Archive: 23 March 1999
50 articles found
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
IBRA urged to settle severance pay issue
IBRA urged to settle severance pay issue JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) has urged the government to immediately settle severance pay demands made by employees of the 38 banks closed down by the government.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Voting pattern may change
Voting pattern may change This is the second of two articles on the pattern of the Indonesian voting prepared by Lance Castles, a visiting lecturer in political science at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He has written a number of books on Indonesia, including Indonesia, Political Thinking 1945-1965. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesian polls released in recent months clearly show a pattern of voting preferences, bearing a strong resemblance to that of the elections in 1955.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Safety net funds abuse uncovered
Safety net funds abuse uncovered JAKARTA (JP): The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) has uncovered abuse of social safety net funds for political interests in the regions, an official said on Monday. Bappenas' deputy head for regional affairs, Herman Haeruman, said some government officials told recipients that the money was from the Golkar Party. He said instances of abuse had taken place in Kediri in East Java, Semarang, North Sumatra, North Jakarta and Cianjur in West Java.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Director general quits, sticks with organization
Director general quits, sticks with organization JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Cacuk Sudarjanto has "voluntarily resigned from his position", Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono said here on Monday. Adi said Cacuk would now focus his attention on Unity of People's Sovereignty, a newly established social organization.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Nurdin Halid acquitted of corruption charges
Nurdin Halid acquitted of corruption charges UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): A heavily guarded district courthouse here on Monday acquitted Golkar legislator and businessman Nurdin Halid, who was accused of embezzling Rp 115.77 billion (US$12 million) from farmers' compulsory accounts at a local cooperative center. At least one student was injured after security personnel outside fired warning shots to disperse protesters criticizing the controversial verdict.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Angry villagers loot houses
Angry villagers loot houses SEMARANG: Hundreds of people attacked and looted houses in protest of the election of village heads in Central Java towns of Kendal and Blora on Sunday. They claim the elections were unfair. The newly elected head of Sumberejo village in Kendal, Achmad Yulianto, said some 500 angry people damaged six houses, 30 boarding houses and a rice warehouse belonging to his relatives and supporters.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Edi blasts govt for lacking sense of crisis
Edi blasts govt for lacking sense of crisis JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) Edi Sudradjat rebuked President B.J. Habibie on Monday for his slow response to widespread violence and his perceived reluctance to visit riot-devastated areas. Edi, former Army chief of staff and minister of defense and security, also faulted Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) chief Gen. Wiranto for his inability to halt the rampant unrest.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sambas tragedy leaves 165 dead
Sambas tragedy leaves 165 dead PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): The official death toll in weeklong clashes between local residents and migrant Madurese in Sambas regency reached 165 on Monday, as the military dispatched more troops to deal with the unrest. Latest data from the command post of the Natural Disaster Management Coordination Board at the provincial administration office were made available to The Jakarta Post.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Amien Rais, Try Sutrisno among PKP's presidential candidates
Amien Rais, Try Sutrisno among PKP's presidential candidates JAKARTA (JP): The Justice and Unity Party (PKP) is to declare its candidate for president on May 8, which it claimed would be a civilian, and would be picked from a number of people, including former vice president Try Sutrisno. The retired general encouraged the founding of the party, set up by several senior Golkar Party members, but Try has said he is not a member of PKP.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Whither the economy?
