Archive: 13 October 1999
51 articles found
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Next president no longer to appoint top officials
Next president no longer to appoint top officials JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ad Hoc Committee III was split on Tuesday over the state institution authorized to appoint top officials in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Audit Agency and the Supreme Advisory Council.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP to seek new IMF loan
RP to seek new IMF loan MANILA (AP): Philippine economic officials have agreed that the country should enter into another program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when an existing two-year precautionary arrangement expires next March, an official said Tuesday. Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu said he expects President Joseph Estrada will soon endorse the country's entry into another IMF agreement.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irate man stabs relative to death
Irate man stabs relative to death BOGOR (JP): Mamad, a forty-year-old resident of Muara Kampong in Citeureup subdistrict, died after being stabbed by a relative on Monday, police said. Mamad died of severe abdominal wounds from the attack by a man identified as Nandang. His body was taken to PMI Hospital's morgue in Bogor. The incident reportedly began after Nandang was infuriated by Mamad's son, Nanang, who was playing ball in his yard at noon on Monday. He reportedly hit the 10-year-old boy.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian throws wrench in banking merger plan
Malaysian throws wrench in banking merger plan KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): In another apparent rebuff to the central bank, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Tuesday again softened its draconian plan to integrate Malaysia's 58 financial institutions under six banks. Mahathir said the government was not in a hurry to push banks to merge and merger partners would now be allowed to select anchor banks among themselves.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police grill Sjahril over bank scandal
Police grill Sjahril over bank scandal JAKARTA (JP): National Police investigators questioned Central Bank Governor Sjahril Sabirin on Tuesday over the Rp 546 billion (US$68.25 million at current rate) Bank Bali scandal. When he arrived at police headquarters at 8 a.m. in his Volvo sedan, Sjahril was questioned as a witness in the scandal for about two hours without a lawyer present.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Disclose or suffer
Disclose or suffer Indonesia's Supreme Court Justices, who are considering a legal opinion on whether the full results of an independent audit of the transactions relating to the Bank Bali scandal should be disclosed, must take into account the devastating impact the scandal has had on the country's economic reform program when they make the decision.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Councilors regret workers' dismissals
Councilors regret workers' dismissals JAKARTA (JP): City councilors regretted on Tuesday the dismissals of 12 workers of city-owned water firm PDAM Jaya over their alleged involvement in a series of protests over the last six months. Councilor Saud Rahman said PDAM Jaya should not have dismissed the "outspoken" employees since a renegotiation of a water management agreement between the firm and its two foreign partners was not reached.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two more people killed in Ambon
Two more people killed in Ambon AMBON, Maluku: An army sergeant and a 15-year-old girl were killed by unidentified people in separate places in Ambon on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses told The Jakarta Post that the plainclothes First Sgt. Bram Makatita was attacked by a mob when he was walking on Jl. Pasar Mardika at about 5 p.m. local time. Makatita was a member of the 1504 Military District Command.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank workers want protection
Bank workers want protection JAKARTA (JP): The employees of eight nationalized banks urged the government on Tuesday to clarify the merger of their banks with Bank Danamon and demanded that their representatives be involved in the process. The employees of Bank BNN, Bank Tiara, Bank Duta, Bank Jaya, Bank Pos Nusantara, Bank Rama, Bank Tamara and Bank Danamon said their involvement in the merger would ensure the protection of workers' interests.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry
Parties deplore halt of Soeharto inquiry JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) put their rivalry behind them on Tuesday to deplore the controversial decision to halt the investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corruption. Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said the government's decision to drop the high-profile corruption case had disappointed the Golkar party and the people.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan boosts car production in SE Asia
Japan boosts car production in SE Asia TOKYO (Nikkei): Industry sources said Japanese automakers are boosting production in Southeast Asia, with output likely to rebound to around 700,000-800,000 vehicles in 1999 from nearly 400,000 in 1998, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday evening edition. Last year's figure was about one-third that of the 1996 peak.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie's candidacy reaffirmed
Habibie's candidacy reaffirmed JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party overwhelmingly reaffirmed the presidential nomination of B.J. Habibie, but were at an impasse late on Tuesday night as to whether to grant the central board, under party chief Akbar Tandjung, the power to adopt an alternate candidate if the political situation required.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Party supporters urged not to flock to Jakarta
Party supporters urged not to flock to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman called on Tuesday on people living outside Jakarta, especially supporters of political parties, to temporarily refrain from entering the capital while the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) was in progress. "We fear that there will be friction among supporters of political parties.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Suspect dies after alleged brutality
