Archive: 1 February 1999
43 articles found
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN airlines launch discounted airfares
ASEAN airlines launch discounted airfares SINGAPORE (AFP): After months of talks, Southeast Asian airlines have agreed to offer standard discounted fares for tourists flying into the region in a determined bid to prop up shrinking tourism revenues. The talks under the auspices of the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) have led to the introduction of a special air pass entitling passengers to buy coupons at US$90 for travel to any single ASEAN destination.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bogor trains detoured after cable failure
Bogor trains detoured after cable failure JAKARTA (JP): Frustration reigned for train passengers on Saturday when a power cable failure for electric trains serving Jakarta to Bogor forced state-owned railway company Perumka to bypass regular Central Jakarta stops. The abrupt decision left hundreds of passengers stranded, with many inconvenienced by having to spend extra time and money to reach their destinations after service at Gonangdia, Cikini and Gambir stations was canceled.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thousands stage protest outside Indorayon
Thousands stage protest outside Indorayon PORSEA, North Sumatra (JP): Ten thousand locals, religious leaders and student activists demonstrated on Saturday demanding the closure of PT Inti Indorayon Utama pulp and rayon mill. Under the watchful eyes of thousands of security personnel, the protesters formed a long parade as they peacefully marched the 10 kilometers to the outskirts of Porsea, where the listed company's plant is located.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Telkom announces new phone rates
Telkom announces new phone rates JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications operator PT Telkom unveiled on Saturday its new rates for local and domestic long-distance telephone calls which have been increased by up to 46.67 percent. The new rates, according to a decree issued by the communications minister on Friday, became effective when the clock struck midnight on Sunday.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Former Singaporean convict arrested
Former Singaporean convict arrested MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra Police arrested a former Singaporean convict who was allegedly engaged in the gun trade in Medan on Jan. 26, but they released him due to lack of evidence. Police caught the suspect, identified only as NY, 50, in a hotel in Medan after gaining information from locals leading to suspicions of his involvement. NY, who said he was a retired major, said he was once detained in a penitentiary in Riau in 1990.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
GE lights up Prambanan
GE lights up Prambanan JAKARTA (JP): Tourists can visit the famous Prambanan temple in Yogyakarta at night now that U.S.-based GE Lighting has completed the installation of lighting facilities for the temple. The company announced on Saturday that Yogyakarta's Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Marzuki Usman would inaugurate Prambanan's lighting on Wednesday. U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia J. Stapleton Roy is also expected to attend the ceremony. (rid)
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutor hit by former boss in quarrel
Prosecutor hit by former boss in quarrel TANGERANG (JP): Prosecutor Andi Aco Rumpang was hit at the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office on Saturday by Salubi Siapo, a former employee of the office, after Andi refused to release an acquaintance of Salubi who is detained for embezzlement. The incident began when Andi, who was in uniform, greeted Salubi, a former high-ranking official at the office, who was walking toward him at about 11 a.m.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
1,000 more migrants flee riot-torn of Ambon
1,000 more migrants flee riot-torn of Ambon UJUNGPANDANG (JP): At least 1,000 migrants arrived in Ujungpandang on Sunday after fleeing the riot-torn city of Ambon, which was still tense following days of communal clashes in the Maluku province that left 65 dead. Aboard the Rinjani vessel, the group, which included 219 children, arrived at Soekarno-Hatta seaport in the South Sulawesi capital under tight military security. Local military commander Lt. Col. S.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
How to subscribe to daily e-mail news
How to subscribe to daily e-mail news By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): I received a record number of responses to my article last week on e-mail management. The majority of those who wrote to me wanted to know how to subscribe to the daily e-mail news I mentioned in that article.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Save Kerinci national park
Save Kerinci national park JAMBI, Jambi: Local authorities are making efforts to save the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Kerinci district from slash-and- burn farming, Governor Abdurrahman Sayoeti said on Saturday. "Efforts to save the park from slash-and-burn farming is a must," the governor said, as quoted by Antara, after installing Fauzi Si'in as head of Kerinci district.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Trader found dead in Menteng
