Archive: 25 February 1999
62 articles found
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
International supervision of financial markets sought
International supervision of financial markets sought By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesia and Australia called on the international community on Wednesday to establish an effective global mechanism to supervise and regulate international financial markets to guard against another devastating crisis.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia gives A$10m aid to RI for poll
Australia gives A$10m aid to RI for poll By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced here on Wednesday that his government would provide an initial sum of A$10 million to help Indonesia prepare for and conduct the general election. Downer told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting of the Australia Indonesia Ministerial Forum that Australia was prepared to increase the assistance to A$15 million, if it was needed, to ensure a free and fair election.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Press stresses need for media watch institutes
Press stresses need for media watch institutes JAKARTA (JP): Conceding that they could not go it alone with their new-found freedom, senior press editors and media group owners on Wednesday called for the establishment of media watch institutes. In a hearing with the Commission I for political and information affairs of the House of Representatives here, they admitted that journalists "are no unerring angels".
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ship crews suffer in Asian crisis
Ship crews suffer in Asian crisis SINGAPORE (AP): Asia's economic crisis has left a growing number of ships' crews stranded in ports without food or other essential supplies, forcing some sailors to sell ship parts for scrap in order to survive, a news report in Singapore said on Wednesday. The owner of the Singapore-registered vessel Wan Ling, which was stuck in Vietnam, stopped providing the ship's 24 crew members with food and other necessities in November, The Shipping Times newspaper said.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ghalib did not lie about phone tapping: Baramuli
Ghalib did not lie about phone tapping: Baramuli JAKARTA (JP): Presidential advisor A.A. Baramuli testified on Wednesday that Attorney General A.M. Ghalib never denied that the tapped conversation he had with President B.J. Habibie ever took place. Baramuli's remark to the media was an indirect response to the growing public resentment caused by Ghalib's earlier denial, through his spokesman, Soehandoyo, that the voice in the recording was his.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt vows to wipe out pirated VCD industry
Govt vows to wipe out pirated VCD industry JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has vowed, starting Friday, to clean up the multi-billion dollar pirated CD trade here. "The deadline of Feb.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
False information leads to arrest
False information leads to arrest JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta immigration officers have arrested a Chinese citizen for applying for an Indonesian passport using fake documents, an official said on Wednesday. Hamsuk S. Wijaya, coordinator of Jakarta immigration affairs, announced that the man, identified as Lim Chen Sun, 33, was arrested on Friday. In the passport application, Lim, who hails from Fujian, China, claimed to be an Indonesian citizen named Hendra Wijaya, Hamsuk said.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
China fights corruption
China fights corruption BEIJING (AFP): China is stepping up a major drive against corruption in the police and the judicial department, sources said on Wednesday. A Hong Kong newspaper reported on Wednesday that the police chief of the southern city of Guangzhou had been forcibly escorted to Beijing to help in the investigation of corruption charges against a public security minister.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Three children die in floods
Three children die in floods SEMARANG: Heavy rains over Central Java all through Tuesday have caused flooding in Surakarta and Kudus, where three children were drowned. Thousands of residents had to flee to higher ground while schools and shops were closed on Wednesday. A local official said five subdistricts in Kudus and six in Surakarta were affected by the flooding. Surakarta Mayor Imam Sutejo said communal kitchens were built for those in various shelters.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
U.S. satellite deal a blow to China amid pressure
U.S. satellite deal a blow to China amid pressure BEIJING (Agencies): Washington's decision to ban the sale of a high-tech satellite to a company with Chinese links is a blow to China amid growing pressure on its relations with the United States, analysts said on Wednesday. The U.S.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali:
Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Lumiere, Amour, Creation, by Jacques Francois Xavier Guyot, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran (Phone: 0361 701010), 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., until March 22. * 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.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed robbery spree hits capital
Armed robbery spree hits capital JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police recorded three separate armed robberies within the last two days, spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Wednesday. The suspects were not apprehended at the scenes and remain at large. Officer Lubis urged Jakartans to remain on alert as the criminals had sharp weapons and cars at their disposal. He added that the robberies were all noteworthy for the speed of the operation.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF gave wrong remedy for RI
IMF gave wrong remedy for RI By Patrick Schwarz SEMARANG (JP): News about high finance normally goes unnoticed by ordinary citizens, as it is, at best, negligible information concerning a privileged elite from the greedy world of capitalism. But a recent Dow Jones Newswires release, printed in the Asian Wall Street Journal of Feb.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cancel telephone rate hikes!
