Archive: 23 February 2000
48 articles found
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
The minimum wage riddle
The minimum wage riddle How do you eke out an existence on a monthly salary of Rp 231,000 (US$31)? It is a riddle that can be answered in thousands of different ways. Many workers in Jakarta who are paid the current minimum wage are bound to have different tales to tell of how they make ends meet. The minimum wage in the capital barely covers the minimum required for a single person to subsist.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
KPU steadfast over planned local elections
KPU steadfast over planned local elections JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) reiterated on Tuesday local elections in newly established provinces and regencies would take place despite challenges from the government and major factions in the House of Representatives.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Feb. 22, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hiking taxes may be catastrophic
Hiking taxes may be catastrophic By Christopher Lingle UBUD, Bali (JP): Like many other governments in crisis-torn East Asia, the Indonesian government is struggling under the weight of large budget deficits. In searching for ways to reduce the shortfall in public sector revenues, the government has announced plans to plug part of the hole in its finances by raising taxes.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Observers call for review of laws on TNI role in politics
Observers call for review of laws on TNI role in politics JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly came under fire on Tuesday for lacking concrete moves to restrict Indonesian Military (TNI) from politics.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA approves interbank claims on closed banks
IBRA approves interbank claims on closed banks JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has decided that 34 interbank claims on banks closed by the government last year totaling Rp 1 trillion and US$32.8 million are eligible for the government guarantee program. The agency's deputy chairman, Jerry Ng, said on Tuesday another 25 claims worth Rp 126 billion and $39 million were still in a process of verification by international auditor Ernst & Young.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Puzzle surrounds beating of Nigerian in C. Jakarta
Puzzle surrounds beating of Nigerian in C. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police transferred a Nigerian, who Cempaka Putih residents beat after he was accused of raping a housemaid, to Jakarta Police Headquarters on Monday for further investigation, an officer said. The officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, and detectives refused to divulge on Tuesday the results of their preliminary investigation.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Officers questioned over July 27 incident
Officers questioned over July 27 incident JAKARTA (JP): The National Police chief has questioned three generals and two colonels in connection with the investigation into the July 27, 1996 bloody takeover of the Indonesia Democratic Party (PDI), an officer said on Tuesday. Col. Saleh Saaf of the National Police information department identified the high-ranking officers as former National Police chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo, former Central Jakarta Police chief Brig. Gen.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Workers left to grin and bear planned minimum wage hike
Workers left to grin and bear planned minimum wage hike JAKARTA (JP): Workers in the greater Jakarta area who receive the minimum wage said on Tuesday a planned raise would make little difference in their spending power due to the spiraling cost of living.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Economics team to decide fate of Indorayon
Economics team to decide fate of Indorayon JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf said on Tuesday he was waiting for a decision from the Cabinet's economics team over his proposal to close the pulp and rayon plant belonging to PT Inti Indorayon Utama. "But if the decision laid with me, it would be that Indorayon must be closed," Sonny told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Donation beefs up KONI's Olympic training fund
Donation beefs up KONI's Olympic training fund JAKARTA (JP): Fast food firm McDonald's Indonesia has pledged Rp 1 billion (US$137,000) toward the National Sports Council's (KONI) training of athletes for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney in September. KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar signed a memorandum of understanding with McDonald's Indonesia president director Bambang N. Rachmadi at the latter's Sarinah outlet in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Spectators stunned by Agus' court appearance
Spectators stunned by Agus' court appearance JAKARTA (JP): The presence of Army second Lt. Agus Isrok in the West Jakarta District Court on Monday stunned onlookers, who clearly did not expect an appearance by the son of an active four-star Army general. Reporters present at the court failed to witness the arrival of Agus, who came to the court to testify in the drug trial of Donny Hendrian.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur mulls beginning of antigraft commission
Gus Dur mulls beginning of antigraft commission JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid sent out a warning to all corrupt state officials and legislators on Tuesday to be prepared to face tough action as he would appoint strict and clean enforcers to lead the charge in weeding out corruption.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Vision 2020 campaign fights for people's right to sight
