Archive: 14 March 2000
49 articles found
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutors and judges
Prosecutors and judges From Warta Kota Case after case of collusion, corruption and nepotism under the New Order regime have been disclosed, for example the case of the Forestry and Plantations Ministry. The latest ones are Bank Indonesia liquidity support loans. The disclosure of the two cases is accompanied by a list of the names of the persons recommended for investigation at the Attorney General's office. They are all cronies and family members of former president Soeharto.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Haze clears on Sumatra, critical on Kalimantan
Haze clears on Sumatra, critical on Kalimantan JAKARTA (JP): Heavy rain over the weekend on Sumatra island dampened forest fires and reduced the dangerous level of haze there. But fires on Kalimantan island have yet to abate, bringing haze to alarming levels on Monday. Officials in Riau province, one of the worst hit by the haze in past weeks, said continuing downpours since the weekend were believed to have helped douse over two-thirds of the 1,064 hot spots in the area.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Take a lesson in good manners
Take a lesson in good manners This is in response to a letter by Mr. Willem Oltmans, published in The Jakarta Post on March 11, 2000. First of all, I would suggest Mr. Oltmans learn to respect other human beings and if he wants to criticize someone, then he should do it in a civilized manner. Secondly, I would like to inform you that I am neither an Indonesian nor a fan of Henry Kissinger.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Farmers protest over price of rice
Farmers protest over price of rice MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 100 farmers from several regencies staged a nonviolent protest at the provincial legislative council on Monday over the price of unhusked rice. The farmers, from the Association of South Sulawesi Farmers and the Corps of Farmers from Gowa, demanded the local administration protect the interests of farmers. "We don't want the government and the people's representatives to just sit silent.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Traders become savvy over fake banknotes
Traders become savvy over fake banknotes JAKARTA (JP): Circulation of a large number of fake banknotes in the markets here has forced traders to teach themselves to recognize the bogus notes. Interviewed separately on Monday, some reported that they had been cheated with fake rupiah since last year. But the experience, they said, has led them to become "expert" at recognizing phony notes.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
250 compete in first stage of drag race
250 compete in first stage of drag race JAKARTA (JP): About 250 local drivers from eight teams will compete for a total cash prize of Rp 21 million in the first stage of the national drag race at Sentul circuit, near Bogor, on March 19. Organizer Yama Sarwono, of the Rally Tama Group, said on Monday that compared to drag races in 1998 and 1999, the number of participants this year had declined. "In 1998 there were 260 racers, while in 1999 there were 270. This year it has declined to only 250.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
24 in S. Sulawesi infected with HIV
24 in S. Sulawesi infected with HIV MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The number of people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) across the province has reached 24, an activist at a non-governmental organization said recently. The director of the HIV/AIDS Volunteer Group, Zulkifli Amin, said here he expected this figure to increase due to a rise in prostitution. "We don't know for certain how much the virus has spread.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian rubber output seen stagnant
Indonesian rubber output seen stagnant JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is keeping rubber production in 2000 at last year's level of about 1.6 million metric tons because of a glut in the world market, the Indonesian Rubber Producers Association (Gapkindo) said on Monday. Gapkindo vice chairman Asril Sutan Amir blamed Thailand's huge production, due to its high yield, for the current market condition, including the low prices.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt says Day of Sacrifice Day to fall on March 16
Govt says Day of Sacrifice Day to fall on March 16 JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Monday that Idhul Adha (the Islamic Day of Sacrifice) would fall on Thursday, March 16, and called on Muslims across the country not to exaggerate different beliefs about the date of the holiday. Interim religious minister Basri Hasanuddin quoted President Abdurrahman Wahid as saying that the conflicting dates "are common and based on reliable arguments".
