Archive: 27 September 1999
49 articles found
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Offer to delay bill fails to quiet critics
Offer to delay bill fails to quiet critics JAKARTA (JP): "Not good enough!" was the general reaction of politicians and rights campaigners over the government's decision to postpone, rather than scrap, the state security bill. They further decried the reason given for postponing the enactment of bill -- to allow time for information on it to be disseminated and better understood by the public -- as an insult to the people who were well aware of the bill's implications.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
RI's woes threaten ASEAN's vision of investment
RI's woes threaten ASEAN's vision of investment By Ruth Youngblood SINGAPORE (DPA): The tumultuous events in Indonesia threaten to stall Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s efforts this week to turn Southeast Asia into an investment haven, with analysts warning "all bets are off" until credibility is restored in the region's largest country.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students besiege Australian mission
Students besiege Australian mission MEDAN, North Sumatra: Students laid seige to the honorary Australian consulate here for the third straight day on Sunday. The students, grouped in Muhammadiyah Students Association, camped in front of the consulate on Jl. Kartini, blocking all access to the building. They demanded that all Australian troops grouped in the International Force for East Timor be withdrawn.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Police still searching for cause of deadly theater fire
Police still searching for cause of deadly theater fire YOGYAKARTA (JP): Police have yet to discover the cause of a fire which ravaged the Regent theater and killed 14 people, including two Norwegian nationals, on Thursday. Yogyakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Dadang Sutrisno said on Saturday that his office still had no clue as to the cause of the fire. "The police forensic team from Semarang is still investigating the fatal fire.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta returns to normal after violent clashes
Jakarta returns to normal after violent clashes JAKARTA (JP): The hustle and bustle of the capital resumed on Sunday after three days of tension following violent clashes between antigovernment protesters and riot troops on Thursday and Friday. Traffic on the city's main thoroughfare of Jl. Sudirman, a scene of running battles between security troops and protesters for two days, also returned to normal.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Residents mob robbers to death
Residents mob robbers to death JAKARTA (JP): Three men allegedly caught in the act of robbing a home in South Bekasi were mobbed and killed by local residents early Saturday morning, an officer said on Saturday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis identified the dead men as Ojen Sihotang, 20, Hotbin Siagian, 20, and Lori A. Tugotulup, 22. "They broke into the home of 40-year-old Ramian, who lives on Jl. Lt.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Locals say firms polluting canal
Locals say firms polluting canal BOGOR (JP): About 1,500 residents living along the Cipalayang canal in Kalibata, Bantarjati village, in North Bogor have filed a complaint over industrial waste allegedly dumped by several businesses in the area. Among the firms are automobile businesses Astra Group, Lembah Tirta, Auto Pit, Omega Motor as well as the Azra Hospital and Trio restaurant. Waste has contaminated the one-kilometer-long canal, darkening the water and causing a foul odor.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: by Snap photography club, at the 8th building of Gunadarma University, in Depok, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Sept. 30. * Drawing Exhibition: by Odji Lirungan, at Galeri Milenium, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Oct. 6. * Painting Exhibition: Dialog Topeng, by Abas Alibasyah, at Cikini Galeria, Jl. Cikini Raya no. 65, Central Jakarta (Phone: 31901082), until Oct. 10.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Teed off
Teed off In reference to Hotel Kristal donates Rp 6.6m on page seven of The Jakarta Post of Sept. 21, I would like clarify an inaccuracy. It was reported that the money raised through the auctioning of a golf club would not go to the orphanage. In fact, the funds raised from the auction will be donated to the orphanage. MONA MONIKA Senior PR Officer Hotel Kristal, Jakarta
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Xanana' to meet IMF in Washington
'Xanana' to meet IMF in Washington WASHINGTON (AP): East Timor's independence leader, Xanana Gusmao, will meet officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington Wednesday to discuss future financial aid for the former Portuguese colony, a World Bank official said Friday. He will be joined in the talks by Jose Ramos-Horta, another independence leader and 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
World Bank to conduct IBRA review following bank scandal
World Bank to conduct IBRA review following bank scandal WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): The World Bank is working with the Indonesian government to conduct an audit of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's operational structure amid a mounting furor over a banking scandal.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
TNI warns of threat of militia attacks
TNI warns of threat of militia attacks By Ridwan M. Sijabat DILI, East Timor (JP): On the eve of the military handover, Indonesia's outgoing military chief in the territory warned of militia raids but cautioned the International Force for East Timor (Interfet) not to violate Indonesia's borders in its hunt for them. Maj. Gen.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Irian, Aussie firm tie up
Irian, Aussie firm tie up JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The Foundation for Irian Jaya Development has signed an agreement to cooperate with Australian firm Unique Product Marketing Pty Ltd. to promote education and create jobs for the Irianese people, the province's governor said over the weekend.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia wins three titles in Asian School meet
