Archive: 23 June 1999
47 articles found
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Man arrested with 38,000 ecstasy pills
Man arrested with 38,000 ecstasy pills JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives arrested a 35-year-old former coffin maker on Monday for allegedly possessing a total of 38,172 ecstasy pills worth over Rp 1.7 billion (US$234,500). It is believed to be the country's single largest ecstasy seizure. In 1996, television actress Zarima was arrested with 29,677 ecstasy pills.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Quake rocks Banda Aceh
Quake rocks Banda Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A tectonic earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Banda Aceh at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. An employee of the Mata Ie Meteorology and Geophysics office here, Sugeng, told Antara the epicenter of the quake was determined at a depth of 33 kilometers in the Indonesian Ocean, about 500 kilometers southwest of here. No casualties or damage was reported. It was the fifth quake to hit Aceh's capital in the past six months.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Munir too subjective
Munir too subjective Munir's success in uncovering a case of missing persons whose abductors happened to be certain members of security apparatuses (the military and police) seems to continue to overshadow his pattern of thoughts so that he always places them as the parties to blame. This is an error which is really regrettable because with the courage and spirit he has, he must be able to assume a neutral position, something which is unfortunately not the case.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 22, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 525 50 82,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 350 -25 25,000 Alter Abadi 525 50 2,190,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,150 0 40,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 525 -25 105,000 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,600 -25 8,201,500 Anwar Sierad 400 -25 334,500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
UNAMET plans to work with KPS
UNAMET plans to work with KPS DILI, East Timor (JP): The United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) plans to cooperate with the Commission for Peace and Stability (KPS) to formulate a code of conduct to ensure security in the province ahead of the self-determination vote in August, KPS member Benjamin Mangkoedilaga said on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists in Dili, the respected retired judge said both organizations had prepared drafts to be discussed on Wednesday in Jakarta.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Syarwan Hamid puts photos on display
Syarwan Hamid puts photos on display JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-five photographers and enthusiasts from the Indonesian Leica Photography Club will hold a joint exhibition at Cahya photo gallery in Central Jakarta beginning on Friday. According to organizer FX Ratkocodomo of the gallery, each of the 25 members, including Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, will display five pictures from their portfolios during the eight-day event. It is the club's first joint exhibition.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelti delays decision on coach appointments
Pelti delays decision on coach appointments JAKARTA (JP): With only six weeks left before the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games begin in Brunei Darussalam in August, the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) once again delayed plans to stage a selection for coaches. Pelti secretary-general Soegeng Sarjadi said on Tuesday two coaches would be appointed instead in an official meeting after the men's and women's team selections.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
So much for reform talks
So much for reform talks The nation's reform agenda appears to have been put on the back burner as virtually all of the country's political elite are locked in a stiff power struggle. The whole nation watches in awe as these political leaders, many of whom we had assumed were on opposing sides of the reform divide, meet and negotiate to forge coalitions or strategic alliances, all with their sights trained on the November presidential election.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
India and Pakistan must talk
India and Pakistan must talk The Jakarta Post published a news item on June 21, in three columns captioned India wins G-8 support over Kashmir spat. The intro of the story said that India won key diplomatic support from the G-8 group of major powers on Sunday in its battle with arch-foe Pakistan over Kashmir.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government may recruit private investigators
Government may recruit private investigators JAKARTA (JP): The government will likely recruit professional detectives to trace the Soehartos' alleged fortune overseas, a minister said. Minister of Justice Muladi told Antara on Tuesday that Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and Administrative Reform Hartarto and the Military Police Corps were still choosing from 10 private detective companies, several in the United States, to handle the case.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bali Travel Mart opens with optimism
Bali Travel Mart opens with optimism By I. Christianto KUTA, Bali (JP): Indonesia is set to launch a series of promotional programs to reinvigorate a tourist industry which has been mired in a slump for the past two years, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman said after opening the Bali Travel Mart (BTM) here on Tuesday. "Last year we saw only 4.6 million visitors. This year we predict we will welcome some 5 million.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF tells Indonesia to cut interest rate, do more to relax money supply
IMF tells Indonesia to cut interest rate, do more to relax money supply JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has to allow domestic interest rates to further decline from current levels as part of a strategy to encourage an economic recovery, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Asia Pacific director Hubert Neiss. He also said on Tuesday that a relaxation of monetary supply growth would be required as the demand for credit returns.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
City Council to vote on choice of speaker
