Archive: 2 March 1999
52 articles found
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four people killed in continuing Ambon violence
Four people killed in continuing Ambon violence JAKARTA (JP): Tensions again escalated in the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon on Monday when at least four people were killed in a surprise attack by a police-backed group of people near a mosque in Ahuru village, Antara reported. The news agency said at least seven more people were injured in the violence. They sustained stab or gunshot wounds after troops opened fire on the crowds.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Miners come to the rescue of Freeport in royalty case
Miners come to the rescue of Freeport in royalty case JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) has defended PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of the United States giant mining company Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, which is facing allegations it underpaid royalties to the government. Association chairman BN Wahyu said the State Finance Comptroller (BPKP) was wrong to allege that Freeport was responsible for losses to the state.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rice output to rise slightly
Rice output to rise slightly JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's unhusked rice output is forecast to increase slightly to 48.66 million metric tons this year from 46.44 million tons in 1998 due to better harvests, the Central Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. The bureau also made predictions about several other crops, including corn, soybean, green bean, peanut, potato and cassava.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
House revokes 1985 referendum law
House revokes 1985 referendum law JAKARTA (JP): The four House factions agreed on Monday to repeal the 1985 Law on Referenda, a historical milestone that has opened the way for amendments to the 1945 Constitution. In the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) presided over by Deputy House Speaker Hari Sabarno, Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, representing the government, described the law as confusing and disruptive of Indonesia's constitutional system.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt to expose bad bankers
Govt to expose bad bankers JAKARTA (JP): Finance Minister Bambang Subianto vowed to the House of Representatives on Monday he would reveal the complete "black list" of bad bankers some time in the middle of this month, in a bid to regain credibility over the costly bank restructuring program.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
KONI to call up senior athletes for SEA Games
KONI to call up senior athletes for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) believes the country will have to enlist the services of senior athletes to retain its supremacy at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bandar Seri Begawan in August. KONI outgoing chief in charge of athletes development, Mochamad Hindarto, said on Monday that topping the Games medal tally was among the mandates from last week's meeting of the national sports community.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Java regent cops flack
East Java regent cops flack JAKARTA: Forty religious teachers from Banyuwangi, East Java, and activists of the youth branch of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Monday met legislators here to demand that their regent resign. Antara reported they met with House Commission II, which among other offices deals with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and conveyed a petition asking for regent Purnomo Sidik to quit.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank Bali faces lawsuit in loan repayment dispute
Bank Bali faces lawsuit in loan repayment dispute JAKARTA (JP): Lawyer Sudjono representing Bambang Sutrisno, a former shareholder of the now defunct Bank Surya, rejected as libelous a statement by Bank Bali that his client had moved most of his assets to Singapore. "The statement is groundless and amounts to defamation of my client," Sudjono said last week.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Digging of steep slopes spells disaster for many
Digging of steep slopes spells disaster for many By Putu Wirata DENPASAR (JP): This year has seen two big landslides on the island of Bali which claimed many lives. In January, 40 farmers who were repairing irrigation canals in Timbul hamlet, Apuan village, Tegalalang district, were buried when a landslide hit Jelijih hill. Two weeks ago, a large landslide in the village of Taro, also in Tegalalang district, killed five people who were quarrying rocks, which are used as building materials.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on March. 1, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Governor charged with corruption
Governor charged with corruption BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Around 100 members of the West Java branch of the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) staged a protest here Monday, demanding investigation into the alleged embezzlement of billions of rupiah by Governor R. Nuriana. The peaceful rally on the grounds of the council was followed by a meeting with councilors. Among other charges, the governor was accused of being responsible for the overestimated costs of councilors' homes.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian shares end in positive territory
Most Asian shares end in positive territory HONG KONG (AFP): Hong Kong shares rose above the key 10,000- point level on Monday as stock markets in Asia ended mixed. With Bangkok and Seoul shut for holidays, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Jakarta ended in positive territory. Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Taipei fell. In Hong Kong, the key Hang Seng index gained 161.97 points to 10,020.46 on a turnover of HK$5.173 billion (US$668 million).
