Archive: 24 November 1999
Showing 1-50 of 64 articles
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
PwC publishes mining book
PwC publishes mining book JAKARTA (JP): International auditor PricwaterhouseCoopers published on Monday the results of its survey on the country's mining industry. The company said in a statement the Indonesian Mining Industry Survey 1999 was based on a study of the operations of 12 producing companies and 27 exploration companies. It said it intended to publish the mining report annually. (jsk)
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Developing nations distrustful, feisty ahead of WTO trade talks
Developing nations distrustful, feisty ahead of WTO trade talks By Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere GENEVA (AFP): Several of the most determined developing countries are threatening to boycott the next round of WTO trade negotiations until they have felt more of the benefits from the last round of talks.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Minister says 40% of all water supplies contaminated
Minister says 40% of all water supplies contaminated JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi revealed on Tuesday that around 40 percent of all water supplies in urban areas across the country are contaminated by feces collie. This ghastly fact, which should alarm all city dwellers, was discovered after the ministry recently conducted extensive research on urban sanitation.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
British Airways responds
British Airways responds We would like to reply to the letter that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 20, 1999, titled Home for the holidays from Mr. John T regarding British Airways service in Indonesia. Unfortunately, British Airways were forced to temporarily suspend direct services from Oct. 31, 1999, due to worsening passenger demand.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
NU urges dialogs, human rights investigations
NU urges dialogs, human rights investigations KEDIRI, East Java (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization proposed on Tuesday a way out for the problems the country is dealing with, most notably on the widespread threat of separatist movements. Kemas Madani, who chairs the commission deliberating recommendations to be brought to the government, said NU would insist the government cope with any threat of national separation through a dialog.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government and IMF complete draft of new reform package
Government and IMF complete draft of new reform package JAKARTA (JP): The government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) technical team completed on Tuesday a draft of a new letter of intent (LoI), outlining a key economic strategy but remaining tentative on policy details, especially sensitive subsidy issues.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
ADB sharply upgrades Asian growth projections
ADB sharply upgrades Asian growth projections MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) sharply upgraded this year's regional economic growth forecasts to 5.7 percent Tuesday on the back of a "far better than expected" rebound from crisis. The Manila-based bank boosted the original projection of 3.8 percent owing to strong recovery by the humbled economic tigers of South Korea and Southeast Asia and robust growth in China.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bhinneka players ready for final four
Bhinneka players ready for final four SEMARANG (JP): The men's and women's basketball players from Bhinneka Sritex club are preparing for the final four of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league, which will take place at the Senayan indoor stadium on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. "We are ready to fight against our rivals," said Bhinneka assistant coach Hartono here on Tuesday. Bhinneka is trained by Chinese coach Li Shu-zhao.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Huge Asian budget deficits don't have to mean new taxes
Huge Asian budget deficits don't have to mean new taxes By James T. Areddy HONG KONG (Dow Jones): At first glance, record-sized Asian budget deficits would suggest a pressing need for higher taxes because less-than-stellar economic growth expected over the next few years will limit government revenue. Yet tax experts play down that possibility and predict governments will focus on a more-immediate desire to solidify economic recovery.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fire guts perfume factory
Fire guts perfume factory JAKARTA (JP): Fire gutted a house-cum-perfume factory on Jl. Taman Jati Petamburan in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon. At least 10 fire trucks were deployed to the area. At 4:30 p.m., the firefighters, with the help of local residents, managed to put out the fire, which burned half of the L-shaped house and all of the eight perfume refinery tanks, along with 10 kilograms of eaglewood oil.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government promises sugar import tariff in January
Government promises sugar import tariff in January JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Tuesday that a tariff on imported sugar would only be imposed after the post-fasting month holiday of Idul Fitri in January. Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla said that while the government agreed in principle to impose the tariff to protect local farmers and producers, the interests of consumers must also be considered in such a decision.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asia to dominate auto market
Asia to dominate auto market NEW DELHI (Reuters): The president of Ford Motor Company said on Tuesday the Asia-Pacific region would outstrip Europe and North America in auto production, cornering the lion's share of global growth and demand. "The global auto industry is expected to grow by 8.3 million units between now and 2006," Jacques Nasser, who runs the world's second largest car maker, told a news conference in the Indian capital.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
China not ready to sign Spratlys code of conduct
