Archive: 27 February 1999
51 articles found
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds protest shootings in turbulent Ambon
Hundreds protest shootings in turbulent Ambon JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people protested the shootings of civilians in the destroyed Maluku capital of Ambon while renewed clashes which have killed at least 16 people entered their fourth day on Friday. Meanwhile the international Human Rights Watch group has appealed for international attention to be paid to the problems in the province from which thousands have fled.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Motorcycle thieves thwarted
Motorcycle thieves thwarted TANGERANG (JP): Following a two-fold increase in motorcycle prices, high demand for the transport in the greater Jakarta area is prompting many criminals to turn to motorcycle theft, despite a police shoot-on-sight order. A favorite target of criminals is the ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver. In Tangerang alone, dozens of motorcycles rented and owned by ojek drivers have been stolen this year.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
China's vow not to devalue yuan tested
China's vow not to devalue yuan tested SHANGHAI (Reuters): China's stumbling economy will test the will of policymakers to stave off a devaluation of the yuan this year as the Asian economic crisis brings new pain, analysts said on Friday. Chinese leaders have said repeatedly Beijing will not devalue its currency. But exports slumped 10.8 percent in January from the same month in 1998, giving a taste of things to come and raising the possibility of devaluation, analysts said.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
In search for better English teaching system
In search for better English teaching system By Setiono JAKARTA (JP): A shift of emphasis of English-language teaching in the country from the structurally oriented approach to communicative approach unfortunately does not have significant implications in communicative language testing. The central concern up to now has been the improvement of communicative language teaching. Attempts have been made to gear teaching objectives toward the achievement of communicative competence.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
House approves revised State Budget
House approves revised State Budget JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives on Friday approved the 1999/2000 State Budget with some changes in revenue and expenditure targets, despite warnings by some analysts that the budget is too optimistic. Following revisions, the budget for the 1999 fiscal year, which begins in April, is a balanced Rp 219.6 trillion (US$25.8 billion), higher than the Rp 218.2 trillion initially proposed by the government.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Dayaks warn against latent conflict
Dayaks warn against latent conflict JAKARTA (JP): The grievances of local communities in Kutai, East Kalimantan, with large firms employing migrants there are feared to have the potential for causing social unrest if the government does not make an adequate attempt to resolve the issue. On Friday here, two representatives of the Kalimantan tribes -- accompanied by NGO activists from Jakarta and the province -- met with State Minister of Land Affairs Hasan Basri Durin to raise their concerns.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Anybody can tap any telephone line, expert says
Anybody can tap any telephone line, expert says JAKARTA (JP): Special bugging devices concealed in forms of ballpoint pens, books, magazines, ashtrays and briefcases can be easily purchased abroad and used to tap any telephone lines, an expert said. Priatna Abdurrasyid, who has studied astronautics and space law for 42 years, said on Tuesday anybody interested could utilize the bugs, which are sold widely in Hong Kong, the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, China and Taiwan.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timor at issue
East Timor at issue The issue of East Timor cannot be separated from solutions that favor helping the people's welfare. Reading various reports and articles on East Timor in The Jakarta Post reminded me of my stay in Madison, Wisconsin, four years ago. It was in the summer during the Southeast Asia Summer Institute, including a program showing films from Southeast Asian countries.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
YLKI accepts lower smaller increase in call rates with conditions
YLKI accepts lower smaller increase in call rates with conditions JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) said on Friday it would accept the government's latest plan to roll back the 24 percent rise in domestic telephone rates to 15 percent, on the condition that state-owned PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) improves its transparency and efficiency. YLKI Executive Director Zoemrotin K.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Deformed youth gets 'new life'
Deformed youth gets 'new life' PERTH (Antara): An Indonesian boy born with a face so deformed he had considered killing himself is to be given the chance of a new life by Australian surgeons. Sandi Gisisi, 17, from a coconut farming family on the tiny island of Ternate in the Halmahera group north Maluku, is scheduled to be operated on Monday in Perth's Mount Hospital.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Half-hearted bank liquidation?
