---------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe?, send your mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body mail: "signoff indonews" need more help?, send your mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body mail: "info refcard" ---------------------------------------------------------- Short News Overview No.4: 9 March - 17 March 1999 ECONOMY Under the pressure of IMF, the Indonesian government finally announced to close down 38 banks, take over seven and allow nine others to take part in its 38 billion dollar bank recapitalisation program. The details of the announcement were seen as a big victory for pro-market groups backed by the IMF, leading a bailout package of 43 billion US dollars. Closed banks includes three banks owned by Soeharto's children. Also two bank partly owned by Gus Dur were closed down (Tempo 22-03). The closures affected 250.000 bank employees and dozens of firms that rely on these banks face bankruptcy (Jakarta Post 15-03, Reuters 16-03) WORLD BANK A report of the World Bank notes the significant progress made by the Bank's programs to develop a strong working relationship with major development partners including NGO's (World Bank Today, March 1999). The World Bank also predicts a modest growth of Indonesia's economy for next year (Reuters 10-03). ELECTIONS 1999 The newly established General Elections Commission (KPU), comprising five representatives of the government and 48 representatives of political parties, selected seven members to form a small team that will work on a code of conduct for election campaigning (Jakarta Post 16-03). Amien Rais stressed that he could not rule out a coalition between National Mandate Party (PAN) and GOLKAR. However he prefers to unite with PDI Perjuangan (Dow Jones Newswires 08-03). During a talk hosted by a Singapore government-linked think tank, Megawati expressed her confidence that her party will get the largest share of votes and that she will be the next president (AFP 15-03). She said it was difficult to answer if she would opt for a coalition with Gus Dur or Amien Rais (Wall Street Journal 16-03). Gus Dur ruled out that the PKB would support Megawati as a presidential candidate, but would back himself or Sri Sultan Hamungkubuwono, Sultan of Yogyakarta (Dow Jones Newswires 16-03). Background article on the Sultan is published by Asia Week (19-03). DECENTRALISATION The governors of Aceh, Irian Jaya and Riau provinces demanded from the central government bigger shares of revenues generated by their natural wealth (Jakarta Post 16-03). IRIAN JAYA In February 1999 President Habibie met individuals and groups from Irian Jaya for an open dialogue. Members of the delegation, made up of around 100 people, who travelled to Jakarta to discuss issues of greater autonomy and independence for Irian Jaya, have been target of threats and intimidation (Amnesty International ASA 21/16/99). The demand for independence is rejected by the Indonesian government (Antara 10-03). EAST-TIMOR During the talks between Indonesia and Portugal under the mediation of the U.N., Indonesia first made clear that the autonomy package needed revision which would mean a delay until April. The next day an agreement was reached on a 'direct' ballot for the East Timorese to decide if they want autonomy or independence. According to Alatas there are 600,000 eligible voters in East Timor (which has a population of 800,000) and 30,000 eligible voters living overseas (Reuters 10/11-03). ABRI An article about the actual power struggle and role of former Defence Minister Benny Murdani was published in FEER 18-03 1999. UNREST Aceh The situation in Aceh remains tense as a soldier and local official were shot dead (AFP 11-03). Aceh students start campaigning intensively for a referendum on self-determination (AFP 08-03). Ambon Violence in Ambon continues. Moslem leaders say the calls for an Islamic holy war in Ambon, is not shared by the majority of Indonesian Moslems. (Reuters 08-03) Gus Dur added that the unrest concerns a fight between militant factions of Christians and Moslems, who are provoked by 'outsiders' (Straits Times 07-03). Christian and Moslem leaders held peace talks on the 9th of March calling on all religious people to put down their weapons (Reuters 09-03). After clashes on the 10th of March , leaving 10 people death and many wounded, the police handed over control of the city to the army who have about 2,100 troops from Java in the province (AFP 11-03). A delegation from the Moluccas Islamic Community asked Jakarta to declare civil emergency in Ambon. Hari Sabarno, chairman of the Indonesian parliament, said besides the president, the governor or the military area commander can declare civil emergency (Kompas 11-03). On March 17 fire mysteriously broke out in a Muslim area. Security officer fired warning shots to disperse spectators. Indonesian forces in Ambon have been ordered to shoot residents who refuse to surrender weapons (Reuters 15-03). Sidney Jones (HRW) called on the government to make public any hard evidence of provocation. (Jakarta Post 17-03) HRW released their report 'Indonesia: the Violence in Ambon' on March 17. On March 4, INFID asked Ms. Albright to convey o President Habibie the following recommandations: 1. To officially order the army and police in Ambon to restrain and to only use non-lethal methods of crowd control. 2. Not to impose the state of civil emergency in Ambon and Maluku province. 3. To mobilize humanitarian assistance, nationally and internationally, for the tens of thousands (as of today : 26.000 persons) of displaced persons and for rebuilding the infrastructure and the economy in Ambon and its sorrounding islands. 4. To establish a credible mediating team that is trusted by citizens of Ambon, Maluku. 5. To ensure that international relief organizations are allowed full acces to Ambon and its sorrounding areas to assist the wounded and displaced. Sulawesi At least four churches and four Christian schools in Udjunpandang, have been damaged by stones thrown by students (AFP 12-03). Kalimantan Four people died in ethnic violence between Madurese and Malay (AFP 16-03). CORRUPTION Soeharto's son, Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy), is placed under city arrest for 20 days pending for trial for alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar land scam (AFP 12-03). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Danielle Kruip Information Officer ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 22 Mar 1999 jam 03:49:39 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
