Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 October 2000

37 articles found

Circumcision ritual honors children

Circumcision ritual honors children Text and Photos by Filomena Reiss SUKABUMI, West Java (JP): Circumcision is one of the most important rites of passage in Indonesian Muslim communities, and a time for great celebration. In the village of Cicemet in Cisolok, Sukabumi, there is an annual circumcision ceremony consisting of three days of nonstop cooking, blessings and entertainment.

Killer virus continues to spread in Malaysia

Killer virus continues to spread in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The spread of a viral disease that has killed seven children in Malaysia was showing no signs of abating with more than 100 new cases reported in the last two days, Malaysian newspapers said Saturday. The southern Malaysian state of Johor had 200 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease over the past week with 68 new ones reported Thursday, the New Straits Times and Star newspapers reported.

Little wonder! The Internet helps you make a movie

Little wonder! The Internet helps you make a movie By Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): I have always dreamt of making a movie. However in order to do so, I would need a script (still in progress), an agent (need a script), professional camera equipment (needs money), post production facilities (ditto) and a film studio to distribute and market the film (need an agent).

'I'd love to go skiing', Herawati beams

'I'd love to go skiing', Herawati beams One of the first female journalists in Indonesia, 83-year-old Herawati Diah has worked for various media, including Merdeka daily, which was set up by her late husband, former minister of information B.M Diah. Now, Herawati, who is still a director of the daily, also spends her time promoting women's causes through the Movement for Women's Awareness for the Elections, a non- governmental organization for the empowerment of women in politics.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition Body Fantasy by I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, Nadi Gallery, Jl. Kedoya Raya 53, West Jakarta (Phone: 5818129), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., until Oct. 29. * Painting Exhibition Ojo Ngono by Nasirun, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 15.

Getting help for depression is part of the treatment

Getting help for depression is part of the treatment By Rikza Abdullah JAKARTA (JP): The good news is that therapy is successful for 80 percent of people suffering from depression in the country who seek help. The bad is that only 30 percent of depressed individuals are willing to seek therapy, said psychiatrist Irmansyah. He said treatment involved psychiatrists exploring the causes of the depression through observation and interviews before making a decision on the best cure.

Mideast crisis may cloud IPU meeting

Mideast crisis may cloud IPU meeting JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is due to open the 104th conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) this evening under the cloud of the Middle East crisis. Even before the official start of the proceedings, the heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians are already grabbing the attention of arriving delegates of the weeklong conference.

'Dangdut' music is a gold mine for local television stations

'Dangdut' music is a gold mine for local television stations By Mohammad Yazid JAKARTA (JP): Do you want to sing a note with Indonesian singers and get Rp 1 million? Just join the live television karaoke show Laris Manis, every Wednesday night on SCTV. Your voice is not sweet? No problem. Pick up the phone and guess the title of the song. If you are lucky you will win Rp 500,000.

Seeing the unseen beyond an image

Seeing the unseen beyond an image By Lim Tri Santosa BANDUNG (JP): In the information age, the eyes are really taking a beating. Our society has become so visual, we practically use our eyes for everything we do. Does this mean that our eyes are already getting plenty of abuses?

Depression rises as crisis drags on

Depression rises as crisis drags on Feeling blue? In a funk? Join the crowd -- many people are feeling the stress of living in uncertain times. For some, it can mean a bout of severe depression.The Jakarta Post's Rikza Abdullah looks at the causes of the condition, its treatment and what you can do to keep out of the doldrums. JAKARTA (JP): Businesswoman "Ina" came to Cipto Mangunkusmo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta complaining of chronic migraines.

Does a new party always mean a new outfit?

Does a new party always mean a new outfit? JAKARTA (JP): Picture this. You have the invitation in your hand, a perfect date and a great party to attend, but what you're doing is grumbling over your far-from-empty closet, complaining that you have nothing to wear. Sound familiar, eh? "It happens to me all the time," admitted 23-year-old Anna Budhi.

'Ojo Ngono', Nasirun's 'goro-goro' of tolerance

'Ojo Ngono', Nasirun's 'goro-goro' of tolerance By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Past the midnight hour, the dalang (puppet master) of the Javanese wayang puppet theater prepares for the climax of the performance. He sets the stage for the goro-goro, the chain of events leading to the peak of a conflict between the two sides or the two parties of the wayang characters. However, instead of setting the scene on stage, his scene is set on stretched canvas.

Guess What? Moh. Mahfud M.D.

Guess What? Moh. Mahfud M.D. Less than two months after being appointed Minister of Defense, Moh. Mahfud M.D. had been disturbed by two mysterious letters. The first one was sent directly to his wife, Zaizatun Nihayati, a week after he was sworn in in August.