Cancel telephone rate hikes! From Merdeka We are community members of Depok Perumnas housing complex and its surrounding areas, mostly civil servants and earners of modest incomes at private companies. We herewith call on the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly, which "voice the people's aspirations", to take action to have the telephone rate hikes canceled.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Old player in a new game
Old player in a new game Amid the current clamor for change, our political parties -- Golkar in particular -- continue to follow their old political cultural habits. Thus, nominations of presidential candidates are supported by people at the top (of the party hierarchy). This old custom of recruiting leaders in a top-down process -- which we have been blaming for the hollowness of our democratic life for the past three decades -- is practiced with increasing regularity.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Exhibitions * Video Installation Exhibition: Senjang by Teguh Ostenrik and students of Trisakti University, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5678639), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until March 1. Discussion at 7 p.m., March 1. * The World Press Photo, at CCCL, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., March 3-12. Film * French Film: Y Aura TIl De la Neige A Nokl ?, directed by Sandrine Veysset, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, until Feb. 26.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia beats Thais in Fed Cup
Indonesia beats Thais in Fed Cup BANGKOK (Agencies): Indonesia returned to its winning form at the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania qualifying round tennis tournament with a 2-1 defeat of host Thailand in their group A match on Wednesday. Montika Anuchan gave the home side an ideal start with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Indonesia's number two singles player Liza Andriyani. But the Indonesian women pulled level thanks to Wynne Prakusya's 6-1, 6-1 rout of Marissa Niroj.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies soften, U.S. dollar shines
Asian monies soften, U.S. dollar shines SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies ended Asian trading hours on Wednesday a touch softer against the U.S. dollar, as the market returned to bidding up the U.S. currency against Asia as a whole. With the U.S. dollar's luster burnished by Alan Greenspan's testimony before Congress on Tuesday, in which the Federal Reserve chairman hinted at a more hawkish stance towards U.S. monetary policy, traders said that the U.S.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Telkom reports slight increase in net profit
Telkom reports slight increase in net profit JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications provider PT Telkom, reported on Wednesday a 1.4 percent increase in net profit in 1998 to Rp 1.16 trillion (about US$137.5 million) from Rp 1.15 trillion in 1997. The company said net earnings per share (EPS) in the year ended Dec. 31 rose slightly to Rp 125.21 from Rp 123.44 in the previous year.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed suspect drug dealer arrested
Armed suspect drug dealer arrested JAKARTA (JP): Acting on a tip-off, police arrested a 38-year- old man on Tuesday for possession of a Colt handgun and a FN Commander 32 handgun. The police arrested the suspect, Erikson Tobing, alias Kapten, at a gas station in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta. The suspect's wife and three children were also at the gas station.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
House tells govt to improve budget monitoring system
House tells govt to improve budget monitoring system JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives urged the government on Wednesday to ensure transparency and tight monitoring of budget spending in the 1999/2000 fiscal year in order to prevent leakage of public funds. Legislators in the House's Commission VIII for state budget and finance said that the prudent state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in April, would be useless if the government did not tightly monitor its spending.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two-day conference calls for decentralization of education
