Archive: 4 January 2000
40 articles found
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
TNI sends more troops to Maluku
TNI sends more troops to Maluku JAKARTA (JP): Over 400 reinforcements arrived in riot-torn Maluku on Monday, with a pledge to maintain neutrality in their efforts to quell the communal clashes that have rocked the islands for the past year. Lt. Col.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government told to take corrective action over BI problems
Government told to take corrective action over BI problems JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund has told Indonesia to take corrective action to deal with problems at Bank Indonesia which were highlighted in a damning audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). IMF Indonesia representative John Dodsworth said on Monday the fund agreed with the government's proposal to recapitalize the central bank should the audit agency's clarification audit on BI's assets prove a negative equity.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Abdullah on path of succession to Mahathir's job
Abdullah on path of succession to Mahathir's job KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Leaders of Malaysia's ruling party gave on Monday their backing to Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the eventual successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when they fixed party elections for May 11.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Local banks resume business with no sign of Y2K snafus
Local banks resume business with no sign of Y2K snafus JAKARTA (JP): The country's banking industry began the first business day of 2000 with none of the feared computer glitches from the much-hyped Y2K bug. The public went about its daily business with banks operating as normal on Monday after Bank Indonesia (BI) declared the banking sector had safely passed the rollover on Jan.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
PASI zeros in on sprint, hurdles and walking
PASI zeros in on sprint, hurdles and walking JAKARTA (JP): The newly reelected chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI), Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, told a media conference on Monday that the organization would likely focus its attention on sprint, hurdles and walking events to boost local athletes' performance in the future. "I think we can develop our athletes form in these events but we will have to study the training methods and coaching seriously.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two arrested for double murder in Bogor
Two arrested for double murder in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Local police arrested two men for the murder of hairdresser Adrian Suryadi, alias Oy Beng Liat, and Surya Teguh Wijaya at the Danau Bogor Raya housing complex early last month. Bogor Police detectives chief Capt. Umar Sumardi said the suspects, identified as Dicky Kurniadi, 19, and Gindo Sirait, alias Edo, alias Ryan, 24, were arrested last Thursday and last Saturday, respectively.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Flights at Soekarno-Hatta airport back in the skies
Flights at Soekarno-Hatta airport back in the skies JAKARTA (JP): Inbound and outbound flight services at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport returned to normal on Monday after several carriers suspended flights over the weekend due to fears about the millennium bug. Foreign and local airlines said they resumed normal flights after the critical period during the rollover of the date from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 passed safely with no incident.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Officer shot in heated argument
Officer shot in heated argument JAKARTA (JP): A city traffic police officer was shot to death in the chest and stomach by a soldier in a heated argument on Jl. Boulevard in Kelapa Gading subdistrict, North Jakarta, on Sunday evening, a city police spokesman said. Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Monday evening that the dead police officer, identified as First Sgt. Fikri Zakaria, 25, was shot three times before he died.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Merpati resumes service to Dili
Merpati resumes service to Dili DILI, East Timor (AFP): An Indonesian civilian aircraft with government and airline officials aboard was the first plane to land here Monday when East Timor's main airport reopened to commercial flights. The Merpati F-28 touched down at 12:35 p.m. (0435 GMT) at Dili's Comoro airport, the scene of last year's panicked evacuation at the onset of the sacking and burning of Dili by pro-Indonesian militia and military.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Supreme Court 'backs' IBRA's power
Supreme Court 'backs' IBRA's power JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has rejected a proposal filed by the Indonesian Advocates' Association (AAI) to revoke the extraordinary power endowed to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), according to a source at the association. The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 1999 governmental decree No. 17, more popularly known as PP-17, in its judicial review issued in early December, the source said here on Monday.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gunpowder blast damages 50 houses
Gunpowder blast damages 50 houses KENDAL, Central Java: About 50 kilograms of gunpowder stored in a bamboo bush exploded in Karangdowo village on Sunday afternoon, leaving 50 houses damaged. Central Java Police chief Lt. Col. M. Ramlie said on Monday that the gunpowder's owner, identified as Wasijan, 40, had escaped along with his family. "We're now tracking him down," Ramlie said.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
In BI we trust?