Guess What? Bagong Kussudiardja

Guess What? Bagong Kussudiardja In Javanese culture, ular-ular, or wedding advice, is usually delivered by the bride's father. But noted choreographer Bagong Kussudiardja, 67, wanted something different for his second marriage as he assigned his son, Butet Kartaredjasa to do the job. "...despite his old age, the groom can be considered a 'teenager'. Why? Because he has just begun his new family. He is a beginner. I'm much more senior since I have been married for 19 years.

'Famili 100' still finding out what the survey says

'Famili 100' still finding out what the survey says Famili 100; Host: Sonny Tulung; Indosiar, 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 6:30 p.m. Saturday 5:30 p.m. Sunday JAKARTA (JP): It must be something about short male TV game show hosts: pint-sized, boyish Sonny Tulung follows in the diminutive but successful footsteps of Richard Dawson and the late Ray Krebs who hosted Family Feud, the U.S. money-spinner which has spun off into localized versions around the globe.

Lots of belly laughs in 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps'

Lots of belly laughs in 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps' By Joko E.H. Anwar Nutty Professor II: The Klumps; Director: Peter Segal; Actors: Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson; Universal Picture, 1 hour 45 minutes JAKARTA (JP): There are not many films which are filled with special effects wizardry yet still leave their human actors as the real stars. Nutty Professor II: The Klumps is an exception. The make-up effects here are flawless.

Road rage in busy Jakarta: Blame it on adrenaline?

Road rage in busy Jakarta: Blame it on adrenaline? JAKARTA (JP): "He's heading south from Rodeo cross road. He just ignored the red light. The car's a dark blue 1989 Toyota. I need backup. Over," Brad, a street police officer yelled over his car radio. He had been trailing the culprit's car for the last 10 minutes. But he could see the car ahead of him accelerating; creating thin wisps of smoke, shaped like a mocking clown. So Brad drove faster and faster. A familiar car chase scene in L.A.

Five kilos of gold robbed

Five kilos of gold robbed JAKARTA (JP): Police are looking for eight men who made off with five kilograms of gold in an early morning robbery at the shop-house of a gold trader on Jl. K.H. Hasyim Ashari in Ciledug, Tangerang, on Saturday. Tangerang Police chief Supt. Sapi'i Aksal said it was likely that the robbers were familiar with the house and its neighborhood. "They moved very quickly and knew all rooms in the house," Sapi'i said.

Estrada not going to resign, ready to face detractors

Estrada not going to resign, ready to face detractors MANILA (Reuters): Embattled Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Saturday he would never resign and is ready to face detractors accusing him of receiving gambling kickbacks. Allegations linking Estrada to gambling syndicates have spurred opposition moves to impeach him and sparked calls from influential church leaders for his resignation, posing the biggest threat to his 28-month administration.

TV today

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 8:00 Cartoon 9:00 Sports 10:00 Music 11:00 TV Series: Dos Mujeres 12:00 p.m. Comedy 1:00 TV Drama 2:00 News 3:00 Sports 4:00 News 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Travel 5:30 TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Sports 8:00 Music 9:00 News 9:30 Music 10:30 Performance Program 2 5:30 p.m. News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News 8:30 Variety Show TPI 5:30 a.m.

Art Agenda

Art Agenda Retrospektif 2000 at Taman Ismail Art Center, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, phone (021) 315 4087, from Oct. 14 through to Oct. 23. The exhibition features drawings and paintings by Kaboel Suadi, who studied at the Fine Arts School of the Bandung Institute of Technology. Kaboel, who has been painting since childhood, won an award at a drawing competition for high school students in Jakarta.

IM Texmaco moves step closer to finals berth

IM Texmaco moves step closer to finals berth BANDUNG (JP): Jakarta-based Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco needs one more victory to secure its place in the final round of the Kobatama national basketball league after winning its fourth-leg opening match against Surabaya-based Pacific Caesar 104-88 on Saturday. In the second game of the evening, host Panasia Indosyntec outclassed defending champion Mahaka Satria Muda 70-47 before 5,000 cheering home fans.

Futuristic fashion designer takes audience to heaven

Futuristic fashion designer takes audience to heaven By Asniar Sahab JAKARTA (JP): Fashion designer Didi Budiharjo has seen much of the world but found his own country the best. The rich local culture is now the major source of the inspiration that has resulted in his spreading fame. At the beginning of his career, the futuristic style became his trademark.

Attorney general to examine findings on Tanjung Priok deaths

Attorney general to examine findings on Tanjung Priok deaths JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Saturday his office would examine the findings of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)'s investigation into the 1984 Tanjung Priok incident. "We'll examine further (all the findings) in our investigation," Marzuki said after formally receiving the commission's revised final report on the case from Komnas HAM chairman Djoko Sugianto.

A day with a satay vendor from Madura

A day with a satay vendor from Madura Muhamad Sukur, 47, has been selling chicken satay for about 20 years. He was born in Bangkalan, Madura island, East Java, and now lives in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, with his wife Munayah and their four sons. He spoke with The Jakarta Post's Ida Indawati Khouw. JAKARTA (JP): For me life means preparing and selling chicken satay. I wake up at 4:30 a.m. to say my morning prayer.

