Archive: 18 June 1999
53 articles found
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Deadlock, TNI takes over
Deadlock, TNI takes over In view of the political situation following the poll, it has been forecasted that a prolonged confrontation among political parties will prevail, which could lead to chaos and disorder. And what is the consequence of this? According to some political observers, a state of emergency would most probably be declared. This is so because, based on the 1945 Constitution (Article 12), the President is empowered with the authority to declare a state of emergency.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL's UMNO in fighting mood ahead of polls
KL's UMNO in fighting mood ahead of polls KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday rejected rumors he was planning to resign as Malaysia's ruling party began an annual congress in an upbeat and fighting mood ahead of general elections. In an interview with Cable News Network (CNN), Mahathir, 73, declined to give any hint of the election date and rejected speculation he would soon step down after 18 years in power.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Passport forgery investigated
Passport forgery investigated JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Immigration is currently investigating passport forgery practices allegedly done by people linked to the exportation of labor to Saudi Arabia, an official said on Thursday. Director General M. Mudakir said the passport forgery practices were uncovered when representatives of 10 labor exporting companies processed visas for 35 passports at the Saudi Arabian Embassy recently.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Literature deserves a place in schools
Literature deserves a place in schools By A. Chaedar Alwasilah BANDUNG (JP): Poet and playwright Taufiq Ismail is often quoted calling for a revival of the proper teaching of literature and writing in schools. In his estimation, Indonesian high school students' literary skills lag far behind their peers in 13 foreign countries, where students are required to read and discuss from five to 32 literary works per year -- a situation long absent from our school system (Kompas, June 1, 1999).
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KIPP says frustated minor parties delaying results
KIPP says frustated minor parties delaying results JAKARTA (JP): The provincial Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) stated on Thursday that many Jakarta chapters of minor political parties were determined to delay the poll counting process here following their poor showing in the provisional results. KIPP Jakarta chairman Yopie Renyaan said representatives of the minor parties had demanded many ballot recounts, and in some areas forced local committees to repeat polling.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF official says Asia continuing to show rebound
IMF official says Asia continuing to show rebound HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Asian region continues to show signs of recovery, according to Stanley Fischer, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 17, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 575 0 5,500 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 375 0 18,000 Alter Abadi 400 0 428,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,300 100 175,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 525 0 171,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,625 -25 4,301,500 Anwar Sierad 375 -25 627,500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government issues list of banned Euro foods
Government issues list of banned Euro foods JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health issued on Thursday a list of European farm and dairy products which have been banned or temporarily withdrawn from the market. The banned products include Elle & Vire's UHT skim milk in vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and natural flavors and Magnum ice cream. These products were imported from Belgium and France. The ministry said all local food products using Belgian farm or dairy materials produced after Jan.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's rowing association wants a clean sweep at SEA Games
Indonesia's rowing association wants a clean sweep at SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Rowing Association (PODSI) hopes to make a clean sweep of eight golds at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August. PODSI chairman Achmad Sucipto said on Thursday that the rowers held a great chance to win at the Games after they earned three golds and one silver in the pre-Olympics qualifying round in Singapore last week.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Another commodity bourse on the cards
Another commodity bourse on the cards JAKARTA (JP): A group of traders plan to open a futures commodity exchange to trade rice, sugar, soybeans, tobacco, cotton and fiber. Sally Rosalina, one of the group's members, said on Thursday that they had established a new company, PT Bursa Komoditi Jakarta Raya, to operate the commodity exchange.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
So close, yet so far
So close, yet so far The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) may have assured itself a general election victory even with less than half of the votes counted, but the coveted presidency for its chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri still hangs in the balance. That question is far from being settled, and there is even the distinct possibility that she may be shut out altogether.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
New president's priority task
New president's priority task Indonesia's next president will be chosen this fall by a special assembly made up of the 462 newly elected members of the House of Representatives, 38 delegates nominated by the armed forces and 200 representatives chosen by local assemblies and designated interest groups.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest 15 in 'shabu-shabu' house raid
