Archive: 22 January 2001
55 articles found
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Shoemakers more reluctant to expand RI investments
Shoemakers more reluctant to expand RI investments JAKARTA (JP): Foreign-owned footwear companies are becoming more reluctant to expand their Indonesian operations due to concern over growing labor disputes, a local official said.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Army set to take top defense ministry posts
Army set to take top defense ministry posts YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD acknowledged he has nominated a number of senior military officers for top posts in his restructured office. Mahfud said here on Saturday he expected military officers, mostly from the Army, to hold seven of the 11 directorate generals in his ministry.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI to co-host Brunei int'l off-road event
RI to co-host Brunei int'l off-road event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Off-road Federation (IOF) will co-host the 5000-kilometer Brunei Four-Wheel Drive International Challenge 2001 as part of the Visit Brunei Year 2001 program.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
President Macapagal-Arroyo begins forming Cabinet
President Macapagal-Arroyo begins forming Cabinet MANILA (Agencies): The Philippines' new president turned quickly Sunday from celebrating her sudden rise to power to the difficult task of rebuilding national unity and business confidence, both devastated by a three-month political crisis.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Mt. Merapi shows intensified volcanic activity
Mt. Merapi shows intensified volcanic activity YOGYAKARTA (JP): Volcanic activity in the 2,968-meter-high Merapi volcano in Central Java has been intensifying, with the discharge of thin dust, lava and heat clouds threatening the densely populated area below, a volcanologist said on Sunday.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Yogyakarta man flying high with model aircraft designs
Yogyakarta man flying high with model aircraft designs By Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): What Gatot Sugiarto is doing today may come as a surprise to his teachers back at state engineering secondary school STM Negeri I in Malang, East Java. He dropped out of the school, but the 47 year old now makes his living teaching his self-taught craft -- making model airplanes. He teaches at four high schools and two universities in Yogyakarta.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RP investor confidence set to rebound
RP investor confidence set to rebound MANILA (AFP): Philippine stocks and the country's battered currency were expected to perk up with the installation of a business-friendly government led by U.S.-trained economist Gloria Arroyo, but analysts cautioned against over-exuberance.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Man arrested over firearms possession
Man arrested over firearms possession JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police mobile detectives (Resmob) arrested a man over possession of five firearms on Jl. Tulodong Bawah No. 17B in South Jakarta, a police report said. The report identified the suspected illegal gun trader as Stephanus Turangan. "Mobile police detectives confiscated two handguns, one rifle, two pen guns and several bullets from Stephanus, and arrested him.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government prepares for first oil block tenders
Government prepares for first oil block tenders JAKARTA (JP): The government is, for the first time in years, preparing the tendering of 21 new oil blocks, after it took over the task this month from state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, a senior government official said. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' director general for oil and gas, Rachmat Sudibyo, said the government was expecting to complete the entire tender process within the first quarter of 2001.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Dealers to meet RI's central bank again on FX rules
Dealers to meet RI's central bank again on FX rules JAKARTA (Reuters): Representatives of several foreign banks will meet Indonesia's central bank again on Monday to clarify foreign exchange curbs that are aimed at bolstering the rupiah but which have puzzled many market players. The rules, announced last Monday, ban rupiah-denominated loans to non-residents and also affect foreign-exchange deals without any underlying investment purpose.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Candra named IBF Player of the Year
Candra named IBF Player of the Year JAKARTA (JP): Just one day after his wedding day, Indonesia's Candra Wijaya was granted another big surprise when the International Badminton Federation (IBF) announced on Sunday that he had been honored with the "Eddy Choong Player of the Year" award for 2000.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Americans to Bali down 80%
Americans to Bali down 80% JAKARTA (JP): The number of tourists from the United States visiting Bali plunged by 80 percent last year, largely due to the travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, an executive of a travel company said. Nagasari Tour and Travel's director Anak Agung Prana said in Denpasar on Saturday that the number of American tourists dropped sharply after the warnings were issued.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year From Media Indonesia I would like to suggest to the President and governors that Chinese New Year (Imlek) be made a public holiday in Indonesia for the following reasons: 1. To be indiscriminative in the spirit of regional autonomy. 2. For the sake of togetherness; everyone can enjoy and celebrate it. 3. Employers can celebrate the festival without fear of creating envy and resentment among the employees. 4.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Probe delays announcement of Thai election results
