Archive: 1 September 1999
55 articles found
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
President opens new arrival terminal for migrant workers
President opens new arrival terminal for migrant workers JAKARTA (JP): "Welcome home to the heroes of foreign exchange," read a banner as President B.J. Habibie inaugurated Terminal Three at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Tuesday.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Only trained doctors may prescribe Viagra
Only trained doctors may prescribe Viagra By Jules Bell JAKARTA (JP): As Austin Powers the star of his self-titled box-office hit would say: Viagra keeps you swinging, baby! Medically, it would have to be said the super-stud spy is "right- on", and that is good news for an estimated six million Indonesian men suffering erectile dysfunction. From Sept.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
German investments expected to start recovering next year
German investments expected to start recovering next year JAKARTA (JP): Direct investment by German corporations in Indonesia, which plunged over the past two years because of the economic crisis, will begin to recover next year, a German Embassy official said on Tuesday. "The crisis in Indonesia is bottoming out. I am optimistic that German investment will increase starting in 2000," Michael Witter, head of the embassy's economic department, told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Final House seat allocation set for Wednesday
Final House seat allocation set for Wednesday JAKARTA (JP): The National Election Committee (PPI) is scheduled to announce on Wednesday the final allocation of the 500 House of Representatives seats from the results of the June 7 polls. Committee chairman Jakob Tobing said the body missed the Aug. 28 deadline for the announcement because of technical problems such as data verification and the photocopying of printouts.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Governor braves threats, rules out bus fare hike
Governor braves threats, rules out bus fare hike JAKARTA (JP): Despite repeated threats of a massive strike by bus drivers, Governor Sutiyoso confirmed on Tuesday that the city administration would not raise bus fares until city council issued a new ruling on fare hikes. He said the council, which ended its term last week, did not endorse a fare hike proposal from the city administration.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Debts, proceeds from oil
Debts, proceeds from oil Our high-ranking state officials have secured from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) fresh loans worth a total of US$5.9 billion. These loans will be enough to cover the deficit in our 2000-2001 budget. It is still a big question mark how we should ever be able to repay our huge debts, which now amount to over $150 billion. Reportedly these loans are no longer designated for the construction of roads or bridges as part of the loans is allocated to feed people.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
House delays hearing on Bank Bali scandal
House delays hearing on Bank Bali scandal JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives made a surprise decision on Tuesday to delay for another week a scheduled public hearing with the country's banking authorities over the disclosure of the high-profile Bank Bali scandal. Critics said the move was simply buying time for efforts to cover up the scandal, in which close associates of President B.J. Habibie are allegedly implicated. House leaders gave unclear explanations for the delay of the Sept.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bourse to get electronic settlement system
Bourse to get electronic settlement system JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Central Securities Depository (KSEI) will introduce electronic settlement operations in October to boost efficiency amid the significant increase in volume of banking shares, its president said on Tuesday. Erry Firmansyah said that electronic settlement on the Jakarta Stock Exchange would initially be limited only to shares of 20 companies, mostly banks.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Djafar urged to quit
Djafar urged to quit JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) staged a rally in front of the city council building on Tuesday to demand newly installed party councilor Djafar Badjeber resign for endorsing gambling in the city. Displaying banners and posters, the protesters, grouped under Forum Anak Bangsa (the Forum of the Nation's Children) condemned Djafar's approval on the proposal to legalize gambling in the city. "We demand the council investigate Djafar.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
MPR agrees to summon Habibie
MPR agrees to summon Habibie JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's highest law-making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), decided on Tuesday to wait for its next scheduled session to summon President B.J. Habibie to present his account of the June 7 general election. "The leadership meeting has decided to abide by the MPR 1998 decree which stipulates that President B.J. Habibie must account for the general election at the next MPR session," MPR deputy chairman Poedjono Pranyoto said.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on August 31, 1999: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
NU corrects Gus Dur's statement on Megawati
NU corrects Gus Dur's statement on Megawati SURABAYA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) executives raced on Tuesday to refute media reports that chairman Abdurrahman Wahid prohibited its leaders and members from voicing support for presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri. The chairman of the East Java chapter of NU, Hasyim Muzadi, said the reports confused both organization members and the public alike. He suspected the media misquoted Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Finance scheme causes riot