Suspect dies after alleged brutality JAKARTA (JP): A 22-year-old man died on Tuesday due to internal bleeding from injuries his mother alleged were caused by beatings received during a police interrogation. Nazarudin form Perumnas II, South Bekasi, was arrested last Thursday for allegedly stealing a tape measure used by workers at the Public Works Ministry. A witness said that Nazarudin denied that he stole the tape measure which he had given back to the workers at the ministry.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australian troops in East Timor
Australian troops in East Timor This is the second time that Australian troops have attacked East Timor. In World War II, Portugal declared itself a neutral country. Knowing that Portugal could not survive if its colony, East Timor, was invaded by Japan, Holland and Australia agreed to occupied the colony. On Dec. 17, 1941, Dutch troops and Australian soldiers invaded East Timor, landing in Dili, although the governor of the colony expressed his objections.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border
Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto offered to let the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (Interfet) conduct a joint patrol with Indonesian troops along the border to avoid possible future mix-ups and hostility between the two forces. Wiranto also asserted that he would not tolerate prointegration militias establishing a strong hold on the Indonesian half of Timor Island.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kid's low IQs detract from gains of family planning drive
Kid's low IQs detract from gains of family planning drive JAKARTA (Antara): Reports that millions of Indonesian children are malnourished does not speak well of the success of the state- sponsored family planning program. The family planning program has been relatively successful in slowing population growth, but the irony is that malnutrition spurred by the continuing economic crisis has posed a serious threat to children's intellectual growth.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Singapore, RI sign pact
Singapore, RI sign pact SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore and Indonesia signed a pact Tuesday formalizing the setting up of a key joint military training facility to mark 25 years of bilateral naval cooperation, officials said. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was for the development and use of a naval gun-firing training facility on Kayu Ara island, part of Indonesia's Riau island chain near Singapore. The facility, known as the "naval gunfire scoring system", was installed in June 1998.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF recognizes failure to oversee bank reform
IMF recognizes failure to oversee bank reform JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) admitted that it had failed in safeguarding Indonesia's crucial bank restructuring program, according to noted economist Sri Mulyani. Sri said on Tuesday that lack of supervision and transparency had led to a series of banking problems, including the high- profile Bank Bali scandal.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
The threat to our economy
The threat to our economy Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin visited Washington D.C. recently to lobby the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for speedy disbursement of financial aid to Indonesia. It seems, however, that his effort was ineffective. Both those international financial institutions remained steadfast in their insistence on a full and transparent disclosure soon of the Bank Bali scandal.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
History binds Indonesia and Australia
History binds Indonesia and Australia By Nova Poerwadi JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Australia share a unique history. Both nations evolved their national identity early in the 20th century, Indonesia during the birth of the nationalist movement in the early 1900s, and Australia in 1901 (albeit still within the framework of a "White Australia" policy).
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Children killed in grenade blast
Children killed in grenade blast KEBUMEN, Central Java: Four boys were killed when a grenade exploded in a pine forest which served as a military training ground in Bonasari village here on Tuesday. A local police information service was quoted by Antara as saying that it was suspected that the grenade exploded when the children, who were identified as Tri Setiawan, 11, Fajar Andrianto, 10, Cipto Priyono, 9, and Oki Octadari, 11, were playing with it.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie bids farewell to Cabinet members
Habibie bids farewell to Cabinet members JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said an emotional goodbye on Tuesday to his Development and Reform Cabinet and thanked government officials for helping him during his 16-month term of office. Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said Habibie dominated the two-hour meeting, which was initially intended to finalize the draft of Habibie's accountability speech to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) which is scheduled for Thursday.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia gains three new governors
Indonesia gains three new governors JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may lose one of its provinces in the near future, but the inauguration of three new governors on Tuesday signified the founding of three provinces: West Irian Jaya, Central Irian Jaya and North Maluku. Acting Minister of Home Affairs Feisal Tanjung installed Abraham Oktavianus Atururi as West Irian governor, Herman Monim as Central Irian Jaya governor and Suratmin as North Maluku governor.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Researchers oppose Habibie's candidacy
