Archive: 15 January 2001
51 articles found
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
The Indonesian raft is adrift
The Indonesian raft is adrift By Ronald G. Pate JAKARTA (JP): Happy and contented people do not demonstrate. They do not form gangs to meet out their idea of morality and justice. They do not kill their neighbor because he practices a different religion. They do not burn a hungry man for stealing a chicken. Unfortunately, these kinds of things have happened in Indonesia and are likely to continue unabated in the near future. Indonesia is a large and rich country.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
New minimum wage effective on Feb. 1
New minimum wage effective on Feb. 1 JAKARTA (JP): The new monthly minimum wage in the capital will take effect on Feb. 1 after a one-month delay, a top official said on Friday. Deputy Governor for Social Affairs Djailani said the postponement was needed to give the city administration enough time to promote the new minimum salary to both employers and workers. The city authorities set the new minimum wage of Rp 426,250 (about US$44.86) through the City Bylaw No. 3726/2000 last December.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Govt to probe Soehartos' assets in N. Zealand
Govt to probe Soehartos' assets in N. Zealand JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Saturday his office will send a team to locate the hidden assets and wealth belonging to former president Soeharto's family and cronies in New Zealand. "In the near future we will send a team there to do some research and to take any legal actions necessary upon the assets in connection with our investigation into their alleged involvement in graft.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Van der Horst to be relisted
Van der Horst to be relisted SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Singapore's engineering company Van der Horst, whose shares have been suspended for almost two years, may soon be relisted, the Straits Times reported Saturday. The company's shareholders passed five resolutions at an extraordinary general meeting Friday, which paved the way for an acquisition by Indonesian-linked L&M Group Investments.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Maninjau lake on the rise
Maninjau lake on the rise PADANG, West Sumatra: One of West Sumatra's most famous lake, Maninjau lake, is showing signs of an increase in its water level which has seen a significant drop in recent weeks. As of Sunday, the water level was recorded at 463.9 meters above sea level, just below the normal level of about 464 meters. Some weeks earlier the water level had dropped to 462.1 meters.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Poso again tense
Poso again tense POSO, Central Sulawesi: The situation in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, remained tense on Sunday after a recurrence of unrest during the past week. The situation threatened to escalate into open conflict when it was discovered that a resident of Sayo district, Jismanto, died in hospital on Friday due to a gunshot. Immediately there was speculation that an unidentified gunman had shot the 19-year-old. However, Antara reported that Poso Police Chief Adj. Comr.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Beware of New Order supporters: PKB
Beware of New Order supporters: PKB JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the House of Representatives (DPR) called on the nation on Saturday to repel remaining supporters of the former corrupt and repressive New Order regime who were trying to disrupt the national reform agenda and return to power.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
VP to visit India in March: President
VP to visit India in March: President JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Sunday that Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri would visit India in March to enhance bilateral relationships between the two countries. "Ibu Megawati will visit India in March. This is very important as we need closer ties between the two nations and to further strengthen relations between developing countries," Abdurrahman said.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Japan concerned with Indonesia's problems
Japan concerned with Indonesia's problems By: Kornelius Purba KOBE, Japan (JP): Japanese Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa expressed great concern over the problems Indonesia is facing in implementing its commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during two separate meetings with his Indonesian counterpart Prijadi Praptosuhadjo here.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Business confidence index falls in November
Business confidence index falls in November JAKARTA (JP): The business confidence index fell by 1.5 percent in November as a result of falling hopes in business prospects, according to a survey made by the Danareksa Research Institute. There are five factors which have caused the fall in business confidence, Danareksa said in its survey report.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P to expel Tangerang council speaker Gian
PDI-P to expel Tangerang council speaker Gian TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang mayoralty council speaker Gian Sugiharsono is on the list of errant Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) members who are facing expulsion from the party, a party official announced on Sunday. Acting chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan's Tangerang branch, Ribka Tjiptaning, said as a consequence Gian should vacate his post as council speaker.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RP, U.S. promoting biotech
RP, U.S. promoting biotech MANILA (AFP): The Philippines and the United States are jointly undertaking a five-year program aimed at enhancing biotech research here, a presidential palace statement said Sunday. Under the US$7-million, five-year program both parties would look into boosting agricultural productivity through field research on biotechnology, the statement said.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Axis force 'no longer supports President'
Axis force 'no longer supports President' JAKARTA (JP): The Axis Force, a loose coalition of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and several Islamic parties, which was the key in getting Abdurrahman Wahid elected president, has withdrawn their support, top alliance leader Amien Rais said on Sunday.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P supporters told to prevent violence
PDI-P supporters told to prevent violence JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri marked the party's 28th anniversary on Sunday with a call for her supporters to block attempts to instigate violence. Megawati was addressing around 100,000 party supporters packing the Senayan Stadium on the eve of a rumored mass rally against President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutors to file Beddu charges
Prosecutors to file Beddu charges JAKARTA (JP): State prosecutors plan to either bring corruption charges on Monday against former chief of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Beddu Amang, or to extend his house arrest status for another 30 days, an official said on Saturday. The Jakarta Prosecutors' Office assistant for special crimes, Andi Syarifuddin, said that his team needed more time to complete the charges, which center on Beddu's alleged abuse of power in a land exchange deal in 1995.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Deported workers transit at Belawan
