Archive: 18 February 1999
48 articles found
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Punish guilty bankers
Punish guilty bankers Rumors of misuse by ailing banks of the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Aid (BLBI) have been circulating for some time. It was only yesterday (Tuesday), though, that the State Audit Board (BPKP) reported finding evidence of such cases. Even though the board chief Soedarjono did not mention the names of the banks involved, his statement naturally served to confirm those rumors. The agency promised to conduct investigation of those cases more intensively.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt to send poor kids to school
Govt to send poor kids to school JAKARTA (JP): The government is to open a special registration procedure so more children of poor families can go to school at this time of crisis, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Haryono Suyono said here on Wednesday.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Herd of elephants tramples fields
Herd of elephants tramples fields BENGKULU, Bengkulu: A herd of 15 elephants from the Bukit Barisan National Park went on a rampage last week, trampling hectares of paddy fields and pepper crops in three villages. The villages affected were Tanjung Ganti, Penyandingan and Kedataran, all in the district of Kaur Selatan, according to the head of the local office for natural conservation, Sujatno.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 17, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie 'inaccurate' in Prabowo's troops deployment
Habibie 'inaccurate' in Prabowo's troops deployment JAKARTA (JP): Palace officials said on Wednesday President B.J. Habibie had been "inaccurate" in his recent account of Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto's deployment of his troops in May. Some analysts have branded Prabowo's alleged move treason.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four babies die of malnutrition in Bogor
Four babies die of malnutrition in Bogor By Joko Sarwono BOGOR (JP): The crippling economic crisis that has hit the country for almost two years has begun killing the innocent infants of poor parents. In the small village of Mulyaharja here, at least four babies aged between four months and three years reportedly died of marasmus between August and January, villagers and one of the few local medical staff told The Jakarta Post early this week.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia sets modest target in Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group I
Indonesia sets modest target in Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group I JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is setting a realistic target of avoiding relegation at the Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group I tournament in Bangkok next week. Nonplaying captain Yayuk Basuki admitted on Wednesday that her side was not expected to win the Feb. 22 to Feb. 27 competition due to the toughness of the group which comprises the region's top flights. "We just hope to stay in the zone for next season.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Experts welcome import tariff on rice
Experts welcome import tariff on rice JAKARTA (JP): Analysts hailed the government's plan on Thursday to impose an import duty on rice in bid to protect local farmers. Sulastri Surono of the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM-UI) said the government should not totally liberalize the country's rice trade.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Farmers abandon transmigration site
Farmers abandon transmigration site MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Hundreds of frustrated farmers have thrown in their hoes and left the Stenkool Transmigration Site to return to Java after repeated failures to till the land, Antara reported on Wednesday. Several residents told the news agency that many of those who abandoned the land were not farmers in the first place, but beggars and homeless people rounded up by the Ministry of Social Services and sent to transmigration sites in Irian Jaya.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police silence Anwar's wife
Police silence Anwar's wife KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (AFP): Malaysian police refused permission for the wife of ousted deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim to address a gathering in Malaysia's eastern Sabah state, organizers said on Wednesday. The police, aware Azizah Ismail was to be the guest of honor, gave permission for the gathering with the directive "that no speeches be made", the official who asked not to be named said.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelindo II gets preferred bidder
Pelindo II gets preferred bidder JAKARTA (JP): The government named on Wednesday Grosbeak Pte Ltd, a unit of Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa, the preferred bidder for a 49 percent to 51 percent stake in PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), a unit of state-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) II.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'RCTI' staff seek legal advice over dismissals
'RCTI' staff seek legal advice over dismissals JAKARTA (JP): Three employees of privately owned television station RCTI visited the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute on Wednesday, representing 80 disgruntled colleagues in seeking legal counsel on their planned dismissal. Institute lawyer Christina Rini, who met with representatives Antonius, Lia and Ferry, said the employees strongly opposed the management's dismissal plan because no clear reason was provided.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ministers to visit Aceh soon, Habibie in March
Ministers to visit Aceh soon, Habibie in March JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has ordered six ministers to visit Aceh on Monday and will himself visit the country's westernmost province in March in a bid to alleviate the negative impact of the military operations there, a senior minister said on Wednesday.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Death toll 20 in boat tragedy
