Archive: 22 June 1999
51 articles found
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logging a threat to Sumatra's orangutans
Illegal logging a threat to Sumatra's orangutans By Bernard Estrade JAKARTA (AFP): One of the world's most important research centers on orangutans, in the north of the huge Indonesian island of Sumatra, is under threat from massive illegal logging which authorities seem unable to stop. "Yesterday chainsaws were felling trees along the river at the base camp.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Writing contest from Australia
Writing contest from Australia JAKARTA: The Australian Studies Center of the University of Indonesia (ASC-UI) has launched an essay writing competition for Indonesian and Australian journalists, Antara reported. The competition, which aims to enhance greater understanding between Indonesian and Australian journalists, ends on July 31, director of the ASC-UI, Reni Winata, said on Monday.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN meets on cross-border crime
ASEAN meets on cross-border crime YANGON (Reuters): Senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met in the Myanmar capital on Monday to discuss transnational crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling and money laundering. The gathering of senior officials precedes a meeting of home ministers of the 10-member bloc due to take place on Wednesday.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI shines in dragon boat race
RI shines in dragon boat race JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men and women rowers won the international dragon boat race on Kee Lung river in Taiwan from June 19 to June 20, Antara reported on Monday. The 50 rowers comprising 25 men's and 25 women's rowers are currently preparing for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The United States' men's rowers were second and Thailand was third. On the women's side, the United States also ranked second, while Taiwan was third.(ivy)
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
49 firms face delisting
49 firms face delisting JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) said last week that 49 listed companies were put on the watch list for possible delisting due to poor financial performance and/or qualified comment from their public accountants. Companies on the watch list are those with unsound equity or doubtful business prospects as declared by their respective public accountants, JSX said in a statement referring to its existing listing regulation.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Speak out of conscience
Speak out of conscience On June 13, 1999, I happened to listen to a BBC radio interview with the acting chairman of the Indonesian Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) about the alleged bribery scandal involving the then Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib, who was yet to be suspended from office. The answers given by the acting chairman of ICMI were so absurd, and his all-out defense of Andi M. Ghalib and B.J.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fahmi says required membership in Korpri a thing of the past
Fahmi says required membership in Korpri a thing of the past JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Civil Servants Corp (Korpri) changed its status to a labor union two months ago, with membership now optional among civil servants, Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said on Monday. Speaking after meeting President B.J.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's idea on power separation finds support
Gus Dur's idea on power separation finds support YOGYAKARTA (JP): The reintroduction of deputy prime ministers is believed to be a constitutional way out of the much anticipated deadlock during the upcoming presidential election, a political expert said.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sukarno admirers disappointed by Megawati's absence in Blitar
Sukarno admirers disappointed by Megawati's absence in Blitar BLITAR, East Java (JP): Attendants of an annual commemoration of late first president Sukarno were disappointed to find that Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), failed to show. The explanation offered was only that Megawati could not come. She sent, however, a written speech which was read by her sister, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, who also chaired the organizing committee.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah strengthens 2.5% on investor, IMF optimism
Rupiah strengthens 2.5% on investor, IMF optimism JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah soared 2.53 percent on Monday on the back of positive comments from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a rallying local stock market. The rupiah closed higher at Rp 7,110 to the U.S. dollar, compared to 7,295 in late trading on Friday. Dealers said the sentiment on the local currency was not affected by Bank of Japan's (BOJ) dollar-buying move on Monday, which pushed down other regional currencies.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on June 21, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU postpones ballot count
KPU postpones ballot count JAKARTA (JP): Only seven of the 27 provincial elections committees completed their official ballot count by Monday's deadline, leading the National Elections Committee to delay the national vote count. Political party leaders who had gathered to hear the results of the national vote count expressed disappointment when they were told the General Elections Commission (KPU) had delayed the tallying.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Two Hours Only 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 Family's Program 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Cartoon: Silverhawk 3:00 Music 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Management Program 5:00 Documentary 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Series: Hotel 8:25 Music 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 Music 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government urged to cancel debate on natural resources bills
Government urged to cancel debate on natural resources bills JAKARTA (JP): A coalition of 125 nongovernmental organizations, including the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi), urged on Monday the government and the House of Representatives cancel debates on the oil and gas bill and the forestry bill. They also called on the House to send the two bills back to the government, urging them to draft a new bill on the management of all kinds of natural resources to replace the two bills.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Marker pleased with ballot preparations
