Archive: 19 March 1999
52 articles found
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
U.S. investors to keep close eye on RI polls
U.S. investors to keep close eye on RI polls By Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON (JP): Among foreign groups and individuals planning to monitor Indonesia's first multiparty elections in June are American business leaders with interests in Indonesia. They will not be observing the polls in the way the Carter Center did in Nigeria and probably will in Indonesia.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
60,000 children unable to attend school: Official
60,000 children unable to attend school: Official JAKARTA (JP): At least 60,000 children aged between seven and 15 are too poor to attend school in the capital, an official said on Thursday. Bahar Laut of the city's social and political affairs directorate, told The Jakarta Post that the children, unlike school dropouts, had never been given opportunities to attend school.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur to lead religious leaders in Ambon visit
Gus Dur to lead religious leaders in Ambon visit JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization and several other religious leaders will visit the ravaged Maluku capital of Ambon to try to rebuild inter-religious harmony in the region. "I will visit Ambon at the invitation from the people there...
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Three killed in separate incidents in E. Jakarta
Three killed in separate incidents in E. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A technical high school student was stabbed to death on Wednesday, while two other men were also killed on Thursday in separate incidents, all in Duren Sawit district, East Jakarta, a police officer said. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Thursday the student victim was identified as Joko Ariyanto, 17, a resident of Jl. Baru, Cakung, North Jakarta.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia wields influence in Moro conflict resolution
Indonesia wields influence in Moro conflict resolution By Dino Patti Djalal The following article is based on a paper presented at the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific preventive diplomacy workshop in Bangkok on Feb. 28, 1999. This is the first of two articles.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Red Cross appeals for urban poor
Red Cross appeals for urban poor JAKARTA: The International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies called Tuesday for international societies to assist the urban poor in Indonesia, Antara reported. According to the press release received on Wednesday, the Red Cross Crisis Center plans to bring food and medical relief to the poorest of the urban poor in Indonesia, and called on international organizations to give assistance for the project.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Minimum wages set for Mideast domestics
Minimum wages set for Mideast domestics JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower announced on Wednesday minimum wages for Indonesian workers employed as domestic helpers abroad. The regulation, which follows an agreement between the Association of Indonesian Labor Exporters and its foreign partners, took effect on March 1.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Antique artworks to go on the block
Antique artworks to go on the block JAKARTA (JP): Art collector J. Roy Tobing and the Tobas Group will auction off some of his best pieces at an exhibition scheduled for March 20 through March 21 at Hilton Hotel, Central Jakarta. Borobudur Temple, a 1967 painting by De Jong, is among the items to be auctioned. Borobudur will be offered at an opening price of Rp 350 million (about $45,000). There is also a self-portrait by Raden Saleh, the acclaimed 19th century Indonesian artist.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ambon refugees stranded in Taliabu
Ambon refugees stranded in Taliabu JAKARTA (JP): More than 100 people fleeing sectarian violence in the Maluku capital of Ambon have been stranded in West Taliabu district, North Maluku regency, for more than a week after their boat developed engine trouble. They were en route on the Harapan Muda from Kairatu in Central Maluku to their hometown of Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Small textile companies told to tie up with big producers
Small textile companies told to tie up with big producers JAKARTA (JP): The government is encouraging small textile- related producers, including cooperatives, to work with major producers in fulfilling their export quotas. Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Wednesday the cooperation would allow small-scale companies and cooperatives to obtain assistance in the form of funding, raw materials or orders.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelita draws with PSM, PSIS wins
Pelita draws with PSM, PSIS wins JAKARTA (JP): Pelita Bakrie played out a 1-1 draw with PSM Ujungpandang in an aggressive match in Group II of the fifth Indonesian soccer league (Ligina) playoffs at the Senayan main stadium on Thursday. Pelita captain Bima Sakti and PSM defender Ali Baba both produced goals from penalty kicks. Bima made good of a penalty shot at the 60 minute mark to give Pelita a 1-0 lead.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
BI provides bank profiles
BI provides bank profiles JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia has provided profiles of the 38 closed banks, seven nationalized and nine recapitalized banks on its Internet homepage. Data provided on the homepage -- www.bi.go.id -- includes the banks' capital adequacy ratio, total assets, credits, credit exceeding the legal lending limit, third-party funds, number of accounts, interbank and central bank obligations as well as branch and employee numbers.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Astra CMG plans expansion