Indonesia wins three titles in Asian School meet JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia grabbed three more titles in the girls' singles, girls' doubles and boys' doubles in the first Asian Schools Tennis Championships at the Senayan tennis complex on Sunday. Frederika Girsang of Indonesia, who has an International Tennis Federation junior ranking of 183, had to fight hard to defeat Fan Na of China 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the girls' singles.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
East Timorese refugees face task of rebuilding lives
East Timorese refugees face task of rebuilding lives Text and photos by Arief Suhardiman S. KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Tohirin, 22, limped toward a heap of belongings shortly after he and two relatives arrived here at Tenau Port. They were only able to carry four bags of their possessions when they fled their home in riot-torn East Timor the day before. "I lost my mother," he said tearfully.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie ready to give up power, Juwono says
Habibie ready to give up power, Juwono says JAKARTA (JP): B.J. Habibie asserted his readiness to be stripped of the presidency, but appealed to his critics to use "constitutional means" and not to exploit political issues to create anarchy for their own political ends. Habibie's remarks came after a surprise meeting at Merdeka Palace on Saturday with several government officials to discuss the bloody two days of protests against the state security bill.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
The House's last act
The House's last act Only one day after making the appalling decision to approve the controversial state security bill, the outgoing House of Representatives commendably recommended the government take legal action against all senior officials and businesspeople implicated in the Bank Bali scandal.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Baramuli, Fahmi get MPR tickets
Baramuli, Fahmi get MPR tickets UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Arnold A. Baramuli proved once again that he is a survivor. After President B.J. Habibie rebuffed calls on Friday to suspend aides, including Baramuli, over the Bank Bali scandal, the 69-year-old Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chairman was elected on Saturday by the South Sulawesi provincial legislature to represent it in the nation's highest institution -- the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN plugs on with free trade as Indonesia roils
ASEAN plugs on with free trade as Indonesia roils SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asian economic chiefs meet in Singapore this week to pursue an ambitious free trade plan as the region strives to overcome its economic woes and Indonesia roils with internal strife. "The very fact that the Indonesian government is about to change makes it difficult for any decision by the meeting to be really believable," said Bruce Gale of the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, a Hong Kong-based think tank.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Sahid wins Ciputra golf tournament
Sahid wins Ciputra golf tournament SURABAYA (JP): Sahid, an amateur golfer from Malang, East Java, won the Ciputra golf tournament at Ciputra Golf Club here on Sunday. Sahid's total tally was 286 (70-71-74-71) to beat Haryono Min from the Surabaya Yani Golf Club who carded a 288 (68-70-76-74), and Denny Supriadi (72-73-72-71). Sahid attributed his success to aggressive play by driving the ball down the green and concentrating on putting. "My strategy was right and I won the tournament.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia recasts its relations with neighbors
Australia recasts its relations with neighbors By Sid Astbury Sydney (DPA): Australia's previous prime Minister, Paul Keating, was keen on engaging Asia. He tried to be chums with Asian leaders and was careful to keep in check his tart tongue on visits to the neighbors. Keating took the view that it was personal relations, not political principles, that really mattered in Asia. He struck up a friendship with ex-president Soeharto.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Reconciliation a must in East Timor
Reconciliation a must in East Timor By Olle Tornquist This is the first of two articles analyzing the historic changes unfolding in East Timor. OSLO (JP): When President B.J. Habibie announced his second option for East Timor in January this year, the National Council of East Timorese Resistance (CNRT), bravely, and the United Nations, finally, took the opportunity to make decisive advances.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Bali wants special status
Bali wants special status DENPASAR, Bali: Community leaders have urged the province's newly elected regional representatives to the People's Consultative Assembly to seek special status for the province be granted. Nyoman Gelebet, a lecturer of the technical school of Udayana University, urged the representatives during a meeting here on Saturday to push for the special status during the Assembly's deliberations in Jakarta.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Students vow to take to the streets again
Students vow to take to the streets again JAKARTA (JP): With outraged students threatening to begin a new round of protests after Friday's shooting death of a colleague, human rights activists, student organizations and university administrators condemned the government and military on Sunday for the bloodshed from two days of mass street protests. The groups demanded that President B.J. Habibie, Minister of Security and Defense/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's plywood exports face challenges
Indonesia's plywood exports face challenges By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang JAKARTA (JP): The lingering Asian economic crisis continues to haunt Indonesia's plywood industry, with exports to the region remaining low despite signs of a turnaround in several countries. According to data from the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo), plywood exports in the first semester of 1999 totaled around 3.5 million cubic meters worth US$1.15 billion.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Executive says Telkom, Indosat should merge to maintain dominance
