Archive: 9 June 1999
49 articles found
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PDI Perjuangan celebrates win
PDI Perjuangan celebrates win SURABAYA: Hundreds of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supporters rode their motorbikes in a deafening street rally on Tuesday to celebrate the party's victory in the elections for local legislature seats. By Tuesday afternoon, PDI Perjuangan assured itself of 22 out of 45 seats in the city council after winning 706,058 votes in its election debut.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah's rally boost Asian monies
Rupiah's rally boost Asian monies HONG KONG (Dow Jones): A wave of post-election euphoria lifted the Indonesian rupiah Tuesday, buttressing positive sentiment toward other Asian currencies. As initial results indicated a strong showing by Megawati Soekarnoputri's PDI-P party and Gus Dur's PKB party in Monday's Indonesian parliamentary elections, the Jakarta stock market's benchmark Composite index rocketed by 14 percent.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
ICW urges Habibie to fire Andi M. Ghalib
ICW urges Habibie to fire Andi M. Ghalib JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) on Tuesday strongly recommended that President B.J. Habibie dismiss Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib from his post for allegedly receiving Rp 1.8 billion in his bank accounts from several parties. According to the independent body, Ghalib's alleged misdeed has tarnished the image of the Attorney General's Office as a state institution which has a duty to enforce laws here.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Carter holds talks with Xanana
Carter holds talks with Xanana JAKARTA (JP): Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter held talks with East Timorese leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao at the latter's prison house here and expressed support for the territory's direct vote on autonomy in August. Carter declined to give comments on the one-hour meeting to reporters, saying he would hold a press conference on Wednesday, Antara reported.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
No more lies
No more lies While Andi M. Ghalib and Gen. Wiranto drag their feet in the sand, a great tidal wave of democracy has reached Indonesia's shores and is about to engulf them and those like them who refuse to open their eyes and see the future. Not so long ago, Indonesia was a nation of isolated kampongs and unsophisticated, docile villagers who could be lied to, appeased, flattered or bribed into submission by paternalistic leaders. Now it is not.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
A waste of time, energy and money
A waste of time, energy and money From Rakyat Merdeka I used to admire Minister of Justice Muladi but my admiration turned to bitter disappointment when I learned that he accompanied Attorney General Andi Ghalib to Switzerland, purportedly to trace Soeharto's alleged fortune. Muladi, a law expert, is blind to the law because we, and Muladi as well, know that his visit to Switzerland will be useless. Soeharto, as a brilliant strategist, will not imitate Marcos in keeping his money in Switzerland.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah, stock prices surge, driven by investor confidence
Rupiah, stock prices surge, driven by investor confidence JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian rupiah rose 5.6 percent, while the Jakarta Stock Exchange benchmark index touched the 700 point level on Tuesday after Monday's landmark general election. Currency dealers, stockbrokers and analysts agreed the sharp rise was driven by foreign investor confidence in the country's economic prospects, following a relatively peaceful, free and fair election. The rupiah shot to 7,610 against the U.S.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Validity of KPU computerized results queried
Validity of KPU computerized results queried JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee has questioned the validity of data used by the General Elections Commission (KPU) in its ballot tally for the House of Representatives. Djafar Badjeber, chairman of the polls committee, said on Tuesday it was a surprise that KPU managed to update ballot counting in the city without having to seek reports from polling committees in district and subdistrict levels.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Triumph for democracy?
