Archive: 16 March 2001
52 articles found
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
660 graves to be moved for waste treatment pump
660 graves to be moved for waste treatment pump JAKARTA (JP): Spirits of the dead here can no longer rest in peace as the City Administration is planning to move 660 graves at the Menteng Pulo graveyard in South Jakarta to make way for the construction of a waste water treatment pump house.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies mostly down; IDR buoyed
Asian monies mostly down; IDR buoyed SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were weaker, though off their morning lows, as they remained under the sway of the wavering Japanese yen, dealers said. The South Korean won, the New Taiwan dollar, the Singapore dollar, the Thai baht and the Philippine peso felt the pain of the yen's slide to a fresh 20-month low overnight, amid renewed concerns over the Japanese financial system.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Reporter dies on duty
Reporter dies on duty JAKARTA (JP): Crime reporter Catur Budi Hartono, 25, of the Warta Kota daily was killed on Thursday in a traffic accident near the Ayam Grendeng traditional market in Tangerang. Catur was returning to the daily's Tangerang office from the mayoralty administration office in Jatiuwung, where he collected facts for a story on drugs, when a truck ran him over. "Riding his motorcycle, he was turning left onto Jl. Imam Bonjol when a minivan suddenly stopped.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
PAN dismisses ministers Yahya, Hilal
PAN dismisses ministers Yahya, Hilal JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais said on Thursday that the party had "honorably discharged" two Cabinet ministers from its membership because they had gone against party orders, ignoring calls to quit their posts. Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin and Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Al Hilal Hamdi had earlier expressed their desire to remain in the Cabinet.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
U.S. supports RI integrity, warns of rights violations
U.S. supports RI integrity, warns of rights violations JAKARTA (JP): The United States government maintained on Thursday its opposition to separatism such as that in Aceh, but warned the Indonesian government to be "conscious of the local people's human rights." "Of course we support Indonesia's territorial integrity and oppose separatism. But we hope that Indonesia will support us, too (in respect of ExxonMobil)," U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Regional autonomy brings more rights issues
Regional autonomy brings more rights issues JAKARTA (JP): The implementation of regional autonomy may increase the number of human rights violations, an expert said on Thursday. Political scientist Andi A. Mallarangeng feared that there would be more human rights violations as there were no mechanisms of monitoring, supervising and coordinating between Jakarta and the regions.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Several options for CMNP debt restructuring
Several options for CMNP debt restructuring JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed toll road operator PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada is considering a number of options to restructure its US$97.8 million foreign debts, the company's executive said here on Thursday. CMNP's newly appointed president Daddy Hariadi said the options for the restructuring of the debts, which will mature next year will include buy back, refinancing, right issues, loan extension and cash settlement.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Student movements must not be used for political gain
Student movements must not be used for political gain The following is an interview with Chusnul Mar'iyah, a political lecturer at the University of Indonesia who was recently elected a member of the General Elections Commission. She spoke on the current pressure against President Abdurrahman Wahid to resign. Question: Groups of students have gone as far as besieging the State Palace to force President Abdurrahman, or Gus Dur, into resigning. How significant is this motion?
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Finding solution to forest destruction
Finding solution to forest destruction The minister of forestry has asked the Kapuk Naga Indah Real Estate, North Jakarta, to return the land, because it belongs to the Ministry of Forestry and the process of acquiring the land was not legal and full of malpractice such as corruption, collusion and nepotism. That request was OK, as far as it was beneficial to all. I wonder, though, after all these years and development how it will benefit all.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Govt mulls raising export tax on crude palm oil
Govt mulls raising export tax on crude palm oil JAKARTA (JP): The government is mulling raising export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) amid worries that the recent fall in the rupiah would cause a wave of CPO exports and an increase in the CPO price on the domestic market.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur admitted he was wrong: Ex-police chief
Gus Dur admitted he was wrong: Ex-police chief JAKARTA (JP): Former National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Wednesday that President Abdurrahman Wahid had admitted that he was wrong in handing over a Rp 5 billion check to businesswoman Siti Farika. "He admitted that he was wrong, saying, 'excuse me Pak Rusdi, I can't see, so I don't know who issued the check, I just handed it over'," Rusdihardjo told reporters at the Attorney General's Office.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Train passengers stranded in Depok
Train passengers stranded in Depok JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of passengers on two electric trains serving the Bogor-Jakarta route were stranded outside Old Depok station for hours on Thursday due to a severed electricity cable. "To all passengers traveling to Jakarta, we would like to apologize as the trains cannot depart due to an electrical fault," an official announced repeatedly, as reported by Antara.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Invalid voucher
Invalid voucher In December 2000, we joined a kids program at a hotel in South Jakarta and received a complimentary voucher from D'BEST department store - Fatmawati (Diamond Group), valid until Feb. 1, 2001. But we found that the voucher expired before the store had opened. We contacted the hotel representative and our voucher's validity was renewed until March 1, 2001. But the voucher expired for a second time and the store still had not opened.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Incitement to religious hate law sought
Incitement to religious hate law sought JAKARTA (JP): A political and religious observer has underlined the need for an incitement to religious hatred law to deal with provocateurs in interreligious conflicts, who have so far managed to escape any legal sanction. Azyumardi Azra, rector of the Jakarta State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN), said on Wednesday that the existing law was not sufficient to charge those who provoke interreligious conflicts.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Legislator questions JORR project
Legislator questions JORR project JAKARTA (JP): There are allegations a Malaysian consortium was awarded the delayed Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) toll road project through corruption, collusion and nepotism, a legislator said on Thursday. "I was informed by a reliable source that there are indications of the involvement of a government official's child in the appointment of the consortium ....