China not ready to sign Spratlys code of conduct KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): China said on Tuesday no agreement had been reached on a code of conduct over the disputed Spratly islands, but described such an agreement as "important", after talks here between Chinese and Malaysian leaders. "We regard the code of conduct as an important document between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students to honor their teachers
Students to honor their teachers JAKARTA (JP): School children will be ceremoniously called on for the first time to pay homage to their teachers' daily toil by attending a special service on National Teachers Day on Thursday in their respective schools. School kids across the country on Thursday morning will hold a flag-raising ceremony, usually reserved for national occasions, for their teachers.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutor urges one year sentence for former mayor
Prosecutor urges one year sentence for former mayor JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor demanded the West Jakarta District Court on Tuesday sentence former West Jakarta mayor Sutardjianto to one year in jail for abusing his position to profit by Rp 2.6 billion (US$371,428.5) in a corruption case. "The defendant is guilty of receiving Rp 1 billion (US$ 147 million) from the witness Yanto Lukman," said prosecutor Rusli, in a hearing presided over by Judge Soeparno.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Windsurfer Oka qualifies for Olympics
Windsurfer Oka qualifies for Olympics JAKARTA (JP): Windsurfer Oka Sulaksana nailed down his ticket to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney by finishing 35th in the golden fleet class of the World Championships in Noumea, New Caledonia, last week. Oka's qualification adds to the list of Indonesian athletes who will compete in the Olympics from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1, 2000.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Truck drivers protest levies
Truck drivers protest levies MAROS, South Sulawesi: Hundreds of truck drivers in Maros, 30 kilometers north of the provincial capital of Makassar, have complained about illegal levies allegedly demanded by police, who claimed to be carrying out routine operations. Drivers plying the Palopo-Makassar route said police requested between Rp 5,000 and Rp 15,000 every time they stopped and searched the trucks. "It's too much!
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military warns of rising separatist sentiment
Military warns of rising separatist sentiment JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. indicated the seriousness of rising separatist sentiments across the country and warned the threat of national disintegration was a very real one.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cipto Hospital needs bigger budget to cover operations
Cipto Hospital needs bigger budget to cover operations JAKARTA (JP): The yearly budget allocated by the government to the state Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital barely covers the hospital's expenses as the number of poor patients who need to be subsidized is increasing, a hospital executive said on Tuesday. Hermansyur Kartowisastro, the hospital's director, said the budget of approximately Rp 21 billion for the 1999/2000 fiscal year was not enough.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taxi drivers here are not so bad!
Taxi drivers here are not so bad! I really feel that I have to respond to the article CABeat emptor -- driver beware which caught my eye in The Jakarta Post on Sunday, Nov. 21, 1999. Back in Jakarta, after an enforced absence of 15 months, I was struck by the somewhat extreme views expressed by your contributor. Please let me speak up for the taxi drivers of Jakarta.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Observers question govt's anticorruption commitment
Observers question govt's anticorruption commitment YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political observers here have questioned President Abdurrahman Wahid's commitment to eradicating corruption, alleging that the majority of his Cabinet lineup include individuals involved in graft practices during the New Order era.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Council accuses holding company of swindling
Council accuses holding company of swindling JAKARTA (JP): The City Council's Commission B for economic affairs revealed on Thursday that executives of PT Pembangunan Jaya, a holding company partly owned by the city administration, swindled Rp 3.3 billion (US$471,430) of its 1997 contribution to the city revenue. Commission B chairman M. Syarief Zulkarnaen announced the findings after a hearing with PT Pembangunan Jaya's executives, led by its president, Daryanto M Pratowo.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
PT Freeport Indonesia eyes century of mining
PT Freeport Indonesia eyes century of mining TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (Reuters): A slump in world prices of copper and gold will hit PT Freeport Indonesia's bottom line this year but the firm still hopes to be mining in New Guinea when the new century dawns. In plush offices a stone's throw from virgin jungle, chief financial officer Steve Jones says Freeport should still be digging for metal in Indonesia's Irian Jaya province in 2050, based on ore reserves so far discovered.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
The threat of piracy in SE Asia
The threat of piracy in SE Asia By Santo Darmosumarto Fifteen Indonesian pirates were reportedly arrested on Saturday off the coast of India. This article looks at piracy, a problem which Southeast Asian nations have been battling for years. JAKARTA (JP): In many countries, both the public and governments have failed to address the problem of piracy by either treating it as a rarely occurring criminal activity or a thing of the past.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hammer throwers set for Jakarta
Hammer throwers set for Jakarta SEMARANG (JP): Four local hammer throwers -- Daniel Giyanto, Agus Darmawan, Lina and Kusmiyati -- will attend the Indonesia Open national track and field championship in Jakarta from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29. Daniel said he and his teammates would gauge their skills at the championships as part of their preparations for the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya next year.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Searching for a better management approach
