Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 October 2000

66 articles found

South Korea moves into Asian Cup quarters

South Korea moves into Asian Cup quarters BEIRUT (AFP): A hat trick from 'Lion King' Lee Dong-gook sent South Korea into the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup here Thursday as China and Kuwait drew to top Group B. Lee's trio of goals handed South Korea a 3-0 victory over Indonesia, which made a limp exit from the tournament at Beirut's Sports City stadium.

World Food Day

World Food Day Your esteemed newspaper on Oct. 17 published an opinion by Prof. Didin S. Damanhuri on the problems faced by rice farmers, especially the declining price of rice in the market. This opinion and the others in the paper were thought-provoking. The publication of these opinions was welcome on the occasion of World Food Day. I would like to give the following suggestions toward a solution to the present problems: 1.

ADB approves 2 loans worth US$115m to RI

ADB approves 2 loans worth US$115m to RI MANILA (DPA): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Friday it has approved two loans worth US$115 million to fund a rural development project in Indonesia that would benefit more than one million people. The Manila-based ADB said it will also provide a 1.1 million dollar technical assistance grant to promote good government and sound fiscal management practices in the project areas to ensure transparency and accountability.

Decision on tycoons not final: Attorney General

Decision on tycoons not final: Attorney General JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's order to delay the prosecution of three top businessmen on account of their huge contribution to exports was intended as a public discourse and not binding, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Friday.

Beware the 'thief in the night', warn doctors

Beware the 'thief in the night', warn doctors JAKARTA (JP): Doctors urged the public, especially women above 45-years-old, to be more alert to the dangers of osteoporosis, the prevalency of which is believed to be rising among the Indonesian population. Osteoporosis is a corrosion of the bones which causes the skeleton to become more spongy and easily broken. It is caused by a drop in calcium levels and bone density due to the effects of old age.

Ramayana cuts profit target

Ramayana cuts profit target KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk has scaled down its net profit estimate for next year to Rp 311 billion from the original Rp 337. 5 billion as it continues to reduce prices of its products to boost sales, chief executive officer Koh Boon Kim said. The company also sees sales of Rp 2.8 trillion next year, lower than its previous forecast of Rp 3.0 trillion, he added.

Media ads and gender insensitivity

Media ads and gender insensitivity By Michael K. Muchiri YOGYAKARTA (JP): You have been glued to a television program, probably watching the local love dramas, the Mexican dramas or the Indian musicals where mostly the woman is typified as ungrateful, self-seeking, insatiable, but a gorgeous thing. The usual picture of the woman on all the television programs is the same: women are helpless, vindictive, self-seeking souls who gossip and do stupid things.

Police slam new religious groups

Police slam new religious groups AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani criticized on Friday the establishment of new organizations along religious lines, saying the trend runs counter to the drive to restore peace between Muslims and Christians in the province. "Such exclusive organizations would hamper reconciliation efforts as they sharpen differences between the communities," he said. At least two new organizations have emerged in the last two weeks.

Wimar and the funnier government

Wimar and the funnier government Wimar Witoelar is now the presidential spokesman. Wimar was quoted by Thomas L. Friedman in the International Herald Tribune of Oct. 4 in his article Wahid's new look, Indonesia is frankly a mess, as saying that "In Soeharto's time things were clear -- you always knew who to pay and how long to wait. Now you never know who is in charge. Before people were being killed by the government; now they are killed because of no government ...

Journalists protest new police chief

Journalists protest new police chief YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) sent a letter to the National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro on Friday, protesting the decision to promote Brig. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman as Jakarta Police chief.

Toward a democratic state

Toward a democratic state Glancing at the editorial on Oct. 7 on the Indonesian position viewed from Friedman's study on the five categories of countries in the post-Cold War era, in which Indonesia and Russia belong to the "messy states", I herewith wish to comment from my educational point of view. First, we should not be discouraged or dismayed as Indonesia is not yet regarded as a failed state.