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies inch up in subdued trading
Asian monies inch up in subdued trading HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Tumbling stock prices weighed on North Asia's currencies Monday, but the falls seen in the foreign exchange market were mild compared to the slide in regional equities. Most Southeast Asian currencies edged higher in subdued trading, but the rupiah finished Asian hours down on the day.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Relaxation, awareness through meditation
Relaxation, awareness through meditation JAKARTA (JP): Meditation is a time of relaxation. It is a time when you rest, allowing your brain to enter a deeper state of relaxation that is halfway between being awake and sleeping. As a human being, you are energy in physical form. When you meditate, your brain waves slow to a certain frequency which is closer to the frequency of the etheric (invisible) bodies around you.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Court rejects journalists' suit against Attorney General's Office
Court rejects journalists' suit against Attorney General's Office JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the South Jakarta District Court rejected on Monday a civil lawsuit by three journalists, which challenged a decision by the Attorney General's Office to prohibit them from covering the attorney general's activities from June 8 until June 10 last year. "The lawsuit failed to specify the defendants," said presiding judge T.H.S. Pardede in a hearing at the district court.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Manila seeks UNICEF's help
Manila seeks UNICEF's help MANILA (AP): Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado sought the help of the United Nations Children's Fund on Monday in stopping the worsening problem of child recruitment by Philippine Marxist and Muslim separatist guerrillas. Mercado said UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, who is visiting the Philippines, agreed in principle to his appeal in a meeting that tackled the plight of children in areas of armed conflict.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Defense lawyers boycott trial
Defense lawyers boycott trial KARACHI, Pakistan (AP): An antiterrorist court gave deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif one day to contact his defense team, all of whom boycotted the trial on Monday to press their demand that the case be moved out of southern Karachi, where their colleague was slain last week.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Maluku rioting kills three
Maluku rioting kills three TERNATE, North Maluku: At least three people were killed in the latest communal clashes to rock the remote district of East Gane. The head of the Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku, Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela, said the three victims died from gunshots fired by security troops deployed to break up the clash on Monday between residents of Boso and Kayoa islands.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN officials meet in Thailand
ASEAN officials meet in Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): Senior Southeast Asian officials met in Thailand on Monday, hoping to make progress toward a proposed "code of conduct" with China on hotly disputed territories in the South China Sea. Negotiators from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are meeting in the seaside resort of Hua Hin, 281 kilometers south of Bangkok to set the agenda for the group's ministerial meeting in the capital in July.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Graduates of Lemhanas defend its existence
Graduates of Lemhanas defend its existence JAKARTA (JP): Amid growing public scrutiny, graduates of the National Resilience Council (Lemhanas) defended the existence of the military think tank but proposed that it be placed under direct presidential authority and chaired by non-military personnel. The chairman of the council's alumni association Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono said on Monday the proposal would be brought before President Abdurrahman Wahid next week.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Judge Soenarto may become High Court judge
Judge Soenarto may become High Court judge JAKARTA (JP): R. Soenarto, the judge at the center of the South Jakarta District Court's controversial decision on the high-profile court case involving Bank Bali funds, may soon be promoted, a Supreme Court official said on Monday. "The Supreme Court planned a massive tour of duty in the country's judicial circle six months ago.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Air India to cut half of staff
Air India to cut half of staff BOMBAY (AFP): India's ailing state-owned international carrier Air India has drawn up an early retirement plan that would cover more than 60 percent of its staff, officials said Monday. "Each employee who is 40 years old and has worked for a minimum of 10 years is eligible for the scheme," said a senior source in the airline.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gembor bridge to close for repairs
Gembor bridge to close for repairs TANGERANG (JP): The local administration decided on Monday to close part of Jl. Siliwangi due to the poor condition of Gembor bridge, an official said on Monday. The bridge, which links the road to Jl. Jati and Jl. Pasar Kemis, will be closed until April 10 to allow for repairs. The 30-year-old bridge is no longer able to hold the everyday heavy traffic which is loaded with truck containers and trailers, the official said.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Saving Kerinci Seblat National Park
Saving Kerinci Seblat National Park By Wiryono SUNGAI PENUH, Jambi (JP): Kerinci Seblat National Park, better known as TNKS (Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat), is the second largest national park in Indonesia. It covers an area of more than 1.3 million hectares in the heart of the Bukit Barisan mountain range in nine regencies in four provinces, namely, Jambi, Bengkulu, South Sumatra and West Sumatra.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Daytime shooting jolts Denpasar
Daytime shooting jolts Denpasar DENPASAR, Bali: A daytime shooting shook the crowded Sudirman Agung downtown business center on Monday, but no fatalities were reported in the incident. The bullet, believed to have been fired from an FN-46 pistol using a silencer, struck a shop window. Police quickly secured the three-story building belonging to household equipment supplier PT Karya Insan Mulia Sejahtera. No arrests have been made.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
C. Jakarta mayoralty to redesign Senen terminal
C. Jakarta mayoralty to redesign Senen terminal JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty reconfirmed its plan on Monday to redesign the Senen bus terminal so as to improve traffic in the area. Mayor Andi S. Abdullah said the mayoralty had three options with which to solve the problem: rebuilding existing facilities, expanding the terminal compound, or relocating the terminal to Kemayoran in Central Jakarta. He said the most feasible option would be to rebuild the existing facilities.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cohen's Vietnam visit largely symbolic