Police arrest 15 in 'shabu-shabu' house raid JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen young people, including three women, were apprehended on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly consuming shabu-shabu, an amphetamine-derivative, in a boarding house in Baturaja subdistrict, Central Jakarta. Jakarta Police detective chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said eight were proven to have consumed the drug, while police were awaiting the results of urine tests for the other seven youths.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Misteri Wanita Dalam Ukiyo-e, at Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Phone: 5201266), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until June 30. * Painting Exhibition: Virtual Reality, by Heri Dono, 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 July 10.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar accused of Manokwari poll fix
Golkar accused of Manokwari poll fix MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Local representatives from 19 political parties have refused to endorse the final results of the general election in Manokwari regency, accusing the Golkar Party of campaign violations. The local spokesman for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Ade Hehatubun, told The Jakarta Post here on Thursday that in Windesi and Babo districts, the total number of votes for Golkar did not correspond to the number of voters.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ex-attorneys urge legal action against Ghalib
Ex-attorneys urge legal action against Ghalib JAKARTA (JP): Former attorneys on Thursday called for tougher measures to be taken against Andi M. Ghalib, who stepped aside on Monday as attorney general for the duration of a graft probe, expressing concern over the tarnished image of the country's highest law-enforcement agency. Soegih Arto, who served as attorney general in the mid 1960s, and five other former attorneys -- M. Salim, Ridwan Sani, M.H.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
NATO must be condemned
NATO must be condemned The editorial entitled What price Kosovo? (The Jakarta Post, June 12, 1999) is an example of how one, due to lack of objectivity and full of bias falls into contradictions and into negating its own and generally accepted principles. In the commentary, the punishment of "Milosevic and his regime" is being justified, but stating that in fact it has been the entire Yugoslav people who have been heavily punished.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protests continue over vote-rigging
Protests continue over vote-rigging JAKARTA (JP): Parties which have performed poorly in the polls continued on Thursday their allegations of vote-rigging in several provinces and reiterated demands for a repeat of the polls. In Semarang, the capital of Central Java, provincial elections committee chairman Hadi Pranoto lashed out at political parties which threatened to reject the elections result.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Language barriers can be used to keep power
Language barriers can be used to keep power By Sam Wright This is the first of two articles on the role foreign languages in Indonesian history. JAKARTA (JP): We are what history makes us. In the present, we struggle with the past. Past mistakes live on, as do long rejected power arrangements that are institutionalized in today's structures or culture.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on June 17, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thousand Islands may get new status
Thousand Islands may get new status JAKARTA (JP): The government is studying the possibility of changing the status of the Thousand Islands in North Jakarta from a district to a mayoralty in a bid to help promote the islands as a major tourist destination, an official said on Thursday.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Estrada aide under fire
Estrada aide under fire MANILA (Reuters): The United States sought on Thursday the extradition of a powerful adviser to Philippine President Joseph Estrada on charges of illegal contributions to President Bill Clinton's election campaign and other offenses. The U.S. embassy asked for assistance in the arrest of Mark Jimenez, a Philippine presidential adviser on Latin American affairs, so he could stand trial in the United States.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
U.S. envoy fails to soothe Chinese
U.S. envoy fails to soothe Chinese BEIJING (AP): A U.S. envoy failed to convince Chinese officials that NATO bombed China's embassy in Yugoslavia by mistake, ending his crucial mission to Beijing on Thursday with relations still in disrepair. Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan rejected Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering's explanation of the May 7 bombing as "unconvincing", the state-run Xinhua news agency said.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bakauheni traders go on strike here
Bakauheni traders go on strike here JAKARTA (JP): Fourteen street vendors from the Bakauheni ferry port in Lampung, at the southern tip of Sumatra, begun a hunger strike on Thursday at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute to press their demands that they be allowed to resume their business operations. The protesting traders, claiming to represent their 300 fellow vendors, said the harbor authority had repeatedly prohibited the traders from operating at the harbor since 1981.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakartans set for treat from Introdans
Jakartans set for treat from Introdans JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans will have the opportunity to enjoy three performances of the famous Dutch ballet company Introdans Ensemble for Youths this Friday and Saturday. The performances will take place at Erasmus Huis, Jl. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, South Jakarta, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This time, it's not Dutch treat. It's free admission. Introdans Ensemble for Youth is an offshoot of the main company, Introdans.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mayora workers demand lost wages
Mayora workers demand lost wages TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of laid-off workers of publicly listed candy and biscuit producer PT Mayora Indah staged a rally here demanding they be paid in full until their dispute was legally settled. During the rally, the workers blocked Jl. Telesonik where the company's factory is located, blocking trucks and other four- wheeled vehicles from entering the site.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timor: Will the United Nations make another blunder?
