Archive: 21 July 1999
52 articles found
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
IMF loan and economic crisis
IMF loan and economic crisis In any country it is common for one or two companies or banks to be closed down every year and at the same time be replaced by similar establishments. In this context, Indonesia seems to have had the most extraordinary and painful experience, when since August 1997 almost overnight thousands of enterprises closed down and banks went bankrupt with all the attendant adverse effects on income, employment and use of capital equipment.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Expert finds loopholes in fiscal autonomy law
Expert finds loopholes in fiscal autonomy law JAKARTA (JP): The central government will retain some fiscal control over provinces despite a new law promising to give the regions a greater share of their own resources, a University of Indonesia legal expert said on Tuesday. Arifin P.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
The $82b bank bailout
The $82b bank bailout The government's disclosure last week that costs of recapitalizing private and state banks had risen to over Rp 550 trillion (US$82 billion) -- or almost 150 percent as large as Indonesia's real inflation-adjusted gross domestic product of Rp 376.05 trillion in 1998 -- confirmed the staggering mangnitude of the banking crisis. Measured on a fiscal cost-to-GDP basis, Indonesia's banking fiasco ranks as the world's worst since the 1970s.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Military police named suspects
Military police named suspects JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Two military police members in Sorong, Irian Jaya, have been named suspects on charges of shooting a civilian dead two weeks ago, Antara has reported. Chief of provincial military police Lt. Col. Sugijanto said on Tuesday First Sgt. Novi Tomasoa and Second Sgt. Taufik Hidayat would face a military tribunal following marathon questioning in connection with the fatal shooting of Edward Wanggai at Jayapura port. Also questioned was Pvt.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI trade surplus with Australia
RI trade surplus with Australia JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia booked a surplus of US$163 million in bilateral trade with Australia in the first quarter of the year, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said on Tuesday. In a statement, the embassy said Indonesian exports to Australia reached $549 million in the first quarter of the year, a 5.88 percent decrease from the corresponding period last year. Indonesian imports from Australia dropped 4.66 percent to $386 million in the first quarter of the year.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt to revamp laws on intellectual property rights
Govt to revamp laws on intellectual property rights JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's laws regarding intellectual property rights will soon be adjusted to standards stipulated in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Director General of Copy Rights and Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Justice A.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kite festival informs of risk to power lines
Kite festival informs of risk to power lines JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of people from all over the world took part in the Jakarta International Kite Festival '99 over the weekend. State-owned electricity company PLN was the most domineering presence in using the event to educate the public about the hazards of the popular pastime. During the festival on July 17 and July 18, PLN said kites were among the worst power disrupters in the country.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
More foreigners to manage local banks
More foreigners to manage local banks JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) is considering allowing more foreign bankers to manage local banks in a bid to rebuild confidence in the ailing industry, according to an official source. The source, who asked for anonymity, said that expatriates would be allowed to manage local banks even though the banks had no foreign shareholders. "The central bank is considering such a measure," the source said.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Amien names Gus Dur as alternative candidate
Amien names Gus Dur as alternative candidate JAKARTA (JP): Recent meetings between National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais and National Awakening Party (PKB) founder Abdurrahman Wahid reportedly resulted in Amien's stated willingness to support the latter as an alternative presidential candidate.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Trisakti team to HK for another ballistics test
Trisakti team to HK for another ballistics test JAKARTA (JP): A fact-finding team looking into the May 1998 Trisakti incident will soon leave for Hong Kong to follow the final process of ballistics tests before the case involving the shooting of four Trisakti University students could be brought before a military tribunal, a member of the team said on Tuesday. Usman Hamid said the team, which is headed by Col.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government to decide on KSO contract scheme: Giri
Government to decide on KSO contract scheme: Giri JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Communications Giri Suseno said on Tuesday the government was studying whether to maintain the joint operation scheme (KSO) in the country's telecommunications industry. As part of its study, his ministry is currently evaluating the performance reports submitted by the five private companies which entered into KSO contracts with state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom, Giri said.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tourism minister visits South Jakarta scavengers
Tourism minister visits South Jakarta scavengers JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Marzuki Usman visited a slum area in Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday to encourage the children of scavengers to struggle for a better future. The presence of Marzuki and his staff amid shanties enlivened the atmosphere of the area, during which the minister handed over a cash prize of Rp 30,000 (US$4.50) to a boy who won a scavenging contest held earlier in the day.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Low expectations for RI boxers in SEA Games
Low expectations for RI boxers in SEA Games By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): National boxers are keeping a tight rein on their hopes for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month, aiming for only three of the 11 golds at stake. The head coach, Ferry Moniaga, said last week that it could be hard to win even three golds, compared to six golds in the 1997 SEA Games, due to a lack of tryouts.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lack of funds hampers food aid distribution
Lack of funds hampers food aid distribution JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saefuddin said on Tuesday that a lack of funds to finance transportations cost had caused problems in distributing food aid. Saefuddin said several delays in distributing the aid was caused by the government's inability to provide huge funds to finance the distribution immediately.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 20, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 500 25 266,500 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 400 0 217,500 Alumindo Light Metal 975 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 575 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,625 25 9,026,500 Anwar Sierad 325 0 52,500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Major parties committed to women's welfare
Major parties committed to women's welfare JAKARTA (JP): Four major political parties declared on Tuesday their commitment to the betterment of women's and children's welfare, promising to give the issue prominence in the next State Policy Guidelines (GBHN).