Trader found dead in Menteng JAKARTA (JP): A 40-year-old trader was found dead on Jl. Cut Mutia near Gondangdia railway station in Menteng, Central Jakarta on Sunday with a stab wound in his chest. The body of Wiyono, a resident of Batang, Central Java, was found lying in pool of blood by local residents. No details about the cause of death were available. A Central Jakarta Police officer, who asked for anonymity, said, "We received a report about the body at 7 a.m.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices predicted to remain under pressure
Stock prices predicted to remain under pressure JAKARTA (JP): Share prices in the local stock market are expected to remain under pressure again this week with most investors keeping watch on the development of the country's political and economic situation, financial analysts said. They said lack of positive leads from the domestic market, coupled with ever-present fears of a deepening global financial crisis would further weigh down market sentiment in the local stock market.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan to expand Asian aids
Japan to expand Asian aids TOKYO (Dow Jones): The Ministry of Finance is set to expand a $30 billion aid scheme to Asia, following strong demand for funds, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Sunday edition. The so-called Miyazawa Initiative -- named after Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa who announced the program in October 1998 -- has received a positive response from the five intended recipients: Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Investors eager to see free polls, Amien Rais says
Investors eager to see free polls, Amien Rais says JAKARTA (JP): Foreign investors are waiting for free and fair polls in Indonesia, after which they expected a credible government. A general election is scheduled for June 7.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties urged to sue govt over new ruling
Parties urged to sue govt over new ruling JAKARTA (JP): Constitutional law expert Harun Alrasid is urging new political parties to sue the government for issuing a decree on civil servants in violation of the law. He said new parties, barred from the deliberation of recently endorsed political bills, should sue the government because the decree apparently violates the 1975 Law No.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's control to stay
Malaysia's control to stay KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's prime minister said his government will not dismantle currency controls imposed last year as long as world economies do nothing to curb currency speculation, news reports said Saturday. The tough measures, introduced last September, effectively halts offshore trading of its currency, the ringgit. It also places curbs on taking money in and out of the country.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Confectioners aim for record
Confectioners aim for record YOGYAKARTA (JP): Twenty-one producers and sellers of a local sweet delicacy of peanuts and palm sugar in Kaliurang hope to make it into The Guinness Book of Records after they demonstrated the making of the first ever 102-meter-long snack. Known as ampyang (peanut brittle), the extra large snack was processed Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 afternoon. The finished piece was 20 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters thick.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Housewife arrested with counterfeit rupiah notes
Housewife arrested with counterfeit rupiah notes JAKARTA (JP): Police have questioned a 38-year-old housewife in connection with the distribution of counterfeit money, Rp 400 million of which they confiscated from her house in South Jakarta. National Police detective's chief of economic crimes Col. I Made Mangku Pastika confirmed the questioning on Sunday but declined to give details.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Recent Kupang riot political, not religious, says governor
Recent Kupang riot political, not religious, says governor JAKARTA (JP): Riots of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 last year in East Nusa Tenggara in which dozens of mosques and churches were vandalized in the capital of Kupang resulted from political conflict rather than strife rooted in Muslim-Christian conflict, Governor Piet Alexander Tallo said on Saturday. Religious strife never existed in the sociocultural history of the province, according to Tallo as reported by Antara.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bukopin, Bank Muamalat recapitalization on hold
Bukopin, Bank Muamalat recapitalization on hold JAKARTA (JP): The recapitalization program of Bank Bukopin and Bank Muamalat Indonesia, both private banks, is being hampered by the difficulties in recouping some US$84.5 million in government- guaranteed deposits at the now defunct Bank Umum Nasional (BUN), according to a would-be investor.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Condition of 5,100 Timorese refugees in Suai 'worrisome'
Condition of 5,100 Timorese refugees in Suai 'worrisome' JAKARTA (JP): The health of over 5,100 villagers who have taken refuge in the Suai town of East Timor's Covalima regency could deteriorate due to a lack of sanitary facilities in their makeshift shelters, a local priest said on Sunday. "There are too many people, their condition is worrisome... soon there'll be diarrhea," Catholic priest Francisco Soares in Suai told The Jakarta Post by phone.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Economic rescue depends on polls, Ginandjar says
