Archive: 19 March 2001
54 articles found
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Food program extended
Food program extended SURABAYA: The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) will provide food to some 800 school-age children here. The United States ambassador to FAO, George McGovern, said during a visit here on Saturday the School Lunch Program Everyday was started in 1999 and helped feed some 500,000 children. Beginning in July, the number of children in the program will be increased and the program expanded to include Sumatra, Bali and Lombok.(nur)
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
There is still hope
There is still hope The string of events that have occurred during the past week should give cause for growing concern among Indonesians. The value of the rupiah declined again, which demonstrates the progressive weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar. This makes it difficult for business to calculate the prices of products, affects production costs and causes the amount of dollars that people in business must accumulate for debt repayment purposes to swell.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Riot stops soccer league match
Riot stops soccer league match JAKARTA (JP): Angry fans stopped the match between home team Persijap of Jepara, Central Java, and Persebaya of Surabaya in the eastern division of the 2001 Bank Mandiri soccer league on Sunday. The riot began after the visitors took a 3-0 lead on Ronald Pieters' strike in the 83rd minute at Kamal Junaedi Stadium, as reported by Antara news agency. Ronald opened the scoring for Persebaya with a goal in the 26th minute.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Lack of professionalism to blame for sexist books
Lack of professionalism to blame for sexist books The following is an excerpt from an interview with Bachruddin Musthafa and Dedi Supriadi, two Bandung-based experts on the school curriculum and on the issue of gender-biased textbooks. The scholars support Khofifah's notion for a revision of textbooks noting that they will otherwise only strengthen mistaken views about the role of women in society.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Four teenage girls die in stampede at shopping mall
Four teenage girls die in stampede at shopping mall JAKARTA (JP): Four teenage girls died in a stampede as hundreds of fans struggled to meet British boyband a1 at the Taman Anggrek shopping mall in West Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. A nurse at the emergency room of Sumber Waras Hospital identified two of the victims as Rani Sintami, 13, and her sister Eka Wanti, 20, both residents of Jl. K.H. Ahmad Dahlan in the Petir subdistrict of Tangerang.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Revising gender-biased textbooks easier said than done
Revising gender-biased textbooks easier said than done The following article by The Jakarta Post journalist Santi W.E. Soekanto looks at the issue of gender-biased school textbooks. Related reports and interviews written with contributors Herry Nurdi and Rani R. Moediarta are on Page 5. JAKARTA (JP): Khofifah Indar Parawansa created quite a stir recently when she proposed that a number of elementary school textbooks be revised for containing "discriminatory" and "gender- biased" material.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Futsal tournament opened
Futsal tournament opened JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's first futsal tournament was opened on Sunday by the chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Agum Gumelar, at Bung Karno Indoor Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta. The tournament is being organized by the association in cooperation with fast-food restaurant chain McDonalds. The qualifying round is being held in Simprug Sport Hall, South Jakarta, from March 24 to March 26.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Dry season expected from April to September
Dry season expected from April to September JAKARTA (JP): The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency predicted Indonesia would have a "normal" dry season running from April to September this year, with no peculiar weather patterns expected. Based on its own analysis and models created by several international meteorological agencies, the agency said the weather in the country would remain neutral for at least the next six months. "That means the upcoming dry season will be normal.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Do not hesitate to fight back, Akbar tells supporters
Do not hesitate to fight back, Akbar tells supporters SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): We are responding to the mounting protests in the country against the existence of Golkar, the party chairman Akbar Tandjung told supporters here on Saturday. Speaking in front of thousands of party supporters, Akbar called on party officials and supporters to resist any form of pressure against the party, which had ruled the country for more than 30 years under former president Soeharto's tenure.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Political woes continue to plague rupiah
Political woes continue to plague rupiah JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah is likely to continue to stay at the Rp 10,000 level against the U.S. dollar this week due to the lack of fresh incentives that could lift the market sentiment, analysts have forecast. Currency analysts and dealers share the same view that the growing concerns over the country's political and economic woes would continue to undermine the Indonesian currency.
