Archive: 3 June 1999
Showing 1-50 of 63 articles
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto hopes Indonesia can win 2000 Bermuda Bowl
Wiranto hopes Indonesia can win 2000 Bermuda Bowl JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabbsi) Wiranto is hopeful that national players will continue a run of winning form to triumph in the Bermuda Bowl World Championships and Venice Cup in January 2000.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to send more troops to troubled Aceh
Jakarta to send more troops to troubled Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto told a plenary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday he would send more troops to Aceh because of increased rebel attacks against security officers and civilians, a minister said. Minister of Information Lt. Gen. Muhammad Yunus said the additional troops would be dispatched to protect people because of terror and intimidation by members of the Free Aceh movement.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties against MUI call for vote support
Parties against MUI call for vote support JAKARTA (JP): Party leaders expressed strong opposition on Wednesday against the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) call that Muslims vote for Islamic parties, saying the exhortation would polarize the country. Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN) raised alarm over what he believed were indications that parties were being polarized into Muslims versus nationalism-secular powers, at the expense of the reform movement.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Billiard body to choose 14 players for SEA Games
Billiard body to choose 14 players for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's snooker coach Hendro T. Nuraji said the Indonesian Billiard and Snooker Association (POBSI) was ready to select 14 of 20 players for preparations for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Hendro said on Wednesday the national team, to compete in the biennial event in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU insists poll preparations 'running smoothly'
KPU insists poll preparations 'running smoothly' JAKARTA (JP): Despite mushrooming complaints from election officials over the ill-prepared poll, the General Elections Commission (KPU) secretary-general Amur Muchasim insists that preparations were "running smoothly". "All elections tool kits consisting of ballot papers, ink, ballot pads up to the nails used to punch the ballot papers have been distributed to all regencies," Amur said.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Strange caller asks for donations
Strange caller asks for donations The other day I received a telephone call from a person who claimed to be a senior police officer. He told me that they were seeking ways to help needy Indonesian children. It was suggested that I might like to assist by making a contribution, for which I would receive a souvenir and I would also always be sure of receiving help from the police if needed.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar's fall, Megawati's rise
Golkar's fall, Megawati's rise Until recently it was generally assumed that Indonesia's ruling Golkar Party would play a major role in the new parliament to emerge from the coming elections. President Soeharto may have been deposed, but the powerful party machine built up under his rule, with its ample funding and nationwide network of branches, seemed bound to give Golkar a strong advantage in the campaign. The past few weeks have shown a different picture.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties down to nitty-gritty on vote sharing
Parties down to nitty-gritty on vote sharing JAKARTA (JP): Parties contesting the polls continued on Wednesday to seek partners for vote-sharing deals, with Islamic and nationalist-secular parties approaching those already in their folds. The chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Party (PUMI), Anwar Yunus, was quoted by Antara as calling on other Islamic parties to unite for the betterment of the Muslim community.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Agenda
Agenda JAKARTA (JP): The towering Welcome Statue at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle will continue to be the hub of campaigning on Thursday. The Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) and Indonesian People's Party (PARI) will focus campaign activities at the Central Jakarta site. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chief Megawati Soekarnoputri will campaign at Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mystery behind the terror
Mystery behind the terror From Republika The orderly start of the campaigns refutes the community's image that campaigning toward the general election is menacing. However, nothing is perfect. In the beginning of this democratic life there are small-scale upheavals that should not develop into big-scale disturbances that could disrupt the general election. This would bring the nation to destruction.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prosecute Soeharto or resign
Prosecute Soeharto or resign Time magazine's May 17 edition presents a report on the assets that former president Soeharto has stashed abroad. The report is the result of serious research lasting about three months. It was reported that Soeharto and his children control assets worth a total of US$15 billion in cash and shares, corporate assets, jewelry, art items and mansions and penthouses in the USA and in Britain.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Keep protests off toll roads, says Gen. Roesmanhadi
Keep protests off toll roads, says Gen. Roesmanhadi JAKARTA (JP): Following a protest on Tuesday by laid-off factory workers on a major city thoroughfare, the National Police chief on Wednesday ordered head of the Jakarta Police Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman not to tolerate protests along toll roads to prevent traffic jams. "I've told the Jakarta Police chief that protests on the toll roads are prohibited. I've also ordered him not to tolerate such an incident again in the future," Gen.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP has new central banker
