Archive: 10 February 1999
51 articles found
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Veterans urge caution on shoot-on-sight order
Veterans urge caution on shoot-on-sight order JAKARTA (JP): Retired officers on Tuesday urged caution in the carrying out of orders to shoot rioters on sight to prevent unnecessary killing of suspects and innocent people. Military observer Hasnan Habib criticized the statement of National Police Chief Gen. Roesmanhadi that officers could be dismissed if they did not dare to open fire on rioters. Such a statement "could lead to reckless shooting," he said as quoted by Antara.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Piles of garbage raise flood fears
Piles of garbage raise flood fears JAKARTA (JP): Huge piles of garbage dumped in the city's rivers are raising fears of increased flooding during the current rainy season. Soeharto, head of the city's public works agency, urged residents to stop disposing of their waste in the rivers. "Rivers blocked by garbage could endanger the areas the people live in," Soeharto said on Monday.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Former hospital morgue manager gets two years for Rp 815m scam
Former hospital morgue manager gets two years for Rp 815m scam JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta District Court sentenced on Tuesday a former manager of Husada Hospital's morgue to two years in jail for swindling Rp 815 million (US$90,555) in donations. Presiding Judge Rusdi As'ad said in his verdict that Agus Santosa, 50, was guilty of embezzling funds donated by several social foundations and coffin producers to the hospital on Jl. Mangga Besar in Central Jakarta.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unocal steps up exploration
Unocal steps up exploration EL SEGUNDO, California (Dow Jones): Unocal Corp replaced 101 percent of its crude oil and natural gas production in 1998 with new proved reserves. In a press release Monday, the company said it replaced the production through exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and Indonesia. Unocal's international operations replaced 114 percent of production in 1998 through exploration drilling.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Plot against Anwar 'irrelevant': Court
Plot against Anwar 'irrelevant': Court KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia's High Court ruled on Tuesday that any evidence of a political conspiracy against ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim was "irrelevant" to his corruption trial. "Evidence may be adduced, if any, to show there was a conspiracy by the police to change their stand and to change their evidence and no further," Judge Augustine Paul said as Anwar appeared for the second day in the witness box.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government vows fair play in coming elections
Government vows fair play in coming elections JAKARTA (JP): The government has pledged to be fair and refrain from dominating the upcoming elections although its five members on the National Election Committee will have equal voting rights compared to at least dozens of party representatives. Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid gave the assurance Tuesday at a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission on law and home and foreign political affairs.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students back on streets, march to House halted
Students back on streets, march to House halted JAKARTA (JP): Fifty-five students were arrested on Tuesday while marching toward the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta in a demonstration against the government. The 55 arrested students, including eight females and three high school students, were part of a group of about 100 demonstrators grouped in the Student Action Front for Reform and Democracy (Famred).
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indosat takes a beating in Alphanet fiasco
Indosat takes a beating in Alphanet fiasco JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's state-owned international telecommunications firm PT Indosat is likely to lose much of its C$50.75 million (US$40 million) investment in Canada's Alphanet Telecommunication Inc following the later's bankruptcy announcement on Monday.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bomb threats rattle two foreign offices
Bomb threats rattle two foreign offices JAKARTA (JP): The Canadian embassy and the office of Singapore Airlines received phoned-in bomb threats in the space of two hours on Tuesday afternoon. Although the threats turned out to be hoaxes, they were the first to target foreign offices in the wave of terrorization leveled at many properties across the city. The embassy and airline office are located in office buildings on a few hundred meters apart on Jl. Sudirman, a major city thoroughfare.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PAN regrets govt inconsistency
PAN regrets govt inconsistency President Habibie's statement that a referendum in East Timor is not necessary is to be regretted and shows the arrogance of the government of Indonesia and is inconsistent with the spirit of reform. Habibie's justified this stance by stating that East Timor was integrated into Indonesia by a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI economic program 'gains foreign support'
RI economic program 'gains foreign support' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono said on Tuesday that his widely criticized people's economy program had gained backing from Indonesia's foreign donors. The controversial minister, a staunch promoter of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs), said both local and international parties accepted his plan to distribute Rp 10.8 trillion (US$1.23 billion) in subsidized loans to SMEs and cooperatives.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 9, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 75 1,125,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 200 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,525 0 11,295,500 Anwar Sierad 100 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies mixed but may weaken in the future
Asian currencies mixed but may weaken in the future SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies are mixed to mostly steady late Tuesday, reflecting some of the stability of major currencies. The Singapore dollar, Thai baht and Philippine peso are slightly weaker against the U.S. dollar while the Indonesian rupiah is stronger after all having traded with relatively low volumes, said market players.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Crisis fails to snuff out smoking in Indonesia