Two-day conference calls for decentralization of education JAKARTA (JP): A two-day conference on education has issued a series of recommendations to help the sector recover from the crisis, including a form of decentralization that would improve management. Experts attending the event that ended Wednesday pointed out how overlapping responsibilities for education among the education, religious affairs and home affairs ministries caused gross inefficiency.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tourist arrivals rise 10.9%
Tourist arrivals rise 10.9% HONG KONG (DPA): Tourists arrivals to Hong Kong rose by 10.9 percent in January over the same month last year, with the total reaching 826,770, the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) announced on Wednesday. Arrivals from Indonesia recorded the highest growth of 115.9 per cent. The HKTA said it was due mainly to a two-week holiday in Indonesia that stimulated outbound travel. Arrivals from other Asian countries also rose sharply, with those from South Korea up by 65.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Leaders to join APEC meeting
Leaders to join APEC meeting BANGKOK (DPA): Leaders from the U.S., China and South Korea have agreed to state visits to New Zealand next September when Auckland hosts the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, New Zealand Trade Minister Lockwood Smith said Wednesday. "U.S.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso names Fauzie Yasin as deputy governor
Sutiyoso names Fauzie Yasin as deputy governor JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso announced on Wednesday that he will nominate the assistant to the city secretary in charge of administrative affairs, Fauzie Alvi Yasin, as a candidate for the deputy governor for economic and financial affairs post, which has been vacant for the last six months. Sutiyoso said Fauzie was chosen because he had enough experience in handling the economic and financial affairs of the city administration.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina eyes stake in Tugu Pratama
Pertamina eyes stake in Tugu Pratama JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina is set to buy out PT Nusantara Ampera Bhakti's (Nusamba) stake in insurance company PT Tugu Pratama Indonesia as part of the efforts to eliminate traces of collusion, corruption and nepotism in the company.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Recapitalization not enough to cure economy
Recapitalization not enough to cure economy JAKARTA (JP): The government's bank recapitalization program is not sufficient to revitalize the country's crippled banking system and depressed economy, analysts have said. Hartojo Wignjowijoto, a senior economist at the Asian Pacific Economic Consultancy, said on Wednesday that the banking industry now was too ill to respond to "medical treatment". "The government did nothing when it was told that the banking industry was about to collapse.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
More bombs to be dropped?
More bombs to be dropped? I agree with Pak Soegih Arto's view on our country's pilot in command in the Feb. 23 The Jakarta Post. Another bomb dropped recently, although not directly by the pilot, was the purported tapping of his telephone conversation with the attorney general, which has shaken the nation, the public and most of all those who were directly or indirectly connected to the incident.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Principal Indonesia seeks local partners
Principal Indonesia seeks local partners JAKARTA (JP): PT Asuransi Jiwa Principal Indonesia plans to ally with or acquire several local insurance and finance companies in a bid to expand its business in Indonesia, the company's vice president Iskandar Sutadisastra said on Wednesday. "We are looking for companies with high growth potential that have a wide network of branches, and we have set aside between US$30 million and $100 million for new investment," Iskandar told reporters.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia to reopen consulate in East Timor
Australia to reopen consulate in East Timor By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Australia is planning to open a consulate in Dili, East Timor, and form a contact group of countries interested in the troubled territory to help create a peaceful transition to independence or broad autonomy under Indonesian rule. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he had assurance from Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas that Australia could reopen its consulate in Dili in the "not too distant future".
