Archive: 15 November 1999
48 articles found
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
IBRA appoints an asset tracing senior officer
IBRA appoints an asset tracing senior officer JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has appointed a senior official to take charge of tracing the personal assets of the country's bad bankers and debtors, possibly concealed to prevent seizure, and to check the quality of the assets. "We have appointed Roy Basuki to oversee our asset forensic and asset tracing activities," IBRA chairman Glenn S.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Consortium to buy rubber
Consortium to buy rubber KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The world's three key natural rubber producers will set up a consortium to buy about 140,000 metric tons of the commodity on the international market, reports said Saturday. Lim Keng Yaik, Malaysia's primary industries minister said the move by Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, who account for about 80 percent of global output, was aimed to stabilize rubber prices.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ties with Israel and gay rights
Ties with Israel and gay rights The question of "warming" relations between Indonesia and Israel is an artificial one. There is no reason on earth why Indonesia should keep its distance from Israel when many Arab countries, including major ones like Egypt and also the Palestinians themselves, have already recognized Israel and established cooperation with the state. Indonesia should not be expected to be "more Catholic than the Pope", but should carefully calculate its own national interests.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Annan in China for East Timor, Falungong talks
Annan in China for East Timor, Falungong talks BEIJING (Reuters): United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in China on Sunday for talks expected to focus on human rights and UN intervention in internal conflicts, as members of the banned Falungong movement pledged to petition the UN chief. In discussions with Chinese leaders during his four-day visit, Annan would appeal for greater support for UN peacekeeping operations in East Timor, which Beijing has pledged to back, analysts said.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
BAT Indonesia, Rothmans prepare a merger plan
BAT Indonesia, Rothmans prepare a merger plan JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cigarette maker PT British American Tobacco (BAT) Indonesia plans to merge with another cigarette maker PT Rothmans of Pall Mall Indonesia. BAT Indonesia president Mark A. Jennings said over the weekend that the merger processes was expected to be completed in the next two or three months. "We are in the process of integration with Rothmans of (Pall Mall) Indonesia.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Three ministers may go: Gus Dur
Three ministers may go: Gus Dur SALT LAKE CITY, U.S. (Agencies): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Saturday he was considering replacements for three members of his Cabinet who were allegedly involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism. "Corruption should be eradicated from the top down to the lower echelons. Therefore, I am now quietly preparing replacements for the three ministers," Abdurrahman told a meeting with the Indonesian expatriate community here.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police baffled by jewelry robbery
Police baffled by jewelry robbery JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police are searching for clues after a group of six men stole a safe containing diamond and gold jewelry worth Rp 1 billion (US$142,600) and Rp 8 million in cash in a daring Saturday morning robbery, South Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Satrya Harry Prasetya said on Sunday that his personnel were puzzled by the robbery at a residence which also served as a hair salon on Jl. Pejaten Mas, Jatipadang, Pasar Minggu.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Influential ulemas oppose planned ties with Israel
Influential ulemas oppose planned ties with Israel JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) ulemas at the Langitan Forum urged President Abdurrahman Wahid on Saturday to cancel his plan to establish trade relations with Israel. During their seventh gathering at Langitan Islamic Boarding School in Tuban, East Java, they decided to dispatch Abdullah Faqih and Sahal Mahfud to meet Abdurrahman personally to ask him to drop his plan to establish trade ties with Israel.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local traders recruited in bid to strengthen ties with Beijing
Local traders recruited in bid to strengthen ties with Beijing JAKARTA (JP): While expecting an increase in trade ties with Beijing and other cities in China, the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Jaya) will invite traders from Glodok and Mangga Dua in West Jakarta to take part in a series of business trips to the world's most populated country.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Percasi welcomes Ibis chess tournament
Percasi welcomes Ibis chess tournament JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) welcomed the news that five Ibis hotels in Jakarta, one each in Surabaya and Yogyakarta and Hotel Arcadia would host a university chess tournament from Nov. 20 to Nov. 28. "We welcome the initiative of the Ibis hotels in hosting the chess tournament for the university students. Through the tournaments we hope to develop talented chess players," Percasi secretary-general Jamal Jamil said last Thursday.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Suspected prostitutes caught in sweep of Bogor malls, park
Suspected prostitutes caught in sweep of Bogor malls, park BOGOR (JP): A joint team of mayoralty officials and councilors netted nine women, aged from 17 to 22, who were suspected of soliciting at two shopping malls and a recreation park on Saturday evening. Code-named Rayu, which is Indonesian for seduction, the raid was planned and conducted carefully in a bid to avoid the possibility of suspects suing the police for wrongful arrest.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso to close all brothel complexes
Sutiyoso to close all brothel complexes JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso made another surprising move over the weekend when he announced that the city administration would close all brothel complexes in the capital. "All brothel complexes in the city will be closed," Sutiyoso told reporters, but without giving details on the time frame.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students observe Semanggi tragedy
Students observe Semanggi tragedy JAKARTA (JP): At least 1,000 students from various universities gathered at the Atma Jaya University campus on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta on Saturday, commemorating the Nov. 13 shooting incident at the nearby Semanggi cloverleaf, which killed 14 people including eight university students.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Why Israel?