Executive says Telkom, Indosat should merge to maintain dominance JAKARTA (JP): PT Telkom and PT Indosat should merge if they want to retain their dominance in the country's telecommunications sector, a Telkom executive said. Telkom's operational director John Welly said here over the weekend that the merger of the companies would boost their strength and competitiveness to allow them to compete with foreign telecom giants. "As an individual entity, we are too small for those foreign operators.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
INRO members in for vital meeting
INRO members in for vital meeting KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The world's producers and consumers of rubber hold a pivotal meeting this week as hopes fade for the survival of the last global commodity agreement with economic clout. The International Natural Rubber Organization's (INRO) governing council is expected to decide the fate of the pact during their twice-yearly meeting in Malaysia's capital starting on Monday.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Still fed up
Still fed up Have you tried buying a starter pack phone card lately? Satelindo states that they are completely out of stock. They advise going to the retail stores. Last month you could buy only the starter pack that had 500 pulses and pay about Rp 1.2 million (the official stamped price is Rp 600,000 plus VAT). Rather too many pulses for most people and certainly too expensive for the average budget. Recently, the very same starter packs came with a 100-pulse card inside for about Rp 750,000.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
New hardware products from Japan
New hardware products from Japan By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Our friends in the page layout department of The Jakarta Post added "(mis)" before the word "adventure" that I used in the title of my article last week. The ripple it created was quite significant. A handful of e-mail messages have arrived in my box, expressing their condolences. A friend in Britain even thought my article was, as she put it, quite "emotional". The truth was I had a lot fun with the hardware adventure the entire week.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Old-timers to hit 29 million by 2020
Old-timers to hit 29 million by 2020 YOGYAKARTA: Indonesia's elderly population is expected to reach about 29 million by 2020, or about 11.3 percent of the population. "This is primarily the result of successful development programs such as health, family planning and social welfare, all of which have caused life expectancy to rise," Siti Partini Suardiman said in her inauguration address as professor of psychology at Yogyakarta State University.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
G20 set up to work on crisis prevention
G20 set up to work on crisis prevention WASHINGTON (Reuters): Aiming to prevent a repeat of the 1997- 98 financial firestorm that swept through Asia, Russia and Latin America, officials of the richest nations agreed on Saturday to create a new forum to grapple with global economic problems. The so-called G20 will add to an array of other forums meant to further international cooperation on economic issues, such as the Group of Seven, the Group of 10 and the Group of 24.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Two-faced U.S.
Two-faced U.S. From Suara Karya When the prointegration group in East Timor asked the Indonesian Military (TNI) to come and pay them a visit 23 years ago, many countries of the Western bloc, particularly the U.S., were very much in agreement. They even extended their help. The attitude was understandable because at the time the Western bloc countries were afraid of and allergic toward the danger of communism, in this case the Fretilin in East Timor. At the time the U.S.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Injured protesters flee from hospital in fear
Injured protesters flee from hospital in fear JAKARTA (JP): Fearing being visited and taken away by security authorities, at least four patients suffering injuries sustained in a violent rally in Semanggi cloverleaf on Thursday and Friday have fled Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, hospital employees said on Sunday. F.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Australia wary of RI wheat importer's move
Australia wary of RI wheat importer's move SYDNEY (Reuters): Indonesia would have no difficulty in finding alternative supplies of wheat if importers moved to ban Australian imports because of the crisis in East Timor, an Australian farm official said on Saturday. Indonesian wheat importers had decided to cut back or halt purchases from Australia in another sign of worsening relations between the two countries, Indonesian newspapers reported earlier on Saturday.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Local troubles expected to weigh heavily on JSX
Local troubles expected to weigh heavily on JSX JAKARTA (JP): Worries over continued student demonstrations and uncertainty surrounding the Bank Bali scandal could further dampen trade on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), analysts said. An analyst from PT Bahana Securities, Martin Panggabean, said whether students continued their demonstrations would be important in determining the trading direction.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hundreds see Yun Hap to his final resting place
Hundreds see Yun Hap to his final resting place JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students, activists and relatives attended the burial of University of Indonesia student Yap Yun Hap at Pondok Ranggon Cemetery in Cibubur, East Jakarta, at noon on Sunday.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Asian financial markets brace for more falls
