Archive: 31 May 1999
54 articles found
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
PK calls for united Muslims
PK calls for united Muslims BOGOR, West Java: Presidential candidate Didin Hafidhuddin of Justice Party (PK) renewed on Saturday a call for Muslim parties to unite. In his address to 4,000 PK supporters flocking Sampur soccer field here, Didin said his party was prepared to take the job of mediating all Muslim-oriented parties contesting the poll. "It's no use winning the elections if unity among Muslims is the price we have to pay.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
IDB helps Indonesia
IDB helps Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The Islamic Development Bank will give Indonesia a US$120 million soft loan to support the procurement of fertilizer for farmers. Head of the Agribusiness Agency at the Ministry of Agriculture Ato Suprapto said the funds would be extended to state-owned fertilizer companies PT Petrokimia Gresik and PT Pupuk Sriwijaya.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military coup impossible: Amien
Military coup impossible: Amien MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais dismissed the possibility of a military coup if the upcoming general election failed. "The military would take over the power only if too many people become crazy in Indonesia," he said here on Saturday. He said he did not believe that the Indonesian Military would launch a coup against the legal government because such an action was illegal and unconstitutional.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Adi Sasono dismissed from Golkar
Adi Sasono dismissed from Golkar JAKARTA (JP): A plenary meeting of Golkar on Sunday dismissed Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono from the party for his alleged involvement in the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR). He was deemed to have neglected his duties as Golkar's coordinator in Central Java and as its cooperatives and small enterprises chief, Antara quoted party leader Akbar Tandjung as saying.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
'PowerDesk': A Swiss army pocketknife utility program
'PowerDesk': A Swiss army pocketknife utility program By Omar Harris JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever wished that you could manage your files and folders in your overstuffed hard drive more efficiently? There are literally dozens of desktop enhancer software around that can help you to do just that, namely Dashboard 98, Norton Commander 4, Windows Commander 3.52, WinCommander 5 and PowerDesk 98.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Campaign Program 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 TV Drama 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Teen Program 3:00 Music 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Children's Program 5:00 Technology Program 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Campaign Program 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 Film 11:30 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Alawiyah backs women president
Alawiyah backs women president PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Minister of Women's Roles Tuti Alawiyah said she would not object to a future woman president. She said that other Muslim countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh also have women prime ministers. "A woman can also become a president in Indonesia as long as she is capable," she told Antara. Many Muslim leaders have voiced their objection to a woman president, arguing that it would be against Islamic belief.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
50 children of poor families circumcised
50 children of poor families circumcised JAKARTA (JP): At least 50 children from poor families were circumcised on Saturday in conjunction with a commemoration of the ninth anniversary of the Islam Al Muhajirin Foundation in Pondok Pekayon Indah, Bekasi. The foundation's chairman, Bachtiar, said the mass circumcision, which was held in a cheerful tone, had nothing to do with political campaign activities.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hoodlums, intimidation 'feature in 1999 elections'
Hoodlums, intimidation 'feature in 1999 elections' By Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): Herbert Feith was among a few foreign political observers who witnessed Indonesia's first multiparty elections in 1955, which many believed were the most democratic so far. The writer of Pemilu 1955 (Elections 1955) spoke to The Jakarta Post, Tajuk and D&R reporters recently at his Bulaksumur B-1 home in the compound of his campus, Gadjah Mada University.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's soccer dreams for Sydney 2000 in tatters
Indonesia's soccer dreams for Sydney 2000 in tatters JAKARTA (JP): South Korean soundly defeated Indonesia 7-0 in the Asian Zone Group Eight prequalifying tournament for the 2000 Olympic Games on Saturday at Olympic Stadium, Seoul, shattering Indonesia's Sydney dreams. With three straight victories, South Korea cruises to the second round, where nine first round winners will be divided into three groups. Group winners qualify for the Olympics.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest Golkar supporters
Police arrest Golkar supporters UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Police have detained four Golkar Party sympathizers for their alleged involvement in an attack on the National Mandate Party (PAN) office here. Local police chief Col. Jusuf Mangga Barani said on Friday the suspects were caught red-handed hurling stones and firing arrows at PAN rivals on their way home from a campaign rally also attended by Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Media told to help smokers kick the habit
Media told to help smokers kick the habit By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Leave the Pack Behind is the theme of this year's No Tobacco Day, which is marked every May 31. But it is easier said than done when there are plenty of enticing cigarette ads, which are seemingly on every corner of the city as well as in print and electronic media. Confronted by the images, smokers trying to kick the habit will close their eyes and imagine the taste of puffing away.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto Award deadline extended for the public
Soeharto Award deadline extended for the public JAKARTA (JP): The University of Indonesia Students' executive body has extended its poll on recipients for a Soeharto Award until Monday evening to enable more people to participate, a member of the committee said on Sunday. The extension of the poll, which was launched on May 22 and scheduled to end on May 26, was made in response to a rising number of people wanting to take part, Ari Wibowo said.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Reporters in case of mistaken identity
Reporters in case of mistaken identity BOLMONG, North Sulawesi: Reporters covering the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) were overwhelmed by party supporters who demanded they give up their vests. Supporters mistook the journalists for PDR executives because the reporters' vests were red, the predominant color of the party's symbol.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Buddhists celebrate Waisak festival
Buddhists celebrate Waisak festival JAKARTA (JP): About 1,800 Buddhists celebrated Buddha's Day of Enlightenment in a prayer gathering at the Education and Development Center of Myogan-Ji teaching in Megamendung, Bogor, from late Saturday night until Monday morning. The prayer was led by Buddhist Monk Yang Arya Dokken Nakano of Japan, Antara news agency reported. The event started at 10 p.m. on Saturday and ended at 1 a.m. on Sunday.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hair help from Catholic party
Hair help from Catholic party BANDUNG: About 200 Democratic Catholics' Party (PKD) activists capped their campaigning here on Saturday by walking 15 kilometers around town and handing out 1,000 combs to bystanders. They said the comb symbolized their hope for an Indonesian society which was more organized, peaceful, fair and just. During the four-hour tour, they encountered the campaigning activists of National Mandate Party (PAN).