Probe delays announcement of Thai election results BANGKOK (AFP): Thai election authorities grilled on Sunday dozens more candidates suspected of cheating in the Jan. 6 national polls, forcing the release of official results to be postponed yet again. Unofficial tallies indicate the Thai Rak Thai party led by Thaksin Shinawatra scored a runaway victory in the national elections, capturing an unprecedented simple majority in the 500- seat House of Representatives.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI hopes Japan will help IT projects
RI hopes Japan will help IT projects JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expects the Japanese government will allocate part of its US$15 billion "digital divide" fund to finance information technology development projects. Minister of Industry and Trade Luhut Panjaitan said here on Friday that a team from the Indonesian information technology (IT) commission would meet Japanese officials here later this month to discuss the funding requirement.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
New team negotiates with Irian Jaya kidnappers
New team negotiates with Irian Jaya kidnappers JAKARTA (JP): A team of local authorities and community leaders are continuing negotiations with rebels currently holding 16 hostages, including three Koreans, in the remote jungle of Irian Jaya, an officer said on Sunday. "A team of negotiators led by Rev. Meilus has gone deep into the jungle of eastern Asiki district this (Sunday) morning but so far no agreement has been made," Irian Jaya's Police Operation and Control Chief Sr. Comr.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Questions on on budget use
Questions on on budget use BANDUNG: A member of the West Java council's budget committee, Rafani Akhyar, is alleging that Council speaker Eka Santosa bought a Rp 600 million sedan using funds that were allocated for natural disasters in the 2000 provincial budget. Rafani claimed that "Pak Eka bought a Crown sedan in December last year, and the first person to learn about it was the chairman of the budget commission.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
FID should be honest
FID should be honest From Rakyat Merdeka As a public institution, the Indonesian Forum for Peace (FID) needs to be transparent regarding its meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid. FID, in the meeting, had provided the President with information regarding the possible mastermind behind the terrifying bomb blasts on Christmas Eve. However, the accuracy of the information is questionable as FID appeared to have reluctantly parted with it as if they were under pressure from military generals.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
UI wins debate contest
UI wins debate contest BANDUNG: The University of Indonesia debating team for the fourth consecutive year walked away on Saturday as the champions in the national university English debating contest. The all-girl debating team comprising Dayu Nirma, Yohanna Florence and Rully Sandra won with their strong arguments against the motion that regional autonomy would help to realize globalization in Indonesia.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Stabilizing Asia's currencies
Stabilizing Asia's currencies Over the weekend, finance ministers participating in the Asia- Europe Meeting in Kobe reached an agreement to study exchange rate regimes for emerging markets and developing countries. Japan intends to promote the Asian currency basket system, which would link the currencies of emerging economies to the U.S. dollar, the yen, and the euro. Three and a half years have passed since the delinking of the Thai baht and the U.S.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Ericsson markets new cell phone
Ericsson markets new cell phone JAKARTA (JP): Cell phone manufacturer PT Ericsson Indonesia introduced its newest product, the Ericsson T20, specially designed for young people. "The T20 is the result of Ericsson listening to young consumers' demands and trend preferences," Ericsson director of consumer products Susanto Sosilo said in a statement.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
North Korean intentions perplex the world
North Korean intentions perplex the world SEOUL: North Korea has produced a series of proposals for improving inter-Korean relations this year. The proposals range from holding the next round of Red Cross talks Jan. 29-31 to discuss delayed reunions of dispersed family members to arranging fisheries talks and exchanges between taekwondo organizations in the South and the North.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Violence erupts anew in Maluku islands
Violence erupts anew in Maluku islands AMBON, Maluku (JP): After a period of relative calm, violence briefly resurfaced in the Maluku islands over the weekend, killing at least four people. The latest outbreak of violence took place on Sunday when armed mobs attacked Wahai village in North Seram district at around 10 a.m., killing a local named Melly Wenno. Wahai Police chief First Insp. Adam confirmed the attack late Sunday night. "There were dozens of houses gutted by fire during the raid.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Teachers propose Balikpapan mayor
Teachers propose Balikpapan mayor BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: The East Kalimantan Teachers' Solidarity Forum on the first day of the formal nomination of candidates for Balikpapan mayor and deputy mayor on Sunday proposed Rizal Effendi and Jammal Noor for the two positions, Antara reported.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Congolese mourn deceased Kabila, war allies meet
