Archive: 26 February 1999
54 articles found
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
141 parties pass 1st step of requirements for poll
141 parties pass 1st step of requirements for poll JAKARTA (JP): Out of 148 parties who have registered at the Ministry of Justice, 141 meet requirements, according to the Ministry's registration committee. The remaining seven had not met requirements before Thursday's deadline for gaining the approved status specified by the new law on political parties.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thousands seek refuge in riot-torn Ambon
Thousands seek refuge in riot-torn Ambon JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people have sought refuge in mosques and churches from the escalating Muslim and Christian clashes in the Maluku capital of Ambon, where at least 16 people have been killed in the past three days, witnesses and hospital staff said on Thursday. Another report put the death toll at 24.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Plan to import clay from Singapore revoked
Plan to import clay from Singapore revoked JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian company's controversial plan to import discarded clay from Singapore has fallen through after the Singaporean government refused to allow an exporting firm to conduct the business. Riau Deputy Governor Rustam S. Abrus announced the cancellation of the plan on Wednesday, Antara reported.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lawyers to sue PT Telkom over phone tariff increase
Lawyers to sue PT Telkom over phone tariff increase JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Lawyer's Union (SPI) said on Thursday that they would sue the government and state-owned PT Telkom over the unreasonable increase in telephone tariffs. "We will go ahead with our plan of bringing them to court if they don't cancel the new telephone rates by March 5," SPI's chairman Trimedya Panjaitan told a press conference on Thursday.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Citra Lamtoro wins in Manila
Citra Lamtoro wins in Manila MANILA (Dow Jones): The Philippine appeals court has rejected a plea from a local civic group seeking to stop an elevated road project of Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp., the local unit of Indonesia's PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada. In its decision released Thursday, the appellate court ruled that the civic group failed to show its rights would be violated if the road project was allowed to proceed.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 25, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties separated from reality: Experts
Parties separated from reality: Experts JAKARTA (JP): A dialog between political parties and women here has revealed a gap between the parties and the reality of society, experts noted Thursday. Sociologist Julia Suryakusuma and Siti Musdah Mulya, a researcher with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, were asked in the dialog to comment on the views aired by representatives of three parties, particularly regarding women's issues.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gold smugglers brought to court
Gold smugglers brought to court SIDOARJO, East Java: The Sidoarjo district court began on Thursday the trial of three men -- identified only as YL (48), IE (40) and HD (42) -- accused of the attempted smuggling of 117 kilograms of pure gold to Hong Kong. Antara said the court was presided over by Lanang Perbawa, while the chief prosecutor was E.T. Paembonan, who accused the three of attempting to export the gold without proper documents.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI forex reserves fall to US$14.84 billion
RI forex reserves fall to US$14.84 billion JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia announced on Thursday its net international reserves dropped by US$414.3 million to $14.84 billion as of Feb. 23 from the Feb. 15 level of $15.25 billion.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties told to field own security forces
Parties told to field own security forces JAKARTA (JP): All political parties contesting the June 7 general election will be required to deploy their own security forces to safeguard supporters during street campaigns, a military official said. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Chaos comes of leaders' failure
Chaos comes of leaders' failure By Christopher Lingle DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Images of bloody street confrontations in Indonesia provide an unavoidable impression that the country may be slipping into chaos. With the removal of the strong hand of President Soeharto at the helm, there are several interpretations of why the country moved so quickly from order to disorder. It could be claimed that it is simply a matter of the strains of the economic crises that has led to these outbreaks.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian currencies rise against U.S. dollar
Most Asian currencies rise against U.S. dollar SINGAPORE (AFP): Most Asian currencies ended slightly higher against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, rising in tandem with the yen, as a further drop in the Singapore dollar was averted by revised economic growth figures for 1998, dealers said. The Singapore dollar fell to a low in morning trade of 1.7303 against the U.S. dollar on buying of the greenback by Hong Kong- based investment houses. It rose slightly to end at 1.7272.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Downer hails RI's East Timor policy
Downer hails RI's East Timor policy JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said here on Thursday that the positions of Indonesia and Australia on the future of East Timor were "very close." Speaking to journalists after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at the Merdeka Palace, Downer said he was assured by the President that Indonesia would not abandon East Timor in an irresponsible way as Portugal had done in 1975.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso pursuing ex-officials' cars
Sutiyoso pursuing ex-officials' cars JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will shortly issue an official letter requiring retired officials to return illegally retained city-owned vehicles, Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday. Sutiyoso said the letter was necessary if his subordinates experienced difficulties reclaiming all vehicles from retired officials.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ulterior motive?