Traffic mix up at Cikokol

Traffic mix up at Cikokol From Media Indonesia Passing through Cikokol is now inconvenient. The road in front of the Cikokol market consists of three lanes: one for the shoppers to park their cars, the middle one for public transportation vehicles, leaving only one for thousands of cars passing by every morning. Actually this can be overcome by having the vendors operate in places reserved for that purpose, allowing visitors to park in the proper parking lot.

Democracy 'may not yield results'

Democracy 'may not yield results' JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's approach to overcoming separatist problems in the regions through political means rather than military strength is cumbersome and does not necessarily guarantee results, a senior military officer says. Lt. Gen.

Court rejects Eurico's presence at hearing

Court rejects Eurico's presence at hearing JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court rejected once again on Friday a call for pro-Indonesia East Timor militia leader Eurico Guterres to be allowed to appear at his own pretrial hearing. Eurico's lawyers said his testimony was needed to prove their allegation of wrongful arrest of their client by the police. "Eurico is the only person who can clarify the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

Indocement owners approve debt restructuring plan

Indocement owners approve debt restructuring plan JAKARTA (JP): The extraordinary general shareholders meeting of publicly listed cement producer PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa approved on Friday the company's US$1.1 billion debt restructuring plan. Indocement's debt restructuring plan obtained the approval of 98.9 percent of the shareholders.

Blackout hits vast area

Blackout hits vast area JAKARTA (JP): Vast areas in western and southern parts of the capital, including several spots in Tangerang, experienced a blackout lasting a few minutes on Friday evening. A staffer at the state electricity company PT PLN complaints center confirmed the problem, saying it was caused by significant disturbances at power relay stations in the respective areas. The blackout occurred at 9:10 p.m. and in most parts lasted less than 10 minutes.

Gus Dur to delay his visit to Australia

Gus Dur to delay his visit to Australia By Budiman Moerdijat SEOUL (JP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said late Thursday here that President Abdurrahman Wahid would likely postpone his planned visit to Australia in November. Speaking to journalists within the presidential entourage, Alwi said that Abdurrahman's planned visit to Australia, which has already been delayed several times, would not take place in November.

After passing resolution, IPU closes its conference

After passing resolution, IPU closes its conference JAKARTA (JP): The 104th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) closed its week-long conference by calling for a review on the effectiveness of embargoes and economic sanctions to resolve international issues. The conference also called for a reassessment of various international and unilateral sanctions such as those imposed on Burundi, Cuba and the United Nations' sanction on Iraq.

Indonesia's present chaos is food for satire in new play

Indonesia's present chaos is food for satire in new play By Kartika Bagus C. SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): For most Javanese, Wisanggeni is a familiar name, symbolizing power that can change a decadent national order. He appears as the figure of a young man characterized by honesty, firmness in his action and openness in his speech. With his extraordinary magical power, he is a model figure that all people living in a messy state will surely dream of having.

Goldman Sachs cuts Asia GDP forecast

Goldman Sachs cuts Asia GDP forecast SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Goldman Sachs has lowered its 2001 economic growth forecast for Asia (excluding Japan) to 5.7 percent from 6.1 percent, citing the region's sluggish domestic investment. "After a surprisingly sharp rebound in 1999, the pullback in recovery momentum we have been expecting is starting to materialize," Goldman Sachs said in a quarterly report.

Inequality before the law

Inequality before the law President Abdurrahman Wahid has made a complete mockery of the country's legal process by ordering the Attorney General's Office to delay the prosecution of three prominent tycoons on account of their supposedly huge contribution to exports, and hence to the process of Indonesia's economic recovery.

Rupiah Rates Oct. 20

Rupiah Rates Oct. 20 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Trees obstruct traffic light

Trees obstruct traffic light From Bisnis Indonesia On some Central Jakarta roads many traffic lights are obstructed by trees, hampering motorists and pedestrians. One such traffic light is on the Guntur crossroad near the railroad tracks. The authorities should address this problem to ensure safety. FATHUR RIZQI PRIYADI Jakarta

KL palm oil ends down despite higher exports

KL palm oil ends down despite higher exports KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures surrendered early gains to close lower on Friday as players booked profits ahead of the weekend, traders said. Higher export figures for the first 20 days of October helped lifted prices earlier although many players stayed on the sidelines amid continuing worries over growing stocks, they said.