Whither the economy? As early as some two decades ago, when the government began to push Indonesia's annual economic growth figure to around 7 percent by borrowing as much money from abroad as it possibly could, many observers warned the authorities that they should not be so quick to ask for foreign loans without considering the possible consequences. Now, Indonesia and all of Southeast Asia are substantial pieces of the system of global capitalism.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Supreme Court appoints poll monitoring body
Supreme Court appoints poll monitoring body JAKARTA (JP): Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarwata on Monday installed the 30 members of the Official Election Monitoring Committee, which will focus on monitoring violations committed by political parties ahead of the June 7 general election. Justice Soedarko, who was appointed to lead the monitoring committee, said after the ceremony at the Supreme Court building that the committee would monitor all political activities ahead of the election.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan seeks deal with ASEAN
Japan seeks deal with ASEAN TOKYO (Dow Jones): Japan will seek comprehensive agreements with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a wide range of areas in advance of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on market liberalization next year, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Monday that government sources said. Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura will announce the appeal at the Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled later this month.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Judge upset by student racket
Judge upset by student racket JAKARTA (JP): A presiding judge was angered on Monday by a student commotion at the trial of an Indonesian Christian University (UKI) student charged with kidnapping a police officer. Judge Samsoedin A.B. reproved defendant Edward Taurus Benyamin Karo-karo, a UKI law school student, for encouraging his supporters to yell in the South Jakarta District Court. "You are a defendant here. You are not allowed to make a noise.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Expert claims antimonopoly law has loopholes
Expert claims antimonopoly law has loopholes JAKARTA (JP): The newly passed antimonopoly law does not go far enough in ensuring healthy and fair business competition, an industrialist and legal experts warned on Monday. Fransiscus Welirang, a director at food giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, said that lack of clear definition for several key terms was resulting in business skepticism.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Probe urged into assault
Probe urged into assault MEDAN, North Sumatra: Deputy chief editor of local daily Berita Sore Teruna Jasa Said urged the police on Sunday to investigate an alleged assault on one of his journalists by a security guard and students of Nomensen University. "Police should arrest the students and security guards on charges of battery," Teruna said as quoted by Antara. The daily journalist, A. Nixon, was beaten while taking pictures of a rally on the campus of the private university on Saturday.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
New labor union established
New labor union established JAKARTA: The number of labor unions in the country has increased to 17 following the establishment of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (GBSI), a manpower ministry official said.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local best athletes nominees announced
Local best athletes nominees announced JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's gold medalists at the 1998 Asian Games were named best male and female athlete nominees for the 1998 Best Sportspersons, staged by the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Sports Journalists Association. Windsurfer Oka Sulaksana, won gold in the men's IMCO heavy, while Supriati was triumphant in the women's 10,000 meters run.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
LNG firms form consortium
LNG firms form consortium PERTH (Dow Jones): Australia's liquefied natural gas producers said Monday they have formed a consortium to market new LNG products to Asian buyers. The new venture was formally launched by BP-Amoco (BPA), Chevron Corp. (CHV), Royal Dutch/Shell Group (RD), Australia's Broken Hill Proprietary Co. (BHP) and Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (A.WPL).
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia-Japan rice row
Australia-Japan rice row SYDNEY (DPA): Talks between Australia and Japan aimed at averting a row over rice tariffs broke down on Monday, officials said. The meeting in Canberra between Trade Minister Tim Fischer and Japanese counterpart Kaoru Yosano failed to break the impasse over a 390 percent tariff Japan plans to apply to non-quota imports of rice Vrom April 1. Fischer said Australia would now make a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Leaders must introspect
Leaders must introspect From Pikiran Rakyat Day by day I become increasingly confused by Indonesia's situation. I feel even more confused when I read news items in the media -- printed or electronic. In addition I have to struggle for survival. There are many people who call themselves leaders and talk and act in the name of people and religion. But their actions, as I observe them, are far from legitimate, violating religious, social as well as cultural values.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on March 22, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mataram to hold boxing tournament
Mataram to hold boxing tournament MATARAM (JP): About 50 national boxers from 18 provinces in Indonesia will compete in the 19th National Golden Glove Boxing Championships (STE) here starting today until March 28. Suwisma, chairman of the Indonesian Boxing Committee (Pertina), said in Mataram on Monday that among the 50 boxers, Jakarta and West Java will send nine boxers each, and West Nusa Tenggara five boxers.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: Germany Advertisement Photograph in 1925- 1988, at Bandung Institute of Technology, Jl. Ganesha 10, until March 27. * Photo Exhibition: Herve Dangla and Francois Sevreau, at Bandung Institute of Technology, Architecture Department, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until April 3. Performances * European Union Music Festival, Logos (Belgium), at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Phone: 022 4212417), 8 p.m., March 31.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drivers' strike paralyzes Padang
Drivers' strike paralyzes Padang PADANG, West Sumatra: A strike over prices staged by public transportation drivers paralyzed the provincial capital on Monday and stranded thousands of students. The strike coincided with the cancellation of a meeting planned by the West Sumatra provincial council to elect a replacement for Muchlis Ibrahim, who resigned as governor last Tuesday. A few members of the council appeared at the local legislature to inform the legislators of the change in plans.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
BI to introduce penalty for forex monitoring