Vision 2020 campaign fights for people's right to sight JAKARTA (JP): People's ignorance about eye care, poor nutrition and the inadequate number of ophthalmologists combine to keep the incidence of preventable blindness high in Indonesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) says an estimated three million of Indonesia's 206 million people are blind. And even worse, this number increases by 600 every day.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina finds Jambi gas
Pertamina finds Jambi gas JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina announced on Tuesday it had found gas and condensate at its Rengan Condong No. 1A well, 60 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital of Jambi. The company said in a statement the well flow was 11.1 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD) and 224 barrels of condensate per day (BCD). The well was drilled to the depth of 1,783 meters from Oct. 29, 1999, to Dec. 3, 1999.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
City prepares draft bylaw on asset management
City prepares draft bylaw on asset management JAKARTA (JP): Head of the City Supplies Office, Dadang Ruskandar, said on Tuesday that the city administration was ready to submit a draft bylaw on city asset management as requested by the City Council. "The city administration has prepared the draft bylaw and Governor Sutiyoso will review it in March before submitting it to the City Council in April," he told reporters at City Hall.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
25% of funds deposited overseas has returned
25% of funds deposited overseas has returned JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Business Development Council chairman Sofyan Wanandi estimated on Tuesday a quarter of the funds deposited overseas by local businesspeople had returned to the country and been reinvested. Speaking during a break in a seminar on Indonesia's economic recovery in 2000, Sofyan predicted all the funds taken out of the country during the economic crisis would return to Indonesia in one to two years.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Three arrested over drugs
Three arrested over drugs JAKARTA (JP): Sunda Kelapa Police detectives arrested three people for possession of three kilograms of marijuana early on Tuesday morning. Police suspect they intended to sell the drug to fishermen in the Tanjung Priok area. Tanjung Priok Seaport (KP3) Police chief Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang identified the three as Dayat, 22, Ishak, 22, and Dasma, 28.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Caltex regrets news report
Caltex regrets news report JAKARTA (JP): Oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia denied on Tuesday it backed the Riau provincial administration's demand to take over full ownership of the Coastal Plains Pekanbaru oil block. "Caltex has firmly maintained its policy of being apolitical, and not getting itself involved or interfering in any political issue," company corporate communications manager Harry Bustaman said in a statement.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two dead as buses collide in Batang
Two dead as buses collide in Batang BATANG, Central Java: A collision between two intercity buses on Tuesday morning in Kalibalik village, Batang district, claimed at least two lives and injured 50. The dead were identified as one of the bus drivers, Roki, 35, and passenger Suparman, 30. About 25 people remain at Pekalongan Hospital, while the rest of the injured were discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries. The chief of the local traffic police division, Lt.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
American found dead in hotel room
American found dead in hotel room JAKARTA (JP): The body of an American national was found in a room on the fourth floor of a three-star hotel in the Bidakara complex on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, on Tuesday morning. South Jakarta Police detectives identified the man as Minzer Jeffcoat, 62, originally from Alabama.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to introduce new education curriculum
Indonesia to introduce new education curriculum JAKARTA (JP): Setting its sights on lifting national scholastic aptitude to new standards, the government will introduce a core education curriculum in the school year beginning in July. Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin said on Tuesday the curriculum, which is part of a gradual overhaul of the national education system, identified mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia and general scientific knowledge as the core subjects.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia demands explanation for covert Australian flights
Indonesia demands explanation for covert Australian flights JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has sent a diplomatic note demanding Canberra explain the existence of illicit flights made by Australian airplanes entering Indonesian airspace over the Maluku Islands. The note, dated Nov. 15, was delivered to the Australian Embassy last week.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Footwear workers strike in Semarang
Footwear workers strike in Semarang SEMARANG: About 1,000 workers of footwear company PT Famous Shoes staged a demonstration on Tuesday outside the provincial council to demand a salary increase and better welfare provisions. The employees, most of them women, urged the council to support their demands and speak to the company's management. "Our welfare has been disregarded," workers' spokeswoman Sugianti told reporters.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Central Java council says let South Sumatra host 2004 PON
Central Java council says let South Sumatra host 2004 PON SEMARANG (JP): Central Java Council members urged the province administration to allow South Sumatra to host the 2004 National Games (PON) and focus its attention on the 2008 PON. "Central Java should have let South Sumatra host the quadrennial. After all we lost in the bidding election to Sumatra by 10 votes," said the council's National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman, Hadi Pranoto, Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya:
