Archive: 23 January 2001
56 articles found
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Honda to boost Asian imports
Honda to boost Asian imports TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's second-biggest automaker Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Monday it planned to expand domestic sales of cheap motorcycles made at its plants in Asia to cash in on growing demand for cut-price vehicles. "We plan to import motorcycles priced less than 100,000 yen ($854.5) from our manufacturing bases in Asia, especially India and China, and sell them in Japan," Honda President Hiroyuki Yoshino told a news conference.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
120 golfers compete in Kosaido circuit
120 golfers compete in Kosaido circuit JAKARTA (JP): One hundred and 20 female golfers will compete in the US$75,000 Kosaido Ladies Asia Golf Circuit at the Ciputra Golf and Country Club, Surabaya, from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27. The golfers will come from the United States, Norway, England, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines, Italy, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and host nation, Indonesia.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Garbage adds refugee problems
Garbage adds refugee problems ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: As if East Timorese refugees in camps across Belu regency did not have enough problems already, they now have a new menacing problem -- what to do with mountains of garbage. Atambua's chairman of Uni Timor Aswain (UNTAS) Agustinho Pinto said UNTAS was coordinating with local government officials to overcome the problem.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Juan refuses to answer questions over bunker
Juan refuses to answer questions over bunker JAKARTA (JP): Lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon refused on Monday to answer police questions over his alleged role in obstructing their efforts to locate an underground bunker in the house of the fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra. "I showed up to show my good will... the rest, my colleague, will elaborate," Juan, a suspect in the case, told reporters, while pointing at lawyer Petrus Bala Pattyona.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Construction of Plaza Kelapa Gading halted
Construction of Plaza Kelapa Gading halted JAKARTA (JP): The construction project of Plaza Kelapa Gading in Kelapa Gading Barat subdistrict of north Jakarta has temporarily been halted until the city administration issues a building permit (IMB), an official said on Monday. "The construction work has been stopped until the developer gets the building permit," Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budihardjo Soekmadi told a media conference.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cheap land sought for new terminal
Cheap land sought for new terminal JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has recommended two separate plots of land that could house the new bus terminal to replace the overcrowded Pulogadung terminal. One of the plots belongs to state housing company PT Perumnas and the other to private construction company PT Rodiol Eron. Deputy Governor of Development Affairs Budihardjo Soekmadi said on Monday that due to limited funds, the city would select the cheapest land.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Non-military action preferred on hostage case
Non-military action preferred on hostage case JAYAPURA (JP): Army deputy chief Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri and Deputy chief of Irian Jaya police Brig. Gen. Moersoedidarno Moerhadi said in separate interviews on Monday that military action would be the last resort to free the 16 people taken hostage by a separatist group in Merauke, Irian Jaya. Kiki told reporters after overseeing the ceremony of the installment of Maj. Gen.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Soldiers told to remain firm in face of plot to ruin Army's image
Soldiers told to remain firm in face of plot to ruin Army's image JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto told soldiers on Monday not to be discouraged by claims by certain groups that the military was behind all the security problems in the country. "The Army has been unfairly treated and accused as the culprit in all the security disturbances.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Corruption 'from state palace to political parties'
Corruption 'from state palace to political parties' JAKARTA (JP): Unlike in the past, political parties are now the vanguard of corruption in the country, as a result of democratization and decentralization, the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) revealed in its year-end report on Monday. ICW coordinator Teten Masduki said he expected a snowball effect of corrupt practices due to a lack of political will from the government to eradicate them.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Centris expects higher revenues
Centris expects higher revenues JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed transportation company PT Centris Multipersada Pratama Tbk (CMPP) estimates its pretax profit this year will increase by about 50 percent to Rp 6.4 billion ($673,700) from Rp 4.2 billion last year, a company executive has said. Finance director Omar Danni Hasan said here on Monday the projected increase in profit would result from the rise in taxi fares and the increase in revenue from new taxis.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Foreign investors resist Indonesian temptation