Astra CMG plans expansion JAKARTA (JP): Astra CMG Life, a joint venture life insurance company owned by the Astra Group and Colonial Limited of Australia operating in Asia as CMG, will go ahead with its expansion plan despite the country's economic crisis, the company has said. The life insurance company has announced that CMG Life will extend its sales office network during 1999 and will have representation in 16 cities in Indonesia by the end of the year.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir fears assassination
Mahathir fears assassination KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said political opposition against him had turned into a national security problem and that even his own life is threatened, the national news agency Bernama reported on Thursday. "They have become so bold as to call on Muslims to wage war and kill this person and that person," Mahathir told reporters late Wednesday after a meeting of the governing United Malays National Organization, Bernama said.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Politicians' earnestness
Politicians' earnestness From Republika To Indonesians, who have just embarked on a reform drive, the problems they are now encountering are indeed tough and serious. Besides, our people also have to confront major challenges. It is impossible for us, Indonesians, to solve these problems if our elite -- or those considering themselves elite -- continue to involve themselves in conflicts by prioritizing their own superiority.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
5 ministers barred from campaigning
5 ministers barred from campaigning JAKARTA (JP): Five members of the 37-strong Cabinet are prohibited from campaigning during the June 7 general election, Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday. Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, Minister of Justice Muladi, Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander (ABRI) Gen. Wiranto, Attorney General Andi M.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thailand risks remain until economy recovers
Thailand risks remain until economy recovers By David Brunnstrom BANGKOK (Reuters): Markets have applauded Thailand's long- awaited passage of bankruptcy and foreclosure legislation but the mood could unravel unless tangible signs of economic improvement emerge soon, analysts say. Pain inflicted by deep restructuring in ravaged industries is bound to increase in coming months.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian markets urge private sector to increase disclosures
Asian markets urge private sector to increase disclosures HANOI (Agencies): Southeast Asia and its regional partners called on the international private sector Thursday to step up financial disclosure, which they said was crucial to avert future economic shocks.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Madurese flee villages in West Kalimantan
Madurese flee villages in West Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,200 migrant Madurese in West Kalimantan's Pemangkat subdistrict of Sambas regency have fled their villages to avoid more clashes with locals, Antara reported on Thursday. Quoting West Kalimantan Police chief Col. Chaerul Rasjidi, the agency said the refugees were temporarily sheltered at the coastal Pasir Panjang area in Singkawang, 145 kilometers north of the capital, Pontianak.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar offers stability, Marzuki says
Golkar offers stability, Marzuki says JAKARTA (JP): Ruling Golkar claims it is the only party capable of maintaining political stability when a new government is formed after the general election. Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that unlike other parties, Golkar would avoid the complicated and potentially destructive process of internal consolidation if it formed the new government.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso saked to fulfill promise on neutrality
Sutiyoso saked to fulfill promise on neutrality JAKARTA (JP): Representatives from two political parties asked Governor Sutiyoso to carry out his promise to take over the 18 city-owned buildings currently occupied by the three political parties which existed during the Soeharto regime. Amir Hamzah of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and M.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan's Asia import rises
Japan's Asia import rises TOKYO (AFP): Japan's imports from Asia rose in February for the first time in 14 months, the finance ministry said Thursday, offering a glimmer of recovery in the crisis-struck region. Japan's trade surplus with its Asian neighbors fell 57.3 percent to 208.8 billion yen (US$1.8 billion) in the month. Exports slid 18.0 percent to 1,196.9 billion yen but imports staged a cautious recovery, moving up 1.8 percent to 988.2 billion yen.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Mar. 17 , 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alter Abadi 200 0 500 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 1,500 Aneka Tambang 1,475 25 1,570,500 Anwar Sierad 50 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kudos to Garuda
Kudos to Garuda On Friday, Jan. 15, 1999, I was on Garuda flight GA 323 from Surabaya to Jakarta that departed at 6 p.m. from Surabaya. I had an executive-class ticket, therefore, prior to boarding the flight, I had taken advantage of the hospitality in the Garuda lounge. I left my eyeglasses and my mobile phone in the lounge when I left to board the airplane. I discovered that the items were missing when I took my seat on the plane.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
SG downgrades RI growth
SG downgrades RI growth SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): SG Securities, despite seeing "glimmers of hope" in Indonesia, has abandoned its earlier forecast that the country's economy could grow this year. In a new report made available Thursday to Dow Jones Newswires, the Singapore-based economic research team of SG said it now expects a change in Indonesian gross domestic product this year of between zero growth to a 2 percent contraction.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Legislators seek probe on bad debts
