Archive: 24 March 2000
52 articles found
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two groups submit bid for IBRA's Astra stake
Two groups submit bid for IBRA's Astra stake JAKARTA (JP): Only two of the three shortlisted investor consortia submitted final bids for the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's (IBRA) 45 percent stake in PT Astra International on Thursday, and the winner will be announced on Friday, one day ahead of schedule.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Astaga!com has new features
Astaga!com has new features JAKARTA (JP): Local on-line news portal operator Astaga!com said on Thursday it had installed a new server in the United States to allow its users to have faster access to the site. Astaga!com's chief executive officer Jonathan Morris said the website also revamped the appearance of its sites and launched several new features. New features include classified advertising, e-post cards, free fax service, on-line dating and games with prizes.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Reform and the cigarette industry
Reform and the cigarette industry By Hans W. Vriens HONG KONG (JP): Indonesia is in the middle of a political, social and economic transformation as fundamental as what Central Europe had to go through after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The changes are the most wide-ranging since independence from the Dutch in 1949. They also confuse many people.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Swimming officials to resign due to internal dispute
Swimming officials to resign due to internal dispute JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) official in charge of athletes development, Patuan Simatupang, said on Thursday that some officials wanted to resign from their posts due to internal disputes. "Some officials are too busy to change the organization and replace certain incapable people from their posts, contrary to the results of PRSI plenary meeting early this year," he said.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Anwar defense seeks PM witness
Anwar defense seeks PM witness KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A Malaysian judge said on Thursday that Anwar Ibrahim's defense would have to show that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad helped frame his ex-deputy before he would be called to testify in Anwar's sex trial. The judge was referring to a defense request that Mahathir be called as a witness in the 10-month trial that has split Malaysia's biggest party and galvanized the opposition.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Prison fails to report detainee's escape to police
Prison fails to report detainee's escape to police JAKARTA (JP): Police have not been notified that a detainee of Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta escaped while being escorted by prison guards to Graha Medika Hospital in Kebun Jeruk, West Jakarta, on March 13. The escapee, Tjong Yan Men, alias Hartono Theo, was due in court the next day. West Jakarta deputy police chief Maj. Syafril Nursal said on Wednesday that the West Jakarta Police had not even heard of the matter.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
SE Asia to grow 4.5% this year, IMF predicts
SE Asia to grow 4.5% this year, IMF predicts BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): Southeast Asia's economy should expand by 4.5 percent this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday, warning that complacency in sustaining reforms is the biggest risk.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Investigators unsure of Marsinah case
Investigators unsure of Marsinah case SURABAYA: An investigation team set up by the East Java provincial legislature expressed pessimism over its chance to uncover the alleged involvement of military and police personnel in the 1993 murder of labor activist Marsinah.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Court initiates trial of hairdressers' murder
Court initiates trial of hairdressers' murder BOGOR (JP): The Bogor District Court started on Wednesday the trial of Dicky Kurniadi, 20, who is accused of murdering hairdresser Adrian Suryadi, alias Oy Beng Liat, and his friend Surya Teguh Wijaya at the Danau Bogor Raya housing complex early last December. Prosecutor M. Manik said in his indictment that the defendant committed the murder with the help of Gindo Sirait, alias Edo, 24, who will be indicted in a separate trial. "On Dec.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Payment authorization provider takes to Net
Payment authorization provider takes to Net JAKARTA (JP): PT Cipas Indonesia, the country's first credit card authorization service provider on the Internet, formally launched its operations on Thursday. Company president Hagus Santoso said he was optimistic the firm would be able to lead the development of credit card authorization services on the Internet in the country. He said prospects for electronic, or e-commerce, were high because of the country's sizable population.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
15 questioned over electricity theft
15 questioned over electricity theft JAKARTA (JP): City police are questioning 15 people in connection with the alleged stealing of electricity at 14 major hotels and apartments, a police source said on Thursday. The source at the Jakarta Police Special Crimes Unit -- who asked for anonymity -- said the 15 people under questioning included those at the managerial level.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
The brain drain, curse for the third world
The brain drain, curse for the third world By Michael Kibaara Muchiri. YOGYAKARTA (JP): The developed world has systematically cannibalized anything good from the Third World. With the capability to buy anything from well-trained but poorly remunerated human resources to offering enticing green cards and citizenship to the best brains from the poorer countries, the First World has not only abused this might but also used it to maintain a climate of backwardness in the poorer nations.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Parking fee hike decision condemned by policy observer
Parking fee hike decision condemned by policy observer JAKARTA (JP): A city policy observer criticized the city administration for imposing a parking fee increase on Thursday. Ali Wongso Sinaga, executive director of the Regional Empowerment Study Center -- a city policy analysis body consisting of several former city councillors -- said the administration would not need to increase the fee if the parking management was in order.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