Where to go in Surabaya: Music and Entertainment * Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 5454333): - Balai Adika Ballroom: A Night of Love features musician Glenn Bagus Zulkarnaen, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Feb. 24. * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Phone: 031 5311234): - Lobby: Gamelan (Traditional Music), Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Solo Pianist, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 7Friday to Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fake finger gives 'yakuza' away
Fake finger gives 'yakuza' away MANILA (AP): A Japanese yakuza gang member was sent back to Japan by Philippine authorities after they discovered he was using a fake finger to hide one that had been cut off, officials said on Tuesday. Philippine immigration officers watch out for Japanese men with missing fingers, a sign of yakuza members, who often cut off a little finger as a sign of atonement for mistakes.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 22, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 900 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 700 -50 6,649,000 Alakasa Industrindo 475 -100 11,500 Alfa Retailindo 850 0 124,000 Alter Abadi 400 100 500 Alumindo Light Metal 975 0 32,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,225 -50 2,424,000 Anwar Sierad 325 25 25,000 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN paving way 'for new ideas'
ASEAN paving way 'for new ideas' SINGAPORE (DPA): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become the driving force behind new ideas fostering cooperation and dialog among Southeast Asian countries, a key figure said in a conference report on Tuesday. Tommy Koh, Singapore's ambassador-at-large and executive director of the Asia-Europe Foundation, said ASEAN assumed the leadership role because China and Japan have failed to cooperate in the past.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia remains attractive to Japanese investors
Indonesia remains attractive to Japanese investors JAKARTA (JP): Ongoing uncertainties on Indonesia's political, security and social fronts will not deter Japanese investors from investing in the country, a senior official at the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) said. The vice president of the organization, Tetsuo Nakata, said here on Tuesday that most Japanese investors still saw Indonesia as an attractive investment site despite the uncertainties.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
New minimum wages panned by NGOs
New minimum wages panned by NGOs JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) and the Information System and Legal Education Institute (Sisbikum) have urged workers to reject the new regional minimum wages, saying the level was too low and against international standards. Chief of LBH's labor division Surya Tjandra said the new monthly minimum wages that would take effect on April 1 were unrealistic amid current economic conditions and tantamount to labor exploitation.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Shoe exports to reach $2 billion
Shoe exports to reach $2 billion SURABAYA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Shoe Producers (Aprisindo) expect shoe exports to increase to US$2 billion this year from $1.7 billion in 1999. The association's chairman Tjandra M. Gozali said here on Tuesday that orders from overseas buyers improved in the last two months and he is optimistic the trend will continue. "We are optimistic the shoe industry will recover and regain its 1996 export level that reached $2.2 billion," he said.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Military police declare Agus a suspect
Military police declare Agus a suspect JAKARTA (JP): Just one day after a district court heard the testimony of Army Second Lt. Agus Isrok as a witness in a civilian drug case, military police prosecutors completed their dossiers on Agus and have declared him a suspect. "We have resubmitted the dossiers of Agus Isrok to the Jakarta Military Prosecutor's Office. Agus has been declared a suspect," National Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Djasrie Marin announced on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Violence rocks Maluku after week of calm
Violence rocks Maluku after week of calm AMBON, Maluku (JP): A church in the Central Maluku regency capital of Masohi was burned in a bomb blast as fresh violence rocked the province on Tuesday. The attack broke weeks of calm in Maluku after a year of sectarian conflict which left thousands dead and displaced. Witnesses said a group of people marched from Binaya market to Zebaot Church at about 7:00 a.m. local time before a deafening blast was heard in the church compound.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sports officials to meet President
Sports officials to meet President JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela and organizers of the 15th National Games (PON) will meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Wednesday. KONI deputy secretary-general Husein Argasasmita said Wismoyo would give the President a summary of the council's two-day plenary meeting held last week.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Woman arrested over flour
Woman arrested over flour BOGOR (JP): Local police have arrested Lilis Suryajaya, a 46- year-old resident of Jl. Raya Cisaat in Sukabumi, for allegedly repacking imported flour into sacks bearing the blue triangle and key logos of PT Bogasari and passing it off as Bogasari flour. Bogor Regional Police chief Col. Edi Darnadi said on Tuesday that a branch officer from the company in Sukabumi, named Edi, complained about the drop in flour sales in the area.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Unwanted images of Soeharto
