Archive: 13 February 1999
53 articles found
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
INRO declared 'technically dead'
INRO declared 'technically dead' JAKARTA (JP): The International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) has in effect been killed by the recent withdrawal of Malaysia and Thailand from its membership, according to the Indonesian Rubber Association (Gapkindo). Gapkindo's executive director, A.F.S Budiman, said here on Friday that the withdrawal of the two major rubber producers would make the organization's buffer stock operations no longer functional.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia concerned by East Timor moves
Australia concerned by East Timor moves JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Friday an independent East Timor could be a financial burden to Australia and reiterated his view that autonomy within Indonesia was a better option. Howard was quoted by Antara as saying he did not oppose independence for the disputed territory as proposed by President B.J. Habibie, but argued it would make East Timor more vulnerable and "more lonely".
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia banks on extra $1b from IMF
Indonesia banks on extra $1b from IMF MONTEGO BAY (Reuters): Indonesia is on the road to recovery from its deep financial crisis and is seeking an extra US$1 billion from the International Monetary Fund, chief economic minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita said on Thursday.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drivers' strike strands thousands
Drivers' strike strands thousands PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: About 200 minivan drivers went on strike on Friday to protest the local authorities' plan to increase the number of public transportation vehicles and add new routes. Students were among the thousands stranded as the city came to a virtual halt beginning in the early morning. "The plan to add 75 more vans will severely affect our income," one of the drivers told Antara.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police foil drug smuggling attempt
Police foil drug smuggling attempt TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Police foiled on Thursday night a drug smuggling attempt by a suspected member of an international drug trafficking syndicate, an official said on Friday. Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said police officers confiscated two kilograms of shabu-shabu (crystal metamphetamine) worth hundreds of millions of rupiah from the suspect. Three passports were also seized. Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shoddy apartment infuriates governor
Shoddy apartment infuriates governor SURABAYA: East Java Governor Imam Utomo could not hide his outrage on Friday after inspecting collapsed roofs of several low-cost apartments in Sombo, Surabaya. "The roof construction was poor because they only used cement bricks. You must repair this soon," he told the city officials. The governor said he was disappointed that a strong wind was enough to damage the roofs. At least three people were injured when they were hit by falling debris.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gathering of prayers with Soeharto canceled
Gathering of prayers with Soeharto canceled JAKARTA (JP): A gathering to hold joint prayers with former president Soeharto, planned for Sunday, has been called off by organizer Emha Ainun Nadjib. Emha, known as a newspaper columnist, Muslim preacher and music composer cited two reasons for the cancellation of the event planned at the Baiturrohim mosque on the grounds of the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta, Antara reported Friday.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PT Inco's net profit plummets 74.5 percent
PT Inco's net profit plummets 74.5 percent JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed nickel producer PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) said on Friday its net profit had dropped by 74.5 percent to US$6.2 million in 1998 from $24.3 million in 1997. Company president director Rumengan Musu said on Friday that the drop in profits was caused by the depressed price of nickel in the world market. "The year 1998 was a very difficult year for the nickel industry.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Manulife expects 40% rise in premium income
Manulife expects 40% rise in premium income JAKARTA (JP): Life insurance company PT Dharmala Manulife said here on Friday it expected this year to boost its premium income by 40 percent from Rp 328 billion in 1998. Dharmala Manulife vice president Adi Purnomo said on Friday the rise would in part result from last May's launching of a new product, called the Pro-invest scheme, which drew 4000 new policy holders since June.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Press urged to set up rules for campaigns coverage
Press urged to set up rules for campaigns coverage JAKARTA (JP): Experts agreed on Friday that the press must set up its own rules to ensure fair coverage of the multi-party elections on June 7. Communications expert Ade Armando of the University of Indonesia said it would not be possible to expect the government, which is thought to still represent an obstacle to the democratization, to establish the rules. Election contenders would certainly be angered by such a notion, he reasoned.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tabloid, ex-minister involved in war of words