Researchers oppose Habibie's candidacy JAKARTA (JP): Researchers from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) urged the People's Consultative Assembly on Tuesday not to make incumbent B.J. Habibie the next president. In their statement, the scientists also declared their opposition to any presidential candidate with links to former president Soeharto's New Order regime.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Juwono appointed sports minister for 10 days
Juwono appointed sports minister for 10 days JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono has doubled his duties by becoming state minister of youth affairs and sports with only 10 days remaining before a newly elected president establishes a new Cabinet. Sports minister Agung Laksono resigned after he was elected a member of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) for 1999 to 2004, representing the Golkar Party for Southeast Sulawesi.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kontras spurns ruling on tribunal
Kontras spurns ruling on tribunal JAKARTA (JP): The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) on Tuesday rejected the government regulation in lieu of law which established a national human rights tribunal. Kontras coordinator Munir said the regulation was designed more to protect guilty parties from an international inquiry into atrocities in East Timor, rather than prosecuting these abuses in the court.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - The Tavern Pub: The Colour Beat Band, daily, until Oct. 31. - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 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. * Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
MPR speaker's awareness
MPR speaker's awareness From Rakyat Merdeka The election of Amien Rais as speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is a great honor because the position of MPR speaker is higher than that of president. The MPR consists of representatives of the people of the Republic of Indonesia. The MPR's voice is the people's voice and the people's voice is God's voice.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ancient skull makes long journey back to Indonesia
Ancient skull makes long journey back to Indonesia By Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): A prehuman skull, found in the unlikely setting of a cozy antique shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York, was returned to its place of origin in Indonesia earlier this month. Much credit goes to senior bioanthropologist Teuku Jacob of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, for bringing about the return of the priceless fossil that could yield important new information about human evolution.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
PSIS ties 1-1 with PSIM
PSIS ties 1-1 with PSIM YOGYAKARTA (JP): PSIS of Semarang tied 1-1 with host PSIM Yogyakarta in Group A on Tuesday's opening day of the fourth Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX Cup at Mandala Krida Stadium. Indocement Cirebon beat Persikab Bandung 2-1 in the second match in Group B. The cup is played on a round-robin basis. PSIS, who will be defending champion in the upcoming fifth Indonesian League, managed to hold off the aggressive attacking of PSIM from the beginning of the match.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Life insurance companies book solid growth
Life insurance companies book solid growth JAKARTA (JP): Most local insurance companies reported a solid growth in premium incomes in the last two years due to a significant growth in the number of new policyholders. Angger P. Yuwono, the vice president of Asuransi AIA Indonesia, said the demand for life insurance continued to grow despite a drastic drop in early 1998 during which many policyholders discontinued their contracts.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taufik Hidayat third seeded in V6 Danish Open
Taufik Hidayat third seeded in V6 Danish Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young hope Taufik Hidayat has been seeded third in the men's singles of the US$120,000 V6 Danish Open in Vejle, Denmark, which starts on Wednesday. Taufik, 18, said over the weekend that he aimed to reach at least the quarterfinals as top seeds would compete in the four- star event. "There are Sun Jun of China and Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibition * Photo Exhibition by Wim Wenders, at Galeri Soemardja, Art and Design Faculty of ITB, Jl. Ganesha 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Oct. 20. Discussion with Deniek G. Sukarya, at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 16. Peformances * Puppet Show at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 9:30 p.m., Oct. 16. * Concerts, at CCF, 7:30 p.m.: Elena Szirmai (Pianist), and Otmar Kramis (Saxophonist), Oct. 6.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai plan to ditch IMF crutches risky
Thai plan to ditch IMF crutches risky BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand may have been a little overconfident in deciding to wean itself from the International Monetary Fund, financial analysts said on Tuesday. The country's large foreign debt of about $81 billion and the possibility, however slim, of a second Asian financial crisis make such a plan risky, they told Reuters. "A lot has improved in Thailand since the crisis hit in 1997. But risks are still there.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two hectares grass burn at airport
Two hectares grass burn at airport TANGERANG (JP): About two hectares of fields at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng here caught fire on Monday after becoming dry due to the prolonged dry season, an official said on Tuesday. Airport Police chief Capt. Titik H. Valentina said the blaze started at about 3:30 p.m. and lasted about two hours before firefighters were deployed to put it out.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati deserves the glamor
Megawati deserves the glamor I have a strong hunch that what has developed into the Megawati puzzle will be resolved soon. After losing three speakership battles -- in the Jakarta City Council, the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives -- the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) now seems to be facing an uphill battle to put its chairwoman in the presidential suite.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stylish Italian seafood at Hotel Mulia
