Archive: 19 January 2000
47 articles found
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sabang is losing its main tourist attraction
Sabang is losing its main tourist attraction By Azhari BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Coral reefs have always been the main tourist attraction in Sabang, a once-flourishing port city on the Indian Ocean on Indonesia's western-most island of Sumatra. Sabang's marine wealth has charmed foreign vacationers who love sea adventures. Sabang is home to a vast variety of coral reefs. "I think the coral reefs are the most enjoyable. There are thousands of species there," said Tom David, an American tourist.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Women archers allowed to compete in PON
Women archers allowed to compete in PON JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani) has allowed its women archers, who will be groomed for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, to perform in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June. Perpani deputy secretary-general Andi Suhendro said on Tuesday there would be no risk of injury to the archers when they perform in events prior to the Olympic Games, which will start in September.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government backs investigation of tainted CPO
Government backs investigation of tainted CPO JAKARTA (JP): The government said on Tuesday it would support calls by the House of Representatives for an inquiry by the National Police into Europe-bound crude palm oil (CPO) which was tainted with diesel oil. Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla said he had sent a letter to National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo asking greater attention be focused on the case, because the investigation by local police was moving too slow.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian economic prospects
Asian economic prospects The economic crisis was only a minor glitch in the extraordinary development of East and Southeast Asia, if you go by the stock market indicators. Except in Japan these have already clawed back a good part of their 1997 losses. This is essentially due to exports, which have risen thanks to the exchange rate. Countries have been able to sell their products more cheaply and maintain their industrial capacity.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Marzuki to meet UN officials about East Timor tribunal
Marzuki to meet UN officials about East Timor tribunal JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman will leave for New York on Saturday to meet with top United Nations officials to discuss the progress of an international inquiry on post-ballot violence in East Timor. Marzuki is due to meet with United States Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke, who is currently president of the UN Security Council, and Costa Rican jurist Sonia Picado, who leads the international human rights inquiry.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia, Argentina want to boost trade ties
Indonesia, Argentina want to boost trade ties JAKARTA (JP): Argentinean and Indonesian businessmen were urged on Tuesday to boost bilateral trade relations between both countries. Indonesian special envoy to South America Suryo B Sulisto called on Indonesian businessmen to penetrate Argentina's market more aggressively, citing that neighbors Malaysia and Singapore had a strong business establishment in that country.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia and Indonesia
Malaysia and Indonesia Having imprisoned his longtime deputy on questionable charges and secured reelection for his ruling party on equally questionable laws and methods, the prime minister of Malaysia is now extending his anti-democratic crackdown. Last week his government hauled into court the editor of an opposition newspaper, a lawyer for the jailed deputy and several other opposition leaders.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Five rebels killed in armed clashes in Aceh
Five rebels killed in armed clashes in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Security personnel were engaged in two separate gunfights with members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Pidie and Bireun regencies on Tuesday morning, leaving at least five rebels dead and five soldiers injured. The clashes resulted from the TNI campaign to capture GAM Commander Tengku Abdullah Syafi'ie which began on Sunday. The rebel leader is accused of organizing a series of ambushes on the military.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
U.S. businesses bide time on Indonesia
U.S. businesses bide time on Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Investors remain wary of making a commitment in Indonesia amid widespread pockets of unrest, the chairman of the U.S.-Indonesia Business Council said on Tuesday. Speaking after meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Tuesday together with 30 U.S. other businesspeople, Michael Gadbaw said one of the reasons he assembled a business mission to the country was to break the ice on the issue of foreign investment.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 18, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 925 25 208,500 Alakasa Industrindo 525 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,100 550 27,873,500 Alter Abadi 425 0 86,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,175 -25 104,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 525 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,325 -25 1,326,000 Anwar Sierad 350 -25 110,000 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Telkom called to solve dispute
Telkom called to solve dispute JAKARTA (JP): The government has called on state telecommunications company PT Telkom and its five joint operation scheme (KSO) partners to quickly settle their dispute before mid- year to allow the partners to resume their telecommunications development activities. Eman S.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian Military pledges loyalty to the government