Tabloid, ex-minister involved in war of words JAKARTA (JP): Penta weekly tabloid has struck back at former minister of mines and energy I.B. Sudjana by lodging a complaint with the Jakarta Police on Thursday over Sudjana's allegedly false accusations against the publication, an executive said. Penta's chief editor Mawardi Ittam told a press conference on Friday that Sudjana's allegations that the tabloid ran defamatory front-page stories on him and his family were baseless.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Feisal denies reports on govt's men for KPU
Feisal denies reports on govt's men for KPU JAKARTA (JP): The home affairs ministry's secretary-general Feisal Tamin denied on Friday having been appointed as one of the five government representatives on the yet-to-be-established National Elections Committee (KPU). "I am not competent," he said in response to media reports on the issue.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Heinz ties up with ABC in joint venture
Heinz ties up with ABC in joint venture JAKARTA (JP): U.S. food giant H.J. Heinz Company announced on Friday the formation of a joint venture with PT ABC Central Food Industry, Indonesia's biggest producer of food sauce and drink concentrate. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,-based company bought a majority stake in ABC and renamed the joint venture PT Heinz ABC Indonesia, it said in an announcement at Gran Melia Hotel.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police shoot dead two more alleged street robbers
Police shoot dead two more alleged street robbers JAKARTA (JP): Two more alleged street criminals were shot dead by police on Thursday, increasing the tally of those killed by law enforcers to five in just four days. The two men were identified as Maruli Tamba and Rojani Erik Sontri, both 21 years old. According to city police spokesman, Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis, Maruli was shot in the head, foot and back while his accomplice, Rojani, was shot in the head, foot and chest. City police chief Maj.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irianese demand national dialog with Habibie
Irianese demand national dialog with Habibie JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The Irianese have demanded that President B.J. Habibie keep his promise to hold a "national dialog" with them. Failure to do so would be an insult to the people of the province and might drive them to take "arbitrary actions", local leaders said.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar...why not just dissolve!
Golkar...why not just dissolve! From D&R Early this year the General Chairman of the Functional Group (Golkar), Akbar Tandjung, finally apologized to the community for all Golkar's past mistakes. I hoped this sincere apology would regain public sympathy for Golkar. However, reform movement activist Yenny Rosa Damayanti, said that Golkar's apology was too late, adding that the political organization failed to make any mention at all of the myriad forms of violence committed during the New Order.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' robber fatally mobbed
'Ojek' robber fatally mobbed TANGERANG (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) robber was mobbed to death by residents of Cempaka village of Cisoka district in Tangerang after he allegedly wounded the vehicle's owner and tried to flee with the bike late Thursday. Chief of Cisoka police subprecinct First Lt. Sujito identified the dead suspect as Udy Setiadi bin Akub, 30. Sujito said Udy earlier pretended to be a passenger but on the way he threatened the ojek driver, Nurjen, 30, with a sharp weapon.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Many city buildings do not have permits
Many city buildings do not have permits JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor has criticized the city administration for its failure to set an example to the public by abiding by existing laws to issue permits for city-owned building. Syarif Zulkarnaen, a member of Commission C for financial affairs, said on Wednesday the administration's failure could be seen from the fact that only about 5 percent of the 8,277 city- owned buildings had building certificates.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Arms seized in S. Sulawesi raid
Arms seized in S. Sulawesi raid SABBANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Hundreds of Molotov cocktails, 29 makeshift cannons and ammunition were among weapons seized in a police raid on arms here. Police said they had also seized 1,448 home-made guns from villagers involved in communal clashes in Sabbang district, Luwu regency, here last month in which at least six were killed.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Door closed on mergers to assist ailing banks
Door closed on mergers to assist ailing banks JAKARTA (JP): The country's banking authorities will no longer consider merging bad banks with healthier banks as an alternative to bank liquidation, Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Friday. He pointed out that bailing out the badly indebted banks would only delay the problems and increase the cost of the recapitalization scheme. "Merging them was once considered an alternative...