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
New law protects creditors, debtors
New law protects creditors, debtors By M.C. Schroeder-van Waes JAKARTA (JP): In an interesting article in The Jakarta Post of May 14, 1999, Frans H. Winarta commented on the new Indonesian Bankruptcy Law. Although his comments are generally agreeable, in reading between the lines there was a feeling about bankruptcy proceedings in general, which has become somewhat of a stereotype.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timor proposal 'risky', says Megawati
East Timor proposal 'risky', says Megawati JAKARTA (Agencies): Leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Megawati Soekarnoputri has criticized Jakarta's policy of considering independence for East Timor as risky, Time magazine said Sunday. Time quoted her as saying the momentum towards independence for the former Portuguese colony should be slowed down. "East Timor is a complicated issue. It needs careful handling.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bankers schocked by court rulings on derivative deals
Bankers schocked by court rulings on derivative deals By Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Shockwaves have rocked the banking community in the wake of recent Jakarta High Court decisions which rejected appeals by Bank Niaga and Bank Credit Lyonnais Indonesia against controversial lower court rulings on derivative transactions. The decisions set off alarm bells about how to deal with companies reneging on their derivative contracts.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
PPP seeks boarding house regulation
PPP seeks boarding house regulation YOGYAKARTA: The United Development Party (PPP) vowed on Saturday to push for a regional regulation which strictly barred students of different sexes from staying in the same boarding house. Chief of local PPP branch, Muhammad Iqbal, told a media conference here that the party had long seen an obvious trend that boarding house owners were too permissive to accept both male and female students. "There are many students in town.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Hired ulemas' behind Pekalongan PKB-PPP clash: Gus Dur
'Hired ulemas' behind Pekalongan PKB-PPP clash: Gus Dur KENDAL, Central Java (JP): At least 11 people were injured when clashes involving supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) broke out on Saturday in Pekalongan, incidents which PKB founder Abdurrahman Wahid was quick to blame on "hired ulemas". Observers said 17 clashes between PPP and PKB have taken place in Pekalongan alone since the start of campaigning on May 19.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aceh rebels kill nine more people
Aceh rebels kill nine more people JAKARTA (JP): Amid reports of mounting separatist activities in Aceh, Free Aceh guerrillas on Saturday killed nine security personnel and injured seven others in an ambush, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said on Sunday.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Drawing Exhibition: Tumbal by Hendro Suseno, at Galeri Milenium, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), until Jun. 7. * Drawing Exhibition: Film Dalam Gambar, by Fritz Lang, at Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8569281), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 31. * Painting Exhibition: by Yarri Yaryatno, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194270), Sunday, at 10:30 a.m.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto lawyer announces plan to sue 'Time'
Soeharto lawyer announces plan to sue 'Time' JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers acting for former president Soeharto will file a suit against Time magazine this week, after the weekly failed to provide supporting evidence for its report on the Soeharto family's alleged US$15 billion fortune. Lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon told The Jakarta Post by phone on Saturday the decision was made after his client received on Friday an 'unsatisfactory' reply to the demands.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Only 501 districts in eastern region have phone lines
Only 501 districts in eastern region have phone lines By Christiani S Tumelap MAROS, South Sulawesi (JP): For many people living in remote areas, such as on mountain slopes and small islands, having a telephone installed is a dream come true.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Agenda
Agenda JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid is taking a day off from the campaign trail on Monday, while Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri will meet supporters outside Java. Ratih Hardjono, a media relations officer, said on Sunday Abdurrahman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) will campaign in Purwakarta, West Java, and Surabaya on Tuesday.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Desperately seeking Megawati
Desperately seeking Megawati JAKARTA: Sutomo is almost losing hope of seeing Megawati Soekarnoputri, the president hopeful he admires so much. The 46-year-old fisherman from a North Jakarta slum area has vowed to vote for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) she leads only if he can see her in person. His disappointment is mounting because the party has campaigned twice in Jakarta but Megawati met her supporters elsewhere.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local contractor demands PLN pay compensation
Local contractor demands PLN pay compensation JAKARTA (JP): Local service company PT Enico National Development is persisting with its demand for compensation from cash-strapped state electricity company PT PLN for losses caused by the latter's breach of a disposal contract almost a decade ago.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cheap trick packs them in
Cheap trick packs them in PADANG, West Sumatra: People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) campaigners proved on Saturday in Padang that a cheap trick can work well in drawing a crowd. The party's officials spread news that Reza, a popular husky- voiced pop singer from Jakarta, would perform in town. Their expectations were deflated. The big crowd which massed at Cangkeh Velodrome did not set their eyes on sexy Reza, but instead were treated to a show by a little-known dangdut singer.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