Half-hearted bank liquidation? Owners and employees of dozens of ailing banks are worried whether their name will appear on the list of liquidated or recapitalized banks. These concerns are also affecting the banks' clients. Despite an absence of mass panic, many bank clients remain anxious about the security of their bank deposits.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
U.S. envoy named to Jakarta post
U.S. envoy named to Jakarta post WASHINGTON (AP): Career diplomat Robert Gelbard, the State Department's top adviser on Bosnia, is expected to be named ambassador to Indonesia, an official said on Thursday. Gelbard previously served as chief of the department's counter-narcotics office. He also was ambassador to Bolivia. If nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Gelbard would replace Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy in Jakarta.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI avoids relegation with Uzbekistan win
RI avoids relegation with Uzbekistan win JAKARTA (JP): Up-and-down Indonesia had the last laugh at the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group One women's tennis tournament in Bangkok on Friday, beating Uzbekistan 3-0 to avoid relegation. The result put Wynne Prakusya and company fifth in the 10-team field after two wins and two defeats. They finished sixth in last year's event, also in Bangkok.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
President asks rebel aboard yacht
President asks rebel aboard yacht ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine leader Joseph Estrada on Friday invited the chief of the country's largest remaining rebel group to visit him aboard the presidential yacht to make peace. Estrada, who is in the south for a five-day visit, said preparations were being made for his possible meeting with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Hashim Salamat, but that "nothing is final yet".
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Divorce rate soars in crisis
Divorce rate soars in crisis TEGAL, Central Java: The number of divorce cases in the regency has tripled over the past two years, soaring from 30 cases a month before the economic crisis hit in July 1997 to 300 per month in late 1998. The chief of the local religious court, H. Bisri, blamed the increase on effects of the crisis.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Appointment of ABRI members to City Hall to go ahead
Appointment of ABRI members to City Hall to go ahead JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso disclosed on Friday that he would reinstate three out of the four Armed Forces (ABRI) members as city high-ranking officials whose appointments were canceled last year. Sutiyoso said that before being appointed, however, the three had to retire from ABRI first in line with Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PLN to relocate power plant to Madura
PLN to relocate power plant to Madura JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will relocate a 100-Megawatt (MW) unit of the Grati gas-fired power plant in East Java to Madura to secure power supply on the island, Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Friday. Kuntoro said in a statement that the measure would be taken to prevent power outages from recurring on the island in East Java.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bogor residents flock council over speaker's ego
Bogor residents flock council over speaker's ego BOGOR (JP): Some 150 people from 42 organizations here arrived at the local council on Friday to express their anger at the council speaker's failure to put his signature on the credentials of the five nominees for the next mayor of Bogor. The refusal of speaker Eman Akman to sign the documents, a requirement to seek approval from the central government in Jakarta, has postponed the mayoral election, which was originally scheduled for Feb. 15.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Street children asked to safeguard capital
Street children asked to safeguard capital JAKARTA (JP): Street children, invited on Friday to Jakarta Police headquarters for lunch, received Rp 10,000 and food packages and were encouraged to help safeguard security in the capital. City police chief Maj. Gen.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian currencies close on weak note against dollar
SE Asian currencies close on weak note against dollar SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies ended a choppy Asian trading session on Friday on a weak note against the U.S. dollar, after comments from Lawrence Summers, the U.S. deputy Treasury secretary, sent the dollar soaring against the Japanese currency.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Marcos' settle for US$150 million
Marcos' settle for US$150 million MANILA (AFP): The family of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos on Friday announced a US$150 million settlement with victims who were tortured during his ironfisted rule, but insisted it was not an admission of guilt. In a statement, the family and their American lawyer James Paul Linn stressed that none of the Marcoses has ever been sued or prosecuted for human rights violations.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irianese leaders want control of their land
Irianese leaders want control of their land JAKARTA (JP): Irian Jaya leaders told President B.J. Habibie on Friday they wanted to be the masters of their own land, while at least one tribal chief declared his wish outright for the province to become an independent state. During the three-hour, closed-door meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numbery cited the growing demands for wide-ranging autonomy, and for strategic bureaucratic positions to be given to Irianese.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
More infants severely malnourished
More infants severely malnourished SEMARANG (JP): At least 190 infants in Purbalingga regency, Central Java are suffering the effects of severe malnutrition, a legislator said on Friday. The chairman of Commission E for Welfare at the Central Java legislature, Soebowo, said increasing numbers of infants in the province were undernourished.
