Archive: 29 March 2000
55 articles found
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Unitary system with federal elements urged
Unitary system with federal elements urged JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should retain the unitary system of government but may incorporate elements of federalism to take into account the diverse history, values and geographic factors of the regions, observers said on Tuesday.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Superficial and real reforms in the Indonesian Military
Superficial and real reforms in the Indonesian Military Competing agendas remain one hindrance to reform within the Indonesian Military, says Damien Kingsbury, the Executive Officer of Monash Asia Institute, who recently wrote Guns and Ballot Boxes: East Timor's vote for independence.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on March 28, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
GAM members may join TNI
GAM members may join TNI From Pelita President Abdurrahman Wahid has made signals to the effect that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members are allowed to join the Indonesian Military (TNI) provided they pass a test. This is very interesting because up to this moment the conflict between GAM on one side and the Indonesian government on the other still prevails, and the conflict has claimed a lot of victims on both sides.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt official tells police of kidnapping
Govt official tells police of kidnapping JAKARTA (JP): A government official lodged on Saturday a complaint at the Jakarta Police headquarters that he had been kidnapped by an allegedly notorious debt-collector from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, held hostage and mentally tortured late last year over a Rp 1 billion bail (US$133,400) demand.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya apartments ready for economic development
Surabaya apartments ready for economic development By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): Surabaya is ready for more business activities in the region, even if active business means many expatriates living in Surabaya. At the moment, in the four-star and up apartment complexes, there are about 600 apartments available. Only about 48 percent are occupied. The director of Grand Interwisata, which manages Graha Residen Serviced Apartments, A.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Revival in works for traditional 'wayang'
Revival in works for traditional 'wayang' By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): Talib Prasojo's hands skillfully arranged the dried grass and rice stalks into a wayang (puppet). Only one week after the Javanese Puppets exhibition and workshop opened at Majapahit Mandarin Hotel in Surabaya, he had sold a dozen straw puppets. Hopefully, they are only the first of many -- the exhibition runs through April 3. "Somebody has ordered more puppets. I will make them at home," he told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
37 nations set for Shotokan c'ships
37 nations set for Shotokan c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Thirty seven countries have confirmed their participation in the seventh World Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIP) championships next month in Nusa Dua, Bali. The organizing committee chairman, Efjuno Tando, said on Tuesday that the organizers were still waiting for confirmation from 22 other countries to compete in the event.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI wins arbitration hearing in power contract dispute
RI wins arbitration hearing in power contract dispute JAKARTA (JP): International arbitrators in Paris have ruled in favor of the Indonesian government in a power contract dispute with American power company Florida Power and Lights, the lawyer representing Indonesia in the dispute said on Tuesday. However, Adnan Buyung Nasution said the panel of arbitrators had yet to decide on the litigation filed by the company against state electricity company PT PLN and state oil and gas company Pertamina.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P defends its role in presidential election
PDI-P defends its role in presidential election SEMARANG (JP): The executive board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) blamed "unhealthy democratic practices" rather than inept party lobbying for its failure to get Megawati Soekarnoputri elected president in October.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
JSX plan to accommodate new Internet firms hailed
JSX plan to accommodate new Internet firms hailed JAKARTA (JP): The plan of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) to ease its listing requirements, in order to accommodate startup companies, received a warm welcome from Internet related firms. Mochtar Riady, chairman and founder of local business giant, Lippo Group, said on Tuesday that the new, less rigid listing policy would help stimulate the development of new Internet business. "It's a good decision.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Settlers return home
Settlers return home JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: More than 260 settlers have abandoned their government-funded transmigration camps in Bonggo, Jayapura regency, because of food shortages, an official said on Monday. Jan Pali, the head of the Transmigration Minister Office in Jayapura, said those who left were mostly transmigrants at the resettlement units VII and VIII who came from East Nusa Tenggara, West Java and Jakarta.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, March 29, 2000
Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, March 29, 2000 Exhibition Workshop and Puppets Exhibition at Art Deco Lobby, Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 5454333), 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., until April 3. Music and Entertainment * Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, Jl. Tunjungan 65 (Phone: 031 5454333): - Indigo Restaurant & Bar: Music You Can Talk To, live show at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dubious delegates haunt PDI-P congress
Dubious delegates haunt PDI-P congress SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Some 115 delegates at the inaugural congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) still were unable to attend the proceedings on the second day because organizers doubted their legitimacy. Their fate should be determined at the next plenary session, said chairman of the organizing committee Mangara Siahaan. "The organizing committee has no authority to handle them.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Antam boosts silver quality
Antam boosts silver quality JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) announced on Tuesday its refinery unit PT Logam Mulia was able to produce high-quality silver suitable for use in high-technology devices, including microchips. Antam said in a statement that Logam Mulia, the country's sole precious metal refinery, now produced sliver granules which had a purity level of 99.99 percent.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Petronas keeps output flat
Petronas keeps output flat KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's state oil firm Petronas plans to keep domestic oil output at 610,000 barrels per day in 2000, but has an eye on an overseas project to secure output for the future, its chief executive said on Tuesday. Petronas President and Chief Executive Hassan Marican said the company was keen to participate in a $3.5 billion oil development in Chad that aims to pump 900 million barrels of oil over a 15-to-20 year period.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
PDI Perjuangan challenges ahead
PDI Perjuangan challenges ahead The ongoing congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in Semarang, Central Java, has, for the party in particular and the nation's democratic process, after the first truly democratically elected government, a special historical significance. Because the result of the general election was a coalition-based government and the administration that followed showed weaknesses in terms of lack of policy coordination among ministers.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
City absorbs employees of defunct ministries
City absorbs employees of defunct ministries JAKARTA (JP): The City Administration officially absorbed on Tuesday 1,209 employees of the Jakarta offices of the defunct ministry of social affairs and ministry of information into its already sizable organization. "We have to support the government's decision on the liquidation of the ministries.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Old city section to be developed to promote tourism
Old city section to be developed to promote tourism JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Tourism Agency is continuing with its plan to develop a "tourism village" in three locations in North Jakarta, the agency's official said on Tuesday. The plan, which has been successfully implemented in Bali, is aimed at encouraging more visitors to the area and bringing more income to local people.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kudos to the 'Post'
Kudos to the 'Post' In recent months the media have come under attack from various quarters for the irresponsible manner in which they have portrayed events. It is not my place to argue for or against the various claims, nor to proffer my own views as to the important role in society of the media and their power to help or hinder a country's social, moral and economic development.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
French container ship docks at Koja
French container ship docks at Koja JAKARTA (JP): CMA CGM, a major French shipping line, launched on Tuesday the service of its 4,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) container ship to meet the growing demand of the country's exporters. Ronald Manurung, general manager of CMA CGM Indonesia, said the Ville de' Orion, the largest cargo ship serving Indonesia, would serve the Koja container terminal at Tanjung Priok Port once a week.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Direct presidential election idea needs time
Direct presidential election idea needs time SURABAYA (JP): Direct election for president could be implemented in 2009, but the people must first learn to comprehend the new system, a scholar says. Ramlan Surbakti of the Surabaya-based Airlangga University said that establishing solid institutions to prepare the direct system would be time consuming.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Perspective: Civil-military ties revisited
Perspective: Civil-military ties revisited By Todung Mulya Lubis This is the second of two articles based on a presentation at a symposium to honor the contribution of scholar Daniel S. Lev to the Southeast Asian Studies and Societies, University of Washington. The function was held on March 13 at the university campus in Seattle. SEATTLE, Washington: The general election in June 1999 produced a new political mapping in which Golkar and the military were no longer in control.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