Indonesian Military pledges loyalty to the government JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) top brass lashed out at rumors of a coup attempt by the armed forces, saying such a move was contradictory to TNI culture. TNI Chief of Territorial Affairs, Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, said after addressing a seminar on nationalism here that the country's five decade history has never seen a military plan to topple the government.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Garuda sees $121m profit
Garuda sees $121m profit JAKARTA (JP): State-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia expects to earn about Rp 850 billion (US$121 million) in net profit this year, higher than 1998's result of over Rp 350 billion, the airline's president, Abdulgani, said on Tuesday. He said the company projected gross revenues of between Rp 6.8 trillion and Rp 7 trillion this year due to a predicted increase in passenger demand. "The demand for seats has recovered and will continue to increase this year.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
EU decides to drop its arms embargo against Indonesia
EU decides to drop its arms embargo against Indonesia BRUSSELS (Agencies): The European Union decided not to renew an arms embargo against Indonesia which expired on Monday, but voiced concern about the violence sweeping the archipelago. The 15-nation EU adopted a four-month embargo on arms sales to Indonesia in September following the outbreak of violence in East Timor. The embargo was due for review when it expired on Monday.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Simply to remind Amien Rais
Simply to remind Amien Rais In his letter of Jan. 15, 2000, On call for jihad, Haris Adriansyah wondered what my precise target was beside criticizing Amien Rais personally. My only target is simply to make Amien Rais think about his political commitment as a nonsectarian national leader. It is Amien Rais' job to urge the government to take stern action to stop the prolonged bloodshed in Maluku.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Clear action needed to stop Maluku violence
Clear action needed to stop Maluku violence Only clear action by the government and the military can end the violence in Maluku, triggered by a public transport-related tiff on Jan. 19, 1999, says Azyumardi Azra, rector of the Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State Institute in Jakarta.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
City launches community renovation projects
City launches community renovation projects JAKARTA (JP): Entering his third year of leadership, Governor Sutiyoso on Tuesday launched an integrated pilot project for social and community development in the city's slum areas. The initial project, the first of its kind since the country was seriously hit by the economic crisis in mid-1997, was held in the Kalibaru subdistrict in North Jakarta.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Suspected drug couriers used counterfeit passports: Police
Suspected drug couriers used counterfeit passports: Police JAKARTA (JP): Police disclosed on Tuesday that two of the seven suspected local drug couriers arrested last week used counterfeit Malaysian passports made in Bangkok. Head of the Jakarta Police narcotics unit Lt. Col. Abdullah said the suspects were working with an African-led international drug syndicate to smuggle cocaine and heroin in and out of Indonesia.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cash-strapped people pawn their goods
Cash-strapped people pawn their goods JAKARTA (JP): It is a perennial scene after the Idul Fitri holiday, with state-run pawnshops overrun with people pawning their valuables to obtain badly needed cash. Between 200 and 300 people toted their goods on Tuesday to the 40 pawnshops scattered throughout the greater Jakarta area. While people in villages usually bring clothes and household goods to the pawnshops, Jakarta residents mostly bank on pawning gold jewelry.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tunas Ridean buys Opel dealer
Tunas Ridean buys Opel dealer JAKARTA (JP): PT Tunas Ridean Tbk said on Tuesday that its subsidiary PT Tunas Mobilindo had acquired 45 percent of PT Surya Mobil Megahtama, one of Opel's authorized dealerships, last November. "Opel has good prospects and has its own market segment that likes European cars with competitive prices," Surjanto Kardiman the operations director at Tunas Ridean said in a statement to the media.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
1,600 students to quit school
1,600 students to quit school MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 1,600 students from strife- plagued North Maluku are liable to quit universities here as their parents are no longer sending money, a student activist said on Tuesday.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Journalists fired for joining strike
Journalists fired for joining strike JAKARTA (JP): Six reporters of the Kapital business news tabloid were dismissed on Monday for joining a strike asking for clarification of their employment status, a statement said on Tuesday. The reporters' representative, Dandhy D.L., and lawyer Surya Tjandra said the six newsmen were accused of provoking the strike, which had been held since Dec. 22, with some 24 employees taking part.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Time' is liable for its story: Soeharto's lawyer
'Time' is liable for its story: Soeharto's lawyer JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer for former president Soeharto said on Tuesday that New York-based Time Magazine is liable for its May 24, 1999 cover story, although other publications corroborated with similar stories. "Although our client has not sued other publications, this does not mean that Time is not guilty," said O.C. Kaligis, one of Soeharto's lawyers, at the Central Jakarta District Court.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