Mon, 19 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.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Violence in Aceh claims 16 lives
Violence in Aceh claims 16 lives BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Violence in Aceh claimed another 16 lives over the weekend as separatist rebels upped the ante by threatening to eject non-Acehnese from the province if the government goes ahead with plans to launch a limited military operation.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Iron, zinc to be fortified in flour
Iron, zinc to be fortified in flour JAKARTA (JP): Flour producers will soon be required to fortify the iron and zinc content in their products as part of the government's program to reduce anemia in the country. The government is currently drafting a regulation that will oblige producers to produce flour that contains 60 ppm of iron and 30 ppm of zinc.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
AMRO Bank responds
AMRO Bank responds In response to the letter published in The Jakarta Post on March 14, 2001, regarding the credit process of ABN AMRO Bank's Dana Cepat Multiguna consumer loan product, we would like to clarify the matter as follows. It is our standard procedure that the credit approval process of our consumer loan products is closely and carefully scrutinized based on the information given in all incoming credit applications.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Sultan blameless over Brunei debacle, says IBF
Sultan blameless over Brunei debacle, says IBF LONDON (Agencies): The sultan of Brunei, the front-runner to be the International Badminton Federation (IBF)'s next president, is blameless over the embarrassing late postponement of the Word Grand Prix Finals due to he held in his country, the IBF said on Sunday. The showpiece event, due to start in Brunei on March 28, was unexpectedly called off on Friday with the IBF citing "logistical" reasons, including ticketing and security.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
C. Kalimantan tense again
C. Kalimantan tense again PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: The ethnic violence that swept through East Kotawaringin regency showed signs of spreading, with a migrant settler killed in Pulang Pisau, Kahayan Hilir district, Kapuas regency, late on Saturday night, Antara reported. Details of the incident on Saturday night remain unavailable. Local Dayaks were seen roaming the streets of the district capital Kuala Kapuas following rumors that Madurese migrants would launch a retaliation attack.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian democracy
Indonesian democracy Something was terribly wrong with the face of Indonesia's democracy last week. As the nation continues to observe people's rights to freedom of expression, several demonstrations, whether in support of or against President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, were characterized by violence, or threats of violence. And the power of the mob still ruled the day.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Street kids ask politician's wife to return vehicle
Street kids ask politician's wife to return vehicle JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of street children staged a noisy protest on Saturday in front of politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas's house, claiming his wife, who is the advisor of an organization for street children, had stolen their official car. "Give us back the red Espass. It's ours.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar raises cash at gem sale
Myanmar raises cash at gem sale YANGON (DPA): Myanmar's 38th government-run Gem Emporium fetched more than US$8 million through the sale of gems and jade by auction, news reports said on Sunday. The week-long, state-managed auction which ended on Saturday sold $3.7 million worth of Myanmar-mined rubies and sapphires and $4.3 million worth of jade, said the New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Myanmar is the world's main supplier of jade, which is particularly popular among ethnic Chinese.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Garbage piles disrupt buses
Garbage piles disrupt buses JAKARTA (JP): The overpowering stench of garbage at Malabar market on Jl. Karet Raya in Tangerang, West Java, has forced public transportation drivers to take alternative routes. "Many passengers object if we travel on that road because of the bad smell," a minivan driver was quoted by Antara as saying. The piles of garbage block part of the road, and the smell has become overwhelming. Tangerang Mayor Moch.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Integrated system needed for drug addicts: Expert
Integrated system needed for drug addicts: Expert JAKARTA (JP): Noted psychiatrist Dadang Hawari proposed on Saturday an integrated system -- a combination of medical, psychological and religious therapies -- to effectively cure drug addicts and reduce the percentage of relapse. Dadang said the existing system has failed to provide satisfactory results. "Many programs offered only focus on the medical aspect. Sometimes, the addicts are caged and made unconscious," he told a seminar here.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cipinang jail under control, but no visitors allowed
Cipinang jail under control, but no visitors allowed JAKARTA (JP): The condition in Cipinang penitentiary is now under control but visitors were still not allowed, the newly installed warden Asep M. Firdaus said on Saturday evening. "Although it's not all back to normal here, the situation is getting better. There is no longer tension or clashes among the inmates," he told The Jakarta Post by phone from his office.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Police shoot alleged thief