DHL to open new service centers
DHL to open new service centers JAKARTA (JP): Leading courier service company PT Birotika Semesta/DHL Worldwide Express plans to open new service centers in Semarang and Medan this year ahead of an expected economic turnaround in Asia, an executive said on Tuesday. The center in Semarang will be operational in May and the one in Medan in September, senior technical advisor Mike Fitzpatrick said after the company accepted an ISO 9002 quality standard certification at Shangri-La Hotel.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 28, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 25 12,000 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 575 -25 1,275,500 Alakasa Industrindo 475 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 950 0 272,000 Alter Abadi 325 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 0 11,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 5,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,150 0 481,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rosy environmental audit of Freeport elicits skepticism
Rosy environmental audit of Freeport elicits skepticism BANDUNG (JP): The environmental audit conducted by Montgomery Watson Indonesia (MWI) on PT Freeport Indonesia's activities in Irian Jaya is academically questionable, a Padjadjaran University researcher said here on Tuesday. Oekon S. Abdoellah, head of the university Center for Natural Resources and Environment Research, said that MWI did not have supporting data to praise Freeport's environmental protection program.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA replaces deputy chairman Eko Budianto
IBRA replaces deputy chairman Eko Budianto JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo installed Irwan Siregar as the new deputy chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) in charge of loan recovery, replacing Eko S. Budianto, at a closed-door ceremony on Tuesday. Bambang later told a news conference that the replacement that analysts saw as unusually abrupt was an internal affair and a decision within the jurisdiction of IBRA chairman Cacuk Sudarijanto.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Lifting ban on communism is belated thinking
Lifting ban on communism is belated thinking As warnings have been raised about whether the public is ready for the lifting of the ban on communism, political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono questions the need for the preservation of an ineffective ruling. JAKARTA (JP): However communism is understood, be it as an ideology, a belief system, or a political movement, it was wrong in the first place to ban it. It was a violation of human rights.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Team to work out parting of ways with East Timor
Team to work out parting of ways with East Timor JAKARTA (JP): A presidential decree issued on Tuesday laid the foundation for the establishment of a national team to iron out details of the transition of East Timor to an independent state.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Leading dangdut singer Rafiq demands Rp 1 billion royalties
Leading dangdut singer Rafiq demands Rp 1 billion royalties JAKARTA (JP): Famous dangdut singer and composer A. Rafiq demanded on Tuesday Rp 1 billion from a recording company for pirating three of his best selling songs.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Health education for women key to a healthy society
Health education for women key to a healthy society JAKARTA (JP): Women remain the main health providers in many countries. Their role begins at home, where illness usually begins. Outside the home, they are well recognized as doctors, nurses, midwives, other health workers and volunteers. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable group to poor health are children and women who are also, needless to say, the poorest. Data from the United Nation Children's Fund (Unicef) reveal the grim facts.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya legislative body educates itself for more autonomy
Surabaya legislative body educates itself for more autonomy By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): There are always excuses. "This is a transition period and most local legislators don't have the experience." Hence legislators are always excused if they make odd statements, draw wrong conclusions, or make lousy plans. They were also excused when they reelected the controversial city mayor. Many Surabayans were left wondering who actually chose the unpopular city mayor for a second term last month.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Radio commentator shot in Philippines
Radio commentator shot in Philippines COTABATO, Philippines (AP): A radio commentator known for his scathing criticism of Muslim separatist rebels was shot and wounded in an ambush that killed two people in a southern city, police said on Tuesday. Police said unidentified men fired on a convoy of vehicles carrying Zamzamin Ampatuan and his military escorts home in a village in Cotabato City late on Monday, setting off a brief clash that also wounded six other people.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Arbitration can settle legal disputes