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PT Freeport agrees to raise royalties
PT Freeport agrees to raise royalties JAKARTA (JP): Mining company PT Freeport Indonesia agreed to pay more royalties to the government in return for a license to increase ore output at its copper and gold mine in Irian Jaya to 300,000 metric tons per day (tpd). "We received confirmation from the company on Friday that it agreed to raise the royalties," Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Friday.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
A third option for East Timor
A third option for East Timor By Widjoseno Sastroamidjojo JAKARTA (JP): The announcement made earlier by Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, particularly concerning the possibility of releasing East Timor from Indonesia as a second option should the offer of greater autonomy be rejected has taken the world greatly by surprise. Moreover, such a radical alternative has left the so-called East Timorese independence leaders at the crossroads.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 12, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Astra International to repurchase its debt
Astra International to repurchase its debt JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest automaker PT Astra International announced on Friday that it would buy back US$1.17 billion in unsecured debt to its foreign creditors at 30 percent of the face value. The company said in a statement that it had $45 million in funds for the buyback program. "Astra's creditors have up to March 12 to participate in the buyback program," the statement, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post said.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'We'll learn to swim', asserts Carrascalao
'We'll learn to swim', asserts Carrascalao JAKARTA (JP): East Timor will have to prove it can survive on its own if the government decides to grant the province independence, according to Mario Viegas Carrascalao. The former governor of East Timor was responding on Friday to President B.J. Habibie's announcement that he wanted to see an independent East Timor by Jan. 1 next year. The announcement was not unexpected, he said.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Charity film for Kupang
Charity film for Kupang JAKARTA (JP): A newly-founded network of groups of concerned professionals called Kotak (Box) is to hold a charity showing of a Hollywood film on Sunday morning to help victims of the recent clashes in the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fischer to visit Indonesia
Fischer to visit Indonesia CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Trade Minister Tim Fischer on Friday announced he will visit some of Australia's major trading partners in South Asia and the Middle East in coming weeks. The swing begins in Singapore with ministerial meetings Feb. 21-23 before moving on to Indonesia for more of the same on Feb. 23-25. Fischer then travels to India Feb.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
People's economy
People's economy One of the main problems faced by small enterprises and cooperatives is funding. The government has earmarked Rp 10.8 trillion for the funding of such businesses but so far only about Rp 3 trillion has been channeled. The funding source is the central bank, Bank Indonesia. The banks entrusted with the channeling of funds receive loan applications from small enterprises and cooperatives. They are responsible for the timely repayment of these funds.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABRI to submit revised bill on national safety to House
ABRI to submit revised bill on national safety to House JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday the military would soon submit the revised bill on national safety and security to the House of Representatives.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Briton deported for visa infraction
Briton deported for visa infraction MEDAN: The North Sumatra immigration office on Wednesday deported Briton Robert Herbert Clek, 40, putting him on a Malaysia-bound ferry from Belawan port. According to an immigration officer, the Briton was found to have overstayed his visa and his passport expired on Oct. 6, 1998.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thousands jam funeral of YB Mangunwijaya
Thousands jam funeral of YB Mangunwijaya YOGYAKARTA (JP): The city of Yogyakarta seemed to come to a halt on Friday as crowds lined the roads passed by the funeral procession of priest Y.B. Mangunwijaya. The Catholic priest, better known as Romo Mangun, was well known as a social worker and a writer. He died at 69 from heart failure in Jakarta on Wednesday. A crowd of about 30,000 lined seven kilometers of the procession route from the Santo Fransiskus Xaverius church south of Jl.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah unchanged, share prices lose ground
Rupiah unchanged, share prices lose ground JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained bearish on Friday to end the week almost unchanged at 8,700 against the U.S. dollar as stock prices fell 0.5 percent. Currency dealers said that the rupiah, which opened at 8,700, was barely moved as most offshore participants, especially from Singapore and Hong Kong, had reduced their activities ahead of Lunar New Year next week.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'United we fall apart, dispersed we are strong'
'United we fall apart, dispersed we are strong' By Marianus Kleden KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): After Kupang and Ambon were ransacked, the Indonesian government made a statement concerning the possibility of the release of East Timor from the national polity if the coming proposed enlarged autonomy for the youngest province were rejected. All these events have given us sufficient reason to question whether we are living in genuine unity or simply pretending to be one nation?
