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Found 17,759 articles

Reforms in the bureaucracy

Reforms in the bureaucracy The statement by state minister of administrative reforms, TB Silalahi, regarding the government's efforts to streamline the structure of our bureaucracy for greater efficiency is most appropriate and of strategic significance.

Freeport conducts diarrhea study

Freeport conducts diarrhea study JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A recent outbreak of diarrhea in West Mimika district has killed 19, and not 25 people as earlier reported in the media, copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia said Tuesday.

A cry for justice

A cry for justiceFrom Pikiran RakyatTwo and a half months have elapsed since the government closed 16 private banks last Nov. 1. The government promised to set up a liquidation team within two months. But no news has been heard about the promised team, let alone its action plan.

Denmark provides grant

Denmark provides grant JAKARTA (JP): The government of Denmark has agreed to provide a US$7.87 million grant to Indonesia to help secure high quality tree seedlings for the country's reforestation efforts.

Foreign firms show interest in PGN

Foreign firms show interest in PGN JAKARTA (JP): At least 30 foreign gas companies have shown interest in buying part of state gas company Perusahaan Gas Negara's (PGN) shares, PGN president A. Qoyum Tjandranegara has said.

Government to guarantee log supply in domestic market

Government to guarantee log supply in domestic market JAKARTA (JP): The government will ensure that the scraping of a restriction on log exports will not cause a shortfall here, a minister said yesterday.

Malaysia palm export rises

Malaysia palm export rises KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia will benefit from Indonesia's move to ban palm oil exports in the first quarter of 1998, with exporters and refiners yesterday predicting an increase of up to 25 percent in Malaysian exports during that period.

Economic woes hit Thai 'Tiger Fever'

Economic woes hit Thai 'Tiger Fever'By Robert Horn PHUKET, Thailand (AP): Thailand still loves Tiger Woods. But "Tiger Fever" has cooled along with the Southeast Asian country's economy.When Woods made his professional Thai debut last year to destroy the field in the Asian Honda Classic, Thailand...

Vietnam's reporters reminded of duty

Vietnam's reporters reminded of duty HANOI (AFP): Vietnam's Communist Party Chief met with the heads of the country's media reminding them of their duty to act as effective instruments of the party and government, local reports said yesterday.

Batik dons modern mantle for young style mavens

Batik dons modern mantle for young style mavensBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): Spun, colored and drawn on by patient hands, batik has graced the forms of nobles of the Yogyakarta and Solo palaces from the 15th century on.

Haryanto angry about poor service

Haryanto angry about poor service JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto made an impromptu inspection of Pasar Senen railway station at 11 p.m. Tuesday evening and found no station employees there to serve the waiting passengers.

The enemy within?

The enemy within? It may sound like a title from a movie but it rather encompasses an issue which has been on everyone's mind: The monetary crisis and the recent panic buying spree. According to government officials, who give us various reassuring spoken gestures, the situation is under control and...

Medical services for Idul Fitri

Medical services for Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): The City Health Agency is to deploy 59 ambulances and 500 medical personnel, including 60 doctors, at points in the city likely to be crowded during the Idul Fitri holiday.

Baby crushed to death at port

Baby crushed to death at port SAMPIT, Central Kalimantan: A baby was crushed to death Tuesday as thousands of people thronged Sampit Port here on their way home for Idul Fitri, Antara reported yesterday.

Rupiah falls further but shares strengthen

Rupiah falls further but shares strengthen JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah crashed to an all-time low of almost 12,000 to the U.S. dollar yesterday on strong dollar demand and growing political concerns, especially on the vice presidency issue, currency dealers said.

Ratings of 17 property firms downgraded

Ratings of 17 property firms downgraded JAKARTA (JP): The country's only ratings agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo) announced yesterday that it had downgraded credit ratings of 17 companies in the property and building materials sectors.

