Archive: 14 August 2000
51 articles found
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Minister takes a turn as reporter
Minister takes a turn as reporter JAKARTA (JP): What do ministers do on a Sunday to take a break from the hectic schedule of the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly? State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela considers posing as a journalist to be a pleasant diversion.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Give Islamic 'syariah' law a chance: Mujahidin leader
Give Islamic 'syariah' law a chance: Mujahidin leader By Sri Wahyuni YOGYAKARTA (JP): Some 1,500 Muslims held their first Indonesian Mujahidin Congress in Yogyakarta on Aug. 5 to Aug. 7 which resulted in the establishment of a Mujahidin Assembly and a document named the Yogyakarta Charter. The Mujahidin (defenders of the faith) does not claim itself as a group and says the Congress was only a gathering of concerned people.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Warning for teenagers
Warning for teenagers BOGOR (JP): Women who become pregnant between the ages of 15 and 19 are twice as vulnerable to death during childbirth as women between the ages of 20 and 34, an obstetrician said. Raditya Wratsangka of the Indonesian Family Planning Clinic Association was speaking during a discussion here on Saturday on the reproductive health of teenagers.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Albright warns Gus Dur against visitting Iraq
Albright warns Gus Dur against visitting Iraq SANTA FE, New Mexico (AFP): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid will harm his country's stature if he follows through on plans to visit Iraq this year, U.S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on Saturday. Albright said such a trip would be inappropriate and ill- advised and urged Wahid to heed Washington's advice, which was pointedly ignored by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez when he traveled to Baghdad on Thursday and Friday.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Danamon, Fiserv sign deal
Danamon, Fiserv sign deal JAKARTA (JP): Singapore-based Fiserv Asia Pacific has agreed to provide publicly listed Bank Danamon with an international comprehensive banking system to help improve speed, accuracy and efficiency of service. The system will automate customer relationship management, product design, transaction processing and financial management, Danamon said in a statement on Friday.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Amed and the developing coast of East Bali
Amed and the developing coast of East Bali By Brant Connors Three hours from the crowds of Kuta and the traffic of Denpasar, East Bali beckons the traveler in search of peace and serenity. The east end of the world's most magical island cradles beautiful stretches of farmland, rich religious cultural history, world-class diving and snorkling, and a glimpse at village life that is quickly fading as development approaches. Amed, perched on the coast north of Mt. Seraya and east of the majestic Mt.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Taking lobbying to new heights
Taking lobbying to new heights JAKARTA (JP): Lobbying skills are part of any good politician's repertoire, but members of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction are leaving nothing to chance in getting their message across. They invited two constitutional law experts and journalists to their briefing on Sunday in a bid to win public support for the rejection of an Assembly decree on the task-sharing arrangement between President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
HZ buys into Indocement
HZ buys into Indocement JAKARTA (JP): Heidelberger Zement Group (HZ) of Germany has agreed to take over US$250 million of debts from PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa and convert them into shares in the company, the publicly listed Indonesian cement giant said. The deal is part of an agreement signed on Friday between the German group and Indocement's two major shareholders, PT Mekar Perkasa and PT Kaolin Indah Utama, to set up a 50/50 joint venture company to control Indocement.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Finance Minister Bambang wants to retain his job
Finance Minister Bambang wants to retain his job YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo hinted on Saturday that he still wanted to retain his position in the Cabinet to allow him to accomplish his unfinished works. "I have many important works in the Ministry of Finance particularly in connection with adjusting the state budget in line with the inter-governmental fiscal law," he told reporters after attending a ceremony at the Mada University (UGM).