Asian financial markets brace for more falls SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian stocks and currencies are bracing for further falls after plunging last week due to persistent yen strength, fears of delay in key reforms in the region, and trouble in Indonesia. "They are now at their crossroads and the current environment suggests more downside than upside," said Philip Wee, regional treasury economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aussies' commitment to E. Timor
Aussies' commitment to E. Timor The humanitarian nature of the peacekeeping force in East Timor created a high level of support for the Australian troops. However, public opinion can just as quickly turn the other way when troops are harmed and costs accumulate. Australia has taken on the role of regional policeman and peacemaker and must be in no doubt the commitment is for as long as it takes and as much as it costs.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Poorest of the poor pushed to the brink
Poorest of the poor pushed to the brink Will the poor be able to survive if foreign aid dries up? Sociologist and coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) Wardah Hafidz spoke with The Jakarta Post about the lot of Indonesia's underclass. Question: If international aid stops, will the urban poor stand to fare the worst? Answer: I cannot imagine how much worse it could be. At the beginning of the crisis, they were shocked when jobs suddenly vanished and prices rocketed.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malnutrition strikes C. Sulawesi infants
Malnutrition strikes C. Sulawesi infants PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): About 70,000 under-fives are suffering from malnutrition in the province. "Tens of thousands of Central Sulawesi toddlers are susceptible to malnutrition due to their substandard nutritional intake," Antara quoted secretary of the National Movement for Food and Nutrition, Mularso, as saying here on Sunday. Mularso said the community's weakened purchasing power was the cause of the inadequate nutritional consumption.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Concerns of cover-up in bank scandal remain high
Concerns of cover-up in bank scandal remain high JAKARTA (JP): There remains growing concern of a cover-up in the Bank Bali scandal even though the House of Representatives has completed its probe and publicly issued its findings, including a list of high-level people allegedly involved.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
House's rejection of oil and gas bill praised
House's rejection of oil and gas bill praised JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' decision to reject an oil and gas bill and return it to the government is a positive measure in securing the country's interests in the oil and gas sector, analysts said.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Axis force' tips Gus Dur as presidential candidate
'Axis force' tips Gus Dur as presidential candidate JAKARTA (JP): With the presidential election just five weeks away, the "axis force" political coalition is positioning Abdurrahman Wahid as the perfect candidate to avoid the hazardous divergence between the two leading nominees.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Little progress made in Soeharto investigation
Little progress made in Soeharto investigation SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): A promise made, a promise broken. Once again the government has came up short in its vow to unveil the progress of its eight-month old investigation into alleged corruption by former president Soeharto. Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko over the weekend repeated the same words: "The investigation is ongoing". The government had again promised that it would disclose the results of the investigation over the weekend.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Crackdown on gambling called for
Crackdown on gambling called for TANGERANG (JP): About 500 ulemas grouped in the Defenders of Islam Front (FPI) have urged Tangerang Police to crack down on an upsurge in gambling. The group also threatened to mobilize members of the public and stage mass actions if police failed to eradicate gambling and drug transactions, which they said were "ruining the people's mentality".
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
RP likely to enter new pact with IMF
RP likely to enter new pact with IMF WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): The Philippines likely will enter a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund after an existing two-year precautionary borrowing agreement expires in March, said Philippine Central Bank Governor Rafael Buenaventura Friday. While the government hasn't made a final decision, Buenaventura said the "seal of approval" from international financial markets that comes from being under an IMF program is a weighty consideration.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Habibie's action awaited
Habibie's action awaited The report of the House of Representatives' special commission on the Bank Bali scandal disclosed the names of seven state officials and eight others suspected of being either directly or indirectly involved in the case. The report also asked President B.J.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Arson at Aceh tourist resort
Arson at Aceh tourist resort BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Six cottages and three camping huts were set on fire by unidentified arsonists at the Cemara beach resort, Lhoknga district, about 15 kilometers west of Banda Aceh. Lhoknga Police chief Lt. Supriatmono said the incident happened on Saturday at about 3:30 am. Police have yet to identify a motive. "We're concerned. Why would anybody burn these facilities?" he remarked.
Mon, 27 Sep 1999, 00:00 WIB
Upholding democracy can mean interference
Upholding democracy can mean interference By David Keller JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, at this time in history, is truly in a dynamic state with its Indonesian-style democracy. Whether this is for better or worse as the recent past may suggest, the continued dynamics between conflicting political groups is a positive sign, meaning a dynamic state is necessary if true democracy, with no Indonesian Military (TNI) dual function, is to develop.