Archive: 7 February 2000
46 articles found
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thai Airways secures loan
Thai Airways secures loan BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Airways International has agreed a financing deal with Britain's Barclays Bank for five new Boeing jets, reports said Saturday. The national airline has signed a 537 million dollar export- credit arrangement, the largest of its kind ever undertaken by a Thai firm, to help it buy one Boeing 747-300 and four 777-300s, the Nation daily reported. The aircraft were ordered last year while the country was still in the midst of an economic downturn.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fino wins Formula Ford Euro Asia Division One
Fino wins Formula Ford Euro Asia Division One JAKARTA (JP): Local young hope Fino Saksono showed he could outwit more experienced foreign drivers by winning the Formula Ford Euro Asia Division One race at Sentul circuit, near Bogor, on Sunday. Fino, from Primajasa Motorsport and driving the Van Diemen '97 car, finished 15 of the 18 laps with a time of 25 minutes and 08.046 seconds.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia beats the Philippines 4-1 in Davis Cup
Indonesia beats the Philippines 4-1 in Davis Cup JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesia avenged its defeat against the Philippines by winning 4-1 in the Asia Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup tie at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on Sunday. Davis Cup veteran Suwandi put away Indonesia's 4-1 victory by beating Roland Ruel Jr. 6-4, 6-1. Last April, the Philippines beat Indonesia 4-1 for the first time during their encounter here and earned a final berth to fight for a place in Group I.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Competition spurs KL to shift oil palm plants out of China
Competition spurs KL to shift oil palm plants out of China KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia may shift its oil palm refineries from China to India to maintain market share and to remain competitive, the official Bernama news agency said. "We are in the process of changing the marketing strategies," Primary Industries Minister Lim Keng Yaik was quoted as saying by Bernama late Saturday. "Palm oil refineries were set up in China in the early 1990's because of its huge market.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Banser gathers to back President's policies
Banser gathers to back President's policies MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): At least 10,000 members of a security volunteer force from Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) Ansor Youth Movement gathered for a dramatic demonstration here on Saturday to pledge support for President Abdurrahman Wahid's government and to heighten alertness against divisive national forces.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Morality at lowest level
Morality at lowest level Low morality and, for most, desperate confusion is a reflection of the society in which we now live. The number of young people committing suicide or escaping through narcotics seems to have increased lately. Crimes involving members of the same family are commonplace. But how would we classify the case in Sukabumi, West Java, where a 16-year-old youth, called D., used a long knife to cut off the head of his mother, merely because he felt unfairly treated.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Family, community support key to ex-addicts recovery
Family, community support key to ex-addicts recovery BOGOR (JP): While it will take at least two years for a total absence from drugs, support from the family and the community is needed to prevent ex-addicts from re-consuming drugs, an official said on Saturday. "Support from the family and environment is important to ensure that the ex-addicts will no more consume drugs after completing their three to four months here," said Salamun, chairman of the Darul Ichsan Islamic Boarding School.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Vendors want assurance
Vendors want assurance BOGOR (JP): A group of sidewalk vendors along Jl. Binamarga here demanded the local administration keep its promise to help maintain their businesses. The traders were recently moved from their previous location on Jl. Padjajaran. "Business is slow at the new place (on Jl. Binamarga). We may go bankrupt if the Bogor administration doesn't keep its promise to move a public transportation route here to light up the place," Wingayo, a kiosk trader, said on Saturday.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Tablig Akbar' held for peace
'Tablig Akbar' held for peace BOGOR (JP): About 2,000 people joined the Tablig Akbar mass gathering at the An-Nuur mosque in Empang subdistrict of South Bogor on Saturday night, voicing their hopes for the country to be saved from harm. "We ask Allah the Almighty to bless this country and keep all parts of this nation intact," said Abdullah Al Qodiri, the event coordinator. "Especially for Bogor, we hope that this town will always be safe and peaceful," he added.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Robber shot to death
Robber shot to death JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta police detectives on Friday shot dead an alleged member of a three-member robber gang as he was trying to resist the police arrest. Tumpak Marbun, 30, was arrested on Friday morning at his house in Bekasi. He and his colleagues, Komando Panjaitan and Saut Sihombing, had been searched by the police for their alleged roles in 14 robbery cases. Marbun then took the police to Cawang Bawah area in East Jakarta, where Panjaitan and Sihombing live.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
IMF approves $5b loan for Indonesia to seal recovery
IMF approves $5b loan for Indonesia to seal recovery WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund threw Indonesia a new financial lifeline on Friday, approving a new three-year loan worth $5 billion to help seal a tentative economic recovery. An IMF statement said Indonesia, the second of Asia's one-time tiger economies to turn to the fund for help, would receive $349 million immediately. Further payments will depend on Indonesia meeting economic targets agreed with the IMF.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Student drug users need empathy not media attention: UI rector