Searching for a better management approach By James O'Hara JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank produced a development report in 1987 comparing the average levels of per capita income in developed industrialized countries and low-income developing countries. The report suggested that the average developing countries would take 80 years to catch up with current living standards of industrialized countries.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
S'pore PM to lead trade mission to RI in January
S'pore PM to lead trade mission to RI in January JAKARTA (JP): Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will lead a large trade mission to Indonesia in January in a bid to boost trade relations between the neighboring countries. Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Luhut Panjaitan said here on Tuesday that the Singaporean trade delegation would focus on tourism and labor-intensive industries.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two expats deported for overstaying
Two expats deported for overstaying TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Immigration office has deported an expatriate identified as Chiou Ya Hui, a Taiwan national, and will shortly deport another, South Korean Jeong Seong Ki, for overstaying on their visas. Tangerang Immigration chief Dodi M. Wibowo said here on Tuesday that Ya Hui was deported to Tapai on Saturday on board an Eva Air flight from Soekarno-Hatta International airport. Seong Ki would be deported on Thursday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Close the camps
Close the camps The visiting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, has spoken out, calling for rapid repatriation of all (East Timorese refugees) who wish to return to East Timor. This finally may prod the Indonesian authorities into controlling the militia mobs. Police in the camps do nothing to protect the people, and only in recent weeks have foreigners been able to get near them.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Politics will still affect rupiah: BI
Politics will still affect rupiah: BI JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Tuesday the rupiah's exchange rate to the U.S. dollar next year would be influenced more by market sentiment on domestic social and political conditions rather than economic fundamentals.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Human rights court won't try past atrocities
Human rights court won't try past atrocities JAKARTA (JP): The government is working to establish a human rights court, but it will not be able to bring alleged perpetrators of past atrocities to justice, Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Tuesday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
New libraries for orphanages
New libraries for orphanages JAKARTA (JP): Forty-five girls in Putra Setia orphanage in Central Jakarta can now enjoy a collection of 500 titles of storybooks and literature in their small library. The books, along with bookshelves and boxes of powdered milk, were donated by milk producer PT Friesche Vlag Indonesia (FVI) in a ceremony here last weekend.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cacuk appointed as IBRA senior vice chairman
Cacuk appointed as IBRA senior vice chairman JAKARTA (JP): The government has appointed a former president of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia as senior vice chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) in its continuing effort to restructure the agency. Finance minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Tuesday that Cacuk Sudarijanto's appointment was stipulated in a presidential decree issued on Monday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hun Sen 'opposes' ASEAN expansion
Hun Sen 'opposes' ASEAN expansion PHNOM PENH (AP): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen would be against allowing East Timor into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a magazine reported. Hun Sen told Asiaweek in an interview posted on the magazine's website that he feared the addition of an independent East Timor could dilute ASEAN and affects its values. He said that East Timorese leaders appear more inclined to align with Pacific countries than Southeast Asia.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Brittleness of nationalism
Brittleness of nationalism From Rakyat Merdeka Our founding fathers would be lost in sad contemplation if they heard about the demands of some Indonesians who want independence. Those who fought audaciously to liberate this country, to maintain the unity of the nation, would feel betrayed because their struggle had been in vain. The people who created the national language and coined the slogan Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) are being deserted by the younger generation.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jazz Merah Putih in Karawaci
Jazz Merah Putih in Karawaci JAKARTA (JP): The giant business and amusement center Lippo Karawaci in Tangerang, in cooperation with Ireng Maulana & Associates, is to present the second Jazz Merah Putih concert at Taman Sari cultural park in Lippo Karawaci business and residential area on Saturday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Wie Wie upbeat on drag race party hopes
Wie Wie upbeat on drag race party hopes JAKARTA (JP): Wie Wie Rianto of the Jakarta Firna Racing Team was optimist on Monday that he would beat Canada's Robert Paul at the Sentul Drag Race Millennium Party to be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor. "I lost to Paul with a very slight difference in points in the overall national drag race championships, but I will prepare myself better and I'm sure I can beat him," Wie Wie said.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protected building owners face inquiry over damages