Crisis fails to snuff out smoking in Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The country's worst economic crisis of the last 30 years is not impacting on high local demand for cigarettes, with many smokers opting to switch to cheaper brands, a cigarette company executive said on Tuesday. David Tjokro, brand manager of PT Philip Morris Services Indonesia, producer of international brand Marlboro, said the cigarette consumption dropped less than 1 percent last year.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Witnesses failed to appear at Jakarta Military Tribunal
Witnesses failed to appear at Jakarta Military Tribunal JAKARTA (JP): Witnesses failed to appear on Tuesday in the court-martial of 11 Army Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers charged with kidnapping political activists in the last months of Soeharto's rule. Military prosecutor Harom Wijaya told the Jakarta Military Court in East Jakarta that only nine out of 17 people summoned to the witness stand have testified before the court.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
280 missing in boat accident
280 missing in boat accident PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Two hundred eighty of 300 passengers and crew are listed as missing after a boat sank on Sunday in waters off Sambas regency. Antara reported on Tuesday the KM Hanaka sank about 90 kilometers off Pengikih island. Pontianak official Zainuddin told the agency the boat with 300 passengers and cargo, including timber, departed from West Kalimantan for Pekanbaru, Riau.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Another taxi thief beaten to death by mob
Another taxi thief beaten to death by mob JAKARTA (JP): Angry Kembangan residents in West Jakarta savagely attacked two youths caught red-handed attempting to steal a taxi late Monday. One of them, identified as Nanang Amanda, 20, died on the way to the hospital with severe head wounds inflicted by sharp weapons. His accomplice, Wawan Mulyono, 19, was arrested by local police. "Both were attempting to steal a Dian taxi from its driver, Zamroni," city police spokesman Lt. Col.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Anyone for village chief?
Anyone for village chief? YOGYAKARTA: Posts of village head in Bantul regency here are up for grabs after many recent resignations. They came in the wake of hundreds of residents demanding their village chiefs step down because of various charges of wrongdoing. "Since 1997 there are 30 vacancies for the post of village chief," Bantul regency spokesman Sriyatni told Antara on Tuesday. Village chief resignations were in the districts of Sedayu, Kasihan, Bantul and Dlingo.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Death toll in Maluku riots rises to 105
Death toll in Maluku riots rises to 105 JAKARTA (JP): Police announced the death toll in recent communal clashes in Ambon and other areas in Maluku province has risen to 105, Antara reported late Monday. The news agency quoted Maluku Police spokesman Maj. Jekriel P.H. as saying that another 105 people were seriously injured while 162 others were slightly injured in the violence which began on Jan. 19 and lasted for several days.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thailand withdraws from world rubber group INRO
Thailand withdraws from world rubber group INRO BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand, the world's largest natural rubber producer and exporter, decided on Tuesday to withdraw from the global price pact, the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO). "INRO is useless for natural rubber producers but more useful for rubber consumers. So I think it is appropriate for us to leave," Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob said.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'King Lear' with an Asian touch
'King Lear' with an Asian touch By Oei Eng Goan JAKARTA (JP): William Shakespeare displays human nature in all its astonishing variety in his 37 tragedies and comedies. The accessibility of his stories and their universally relevant moral values has lead to his works being performed in various languages, styles and costumes throughout the years.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
CIC placed in Category A
CIC placed in Category A JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Bank Century Intervest Corporation (CIC) falls into Category "A" under the government's banking restructuring program, the bank has said. "Category "A" status gives us the ability to make the most of the current situation," CIC president Robert Tantular has said in a statement.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Press reminded of its obligations
Press reminded of its obligations JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie warned the national press on Tuesday not to abuse its freedom by libeling, running agitating reports or those serving to further its ambitions. Speaking during the commemoration of the country's 53rd National Press Day, the President expressed his hope that members of the press would not only remember their rights but also their moral obligations to the nation. "Press freedom does not mean a freedom to spread rumors...
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Forestry fund audit set to wind up by June
Forestry fund audit set to wind up by June JAKARTA (JP): International auditors are expected to complete audits of reforestation funds and forest royalties before the June general election, a senior World Bank official said on Tuesday. World Bank country director for Indonesia Dennis de Tray said his institution would finance the auditing, including payment to the international auditors. "The international auditors will work together with BPKP (the Development Finance Comptroller).
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local migrants recall bitter memories in 'sweet' Ambon
Local migrants recall bitter memories in 'sweet' Ambon By Jupriadi UJUNGPANDANG (JP): After the large-scale riots that struck Ambon, thousands of migrants fled the provincial capital of Maluku, returning to their hometowns. Among them are the Makassar Buginese who are now in an exodus back to their region of origin in South Sulawesi.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Supreme Court's ruling on Dharmala upsets experts
Supreme Court's ruling on Dharmala upsets experts JAKARTA (JP): An insolvency expert and financial analysts deplored on Tuesday the Indonesian Supreme Court's latest verdict which rejected a bankruptcy appeal by the International Finance Corporation and other creditors against PT Dharmala Agrifood. They said the appeal ruling did not bode well for impatient offshore creditors struggling to recover debts from Indonesia's troubled firms.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sizzler... oh Sizzler...