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Student demonstrators gag mouths in court
Student demonstrators gag mouths in court JAKARTA (JP): A group of 43 students on trial at the Central Jakarta District Court charged with conducting an illegal rally last week appeared on Monday with their mouths sealed with band- aids. The defendants, who included six girls and two high school students, put on the show of defiance when refusing to give testimony to the panel of judges.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
New Order culture
New Order culture From Merdeka Several political figures, both reformists and quasi- reformists wanting to maintain the status quo, have spoken a lot about the criteria for the next president. Among the criteria: experience in the government and a university degree. Some have brought up the matter of gender. Setting criteria for a prospective president was indeed the habit of the New Order regime, but were tailored to suit one person only, Soeharto.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Legalized gambling vies for Singapore stakes
Legalized gambling vies for Singapore stakes By Lee Chyen Yee SINGAPORE (Reuters): Gambling in Singapore will take one more step out of the seamy underground in April, as the island republic becomes the first country in Asia to legalize soccer betting. When the Singapore S-league kicks off, soccer will join the legal gambling club alongside horseracing, and number-guessing games 4-D and Toto.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Anwar Ibrahim's wife tests political waters
Anwar Ibrahim's wife tests political waters By Nelson Graves KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): She has a following and a cause, but there is no guarantee that Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be the Cory Aquino of Malaysian politics. Anwar Ibrahim's wife has gained international prominence since her husband was sacked, arrested, beaten and indicted.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABRI establishes crack riot force
ABRI establishes crack riot force JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto launched on Monday a special highly-trained force for rapid deployment to quell riots occurring anywhere in the country. One battalion of the force was sent right away to riot-torn Ambon in Maluku on Monday evening. The force, under the command of National Police Chief Gen.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tax office on Net
Tax office on Net JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Tax launched on Monday its homepage http://www.pajak.go.id in a bid to educate both local and foreign taxpayers about their obligations. Director General of Tax Anshari Ritonga said the Internet was an effective means to communicate the office's policy and simultaneously obtain feedback from the public. He added the launching of the homepage was part of the government's efforts to improve transparency.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank cleanup in doubt
Bank cleanup in doubt Whatever the reason or objective in delaying the bank cleanup, and however strongly the move was endorsed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the decision does not bode well for the credibility of bank restructuring measures now being finalized. Without credibility, the program will be unable to restore public trust in domestic banks, which is, in the first place, the ultimate goal of the costly scheme.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock exchange
Stock exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 1, 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 0 5,000 Alumindo Perkasa 125 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 175 0 2,500 Aneka Tambang 1,425 -25 951,500 Anwar Sierad 75 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
3,000 more recruited for civilian militia
3,000 more recruited for civilian militia JAKARTA (JP): The city military command started two weeks training for the second batch of the 3,000 recruits to the government-sponsored People's Security (Kamra) civilian militia on Monday. According to the command spokesman, Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi, the first group of the same number of people, who began their training at Feb.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
ABB remains upbeat amid revenue drop
ABB remains upbeat amid revenue drop JAKARTA (JP): Power company Asea Brown Boveri AG (ABB) of Germany remains upbeat over its future business prospects in Indonesia although its revenue here decreased by half to US$228 million in 1998. "Indonesia is still a market with plenty of potential for growth and is therefore a key market -- in spite of the crisis," the chairman of ABB Germany, Horst Dietz, said on Monday at the TECHNOGERMA Export Trade Fair.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Solving ASEAN human rights issues
Solving ASEAN human rights issues By Dino Patti Djalal This is the second of two articles adapted from a paper presented on Intra-ASEAN Human Rights Policies and Mechanisms at the sixth ASEAN-ISIS (Association of Southeast Asian Nations- Institute of Strategic and International Studies) Colloquium on Human Rights in Manila on Feb. 14, 1999. JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) now consists of nine members, and will soon be 10.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai backing for informal EU talks
Thai backing for informal EU talks BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand has proposed an informal meeting between Southeast Asian and European Union ministers at the Asia- Europe Economic Summit (ASEM) in Berlin this month as a means of getting around the Myanmar issue, a news report said on Monday.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police shot dead one and arrest three criminals
Police shot dead one and arrest three criminals JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead one man and arrested three others during a routine police operation against sharp weapons and drugs early Monday, an officer said. It is believed the four were members of a vehicle theft gang. Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj. Budiono Sandi said the officers were forced to shoot one of the suspects because he resisted arrest and tried to attack them.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mining seminar in Balikpapan
Mining seminar in Balikpapan JAKARTA (JP): The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) will hold a mining seminar and exhibition in the East Kalimantan capital of Balikpapan on March 29. "Balikpapan is a major regional center for the Indonesian resources industry.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
City Hall's debts to PT Telkom Rp 3.84b