Glodok street vendors to be moved: Sutiyoso

Glodok street vendors to be moved: Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has announced it will relocate the some 400 roadside vendors, most of whom sell pirated VCDs and small electronic goods, operating around the busy Glodok shopping center in West Jakarta beginning next year. Governor Sutiyoso, who visited the popular electronics center on Friday, said the street vendors would be relocated to a four- story market in nearby Perniagaan, which is currently under renovation.

Rupiah closes flat as other Asian currencies mostly higher

Rupiah closes flat as other Asian currencies mostly higher SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The rupiah closed flat Friday for the third straight day in quiet pre-weekend trade, with state bank buying bringing the local unit down from intraday highs. The dollar closed at Rp 8,895 in Asia, unchanged from its close in Asia Thursday. The U.S. unit dropped to an intraday low of Rp 8,820 in the morning in line with its moves against other regional currencies.

'Boot Polish', classic Indian film returns

'Boot Polish', classic Indian film returns By Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): Moviegoers from the 1950s may well recall Boot Polish, a classic Indian neorealist children's film. Imported by Persari, a company owned by Djamaluddin Malik (singer Camelia Malik's father), the film was screened in Indonesian cities in 1954. The film, which has become one of the all-time best children's films, has been reimported and will rescreened in Jakarta's top commercial movie theaters starting on Oct. 20.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 20, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 2,000 50 851,500 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 115 -5 357,500 Alakasa Industrindo 435 0 4,000 Alfa Retailindo 825 -10 108,500 Alter Abadi 200 0 10,000 Alumindo Light Metal 955 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 270 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,025 10 3,918,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.

BPK refuses to join team to resolve loans

BPK refuses to join team to resolve loans JAKARTA (JP): Head of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Satrio B. Judono said Friday that the agency would not participate in a joint team to be formed by the Ministry of Finance and Bank Indonesia to seek a "political resolution" over the controversial government bank liquidity support facility. "We won't join the team. We prefer to be in the middle," he told reporters.

Awad denies criticizing Abdurrahman

Awad denies criticizing Abdurrahman JAKARTA (JP): Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Ribbhi Awad denied on Friday that he had criticized President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's stance over the Middle East crisis. The purported criticism, widely reported in the press on Wednesday, prompted Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab to demand that the ambassador, who has represented his country in Indonesia since 1992, be replaced.

Correction on Garuda

Correction on Garuda Please note that your article Garuda secures deals to lease 7 Boeing 737s (Oct. 6) has an error concerning one of the companies mentioned. GE Cash should be GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services). INGGITA NOTOSUSANTO GE Indonesia Jakarta

Court asked to clear Pande of all charges

Court asked to clear Pande of all charges JAKARTA (JP): A defense lawyer has asked the South Jakarta District court to declare former deputy chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) Pande Lubis not guilty and acquit his client of all corruption charges. Asfifuddin, chief of Pande's defense lawyers, told the court on Thursday that his client had never benefited from the disbursement of Rp 904 billion ($108.9 million) of IBRA funds to Bank Bali.

Kiu Sen grabs Ibis Chess title

Kiu Sen grabs Ibis Chess title JAKARTA (JP): Kiu Sen of Jakarta-based Gunadharma University won the Ibis Youth Chess Tournament here on Friday after collecting 3 match points in the final round. Sugianto of Surya Naga chess club, also in Jakarta, also finished with 3 MPs, but managed only second place on Sonneborn- Berger (SB) points ruling. One of the tournament's referees, Djamil Djamal of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi), said Kiu Sen earned 5 SBs to Sugianto's 4.

Metrodata to issue bonds

Metrodata to issue bonds JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed electronic firm PT Metrodata Electronics will issue five-year bonds worth Rp 65 billion (US$7.3 million) to pay its debts and acquire a stake at its subsidiary, the company said on Friday. Metrodata said it would use 72 percent of the bonds' proceeds to pay its debt of Rp 45 billion to PT Bank Lippo, while the remaining would be use to acquire a stake at PT Metrodata Global Akses through PT e-Metrodata.Com (EMC).