Police shoot alleged thief JAKARTA (JP): Police officers in Curug, Tangerang, shot and killed one of four people suspected of stealing an automobile in Binong village early on Sunday morning. City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam identified the suspect as Sunaryo, 35, a native of East Java who was a farmer. Sunaryo died after being shot in the chest by police, according to Anton. Anton said that at about 4 a.m.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Thailand a 'bad neighbor'
Thailand a 'bad neighbor' YANGON (AFP): Myanmar on Sunday condemned Thailand as a bad neighbor for covering up its failure to address the nation's drugs crisis by shifting the blame onto Myanmar. "The Thai government officials have never made efforts to effectively control the problem," the military regime said in an official information sheet.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bogor villagers complain of water shortage
Bogor villagers complain of water shortage BOGOR, West Java (JP): Residents of Lalamping village in Cibungbulang district here complained that they had been suffering from water shortage due to garbage blocking water sources. A Lalamping resident, Soleh Japra, 60, said on Thursday that garbage from the nearby Galuga dump site, owned by the Bogor administration, had slid into seven wells, several public bathrooms, a gutter and a 2.5-hectare rice field.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Is Megawati ready to be president?
Is Megawati ready to be president? "Is Megawati ready to be president?" is the question of the moment. In fact, it was also the question of the moment eighteen months ago. At that time Megawati was criticized for speaking too little, being cautious and conservative, lacking intellectual vision, having a secular outlook and being a woman. Outwardly, she has not altered. But circumstances have.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
FPI activists rally against communism
FPI activists rally against communism JAKARTA (JP): About 500 supporters of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) rallied near the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Sunday morning to warn against communism, Antara reported. In a statement, the FPI activists said they believed communists were using different organizations and student groups in their bid to make a comeback in the country.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
S'pore land sold to consortium
S'pore land sold to consortium SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Singapore government Friday sold a large land site to a consortium of Singapore and Hong Kong-based companies a price below market expectations, the Business Times reported Saturday. A 1.14 hectare site in an area earmarked as the island's new downtown, was sold for S$462 million (about US$260 million) to a consortium comprising Singapore's Keppel Land, Cheung Kong Holdings and Hongkong Land, the newspaper reported.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Giants of steam locomotion in state of neglect
Giants of steam locomotion in state of neglect By Tjahjono Rahardjo AMBARAWA, Central Java (JP): They sit proudly despite their dilapidated home of a disused shed with a leaky roof, a reminder of the glory days of steam locomotion. But, if the good intentions of some railway enthusiasts are realized, there will be more funds available for their upkeep.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Mori, Bush plan policy body to boost economies
Mori, Bush plan policy body to boost economies TOKYO (Reuters): Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. President George W. Bush will announce the creation of a two-way consultative body on economic policy after their summit this week, Kyodo news agency said on Saturday. Monday's summit in Washington between Bush and Mori is likely to be dominated by the woes of the world's two largest economies as well as slumping stock prices in both countries.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
UK trade mission to visit RI
UK trade mission to visit RI JAKARTA (JP): A British business delegation will begin a week- long visit to Indonesia on Monday to help boost commercial ties between the two countries. A statement from the British Embassy in Jakarta said the delegation would involve 15 companies and institutions from various business sectors including education, agribusiness environment, and manufacturing. The delegation will be led by Stuart MacGregor of the Sussex Chamber of Commerce, it said.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Singapore, Japan, HK least corrupt in Asia: Report
Singapore, Japan, HK least corrupt in Asia: Report SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan are the least corrupt economies in Asia, where the problem remains embedded despite being a key trigger for the regional financial crisis in 1997, a report said.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Seven die in Demak accident
Seven die in Demak accident DEMAK, Central Java: Seven people died and 30 others were injured when a bus rammed into a parked truck near Wonokerto village, Karang Tengah district, on Saturday. Adj. Sr. Comm. Musyafak said the PO Tri Sumber Urip bus was traveling at a high speed when it hit a motorcycle and then crashed into the truck, which was parked on the side of the road about 20 kilometers east of Semarang, where it had left earlier in the day. The bus driver immediately fled the scene.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
State loses control over 'preman'
State loses control over 'preman' This is the first of two articles on protected crime by Dr Tim Lindsey, Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Asian Law Centre at the University of Melbourne in Australia. MELBOURNE (JP): The toughs, or preman, were central to the illegal systems of violence and corruption by which the New Order operated. But look in any shopping mall or city park: they are still here and they still have their hands in your pocket.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Canon aims to secure top rank in the inkjet printer market