City Council to vote on choice of speaker JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid on Tuesday said the post of speaker of the Jakarta City Council would not automatically go to the political party which garnered the most votes in the elections in the capital. Syarwan said the next council speaker should be determined by an election based on the council's existing internal regulations.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Makindo, Dynaplast to buy back shares
Makindo, Dynaplast to buy back shares JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of publicly listed securities company Makindo and plastics components manufacturer Dynaplast approved on Tuesday plans to buy back up to 10 percent of the companies' shares from the public. Makindo Chief Executive Gunawan Jusuf said the shareholders had approved to use Rp 118.8 billion (US$16.97 million) taken out of the company's retained earnings to buy back up to 87.7 million shares, forgoing to pay out dividends.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
House's debate on oil bill goes on
House's debate on oil bill goes on JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives and the government continued debating an oil and gas bill despite a call from activists for the cancellation of the talks. Legislator Priyo Budi Santoso, a member of the House's special team for the deliberation of the bill, said on Tuesday the House and the government had no intention to cancel the debates, and dismissed the call as "irrational and unconstitutional".
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lufthansa to buy PAL assets
Lufthansa to buy PAL assets MANILA (Reuters): Debt-ridden Philippine Airlines has signed a letter of intent with a unit of Germany's Lufthansa to sell its maintenance and engineering operations, company president Avelino Zapanta said on Tuesday. Zapanta told Reuters the letter was signed last weekend, but talks were still continuing on details.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hendra picks Indonesian lawyer to defend him
Hendra picks Indonesian lawyer to defend him JAKARTA (JP): Hendra Rahardja, who is in a Sydney jail awaiting a procedural hearing on extradition, has named Indonesian lawyer Alamsyah Hanafiah to defend him in the Australian courts and in his trial here. "He signed the documents to appoint me as his lawyer from the jail in Sydney on Sunday," Alamsyah told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Violence victims ask Military Police to be more serious
Violence victims ask Military Police to be more serious JAKARTA (JP): Parents and relatives of abducted activists and students shot dead during demonstrations staged a protest on Tuesday in front of the headquarters of the Military Police, which was commemorating its 53rd anniversary. Arif, representing the demonstrators, urged the Military Police Corps to disband if they could not seriously investigate the cases.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir slams Connery film
Mahathir slams Connery film KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad lashed out on Tuesday at Sean Connery's latest film Entrapment, accusing the thriller of distorting the truth by juxtaposing slums next to the world's tallest buildings. In U.S. film studio Twentieth Century Fox's heist thriller, Connery plays an art thief and Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones an insurance investigator. The two engage in a cat-and-mouse game involving tall buildings and the millennium bug.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang public minivan drivers protest route overlaps
Tangerang public minivan drivers protest route overlaps TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of angkot (public minivan) drivers protested at Tangerang Regent Agus Djunara's office on Tuesday over route overlaps. The protest, held by drivers of D-06 minivans plying the Jombang-Ciputat route and drivers of D-08 minivans plying the Ciputat-BSD housing complex route, was also participated in by minivan owners.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Governor calls of rebuilding of capital
Governor calls of rebuilding of capital JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso made a passionate appeal to residents on Tuesday to join hands with him in rebuilding the city whose image abroad has been shattered by violent unrest over the past year. In a speech marking Jakarta's 472nd anniversary at City Hall, Sutiyoso said residents had every reason to be proud of having passed the general election this month and the preceding campaign period with relative calm and order.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Big debtors agree to repay debts at local banks
Big debtors agree to repay debts at local banks JAKARTA (JP): Some 173 large debtors, including companies owned by the family of former president Soeharto and his associate Mohamad Bob Hasan, have finally agreed to sign a letter of commitment to repay bad debts at local banks.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lottery hopefuls lose their cool
Lottery hopefuls lose their cool BANDUNG: Residents set ablaze a motorcycle and a car in front of a reputed lottery site late Monday. They were reportedly incensed because there was no announcement of lottery results at the building, a former showroom. The incident took place a day after the township branch of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) demanded the legislative council take action against gambling.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar supporters angry over bribery
Golkar supporters angry over bribery TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of local Golkar Party supporters here flooded the party's mayoralty chapter office on Monday, condemning alleged bribery committed by their party's treasurer. They brought harshly worded leaflets alleging that Abas Sunarya spent Rp 400 million (US$57,140) to ensure a Golkar victory and for his personal benefit.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Administration may review bus fare hike
Administration may review bus fare hike JAKARTA (JP): The city is considering reviewing an initial plan to double the fare on city buses in the capital, an executive said on Monday. Head of the city's land transportation division of the Ministry of Communication, Feisal Amir, said that the strong wave of public objections against the plan had forced the city to reconsider the hike. "From what I read in the media, city residents were so angry about the plan. What if the proposal became a reality?
