Archive: 30 December 2000
42 articles found
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Direct electoral system may be for the better
Direct electoral system may be for the better Once a new, better system is adopted, leaders will be more accountable to the public, says Teten Masduki of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW). Below is excerpts from an interview with Teten conducted by The Jakarta Post's contributor I. Christianto. Question: How do you perceive the current national leadership?
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Yogyakarta:
Where to go in Yogyakarta: Exhibitions Painting exhibition by Dutch artist Peter Van Leersum, Lobby of Yogyakarta Novotel Hotel, Jl Sudirman 89 (phone: 0274-580930), Dec. 20, 2000 - Jan. 20, 2001 Art on Tibet exhibition, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Jl Suroto 2 (phone: 0274-560404), Jan. 11-17, 2001 Percussion instrument set exhibition, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Jl Suroto 2 (phone: 0274-560404), Jan.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
MUI reviews 'halal' label for taste enhancer Ajinomoto
MUI reviews 'halal' label for taste enhancer Ajinomoto JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) is reviewing the halal certificate -- which states that food or beverages are permitted to be eaten by Muslims -- of taste enhancer Ajinomoto as it allegedly uses pig enzymes in its production process. Despite MUI assertions, the findings however remain inconclusive as government officials called on the public not to jump to conclusions.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Male corpse found in North Jakarta
Male corpse found in North Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): An unidentified male corpse was found on Thursday in the Pantai Hijau area of Plumpang, Muara Karang in North Jakarta. City police spokesman Supt. Anton Bachrul Alam said on Friday that the corpse, which belonged to a male in his 40s, was in a decayed state and was found by a security guard identified as Sutedjo, 59.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Twenty people injured in Idul Fitri brawl
Twenty people injured in Idul Fitri brawl PURBALINGGA, Central Java (JP): At least 20 people were wounded, five of them from gunshots, when some 1,000 people from two villages in Purbalingga regency, were involved in a fierce brawl on Thursday, the sixth in the last two years. At least five houses were totally destroyed and many others were partially ravaged, and three shops were looted in the brutal actions on the second day of Idul Fitri. Purbalingga Police chief Supt.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian investors looking for better year
Asian investors looking for better year HONG KONG (AFP): Long-suffering Asian share investors may finally find something to smile about in 2001 although the year could get off to a rocky start, analysts said. Most Asian investors will be glad to see the back of 2000. With the region growing strong after the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and 1998 they expected better.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Don't force Gus Dur to stay put
Don't force Gus Dur to stay put From Rakyat Merdeka How good would it be if the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members, especially the National Awakening Party (PKB), forced or allowed President "Gus Dur" Wahid to resign, allowing the NU and PKB to remain in the political forum. Resigning in a gentlemanly manner is better than being "bruised". One step backward in exchange for one thousand steps forward. PKB is still a toddler, under five years old, compared with its political opponents.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Jan. 13. * Photo Exhibition: Yang Terlupakan by students of SMU Tarakanita I, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta (Phone: 7193731), Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. Performances * Traditional Javanese Play - Wayang Orang Bharata at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
I will serve my term: President Abdurrahman
I will serve my term: President Abdurrahman JAKARTA (JP): Despite mounting calls for his resignation, President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Friday that he will serve his term which ends in 2004. "According to the Constitution I may remain to be president until 2004 and I am intent on doing my duties the best I can until the end of my term... so there is no need to be afraid," Abdurrahman said after Friday prayers near his private residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
30,000 officers to be on New Year duty