Deported workers transit at Belawan MEDAN, North Sumatra: As of the second week of this month, Malaysia has deported 725 illegal Indonesian migrant workers through Belawan seaport, 38 kilometer south of here, since the beginning of this year. According to Antara, 667 of them were deported because their passports had expired, while the rest had manipulated immigration documents or used tourist permits to seek jobs.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
PSM defeats Persipura 3-0
PSM defeats Persipura 3-0 MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Host and defending champion PSM Makassar proved it deserved to gain the title last season as it managed to upbeat Persipura Jayapura 3-0 in the kick off of the seventh Bank Mandiri Indonesian soccer league (Ligina) at the Mattoangin stadium here on Sunday. PSM striker Miro Baldo Bento extended the pass from Carlos de Mello in the penalty box to the left side of the Persipura goalkeeper Fison Merauje to score 1-0 in the seventh minute.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN sets itself as a tourist destination
ASEAN sets itself as a tourist destination BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday launched an international campaign to market the 10-nation region as a tourism destination. Tourism ministers from the politically and economically diverse ASEAN group said at a meeting in the Brunei capital that the campaign will highlight the diversity of the region's cultures and attractions. "We have exotic cultures and offer value for money.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Why not learn from the past?
Why not learn from the past? I suppose the bluntness, negativity and lack of finesse of your comment on my article titled Hitler to Soeharto -- a Western continuum should come as no surprise, given that Indonesian society is currently suffering from similar symptoms. The other day, The Jakarta Post published an excerpt from Media Indonesia which states: "This nation never seems to learn from history. Tragedy and disasters are no longer things to be avoided, but are held up as examples to follow.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Talismans no help to illegal job-seekers
Talismans no help to illegal job-seekers KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Fifty-five Indonesian job-seekers put their hope on talismans to help them sneak into Malaysia, but their attempt was foiled by marine police, a report said Friday. The 55, including six women, were detained late Wednesday after getting off a boat at Port Klang outside of Kuala Lumpur, The Star said.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Contest of power is absurd
Contest of power is absurd From Rakyat Merdeka Mass radicalism will find fertile ground if groups in favor of and against President Abdurrahman Wahid are allowed to mobilize their followers. Those who will be gripped by the greatest worry will be the common people, who have never bothered about the controversy surrounding Gus Dur. Common people only want a peaceful life, to earn enough to eat and to send their children to school.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Ryaas believes Gus Dur will OK his resignation
Ryaas believes Gus Dur will OK his resignation JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Administrative Reforms Ryaas Rasyid hinted on Saturday that there should not be a problem with his resignation proposal as both President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri had likely endorsed the request.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Japan to send IT mission to SE Asia
Japan to send IT mission to SE Asia BANGKOK (Dow Jones): Japan will dispatch a government mission to four Southeast Asian countries this week to discuss their demands for an information technology support plan, that Japan pledged last year to provide with US$15 billion, Japanese government officials said Saturday, Kyodo News reported. According to Kyodo, the mission will visit Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia from Sunday.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
BI's bank supervision role may be cut
BI's bank supervision role may be cut JAKARTA (JP): The government and the House of Representatives special team on the amendment of the central bank law have agreed to axe the banking supervision function of Bank Indonesia much sooner than the initial plan at the end of 2002. The banking supervision role will be handled by a new independent agency which would also supervise other non-bank financial institutions, including, insurance companies and pension funds.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Three missing in Parangtritis
Three missing in Parangtritis YOGYAKARTA: Three swimmers were still missing Sunday night after being swept away by the notorious currents at Parangtritis beach. The three swimmers as of 7 p.m. Sunday had not been found despite the efforts of search and rescue teams who immediately began to comb the waters as soon as it was reported that they were missing at 4:30 p.m.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
City to raise fines, councillor reveals
City to raise fines, councillor reveals JAKARTA (JP): The maximum fine for people violating city bylaws will be increased by 100 times from Rp 50,000 (US$5.2) to Rp 5 million, chief of the City Council's Commission A for Administrative Affairs Binsar Tambunan said on Sunday. "So be careful since the city administration has submitted the draft. We start to deliberate it this week and will complete it by next month," Binsar of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Vietnam overtakes Indonesia in world coffee production
Vietnam overtakes Indonesia in world coffee production JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's position as the world's third largest coffee producer after Brazil and Columbia has been taken by Vietnam due to a fall in local coffee production, according to the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters. The vice president of the East Java chapter of the association, Asrikan Isdarmawan, said Indonesian coffee also lagged behind in terms of quality.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Govt moves to upgrade students' English skills
Govt moves to upgrade students' English skills JAKARTA (JP): The government will be launching a program to help vocational school students improve their communication skills in English. Director for Vocational Training and Education Gatot Hari Priowirjanto said the program will be offered to students in no less than 4,700 public and private vocational schools across the country, following a pilot project conducted in 16 state schools since 1999.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Samator, Bank BNI grab volleyball title
Samator, Bank BNI grab volleyball title JAKARTA (JP): Home favorite Bank BNI women's volleyball club has retained the 2000 national volleyball league title while East Java-based Samator outclassed Bank BNI for the men's title. Bank BNI women's club had no trouble in defeating Petrogres of Gresik, East Java, 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-16) on the third day of the league's final four at the Senayan basketball hall on Sunday.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Why not export Ajinomoto?