RP has new central banker MANILA (Reuters): Rafael Buenaventura, who has topped a 24- year stint with Citibank N.A. in Europe and Asia with a highly visible profile as head of a profitable local bank, was named the Philippines' new central bank governor on Wednesday. Buenaventura, the president and chief executive officer of Philippine Commercial International Bank, will take over when governor Gabriel Singson retires on July 5, President Joseph Estrada announced.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah expected to strengthen soon
Rupiah expected to strengthen soon JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita predicted on Wednesday that the rupiah would get stronger after next week's general election. He said that both the local currency and the economy would further gain strength with progress in the bank recapitalization program and corporate debt restructuring.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Folk arts give villagers political education
Folk arts give villagers political education JAKARTA (JP):Don't let party leaders cheat you... choose a party that never deceives you. Use your rights in the coming elections to bring our country to a brighter future. This poem was read by a traditional poet and storyteller during the Mendu folk poetry recital in a remote village in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The recital was part of a voter education program to prepare locals for the upcoming elections.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Disentangling confusions about federalism
Disentangling confusions about federalism By Hans Antlov JAKARTA (JP): At a seminar a few weeks ago, one of the participants -- a noted member of the House of Representatives -- said the Republic of Indonesia would need to be dismantled if the unitary nation were to become a federation. Earlier this year, a leading political figure asked whether, in a federated system, a person living in Java would need a passport to go to Maluku. These are just two common misunderstandings about federalism.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sectarian violence back on streets of Ambon
Sectarian violence back on streets of Ambon JAKARTA (JP): After a fairly peaceful election campaign, violence broke out in Ambon, Maluku, on Wednesday. Tension again flared between Christians and Muslims before and after a United Development Party (PPP) campaign in the Muslim- dominated area of Galunggung in Batumerah Atas village. As of late Wednesday, there were no reports of casualties. The main targets of violence on Wednesday were public transportation passengers.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Challenge of investigative reporting for Indonesian journalists
Challenge of investigative reporting for Indonesian journalists Insiden Balibo 1975, Terbunuhnya Lima Wartawan Itu (Balibo Incident 1975, the Killing of Five Journalists); By James Dunn; Introduction by George Junus Aditjondro; Translator: Nug Katjasungkana; Editor: Irawan Saptono; ISAI and Fortilos, 1999; 76 pp; Rp 6,000 JAKARTA (JP): Two options have been offered by the government in the case of East Timor: either broad autonomy, or freedom (independence).
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irianese hostages back in Jayapura
Irianese hostages back in Jayapura JAKARTA (JP): Eleven Irian hostages were flown back to Jayapura on Wednesday after being held hostage at a rebel hideout in Bewani district, Sandaun province, Papua New Guinea, for nearly a month. The 11 hostages, seven of them women, were brought from Vanimo, the capital of Sandaun province, by Indonesian Military (TNI) chopper to the Trikora Military Command Headquarters, Antara reported. The hostages were accompanied by PNG Armed Forces Commander Brig. Gen.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Officials look to Kalimantan prospects
Officials look to Kalimantan prospects JAKARTA (JP): An East Kalimantan official said on Wednesday many highly educated government officials from Jakarta had asked to move to the province in the expectation of better career prospects. Head of the province's mining and energy office Isdiardjo said the officials believed they would have a better career in the province than in Jakarta once the government gives autonomy to the resource-rich province.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Huge hike in works for passport fees
Huge hike in works for passport fees JAKARTA (JP): The government is scheduled to raise the price of passports by an average of between 87.5 percent and 400 percent starting on June 7 in line with the enactment of Law No.20/1997 on state nontax income, an official said on Tuesday. "The increase is stipulated in Government Regulation No. 26/1999 on tariffs of state nontax income at the Ministry of Justice," Immigration Director General M. Mudakir said.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Violence reigns ahead of election day
Violence reigns ahead of election day JAKARTA (JP): Police proved their early warning of intensifying violence ahead of Monday's elections worth listening to on Wednesday.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
VFF sues state company
VFF sues state company JAKARTA (JP): Cayman Islands-based The Vietnam Frontier Fund (VFF) has filed a bankruptcy claim against state-owned ship builder PT Dok & Perkapalan Kodja Bahari for allegedly failing to pay US$1 million in promissory notes, the plaintiff's lawyer confirmed on Wednesday. Lucas from Lucas and Partners law firm said the action was taken because Kodja Bahari defaulted on due payment on Dec. 1, 1997.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie dances high in the sky