Sat, 27 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: Chelsea v Liverpool, SCTV at 10 p.m. Sunday Italian soccer league: Salernitana v Fiorentina, RCTI at 8:55 p.m. English soccer league: Arsenal v Newcastle, Indosiar at 8:55 p.m.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bus owners to propose 25% hike in fares
Bus owners to propose 25% hike in fares JAKARTA (JP): The city chapter of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda DKI) is to propose a 25 percent hike in bus fares here to the central government in order to cope with high operational costs, its chief said Friday. "We'll submit the proposal to the Ministry of Communications probably some time next week," chapter chairman Aip Syaifuddin told The Jakarta Post.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Traditional Toys Exhibition at National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3811551), Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., until March 25. * The 5th International Hotel, Catering, Equipment, Food and Drink Exhibition at Jakarta International Exhibition Center, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Feb.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Paying a call on Soeharto
Paying a call on Soeharto From Merdeka Probsutedjo, half brother of former president Soeharto, has declared Soeharto is making a special effort to become a "pundit". These are modern times, so anyone wishing to be a "saintly" man must be declared. In Javanese culture it is common for a person to retire into an ascetic life style when approaching the end of his days, setting a good example for his disciples.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank Bali defends decision to prosecute in Singapore
Bank Bali defends decision to prosecute in Singapore JAKARTA (JP): Hong Kong-based Bali International Finance Ltd., a unit of publicly listed Bank Bali, defended on Friday its decision to file a civil lawsuit against businessman Bambang Sutrisno at the court in Singapore. The legal representative for Bank Bali, Hotman Paris Hutapea, said that the widely criticized move was the only way for the bank and seven other claimants to recoup their money from Sutrisno in a US$16.5 million loan dispute.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indian beef imports conditionally allowed
Indian beef imports conditionally allowed JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Agriculture Soleh Solahuddin said on Friday the government would allow local traders to import Indian buffalo meat on the condition it conformed to set requirements. Soleh said the decision was based on a recommendation from a fact-finding team recently dispatched to India to study the proposal to import Indian beef.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
A dilemma
A dilemma Local newspapers recently reported the minimum regional wage would be raised by 15 percent. Many entrepreneurs protested because they argued it was already good enough if they could pay the wages of their workers. During the monetary crisis, when US$1 is worth about four times the precrisis rate of 2,500 to the rupiah, payments for imported raw materials are also four times higher.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina takes Nusamba's 35% stake in TPI
Pertamina takes Nusamba's 35% stake in TPI JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has acquired PT Nusantara Ampera Bhakti's (Nusamba) 35 percent stake in insurance company PT Tugu Pratama Indonesia (TPI). The deal, which increases Pertamina's ownership in the insurance company to 80 percent, was approved during the state oil company's shareholders meeting on Friday, Pertamina spokesman Ramli Djaafar said in a statement.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Advice needed
Advice needed My name is Agnes. I am a 24-year-old final year student of an English education study program at a private university in Yogyakarta. I am completing the final part of my thesis, with my final examination scheduled this semester. Soon, I will graduate and have to earn a living to support myself. I am physically handicapped. My left leg is paralyzed, which has made life uncomfortable, especially because of my limited movement.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Floods hamper planting season
Floods hamper planting season BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Chronic flooding in the past three months has thwarted crop planting by thousands of farming families in the transmigration sites of Rawa Muning and Galam Rabah, Antara said on Friday. "The floods have been here for three months," said the head of the local transmigration ministry office, Ambyah Ghozali. The sites are home to 1,800 and 1,650 families, who are designated to till 8,000 hectares.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bulog sticks with import plan
Bulog sticks with import plan JAKARTA (JP): The state logistic agency (Bulog) will not cancel existing rice import contracts although domestic rice production this year is expected to exceed last year's quota, according to Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan. "Bulog will not cancel its rice import contracts," Rahardi, who is also chairman of Bulog, told Antara on Friday.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
End Telkom monopoly
End Telkom monopoly A potentially ugly confrontation between PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) and consumers appears to have been defused by the government's decision to review the increases in domestic telephone rates. Bowing to public pressure, the government has cut the phone rate increase to an average of 15 percent from the 24 percent announced earlier by Telkom.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ujungpandang batch first to leave for haj
Ujungpandang batch first to leave for haj JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Mohammad Yunus officiated Thursday night at the departure of the first group of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from Hasanuddin airport in Ujungpandang, Antara reported Friday. Accompanied by South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna, Yunus called on the pilgrims to show solidarity during their pilgrimage and pray for the recovery of their country. The first group from Ujungpandang consists of 344 people.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Material on Chinese-Indonesians
