Archive: 17 April 2000
43 articles found
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Long, winding road to reconciliation
Long, winding road to reconciliation One hurdle to the truth and reconciliation commission to be formed, would be the political interest to search either a whitewash or a witch-hunt, writes political analyst Kusnanto Anggoro, a senior researcher with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and a lecturer at the postgraduate program of the University of Indonesia, Jakarta.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Teachers are lacking
Teachers are lacking I am very much concerned with the demand for a salary increase by teachers lately. With the current economic situation in Indonesia the teachers are definitely experiencing the same economic difficulties as we are. Should the current situation drag on for a long time, Indonesia's education will face a greater problem. The education system sill needs improving in many aspects. One of the problems is that the number of teachers in Indonesia is limited.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Experts defend President's call to revoke communism ban
Experts defend President's call to revoke communism ban YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political observers have defended President Abdurrahman Wahid's support for lifting the ban on communism, saying that it does not violate the 1945 Constitution or People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decrees.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Corruption plagues Thai poll rerun
Corruption plagues Thai poll rerun BANGKOK (AFP): Allegations of rampant corruption have surfaced during advance voting in the rerun senate elections in Thailand, after the first round was tarnished by vote buying, reports said on Sunday. After the original Senate polls on March 4 were marred by vote buying, the Election Commission announced a rerun on April 29 in constituencies where the winner was disqualified for cheating.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
IMF may disburse $400m loan to RI soon
IMF may disburse $400m loan to RI soon WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): Indonesia has made "a lot of progress" toward meeting International Monetary Fund conditions, making it likely the country will get a US$400 million loan disbursement in May, a fund official said. The IMF plans to send a staff mission to Jakarta later this month to determine whether it can recommend to its executive board release of the disbursement, said Anoop Singh, the IMF's Asia and Pacific department's deputy director.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
The Soeharto show
The Soeharto show The corruption investigation of former president Soeharto has dragged on aimlessly for the last five months that it has become nothing more than a pathetic little public show. The only problem is that we are not sure who is the more pathetic of the two parties in this spectacle: Is it the sick old man who is cunning and still so powerful he does not have to answer to the law?
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ruler of Malaysia's Perlis state dies
Ruler of Malaysia's Perlis state dies KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The ruler of Malaysia's northern Perlis state passed away on Sunday after being treated for heart problems, diabetes and kidney complications, the official Bernama news agency reported. Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, 79, was in critical condition last week after being hospitalized in Kuala Lumpur on March 21 and was reported to have been on a life-support system, Bernama said.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Newmont falls victim to Indonesia's fledging democracy
Newmont falls victim to Indonesia's fledging democracy By Berni K. Moestafa JAKARTA (JP): It was all bleak for the American gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, when a tax dispute with the Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi caused the company last week to face a closure order of its gold mine. Despite strong protests from government officials, mining observers and legislators, the regency kept pursuing litigation at a local district court, which issued the closure order.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hotel accused of stealing tap water
Hotel accused of stealing tap water BOGOR (JP): A hotel on Jl. Juanda here has been accused by city-owned tap water company PDAM Bogor of stealing thousands of cubic meters of the firm's water. PDAM Bogor director Daslim Saibi said on Friday the suspected theft, which cost the company at least Rp 6 million a month, was uncovered by a team examining a possible water leakage in the pipeline installed at the Office of the Bogor Secretary.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Exploring the 'Zazen', the gate of living Zen
Exploring the 'Zazen', the gate of living Zen By Rahayu Ratnaningsih JAKARTA (JP): Of all Buddhist traditions, I find Zen and Tantric (Tibetan) most appealing. The two are so full of contrast; Zen with its "complex simplicity" and minimalist approach; Tantric with its rich, colorful, quixotic, imaginative and ritualistic tradition. The two are a living manifestation of life, of yin and yang, of the harmonious paradoxes that abound in life and the nondualistic nature of reality.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Train derails in Tugu
