Archive: 19 May 1999
52 articles found
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Let the campaign begin
Let the campaign begin The election campaign period which gets underway today is bound to be met with mixed feelings, with hope or optimism on the one hand, and apprehension or fear on the other. This is an election on which the nation pins much of its hopes of eventually getting out of the current political and economic crises.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Undercover agents attacked in identity mix-up
Undercover agents attacked in identity mix-up JAKARTA (JP): Six plainclothes police detectives were attacked by residents of Kebon Kacang in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon. The detectives were attempting to arrest an alleged drug dealer, however the locals mistook them for thieves. Col. Abdullah, chief of the narcotics unit of the city police detectives, said on Tuesday one of the police detectives suffered head injuries and also wounds to his arms.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia hails Japan's bond guarantee offer
Indonesia hails Japan's bond guarantee offer JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto said on Tuesday that Indonesia would seize the opportunity offered by Japan to guarantee its sovereign bond issue. He said the Japanese offer was an opportunity to raise funds overseas to accelerate the recovery of the crisis-hit economy. "But we won't raise more funds than we need," he said on the sidelines of a seminar on debt restructuring.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government under pressure to follow up 'Time' report
Government under pressure to follow up 'Time' report JAKARTA (JP): The pressure increased on Tuesday for President B.J. Habibie's administration to follow up on Time magazine's report on the alleged corruption of former president Soeharto and his family and start a serious investigation of its own.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police deny charges of unlawful arrest
Police deny charges of unlawful arrest JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman asked the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday to drop a lawsuit filed by six suspects in the April 15 foiled robbery attempt and bomb blast in West Jakarta. Noegroho, represented by lawyer Burhanudin, told the court that his men had met the existing procedures while conducting the arrest of the suspects a day after the blast.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from May 17 to May 23
Rates for tax payment, valid from May 17 to May 23 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 7,575.00 Austrian schilling 1 585.45 Australian dollar 1 5,046.47 Belgian franc 1 199.69 Canadian dollar 1 5,186.22 Swiss franc 1 5,036.23 Deutschemark 1 4,124.47 Danish krone 1 1,086.94 French franc 1 1,228.12 Poundsterling 1 12,247.26 Hong Kong dollar 1 977.23 Italian lira 100 416.05 Japanese yen 100 6,224.32 Malaysian ringgit 1 1,993.42 Dutch guilder 1 3,655.66 New Zealand dollar 1 4,229.88 Norwegian krone 1 986.50 Swedish...
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia supports a unified Indonesia
Australia supports a unified Indonesia PADANG, West Sumatra (Antara): An Australian government envoy has urged separatist movements in several regions of Indonesia not to destroy the unity of the country. "It is obvious that Australia supports the Republic of Indonesia and the separatist movements can be ended on the basis of respecting human rights," the first secretary of the Australian embassy for political affairs, Dr. David Angle, told Antara here.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on May 18, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Smoking ban becomes hot topic at Media Center
Smoking ban becomes hot topic at Media Center JAKARTA (JP): A smoking ban is one feature attracting attention at the Media Center set up for the coverage of the June 7 election at the Hotel Aryaduta, Central Jakarta. "Why is smoking banned here?" asked Hasbunal Arief of Media Indonesia. "Many journalists cannot work without cigarettes, especially when the poll campaign begins and the pressure grows," he added.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
PKB trains elder supporters to vote
PKB trains elder supporters to vote GUNUNGKIDUL, C. Java: The National Awakening Party (PKB) launched a week-long voting simulation for about 500 of its supporters who were elderly or illiterate, Antara reported. "They were trained to punch the PKB logo (on the ballot paper), and 95 percent of them could do it correctly, while the remaining five percent punched the wrong logos," said chairman of the local PKB office, Gandung Parwoto.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government asked not to deal with corrupt firms
Government asked not to deal with corrupt firms JAKARTA (JP): An anticorruption watchdog body has called on the government not to award new business contracts to businesspeople charged with corruption, collusion and nepotism during former president Soeharto's era.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Money politics
Money politics TPI television aired on May 13 its program Pro dan Kontra". Participating in the debate were Wardah Hafidz, coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), and Darma Setiawan Basri of Partai Daulat Rakyat (PDR, people's sovereignty party).
