Archive: 10 August 1999
56 articles found
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Babies die due to 'salmonella' sweep
Babies die due to 'salmonella' sweep BANYUWANGI, East Java: The salmonella virus is blamed for the deaths of seven newborns last week in the Blambangan district, a director of a hospital treating the babies said. Solichin of the Blambangan General Hospital said the virus was identified from blood tests conducted on the victims. The virus is mainly associated with, among other things, various types of food poisoning and acute gastrointestinal inflammation.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
BII sues debt guarantors
BII sues debt guarantors JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia filed a bankruptcy claim against the debt guarantors of PT Bentala Coal Mining for failing to take over the company's Rp 13.5 billion (about US$2 million) matured debt. The plaintiff's lawyer, Abdul Hakim G. Nusantara, said the suit was filed against the guarantors to ensure that all of the debts could be recovered.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie must act
Habibie must act It is not enough for the minister of finance to oversee the Bank Bali case. President B.J. Habibie must act in person to order an investigation of the scandal because the case is in part a consequence of his giving too much power to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). This is a very powerful body, yet its officials have not been tested for their professionalism, integrity or vision.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Senior military officer's son caught with drugs
Senior military officer's son caught with drugs JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Police apprehended two men in possession of drugs at a hotel on Sunday morning, one of whom was reportedly an active member of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) and the son of a high-ranking Indonesian Military (TNI) officer. Police sources close to the investigation identified the alleged Kopassus member as Second Lt. Agus Ishok, the eldest son of a senior officer in the Army.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Veteran Richard back in the swim of things
Veteran Richard back in the swim of things BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Shortly after the 1997 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, Richard Sam Bera announced his retirement to concentrate on his job as an assistant coach at Arizona State University, his alma mater. Two years later, his name was on back on the list of Indonesia's contingent. Many eyebrows were raised over his decision to return to the pool.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Riots spark 'Reformasi' flea market
Riots spark 'Reformasi' flea market JAKARTA (JP): The devastating May 1998 riots have generated one positive outcome, at least to small traders around Cengkareng Plaza in West Jakarta. Located opposite the shopping center, the Reformasi flea market was established following initiatives of local small traders three months after the riots rocked the capital.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ban foreigners from buying coffee from farmers: AEKI
Ban foreigners from buying coffee from farmers: AEKI JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (AEKI) has called on the government to ban foreign companies from buying coffee harvests directly from local farmers. AEKI's chairman Oesman Soedargo said on Monday foreign companies should be required to invest in the local coffee industry to gain direct access to the farmers. "We are not asking for protection.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Luring but excessive element
Luring but excessive element The General Elections Commission (KPU) has again become an object of public scorn and a target of complaint due to its sluggish working system. The focus this time is its Team of 15, which is responsible for the selection of organizations to be represented in the interest group faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tommy oversees Goro land deal: Ricardo
Tommy oversees Goro land deal: Ricardo JAKARTA (JP): The former president of PT Goro Batara Sakti, Ricardo Gelael, denied on Monday that he played a decisive role in the wholesale firm's 1995 land exchange deal with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog). The businessman told the court that he merely acted on behalf of the company's president commissioner, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tanker fire claims 12