30,000 officers to be on New Year duty JAKARTA (JP): Greater Jakarta is to be protected by over 30,000 police officers during New Year celebrations, in the wake of the Christmas Eve bomb blasts in major Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, which left 16 dead. City police spokesman Supt.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Four vie for Banten top post
Four vie for Banten top post CILEGON, Banten: Four contenders for the post of Banten governor separately visited Banten's influential leader H. Syafik Latifie of the Bany Latif Islamic Boarding School, Antara reported on Thursday. The four candidates -- all natives of Banten -- are Brig. Gen. (ret) Herman Sarens Sudiro, former Jakarta deputy governor Tubagus M. Rais, and Golkar party figures Ekky Syahruddin and Aly Yahya.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Electronics exports jump 81% this year
Electronics exports jump 81% this year JAKARTA (JP): Director general of metal, machinery, electronics, and various other industries Agus Tjahajana said that the country's electronics exports rose 81 percent this year and was set to exceed textile in contributing to the country's export earnings. Agus said the export of textile products reached US$7.5 billion in value, an increase of 8.9 percent from 1999.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Spiritual consultancy
Spiritual consultancy From Rakyat Merdeka From my observation of the latest condition of the Soehartos (and their cronies) I can see that they need a team of "spiritual consultants", rather than legal consultants. Yes, spiritual consultancy is what they need.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Prequalification for parking announced
Prequalification for parking announced JAKARTA (JP): The city administration announced last week that four private parking operators passed the second phase of the prequalification term of its partnership program. Deputy head of the City Parking Agency, Sukri Bey, said two of the four companies would be selected with City council approval on Jan. 4.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian workers extorted
Indonesian workers extorted From Bisnis Indonesia When many Indonesian workers (TKI), returning from abroad for the Idul Fitri holidays, landed at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, they were extorted. First they faced customs officers who had intentionally prepared a special counter for the inspection of the TKI. The airport porters, without being solicited, then pushed the TKI's luggage trollies. The porters could have collaborated with the custom officers.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gunungkidul had pre-historic past
Gunungkidul had pre-historic past By Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): An integrated archeological study of the Gunungkidul area, conducted since 1998 in the Gunungbang hamlet, some 50 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, indicates that the region may have been the capital city of a pre-historic age.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
City Police to seize firecrackers on New Year's eve
City Police to seize firecrackers on New Year's eve JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to establish peace and order in the capital on New Year's eve, the City Police will conduct raids against firecrackers, an officer said on Friday. City police spokesman Supt. Bahrul Alam said the raids would be held because the 2001 new year celebration is close to the Idul Fitri celebration, which has always been associated with firecrackers. "We predict that firecrackers will still be sold widely until the new year.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gaikindo conservative on 2001 car sales prediction
Gaikindo conservative on 2001 car sales prediction JAKARTA (JP): Continued political uncertainties will likely weigh on car sales in 2001, as consumers become more cautious in making new purchases amid fears of social unrest, according to an auto association executive. Bambang Trisulo, chairman of the Indonesian Association of Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), said he expected car sales to reach only some 300,000 units next year, about equal to this year's estimated total sales.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bombing death toll rises to 17
Bombing death toll rises to 17 BANDUNG (JP): Wawan Wahidin bin Engkos, whom police have described as a key witness in the wave of Christmas eve bombings, died here on Friday morning, raising the death toll in the bloody Sunday assault on nine cities to 17. Wawan, 22, was critically injured in the blast at a building on Jl. Terusan Jakarta, which police suspect was being used to prepare the explosive devices.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Focusing on Feng Shui phenomenon in Indonesia