Ulterior motive? From Merdeka State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom successfully posted a big profit of trillions of rupiah in the 1997/1998 fiscal year. The company has also stated publicly that telecommunications rates in Indonesia are relatively low compared with other countries, ignoring comparisons of the per capita income in Indonesia with the other countries. Now Telkom has raised its rates, retroactive to Feb. 1, despite comments by Telkom's officers referred to above.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ministry admits leakages in Rp 1t projects
Ministry admits leakages in Rp 1t projects JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower has admitted leakages and irregularities in the labor-intensive projects worth Rp 1 trillion intended for the unemployed and laid-off workers. Director General for Labor Placement Din Syamsuddin, who is in charge of the projects, revealed that the irregularities were found in the recruitment of participants and in implementation by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Plan to eliminate pirate VCDs gets good response
Plan to eliminate pirate VCDs gets good response JAKARTA (JP): The government's plan to eliminate pirated VCDs nationwide starting from Friday received a warm welcome from the VCD industry and a legal expert. They, however, strongly urged the authorities to first identify and apprehend major pirates instead of arresting small- scale traders and rental shop owners.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
First Pacific management loses biggest players
First Pacific management loses biggest players HONG KONG (AFP): Indonesian tycoon Sudono Salim and his partner Sudwikatmono have stepped down from the management of the Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd, the company announced on Thursday.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Robber shot dead for refusing arrest
Robber shot dead for refusing arrest JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta police shot dead an alleged robber in broad daylight on Tuesday as he resisted arrest and even tried to assault the officers. An officer who asked not to be named said on Wednesday that the victim was identified as Abdul Jaelani, 21. He died of two shot wounds to his head and left thigh. City police spokesman Lt. Col.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia, Indonesia pledge to boost trade
Australia, Indonesia pledge to boost trade By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Australia and Indonesia pledged here on Thursday to take concerted measures to reinvigorate their two-way trade which has of late been declining. Ministers from both countries, gathered here for the fourth meeting of the Australia Indonesia Ministerial Forum, said in a joint statement that the return of growth to Indonesia's economy would play a pivotal role in reviving the disrupted bilateral trade.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Anwar, Lim use letters as political tool
Anwar, Lim use letters as political tool By Ranjan Roy KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Their political voices muted by prison walls, two of Malaysia's most prominent dissidents have struck up an unusual correspondence, exchanging letters from their cells in an intimate dialog about life and politics.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN tries to resolve row
ASEAN tries to resolve row SINGAPORE (AFP): ASEAN called on Thursday for the resumption of high-level talks with the European Union to salvage a foreign ministers' meeting hit by a dispute over Myanmar's participation. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said the convening of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, prior to the foreign ministers' meeting scheduled in Berlin later this month, could help the two regional groupings reach a compromise.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Andaman Sea significant for Asian economy
Andaman Sea significant for Asian economy By Edward Neilan BANGKOK (JP): The three-and-one-half hour trip by motorized cruiser on the mighty Chao Phraya (river of the kings) from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya to the present capital of Bangkok gives one a refreshing respite from all the Asian crisis talk that has been in the air. I didn't spot a hedge fund or a floating debenture on the entire journey. Seriously, Thai river life is prospering as always.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie urged to clarify tapped conversation
Habibie urged to clarify tapped conversation JAKARTA (JP): Members of the House of Representatives agreed on Thursday to ask President B.J. Habibie to explain the controversial tapped telephone conversation he had with Attorney General A.M. Ghalib, Antara reported. "The Armed Forces faction does not mind (the motion to ask Habibie for clarification) as long as it is done according to the House internal rules Article 10," said chairman of the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction Ahmad Rustandi.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 25 , 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 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 0 434,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 1,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tax exemption, visa-free entry into eastern Indonesia offered
Tax exemption, visa-free entry into eastern Indonesia offered NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): The Indonesian government has taken various measures to boost the development of eastern Indonesia, including a clearance tax exemption and visa-free entry into the region.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Strike at Bank Dana Asia
Strike at Bank Dana Asia JAKARTA (JP): Though the central bank has yet to announce which banks are to be closed on Saturday, the employees of Bank Dana Asia here staged a sitdown on Thursday demanding fair severance payments from their management. "We are holding this peaceful sit-in to demand that Bank Dana Asia's management and shareholders give us fair compensation," Mrs. Ani, one of the 300 workers taking part in the strike, told Antara.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI's planned bid for 2006 Asiad sparks controversy