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Botanical Gardens broke, less frequented
Botanical Gardens broke, less frequented By Sapto HP JAKARTA (Antara): At 182 years old, Asia's oldest botanical garden is groaning in pain due to the merciless economic crisis. As Bogor Botanical Gardens, about 60 kilometers south of here, celebrated its birthday on May 18, its coffers stand drained because visits have drastically dropped since the crisis began to strangle the country in July 1999. Visitors account for its largest source of income.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
'RCTI' directors replaced in shake-up
'RCTI' directors replaced in shake-up JAKARTA (JP): The entire board of directors of private television station Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI) was dismissed on Tuesday and replaced by Nenny Soemawinata, former general manager of another private TV station ANteve. "This is the unanimous decision of PT Bimantara Citra and PT Rajawali Wira Bhakti Utama, both owners of RCTI," RCTI public relations manager Eduard Depari said on Tuesday.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
BKPM and Foreign Ministry to promote investment
BKPM and Foreign Ministry to promote investment JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) signed an agreement on Tuesday to cooperate in promoting foreign investment in the country. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said that under the agreement overseas embassies, consulates general and trade offices would be authorized to issue preliminary approvals to foreign investors wishing to open businesses in Indonesia.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Goodyear pays dividend
Goodyear pays dividend JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of publicly listed PT Goodyear Indonesia approved on Monday a management proposal to pay a total dividend of Rp 500 (about 6 U.S. cents) per share for the 1998 financial year. Public relations officer Wartono B. Soeparno said the dividend would be paid to the shareholders this month. He said the dividend of Rp 125 per share as reported by this newspaper on Tuesday was for the 1997 not 1998 financial year.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
People on the move to escape riots
People on the move to escape riots By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Civil unrest as a result of economic and political crisis has become a major concern of most people in the country in recent months. And many people have become nervous about campaign activities, which start today (May 19) and will last until June 4. Political transformation is on the way: the campaigns will be followed by a legislative election on June 7 and the appointment of a president in September.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Feisal warns of election disruptions
Feisal warns of election disruptions JAKARTA (JP): On the eve of the campaign period, the government issued a fresh warning of attempts by certain groups to disrupt the June 7 general election. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung told a media conference that the groups, whom he labeled extremists, had been trying to create political instability with the intention of forcing the polls to be canceled.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Navy warship to bring supplies to Maluku
Navy warship to bring supplies to Maluku TERNATE, Ambon: The Navy's warship and patrol ship under the coordination of the eastern Fleet's Marine Security Task Force (Guskamla) will help distribute election facilities, including ballot boxes and papers, to 320 islands in the North Maluku district.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irianese still waiting for their ballot papers
Irianese still waiting for their ballot papers By Neles Tebai JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): While citizens in several provinces are praying the campaign season and elections will be safe, those in far flung areas such as Irian Jaya are not even sure whether the ballot papers will arrive on time. As of Wednesday -- barely three weeks ahead of the June 7 -- ballot papers had only reached a few of the regencies, including Merauke and Manokwari, in the province of 421,981 square kilometers.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Couple busted in WW2 bomb remains blast
Couple busted in WW2 bomb remains blast TERNATE, Maluku: A couple in their 30s have been apprehended following last week's explosion of a 25-kilogram bomb which killed at least six villagers of Tutumaleleo at Galela subdistrict in Halmahera Islands, North Maluku, a police spokesman said here Tuesday. North Maluku Police chief Lt. Col.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Party supporters hitch rides
Party supporters hitch rides BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds of participants in the peaceful rally of political parties here found themselves without transportation at the end of the day and had to hitch a ride from passing motorists. Antara said that the participants were picked up by trucks and various other vehicles at their neighborhoods for the rally. They were later left behind at sites far from home or at public transportation terminals.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Beware of intruders: Police
Beware of intruders: Police JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman warned security personnel of all 48 political parties on Monday of the possible presence of "uninvited intruders". "We ask you to be on alert physically and mentally. Don't be easily influenced by rumors until you check the truth.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Villagers may own homes at last
Villagers may own homes at last JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso promised on Tuesday to allow residents of a small industry village in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, to gain ownership rights to their houses. "I've consulted with the City Council and we agreed to fulfill your request," the governor told residents who had gathered to welcome him to their village. Many people burst into tears of joy upon hearing the governor's remarks.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Crazy advice
Crazy advice What Mr. Dirk J.J. Vleugels suggests -- that Indonesia should vote for a president who does not have a religion -- is unreasonable (The Jakarta Post, May 12, 1999, A neutral president). In fact, religion does not belong to the 19th century only, but is needed in all centuries. You must be deaf or maybe blind, Mr. Vleugels. For centuries, religion has not been a burden to a country. On the contrary, it may have added value.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties hold peaceful convoy
Parties hold peaceful convoy KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Supporters of 14 out of the 33 political parties registered here held a motorcade on Tuesday to hammer home a message for a peaceful campaign to residents, Antara reported. Kendari Mayor Mansyur Massie Abunawas saw the procession off from his office. Hundreds of participants in colorful uniform rode or walked the distance of eight kilometers to Eddy Sabara Square.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
First monsoon weather satellite
First monsoon weather satellite NEW DELHI (AFP): India and France are hard at work to launch Megatropic, the world's first dedicated monsoon weather satellite by 2003, officials said on Tuesday. "Megatropic is a shared scientific dream and we are currently working together on a feasibility study," said Bertrand Fleutiaux, councilor for science and technology at the French embassy in New Delhi.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Are parties ready to accept defeat?
