Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 5 October 1994

47 articles found

Court acquits singer Deddy

Court acquits singer Deddy SURABAYA: The Surabaya District Court has exonerated local singer Deddy Dores of fraud charges involving Rp 16.3 million (US$7,900). Deddy, 43, was accused by Djawara, the plaintiff, of deceit, Antara reported. The performer allegedly promised Djawara's son he would help him to become a singer. The prosecutor said Deddy asked for Rp 16.3 million to record the voice of Djawara's son. The defendant was said to have received the money in April 1990.

Eight Filipinos to be deported

Eight Filipinos to be deported MANADO, North Sulawesi: Eight Filipino fishermen stranded on the Sangihe Talaud islands are in immigration quarantine awaiting deportation. A local immigration officer, Sugiyo, was quoted by Antara as saying that they were stranded last Friday when the engine of their fishing boat failed in strong winds. The Consulate General of the Philippines, which has been informed of the case, promised to take care of the fishermen and to help deport them soon, Sugiyo said.

Czech, local firms to build clinker plant

Czech, local firms to build clinker plant JAKARTA (JP): PSP Company, a major Czech manufacturer of industrial machinery, and PT Balik Papan Daya Semen of Indonesia agreed yesterday to jointly construct a clinker plant in East Kalimantan. The signing of the memorandum of understanding was witnessed by visiting Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus.

Indosat gets cool response

Indosat gets cool response JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned international telecommunications company PT Indosat's public offering received a surprisingly cool response from domestic investors yesterday, the first of its 10- day offering period. A number of counters specially set up at Senayan stadium for the share offering did not receive a significant number of buyers. A scant few investors came to either collect and return order forms.

Duty free shop

Duty free shop I have lived in this country for upwards of 13 years, during which time I have been puzzled by the great "Duty Free Anomaly." By this I mean that the duty free facility is granted at various Duty Free Shops in Jakarta (and no doubt in other major cities) to those who least need it. Expats who are earning maybe US$20,000 a month get the privilege of buying cheap wines and spirits, whereas the lower paid ($2000-3000 per month) are denied it.

Govt slaps travel ban on Kim Johannes

Govt slaps travel ban on Kim Johannes JAKARTA (JP): The government has banned businessman Kim Johannes Mulia, the owner of PT Delta Marina, from making overseas travels pending the completion of its investigation of allegations of forgery. Attorney General Singgih confirmed yesterday that he has asked the Directorate General of Immigration to prevent Kim from leaving the country.

Collusion seen in licensing publications

Collusion seen in licensing publications JAKARTA (JP): Legislators of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) alleged yesterday that the issuance of new publishing licenses are shrouded with secrecy and smell of collusion between big business and government. In a meeting with a delegation of Women for Freedom of the Press (KPKP), PDI members expressed concern over tightened government control of the mass media, critical in the promotion of democracy.

China retains commanding lead in Asian Games

China retains commanding lead in Asian Games HIROSHIMA, Japan (Reuter): After only two days China has already swept to a commanding lead in the Asian Games thanks to record-breaking performances by its weightlifters and swimmers. China's women weightlifters added six more world records yesterday to the eight they set on Monday, while in the swimming pool China won all five gold medals to go with three they collected in yesterday's first day of serious competition.

Three children die as blizzard hits Baliem

Three children die as blizzard hits Baliem JAKARTA (JP): Three children have died and 166 people have fallen ill with stomach pain and influenza after an unexpected blizzard hit their villages in Baliem Valley in Irian Jaya last month, the Antara news agency.

FAO warns of severe Asia food crisis

FAO warns of severe Asia food crisis MANILA (Reuter): A senior United Nations official yesterday warned that a severe food crisis was building up in the booming Asia-Pacific region and could undermine its economic progress. The main threat lay in the unchecked destruction of agricultural systems -- from over-exploited fisheries to denuded forests and diminished croplands, A.Z.M. Obaidullah Khan, of the Food and Agriculture Organization, said.

Indonesia, Japan in tennis final rematch

Indonesia, Japan in tennis final rematch HIROSHIMA, Japan (Agencies): Indonesia's part-time doubles team of Yayuk Basuki and Romana Tedjakusuma won the decisive rubber against China yesterday to set up a revenge match against host Japan in the Asian Games women's team tennis final. "Even if the Japanese are all top players, there's always a chance for us," said Yayuk, who had not expected a medal before the tournament started.