Tanker fire claims 12 PEKANBARU, Riau: Rescue workers found on Monday the charred bodies of nine crew members of the Stephanie XVIII oil tanker which caught fire on the Siak River around Perawang, some 80 km off of here, Antara said. The nine added to the three other victims who were found on Sunday evening. Eyewitnesses said the tanker -- carrying premium oil from Tanjung Uban in the Riau islands -- exploded and caught fire after colliding with a tugboat.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cable TV channels in Pondok Indah
Cable TV channels in Pondok Indah JAKARTA (JP): Kabelvision has launched 45 cable television channels for residents of the plush Pondok Indah housing area in South Jakarta, the Kabelvision company said in a statement released on Monday. The channels, currently on trial only for Pondok Indah residents on Jl. Gedung Hijau and Jl. Pondok Hijau, will later also be available to other residents throughout Jakarta, provided they live on streets with electricity poles.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Disabled students experience equality
Disabled students experience equality By Christine Erskine Smith JAKARTA (JP): Eva was sitting in the cooking class at her vocational training school. At the mention of the musical performance she was preparing for, her young face lit into a delightful smile. "I'm so excited," she said.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rugged life of Jakarta on display
Rugged life of Jakarta on display JAKARTA (JP): Seven young photographers who trained for one year with photographers from Antara Photo Journalism Gallery will show their black-and-white works on life in the capital during a 27-day exhibition at the gallery beginning on Wednesday. Titled Kota Kita - Jakarta Keras (Our City - Rugged Jakarta), the Aug. 11 to Sept.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati gets some stick
Megawati gets some stick From Rakyat Merdeka Lately I have noticed many stickers being sold in the community with similar designs to real banknotes, but with a picture of Megawati on them. I am very much concerned about this because such an activity constitutes a violation of the right of the government to issue legal banknotes. It is not impossible that the crime of issuing fake banknotes will be on the increase, which can be very detrimental to the state and society.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Transportation company on the road to recovery
Transportation company on the road to recovery JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Mitra Rajasa Tbk, a land transportation service company, announced on Monday it was back on the road to recovery after recording a Rp 7.85 billion (US$1.14 million) profit in the first half of 1999. "The company did far better than it expected, with main sales and profit coming largely from the trucking division," Mitra Rajasa advisor Tjiptono Darmaji announced.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Curbing smuggling an immense task
Curbing smuggling an immense task By Moeslich Somowiguno JAKARTA (JP): Trying to find out which came first, trade or smuggling, is like trying to answer the chicken or the egg question. Smuggling has been around since the early days of official trade, especially after regulations were first introduced by some countries to protect their domestic industries.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Land sits idle in W. Nusa Tenggara
Land sits idle in W. Nusa Tenggara MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: West Nusa Tenggara Governor Harun Alrasyid threatened to give away some 28,786 hectares of idle land to the public if the owners failed to make use of it. The 28,786 hectares include several properties belonging to conglomerates and children of former president Soeharto, according to the administration's data. About 635 hectares of the plot were put to use by locals.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank Bali bosses prohibited from overseas travel
Bank Bali bosses prohibited from overseas travel JAKARTA (JP): The former directors of Bank Bali and key executives of PT Era Giat Prima (EGP) were banned from traveling overseas for facilitating an investigation into their alleged involvement in the suspected Rp 546 billion (US$78 million) fraud of the bank. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Kiosk owner mulls suit against city officials
Kiosk owner mulls suit against city officials BOGOR (JP): A sidewalk kiosk owner is threatening to sue city officials who ordered demolition of the structure despite his claim to having paid Rp 8.1 million (US$1,160) in lieu of a building permit. "I consulted officials from the Bogor Building Construction Planning Agency before building the kiosk...