BI closes down Bank Prasida and Bank Ratu

BI closes down Bank Prasida and Bank Ratu JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia closed down Bank Prasidha Utama and Bank Ratu on Friday, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said in a statement. IBRA said that it would immediately send its officers to secure all of the assets of the two banks. IBRA also said that all depositors money was guaranteed by the government.

Aceh police firm on special operation

Aceh police firm on special operation BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The police vowed on Friday to continue the Cinta Meunasah (Love the Mosques) security operation in Aceh, despite growing public demand that the action be halted. "Police will not end the special operation in Aceh because security has yet to be restored," the chief of the operation, Sr. Supt. Kusbini Imbar, said here on Friday.

Eddy Nalapraya decides to quit as chairman of Persilat

Eddy Nalapraya decides to quit as chairman of Persilat JAKARTA (JP): Incumbent chairman of the International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat) Eddy Nalapraya said he had no intention of running for a fifth successive term. "I've been the chairman for four periods and I believe it's time for me to resign.

An intelligence service for the President

An intelligence service for the President The more intelligence agencies a regime maintains, the more it tends to be cruel. That, at least, is the conviction of liberals and democrats. For that reason, in countries that profess to be based on civil democratic principles and don't want to be called cruel, the number of intelligence agencies is trimmed to a minimum. Whether or not Indonesia is a cruel country is a matter that is open to endless debate.

150 shrimp farmers rally against Brimob intimidation

150 shrimp farmers rally against Brimob intimidation JAKARTA (JP): About 150 shrimp farmers from the region's largest integrated shrimp firm PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja in Lampung, southern Sumatra, staged a rally at the National Police Headquarters here on Friday over intimidation from some local Mobile Brigade police personnel in the area. The local farmers claimed that the personnel from the elite unit had been violently forcing them to sell their shrimp to the company.

Foreigner shot dead in Tanah Abang drug bust

Foreigner shot dead in Tanah Abang drug bust JAKARTA (JP): A drug trafficker was shot dead when he attempted to escape arrest in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta on Thursday. Tanah Abang Police chief Sr. Insp. Angista Romana Yoyol identified the suspect late on Thursday as Ken Kihogi alias Ben alias Ali, 35, who had been staying in a hotel near the scene. A copy of a Kenyan passport was found on him. However, Yoyol said traffickers usually used fake passports.

Crisis forces a halt to jeepney production

Crisis forces a halt to jeepney production MANILA, Philippines (AP): Rising costs have forced the Philippines' pioneer "jeepney" maker to halt production after 44 years, threatening the gaudily decorated vehicles' dominance of the country's potholed roads. The jeepney, created from surplus U.S. Army jeeps after World War II, became a symbol of Filipino ingenuity and can-do attitude.

Disturbing circumcision

Disturbing circumcision In the article Circumcision ritual honors children which appeared last Sunday in this newspaper, it says that "girls' circumcision would be a grisly and shocking sight for foreigners" and that "it is one of the most important rites of passage in Indonesian Muslim communities, and a time for great celebration". I find this contradiction deeply disturbing, almost as disturbing as the incomprehensible notion that this ritual honors children. MARSHALL LESESNE Jakarta

Toyota to boost RI operation

Toyota to boost RI operation TOKYO (AFX-ASIA): Toyota Motor Corp will set up a wholly owned Indonesian subsidiary next spring to produce biodegradable plastics, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported. Biodegradable plastics can be broken down into water and carbon dioxide by micro-organisms. Toyota will use starch from locally grown sweet potatoes to make the products in Indonesia, it said.

S&P lowers Daya Guna Samudra's rating to 'SD'

S&P lowers Daya Guna Samudra's rating to 'SD' JAKARTA (Dow Jones): Standard & Poor's Friday lowered its long-term corporate credit rating on P.T. Daya Guna Samudera, an Indonesian fishing concern, to 'SD' (selective default) from double-'C'. Also, the double-'C' rating on the US$225 million notes due 2007, issued by DGS International Finance Co. B.V. and guaranteed by Daya Guna, remains on CreditWatch with negative implications.