Arbitration can settle legal disputes By Stefanus Haryanto JAKARTA (JP): In a dispute over the termination of the distributorship agreement between plaintiff PT Perusahaan Dagang Tempo and defendant PT Roche Indonesia, the South Jakarta District Court decided it had the jurisdiction to hear the case, notwithstanding the existence of an arbitration clause in the agreement. This decision is quite controversial, since Article 3 of Law No.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
IMF may again delay aid to Indonesia
IMF may again delay aid to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative here, John Dodsworth, confirmed on Tuesday that the IMF Executive Board in Washington won't meet on April 4, as originally scheduled, to approve the next disbursement of US$400 million in loans to Indonesia.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Families find the comfort zone in inviting world of apartments
Families find the comfort zone in inviting world of apartments SURABAYA (JP): Jane Miles has been living at the Graha Residen apartment housing complex for two-and-a-half years. So far, she is happy. When she said she would like to live in a house in a real neighborhood rather than in an apartment complex, it was not because she did not enjoy living in her apartment. "I like mingling with people. I also want to live 'outside'," she said.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Legislators want hefty pay hike
Legislators want hefty pay hike PADANG, West Sumatra: Members of the West Sumatra legislative council demanded on Tuesday an increase in their monthly salary from Rp 750,000 to Rp 10 million. They compared their situation to the large increase in allowances that echelon civil servants will receive beginning next month. "Second-echelon officials will get Rp 5 million in allowances a month," Armal Zon, a member of the council, said in the session.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Another E. Timor disaster
Another E. Timor disaster The violent way with which Indonesia got rid of East Timor last year is likely to haunt the nation for many years to come. As Indonesia faces international demands for a war crime tribunal to try its military leaders, another East Timor humanitarian disaster of horrendous proportion looms large again this week which could prove to be a major embarrassment for the country.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Zarina trial set to go ahead
Zarina trial set to go ahead JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta District Court ruled on Tuesday it would continue hearing the drug case against Zarina Mirafsur. "The indictment prepared by the prosecutor meets all the requirements as stipulated in Paragraph 2, Article 143 of the Criminal Code Procedures, which state that such indictments must be complete and clear," presiding judge Sri Handojo said in a pretrial hearing at the district court.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Buildings burned in Matraman brawl
Buildings burned in Matraman brawl JAKARTA (JP): Five buildings were burned but no fatalities reported following a vicious brawl between residents of Kebon Manggis and Palmeriam in the Matraman area of East Jakarta on Tuesday evening. Matraman police chief Maj. Marsidi said on Tuesday that the buildings burned included a notary office and a building belonging to the Navy. "They were throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, and some were using air guns.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
IBRA to issue bonds to bail out ailing companies
IBRA to issue bonds to bail out ailing companies SINGAPORE (Agencies): The chief of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said Tuesday top Indonesian ministers have given "verbal" approval to issue bonds to bail out 48 companies indebted to IBRA.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Greater independence urged for BPK
Greater independence urged for BPK JAKARTA (JP): In order to provide objective audit reports for the House of Representatives, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) must be given greater independence to carry out its duties, according to a former government official. Ghandi, the former chairman of the Development and Finance Comptroller, said here on Tuesday the draft bill on the role of the state audit agency should give BPK more freedom in planning its audits.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur tells BKKBN to stop fudging population figures
Gus Dur tells BKKBN to stop fudging population figures JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid warned officials of the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN) on Tuesday to stop manipulating population figures merely to please the country's leaders. Abdurrahman, known as Gus Dur, decried the practice and said it would only worsen the country's population situation in the future.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia third in tuberculosis cases in the world
Indonesia third in tuberculosis cases in the world JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is third in the world in number of tuberculosis patients with over 583,000 recorded infections last year, of which 140,000 died. "From the contagious diseases group, tuberculosis is the primary cause of death in the country," Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi told reporters here on Tuesday. "Around 400 people die of the disease every day," he added.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bob Hasan detained over scandal