Marker pleased with ballot preparations JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations secretary-general's personal representative on East Timor, Jamsheed Marker, indicated on Monday that he was encouraged by ongoing preparations for the direct ballot to be held in the province. Marker declined to say whether the UN would go ahead with its original plan to hold the self-determination vote on Aug. 8. or postpone it because of security concerns.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia is in need of vilification law
Indonesia is in need of vilification law By Johannes Nugroho SURABAYA (JP): "Those who surrender leadership to womankind shall not be condoned (by God). Ye shall not profane the Koran and the Prophet's Hadis merely in order to elect a woman as president of RI," thundered a 100-meter banner spread out in front of the Islamic University of Indonesia's Ujungpandang campus.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Female president
Female president Regardless of the pros and cons over the gender of Indonesia's fourth president, I believe it will do us good to change our normal practice. Recently, we have frequently seen President Habibie kiss his male guests on their left and right cheeks but shake hands only with his female guests. In my opinion, if the fourth president is a woman, it will be all right for her to kiss her female guests on their left and right cheeks and shake hands only with her male guests.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Climbing, diving campaign for PON
Climbing, diving campaign for PON JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Diving Association (POSSI) and the Indonesian Climbing Federation (FPTI) will continue to campaign for their inclusion in the 2000 National Sports (PON) in Surabaya, East Java. POSSI's executive chairman Bahder I. Sitepu and FPTI's chief of the competition division Lt. Col. Lodewijk Paulus said the sport bodies will hold national tournaments as part of the campaign.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF is not interfering in RI
IMF is not interfering in RI I was puzzled by the reference to the IMF in Mr. Chairul's article in The Jakarta Post, June 20, 1999, entitled Building an Indonesian Hall of Shame. Mr. Chairul's complaint is that he can't scratch his head without the International Monetary Fund (IMF) telling him where, and -- more seriously -- that the IMF is "messing up our domestic affairs", "interfering in our domestic business", and that we all should feel quite ashamed about this development.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Property sector needs healthy banks: Expert
Property sector needs healthy banks: Expert JAKARTA (JP): The country's ailing property sector is reliant on the success of government-sponsored bank restructuring to recover, an executive of a publicly listed property developer said on Monday. PT Ristia Bintang Mahkotasejati (RBM) president Richard Wiriahardja said successful bank restructuring, including giving fresh equity to ailing banks, would enable local banks to resume extending loans.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ritual must not burden villagers
Ritual must not burden villagers GUNUNGKIDUL, Yogyakarya: Annual ritual purification activities in villages in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, should not burden people still affected by the crisis, said the head of the arts council here. Kodrat Samadikun raised on Monday the dilemma facing some locals, given the high costs involved in many of the ceremonies, reported Antara.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
APEC trade ministers to meet in Auckland
APEC trade ministers to meet in Auckland WELLINGTON (Reuters): Most APEC economies will send their most senior trade ministers to an APEC trade conference in Auckland next week, New Zealand officials said on Monday. The world's two biggest economies, the United States and Japan, will be represented by U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky and Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Kaoru Yosano.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta offers residents less as it gets older
Jakarta offers residents less as it gets older By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): Housewife Suryati is very much concerned that her daughter will not have the opportunity to experience the same childhood pleasure as she did when visiting the National Monument (Monas) Square in the heart of the capital as a child. Every weekend some 25 years ago, Suryati's parents took their children to the 80-hectare park, located just across from the presidential office complex, to enjoy the huge grassy area.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Singapore May non-oil exports jump 15.5%
Singapore May non-oil exports jump 15.5% SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore's non-oil domestic exports, a key measure of the economy's performance, jumped a nominal 15.5 percent in May to S$8.15 billion when compared with a year earlier, the Trade Development Board (TDB) said on Monday. The rise was greater than most economists' forecasts. A Reuters' poll of 11 economists on Friday forecast that May non-oil exports would rise 10.9 percent.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 21, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 475 -100 110,500 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 375 0 24,000 Alter Abadi 475 -50 1,557,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,150 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 550 25 146,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,625 -25 3,717,500 Anwar Sierad 425 -25 580,500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: 4 Citra, by Mier Komara, C. Hadi Purwanto, Yadi Qustant, and Yudah Noor, at Sahid Topas Galeria Hotel, Jl. Terusan Pasteur, until July 3. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Batu Melangkah Waktu, by Sunaryo, at Selasar Seni Sunaryo, Jl. Bukit Pakar Timur no. 100 (Phone: 022 2507939), until June 30. Performance * Sundanese Drama: Putri Salakadomas, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 433562), 8 p.m., June 26.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soleh says Rp 11.3b of farming loans misused
Soleh says Rp 11.3b of farming loans misused JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Agriculture Soleh Solahuddin acknowledged on Monday official misuse in the disbursement of heavily subsidized farming loans, but contended the incidence was less than 1 percent. He said his ministry found that Rp 11.3 billion (US$1.5 million), or about 0.24 percent, of the Rp 4.7 trillion disbursed to farmers was misused by "officials".