Unhappy maid runs off with employer's baby

Unhappy maid runs off with employer's baby KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): An Indonesian housemaid, who was fed-up with constant scolding from her employers, ran off on Wednesday with the couple's 15-month-old son, news reports said Friday. Police in Kuala Lumpur are searching for the 49-year-old maid who worked for less than two months for the couple. The couple also have two young daughters.

Exporters to reclaim paid handling fees

Exporters to reclaim paid handling fees JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Indonesian Importers Association (Ginsi) and Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) said they would reclaim terminal handling charges (THC) paid to foreign shipping companies for the last five years. Chairman of the two associations Amirudin Saud said on Friday that they had appointed a team of lawyers to stop THC and reclaim the charges, which amounted to US$4.3 billion.

Rodent trouble at Semarang council

Rodent trouble at Semarang council SEMARANG: A rodent problem at the Berlian building on the premises of the provincial Council compound has become so serious that the Council's secretariat has issued an order to vacate the building for two days so that it can be fumigated. The letter, signed by the head of the Council's Secretary for General Affairs Umbu Puda, was sent to all Council units and the Council's speakers, Antara reported.

Garuda neglects inbound travelers

Garuda neglects inbound travelers Garuda has recently, in huge advertisements in the local press, praised and bragged about their improvements and how service-minded they are today. Gone are the old days and all the troubles faced by Garuda passengers. Indeed, at least one potential group of passengers will never complain about the services, simply because they never got the chance to fly Garuda.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting, Schulpture Exhibition: Budaya Papua by Icnatius Owiok Haluk, and Agustinus Ongge, at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3805555), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Oct. 26. * Painting, Graphic, and Drawing Exhibition Retrospektif 2000, by Kaboel Suadi, at Cipta II Gallery, TIM arts center, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3140554), Oct.

Drivers get cash over Suwondo's arrest

Drivers get cash over Suwondo's arrest BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Two public minivan drivers received Rp 1 million (US$112) each from Sr. Supt. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo, a former senior Jakarta Police detective on Friday for their role in the recent arrest of Suwondo, a suspect in the multibillion rupiah Bulog scandal.

Volkswagen plans more JVs

Volkswagen plans more JVs SINGAPORE (DPA): Volkswagen Financial Services AG (VFS) plans to set up joint ventures in China, Taiwan and Australia in addition to a tie-up with a Singapore motor group, it was reported on Friday. Norbert Massfeller, chairman of Europe's largest car financing company, said VFS is linking up with the local partners of its two groups in China. Next will be Taiwan and Australia. "We will go to all the markets where Volkswagen products are sold," Massfeller said.

Japan remains top aid donor

Japan remains top aid donor TOKYO (DPA): Japan remained the world's biggest donor of official development assistance (ODA) for the ninth consecutive year in 1999, with its aid to Asian countries rising to help their recovery from the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, Japan's Foreign Ministry said Friday. Japan's ODA in 1999 surged 44 per cent from the previous year to US$15.3 billion, the ministry said.

Timor terror campaign may end soon: Surayud

Timor terror campaign may end soon: Surayud BANGKOK (AP): A terror campaign by pro-Indonesian militias in East Timor could end soon because of U.S. pressure and the creation of a new Thai rapid-reaction force, the Thai army chief said Friday. The 250 troops in the new force will be taken from the 1,300- member Thai contingent of the UN peacekeeping force in East Timor, Gen. Surayud Chulanont told The Associated Press in an interview at the Army Headquarters.

Registry of Trusts to open this month

Registry of Trusts to open this month JAKARTA (JP): The Registry of Trusts in Jakarta, the first of its kind in the country, will open for business on Oct. 30. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who announced the opening on Thursday, said other provincial capitals would eventually have their own registries for fiduciary deals in their own areas. Presidential Decree No.

Brimob officers arrested for motorcycle theft

Brimob officers arrested for motorcycle theft JAKARTA (JP): A gang of eight members of the elite police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) have been arrested for allegedly stealing a number of motorcycles, including some parked in their unit's compound in Jakarta Police Headquarters, an officer said. City police spokesman Supt.