One killed in Lombok as violence enters second day
One killed in Lombok as violence enters second day DENPASAR, Bali (JP): At least one man died in Mataram, Lombok, as Monday's religious riots descended into looting sprees on Tuesday. Udayana Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri confirmed the fatality, saying the man was shot on Monday evening as soldiers tried to prevent mobs from looting.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Land compensation protest continues in Bintan
Land compensation protest continues in Bintan JAKARTA (JP): Despite calls for calm, thousands of residents on the island of Bintan continued to rally on Tuesday in protest of what they called the meager compensation they received for their land. The crowd refused to leave a power plant in the Bintan Inti Industrial Estate in Lodam, North Bintan district, which they have occupied for the past three days.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Azizah slams KL 'cancer' of cronyism
Azizah slams KL 'cancer' of cronyism MANILA (Reuters): Malaysian opposition leader Azizah Ismail on Tuesday lambasted governments that gag media, manipulate judiciaries and fatten cronies, and said "the spark of reform" had begun in Malaysia. In a fighting speech at an international women's conference in Manila, Azizah said the clamor for change had grown among the young people in her country since the jailing of her husband, former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI coal output increases
RI coal output increases JAKARTA (JP): The country's coal output rose to 71 million tons last year, making Indonesia the world's ninth largest coal producer that year, up from tenth position the previous year, coal director at the Ministry of Mines and Energy Soedjoko Tirtosoekotjo said on Tuesday. Soedjoko said the 71 million tons output exceeded the government's target of 61 million. He did not, however, provide details on the country's coal production in 1998.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 7Friday to Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - The Tavern Pub: The Wild Horses Band, Monday to Saturday 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. * Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Phone: 031 5661550): - Desperado's: Sunday Jazz, 9:30 p.m.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian currencies edge slightly higher, rupiah weak
Most Asian currencies edge slightly higher, rupiah weak HONG KONG (Dow Jones): A barrage of verbal interventions backed by dollar purchases executed by state-run banks took some of the recent shine off the South Korean won Tuesday, forcing the currency lower on the day. Trading activity elsewhere in the region was muted, with most Asian currencies edging slightly higher in tightly range-bound markets.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Woman in market cheated of savings
Woman in market cheated of savings JAKARTA (JP): Leni Hartini, 68, does not understand how she could be so easily cheated out of Rp 124 million (US$17,465) in savings within minutes. The elderly woman told detectives at the Central Jakarta Police station on Tuesday afternoon she had been swindled out of her money by two unknown men early in the day. The resident of Jl. Kartini II, Pasar Baru area, recalled she was alone at Kwitang market when two men approached her and asked for help.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bank Shinta to offer 30% of shares through IPO
Bank Shinta to offer 30% of shares through IPO JAKARTA (JP): Bank Shinta plans to offer some 30 percent of its shares to the public through an initial public offering (IPO) in the first semester of this year, according to the bank's marketing and credit director Anny Sugiarto.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government to issue new rules on immigration
Government to issue new rules on immigration JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon implement a new immigration policy that will lift the existing barriers for Chinese tourists entering Indonesia, an official has said. Director General of Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardika said on Tuesday the policy would, among other things, allow Chinese visitors to enter Indonesia through the 13 main entry points instead of only five as currently allowed.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Locals demand land compensation
Locals demand land compensation JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Some 50 residents of the villages of Yahim, Ifale and Yobe in Sentani district held a rally at Sentani Airport, demanding compensation for use of their ancestral land. The rally caused some flight delays. Fredrik Fele, the community leader of Yahim, told reporters that the government had used 1,200 square meters of their ancestral land for years without paying rent.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Merpati adds flights
Merpati adds flights JAKARTA (JP): State-owned air carrier Merpati Nusantara has extended its flights connecting Jakarta and Bali to destinations in West and East Nusa Tenggara in a bid to meet the increasing demand for seats in the areas. The airline said it added last week one more plane, in addition to three existing aircraft, to serve flights to the two Eastern Indonesian provinces.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Condemning illegal kiosks
Condemning illegal kiosks The condemning of the traders' kiosks at Taman Puring, South Jakarta by the Jakarta Administration is clearly a repressive action reminding us of the New Order regime. It is true that without a good spatial arrangement and adequate supervision, the burgeoning of kiosks in greenbelt areas can get out of control and disturb public order. Many traders occupy whole sidewalks, making it impossible for pedestrians to use the facility earmarked for them.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Clergy wary of Estrada 'dynasty'
