Archive: 20 February 1999
51 articles found
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Absurd acts of obstruction
Absurd acts of obstruction I sat amazed in a traffic jam observing Indonesian drivers vying for an inch of space, while outside their mostly leaded cars, poor children hawking their wares or musical talents for spare change. It wasn't until we reached the traffic lights that the gridlock revealed a shameful picture. The intersection was blocked perpendicularly only. Directly ahead of us the road was absolutely clear of traffic. What's wrong with this picture I thought?
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Deputy governor post to be filled
Deputy governor post to be filled JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday that he would appoint one of his subordinates as deputy governor for economic and financial affairs as the position has been vacant for about six months. Sutiyoso said the plan was made because the city budget for the 1999/2000 fiscal year was expected to be bigger than the current budget.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Don't mess with elections, General Wiranto insists
Don't mess with elections, General Wiranto insists JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday he would not tolerate any attempt to foil or disturb the June general election and presidential election later this year. The general said the Armed Forces would take all necessary measures to ensure free, just and fair elections, because the success of the two events together was key to the nation's recovery.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie urges KONI to fight for Asiad in 2006
Habibie urges KONI to fight for Asiad in 2006 JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie asked the National Sports Council (KONI) on Friday to fight hard to win Indonesia's bid to host the Asian Games in 2006. The council chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, told reporters that Habibie expressed his guarded optimism that Indonesia could stage the Games for only the second time, after 1962.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Telkom owns up to 21 fold hike in peak hour call rates
Telkom owns up to 21 fold hike in peak hour call rates JAKARTA (JP): An executive of state telecommunications operator PT Telkom has admitted that the telephone tariff here has been hiked 21 fold for local long-distance calls made during peak hours as per Feb. 1. Doddy Amerudien, vice president for communications of the Bandung-based Telkom, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the hike, implemented under a system which bases tariffs on distance and hour, has been postponed since 1995.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hoodlums frighten Bogor traders
Hoodlums frighten Bogor traders BOGOR (JP): Most traders and street vendors in Bogor have become increasingly edgy due to intimidation from hoodlums, who they say frequently extort money from them. They say there is nothing they can do but meet their demands for fear of being evicted from their kiosks. "I'm too old to resist. If I try to refuse their demands, they could easily force me to fulfill their request," Hamid, one of traders operating in Kebon Kembang market, said on Friday.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Cowboy' food stalls prove popular among students
'Cowboy' food stalls prove popular among students By Israr Ardiansyah YOGYAKARTA (JP): Darto entered a "cowboy" food stall, took two portions of rice, a piece of fried tempeh, a piece of fried tofu, and ordered one glass of hot tea, all of which immediately disappeared down his throat. For all this he had to pay only Rp 1,100 (about US$0.13).
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Slamet Abdul Sjukur shows the art of noise in Bandung
Slamet Abdul Sjukur shows the art of noise in Bandung By Aendra H. Medita BANDUNG (JP): Simple sounds made by a human mouth have created new possibilities in music for one contemporary composer- musician. It should be stressed that not every sound emitted by vocal chords would belong in this innovative field because a seemingly simple sound is not necessarily a retreat from the often complex patterns of contemporary alternative music.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil and gas earnings lower than expected, says Kuntoro
Oil and gas earnings lower than expected, says Kuntoro JAKARTA (JP): State revenues from oil and gas exports for the current fiscal year is unlikely to meet the budget target due to lower crude oil prices and a stronger rupiah.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Downer meets with Jayakumar
Downer meets with Jayakumar SINGAPORE (Reuters): Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and his Singapore counterpart S. Jayakumar will hold talks from Sunday on political, economic and security issues, including Indonesia and Myanmar. Australia's high commissioner to Singapore, Murray McLean, announced on Friday the three-day meeting on bilateral cooperation would cover all significant regional issues.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 19, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 25 500 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -25 847,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,475 -25 1,768,000 Anwar Sierad 75 0 40,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military's rural activities inspected
Military's rural activities inspected JAKARTA (JP): A team responsible for the operational affairs of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) 60th rural development program (AMD) launched a three-day field inspection to observe the implementation of the project in Greater Jakarta. During the inspection, which started on Feb. 16, the team visited several areas in East Jakarta, Tangerang and Bekasi where soldiers joined hands with the local people to develop their localities.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Skepticism greets new antimonopoly law
Skepticism greets new antimonopoly law JAKARTA (JP): Analysts remain unsure whether the new law to prevent monopolies and unfair competition can be effectively implemented, due to the lack of a clear definition of a key term and the law's adverse social impact on the crisis-hit nation. "Although provisions of the legislation are clear, it remains questionable whether they can be effectively implemented," said Rosalina Lazuardi, an equity analyst at PT Vickers Ballas Tamara.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
The tale from the tape
The tale from the tape The fact that many Indonesians look in quite a jovial mood these days does not mean that the devastating economic crisis has ended. They simply say they have a jocular topic in their daily conversation: the leakage of a telephone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib about, among other things, the investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corruption.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prabowo defends May 22 actions
Prabowo defends May 22 actions JAKARTA (JP): Prabowo Subianto, the Army lieutenant general President B.J. Habibie accused this week of deploying troops around his residence the day after he assumed the presidency in May, said on Friday he took the action as part of his duty to protect the new head of state. In a statement read by close friends, Prabowo, who is currently in Jordan, said the troop concentration "was in line with the instruction from the Armed Forces (ABRI) top brass".