Triumph for democracy? While we wait for more definitive results from the general election, we can congratulate ourselves for the peaceful and orderly manner in which we carried out the ballot and vote counting on Monday. Irrespective of which party emerges victorious, something we should learn late on Wednesday, we can safely declare that these elections have been a triumph for the Indonesian people and democracy.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Late counting hinders parties' vote estimates
Late counting hinders parties' vote estimates JAKARTA (JP): Political parties have experienced difficulties collecting returns from provinces and regencies across the country because of poor communication facilities and late ballot counting. They are racing against time, collecting their own information on poll results, as opposed to data fed to the General Elections Committee (KPU), in a bid to minimize poll rigging.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Agrobusiness bodies spurn planned govt export tax
Agrobusiness bodies spurn planned govt export tax JAKARTA (JP): Industry associations strongly objected on Tuesday to a government plan to impose export taxes on primary agricultural products. They said the government should look for more suitable alternatives in developing downstream industries. Secretary-General of the Indonesian Cocoa Association (Askindo) Tony K.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PDI Perjuangan maintains lead
PDI Perjuangan maintains lead JAKARTA (JP): A mere 2 percent of votes from approximately 100 million voters were counted by 11.15 p.m. on Tuesday, but Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) continued to be the front-runner with 690,622 votes. The party led by opposition leader Megawati Soekarnoputri was followed by National Awakening Party (PKB) at a distant second which grabbed 425,794 votes.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF approves $450 million loan to Indonesia
IMF approves $450 million loan to Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund said on Monday it had approved a US$450 million loan for Indonesia, following completion of the country's first democratic elections in 44 years. The fund's board meeting to approve the loan, part of an IMF- led $43 billion rescue package for the country, took place on the same day as the elections, the IMF said.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cut on CPO export tax will boost exports: Federation
Cut on CPO export tax will boost exports: Federation JAKARTA (JP): The recent cut in export taxes on crude palm oil (CPO) and its byproducts is expected to boost exports, although the industry considers the new tax level of 30 percent to be still too high. The chairman of the Federation of Indonesian Palm Oil Producers, Derom Bangun, said the export tax reduction would make Indonesian CPO-based products more competitive in international markets.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logging in national park
Illegal logging in national park As American visitors we just completed our seventh extended stay in Central Kalimantan to see the endangered orangutan in Tanjung Puting National Park, my husband and I are saddened by Indonesia's apparent total indifference to the welfare of its forests and unique wildlife.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Multiparty coalition required to unite Indonesia
Multiparty coalition required to unite Indonesia By Ronnie Hatley YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Ciganjur coalition of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) will gain 344 of the 700 electors in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Thus an even wider coalition will be required to elect the president and vice president and to form a cabinet.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Constitutional change a must
Constitutional change a must By J. Soedjati Djiwandono JAKARTA (JP): Reformasi (reform) has been on the lips of everyone since the fall of president Soeharto. Before the elections, it was the almost universal catchword of the political parties, even those most would generally classify as "status quo forces".
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Howard hails Indonesia's democratic, peaceful polls
Howard hails Indonesia's democratic, peaceful polls JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard hailed Indonesia's eighth general election, calling the June 7 polls a democratic and peaceful event. "The remarkably peaceful election is proof of Indonesia's commitment to democracy," Howard told Antara in Canberra Tuesday. President B.J.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Smooth elections bring hope to hotel industry
Smooth elections bring hope to hotel industry JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Hotel & Restaurant Association said on Tuesday the peaceful general election brought the ailing hotel industry hope of recovery. Secretary-general Rianto Nurhadi said the relatively smooth polls on Monday would contribute to long-term stability and security in the country. "If the peaceful situation continues, I believe the hotel industry will be able to recover within a year," he told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
India offers to hold peace talks with Pakistan
India offers to hold peace talks with Pakistan DRAS, India (AP): India offered on Tuesday to hold high-level peace talks with Pakistan this weekend, a move that came even as its warplanes and troops struck against the hundreds of fighters India says Pakistan has sent into the mountains of Kashmir.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cheating said to be rampant in Mentawai
Cheating said to be rampant in Mentawai JAKARTA (JP): Poll watchers said on Tuesday the elections had been generally free of intimidation, but demanded the polls be repeated in at least one province. The Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) in West Sumatra said cheating had been rampant in the Mentawai islands, about 90 kilometers to the east of the capital, Padang.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Major Asian stock markets close higher
Major Asian stock markets close higher HONG KONG (AP): Most Asian stock markets closed higher Tuesday, with the key index in Jakarta soaring more than 12 percent after Indonesia held its freest election in 44 years in remarkable peace. The success of the election not only bolstered the troubled financial markets of Indonesia and some of its neighbors, it also persuaded the International Monetary Fund to approve US$450 million loan for Indonesia on Monday.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Empowering ethnic Chinese in Indonesia
Empowering ethnic Chinese in Indonesia By Ester I. Jusuf This is the second of two articles on challenges facing the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia. JAKARTA (JP): Party leaders must be rooted in the people. Unless party leaders have their base in the people, they can be easily regarded as not fighting for the interest of the people. How can a party earnestly fight for the aspirations and interests of the people if it never gets in touch, intensively and collectively with them?
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
New Order regime worse than PKI?
New Order regime worse than PKI? From Republika Watching a political program on TVRI on May 25 in which the Indonesian National Party (PNI), the Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU) and the MKGR Party took part, I felt greatly concerned. The program was interesting because the participants were highly enthusiastic. However, I got worried upon hearing Usep Ranawijaya say that the New Order had to be wiped out from the archipelago as if it was a virus.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Election results predicted by province and party
Election results predicted by province and party Representatives Elected to Parliament (DPR) Province/ISLAND PDI-P PAN PKB PPP Golkar "ABRI" Total Jakarta 8 4 2 3 1 18 West Java 25 13 9 28 7 82 Central Java 32 8 11 5 4 60 Yogyakarta 3 1 1 1 0 6 East Java 27 6 25 5 5 68 JAVA-MADURA 95 32 48 42 17 234 +regional reps 10 4 5 4 2 "0" 25 =Java MPR 105 36 53 45 19 "0" 259 Aceh 0 4 0 8 0 12 North Sumatra 9 5 1 8 1 24 West Sumatra 1 4 0 9 1 14 Riau 2 2 0 5 1 10 Jambi 1 0 0 4 1 6 South Sumatra 3 3 1 7 1...