Canon aims to secure top rank in the inkjet printer market By Zatni Arbi BANGKOK (JP): "What do people think of your previous government?," I casually asked the guide that was taking a group of IT journalists from Indonesia -- including myself -- from the airport to our hotel in Bangkok. We were there on the invitation of Canon, one of three top inkjet printer makers in the world, for a factory visit and a press event in Thailand.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Megawati told to take lead in ending political stalemate
Megawati told to take lead in ending political stalemate YOGYAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her capacity as chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), must take the initiative to mediate between President Abdurrahman Wahid's supporters and critics, led by People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, a sociologist said.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Ban knots up Malaysian puppeteers' strings
Ban knots up Malaysian puppeteers' strings By Marty Logan KETEREH, Malaysia (Reuters): The shadows projected on a screen to bring alive old myths for generations of Malaysian villagers are fading after the Islamic rulers of Kelantan state banned the ancient art of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) It is an Indian import and one of a handful of art forms to have taken root in the largely rural state whose population is overwhelmingly Muslim. It is also found in Java.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Amnesty Intl. to highlight execution, torture in RI
Amnesty Intl. to highlight execution, torture in RI GENEVA (AFP): Arbitrary executions and arrests, torture and poor treatment have continued in Indonesia, Amnesty International alleged, while adding that governmental reforms are moving too slowly. When the United Nations Human Rights Commission begins its annual session on Monday in Geneva, Amnesty has pledged to highlight alleged human rights abuses in Indonesia.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Broadcasting bill and press freedom
Broadcasting bill and press freedom From Media Indonesia If the significant differences between the broadcasting community, represented by ATVI, MPPI, PRSSNI and so forth, and the working committee of the House of Representatives on the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) are not wisely handled than the problems that arise could prove critical to the country's broadcasting world.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
ADB links Indonesia aid to reform, better governance
ADB links Indonesia aid to reform, better governance MANILA (Agencies): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Saturday it was prepared to lend Indonesia between US$600 million and $1.2 billion a year over the next three years, provided the government pressed ahead with key reforms.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Five questioned over railroad track bombing
Five questioned over railroad track bombing JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang police detectives are intensively questioning five people in connection with a bomb attack on a railway track in Serpong district early on Saturday. Deputy chief of Tangerang police precinct Comr. Ricky Wakanno identified the five witnesses as railway gate guard Endang, a Cisauk village resident Iwan, Cisauk railway station staffer Irawan, security guard D.E.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Rizal calls for revise of forestry policies
Rizal calls for revise of forestry policies JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia needs to revise its forestry policies to solve the acute problems in the forestry sector, said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli. Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Indonesian Economists (ISEI) in Surabaya on Friday evening, Rizal said new initiatives involving intergovernmental institutions and non- governmental organizations needed to be taken to improve forestry policies.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Ex-hotel workers protest violence
Ex-hotel workers protest violence JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers representing 500 dismissed workers of Shangri-La Hotel lashed out at the measures taken by police to halt a rally their clients held to protest the reopening of the hotel on Saturday. The lawyers, from the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association and the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, said in a statement issued hours after the rally that police failed to remain neutral in the labor dispute between the hotel management and workers.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Apjati urges creation of national agency for TKI
Apjati urges creation of national agency for TKI JAKARTA (JP): The Labor Exporters Association (Apjati) is calling on the government to set up a new national agency to simplify overseas Indonesian worker (TKI) affairs which it currently considers to be too complicated, ineffective and inefficient. Husein A.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
China, Russia, Israel in UN dock for rights records
China, Russia, Israel in UN dock for rights records GENEVA (Reuters): Israel's use of force against Palestinians in the occupied territories and continuing Russian abuses in Chechnya will be under the spotlight at the UN human rights forum opening on Monday, diplomats and UN sources said. The United States has also pledged to put China in the dock for alleged repression of the banned Falungong spiritual group and serious violations in Tibet.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Will Fed answer Wall Street's prayers?