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Team-11 asks for PDI to be disqualified
Team-11 asks for PDI to be disqualified JAKARTA (JP): Team Eleven, the verification committee tasked with deciding the eligibility of poll contestants, will recommend that the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) be disqualified from participating in the June 7 general elections. The recommendation is to be delivered in an official letter to Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid urging that the Supreme Court disqualifies the party for both legal and political reasons.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ICW reveals pirate VCD control scam
ICW reveals pirate VCD control scam JAKARTA (JP): Coordinator of the working council of Indonesian Corruption Watch Teten Masduki alleged on Friday that a grandson of former president Soeharto moved in on the legalization of pirated video compact discs in Indonesia. It caused losses to the state of at least Rp 51 billion per annum, he said. Through Minister of Information Decree No. 21/1998 signed by then minister R.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thirty-two Indonesians go AWOL in Japan
Thirty-two Indonesians go AWOL in Japan TOKYO (AFP): Thirty-two Indonesians have disappeared and have presumably overstayed their visas after entering Japan as members of a delegation to a trade fair in Osaka last year, media reports said on Friday. There is the possibility that they have joined the swelling ranks of illegal workers from other Asian countries, the Jiji Press news agency reported quoting the Osaka immigration bureau.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Christie's to open Thai branch
Christie's to open Thai branch BANGKOK (AFP): International auctioneer Christie's announced plans on Friday to open a branch in Thailand following its success last year selling art belonging to the country's bankrupt finance firms. The British-based company was enlisted by the central Bank of Thailand to run the country's first international art auction, of works which once graced the boardrooms of high-flying finance houses.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Timah's profit up 190% due to rupiah plunge
Timah's profit up 190% due to rupiah plunge JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Tambang Timah announced more than a 190 percent increase in consolidated net profit to Rp 518.18 billion (US$61 million) in 1998 from Rp 177.8 billion in the previous year. The company attributed the surge in returns to the sharp depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar. Gross profit rose by 361 percent to Rp 1.36 trillion from Rp 295.2 billion in the previous year.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lucky draw ups Nokia sales
Lucky draw ups Nokia sales JAKARTA (JP): Finland-based cellular phone producer Nokia said yesterday its lucky draw program had significantly boosted its phone sales in Indonesia. The manager of marketing and sales for Nokia Mobile Phones Indonesia, Hasan Aula, said that Nokia's collaboration with distributor Bimasakti Usindo Persada and cellular phone operator PT Satelindo in conducting the "super surprise lucky draw program" had successfully increased its market share.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Monitor' tabloid to hit newsstands
'Monitor' tabloid to hit newsstands JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Information has given the green light for the publication of new daily tabloid Monitor, executives of the publication said on Friday. Chief editor Zaim Uchrowi and managing editor Eko Supriyanto said the tabloid, whose permit was issued on Feb. 2, would start publication on April 5. Zaim, former vice chief editor of Republika daily, said a copy of the tabloid would sell for Rp 2,250 and by monthly subscription of Rp 45,000.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Contraceptives hard to come by
Contraceptives hard to come by CILACAP, Central Java: Soaring prices and dwindling supplies mean 600,000 people may lose their access to contraceptives, according to the head of the provincial family planning board, Djoko Rusmoro. He said on Friday that contraceptives were becoming hard to find amid soaring prices. Implants are still imported from the United States. He said his staff suspected many people could no longer afford to buy contraceptives and free distribution was limited in number.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt to extend social safety net spending period
Govt to extend social safety net spending period JAKARTA (JP): The director general of the budget at the Ministry of Finance, Darsjah, said on Friday that the government would revise spending on the multibillion dollar social safety net program next month following recent findings of corruption and inefficiency. He said the revision would allow the government to extend the first phase of the program, which was supposed to be completed by the end of the 1998/1999 fiscal year in March, to June.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ricky and Rexy have nothing to lose at Grand Prix finals
Ricky and Rexy have nothing to lose at Grand Prix finals JAKARTA (JP): Olympic men's doubles champions Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky say they will not crack under heavy pressure and will win the Grand Prix badminton finals next week. "We just want to enjoy the game out there. Nobody, including the Badminton Association of Indonesia, insists that we must take the title," Rexy said.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Global Jaya fetes Indonesia
Global Jaya fetes Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Global Jaya School is organizing an event to educate its students about Indonesia's cultural riches. The international standard school in Bintaro, South Jakarta, announced on Friday that the Indonesian Cultural Celebrations on Tuesday and Wednesday were aimed at enabling students to know, love and be proud of the various cultures in Indonesia.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Live TV shows