Why Israel? From Republika President Abdurrahman Wahid recently issued a policy to the effect that it is high time Indonesia established trade relations with Israel. The policy merely reiterates his statement made several years ago when he was the chairman of the board of Nahdlatul Ulama. The move has not only led to a major question among the ulemas who know well who the Israelis really are; debates have also occurred among the economists.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI and Portugal agree to reestablish ties
RI and Portugal agree to reestablish ties JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Portugal agreed to step up bilateral ties leading to the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, which were severed in 1975 following East Timor's integration into Indonesia. Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab and his Portuguese counterpart Jaime Gama issued a joint press communique in New York on Saturday, after the first high-level talks between the two governments since the recent political change in Indonesia.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds flee fighting in southern Philippines
Hundreds flee fighting in southern Philippines COTABATO, Philippines (Agencies): Hundreds of families fled their homes in North Cotabato in the southern Philippines on Sunday as fresh fighting broke out between government forces and Muslim separatists, the military said. Each side suffered one dead and several wounded in the clash, which began after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels blockaded a five-km portion of a highway in North Cotabato, army and rebel spokesmen said.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drug-free tests fail to win Zarina's release
Drug-free tests fail to win Zarina's release JAKARTA (JP): City police announced on Sunday that laboratory tests of the blood and urine of former actress Zarina Mirafsur were negative for drugs. But there was no release for the 27-year-old woman who two years ago was dubbed the country's "Ecstasy Queen" after she was sentenced to four years in jail for possession of 29,677 ecstasy pills. "She won't go free this time. The test results are nothing.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Former clove farmers think of what might have been
Former clove farmers think of what might have been By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Karsidi, 60, stared blankly at his three hectares of cassava fields. He puffed on a cigarette he rolled himself. Barechested and wearing knee-length pants, he occasionally pulled out tufts of grass from the ground around him. "If I had not cut down my clove trees, my fate would have changed for the better now.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Farmers' credit queried
Farmers' credit queried MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The government could face losing 60 percent of Rp 457 billion (US$65 million) in credit earmarked for farmers in South Sulawesi due to corruption by cooperatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), a provincial legislator said.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI forced into federal state by 2010
RI forced into federal state by 2010 YOGYAKARTA (JP): Widespread separatist demands will force Indonesia to establish a federal state by 2010, a noted historian said on Saturday. Anhar Gonggong, who is also the director of history and traditional values at the Ministry of National Education, said here that preparations for a federal state should be complete by 2005, five years before any new system becomes fully operational.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 15, 1999
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 15, 1999 Festival November '99 * The festival features poetry, story readings, theaters, exhibitions, dances, and film, at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta. - Exhibitions, at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Works of Bambang Prasadhi, Sapto Adji, Yulianto, in the Galeri Cipta III, until Nov. 16. Sihir Penguasa by Nurinwa KI S. Hendrowinoto, Galeri Cipta II, until Nov. 17. Bala Dupak by Nandang Gawe, Galeri Cipta III, Nov. 20 - 27.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Timber thief shot dead by police
Timber thief shot dead by police SEMARANG, Central Java: A man was shot dead on Saturday after being caught red-handed with hundreds of his friends chopping down trees in the Jinggotan subdistrict in Jepara, some 40 kilometers north of here. The suspected thief, identified as Suhadi, 30, was shot for defying warning shots and trying to attack the forest wardens who chased him with an axe. "The officers shot the looters in self defense.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mob burns plant for polluting area
Mob burns plant for polluting area JAKARTA (JP): A carbon factory in the Sukanegara area of Cikupa, Tangerang, was set ablaze early Sunday morning by about 50 residents angered by its pollution of the surrounding area, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said. "Local residents have repeatedly told the owners of the factory, PT Bintang Cikupa, not to dump their waste near the residential areas," Zainuri said. "But the owners did not listen.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
New technology raises the bar on scanners
New technology raises the bar on scanners By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Flatbed scanners are definitely one of the computing products that are catching on very fast. While the number of scanner makers keeps growing -- Acer, Agfa, Epson, HP and Umax just to name some of them -- the scanning capabilities, features and ease of use also get better and better. The past month witnessed the arrival of new flatbed scanners from Canon.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Timber firms in drive to keep power