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Frightening journey to Putri island
Frightening journey to Putri island Last month I made a weekend trip to Putri island. The island experience was not what I expected as the level of transportation, service, food and rooms left a lot to be desired. However, the worst part of the journey was the trip back from the island. It was very stormy and boats coming back from the island could be seen rising and falling in the swells. The boat's hydraulic steering system broke down and the boat was soon being tossed about in heavy seas.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Kogas expects Bontang LNG
Kogas expects Bontang LNG SEOUL (Dow Jones): State-run Korea Gas Corp. is near to closing a deal to acquire one cargo of liquefied natural gas from Indonesia's Bontang gas field that was originally allocated for Taiwan, a Kogas official told Dow Jones Newswires Thursday. "There is a possibility to secure one cargo (originally scheduled) for Taiwan," the official said. "We will return the same volume sometime in April." The volume acquired would be about 56,000 metric tons of LNG, he added.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
BI fines foreign bank for breaching forex ruling
BI fines foreign bank for breaching forex ruling JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia deputy governor Achjar Iljas said on Thursday that an unnamed foreign bank has been fined for breaching a newly introduced foreign exchange ruling. Achjar said the foreign bank had exceeded the maximum limit for overdraft transactions with non-residents allowed under the new ruling. "I sure the fine has already been imposed...
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI gears up for rice imports
RI gears up for rice imports JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Indonesia is preparing to import between 1 million and 1.5 million metric tons of rice next year if the El Nino weather phenomenon affects domestic output, the state food logistics agency, Bulog, said Thursday. This year's rice production is set to total 28.1 million tons, with 26 million tons in projected local consumption, Mulyo Sidik, a senior official at Bulog, told Dow Jones Newswires.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bank Indonesia to raise interest rates
Bank Indonesia to raise interest rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia says it will further increase interest rates to cope with strong inflationary pressures from rising import costs and higher fuel prices imposed on major industrial users. Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said the central bank sought proactive measures to avoid high inflation rates.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah rate March 15
Rupiah rate March 15 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Army chief denies new TNI reshuffle
Army chief denies new TNI reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto dismissed on Thursday speculation that there would soon be a major reshuffle in the Indonesian Military (TNI). "There is a standard mechanism that is followed if there is a planned reshuffle in the TNI's top posts. "First, the President must propose the candidates to the House of Representatives in order to secure their approval," Endriartono told The Jakarta Post by phone.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Unruly fans mar soccer league match
Unruly fans mar soccer league match JAKARTA (JP): Unruly behavior marred two matches in the 2001 Bank Mandiri soccer league's western division on Thursday. In Banda Aceh, Aceh, security personnel fired warning shot to disperse soccer fans who turned violent after a decision by referee Zulkifli Hasibuan went against home team Persiraja. The match between Persiraja and Semen Padang of West Sumatra ended in a scoreless draw after being delayed for about 25 minutes.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
C. Java to host Caltex Yamaha Cup
C. Java to host Caltex Yamaha Cup SEMARANG (JP): Surakarta, Central Java, will host the 2001 Caltex Yamaha Cup national motor racing championships at the Solo Baru circuit starting Monday. "The best racers from Bandung, Malang, Semarang, Yogyakarta as well as from Surakarta, will take part in the race," the organizing committee chief Yuwono Santoso R. said on Thursday. "We also insure all participants, officials and spectators although the event is free of charge," he added.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Pupuk Kujang to build new fertilizer factory
Pupuk Kujang to build new fertilizer factory JAKARTA (JP): State fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Kujang will build a new plant in its industrial compound in Cikampek, West Java to replace its old production unit.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur supporters block Ketapang Port
Gus Dur supporters block Ketapang Port SURABAYA (JP): More than 5,000 supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid, armed with sickles, machetes and bamboo spears, blocked Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, some 290 kilometers east of Surabaya, on Thursday, demanding that the House of Representatives (DPR) withdraw the memorandum it issued on Feb. 1, censuring President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
KL starts burning palmoil as fuel