Finance scheme causes riot MEDAN, North Sumatra: Police fired warning shots and beat up protesters in North Sumatra's capital on Tuesday after riots broke out over a bogus get-rich-quick financial scheme, Reuters reported. About 1,000 people in Medan, went on a rampage, torching the buildings of a company which they said had promised them a return of an investment with large interest.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Foreign oil firm agrees to new revenue distribution policy
Foreign oil firm agrees to new revenue distribution policy By A. Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): An Argentina-based oil mining company operating on Pabelokan Island in the Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) marine resort area said it would support and comply with the city administration's policy on share distribution of oil revenue. "We agree with the 1999 Law on Fiscal Balance between the central government and local administrations.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed men patrol streets in Dili
Armed men patrol streets in Dili DILI, East Timor (JP): Tension returned to East Timor on Tuesday, one day after the peaceful vote on the territory's future, while reconciliation talks between proindependence and prointegration factions remained uncertain. A group of people armed with homemade guns was seen stopping motorists heading to the western outskirts of the capital of Dili on Tuesday. A similar scene was reported in Manatuto, some 60 kilometers east of here.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia looks to benefit by China's absence from Sanyo Open
Indonesia looks to benefit by China's absence from Sanyo Open By Primastuti Handayani DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) deputy athletes development officer Hadi Nazri expressed hope that Indonesian shuttlers in the women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles could take advantage of the absence of Chinese and South Korean players in the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open. "If we see from their drawings, our national players could benefit.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Laid-off BNI workers agree to $4.2m compensation offer
Laid-off BNI workers agree to $4.2m compensation offer JAKARTA (JP): After a series of meetings with Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), 438 laid-off workers of the state bank accepted on Tuesday compensation packages totaling Rp 32 billion (US$4.2 million). Although the date of payment has yet to be set due to technical problems, the workers expressed satisfaction with the agreement.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
The New Order economy as seen from the present
The New Order economy as seen from the present By Emil Salim The following article is based on a paper presented at a recent conference on Indonesian modern economic history with the theme "Crisis and Continuity: Indonesian Economy in the 20th century" organized by the Forum on the Economic History of Indonesia in Yogyakarta. This is the first of two articles.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
AriaWest, Siemens tie up
AriaWest, Siemens tie up JAKARTA (JP): AriaWest International, the exclusive contract- sharing partner of state telecommunications firm PT Telkom for West Java, has signed an agreement with Siemens Indonesia to build 62,962 new line units in West Java. AriaWest's president John G. Vondras announced on Monday that Siemens would construct the lines to be progressively delivered and completed by the end of January 2000 under the Rp 65 million (US$8.6 million) contract.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
People's part in drug raids hailed
People's part in drug raids hailed JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso praised on Tuesday the involvement of Jakartans, including housewives, on recent police raids against drug traffickers and consumers. Sutiyoso said the role of family members in eliminating drug trafficking in the city was important. "Housewives should be on the front line of a campaign against drugs. I support it," he said at City Hall.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
World applauds Indonesia for peaceful East Timor ballot
World applauds Indonesia for peaceful East Timor ballot JAKARTA (JP): Praise for the direct ballot in East Timor, in which 98 percent of registered East Timorese voters took part, continued to flow in on Tuesday, amid concerns over the death of a local United Nations worker. Credit was given to the Indonesian military and police, who have been criticized in the wake of violence blamed on civilians freely carrying and using arms in the province.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Lifters groomed for world c'ship
Lifters groomed for world c'ship JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) is training four female and two male lifters for the World Weightlifting Championship in Athens, Greece, in November. PABBSI chairman Budi Santoso identified the six athletes as Lisa Rumbewas, Winarni, Supeni, Sri Indriani, Taufik and Erwin Abdullah.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Change becomes daily phenomenon
Change becomes daily phenomenon I read with interest the article Toward a true unitary nation by Mr. Harkiman Racheman in The Jakarta Post, Aug. 3, 1999 and would like to comment. * It has never crossed my mind to "ban all Chinese culture in Indonesia" as alleged in the article. Who am I to dare have such wild ideas? Perhaps someone misunderstood my suggestion that Indonesian of Chinese ethnicity should concentrate on their "Indonesianness" instead on their "Chineseness".