Will Fed answer Wall Street's prayers? NEW YORK (Reuters): Wall Street's leading firms were split Friday over whether the Federal Reserve will answer the markets' prayers for a three-quarter point cut in interest rates next week, a new Reuters poll showed. In a survey of the 25 primary dealers of U.S.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Japan's Tohuku shifts LNG imports away from Indonesia
Japan's Tohuku shifts LNG imports away from Indonesia TOKYO (AP): One of Japan's largest electric power companies is shifting natural gas procurement away from Indonesia after violence by separatist rebels in Aceh province disrupted production, a company spokesman said Saturday. To offset the shortfall, Tohoku Electric Power Co.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
DPR, government should cooperate
DPR, government should cooperate In observing the current situation, there is no doubt that President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is facing his biggest challenge yet. Since the censure by the House of Representatives, many political maneuvers have been made to place pressure on Gus Dur to resign. The problem that we have to face is what will happen if the President resigns? Based on the Constitution, Vice President Megawati will automatically replace him. But is that the end of the story?
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
My mission is to spread gender equality: Khofifah
My mission is to spread gender equality: Khofifah JAKARTA (JP): Khofifah Indar Parawansa is decidedly a new breed as a state minister in charge of women's affairs. Unlike most of her predecessors, she brings well-defined concepts into an office that was once created as mere lipstick to appease Indonesian women. She has taken on issues, for instance, that have long been considered sensitive, such as the law on marriage that bans civil servants from taking a second wife.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Tiger on track at Bay Hill for first title of the year
Tiger on track at Bay Hill for first title of the year ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters): The title drought may be about to end for Tiger Woods. Woods, winless in six tournaments this year, took a big step toward ending his malaise when he carded a six- under-par 66 in the third round at the Bay Hill Invitational to jump to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Farmers occupy taxiway at Hasanuddin airport
Farmers occupy taxiway at Hasanuddin airport MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): More than 200 farmers of Maros regency occupied the taxiway II area at Hasanuddin International Airport on Sunday in a demonstration against what they termed unfair land acquisition over their plots of land to be used for the airport project. The protest did not affect the flight schedules, but aeroplane parking was disturbed during the occupation which started at 10 a.m. local time.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Passport summit in Paris
Passport summit in Paris ROME (AFP): Magistrates and police from Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, Britain and Spain will meet next week in Paris to discuss the false passport affair currently rocking European soccer, Italian paper Gazzetto dello Sport reported on Saturday. The paper claims prosecutor Paolo Alessio Verni, a lawyer from the northern Italian town of Udine who has been involved in investigating the affair in Italy, is the instigator of the meeting.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
VP to open a seminar on Simatupang
VP to open a seminar on Simatupang JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri will open a seminar in commemoration of the late T.B. Simatupang's 80th birthday on Thursday. The seminar will feature, among others, military analysts Hasnan Habib and Salim Said, as well as religious organization figures such as Syafi'i Maarif of Muhammadiyah and Said Aqiel Sieradj of Nahdlatul Ulama.
Mon, 19 Mar 2001, 00:00 WIB
Low level of moral awareness
Low level of moral awareness From Pikiran Rakyat Exchanges of fire between soldiers of the Indonesian military and police mobile brigade members in Sampit, Central Kalimantan some time ago were attributable to the very low level of moral awareness on both sides. In a situation of grave concern, everybody should be able to keep themselves under control. This is especially the case with members of the military.