Unwanted images of Soeharto From Neraca Recent newspaper reports said that the Rp 50,000 banknote bearing the likeness of former president Soeharto could not be exchanged for rial in Saudi Arabia. The government denied the report and said it was only a rumor. A television report direct from Jeddah, however, gave the impression that it was not the case. The reporter said that Rp 50,000 banknotes with the image of Soeharto on them were accorded a lower value than other Indonesian banknotes.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Commercial Court starts trial of Dharmala Sakti bankruptcy
Commercial Court starts trial of Dharmala Sakti bankruptcy JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court will hold the first hearing of a US$2.4 million bankruptcy case between plaintiff PT Hanil Bakrie Finance Corporation and defendant PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera on Wednesday. "Tomorrow is the first court hearing for our case," said the plaintiff's lawyer, Rafael Adrian of Faisal & Panggabean law firm, on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Forsad threatens to damage police HQ
Forsad threatens to damage police HQ JAKARTA (JP): The Study Forum of Democratic Actions (Forsad) has challenged city police detectives to prove with legal evidence the drug case and charge of car theft following the arrest of one of its executives. Should the officers fail to carry out their investigation fairly and to prove their accusation, the organization would order its 3,000 members to vandalize the Jakarta Police headquarters, Forsad chairman Faisal Riza Rachmad told reporters on Monday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Banten group asks to go it alone
Banten group asks to go it alone BANDUNG: The Banten Communication and Aspiration Forum (FAMB) has officially submitted a request to secede from West Java and form an independent province. A group comprising local councilors and students representing Banten conveyed their request to West Java Governor Nuriana during a meeting.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Astaga's users hit 25,000
Astaga's users hit 25,000 JAKARTA (JP): New Internet website Astaga!Com said on Tuesday it had recorded 25,000 registered users since its launch two weeks ago. It further said traffic to the website had been growing by 20 percent with an average of 850,000 hits per day. It said that following the successful launch, it received a flood of offers for partnerships and alliances from companies competing for a piece of the Internet boom, which has much of Asia and is now beginning in Indonesia.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
January car sales drop
January car sales drop JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's domestic car sales dropped to 11,036 in January, compared to 15,348 a month earlier, according to data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries. Exports of vehicles also dropped to 2,204 in January from 3,527 in December. Indonesia's largest automaker, PT Astra International, still dominates domestic and export car markets by 48 percent and 99 percent respectively.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government raises its target on revenue
Government raises its target on revenue JAKARTA (JP): The government decided on Tuesday to revise upward its targets for asset sales, oil export price, and tax revenues in the April-December 2000 budget year following pressure from the House of Representatives.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Favor-seeking entrepreneurs
Favor-seeking entrepreneurs As President Abdurrahman Wahid has told us, many businesspeople come to him asking for favors, i.e. government projects. Those people lack the creativity and the capacity to start their own undertakings. But why come to the President? Perhaps it is because they regard Abdurrahman's government as identical to the New Order regime, under which many government projects were given to cronies of Soeharto through corruption, collusion and nepotism.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Accent Australia at the Grand Hyatt
Accent Australia at the Grand Hyatt By David Eyerly JAKARTA (JP): The Grand Hyatt Jakarta recently invited a dozen or so distinguished journalists from some of the finest publications in the capital to a special behind-the-scenes look at the hotel's Taste of Australia food promotion, which runs until March 5.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Aussie told to buy RI textile
Aussie told to buy RI textile BANDUNG (JP): Indonesian textile producers have asked Australian businessmen to buy more textiles and related products in a bid to improve trade between the two countries. Lili Asdjudireja, the chairman of the West Java branch of Indonesian Textile Association (API), said here on Tuesday that Indonesian textile companies, which import most of its cotton from Australia, should be given more access to sell their products in the neighboring country.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Official says Indonesia has freedom of religion
Official says Indonesia has freedom of religion JAKARTA (JP): Past practices of prohibiting major religions have been based on political motives and not theological considerations as the state itself acknowledges the freedom of all faiths, including Judaism. "The government has never had a problem with the theological teachings of any religion," the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Research and Development Agency chief Djohan Effendy told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hero posts record profit
Hero posts record profit JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Hero Supermarket announced on Tuesday a record operating profit of Rp 80 billion (US$11.1 million) for 1999, up 10.7 percent from 1998. Hero's president Ipung Kurnia said net profit (after tax and minorities) for last year, however, totaled Rp 91 billion, including Rp 21 billion in extraordinary gains from riot insurance recoveries.