RI's planned bid for 2006 Asiad sparks controversy JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's (KONI) planned bid for the 2006 Asian Games has sparked controversy among the sports federations. The Indonesian Tennis Association and the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association rejected the idea on Thursday, citing a lack of funds as the main barrier to staging the quadrennial event.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bogus doctor arrested when 'offering jobs'
Bogus doctor arrested when 'offering jobs' JAKARTA (JP): Security guards at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) apprehended on Thursday a man posing as a doctor and offering fictitious jobs at the hospital to three young applicants. The bogus doctor was identified as Muhajir Hidayat, 35, a resident of Cipinang area in East Jakarta.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Better pay for civil servants
Better pay for civil servants The hope that living conditions will improve for civil servants and military personnel appears to be justified now that the government has approved a proposal by the House of Representatives to revise the state budget for the 1999/2000 fiscal year by increasing the volume (of state revenues and expenditures) by Rp 1.4 trillion, from Rp 218.203 trillion to Rp 219.603 trillion.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four months to go before Madura sees light
Four months to go before Madura sees light NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Thursday it would take the government up to four months to repair the damaged underwater main power cable, which had left Madura without electricity since last Friday.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lisapaly, noted sports official dies of cancer
Lisapaly, noted sports official dies of cancer JAKARTA (JP): Arnold Lisapaly, one of the country's longest serving sports officials, died on Thursday at Pondok Indah Hospital in South Jakarta. Arnold, who would have turned 70 in August, struggled with lung cancer over the past few years. Better known as Oom (Uncle) Arnold, he devoted himself to the National Sports Council (KONI) since 1966. He retired four years ago, although KONI continued to seek his advice.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Obscene phone rates
Obscene phone rates The title of an article on page 10 of the Feb. 15 The Jakarta Post was ARIAWEST International keeps good commitments to customers. I found interesting the statements of the company's president, John G. Vondras, which brought a good image to Indonesia and even the world, as far as professionalism is concerned. However, PT Telkom increased its rates by 24 percent as of Feb.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Trial may trigger further unrest
Trial may trigger further unrest PALU, Central Sulawesi: The police have suggested that the trial of the alleged instigator of the December rioting in Poso be held out of town in order to prevent further unrest. Maj. Widiantono, the deputy chief of the Poso police precinct, said on Wednesday the court sessions may draw large numbers of spectators. It would therefore be better if the trial was held in Palu, some five hours car ride from Poso, he said.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Indosiar' explains
'Indosiar' explains Many TV viewers have recently complained about the absence of Indosiar telecasts through satellite dishes (antena parabola). Please be informed that Indosiar has compressed the satellite transmission system so that Indosiar telecasts cannot be received with satellite dishes using the old (analogous) system. Viewers can still receive Indosiar programs through satellite dishes by replacing the old satellite receiver with a new receiver equipped with a digital decoder.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students launch environmental drive
Students launch environmental drive JAKARTA (JP): In a turnaround from their usual street campaigning activities, a group of 105 law students from the University of Indonesia joined the Navy in activities commemorating Environment Care Week campaign, which commenced on Thursday. "We have to achieve a balance...
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bayer gets ISO award
Bayer gets ISO award JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed pharmaceutical giant PT Bayer Indonesia has received quality management standard International Standards Organization (ISO) 9002:1994 certification from the international monitoring body TV Rheiland. The company said that the certification was awarded on Tuesday for its quality management system of its consumer care and crop protection, and for its factory in Pulogadung, East Jakarta.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
4,000 to be repatriated from PNG
4,000 to be repatriated from PNG MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea (PNG), Beni Mandalika, said here Thursday about 4,000 residents of Irian Jaya who have crossed into PNG will be repatriated. "The border crossers will be repatriated gradually, starting June 1999," he said as quoted by Antara during a visit here.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Making a meal of noodles
Making a meal of noodles After reading the article on instant noodles in the Feb. 11 The Jakarta Post, I was interested in the idea that consuming instant noodles as part of our daily dietary menu "will be good for us not only because of its convenience, price and taste, but also because eating outside of the house is usually prohibitively costly for those who always have to tighten their belts". Instead, food stalls selling instant noodles are probably the best place for them to frequent.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia, RI agree to do more on Timor Gap projects
Australia, RI agree to do more on Timor Gap projects By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Australia and Indonesia agreed here on Thursday to provide more incentives for ongoing projects in the Timor Gap's zone of cooperation (ZOCA).
