Archive: 18 December 2000
52 articles found
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Death threat and right to live
Death threat and right to live I totally disagree when a person caught red handed for stealing a motor-cycle is beaten to death by a mob. Once again a pickpocket was caught stealing, immediately beaten and then burned to death. I don't agree with this type of street justice. I disagree also with the apparent threat to kill Tommy Soeharto who was sentenced by the court to 18 months in jail. All the actions above are an indication of cruelty.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Papua rights activist questioned
Papua rights activist questioned JAKARTA (JP): The director of the Irian Jaya office of the Institute for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (ELSHAM), Johanes G. Bonay, was questioned at the Jayapura Police station on Saturday for allegedly slandering the police. As of Saturday afternoon, Johanes was still at the station awaiting the results of the police investigation. "I am still at the police station.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Onyx urn largest in the world
Onyx urn largest in the world TANGERANG (JP): The 4.89 ton urn for the placing of joss- sticks in the Nimmala Buddhist Monastery, which recently won a certificate for its remarkable size from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI), is now waiting for its name to be written up in the prestigious Guiness Book of Records. The onyx urn, called Thian Sin Lo by the temple's congregation, is 1.2 meters high and has a diameter of 1.5 meters.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian media and the absence of peace
Indonesian media and the absence of peace The following is based on a presentation by The Jakarta Post journalist Santi Soekanto at a workshop on the role of the media in promoting peace, held in Manila from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, and hosted by the Singapore-based Asian Media Information Centre. MANILA: I wonder what peace is in Indonesia.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest kidnapper of gambling king's grandson
Police arrest kidnapper of gambling king's grandson JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested one of four suspected kidnappers of deceased gambling boss Nyo Beng Seng's grandson on Thursday, an officer said over the weekend. Head of the city police's general crime investigation unit, Asst. Supt. Tito Karnavian, said on Saturday that the suspected kidnapper, who released the four-year-old boy on Dec.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
McDonald's yet to decide on aid for SEAG contingent
McDonald's yet to decide on aid for SEAG contingent JAKARTA (JP): Fast food firm McDonald's Indonesia aims to help the Indonesian contingent in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games but the company is still considering the mechanism to be employed. "We intend to help the Indonesian contingent in the SEA Games, following our success in financially supporting the Indonesian contingent to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games," director of marketing and communications Bambang S.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Year-end fun, festivities at Jakarta hotels
Year-end fun, festivities at Jakarta hotels JAKARTA (JP): Star-rated hotels in the capital are again busy offering special room, food and entertainment packages to woo Jakartans and holidaymakers observing the upcoming Christmas, Idul Fitri and New Year's Eve festivities. Some hotels, such as Hotel Mulia Senayan, Gran Melia, Grand Mahakam, and Shangri-La, are focusing their activities more on New Year's Eve, offering shows performed by local and foreign entertainers.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Yaspem foundation helps Maluku refugees, the poor
Yaspem foundation helps Maluku refugees, the poor JAKARTA (JP): Maria Mediatrix Mali, a resident of Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, and director of the Society Development Foundation (Yaspem), dashes to a pig sty in nearby Kewapante village. She has been informed a baby has been abandoned by its parents in the sty. And there it is, a small baby lying on the ground, surrounded by pigs. Maria quickly picks up the baby and brings it to her house.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government considering presidential decree on fuel price policy
Government considering presidential decree on fuel price policy JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering to issue a presidential decree to require export oriented companies to buy fuel at international prices, according to a senior government official. "We are working on it (the decree); it is being prepared," director general for oil and gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Rachmat Sudibyo told reporters on Friday.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Astra Graphica divestment
Astra Graphica divestment JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed information technology company PT Astra Graphica said it had completed the divestment of all of its non-ore business activities The company said on Saturday it had sold its shoe-making business unit and its leather and garment business units to three separate companies. They are PT Surya Puspita, a leather company, PT Binabusana Internusa, a garment manufacturer, and PT Damai Makmur Utama, Astra said in statement.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