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mother's quest for justice brings E. Timor to cinema
Mother's quest for justice brings E. Timor to cinema By Jennifer Little AUCKLAND (AFP): In 1991, New Zealander Helen Todd received the phone call that every parent dreads. Far away in the troubled Indonesian province of East Timor, her son Kamal had been shot. His tragic death in a massacre at the hands of the Indonesian military set Todd on a mission for justice that would span five countries and take four years.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KONI waives blame over voting snafu
KONI waives blame over voting snafu JAKARTA (JP): The director of training at the National Sports Council (KONI), Imron Z.S., said Tuesday the council was not to blame for athletes' failure to vote in Monday's general election. He said he asked the National Elections Committee to familiarize athletes with new regulations on voter registration. Imron was responding to complaints from several national athletes who failed to vote on Monday.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Heads shaved for party victory
Heads shaved for party victory SEMARANG: About 100 supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) shaved their heads in celebration of their party's victory in their village near here. In the Karangkidul village, PDI Perjuangan took the lead ahead of rivals the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 8, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 450 25 525,500 AHAP Insurance 525 100 5,000 Alakasa Industrindo 275 50 39,000 Alter Abadi 325 0 831,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 100 250,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 400 75 307,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,750 125 20,510,000 Anwar Sierad 275 25 441,000 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar leads lonely Aceh balloting
Golkar leads lonely Aceh balloting LHOKSEUMAWE, North Aceh: Golkar Party shrugged off a low voter turnout to take a provisional lead in the ballot counting here on Tuesday. The polling place at Sudirman Square was the only one to have finished tallying, with Golkar winning 396 votes for the House of Representatives. The National Mandate Party was second with 243, followed by the Justice and Unity Party with 132.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Member of Navy caught for theft
Member of Navy caught for theft JAKARTA (JP): A parking attendant at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) made a citizen's arrest of an Indonesian Navy member for alleged involvement in the theft of a motorcycle on Monday night. The suspect, Second Pvt. Sujoko, is detained at Central Jakarta Police Headquarters. Sujoko told the police that his accomplice was named Mustofa, who he identified as a policeman from National Police Headquarters.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Golkar in command in Irian Jaya
Golkar in command in Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The ruling Golkar party held onto a slender lead in the provisional tallying of votes in the province on Tuesday. Golkar tops the standing with 3,145 votes for the House of Representatives, ahead of opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which has so far collected 2,419. The remaining 23 parties registered to contest the polls here earned below 400.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PLN files lawsuit to counter arbitration ruling
PLN files lawsuit to counter arbitration ruling JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) said on Tuesday it had filed a lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court to annul the recent ruling by an international arbitration panel on its dispute with U.S. power contractor MidAmerican Energy Holdings.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
KIPP office burglarized
KIPP office burglarized BENGKALIS, Riau: The Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) office at Hotel Berlian was burglarized early Tuesday, its activists said. The thieves ran away with Rp 1,500 in cash and a wrist watch, KIPP coordinator M. Rizal Akbar said. Rizal knew of the theft at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, Antara reported.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia may boost growth forecasts for Indonesia
Australia may boost growth forecasts for Indonesia CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Australia's Treasury Department said Tuesday it expects to upgrade calendar 1999 economic growth forecasts for Indonesia and South Korea issued May 11 in the government's budget. Ken Henry, executive director of Treasury's economic group, told a Senate economics legislation committee that Treasury currently forecasts a 6 percent contraction in the Indonesian economy in 1999, swinging to 2.5 percent growth in 2000.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on June 8, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Fires engulf restaurant, house
Fires engulf restaurant, house JAKARTA (JP): Two fires broke out in different places on early Tuesday, engulfing a sea food restaurant in South Jakarta and a house in Tangerang, but no fatalities were reported. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the restaurant on Jl. Buncit Raya was empty when the fire gutted its kitchen and destroyed the ceiling. The owner of the restaurant, Fajar Irianto, said the fire was first spotted by nearby residents at about 3:30 a.m.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from June 7 to June 13
Rates for tax payment, valid from June 7 to June 13 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,030.00 Austrian schilling 1 603.92 Australian dollar 1 5,205.11 Belgian franc 1 206.00 Canadian dollar 1 5,453.32 Swiss franc 1 5,241.33 Deutschemark 1 4,263.73 Danish krone 1 1,137.28 French franc 1 1,266.85 Poundsterling 1 12,964.23 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,043.04 Italian lira 100 429.17 Japanese yen 100 6,658.98 Malaysian ringgit 1 2,128.95 Dutch guilder 1 3,770.95 New Zealand dollar 1 4,251.30 Norwegian krone 1 1,025.59...