Live TV shows JAKARTA (JP): Sports competitions to be broadcast live this weekend on local TVs (all times in West Indonesia Time): Saturday English soccer league: Coventry City v Manchester United, SCTV at 10 p.m. Sunday Italian soccer league: Lazio v Inter Milan, RCTI at 8:55 p.m. English soccer league: Wimbledon v Aston Villa, Indosiar at 10:30 p.m.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ministry weighs banking layoffs
Ministry weighs banking layoffs JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower is considering potential dismissals in the banking sector as the government decides which banks will be liquidated. Ministry secretary-general Suwarto told a workshop here on migrant workers that the subject was discussed in a recent Ministry meeting, Antara reported Friday. The subject took up five hours, he said.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Telkom's increased rates
Telkom's increased rates From Merdeka Many telephone subscribers have protested the new rates introduced by Telkom telephone company. Even House Of Representative members have joined in the protests. However, the Telkom board of directors remains intransigent in its shocking decision. The decision will result in many customers withdrawing their subscriptions. Their number will exceed the number of those canceling their subscriptions due to the economic crisis (tens of thousands of customers).
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Banpu's RI coal worth $1.63b
Banpu's RI coal worth $1.63b BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's Banpu company has confirmed that a recent discovery of coal reserves in Indonesia was worth an estimated US$1.63 billion at today's market price, news reports and company officials said Friday. Banpu president Chanin Vongkusolkit told the Bangkok Post newspaper that the coal discovered in Jorong mine in South Kalimantan, was of high quality with a calorific (heating) value of 5,500 calories per gram.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Risks loom for the brave foreign investors in Vietnam
Risks loom for the brave foreign investors in Vietnam By Dean Yates HANOI (Reuters): Few countries have disappointed foreign investors like Vietnam. To many businessmen, Vietnam has gone from being an El Dorado to an investment backwater in less than a decade despite the nation's industrious people and vast natural resources.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Officials say palace phone system safe
Officials say palace phone system safe JAKARTA (JP): Merdeka Palace officials are vouching for the security of their telephone system and are confident a taped telephone conversation purportedly between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib could not have been tapped on palace grounds. "If the conversation really took place, we are confident it was held somewhere else," one official said on Friday.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Custom break up 24 smuggling attempts this year
Custom break up 24 smuggling attempts this year TANGERANG (JP): Customs and excise officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have foiled 24 smuggling attempts so far this year, an official said on Friday.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tapioca plant in pollution hot water
Tapioca plant in pollution hot water BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: A tapioca factory has paid Rp 7 million compensation to local residents who charged it with environmental pollution and disrupting their livelihood in Central Lampung. The decision followed two demonstrations by hundreds of fishery workers in the community who demanded Rp 10 million in compensation.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
People sign on against violence
People sign on against violence YOGYAKARTA: Thousands of people have signed a 99-meter-long white cloth in protest at the violence occurring in the country. The peaceful protest, dubbed "A Million Signatures for Peace", was organized by the student executive council of Gadjah Mada University. The white banner was unfurled following Friday prayers on the university grounds. Also on hand to add his signature was People's Mandate Party chairman Amien Rais.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: by Lie Tjoen Tjay, Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990008), until Feb. 28. * Painting Exhibition: The Life is Short, the Art is Eternal, by Ahmad Sadali and Antok, at Anton's Gallery, Jl. Taman Pendidikan No. 2, South Jakarta (Phone: 7514592), until March 7. * Hasselblad Charity Photo Exhibition by the member of Hasselblad Society of Indonesia, at Plaza Senayan, Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta, Feb.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Activist insists KPU members must be credible
Activist insists KPU members must be credible JAKARTA (JP): To save the General Election Committee (KPU) from skepticism, the government must appoint individuals who are credible and respected by the country as its representatives in the body, the Movement for National Justice and Unity (GKPB) urged on Friday.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah drifts lower on regional bearishness
Rupiah drifts lower on regional bearishness JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah drifted down on Friday to close at 8,850 against the U.S. dollar as the Japanese yen sank further ahead of a weekend meeting of the Group of Seven in Bonn, currency dealers said. Meanwhile, share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange closed barely changed on late profit-taking in large-cap stocks amid concerns over the bank recapitalization plan, stockbrokers said.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar offers to assist E. Timor solution
