Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 November 1994

42 articles found

OIC to focus on Islam's image in West

OIC to focus on Islam's image in West JAKARTA (JP): The upcoming meetings of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) in Morocco next month will discuss ways of improving the image of Islam in the world, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday. Alatas told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at his residence that the head of state would not be able to attend the OIC summit, scheduled for Dec. 13-14, due to his heavy domestic agenda.

Rare Javanese tiger sighted

Rare Javanese tiger sighted JEMBER, East Java: A group of fishermen may be among the few people to have spotted the Javanese tiger in the last 20 years. They reported being stalked and attacked by what they described as a tiger during a recent camping trip to Alas Purwo, Banyuwangi.

Mar'ie tells banks to raise rates to stop capital flight

Mar'ie tells banks to raise rates to stop capital flight JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad said yesterday that following the recent increase in U.S. interest rates, domestic banks will have to raise their deposit rates in order to curb capital flight. "We have to raise our interest rates. Otherwise, capital will flow out of the country," Mar'ie said in a hearing with Commission VII of the House of Representatives here yesterday. The U.S.

Merpati service

Merpati service From Kompas On Oct. 31, 1994 I tried to book a plane ticket from Yogyakarta to Jakarta. I was told that all flights were booked out. I half-heartedly went to the Merpati's counter. I found out that only the executive class seats for MZ371 at 5 p.m. were available, which were more expensive. I had no choice, I booked the executive class seat. During the flight I repeatedly looked at the cabin behind me, economy class. Many seats were vacant. My guess was about 50 percent.

Singapore to raise worker levies

Singapore to raise worker levies SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore announced new rules on the hiring of foreign workers yesterday, aimed at increasing the skills levels of foreign workers and at letting local businesses expand during any economic upturn. Levies on foreign maids and foreign workers in the manufacturing and the services sectors will rise from Singapore $300 (US$205) to S$330 ($226), a Labor Ministry statement said.

Hutomo awarded Setir Emas

Hutomo awarded Setir Emas JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Sports Body (IMI) Hutomo Mandala Putra received on Monday the Setir Emas award for his efforts in developing the sports in Indonesia. Hutomo deserved the 22 carat gold plated award for his efforts in promoting the sports in Indonesia and in winning the Federation of the International Motor (FIM) favor to lift its ban on IMI, an official of the award-giving ceremony at the Sahid Jaya hotel said.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Lost Morenitos, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Monday to Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday from 12:30 p.m.

Free trade to have serious impacts: Soerjadi

Free trade to have serious impacts: Soerjadi JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's commitment to free trade in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020 came under harsh criticism yesterday as Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi warned of its serious possible consequences. He said the free trade envisioned by the 18 leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Bogor this month runs afoul of the Constitution and the spirit of Pancasila, the official state ideology.

NU brings harmony and unity

NU brings harmony and unity Nahdlatul Ulama, the nation's largest socio-religious Moslem organization, is holding its congress tomorrow in the West Java city of Tasikmalaya. Political scientist Mitsuo Nakamura argues that the congress will have ample national and international implications. CHIBA, Japan (JP): The coming congress of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is likely to reconfirm the Khittah (basic guidelines) of 1926 and reelect Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, for the leadership.

Dili spending more on tourism

Dili spending more on tourism DILI, East Timor: The East Timor provincial government has allocated a budget of Rp 16.3 billion ($7.7 million) this year for the development of the territory's tourism industry. Chief of the Tourism Office Thomas Corriera told Antara that part of the money will be taken out of the administration budget and the rest will be raised from other sectors.

Soeharto supports peace among East Timorese

Soeharto supports peace among East Timorese JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto is fully supportive of the current reconciliation drive to end an 18-year enmity between the East Timorese who supported the integration with Indonesia and those who have opposed it. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday told reporters that Soeharto is prepared to meet with the camp, represented by Abilio Araujo, as part of the reconciliation move.

SE Asia's future ties with West (1)

SE Asia's future ties with West (1) This is the first of two articles based on a paper presented by Indonesian Ambassador, Adrianus Mooy, to the European Union, at the Fuji-Wolfensohn Europen Advisory Board Meeting in London on Nov. 18. LONDON: Notwithstanding the technological miracle and the onset of the post-Cold War order, the world is still not quite as neatly ordered and constant as the authors of the global village theory would have it.

Study to focus on night transportation

Study to focus on night transportation JAKARTA (JP): The City Traffic and Land Transportation Control Agency (DLLAJ), in cooperation with various transportation companies, will research night transportation in an effort to restructure nightly bussing operations. The chief of the Department of Public Transportation Operations, Juhdi, told reporters yesterday that research has been prompted due to the fact that night routes served by several firms at present are not profitable.