Abdurrahman admits to meeting Tommy

Abdurrahman admits to meeting Tommy JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid confirmed on Saturday that he met with Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, but quickly refuted suggestions that he had made a deal to review the 18-month jail sentence handed down to Tommy. When asked by journalists, Abdurrahman admitted that he had recently met with the youngest son of former president Soeharto at Borobudur Hotel, Central Jakarta.

Physics and mystics, cycles of space and time

Physics and mystics, cycles of space and time By Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): My fixation with physics and mysticism has brought me this far in the series of musings on the absurdity of time. What fascinates me even more is that the Eastern mystics share a strikingly similar dynamic view of the universe and time with modern physics. They see the universe as an inseparable web, whose interconnections are dynamic and not static.

Poor West Irian!

Poor West Irian! I am serious; I have a dream that one day I can see and taste the snow of Irian Jaya. Maybe it tastes different than the snow in Norway or in Holland or in Japan. I really do not know and I have not met anybody who has that silly idea. As an Indonesian, there is reason to be proud of the fact that Irian Jaya is like part of a continent.

Local designers to hold annual fashion show

Local designers to hold annual fashion show JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Fashion Designers Council (IPMI) will stage its 15th annual trend show from Oct. 16 to Oct. 20 at the Bidakara complex in South Jakarta. Luminaire Trend IPMI 2001 will feature about 1,000 new designs by IPMI members as well as nonmembers. Twelve IPMI designers -- Dandy Burhan, Stephanus Hamy, Oscar Lawalata, Valentino Napitupulu, Sutanto, Denny Wirawan, Era M.

Everyday stories of living with HIV

Everyday stories of living with HIV Kerlap-Kerlip Mozaik: Berjuang Hidup dengan HIV; (A Glittering Mosaic: Struggles of Living with HIV); By Putu Oka Sukanta; Yogyakarta: Yayasan Galang & Ford Foundation, 2000 JAKARTA (JP): Even though the first AIDS case was found in the country 13 years ago, the syndrome is still one of the most misunderstood health issues in Indonesia. Two things usually come into play when people discuss AIDS: sex and morality.

Malaysia mounts operation

Malaysia mounts operation KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Helicopters, airplanes and several naval boats thwarted about 400 illegal immigrants from entering the country over the past two weeks off the eastern coast of Borneo Island, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Nipping the depression in the bud

Nipping the depression in the bud JAKARTA (JP): It's up to the individual in recognizing signs of depression and putting a stop to them in their initial stage. Because depression involves emotions, thoughts and behavior, people can ask themselves questions about themselves to determine if they are depressed. If they judge themselves to be suffering from mild depression, they can make active changes to their lives.

Indonesia grabs point against Kuwait at Asian Cup

Indonesia grabs point against Kuwait at Asian Cup TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Agencies): Minnows Indonesia battled to a deserved 0-0 draw against title hopefuls Kuwait in an entertaining Asian Cup Group B match here on Friday. Indonesia -- tipped as the tournament whipping boys -- surprised the Kuwaitis with a spirited display to win a hard- earned point. Goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko was the hero for the Indonesians, keeping the Kuwaitis at bay with a string of priceless saves in the first half.

'Ludruk' in sorry state amidst gleaming urban entertainment

'Ludruk' in sorry state amidst gleaming urban entertainment By Gin Kurniawan and Christanto W. SURABAYA (JP): This folk art is suffering a really tragic fate. It is on the brink of extinction, to be abandoned for good by the community who actually gave birth to and nurtured it in the first place. Efforts have been made to revive its former glory but virtually to no avail. Ludruk, a uniquely East Javanese folk theater in which all parts are played by men, is now hanging between life and death.

Jubir

Jubir By Sori Siregar He has a meager salary. But his income is more than enough. He has been living this way for years. Actually there is nothing weird about that. The majority of people are living in this same pattern. People not from here will never understand this reality. This is the reason why researchers go from Sabang to Merauke studying and taking notes. People who always refer to religion often link things like a salary to the blessings of God.

Unicef's boss fights to help humanity

Unicef's boss fights to help humanity By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): When Rolf C. Carriere especially asked to come here as head of Unicef Indonesia, he was aware that half the population of the country's 210 million people lives in extreme poverty with high maternal mortality rate and many children and women poorly nourished. But he also knew that in the two decades before the economic crisis, the country had made tremendous gains in child survival rates and development.

Kalimantan villagers plait their life with 'purun' leaves

Kalimantan villagers plait their life with 'purun' leaves Text and photos by Ali Budiman AMUNTAI, South Kalimantan (JP): Villages with their wooden houses on stilts sprawl along both sides of the Tabalong River and the Balagan River, which cut through Amuntai, Hulu Sungai Utara regency, South Kalimantan.