Stylish Italian seafood at Hotel Mulia JAKARTA (JP): Dropped off mistakenly outside the Hotel Mulia's ballroom, I entered and walked straight into a wedding. Trying to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, it became apparent that I had arrived just in time for a free dinner.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Oct. 12, 1999: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL closes down copper mine
KL closes down copper mine KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's only copper mine, the country's biggest mining operation, has closed down after exhausting its ore reserves following 24 years of operation, a report said Tuesday. The Mamut mine, in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, sent its last shipment on Sunday of 3,000 tons of copper concentrates to Japan, the Sun daily said. The company which owns the mine, Mamut Copper Mining Sdn.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
UNDIP has three new professors
UNDIP has three new professors SEMARANG: The Semarang-based Diponegoro University (UNDIP) inaugurated on Tuesday three new professors of law, sociopolitical science and literature. The university rector Eko Budihardjo presided over the ceremony which was attended by Central Java Governor H. Mardiyanto and Semarang mayor Sutrisno Suharto.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Court urged to drop charges against Surya
Court urged to drop charges against Surya JAKARTA (JP): The lawyer of the main defendant in the Istiqlal Grand Mosque bomb blast case demanded on Monday that the Central Jakarta District Court quash all charges against his client on grounds of legal technicalities. "The defendant, Surya Setiawan, should be cleared of all the charges because he carried out the bombing under the influence of another person's pressure," lawyer Hodlan P.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar media left red-faced
Myanmar media left red-faced BANGKOK (AFP): Myanmar authorities on Tuesday denied reports two journalists from a state newspaper were tortured and killed after a photograph of powerful junta First Secretary Gen. Khin Nyunt appeared under a headline reading The World Famous Crook. The Sept. 25 issue of the official Kyemon (Mirror) newspaper carried a front-page photo of the junta first secretary and military intelligence chief at a meeting with church leaders.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian stocks rise despite slump in HK
Most Asian stocks rise despite slump in HK HONG KONG (AP): Asian stock markets closed mixed Tuesday, with prices rising in Tokyo and Taipei but slumping in Hong Kong and Jakarta. The Japanese benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 28.63 points, or 0.16 percent, to 18,090.8. The index closed down 74.37 points, or 0.41 percent, on Friday. Tokyo financial markets were closed Monday for a national holiday. The Nikkei index was lifted by an increase in U.S.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia import deals continue, Australia says
Indonesia import deals continue, Australia says CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Australia's Trade Minister Mark Vaile said Tuesday that he hasn't heard of any contracts with Australian exporters being canceled by Indonesia. Vaile said he has seen a lot of comment, particularly in the Indonesian press, by Indonesian importing organizations and businesses about what they might do with contracts with Australian exporters.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Security volunteers vow no mobilization on Oct. 20
Security volunteers vow no mobilization on Oct. 20 JAKARTA (JP): Executives of the many security volunteer groups and task forces from several organizations have vowed not to mobilize their personnel ahead of the Oct. 20 presidential election day. On the other hand, students have temporarily been divided about their plans for election day.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Online medical records versus privacy
Online medical records versus privacy BANDUNG (JP): In the past two years, I have had my throat checked by doctors eight times. Most times I had severe pain in my throat, perhaps due to my failure to properly protect myself against hazardous chemicals. My work environment demands that priority be given to the safety of workers, but my glasses for shortsightedness makes me hesitant to use the bulky protective mask supplied to cover my face. I never go to the same doctor.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
IPTN completes Malaysia order for three airplanes
IPTN completes Malaysia order for three airplanes BANDUNG (JP): State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN handed over three CN-235-220 airplanes on Tuesday to Malaysia's airforce. IPTN president S. Paramajuda said that the handing over of the airplanes was the last delivery of six airplanes ordered by Malaysia. "We delivered the previous three airplanes in late August this year," he said after the handing over ceremony held at IPTN's airplane hangar.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 12, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 550 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 250 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,200 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 425 -25 500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,475 -25 1,923,500 Anwar Sierad 225 0 500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
A way out for Habibie
A way out for Habibie In The Jakarta Post on Oct. 6, Daniel Sparingga says in Lack of platform worries West that there should be a respectable exit for Habibie. I agree. Daniel gives as a reason for this statement the fact that the West likes Habibie for having liberal politics, allowing a free press and the referendum in East-Timor. But I believe there is another good, Indonesian reason to allow Habibie a graceful exit: we hate to make someone lose face.
Wed, 13 Oct 1999, 00:00 WIB
The man in the street wants change in leadership
The man in the street wants change in leadership A deadlock in the presidential election has been predicted by politicians and analysts. As the election nears, J. Soedjati Djiwandono reflects on the understanding of the common citizen.