Focusing on Feng Shui phenomenon in Indonesia By Mauro Rahardjo BANDUNG (JP): For almost a decade, Feng Shui has been extensively known across Indonesia. Indonesian people have recently become aware of this ancient practice, and perceptions of Feng Shui varies. This article describes Feng Shui from my point of view after many years of professional Feng Shui consultation and architectural design based on Feng Shui.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tommy Soeharto escaped arrest in E. Java: Gus Dur
Tommy Soeharto escaped arrest in E. Java: Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former president Soeharto, slipped through the fingers of police in a "small East Java town" two weeks ago, President Abdurrahman Wahid claimed on Friday. However both East Java police and the head of the South Jakarta Prosecutor's Office Antasari Azhar separately said later in the day that they knew nothing of the incident.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Quakes jolt Palu, Donggala, Bengkulu
Quakes jolt Palu, Donggala, Bengkulu PALU, Central Sulawesi: An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter Scale hit cities of Palu and Donggala in Central Sulawesi in the early hours of Friday morning, but no casualties were reported. The earthquake in Palu and Donggala occurred around 5 a.m. (local time), Antara reported. Terrified residents ran outside as houses began to shake due to the quake.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fire razes two stores in Bandung
Fire razes two stores in Bandung BANDUNG: Fire razed two stores selling jeans on Jl. Pasar Selatan here on Thursday afternoon, destroying all the merchandise. "Two explosions blasted away three metal doors of the stores before fire ravaged the building," an eyewitness said later in the day. The fire brigade managed to put out the fire at 6 p.m. "It was hard to extinguish the fire as the winds were strong," said Tumpal Sirait, head of the fire brigade.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Yogya's Kotagede silver industry faces slow regeneration
Yogya's Kotagede silver industry faces slow regeneration By Bambang Trisno and Anis Suryani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Silver craft has become the trademark of Kotagede, a city located some five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta. Kotagede's silver works, however, cannot be separated from the history of the Kalang community, the pioneer of Kotagede's present community. It is believed this community introduced and developed silver working in the 17th century.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
No peace without justice
No peace without justice By Elizabeth Collins PALEMBANG (JP): "No longer do we enjoy life/There's no bright hope for tomorrow/Attacked by garbage, polluted air above/Our land is now full of haunted villages.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Singapore bans animal circuses
Singapore bans animal circuses SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has decided to ban circuses from putting on shows involving elephants, tigers and other wild animals from January 2002, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Friday. "AVA is initiating this restriction on traveling circuses in the interest of public safety and animal welfare," the body said. AVA said public concern over the welfare of animals in circuses was on the rise.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Defense of a new cultural tolerance emerging
Defense of a new cultural tolerance emerging SINGAPORE: The Christmas Eve bombings in Indonesia, targeted at churches and Christian worshipers, were heinous and deeply offensive for the calculated desecration committed on a solemn day. Up to 15 people are dead, not all of them Christians attending Mass. Two policemen in Pekanbaru, Riau, died defusing a bomb.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Culture of impunity detrimental to the economy
Culture of impunity detrimental to the economy This is an excerpt of an interview with Indonesia's noted human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis by The Jakarta Post's Melbourne-based contributor Dewi Anggraeni, during Mulya's short visit to Melbourne at the invitation of the University of Melbourne's Asia Law Center. Question: When President Abdurrahman Wahid came into power there was considerable hope that there would be a genuine commitment to improve the country's record on human rights.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Golkar causes RI's collapse
Golkar causes RI's collapse From Rakyat Merdeka Once former president Soeharto said: "The fall of Indonesia is not due to my fault alone... ". Focussing on Soeharto's above statement, let's observe the history of 34 years ago. Who were the driving forces supporting the president? Were they the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) or United Development Party (PPP)? Not at all. As a matter of fact they were the New Order's ruling class (Golkar).