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
C. Java sent 1,500 workers abroad
C. Java sent 1,500 workers abroad SEMARANG: The Central Java office of the Ministry of Manpower announced here Wednesday that it sent a total of 1,556 workers to seven countries last January. "The seven countries were Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi," the office chief, Andi Usman, said as quoted by Antara. According to Usman, the workers were mainly domestic helpers and oil-palm plantation and plywood industry hands.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Court upholds staff dismissal
Court upholds staff dismissal JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Administrative High Court upheld on Wednesday a decision by the Indonesian-Hong Kong textile joint venture PT Tyfountex Indonesia, based in Surakarta, Central Java, to dismiss 1,772 of its 8,000 workers. Presiding judge Marcus Lande said that the court was also ordering the Labor Disputes Arbitration Board at the Ministry of Manpower to issue a new decree which approved the dismissal.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Generators rented for Madura
Generators rented for Madura SURABAYA: The state electricity company PLN has been forced to rent generators with a total capacity of 40 megawatts (MW) for Madura which has been without electricity since Friday due to damage to an undersea cable, Antara said.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutami-Flores dam near collapse
Sutami-Flores dam near collapse KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Sutami dam -- which irrigates 3,600 hectares of paddy fields in Ngada regency, Flores Island -- is collapsing due to poor maintenance, Antara reported on Tuesday. Ngada Regent Johanes A. Aoh said in Bajawa that if heavy rains continued, then overflows from tributaries of the Aesesa River would inevitably break the dam.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Wismoyo chairs sports council for second term
Wismoyo chairs sports council for second term JAKARTA (JP): Wismoyo Arismunandar won a landslide majority of votes to chair the National Sports Council (KONI) for a second four-year period as widely expected on Wednesday. More than two-thirds of the 350 participants in the KONI congress put their weight behind the former Army chief of staff, Wismoyo, saying he had brought success to national sports during his first term. An elated Wismoyo, who turned 59 years old on Feb.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Handicapped athletes want more Sports Council's help
Handicapped athletes want more Sports Council's help JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Sports Body for the Disabled (BPOC) called on the National Sports Council (KONI) for more help on Tuesday on account of international laurels won by handicapped Indonesian athletes. Speaking before the KONI congress at the Mulia Senayan Hotel, BPOC chairman Siswo Muchsin said the sports council had long discriminated against disabled athletes in terms of treatment and attention.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL says economy is on the rise
KL says economy is on the rise By Ranjan Roy KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The good times are back -- or so the Malaysian government says. Shopping malls were crammed with people jostling to buy gifts for the Islamic holiday of Ramadhan and then for the Chinese New Year, and more people are buying houses and cars. As 1999 began, developers sold homes worth a total of US$1 billion, thawing the real estate market, which had been frozen for more than a year.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Price of unhusked rice
Price of unhusked rice From Kompas Since publication in Kompas on Feb. 2, 1999, of a report on the drop in the price of unhusked rice, many responses have continued to dwell on the bureaucratic procedure. In fact, the bumper harvest is past now and we must, actually, talk about the operational and technical aspect of how to purchase as much unhusked rice as possible, how to dry it and how to prepare the warehouses to store it in.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Scorpion joins RI project
Scorpion joins RI project TORONTO (Dow Jones): Scorpion Minerals Inc. said it has entered into a $7 million joint venture agreement with Aurora Gold Ltd. for the Sampanahan property in Southeast Kalimantan, Indonesia. In a news release, the company said Aurora will earn 75 percent of Scorpion's 85 percent interest in PT Scorpion Sampanahan Mineral, or a 63.75 percent stake in the property, in exchange for spending $6 million on exploration plus an additional $1 million payment.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb.24, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 -25 15,000 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 375 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,450 0 815,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
South Korean 'chaebols' are laggards in recovery effort
South Korean 'chaebols' are laggards in recovery effort By Pauline Jelinek SEOUL (AP): It was a rare public confession from some of South Korea's richest and most powerful men, the chairmen of four of the nation's five largest conglomerates. "We deeply feel responsible for the current crisis," they said in a statement shortly after the nation's near economic collapse.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
How Asian financial crisis has affected rural families
How Asian financial crisis has affected rural families By John Madeley ROME: In a village on the Indonesia island of Lombok, 45-year old Inak Muli starts work at 6 a.m., making earthen pots. One of a small group of women, her day ends at 1 p.m. the following day. The money that Inak used to make was hardly enough to provide her with decent diet. But then, in late 1997, the Asian financial crisis erupted.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sofyan is 'no longer in hospital'
Sofyan is 'no longer in hospital' JAKARTA (JP): Sofyan Wanandi, a businessman implicated in a bank credit scam here, is no longer being treated in a clinic in the United States, the Attorney General's Office said on Wednesday as reported by Antara. A lawyer for the head of the Gemala business group, Todung Mulya Lubis, said on Tuesday that Sofyan could not be summoned regarding the case because of his poor health. "It's true that Sofyan Wanandi was once treated in the clinic...
