods KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Heavy monsoon rains have forced over 2,000 people to evacuate and dozens of schools to close after submerging some areas under nearly 2.4 meters of water, news reports said on Sunday. Hardest hit has been the town of Pekan, in Pahang state, 450 kilometers east of Kuala Lumpur, where more than 1,400 people have been evacuated to makeshift relief centers at mosques, churches and community halls, The Star daily reported.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two alleged robbers shot dead, one seriously hurt in Bogor
Two alleged robbers shot dead, one seriously hurt in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Police ambushed a seven-member gang of alleged robbers on Wednesday morning, killing two of the men, severely injuring one and slightly wounding the others. Head of the Bogor police precinct Lt. Col. Edmond Ilyas said on Thursday that police officers were forced to open fire on the gang at the Hotel 88 in Cisarua district after they resisted arrest. "We gave warning shots and urged them to surrender.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
The Soeharto soap
The Soeharto soap A revolving door of powerful political figures summoned for questioning on allegations of corruption, collusion and nepotism has kept the nation entertained. Former president Soeharto has been questioned on two occasions, his sons Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo Mandala Putra several times, and even crony Mohamad "Bob" Hasan has faced the music. His daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana may be next on the not so merry merry-go-round.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Six die after drinking alcohol, herb mixture
Six die after drinking alcohol, herb mixture PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Six residents were killed and seven others were listed in severe condition after consuming alcohol mixed with traditional herbs at a yearend party in Kotawaringin Barat regency, Central Kalimantan,Antara reported on Saturday.
Mon, 04 Jan 1999, 00:00 WIB
Policies must put people first
Policies must put people first This article is based on the executive summary of a report on the Indonesia Economic Crisis meeting held at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25, 1998. The conference was jointly initiated and designed by Prof. Anwar Nasution, dean of the School of Economics, University of Indonesia, and Prof. Ross Garnaut from the ANU.