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Constitutional politicking looms
Constitutional politicking looms By Makmur Keliat JAKARTA (JP): If we speak of a political transition from an authoritarian to a democratic system, two words always come to mind -- freedom and order. These two words also reflect a classic dilemma faced by developing countries when trying to improve their democracies.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso prepared to back down on bus fare hike
Sutiyoso prepared to back down on bus fare hike JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Tuesday he was prepared to annul the administration's plans to increase both bus and parking fees if the plan proved too unpopular. However, he warned that delaying the hikes could lead to problems, including the possibility of a bus drivers' strike.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Arianespace taps into Asia-Pacific
Arianespace taps into Asia-Pacific By Christiani Tumelap EVRY, France (JP): France's Arianespace remains upbeat about the market for a commercial satellite launch business in Asia Pacific despite the economic crisis that has rocked the region for the last two years. Arianespace's director of customer service, Baard Eilertsen, said the region had contributed quite a significant number of contracts to Arianespace's business even during the crisis.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
West 'ignorant of plight of the Acehnese'
West 'ignorant of plight of the Acehnese' JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) accused the West of being ignorant of the tragedies in Aceh and urged Muslims across the country to help the Acehnese, at least 70,000 of them who have become refugees. "Muslims here cannot keep as silent as the West, which claims to be a pioneer of humanity but seems passive regarding Acehnese refugees, who are mostly Muslim," Kafrawi Ridwan, the council chairman, announced here on Tuesday.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ruling on forest utilization to be reviewed: Official
Ruling on forest utilization to be reviewed: Official JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Tuesday it would review the five-month-old regulation on forest utilization because the maximum acreage set for timber companies does not encourage them to adopt sustainable practices. Director General of the Utilization of Production Forest Waskito Suryodibroto said the maximum acreage for companies under Government Regulation No. 6/1999 appeared infeasible for supporting sustainable forest management.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Proper school buildings needed
Proper school buildings needed TANGERANG (JP): At least 3,000 students from 56 state elementary schools are putting their lives at risk while studying in badly damaged school buildings, an official said over the weekend. Head of the Tangerang regency's Education and Culture Office, Mochamad Basyari, said the walls of the buildings were badly cracked and needed major repairs which would cost some Rp 7 billion (US$1 million).
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on July 20, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P reaffirms Megawati's presidency
PDI-P reaffirms Megawati's presidency JAKARTA (JP): Election winner Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) concluded its leadership meeting on Tuesday reaffirming chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential candidacy. Secretary-general Alexander Litaay told a press conference at congress venue Bhumi Wiyata Hotel in the Jakarta suburb of Depok that party leaders have been instructed to protect Megawati's path to the "new millennium presidency".
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
MUI pledges to engage in self-introspection: Yafie
MUI pledges to engage in self-introspection: Yafie JAKARTA (JP): The influential Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) marked its 24th anniversary on Tuesday by promising to engage in self-introspection and redefine its position in Indonesian society. Chairman Ali Yafie told Antara the council had now entered a period of redefinition, and a reaffirmation of its role as khadimul ummat (the servant of the people).