Bus service

Bus service From Bisnis Indonesia I am one of the Depok residents who work in Jakarta. Everyday I feel the transportation problem to be a great nuisance. The only city bus that plies the route to Grogol, where I work in Jakarta, is the PATAS (limited passenger) bus No 54. Every morning, during office and school hours, this bus is inundated with dozens of potential commuters. I am lucky if I can board as a standing passenger as the bus is always crowded with passengers.

Stay young with herbs and spiritual exercise

Stay young with herbs and spiritual exercise JAKARTA (JP): What makes the Javanese diet different from a Western one? If you are on Javanese diet, you have to be able to control not only your appetite, but your emotions as well, through what a jamu (traditional herbs) expert calls spiritual exercises. "In the West, when you are on diet, you should not eat this and that, while in Java, you have to be able to control your emotions as well," Dr.

List of traffic violations to be enlarged this year

List of traffic violations to be enlarged this year JAKARTA (JP): City authorities are planning to add to the list of traffic violations and to further increase fine tariffs this year. "We've found that a number of traffic violations have yet to be included on the current list," City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Rain will take care of forest fires: Expert

Rain will take care of forest fires: Expert JAKARTA (JP): A forestry expert sees an end to the forest fires now raging in Sumatra and Kalimantan in the start of the coming rainy season. Herman Haeruman, a staff lecturer at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said yesterday that rain has already started to fall in northern Sumatra and some parts of Kalimantan. Earlier reports from the two islands confirm that the rains have come, but remain sporadic.

Ancol has new hotel

Ancol has new hotel JAKARTA (JP): The Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta yesterday opened a new four-star hotel offering facilities for business people and tourists. The 309-room hotel, called Ancol Travelodge, is operated by Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (SPHC) of Australia, which manages 75 hotels in 11 countries. The hotel's general manager Edwin Bucher said here yesterday that he expects a 60 percent occupancy rate in the first year of operation.

Civil servants get salaries by mail

Civil servants get salaries by mail BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial administration plans to use postal services to send the salaries of its employees working in remote areas. Governor H.M. Said said the service will expedite the payment process because the state postal agency Perum Pos dan Giro covers all districts and villages, the Antara news agency reported.

De Jong responds

De Jong responds Referring to Mr. Wasmuth's letter (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 29). First of all, to set things right, The Jakarta Post published my letter without my knowledge or consent. Using a facsimile is a quick way of communication which is why I corresponded by fax. My letter was not intended to start arguments about opinions. However being done that way, how do you know whether or not I am of `pribumi stock' (primitive indigenous people)?

Hsu's pilgrimage for bomb victims

Hsu's pilgrimage for bomb victims HIROSHIMA (Kyodo): Taiwanese Deputy Premier Hsu Li-teh, in Hiroshima to promote Taipei's bid to host the 2002 Asian Games, took time out yesterday to lay a wreath at the cenotaph of atomic bomb victims at Hiroshima Peace Park. Japan's decision to allow Hsu to visit Japan provoked protests from Beijing which claims sovereignty over the island republic.

Plague hits Indian coffee

Plague hits Indian coffee BOMBAY (Reuter): Plague has cast a shadow over India's coffee exports at a crucial time when planters are hoping to secure total liberalization of coffee marketing and boost their overseas sales, growers and exporters said. They said coffee shipments were held up after some countries banned imports from India soon after an outbreak of plague in the western Indian city of Surat.

Who caused the fires?

Who caused the fires? As far as can be assumed from media reports, it is as yet not clear what the causes are of the present forest fires (in Kalimantan and Sumatra) or what parties are responsible. The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) has rejected the notion that the fires were caused by the local population. According to this non-governmental organization, the responsibility lies more with the forestry concession holders.

New chief asked to study purity of protests

New chief asked to study purity of protests JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto has asked newly-installed precinct police chief of Central Jakarta, the capital's nerve center, to focus his attention on demonstrations and strikes. Hindarto made the remarks yesterday after he inducted Lt. Col. Murawi Effendi, 45.