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir on firm ground a year after Anwar's ouster
Mahathir on firm ground a year after Anwar's ouster By M. Jegathesan KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Almost one year after sacking his heir apparent and sparking Malaysia's biggest anti-government protests in decades, both supporters and opponents say Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's position in his ruling party is strong. What is less clear, opponents say, is how much support Mahathir's moves against Anwar Ibrahim cost him among the Malay majority in the run-up to a general election.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Government proposes names for antimonopoly commission
Government proposes names for antimonopoly commission JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Tuesday that the government has nominated 25 names to become members of the independent supervisory commission which will oversee the implementation of the newly introduced antimonopoly law.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian monies close stronger
Most Asian monies close stronger HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The majority of Asian currencies ended local trading hours stronger against the U.S. dollar Tuesday, supported by the resilience of the yen. The Thai currency, however, lost ground, as interbank dealers attempted to take advantage of a clutch of banking-sector scares to push the baht down through the floor of its recent trading range.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia is a friend of Australia's, not an enemy
Indonesia is a friend of Australia's, not an enemy This article is based on a farewell speech by Indonesian Ambassador to Australia S. Wiryono at the 1999 Merdeka Luncheon, organized jointly by the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC), New South Wales branch, and the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney on Aug. 20, 1999. This is the first of two articles.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Making sense of the Bank Bali scandal
Making sense of the Bank Bali scandal By Christopher Lingle HONG KONG (JP): The importance of public and international reaction to the Bank Bali scandal should not be underestimated. Domestic market stability and reliable government bodies are crucial components for Indonesia's recovery from the economic crisis. Steps must be taken to rebuild investor confidence.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia may reconsider plan to pull out of INRO
Malaysia may reconsider plan to pull out of INRO JAKARTA (JP): The Malaysian government has promised to review its earlier decision to pull out of the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO), an Indonesian minister said here on Tuesday. Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said on Tuesday that President B.J Habibie, during his visit to the neighboring country last week, had asked Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to review the Malaysian Cabinet's decision to quit INRO.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Presidential qualifications
Presidential qualifications From Kompas There is one president among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heads of state who does not hold a degree. He is Philippine president Joseph Estrada. Our country also once had a president with no academic qualifications and he was in power for 32 years. He is Soeharto. His formal education consisted of elementary school, but not the military academy as was the case of General Abdul Haris Nasution. What about Megawati Soekarnoputri?