In BI we trust? Rightly or wrongly, the well-publicized row between the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and Bank Indonesia (BI) is undermining the credibility of the central bank, and possibly the country's entire banking and monetary systems. Those who are pursuing this struggle should realize they are treading a dangerous and potentially destructive path. There could not be a worst time for this row to break out.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI forex reserves drop
RI forex reserves drop JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves dropped by US$31 million to $16.4 billion as of Dec. 30 from $16.7 billion a week earlier. Bank Indonesia said in its weekly report on Monday that the drop was due to payment of the transportation cost for Indonesia's haj pilgrims to Mecca and repayment of foreign debts. The country's net international reserves are well above the target of $14 billion agreed to with the International Monetary Fund.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Little to celebrate in Aceh with three killed in attacks
Little to celebrate in Aceh with three killed in attacks BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): New Year's celebrations passed quickly in the province as an outbreak of violence killed two civilians and a member of the Police Mobile Brigade in the West Aceh district of Sungai Mas on Monday. First Sgt. Sunarto, 30, was shot dead in an ambush by alleged separatist rebels. His colleague, Pvt. Erwin Tarmizi, survived with gunshot wounds. Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's consistency 'being tested in TNI investigation'
Gus Dur's consistency 'being tested in TNI investigation' YOGYAKARTA (JP): While civilians are trying to bring the military to accountability, some speculate that President Abdurrahman Wahid is trying to protect it, given his unclear stance. The Jakarta Post interviewed political researcher Riswandha Imawan from Gadjah Mada University last week.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
President agrees to poll schedule for troubled regions
President agrees to poll schedule for troubled regions JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has approved the Local Elections Committee's (PPL) plan to hold elections in three troubled provinces and newly established provinces and regencies before October this year, an official said on Monday.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Queer trio
Queer trio From Forum Keadilan The step taken by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) as shown by Kwik Kian Gie and Laksamana Sukardi in "eradicating" business tycoons considered as having violated the mechanism of channeling bank funds has struck me as very strange. This has become even stranger considering that the business tycoons subjected to this "eradication" effort are generally non-Chinese and nonsupporters of PDI Perjuangan, such as Marimutu Sinivasan of Texmaco.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian nationhood revisited
Indonesian nationhood revisited As we venture into the 21st century, demands for justice should not be overlooked amid the obsession to defend the unitary state at all costs, writes political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono. JAKARTA (JP): There is no doubt that Abdurrahman Wahid has been preoccupied, even obsessed, with national unity.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet shake-up? Not yet
Cabinet shake-up? Not yet JAKARTA (JP): As the capital buzzed with speculation of an impending Cabinet reshuffle, President Abdurrahman Wahid dropped a hint on Monday, which unfortunately, neither confirmed nor denied those rumors. Speaking during a gathering with leaders of his Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and National Awakening Party (PKB) at Merdeka Palace, the President said he might replace State Secretary Ali Rahman with State Minister of the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Finnish UPM states commitment to Asia
Finnish UPM states commitment to Asia HELSINKI (Reuters): Finnish forest industry group UPM-Kymmene said on Monday that it remained committed to doing business in Asia, despite the unraveling of its 1997 strategic alliance with Indonesian APRIL. "We are still committed to an Asia strategy, and we are pursuing it very actively in China for the moment," UPM's Senior Executive Vice President Martin Granholm told Reuters.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
More Banyumas couples separate
More Banyumas couples separate PURWOKERTO, Central Java: An average of 110 couples opted to separate each month in Banyumas last year, head of the local Religious Court Djamhuri Romadon revealed on Monday. "More than 80 percent of divorces appealed were instigated by wives. Many of them complained that their husbands had left them for a long time, without sending any allowance or giving any news of their whereabouts," he said.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia 1999: A cultural retrospect
Indonesia 1999: A cultural retrospect By Edi Sedyawati JAKARTA (JP): The year 1999 began with reverberations of what had happened in 1998, when although entangled in an economic crisis, Indonesia managed to organize two major international culture events, in Jakarta. The first was the 15th conference of the International Association of Historians on Asia (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, 1998), and second, the Second Art Summit Indonesia (Performing Arts, Sept. 19 to Oct. 19th, 1998).
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
1999: A year of grief and severity
1999: A year of grief and severity By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Jakarta saw 1999 as the year with many social, economic and physical problems, resulting from the continuing economic crisis and unrest which began a year before. Ruins, neglected buildings, poor residents and even malnourished children were views so common in the capital that some experts voiced their anxiety that there would be "a lost generation" in the country.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Jan. 03, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Waserda Jaya, Continent sign technical agreement
Waserda Jaya, Continent sign technical agreement JAKARTA (JP): City-owned chain store company PT Waserda Jaya signed a technical cooperation deal on Monday with PT Contimas Utama Indonesia, the Indonesian-French joint venture that manages Continent hypermarkets here.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
The U.S. Embassy and corruption
The U.S. Embassy and corruption By Donna K. Woodward MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A reader recently asked in the "Letters" column of Dec. 28 why the United States Embassy has not referred any possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the U.S. Department of Justice. One possible reason: lack of evidence. While admitting privately what payments they make, people rarely complain officially about corruption because of their fears of bureaucratic retaliation.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA files suits against Tirtamas, West Kalindo
IBRA files suits against Tirtamas, West Kalindo JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has filed bankruptcy claims with the Jakarta Commercial Court against trading firm PT Tirtamas Comexindo and PT West Kalindo Pulp Papermill. In filing the bankruptcy claim against Tirtamas on Dec. 30, IBRA was acting on behalf of closed Bank Tamara, which has claims against the firm totaling Rp 38 billion, including unpaid interest payments and penalties.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stability gives tourism, industry bright hopes
Stability gives tourism, industry bright hopes By A. Junaidi BATAM, Riau (JP): Industry and tourism in Batam appear to be reviving, thanks to the return of political stability following the democratic election of President Abdurrahman Wahid in October last year. Chairman of the Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) Ismeth Abdullah said recently several investors had renewed their commitment to invest in Batam after the presidential election.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rates for tax payment, valid from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9
Rates for tax payment, valid from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 6,950.00 Austrian schilling 1 507.25 Australian dollar 1 4,484.14 Belgian franc 1 173.03 Canadian dollar 1 4,766.48 Swiss franc 1 4,351.36 Deutschemark 1 3,571.25 Danish krone 1 938.62 French franc 1 1,064.07 Poundsterling 1 11,219.39 Hong Kong dollar 1 894.06 Italian lira 100 360.48 Japanese yen 100 6,782.47 Malaysian ringgit 1 1,828.95 Dutch guilder 1 3,167.35 New Zealand dollar 1 3,598.71 Norwegian krone 1 866.40 Swedish...