East Timor: Will the United Nations make another blunder? By George J. Aditjondro This is the second of two articles on the role of the United Nations in the upcoming direct ballot in East Timor. NEWCASTLE, Australia (JP): Unlike in the case of Kuwait or Kosovo, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has not put U.S. weight behind the UN secretary-general to demand the disarming of militias and the withdrawal of Indonesian troops from East Timor. Incidentally, a U.S.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aceh fishermen suffer as trawlers muscle in
Aceh fishermen suffer as trawlers muscle in By Ampelsa BANDA ACEH, Aceh (Antara): Trawls and unchecked fish bombing has not only destroyed the marine ecosystem, but has also seriously threatened local fisherfolk's livelihood. Traditional fisherfolk in southern Aceh can't do anything to stop modern trawls which catch fish of all sizes. Many trawlers use bombs to catch fish that hide in coral reefs. Trawlermen are known to have their base in Sibolga, North Sumatra.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
UN tells E. Timorese their vote is secret
UN tells E. Timorese their vote is secret UNITED NATIONS (Reuters): Secretary-General Kofi Annan assured the people of East Timor on Wednesday that their vote on Aug. 8 to decide the future of the territory would be secret and that the United Nations, which is organizing the balloting, was entirely impartial.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unfrel endorses June 7 elections, despite some violations
Unfrel endorses June 7 elections, despite some violations JAKARTA (JP): Despite instances of alleged vote-rigging and intimidation, the June 7 elections were successfully organized, a preliminary report of the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) said. Unfrel, which dispatched some 105,000 observers to monitor the elections at 50,000 polling places in 2,200 subdistricts and in 22 provinces, said a complete report would follow after tallying of the poll results was completed.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police give conflicting reports on Hendra extradition request
Police give conflicting reports on Hendra extradition request JAKARTA (JP): Police made contradictory remarks on Thursday in regard to Indonesia's official request to Australian authorities for the extradition of Hendra Rahardja, one of the most wanted Indonesian bankers who was apprehended in Sydney early this month. According to National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, a written appeal has been issued by his staff.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Foreign observers or tourists?
Foreign observers or tourists? By Hermawan Sulistyo JAKARTA (JP); General elections in countries undergoing democratization are often, if not always, marred by cheating and structural violations. To minimize the degree of violations, and hence to increase the quality of democratization, many countries open their doors to foreign observers to help monitor the elections. The recent Indonesian elections are not an exception.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Reporter charged for defamation
Reporter charged for defamation BOGOR (JP): A journalist was indicted at the district court here on Wednesday charged with defaming a property businessman. Azhar Sani, 51, of the Bukti ("Evidence") tabloid newspaper was accused of defaming Riduwan Ibrahim, director of PT Karya Bunga Pantai Ceria Group (KBPCG) through his report in the paper and verbal statements before a group of people.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies strengthen despite intervention fears
Asian currencies strengthen despite intervention fears HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Asian bulls emerged mostly victorious from a psychological tug of war Thursday, overcoming market fears of dollar-supportive intervention by the Bank of Japan to bid up regional currencies. Only the South Korean won ended the day down - after the Bank of Korea intervened in the Seoul market - buying U.S.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
New House members to be inducted in early October
New House members to be inducted in early October JAKARTA (JP): National Elections Committee chairman Jacob Tobing said on Thursday new members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) would be inducted into office in early October. He was responding to calls to move forward the schedule for swearing in new legislators and holding the General Session of the MPR following the ruling Golkar Party's expected defeat in the general election.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stop being Chinese?
Stop being Chinese? Mr. Sri Pamoedjo Rahardjo, in Searching for real racial unity (June 11 and June 12) believes that affirmative actions by the government would help so-called indigenous Indonesians improve their status vis-a-vis Chinese-Indonesians. Maybe. Maybe not. As far as I understand it, officially, it is the Chinese-Indonesians, with all the extra administrative burdens, limitations and discriminations, who are the second- class citizens.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
New revelations in Anwar trial
New revelations in Anwar trial KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A psychiatrist told Anwar Ibrahim's sex trial on Thursday that police compelled him to reveal information given to him in confidence by the former minister's adopted brother. Mohamed Fadzil Man said police forced him to divulge what he had learnt about Anwar's adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan, although he was aware he could be breaching doctor-patient confidentiality with Sukma, who was being treated for depression.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Apartment market to remain gloomy until year end
Apartment market to remain gloomy until year end JAKARTA (JP): Property consultants have predicted that the capital will continue to experience a decline in demand for residential apartment rental space throughout the year, and expect increased vacancy at the end of 1999. PT Procon Indah/Jones Lang LaSalle said the dim outlook was particularly due to the continuing business contraction and company rationalization.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aceh military commander replaced
Aceh military commander replaced JAKARTA (JP): The military commander overseeing security in Aceh's troubled regencies of Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh was replaced on Wednesday. Riot troop commander Col. Ridwan Karim told The Jakarta Post by phone from the North Aceh capital of Lhokseumawe on Thursday that Col. Johnny Wahab was replaced as Lilawangsa military commander by Col. Syafnil Armen in an official ceremony. "Johnny has been transferred to Army Headquarters in Jakarta," Ridwan said.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar seeks coalition with PDI-P in a surprise move