British films: Free, monthly and back again
British films: Free, monthly and back again JAKARTA (JP): The hard-working taxpayers of Britain, whether they know it or not, are inviting anyone who wants to come to the cinema. On a once-a-month basis. Their generosity is being channeled through Indonesia's British Council, fulfilling the part of its mission to showcase "the best in modern British arts". And, of more direct relevance to the aforementioned taxpayers, promoting Britain as a cool study or tourist destination.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
The response to tuberculosis is in our hands
The response to tuberculosis is in our hands By Chris W. Green Each year tuberculosis takes the lives of up to three million people worldwide, and in Indonesia it remains a major killer, ranking third in recent years on mortality lists. In observance of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, The Jakarta Post is running three articles to help raise awareness about this disease. JAKARTA (JP): More people are dying of tuberculosis (TB) now than ever before.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
School buildings burned in Aceh
School buildings burned in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Unidentified groups burned 11 school buildings in North Kluet in South Aceh in early hours on Wednesday, leaving Rp 1.8 billion in losses, police said. Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col. Safri D.M. said on Thursday. the incident occurred between 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday and 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Quoting local security authorities report, Safri said the gangs set one building on fire after another.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
House backs cell phone operators' policy on rates
House backs cell phone operators' policy on rates JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives agreed on Thursday to a proposal from local cellular phone operators to change their current government-regulated charge scheme to a market-driven one.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Car assemblers complain of unfair competition
Car assemblers complain of unfair competition JAKARTA (JP): Car assemblers have been complaining about unfair competition from luxury automobiles imported in completely-built up (CBU) form as the base prices used for customs and tax valuation are often much lower than comparable prices overseas. Executives of assembling companies and car dealers said on Thursday that understated import prices caused not only unfair competition but also losses in state revenues.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Medical team to decide fate of Juana, Indriyani
Medical team to decide fate of Juana, Indriyani JAKARTA (JP): Athletes need to have mounting enthusiasm prior to competition, but when illness or injury strikes, they must cope with a situation for which they haven't trained. Two Indonesian women athletes -- Juana Wangsa Putri (tae kwon do) and Sri Indriyani (weightlifter) -- may lose their dreams of competing in the prestigious Olympics because of injuries.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government insists on out of court settlement for Newmont tax dispute
Government insists on out of court settlement for Newmont tax dispute JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emphasized on Thursday that the tax dispute between gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya and the Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi should be resolved through an out of court settlement. He called on the regency administration to stop pursing its litigation efforts against the company and solve the dispute out of court.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Toll increase deemed inevitable by Jasa Marga
Toll increase deemed inevitable by Jasa Marga JAKARTA (JP): While indicating the company's increasing maintenance expenses, executives of state toll road operator PT Jasa Marga hinted on Thursday the need to simultaneously increase tolls by 30 percent. "I'm not threatening the public, but continuously increasing maintenance expenditure is the condition at the moment," said the company's operational director, Marijanto.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
BI has new deputy governor
BI has new deputy governor JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives finally appointed on Thursday Aulia Pohan as deputy governor of Bank Indonesia. Aulia received the largest vote from 32 members of the House commission IX on banking and state budget. Aulia will be one of the six deputy governors of the central bank. He outbid Burhanuddin Abdullah and Cyrillus Harinowo. The two are also senior officials at the central bank.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
UK firm regrets local court decision
UK firm regrets local court decision JAKARTA (JP): Bankers Trust International PLC. of the United Kingdom has expressed dismay at a local court's refusal to honor the international arbitration court's ruling on its derivative case against publicly listed PT Mayora Indah.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pampering high-level officials
Pampering high-level officials Civil servants will be on the march. This is the threat they have made, as reported by several newspapers. The reason is that extra allowances for high-level government officials, whose basic salaries are already considered high, will be raised by as much as 12 times the current rate. What irks lower-level civil servants is the fact that the government appears to be pampering high-level officials too much.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Pameraya 2000 by H. Widayat at the National Gallery, Central Jakarta, until March 31. * Painting Exhibition by Satya Graha, at Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza complex, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until April 2. * Painting Exhibition: Disini, by Andi Suandi, at Hazara Bar & Cafe, Jl. Wahid Hasyim 112, Central Jakarta, until April 30.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
President accepts secretary Ratih's resignation