Train derails in Tugu YOGYAKARTA: At least six of the 12 railways cars of Argowilis express train derailed just minutes after it left Tugu Station here on Sunday on its way to Jakarta. A few of the 450 passengers on board suffered slight injuries in the accident, which occurred around 9 a.m. The train was plying the Surakarta-Jakarta route with a stop in Yogyakarta. Purnomo, an official of state PT Kereta Api Indonesia, said the cause of the accident was a wooden sleeper that had rotted.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
More oil likely in Kuwait
More oil likely in Kuwait KUWAIT CITY (DPA): Oil-rich Kuwait is likely to have discovered more oil on its biggest island, Bubiyan, bordering Iraq, Arab Times newspaper reported Saturday. Results of recent seismological surveys conducted by parent conglomerate Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) "confirmed the presence of promising oil deposits," said the Times.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
State enterprises and conglomerates
State enterprises and conglomerates Around the beginning of 1990 there emerged a controversial idea to recruit executives of certain prominent private companies to hold the positions of top management at certain strategic state enterprises (BUMN). At the time it was intensively blown up into a negative image that most BUMN employees were inefficient and the directors were in the style of typical bureaucrats and were deemed to have no business acumen.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
An open letter to Indonesian reformists
An open letter to Indonesian reformists By Olle Tornquist OSLO (JP): Dear Indonesian reformists (cc. your Western supporters), This, of course, is primarily for you to settle. But as I'm part of that rather hypocritical West which contributed to the catastrophe and, like Indonesia, has to come to terms with it, and since I'm one of those who have spent decades researching the background and the implications, I would like to convey a few thoughts, for whatever they might be worth.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Drops in U.S. stock markets may weaken Jakarta bourse
Drops in U.S. stock markets may weaken Jakarta bourse JAKARTA (JP): Weak sentiment in the global market, driven by a recent series of drops in the U.S. stock markets, will further weaken the Jakarta Composite Index this week after it fell 2.5 percent last week, equity analysts have said. The analysts said pale global sentiment and the absence of foreign investors in the local market would send the Composite Index down again.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Lippo e-Net could face charges: Bapepam
Lippo e-Net could face charges: Bapepam JAKARTA (JP): Head of Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) Herwidayatmo has said that listed life insurance company PT Lippo e-Net may be charged with presenting inconsistent information to the public. "I see small indications where Lippo e-Net is inconsistent in its statements to the public," Herwidayatmo told journalists at his office on Sunday.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Irian Jaya caretaker governor installed
Irian Jaya caretaker governor installed JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Home affairs minister Surjadi Soedirdja installed Musiran Darmo Suwito on Saturday as caretaker governor of Irian Jaya, replacing Freddy Numberi who was appointed as state minister of administrative reforms last year. Musiran was formerly deputy governor of East Timor before the province decided to separate from Indonesia.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Some groups want 'to sabotage peace efforts in Aceh'
Some groups want 'to sabotage peace efforts in Aceh' HONG KONG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Sunday there were domestic groups attempting to sabotage peace efforts in Aceh, and also revealed he had asked for an Army officer to be removed from his post in the province. "There are still groups who don't want my policy to succeed and because of this, they will try as much as possible to raise obstacles," Abdurrahman told journalists during his visit to Hong Kong.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police deny involvement in YLBHI secretariat attack
Police deny involvement in YLBHI secretariat attack JAKARTA (JP): Menteng Police dismissed on Saturday the allegations that its officers attacked and damaged the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) secretariat on Jl. Diponegoro No. 74 in Central Jakarta in pursuit of violent student protesters on Thursday. "It was the student protesters and the crowd that pelted stones at the YLBHI secretariat.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt plans to reschedule $300m in commercial debts
Govt plans to reschedule $300m in commercial debts JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia plans to negotiate soon with foreign commercial banks on a mechanism to reschedule some US$300 million in government debts due in 2000 and 2001, according to Bank Indonesia director Burhanudin Abdullah. Burhanudin said on Sunday that the commercial debt deal would be on comparable terms to that reached with the Paris Club of creditor nations last week.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
President rebuffs his critics
President rebuffs his critics By Budiman Moerdijat HONG KONG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid rebuffed his critics on Sunday, including People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, and warned of a backlash against his political foes if they failed to back up their criticism.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