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Oil firm based on Pabelokan Island
Oil firm based on Pabelokan Island JAKARTA (JP): Pabelokan Island, the home base of Argentinean oil firm YPF-Maxus since 1984, is located at the northwestern tip of the chain of 106 islands known as Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands). Locals say Pabelokan (curve) Island is named after its remote location, which forces visitors to take a series of hairpin turns before reaching the 11,000-square meter island.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Ericsson touts new cell phone
Ericsson touts new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): Swedish cellular phonemaker Ericsson Indonesia launched on Tuesday its latest cell phone model, the T28s. Company director for consumer products Susanto Sosilo said the new dual band cellular phone was designed for those who were willing to pay "for a sophisticated phone that appeals to their emotions". "Indonesia is a lucrative market. That's why we chose it as the first country to market the T28s," he said.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indorayon wants to be audited now
Indorayon wants to be audited now JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed pulp and rayon fiber maker PT Inti Indorayon Utama urged the government on Tuesday to quickly appoint an independent audit team to determine whether the company's mills were hazardous to the surrounding environment. The management of Indorayon said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post that they had suffered losses of hundreds of billions of rupiah from the closure of the company's mills.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Banana republic' slur irks Manila
'Banana republic' slur irks Manila DUBAI (AFP): A Dubai hotel has apologized to the Philippines' ambassador to the Emirates after it named one of its new restaurants "The Banana Republic Filipino Club," the Gulf News daily said on Tuesday. The name provoked an angry response from the embassy, with ambassador Amable Aguiluz branding it "unsavory" and demanding it be withdrawn immediately, the newspaper said.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 31, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 475 0 0 AHAP Insurance 525 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 275 0 0 Alter Abadi 250 0 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,325 125 852,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 425 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,525 0 3,054,000 Anwar Sierad 200 0 137,500 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Protests mar council ceremony
Protests mar council ceremony TANGERANG (JP): Noisy protests staged by three different groups marred the swearing-in ceremony of the 45 newly installed legislators for the Tangerang council on Tuesday. The situation was tense particularly when some of the protesters forcibly tried to get into the council building, which was heavily guarded by scores of police and military. However, no clashes were reported during the protests.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Security bill needs public aspiration
Security bill needs public aspiration JAKARTA (JP): Experts and the House of Representatives (DPR) agreed here on Tuesday of the need to accommodate public aspiration and revise the controversial, government-sponsored bill on state security, which some observers have called oppressive. The House commission deliberating the state security bill invited three scholars to give their opinions of the bill.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Betawi leaders call for new cultural village
Betawi leaders call for new cultural village JAKARTA (JP): Senior figures of Jakarta's native Betawi ethnic group called on the city administration on Tuesday to soon realize a plan to develop a 5.4-hectare Betawi settlement area in Situ Babakan, Srengseng Sawah subdistrict, South Jakarta.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hendra's lawyers fight extradition
Hendra's lawyers fight extradition JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers of fugitive banker Hendra Rahardja asked a Sydney court on Tuesday not to meet Jakarta's call for the defendant's extradition, citing a strong anti-Chinese sentiment among indigenous Indonesians, Antara reported. Defense lawyers presented to the hearing of Hendra's case at the Central Sydney Local Court a researcher on the ethnic Chinese minority in Indonesia, Charles Coppel, who supported their argument, the agency reported from Sydney.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan conquest could be counterproductive
Taiwan conquest could be counterproductive This is the second of several articles on the deteriorating security situation in East Asia, The Jakarta Post's Asia correspondent Harvey Stockwin examines the implications of the hints coming from Beijing that it may take military action against Taiwan's offshore islands.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Marsinah case may reopen: Expert
Marsinah case may reopen: Expert JAKARTA (JP): The case of a woman laborer allegedly murdered by military officers in 1993 may be reopened if new evidence comes out in an ongoing investigation, criminal law expert Loebby Loqman said on Monday. Although a verdict has already been given, a criminal case can be reopened as long as there is new evidence that can be used in a retrial, Loebby said at a seminar on the controversial Marsinah case.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Crowds attack police area
Crowds attack police area BANDUNG: A police residential area in Lembang, 25 kilometers north of Bandung, was attacked by residents on Monday night. The incident was sparked by a fight during a kampong soccer match involving police. The crowd damaged the roofs of several homes but warning shots stopped them from causing further havoc. Members of the elite mobile brigade still guarded the area in Cikole as of Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bandung Police chief Lt.Col.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
After tests, Indosat says it is ready for millennium bug