Golkar offers to assist E. Timor solution JAKARTA (JP): Golkar's central board announced on Friday it would form a special team to support the choice of wide-ranging autonomy for troubled East Timor. In a statement issued here, the once dominant political grouping which has now officially transformed itself into a political party, said it "understood" the government's decision to present the two options to resolve the East Timor issue.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malnutrition hits C. Java infants
Malnutrition hits C. Java infants SEMARANG, Central Java: A survey conducted by the provincial health office here found 55 infants and toddlers in Central Java suffering from severe malnutrition. All aged under five years, the children live in 14 regencies in the province. Head of the Central Java health office Soejono Hardjosoedarmo said the discovery was made during a province-wide survey conducted by the office since October.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tire shop, residence burgled in C. Jakarta
Tire shop, residence burgled in C. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A tire shop and a private residence where robbed early on Friday in Central Jakarta, with the burglars making away with goods worth tens of millions of rupiah. The first robbery occurred at PD Radial Ban, a tire shop on Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya. The thieves stole at least 55 tires, documents and electronic devices, including a facsimile machine and computer equipment, a police officer said.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian monies feel effects of yen
SE Asian monies feel effects of yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies started to slip in earnest against a surging U.S. dollar in late trading on Friday, playing catch-up to the yen's continued slide against the U.S. currency this week, traders and economists said. At 0900 GMT (4:00 a.m. EST), the U.S. dollar was trading at Y120.06, up from Y118.85 in late Asian trading Thursday and markedly higher than Y114.54 last Friday in Asia. The U.S.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 19, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Laid-off workers demand insurance payments
Laid-off workers demand insurance payments JAKARTA (JP): More than 500 garment workers rallied at state- owned social security firm PT Jamsostek on Wednesday to demand insurance payments more than three years after they were laid off when their company folded. Claiming to represent 5,000 dismissed workers of PT Mayatexdian Group, they insisted the firm make payments totaling at least Rp 1.75 billion (US$194,444).
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Phone tapping report leads to uproar
Phone tapping report leads to uproar JAKARTA (JP): An uproar has ensued following reports of the tapping of a purported telephone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib as observers expressed concern over what they said was a crude political ploy. Meanwhile others urged the public and the government to focus on the investigation of former president Soeharto.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Dollar episode
Dollar episode I decided to close my BALIDOLAR account with Bank Bali's Pondok Indah branch on Feb. 17, 1999. After the usual deductions, the final figure I was to be paid was US$190.57. The bank staff informed me that they were not in a position to pay me my due since they did not have dollar bills in less than $100 denominations.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Are personal safety devices legal?
Are personal safety devices legal? My wife and I (both Australians) have been living in Indonesia for four years working on government infrastructure projects (railway projects for Perumka) based in Purwokerto in Central Java. During the last four years we have truly enjoyed the experience of living and working in Indonesia and most of all the hospitality and friendship from the many people we have met and worked with.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
IFC will retructure loans to Hotel Santika Nusajaya
IFC will retructure loans to Hotel Santika Nusajaya JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation has agreed to restructure the debt of PT Hotel Santika Nusajaya, the property division of media giant Kompas Gramedia Group.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABRI to probe phone tap scandal
ABRI to probe phone tap scandal JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said the Armed Forces (ABRI) will immediately investigate the authenticity of the purported phone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib. "(We have to) investigate whether the telephone conversation is authentic or not," he said after opening a regular short discourse at the ABRI School of Command in Bandung, West Java, on Friday.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Who are the true reformists?
Who are the true reformists? By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): Who are the true reformists in Indonesia? Finding an answer to this question is a near impossible feat, so it is best to learn the lesson that in politics, there is simply no permanent friend or foe. Personal interests are placed above all other considerations, as political figures such as Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Harmoko, Akbar Tandjung, Try Sutrisno, Siswono Yudohusodo, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and, of course, B.J.
Sat, 20 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Telephone tariff rates effective as of Feb. 1, 1999
Telephone tariff rates effective as of Feb. 1, 1999 No. Distance Hours Tariff Pulse ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Up to 20 km anytime Rp 180 180.00 sec 2. 20 kms to 30 km anytime Rp 180 120.00 sec 3. 30 kms to 200 km 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Rp 180 17.50 sec 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Rp 180 8.75 sec 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rp 180 7.00 sec 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rp 180 8.75 sec 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Rp 180 17.50 sec 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Rp 180 35.00 sec Source: PT Telkom Jakarta.