Archive: 14 September 2000
Showing 1-50 of 58 articles
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Table setting and food festival 2000
Table setting and food festival 2000 JAKARTA (JP): A four-day table setting and food festival is scheduled to be held from Thursday at Bidakara Hotel on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta. The event was conceived to raise funds for health and scholarships, the organizers said. In a press statement, organizers Sekar Saji Nusantara Foundation said the festival, to be opened by First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, was also meant to promote Indonesian culture through culinary experiences.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ten people killed in JSX blast
Ten people killed in JSX blast JAKARTA (JP): A powerful blast rocked the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building here on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens. The dead, mostly drivers, were brought up one-by-one about four hours after the 3:17 p.m. blast by a joint search and rescue team from the smoke-filled second tier of the underground parking lot of the 34-story skyscraper.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian ministers differ on support for WTO round
Asian ministers differ on support for WTO round MELBOURNE (AFX-ASIA): Senior Asian trade ministers attending the World Economic Forum's Asia Pacific summit in Melbourne have given their broad support for a new round of WTO trade negotiations, although opinion significantly differed as to the timing and agenda of the round.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sjahril granted five-day leave
Sjahril granted five-day leave JAKARTA (JP): Suspended Bank Indonesia (Central Bank) governor Sjahril Sabirin left on Wednesday for his hometown in West Sumatra after securing permission from the Attorney General's Office to leave his place of detention for five days, an official said.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kontras releases sketch of KPA kidnapping suspect
Kontras releases sketch of KPA kidnapping suspect JAKARTA (JP): The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) will disseminate a sketch of a man it believes was an accomplice in the alleged abduction of four activists of the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) last month. The man, estimated to be in his 20s, is thought to be the person who bought airplane tickets bound for Jakarta from the Giantra Travel Bureau in Semarang, Central Java.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia rated most corrupt country in Asia
Indonesia rated most corrupt country in Asia JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and certainly the most corrupt in Asia, according to Transparency International (TI) organization. The country ranked 85th alongside Angola out of 90 countries surveyed by the Berlin-based nongovernmental organization for its corruption perception index, Reuters reported on Wednesday quoting the group's latest annual report.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
East and West in Timor borderline
East and West in Timor borderline NEW DELHI: Life in East Timor is an enduring catastrophe. Roughly 80,000 homes were destroyed in the violence unleashed by pro-Jakarta militias, backed by the Indonesian Army, last year, very few of which have been rebuilt. Much of the infrastructure is gone and most of the population remains unemployed. The Timorese desperately need foreign assistance to help them rebuild their country.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI hesitant to summon U.S. envoy
RI hesitant to summon U.S. envoy By Irawan Abidin JAKARTA (JP): Many observers have found it hard to understand why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hesitated for so long before announcing that it had decided to summon the United States envoy to clarify statements attributed to him, that had the effect, in the view of many Indonesians, of interfering in the internal affairs of the country and, in my own view, demonstrating contempt of the Indonesian government.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI confident of meeting new oil quota
RI confident of meeting new oil quota JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro expressed optimism that Indonesia would be able to boost crude oil production by 41,000 barrels per day (bpd) to meet the new oil production quota. Purnomo said that Indonesia, along with the other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), would raise its oil output by Oct. 1.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Five killed, two hurt in two days of violence in Aceh
Five killed, two hurt in two days of violence in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: At least five people were killed in two days of sporadic attacks in the province which included the bombing of the Aceh deputy police chief's residence. The escalating violence, which police claim are being perpetrated by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels, remains unabated despite the extension of the humanitarian pause on Sept. 2. The attack on the residence of Sr. Supt.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Banks 'continue to show positive results'
Banks 'continue to show positive results' JAKARTA (JP): The country's 150 commercial banks continued to demonstrate a healthy performance in July with most of their interest margins showing positive growth, according to Bank Indonesia's report. Bank Indonesia director for banking research and supervision Djoko Sarwono said that the net interest margin (NIM) in July increased to Rp 2.5 trillion (US$297.62 million) from Rp 2.3 trillion in June.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Philippine govt holds off military action on rebels
Philippine govt holds off military action on rebels MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine government backed away from military action against Muslim rebels and said on Wednesday it was still clinging to hopes negotiations would succeed in freeing 19 hostages, six of them foreigners.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Witnesses give grim accounts of JSX blast
Witnesses give grim accounts of JSX blast JAKARTA (JP): Employees from some of the companies located in the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building described the harrowing moments following the powerful explosion that rocked the building on Wednesday afternoon. The jolt, they recalled, was felt by those on the 20th floor of the 34-story building. Sudrajat, a deliveryman for a securities firm, said he was inside the building at the time of the explosion.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