Timber firms in drive to keep power JAKARTA (JP): The country's major timber companies are maneuvering to maintain their might which is threatened by a progressive forestry regulation, a forestry analyst warned. Adlan Thalib said on Saturday the timber companies were preparing strong lobbying in attempting to pressure the government to change the regulation.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Free bureaucracy from any party interests'
'Free bureaucracy from any party interests' JAKARTA (JP): The politicians in the new Cabinet should not allow their parties to meddle with the bureaucracy's internal affairs, Minister of Law and Legal Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra warned on Saturday. "I will never give a place in my office to figures and activists from the Crescent Star Party (PBB) I now chair. The bureaucracy must be free from political party interests and influence," he said in Riau province's capital, Pekanbaru.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
21 students poisoned by porridge
21 students poisoned by porridge BOGOR (JP): At least 21 students of a state elementary school in Cipaku village suffered food poisoning after eating rotten green bean porridge on Saturday. Bogor Mayoralty's spokesman Yus Herdiyus confirmed that the students vomited and suffered diarrhea after eating the porridge, a part of the school's additional food program for students. "The program has been ongoing for three years, but this has been the only incident," Herdiyus said.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
A dialog for Aceh
A dialog for Aceh With the urgency growing by the day for the problems in Aceh to be properly addressed, Indonesians are putting their best hope for a conclusive solution in a seemingly simple word: dialog. A dialog, according to one of the definitions given by the Merriam Webster's dictionary, is a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution. In principle, it appears simple enough.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL may refinance loans
KL may refinance loans KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones): The government may refinance its expensive loans with cheaper ones, First Finance Minister Daim Zainnuddin said Saturday. "For every loan, if it is expensive and there are cheaper loans, we take the cheaper one ... (and) pay the expensive one (off)," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency. Malaysia recently refinanced a five-year syndicated loan of US$1.35 billion.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Case against Soeharto
Case against Soeharto From Pelita President Abdurrahman Wahid's intention to reopen the investigation of former president Soeharto shows his commitment to upholding the law transparently. It is apparently a tough case but it will have a positive impact on law enforcement and justice.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Women on panel of judges
Women on panel of judges With reference to a report in The Jakarta Post of Nov. 11, 1999 entitled Observers slam rape case panel proposal, the Coalition of Indonesian Women for Justice and Democracy herewith declares its stance as follows: 1.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's eyesight improving: Doctors
Gus Dur's eyesight improving: Doctors By Kornelius Purba SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (JP): Doctors declared on Saturday the right eye of President Abdurrahman Wahid was in excellent condition, although they also indicated that his vision was not likely to fully recover. Robert O. Hoffman, a strabismos surgeon, said the President's health, including his diabetes and high-blood pressure, was under control. Abdurrahman underwent a four-hour checkup at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ausstralian turns RI barracks into guest house
Ausstralian turns RI barracks into guest house By Frederik Balfour DILI, East Timor (AFP): Less than 48 hours after the last Indonesian troops slipped away from East Timor, an Australian car salesman has turned a deserted military barracks into an unusual bed and breakfast. The rooms look out over a former ammunitions dump and the bathrooms are a long walk from the bedrooms, but the Dili Lodge Hotel is open for business.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Siliwangi teeters on brink of relegation
Siliwangi teeters on brink of relegation JAKARTA (JP): Siliwangi's hopes of improving its ranking vanished with its 49-70 crushing by Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) on Sunday during the second day of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league series at Senayan Basketball Hall.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Message from the Ambassador
Message from the Ambassador Message from H.E. Mr. Luk Darras, Ambassador of H.M. the King of the Belgians to the Republic of Indonesia on the occasion of Kings' Day, November 15, 1999. The birth of a new democratic dawn in Indonesia is offering privileged spectators a unique opportunity to witness the emergence of a renewed society.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN introduces new promotion scheme
ASEAN introduces new promotion scheme JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed to add rubber, coffee, tea and beans and peas to a new five-year scheme promoting ASEAN agricultural and forest products. The association said here over the weekend that the new scheme superseded the one signed in 1994, which had already included 11 other agricultural and forestry products.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military ready to probe atrocities in Aceh