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Workers' protests threaten Badak natural gas supply
Workers' protests threaten Badak natural gas supply JAKARTA (JP): Workers' protests at gas company Vico Indonesia Ltd might cause a total cut in the natural gas supply to the country's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer PT Badak in Bontang, East Kalimantan, a spokesman of state oil and gas company Pertamina said here on Saturday.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Riantini, Irne join Olympic bridge team
Riantini, Irne join Olympic bridge team SEMARANG (JP): Riantini, the silver medalist at the 15th National Games, and Irne Korengkeng were included on the women's national bridge team for the Olympic Bridge competition at Maastricht, the Netherlands, starting on Aug. 27. Riantini and Irne will join Lusye Boyoh/Elita Sofyan and Vera Damayanti/Lany Lim. Indonesia also will send their senior and junior players to the event.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Three die in Sawu Sea mishap
Three die in Sawu Sea mishap MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Three men died and four others are still missing after a strong eddy destroyed an eight- crew fishing boat on the Sawu Sea, the only known survivor said on Friday evening.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bali's dynamics in the shadow of tourism
Bali's dynamics in the shadow of tourism By I Gde Pitana DENPASAR, Bali (JP): At present, tourism has touched almost every corner of the world -- every country and every region -- directly, as well as indirectly. Bali has had a significant slice of the action. This environmentally friendly industry, which started in the 1920s, has become an inseparable part of this idyllic island.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
PDI Perjuangan, Golkar becoming political allies
PDI Perjuangan, Golkar becoming political allies JAKARTA (JP): In politics anything is possible and enemies can quickly become friends. That has been particularly evident in recent days between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party who seem to be going through something of a honeymoon period. Just a few years ago the two seemed to be intractably opposed.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kyat spirals to all-time low
Kyat spirals to all-time low YANGON (AFP): Myanmar's currency, the kyat, has spiraled to an all-time low against the dollar, triggering fears here of a major government anti-inflation intervention in the economy. On the black market, the truest indicator of the value of Myanmar's currency, the kyat is now valued at about 400 to the dollar, its lowest point in its history.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
PPP wants DEN/DPUN dissolved
PPP wants DEN/DPUN dissolved JAKARTA (JP): The United Development (PPP) faction urged President Abdurrahman Wahid on Saturday to dissolve his two advisory groups, the National Economic Council (DEN) and National Business Development Council (DPUN) saying the two councils only complicate the situation. According to the faction there is no reason for the President to set up the two bodies as the state already has the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) as a consultative body to assist the President.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Creative aims high in world of digital audio
Creative aims high in world of digital audio By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): I have a short list of technology companies that I have a lot of respect for. One of them is the Singapore-based Creative Technology Ltd. So, when I got an invitation last month to their launch of Nomad Jukebox, I jumped at the opportunity and said "Yes!" It turned out that there were more than a hundred IT journalists from all over the world invited to the event.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Troops reportedly run amok in Aceh following shooting
Troops reportedly run amok in Aceh following shooting BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A large number of residents were injured after a gang of soldiers and police officers reportedly ran amok on Sunday, destroying shops and markets in the Idi Rayeuek district of East Aceh on Sunday. Unconfirmed reports said three civilians were killed in the melee. Locals said the incident started minutes after two soldiers were shot dead in a local fish market by unidentified persons, who then stole their guns.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Condition not recovered
Condition not recovered From Jurnal Indonesia The reform movement's main goal is the democratization of all walks of life which can be achieved by 1) dismantling the nation's system and political life, 2) demolishing the system and economic life of the "families and cronies" created by the New Order regime and changing it into a popular economy based on public interests and welfare, 3) upholding the supremacy of law and human rights.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Live bullets found in steel box at post office
Live bullets found in steel box at post office SURABAYA (JP): A staff member of the Surabaya post office found a steel package containing 1,200 nine millimeter bullets for FN guns on Friday, a police officer said. "The staff member was suspicious as the parcel did not have the addresses of either the sender or recipient," Surabaya Police detective chief Asst. Supt. Edwin M.B. said on Saturday.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Last paradise' reflects on its development path