10 die ahead of Gus Dur's visit to Aceh
10 die ahead of Gus Dur's visit to Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): An ominous specter of violence looms ahead of President Abdurrahman Wahid's visit here on Tuesday, as at least 10 people died in separate incidents across the province over the weekend. A worker with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Bireuen, Marzuki Hasan said five unidentified bodies were found lying on a road in Blang Kubu, Peudada district on Saturday.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
SMUN 70 stages photo expo
SMUN 70 stages photo expo JAKARTA (JP): Students of state run senior high school SMUN 70 will launch on Monday an exhibition of their photographs at the Foto Cahya Gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta. Altogether, some 70 black and white and color prints will be displayed in the exhibition which will last until Dec. 31, 2000. This event has been organized by the school's Library and Documentation department.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Donors pledge US$2.4b in aid to Vietnam
Donors pledge US$2.4b in aid to Vietnam HANOI (AP): International donors have pledged US$2.4 billion in development aid to Vietnam, praising the government's efforts in pursuing economic reforms. Last year, the aid pledges totaled $2.1 billion and donors promised an additional $700 million if the country accelerated the pace of reforms.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Demo to be held against workers' rights abuses
Demo to be held against workers' rights abuses JAKARTA (JP): Some 100 workers from West Java who used to work abroad are slated to gather at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout on Monday in a rally to commemorate International Migrant Workers Solidarity Day and as part of the campaign against violence faced by migrant workers.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thorny period in Indonesia-Singapore relations is over: Marzuki
Thorny period in Indonesia-Singapore relations is over: Marzuki By Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, after a meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, said that the thorny period between the two countries which erupted last month had been overcome. "I think the issue has been overcome and there is no need to revisit the problem," Marzuki told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
PBVSI eyes gold at SEA Games
PBVSI eyes gold at SEA Games SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Federation (PBVSI) is aiming to win two golds for the men's division and two silvers for the women's division at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the PBVSI deputy chairman for athletes development Putut Marhaento has said. "We can set a high target for the men's side because we still rely on seniors for both indoor and beach volleyball events.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government has no intention of negotiating in Aceh: Activist
Government has no intention of negotiating in Aceh: Activist The signs are that the government has no plans to come to the table to seek a peaceful settlement on Aceh, sociologist Otto Syamsudin who is also the director of Cordova, a non-governmental organization focusing on human rights, told The Jakarta Post last week in a long-distance interview from Banda Aceh: Question: The government has sent different signals, with security ministers and generals saying "there is a limit to dialog" and...
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Consumers feel more confident about economy
Consumers feel more confident about economy JAKARTA (JP): The consumer confidence index rose to 56.8 from 52.2 on the back of stronger confidence in the economy in the reporting month and its prospects in the coming six months.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pawning business picks up for holidays
Pawning business picks up for holidays JAKARTA (JP): Pawnshops in the capital are no longer dominated by visits from the poor, with many affluent figures, like businesspeople, celebrities and even children of former ministers, visiting the shops often to get loans by pawning their belongings. Such a trend can be clearly seen at the Kebayoran Baru government pawnshop in South Jakarta, which has been widely dubbed as home to middle- to upper-class families.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Boats could be those feared sunk
Boats could be those feared sunk CANBERRA (AP): Two boatloads of suspected illegal immigrants found off northwest Australia this weekend could be those feared lost at sea last week, authorities said on Sunday.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur says IMF playing into his enemies' hands
Gus Dur says IMF playing into his enemies' hands BANGKOK (Agencies): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has claimed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is bolstering his enemies by delaying its latest aid tranche, according to local media. The IMF was playing into his adversaries' hands by criticizing his administration, Abdurrahman told the Bangkok Post in comments reported Sunday. "The IMF must learn the art of compromise... The IMF must understand me," he said.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Boeing faces court battle over SilkAir plane crash