City Hall's debts to PT Telkom Rp 3.84b JAKARTA (JP): The city administration's outstanding debt to state-owned telecommunications operator PT Telkom amounted to Rp 3.84 billion over the last two years, Guntur Siregar, head of the firm's Jakarta office said on Monday. Guntur said that Rp 2.9 billion of the total debt was incurred in 1998, while the other Rp 937 million accumulated in 1997. "We have sent the administration notification letters ... but no answers are forthcoming.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tiara, Danamon rights issue
Tiara, Danamon rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Bank Danamon and Bank Tiara Asia, both under the supervision of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency, said on Monday they would issue rights shares to raise funds for recapitalization. Danamon, according to a statement from the Jakarta Stock Exchange, will hold a 349-for-4 rights issue priced at Rp 175 (2 U.S. cents) apiece between April 5 and April 12.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Paramedic team cancels Ambon trip
Paramedic team cancels Ambon trip UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Dozens of paramedics have canceled a planned trip to the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon due to continued clashes, which have so far killed at least 16 people, an official said.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie appeals for help from Germany
Habibie appeals for help from Germany JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie called on Germany, a country he has had a 19-year affiliation with, to help Indonesia weather the 18-month economic crisis through intensified investment and trade. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the week-long technology exhibition Technogerma, Habibie assured 300 German business figures that Indonesia's market would continue to be receptive to German products.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Some 60 parties expected in June poll
Some 60 parties expected in June poll JAKARTA (JP): The independent Team of Eleven revealed on Monday only around 60 of the 104 political parties it was examining were expected to pass screening to contest the June 7 general election. Mulyana W. Kusumah told The Jakarta Post by telephone from Semarang in Central Java on Monday he had in his hands the names of 12 parties which have met all legal requirements to contest the elections.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Can bank liquidations help restore RI economy?
Can bank liquidations help restore RI economy? The sudden two-week postponement of the government's plan to close down ailing banks caught many by surprise. Economist Kwik Kian Gie doubts whether the closure of the banks, if carried out, will help restore the deteriorating economy. JAKARTA (JP): The restructuring of the banking industry will enter a new stage after the planned liquidation of banks which clearly have no prospects of surviving the economic crisis.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Finance minister defends bill on fiscal balance
Finance minister defends bill on fiscal balance JAKARTA (JP): Finance minister Bambang Subianto turned down on Monday legislators' demands to include a clear-cut revenue sharing formula in the proposed law on striking fiscal balance between the central government and local administrations. He said the government would use a separate regulation to determine local administrations' share of income from natural wealth in their areas.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tapping case reveals rifts in political elite: Amien
Tapping case reveals rifts in political elite: Amien JAKARTA (JP): The case of the tapping of the purported telephone conversation between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General A.M. Ghalib indicated differences among the political elite clinging to the status quo, a leading politician has said.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australian firms keep faith in Indonesia: Minister
Australian firms keep faith in Indonesia: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Australian businesses, particularly in the mining and energy sector, are maintaining their presence in crisis-plagued Indonesia and showing a strong commitment to their ventures, a visiting Australian minister said on Monday.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta short of money to buy more fire engines
Jakarta short of money to buy more fire engines JAKARTA (JP): The city is short of firefighting equipment, but the administration said on Monday it will not allocate any money to buy new equipment for the next two years. Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said that the administration would concentrate more on social and economic problems amid the prolonged economic crisis. "I think all of us know that we need to concentrate on these problems at least until the next two years.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Course on Islam for students
Course on Islam for students JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Muslim Students' Committee is holding a short-term course on Islam for senior high school students throughout the capital in Saguling, Cianjur, West Java from Feb. 28 to March 6. The course held under the theme of "Improve Study Achievement" was expected to inspire students to greater achievements through an Islamic teaching approach, Antara reported on Saturday.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies gain as yen shows signs of life
Asian currencies gain as yen shows signs of life SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Southeast Asian currencies were generally stronger against the U.S. dollar in thin trading late on Monday, after the yen regained its footing early in the session, traders said. Profit-taking early in Monday's session pushed the U.S. dollar down a touch, but most traders and economists are expecting yen weakness to re-emerge during the week. "The U.S.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
DaimlerChrysler ups stake in Indonesian venture
DaimlerChrysler ups stake in Indonesian venture JAKARTA (JP): DaimlerChrysler, producer of Mercedes Benz cars, has injected US$45 million in fresh funds into its local partner, PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia, to boost its operations in the country. President of PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Frank Messer said on Monday the amount raised the German automotive giant's share in the joint venture to 95 percent from 60 percent. He said PT Lima Satria Nirwana, owned by local businessman Iwan V.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
CRP approves community development
CRP approves community development JAKARTA (JP): The Community Recovery Program (CRP), a non- governmental organization entrusted with the distribution of a safety net fund provided by foreign donors, has approved 136 community development projects worth Rp 15 billion in 19 provinces, chairman Emil Salim said on Monday. "Out of the 136 projects run by non-government organizations, 110 of the projects have met requirements ...