'Last paradise' reflects on its development path By I Wayan Juniartha. DENPASAR, Bali (JP) Several noted figures have urged the people and government of Bali to take the province's 42nd anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on and contemplate the path of development that the "last paradise" has taken. "Are we really going in the right direction, and at a correct speed," prominent social activist Prof. Dr. LK Suryani asked rhetorically.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Arrest and try BI officials
Arrest and try BI officials The results are in on an investigation carried out by the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), which was probing a total Rp 106 trillion of Bank Indonesian Liquidity Support (BLBI) recorded as of Jan. 31, 2000. The investigation revealed that more than half, or about Rp 54.5 trillion, was channeled to 10 banks, which had their operations suspended, and to 32 others whose business activities were suspended.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
MPR moves to formalize task-sharing formula
MPR moves to formalize task-sharing formula JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) moved a step closer on Sunday to formalizing the task-sharing arrangement between the President and Vice President, although not through a separate decree.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Emasculation of the presidency
Emasculation of the presidency On Aug. 7 President Abdurrahman Wahid gave his progress report before the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). On Aug. 8 the MPR members responded negatively, in particular criticizing the President's management failures. After failing for months to heed warnings that his style of managing government affairs was not succeeding, it took the President only two days to announce what sounds like a major presidential management innovation. On Aug.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
BAT cuts cigarette output
BAT cuts cigarette output JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed cigarette producer PT BAT Indonesia Tbk has suffered a substantial drop in sales due to the introduction of a new excise tax in April. The company's corporate secretary, Didi Nugrahadi, said on Friday that the sales of the company's cigarette brands, especially those directed to the low and middle market segment, had dropped sharply due to the higher excise tax.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ethics dilemma in selecting tourism development
Ethics dilemma in selecting tourism development By I Wayan Juniartha DENPASAR, Bali (JP): That tourism is the backbone of Bali cannot be denied. Nevertheless, such a claim should not prevent us from thinking critically and reflectively about the development of our tourist industry. Several matters which need to be considered are the impact of the development of tourism on the environment as well as the people and the culture of Bali.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Lindskog captures Volvo Masters title
Lindskog captures Volvo Masters title KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Sweden's Stephen Lindskog triumphed at the US$250,000 Volvo Masters of Malaysia on Sunday after surviving a three-way play-off at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two die after being hit by speeding bus
Two die after being hit by speeding bus JAKARTA (JP): Two people died after a speeding intercity bus plowed into their motorbikes on Jl. Margonda Raya in Depok on Sunday morning. The two victims, along with three others, had been stopped by police officers conducting a regular operation as they were returning home from a party at a relative's house in Depok. Masduki, 40, one of those stopped by the police, said the five were traveling on Jl.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's health decline: Lawyer
Soeharto's health decline: Lawyer JAKARTA (JP): With former president Soeharto's corruption trial approaching, a lawyer said on Sunday the country's former ruler was not healthy enough for the court proceedings. Juan Felix Tampubolon, one of Soeharto's lawyers, said his client's health had been on the decline since he was first questioned over corruption allegations last April. "I cannot tell you the details.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Nowhere to hide
Nowhere to hide Old age for Chile's former strongman Augusto Pinochet and Indonesia's former president Suharto looks much different from anything they had probably envisaged. These two distinguished men, each of whom fashioned himself as the savior of his country, are now rethinking their retirement plans. Instead of basking in the glory of a job well done and receiving the thanks of a grateful nation, they both face trial.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Thief mobbed to death
Thief mobbed to death DENPASAR, Bali: A crowd of people Pemogan village, some eight kilometers south of Denpasar, beat an alleged thief to death and wounded two other criminals who managed to escape on Sunday. Badung Police detectives chief Sr. Supt. Hussein Abubakar said on Sunday that the victim was one of three burglars who broke into a house on Jl. Gelogor Carik.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Six killed, 18 injured in fresh Ambon fighting
