Archive: 21 February 2000
47 articles found
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
WB chief awards local education team
WB chief awards local education team JAKARTA (JP): The education team of Indonesia's social safety net program has been given a special honor by the World Bank for its work in keeping four million students in school. World Bank president James Wolfensohn presented the award on Saturday to the 20-member team at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Education. "It is clear to us that the project you are engaged in here has affected the lives of many of your children," Wolfensohn said in his speech.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Aceh's horror continues as mass grave discovered
Aceh's horror continues as mass grave discovered BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Horror and tension again reigned here over the weekend when three suspected rebels were killed in a gunfight with police in North Aceh, while in Central Aceh the stench of rotting bodies led residents to a hidden mass grave. The three identified men were killed during a 20-minute gunfight on Saturday morning when police raided a suspected rebel base. Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asia warned of the impact of rising oil prices
Asia warned of the impact of rising oil prices SINGAPORE (AP): Soaring oil prices have the Western world bracing for the worst, but many Asian countries may be better positioned to avoid a sting. OPEC has limited oil production, increasing prices from US$ 12 a barrel last year to about $30 a barrel in recent months. At the peak of the Asian economic crisis about two years ago, the jump would have plunged the region into a deeper slump. But things have changed in Asia.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rumored Cabinet reshuffle feared to hit stock market
Rumored Cabinet reshuffle feared to hit stock market JAKARTA (JP): Unconfirmed reports of more reshuffling in the Cabinet will likely continue to cause jitters to investors on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) this week, securities analysts said. The analysts said that the rumors reflected uncertainty in the Cabinet and this would send wrong signals to both equity and currency markets.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Man chokes on live fish
Man chokes on live fish PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A man named Marjono, 34, a resident of Pesantren village, died after accidentally swallowing a live Gabus fish which wiggled and got stuck in his throat. "He caught the small fish in a paddy field and was about to bite its head to kill it to stop it slipping away. But suddenly the fish jumped into his throat," Rojikun, an eyewitness, said on Friday. Mardjono was rushed to a local hospital.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian revival helps international banks
Asian revival helps international banks LONDON (Reuters): International banking groups HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Plc, reporting 1999 results in the next two weeks, are expected to show some benefit from a burgeoning recovery in Asian economies. Standard Chartered, publishing results on Wednesday, is expected to see profits fall by nearly a third to about 504 million pounds ($808.6 million) from 703 million in the previous year.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Apartment prospects rely on expatriates
Apartment prospects rely on expatriates JAKARTA (JP): Future demand for apartments in Jakarta depends on the return of expatriates in response to the expected influx of foreign investment, a property consultant says. International property consultant FPD Savills says that demand for apartments will grow in line with economic recovery, which will bring foreign investors to Jakarta.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Truth commission considered crucial
Truth commission considered crucial JAKARTA (JP): A truth commission is a crucial complement to criminal prosecution as the former is "less expensive" and better able to address thousands of cases of past human rights violations, experts say.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Glodok market's reconstruction to cost $6.94m, says official
Glodok market's reconstruction to cost $6.94m, says official JAKARTA (JP): City-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya has pledged to rebuild Glodok market in Chinatown, West Jakarta, at a cost of Rp 50 billion (US$6.94 million), an official says. The market was destroyed in the May 1998 riots.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia, S. Korea, Japan go to Uber Cup finals
Indonesia, S. Korea, Japan go to Uber Cup finals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's women shuttlers will join South Korea and Japan in the Uber Cup finals in Kuala Lumpur in May, after defeating Hong Kong 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. With a do-or-die spirit, first singles Lidya Djaelawidjaja opened Indonesia's victory by topping Ling Wan Ting 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 in 52 minutes.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Wolfensohn promotes WB's new development policy
Wolfensohn promotes WB's new development policy BANDUNG (JP): Some 100 demonstrators who delayed World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn for about 20 minutes inside the Akatiga office in Bandung on Friday afternoon believe the multilateral bank is a vestige of the corruption-infested, authoritarian rule of former president Soeharto.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Golkar welcomes return of defectors
Golkar welcomes return of defectors JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said he would welcome the return of politicians who last year deserted the party if they wished to again work for Golkar. "Maybe they (the former Golkar executives) can be placed on the party's advisory board," Akbar said on the sidelines of a party gathering at its headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta, on Saturday.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Race for Asia auto markets heats up in the 21th century