Habibie dances high in the sky PALU, Central Sulawesi: Golkar Party supporters wound up their campaign flying large kites emblazoned with an image of President B.J. Habibie, the party's presidential hopeful from Sulawesi. Those who did not have an eye for the dancing kites still had a chance to have a good time dancing the day away to live blaring dangdut music at Abadi Talise soccer field in the Palu Bay.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI plans to promote investment to roadshow
RI plans to promote investment to roadshow SEOUL (Reuters): Indonesia will launch a global roadshow to promote investment in the troubled but resource-rich country following next week's general elections, Investment Minister Marzuki Usman said on Wednesday. Marzuki told Reuters on the sidelines of a Pacific Rim investment conference the Indonesian cabinet would meet in July to devote a full session to boosting foreign investment.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fairer deal urged among farmers, plantation firms
Fairer deal urged among farmers, plantation firms JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Farmers Union (HKTI) urged the government on Wednesday to improve the business partnership between farmers and plantation companies. HKTI's Chairman Siswono Yudohusodo said the nucleus and smallholder cooperation scheme now implemented on plantations only benefits the plantation companies.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
MUI sets 'guidelines' for Muslims to vote
MUI sets 'guidelines' for Muslims to vote JAKARTA (JP): The influential Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) and Muhammadiyah have called on Muslims to vote for political parties which represent their community, field Muslim legislative candidates of "noble conduct", and campaign for reform.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IKIP Jakarta set to change status
IKIP Jakarta set to change status JAKARTA (JP): The state-run Teachers' Training Institute (IKIP Jakarta) will be revamped as a state university under the name Universitas Negeri Jakarta, its rector Sutjipto said on Wednesday. The official change in status will be effected by October at the latest, Sutjipto said at a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement between IKIP Jakarta and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto pushes on over 'Time' report
Soeharto pushes on over 'Time' report JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto, who ruled the country for 32 years, filed a complaint against U.S.-based Time magazine for defamation and libel at National Police Headquarters on Wednesday morning. He said the magazine had not provided proof he had hidden billions of dollars abroad, as it alleged in its May 24, 1999, Asian edition.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Vote for PKB and beat world champ
Vote for PKB and beat world champ JAKARTA: Put the National Awakening Party (PKB) in power and win the world soccer championship! Noer Mohammad Iskandar, a senior cleric known for his off- color jokes, assured about 15,000 party supporters at a Tuesday campaign he had a foolproof strategy to beat world champion France 10-0. He said the national soccer team which suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat to South Korea last week, would not even have to take the trouble to practice.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
China, KL make defense pledge
China, KL make defense pledge BEIJING (Reuters): Malaysia and China agreed to boost defense cooperation and use peaceful means to resolve tensions over disputed waters in the South China Sea, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Wednesday. The pledges were part of a broader agreement expanding political, trade and transportation ties between the two countries in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mixed day for Asian markets amid lingering investor concerns
Mixed day for Asian markets amid lingering investor concerns HONG KONG (AFP): Asian stock markets turned in a mixed performance Wednesday amid lingering investor concerns over the direction of U.S. interest rates, dealers said. Stock markets in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand rose, partly helped by a gain on Wall Street overnight. But their counterparts in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and China fell.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
No time to fight graft
No time to fight graft To many Indonesians, next week's general election deserves unrelenting national attention, with all other problems considered insignificant in comparison. Perhaps this also is the belief of high-ranking state prosecutors at the Attorney General's Office.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PK supporters suck pacifiers
PK supporters suck pacifiers JAKARTA: No campaign has been attended by as many children under five as that of Justice Party (PK) at Kebayoran soccer field in South Jakarta on Wednesday. Antara estimated their number at "thousands." Attending the campaign site with their parents, the children ranged from babies with pacifiers to those of kindergarten age. The children wore party headbands and other accessories. Campaign speeches were intermittently interrupted by hungry and thirsty crying babies.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tumor trouble disables man
Tumor trouble disables man PALU, Central Sulawesi: A 38-year-old transmigrant settling at Tomini village of Donggala regency here has a 20-kilogram tumor under his penis, Antara reported Wednesday. The tumor was so big that it forced his genitals to "go missing". Seren, who's currently being treated at Undata General Hospital in Palu, said he has stopped working and lives with the help of one of his friends.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Nothing like campaigning
Nothing like campaigning This is Indonesia's first democratic election, or at least that is what it is being billed as, in quite a long time. The world looks on with great anticipation to see how Indonesian's conduct themselves with their new found freedom. It is bewildering then to see just how we act during the campaign. What is the point of each party parading around the streets and tying up traffic?