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Inco sets up new RI venture
Inco sets up new RI venture TORONTO (AFP): Canadian-based Inco Limited and Japan's Dowa Mining announced Tuesday that they have entered a joint venture for copper, zinc, gold and silver exploration in Turkey and Indonesia. Inco said that one of its subsidiaries, Dardanel Mining Industry and Commerce, holds properties in northeastern Turkey under a lease agreement with Black Sea Copper Works. These properties are considered to have a high potential for mineral deposits, the company said.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
House has to pass 25 draft laws in 18 weeks
House has to pass 25 draft laws in 18 weeks By Sugianto Tandra JAKARTA (JP): Last Thursday, the House of Representatives (DPR) passed a draft law limiting monopolistic business practices, the first initiative of the House in decades. However, legislators will find the next 18 weeks to be their busiest ever, as they still have a total of 25 draft laws to deliberate. But will they sacrifice substance to meet the target? "It will depend on the discussion techniques (during the deliberations).
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Traders urge market management change
Traders urge market management change JAKARTA (JP): At least 400 traders of Kenari electronics market in Central Jakarta urged the government on Wednesday to allow them to control the market's management for the sake of efficiency.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Avoiding a breakup
Avoiding a breakup Nobody who has observed the series of outbreaks of sectarian violence that has erupted in several of this country's regions since the downfall of the authoritarian regime of President Soeharto in May last year can escape the impression that something must be fundamentally wrong in Indonesia.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
More incentives needed for Timor Gap projects
More incentives needed for Timor Gap projects By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesia will propose additional incentives at the meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Timor Gap for oil and gas exploitation in the region, Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said here on Wednesday. Kuntoro, who will lead the Indonesian delegation at the meeting on Thursday, said more incentives were needed because the exploitation of gas and oil in the Timor Sea has proved to be so costly.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie, Wiranto objects of public discontent
Habibie, Wiranto objects of public discontent By Tjipta Lesmana JAKARTA (JP): Public opinion is regarded as a force that should not be underestimated by any player in the political arena of every democratic or quasi-democratic state. Public opinion, in a sense, is the people's voice. That voice is echoed in an opinion survey or printed in the mass media or heard on the street.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bandung artist ropes in hedonism
Bandung artist ropes in hedonism By Pavan Kapoor JAKARTA (JP): As humankind prepares for a new millennium, the breakneck pace of civilization urges societies to pursue relentlessly a vast range of global pleasures. We are arduously aiming to keep up with the latest invention, latest brand and trendiest product. We are constantly trying to improve our status and climb to the top of the heap without realizing that the world is spinning around at a dangerous breakneck pace.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thanks to Nokia
Thanks to Nokia I refer to my letter, titled "A call for help" in the Feb. 17 The Jakarta Post, in which I complained about Nokia's battery, Immediately after the letter appeared in the Post, the general manager of Nokia Jakarta, Mr. Alexander L., called me to inquire about the problem. He offered to send over his technical staff. Two hours later, Mr. Agus Asmara Saputra, after market executive from Nokia, visited me and fixed my mobile phone.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Heri Dono shows modern monsters
Heri Dono shows modern monsters JAKARTA (JP): Works of Heri Dono, one of the country's most famous avant garde painters and installation and performance artists, are on display in Singapore. Mythical Monsters in Contemporary Society, Heri's first exhibition in the country, showcases 15 of his most powerful works from the past 10 years. It is at Gajah Gallery until March 10.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 24, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI banks' ratings lowered