Amien Rais gets award

Amien Rais gets award YOGYAKARTA: Indonesia's oldest Islamic university presented an award Monday to Amien Rais, leader of the Muhammadiyah Moslem organization.He was given the Dakwah Amar Makruf Nahi Munkar award by Indonesian Islamic University for his efforts in promoting good will and urging...

Asian markets mixed amid rupiah weakness

Asian markets mixed amid rupiah weakness HONG KONG (AFP): Asia-Pacific stock markets ended mixed yesterday amid bearish sentiment stemming from renewed weakness in regional currencies led by the rupiah.Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, and Sydney and Auckland closed lower.

EU aid for Irian Jaya, Lampung

EU aid for Irian Jaya, Lampung JAKARTA (JP): The European Union, through its European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), has approved the distribution of ECU 1,355,000 (approximately US$1.5 million) to help alleviate the impacts of recent drought, frosts and forest fires in Irian Jaya and...

Japanese mission suggests new ideas for Indonesia

Japanese mission suggests new ideas for Indonesia TOKYO (Reuters): The timing of a special visit to Indonesia by a senior Japanese government official suggests Tokyo may have new ideas on how to help the crisis-hit southeast Asian nation, economists said yesterday.

IMF: Setting the record straight

IMF: Setting the record straight Despite measures taken and assurances given by the government, the market has not responded in a positive manner to the steps taken so far to ease the current economic crisis.

Weightlifters Winarni, Patmawati get Timor cars

Weightlifters Winarni, Patmawati get Timor cars JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman handed over three Timor cars yesterday to female world record breakers.Indonesia's Winarni and Patmawati and Thailand's Khassaraporn Suta received the cars from sponsor PT Timor...

U.S., Japan need stable Asia: Lee

U.S., Japan need stable Asia: Lee BANGKOK (AP): Asia's elder statesman, Lee Kuan Yew, urged the United States and Japan to safeguard national security and economic interests yesterday by taking extra steps to help out faltering Asian economies.

Hundreds suffer Idul Fitri bonus misery

Hundreds suffer Idul Fitri bonus misery JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of workers have missed out on their annual Idul Fitri bonus this year after at least five medium companies in the city failed to make the payments, an official said yesterday.

Postcards from history's edge

Postcards from history's edgeBy Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): A photograph is a trace, something directly stenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask.Looming out of an exhibition of old-fashioned photographed delights in a dimmed gallery, the thought of philosopher Susan Sontag...

A clear and present danger

A clear and present danger Even without looking at the news, newspaper readers all over Indonesia must have become aware over the past few weeks that the current monetary crisis is hitting this country's newspaper business, and hitting it hard: The thinner newspapers which they are holding, and the...

Goldman Sachs sees rate hikes

Goldman Sachs sees rate hikes HONG KONG (Reuters): Goldman Sachs banking research head Roy Ramos said yesterday he had underweighted the banking sector in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea.

Queueing for foodstuffs

Queueing for foodstuffsFrom NeracaThe government has made all efforts to restore our economy. From accepting the IMF's conditions to the launching of the Love rupiah drive. But there are no signs yet of an economic recovery.It is the community which is mostly affected by the plight.

Probe into crash to continue

Probe into crash to continue PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Authorities investigating the Dec. 19 SilkAir plane crash here have been experiencing difficulties in reconstructing fragments of the aircraft, according to an expert.

Bank Universal top arranger of rupiah loans

Bank Universal top arranger of rupiah loans JAKARTA (JP): Loans worth Rp 4.39 trillion were syndicated last year and most of these transactions were completed prior to Aug. 14, the day the rupiah was floated.

'Putauw' dealer faces 12 years in jail

'Putauw' dealer faces 12 years in jail JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence a 24-year-old man to 12 years in jail for selling 48.5 grams of putauw (low-grade heroin).Prosecutor Leonard E.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates Jakarta (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Jan.21, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,000.00 12,000.00Austrian shilling 1 823.20 969.90Australian dollar 1 7,304.10 8,049.40Belgian franc 1 290.90 319.30Canadian dollar 1 7,641.80 8,373.