BI to introduce penalty for forex monitoring JAKARTA (JP): Bankers and businessmen who do not report their foreign exchange transfers into or out of the country will face jail terms, a senior official at Bank Indonesia said here on Monday. The central bank director, Achjar Iljas, said on Monday that a provision on the penalty would be inserted in the bill on capital monitoring to be debated by the House of Representatives in April.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two drunk ABRI members booked
Two drunk ABRI members booked JAKARTA (JP): Two members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) were arrested for drunkenness by East Jakarta Police late Saturday after an altercation in a bar. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Sunday the two red beret members were identified as Pvt. class I Albert and Sgt. class I Ismail. Their friend, Sgt. class II Rafli, fled the scene when they were taken to a nearby police station for questioning. The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
JSX suspends trading of Indorayon
JSX suspends trading of Indorayon JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange suspended on Monday trading of shares of rayon and pulp producer PT Inti Indorayon Utama as bewilderment greeted President B.J. Habibie's order to halt the company's operations. The bourse's trading division announced the move was made to prevent price fluctuations in the stock due to unclear information about the closure of Indorayon's facility in North Sumatra.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Youths demand Aceh independence
Youths demand Aceh independence JAKARTA (JP): Around 100 youths rallied outside the United Nations office here on Monday demanding referendum for the Aceh province to enable residents determine whether they wanted independence. The tightly guarded demonstration by members of Student Solidarity for Aceh (Somaka) came five days ahead of a planned one-day visit to the province by President B.J. Habibie. The protesters along the city's main Jl. M.H.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Training available for dismissed workers
Training available for dismissed workers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Medium-scale Enterprises Association in cooperation with the Matsushita Gobel Education Foundation began training 140 dismissed workers on Monday to become entrepreneurs. Association chairman Ilhamy Elias said the training was aimed at improving the workers' skills and broadening their knowledge to provide them with opportunities during the economic crisis.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Money politics and Islam
Money politics and Islam From Pikiran Rakyat Some political parties are expressing concern over the possibility of money politics as the general election approaches. Money politics in the context of the general election means buying people votes. The former chairman of Pemuda Pancasila's West Java branch, Bakti Sujana, told Pikiran Rakyat daily that money politics could take the form of service or aid to society with the aim of winning votes in the election.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock exchange
Stock exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March. 22, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 125 0 0 Alter Abadi 200 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,475 -25 1,107,500 Anwar Sierad 50 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp 225 0 594,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,700 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industri 125 -50 3,500...
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Air France cuts flights
Air France cuts flights JAKARTA (JP): Air France said on Monday it would slash the number of its Paris-Singapore-Jakarta flights later this month from six flights a week to three due to Indonesia's prolonged economic crisis. Air France's representative for Indonesia, Christian Herpin, said that starting on March 28 Air France would have flights to Paris on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI, a Southeast Asia 'giant' with feet of clay
RI, a Southeast Asia 'giant' with feet of clay By Bantarto Bandoro JAKARTA (JP): A giant is often understood as an imaginary being of great stature. It is assumed to have the ability to influence and apply pressure on others. Accordingly, it can, by peaceful means or force, do whatever it wants to do without any significant hindrance. A story of fiction often indicates that a giant is a creature who can dictate and determine the lives and fate of others.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drug trader shot for resisting arrest
Drug trader shot for resisting arrest JAKARTA (JP): Police shot on Sunday a bird trader who allegedly also sold drugs in North Jakarta, after resisting arrest, a senior officer said. The suspect, suffering a leg injury, was identified as Sugiyanto, a resident of Sungai Bambu in Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, said the officer of a local police sub-precinct, who asked not to be named. "He was shot in his right leg and got medical treatment at nearby Koja Hospital," the officer said.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian monies mixed, Japan holiday damps market activity
SE Asian monies mixed, Japan holiday damps market activity SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): A public holiday in Japan left Southeast Asian currencies mixed against the U.S. dollar in quiet trading late Monday. The Indonesia rupiah remained flat, the Philippine peso and Thai baht managed to eke out small gains, and the Singapore dollar languished. The U.S. dollar ended the day at 8,900 rupiah, unchanged from Friday.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt pospones privatization itinerary
Govt pospones privatization itinerary JAKARTA (JP): The government has postponed the privatization of PT Indosat, PT Aneka Tambang and Soekarno-Hatta Airport to the 1999/2000 fiscal year, citing various technical reasons. But the government is committed to completing this fiscal year the privatization of Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) and Terminal Peti Kemas Surabaya in East Java.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt asked to make trade with China easier
Govt asked to make trade with China easier JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian-Chinese Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation asked the Indonesian government on Monday to remove the cultural and political barriers hindering bilateral trade relations with China.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from March 22 to March 28
Rates for tax payment, valid from March 22 to March 28 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,700.00 Austrian schilling 1 691.68 Australian dollar 1 5,443.59 Belgian franc 1 235.95 Canadian dollar 1 5,691.85 Swiss franc 1 5,941.81 Deutschemark 1 4,868.49 Danish krone 1 1,275.57 French franc 1 1,450.96 Poundsterling 1 14,114.01 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,122.68 Italian lira 100 491.55 Japanese yen 100 7,364.77 Malaysian ringgit 1 2,289.53 Dutch guilder 1 4,391.00 New Zealand dollar 1 4,584.03 Norwegian krone 1 1,112.66...