White pepper prices take tumble
White pepper prices take tumble SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): White pepper prices have slumped 20 percent in five weeks in Indonesia, the world's No.2 producer, on declining purchases by the U.S., the world's largest buyer, the Financial Times said, citing unnamed officials of the Indian Pepper & Spice Trade Association. White pepper dropped to a four-year low of $2,800 per ton from $3,500 five weeks ago.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Students ask for death probe
Students ask for death probe BOGOR (JP): Some 500 high school students marched on Wednesday to the City Council building demanding the completion of the investigation into the death of their classmate, Dede Sulaeman, who was killed in an attack on Monday. Accompanied by their school principal and teachers, the students of the SMK YZA vocational high school demanded that the police apprehend the suspected murderers who are students of the SMK YKTB vocational high school.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Games separate Yayuk from her son
Games separate Yayuk from her son SYDNEY (AFP): Yayuk Basuki will miss her son's first birthday to represent Indonesia in the Olympic tennis tournament but it is a sacrifice she has made willingly in the name of her country and with the hope of giving Asian tennis a much-needed boost. The former top 20 player had planned to retire when she discovered she was pregnant early last year. But after Yary was born on Sept.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Free e-mail for RI Olympic team
Free e-mail for RI Olympic team JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian athletes competing in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will get free personalized e-mail addresses from e-mail service provider Boleh Net (www.bolehmail.com) to allow them communicate with fans, friends and family. "It's part of our support of the Indonesian Olympic team, providing a channel to express support for their noble cause," the company said in a written statement on Monday.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Balinese traditional Arja opera cheers Jakartans
Balinese traditional Arja opera cheers Jakartans By Tuti Gintini JAKARTA (JP): Bali is noted for its natural beauty and traditional sendratari (dance-drama). The island of the gods is also the birthplace of a unique opera. Arja is an old form of court dance-drama blending dance, music, vocal and dialog. Rarely performed outside Bali, the Arja traditional opera was chosen to conclude the 20-day International Festival 2000 at Gedung Kesenian on Sept. 9.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Let us not have a blind Southeast Asia region
Let us not have a blind Southeast Asia region By Vorapun Srivoranart BANGKOK: During a recent visit to Thailand, South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad shared his country's experience in national reconciliation, offering a relevant lesson to Southeast Asia in transition. We are bombarded by non-stop daily reports of appalling violence flaring up around the globe.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Freeport's conflict of interest
Freeport's conflict of interest Recently, PT Freeport Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local Irianese. Later on Aug. 22, 2000, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S. Gelbard responding to an article in The Jakarta Post dated Aug. 16, 2000 -- U.S. supports Papuan struggle, says Beanal, said he was deeply disappointed with the article. What actually happened between the ambassador, Beanal and Freeport? In his interview with the Washington Times, published on Aug.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
APEC economies urged to focus on trade facilitation
APEC economies urged to focus on trade facilitation SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore on Wednesday urged Asia-Pacific economies to shift the focus from tariff reduction to the simplification and harmonization of cumbersome procedures to enhance trade flows. Tang Guan Seng, senior parliamentary secretary for the ministry of trade and industry, said tariffs were already at all- time lows and economies must now make "tangible commitments" in other areas to facilitate global trade.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Netheads to get their own show on ANteve
Netheads to get their own show on ANteve JAKARTA (JP): Private TV station Anteve in cooperation with Onklik.com and computer distributor PT Acer Indonesia has announced a new Sunday evening show dedicated to all things Internet. The program, Acer Onklik TV, is 30 minutes long and will be aired for the first time this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. It is designed to introduce the Internet to people from all walks of life and help them understand more about cyberspace technology and its benefits.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
PSSI says Nandar still head coach
PSSI says Nandar still head coach JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) ended the controversy over a possible replacement of the national team coach, announcing on Wednesday that Nandar Iskandar would continue coaching the team for the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon and the Tiger Cup in Thailand.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Mahaka and IM Texmaco eye league's third series
Mahaka and IM Texmaco eye league's third series JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Mahaka Satria Muda aims to avenge favorite Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco in the 2000 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league's third series. Jakarta-based Mahaka's general manager, Erick Thohir, told a press conference on Wednesday that his players were eager to make up for the team's humiliating defeat by IM in the first series in Malang, East Java, last month. "We are talking about prestige.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Governor uninformed about fuel subsidies