French national detained in Bali
French national detained in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: Police here have detained a French national who they say was caught red-handed selling heroin and hashish to a local customer in the Gelegar Permai housing complex. Bali Police spokesman Maj. Y. Suyatmo, said here on Friday that the suspect, identified only as AHH, was arrested in a raid on May 18 with 100.6 grams of heroin in his possession.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timor conducive for polls, election officials say
East Timor conducive for polls, election officials say By Editha Hartanto DILI, East Timor (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid and General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Rudini asserted on Saturday that the June 7 general election should go ahead in East Timor.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Debt restructuring vital for healthy economy
Debt restructuring vital for healthy economy By Cliff Sanderson JAKARTA (JP): The international banking community has been very critical of Indonesia's new bankruptcy court. The court has been criticized for handing down decisions that demonstrate a lack of understanding of banking and commercial practice and the Bankruptcy Law. The cynicism of creditors can be seen by the low number of bankruptcy applications to the court.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Shootout occurs on the street
Shootout occurs on the street LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: An armed gang and police officers exchanged fire in a new incident early Saturday, the military said here on Saturday. Col. Jhonny Wahab, commander of the Liliwangsa military district, said a number of estimated casualties was not available and details of the incident remain unclear. "I have yet to receive a report on the casualties in the skirmish," he said. The military, he added, had received two different versions of the encounter.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Upset orangutan upsets campaign
Upset orangutan upsets campaign PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A stressed orangutan sporting an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) cap threw a campaign event into disarray here over the weekend. Thousands of the party's supporters were whiling away the afternoon dancing to dangdut music on a soccer field when the animal darted across the field and climbed up a tree, proceeding to shake the electrical wires running through it.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hotel business sluggish in Mataram
Hotel business sluggish in Mataram MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): The hotel occupancy rate here has dropped to 25 percent over the past three months from a rate of 56 percent previously, an executive of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association said on Saturday. Ahmad, head of the association's Mataram office, blamed the drop in business on inefficiencies in the West Nusa Tenggara administration.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
South Kalimantan wants new capital
South Kalimantan wants new capital BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial council has principally agreed to the local administration's plan to relocate the provincial capital from Banjarmasin to Banjarbaru, its deputy speaker, Husin Kasah, said here on Saturday. According to Husin, Governor Gusti Hasan Aman in a letter dated May 17 has asked the council to support the relocation.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Poll watchdogs find infiltrators
Poll watchdogs find infiltrators UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Nongovernment election monitoring bodies here announced on Saturday that 20 activists of parties contesting the elections had joined their organizations for a spying mission. The provincial branch's coordinator of the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel), M.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Poor near airport untouched by progress
Poor near airport untouched by progress TANGERANG (JP): Poor people living around the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have no access to cheap, clean drinking water and have yet to see development in the area, head of the Batu Ceper district said on Saturday. Nana Mulyana said that as water in the area was not fit for consumption, poor residents were forced to buy water at Rp 1,000 for two jerricans. "In other areas in Tangerang, water is sold at Rp 500 per cubic meter," Nana said.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Muslim parties' pact helps potential voters
Muslim parties' pact helps potential voters YOGYAKARTA (JP): A deal among Muslim parties on the allocation of extra votes, which was announced Sunday, has a more demonstrative effect on Muslim voters ahead of the June 7 general election rather than substantive, a political lecturer here has said.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Creating a New Indonesia
Creating a New Indonesia From Media Indonesia A New Indonesia is a state that is relatively free from the New Order regime viruses. We still do not know for sure which of the 48 registered political parties have been infected by those viruses. Nevertheless we are sure that three big parties at least are real reformists: the National Mandate Party (PAN), National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
BKPM expects no sharp falls in foreign direct investment
BKPM expects no sharp falls in foreign direct investment JAKARTA (JP): The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) expects no significant drop in foreign direct investment this year, despite a sharp fall in the last four months. BKPM deputy chairman Sugihono Kadarisman said on Friday foreign investment was likely to stay unchanged at about the same figure as last year -- US$13.6 billion.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Major parties violate election campaign rules
Major parties violate election campaign rules JAKARTA (JP): Major parties have committed gross violations of election campaign rules, official supervisory organizations and independent watchdogs reported on Sunday. The parties most often cited in the reports were the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Golkar Party, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN).