Student drug users need empathy not media attention: UI rector JAKARTA (JP): University of Indonesia (UI) rector Asman Boedisantoso called on the Indonesian press over the weekend not to give too much coverage to students involved in drug abuse cases. "The media have exaggerated and repeatedly published stories on alleged drug abuses by students," Asman told reporters on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony for UI's 927 graduate students on Saturday.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Megawati wins support for renomination
Megawati wins support for renomination JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri has secured overwhelming support for her renomination as chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), a month before the party's congress in Semarang.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police perplexed over mob attack on three men in Cawang
Police perplexed over mob attack on three men in Cawang JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta police detectives are in the dark about the eight suspects who mobbed a man to death and caused severe injuries to two others for unclear reasons in front of a gas station on Jl. Dewi Sartika in Cawang on Saturday midnight, said the East Jakarta police chief. Col. Hidayat identified the dead victim as Zainul Arifin, 21, and the two other victims as Suratmin, 29, and Erwin, 24.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Irianese celebrate Christian arrivals
Irianese celebrate Christian arrivals MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: While the ethnic Chinese here celebrated their new year on Saturday, thousands of Irianese commemorated the 145th anniversary of the arrival of the first Christian missionaries on Mansinam Island, Manokwari regency. The celebration was attended by Irian Jaya Military commander Maj. Gen. Albert Inkiriwang and Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Silvianus Y. Wenas as well as local and religious community leaders.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Supervision of donors' aid
Supervision of donors' aid In noting that various donor countries are to make grants and loans to Indonesia (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 3, 2000: Donors pledge $4.7 billion in loans), I see that the meeting of the donors was chaired by the World Bank. I also see that if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agrees to the new Letter of Intent submitted by the government, they will begin to release US$5 billion in bail-out money.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stop unskilled labor exports, Minister Khofifah says
Stop unskilled labor exports, Minister Khofifah says SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): State Minister of Women's Empowerment Khofifah Indar Parawansa expressed her determination to halt the export of Indonesian housemaids and non-skilled female workers. She said past experience has shown that sending ill-prepared workers with few vocational skills only propagates problems for the workers themselves.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fund set up to stabilize rubber prices
Fund set up to stabilize rubber prices KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia and Thailand, among the world's top rubber producers, are to establish a US$43 million fund to help stabilize rubber prices, the official Bernama news agency said. Primary Industries Minister Lim Keng Yaik said the two countries would buy up to 140,000 tons of rubber from the buffer stock of the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO).
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Federal state improper for RI'
'Federal state improper for RI' JAKARTA (JP): A state administration based on federalism cannot work in an archipelagic country like Indonesia, experts and officials said on Saturday. Harun Alrasid, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Indonesia, said Indonesia should maintain its unitary state because the nation-building process was not yet completed. "No way to the federal state option.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
DeskJet 970Cxi for printing photos at home
DeskJet 970Cxi for printing photos at home By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): When I bought my HP DeskJet 1600C, I was convinced that I would not have to buy another printer in another 10 years. Well, it turned out to be a case of yes and no. Yes, because the DeskJet 1600C still works very well for most of my printing needs -- and I no longer print as much as I did in the past when I was still doing some desktop publishing work.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cooperation needed in Marsinah case
Cooperation needed in Marsinah case JAKARTA (JP): The police, military police and East Java Prosecutor's Office have been warned against covering up the May 8, 1993, murder of labor activist Marsinah. A member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Koesparmono Irsan, said in Surabaya over the weekend the three institutions should be cooperative and transparent with each other now that the case has been reopened. "It's clear that there was a murder and a murderer.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
I trust Wiranto, will forgive him: Gus Dur
I trust Wiranto, will forgive him: Gus Dur ROME (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid cooled the standoff with Gen. Wiranto on Sunday by saying he fully trusted his senior minister who once saved his life from a planned assassination attempt. Abdurrahman further allayed any likely tension by saying that he would forgive the four-star general for any wrongdoing in the East Timor human rights issue. "If Pak Wiranto is judged guilty by a court I will forgive him," the President said.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Trade meet to hear globalization fears