Boeing faces court battle over SilkAir plane crash SINGAPORE (Agencies): Thirty-one families of victims from a 1997 SilkAir plane crash will take action against aircraft manufacturer Boeing in U.S. courts in a bid to find out what happened on the doomed flight, the Sunday Times reported on Sunday. Boeing staff would hold key information relating to the aircraft's maintenance, said American lawyer Benton Musslewhite, referring to the crash of SilkAir flight MI185 on Dec.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Women's rights can rebuild nation
Women's rights can rebuild nation From Media Indonesia Dec. 10, 2000 heralded the observance of International Human Rights Day. This should increasingly strengthen our resolve to enforce human rights and uphold democracy and justice in Indonesia. Hurdles are caused because this nation is not yet ready to abandon its New Order culture, a feudalistic culture left behind by the colonial ruler.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ambonese are haunted by rumors of holiday riots
Ambonese are haunted by rumors of holiday riots AMBON, Maluku (JP): Ambonese are cautious as rumors have it that fresh interreligion conflicts will erupt during the Christmas and Idul Fitri holidays. Chairman of Maluku Protestant Church Synod Sammy Titaley said on Saturday that rumors on possible riots had been circulated among the people.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Silk Air insurer files lawsuit against Boeing
Silk Air insurer files lawsuit against Boeing NEW YORK (Dow Jones): The insurer of a Silk Air jetliner that crashed in Indonesia in 1997, killing all 104 people aboard, filed a lawsuit Friday blaming the aircraft's manufacturer, Boeing Co. (BA), for a defect in the Boeing 737's design. Singapore Aviation & General Insurance Co.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ramadhan time for Jakarta
Ramadhan time for Jakarta Monday Maghrib 6:07 p.m. Tuesday Imsak 4:02 a.m. Subuh 4:12 a.m.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government issues new debt restructuring policy
Government issues new debt restructuring policy JAKARTA (JP): The Financial Sector Policy Committee (FSPC) has issued a new ruling that will provide the legal basis for creditors regarding concessions that can be granted to debtors in a bid to accelerate debt restructuring process. The new ruling stipulates that creditors are allowed to slash interest rates to as low as 18 percent for debts recorded in rupiah and 10 percent for debts in U.S. dollars.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kamra seeks final verdict on their future
Kamra seeks final verdict on their future JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 civilian guards of the People's Security (Kamra) from Central Java arrived in the capital on Sunday to seek the government's final decision on their fate as their period of service is due to end on Dec. 31. On their first day in Jakarta, Kamra members spent their time in tents at the City Police Headquarters compound. The tents were provided by the police but were erected by the civilian guards.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Baby drama in Malaysia
Baby drama in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Three Malaysian robbers trying to escape pursuing police officers stole a car, taking the owner's baby with them, according to a report on Sunday. The Sunday Star said the trio only managed to drive a short distance before crashing, and being arrested. The eight-month-old baby escaped injury, it added. The three, aged between 22 and 28, were members of a gang of 12 which earlier robbed a warehouse in the southern state of Negri Sembilan.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Free SMS chatting for GSM phone users
Free SMS chatting for GSM phone users By Lim Tri Santosa BANDUNG (JP): Johny Adrian, an 18-year-old student, taps at the keypad of his silver-metallic cellular phone as he sits with friends at a shopping mall, sending text messages to other friends. Each day, he says, he pumps out as many as 30 messages, contributing to massive congestion on Satelindo cellular networks. In shopping malls or on park benches, groups of friends often sit in silence, tapping out messages on their cell phone keypads.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Trust is the crux of national integration
Trust is the crux of national integration Preserving patience, as the President urged last week, is not a realistic way to escape from the crisis, writes Mochtar Buchori. JAKARTA (JP): I felt quite appalled reading the report of President Abdurrahman Wahid's speech on Dec. 13. This speech sounded more like a sermon delivered by a cleric, rather than a presidential address calling urgently for collective endeavor, to save the country from bankruptcy and paralysis.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Painting Estetika Desember 2000, Studio Seni BQ 27, Green Ville BQ 27, West Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Dec. 24. Further information phone 0811810180. * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Prima to play 15 tours abroad