Cohen's Vietnam visit largely symbolic By Michael Mathes HANOI (DPA): U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen's visit to Vietnam marks a historic notch in relations between the former battlefield enemies but will not produce much tangible result other than developing friendly ties, officials and experts said last Saturday. When Cohen lands in Hanoi Monday morning he will be the first U.S.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police criticize customs officials
Police criticize customs officials JAKARTA (JP): Tanjung Priok Seaport (KP3) Police in North Jakarta believe that Customs and Excise officials at the port could have played a significant role in helping people smuggle dissembled cars into the country, an officer said on Monday. KP3 police chief, Col. Edward Aritonang, said he still had no definite proof but doubted there was a legitimate reason as to why customs officials would allow dissembled cars and machines to pass inspection.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government to submit draft law on human rights court
Government to submit draft law on human rights court JAKARTA (JP): The government is to seek the House of Representatives' approval for a draft law on a human rights court that would open the chance for it to bring Indonesian Military (TNI) top brass to trial for alleged involvement in last year's East Timor violence. Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Monday the first reading of the draft would be presented next week.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police search for clues in shooting at DPR building
Police search for clues in shooting at DPR building JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Police are trying to find clues left behind in the shooting at a window at the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon, the city police chief of operational control said. Col.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto undergoes medical examination
Soeharto undergoes medical examination JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto underwent a medical examination at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta late on Monday night to determine whether he is fit to face questioning for alleged corruption. But close to midnight on Monday the independent team of doctors from the hospital had yet to present a diagnosis to the Attorney General's Office.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
House members grill Tommy over clove monopoly
House members grill Tommy over clove monopoly JAKARTA (JP): The youngest son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, was grilled on Monday by members of the House of Representatives over an alleged manipulation of clove farmers' money at the now defunct Clove Marketing and Buffer Stock Agency (BPPC).
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
UNHCR official visits Myanmar
UNHCR official visits Myanmar YANGON (AP): A top official of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has arrived in Yangon for talks with Myanmar's military government, a government statement said on Monday. Soren Jessen Petersen, assistant high commissioner for the Geneva-based UNHCR, arrived on Sunday and was expected to stay for four days depending on how discussions progress, said staff at UNHCR's office in the Myanmar capital.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Alex denies split in PDI Perjuangan
Alex denies split in PDI Perjuangan JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) secretary-general Alex Litay denied on Monday reports of an escalating internal party rift ahead of the party's national congress. "As far as I have observed there is no split in the party's elite this close to the congress.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Anton warns of problems over minimum wages
Anton warns of problems over minimum wages JAKARTA (JP): Leading businessman Anton J. Supit warned on Monday of possible industrial disputes when hikes in official minimum wages come into force next month. While many workers might feel that the increase was insufficient, some employers might also find it hard to increase the wages, Anton, who sits in the National Business Development Council (DPUN), told The Jakarta Post. He cautioned that worker unrest would damage Indonesia's image overseas.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tirtamas granted six months to settle debts
Tirtamas granted six months to settle debts JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court rejected on Monday the demand from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to declare PT Tirtamas Comexindo bankrupt, granting instead the trading company six months to settle its debts. The verdict was seen as a blow to IBRA's bid to liquidate Tirtamas Comexindo through the bankruptcy suit as shock therapy for other "uncooperative" debtors.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA's asset sales
IBRA's asset sales The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), hard-pressed to raise at least US$5.1 billion (Rp 36 trillion) by December for the state budget, has of late been flaunting its asset disposal plans covering equities in going companies, bad loans and properties spread throughout the country. This is all part of about Rp 600 trillion (book value) worth of assets taken over by the agency from state banks and closed, nationalized and recapitalized banks.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian stock markets skid as technology shares take a tumble
Asian stock markets skid as technology shares take a tumble SINGAPORE (Agencies): Asia stocks took a beating on Monday, battered by domestic factors, uncertainty ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting next week, as well as falls in once hotly- favored high tech stocks. Jakarta share prices closed 1.4 percent lower on regional market falls and profit-taking after shares had risen in the past three days of trading, dealers said.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mandiri told to transfer bad loans
Bank Mandiri told to transfer bad loans JAKARTA (JP): Finance minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Monday state Bank Mandiri should "immediately" transfer its remaining bad loans to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). He said there should be no more delays in the transfer of the bad loans to the agency. "All category five (bad) loans must be transferred (to IBRA)," Bambang told reporters following a monthly meeting with the central bank.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian primary debt market recovering
Asian primary debt market recovering HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Asian primary debt market came alive last week with three major deals out of the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. After a dull start to the new year, market participants were pleased to see just over US$3 billion in new paper emerge from the region. Hopes are the momentum will continue, with two more corporates tapping the overseas markets this week.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
No place for gambling here, says Sutiyoso
No place for gambling here, says Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso reaffirmed on Monday his administration would not legalize gambling in the capital and vowed to continue raids against such activities. "The city administration will be consistently tough on gambling, as well as on prostitution," he said in a prepared statement during a plenary meeting with city councillors. He said the Jakarta administration "has never issued any licenses for gambling".