Death toll 20 in boat tragedy KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian authorities have so far recovered the bodies of 20 Indonesians who drowned after their boat capsized during a storm, police said on Wednesday. Police found four bodies on Tuesday off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where their boat capsized on Saturday while trying to enter Malaysian waters illegally, a police spokesman said. A total of five bodies were retrieved on Monday after the accident, which took place off Port Klang.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Teenager dies in new clash in East Timor
Teenager dies in new clash in East Timor DILI (JP): One more life was lost on Wednesday in East Timor as pro-integration teenager Joanico Gomes, 18, was hacked and speared to death when he and his friends went to save an abducted friend from a group of anti-integrationists. The latest violence occurred in Lisa Lara hamlet, Vatuvou village in Liquica regency's Maubara subdistrict, some 45 kilometers west of here.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rawabuaya residents upset by contamination of water
Rawabuaya residents upset by contamination of water JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of Rawabuaya residents in West Jakarta are angry that their wells, from which water is drawn for cooking, drinking and washing, have been for several weeks contaminated by unknown chemicals, subdistrict head Maulana said Wednesday. According to Maulana, the water, which has turned yellow and has a strong odor, has been polluted by toxic waste believed to have been dumped by a nearby biscuit factory.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Envoy to King Hussein's funeral
Envoy to King Hussein's funeral This is in response to a letter to the editor which appeared in your daily on Feb. 11, Embarrassed by RI's arrogance. I wish to point out that contrary to the writer's claim that Indonesia sent a low-level delegation to the funeral ceremony of the late King Hussein Ben Talal in Jordan, President B.J. Habibie in fact sent Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
20,000 workers stage rally to demand pay increase
20,000 workers stage rally to demand pay increase SURABAYA (JP): Around 20,000 workers took to the streets on Wednesday demanding pay increases and meal allowances, and clashed with security personnel from the Marine, Army and Police forces. Nine people, including four students, were detained on suspicion that they persuaded the demonstrators to start vandalizing and pelting security personnel with stones.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
No political motive behind Syamsu's replacement: Ghalib
No political motive behind Syamsu's replacement: Ghalib JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General A.M. Ghalib dismissed suggestions on Wednesday that political motives were behind the abrupt replacement of his deputy in charge of intelligence affairs, Maj. Gen. Syamsu Djalal. Syamsu was involved in the investigation into allegations of corruption involving former president Soeharto and his family. "No, there's no political motive.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ADB pledges $1.52 billion in loans to RI this year
ADB pledges $1.52 billion in loans to RI this year JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Development Bank plans to provide Indonesia with US$1.52 billion in policy-based loans this year to help the country come out of its economic crisis, ADB president Tadao Chino said. Chino said on Wednesday that the planned loans were still subject to the approval of the board of directors of the Manila- based bank.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Adi Sasono's people's economy a political platform: Analyst
Adi Sasono's people's economy a political platform: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): The people's economy concept launched by Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono is only a political platform of President B.J. Habibie's administration, according to an analyst.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Narrowing trade deficit augurs well for RP's growth
Narrowing trade deficit augurs well for RP's growth By Mynardo Macaraig MANILA (AFP): The Philippines said Tuesday its trade deficit hit a 26-year low last year and analysts said the news augured well for medium-term growth despite the regional economic crisis. The deficit fell from US$10.71 billion in 1997 to a mere $164 million, the National Statistics Office said in a statement.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
TIM organizes events galore to pique art lovers' interests
TIM organizes events galore to pique art lovers' interests JAKARTA (JP): Art and cultural events, including dance performances, a graphic exhibition, a theater symposium and art competitions, have been organized by the Jakarta Arts Council (TIM) to boost the development of art and culture here. The programs, held in cooperation with the Jakarta Arts Center, provincial art councils and centers, will start with a graphic art exhibition.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Batam draws migrants seeking better life
Batam draws migrants seeking better life By Romyanah BATAM (Antara): As the Pelni ship cast anchor along the quay, more than one thousand passengers disembarked at Sekupang harbor on Batam island. For many of them, it was their first visit and they were placing great hopes for a better life there. Kasiman and his wife were among the group and came from a village in East Java.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP gets $600m loan
RP gets $600m loan MANILA (AFP): The Philippines signed agreements for Japanese loans worth 600-million dollars under the so-called Miyazawa fund, it was announced here Wednesday. The two US$300 million loans are to co-finance reform programs in the Philippines' power and banking sectors with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, a statement from the finance department said.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Muslim parties should unite: Amien