KL starts burning palmoil as fuel KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia will start burning crude palm oil as industrial fuel in April and also plans to set up a plant to process CPO into diesel to help cut a surplus in stocks and improve prices, officials said on Thursday. "Malaysia will start burning CPO as fuel in April. The Primary and Industries Ministry has discussed the issue with Tenaga," a ministry official told Reuters.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Police officers sentenced to death
Police officers sentenced to death MANILA (AP): A suburban district police chief and nine other officers were sentenced to death on Thursday for accepting a total of 650,000 pesos (US$13,265) in bribes from alleged Chinese drug dealers. Supt. Francisco Ovilla and his nine subordinates were charged with accepting bribes. The punishment for law enforcers accepting bribes is equivalent to the penalty for the original offense committed by the bribers.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN auto sales rise 25%
ASEAN auto sales rise 25% SINGAPORE (AFP): New vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's four biggest markets rose 25 percent in January from a year ago, setting the trend for a softer vehicle market this year, an industry monitor said Thursday. The number of new vehicles sold in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand totaled 69,449 units, up from 55,585 in January last year, Automotive Resources Asia Ltd. said in its latest report.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
TNI is misjudged
TNI is misjudged I would like to thank The Jakarta Post for printing my letter to the editor on March 12, 2001, titled No more problems, please. But unfortunately there was a mistake in the edited version of the letter that may cause misunderstanding on the part of the Indonesian Military (TNI).
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Faster process for privatization of Soekarno-Hatta airport demanded
Faster process for privatization of Soekarno-Hatta airport demanded JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's major airport operator is hoping the government will soon recommence the tender process for the privatization of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta after being delayed for over a year.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Death penalty sought for Poso riot instigators
Death penalty sought for Poso riot instigators PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): A state prosecutor demanded on Thursday that the Palu District Court impose the death penalty on three men charged with instigating the Poso sectarian clash which claimed hundreds of lives last year.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Riady denies offering Clinton $1m
Riady denies offering Clinton $1m WASHINGTON (AP): The Indonesian billionaire who has agreed to plead guilty to making illegal donations to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign denied having a conversation with the candidate about raising US$1 million for the race, court records show.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Seminar on furniture market
Seminar on furniture market JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forestry Society (MPI) and Ministry of Trade and Industry are organizing a one-day seminar on March 22 on ways to enter the US$22.5-billion home furniture market in the United States. MPI said in a statement on Thursday the seminar would discuss the general trends, demands and consumer preferences in the U.S. home furnishing market, as well as wood furniture distribution chains.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Politics 'inseparable from education'
Politics 'inseparable from education' JAKARTA (JP): Politics is inseparable from education, unless the country plans to generate "illiterate politicians" who could not be expected to lead the republic out of the current crises, a noted politician and educationalist said here on Thursday. "You cannot escape politics or separate it from education," Mochtar Buchori told delegates at a one-day seminar titled "Education and the Nation's Crisis".
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo: Frida Kahlo and Her Friends, by Lola Alvarez Bravo, La Casa de Mexico, Jl. Panglima Polim III no. 1-3, South Jakarta, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., until March 28. * Video Installation by Christophorus Ade Desembris, French Cultural Center, Jl. Salemba Raya 25, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3908585), until March 22. * Light Ornaments, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until March 24.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Criminal issues pile up
Criminal issues pile up I have not troubled your columns for the past three years, since Soeharto was toppled, although there have been a hundred "sensitive" issues on which I would have liked to comment upon.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Rp 6.5b exam fund to be taken from City Budget
Rp 6.5b exam fund to be taken from City Budget JAKARTA (JP): City Council endorsed on Thursday a proposal by the City Administration to cover the expenses of this year's national final examination (Ebtanas) for elementary and junior high schools in the city which amounts to Rp 6.5 billion (US$650,000).
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Dissolve the current legislature
Dissolve the current legislature The following is the first of two articles based on a conference paper by sociologist George J. Aditjondro, a lecturer at Australia's Newcastle University. NEWCASTLE, Australia: Recently, the move to push Megawati Soekarnoputri into the presidential seat has become stronger. But is that the solution to the current stalemate between the executive and legislative branches of the Indonesian government?