Medals tally

Medals tally HIROSHIMA (Reuter): Medals tally after yesterday's competitions: Gold Silver Bronze China 20 7 2 Japan 8 5 10 Iran 1 2 0 Syria 1 0 0 South Korea 0 3 5 Indonesia 0 3 3 Thailand 0 4 0 Taiwan 0 2 3 Vietnam 0 2 0 Kuwait 0 1 1 India 0 1 2 Brunei 0 0 2 Malaysia 0 0 2 Saudi Arabia 0 0 1 Philippines 0 0 1 Nepal 0 0 1 Macau 0 0 1 Burma 0 0 1 UAE 0 0 1 Kazakhstan 0 0 1 (Note: There are seven extra bronze medals because of ties.)

Additional cement imports no guarantee of price drop

Additional cement imports no guarantee of price drop JAKARTA (JP): A seven-hour hearing with leaders of the Indonesian Cement Association yesterday left House members puzzled about the reasons behind the astronomical rise in cement prices over the last few weeks. The industry's leaders explained that supplies from domestic cement plants during the first nine months had been increased by more than 21 percent to 15.7 million tons from the same period last year.

Thailand, Canada sign probe accord

Thailand, Canada sign probe accord BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand and Canada have signed an agreement to share evidence in international criminal investigations, a Canadian Embassy official said yesterday. The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, concluded in Ottawa on Sunday, lays down basic guidelines for passing evidence and assisting investigations in cases which affect both countries, he said.

Many cancer patients in critical stage

Many cancer patients in critical stage Director of Dharmais Cancer Hospital Dr. Riwayat Suyono said yesterday that low public awareness of the risks of cancer and the symptoms has caused many cancer sufferers to seek medical attention when they are already in a critical stage, instead of sooner. Riwayat said in a hearing session with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives that 60 percent of the hospital's patients are already in the critical stage, Antara reported.

Oil prices likely to increase until end of this year

Oil prices likely to increase until end of this year JAKARTA (JP): Oil prices will likely continue increasing until the end of this year due to the world's strong demand and stable output by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a former secretary general of the group says.

Czech backs Indonesia's UNSC bid

Czech backs Indonesia's UNSC bid JAKARTA (JP): Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus yesterday gave his country's resounding support for Indonesia's bid to attain a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices primarily closed higher on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday, causing the broad-based Composite Index to break the 500-point barrier again to close at 500.72, 2.82 points higher than 497.89 on Monday. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also ended higher at 121.53 from 121.02. Significantly increasing shares were, among others, Kalbe Farma (up Rp 400), Polysindo and Aneka Kimia (up Rp 300 each), Sampoerna and Wicaksana (up Rp 250 each).

TV Today

TV Today TVRI 8:00 a.m. ABRI anniversary (live) 2:30 p.m. Special News: ASIAN GAMES XII 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Indonesian Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Langka Tapi Nyata 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music Contest: Asia Bagus 8:05 Lintasan Sinetron 9:00 World News 9:30 Special Report 9:45 ASIAN GAMES Journal 10:15 Music 11:20 Late News 11:30 Film: Serangan Fajar Program 2 4:30 p.m.

BTN wins UN award for housing program

BTN wins UN award for housing program JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) was awarded the United Nations' "Habitat Scroll of Honor" yesterday for its home ownership loan program for poor people. The award from the UN Center for Human Settlement (UNCHS) was presented by UN resident coordinator in Indonesia C. Jan Kamp to BTN president Widigdo Sukarman at a ceremony attended by State Minister for Public Housing Akbar Tandjung.

Brunei bans food from India

Brunei bans food from India BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Reuter): Brunei has banned foodstuffs from plague-stricken India and suspended visas for visiting Indian residents, a home ministry spokesman confirmed yesterday. He said the ban on food, including items brought in by air, was imposed last week and that applications for visa and work permits from India were also temporarily suspended. Around 4,000 people are suspected of having pneumonic plague and 52 have died from it in India.

FAO warns hunger still stalks Asia

FAO warns hunger still stalks Asia By Rene Pastor MANILA (Reuter): The fastest-growing economies of Asia are crisscrossed by inequalities, leaving millions in hunger and deprivation, the director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said on Monday. He warned more must be done to boost food production.

Pedestrian bridge

Pedestrian bridge From Kompas The newly completed Jl. Pramuka overpass, which is near Jl. Penggalang and Jl. H. Murthado/Apotik Restu, has claimed the lives of three housewives and an elementary school student. All of them have been run over by vehicles driven by reckless drivers. The fact that the location of an elementary school and a market near the road is part of the reason why the accidents have occurred.