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Regent of Bantul to face trial
Regent of Bantul to face trial PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Regent of Bantul Sri Roso Sudarmo is scheduled to face military trial on Tuesday on charges of bribing legislative council members to support him for reelection. Diponegoro military commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo said on Monday the regent, a colonel, will be tried in Semarang. The regent has been implicated in the murder of Bernas daily journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, or Udin, on Aug. 16, 1996.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL wants navy exercises resumed
KL wants navy exercises resumed KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia said on Monday that it hoped to resume an annual joint navy exercise with Singapore shelved in 1997 amid the regional economic slump. Malaysia's navy chief Vice Admiral Abu Bakar Abdul Jamal said the exercise, code-named Malapura, was first held in 1984 to boost bilateral working ties.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Suspected thieves mobbed to death
Suspected thieves mobbed to death JAKARTA (JP): Two suspected thieves were mobbed to death by local residents after being caught committing crimes in West Jakarta and Depok, respectively, police said on Monday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis identified the suspected thieves as Indra Yuhelmi, 18, a student at private high school in Cipondoh, Tangerang, and Harsono, 28, an unemployed resident of Bukit Cengkeh housing complex in Depok.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF-set reform stays
IMF-set reform stays The commitment, expressed on Saturday by Indonesian major political parties to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation that they will continue to implement the current reform programs, removed one element of what the market perceived as risks related to the process of transition into a new government later this year.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
32 students fined Rp 2,500 each for disrupting traffic
32 students fined Rp 2,500 each for disrupting traffic JAKARTA (JP): Wearing identical paper masks bearing the smiling face of former president Soeharto, 32 University of Indonesia students appeared at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday to face charges of disrupting traffic. The students, arrested during a street protest at Semanggi cloverleaf on Friday, refused to obey presiding judge Sultan Mangun's repeated orders to take off the white masks. "We represent Soeharto.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bali's forests threatened by wood thefts and fires
Bali's forests threatened by wood thefts and fires By Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Forests in three regencies in Bali -- Jembrana, Buleleng and Karangasem -- are losing more and more of their forests to illegal logging activities and fires. Official statistics show that over the past few years, Bali has suffered a losses of Rp 385 billion in forest products due to the fires and wood thefts. The figures show that during the period, authorities recorded 295 cases of wood theft.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tourist industry places hopes on Bali Travel Mart
Tourist industry places hopes on Bali Travel Mart By I. Christianto NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Bali, Indonesia's leading tourist desti nation, is set to invigorate the country's damaged travel industry after widespread reports of unrest and political instability. The island of gods will host the first annual Bali Travel Mart (BTM), which will be officially opened on Tuesday.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Arifin tried for Rp 1.8t corruption
Arifin tried for Rp 1.8t corruption JAKARTA (JP): Oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro was indicted at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday for his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal worth Rp 1.8 trillion (US$240 million) in issuance of promissory notes.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Panwaslu probes violation reports
Panwaslu probes violation reports JAKARTA (JP): The Election Supervisory Committee said it would continue to look into reports on election violations in eight provinces. Deputy Chairman Todung Mulya Lubis said his committee has investigated election violations in North and Southeast Sulawesi and the next investigation would be directed at reports from South Kalimantan and South Sulawesi. "Committee Chairman Soedarko and his team leaves for South Kalimantan today.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mutual trust key to democracy
Mutual trust key to democracy By Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): People need maturity and humbleness to accept the bitter reality of being a loser in any kind of competition with fellow humans. In a sense, the general election was a form of social marketing in which political parties and politicians tried to persuade the electorate to "buy" their ideas and programs. Campaign activities, including television ads, were designed to attract people's attention and win their votes.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto, return our land!
Soeharto, return our land! KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Some 250 families of the Lainea village, Kendari district, staged a protest demanding former president Soeharto return the 4,000 hectare land controlled by a cotton industry, PT Kapas Indah Indonesia, owned by the late Tien Soeharto, Antara reported on Monday. Spokesman H.B.M.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties doubt Ghalib's case will be resolved
Parties doubt Ghalib's case will be resolved JAKARTA (JP): Major opposition parties aired doubts on Monday that the government would take firm action against Andi M. Ghalib, who stood down as attorney general after bribery allegations were leveled against him. National Mandate Party secretary-general Faisal Basri and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono said Ghalib would evade any legal consequences as long as President B.J.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Why reject a female president?