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
All Alatas' work for nothing?
All Alatas' work for nothing? From Merdeka Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has borne the hopes of many people. He is a seasoned diplomat who can be quite impressive at high-level international discussions. He is a sophisticated lobbyist, an expert negotiator, an astute debater and is firm with foreign journalists interviewing him. In handling the East Timor issue, Ali Alatas had the support of a whole array of his counterpart foreign diplomats.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Texmaco goes to Nasdaq
Texmaco goes to Nasdaq JAKARTA (JP): The Texmaco Group, the country's largest textilemaker, said it would float some of its subsidiaries on the Nasdaq to protect them from funds looking for troubled firms to buy on the cheap. "The group now has obtained the consent of some of its other shareholders to list a few of the group companies on the Nasdaq through a process of exchange of shares," said Joy Deep, a spokesman for the group. Units it will fold in are clothing maker S.R.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Marcoses not off hook yet
Marcoses not off hook yet MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Monday a US$150 million deal involving Ferdinand Marcos' allegedly ill-gotten wealth did not exonerate the late dictator or his family from charges of human rights abuse. The agreement, announced last week, provides for the payment of $150 million to 9,539 victims of human rights abuse during Marcos' rule. It was reached as a settlement for a $1.9 billion judgment by a U.S.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Power outage keeps Madura in the dark
Power outage keeps Madura in the dark By Ainur R. Sophiaan PAMEKASAN, East Java (JP): The island of Madura entered on Monday its 11th day without electricity following damage to the main underwater power cables connecting the island with Gresik in Java. Now, as soon as dark approaches, villages and cities on the island become lifeless places. Only rarely do residents venture on to the streets after dusk as public transportation is almost non-existent.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
UNDP to assist three poll watch networks
UNDP to assist three poll watch networks JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is to focus its assistance on three poll monitoring networks considered among the most prepared in their programs. UNDP advisor Erna Witoelar identified them on Monday as the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP), the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) and the Rectors Forum.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt disburses Rp 4t in subsidized loans
Govt disburses Rp 4t in subsidized loans JAKARTA (JP): The government has so far disbursed over Rp 4 trillion (US$470.59 million) of the Rp 10.8 trillion in heavily subsidized loans allocated to help small and medium-scale companies survive the economic crisis, Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono said here on Monday.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelti to select top players for SEA Games
Pelti to select top players for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): Members of the national men's Davis Cup and women's Fed Cup teams will go through a selection process in May to compete in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in August in Bandar Seri Begawan. Coach Dedy Prasetyo told reporters on Monday that the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) would select four challengers for the Davis Cup team and another four for the Fed Cup team to vie for places in the national tennis team for the SEA Games.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Developers get ultimatum
Developers get ultimatum TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang Regent Agus Djunara has warned five major real estate developers here to pay overdue property taxes totaling Rp 5.8 billion or face confiscation of their land.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rote blamed for poor students
Rote blamed for poor students DENPASAR: About half of all fourth-year elementary school students in several provinces cannot write stories, a World Bank consultant said. Antara reported that Stuart Weston was referring Monday to fourth-year students in six provinces under the Primary Education Quality Improvement Project supported by the Bank, but it did not mention the provinces.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt sets new CPO prices
Govt sets new CPO prices JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced on Monday the new reference prices used to calculate the payment of export taxes on crude palm oil (CPO) and its by-products. The new reference price of CPO was set at US$430 per metric ton, a drop from $535. The new reference price of oil palm kernel is $90 per ton, refined bleached deodorized (RBD) palm oil is $435 per ton, crude palm olein is $445 per ton and RBD palm olein is $460 per ton.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's ex-police chief torn from Anwar's cell
Malaysia's ex-police chief torn from Anwar's cell KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's former police chief had to be torn away from sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim as he assaulted the former cabinet minister in detention, senior police officers said on Monday.
Tue, 02 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Young executive turned hermit
Young executive turned hermit A young man, Frans Amin (not his real name) was fortunate enough to get a higher education in West Germany. He returned to Indonesia two years ago when jobs became scarce in Germany, especially after East Germany was united with West Germany. It is a well-known fact that East Germans are not so affluent as their fellow countrymen in West Germany.