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Chinese fishing boat sinks
Chinese fishing boat sinks MANILA (AFP): A Chinese fishing vessel sank near disputed South China Sea islands after colliding with a Philippine navy patrol boat, officials said on Tuesday, as Manila pressed the need for a code of conduct to prevent more serious incidents in the area. It was the second Chinese boat in two months to be sunk by the Filipino navy in the disputed Spratly Islands. Beijing expressed shock and said it was filing a protest with Manila.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ballo targets second gold from Brunei Games
Ballo targets second gold from Brunei Games JAKARTA (JP): "What do you want this year, Ballo?" "A gold medal, definitely. I won the gold two years ago and I intend to defend my title," answered boxer Hermansen Bertholens Ballo during a break in training at the Ragunan Sports School in South Jakarta. Ballo -- who was born in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Feb. 26, 1971 -- sees Thailand's Pramuansak Phosuwan as his toughest rival at the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Investment licensing powers to be delegated to provinces
Investment licensing powers to be delegated to provinces JAKARTA (JP): The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) will authorize its provincial investment offices (BKPMD) to license all foreign direct investment and domestic investment starting in August, State Minister of Investment Marzuki Usman said on Tuesday. Marzuki, who is also BKPM's chairman, said his office was currently waiting for a presidential decree to officially give its provincial offices the authority to license investment.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
In fabulous new feather at the Peacock cafe
In fabulous new feather at the Peacock cafe JAKARTA (JP): Time was when Jakarta's finest showed their finery at the Peacock, the Jakarta Hilton's coffee shop. Rewind a decade, when fine hotels were few and far between, and the Peacock was the place to dine, check out other well-heeled diners and do one's own share of primping and preening.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN ministers retreat to mull group's future
ASEAN ministers retreat to mull group's future By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat SINGAPORE (JP): As members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) begin to creep out of their worst regional crisis, ministers will take time from the grouping's annual meeting on Friday to do a bit of soul-searching on the future.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Consumers have right to know
Consumers have right to know It's good to know that Satelindo's Mentari GSM prepaid card is able to roam to Bali, with Sumatra to follow suit. Finally, the Mentari is not only accessible in the Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang- Bekasi area. Advertisements on this facility have appeared in several newspapers. A lot of mobile phone users prefer Mentari because its unit of rate and airtime is cheaper, or used to be cheaper, than similar products.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Downer to visit E. Timor this month
Downer to visit E. Timor this month MELBOURNE (JP): Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced on Tuesday plans to travel to East Timor on July 30, making him the first Australian foreign minister ever to visit the territory. The visit will follow his trip to Jakarta on July 28, where he hopes to meet with President B.J. Habibie, Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto, and jailed East Timor resistance leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Administration to seek share of oil revenue
Administration to seek share of oil revenue JAKARTA (JP): A senior official and councilor has pushed the city administration to seek ways to obtain a share of the estimated billions of rupiah generated in massive ongoing oil exploration projects in the Thousand Islands area. Deputy Governor for Economic and Financial Affairs Fauzie Alvi Yasin said on Tuesday the administration was studying the possibilities of obtaining shares in the multi-billion offshore exploration projects.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Additional work for the new MPR
Additional work for the new MPR Soeharto's resignation from the presidency on May 21, 1998, has paved the way for political reform as demanded by university students and other society members. But thus far, the reformation process does not show significant progress. Political affairs analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono proposes the best way to guarantee the continuation of reform.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt urged to withdraw tramadol
Govt urged to withdraw tramadol JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Health Consumer Empowerment Foundation urged the government on Tuesday to withdraw analgesic tramadol from the market and categorize the drug as a synthetic narcotic available only with a prescription. The Ministry of Health has categorized tramadol as a "strong drug". The generic drug comes in 17 brand names, including the extremely popular Feminax, Belatram and Tramal. They can be freely obtained without prescription.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Drugs, fake notes destroyed in Bogor
Drugs, fake notes destroyed in Bogor BOGOR (JP): A total of 715 bank notes comprising fake Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000 and Rp 50,000 bills along with 2 kilograms of marijuana and 3,045 illegal and prescription-only pills were destroyed by the Cibinong Prosecutors office here on Tuesday. Head of the General Crime section of the office, Udjijono, said his department had uncovered 11 cases involving counterfeit notes and 14 drug-related cases since January 1997.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN explores S. China Sea issue
ASEAN explores S. China Sea issue By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat SINGAPORE (JP): Senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided here on Tuesday to submit a draft code of conduct on the South China Sea to a special working group for further discussion. "The decision by the SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) is to report to the AMM (ASEAN Ministerial Meeting) to refer the issue to a working group," said a Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ministers expected to support athletes in SEAG
Ministers expected to support athletes in SEAG JAKARTA (JP): After President B.J. Habibie visited the nation's athletes being groomed for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the National Sports Council (KONI) urged other government leaders to support athletes in Brunei Darussalam next month.