Economic rescue depends on polls, Ginandjar says JAKARTA (JP): A strong foundation for economic reform and a successful general election are critical for Indonesia to achieve an economic recovery by 2000, according to Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Logs scarcity may cut into RI's wood exports
Logs scarcity may cut into RI's wood exports By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang JAKARTA (JP): Dwindling timber supplies, demands for greater environmental responsibility, and sluggish demand are likely to hamper any growth in the country's timber and forest-related exports this year. The government has predicted that foreign exchange earnings from the export of timber and other forest products will decline this year due to a poor supply of timber.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia scheduled to ink export deals with U.S. firms
Indonesia scheduled to ink export deals with U.S. firms JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will sign export contracts for electronics and textile-related goods with U.S. businesses this month, Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan said on Saturday. Rahardi announced after meeting President B.J.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
New men at Semen Padang
New men at Semen Padang JAKARTA (JP): State-owned cement manufacturer PT Semen Padang has a new president: A. Ikhdan Nizar, who was formerly chief of the company's general affairs department. Nizar was formally installed at the Semen Padang office in Jakarta on Friday, replacing Abubakar, Antara reported. The ceremony, witnessed by a number of shareholders, also saw the appointment of Brig. Gen.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * World Press Photo Exhibition, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Feb. 11. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Agus Suwage, Tisna Sanjaya, etc., at Teater Utan Kayu, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), until Feb. 15. * Painting Exhibition: Dua Nafas, by Achmad Syahri and Munadi, at Galeri Cipta III, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Up in arms
Up in arms While it is easy to understand many Indonesians these days are haunted by the constant threat of violence and unrest, the attorney general's decision over the weekend to arm hundreds of his staff with sticks, "to fend off radical groups" protesting at his office, is bound to raise some questions. "We need to protect ourselves and our office from radical groups who tend to do damage and to loot and burn things.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Serpong-P. Aren Barat new toll road opens
Serpong-P. Aren Barat new toll road opens JAKARTA (JP): The Serpong-Pondok Aren Barat toll road, the first part of the planned toll road between Jakarta and Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) housing complex, is scheduled to start operation on Tuesday, an official said.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI has biggest potential
RI has biggest potential SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Indonesia has the potential for the greatest return on investments, but also carry the greatest risk, among all Asian markets, said Mark Mobius, managing director of Templeton Asset Management Ltd., the Business Times reported on Saturday. Templeton has invested all its funds, compared to holding a large cash position at the end of August, as it sees good value in most Asian markets.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tabloid protested for defamation
Tabloid protested for defamation JAKARTA (JP): A member of the House of Representatives filed a report of slander by a newly established tabloid, Tekad, at Jakarta Police Headquarters on Saturday. Yoseano Waas, who is also an actor, reported the tabloid for accusing him of being the mastermind of last month's bloody riot in Ambon, Maluku.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP needs pact with U.S. to ward off intrusion
RP needs pact with U.S. to ward off intrusion MANILA (AP): President Joseph Estrada urged senators on Sunday to ratify an accord allowing U.S. military exercises in the country, saying it would help the Philippines ward off Chinese intrusions in the disputed Spratly islands. The Philippine Senate began hearings last week on the ratification of the so-called Visiting Forces Agreement, which would allow the resumption of large-scale joint military exercises between the two allies.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Right education for building a democracy
Right education for building a democracy By A. Chaedar Alwasilah Democracy is like a raft. It never sinks, but, damn it, your feet are always in the water. -- D.W. Brogan, The Free State. BANDUNG (JP): The fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union was perceived as a symbol of supremacy of democracy over communism. The contemporary world witnessed these historic events with astonishment and now believes democracy is the most valid form of government.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto talks with student leaders