Prima to play 15 tours abroad SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) Central Java chapter chairman Soekendro said on Saturday that the body supports its junior player Prima Simpatiaji to compete in 15 tournaments abroad. "We will find sponsorships from several companies as part of our support to enable Prima to compete in tournaments in Asia, America, Australia and Europe," he said.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ethnic brawls in West Kalimantan still going on
Ethnic brawls in West Kalimantan still going on JAKARTA (JP): Brawls between Madurese migrants and locals in Kereng Pangi area, Katingan Hilir district, Kotawaringin regency, Central Kalimantan, continued on Sunday as four buses were set on fire. The buses of P.O. Maduratna Perdana, belonging to a Madurese businessman, were burned by angry residents as they passed the area. Although the bus passengers were safe, the fate of the drivers is unknown.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Nokia launches new cell phone
Nokia launches new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia Mobile Phones Pte. Ltd. introduced its Bluetooth solution for wireless connectivity between a mobile phone and a personal computer (PC). The Nokia Connectivity Pack, to be commercially launched in Europe and Asia in the first quarter of 2001, will enable the existing Nokia 6210 handset to become a GSM modem and connect to a laptop within a range of 10 meters, the company said.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Post-Idul Fitri acts of violence
Post-Idul Fitri acts of violence From Rakyat Merdeka From my observations of the current political situation in Indonesia, I can tell that political parties, as well as NGOs, have been demanding their rights to the current government, or expressing their objection or disapproval toward other parties, by positioning acts of violence at the fore. This began a few weeks before former president Soeharto stepped down in May 1998.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Top NU ulemas still support Abdurrahman
Top NU ulemas still support Abdurrahman MALANG, East Java (JP): Top ulemas of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) are said to still support President Abdurrahman Wahid despite being critical of his leadership, NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi has said. Hasyim, who replaced Abdurrahman as NU chairman earlier this year, was interviewed by The Jakarta Post on Sunday over rumors of weakening support from respected elder ulemas known as ulema khos.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dubious nature of YLKAI
Dubious nature of YLKAI It was interesting for Manulife to receive a public letter from the Foundation of Indonesian Insurance Consumers (YLKAI), an organization which claims to represent the interest of insurance consumers in Indonesia, but which Manulife is aware of being run by lawyers representing the case against Manulife.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Light moment for 6,000 orphans
Light moment for 6,000 orphans JAKARTA (JP): The McDonald's chain of fast food restaurants provided meals for more than 6,000 orphans at a breaking of the fast gathering at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium, Central Jakarta on Sunday. "Actually, we only planned the gathering for some 5,000 orphans but there are more than 6,000 orphans here today. We expect more than 13,000 orphans to benefit from the program nationwide," director of marketing and communications Dharma said.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cellular operators spend $800m to expand networks
Cellular operators spend $800m to expand networks JAKARTA (JP): The country's seven cellular operators have invested more than US$800 million this year to expand their networks, the Association of Indonesian Cellular Operators (ATSI) said on Saturday. ATSI vice chairman Rudiantara was quoted by Antara as saying this year's investment projects were mostly financed by the company's own funds rather than bank loans or from other sources.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
E. Java pawn business booming
E. Java pawn business booming JEMBER, East Java (JP): Local pawn offices here have been allocated an additional Rp 2 billion (US$210,526) to anticipate a jump in the number of people pawning their belongings to raise money for the holiday season. "For the upcoming three big holidays, Christmas, Idul Fitri and the New Year, people will, of course, need cash," said the head of the distribution section of the state-run pawnbroker, Achmad Halim, on Sunday.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tickets to Java all sold out
Tickets to Java all sold out BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Thousands of migrants from Java living here may have to postpone their plans to go home for the coming holidays as tickets for pre-Christmas departures to Jakarta and Surabaya through Sepinggan Airport and Semayang Port here were all sold out, Antara reported on Sunday. A staffer with travel bureau PT Bumi Sedayu Balikpapan, Isnaini, said plane and boat tickets from the two major departure points to Java were already sold out.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
MU plans Chinese and Malay website