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Case against DPR set for hearing
Case against DPR set for hearing JAKARTA (JP): The civil lawsuit against the House of Representatives' special committee investigating the Bulog (State Logistics Agency) and Brunei scandals, which allegedly involves President Abdurrahman Wahid, is scheduled to be heard beginning Jan. 3 next year at the Central Jakarta District Court, an official said last week. "The panel of judges will comprise Bambang S. Sriwulan as the presiding judge, Judge Poerwanto and Judge Marni Emy M.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah drops to fresh low at year-end
Rupiah drops to fresh low at year-end JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia announced on Friday its year-end buy/sell rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar at Rp 9,095/10,095 as the local unit dropped to a fresh low of Rp 9,575 in offshore markets. The domestic financial markets have been closed for the year- end holidays since early this week, but Bank Indonesia announced the buy/sell rate to help the public and business sector conduct transactions.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
PDP leaders move to Abepura penitentiary
PDP leaders move to Abepura penitentiary JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): After about one month under Irian Jaya police custody, five proindependence leaders of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) were moved from the Jayapura Police cell to the Abepura penitentiary on Friday. They were transported in a car heavily guarded by police officers to the penitentiary, some 15 kilometers from Jayapura Police Headquarters.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Another sad year
Another sad year As Indonesians bid the old year farewell and stand ready to greet the new, it is more than distressing to note that the first year of the new millennium has proved little better, if any at all, than those preceding it.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hike in number of people returning from holidays
Hike in number of people returning from holidays JAKARTA (JP): As the Christmas and Idul Fitri holidays are over, people returning from their hometowns began to increase on Friday. An officer at Bakauheni port in Lampung estimated that at least 20,000 people were crossing the Sunda Strait on ferries for Merak in Banten province in the western tip of Java on Friday. The figure is twice that of the previous day. Hordes of people also packed the Rajabasa bus terminal in downtown Lampung.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian sports alerted to sponsorship potential
Indonesian sports alerted to sponsorship potential By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): The success of Indonesian shuttlers in retaining the Olympic Games gold medal and women weightlifters in bringing additional medals home now has a different meaning. It was the first time the Indonesian contingent was sponsored professionally by three big companies -- fast food firm McDonald's Indonesia, Korean-giant PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia and energy drink producer Extra Joss.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
PT SMART to merge with Inti Gerakmaju
PT SMART to merge with Inti Gerakmaju JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of the publicly listed palm oil plantation firm, PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Corporation (SMART), approved on Friday the company's plan to merge with its subsidiary PT Inti Gerakmaju (IGM), an operator of hybrid coconut and rubber estates. SMART senior general manager Tan Siauw Liang said IGM would be merged into SMART to improve the latter's performance.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
All 364 regencies prepared for regional autonomy: Apkasi
All 364 regencies prepared for regional autonomy: Apkasi JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Regency Administration Association (Apkasi) asserted that, despite prevailing skepticism, all 364 regencies in the country are prepared to implement regional autonomy on Jan. 1. "All 364 regencies have been preparing for the planned decentralization of authority across eleven fields to better the peoples' social welfare and uphold democracy," Apkasi Chairman Syaukani told journalists here on Friday.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Abdurrahman and Megawati, Indonesia's dynamic duo
Abdurrahman and Megawati, Indonesia's dynamic duo By Kornelius Purba JAKARTA (JP): Rarely, in any country in the world, will you find the two top state executives as complex and yet congenial as Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri. Their reported spats resemble the love-hate relationship of a brother and a sister, yet their fight to build Indonesia anew can be likened to the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
S'pore to abolish import tariffs
S'pore to abolish import tariffs SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore said on Friday it will abolish all import tariffs on ASEAN goods from Jan. 1 in an attempt to give impetus to a Southeast Asian free trade area due to come into effect in 2003. The small but affluent city-state, the strongest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said it will remove import tariffs for goods under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian govt IT plan blasted
Malaysian govt IT plan blasted KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's opposition party on Friday criticized a scheme to sell computers through the post office and pressed the government to abolish the controversial program. Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the Chinese dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP), said the post office should instead raise the low Internet penetration rate in the country.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
City attempts to curb migrants
City attempts to curb migrants JAKARTA (JP): In a desperate attempt to curb new migrants to Jakarta the city administration is repeating earlier practices of trying to send back relatives and friends accompanying Jakartans returning from the holidays. Deputy governor for government affairs Abdul Kahfi predicts 200,000 migrants will arrive in Jakarta which he said would be an extra "burden" for the metropolis of 8.3 million people, particularly those who are jobless.
Sat, 30 Dec 2000, 00:00 WIB
Reforms in Jakarta means license to kill
Reforms in Jakarta means license to kill By Joko E.H. Anwar JAKARTA (JP): The capital this year witnessed a growing number of people, including those who call themselves well-educated, who were willing or even keen to beat, torture and burn other human beings to death. They claimed their acts were justified, saying that the wounded or dead victims lying in front of them were criminals and therefore deserved this kind of deadly punishment.