Six killed, 18 injured in fresh Ambon fighting AMBON, Maluku (JP): Ambon was still tense on Sunday following clashes between troops and armed rioters at the border between Batu Merah and Mardika areas that left at least six people dead and 18 others wounded, officials and witnesses said. Public minivan driver Daniel Kaya and speedboat passenger Beny were also severely injured on Saturday in separate clashes in Pohon Pule in downtown Ambon and off Rumah Tiga beach.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
TNI/Police to leave MPR after 2009
TNI/Police to leave MPR after 2009 JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Commission B deliberating draft decrees, proposed on Sunday that the presence of the military and police in the highest law-making body would be maintained until 2009. The proposal came after mounting criticism lodged against Assembly members, who are convened for their first ever annual session, for their reluctance to put an end to the political role of the armed forces.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Legislators pessimistic on constitutional amendments
Legislators pessimistic on constitutional amendments JAKARTA (JP): With the clock ticking fast, hopes that Commission A at the People's Consultative Assembly will complete proposals for constitutional amendments are fading. Prolonged debate and seemingly inexorable differing views by party factions on Sunday were snagging efforts to swiftly complete the amendments, despite the fact that the commission only has one day left to complete its work.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Drawing contest for children
Drawing contest for children JAKARTA (JP): About 1,000 children between the ages of 3 and 12 took part in a drawing and coloring contest at Mal Ciputra in West Jakarta on Sunday. The contest was held in connection with the country's 55th anniversary of independence, which falls on Aug. 17, and National Children's Day, which took place on July 23. At the end of the contest, all of the drawings were fashioned into a giant paper lantern.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
FedEx sees bright outlook in rebounding Asian market
FedEx sees bright outlook in rebounding Asian market SUBIC BAY, The Philippines (JP): Leading air express transportation company Federal Express (FedEx) sees a favorable Asian market ahead as the region recovers from its economic crisis. Managing director for its Southeast Asia operation of the U.S.-based company Steve E. Cox said the realization of free trade and growing online trade transaction volume in the region would also bode well for the company.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Official suggests spice museum for Jakarta
Official suggests spice museum for Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The City Museum and Restoration Agency has proposed the establishment of Indonesia's first ever spice museum in an unused building within the Maritime Museum compound on Jl. Pasar Ikan I in North Jakarta. Agency chairman Robert P. Silalahi said the museum would give added value to the existing Maritime Museum, locally known as Museum Bahari, which is some 400 meters away from the Sunda Kelapa seaport.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 Music 9:00 MPR Session (live) 12:00 p.m. Music 2:30 Performance 3:30 Music 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Music 5:30 TVRI News (in English) 6:00 TV Series: Akbar the Great 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports News 9:00 World News 9:35 News: MPR Session 10:30 Music Program 2 5:30 p.m. TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News TPI 5:30 a.m.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Councillors question lack of police on raids
Councillors question lack of police on raids JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta City Councilmen questioned on Saturday the absence of police officers on several raids conducted recently by local officials against gambling dens in the capital. Council Deputy Speaker Djafar Badjeber of the United Development Party said the presence of the police during such operations is necessary to avoid any unexpected obstacles.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two blasts in RP kill at least 4
Two blasts in RP kill at least 4 MANILA (AP): Blasts in two Philippine cities on Sunday killed at least four people and wounded about 23 others in a sign of rising lawlessness. A bomb exploded in a crowded sidewalk burger stall in Carmen town n the southern province of North Cotabato, killing a 13-year-old boy and a soldier, the local mayor said, and wounded 11 other people. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Calls to defer amendments grow
Calls to defer amendments grow JAKARTA (JP): Calls to postpone the consideration of constitutional amendments to a more "appropriate" time are growing as many argue that the nation is currently still too unsettled to deal with such fundamental changes to the 1945 Constitution. An alliance of Muslim, Catholic, Protestant and Hindu student organizations said they were very disappointed with the quarrels and politicking going on at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
E-Procurement helps firms cut down on purchasing costs
E-Procurement helps firms cut down on purchasing costs Are the employees in your company still using the old, paper- based procurement procedure? Does Ina still have to obtain seven signatures before she can get a new ink cartridge for the inkjet printer on her desk? Does Tommy often get angry because his PO for fax paper always gets lost in the office labyrinth? Then your company is still living in the New Order era. This is the Web era.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Military training?