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cipinang jail warden replaced following Wednesday's riot
Cipinang jail warden replaced following Wednesday's riot JAKARTA (JP): The warden of Cipinang Penitentiary was removed from his post on Thursday following a riot in the prison on Wednesday. One inmate was killed and several others injured when police stormed the prison on Wednesday to put down the riot. Andronicus Takasiliang, who was reassigned as the coordinator of penitentiaries in North Sumatra, was replaced by Asep M.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI women's singles no show in Japan Open
RI women's singles no show in Japan Open JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will not be sending any women's single shuttlers to the five-star US$180,000 Japan Open following their poor performance at the just-concluded Yonex All England Open. PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata revealed the line- up for the Japan Open on Thursday. The line-up was approved by PBSI official in charge of athlete development Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders
Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja LANGGOR, Maluku (JP): Representatives from across Maluku gathered on Thursday to begin a three-day discussion aimed at finding a solution to the prolonged sectarian conflict that has plagued the area since 1999. Some 1,500 people from different backgrounds and religions enthusiastically gathered here to take part in the event, saying they were tired of living their lives in the shadow of the continuing conflict.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
President willing to meet with MPR leaders
President willing to meet with MPR leaders JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is willing to meet with leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), a presidential spokesman said on Thursday. "The President is always willing to meet almost any representative of the people or any person as long as the purpose is clear ...
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Taking time out at Sportsmans bar
Taking time out at Sportsmans bar JAKARTA (JP): There is a bar called Sportsmans; it may be grammatically incorrect, but there are so many other things that are right about the place. This is a bar for people who like bars, in the true sense of the word. It's not for those who wear their Prada when they want to go casual and gather in sterile cafes and bistros, or whatever prissy name they call themselves, who think lack of character is the same thing as modern chic. Enough said.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
U.S. extends free milk program for RI students
U.S. extends free milk program for RI students JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian and United States governments signed on Thursday an agreement to provide an extra US$14 million in grant aid for the funding of another two years of the School Milk Project in five provinces across Java, an official said.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March.15, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,700 25 12,000 Adindo Foresta 105 0 0 AGIS Tbk 195 20 5,041,500 Alakasa 140 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,300 150 11,547,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 90 0 0 Alumindo Light 600 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,900 -25 5,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 220 0 0 Aneka Tambang 825 -25 598,000 Anwar Sierad Tbk 300 0 0 Apac Citra...
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Doing it right in helping the bereaved
Doing it right in helping the bereaved JAKARTA (JP): How do you console a person grieving the death of a loved one? You may think the answer is simple -- after all, you've seen people offering their condolences to the bereaved, or may have done so yourself. Beware, however, because instead of comforting them, you may increase their pain.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Specter of Malay extremism after race attacks
Specter of Malay extremism after race attacks KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian government officials on Thursday raised the specter of Malay extremism in the wake of the country's worst racial violence in 30 years. Officials told Reuters police are probing whether a shadowy militant group carried out attacks on ethnic Indians, which ended with six people dead -- four of them Indian -- and nearly 30 wounded.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Thoughtless extravagance
Thoughtless extravagance It may be that no financial impropriety was involved in the incident, as presidential secretary Mujib Manan has insisted. Nevertheless, the presidential secretariat's request that US$300,000 be delivered by the crew of the Garuda Indonesia to President Abdurrahman Wahid and his entourage on his recent overseas trip to Africa and the Holy Land is certainly highly irregular, to say the least.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
More dismissals at PT DI
More dismissals at PT DI BANDUNG: State-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) will dismiss another 550 of its employees as part of its restructuring efforts. Chairman of the company's Employees' Communication Forum (FKK) Arif Minardi said on Tuesday that the management had offered the 550 employees early retirement packages. "The management should be transparent. There must be clear reasons given for the employees to be retired," Arif told reporters.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Telkom secures majority stake in DayaMitra
Telkom secures majority stake in DayaMitra JAKARTA (JP): State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire a majority stake in PT Daya Mitra Telekomunikasi (DayaMitra), its partner in the KSO joint operation scheme. Telkom said it would pay US$121.93 million for a 90.32 percent stake in DayaMitra, which provides telephone services in KSO Region VI covering all of Kalimantan.
Fri, 16 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
International tax system or debt cancellation?
International tax system or debt cancellation? By Bahtiar Arif JAKARTA (JP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia once again took on the rich countries when he recently proposed that Asian countries tax them rather than depending on their aid. He called for an international tax system to finance world development programs and to alleviate poverty. At the Boao Forum for Asia in the People's Republic of China (The Jakarta Post, Feb.