Congolese mourn deceased Kabila, war allies meet KINSHASA (Reuters): Thousands of Congolese mourned slain President Laurent Kabila when his body arrived back in the capital Kinshasa on Sunday and his military allies met to discuss the many-sided war he leaves behind. Leaders of Kabila's allies, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia, met to discuss Democratic Republic of Congo, and diplomatic sources said Southern African leaders were considering a full summit on the Congo in Mozambique on Wednesday.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Philippine rebels, soldiers clash
Philippine rebels, soldiers clash ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP): At least seven Muslim separatist rebels and one soldier were killed in a clash in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday. One guerrilla from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was also captured by soldiers in the clash on Saturday in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province, triggered by a rebel ambush of a group of soldiers on patrol, the military said.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
House begins deliberating three state finance bills
House begins deliberating three state finance bills JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives starts today (Monday) the deliberation on three new bills on regulating state financial affairs which are crucial in creating a clean government.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian lawmakers meet in Cambodia
Asian lawmakers meet in Cambodia PHNOM PENH (AFP): Asian lawmakers will begin five days of talks in newly-peaceful Cambodia on Monday to map out strategies for promoting peace in the region, officials said. The second Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) will be attended by lawmakers from more than 25 nations, including the ASEAN 10, China, North Korea, Iran, Japan, Russia, and Sri Lanka.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Problem with drinking water
Problem with drinking water From Warta Kota Yes, providing potable water for residents of Jakarta is a priority for the Jakarta administration in 2001. If it fails to accomplish this task, I am afraid the residents of Jakarta will suffer, as they will be extremely thirsty because there will be very a limited supply of drinking water available from the current deep wells. Uncontrollably tapping deep wells is harmful and destructive to the city and its citizens.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Regional survey finds Asia will ford U.S. slump
Regional survey finds Asia will ford U.S. slump SINGAPORE (AFP): Asian countries should ride out the expected US economic slowdown this year, although Thailand and the Philippines remain susceptible to recession, according to a regional survey released Sunday. The survey of economic analysts, government officials and businessmen in nine Asian cities asked how local economies would react to a US slowdown.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
JSA organizes spring leagues
JSA organizes spring leagues JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Softball Association (JSA) is organizing spring leagues to play both men's and women's slow pitch softball. There is an already well established league in both the men's A and B level competition and also a women's league. Games, once a week for up to 12 weeks, are scheduled on Monday till Thursday nights. Games are played at either the Jakarta international school facilities at Jl.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur loses more support
Gus Dur loses more support JAKARTA (JP): Two more members of the Axis Force, a loose coalition of several Islamic parties which played a key role in bringing Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to the presidency in 1999, announced over the weekend their disappointment over the president's performance.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Landslide deaths feared in N. Sulawesi
Landslide deaths feared in N. Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): Dozens are feared dead after landslides and an earthquake hit villages on remote islands in Sangihe Talaud regency in North Sulawesi over the weekend.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
New economy needs new strategy
New economy needs new strategy By Hermawan Kartajaya JAKARTA (JP): The Internet has given rise to a new economy in mid-1990s which has since changed the nature of companies. The way people run a company and deliver values to customers has changed. It demands a reinvention of strategy and the building of a sustainable value to ensure survival. To be successful you have to digitalize your network, globalize your market and futurize your business.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto case can be decided soon: Justice Artidjo
Soeharto case can be decided soon: Justice Artidjo JAKARTA (JP): Supreme justice Artidjo Alkausar said that the panel of justices handling an appeal sought by lawyers of former president Soeharto found no obstacles in the case, saying that it was merely an "ordinary" one. "This is a common case, similar to other cases we have handled, we have found no difficulties in finding legal arguments to view the appeal," he told The Jakarta Post by phone on Saturday.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated
Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated on Saturday the completion of the first-phase construction of a Betawi (native Jakartan) cultural reserve in Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in the Jagakarsa area of South Jakarta. The first-phase of the project, which cost Rp 1.2 billion, includes a nine-meter-wide entrance gate, a Betawi traditional house, a guest house, and an open air theater facing the lake in the area.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Topple Gus Dur and tear Indonesia apart, or else...
Topple Gus Dur and tear Indonesia apart, or else... Get rid of Gus Dur and plunge the country into chaos or retain him but save the country. To choose the lesser evil between the two has intrigued political observer Soedjati Djiwandono .
