Archive: 12 April 1999
38 articles found
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
PAN likely to dominate June general election
PAN likely to dominate June general election This is the first of two articles on potential results of the coming general election prepared by Lance Castles, an Australian scholar and visiting lecturer of political sciences at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. YOGYAKARTA (JP): The study of the available opinion polls asking voters their intentions shows that the National Mandate Party (PAN) is most likely to dominate the seats at the House of Representatives (DPR).
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Putting investors at ease
Putting investors at ease In light of our present social and political situation, the heating up of sentiments as the general election approaches and the almost endless flare-ups of violence in several of our country's regions, (Armed Forces Commander) Gen. Wiranto's assurance that the country is safe for investors sounds almost hollow. Why?
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt bonds to bear interest rate below 20%: Official
Govt bonds to bear interest rate below 20%: Official JAKARTA (JP): The interest rate on government bonds for the recapitalization of nine private banks is expected to be less than 20 percent, Bank Indonesia director Subarjo Joyosumarto said over the weekend. He said the low rate was possible because inflation in 1999/2000 fiscal year was projected to be lower than the 17 percent assumed in the state budget. "But the exact interest rate level is still being calculated," he said on Saturday.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
NPA releases second hostage
NPA releases second hostage ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine communist rebels released an army sergeant on Sunday after 37 days in captivity, the second of five hostages to be freed before an April 19 deadline, an army spokesman said. Col. Rafael Romero said Sergeant Alipio Lozada was turned over by New People's Army (NPA) rebels to local officials in the remote hilly village of Diatagon near the town of Lianga in Surigao del Sur province.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar rejects AIDS fears
Myanmar rejects AIDS fears BANGKOK (AFP): Myanmar said on Sunday it had "no sex industry" and AIDS was under control, despite UN fears an epidemic could explode in the military-run state. The junta said it had taken great steps to control the epidemic since 1985 and denied unspecified reports Myanmar was spreading AIDS to neighbors such as Thailand and India.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cambodia's ASEAN entry confirmed
Cambodia's ASEAN entry confirmed SINGAPORE (AFP): ASEAN's chairman Singapore confirmed last Saturday that a special ceremony to admit Cambodia into the grouping will be held in Hanoi on April 30, finally unifying all 10 countries in the region. A spokesman for Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar, chairman of the standing committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the minister had formally invited Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to attend the ceremony.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar must introspect itself
Golkar must introspect itself From Media Indonesia The Golkar Party will encounter problems in the future. When the party held a grand meeting at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta, it was a public secret that it gave money and lunch to everybody attending the meeting. When Akbar Tandjung made his speech, the sky suddenly became cloudy, followed by resounding thunder. Strangely, it was a very bright day shortly before. This must have been a bad omen for the Golkar Party.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gaprindo calls for cigarette tax review
Gaprindo calls for cigarette tax review JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Non-clove Cigarette Manufacturers (Gaprindo) appealed to the government on Saturday to review the new cigarette excise tax, claiming it would cut the output of its members by 95 percent this year. Association chairman Muhaimin Moefti said the excise tax scheme effective April 1 would lead to a sharp increase in the prices of regular cigarettes and make them uncompetitive against clove cigarettes.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tall ship leaves Jakarta for the U.S.
Tall ship leaves Jakarta for the U.S. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's tall ship KM Dewa Ruci left Jakarta for the United States on Saturday to join an international tall ship competition, Gold Rush Race 1999, in California in July. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Surabaya on Monday. Its official departure will be launched by Navy chief Admiral Widodo AS on April 19. "We will depart from Surabaya on April 19 and arrive in San Francisco on July 2," Dewa Ruci's chief Lt.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt urged to review policy on scout movement recruitment
Govt urged to review policy on scout movement recruitment JAKARTA (JP): A senior executive of the Indonesian Scout Movement (Pramuka) urged the government on Sunday to abandon its policy which forces students to join the movement. "I will ask the Ministry of Education and Culture to abandon the policy launched 10 years ago," said Sundoro Syamsuri, Pramuka's deputy chairman.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timor autonomy plan akin to HK system: Dewi
East Timor autonomy plan akin to HK system: Dewi JAKARTA (JP): The government's offer on East Timor's autonomy bears similarities to the deal worked out by Britain and China for Hong Kong, a senior palace official said on Saturday. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, President B.J. Habibie's advisor on foreign affairs, said the latest draft provided East Timor with its own political parties and legislative council, while its administration would be led by a governor in the capacity of a chief executive.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Calm returns to Central Maluku district of Amahai
Calm returns to Central Maluku district of Amahai JAKARTA (JP): Police detained at least 35 alleged rioters in the Central Maluku district of Amahai as calm returned to the area. Local police chief Lt. Col. Benny van Blouw was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday the suspects, who were arrested on Saturday night, were being questioned. He added that order in the district and other areas in the regency had been restored. The head of the Armed Forces' special task force in Maluku, Maj. Gen.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