Foreign investors resist Indonesian temptation HONG KONG (Reuters): Indonesia's Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) wants to clean up the country's biggest financial messes this year, but success hinges on finding a way to tempt back badly burned and deeply skeptical foreign investors.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Eurico trial to continue
Eurico trial to continue JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta District Court decided on Monday to continue the trial of East Timorese militia leader Eurico Guterres, who is standing trial on charges of inciting violence. The court turned down the request of Eurico's lawyer, Suhardi Somomoeljono, who argued that the prosecutor's indictment was obscure.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bantul builds industrial estate to woo investors
Bantul builds industrial estate to woo investors BANTUL, Yogyakarta (JP): The Bantul regency in Yogyakarta province is developing a 55-hectare industrial estate in Piyungan subdistrict in a bid to lure investors into the regency. Bantul regent Idham Samawi said the construction of the industrial estate had been 60 percent completed. "The operation also depends on the handover of the power from the central government to allow us to manage the estate," he told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Obituary
Obituary Veteran writer Slamet Soeseno, 73, died at his office here on Monday morning, stunning his colleagues and family. Soeseno, a special editor of Intisari monthly, one of the publications of Gramedia group, and the chief editor of Trubus agriculture magazine, collapsed and died in front of a lift at the Gramedia building on Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Central Jakarta at about 11 a.m. when he was about to be taken to the clinic. A doctor rushed to the spot and examined him.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Penguin expands to RI, KL
Penguin expands to RI, KL SINGAPORE (AFX-ASIA): Penguin Boat International Ltd said it has established offices in Indonesia, Malaysia and East Timor as part of its regional expansion strategy. It has incorporated PT Penguin Ferry Jasa in Indonesia with paid up capital of US$400,000, of which 95 percent will be held directly by Penguin Boat. The remaining 5 percent will be held by wholly-owned unit Penguin Marine Offshore Services Pte Ltd.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Badminton coaches to have contract system
Badminton coaches to have contract system JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) plans to employ a contract system for coaches at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, as a way to improve the performance of the coaches. PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata said on Monday the system will become effective on Feb. 1, the same day the association announces which coaches and players have been invited to join the center.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Unleaded premium available by April: Pertamina
Unleaded premium available by April: Pertamina JAKARTA (JP): Following the government's plan to initiate the removal of leaded gasoline from sale in the capital this year, the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina will begin to supply unleaded premium by April 1, 2001. Pertamina's information officer Ridwan Nyak Baik said on Monday that the unleaded premium would be supplied in phases over a three month period. "Hopefully, Jakarta will be free of leaded gasoline by July.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cardoso visits East Timor, names new foreign minister
Cardoso visits East Timor, names new foreign minister DILI, East Timor (AP): Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed on Monday a new foreign minister as he arrived in East Timor for a visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with the fledging nation. Cardoso, who is on a tour of Asian countries, told waiting reporters at Dili airport that he had picked former foreign minister Celso Lafer to replace Luiz Felipe Lampreia. On Jan.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI to retain 40,000 tons of coffee to prop up prices
RI to retain 40,000 tons of coffee to prop up prices JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia plans to retain up to 40,000 tons of coffee until August this year as part of its commitment to prop up falling coffee prices in the world, Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih said on Monday. The minister said that the decision to join the coffee retention program initiated by the Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC) last year was taken in October, 2000.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung:
Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Fine Arts by Bandung Young Artists, at Griya Seni Popo Iskandar, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi 268 (Phone: 022 2013662), until Jan. 27. * Painting, Ikatan Wanita Pelukis Indonesia, Galeri Hidayat, Jl. Sulanjana 36 (Phone: 022 4208257), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Jan. 27 to Feb. 14. Performance * Sundanese Traditional Drama, Sukma Dewa, Sinar Muda group, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 4233562), 8 p.m., Jan. 27.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
PKB will welcome former PAN figures
PKB will welcome former PAN figures JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) is ready to welcome political figures who recently quit the National Mandate Party's executive board, said a PKB executive. "The PKB, as an inclusive and cross-religious party, will be willing to welcome them if former PAN figures want to join the party," Effendi Choirie, chief of the PKB's autonomy affairs section, said here on Monday.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
3,000 teenagers elementary education