After tests, Indosat says it is ready for millennium bug JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state-owned telecommunications company PT Indosat said on Tuesday it was prepared for the millennium bug. Indosat general manager for planning and engineering Djoko Prajitno said the company announced its readiness for the millennium bug, also known as the Y2K problem, months ago. He added that the company had run tests to ensure its systems were Y2K compliant.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hike in pro-XL airtime rate
Hike in pro-XL airtime rate JAKARTA (JP): Global System for Mobile (GSM) telecommunications cellular operator Excelcomindo announced on Tuesday an average 15 percent to 20 percent increase in the airtime rate for the pro-XL prepaid billing subscription service. Excelcomindo's general manager for prepaid service A. Putranto said the rate would take effect on Sept. 1. "Price adjustment is an alternative for operators to maintain their service quality," he said.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
PBSI wants IBF to warn China and South Korea
PBSI wants IBF to warn China and South Korea DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) plans to petition the International Badminton Federation (IBF) to take steps on certain countries' absences in the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open. PBSI deputy of athletic development, Hadi Nazri, told reporters on Tuesday that he would also ask PBSI chief of foreign affairs to urge the IBF to warning the countries. China skipped the Indonesia Open for the third time since 1997.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Major national banks report massive losses
Major national banks report massive losses JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's major banks reported on Tuesday massive losses during the first semester of this year due to a widening negative interest spread and rising bad loan provisions. Bank Niaga said it suffered Rp 4.99 trillion (about US$665 million) in net losses in the January-June period, swinging from a net profit of Rp 32.18 billion in the same period last year.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bank Bali fiasco: Tip of the iceberg
Bank Bali fiasco: Tip of the iceberg By Sidesh Kaul JAKARTA (JP): In the wake of the Bank Bali scandal, pundits at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank feel that a "full and transparent" investigation of the issue could set things right and should be a precondition for further aid.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Activists say charity takes its toll on people's mentality
Activists say charity takes its toll on people's mentality JAKARTA (JP): Community activists said they find it hard to switch people's mentality from being recipients of charity to self-help participants, and blamed corruption under the previous government for their attitudes. "It's surprising to see the moral damage caused by the Soeharto government's pervasive corruption practices," Hanny Adiyati, monitoring manager of the Community Recovery Program (CRP), said.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indocement to launch rights issue
Indocement to launch rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed cementmaker PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa will launch a rights issue to strengthen its capital structure. Indocement corporate secretary Ria Sjahroni Sereh said the rights issue would also be part of the cement producers's debt restructuring program. "We expect to hold the rights issue before the end of this year," she said, without giving further details on the plan.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
After the ballot
After the ballot Though it may sound rather absurd to some people given the momentousness of the event, not many Indonesians -- possibly not even President B.J. Habibie who set the process in motion -- may be aware of the full ramifications of Monday's UN-supervised self-determination ballot in East Timor.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Container terminal in Bitung
Container terminal in Bitung JAKARTA (JP): State-owned seaport operator PT Pelindo IV said on Tuesday it expected to complete construction of its container terminal at Bitung port in North Sulawesi by 2003. Company president Prayitno said the government received a Rp 225 billion (US$30 million) offshore loan for the project, but he did not say who provided the loan. Pelindo IV operates seaports in East Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Strikes continue over Aceh military command
Strikes continue over Aceh military command JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Aceh students picketed the building of the local legislature for the second day, protesting the reestablishment of the Iskandar Muda Military command despite the government's announcement that the plans were delayed. Similar demonstrations were staged in Malang, East Java during the visit of Indonesian Military Commander/Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto to the Muhammadiyah University.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thai woman caught smuggling heroin
Thai woman caught smuggling heroin JAKARTA (JP): Customs officers at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport arrested a 28-year-old Thai woman for attempting to smuggle 1.75 kilograms of pure heroin into the country on Tuesday.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
NGO bemoans poor public understanding of aid process
NGO bemoans poor public understanding of aid process JAKARTA (JP): An NGO official said on Tuesday that the general public's misunderstanding of fund disbursement was the biggest obstacle for the organization to properly implement its community recovery program. The program, introduced last September to help the poor in food security and in doing small-time business following the economic crisis that hit the country in late 1997, is sponsored by foreign donor countries.
Wed, 01 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Estrada may bow to protests over constitution plan
Estrada may bow to protests over constitution plan MANILA (Agencies): Philippine President Joseph Estrada is willing to drop his controversial plan to change the constitution if an advisory body he has created decides there is no need to amend it, a senior official said on Tuesday.