Evacuees' return canceled as Merapi still active

Evacuees' return canceled as Merapi still active YOGYAKARTA (JP): Mount Merapi was still dangerously active yesterday, forcing the authorities to cancel plans of sending home about 5,500 villagers stranded at evacuation centers since the eruption last week. Search and rescue workers said the death toll reached 48 yesterday. Dozens of people were still missing, presumably buried alive in burning lava that streamed down the volcano's slopes.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Prince Valliant 3:05 Gita Wicara 3:30 Science Program 4:05 Comedy 4:30 Documentary Film 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Indonesian Lessons 6:05 Karya & Upaya 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Langka Tapi Nyata 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music Contest: Asia Bagus 8:05 Humoria 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Jazz 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Last Samurai Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Suwandi earns second win

Suwandi earns second win JAKARTA (JP): Men's singles defending champion Suwandi rallied to a three-set 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over veteran Dede Suhendar in the second day of the Indonesia Masters tennis championships yesterday. Suwandi enjoyed an easy challenge in the first set, but tallied a number of unforced errors to allow former national number one to take the second set.

Train, truck collide

Train, truck collide JAKARTA (JP): A cargo train and truck were involved in a collision in Sudimara, Tangerang yesterday, leaving one person severely injured. "The severely injured victim is the driver of the truck," an official of the state-railway company Perumka said. The unnamed official said the collision delayed other passenger trains between Sudimara and Pondok Ranji stations for two hours, Antara reported, causing many commuters to cancel their trips to their offices.

Police upbeat about Beng Seng murder

Police upbeat about Beng Seng murder JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto said here yesterday that it is only a matter of time before he and his men capture the mastermind behind the killing of entertainment businessman Nyo Beng Seng. "For us, the confession from two suspects arrested earlier is already enough and it is only a matter of time before we get the architect of the killing," Hindarto said.

Gus Dur may retain top NU post: Moerdiono

Gus Dur may retain top NU post: Moerdiono JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday that Abdurrahman Wahid "still has the chance" to retain his post as chief of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem organization. Moerdiono said Gus Dur, as Abdurrahman is better known, still had clout with the organization that claims to have more than 28 million members.

Govt predicts 200,000 at haj registration

Govt predicts 200,000 at haj registration JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher predicted yesterday that the number of Indonesians who register for next year's haj pilgrimage to Mecca could exceed 180,000, perhaps even 200,000. Tarmizi warned that because of the logistical problems in arranging transport and accommodations for the pilgrims, the government may be forced to bump those who register late.

Prepare to compete

Prepare to compete Among our non-oil and gas export commodities, textiles and textile products rank first, having reached a value of more than US$6 billion in 1993. The plans call for raising that figure to $12 billion to $13 billion a year during the sixth five-year development period.

MOU signed for $204m project

MOU signed for $204m project JAKARTA (JP): The Boewana Waluya Foundation and the Euro Consortium of Property Business, Nedindo, have signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a US$204 million property project. H. Soeratno, head of the foundation, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the project will consist of a general hospital, four condominium towers, apartments and a mall. The project will be built on a five-hectare plot of land near the Bina Waluya hospital on Jl. D.I.

Govt to allow increase in international air links

Govt to allow increase in international air links JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon allow an increase in the number of international air links with several foreign countries to boost foreign arrivals, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto says. He told Commission V of the House of Representatives here yesterday that his ministry is considering the establishment of a bilateral air relationship with, at least, 10 potential countries.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued weakening yesterday amid the fall of popular shares such as Ciputra Development, Dharmala Intiland, Indah Kiat Paper & Pulp, Indofood, Mulia Industrindo and United Tractor. The broad-based JSX Composite Index eased to close at 485.41 yesterday from 485.84 on Monday. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also slightly declined to 144.67 from 114.84.

Electricity rates

Electricity rates From Sinar It is not the first time the state electricity company has raised electricity rates. The company has increased its rates repeatedly. It is normal practice for the increase to be determined without prior consultation with the House of Representatives (DPR). The government has good reasons for excluding DPR's involvement in determining rate increases. Soon after the announcement of the increase, people criticized the government's decision.

Judges inspect alleged high-class brothel

Judges inspect alleged high-class brothel JAKARTA (JP): Judge Stephanus Sutrisno of the South Jakarta District Court led a trial site inspection session to the alleged brothel at Jl. Prapanca 4, South Jakarta, yesterday. During the site inspection, Hartono Setyawan, the man who paid the rent on the house, answered the questions of the judges and the three prosecutors.

Eight clubs into Kobatama finals

Eight clubs into Kobatama finals JAKARTA (JP): Eight basketball clubs confirmed their entry into the fourth and final leg of this year's intercity professional basketball league Kobatama, which is again scheduled in Jakarta from Dec. 14-16. The eight clubs include defending champion Aspac of Jakarta, which took the lead after the league's third leg which ended in Bandung, West Java, on Sunday. Aspac, undefeated since the league's kick-off in Jakarta from Sept. 28 to Oct.

Food festival to upgrade service

Food festival to upgrade service By Lenah Susianty JAKARTA (JP): If you have never heard a waiter or waitress wish you Selamat makan (enjoy your meal) at a restaurant, try one of Jakarta's 39 restaurants participating in the Jakarta Food Festival. Launched with the motto "salute to restaurant service", the first food festival aims to improve services in restaurants, as Jakarta carves out a bigger segment of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions market.