Bob Hasan detained over scandal JAKARTA (JP): Timber tycoon Mohamad "Bob" Hasan was detained at the Attorney General's Office on Tuesday after formally being named a suspect in a US$87 million corruption scandal. Chaerul Imam, the director of corruption affairs at the Attorney General's Office, said a warrant had been issued to detain Bob Hasan for 20 days for questioning in connection with a government contract to map out Indonesia's forestry resources.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Telkom network service rerouted
Telkom network service rerouted BOGOR (JP): The Bogor office of state-owned telecommunication company PT Telkom has decided to move part of its network service to PT Telkom in Tangerang starting on April 1 as part of efforts to bring customers back, officials said on Tuesday. Reports said 1,000 locals of a housing complex in Tenjo district in Bogor refused to use the company's services for it charged them with long distance call fees.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Key government officials still holding two jobs
Key government officials still holding two jobs JAKARTA (JP): Senior United Development Party legislator Aisyah Aminy and Golkar's Yahya Zaini called on members of the House of Representatives who hold dual posts in the government to resign from the legislature. They pointed out that it has been almost six months since the new government was formed and there are still several House members who have not resigned, despite holding positions in the executive branch or other government offices.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Schools out in Jayawijaya
Schools out in Jayawijaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Thousands of primary-age school children have stopped attending classes because their teachers have quit in the face of intimidation from West Papuan separatist rebels. The head of the Ministry of National Education Office in the Jayawijaya regency, G.W. de Fretes, said on Tuesday that school activity has been turned upside down.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
FedEx wins freight awards
FedEx wins freight awards JAKARTA (JP): Courier service company Federal Express (FedEx) announced on Tuesday it had been named Best Total Logistics Operator for the fifth consecutive year at the 14th Asian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA). The award, which is provided by Cargonews Asia, a leading freight industry trade publication in the region, was delivered at the awards ceremony in Singapore on Monday.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Cleaning services told to adjust wages
Cleaning services told to adjust wages JAKARTA (JP): The city administration issued a ruling on Tuesday that all cleaning service companies operating at City Hall should immediately adopt the central government-established new minimum regional wage (UMR) of Rp 286,000 (US$38) per month for their workers. Head of City General Affairs Office Saidin Murkana said that currently the workers were paid Rp 7,700 for each working day.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah plunges on quarterly dollar demand in Asian trade
Rupiah plunges on quarterly dollar demand in Asian trade HONG KONG (Dow Jones): The Indonesian rupiah fell to its lowest since the beginning of the month during Asian trading hours Tuesday, while the New Taiwan dollar rose to hit its highest level in six weeks. Markets elsewhere in the region were largely range-bound with trading volumes generally thin. The fall in the rupiah was blamed largely on demand for the U.S.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Web site business in Asia, from conglomerate to corner store
Web site business in Asia, from conglomerate to corner store By Joe McDonald SHANGHAI, China (AP): Fresh out of Harvard Business School last year, Shao Yibo passed up lucrative U.S. jobs and came home to start a Web site that sells goods as varied as houses and hot- pink cellphones. Six months later, eachnet.com is a Chinese dot-com star. Shao has raised US$7 million from investors and plans to raise $40 million more.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
KONI flush with cash for Olympic training
KONI flush with cash for Olympic training JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has received more support for its training program for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and is now well past its initial fund target. PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia, which is the second private institution after fast food firm McDonald's Indonesia to donate to the cause, has pledged to provide US$100,000 in cash and goods.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bimantoro says 'B 1 MA does not belong to me anymore'
Bimantoro says 'B 1 MA does not belong to me anymore' JAKARTA (JP): National Police deputy chief Maj. Gen. Bimantoro said on Tuesday that B 1 MA, the controversial registration number which earlier belonged to a city resident and was allegedly sold off to him for a price, did not belong to him anymore. "That number does not belong to me ... anymore," Bimantoro told reporters at National Police Headquarters. "I will speak to city police chief (Maj. Gen.
Wed, 29 Mar 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two declared suspects in Sunday murders
Two declared suspects in Sunday murders JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police declared on Tuesday two suspects in connection with the murder of a Police mobile brigade (Brimob) private and a civilian early on Sunday morning. Central Jakarta police chief of detectives Capt. Hendra Suhartiyono identified the two as Syafiq and Ichsan. "We are still investigating this case," Hendra said. As reported earlier, First Pvt.