Clergy wary of Estrada 'dynasty' MANILA (AFP): Philippine Roman Catholic bishops cautioned President Joseph Estrada on Tuesday against allowing his children or relatives to run for public office in a bid to create a "political dynasty". "We urge him to do away with political dynasties," said Monsignor Hernando Coronel, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rumors can be serious
Rumors can be serious The Indonesian Military's leadership seems to have taken enormous offense at the rumors circulating here and abroad about the possibility of the military staging a coup to unseat President Abdurrahman Wahid. Dismissing the rumors as unfounded, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. told journalists here on Monday that history tells us that the Indonesian Military never stages coups.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Demonstrators clash with troops on Makassar campus
Demonstrators clash with troops on Makassar campus MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): A fierce clash between demonstrators, armed with swords and wooden bats, and military troops erupted at about 9 p.m. local time in Makassar on Tuesday evening. Gunshots and screams were heard in front of the Hasanuddin University campus on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan as 300 unidentified demonstrators resisted a military order to clear the street. A heavy downpour added drama and tension to the scene.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to send four women to Asian Shooting C'ships
Indonesia to send four women to Asian Shooting C'ships JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin) will send four women shooters to compete in the Asian Shooting Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia, next week. The association official in charge of target shooting, Sita Razni, said on Tuesday the goal was for its athletes to improve the national records. "The national record for the air rifle is 393 by Suparni.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kopassus and biological warfare
Kopassus and biological warfare In the middle of 1997 members of the Army's Special Force, the red berets, known locally as Kopassus, received Pentagon training in a course entitled Nuclear Chemical Biological. It is no idle question to ask to just what use this training, part of a wider program of illegal U.S. military assistance given in defiance of Congress, may have been put.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Zarina in ill health, court hearing delayed
Zarina in ill health, court hearing delayed JAKARTA (JP): Judges at the West Jakarta District Court postponed the hearing of drug defendant Zarina Mirafsur until next week as the 27-year-old woman claimed not to be fit for the Tuesday's court prosecution. Zarina, who looked pale during this initial court hearing, asked the judges to reschedule the session. Presiding judge Basoeki approved Zarina's request for humane reasons.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government sets 25% duty on sugar, 30% on rice
Government sets 25% duty on sugar, 30% on rice JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla said on Tuesday that the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to reimpose an import duty on sugar and rice to protect local farmers from cheap imports. "We have decided on a 25 percent (import duty) for sugar, and about 30 percent for rice," he said following a meeting with senior economic ministers on the country's next 2000 state budget.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cars seized with fake documents
Cars seized with fake documents JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police traffic officers have seized 20 cars, including a BMW, a Mercedes Benz and a jeep, and 30 motorcycles since November last year, with fake vehicle ownership documents, fake license plates and fake licenses, the traffic police chief said on Monday. Col. Nyoman Sukesna said no suspects had been arrested so far. "The suspects sell the cars via several middlemen, who are strangers to one another.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indorayon dismayed by Keraf's recommendation
Indorayon dismayed by Keraf's recommendation JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed pulp and rayon fiber producer PT Inti Indorayon Utama is shocked by State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf's recommendation to close or relocate its mills in Porsea, North Sumatra, due to their alleged poor environmental standards. "If mass media reports on the minister's recommendation are accurate, then the minister's opinion is completely one-sided," said Indorayon's chief commissioner Palgunadi T.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Shoot-on-site order issued in Maluku
Shoot-on-site order issued in Maluku AMBON, Maluku (JP): The chief of Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku, Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela, has issued a shoot-on- site order against anyone attempting to incite unrest. Tamaela was responding to rumors that there would be a new flare-up of violence on Wednesday, which marks the first anniversary of the eruption of the conflict. "Don't play with the military. There will be no compromise. Those found instigating riots will be shot," Tamaela said.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Jan. 18, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 19 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government ends bar on observing Chinese religions, traditions
Government ends bar on observing Chinese religions, traditions JAKARTA (JP): The government has officially revoked Presidential Instruction No. 41/1967, which restricted the observance of Chinese religious practices and traditions. Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman Herman Ibrahim said on Tuesday that Presidential Decree No. 6/2000 was issued on Monday to revoke the 33-year-old instruction. "For Indonesians of Chinese descent across the country, please go ahead and celebrate your New Year.