Muslim parties should unite: Amien JAKARTA (JP): A coalition of Muslim parties is especially needed to break free of remnants of the former regime, particularly because President B.J. Habibie still has a major chance of becoming president for another term, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has said. Amien Rais was speaking Wednesday after addressing a dialog among Muslim parties.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Feisal reelected Korpri chief
Feisal reelected Korpri chief JAKARTA (JP): For the first time in its 27-year history, the five-million-member Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) elected its chairman on Wednesday. Chosen was incumbent chairman Feisal Tamin, secretary-general of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Based on a regulation, the chairman of Korpri was always previously the home affairs ministry's secretary-general. Korpri was established on Nov. 29, 1971.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.17, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 272,500 Alumindo Light Metal 325 0 117,500 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,500 25 562,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 27,500 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF discusses RI request
IMF discusses RI request WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is discussing an Indonesian request for extra cash, but has not decided how to respond, a spokesman said on Tuesday. "The matter is obviously under discussion, but no decision has been taken," the spokesman said.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ambon refugees to be resettled
Ambon refugees to be resettled KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The provincial administration declared its readiness to resettle natives who fled Maluku following the fatal unrest that killed at least 105 people, Antara said. The head of the local social services office, A. Aziz, said on Wednesday that Southeast Sulawesi natives who migrated to Maluku and returned to the province would be welcome. "We are ready to settle them here," Aziz said.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
E. Timor deserves a safe exit
E. Timor deserves a safe exit By Aboeprijadi Santoso The Hague, Netherlands (JP): President Habibie's remarks offering independence for East Timor by 2000 does not change the substance at the tripartite talks, but indicates a stronger determination, under the constraints of Indonesia's current economic and political crises, to get rid of the issue and burden of the former Portuguese colony. However, major obstacles remain. On Feb.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PKP to nominate Edi for president
PKP to nominate Edi for president BANDUNG (JP): The newly established Justice and Unity Party (PKP), hinted on Wednesday it would nominate chairman Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat, who was former minister of defense and former Armed Forces commander, as its presidential candidate. In a meeting with party supporters, when Chairman of PKP West Java chapter Tjetje Hidayat Padmadinata asked whether Edi or Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung would be the best candidate, hundreds yelled in response: "Edi!".
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
BI to keep eye on bank asset moves
BI to keep eye on bank asset moves JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, will place a number of its officials at private banks earmarked for closure later this month to ensure that the banks' assets are not removed by the owners prior to liquidation, according to one director. BI director Soebardjo Djojosoemarto said on Wednesday that the officials would start checking the banks' assets on Saturday.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Performance * The European Union Music Festival - Feb. 24: Petersen Quartett (Germany), at Majapahit Hotel, Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 5454333), 7:30 p.m. - March 17: Kammertrio Linz-Wien (Austria), Majapahit Hotel, 7:30 p.m. - March 14: Quatuor Ysae (French), at Novotel Hotel, Jl. Ngagel 173-175 (Phone: 031 5682301), 7:30 p.m. Film * French Film, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Chinese New Year celebrations muted
Chinese New Year celebrations muted By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Unlike many Chinese societies around the world, most Chinese-Indonesians celebrated the Lunar New Year quietly. They observed the long-awaited day indoors, having dinner with the family and praying in temples, deserting the capital's Chinatown area. Many of the rich -- who used to travel overseas to see in the Chinese New Year -- also stayed at home, as the falling rupiah had made trips abroad prohibitively expensive.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta free of imported Indian beef: Official
Jakarta free of imported Indian beef: Official JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has guaranteed that no markets in the capital are selling meat imported from India, which has not been declared free of foot-and-mouth disease or rinderpest. Head of the city livestock husbandry agency, Sumitro, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that an agency team conducted a routine market inspection and had found no beef or buffalo meat from India on sale in markets here.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai Cabinet passes new laws
Thai Cabinet passes new laws BANGKOK (AP): Thailand's Cabinet approved three laws crucial to implementing articles dealing with elections, corruption and human rights in its most recent constitution, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. The laws will now be submitted to Parliament for passage. Democracy activists have been critical of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's government for allegedly moving slowly in drafting and approving the laws.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Can the Italian Embassy explain?