Military ready to probe atrocities in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The Minister of Defense Juwono Soedarsono said on Saturday the Indonesian Military (TNI) was prepared to investigate into past atrocities in Aceh. But he denied that the plan was aimed at staving off snowballing demands for a self-determination referendum in the restive province. He said the investigation would be in line with the government's commitment to law enforcement, which was initiated by former president B.J.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Zhu to visit KL before polls
Zhu to visit KL before polls KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji will visit Malaysia for two days this month in the midst of an election campaign in which his Malaysian counterpart is counting on support from ethnic Chinese for victory. Zhu is scheduled to be in Malaysia on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 before going to Manila for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an aide to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Family killed in car crash
Family killed in car crash CIREBON, West Java: A family of five were among seven people killed in a car accident in the Kandanghaur district in Indramayu regency on Saturday. The victims died instantly when their car slammed into a parked trailer in the small hours of Saturday, witnesses said. The dead were identified as Yuyung Yulias, 35, his wife Jartika Dwi Astuti, 30, and their three children Hesti, 3, Riski N, and M Irhas. The last two were elementary school children.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government to form body to assess officials' wealth
Government to form body to assess officials' wealth JAKARTA (JP): The government will set up a commission to examine the wealth of state officials in a bid to eradicate corruption. A member of the government team assigned to promote the commission, Soenarko, said in Semarang on Saturday that recruitment of members of the new body was underway and they are expected to start working on Nov. 20.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fuji Bank wins soccer tournament
Fuji Bank wins soccer tournament JAKARTA (JP): Fuji Bank overcame the ING Bearings Indonesia Bank in a penalty shootout to win 3-1 at the inter-bank soccer tournament at the Lebak Bulus stadium, South Jakarta, on Sunday. Fuji Bank won the tournament after the two teams tied 0-0 in the 30 minute game which was twice extended by 10 minutes. Fuji Bank took the Challenge Trophy plus a cash prize of Rp 2 million.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Regional restlessness 'could sabotage recovery'
Regional restlessness 'could sabotage recovery' JAKARTA (JP): The American Express Bank's chief economist John Calverley said the manner in which the Indonesian government addresses the restlessness in several provinces will strongly influence the economy's prospects.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
New approach to foreign policy
New approach to foreign policy By Omar Halim JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is undergoing a momentous period of change. It is time to assess the direction of where the country wants to be in the world community of nations in the future. Before that, we should first have a vision as to what the world is going to be, according to the present trend, in the 21st century. After World War II, the world became, politically speaking, a bipolar world.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aceh problems likely to impact on stock market
Aceh problems likely to impact on stock market JAKARTA (JP): Initially underestimated political problems in the province of Aceh are likely weigh on share trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange, securities analysts said over the weekend. The analysts said worries that the referendum proposed by Acehnese could trigger a separatism movement in other provinces would certainly affect the market.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia boosts its chance for Asian Cup final
Indonesia boosts its chance for Asian Cup final JAKARTA (JP): The national soccer team is likely to represent Southeast Asia in the Asian Cup final in Lebanon next year after it drubbed Hong Kong 3-1 in the Group 7 match of the cup's prequalifying round at Senayan Stadium on Sunday. In front of 30,000 spectators, Indonesian midfielder Anang Ma'ruf opened the way to victory with a goal in the sixth minute of the first half off a pass from midfielder Aji Santoso.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Deli Tama Indonesia's CPO exports suspended
Deli Tama Indonesia's CPO exports suspended JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla has suspended crude palm oil exports from PT Deli Tama Indonesia's storage tanks at the North Sumatra port of Belawan. The suspension is part of the measures introduced after 19,000 metric tons of CPO originating from Deli Tama tanks were held up at Rotterdam Port last month due to diesel oil contamination, Kalla told a news conference in Medan on Saturday.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Over 1 million visit tomb
Over 1 million visit tomb BOYOLALI, Central Java: More than one million people have visited the tomb of the 18th century author Yosodipuro in Pengging village between July and September, according to local tourism office data. Most visitors came, mostly on Fridays, to have their fates forecast. Visitors receive coconut leaves and place them on the tomb. After saying prayers, the visitors give the leaves to the tomb's guide, who will help them read "messages" written on the leaves.
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI shuttlers drub Malaysia to take Asia Cup crown
RI shuttlers drub Malaysia to take Asia Cup crown HO CHI MINH CITY (Agencies): Indonesia romped to the US$100,000 Asia Cup crown here Sunday with a crushing 3-0 defeat of arch rival Malaysia in a one-sided final. Indonesia took home the JVC Asia Cup and $50,000 in prize money. The unbeaten Indonesian players proved supreme as the undisputed leaders of badminton in Asia. They still are proven too strong for other Asian players, not having lost a game on each tie.