Local currency for Games visitors

Local currency for Games visitors KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Using Malaysia's recent currency devaluation as an incentive, Commonwealth Games officials say foreign visitors can pay for their hotels and tickets in the local currency.

Ecologists warn of modified crops

Ecologists warn of modified crops JAKARTA (JP): Environmentalists warned yesterday that Indonesia could soon be the target market for genetically modified crops which they claim have long-term harmful side effects.

Govt should take responsibility for crisis: Activists

Govt should take responsibility for crisis: Activists JAKARTA (JP): Activists from several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) urged yesterday the People's Consultative Assembly to convene a special session to ask for President Soeharto's accountability for the economic crisis.

Analysts say rupiah repayments the last step

Analysts say rupiah repayments the last step LONDON (Reuters): Indonesian banks have been repaying distressed hard currency debt in rupiah for more than a week, a worrying development that could bring the country's financial crisis to a head, London analysts said.

Govt acts to enforce reforms

Govt acts to enforce reforms JAKARTA (JP): The government acted yesterday to enforce several reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund last week by issuing a series of decrees and rules formalizing the measures.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Exhibition * Ramadhan Exhibition featuring Handicraft, Fashion, Food, at the Lobby, Preanger Aerowisata Bandung Hotel, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81, Central Bandung, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Jan. 29.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.21, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 700 0 0 AHAP Insurance 450 0 0 Alter Abadi 325 25 2,500 Alumindo Light Metal 250 0 2,883,000 Alumindo...

Relocation of graves to resume next month

Relocation of graves to resume next month JAKARTA (JP): The authorities have halted the relocation of 4,626 graves from the Blok P public cemetery in South Jakarta until next month.The head of the City Public Funeral Agency, Sjafril Zainuddin, said in a statement yesterday that his organization had...

Indonesia's troubles plague Asian currencies

Indonesia's troubles plague Asian currencies SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Indonesian rupiah took another battering yesterday and other Asian currencies went down with it, although they bounced off their lows as the rupiah clawed back a little ground.

ASEAN govts act to stem possible social unrest

ASEAN govts act to stem possible social unrest BANGKOK (Agencies): As the economic crisis worsens, several governments in Southeast Asia are taking steps to prevent it from causing social unrest.Thailand warned workers yesterday it would take tough action against violent or unruly protests...

817 foreigners may lose jobs

817 foreigners may lose jobs SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: At least 817 foreigners working in the province may have to be laid off following moves by companies across the country to streamline their organizations.

Sarwono urges MPR to name VP candidates

Sarwono urges MPR to name VP candidates JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja called on the five factions at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday to name their vice presidential candidates, ending the political uncertainty.

Gold management needs transparency

Gold management needs transparencyFrom Bisnis IndonesiaReading about community members donating gold to the government as an expression of concern, I am happy there are still citizens who are conscience of the economic situation.

Provinces prepare for annual Idul Fitri exodus

Provinces prepare for annual Idul Fitri exodus JAKARTA (JP): Government offices across the country are intensifying preparations to facilitate the exodus of 26.2 million people from urban centers to towns and villages for the Idul Fitri holiday.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Kid Pix Ninja The Wonder Boy 3:10 Science Film: Animal Odyssey 3:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Documentary: Pesona Flora 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 Religious Program: Celah-Celah Ramadhan 6:00 News:...

Raising fuel prices

Raising fuel prices Fuel oil subsidies will be removed from the 1998/1999 state budget. This is one of the points agreed upon by the Indonesian government and the International Monetary Fund as contained in the letter of intent signed by the President.

IMF tackles Indonesian bank reform

IMF tackles Indonesian bank reform WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday important work still needed to be done to reform Indonesia's banking sector to protect depositors, and to cope with the country's corporate debt.

Bank merger plans may cool off uneasy depositors

Bank merger plans may cool off uneasy depositors JAKARTA (JP): The plan of several private national banks to merge their operations is expected to persuade nervous depositors from pulling out their money from domestic private banks, bankers have said.