S'pore to auction 3G licenses

S'pore to auction 3G licenses SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Singapore will issue up to four third- generation mobile licenses through an auction that will be held in February 2001, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore said Friday. The number of licenses to be issued is within market expectations, but the method isn't. Analysts had expected Singapore to use a combination of an auction and a beauty contest to determine the winners.

Protect your batik: Megawati

Protect your batik: Megawati SURAKARTA, Central Java: Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged local batik artists on Friday to register copyright of their products so the legacy of the ancestors can be legally protected. She made the remarks while opening the Danar Hadi Batik Antique Museum here. Megawati stressed the importance of copyright, especially in the globalization and free trade era, to prevent piracy by other parties.

Incident mars last day of Kobatama league

Incident mars last day of Kobatama league BANDUNG (JP): Unruly spectators marred the final day of the 2000 Nuvo Kobatama basketball league's fourth leg on Friday, forcing a half hour delay to the start of the third match of the day. The incident began when star-studded Aspac of Jakarta beat home favorite Panasia Indosyntec 70-62 in a top-of-the-table match played before a crowd of more than 5,000 who had been flocking to the Padjadjaran Basketball Hall since midday.

All Hawk-100s grounded

All Hawk-100s grounded JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) decided on Friday to ground all of its British-made Hawk-100 fighters, after one of the aircraft crashed on Thursday killing two pilots. Attending a ceremony marking the arrival of the bodies of the two pilots at Halim Perdanakusuma airport, East Jakarta, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Hanafie Asnan said that all of the remaining Hawk-100 aircraft would be grounded, pending an investigation into the accident.

Militia rallies at The Habibie Center

Militia rallies at The Habibie Center JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of East Timorese militia members rallied at The Habibie Center on Jl. Kemang Selatan, South Jakarta, on Friday, demanding that its founder B.J. Habibie, who is also a former president, take responsibility for last year's ballot in the former province which led to its independence. The militia members broke a glass door of the building but perpetrated no other violent acts.

Gus Dur comes under fire

Gus Dur comes under fire JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's instruction to delay the prosecution of three of the country's top indebted businessmen could damage the economy and the legal system, analysts here said on Friday.

Journalism and political struggle: Soeryono 1927-2000

Journalism and political struggle: Soeryono 1927-2000 By Aboeprijadi Santoso AMSTERDAM (JP): Journalism only thrives with freedom as fish do with water. But what if freedom still had to be fought for? At the time of Indonesia's independence revolution, the press was inevitably caught up in the political struggle to secure freedom and mobilize the people. The death of the journalist and freedom fighter Soeryono is an untimely reminder of that struggle and the Cold War era.

Non-operating income pushes up PT Timah's profit

Non-operating income pushes up PT Timah's profit JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Tambang Timah, one of the world's major tin producers, reported a net profit of Rp 296 billion (about US$34.8 million at the current rate) for the nine months ending September 30. The company said that the profit represented a 5.45 percent increase from Rp 280.7 billion for the same period in 1999.

Another Wamena riot victim found

Another Wamena riot victim found WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Jayawijaya Police chief Supt. D. Suripatty said on Friday that another victim of the bloody Wamena riots had been found floating in Uwe River, Woma village. Suripatty said local residents found the body of a 35-year-old teacher named Mashudi on Thursday and sent it to Wamena General Hospital for an autopsy. The latest discovery from the Oct. 6 riots brings the death toll to 31 people. Antara quoted the head of the Jayawijaya Health Agency, A.

Munir refuses to help government

Munir refuses to help government JAKARTA (JP): Noted rights activist Munir refused on Friday to help the government draft a revision of the Emergency Law and argued that such a law is completely unnecessary. "This country doesn't need such a law. I will not help the government revise the Emergency Law as requested by Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra because there is no need for it," Munir said.

Batavia, the city of beautiful canals

Batavia, the city of beautiful canals By Ida Indawati Khouw Canals played an important role in the old city of Batavia. In the course of time, the canals have been lost. This 61st article on old and protected buildings in Jakarta traces their history again. JAKARTA (JP): Downtown Kota, where the walled city of Batavia was situated, used to be just as wonderful as Venice. It was an immaculate city with canals of pristine water which flowed around it.