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
PT Megalopolis resumes industrial site expansion
PT Megalopolis resumes industrial site expansion JAKARTA (JP): PT Megalopolis Manunggal Industrial Development, developer of the MM 2100 Industrial Town in Cibitung, West Java, said on Tuesday it would continue its expansion in anticipation of a possible surge in future demand. Company commissioner and advisor Goro Tamatsukuri said the expansion -- covering 445 hectares of new industrial area -- would be part of the company's third phase expansion program.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Media center's $80 million counting system
Media center's $80 million counting system JAKARTA (JP): Scores of journalists and observers from all over the world crammed the Joint Operation Media Center at Hotel Aryaduta on Monday evening for the initial tabulation of votes. The Indonesian officials, who have spent US$80 million on the supposedly sophisticated computer system, have promised online "reliable but unofficial" data collected from across the country.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Officer's fiancee shot by colleague
Officer's fiancee shot by colleague MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: A police sergeant from Windesi Police sub-precinct in Manokwari regency allegedly accidentally fired his gun while cleaning the weapon on Monday evening, killing the fiancee of one of his fellow officers. Antara reported on Tuesday that Second Sgt. Syarifudin accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun at 4:45 p.m. on Monday. The bullet killed Adriana Moses, the girlfriend of First Sgt. Herman.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ballot counting runs at snail's pace
Ballot counting runs at snail's pace JAKARTA (JP): A telecommunication traffic glut and unskilled elections workers have been blamed for the slow-coming of ballot counting reports across the country. At least one observer has aired concern the tardiness may invite vote-rigging. General Election Commission (KPU) chairman Rudini said the lateness was "the consequence of slow but accurate reporting of ballot counting" in regions.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
One killed in Jayapura flood
One killed in Jayapura flood JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local Search and Rescue (SAR) team, with the help of residents, found the body of a university student, said to be the only victim of last week's massive flood. The corpse of Zakarias Sudir, a student of the Fajar Timur Catholic Theology and Philosophy College, was found behind Cendrawasih University Bawah housing complex in Padang Bulan area, Abepura district, Antara reported.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Market kiosks razed in fire
Market kiosks razed in fire PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Kiosks selling daily provisions at Kuala Kapuas traditional market in Kapuas regency were razed in a fire on Monday night. No fatalities were reported and losses were still being calculated. The cause of the fire was under police investigation. Deputy Regent J.S. Lamon said on Tuesday the fire, which was first spotted at 10 p.m.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Team to probe officials' wealth
Team to probe officials' wealth JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will soon establish an independent team to probe the wealth of state officials in a bid to create clean governance, Minister of Justice Muladi said on Tuesday. The President will also submit a number of bills to the House of Representatives to lay down stronger legal bases to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) practices, he said.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN's Wise Men discuss group's future
ASEAN's Wise Men discuss group's future SINGAPORE (AFP): Prominent representatives of the 10 ASEAN members met for the first time here on Tuesday to ponder the future of a diverse grouping rocked by economic crisis and political problems. The Eminent Persons' Group (EPG), formed after last December's summit in Hanoi of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will try to chart a greater global role for the bloc in the 21st century.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Calm election 'restores faith of investors'
Calm election 'restores faith of investors' JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said on Tuesday that Monday's peaceful general election would provide a strong basis for the revival of confidence in the country's battered economy. "I've noticed (investors') reaction is positive towards the election process," he told reporters after a meeting of senior ministers.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Overseas voters direct votes to PDI Perjuangan
Overseas voters direct votes to PDI Perjuangan JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) came out tops in votes cast by expatriate Indonesians in several cities abroad. Thousands of Indonesians living in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia's other major cities, as well as Manila, Singapore, Tokyo and Berlin voted for the opposition party, which is led by Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Wed, 09 Jun 1999, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutor's office, schools burned in Aceh
Prosecutor's office, schools burned in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): The prosecutor's office in Meureudu district, Pidie regency, Aceh, was set on fire by unidentified persons in the early hours of Tuesday. Earlier, dozens of buildings, including schools and administration offices, were torched by unidentified persons. Many people, particularly the military, believe members of the Free Aceh separatist movement are responsible for the attacks.