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
NGOs protest local police chief
NGOs protest local police chief YOGYAKARTA (JP): Eight local non-governmental organizations lodged a complaint here on Sunday against the Yogyakarta police chief Brig. Gen. Logan Siagian for accusing the organizations of "mentally" terrorizing his leadership.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Humanitarian pause
Humanitarian pause From Republika The humanitarian pause in Aceh has been terminated. The score is one to zero for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The government has made a sacrifice, and GAM has reaped the advantages. It is said that to replace the humanitarian pause, a "moratorium" will be in effect until February 2001. This is an opportunity for GAM to consolidate its political moves.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Groups win Nigerian telecoms licenses
Groups win Nigerian telecoms licenses ABUJA (AFP): Telecoms consortiums backed by operators from South Africa and Zimbabwe and one from Nigeria emerged Friday as winners of three mobile phone licenses in a billion dollar auction here. The three consortiums agreed to pay an asking price of US$285 million a license. A fourth license granted to the state-run operator will also now be set at $285 million, pushing revenue well past the one billion dollar mark, organizers said.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur to meet House members on Monday
Gus Dur to meet House members on Monday JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has agreed to meet on Monday, the House of Representatives special committee, which is investigating two financial scandals allegedly implicating the President, the committee's chairman said Sunday. Abdurrahman has sent a letter accepting the committee's invitation to meet at a neutral location, Bachtiar Chamsyah told journalists.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Fallen RP leader faces barrage of graft charges
Fallen RP leader faces barrage of graft charges MANILA (AFP): Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada faces a barrage of corruption charges including an offense punishable by death, but experts say weak courts and legal loopholes might allow him to stay free and even attempt a political comeback.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Several top PAN executives finally submit resignations
Several top PAN executives finally submit resignations JAKARTA (JP): After a week of propositions and speculation, 16 National Mandate Party (PAN) members finally submitted their resignations from the party on Sunday, saying that much of the party's agenda violated the initial platform of the organization.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Transport problems in C. Sulawesi
Transport problems in C. Sulawesi PALU, Central Sulawesi: Interprovincial public transport has been disrupted by the escalating sectarian tension in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso, Antara reported on Sunday. The news agency said that public transport plying the route between Central Sulawesi and South Sulawesi was being disrupted by a group of unidentified people in the Pendolo area.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Proton, RI firm to team up
Proton, RI firm to team up KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) said its unit Proton Edar Sdn Bhd will jointly set up a company with PT Ningz Multiusaha to undertake the assembly and distribution of Proton cars in Indonesia. The joint venture company, PT Proton Edar Indonesia, will have an initial authorized share capital of the rupiah equivalent to US$10 million and a issued and paid-up capital of US$2.5 million.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Missing students found
Missing students found BOGOR (JP): A search and rescue team in the Gede Pangrango mountains in Sukabumi, West Java, found on Sunday two Germans, who had been missing since Thursday. Both were students and were identified as Manuel Heller, 25, who was found with an injured leg in Cipelang subdistrict, and Myriam Goelz, 24, who was found at a security post in the mountains in Cibodas subdistrict.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Two dead in Bogor drowning
Two dead in Bogor drowning BOGOR (JP): Two young men drowned here on Sunday in two separate incidents. The first incident occurred at the Bogor Botanical Gardens when Budi Utomo, 24, drowned while swimming in the river inside the complex. "We tried to pull him out but we failed, so we reported the incident to the police," one of the deceased's friends Maulana said, adding that the body was found six hours later.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Most Asian stock markets may rise this week
Most Asian stock markets may rise this week MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine stocks may surge this week after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over as president from Joseph Estrada, who quit after a corruption scandal lost him the support of his cabinet, the military and the Filipino public. Arroyo, who had been vice president, was sworn in after tens of thousands of protesters marched on the presidential palace to demand Estrada's resignation.
Mon, 22 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, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Let speculators panic
Let speculators panic Bank Indonesia should not budge on its move last week to slash the supply of rupiah that can be used for speculation overseas despite noisy protests and complaints from banks in Singapore, where the bulk of offshore rupiah trading is done. The rules that severely limit rupiah transactions between onshore banks and offshore parties will obviously have a big impact on how the Indonesian currency is traded in Singapore.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gas station owners seek higher profit from fuel sales
Gas station owners seek higher profit from fuel sales JAKARTA (JP): Owners of gas stations in the capital urged the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina on Sunday to give them a greater profit margin from fuel sales, which is needed to cover their increasing operational expenditures.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Residents ask city administration not to increase water rates
Residents ask city administration not to increase water rates JAKARTA (JP): Citing the poor quality of tap water in the area, residents of Cengkareng Timur subdistrict in West Jakarta asked the city administration on Saturday not to raise the water rates. "The water is very turbid and there's lots of water lice in it. My children have also come down with allergic skin reactions because of it.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
'Tommy gave me bombs': Suspect
'Tommy gave me bombs': Suspect JAKARTA (JP): Police revealed on Sunday that a woman arrested here on Friday in the possession of three bombs, admitted that not only did Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the fugitive son of former president Soeharto, give her the bombs, but also taught her how to operate them. East Jakarta Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr.
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Grenade found in Pasar Rebo
Grenade found in Pasar Rebo JAKARTA (JP): An active grenade was found on Sunday morning, hidden in the grounds of Lewa alley in Pekayon area of Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, a police officer said. East Jakarta police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Agus Irianto said on Sunday that Pekayon residents of Pasar Rebo found the grenade while cleaning the grounds of the alley. "The bomb squad were soon contacted. The squad arrived there, and secured the grenade...
Mon, 22 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
No more mediators for Aceh dialog, says Susilo
No more mediators for Aceh dialog, says Susilo JAKARTA (JP): A top cabinet official said on Sunday that the government would dispense of third party mediation at the end of the month long moratorium on violence in Aceh on Feb. 15 and engage in dialog directly with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). "Starting Feb.