MU plans Chinese and Malay website HONG KONG (AFP): Manchester United, the world's wealthiest soccer club, will launch Chinese and Malay language websites in March for its huge regional fan base, a report said on Sunday. The reigning English premier league champion is hugely popular in Hong Kong and mainland China, but many local supporters are unable to read their English website -- Manutd.com -- while content is limited on the team's Hong Kong supporters' site -- Manutd.com.hk.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Carlsberg in joint venture with Singapore-based beverage company
Carlsberg in joint venture with Singapore-based beverage company COPENHAGEN (Reuters): Danish brewery group Carlsberg said on Friday it signed a joint venture agreement with Singapore-based Chang Beverage Company to form Carlsberg Asia Ltd, a 50-50 joint venture. "The joint venture will administrate and develop the two companies' marketing and brewing activities in the Asia region," Carlsberg said.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Abdurrahman attacks IMF and Lee Kuan Yew
Abdurrahman attacks IMF and Lee Kuan Yew BANGKOK (Agencies): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid accused the IMF of bolstering his enemies by delaying its latest aid tranche and criticized the Singapore government for doing nothing to curb speculation on the rupiah. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was playing into his adversaries' hands by criticizing his administration, Abddurrahman told the Bangkok Post in comments reported on Sunday. "The IMF must learn the art of compromise ...
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Heavy rain to come through January
Heavy rain to come through January JAKARTA (JP): Heavy seasonal rains will continue to affect most areas of Indonesia except for Java where only light sporadic rain will fall from overcast skies, an official said. Chief of Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) Sri Diharto revealed that the recent torrential rains affecting parts of Indonesia were associated with tropical storms to the north and south of Indonesia. "But the storms have moved away.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Governor to raise minimum wage
Governor to raise minimum wage SEMARANG: Governor Mardiyanto said on Saturday he would bow to demands to increase the 2001 minimum monthly salary of workers in the province from the earlier decreed Rp 234,000. Mardiyanto told hundreds of workers who had rallied in the compound of his office the new minimum wage would be announced by the end of the year after consultations with related institutions.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mob loots hard liquor from stores
Mob loots hard liquor from stores PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A mob of some 100 people calling themselves the Wangon District Ukhuwah Muslim Group raided dozens of stores and kiosks in the district late Saturday, and seized thousands of bottles of liquor. "What they did was illegal. No group or person is allowed to conduct raids except for authorized officers. They have taken the law into their own hands, and that's called looting!" Banyumas Police chief Supt.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police destroy liquor, firecrackers
Police destroy liquor, firecrackers BANDUNG: About 43,000 bottles of liquor and 433,000 firecrackers seized during a recent police operation were destroyed here on Saturday. Bandung Police chief Supt. Bagus Kurniawan said the alcohol was confiscated from dealers, bars and street vendors as part of a crackdown on drug abuse. "We hope the operation will curb the crime rate and maintain public order during the fasting month," Bagus said as quoted by Antara.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
People in Kudus live in religious harmony
People in Kudus live in religious harmony By Wahyuni Kamah KUDUS, Central Java (JP): After a bit of bargaining, a pedicab driver finally agreed to take me to Kudus Tower from the town square for Rp 4,000. Becak (pedicab) is the main mode of transport in this small town, 55 kilometers east of the Central Java capital Semarang. Despite the heat, the town was lively. Though Kudus was once at the forefront of the spread of Islam, now the town is home to people of all religions.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Committees for property rights bids
Committees for property rights bids JAKARTA (JP): The government has set up two committees to examine appeals filed by applicants whose requests for patents and trademarks of their products have been rejected by the directorate general of intellectual property rights of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, an official said on Saturday. Director-general of Intellectual Property Rights A.
Mon, 18 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sheraton Surabaya raises aid funds
Sheraton Surabaya raises aid funds SURABAYA: The Sheraton Surabaya Hotel Towers has raised over Rp 176 million as of November as part of a worldwide program to help children. The program, called Check Out for Children, is coordinated by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and encourages hotel guests to include a donation of US$1 or its equivalent in the local currency on their room bills.