Golkar seeks coalition with PDI-P in a surprise move JAKARTA (JP): After being rejected by the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), Golkar Party, running third in the provisional vote count, is looking at the possibility of forming a coalition with the front-running Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF ready to work with whoever wins elections
IMF ready to work with whoever wins elections HONG KONG (AFP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is ready to work with whoever wins Indonesia's election to help nurse the country's crippled economy back to health, a top official said on Thursday. The IMF has arranged a US$46 billion bailout for the Indonesian economy, which was brought to its knees by the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF approves new Thai loan
IMF approves new Thai loan WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday it had completed a review of Thailand's economy, allowing payment of a new US$520 million tranche of an existing $17.2 billion international loan. The IMF said it will contribute $135 million to the tranche. The tranche will bring to $14.1 billion, or more than 80 percent, the amount of the loan that has now been paid out.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sampoerna's debt rescheduled
Sampoerna's debt rescheduled JAKARTA (JP): Cigarettemaker PT HM Sampoerna announced on Thursday that it had secured approval from its creditors' to reschedule the $140 million outstanding of a $150 million syndicated term loan and revolving credit facility. The company said in a statement the agreement was signed simultaneously in Singapore and Jakarta and was attended by representatives of the Jakarta Initiative, the Indonesian government-sponsored private debt facilitating agency.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military, PAN could become kingmakers
Military, PAN could become kingmakers JAKARTA (JP): The National Mandate Party (PAN) and the military will likely play a determinant role in deciding who will be the country's next president if leading parties lack support for their presidential candidates, political observers have said.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Top players turn down national tennis team
Top players turn down national tennis team JAKARTA (JP): Three men's national players have declined to join the national selection, which is part of the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games preparation. Men's singles Andrian Raturandang and men's doubles specialists Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo turned down offers from the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) to compete in the selection from June 23 to June 26.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P set for Bali landslide
PDI-P set for Bali landslide JAKARTA (JP): While the chance of becoming the outright majority in the House of Representatives has slipped from their grasp, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is now seeking to rule the roost in provincial legislatures. With 82.90 percent of the vote counted in Bali, PDI Perjuangan is projected to secure 38 out of 55 provincial legislative seats after collecting 1,318,643 votes as of Wednesday.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Daughter suspected in mother's murder
Daughter suspected in mother's murder SEMARANG: A 25-year-old woman is suspected of killing her mother by poisoning, police in Bruno Purworejo said. The daughter, identified as GY of Brandong village, was arrested for murdering Fatmunarsih, Antara reported on Thursday. The incident took place early on Wednesday. The victim, a 50- year-old rich widow, police said, went into convulsions after drinking tea made by her daughter.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati presidency not foregone conclusion
Megawati presidency not foregone conclusion By Winarno Zain JAKARTA (JP): Barring any odd developments, the victory of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in the June 7 elections is a foregone conclusion. But party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has not been assured of the presidency. This is because of the unique Indonesian political system and the peculiar political behavior of the parties which contested the elections.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
BDF debt restructuring plan approved
BDF debt restructuring plan approved JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT BBL Dharmala Finance (BDF) announced on Thursday its debt restructuring proposal received initial approval from the negotiation team representing the company's creditors. "The creditors' debt restructuring steering committee has approved our restructuring proposal," a BDF executive said after the company's annual shareholders meeting.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Refugees' homes left unfinished
Refugees' homes left unfinished KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Construction of houses for 1,000 refugees has been delayed due to a lack of available land and supply of construction materials. Head of the regional office of the Ministry of Public Works, Soekarjoso, said on Thursday that construction of the 30-square- meter homes would be completed in two months' time. Antara reported that so far only about 250 homes have been completed at a cost of about Rp 2.5 million (US$347) per house.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Village chief pick sparks rampage
Village chief pick sparks rampage PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Hundreds of residents from Mangunegara village in Purbalingga regency vented their anger over the election of Purnomo as village chief by going on a rampage on Thursday. At least six houses in the village were damaged. The houses belonged to Purnomo and five of his supporters. Purbalingga Police chief Lt. Col. Ipong Supomo confirmed that the unrest was caused by dissatisfaction over Purnomo's election.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Additional poll
Additional poll There is an error in the article Unfrel unveils various violations during polls in The Jakarta Post, June 12, 1999. It is written: "Tris Stiadi, Unfrel election monitoring coordinator, says that Unfrel considers asking the Bogor mayoralty elections committee to repeat the election process in Depok". This is not the case.
Fri, 18 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Coca-Cola says local beverages safe
Coca-Cola says local beverages safe JAKARTA (JP): Soft drink producer PT Coca-Cola Indonesia assured on Thursday that its products manufactured in the country were safe for consumption amid fears sparked by outbreaks of illness in several European countries. "All of Coca-Cola's products in Indonesia are safe for consumption and have nothing to do with the recent withdrawal of Coca-Cola's products in Belgium," the company said in a statement.