Are parties ready to accept defeat? Analysts believe only a few of the 48 political parties, which start campaigning this week, would win in next month's election. Most of them will have to swallow the bitter pills of defeat. Chairman of the Human Rights Subcommission for Education and Professor of Law at the University of Indonesia Charles Himawan considers this issue. JAKARTA (JP): Democratic countries hail Indonesia's June 7 elections as the first free general election in several decades.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Doctors and paramedics put on alert
Doctors and paramedics put on alert JAKARTA (JP): Police are deploying 157 doctors and paramedics as well as 80 ambulances to anticipate possible unrest and casualties during the campaign period and general election. The medical workers will be stationed at the City Police Headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta, and at police makeshift health posts in the capital.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Opposition alliance a challenge to Golkar
Opposition alliance a challenge to Golkar JAKARTA (JP): The newly set up alliance between three top opposition parties poses a direct challenge to the ruling Golkar party in the coming elections, a Golkar deputy chairman said on Tuesday. "The joint effort has provided a new momentum to block Golkar's effort to obtain a reasonable percentage of votes to win the upcoming elections," Marzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
JPS program should be redesigned: NGOs
JPS program should be redesigned: NGOs JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called on the government on Tuesday to redesign the social safety net program (JP). The NGOs said poor planning and coordination caused the social safety net program -- known by the local acronym JPS -- to not only be inefficient but to fail to reach its intended targets.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties order 1,000 spears for campaigning
Parties order 1,000 spears for campaigning SEMARANG: An official at the Central Java Provincial Election Supervisory Committee said on Tuesday his office found proof of a party ordering 1,000 spears from a home industry in Wonosari village of Surakarta mayoralty's Jagalan district. Aidul Fitriciada said the committee would soon lodge the report with the Surakarta Police to follow up the finding with an investigation. The party was not identified. "The order was made anonymously," he said.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Families cope with new political choices
Families cope with new political choices Indonesian families are facing a novel situation: more choices to pick from when they go to the polling stations on June 7. The Jakarta Post correspondents Asip Agus Hasani in Yogyakarta, Yusril Ardanis in West Sumatra capital of Padang, and O.K. Mirza Syah and Junardi Harahap in Medan, North Sumatra, report about the new development. JAKARTA (JP): Fifty-year-old M.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unrest continues amid peace efforts before poll campaigns
Unrest continues amid peace efforts before poll campaigns JAKARTA (JP): Violent incidents continued up to a day before the start of the official campaign season, amid peace efforts in which political parties featured in street parades in a number of cities. In Pekalongan, Central Java, 14 homes were burned down and at least 11 were injured early Tuesday in a clash involving thousands of people identified as supporters of the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP).
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shareholders support Astra debt resolution
Shareholders support Astra debt resolution JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of local auto giant PT Astra International approved on Tuesday the company's resolution to restructure its US$1.1 billion debt. Shareholders also approved an Astra management decision to disburse Rp 477 billion ($61.2 million) to recapitalize its listed Bank Universal.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
500 workers continue strike
500 workers continue strike JAKARTA (JP): At least 500 employees of garment producing company PT Tong Kyung M.A. continued a strike on Tuesday at the company compound in the Nusantara Bonded Zone in Cakung, North Jakarta, demanding their wages be increased. According to the workers, they have been on strike for almost a week.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Regency committees refuse campaign schedule
Regency committees refuse campaign schedule MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The regency election committees across the province have rejected a campaigning schedule drawn up by the provincial elections committee because of its severe time limitation. Chief of the Central Lombok committee M. Ikrom told reporters on Monday that each of the 37 parties registered here were given only five rounds of campaigning, Antara reported.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Campaign schedule in TVRI and RRI for May 19
Campaign schedule in TVRI and RRI for May 19 JAKARTA (JP): Following is the schedule of prerecorded political media campaigns to be relayed on Wednesday by state-run TVRI television station and RRI radio station: Debates on TVRI will take place between the Abul Yatama Party, the Indonesian People's Party (PARI) and Golkar Party. Orations on TVRI at 8 a.m. will feature the Indonesian Christian National Party (Krisna), the New Masyumi Party and the Islamic Community Party (PUI).