3,000 teenagers elementary education BOJONEGORO, East Java: Poor economic conditions and a lack of awareness have contributed to the rising number of at least 3,000 teenagers in the Bojonegoro regency who have not continued their education beyond elementary school. M.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Surabaya intercity bus drivers go on strike
Surabaya intercity bus drivers go on strike SURABAYA (JP): Haunted by the vandalism of angry mobs who have set fire to several buses, hundreds of intercity bus drivers at the Purabaya terminal went on strike here on Monday demanding that police guarantee their security. The strike has seemingly crippled bus transportation to and from Surabaya. Reports state that almost all large intercity bus terminals in East Java were simultaneously hit by strike actions.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI may win bronze in SEA Games basketball
RI may win bronze in SEA Games basketball JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's national team manager Erick Thohir expressed optimism about bringing home the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games bronze medal, considering the 16 players named to the team on Monday and the coach's training program. "The training program assumes that we have a 90 percent chance for the bronze and a 50 percent chance for silver. But don't talk about winning gold, the chances may be zero percent," he said with a laugh.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bank Aspac ignored BI warning: Witnesses
Bank Aspac ignored BI warning: Witnesses JAKARTA (JP): The court trying a former Bank Aspac director charged with corruption heard on Monday the bank continued to misappropriate the government's liquidity support funds despite warnings from the central bank.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Hanoi hopes for RP stability
Hanoi hopes for RP stability HANOI (AFP): Vietnam on Monday called for political and economic stability in the Philippines after a bloodless uprising ousted Joseph Estrada. "We sincerely hope the Philippines government, under the leadership of Gloria Arroyo, will stabilize the political situation, and restore and develop the Philippine economy," foreign ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh said in a statement.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Police reveal reason why bombs discovered
Police reveal reason why bombs discovered By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): It was God's hand that guided police to Elize Maria Tuwahatu, an alleged acquaintance of fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra who was arrested with three bombs in her possession at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) on Friday, a police detective has claimed. "This (arrest) would not have happened without God's guidance. He probably acted via Ki Joko Bodo," East Jakarta Police's chief of detectives, Adj. Comr.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Attorney General's Office probes T. Priok rights abuses
Attorney General's Office probes T. Priok rights abuses JAKARTA (JP): State prosecutors decided on Monday to continue their investigation into the 1984 Tanjung Priok incident, while awaiting the establishment of a joint investigating team on human rights abuses which would eventually take over the case. Attorney General's Office spokesman Muljohardjo said the 40- member team of prosecutors summoned four witnesses to testify on Monday, but only one person attended.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
China boosts holiday vigilance
China boosts holiday vigilance BEIJING (Reuters): Chinese state media attacked the Falungong spiritual movement on Monday as police were put on alert for protests by adherents ahead of the Chinese New Year. With tens of millions of people traveling to join their families for the Lunar New Year on Wednesday, State Councillor Luo Gan, China's top official in charge of security, urged police to be on the lookout for threats to order, Xinhua news agency said.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
KL palm oil ends lower ahead of holiday
KL palm oil ends lower ahead of holiday KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Liquidation dragged Malaysian palm oil futures lower by the close on Monday as trading dwindled ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, traders said. The benchmark third-month April futures contract ended down five ringgit at 810 ringgit ($213.15) a ton. Volume was thin at 764 lots. The market will be closed January 23-25. "The market is very dull.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Mt. Merapi activity intensifies: Rizal
Mt. Merapi activity intensifies: Rizal YOGYAKARTA (JP): Monday's activity of the 2,968-meter-high Merapi volcano increased nearly threefold compared to the day before with the emission of increasing amounts of lava and gas clouds, and dust seen blanketing its slopes, except for the eastern side. Head of the Yogyakarta Volcanology Development and Research Station (BPPTK) Syamsul Rizal said that between midnight and 6 a.m.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Growth outlook in RP enhanced by Estrada dismissal
Growth outlook in RP enhanced by Estrada dismissal MANILA (Dow Jones): The outlook for the Philippines' economy is brighter following the ouster of President Joseph Estrada, but economists warn the new leadership will still have to grapple with various problems, including a runaway budget deficit, political division, and a resurgent Muslim secession in the South, the direction of the U.S. economy.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cardoso offers hints on reform