Trade meet to hear globalization fears KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia will raise the developing world's fears of the detrimental effects of globalization at a United Nations trade conference in Bangkok beginning next week, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Saturday. Mahathir will be attending the 10th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the Thai capital which will be held from Feb. 12 to 19.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA completes 1st round of internal restructuring
IBRA completes 1st round of internal restructuring By Reiner S JAKARTA (JP): The new chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), Cacuk Sudarijanto, quietly completed the first round of the agency's "internal restructuring" last week, but formidable challenges lie ahead.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Observers regret alleged police involvement in crimes
Observers regret alleged police involvement in crimes JAKARTA (JP): Observers in the legal and human rights circles expressed concern on Sunday over some police officers' alleged involvement in a series of criminal acts. Legal expert Satjipto Rahardjo, criminologist Adrianus Meliala and psychologist Saparinah Sadli said separately that there should be a systematic resolution for the officers' alleged wrongdoing.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Late paper
Late paper Due to technical problems, The Jakarta Post reached its readers in Bali late on Sunday. We apologize for the delay. -- Publisher
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Officer questioned in traffic shooting
Officer questioned in traffic shooting JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang Military Police confiscated the FN-45 gun of Chief Sergeant Ismail Husen and took him in late Friday night for questioning over the alleged shooting of a man in the Gembor subdistrict of Jatiuwung, Tangerang, on Friday evening, said a city police spokesman. Lt. Col.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
The end of an era for privatization
The end of an era for privatization By Jasper Goss JAKARTA (JP): For roughly the last quarter of a century, the idea that governments did too much dominated the thinking of mainstream economists, most politicians and senior bureaucrats. Privatization, liberalization and corporatization became the central core of economic and political policies in most countries.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Portuguese reporters deported
Portuguese reporters deported KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Three Portuguese reporters arrested by police for illegally entering East Nusa Tenggara from East Timor were deported to East Timor on Saturday.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Red threat
Red threat From Suara Karya Among the interesting rumors which emerged recently concerned the revocation of the stipulation of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) No. 25/1966, banning Marxism, Leninism and communism. The rumor shocked the community, but matters are clearer now as the minister of laws and legislation stated that the stipulation can be revoked by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) itself. I was also shocked when I heard the rumor.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Number of Internet users in RI expected to increase
Number of Internet users in RI expected to increase JAKARTA (JP): The number of Internet users in Indonesia are projected to increase from approximately 1 million in 1999 to 1.45 million in 2000 and 1.98 million in 2001, according to the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers. The association attributed the sharp growth in the number of Internet users to the increase in the people's awareness about the benefits of the service.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Armed group attacks, sets fire to airport in Aceh
Armed group attacks, sets fire to airport in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): An armed gang attacked and set fire to the terminal of Malikussaleh Airport, which serves the economically strategic Arun gasfields, about 45 kilometers west of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, on Saturday night. No fatalities were reported in the incident, which took place about 9 p.m. local time. "Witnesses said five people started the fire, three of whom were carrying rifles," North Aceh Police chief Lt. Col.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Djajanti breaks East Indonesia's isolation
Djajanti breaks East Indonesia's isolation By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): When fishing and forestry company Djajanti Group started its fishery project in 1995 in Wanam, Kimaam district, Merauke regency -- a remote and isolated village on the Southern coast of Papua -- the area lacked everything necessary for business including infrastructure, clean water, power supplies, skilled human resources and a modern economic system.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Antidrug body warns nightspots
Antidrug body warns nightspots TANGERANG (JP): Entertainment centers and nightspots must only operate as such so they do not become a place of drug distribution, an activist said on Sunday. "It's shameful that many nightspots have had their reputations tarnished by these drug dealing activities," Benny Pandjaitan, a Tangerang activist of Granat, an organization which initiated the antidrug movement, said.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur's gripe with Wiranto, not military
Gus Dur's gripe with Wiranto, not military Tension built in the past week between President Abdurrahman Wahid and Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, the former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander. The following is an excerpt from an interview by The Jakarta Post with lecturer in politics Arbi Sanit. Question: How do you see the current state of relations between Gus Dur (Abdurrahman) and the military?