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
BI anticipates further drop in interest rates
BI anticipates further drop in interest rates JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda S. Goeltom anticipates a further decline in domestic interest rates on the back of expectations of lower inflation and a stronger rupiah. She predicted that Wednesday's auction of Bank Indonesia one- month SBI promissory note would result in a decline of the benchmark interest rate of between 1 to 2 percentage points to around 27 percent, from the current level of 29.99 percent.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
DHL investment
DHL investment Correction: Courier company DHL Worldwide Express' investment for its warehouse facilities is US$750,000, and not $750 million as reported on this page on Tuesday. The investment for its Jakarta and Bandung warehouse facilities amounted to $450,000 and $350,000 respectively, not $450 million and $300 million, while the company's future investment commitment is $1 million and not $1 billion as reported. We apologize for the errors. -- Editor
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 18, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 400 0 12,500 AHAP Insurance 425 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 250 0 0 Alter Abadi 275 -25 30,000 Alumindo Light Metal 750 0 50,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 275 -25 105,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,575 -50 2,781,500 Anwar Sierad 175 -25 337,000 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie's performance determines Golkar's fate
Habibie's performance determines Golkar's fate In anticipating the strategies that political parties will be using in their campaigns which start today, it is not difficult to foretell that the issue of corruption, collusions and nepotism, including by ex-president Soeharto, will be among the main themes they will be using to assail Golkar.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indofood's profit soars
Indofood's profit soars JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur reported on Tuesday a net profit of Rp 153.4 billion (US$19.7 million) for the first quarter of this year, a 442 percent increase over the same period of 1998. "This quarter's results even exceeded the whole year of 1998's net profit of Rp 150.2 billion," the company said in a statement.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two AIDS victims dead in N. Sulawesi
Two AIDS victims dead in N. Sulawesi MANADO, North Sulawesi: Governor E.E. Mangindaan said on Monday evening here that two people infected by the deadly AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) virus have died in the province so far. "It is an official figure.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ten people die in Kendari ship accident
Ten people die in Kendari ship accident JAKARTA (JP): At least 10 people were found dead while 17 others were still missing on Tuesday after their cargo ship foundered in the Wowoni Strait in Southeast Sulawesi, three days ago. Ten bodies of both passengers and crew of KM Pangebu were found by the Navy, water police, a Search and Rescue (SAR) team and local fishermen. As of Tuesday evening, only one man, identified as ship crew member Sudarso, had been found alive, Sgt.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati's silence
Megawati's silence The question of why Megawati Soekarnoputri has not participated in the open debate between presidential hopefuls, organized by students of University of Indonesia, seems not to have been answered satisfactorily, as the ongoing discussion shows. While her critics stopped short of questioning her intellectual capabilities to master such a debate, her supporters desperately look for arguments to justify her refusal to participate in the event.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Java declared safe for elections
East Java declared safe for elections SURABAYA: East Java police chief Maj. Gen. M. Dayat declared on Tuesday the province was safe and ready to enter the election campaigning period. The security authorities, he said, were deploying all available personnel -- namely 18,000 police, 4,000 military personnel and 22,000 trained civilians. The police chief identified a number of areas that were considered prone to unrest.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's Olympic soccer team can beat South Korea: Agum
Indonesia's Olympic soccer team can beat South Korea: Agum JAKARTA (JP): All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar expressed optimism that the pre-Olympics soccer team could win in the prequalifying round to the 2000 Olympic Games in South Korea on May 26. Agum said on Tuesday that the national soccer team, which comprises under-23 year olds from various clubs across the nation, had technical skills that equal the South Korean Olympics team. "Technically both teams are equal.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Comedians and starlets to kick off campaign
Comedians and starlets to kick off campaign JAKARTA (JP): Political parties contesting the June 7 elections kick off the campaign period on Wednesday, with some of them using the charms of Indonesian starlets to lure voters, while others are pledging modest rallies.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
'It's late Mega, go to sleep': Gus Dur
'It's late Mega, go to sleep': Gus Dur JAKARTA: Nobody would doubt that Megawati Soekarnoputri is an influential politician. She has been found in many surveys to be among the strongest contenders for the 1999-2004 presidency.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Higher education needs revamping
Higher education needs revamping By Harkiman Racheman This is the first of two articles on the state of higher education in Indonesia. MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The general portrait of higher education in Indonesia today is still appalling. Despite numerous appointments of different ministers of education and culture and, hence, the necessary corrective measures they entail, the actual operation of post-secondary education in Indonesia has not improved at all.
Wed, 19 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Election campaigning begins in slapdash manner
Election campaigning begins in slapdash manner JAKARTA (JP): Supporters and activists of the 48 political parties contesting the elections will formally launch their campaign activities on Wednesday morning, amid fears of unrest. Election officials and party representatives on Tuesday held prayers for peaceful elections in cities across the country.