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Antam makes debut Australian bourse
Antam makes debut Australian bourse JAKARTA (JP): PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) on Monday started its first day trading on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), with its chess units of foreign securities (CUFS) being traded at A$2 a piece in early trading. Australian Ambassador to Indonesia John McCarthy hailed the listing, saying he hoped Amtam's ASX debut would be followed by other Indonesian companies.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia leads track and field in SEA Games
Malaysia leads track and field in SEA Games By Primastuti Handayani BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Malaysia's track and field team put a dreadful start behind it by taking four of seven gold medals on the program at the Southeast Asian Games on Monday. The region's track and field powerhouse, Thailand, continued to set the pace, winning three events to bring its total number of gold medals won in the sport to six as of the second day of competition.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stop forest concessionaires
Stop forest concessionaires From Neraca The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) has estimated that forest fires in Indonesia will reoccur toward the third millennium and that these will be worse than the major fires of two years ago. The possibility of fresh outbreaks may be reduced if the government stops forest conversion efforts undertaken by forest concessionaires. From information obtained by NOOA satellite imaging on Aug.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's candidature boosts 'axis force's' chances: Amien
Gus Dur's candidature boosts 'axis force's' chances: Amien JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais praised Abdurrahman Wahid for the latter's willingness to be presidential candidate of the new political alliance that Amien forged, called "the axis force," and said the assent was a boost to democratization.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian tennis teams make short work into finals
Indonesian tennis teams make short work into finals BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The Indonesian men's and women's tennis teams smashed their way into the finals of the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Monday. The national men's team did not drop a set in beating the Philippines 3-0, sweet revenge for its Davis Cup defeat in Jakarta in April. Suwandi and company will now meet top seeded Thailand, which trounced host Brunei 3-0 in the other semifinal.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Museum acquires Imelda Marcos' shoes
Museum acquires Imelda Marcos' shoes MANILA (AP): The Philippines' shoemaking capital has acquired 200 pairs of shoes from the famed collection of former first lady Imelda Marcos for a new city shoe museum and hopes to add footwear from many presidents, an official said Monday. Marikina, a shoe and leather goods center east of Manila, had hoped to obtain all 1,220 pairs of shoes abandoned at the palace after she and her strongman husband, Ferdinand, were ousted in a 1986 "people power" revolt.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Airline association warns RP against carrier limits
Airline association warns RP against carrier limits MANILA (AFP): The Asia-Pacific airlines association on Monday cautioned the Philippines against limiting the access of foreign carriers in the country, saying consumers should be left to make a choice. The statement by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) was issued amid an aviation row between the Philippines and Taiwan which followed Manila's decision to terminate an air agreement with Taipei for alleged violations.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
JICA helps pedicab drivers
JICA helps pedicab drivers UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: At least 300 families of pedicab drivers gained assistance from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, Antara reported. JICA, in cooperation with the Indonesian Family Planning (PKBI) Association, launched the program to help the families cope with the crisis. Funds of Rp 275 million were provided for one year. Meta Iqbal, a consultant for the project, said it focused on the districts of Mamajang, Ujungpandang and Makassar.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protests kick up storm in karate competition
Protests kick up storm in karate competition BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Protests marred the karate competition at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Monday, as the infuriated Indonesian squad saw its winning ways brought to a rude halt. Only two silvers and a bronze found their way into Indonesia's coffers from a possible five golds, a sharp comedown from its haul of five gold medals on Sunday.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Richard takes Indonesia's first gold in the pool
Richard takes Indonesia's first gold in the pool By Ivy Susanti BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia won its first gold in the pool thanks to veteran Richard Sam Bera on the second day of the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Monday. But Thailand's dazzling gold medal splash continued as it swept half of the six events held -- the women's 400m freestyle, men's 200m individual medley and women's 4x100m freestyle relay, all in record-breaking times.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Developer blamed in Manila landslide
Developer blamed in Manila landslide MANILA (Reuters): A Philippine government investigation into a landslide in a Manila housing estate which killed at least 48 people said on Monday that the developer of the project was aware that the ground was unstable. It said also the government's regulatory bodies which cleared the construction of the Cherry Hills estate could have required greater safeguards but did not.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Alatas receives Philippine award
Alatas receives Philippine award MANILA (AP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas (see picture on left) received one of the Philippines' most prestigious awards on Monday for his role in the forging of a peace pact between the Manila government and Muslim rebels. President Joseph Estrada presented the Sikatuna Award, Manila's highest award for diplomats, to Alatas at the Malacanang presidential palace.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
No bribes found in city-owned firms: Kahfi
No bribes found in city-owned firms: Kahfi JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor of Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi insisted on Monday that the city's Reform Team, that he chaired, had not had any reports of alleged bribery by city owned firms to auditors of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP).