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
AFC maintains life ban for Indonesia's Mursyid
AFC maintains life ban for Indonesia's Mursyid KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday maintained a life ban on Indonesian player Mursyid Effendi for international matches for deliberately scoring an own goal in the Tiger Cup in Vietnam last September. But the continent's soccer governing body reduced to one-year Mursyid's suspension for league matches, allowing the defender to don his Persebaya Surabaya's jersey again next season.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Give E. Timor dignity it deserves
Give E. Timor dignity it deserves Y.B. Mangunwijaya was one of Indonesia's most respected humanists and intellectuals, a Catholic priest whose multitude of talents included novelist, architect and social worker. Better known as Romo Mangun, he died of a heart attack in Jakarta on Wednesday. He submitted the following article to The Jakarta Post on Feb. 7.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protest over misuse of emergency funds goes on
Protest over misuse of emergency funds goes on JAKARTA (JP): An executive from the United Development Party (PPP) complained on Friday that unless a person was directly linked to the ruling Golkar or close to the city administration, they would likely be excluded from the disbursement of an emergency fund amounting to over Rp 109 billion. Djafar Badjeber, head of PPP's Jakarta chapter, said that PPP party members who were eligible for the fund had difficulties receiving any of the disbursed aid.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
A tower of warm humanist fire
A tower of warm humanist fire In this world of narrow and selfish interest, Romo Mangun was a tower of warm humanist fire. His loss to the world and to Indonesia is the loss of an valuable gem that no economist could enumerate. The term "Renaissance Man" to describe his talents and interests is somewhat lame in a world that cares increasingly for singular and sectarian interests, power and wealth. We should all weep for his loss at a time when Indonesia needs his voice so badly.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Live TV shows
Live TV shows JAKARTA (JP): Sports competitions to be broadcast live on local TVs (all times in West Indonesia Time): Saturday English soccer league: Charlton Athletic v Liverpool, SCTV at 10 p.m. Sunday Italian soccer league: Cagliari v Lazio, RCTI at 8:30 p.m. Boxing: Oscar De La Hoya v Ike Quartey, RCTI at 9 a.m. Monday English soccer league: Newcastle vs Blackburn Rovers, TVRI at 2:30 a.m.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Pesona Nusantara, at Galeri Foto Cahya, Plaza Menteng, 2nd floor, C7-8, Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto 79, Menteng (Phone: 3907623), Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Feb. 25. * Painting Exhibition: Gambar-Gambar dari 80-an dan 90-an by Agus Suwage, at Galeri Milenium, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until March 7.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
World noodle producers agree to 'halal' status
World noodle producers agree to 'halal' status By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): The world's major noodle producers ended their two-day summit here on Friday, endorsing PT Indofood Sukses Makmur's proposal to include Islamic halal dietary laws in the new international standards for noodles. The producers grouped in the International Ramen Manufacturers Association (IRMA) agreed to submit the proposal to the Rome- based Codex Alimentarius, a U.N.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
One dies in heavy storms
One dies in heavy storms PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Storms on Thursday claimed one victim and destroyed hundreds of houses in Purwonegoro district. Six fishermen were missing after a typhoon caused their fishing boat to capsize in the Java Sea. Victim Mantori, 45, of Meraden village, was killed when a coconut tree collapsed on his house. Meanwhile, hundreds of houses were destroyed in Banjeran, Bojongsari, Slinga, Arenan, Sidanegara, and Karangmanyar.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Neutrality of civil servants
Neutrality of civil servants From Republika This letter was inspired by the title of an article in one of Jakarta's dailies on Nov. 21, 1991, about six months before the 1992 general election, reading: Civil servants: Involvement in political parties. This is just like the peeling of a proverbial fruit. If you don't peel it, you know nothing about what is inside. If you peel it, you can see only seeds. This fruit will appear once in five years, near a general election.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malay party demands end to racism in Singapore