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
New relief for JSX as coup rumors fade away
New relief for JSX as coup rumors fade away JAKARTA (JP): According to stockbrokers, trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to take further relief this week as investors discount the possibility of the once widely feared military coup. They said investors reentered the market late last week following firm statements made by senior Armed Forces officials that the military would never attempt to launch a coup against the current legitimate government.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
PAN's first congress set to devise new political strategy
PAN's first congress set to devise new political strategy The National Mandate Party (PAN) entered the 1999 general elections with a bold program advocating inclusiveness of all groups in society, but only gained 7.12 percent of votes in the polls. Ahead of the party's first congress in Yogyakarta on Feb. 10-13, The Jakarta Post interviewed the chairman of the National Mandate Party at the provincial legislative council, Imawan Wahyudi.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Three die of electric shock
Three die of electric shock SEMARANG: Three people died and 14 needed to be hospitalized when they were electrocuted as they were erecting a large television antenna at a house in Rowoseneng village, Kandangan district on Saturday afternoon. Central Java Police spokesman Lt. Col. M. Ramlie, said neighbors of Hadi Winoto were helping the 50-year-old man when the roof suddenly collapsed and one of its wires accidentally connected with an electric cable. "The result was devastating.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Astra meeting may become showdown
Astra meeting may become showdown JAKARTA (JP): Tuesday's extraordinary general meeting of PT Astra International's shareholders is shaping up to be a showdown between the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) and the Astra management led by Rini Soewandi. IBRA, which claims to own 45 percent of the country's largest automobile company, will push ahead with its proposal to unseat Rini in a final bid to speed up the sale of its Astra stake before the end of next month.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Key witness in Aceh rights abuse trial missing
Key witness in Aceh rights abuse trial missing JAKARTA (JP): A key witness in the prosecution of alleged human rights abuses in Aceh has gone missing, bogging down a planned trial due for later this month. Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad did not elaborate on the identity of the witness, saying only the person was a "military officer" of the Medan-based Bukit Barisan Military Command which oversees security in Aceh. He did not say when or where the witness was last seen.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gold miner shot dead in Bogor
Gold miner shot dead in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Twenty-seven-year-old Aduy was shot dead by an officer in the compound of Gunung Pongkor gold mine on Saturday. Two officials who were suspected of being involved in the shooting were questioned by the Bogor Military police, but no names have been released. Witnesses said Aduy was shot when the latter and a group of miners were about to dig in a quarry belonging to PT Antam on Pongkor Mountain. "He just dropped dead.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Chinese paper launched here
Chinese paper launched here SURABAYA, East Java: To coincide with the Chinese New Year, a new Chinese language daily, named Naga Surya, was launched here on Saturday. "The newspaper will be published in Chinese characters," the daily's chief editor Dondy Ariesdianto said, as quoted by Antara. Dondy said the newspaper for the first few weeks will only be published twice a week before it goes daily on Feb. 24.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tourism with a massage at Pancuran Tiga resort
Tourism with a massage at Pancuran Tiga resort By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Pancuran Tiga (better known as Pancuran Telu, or three fountains) is located in the vicinity of the tourist resort of Baturraden, about 14 kilometers north of Banyumas, the regency's capital in Central Java. As the name suggests, the resort offers three parallel fountains as its main attraction. The fountains deliver sulfur- rich waters from warm subterranean springs (about 50 degrees Celsius).
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Feb. 7, 2000
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Feb. 7, 2000 Exhibitions * Comics, Animation Exhibition, at National Gallery, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3813021), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Feb. 14. * Painting Exhibition: by Melo Tedesco, at Duta Fine Arts Foundation, Jl. Kemang Utara 55A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7990226), Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Monday at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Feb. 20.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Reading the President
Reading the President Whatever the limitations of the office, there can be no question that the President of the Republic of Indonesia is a powerful man. He is not only the country's head of government, but also its head of state. In addition, though he may be a civilian, as supreme commander of the Indonesian armed forces he has considerable say over the country's military, at least on paper.
Mon, 07 Feb 2000, 00:00 WIB
Prakosa to exclude NGOs from KUT participation
Prakosa to exclude NGOs from KUT participation MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Minister of Agriculture M. Prakosa said here on Saturday that he would exclude non- governmental organizations (NGOs) from participating in the disbursement of credit for farmers (KUT) over growing allegations of embezzlement. "The government will not involve NGOs to assist in the disbursement of the credit schemes because it has given rise to many problems," Prakosa told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.