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia nears double feat in badminton events
Indonesia nears double feat in badminton events BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia moved a step closer to a double gold medal in the badminton team event at the 20th Southeast Asian Games on Monday. The starless Indonesian women's team was still too strong for Vietnam, which suffered a 5-0 rout in the semifinals. Indonesia will now meet Thailand, a 3-1 winner over Malaysia.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Vast mangrove area severely damaged
Vast mangrove area severely damaged PALU, Central Sulawesi: Around 16,000 hectares of mangroves in Central Sulawesi have been severely damaged over the past 10 years due to rampant use of the trees for charcoal production or building fish ponds, Antara reported on Sunday. Central Sulawesi forestry office's spokesman Rahim said that based on the preliminary result of a recent office study, the province's 46,000 ha of mangrove forest was reduced to only 30,000 hectares.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Rival factions sign accord for campaign
Rival factions sign accord for campaign DILI, East Timor (JP): Rival factions in East Timor on Monday signed a 27-point code of conduct banning violence and intimidation in the campaign ahead of the Aug. 30 self- determination direct ballot. The code of conduct was signed by chairman of the Forum for Unity, Democracy and Justice (FPDK) and Dili district head Domingos M.D.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two people killed in latest Aceh violence
Two people killed in latest Aceh violence JAKARTA (JP): At least two people were killed, and 14 are missing after a weekend attack on a logging camp in the troubled province of Aceh, Antara reported on Monday. The news agency said the camp at Krueng Tuan village in Nisam district, some 30 kilometers south of the North Aceh capital of Lhokseumawe, was attacked on Saturday by a group of unidentified armed people. Local police spokesman Lt. Col.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Haze better this year
Haze better this year SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore should see slight to moderate haze during the next two weeks as smoke sweeps in its direction, the Straits Times said on Monday. The haze, which enveloped Singapore in late July, was minor compared with 1997 and 1998 pollution when fires in Sumatra and Borneo caused widespread health and transport problems in Southeast Asia.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Medal tally
Medal tally G S B Total Thailand 19 19 15 43 Malaysia 15 15 10 40 Indonesia 12 9 13 34 Singapore 7 6 6 19 Philippines 5 9 16 30 Vietnam 3 7 10 20 Brunei 1 0 11 12 Laos 1 0 1 2 Myanmar 0 1 0 1 Cambodia 0 0 0 0
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
President orders quick action to stop forest fires
President orders quick action to stop forest fires JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie on Monday ordered immediate action to stop forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, warning the country against a repeat of the 1997 fires. Speaking to participants of the Environmental Management Workshop at the State Palace, the President said he had received reports on spreading forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. He said haze from the fires was beginning to interrupt people's activities.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irianese living in fear, says rights commission
Irianese living in fear, says rights commission JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Members of the National Commission on Human Rights concluded from their visit here the Irianese lived in fear. Albert Hasibuan and Clementino Dos Reis Amaral said during a meeting with community leaders, non-governmental organizations and religious leaders on Thursday that fear of arrest and intimidation caused Irianese to remain silent about the violence they had suffered.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on Aug. 9, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four scavengers die in accident
Four scavengers die in accident MEDAN: Four men collecting iron scraps in an old school building in Ramunia village in Pantai Labu district were killed when the building's walls collapsed on them. Five other people were severely injured in the accident in the North Sumatra regency of Deli Serdang. Police said the victims were scavengers who had been rummaging through the building seeking scraps of iron which they could sell.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Megawati has supporters
Megawati has supporters I read with interest Sungkowo Sokawera's letter Who supports Megawati, published in The Jakarta post on Aug. 6, 1999. The question he posed was which people really supported Megawati? He is of the opinion that the 200 seats for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) are insignificant compared to the 700 seats available in that legislature.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thailand to cut import tariffs
Thailand to cut import tariffs BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand will slash import tariffs on 500 items if a finance ministry package promoting trade liberalization and industrial restructuring is approved Tuesday by the cabinet, a news report said. Import tariffs on the 500 items will be dropped to 1-15 per cent, compared with current rates ranging up to 80 per cent, said The Nation newspaper Monday, citing finance ministry sources.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Enron eyes Thai power sector