Material on Chinese-Indonesians JAKARTA (JP): The National Committee for the Nation's Cultural Empowerment will soon launch a series of books, photo albums and a laser disc documenting the history of Chinese-Indonesians. Members of the committee, chaired by Bintang Adi, visited Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday to invite him to the launching of the documents, scheduled for March 17. "The governor's response was very positive.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PPP initiates plan to summon Habibie
PPP initiates plan to summon Habibie JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) faction initiated on Friday a motion to have President B.J. Habibie explain to the House of Representatives the controversial tapped conversation he had with Attorney General A.M. Ghalib. The faction prepared a summons, to be dated March 1, according to PPP legislator Lukman Hakim Saifudin.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt delays bank closures
Govt delays bank closures JAKARTA (JP): The clean sweep of banks, scheduled for Saturday, was delayed by President B.J. Habibie at the eleventh hour, lending credence to rumors that bankers have been busy lobbying ministers and the President to save their banks from liquidation.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
PBB assembles Muslim clerics support for polls
PBB assembles Muslim clerics support for polls JAKARTA (JP): The Crescent Star Party is gearing up for the June 7 general election by establishing a team of strategists and soliciting the support of Muslim clerics. Widely considered to have the potential to be a serious poll contender, the party, led by constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra, will focus its campaign on pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) across the country.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kofi Annan disturbed by East Timor violence reports
Kofi Annan disturbed by East Timor violence reports JAKARTA (JP): United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is very disturbed by reports of violence in East Timor as they could hamper efforts towards a peaceful solution in the troubled province, Antara reported on Friday from New York.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Copper products don't meet quality expectations
Copper products don't meet quality expectations SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Indonesia's pioneer copper smelter, PT. Smelting Copper Co., has delayed its commercial production of copper cathodes as the initial batch of production hasn't met design quality, an official with Mitsubishi Corp. in Tokyo told Dow Jones Newswires on Thursday. Mitsubishi Corp. has a 9.5 percent stake in the company and is responsible for the marketing of the PT. Smelting production. Mitsubishi Materials Corp.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fishermen in debt due to weather
Fishermen in debt due to weather SERANG, West Java: Thousands of Banten fishermen unable to set out to sea regularly because of inclement weather in the Sunda Strait are surviving by borrowing money from loan sharks, Antara reported on Friday. Fishermen in Karanghantu Port, Bojonegara, Anyer, Cinangka, Carita and Labuan told the news agency they were unable to set sail more than twice a week since the arrival of strong seasonal winds in October last year.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Economic recovery needs greater transparency
Economic recovery needs greater transparency By Riyadi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Continuing trade and investment liberalization, increasing transparency in economic activities and improving macroeconomic foundations would help steer the country out of crisis, a senior economic minister has said.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 26 , 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 325 -50 1,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 10,000 Aneka Tambang 1,450 0 789,000 Anwar Sierad 75 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Feb. 26, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Ojek' driver stabbed to death
'Ojek' driver stabbed to death JAKARTA (JP): A 35-year-old ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was stabbed to death during a robbery on Jl. Marunda in North Jakarta on Thursday night, a police officer said on Friday. The victim, Idrus, was in a grave condition when a passersby spotted him on the quiet street at about 11 p.m. He died on the way to Bekasi Hospital, said the officer who requested anonymity. Idrus was a resident of Kampung Malaka at Cilincing district in North Jakarta.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protesting students walk out of trial
Protesting students walk out of trial JAKARTA (JP): Preceded by their lawyers, all of the 47 students on trial at the Central Jakarta District Court charged with holding an illegal rally walked out of the courtroom on Friday before the judges could read their verdicts. The defendants, from the Perbanas economic and banking institute, made the decision after the judges rejected their lawyers' request to postpone the trial.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
UNESCO, WWF research Lorentz Park
UNESCO, WWF research Lorentz Park JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A team from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Jakarta office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), have begun scientific research in the Lorentz National Park, Irian Jaya, Antara reported. "The research is to study the feasibility of the Lorentz becoming a World Heritage Site, in connection with the proposal of President B.J.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asia needs $1t to fund infrastructure projects
Asia needs $1t to fund infrastructure projects MANILA (Reuters): Asia will need up to US$1 trillion over the next 10 years to fund infrastructure development, Asian Development Bank (ADB) chief Tadao Chino said on Friday. Governments and international financial institutions must attract these funds while avoiding the volatility of past capital flows, he told the annual Asia Society conference in Manila.
Sat, 27 Feb 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia has improved but abuses continue: U.S. report
Indonesia has improved but abuses continue: U.S. report WASHINGTON (AFP): The resignation of Indonesia's President Soeharto led to broader freedoms, but serious unrest and official abuses continue, the State Department said in its annual human rights report Friday.