Why reject a female president? The vehemence with which some of my fellow Muslims have rejected a female president has pushed me to ask Muslim clerics, prominent figures, leaders and statesmen from Muslim circles about the following: 1. Using the same reference, i.e. the Koran and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, why could Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are clearly Muslim republics/states, appoint a woman as their prime minister?
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan's trade surplus dived 31.5% in May
Japan's trade surplus dived 31.5% in May TOKYO (AFP): Japan's trade surplus slid 31.5 percent in May, its heaviest fall in three years, as exports tumbled, the finance ministry said Monday. The trade surplus, which measures the balance between imports and exports, fell to 834.3 billion yen (US$7.0 billion), falling for the second straight month.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Japan, EU make breakthrough on two-way trade agreement
Japan, EU make breakthrough on two-way trade agreement BONN (Reuters): Japan and the European Union leaders made a breakthrough in years of talks on a two-way trade agreement on Sunday and pledged to work together to win support for a new round of global trade talks, officials said.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Business acumen
Business acumen About half a century ago, in the beginning of the 1950s, when Indonesia had just got rid of the yoke of colonialism, the government thought it expedient to create a class of Indonesian entrepreneurs. Naturally capital was needed to do business. So a unique incentive system was introduced. Almost all import commodities were confined to Indonesian (read indigenous, although not officially stated) importers. This prompted tycoons, manufacturers, etc.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelti seeks coach for SEA Games squad
Pelti seeks coach for SEA Games squad JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) is preparing to select a coach to train the men's team for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Pelti spokesman Benny Mailili said on Monday the association would choose the coach from 15 people invited to a one-day discussion on Tuesday. Those invited to the discussion are Tintus Aribowo, Suharyadi, Deddy Prasetyo, Yayuk Basuki, Suzanna Anggarkusuma, Yosafat Sihombing, Soediharso, Wailan S.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Why must Megawati be blocked?
Why must Megawati be blocked? From Republika First of all, let me make it clear that I am no sympathizer of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). Second, I am a Muslim. However, after reading Republika daily of June 10 and June 11, 1999, I felt called upon to express my opinion. An article on page 7 (June 10) entitled To block Megawati... made me curious why PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri should be blocked.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakartans dreaming of better post-election days
Jakartans dreaming of better post-election days JAKARTA (JP): The capital celebrates its 472nd anniversary today in the midst of strong hopes for brighter days soon after the completion of ballot counting. With most feeling the effects of the economic crisis and with last year's riots still fresh in their minds, many Jakartans describe the past two years as both nightmarish and unforgettable.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
How long will Indonesian political uncertainties last?
How long will Indonesian political uncertainties last? By Yulius P. Hermawan This is the second of two articles on political transition in Indonesia. BANDUNG (JP): Indonesian political actors probably need to learn from South Korea's lessons of the transition to democracy. The transition really depends on the role of pro-true democracy parties. The political games which were played by both reform and conservative parties in Korea made democratization difficult in a short time.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Philippine plane overshoots runway
Philippine plane overshoots runway MANILA (AP): A domestic airplane, carrying 51 people, overshot a runway in an eastern province on Monday but was able to stop, missing a concrete airport fence by a few meters, officials said. All passengers were unhurt but officials failed to immediately remove the YS-11 turbo prop plane from the runway, delaying the departure of another plane at the airport in Virac town, Catanduanes province, officials said.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
World Bank says it listens to the people's aspirations
World Bank says it listens to the people's aspirations JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank's country director, Mark Baird, said here on Monday that the Bank's recommendations on the disbursement of its US$600 million social safety net loan to Indonesia reflect the aspirations of the people.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Provinces play catch-up in tabulating ballots
Provinces play catch-up in tabulating ballots JAKARTA (JP): A handful more provinces completed on Monday the tabulation of votes from the June 7 elections, several days past the June 17 deadline set for final tallies to be submitted. The West Java electoral committee wrapped up the count and approved the results at 1 a.m. on Monday, a few hours after South Kalimantan, Aceh and West Sumatra. Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Timor and Bali are the other provinces to have completed their vote count.
Tue, 22 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie submits three names for post at BI
Habibie submits three names for post at BI JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has submitted names of three candidates to the House of Representatives for the position of senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia, according to a legislator. They are noted economist Anwar Nasution, senior banker Binhadi and deputy for monetary and fiscal policy at the National Development Planning Board Sukarno W.