President accepts secretary Ratih's resignation JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has accepted the resignation of his secretary Ratih Hardjono, acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan disclosed on Thursday. Bondan, who is also the secretary of Development Supervision, said the President approved Ratih's resignation to enable her to concentrate on her wedding plans to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) executive Fajrul Falakh.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rizal Ramli to lead Bulog
Rizal Ramli to lead Bulog JAKARTA (JP): Rizal Ramli, Managing Director of Econit economic research institute, confirmed on Thursday he had accepted President Abdurrahman Wahid's offer to lead the National Logistics Agency (Bulog). Rizal told reporters he would be installed next week to replace Trade and Industry Minister Jusuf Kalla who is now concurrently acting as the chief of Bulog.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Protesters take governor hostage
Protesters take governor hostage PEKANBARU, Riau: Governor Saleh Djasit and Riau regents, mayors and district heads were taken hostage by hundreds of protesters who attacked the gubernatorial building here Wednesday night, Antara reported. The hostage drama began at 9:30 p.m., when the protesters, who came from Kampar regency, demanded land from PT Pesada Inti Utama palm oil plantation.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Workers start removal of 'So Klin' billboards
Workers start removal of 'So Klin' billboards JAKARTA (JP): Following City Traffic and Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) orders, workers started on Thursday dismantling billboards displaying advertisements for "So Klin" detergent. Agency head Buyung Atang said he had ordered the two-by-six meter billboards to be pulled within a period of 10 days beginning Thursday unless the company, or its two advertising agencies, could obtain legal permits for the 80 billboards at bus stops in the capital.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Refrain from driving on Earth Day: Government
Refrain from driving on Earth Day: Government JAKARTA (JP): A senior government official has suggested that Indonesians limit the use of their cars and motorbikes for one day on April 23 to commemorate Earth Day and raise environmental awareness. The date was chosen primarily because it is a Sunday, which means that traffic is usually lighter than on weekdays. Earth Day itself falls on April 22.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Mar. 23, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 775 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 600 -25 9,109,000 Alakasa Industrindo 325 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 975 -25 933,500 Alter Abadi 325 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 -25 799,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 -50 183,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,150 0 1,519,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Villas demolition plans delayed
Villas demolition plans delayed BOGOR (JP): The local authorities here have decided to delay their plans to demolish 32 villas located at the Gunung Mas tea plantation of the state-owned plantation firm PTPN VIII in the popular mountain resort of Puncak. Spokesman for the Bogor regency administration, Helmi Gustian, said on Thursday that the decision would be postponed until the National Land Agency (BPN) issued its judgment over the alleged misuse of the land.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Strong waves hit fishing village
Strong waves hit fishing village DENPASAR, Bali: Hundreds of members of fishermen's families are being sheltered at local government offices in Candikusuma district, Jembrana, about 140 kilometers west of here, after their homes were torn apart by strong waves on Tuesday. "The waves swept the shore and the nearby village for at least two hours on Tuesday at noon and destroyed 126 houses where about 470 families lived," spokesman for the Jembara administration Wayan Artana said on Wednesday.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Agus ready to help boost shuttlers' fighting spirit
Agus ready to help boost shuttlers' fighting spirit JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah said on Thursday that he would not walk away from his responsibilities in the organization due to the athletes' request that he be more active in PBSI. "As the vice chairman, I can't leave my responsibility. I'm prepared to help chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and other officials to groom athletes for the Thomas and Uber Cups and also the Olympics," he said.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Makassar sees no kerosene
Makassar sees no kerosene MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Kerosene has been missing from the market in the past couple of weeks here, stirring anxiety among thousands of the city's residents. "I have not sold kerosene over the past week as the agent of (state oil company) Pertamina stopped operating," Fataruddin, 42, a kerosene seller, said on Thursday. Some traders suspected that the oil agent tried to stockpile the kerosene from the market to allow the company to control the price.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Solution for East Timorese refugees
Solution for East Timorese refugees Indonesia has decided to halt aid to refugees from East Timor starting on March 31, 2000. The decision has been protested by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR). So far the United Nations has accused Indonesia and the "militias supported by the Indonesian military (TNI)" of intentionally slowing down the repatriation of these refugees.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysians detain foreign fishermen
Malaysians detain foreign fishermen KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's fisheries department has detained a Vietnamese trawler and its crew of 12 for fishing in Malaysian waters off the northeast state of Terengganu, the official Bernama news agency said on Thursday. It quoted state fisheries director Abdul Rahman Mohamad as saying the arrest on Wednesday was the first this year involving Vietnamese fishermen.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Election body elects presidium in place of chairman Rudini
Election body elects presidium in place of chairman Rudini JAKARTA (JP): Amid reports of corruption, the General Election Commission (KPU) elected a presidium to replace its chairman Rudini, who recently requested resignation for health reasons.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Oil price slips in Asia