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Automotive sales may fall to 50,000 vehicles
Automotive sales may fall to 50,000 vehicles JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's automotive sales may decline further to 50,000 cars this year from 58,000 cars last year, as demand remains low in the crisis-hit country, a noted automotive company executive has said. Herman Z. Latief, the president of PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors, said on Monday the car market would remain depressed despite expected improvement in the country's economy in the second half of 1999.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police continue investigation into tax scams
Police continue investigation into tax scams JAKARTA (JP): The city police continued on Monday investigating taxation scams totaling billions of rupiah by looking into the ownership of a luxurious house, which they believe was bought with money misappropriated by one of the suspects. Jakarta Police detective chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo, accompanied by head of the general crimes unit Lt. Col. Abdullah, visited the house on Jl. Kembang Harum in Puri Indah housing complex in West Jakarta.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia needs 2 to 4 years to recover
Indonesia needs 2 to 4 years to recover JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will need two to four years to recover from the economic crisis, compared to other Asian crisis-hit countries which will require two years to rebound, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank said on Monday. However, Indonesia will remain attractive to long-term investors due to its strategic geopolitical position and large market, said Wong Yit Fan, Standard Chartered Bank's chief economist in Southeast Asia.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU split on letting ministers campaign
KPU split on letting ministers campaign JAKARTA (JP): The 53-member General Elections Commission (KPU) was divided on Monday over whether ministers would be allowed to campaign for their parties in the general election. KPU chairman Rudini said the commission was still mulling the campaign rules, including the issue of ministers. "The ruling is still being debated in the (election commission) plenary session," he said, adding the session would resume on Tuesday.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Misleading report about Ambon
Misleading report about Ambon In many cases you have published news about Ambon which I find strange and tendentious. I particularly refer to articles of your March 6 and March 11 issues. In both articles you wrote the same paragraph (second from bottom) which reads as follows: "The violence was initially sparked by a dispute between a Muslim migrant and a local Christian driver of a public minibus on Jan. 19." What do you mean by this repetitive paragraph? We are not blind and deaf.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Momentum for peace in East Timor
Momentum for peace in East Timor There have been two new developments in East Timor. First, the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers have reached a basic agreement to implement a U.N.-sponsored direct vote to gauge whether the East Timorese prefer autonomy or complete independence. Until now, Jakarta had been staunchly opposed to holding a referendum. Indonesia's concession on the referendum question marks a major turning point.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso urges reform team to speed up
Sutiyoso urges reform team to speed up JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday the city administration's reform team was slow to investigate the 1,941 malfeasance cases uncovered since the 1994/1995 fiscal year because team members were busy with their everyday jobs.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Affinity in danger
Affinity in danger When reports of bloody clashes between Madurese settlers and local Dayaks and Malays in West Kalimantan's Sambas regency first reached Jakarta last week, a disquieting feeling of deja vu gripped many Indonesians. Similar incidents which occurred in late 1996 and early 1997 in approximately the same region and involving the same population groups were too ugly to be easily forgotten.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pregnant women avoid hospitals
Pregnant women avoid hospitals MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 60 percent of pregnant women in this province use the services of unlicensed midwives to help them deliver their babies, a foundation has discovered. The deputy head of the Caritas Foundation, Antonius Fernadez, said on Monday that most women said they could not afford the services of hospitals. They also prefer traditional treatment in which it is easier to remove the placenta.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
180,000 youths not in school
180,000 youths not in school JAKARTA (JP): A total of 187,212 youngsters aged between 15 and 21 did not attend school at all last year, an official has said. Bahar Laut, an official of the city's social and political affairs directorate, said on Friday that the youngsters were facing the same dilemma as 60,000 other poor children between ages seven and 15.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Salim may sell automotive arm to Ford Motor
Salim may sell automotive arm to Ford Motor SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Indonesia's Salim Group is discussing the possibility of selling part of its automotive arm to Ford Motor, a Salim executive said. The executive, requesting anonymity, told Dow Jones Newswires that there have been "good discussions" with Ford about the possibility that the U.S. company would enter into a joint venture with Salim's PT Indomobil Sukses International.
Tue, 23 Mar 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed robberies claim three lives in S. Jakarta
Armed robberies claim three lives in S. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Three people were killed and another was wounded in attempted burglaries of two homes in South Jakarta on Monday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said two of the people were killed in Mampang Prapatan, while the third fatality and the wounding occurred at a residence in Kebayoran Lama. Killed in Mampang Prapatan were housemaids Katirah and Karsum, who died of multiple stab wounds. They were found dead at about 10 a.m.