Malay party demands end to racism in Singapore SINGAPORE (Agencies): A Malay party demanded an end to racial discrimination in Singapore's armed forces and work places on Friday, as the largest newspaper criticized Indonesian President B.J. Habibie for accusing the city-state of racism. "It is timely for Singapore ... to have the promotion of Malay generals in the military," said the Singapore Malay National Organization, an opposition party that claims 5,000 members.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Selection of national badminton team starts
Selection of national badminton team starts JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's junior badminton players dominated the selection tournament for the national team, but will have to wait and see if the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) approves their promotions. Vidre Wibowo of Tangkas Club Jakarta topped the standings for the boys singles after winning five matches and dropping one during the round-robin competition.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
City taking its time on regaining ex-officials' cars
City taking its time on regaining ex-officials' cars JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is playing its cards close to its chest on its plan of action to reclaim dozens of official cars kept illegally by retired officials. As of Friday, none of the officials in charge, including Deputy Governor of Administration Affairs Abdul Kahfi, were willing to comment on possible sanctions if there was resistance to returning the vehicles.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'RCTI' plans to lay off employees
'RCTI' plans to lay off employees JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to continue operations, the privately owned RCTI television station will lay off 20 to 30 percent of its 620 regular employees, Eduard Depari, public relations manager at the station, said on Friday. Eduard said a final decision on the plan was expected on Monday from the board of directors of the Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia and would be effective as of March 1.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cooperatives land loans for rice buys
Cooperatives land loans for rice buys JAKARTA (JP): The government is to disburse Rp 778 billion (about US$91 million) in cheap loans to village cooperatives and non-governmental organizations for use in procuring rice from local farmers, Agriculture Minister Soleh Solahuddin said on Friday. Soleh said Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank, would disburse the loans through the state Bank Rakyat Indonesia beginning next week. "BRI is expected to receive the money from BI next Monday or Tuesday.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Living in fear
Living in fear On Tuesday Jakarta was rocked by no less than six bomb threats, the largest number on a single day to hit the capital. All but one turned out to be a hoax. The sole explosion -- at a shopping mall in the eastern residential district of Kelapa Gading -- was caused by firecrackers. Hoax or real, bombs or firecrackers, the increasing frequency of such threats is of grave concern. They cannot be dismissed simply as the work of pranksters.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Garuda's haj armada shrinks to six planes
Garuda's haj armada shrinks to six planes JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has said it will deploy a fleet of only six planes to transport 42,500 Indonesian haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia starting Feb. 24, down from the 26 aircraft operated for last year's haj season.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Is RI set to become a 'junk nation'?
Is RI set to become a 'junk nation'? By Mochtar Buchori VANCOUVER (JP): "Junk nations," according to Christopher Dickey (Newsweek Nov.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
More bodies found in search for drowned ferry victims
More bodies found in search for drowned ferry victims JAKARTA (JP): Rescue workers found more bodies on Friday in their search for victims from the KLM Arta Rimba which sank with 325 people on board last Sunday near the West Kalimantan coast. Officials, however, gave different counts of the bodies found. As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, nine more bodies were found by rescuers on the Navy warship KRI Rencong, according to Capt.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 12, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 330,000 Alumindo Light Metal 325 -25 346,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,475 -25 1,787,000 Anwar Sierad 75 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 13 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt seeks House nod to monitor capital inflow
Govt seeks House nod to monitor capital inflow JAKARTA (JP): The government is seeking legislative approval to enhance its monitoring of capital flow into and out of the country, but states it is not backing away from its open capital account regime. Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Friday that better monitoring of the inflow of short-term funds, which are speculative in nature, was needed to prevent a recurrence of the devastating financial crisis.