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Money laundering reports untrue: Rahardi
Money laundering reports untrue: Rahardi JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Tuesday that reports of a money laundering scandal involving his wife were engineered. Rahardi, who is also chairman of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), said it was clear that certain people were trying to discredit his name by spreading the untrue allegation. "Some parties are not happy with some of my industry and trade policies. So they want to ruin my reputation," he said.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU members agree to gradual ballot count
KPU members agree to gradual ballot count JAKARTA (JP): Pressed for time, the General Elections Commission (KPU) agreed on Tuesday to begin the national ballot count before the final poll results came in from all of the 27 provinces.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pacific to buy Indofood
Pacific to buy Indofood HONG KONG (AFP): Hong Kong-based conglomerate First Pacific Co. Ltd. said Tuesday it would spend US$650 million to buy a 40- percent stake in Indonesian foodmaker PT Indofood Sukses Makmur. In a statement to the Stock Exchange requesting that trading in its shares be suspended pending a detailed announcement, First Pacific said it planned to place at least $150 million in new shares as part of the deal.
Wed, 23 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.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Experts warn of possible wave of student protests
Experts warn of possible wave of student protests JAKARTA (JP): Legal experts have warned that students could return to the streets if the government of President B.J. Habibie continued stalling the corruption investigations against former top officials, including ex-president Soeharto.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soehartos control 7.15m ha of forests in the country
Soehartos control 7.15m ha of forests in the country JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto, his family and their friends own stakes in 27 timber companies and 8 industrial forest estates, covering a total area of 7.14 million hectares of forests throughout the country, according to the latest findings of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hotels observe anniversary with Betawi food festivals
Hotels observe anniversary with Betawi food festivals JAKARTA (JP): City dwellers appeared to lack the inclination to join in Tuesday's festivities to celebrate the city's 472 anniversary. Symbols of Betawi (native Jakarta) culture were mostly seen on major street corners and other public places. Apparently, residents were still preoccupied with political and security concerns in the lead-up to the presidential election.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia must win 70 golds to beat Thailand in SEA Games
Indonesia must win 70 golds to beat Thailand in SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) official in charge of athletes development, Mochamad Hindarto, says Indonesia will need at least 70 golds to retain the overall title at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August. Hindarto warned on Tuesday that Indonesia would face a tough challenge from arch-rival Thailand, especially in athletics, swimming and shooting.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Postscript to a popular festivity of democracy
Postscript to a popular festivity of democracy By Marianus Kleden KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): The bloodshed feared by many analysts and by the public did not become a reality during the last political campaign. Peacefulness and brotherhood expressed in the concurrent rallies, simultaneous hoisting of party flags, the talk on coalitions and the signing of communiques were unprecedented.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Timor Gap Treaty seen 'intact on Timor vote'
Timor Gap Treaty seen 'intact on Timor vote' DARWIN, Australia (Dow Jones): The outcome of East Timor's autonomy vote in August likely will have little impact on the Timor Gap Treaty between Australia and Indonesia, an Australian official said Monday. The treaty covers the sharing of royalties between the two nations in an area between them in the energy-rich, but mostly undeveloped Timor Sea covered by the Zone of Cooperation Agreement.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
To be masters or slaves of power?