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Steps to stop student brawls
Steps to stop student brawls From Republika High school student brawls have lately reached unprecedented levels. They take place nearly every day. Each area in Jakarta is forced to deal with resulting traffic jams. The students do not only create unrest by their actions, they seem to use the momentum of brawls to commit criminal acts, too. The greatest irony is that the students, who should show better behavior due to their education, display impudence.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 Morning News 7:00 Children's Songs 7:30 Cartoon 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ibnu says Pertamina can't compete
Ibnu says Pertamina can't compete By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): The founding president of state oil and gas company Pertamina, Ibnu Sutowo, said on Thursday the bill on oil and gas mining submitted to the House of Representatives last week should be rejected because it would diminish Pertamina's role in the industry.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shocking new phone rates
Shocking new phone rates From Media Indonesia I recently made a call in a wartel (telephone kiosk) at the Griya Asri II housing complex in Tambun, Bekasi, to a number beginning 883 in the same area located less than two kilometers away. The call lasted 1 minute 57 seconds. I was shocked by the amount I had to pay: Rp 2,772. At the start, the display showed Rp 1,890. For the next two minutes it indicated Rp 2,772. I asked the attendant for an explanation. He said it was a Telkom regulation.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fifth suspect in Jl. Sabang blast apprehended
Fifth suspect in Jl. Sabang blast apprehended JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested a scavenger in connection with a bomb blast which damaged a vacant department store on Jl. H. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta early last month, raising the number of arrested suspects to five, an official said on Thursday. Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said the scavenger, identified as Satilan, 33, was arrested in Semampir area, Surabaya, the capital of East Java late Wednesday.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank litigators under fire
Bank litigators under fire JAKARTA (JP): More members of the House of Representatives and bank analyst have joined the fray of criticisms against Indonesian bank creditors, who seemingly distrust the country's commercial court and prefer settling business disputes at the court in Singapore. Abu Hasan Sazili of the Golkar faction who is vice chairman of Commission I (law and defense) lambasted at creditor plaintiffs who do business in the country but do not have any trust in its judicial system.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
English teaching needs reform
English teaching needs reform JAKARTA: An English-language teaching expert, Craig Stevenson, has attributed the poor mastery of English of Indonesian students to inefficient rote learning. Speaking at the launching of an 11-volume series of English @ EF books that are used in many English courses here on Wednesday, Stevenson suggested that teachers give their students more opportunity to practice. He said English language teaching, too, needs to be reformed.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
British govt extends scholarships
British govt extends scholarships JAKARTA (JP): Fifty-nine Indonesian postgraduate students have returned home after completing one-year master's degrees at British universities. The program was financed by the British government through the Chevening Awards scheme. A fresh batch of 55 Chevening scholarship recipients will be leaving for postgraduate studies in Britain beginning in September 1999.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Riots stem from discrimination, say legislator and sociologist
Riots stem from discrimination, say legislator and sociologist JAKARTA (JP): Discriminatory social policies, designed to serve the interests of elite groups rather than society as a whole, are to blame for the recent outbreaks of violence, according to legislator Hari Sabarno and sociologist Selo Soemardjan.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Estrada visits Mindanao
Estrada visits Mindanao ISABELA, Philippines (AP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada called on Muslims and Christians on Thursday to work together for peace and development on the main southern island of Mindanao, wracked by a Muslim secessionist rebellion. Estrada flew to the southern city to fulfill an election promise to develop the region and push peace negotiations with Muslim separatists. He said he wants to change Basilan "from a paradise lost to a paradise regained".
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia loses to India in Fed Cup
Indonesia loses to India in Fed Cup JAKARTA (JP): India brought Indonesia back to earth at the women's Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group One tennis tournament in Bangkok on Thursday with a 3-0 win in their group A match. Indonesia's second singles choice Irawati Moerid Iskandar, a replacement for out-of-form Liza Andriyani, lost to Uzma Khan 4- 6, 2-6. The Indians settled the issue after their number one player Nirupama Vaidyanathan breezed past Wynne Prakusya 6-3, 6- 2.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's food imports escalating
Indonesia's food imports escalating JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia could become the world's largest importer of foodstuffs by the turn of the century if the government refused to change its agriculture policies to create an enabling environment for farmers to work in the agribusiness field, an analyst has said.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
High voltage cables upset residents
High voltage cables upset residents JAKARTA (JP): At least 750 families from three subdistricts in East Jakarta are demanding that state electricity company PLN pay compensation for part of their land over which high voltage cables are being erected. The inhabitants say they should be compensated because many people believe that living near high voltage cables is a health hazard and this will cause the value of their land to drop.
Fri, 26 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank merger questioned
Bank merger questioned JAKARTA (JP): Lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution has asked the central bank to clarify media reports that Bank Arta Pratama and Bank Artha Graha would merge soon because the present ownership of the former bank was still legally flawed and was being disputed through litigation.