UK waged 'dirty campaign' to overthrow Sukarno
UK waged 'dirty campaign' to overthrow Sukarno LONDON (AFP): The world's press was manipulated by British intelligence as part of a plot to overthrow Indonesia's president Sukarno in the 1960s, The Independent on Sunday newspaper reported here. The weekly said it had obtained a Foreign Office document which revealed the full extent of a "dirty tricks" campaign orchestrated from London.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police officer shoots Marine to death
Police officer shoots Marine to death JAKARTA (JP): A North Jakarta Police officer surrendered to his superiors on Sunday, saying he shot to death a Marine officer at a nightspot on Jl. Pemuda in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, an officer said. Lt. Col. Mustofa, the head of the Jakarta Police Internal Affairs division, identified the suspect as First Sgt. Ruban and the victim as Chief Sgt. Beni Silaban, 45.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Attorney General plans to seize Soeharto's assets
Attorney General plans to seize Soeharto's assets JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office is planning to block former president Soeharto's accounts and seize his properties as a precautionary measure to safeguard the corruption investigation of the ex-ruler. A high-ranking official at the Attorney General's Office, who asked for anonymity, confirmed with The Jakarta Post on Sunday his office would soon take measures to secure Soeharto's accounts.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto and his KKN practices
Soeharto and his KKN practices From Suara Karya A number of mass media publications reported on their front pages on April 12, 2000 a suggestion that the Attorney General's Office should display greater seriousness in handling corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) allegedly committed by former president Soeharto and his children. The majority of Indonesia's 200 million plus people, including me, fully agree with this suggestion.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Administration plans to support Betawi culture
Administration plans to support Betawi culture JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has announced it will provide special treatment and support for the Betawi culture in recognition of the adminstration's unique role as a representative of the Betawi culture.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Body of suspected thief found in Cisadane river
Body of suspected thief found in Cisadane river JAKARTA (JP): Daan Mogot residents fished out the bloated corpse of a suspected thief from Cisadane River on Sunday morning, an officer said. West Jakarta Police chief of detectives Capt. Sahar identified the decomposed body of the male suspect as Ucok, who jumped into the river to escape angry residents who were chasing him and three other men on Friday evening.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Alleged Aussie spy to be sent home
Alleged Aussie spy to be sent home JAKARTA (JP): Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri said on Saturday he had been informed that an Australian sergeant serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor would be sent home under suspicion of espionage. Speaking in Denpasar, Bali, Kiki said the commander of the peacekeeping force, Lt. Gen.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Technological evolution of cell-phone batteries
Technological evolution of cell-phone batteries Apart from a "hello" or some other warm greeting, I have had recipients answer my call first with "Sorry if the line cuts off, my cell phone is 'lowbat'." Then a click. Then a disconnection. Well, you might say, why don't they just go and purchase a new battery for their cell phone? Or, why not go to Glodok Jaya, a shopping center in Kota, downtown Jakarta, to get their batteries repaired at very reasonable prices.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Consumers upbeat over economic outlook: Survey
Consumers upbeat over economic outlook: Survey JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian consumers have confidence that the economy is on the rise and economic conditions will improve over the next six months, according to a March consumer confidence survey held by Danareksa Research Institute. The institute said that for the first time since October 1999, the percentage of consumers claiming current conditions were good outweighed the percentage claiming otherwise.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thousands of teachers gear up for nationwide strike over pay hike
Thousands of teachers gear up for nationwide strike over pay hike JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of teachers across the country began the countdown for a nationwide strike starting on Monday to demand a significant increase in their salaries. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, thousands of teachers from eight regencies in the South Sulawesi capital threatened on Saturday to go strike on Monday if the government failed to give serious attention to their demands.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Sculpture Exhibition: Hanung Mahadi, at Galeri Lontar, Komunitas Utan Kayu, Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 7. * Painting Exhibition: Tilo Kaiser, 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 April 20.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Laskar Jihad' head vows to send volunteers to Maluku