New forestry tax sparks controversy over stated aim
New forestry tax sparks controversy over stated aim JAKARTA (JP): The government's planned introduction of a progressive tax on logging activities has stirred opposition in the timber industry. Timber companies, mostly small and medium enterprises, complain the tax will hurt them instead of succeeding in its stated intent to encourage big timber companies to reduce their massive logging operations.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Experts identify areas of possible future unrest
Experts identify areas of possible future unrest JAKARTA (JP): Experts warned unrest was likely either to occur or accelerate in West Java and several areas outside of Java, including Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan; Balikpapan, East Kalimantan; Lampung, Sumatra and Jayapura, Irian Jaya.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI workers in Saudi Arabia
RI workers in Saudi Arabia From Media Indonesia When I heard a report that sending Indonesian migrant workers to Saudi Arabia had been stopped, I felt both happy and relieved. Why so? Because not a few these workers, particularly women, have had bad experiences here (in Saudi Arabia), as they have been ill-treated by their employers. Some, for example, have not received their salaries for several months.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asia Pulp & Paper takes steps to cut debt
Asia Pulp & Paper takes steps to cut debt WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): Asia Pulp & Paper Co Ltd has embarked on a series of financial steps -- including an exchange offer, a stock offering and possible asset sales -- to obtain critical cash and slash the company's US$9 billion debt load. One of the world's lowest cost producers of pulp and paper, the Singapore-based company said yesterday that it would seek to shave off as much as $2 billion of debt by the end of 2001.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Singapore talks focus on US$10b Asia initiative
Singapore talks focus on US$10b Asia initiative SINGAPORE (Reuters): The outcome of a two-day meeting on East Asian corporate and bank restructuring will be the basis for talks this week on how to deploy a US$10 billion growth fund for the crisis-hit region, officials said Saturday. "These meetings will give us information we need to take to the Asia Growth and Recovery Initiative (AGRI) talks on Monday," a member of Thailand's delegation to the meeting told Reuters.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Living in two different worlds at the same time
Living in two different worlds at the same time By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): "If I can use this program, anybody can," said Werner Sutanto. He must have been trying to sound humble. As Intel's country manager for Indonesia, this amicable man is more computer-proficient than the vast majority of us. We were sitting in a conference room in the plush Ritz Carlton, Jimbaran, Bali.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
The world is watching us
The world is watching us One of the most crucial aspects of the June general election will be the presence of local and foreign observers to help ensure that the polls are free and fair, just as President B.J. Habibie has promised. The strategic importance that many people in this country and abroad put on this aspect is at least an indication of their mistrust of the government's honesty. This is understandable for two reasons.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sjahrir's political vision still relevant, says Jakob
Sjahrir's political vision still relevant, says Jakob JAKARTA (JP): The political vision and social commentary of the late Sutan Sjahrir, Indonesia's first prime minister, remain relevant in this reform era, a senior journalist has said.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Schools near collapse
Schools near collapse PURWAKARTA, West Java: About 300 schoolchildren are studying at residents' homes and mosques as the buildings of their two schools are near collapsed. The local head of the public works agency, Dadang Rustiwa, acknowledged the deteriorating condition of the state-run schools of Basuki Rahmat I and Basuki Rahmat II. However, he said, the two schools are not included in a list of schools to be renovated this year, Antara reported on Friday.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Belo threatens to cancel dialog
Belo threatens to cancel dialog DILI, East Timor (JP): Following controversy over the death toll in the violence in Liquica, Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo threatened on Saturday to cancel the planned reconciliation dialog between prointegration groups and proindependence groups in East Timor.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Documentary Exhibition: Jan Steen (1626 - 1679), at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 1. * Photo Exhibition: Photos De Scenes by Guy Delahaye, at the Gallery, CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Salemba Raya 25 Central Jakarta (Phone: 3908580,3908585), until April 30.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mothers encouraged to breatfeed longer
Mothers encouraged to breatfeed longer JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian mothers exclusively breast-feed their babies for an average of 1.8 months rather than the ideal period of four months, according to an expert. The United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) representative for Indonesia and Malaysia, Stephen J. Woodhouse, told Antara Saturday that the short breastfeeding period contributed to rampant malnutrition and lower immunity in babies.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Poor security, civil unrest still disrupt RI food supply
Poor security, civil unrest still disrupt RI food supply JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's food supply continues to be affected by poor security, the escalation of civil unrest as well as general economic problems, international observers have said.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ex-bank workers spurn job offers
Ex-bank workers spurn job offers JAKARTA (JP): Most of the 17,000 former employees of 38 banks closed down by the government last month appear to have little interest in securing other jobs, if a four-day meeting organized by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) last week is anything to go by. The former employees' lack of enthusiasm was evident in the the small turnout at the forum, held from April 5 to April 8 at the Plaza Bapindo building on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police perplexed by attacks on its personnel