Cardoso offers hints on reform By Emmanuel Subangun JAKARTA (JP): The visit of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, president of Brazil, to Indonesia this week reminds me about a term in the language of development science. It is a term that interestingly makes it possible for us to say goodbye to our program of reform. The political reform movement only began in Indonesia two years ago and yet the smell of its demise is very strong these days. Meanwhile, the world is embarking on the 21st century.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Jan. 22
Rupiah Rates Jan. 22 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RP shares star in Asia, Tokyo ends up
RP shares star in Asia, Tokyo ends up SINGAPORE (Agencies): Philippine stocks surged 17 percent on Monday after the weekend departure of President Joseph Estrada, bracing markets elsewhere in Asia, and Tokyo shares staged a late recovery to notch up their seventh successive gain. In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended up 0.31 percent at 14,032.42, after spending most of the day in negative territory.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gian still authorized to hold his speaker post
Gian still authorized to hold his speaker post TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang mayor H.M. Thamrin asserted on Monday that he is still acknowledging Gian Sugiharsono as speaker of Tangerang (Mayoralty) Legislative Council despite reports that Gian was among members facing expulsion from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Heroes cemetery for civil servants
Heroes cemetery for civil servants From Rakyat Merdeka Are civil servants not entitled to be honored as national heroes? To the best of my understanding, "to die in harness" means to die while doing one's routine occupation. Both, to die in battle for one's country and to die for one's country, have almost the same meaning. One could die for one's country while in harness whether one is a member of the armed forces or civil service.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
IFC confident of victory in Indonesian debt case
IFC confident of victory in Indonesian debt case JAKARTA (Reuters): The World Bank's private sector lending arm is confident of final victory in a drawn out bankruptcy case highlighting the trouble creditors have getting Indonesian debtors to pay up. "We have faith in the courts that justice will ultimately prevail," the International Finance Corporation's chief of special operations, Charles van der Mandele, told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Ivo Mas merger approved
Ivo Mas merger approved SINGAPORE (AFX-ASIA): Golden Agri-Resources said shareholders of its unit PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources & Technology have approved the merger of the palm plantation companies PT Ivo Mas Exim and PT Satya Kisma Usaha. "The merger is part of an internal restructuring exercise to provide for a more efficient structure within the group," it said. The merger will also require the approval of Indonesia's regulatory bodies, it said.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI, HK fugitive agreement deliberated
RI, HK fugitive agreement deliberated JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra officially proposed to the House of Representatives on Monday a bill that would allow the administrations of Indonesia and Hong Kong to surrender fugitives sought by each other. "There have been many people who were on trial or had even been convicted who have subsequently fled abroad, sometimes to Hong Kong.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Green turtles staying away from W. Java's Citirem coast
Green turtles staying away from W. Java's Citirem coast Text and Photos by Bambang Parlupi CITIREM, West Java (JP): Green turtles have traditionally laid their eggs on Citirem, a 1.1 kilometer stretch of coastline in the Cikepuh nature reserve in Sukabumi, West Java. But you would never know it if you visited the reserve facing the Indonesian Ocean in recent months -- green turtles (chelonia mydas) are nowhere to be found.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Two top officials of IBRA resign
Two top officials of IBRA resign JAKARTA (JP): Two deputy chairmen of the powerful Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) have tendered their resignation amid rumors of increasing political interference with the agency. Deputy chairman for the bank restructuring unit (BRU) Jerry Ng confirmed on Monday that he had submitted his resignation letter to IBRA chairman Edwin Gerungan.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
IBRA reports Dharmala to AG office
IBRA reports Dharmala to AG office JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) filed on Monday a criminal report with the General Attorney's Office against PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera for allegedly unlawfully selling Dharmala's stake in a joint venture insurance firm. IBRA's asset management credit legal division head, Robertus Bilitea, said his office made its complaint against Dharmala's former board of directors, including its president Suyanto Gondokusumo.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Top shuttlers in easy group at National C'ships
Top shuttlers in easy group at National C'ships By Novan Iman Santosa BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Top seeds will face weak competition during round-robin matches, following the group draw for the Inter-club National Badminton Championships commencing on Tuesday at the Hasanuddin Sports Hall. Defending champion Djarum Kudus is in group H with unseeded teams Kusuma Kendari and Tirta Barito, while tournament favorite Jaya Raya is in group A with Keshab and Rajawali.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Campaign to increase public participation