Taiwan to suggest APEC help member countries

Taiwan to suggest APEC help member countries TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwan is to ask the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to help member countries head off the effects of market opening steps on their economies, Taiwan's economics minister said yesterday. Chiang Pin-kung -- who is leading a 16-member delegation to the APEC ministerial meeting to be held in Indonesia on Wednesday -- told reporters that he would request the assistance particularly in the agricultural sector.

Mayoralty delays evictions in Bendungan Hilir

Mayoralty delays evictions in Bendungan Hilir JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty will halt evictions in Bendungan Hilir for an indefinite period following Monday's riot which left several people injured. "We will halt evictions indefinitely because current conditions are counterproductive to our efforts in clearing the area," Mora Tua Simamora, the Central Jakarta Deputy Mayor, told reporters at City Hall yesterday.

50 Indonesians join friendship program

50 Indonesians join friendship program A total of 50 Indonesian youths will participate in this year's "The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth" program which aims at promoting and strengthening friendship and mutual understanding among youths from ASEAN member countries and Japan.

Alternative needed for slash-and-burn practices

Alternative needed for slash-and-burn practices Forest fires have become a constant scourge to the forestry ministry. Forest expert Achmad Sumitro suggests that slash-and- burn practices be abandoned for good. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Compared to other countries in Asia, Indonesia is endowed with a relatively vast cover of rain forests, which rank second in the world after that of the Amazon basin in Brazil.

Police defend `gathering permit'

Police defend `gathering permit' JAKARTA (JP): National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. I Ketut Ratta has defended police jurisdiction to issue the controversial "permit for gathering" saying that it is for the sake of the public itself. "The need to apply for such a permit is not merely for security reasons, but also to allow police to monitor the purpose of a certain gathering," Ratta said.

`New' Monas coming next year

`New' Monas coming next year JAKARTA (JP): Head of the City Park Office Samsir Alam said that the first phase of renovations on Medan Merdeka park, a park surrounding the National Monument in Central Jakarta, will be completed next year. "The renovation of the park is expected to be completed before the commemoration of Indonesia's 50th Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1995," Samsir said.

Govt to privatize `TVRI' to improve management

Govt to privatize `TVRI' to improve management JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has given the government the greenlight to privatize TVRI in order to improve the state-owned television network's management, according to the State Minister of Administrative Reform. T.B.

Gen. Feisal says national stability still relevant

Gen. Feisal says national stability still relevant JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said national stability is still relevant in the nation-building process as Indonesia embarks on its second long term development program. In his address on the eve of ABRI's 49th anniversary last night, Feisal said that national stability is both an end and a means in national development.

GABSI hires foreign coach

GABSI hires foreign coach JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Bridge Association (GABSI), Brig. Gen. Wiranto, said yesterday that GABSI has hired world-class Canadian coach Erick Kokish at US$80,000 to improve the skills of the national team which performed very well during the Bridge Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the U.S..

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Borobudur Inter-Continental, Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan, Central Jakarta: - Kintamani Pavilion: Traditional Dances & Songs Friday, Italian Night Wednesday, all from 7 p.m.. - Pendopo Tea Lounge: Monika Rosca, pinist from Poland, daily 4 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; Sylvia Howard, jazz/blues singer from the US, Monday to Saturday from 9 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.

No more crocodile exports for now

No more crocodile exports for now JAKARTA: The government has decided to temporarily stop the export of crocodiles starting next month until it improves its export procedures. Purwadi, secretary of the director general of forest protection of the Ministry of Forestry, said the decision came from the government and not because of pressures from CITES, the international convention on the trade of rare species. The move is intended to show the world that Indonesia is committed to preserving nature.

New Zealand ships to visit Jakarta

New Zealand ships to visit Jakarta The Royal New Zealand Navy (RAN) Leander Class frigate, HMNZS Wellington and replenishment ship HMNZS Endeavour will visit Jakarta from Thursday through Saturday. The New Zealand embassy announced yesterday that the ships will arrive for an operational visit.

Rude toll gate employee

Rude toll gate employee On Sept. 28 at 8:05 a.m. I entered the Kuningan toll gate en route to Pancoran and Tanjung Priok. The young lady in the toll booth received my Rp 10,000 bank note. I forget her name but she was fair-skinned and rather thin with short hair. She handed me the receipt in a such forceful manner that I inadvertently dropped it. She was obviously indignant at my negligence but I stayed calm since the error was mine.