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
UNAMET accused of siding with anti-integration groups
UNAMET accused of siding with anti-integration groups JAKARTA (JP): Two senior ministers alleged the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) on Wednesday of favoring anti-integration groups and ignoring prointegration organizations. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung and Minister of Defense and Security Gen.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Teachers upset with salary cut
Teachers upset with salary cut KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Elementary teachers at Kabaena subdistrict in Buton regency are complaining about the Rp 30,000 monthly cut imposed on their salary. "We've voiced this problem to the regent so many times, including the latest via a letter dated on April 30. But still the authorities do nothing to help us," Djumiati, a teacher, told Antara on Tuesday.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
BNI, Lippo Bank plan rights issue too boost capital
BNI, Lippo Bank plan rights issue too boost capital JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and Lippo Bank plan a rights issue to finance their recapitalization costs, the banks announced on Tuesday. BNI said it would sell 151.9 billion shares next month through a rights issue to finance recapitalization costs of Rp 52.8 trillion.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police security is too much
Police security is too much How good is it for tourism and international business to have armed gunmen around the Hilton Hotel? On May 24, 1999, I accompanied my boss to the Lagoon coffee shop for an early morning meeting. Around 8:30 a.m., the Jakarta Police chief arrived and took a table with some other men. Shortly after, we got up and left. While we were walking up the stairs to the lobby, we passed three men in civilian dress carrying machine guns at their sides.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
More groups complain over Wardah's findings
More groups complain over Wardah's findings JAKARTA (JP): Two more organizations filed police complaints on Wednesday over Urban Poor Consortium chief Wardah Hafidz's allegations they misused social safety net funds to benefit the Golkar Party and People's Sovereignty Party (PDR). Meanwhile, the Election Supervisory Committee admitted it could neither find evidence to support Wardah's allegations nor take action against the parties. Committee chairman Mulyana W.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prepaid cards dial sales in campaign
Prepaid cards dial sales in campaign JAKARTA (JP): Local sales of prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards for cellular phones increased significantly in the first week of the official 16-day campaign period, according to network operators. Industry workers said people used their handphones more frequently because they needed to exchange all kinds of information, ranging from the traffic situation to checking on family and friends.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
It's not that easy to solve banking problems
It's not that easy to solve banking problems By Kwik Kian Gie JAKARTA (JP): The new government which will be established after the June 7 general election will clearly face huge and sophisticated hurdles in trying to revive the deteriorating banking industry because many existing problems have yet to be solved.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mobile polling booths to operate
Mobile polling booths to operate SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The Provincial Elections Committee here has provided dozens of mobile polling booths to serve voters in remote areas scattered through seven districts during Monday's balloting. Committee chief Hermain Okol told Antara here on Wednesday 34 mobile booths would operate in Bulungan regency, while another 11 would be posted in Balikpapan.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asia nibbles at bond guarantee offer
Asia nibbles at bond guarantee offer TOKYO (Reuters): Southeast Asia's crisis-hit economies moved a step closer on Wednesday to taking advantage of a Japanese plan to help them regain their credibility on the international bond markets.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Call made for foreign observers in Aceh
Call made for foreign observers in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of Aceh's official elections committee, Ahmad Farhan Hamid, said the committee hopes international election observers include North Aceh and other volatile regions of the province in their monitoring schedule. Antara quoted him on Wednesday as saying that he hoped the teams of the U.S. National Democratic Institute - Carter Center could send more volunteers to enable them to monitor the areas.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
MKGR offers legal aids
MKGR offers legal aids MEDAN, North Sumatra: MKGR Party, one of several parties which was formerly affiliated with the ruling Golkar, has sought every legitimate avenue to lure voters, including offering legal aids. A party executive, D.I. Silalahi, said Wednesday the chapter had established a legal aid and consultation board in each provincial capital across the country. Silalahi said the party would exempt people who sought help from the legal aid boards from any expenses.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL must end S'pore frozen shares saga: Paper
KL must end S'pore frozen shares saga: Paper SINGAPORE (Reuters): The fate of billions of ringgit worth of frozen Malaysian shares, formerly traded in Singapore on its CLOB exchange, should be settled soon for the sake of Malaysia's economy, the Straits Times said on Wednesday. "For its own sake, Malaysia must stop the political game, the sooner the better for its economy," the newspaper said in a strongly-worded editorial.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PBB helps people obtain ID cards
PBB helps people obtain ID cards MEDAN, North Sumatra: The local chapter of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) has established dozens of community service posts across town to help people obtain identity cards. A party activist, Syahminan Nasution, said party volunteers have helped hundreds of people for free and given them information related to the general election so far.
Thu, 03 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PSSI vows to dominate SE Asian soccer
PSSI vows to dominate SE Asian soccer JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) has taken into account it's pre-Olympic loss announcing it will focus on dominating Southeast Asian soccer, rather than the whole Asia arena. PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar said on Tuesday evening the federation must start to focus on the gold medal in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August.