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Student protesters hospitalized
Student protesters hospitalized JAKARTA (JP): Two student protesters participating in a hunger strike at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta for the past week were admitted to St. Carolus Hospital on Monday because of dehydration. Six other students are continuing the hunger strike. Fachrul and Ucok, students of Jakarta University, have not had anything to eat for seven days or had any water for two days.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
KONI chief warns of poor preparation of shuttlers
KONI chief warns of poor preparation of shuttlers JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar has reminded national shuttlers of the dangers of poor preparation, warning them that it might make the nation's gold target in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney unattainable. Wismoyo was commenting on the shuttlers' failure in the All England badminton championship over the weekend, which Indonesia returned home empty-handed.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
KL urges S'pore to compromise
KL urges S'pore to compromise KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad urged Singapore on Monday to compromise so a series of disputes between the two countries can be settled. Among contentious issues are water supplies from Malaysia to Singapore, customs, immigration and quarantine arrangements on a railway linking them, withdrawal of pensions of Malaysian workers in Singapore and the use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Six accept Supreme Court nominations
Six accept Supreme Court nominations JAKARTA (JP): At least six people have accepted the government's offer to nominate them as supreme justices to the Supreme Court. The six are former judge Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Ronggur Hutagalung, constitutional law professor Bagir Manan, legal expert Rizal Kabah and former chairman of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute Abdurrahman Saleh. "We've contacted them.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Any hope for a reliable judiciary in Indonesia?
Any hope for a reliable judiciary in Indonesia? Exasperating decisions by the courts have increased pessimism about Indonesia's chances of improving investor confidence and attaining economic recovery. Charles Himawan, a member of the National Human Rights Commission and professor of law at the University of Indonesia, says top officials have failed to take seriously the warnings of the international community.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on March 13, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Military says more Aceh rebels shot dead
Military says more Aceh rebels shot dead BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The provincial military claimed on Monday soldiers had shot dead three separatist rebels in this strife-torn province. The identities of the rebels, however, remains unknown. An intelligence officer of the North Aceh Military, Capt. Budijanto, said the rebels were shot in a gunfight in the regency's village of Bate Pila on Sunday. But witnesses denied there was any exchange of fire or that anybody was killed.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 13, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 775 -25 10,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 625 -25 5,361,000 Alakasa Industrindo 500 25 16,000 Alfa Retailindo 1,025 25 13,226,500 Alter Abadi 350 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 975 0 500 Aneka Kimia Raya 325 0 0 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,175 0 1,463,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Firearms for legislators?
Firearms for legislators? From Suara Karya Terrorists' actions and death threats against a number of political figures (particularly the members of the House of Representatives) are becoming increasingly horrifying and sadistic.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to stand firm by international contracts
Indonesia to stand firm by international contracts JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid reassured investors on Monday of Indonesia's firm commitment to honor all of its international contracts, but reiterated the need for renegotiating some that were made in the past. The President told a news conference that Indonesia would stand firm by its international contracts, including those with independent power producers.
Tue, 14 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bapepam issues new rules for public companies
Bapepam issues new rules for public companies JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed companies wishing to change their core businesses must involve an independent consulting company in the decision, according to a new capital market regulation. The regulation, one of two new regulations issued by the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) on Monday, stipulates the change in core business should be based on a consultant's recommendation.