Malaysia's new force not threat to RI: Gen. Feisal

Malaysia's new force not threat to RI: Gen. Feisal JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia does not perceive the creation of Malaysia's Rapid Deployment Force as any sort of provocation or threat, a top military official says. "It's not provocation," the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) Feisal Tanjung, said here yesterday in response to questions from the press.

Freedom and fun, key to science: Gajdusek

Freedom and fun, key to science: Gajdusek JAKARTA (JP): A visiting Nobel laureate yesterday reminded researchers of the two essentials to boosting science -- freedom and fun. "A researcher would rather be given an empty warehouse, than a laboratory based on someone else's idea," American Daniel Carleton Gajdusek, 1976 Nobel prize winner in Physiology and Medicine, said in a speech before the National Research Council.

Commercial oil production to start in Timor Gap

Commercial oil production to start in Timor Gap JAKARTA (JP): Commercial oil production will start early next year in the Timor Gap, an offshore area disputed by Indonesia and Australia, Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana says.

WB loan for Palestinians

WB loan for Palestinians PARIS (Reuter): The World Bank has agreed to extend a US$58 million credit to Palestinian authorities to support self-rule projects, an official at the multinational institution said yesterday. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officials, in Brussels for meetings with Israeli officials, the World Bank and wealthy donors, confirmed there had been an agreement.

Chinese CDs sales annoy Vietnam

Chinese CDs sales annoy Vietnam HANOI (AFP): Vietnamese officials are warning of new "cultural pollutants" sweeping the country, propagating reactionary and indecent thoughts among the young. But the source of this contamination is not the western countries that Hanoi's cultural commissars often blame for a variety of ills. Instead, its communist neighbor China, the world's largest producer of pirate compact and laser discs. In recent months, stalls selling CDs from artists as varied as U.S.

Harbor services

Harbor services As a student returning from my studies abroad I didn't pay much attention to the news concerning the rise in tariffs for harbor services -- until I had to get my personal belongings out of the Tanjung Priok port. Apart from the fact that most of the money will be needed to upkeep the infrastructure needed to get to the different offices and to offset any increase in the price of paper, I would like to propose a couple of areas where the money could also be spent.

Invisible thief

Invisible thief A colleague of mine, Mrs. L. has a unique story to tell. On Nov. 1, 1994, her husband put five banknotes of twenty thousand rupiah each in an envelope in his briefcase. It was closed with a code, the number of which is known to only himself and yet when he woke up in the morning the money was gone. Theft is out of the question, as his bedroom was closed and locked from the inside, so nobody could have entered the room unseen.

Soeharto due to dedicate power projects

Soeharto due to dedicate power projects JAKARTA (JP): Next month President Soeharto is expected to inaugurate power projects which have been established at total costs of approximately Rp 2 trillion (US$912.4 million), says the chief executive of the state electricity company PLN. "The inauguration ceremony will be held at the industrial complex of a geothermal plant on Mount Salak in West Java," Zuhal told reporters after meeting with Soeharto at the latter's residence yesterday.

Navratilova to meet Yayuk in farewell match

Navratilova to meet Yayuk in farewell match JAKARTA (JP): Former world number one Martina Navratilova has decided to include Indonesia as one stop on her world farewell tour. The tour will take Navratilova to five continents and the honor, and match, here have been given to Yayuk Basuki. "It was Navratilova's choice to play Yayuk here," Eddy Katimansah, secretary general of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) said during a press conference yesterday. The exhibition match on Jan.

S'pore starts work on cable TV plan

S'pore starts work on cable TV plan SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has begun building a US$500-million ($340-million) cable television network, with some 20,000 homes expected to be wired for 30 channels by the middle of next year, Singapore CableVision officials have said. "We are going at a very aggressive pace.

Rubber producers extend expired price pact

Rubber producers extend expired price pact KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): World rubber producers have agreed to extend for a further year an expired price pact pending talks on a new UN-brokered accord, even as international stockpiles dry up, officials said yesterday. The extension was agreed informally after a special session of the International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) was convened here Monday to endorse a further sale of some 100,000 tons of INRO stockpiled rubber, officials said.

Province needs bigger ships

Province needs bigger ships JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The province needs bigger ships to facilitate the movement of people and goods in the province, the head of the local transportation office said. Martono was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying that the existing fleets of "pioneering" ships are barely adequate to meet the local people's transportation needs.

Compulsory education

Compulsory education From Kompas When President Soeharto declared that 1994 was the year of Compulsory Education, I believed that a wider opportunity for education would await our community. And as a consequence of the government's policy on education, the school fees would not be too burdensome. But in reality, this is not the case. I registered my child at the Senior High School in Kebon Singkong, Klender, East Jakarta.

Nahdlatul Ulama untangles itself from politics

Nahdlatul Ulama untangles itself from politics By Mitsuo Nakamura CHIBA, Japan (JP): Originally, the Nahdlatul Ulama was non- political when it was established in 1926. The Khittah of 1926 (basic guidelines) defined the Nahdlatul Ulama as an Islamic religious organization devoted to religious education and the enhancement of the well-being of the Moslem community.