RI banks' ratings lowered HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Thomson BankWatch said Wednesday it has downgraded the local currency debt ratings of Indonesia's Bank Duta and Bank Rama to LC-4 from LC-3 amid concerns about the deteriorating operating environment for Indonesian banks. Both banks have been hit by sharp increases in the level of bad debt, a sharp erosion in earnings capacity and severe pressure on the capital base, the international ratings agency said.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Molotov cocktail explodes on house
Molotov cocktail explodes on house JAKARTA (JP): A Molotov cocktail exploded on the roof of a house of a junior high school teacher in Sungai Bambu, North Jakarta, stunning the family and their neighbors on Tuesday evening. No serious damage was sustained but the blast left a hole 20- centimeters in diameter in the roof.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Explanation of phone tariff hike sought
Explanation of phone tariff hike sought JAKARTA (JP): City Council will invite executives of the state-owned telecommunications operator PT Telkom to explain their decision to hike tariffs for local long-distance calls 21 fold. Representatives from the Indonesian Consumers Foundation, would also be invited to attend the meeting, head of Commission D for development affairs, Ali Wongso Sinaga, said on Wednesday. "We will push Telkom to hear the people's aspiration.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
The spin on Pelabuhan Ratu
The spin on Pelabuhan Ratu As a frequent visitor to one of Indonesia's -- and perhaps one of the world's most beautiful areas -- I would like to appeal to the Indonesian Tourist Board to let me assist them in properly promoting Pelabuhan Ratu. My brochure would read something like this: Pelabuhan Ratu. Where the hand of God and the hand of man join together to create a truly unique environment.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two reported dead, 12 injured in fresh East Timor clash
Two reported dead, 12 injured in fresh East Timor clash DILI, East Timor (JP): Two proindependence activists were shot dead and at least 12 others were injured in a clash which erupted during a traditional mourning service on Wednesday in Becora, Dili. A similar clash wounded five antiintegration youths on Tuesday in Liquica regency. The body of 23-year-old Francisco do Conceao Hornae of Los Palos regency was taken to the Resistance Council for Free East Timor (CRNRT) by friends.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Political parties race against time for elections
Political parties race against time for elections JAKARTA (JP): Political parties are racing to establish chapters and branches in order to qualify to contest the June 7 general election. The Team of Eleven -- in charge of examining and selecting poll contestants -- continued on Wednesday its visits to the political parties' regional offices. In East Java, team member Afan Gaffar found three political parties had established chapters outside of the provincial capital of Surabaya.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian pepper exports up 25 percent
Indonesian pepper exports up 25 percent JAKARTA (JP): Pepper exports rose by 25.3 percent to 40,749 metric tons in 1998 from 32,510 metric tons in 1997, the International Pepper Community (IPC) said on Wednesday. Pepper exports of almost all exporting countries, except Indonesia and Sri Lanka, declined during 1998. "The total amount of pepper exported in 1998 was 125,957 tons, down nine percent from 138,589 tons in 1997.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cheetam to produce refined salt in RI
Cheetam to produce refined salt in RI NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Cheetam Salt Ltd. of Australia will form a joint venture with state-owned PT Garam to produce refined salt for human consumption and industrial use in Indonesia. Cheetam director W.J. Poynton and PT Garam president Imam Hidayat signed here on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which establishes the framework for negotiations to form a joint venture.
Thu, 25 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Eight killed in two-day Ambon riot
Eight killed in two-day Ambon riot JAKARTA (JP): At least eight people were killed in two days of clashes in the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon which started Tuesday, Antara reported on Wednesday. The news agency said that five people were killed on Tuesday and a further three died and dozens were injured on the second day of violence with religious overtones on Wednesday. The agency said the victims were Anthoni Lopulalan, Marthen Nikile and Charles Hitipeuw.