Protected building owners face inquiry over damages JAKARTA (JP): The City Council will question executives of the firm which owns a protected building in Central Jakarta about plans to renovate the structure and the effort to locate items which had been missing from the building.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Beadsworth wins elimination one race finals
Beadsworth wins elimination one race finals By Lukman Natanagara LANGKAWI, Malaysia (JP): Skipper Andy Beadsworth of England won the delayed elimination one finals by defeating Swedish Magnus Holmberg in the Malaysia Challenge sailing championships on Tuesday. Beadsworth, world ranked 17, surprisingly beat world number four Holmberg 2-1. Holmberg had Beadsworth slightly ahead but upwind of him as they both sailed toward the line.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Reforestation fees to reach Rp 1.22t
Reforestation fees to reach Rp 1.22t JAKARTA (JP): State revenues from the forestry and plantation sectors are estimated to reach Rp 1.83 trillion (US$261.9 million) in the fiscal year 2000. Minister of Forestry and Plantation Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on Tuesday that the revenue target would be derived from reforestation fees, royalties, levies and other service fees.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mother of three jailed for producing drugs
Mother of three jailed for producing drugs JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced a mother of three on Tuesday to eight years in jail for producing ecstasy pills in the woman's second drug-related conviction in less than 18 months. Presiding judge Musa Simatupang told the court that Maya Tulenan, 37, was "guilty of violating Article 60 of the 1997 Law on Psychotropic Substances". After the trial closed, Maya collapsed as she was being led from the courtroom.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
7,000 RP police to guard ASEAN meet
7,000 RP police to guard ASEAN meet MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines said on Tuesday it would deploy more than 7,000 police and soldiers to safeguard leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at their summit in Manila this weekend. Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson said his office had received "very raw reports about demonstrations (and) possible terroristic acts" to disrupt the summit on Sunday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shotokan master to appoint successor
Shotokan master to appoint successor JAKARTA (JP): Sensei (master) Kanazawa, the world's Shotokan guru from Japan, is scheduled to appoint his successors at the seventh world Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIP) championship at the Sheraton Convention Center in Bali in April 2000. The chairman of Indonesian Karate-Do (Inkado), E. Tando, said on Tuesday that Kanazawa, also the SKIP chairman, would display his new movements at the championship's martial arts events.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Timah scraps plan to buy KPC shares
Timah scraps plan to buy KPC shares JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state mining company PT Tambang Timah announced on Monday it had dropped its plan to buy shares in coal mining company PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), citing the high price of the shares as the reason. Timah president Erry Riyana Hardjapemakas said that aside from price consideration, Timah dropped the acquisition plan because the East Kalimantan provincial administration was also interested in buying the shares.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Holbrooke reserves judgment on RI's E. Timor agreement
Holbrooke reserves judgment on RI's E. Timor agreement AILEU, East Timor (Reuters): Washington's ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday the United States would be watching closely to see if Indonesia honored an agreement over joint patrols near the border between East and West Timor. Richard Holbrooke was speaking at the end of a brief visit to Timor island, on a day when he met independence leader Xanana Gusmao and was saluted by his Falintil guerrilla fighters.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Eye bank gets 4,407 corneas from abroad
Eye bank gets 4,407 corneas from abroad BOGOR (JP): Indonesia Central Eye Bank (BMIP) have received a total of 4,407 corneas from various donor countries so far, BMIP chairwoman Siti Maimunah Alamsyah Ratu Perwiranegara said on Tuesday.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil prices ease in Asian markets
Oil prices ease in Asian markets SINGAPORE (Reuters): Oil prices slipped in Asia amid profit- taking on Tuesday after surging to nine-year highs in London and New York, traders said. January New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) crude futures were at US$26.83 by 0804 GMT, down 24 cents from the New York close on Monday, where the contract had ended at $27.07. U.S.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japanese animation films grow in popularity
Japanese animation films grow in popularity By Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): The world has acknowledged that Japanese animation films are already on par with American ones in terms of their storyline management and production techniques. Now the animation world knows of the "Japanese style", which is a technique in reducing the number of pictures in forming a meaningful movement.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Photo A: JIFFest
Photo A: JIFFest JIFFest's committee Japanese film Perfect Blue, directed by Satoshi Kon, is about a complicated entertainment business in Japan involving young stars. The film will be screened at TIM 21 on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 as part of the first Jakarta International Film Festival.
Wed, 24 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pepper output to rise 2.3%
Pepper output to rise 2.3% JAKARTA (JP): World pepper production is projected to increase 2.3 percent to 217,164 tons next year from about 212,200 tons this year. The Jakarta-based International Pepper Community (IPC) said on Tuesday that the estimate was reached in a meeting between exporters and importers earlier this month in Sri Lanka. IPC said that although production would rise by 5,000 tons, the exportable quantity in 2000 would be about 3,000 tons less than this year.