Race for Asia auto markets heats up in the 21th century TOKYO (Reuters): It looks set to be the auto race of the 21st century. It's the race for Asian market share. The world's automakers are all jockeying for position in Asia, long dominated by the Japanese but now squarely in the sights of the big U.S. automakers and a few of their more ambitious European rivals.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Amdal on Freeport examined
Amdal on Freeport examined MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf said his office would audit, and perhaps redo, the environmental impact analysis (Amdal) of copper and gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia as the analysis report contained several irregularities.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Developing SMEs in digital era
Developing SMEs in digital era By Daniel Kingsley This is the first of two articles on advancing small and medium enterprises. JAKARTA (JP): Private sector small enterprises will have a major impact on the overall development and growth potential of the economy during the latter stages of the present economic crisis, and during the postcrisis period.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Entrepreneurs urged to embrace e-commerce
Entrepreneurs urged to embrace e-commerce SINGAPORE (AFP): The APEC group is to rally millions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Asia-Pacific region to embrace electronic commerce to prevent a digital divide as it opens up trade. The campaign by the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to push for commerce via the Internet will kick off with a gathering in Brunei in June of SMEs, academics, public and private organizations.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Andi believes fellow activists already dead
Andi believes fellow activists already dead JAKARTA (JP): Political activist Andi Arief has attracted public attention by announcing that he no longer believes 14 fellow activists who disappeared in 1998 are still alive. "I am sure that they died a long time ago. I have no proof of this, I just want those who killed them to get what they deserve," Andi told The Jakarta Post last Monday.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Yayuk and Irawati partner to win Circuit-1 women's doubles final
Yayuk and Irawati partner to win Circuit-1 women's doubles final JAKARTA (JP): Yayuk Basuki and Irawati Moerid Iskandar shone in the US$10,000 Indonesia Women's Circuit-1 doubles final, winning the title with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Choi Young-ja and Kim Eun-sok of South Korea at the Kemayoran tennis center in Central Jakarta on Sunday. Yayuk and Irawati, who received a wild card for the event, received $650 for the victory, while the Koreans brought home $350.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
No internal feud in PDI-P: Theo Syafe'i
No internal feud in PDI-P: Theo Syafe'i JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) deputy chairman Theo Syafe'i discounted talk of a rift in the party, and said the emergence of alternative candidates to Megawati Soekarnoputri for party chief was welcomed. Speaking at a party seminar in Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday, Theo said there should be no obstacles for those who wanted to challenge Megawati's leadership.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Business forum in S'pore
Business forum in S'pore SINGAPORE (AP): Business leaders from around Asia will meet in Singapore next week to discuss business practices for expanding operations in the region. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, Kwik Kian Gie, will give a keynote address. Former prime minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, John Major, is also expected to attend.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Loggers threaten to stop operation in East Kalimantan
Loggers threaten to stop operation in East Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): Seventy-seven loggers in East Kalimantan have threatened to close down their operation in response to continued conflicts with local communities, a loggers' association executive said. Chairman of the Indonesian Loggers' Association (APHI), Harbiansyah Hanafiah, warned over the weekend that the 77 loggers would halt their operation if local communities continued to make irrational demands.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Confidence key to Indonesia's recovery: WB
Confidence key to Indonesia's recovery: WB JAKARTA (JP): World Bank president James Wolfensohn said here on Sunday that Indonesia's economic recovery was underway but social issues and politics remained a factor affecting confidence. Speaking at a news conference on the eve of his four-day visit to the country, Wolfensohn said Indonesia needed to build investors' confidence in the country so that they would put money here to help maintain economic recovery.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Shopping in traditional markets
Shopping in traditional markets From Kompas The media recently reported that hypermarkets constituted a threat to retail traders and traditional markets. Actually it is not the hypermarkets which threaten retailers and traditional markets. What is the decisive factor is the comfort of the places and the prices. Housewives certainly know the prices of most daily commodities. It would be impossible to marginalize traditional markets if they were properly managed.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
City unveils plan to beautify its parks