Legislators seek probe on bad debts JAKARTA (JP): The monetary authority must take to court the management of state banks suspected of violating banking rules and bad debtors who inflicted huge losses on state banks, a legislator from the ruling Golkar said on Wednesday. Thomas Suyatno said bad bankers and debtors at state banks had been partly responsible for the country's current economic crisis.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Student activists open cafe on double-decker in city
Student activists open cafe on double-decker in city By Andreas Baenziger JAKARTA: The waiter, Roland, was the man who organized the student demonstrations in Indonesia's capital Jakarta nearly a year ago which triggered the events leading to the overthrow of the dictator Soeharto.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil sails higher as OPEC squeezes Asian supplies
Oil sails higher as OPEC squeezes Asian supplies SINGAPORE (Reuters): Oil prices climbed to fresh highs in Asia on Thursday as concrete evidence emerged that oil producers were implementing plans to cut world supplies by two million barrels per day, traders said. Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, issued notices to Japanese and South Korean customers that April supplies will be cut, Asian oil traders said.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Crisis-hit Asia has surplus
Crisis-hit Asia has surplus LONDON (Dow Jones): The five countries worst affected by the Asian financial crisis had a combined trade surplus of US$85 billion in 1998 compared with a combined trade deficit of $15 billion the previous year, a World Trade Organization official said on Wednesday.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police call on media to help fight gambling
Police call on media to help fight gambling JAKARTA (JP): A senior police officer urged local media to assist the police in efforts to abolish the mushrooming number of gambling dens in the capital instead of assisting the operators in spreading the social disease. "We totally disagree with certain advertisements in the media which publish the results of judi buntut," Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Privatization of state firms may yield only $381m
Privatization of state firms may yield only $381m JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is likely to raise only about US$381 million from its privatization measures in the 1998/1999 fiscal year ending March 31, a senior government official has said. The privatization proceeds will be less than half of the $1 billion target set by State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI bars Japanese scholar Kunio from entering
RI bars Japanese scholar Kunio from entering JAKARTA (JP): Renowned Japanese scholar Yoshihara Kunio has been refused entry into Indonesia. He was to enter the country on Sunday, an executive of the Jakarta office of the Kyoto University, Igarashi, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. He said Kunio, a historian, had intended to meet friends in Indonesia, one of a number of stops in Asia, and he was to land at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday on a flight from Bangkok.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
China reassures stable yuan
China reassures stable yuan HANOI (AFP): China's central bank deputy governor on Thursday reassured his ASEAN counterparts and deputy finance ministers of China's commitment to maintaining a stable yuan. "There is no doubt that China is committed to the stability of the yuan," Xiao Gang, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, said at a meeting here.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Chicken as a crisis indicator
Chicken as a crisis indicator By Hermawan Sulistyo JAKARTA (JP): The country is still vulnerable to rioting and social unrest due to the worsening political economy. Besides political aspects, the deterioration of the economy since the middle of 1997 has provided conditions conducive to the occurrence of explosive riots or anarchy. Other indicators more familiar for political economists, ranging from a larger pattern of consumption to decreasing purchasing power, can also be added.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: by Yayat. S, at Duta Fine Arts Foundation, Jl. Kemang Utara 55A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990226), Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Monday at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., until March 25. * Painting Exhibition by Sem Cornelyoes Bangun, at Galeri Cipta III, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until March 22.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on March 17, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Dazing antigraft drive
Dazing antigraft drive Many people have grown more and more impatient in watching the authorities' slow steps toward clean governance. And people always get hurt because of the way the government stubbornly defends its failures. This is especially true in the investigation into former president Soeharto's assets, which he allegedly amassed through abuses of power during his three decades of authoritarian rule.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Debates on controversial oil and gas bill intensifies
Debates on controversial oil and gas bill intensifies JAKARTA (JP): Debates on the controversial oil and gas bill have intensified as Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto lobbies hard to win approval from the House of Representatives. Leading oil and gas executives, government officials and analysts debated the bill in two separate workshops on Wednesday.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN-China forum forges new ties
ASEAN-China forum forges new ties KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Senior ASEAN and Chinese officials announced plans on Thursday to bolster ties through a range of economic, science and technology projects. The announcement came at the end of a two-day meeting here of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee, seen as a key pillar in ties between the regional grouping and Beijing.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ghalib ignores impending sale of Soehartos' homes