Oil price slips in Asia SINGAPORE (Reuters): Crude prices in Asia weakened on Thursday as major oil consumer the United States stepped up pressure on producers to relax export curbs soon. May New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) crude futures traded at $27.30 by 0740 GMT, falling 16 cents from the settlement in New York, where the contract had ended 35 cents lower.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
No letup in security approach spells trouble in Irian Jaya
No letup in security approach spells trouble in Irian Jaya Treating forms of protests as a crime may be outdated, but it is still the more popular, fatal practice in Irian Jaya, rights activist John Rumbiak told The Jakarta Post. The following is an excerpt of a recent interview in Jayapura with the supervisor of the Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy in Irian Jaya. Question: Papuans (Irianese) sporadically raise the West Papua Morning Star flag, often leading to violent situations.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Most distribution networks operate in Java
Most distribution networks operate in Java JAKARTA (JP): Distribution networks of manufactured goods in the country are mostly located in Java due to the lack of demand in other parts of the country.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Betawi cultural reserve plan criticized
Betawi cultural reserve plan criticized JAKARTA (JP): A senior expert of Betawi culture insisted on Thursday that the proposal to develop a 150-hectare Betawi cultural reserve in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, was politically motivated. Ridwan Saidi from the Betawi Cultural Institute accused Governor Sutiyoso of aiming to gain the support of the Betawi (Jakarta natives) to maintain his position, which has been rocked by a series of protests.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
TB remains killing disease in Indonesia; ranked number three
TB remains killing disease in Indonesia; ranked number three JAKARTA (JP): Do not assume you are free from infection with tuberculosis (TB), even though the disease is commonly found among refugees in emergency centers during a crisis. TB remains a major killer in Indonesia; it has ranked third in recent years on mortality lists, following cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and before infections/parasites and diarrhea.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Fuel coupon system axed for cash aid
Fuel coupon system axed for cash aid JAKARTA (JP): The government, in abandoning the planned fuel coupon system, has decided to distribute cash aid to the poor instead. A staff expert at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Iin Arifin Takhyan, said on Thursday evening that the government decided to scrap the coupon system due to strong public opposition and lack of preparation.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Maintain the decree on communism: MUI
Maintain the decree on communism: MUI JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) called on the government and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to uphold the 34-year-old ban of communist teaching. The council's chairman, Amidhan, said the public discourse on whether to revoke the decree should stop because it has sparked confusion among Muslims, who make up some 80 percent of the country's 210 million population.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
SIA to help promote Indonesian tourism
SIA to help promote Indonesian tourism JAKARTA (JP): Singapore Airlines (SIA) pledged on Thursday to spend US$3 million over the next two years to promote Indonesia in high potential tourist markets in Europe, the United States and Asia.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pressure mounts on Abdurrahman not to ratify security bill
Pressure mounts on Abdurrahman not to ratify security bill JAKARTA (JP): Calls for President Abdurrahman Wahid not to ratify the controversial state security bill continued on Thursday with the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) officially sending a letter requesting a review of the bill.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Speedboats crash in Maluku
Speedboats crash in Maluku AMBON, Maluku: Two speedboats collided off the Batu Merah and Rumah Tiga waters in Teluk Ambon on Thursday morning, leaving five people severely injured. One of the boats was leaving Batu Merah and the other was on its way to Galala village when the accident took place at about 10:30 a.m. Some 15 people were on board the boats, according to a hospital staff member. Those injured were sitting at the front of the boats when they collided.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN ministers to focus on reform program
ASEAN ministers to focus on reform program By Martin Abbugao BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): Southeast Asian finance ministers are set to gather here this weekend to review the pace of economic reforms three years after the region's financial crisis. But the Asian Development Bank (ADB), whose Vice President Peter Sullivan will be attending certain sessions, has warned that some countries may be lulled into sacrificing reforms for economic growth.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on Mar. 23, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Carrefour opens new outlet in Ratu Plaza
Carrefour opens new outlet in Ratu Plaza JAKARTA (JP): French hypermarket chain New Carrefour opened a new outlet in Ratu Plaza in South Jakarta on Wednesday as part of its expansion program in Indonesia. The group invested some US$5 million in the 7,600-square-meter outlet in Ratu Plaza, despite uncertainties in the country's economic and political situations.
Fri, 24 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto to be summoned again
Soeharto to be summoned again JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office will next week once again summon former president Soeharto as a suspect over alleged corruption after an independent medical report confirmed that he was fit to undergo questioning. "We will be issuing a new summons to Mr. Soeharto to appear at the Attorney General's Office," Attorney General Marzuki Darusman told a media briefing, confirm that the Soeharto's medical report did allow for the questioning.