Sizzler... oh Sizzler... On Jan. 27, we went to the Sizzler restaurant on Jl. Thamrin, which was our favorite place to dine in the city. It looked like we were the first guests. When I walked towards the salad bar, I noticed that most of the food displayed that day was not fresh, and obviously was left over from the previous day. I was surprised to find that the chicken pot of chicken porridge, supposedly hot and tasty, was rather cold and only one-quarter full.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
KONI disburses IOC scholarships
KONI disburses IOC scholarships JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) presented on Tuesday International Olympic Committee (IOC)-sponsored scholarships to three badminton players. Men's doubles specialist Candra Wijaya, his female counterpart Deyana Lomban and rising men's singles star Taufik Hidayat are three of four Indonesian sportsmen and women who have won the Olympic Solidarity scholarships. The other athlete, female lifter Sri Indriyani, will receive her share on Wednesday. M.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI clarifies stance on East Timor
RI clarifies stance on East Timor By Razak Imanuddin NEW YORK (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said on Monday Indonesia wanted a method other than a popular vote to gauge the opinion of East Timorese on the offer of wide-ranging autonomy as the final solution to the disputed territory. Alatas made the remarks at a news conference at the end of two days of UN-sponsored talks on the issue here, denying earlier reports that Indonesia had agreed to a referendum.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Freedom for E. Timor: Wrong offer at wrong time
Freedom for E. Timor: Wrong offer at wrong time Indonesia's sudden shift of stance on East Timor has created a political earthquake. Political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono fears that it is an attempt to divert the people's attention from the government's failure to address the current crisis. JAKARTA (JP): The recent option offered by the Habibie government to the East Timorese for independence from the unitary Indonesian republic is in the first place a mistaken offer.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Flood evacuees seek medical help
Flood evacuees seek medical help UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Some of the several thousand evacuees taking shelter following a storm here have started to seek medical help at local hospitals, complaining of respiratory difficulties and diarrhea. Staff of the Asia Medical Doctor Association estimate hundreds have been afflicted by outbreaks of disease, with many admitted to Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 9, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Island readied for Timor refugees
Island readied for Timor refugees JAKARTA: Wetar, an island several kilometers north of East Timor, is being prepared as a transmigration site in anticipation of an exodus from the troubled province, transmigration minister AM Hendropriyono said here on Tuesday. "The move is in anticipation of the worst situation in East Timor," he said as quoted by Antara.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asiad veterans must qualify for SEAG
Asiad veterans must qualify for SEAG JAKARTA (JP): Asian Games veterans must win at the Golden Gloves national boxing championships at the end of March to qualify for the training program for the 20th Southeast Asian Games, a coach said on Tuesday. Ferry Moniaga said the tournament, which will take place in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara from March 22 to March 26, would serve as the mandatory test for all boxers aiming to don the national colors at the SEA Games in Brunei in August.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four die of malnutrition
Four die of malnutrition SURABAYA: Four elderly villagers of Ponorogo regency have died of malnutrition, the East Java governor announced on Tuesday. Imam Utomo was referring to residents of Tricing Desa Dayakan hamlet in Badengan district. Each aged at least 60, they were Sukinem, Saidi, Sombo and Joyo. Another malnutrition sufferer, Marimin, is hospitalized. "Besides dying of old age... they showed indications of malnutrition," the governor was quoted by Antara as saying.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indo-U.S. relations
Indo-U.S. relations There can be no meaningful improvement in Indo-U.S. relations without the U.S. accepting India as an equal and a country free to develop its nuclear arsenal and an effective global delivery system in keeping with its threat perceptions. It is not enough to claim that the U.S. now recognizes that there has been a China-aided proliferation in the region and India has legitimate security concerns. While China is aiding proliferation, Pakistan is the beneficiary. The U.S.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Carrascalao at IABC luncheon
Carrascalao at IABC luncheon JAKARTA (JP): Former East Timor governor Mario Viegas Carrascalao will be guest speaker at the Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC) luncheon here on Friday. IABC board said Carrascalao, who served as Indonesian ambassador to Rumania, will address the topic of "The Future of East Timor" at the luncheon to be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The luncheon is open to IABC members and nonmembers.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai gets $600m from ADB
Thai gets $600m from ADB BANGKOK (AP): Thailand has signed an initial agreement with the Asian Development Bank for a US$600 million loan to help the country's ailing agricultural sector, an ADB senior official said Tuesday. The loan is an expanded version of an earlier ADB loan commitment worth $250 million to boost the agricultural sector's export competitiveness and long term growth prospects, the official said.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed Forces must go back to basics
Armed Forces must go back to basics Too many tragic incidents have occurred in Indonesia during the past few years. These have taken place in Tanjung Priok, Lampung, Dili, Irian Jaya and Medan. In 1996 there was the July 27 incident. The year 1998 was particularly bloody: the May 12 shootings of Trisakti University students; the May riots in Jakarta and Surakarta; the murder of those allegedly practicing witchcraft in East Java; the Semanggi incident on Nov.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Plugging budget hole