Campaign to increase public participation JAKARTA (JP): In line with the inception of regional autonomy, the city administration launched on Monday a 10-month campaign in five subdistricts aimed at increasing public participation in community development. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the initiative is expected to promote more transparent governance, said Bambang Rustanto, chairman of Kesuma Multiguna, the non-government organization coordinating the program.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
50 candidates to join MAT selection
50 candidates to join MAT selection JAKARTA (JP): Fifty candidates from 19 cities in Indonesia will join the final selection for the Marlboro Adventure Team (MAT) Winter Challenge at Mount Bromo this weekend. About 120,000 applicants have registered themselves but only 50 participants have passed the necessary qualifications. Only 10 from 50 participants will represent Indonesia in the challenge that takes place in Telluride, Colorado, from March 20 to March 28.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur walks out of scandals hearing
Gus Dur walks out of scandals hearing JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday left legislators dumbfounded as he abruptly walked out of a meeting with the House of Representatives' special committee investigating the Bulog and Brunei scandals. Abdurrahman surprised everyone as he left the meeting hall at the Jakarta Convention Center only some 45 minutes into the scheduled two-hour session.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian currencies mostly up but peso rally short lived
Asian currencies mostly up but peso rally short lived SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies held on to their gains late Monday even after the Philippine peso failed to sustain its rally, as they looked to the Japanese yen for inspiration, dealers said. The Indonesian rupiah closed higher Monday as offshore parties sold the dollar to exit the market amid confusion over Bank Indonesia's new rupiah trading regulations, dealers said. The dollar closed at Rp 9,380, down from Rp 9,450 Friday.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Impact of regional autonomy
Impact of regional autonomy From Rakyat Merdeka Law No. 22/1999 on Regional Autonomy was originally planned to start in May, 2001, but its enactment has been put forward to January, 2001, in order to coincide with a discussion of the state budget by the Ministry of Finance. The implementation of regional autonomy is full of optimism, though there might emerge impacts of various interests.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Revote order expected in 50 places in Thailand
Revote order expected in 50 places in Thailand BANGKOK (AP): Thailand's Election Commission will throw out the results in at least 50 constituencies and order revoting because of suspected fraud and cheating during the Jan. 6 general election, officials said on Monday. The revote, scheduled for Jan. 29, throws into uncertainty the victory claimed by telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, whose Thai Rak Thai party won 256 seats in the 500-seat parliament.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
JSX called on to withdraw new delisting policy
JSX called on to withdraw new delisting policy JAKARTA (JP): A securities investor association has urged the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) to withdraw a new delisting regulation, saying that the policy could inspire listed firms to manipulate their share prices to avoid being delisted. Chairman of the Indonesian Securities Investor Society (MISSI) HND Murdani said on Monday that the JSX should have abolished the policy altogether instead of just postponing it.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
32 killed in Sangihe Talaud landslides
32 killed in Sangihe Talaud landslides JAKARTA (JP): Officials said on Monday 32 people were killed in landslides triggered by days of heavy rain in Sangihe Talaud regency on Sangir island, North Sulawesi, while 20 others are feared dead.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Demonstrators warned of infiltrators: Mahfud
Demonstrators warned of infiltrators: Mahfud YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD warned that infiltrators could penetrate both government supporters and opponents, who recently showed their muscle at the House of Representatives (DPR) compound. Deploying masses to support or protest a certain figure was not breaking the law, "but any party needs to be extra careful as such huge demonstrations are vulnerable to infiltrators, who instigate riots," he said.
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Low price of rice
Low price of rice Thousands of demonstrators staged a huge rally around the House complex on Jan. 17, 2001. But none of them protested the low price of rice. I am wondering why the people aren't asking the legislators to establish a special committee to investigate the low price of rice? Do they not know that our farmers are suffering because of this? Or, are they happy that the price of rice is low? If so, is it fair to "force" farmers to work hard to "feed" the Indonesian people?
Tue, 23 Jan 2001, 00:00 WIB
Petronas wins Algerian project
Petronas wins Algerian project KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's state-owned oil firm, Petronas, has been awarded a joint project to explore for gas in Algeria in a venture with Algerian and French firms, the company said on Monday. Petronas will hold the majority 45 per cent share in the venture, with the Algerian oil firm, Sonatrach, holding 30 percent while Gaz de France has the remaining 25 per cent share.