Governor uninformed about fuel subsidies JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso is in the dark about the government's plan to provide cash to the city's poor to protect them from the effects of fuel price hikes due in two weeks. "Although it is already mid-September, the central government has not contacted me, and the city administration cannot prepare anything to anticipate the fuel hikes because there are no guidelines at all," Sutiyoso said on Wednesday.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ex-Texmaco workers seek council support
Ex-Texmaco workers seek council support BANDUNG, West Java: After five months of unsuccessful lobbying at the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Manpower, workers at the textile manufacturer Texmaco's plants in Subang sought support for a wage hike from the West Java Provincial Council. Around 50 workers came to the Council building on Wednesday to air their demands.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
They could holiday anywhere; they chose Bali
They could holiday anywhere; they chose Bali By Rob Goodfellow DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Stephanie Picald, Celine Dautias and Bruno Bertrand are from Provence in the south of France. David and Kelly Raitt are from Redwood country, northern California. Nick Pullee and Byrdie Rowen are from mountainous, windswept Wales.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian Navy and Marine Corps to be reorganized
Indonesian Navy and Marine Corps to be reorganized JAKARTA (JP): Marine Corps chief Maj. Gen. Harry Triono confirmed on Wednesday the plan to reorganize the Indonesian Navy and the Marine Corps to improve their performances. He said the Navy would add one more fleet in addition to the existing two fleets, each of which will be based in Belawan (North Sumatra) for the western region, Surabaya (East Java) for the central region and Makassar (South Sulawesi) for the eastern region.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
2 nabbed in connection with FPI shooting
2 nabbed in connection with FPI shooting JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives from Central Jakarta arrested two men believed to have shot dead a senior figure of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) here about seven weeks ago. Police identified one of the suspects as Muchdar, a nephew of the victim Saleh bin Abdullah Alatas. Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Supt.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Australian businessman surrenders to police
Australian businessman surrenders to police SURABAYA (JP): After six hours of negotiations with police, Peter Negal, a 60-year-old Australian businessman who refused to talk to officers over an alleged swindle on Tuesday, surrendered to police on Wednesday. South Surabaya Police Sr. Supt. Wahyu Indrapramugari said the police confiscated an air rifle believed to be used by Negal to attack the officers. On Tuesday, Negal reportedly opened fire on officers who wanted to question him.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
KONI given greater authority over sports
KONI given greater authority over sports JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has greater authority to formulate policies on competitive sports development as a result of the dissolution of the state ministry of youth affairs and sports last month.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI's sea transportation needs improvement: Expert
RI's sea transportation needs improvement: Expert BANDUNG (JP): Sea transportation in Indonesia is less popular than ground or air transportation despite the fact that the archipelagic country has more than 13,000 islands, an expert says. Ofyar Z. Tamin of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) said in an interview with The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that this also contradicted the fact that most of the Indonesian people are in the low income bracket.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Sahetapy speaks out on Supreme Court candidates
Sahetapy speaks out on Supreme Court candidates JAKARTA (JP): Amid growing criticism of the incumbent justices of the Supreme Court, chairman of the National Commission on Law J.E. Sahetappy urged President Abdurrahman Wahid on Wednesday to choose between two senior justices for the top post in the country's highest judicial body.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
$9.5m worth of orders booked during TIME expo
$9.5m worth of orders booked during TIME expo JAKARTA (JP): Participants at the annual Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) 2000, which ended on Wednesday, booked orders worth about US$9.5 million. The event steering committee chairperson Meity Robot said the transaction figures represented an increase of 10 percent on the $9.5 million recorded at last year's event.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
State power firm eyes listing in New York
State power firm eyes listing in New York JAKARTA (JP): Power producer PT PNJB I, a subsidiary of state- owned PT PLN, plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange by 2002, the company's corporate secretary said on Wednesday. Lili Tjarli Tahlan said the company wanted to attract foreign funds to help finance its expansion.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hindu epics in the spotlight in Bali
Hindu epics in the spotlight in Bali By I Wayan Juniarta JIMBARAN, Bali (JP): Dozens of literary scholars from at least 12 countries are holding an international conference and festival on the ancient Hindu epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The three-day meet, starting from Sept.13, is being hosted by Bali's Udayana State University. At least 50 academics are presenting their latest ideas and findings on the two influential and enduring tales.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
End of an era for Yogyakarta's 'blangkon'
End of an era for Yogyakarta's 'blangkon' By Simon Sudarman YOGYAKARTA (JP): The golden age of the traditional Javanese men's cap made out of batik fabric, which is locally known as blangkon, has almost faded away. Now, only two families are still producing blangkon in Pronosutan, a craft center known for its Yogyakarta-style blangkon production which is located in Nanggulan district, Kulon Progo regency, some 30 km west of the city center.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Art auction on Thursday