City unveils plan to beautify its parks JAKARTA (JP): The City Park Agency announced last Thursday an ambitious beautification project for 2000 fiscal year at a cost of Rp 11.9 billion (US$1.65 million). In comparison, the city administration spent Rp 2.7 billion for the project in the current fiscal year, from April 1999 to March 2000.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two strangled to death
Two strangled to death JAKARTA (JP): Taman Sari Police are investigating the murder of two family members living at Jl. Badila No. 2, Taman Sari subdistrict, West Jakarta, on Sunday morning. "Twenty-four-year-old Parianto Chandra and his mother Oen Soen Jin, 63, were found dead this morning by Farida, Parianto's sister," Taman Sari Police substation chief Maj. Mulyadi said on Sunday. Mulyadi quoted Farida as saying that four guests visited Parianto at the two-story house at about 10 p.m.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Megawati supporters gather in Temanggung
Megawati supporters gather in Temanggung TEMANGGUNG, Central Java: About 10,000 supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) gathered here on Saturday afternoon to express support for Megawati Soekarnoputri's reelection as party chief. The crowd thronged Bumi Pala Kowangan Stadium in Temanggung and pledged to remain loyal to Vice President Megawati.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Calm returns to Soekarno-Hatta toll road
Calm returns to Soekarno-Hatta toll road TANGERANG (JP): An uneasy calm returned to the toll road leading to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday, after an overnight incident in which thousands of locals staged a protest along the road. The protesters were demanding that they be allowed to work at the airport as car washers and parking attendants. Security guards were seen along the toll road on Sunday to avoid further incidents.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Inco slashes nickel operation
Inco slashes nickel operation TORONTO (AFP): Nickel giant Inco, which has already halted development of the Voisey's Bay nickel field in Newfoundland because of a clash with the provincial government, said Friday it was slashing its staff in St. John's. Development of the US$4.3 billion nickel deposit at Voisey's Bay was suspended indefinitely last year because the company said it would be unprofitable to accept a Newfoundland government demand that it build a smelter plant nearby.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police to probe source of Haryogi's rifle
Police to probe source of Haryogi's rifle BANDUNG (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Saturday that the National Police were planning to reinvestigate the source of an AK-47 automatic rifle reportedly found in the possession of Haryogi Maulana. Haryogi, the son of a former chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board, Lt. Gen. (ret) Z.A. Maulani, was arrested in a hotel in West Jakarta on Wednesday for possession of drugs and weapons without a permit.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fly your kite and see your prayers answered
Fly your kite and see your prayers answered By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): People play all kinds of games all the time, from boxing each other to kicking ball, but what makes Peggy happiest is pulling strings. Although associated predominantly with the whimsical world of men who refuse to let go of the little boy in them and love the kite simply because it is able to repeatedly arouse the charms of childhood in them, Peggy is one woman who is as equally taken with kites.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Shaman questioned over sex scam
Shaman questioned over sex scam CILACAP, Central Java (JP): At least 35 women in the Cilacap area have been swindled out of millions of rupiah and duped into having sexual relations with a shaman who claimed to able to make them more attractive. Shaman Suryono, 36, is currently being detained at Cilacap Prison after during police interrogation he reportedly admitted to the grievances which were initially reported to the Cikondang village chief in Majenang district.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Subagyo denies meddling in son's investigation
Subagyo denies meddling in son's investigation JAKARTA (JP): Former Army chief Gen. Subagyo said on Sunday that he had never interfered with the investigation into the alleged involvement of his son, Second Lt. Agus Isrok's, in drug abuse and trafficking and would let the military police headquarters handle the case. "I believe in the supremacy of the law.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's Cabinet
Gus Dur's Cabinet Speculations that President Abdurrahman Wahid is about to revamp his Cabinet have persisted this past week. So strong are the rumors that one suspects some of them have actually been planted to generate public pressure on Gus Dur to remove certain members of the Cabinet. Given his unpredictability, few people know what is going on in the President's mind.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police seize four alleged smuggled luxury cars
Police seize four alleged smuggled luxury cars JAKARTA (JP): City traffic police chief Col. Nyoman Sukesna said his officers confiscated three Mercedes and a Land Cruiser from the residence of a prominent figure on Jl. Barito, Kebayoran Baru, in South Jakarta, early on Saturday morning. "This is an ongoing investigation that involves 14 such smuggled cars.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Direct vote suggested for local officials
Direct vote suggested for local officials JAKARTA (JP): A law observer suggested on Friday that the government introduce a direct voting system in the election for local officials such as regents, mayors and governors to prevent the practice of money politics.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN urged to spend more on social safety nets