Plugging budget hole Securing the state budget is becoming more difficult at a time when public spending has become the only locomotive expected to fuel economic activities and offset the brunt of last year's 14 percent contraction in the economy. Capital inflow is virtually nonexistent, at least until after the election and installment of a new government later this year.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Vietnam allocates $20m on Y2K bug
Vietnam allocates $20m on Y2K bug HANOI (AFP): Vietnam expects to spend between US$10 and 20 million to forestall the "Y2K bug", an official from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment said on Tuesday. Nguyen Hong Van said a committee established by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to study the millennium bug held its first meeting last week. The committee will direct a framework project as part of a national plan against the bug, with priority placed on using Vietnamese technicians.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Neglect faulted in Philippine floods
Neglect faulted in Philippine floods BUTUAN, Philippines (Reuters): Philippines officials on Tuesday blamed years of environmental neglect for floods that killed 23 people and left a trail of devastation on southern Mindanao island. Roaring through a center of logging activity last week, the floods swept thousands of logs down river into the sea and washed hundreds more onto the riverbanks en route. "These floods are caused by decades of environmental degradation...
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir points to RI disparity
Mahathir points to RI disparity SINGAPORE (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said there was no comparison between the economic situation in Indonesia and his country. Mahathir said Malaysia did not have the same scale of overseas debts as Indonesia and his country had ensured that the development of indigenous people kept up with residents of Chinese origin.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rio Tinto, Unmul cooperate
Rio Tinto, Unmul cooperate JAKARTA (JP): Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto's foundation signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with East Kalimantan's Mulawarman University (Unmul) to cooperate in a community development program in East Kalimantan. "The cooperation agreement is important to enhance the public's welfare and to develop human resources in East Kalimantan," Noke Kiroyan, head of the Rio Tinto foundation and president of Rio Tinto Indonesia, said in a statement.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
WB approves the release of US$400m loan to Indonesia
WB approves the release of US$400m loan to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank approved the release of a US$400 million loan to Indonesia on Tuesday, completing the disbursement of the $1 billion loan package signed in July last year. The World Bank said the loan approval reflected the continued progress of reforms in Indonesia's structural and financial sectors.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar may support Habibie for 1999-2004 presidency
Golkar may support Habibie for 1999-2004 presidency JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said on Tuesday his party may nominate B.J. Habibie as its presidential candidate because it was giving priority to politicians who were current or former Cabinet members. "Of course we are training our sight on those politicians who are already in the Cabinet, even though we realize that Golkar members are everywhere," Akbar said at Merdeka Palace after attending a function with President B.J.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian trade liberalized: Rahardi
Indonesian trade liberalized: Rahardi WASHINGTON (AP): Indonesia is earning increasing confidence from international financial circles and deserves more confidence from private investors, its trade minister insisted. Minister Rahardi Ramelan painted a picture of increased poverty, unhealthy banks and inefficient economic practices still plaguing the country but said Indonesia is taking serious steps to overcome its problems, with some success.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Man shot dead for killing 'ojek' driver
Man shot dead for killing 'ojek' driver JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police have shot dead a man and arrested two of his accomplices for their alleged involvement in the murder of an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in the Menteng area, an official said on Monday. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said that the dead man was identified as Muri, 29, a soft drinks vendor in the National Monument Park (Monas) area, who was shot on Jl.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's wealth abroad not found yet
Soeharto's wealth abroad not found yet JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Lt. Gen. A.M. Ghalib announced on Tuesday that his office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has yet to find any wealth belonging to former president Soeharto overseas.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
High school student busted in toll road robbery
High school student busted in toll road robbery TANGERANG (JP): Motorists can no longer consider anywhere safe these days. Robbers have devised a wide range of techniques to run their business almost free of fear on the roads, from the city's crowded intersections at peak hour to toll roads during the wee hours. The nationwide order for police officers to shoot on sight order any criminal they catch in the act has had little impact on the culprits.
Wed, 10 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Economists urge Indonesia to try currency board again
Economists urge Indonesia to try currency board again TOKYO (AFP): Renowned economists are calling on Indonesia to try a currency board again to rebuild the devastated economy, and they are counting on support from opposition leader Amien Rais. The appeal is contained in an article to appear in the U.S.