Police perplexed by attacks on its personnel JAKARTA (JP): An officer of the city police's Mobile Brigade was attacked and stabbed by five unidentified men attired in combat uniforms in East Jakarta on Thursday. Police say they are confounded by the assault on Jl. Ciracas. Last Monday and Wednesday, three officers from the same unit also were beaten and stabbed by unidentified assailants in the area. Victims described their attackers as well-built and with crew cuts.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hectares of rice contaminated
Hectares of rice contaminated PURWAKARTA, West Java: Villagers of Cilegong have claimed that 43 hectares of paddy fields have been laid waste by industrial contamination, Antara reported. Some rice field owners told Antara early this week that they, accompanied by village and district administration leaders, were demanding compensation from companies suspected of dumping industrial waste. They planted rice one month ago but the plants died, the residents said.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Slow disbursement fo fund for poll costs questioned
Slow disbursement fo fund for poll costs questioned JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I) Djafar Badjeber complained on Sunday about the slow disbursement of fund allocated for operational costs for the June 7 general election in the city. Djafar said that it should not be too difficult for the General Elections Commission (KPU) to disburse the fund totaling Rp 11 billion soon because it was available at the state budget.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI forex reserves rise to US$15.9 billion
RI forex reserves rise to US$15.9 billion JAKARTA (JP): The country's net foreign exchange reserves increased slightly by US$102.2 million to $15.9 billion on April 7 compared to the level in the previous week, Bank Indonesia said in its weekly report. The central bank said on the weekend the increase resulted primarily from the proceeds of the privatization of state-owned port operator PT Pelindo II. BI said the level was above the IMF adjusted net international reserves of $11.4 billion.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shortage of funds halts development of garbage dump
Shortage of funds halts development of garbage dump JAKARTA (JP): The city administration's plan to build a new garbage dump at Ciangir, Tangerang, to replace the existing one at Bantar Gebang, Bekasi, is being hindered by a lack of funds, an official said on Friday. Head of the city sanitation agency, Saksono Hoesodo, said that due to the fund shortage, no physical work has been done on the 95.5-hectare plot of land reserved for the dump.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cloud blocks NATO raids, diplomacy picks up
Cloud blocks NATO raids, diplomacy picks up BELGRADE (Reuters): NATO blasted targets in Yugoslavia on Sunday, but cloudy weather again blocked some raids and, while the Western alliance beefed up its forces, diplomatic moves to try to end the conflict gained momentum. Yugoslavia's official news agency Tanjug said explosions had been heard in the Kosovo regional capital Pristina at 11:30 a.m. (4:30 p.m. Jakarta time) after more than 50 missiles hit the area overnight.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur and Islam scholars
Gus Dur and Islam scholars From Merdeka Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) has stated in Singapore that Megawati will not become president because Islamic scholars in his circle do not agree to it and the majority of Indonesian is Muslim. The statement seems to disparage the scholars and the people because Gus Dur is of the opinion that the people do not understand Islam teachings on "power holders among you or leaders among you". All people know God is just.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Regrettable report on urban poor
Regrettable report on urban poor We would like to express our appreciation for your March 30 coverage on the visit of urban poor communities to the World Bank office -- WB urged to postpone aid package on Page 3. However, there are some very disturbing details that we would like to clarify.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati asks supporters to make elections a success
Megawati asks supporters to make elections a success JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri appealed to party supporters to vote in the June 7 general election. Speaking at a party function in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Sunday, Megawati told thousands of supporters crowding a field belonging to local company PT Sumber Mas that a high turnout at polling booths would make the election a success.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Almost all real estate developers insolvent
Almost all real estate developers insolvent JAKARTA (JP): About 95 percent of the country's housing developers have gone bankrupt due to the continued slump in the country's property sector, according to the Indonesian Real Estate Developers Association (REI). REI secretary-general Yan Mogi said on Saturday that most real estate developers were no longer active because doing business was no longer economically viable owing to high interest rates on loans.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ambarawa tobacco merchant shot dead
Ambarawa tobacco merchant shot dead SEMARANG: The head of the Body for National Unity's Temanggung chapter, Himawan, was murdered on Friday night in Ambarawa, Central Java. He died at an Ambarawa hospital from gunshot wounds to the neck and chest, police said. No motive has been found. Police officers requesting anonymity said Himawan, 61, known as a successful tobacco entrepreneur, was on his way home from paying respects to the family of a friend who had died with his driver.
Mon, 12 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students against street brawls
Students against street brawls TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of students from several schools staged a protest on Saturday in Cibodas, Jatiuwung district here, condemning an upward trend in student brawls. The protesting students, who called themselves members of the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement, held a free speech forum and unfurled banners, some of which read The Bogor Incident should not be Repeated.