ASEAN urged to spend more on social safety nets MANILA (AFP): The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was on Saturday urged to spend more on social safety nets following the severe financial crisis that hit in 1997. "When the welfare and future of our suffering peoples are at stake, we can not afford to be miserly and frugal," Philippine Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales told delegates at an ASEAN ministers meeting on rural development here.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Maluku to dump weapons into sea
Maluku to dump weapons into sea AMBON, Maluku: Provincial military and police chiefs are slated on Monday morning to dump into the sea some 4,000 confiscated weapons seized during security raids in restive Maluku in the past couple of months. "The weapons, such as sharp weapons, assembled bombs and homemade guns will be thrown into the sea away from Maluku island," Pattimura Military chief Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said on Sunday.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Instalation Exhibition: Pangaradeon Ni Oroan (Persiapan Pengantin Perempuan, by Altje Ully Panjaitan, Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), Feb. 17 to March 17. * Painting Exhibition: Kehidupan dan Pesona Alam, by Krijono, Bambang, Arum, etc., at the Lobby Imperial Country Club, 405 Boulevard Jend. Sudirman, Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang (Phone: 5460123), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Feb. 29.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Investors in Batam 'unshaken by unrest'
Investors in Batam 'unshaken by unrest' BATAM (JP): The head of the Batam Island Authority, Ismeth Abdullah, said over the weekend foreign investors remained confident in Batam despite recent violence targeting foreign investments on neighboring Bintan. Ismeth expected some 70 new foreign investors to Batam this year, which would boost the total number of foreign investors on the island to around 460.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dutch officials aghast at damages
Dutch officials aghast at damages JAKARTA (JP): Damages at several Jakarta's old and protected buildings have stunned a group of visiting Dutch government officials, who are here for a week-long orientation on heritage. "Jesus!" whispered Ferdinand Dorsman, while viewing the condition of the roof of the 87-year-old former Central Jakarta Immigration Office building during their trip on Saturday.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Axis chiefs skip Muslim gathering
Axis chiefs skip Muslim gathering JAKARTA (JP): Tens of thousands of supporters of Muslim-based political parties attended an "axis force" gathering at Senayan Sports Stadium in Central Jakarta on Sunday to call for Muslim unity.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dress up and enter the Year of the Dragon
Dress up and enter the Year of the Dragon By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): The dragon is not always scary despite its sharp claws and fire breath. It can also be flirtatious and an inspiration for three Jakartan designers. Thomas Sigar, Raizal Rais and newcomer Adhi Boreel welcomed the Year of the Golden Dragon with their newest fashion collections, which were presented at a Chinese New Year party in Cafe Kencana, Jakarta, last Friday.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
SingTel completes Thai deal
SingTel completes Thai deal SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore Telecommunications said late Friday it has completed the acquisition of a 20 percent stake in Advanced Information System PCL, Thailand's largest mobile phone operator. SingTel has increased its stake in Advanced Info to 20 percent from 18.63 percent following the purchase of 3.7 million shares at 230 baht (US$6.06) each. SingTel's stake in Advanced Info is now worth S$1.37 billion (US$806 million), the company said in a statement.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Robbers fled with Rp 120 million
Robbers fled with Rp 120 million BOGOR (JP): Ciawi Police subprecinct detectives are looking for clues left by 10 armed men who stole furniture, two cars and petty cash all worth Rp 120 million (US$16,000) from a house in Muara Jaya village of Caringin, early on Sunday morning. Police, who found two bullet shells at the residence, identified the main victim as Bambang Hermanto Durin, 44, the house owner who was tied up and gagged, as were six of his relatives and friend Syarifuddin.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Letter to Gus Dur and Megawati
Letter to Gus Dur and Megawati Although I am an old soldier and veteran of Indonesia's War of Independence (1945-1949), I cannot consider myself an expert in Indonesian politics. But I would like to convey my views regarding the direction in which our renewal is heading, because I do not want to see it adopt the attitude of "business as usual". This was the way the New Order expanded their authority to the utmost, in which nobody could challenge them until the monetary crisis of 1997.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mandiri chief vows to go ahead with planned IPO
Bank Mandiri chief vows to go ahead with planned IPO BATAM (JP): The president of giant state Bank Mandiri, Robby Djohan, vowed to press ahead with plans to offer between 25 percent and 30 percent of the bank's shares through an initial public offering (IPO) in October. Robby said he planned to meet with the minister of finance this week to convince him the IPO would be good for the country, and that Bank Mandiri was the most "suitable" state bank to go public this year.
Mon, 21 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Central Java urged to drop bid to host PON
Central Java urged to drop bid to host PON SEMARANG (JP): The Central Java legislative council urged the provincial administration not to continue its efforts to host the 16th National Games (PON) after losing to South Sumatra in last week's bidding for the Games. The chairman of the council's Golkar faction, Noor Achmad, said on Saturday South Sumatra should be named to host the Games, adding that it would be a good opportunity to hold PON outside Java.