Wiranto talks with student leaders JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto met leaders of the University of Indonesia postgraduate's Student Forum (Formas) on Friday, discussing a range of current hot issues, including the tarnished image of ABRI, Antara reported. Giving no details on where the meeting was held, the state news agency quoted a press statement as saying that the dialog was attended by Wiranto and his top brass, including Maj. Gen.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Healer killed in Salatiga
Healer killed in Salatiga SALATIGA, Central Java: Seven residents of Mukiran village in Susukan district, Semarang, have been named suspects in the murder of a local healer. They are being detained at Salatiga Police Headquarters, Antara reported Saturday. The victim was Achmad Mustaim, 30, of Pucung, Bringin district in Semarang. The suspects said Achmad had caused many residents losses, but the report did not elaborate. They also said Achmad had been sexually inappropriate with a patient.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Singapore may open banking sector
Singapore may open banking sector SINGAPORE (AFP): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) was reported Saturday as saying it will "consider seriously" opening up the island state's banking sector to full foreign participation earlier than the existing five-year time frame. The move to shorten the time frame followed suggestions from a panel of world finance experts that Singapore should swiftly liberalize the banking sector if it wanted to enhance the island's financial hub status.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL declares war on foreign media
KL declares war on foreign media KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The government called on Malaysians to boycott foreign magazines that reported false news about their country, a news report said on Sunday. Information Minister Mohamed Rahmat said certain magazines carried slanderous reports about Malaysia and did not depict the country's situation accurately. He did not name any magazines in particular.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
6,000 people apply for Kamra duty
6,000 people apply for Kamra duty JAKARTA (JP): Of the 12,000 targeted recruits for the city's People's Security (Kamra), 6,000 have registered with the Jakarta Military Command, an official has said. However, one-fourth of the number failed to meet the administrative prerequisites, the command's spokesman, Lt. Col. DJ Nachrowi, said on Saturday.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
House member finds fault with Natuna pipeline project
House member finds fault with Natuna pipeline project JAKARTA (JP): A legislator lambasted on Friday alleged irregularities in the bidding for the development of a 650- kilometer underwater pipeline to channel natural gas from the gas fields west of the Natuna islands to Singapore.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar seizes 53.4 kg of heroin
Myanmar seizes 53.4 kg of heroin YANGON (Reuters): Myanmar's official news agency said on Sunday that authorities had seized 53.42 kg of heroin and more than half a million stimulant tablets in a raid in the north of the country. The drugs were seized on Jan. 24 in Tachilek, 1,264 km north of Yangon, after a tipoff from a "duty conscious" person, the Myanma News Agency reported. Five people arrested in the raid would face legal action, it said.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rate ceiling for Feb. 1 - Feb. 7
Rate ceiling for Feb. 1 - Feb. 7 Time deposit Maximum rate Maximum rate Rp deposit (%) $ deposit (%) ------------------------------------------- 1-month 43 13 3-month 39 13 6-month 35 12 12-month 34 12 24-month 25 13 Maximum overnight rate for rupiah : 34 percent Maximum overnight rate for U.S. dollars: 7 percent * Maximum interest rates which are covered by government guarantee. Source: Bank Indonesia
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Suspected Jl. Sabang bomb blast mastermind arrested
Suspected Jl. Sabang bomb blast mastermind arrested JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police have arrested the suspected mastermind of a bomb blast which damaged the vacant Ramayana department store on Jl. H. Agus Salim, also known as Jl. Sabang, in Central Jakarta on Jan. 2. City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman told reporters on Saturday that the alleged mastermind was identified as Rosalina, 50, a director of a real estate agent.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Something rotten in new hospital
Something rotten in new hospital MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The issue of corruption has been raised regarding the newly completed Rp 8 billion T.C. Hillers General Hospital in Maumere. The local Pos Kupang daily reported last week that council spokesman Simon Petrus Soliwoa said the council would question the head of the health agency on the matter. Samsudin, a former supervisor of the project, said several of the building materials used were not up to standards -- including the timber.
Mon, 01 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sleman farmers worry over water
Sleman farmers worry over water YOGYAKARTA: Farmers in Sleman regency have expressed concern that water sources will be overexploited by developers of residential sites in nearby Yogyakarta. Farmers of Ngaglik district said exploitation would disrupt the supply of water there.