To be masters or slaves of power? By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): After we succeeded in carrying out a fairly honest general election in a peaceful manner, and managed to reduce the cumbersome number of political parties to a realistic level, do we still need political education? Most observers say "yes"; the reason being that most of us still make our political choices more on the basis of personality rather than ideology.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties divided on ballot process
Parties divided on ballot process JAKARTA (JP): While party executives agree a one vote per legislator mechanism would be best for the upcoming presidential election, they expressed differences on Tuesday over whether voting should be discreet or open. Chairman of the Golkar Party Akbar Tandjung said a secret ballot would be the "most appropriate" for the presidential election.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PAN supporters veto Golkar deal
PAN supporters veto Golkar deal SEMARANG: Thousands of National Mandate Party (PAN) supporters in the province have threatened to switch allegiances if leader Amien Rais accepts offers to form a coalition with Golkar. PAN's Central Java deputy chairman Budi Hartanto said on Monday the party supporters believed Golkar was indistinguishable from former president Soeharto, who stepped down in May last year following a wave of student demonstrations.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hotel shooting still a mystery
Hotel shooting still a mystery JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta Police detectives are baffled by late Sunday's shooting that shattered the glass entrance doors of three-star Hotel Ancol on Jl. R.E. Martadinata. "There's no progress from the police about the shooting," the hotel's on-duty manager, Sofwan, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. North Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Foreign firms set to buy Bali hotels
Foreign firms set to buy Bali hotels JAKARTA (JP): Eight foreign institutional investors and hotel operators are currently involved in active negotiations to acquire hotels in Bali, a hotel property consultant said. The associate corporate advisory of PT Procon Konsulindo/Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Djodi Trisusanto, said the targeted hotels were four and five-star rated. He told The Jakarta Post on Monday his company handled five of the eight ongoing negotiations.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kontras accuses military of falsifying Aceh reports
Kontras accuses military of falsifying Aceh reports JAKARTA (JP): A human rights group said on Tuesday the military released misleading information about recent unrest in Aceh, including that separatists terrorized residents into fleeing their homes. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) dismissed the military's claim that the Free Aceh Movement forced thousands of people in several regencies to become refugees.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah breaks 7,000 against U.S. dollar
Rupiah breaks 7,000 against U.S. dollar JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah continued to gain ground against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, passing the crucial 7,000 psychological level for the first time since early February of last year on signs of improvement in the country's economic fundamentals. Currency dealers were surprised by the breakthrough, which they said occurred quicker than expected.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Regent denies link to gamblers
Regent denies link to gamblers MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Local government officials in Sikka regency are under scrutiny for suspected involvement in a gambling ring. A source at the local administration who requested anonymity said recently that several officials as well as law enforcers received payoffs of Rp 9 million (US$1,200) each per month in exchange for protection of the syndicate.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ignorance of alternatives
Ignorance of alternatives Winarno Zain's article Megawati presidency not foregone conclusion invites answers to three questions: why Golkar got so many votes, why National Mandate Party (PAN) got so few votes and why Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) got so many votes in strongholds of Islamic parties.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government ignores momentum to promote tourism
Government ignores momentum to promote tourism JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) criticized the government on Tuesday for not taking advantage of the current relatively calm situation to start reviving the country's ailing tourist sector. PHRI chairman Pontjo Sutowo said a recovery in tourism would greatly help many travel-related companies currently weighed down by large bad debts to overcome their problems.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Smaller parties threatened over plan to reject polls
Smaller parties threatened over plan to reject polls SURABAYA (JP): Minor parties are finding it an uphill challenge in their last-ditch effort to survive as the Election Supervisory Committee threatened on Tuesday to charge them with disrupting the poll process for their plan not to endorse the poll results. Chairman of the East Java official poll watchdog, Imam Sukarno, said leaders of the minor parties would face five years imprisonment if they went ahead with their move.
Wed, 23 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
BKPM wants monopoly in plantation permits
BKPM wants monopoly in plantation permits JAKARTA (JP): The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is seeking the President's approval to become the sole agency responsible for issuing business permits in the plantation industry, a board executive said here on Tuesday. The vice chairman of BKPM, Andung A. Nitimihardja, said pooling the licensing process under BKPM would cut the complicated bureaucratic procedures faced by potential investors when applying for business permits.