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Roads stay thirst for blood in 1999
Roads stay thirst for blood in 1999 SEMARANG: The number of traffic accidents remained high in the country over the past year, with a whopping death toll serving notice to holiday revelers bound for their hometowns. Chief of Central Java Police's traffic directorate Col. Utjin Sudiana revealed over the weekend that 538 accidents occurred on roads across the province throughout last year, leaving 624 people dead and 1,121 injured. Separately, chief of Southeast Sulawesi Police Col.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government told to up security at bus, railway stations
Government told to up security at bus, railway stations JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Agency (YLKI) criticized the government on Monday for its failure to improve security and comfort on intercity buses and trains taking people to their home villages for Idul Fitri celebrations. "Such a failure reflects the government's lack of service- oriented culture," executive Indah Suksmaningsih said.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
KPP HAM team to question Feisal over East Timor debacle
KPP HAM team to question Feisal over East Timor debacle JAKARTA (JP): The government-sanctioned Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) in East Timor will question former coordinating minister for political affairs and security Feisal Tanjung next week about violence in the territory after the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government weighs taking errant bus firms off the road
Government weighs taking errant bus firms off the road JAKARTA (JP): Police are questioning officials from six bus companies for allegedly violating the maximum permitted fare hike of 25 percent during the post-fasting Idul Fitri holidays, an official said on Monday. "We have filed a report to the City Public Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), and the agency has the authority to take stern measures against those companies.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mayoral nominee bathes in sun
Mayoral nominee bathes in sun SEMARANG: A mayoral candidate, Djawahir Muhammad, joined 10 other men in a traditional sun bathing protest, known as topo pepe, on Monday to express their concern over alleged money politics in the mayoral election. Djawahir sat topless on the ground in the yard in front of the city council, facing the sun. "I want the police to investigate the alleged vote-buying practices among city councillors to enable a certain candidate to win the election," Djawahir said.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rp 1b pours into Gunungkidul
Rp 1b pours into Gunungkidul YOGYAKARTA: The value of postal checks sent to Gunungkidul, once notoriously known as an underdeveloped regency, has topped Rp 1 billion in the lead-up to the Idul Fitri holiday, local post office chief Sumanto said on Monday. "The number of postal checks sent to Gunungkidul has soared to 25 percent from the monthly average of 4,000 prior to the holiday," Sumanto said.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet needs improvement
Cabinet needs improvement The Cabinet plays a vital role since it is the motor that sets the government in motion. Unless the Cabinet functions as it should, we are afraid our economic prospects for this year will not be as good as we would wish. Since investors need to have confidence in the technical capabilities of the Cabinet to perform, bad coordination among ministers will weaken the inflow of investment.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sugar farmers stage rally
Sugar farmers stage rally SEMARANG: Some 200 sugar farmers representing 100,000 others across Central Java marched to the provincial legislature on Monday to demand an improvement of their earnings. The group rejected the import sugar tax which was set at 25 percent, saying it was not enough to protect domestic sugar farmers. "We want at least an 80 percent tax to be imposed on imported sugar," the protesters shouted.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bimantoro tipped to take National Police's top post
Bimantoro tipped to take National Police's top post JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. Bimantoro, operational affairs assistant to the National Police chief, is likely to be appointed the new National Police chief, a senior officer said on Monday. A date for the transfer of duty has not as yet been set. "I have not received new plans from President Abdurrahman Wahid yet. The new chief should be appointed some time after the Lebaran (Idul Fitri) holiday," National Police chief Gen.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Last year's crime rates show a slight increase
Last year's crime rates show a slight increase JAKARTA (JP): The country registered a 0.7 percent rise in crime in 1999 from the previous year, but the characteristics of the cases were increasingly ruthless, National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said on Monday. Briefing the media about overall police work during 1999, the outgoing police chief said 111,457 criminal cases were recorded during the year, slightly higher than 1998's 105,849. "But 1999 was a year of vicious crimes.
Tue, 04 Jan 2000, 00:00 WIB
Earthquake rocks Mindanao
Earthquake rocks Mindanao MANILA (AFP): A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale rocked the southern Philippine island of Mindanao at 10:38 a.m. (9:38 a.m. Jakarta time) on Monday, government seismologists said. The temblor's epicenter was located northeast of Tandag town off the island's eastern coast, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. It said aftershocks were expected, although there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.