Ghalib ignores impending sale of Soehartos' homes JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib played down on Wednesday media reports on the planned sales of three luxurious mansions in London owned by relatives of Soeharto, saying it was irrelevant to the government's investigation into the wealth of the former president.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
E. Timor soldiers found dead
E. Timor soldiers found dead DILI, East Timor: The bodies of two Armed Forces members, who were kidnapped by an unidentified group of youths in Vemasse subdistrict in Baucau district on March 6, have been found, the military said. "They were buried in Bucoli village," 113 kilometers east of here, Dili Military Commander Col. Tono Suratman said here on Thursday, Antara reported. He added that the decomposing bodies of Sgt. Katamir and Cpl.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Action against provocateurs
Action against provocateurs From DR The recent escalation in intensity and frequency of social unrest in Maluku, West Kalimantan and some other places across the country may be the result of the government's lack of firmness and consistency in discovering and taking action against provocateurs.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
11 arrested for alleged Rp 22.8b tax scam
11 arrested for alleged Rp 22.8b tax scam JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police detectives have arrested 11 people for alleged involvement in a Rp 22.8 billion (US$2.59 million) taxation scam at private company PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel), an officer said on Wednesday. Jakarta Police detectives chief Col.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI, foreign banks to talk on debts
RI, foreign banks to talk on debts NEW YORK (Dow Jones): Indonesia and foreign banks will meet next week in London to negotiate the rescheduling of about US$4 billion in bank debt maturing between April 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2001. Last year, financially strapped Indonesia and a committee representing foreign creditors announced a plan to restructure about $80 billion of foreign debt owed by Indonesian banks and corporations.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cheap tires for minivan drivers
Cheap tires for minivan drivers BOGOR (JP): The Organization of Land Transportation Company Owners (Organda) here has sold cheap tires to thousands of minivans drivers since November in a bid to ease financial stress caused by skyrocketing prices of automobile spare parts. Local office head, A. Chotib Malik, said on Tuesday the tires were discounted by up to 20 percent from the usual price.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gulf, Talisman test wells
Gulf, Talisman test wells DENVER (Dow Jones): Gulf Indonesia Resources Ltd and its partners reported positive results from the Corridor Production Sharing Contract area in south Sumatra, Indonesia. In a news release, the company said the Suban 3 delineation well, a 2.2-kilometer step-out from the previously announced Suban 2 natural gas reservoir, shows a previously untested and potentially significant shallower oil reservoir.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Questions on bank recapitalization
Questions on bank recapitalization In many instances our present Cabinet is as obstinate as its predecessors in the old New Order regime. There has been practically no sign of change in either manner or attitude in the way the Cabinet manages state affairs, despite the demands for reform. Anything outside the government is regarded as worthless and must therefore be relegated to the waste bin.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI net forex reserves fall again
RI net forex reserves fall again JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves dropped to US$14.4 billion in the week ending on March 15 from $14.62 billion the previous week, Bank Indonesia announced on Wednesday. The central bank said that the fall in foreign exchange reserves was the result of the government's repayment of foreign debt.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Banking reform
Banking reform The liquidation of 38 commercial banks was announced as an initial measure to save the national banking industry. As banks serve as the main pillars of economic activities, local banks must first be subjected to revamping before the real sector can be revived. In response to this government policy on the banking sector, a number of things need to be put forward as follow-up measures in the national banking reform.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar loses 19% of members in Jakarta
Golkar loses 19% of members in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The ruling Golkar has lost some 19 percent of its 1.6 million members in the capital, party secretary Fatommy Asaari said on Tuesday. According to Fatommy, many of the 300,000 ex-Golkar members had joined other parties contesting the June 7 general election. However, he did not disclose any possible reasons why the members would choose to leave Golkar for another party.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU passes controversial internal campaign ruling
KPU passes controversial internal campaign ruling JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU), which is in charge of preparing the June 7 poll, decided on Wednesday to allow its 53 members and the National Elections Committee (PPI) to be both party activists and legislators.
Fri, 19 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Edison investigating its Indonesian power project
Edison investigating its Indonesian power project NEW YORK (Dow Jones): Edison International has launched an internal investigation into its US$2.5 billion power-plant project in Indonesia, which has been plagued by charges of corruption and excessive electricity tariffs, according to people familiar with the inquiry.