Wed, 21 Jul 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 Song 9:00 Music 10:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Indonesian Children 3:00 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Indonesian Lessons 5:00 Student's Quiz 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 TV Series: Labyrinth 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt saves $1b from the budget
Govt saves $1b from the budget JAKARTA (JP) : More than US$1 billion in state funds were saved or withheld from being spent as a result of anti- corruption, collusion and nepotism measures at state companies over the past one year until June, the government announced on Tuesday.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia under fire over document leakage
Australia under fire over document leakage JAKARTA (JP): A senior government official lashed out at the Australian media on Tuesday following their reports of a document which claimed the Indonesian government was arranging a contingency plan in anticipation of a loss in the August ballot on the future of East Timor.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Nestle Indonesia gives facelift to Mayestik market
Nestle Indonesia gives facelift to Mayestik market JAKARTA (JP): PT. Nestle Indonesia, a major milk and food producer, inaugurated the completion of its two-month refurbishment project at Mayestik traditional market in South Jakarta on Tuesday. The three-story market building, which beforehand was covered in dirt and peeling paint like many other traditional markets across the country, has been given a new coat of paint in the red-and-yellow colors of Nestle's Maggi product range.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
IBRA's performance
IBRA's performance The government is at present putting all its hopes on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) in its efforts to recover public funds that were misused in the past by most of the now suspended banks. At the very least, the agency could through hard work make a positive contribution to the state coffers in these troubles times.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Group set up to assist victims of state violence
Group set up to assist victims of state violence JAKARTA (JP): An aunt of a man injured in the Semanggi incident, a relative of a missing person and a friend of a Trisakti University student who was shot dead have established a group for victims of state violence. State Violence Victims Solidarity (SKKN), announced on Tuesday, groups relatives and friends from several cases.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
11 junior athletes qualify for PON
11 junior athletes qualify for PON JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarson attended on Tuesday the second day of the National Junior Athletics Championships at the Senayan Madya Stadium, but he did not see any records tumble. Nonetheless, 11 juniors have secured places at the 15th National Games (PON) to be held next year in Surabaya, after they met PON qualifications at the championships.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Speculations rife on Soeharto's health
Speculations rife on Soeharto's health JAKARTA (JP): Speculation was rife on Tuesday over the health of former president Soeharto after he was rushed to the Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta. Hospital officials and his family were quick to play down the significance of the visit, stating that the 78-year-old was merely undergoing a routine medical check up.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bogor councilors question payment
Bogor councilors question payment BOGOR (JP): A senior mayoralty official here on Tuesday backed several local councilors' suggestion to forego kadeudeuh, (a farewell token in the form of money), from Mayor Iswara Natanegara to councilors set to soon leave their posts. Head of the mayoralty's social-political affairs office E.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Immigration law
Immigration law I refer to the letters from Elis Suminar and Martin Boothby in The Jakarta Post of May 2, 1999 and July 7, 1999 respectively, complaining about discrimination in the Indonesian immigration laws. It is scandalous what has happened to my family since 1989. I have been living here with a Sundanese wife in a correct manner. But the discrimination through immigration laws has psychologically destroyed my life. I am now staying here on a tourist visa which is valid for 60 days.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
ICW sees political plot behind Ghalib case
ICW sees political plot behind Ghalib case JAKARTA (JP): Antigraft activists are concerned over what they believe is a high-level political conspiracy to freeze the investigation into Andi M. Ghalib's alleged corruption and to turn the table on whistle-blower Teten Masduki.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Committee chair asked for 'compensation'
Committee chair asked for 'compensation' JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I) secretariat has been asked to provide Rp 80 million (US$11,940) to committee members and 48 political party representatives, an executive said.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Legislators' pay criticized
Legislators' pay criticized SURABAYA: Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a presidential expert staff member, questioned the planned payment of Rp 77 million each for members of the East Java provincial legislative council, saying it was too much and irrational. "We should bear in mind that many people suffer from malnutrition or have been rendered jobless ...," she was quoted by Antara as saying here on Tuesday.
Wed, 21 Jul 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taxation needs great attention
Taxation needs great attention From Bisnis Indonesia Taxation is very important to a state because 70 percent of domestic revenues in the state's budget come from tax proceeds. Unfortunately, in Indonesia, the government, the people and also the House of Representatives do not pay proper attention to taxation.