Can the Italian Embassy explain? I am a student at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta. I have just received a letter from a relative who owns a business in Milan, Italy. He wants me to visit his family in Milan. During my stay with his family, he will provide accommodation and cover my daily needs, including my cost of living. Therefore, they are willing to provide the necessary papers relevant to arranging my visa.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Miffed miners beat mom, son
Miffed miners beat mom, son BOGOR (JP): Seven illegal gold miners from the Pongkor mountain site allegedly assaulted a 50-year-old woman and her 30- year-old son after they were barred from using the family's pond near Nanggung on Tuesday. From the Karya Bhakti Bogor Hospital, Sarinam and Umay told reporters on Wednesday that the attack occurred after the men were requested not to wash their rocks and soil in the pond near Cikaniki River.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Subdued local market in search of regional leads
Subdued local market in search of regional leads JAKARTA (JP): The local financial market was again at loose ends on Wednesday due to the lack of regional guides, with the rupiah dipping slightly to 8,750 against the greenback in listless trading and stock prices inching down 0.2 percent.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: by Yanuar Ernawati at The Chedi Gallery, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan Gianyar, Ubud (Phone: 0361 975963), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Feb. 26. * Woodcarving Exhibition: The Legacy, at Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Phone: 0361 975136), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Feb. 29. * Arts Exhibition: Kelompok Benang Benang 96, at Gedung Kriya, Taman Budaya, Denpasar, until Feb. 20.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Freeport's quid pro quo lands kudos, criticism
Freeport's quid pro quo lands kudos, criticism JAKARTA (JP): Analysts are split over the quid pro quo made by mining company PT Freeport Indonesia to increase royalties to the government in return for the license to raise ore output at its copper and gold mine in Irian Jaya. Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Mining Professionals (Perhapi) Herman Afif Kusumo praised it as "a laudable feat of the government", but consultancy group Econit dismissed the "high sounding but empty deal".
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local automotive component producers face huge losses
Local automotive component producers face huge losses JAKARTA (JP): A slump in the country's car market has caused domestic automotive component producers to regret their more than Rp 30 trillion (some US$3.4 billion) accumulated investment in the industry over the last three years.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Councilors divided on plan for city building takeovers
Councilors divided on plan for city building takeovers JAKARTA (JP): City councilors gave mixed reactions on Wednesday to Governor Sutiyoso's recent statement regarding the possible take-over of the 18 city-owned buildings currently occupied by three political parties. Lukman Mokoginta of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction said that the governor's statement initially shocked most of the party's members here.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Alatas ponders retirement once E. Timor issue resolved
Alatas ponders retirement once E. Timor issue resolved JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas hinted he may consider retiring once the East Timor issue is resolved. In an off-the-cuff remark, before delivering a speech at a luncheon here on Wednesday, Alatas said the issue had kept him from going stale dedicated during his tenure in office and that it was good to quit while on top.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thailand, Myanmar seek to mend ties
Thailand, Myanmar seek to mend ties BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand indicated on Wednesday it wanted to improve its diplomatic ties with Myanmar's military government after a series of border incidents strained relations. The chief of Thailand's army, Surayuth Chulanont, said before departing on a three-day official visit to Yangon that his mission was to sooth relations between the two neighbors.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt 'egoism' cited in environmental damage
Govt 'egoism' cited in environmental damage JAKARTA (JP): Egoism in government agencies and the resulting competition among their vested interests are significant factors in environmental destruction and chaotic conservation management, environmentalists said on Wednesday.
Thu, 18 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt suffers loss of Rp 224b from timber smuggling, theft
Govt suffers loss of Rp 224b from timber smuggling, theft JAKARTA (JP): Smuggling, theft and looting of timber during 1988 caused the government to suffer an estimated Rp 224 billion (US$26.35 million) in lost tax and royalty revenues, a senior forestry official announced here on Wednesday. Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation A. Manan Siregar said the biggest loss came from the rampant smuggling of logs from the Indonesian forests in Kalimantan to neighboring Malaysia.