'Laskar Jihad' head vows to send volunteers to Maluku BOGOR (JP): The commander of Laskar Jihad (Jihad Force), Jaffar Umar Thalib, insisted on Sunday that the group would continue its plan to deploy 10,000 volunteers to Maluku at the end of this month. "We will keep our schedule to send the first batch of 3,000 volunteers by the end of this month.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Villager killed in mass brawl
Villager killed in mass brawl PATI, Central Java: A villager was killed and six others injured in a brawl between youths of Pecangaan and Gajah Kumpul village in the Batangan district here on Saturday during an exuberant party. Pati spokesman Bambang Pitoyo said the brawl erupted when a youth from Pecangaan was punched by a youth from Gajah Kumpul village during the party. "The party then become a brawl.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Drivers oppose planned taxi fare increase
Drivers oppose planned taxi fare increase JAKARTA (JP): A plan to increase taxi fares is being opposed by most taxi drivers, who say that it would only benefit taxi companies and make drivers cash cows who would have to work harder to meet increasing targets to fill the companies' coffers. Interviewed separately on Saturday, some cab drivers aired their indifference to the planned hike.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Synthetic fiber makers protest power rate hikes
Synthetic fiber makers protest power rate hikes JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Synthetic Fiber Makers Association (APSyFI) has warned that the increase in electricity rates beginning this month would severely undermine the operation of its members. The hike will undermine companies' financial situations, and with the official minimum wage increasing at the same time, it will cause higher operational costs, the association's secretary- general Sutrisno R said in a statement on Saturday.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
More firms offer English version of govt regulations in CDROMs
More firms offer English version of govt regulations in CDROMs JAKARTA (JP): Finding references in English on the country's regulations is becoming faster and easier with the services by several local firms which provide official translations on various regulations on CDROMs.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Caltex to maintain current output level
Caltex to maintain current output level JAKARTA (JP): PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, state oil company Pertamina's major production sharing contractor, has ruled out any plans to raise its crude-oil output despite an increase in the country's crude-oil production quota. Caltex senior executive Djati Susetya said in Pekanbaru on Saturday that the company's crude-oil production would be maintained at the current level of 740,000 barrel per day (bpd).
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bike taxi drivers attack bus terminal
Bike taxi drivers attack bus terminal JAKARTA (JP): As of Sunday evening, North Jakarta Police had not made any arrests in connection with an attack by some 100 bicycle taxi (ojek sepeda) drivers at the Tanjung Priok bus terminal. "We have not arrested anybody ... we just spoke to a few people. They have promised not to create any more trouble," North Jakarta Police chief of operational control Maj. Bayu said.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dengue fever cases decline daily
Dengue fever cases decline daily JAKARTA (JP): The city has observed a steady decline in dengue cases this week, but it still suffered higher levels than last year with more than 4,000 patients treated, an official said on Thursday. Head of the City Health Agency's animal-related disease section, Tini Suryanti, said hospitals had reported a decrease in the number of patients to only one or two per day, compared to 20 to 30 per day in the middle of last month.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
15,000 workers sent abroad uninsured
15,000 workers sent abroad uninsured JAKARTA (JP): A labor observer questioned the fate of at least 15,000 workers who have been sent abroad over the past month without insurance coverage. Halomoan Hutapea said the exodus of uninsured workers followed the government's decision to suspend temporarily the operation of nine insurance consortia appointed to provide insurance protection for workers overseas.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian police detain another opposition leader
Malaysian police detain another opposition leader KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian police detained another opposition leader on Sunday after he vowed to press for political changes following weekend protests by supporters of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. Tian Chua, vice-president of the National Justice Party (Keadilan) founded by Anwar's wife, was picked up by police at a shopping mall, said Elizabeth Wong, coordinator for rights group Suaram.
Mon, 17 Apr 2000, 00:00 WIB
Juwono lashes out at private television stations
Juwono lashes out at private television stations JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono criticized the way TV stations exposed social conflicts at home, saying the fierce competition among them has worsened the disputes. "The way TV stations, such as RCTI, SCTV and ANteve, have presented their (flagrant) coverage have frequently provoked the situation in the field.