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan to send economic mission to crisis Asia
Japan to send economic mission to crisis Asia TOKYO (AFP): Japan will send an economic mission to six Asian countries in late August and early September to consider additional support for the crisis-hit region, a daily said Sunday. The mission to be headed by Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of Japan Federation of Employers Associations, will visit Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, the Asahi Shimbun said.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
18,000 to cast vote in Singapore
18,000 to cast vote in Singapore BATAM, Riau: Only 18,000 of the 35,000 eligible Indonesian voters in Singapore have registered for next month's poll, an Indonesian embassy official in Singapore said Friday. Sabusi, chief of the embassy's political affairs, said that he would continue to encourage Indonesians there to register themselves and the registration deadline would be extended to close to election day.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
MC's slip leaves him laughingstock
MC's slip leaves him laughingstock PADANG, West Sumatra: Muzahar Ayat was lucky to remain unscratched after committing a potentially damning slip of the tongue as the master of ceremonies during a United Development Party (PPP) campaign.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Chinese-Indonesians seek role in politics
Chinese-Indonesians seek role in politics JAKARTA (JP): After being muted politically for over 30 years, Chinese-Indonesians are staging a comeback to fight for their interests and those of the nation. Such determination was reflected at least in a political debate on Sunday among legislative candidates of Chinese descent, organized by the Chinese-Indonesian Reform Party (Parti). The party is not contesting the June 7 general election.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN opposes WTO talks
ASEAN opposes WTO talks YANGON (DPA): Southeast Asian chambers of commerce have expressed their joint opposition to holding a new millennium round of trade talks at the World Trade Organization (WTO) at year's end, news reports said Friday.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Journalists protest poll watchdogs
Journalists protest poll watchdogs PALU, Central Sulawesi: Journalists grouped in the Independent Journalists Association here raised a complaint against local nongovernment poll monitoring organizations on Saturday over their refusal to provide data on campaign violations. Group leader M.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
NGO blows whistle on food aid swindle
NGO blows whistle on food aid swindle JAKARTA (JP): A Bangkok-based group has accused the government of President B.J. Habibie of abusing international food aid to bolster the electoral chances of certain political parties.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Terror against Wardah
Terror against Wardah The New Order is back in strength. Evidence of this can be seen, among other things, in the use of terror to intimidate an activist who has had the courage to exert social control. The person suffering this terrorization at present is Wardah Hafidz, coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium. It was Wardah who, as reported by the media, dared to expose the money politics maneuvers by Golkar and the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR).
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties face stern warning
Parties face stern warning MEDAN: The North Sumatra electoral supervisory committee has issued a stern warning to several parties which have children and youths under seventeen involved in street rallies. "We will no longer tolerate political parties which involve children in their campaigns. Those ignoring the warnings face a ban on campaigning," committee chief Monang Siringoringo said late last week. Siringoringo said that the committee was serious about disciplining unruly parties.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bonds to revive banks
Bonds to revive banks Indonesia's first treasury bonds in over four decades were finally born on Friday through a huge, yet unusual issue totaling Rp 157.61 trillion (US$19.43 billion), of which Rp 103.83 trillion is to recapitalize 23 private and regional development banks and Rp 53.78 trillion is to reimburse Bank Indonesia for its payments to depositors and creditors of banks closed in 1998 and in March.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Analysts praise bank bonds issue
Analysts praise bank bonds issue JAKARTA (JP): Analysts welcomed on Saturday the government's move to issue bonds worth Rp 103.83 trillion (US$12.82 billion) to recapitalize 23 ailing banks as a positive step. But they cautioned that the challenging task of resolving the massive amount of problem loans and nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the banking industry still lay ahead. "This is positive because it's a step which we've been waiting for after being delayed for some time," Ferry Y.
Mon, 31 May 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pro status quo
Pro status quo The pro status quo group wants to continue its established way of life. It does not want it replaced. The well-established status applies only to the people who enjoyed the boons of the New Order regime. For the greater public it is a symbol of injustice that must be eradicated. Changes must take place in keeping with the winds of reform in this country. The status quo has spread to various groups of the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and other groups.