Art auction on Thursday JAKARTA (JP): As part of an effort to raise funds, The Kasih Mulia Foundation will hold an auction of the works of noted local artist Srihadi Soedarsono and Netherlands artist Arie Smit, at Wisma GKBI on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta, on Thursday. "The funds raised by the auction, dubbed "A Little Action With Love" will be used to establish a rehabilitation center for drug addicts," the foundation's chairman Rev.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kohirman, Sudirman arrested for fraud
Kohirman, Sudirman arrested for fraud PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Local police arrested on Monday Pasaman Regency Council Speaker Kohirman and councillor Sudirman from Commission A on government affairs over the alleged fraud of documents. They are both charged with Article 263 of the Criminal Code on Fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in jail. The police report stated that the case started last year when Kohirman was chairman of the Golkar Party's chapter in Pasaman.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian palm oil closes at new low
Malaysian palm oil closes at new low KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures closed at their lowest in over 13 months as players liquidated positions due to worries about sales following Indonesia's decision to cut export taxes. Traders said concern over growing domestic stocks and weaker Chicago soyoil futures overnight also weighed on prices.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
'Golden Land' in Thailand
'Golden Land' in Thailand BANGKOK (DPA): A treasure-trove of 2,000 year-old artifacts recently discovered in Thailand's western province of Kanchanaburi suggest that the border province could have been the center of the "Golden Land" civilization, a news report said on Wednesday. Lamps, gold rings adorned with sheep heads, stone axes and colored stones were dug up at Don Ta Phet village in Kanchanaburi Province, about 100 kilometers west of Bangkok, during archeological digs between Aug.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies down late, Thai baht hits 12-month low
Asian currencies down late, Thai baht hits 12-month low SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies wilted late Wednesday on persisting regional political anxieties, the dollar's gains versus the Japanese yen and concerns over lofty oil prices, dealers said. The Thai baht sank to its lowest level in almost 12 months earlier in the day, while participants tested the Monetary Authority of Singapore's resolve as they pushed the Singapore dollar lower.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
VA to fly direct to Tokyo
VA to fly direct to Tokyo HANOI (AFP): The state-run Vietnam Airlines will open direct flights to Tokyo in Japan in November, a Vietnam Airlines official said Wednesday. The new route from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo and vice versa is expected to serve four times a week, the official said. In the same month, the airline will also resume six direct flights a week from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul in South Korea.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Postpone Sampang regent's inauguration: President
Postpone Sampang regent's inauguration: President JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid ordered East Java Governor Imam Utomo on Wednesday to postpone the inauguration of reelected Sampang regent Fadhilah Budiono, suggesting an investigation be conducted into the official. After meeting with the President, Imam told journalists he would immediately set up an investigation team comprising officials of the Sampang regency administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Doctors to decide if Soeharto is fit to attend court
Doctors to decide if Soeharto is fit to attend court JAKARTA (JP): Defense lawyer Muhammad Assegaf said on Wednesday whether former president Soeharto attended his court session at the Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday depended completely on the latest medical examination of the former ruler. "At about 9 a.m. on Thursday, doctors will examine Pak Harto and find out whether he is fit to attend the trial. "We lawyers have no objections to his presence in court ...
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt to fix forestry rulings
Govt to fix forestry rulings JAKARTA (JP): The government is revising more than 3,000 forestry regulations which it says are ineffective because they do not stipulate clear sanctions for those who violate them, Antara reported on Tuesday. Junior Minister for Forestry Nurmahmudi Ismail said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was coordinating the revision of the rules, which include ministerial decrees, to see whether they were still suitable.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Besieged by giants
Besieged by giants Fears, expressed by various parties in the past, that Indonesia would soon be swallowed up by giants (from other countries) unless Indonesians prepared themselves properly for the approaching tide of globalization seems at present close to becoming reality. Those giants come in many forms and are ready to drain our nation's acknowledged rich potential.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur to open Gapensi congress
Gus Dur to open Gapensi congress SEMARANG, Central Java: President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to open the 10th National Conference of the Indonesian Builders Association (Gapensi) here, which is scheduled to run from Sept. 16 until Sept. 20, an official said on Wednesday. Chairman of the organizing committee Djoko Wahyudi said the meeting would elect new members of the association's board for the 2000/2004 period and define detailed work programs.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Marine resources a major concern for Bali
Marine resources a major concern for Bali DENPASAR, Bali (ANTARA): The tourist island of Bali is struggling to save its priceless marine resources and to protect its coastal areas from serious environmental damage. I Gde Nurjaya, spokesman of the Bali provincial government, said the rapid development of tourism industry affected the condition of coastal areas on the island. "Such an integrated program is important in terms of ecological, economical, social and cultural contexts," Nurjaya said.
Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 00:00 WIB
Clean needles seen as vital to curb HIV/AIDS
Clean needles seen as vital to curb HIV/AIDS JAKARTA (JP): The national drive against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) took a controversial step forward with activists pushing for easy access to clean needles for intravenous drug users (IDUs).