Enron eyes Thai power sector SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Houston-based energy company Enron Corp. is exploring investment opportunities in Thailand's natural gas and electricity sectors, according to industry reports. Enron officials met with Thai government officials late last week to discuss potential energy-related projects in the country, reports said.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank employees protest in Bandung
Bank employees protest in Bandung BANDUNG: About 400 employees of the Bandung branch of Danamon Bank protested against the Central bank and government's policy regarding the takeover of the bank. They blamed mass employee dismissals on the policy, saying many of their positions were taken by government workers. They demanded severance pay of up to 70 times their wage. The management was not available for comment on Monday. (43/swe)
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
INACA urges government to take immediate action on fires
INACA urges government to take immediate action on fires JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) called on the government on Monday to immediately deal with the forest fires burning in a number of the country's provinces to avoid a repeat of the haze which disrupted air traffic in late-1997. INACA chairman Soelarto Hadisoemarto said a delay in handling the forest fires would be fatal to the country's air traffic. "Please don't be late.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mining company donates gold
Mining company donates gold JAKARTA (JP): After a two year delay, gold mining company PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) in Kutai regency has donated five kilograms of gold bar for use in the East Kalimantan administration's poverty alleviation programs. KEM president John Miller told Antara in Samarinda on Monday that his company had to delay the donation, promised in 1997, due to internal problems.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
North Jakarta to have industry centers
North Jakarta to have industry centers JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta mayoralty office has announced plans to set up industry centers for fishery, furniture and dried salted fish in the area. Spokesman for the administration Sudarso said on Monday the plan and the locations for the sites were yet to be finalized. "It's still being discussed," he said.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Hotel, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 390 (Phone: 022 2500303): - Samsara Lounge: violinist, pianist and singer, on Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. - SOB: Duff's Band, Monday, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., X-Cite Band, Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Plangie, Thursday, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jus Kruzin, Friday, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dimensi, Saturday, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., * Grand Hotel Preanger Bandung, Jl. Asia Afrika No.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
IBRA vows to regain Bank Bali's Rp 546b
IBRA vows to regain Bank Bali's Rp 546b JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) Glenn S. Yusuf said on Monday that his organization would do its utmost to recover the Rp 546 billion (US$80 million) payment from Bank Bali to an investment firm. He said that IBRA could use government regulation No. 17/1999, which empowered the agency to unilaterally annul earlier contracts made by banks under its control which were loss-causing ventures for the government.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank Bali's case tip of the iceberg
Bank Bali's case tip of the iceberg From Media Indonesia Having observed the Bank Bali case since its disclosure by Mr. Pradjoto, we from the Sekar Tiara non-governmental organization feel called upon to convey our support and admiration for all his efforts. In our opinion the Bank Bali case is only the tip of the iceberg of many decaying economic pillars in Indonesia of the New Order regime.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai rice exports seen rising
Thai rice exports seen rising BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's rice exports should exceed 5.5 million tons of rice this year because of higher demand from countries such as Indonesia and the declining stocks in competing countries, industry sources said Monday.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 9, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 500 0 25,000 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 300 0 0 Alter Abadi 300 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 925 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,575 -100 18,507,500 Anwar Sierad 225 -50 66,000 APAC Centertex Corp.
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU agrees to restart selection of interest groups
KPU agrees to restart selection of interest groups JAKARTA (JP): A group of around 200 students rallied outside the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Monday, demanding the disbandment of its Team of 15, whose members have been suspected of abusing their authority in the selection of interest group representatives for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Tue, 10 Aug 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unicef aid for health program
Unicef aid for health program SEMARANG: The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) donated Rp 10 billion (about US$1.4 million) for the health improvement of people living in 10 small towns in Central Java, Antara reported. Widodo Suhartoyo, project officer of Unicef Central Java, said here on Monday that the fund would be used for various health programs including the reduction of postnatal death rates.