Military training? Further to Melody Kemp's letter Violence on the border (Aug. 5) and my own on cross-border raids into East Timor (Aug. 1) by men with "high military skills", UN commanders in the territory are now strongly suggesting that the "militiamen" are in fact army's special force (Kopassus) operatives. This would be consistent with what is known about this group and their extensive training, much of it courtesy of the Pentagon, in covert operations.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Badung Regent offers praise
Badung Regent offers praise By Brant Connors DENPASAR, Bali (JP): As Bali celebrates its 42nd anniversary as a province, Badung Regent A.A. Ngurah Oka Ratmadi SH praised efforts to develop and promote Bali and Badung. Badung Regency stretches through more than 400 square kilometers of central Bali, from the secluded Nyang Nyang beach on the Indian Ocean to the Nungung waterfall high in Central Bali's green hills.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sulawesi governors sign Poso peace deal
Sulawesi governors sign Poso peace deal TENTENA, Central Sulawesi (JP): Sulawesi governors signed a peace accord for Poso here on Sunday with recommendations for security guarantees for refugees, psychological and infrastructural rehabilitation and fair law enforcement.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Observers say MPR blackmailing President
Observers say MPR blackmailing President JAKARTA (JP): Observers lashed out at People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) legislators on Sunday for pushing for a decree to formalize the task-sharing agreement between President Abdurrahman Wahid and the Vice President, saying it was an attempt to blackmail the President ahead of a planned Cabinet reshuffle.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Siloam Gleneagles has new scanning device
Siloam Gleneagles has new scanning device TANGERANG (JP): Siloam Gleneagles Hospital, jointly owned by the Lippo Group and its Singaporean partner, introduced on Saturday its US$2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Gyroscan INTERA 1.5. Hospital director Satyanegara told a news meeting that the radiology unit, purchased from STI Nederland BV in Holland, was ready to give medical checkups to patients who want to try the new MRI for Rp 1 million ($120).
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
E-mail notification alert with SMS provides convenience
E-mail notification alert with SMS provides convenience By Lim Tri Santosa BANDUNG (JP): Wow, I have received a lot of e-mails from JP readers, either giving compliments or asking for more tips or for a detailed procedure in Indonesian. Of course, I am happy, but please understand that not all your e-mails can be replied to because I do not have enough time to write replies to each person. I would need a dedicated secretary to do all that.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition Bukan Pelukis by Sitok Srengenge, Butet Kartaredjasa, Djaduk Ferianto, and Agus Noor, 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 Aug. 30. * Photo Exhibition by Hashiguchi George 1991-1995, at Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Phone: 5201266), Monday to Friday 10 a.m.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
VW rally congests Bandung streets
VW rally congests Bandung streets BANDUNG: A procession of a 860 German-made Volkswagen (VW) cars of all types congested the streets of west and north Bandung on Sunday. The vehicles, which made a 10-kilometer trip along the city's streets, belonged to members of the Bandung VW Club. Muhammad Arfan, a member of the organizing committee, said that VW lovers from the nearby towns of Sumedang and Garut had also participated in the event. Arfan claimed it was the longest VW convoy ever in Asia.
Mon, 14 Aug 2000, 00:00 WIB
Aceh: Toward new political arena?
Aceh: Toward new political arena? By Aboeprijadi Santoso GENEVA (JP): There was an air of growing optimism after the talks on Aceh in Switzerland last week. Aceh seems to be moving toward a new game and leaving the military battle. Is the momentum of violence now passed? The fifth talks between the Indonesian government and representatives of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Aug.