Why not export Ajinomoto? From Suara Karya Although President Abdurrahman Wahid has stressed that Ajinomoto's products are halal (religiously rightful), I have more confidence in the instruction issued by the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) to the effect that Ajinomoto products are haram (religiously forbidden).
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
President-House showdown imminent
President-House showdown imminent JAKARTA (JP): A showdown between the House of Representatives and President Abdurrahman Wahid looks increasingly unavoidable in the near future since the latter has asserted that he would not fulfill any summons by the legislature.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
People near Merapi told to prepare to evacuate
People near Merapi told to prepare to evacuate YOGYAKARTA (JP): People living in villages at the foot of Mount Merapi have been told to prepare themselves for evacuation after the volcano spewed lava and steam beginning early Sunday, a volcanologist said. Head of Volcano Technology Development and Research (BPPTV) Syamsul Rizal said the 2,968-meter volcano began discharging lava around 10 minutes after midnight and continued to produce clouds of steam from 7.29 a.m.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
More tourists visit Jakarta
More tourists visit Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Foreign tourists arrival in the city increased by 20.8 percent last year compared to the previous year, an official said on Saturday. Head of the City Tourism Agency Parlindungan Hutabarat said 1,098,521 tourists from numerous countries visited Jakarta between January and November last year, up from 908,864 visitors in the same period of 1999.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Angry protests over RP dump reopening
Angry protests over RP dump reopening MANILA (Reuters): Angry residents of Rizal province near the Philippine capital tried on Sunday to block garbage trucks passing to a landfill site temporarily reopened to ease Manila's mounting rubbish problem. Hundreds of residents gathered in the streets of Antipolo, a city of some 600,000 people 30 km east of Manila, and hurled stones at the trucks in an effort to stop them travelling to the San Mateo dump.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Forewarned is forearmed
Forewarned is forearmed It can only be taken as proof of the much-diminished credibility of the administration of President Abdurrahman Wahid that assurances given over the weekend have done little to calm the fear that exists among the public of massive unrest erupting on Monday, when the House of Representatives begins its first session of the new year following an extended recess.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Islamic village to be built in Yogyakarta
Islamic village to be built in Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta Sultan Hemengkubuwono X, who is also the governor of Yogyakarta, and chairman of the International Islamic Development (PII) Foundation Muchrim Hakim signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding on the building of an international Islamic village in the province. The international Islamic village will be built on a 300-hectare plot belonging to the sultan in Piyungan district, some 12 kilometers southeast of here.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bangladesh on alert, awaits talks with Myanmar
Bangladesh on alert, awaits talks with Myanmar COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuters): Bangladesh said on Sunday its troops were ready to respond quickly if Myanmar soldiers opened fire across the countries' border or if Myanmar resumes construction of a dam on the Naf border river. "We are ready for a prompt and appropriate response if they pull the trigger again or resume construction of the dam." said Colonel Shawkat Ali, a commanding officer of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border force.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Hyperlinks aide navigation
Hyperlinks aide navigation By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Up until two decades ago, when people still used a Royal or Olympia typewriter to produce stories, manuscripts and novels, we had to work mostly in a linear manner. We would start at the beginning and work our way to the end. Life was made a little bit easier when photocopy machines were introduced. Each time some text had to be inserted into what we had laboriously typed in, scissors and glue proved to be indispensable tools.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asia can withstand U.S. economic slowdown: ADB
Asia can withstand U.S. economic slowdown: ADB KOBE, Japan (Dow Jones): Slower growth in the U.S. won't inflict much damage on Asia, especially given the rise in intraregional trade in recent years, the president of the Asian Development Bank said Saturday. Dwindling demand in the U.S. will take a toll on Asia by hurting exports of semiconductors, computers and telecommunications equipment, Tadao Chino told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
TV today
TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary 9:30 Technology 10:00 Music 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 p.m. Interval 3:00 News 3:30 Children's Program 4:30 Quiz 5:00 News 5:30 Culture 6:00 Village News 7:00 Evening News 8:00 Music 9:00 Film: Under Sea Explorer 10:00 Variety Show 11:00 Music Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 Music 7:30 News (in English) 8:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Several high schools declare Monday a holiday
Several high schools declare Monday a holiday JAKARTA (JP): In anticipation of possible unrest over the planned mobilization of both pro- and anti-President Abdurrahman Wahid supporters, at least 13 state high schools in Central Jakarta will halt their activities on Monday. The commitment was made in a meeting of 13 of Central Jakarta's state high school principals on Saturday. "We don't want to take any risks.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Tax office eyes automotive, retail to reach VAT target
Tax office eyes automotive, retail to reach VAT target JAKARTA (JP): Director general of taxation Machfud Sidik said over the weekend his office would seek to increase value added tax (VAT) revenue from the country's automotive and retail sectors. This comes on the heels of President Abdurrahman Wahid's decision to cancel a 10 percent VAT on agricultural products. Machfud said the measure was necessary to make up for the loss of revenue from the VAT on agricultural products.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
It's now Bung Karno Sports Complex
It's now Bung Karno Sports Complex JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid gave the green light on Sunday to rename the Senayan Sports Complex as Bung Karno Sports Complex in order to honor the country's first president Sukarno.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Marconi eyes Malaysian firm
Marconi eyes Malaysian firm KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Italian telecommunications company Marconi Mobile is eying annual contracts worth between 200 and 500 million ringgit (US$50 and $130 million) from two Malaysian telcos, a news report said Saturday. Marconi is now carrying out trials to enable the two locale telcos to extend their coverage of GSM networks to rural and semi-rurals areas, the Star daily said.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Photo: Solidaritas, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Phone: 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), until Jan. 24. * Painting Lucia Hartini, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), until Jan.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Martin, Gade Christensen retain Korea Open crowns
Martin, Gade Christensen retain Korea Open crowns JAKARTA (JP): Women's and men's singles defending champions Camilla Martin and Peter Gade Christensen fulfilled their ambitions to retain titles together at the US$250,000 Samsung Korea Open badminton championships in Hanra Gymnasium at Cheju Island, South Korea, on Sunday.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
JFX craves more commodities
JFX craves more commodities By Berni K. Moestafa JAKARTA (JP): One month since its debut, the Jakarta Futures Exchange (JFX) has already voiced concern over its immediate prospects, as trading on just a few commodities is not enough to cover the bourse's expenses. JFX director Rico Menayang said that the JFX needed to introduce new commodities to replenish its depleting start-up capital.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Missing motorists found dead
Missing motorists found dead AMBON, Maluku: The remains of two men who have been missing since a mob attacked motorists in the Batu Merah area here on Thursday were found on Saturday. The body of Yan Watimenna was found floating in the water just off Tantui in Teluk Ambon Baguala, while Yusuf Anakotapari was found dead at a beach in Nusaniwe district, some three kilometers away from where the first victim was found.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
No motorized rickshaws
No motorized rickshaws PONOROGO, East Java: The Ponorogo City Land Transportation Agency has rejected the presence of motorized rickshaws, becak, saying that there is no ordinance regulating them yet. "All motorized vehicles must be registered, including the motorized becak,," the local Agency chief, Zaenal Sjamsul Bachtiar, said here on Sunday. "However neither the police nor we know how to categorize them yet," he added.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cruising home to celebrate Idul Fitri
Cruising home to celebrate Idul Fitri Mudik, the annual homebound trip for millions of city dwellers during Idul Fitri, ended over two weeks ago. The Jakarta Post contributor, Joko E.H. Anwar, followed a crowd of some 2,500 holiday-makers bound for Medan from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok harbor in a state-owned passenger ship, that has a capacity of 1,906 passengers. This is his report. ONBOARD M.V. KELUD (JP): It was almost 1 p.m. at the Tanjung Priok harbor on Dec.
Mon, 15 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Disbursing funds for the poor
Disbursing funds for the poor From Suara Karya The Jakarta Municipality (DKI) on Jan. 2, 2001 stated that as much as Rp 2 billion would be poured into the 25 poor urban villages. This Rp 2 billion is to be used to overcome poverty in those locations, and will be taken from the 2001 regional annual budget that has stipulated a routine expenditure account of Rp 410 billion and a development expenditure account of Rp 175 billion.