Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 November 1994

49 articles found

Firefighters on stand-by during APEC meeting

Firefighters on stand-by during APEC meeting JAKARTA (JP): The City Fire Department has three fire engines and 60 firefighters on standby 24-hour-a-day at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center during the current Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum meetings. "We have deployed two fire engines and one hook and ladder truck to help combat any fires occurring at the conference venue," Tatang Sastrawiria, the fire department chief, told reporters yesterday.

Police foil smuggling attempt

Police foil smuggling attempt BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: 22 trucks carrying logs, resin and pumice without proper official documents, worth millions of rupiahs, have been seized by police. The goods were confiscated in an anti-smuggling operation last week on the trans-Sumatra highway and at the Bakauheni port, Lampung police commander Col. Endang Suwanda said yesterday. The truck drivers are being held for questioning on suspicion of attempting to smuggle goods into Java, Antara reported.

Stores are not giving special discounts to APEC delegates

Stores are not giving special discounts to APEC delegates JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's large-scale shopping centers are not providing special offers or any discounts to greet delegates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum despite requests by the head of the city tourism office.

Isolate criminals from society: General

Isolate criminals from society: General JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hindarto has proposed that law breakers be ostracized from society. "Perhaps it will be more effective than legal penalties imposed on those found guilty violating existing rules," he said. Hindarto made the remarks over the weekend, after officially closing the 47th ABRI Masuk Desa (Armed Forces in villages -- AMD) activities at Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta.

Research on subway reaches final stage

Research on subway reaches final stage JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday that the research on the possibility of building a subway in the city has reached its final stage. The research is being conducted by the city administration in cooperation with the Ministries of Transportation and Public Works and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, he said.

Filipino maids

Filipino maids I found your article, headline 'Singapore to stop Filipino maids inflow', which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 31, 1994 totally unnerving. At a glance, it immediately suggested that the influx of Filipino maids to Singapore continues to be unabated, which is grossly and absolutely wrong.

Traditional logic key to conserving natural resources

Traditional logic key to conserving natural resources JAKARTA (JP): Even if doomsday is around the corner, not many people are willing to give up their greedy habits to save future generations. As the saying goes, "We don't know how much a tree is worth until we cut it down." Speakers at a recent workshop on biodiversity in Serpong, West Java, stressed that conservation efforts must involve local people and immediately benefit them.

Joko, Susi retain Thai Open crowns

Joko, Susi retain Thai Open crowns JAKARTA (JP): World champions Joko Suprianto and Susi Susanti maintained their supremacy at the Thailand Open badminton championships as Indonesian players romped home with four titles on Sunday. Joko weathered Chinese young gun Sun Jun's initial storm to clinch his third straight win here 10-15, 15-11, 15-5.

Students, teachers boycott classes

Students, teachers boycott classes SALATIGA, Central Java: Thousands of students and teachers at the Satya Wacana Christian University boycotted classes yesterday in a show of disgust to the recent dismissal of scholar Arief Budiman for disciplinary reasons. The boycott was the latest effort teachers and students made to press their demand for the reinstatement of the outspoken academic, and retirement of the rector and chief of the university's managing foundation.

Govt officially approves APEC two-day holiday

Govt officially approves APEC two-day holiday JAKARTA (JP): Most people residing, working and studying in Jakarta will enjoy a prolonged holiday this coming weekend, courtesy of President Soeharto. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday the government is declaring Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, the peak of the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, as holidays for all government and private sector offices, as well as schools, in Jakarta.

Drug dealer arrested

Drug dealer arrested North Jakarta police have arrested a man carrying two kilograms of dried marijuana worth Rp 2 million (US$900) through Tanjung Priok port, North Jakarta. The suspected drug trafficker identified as AR, 29, reportedly told police during questioning that he bought the drug in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, recently for Rp 500,000 and planned to sell it in Jakarta.

APEC and NAM: The two commitments that bind

APEC and NAM: The two commitments that bind In the span of two years Indonesia has hosted two important international meetings, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Political scientist Juwono Sudarsono puts the two events in global perspective and argues that the nation's real challenge is its exposure to international competition.

Tuberculosis rife in West Java

Tuberculosis rife in West Java BANDUNG, West Java: An estimated 364,800 people suffering tuberculosis across the province badly need medical treatment, otherwise many more will be infected, a health official warned yesterday. Marwan Awaludin, chairman of the Association for Tuberculosis Eradication, said medical treatment for patients will cost Rp 36 billion (US$17 million).

Activist gets three years in jail for inciting riot

Activist gets three years in jail for inciting riot MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Chairman of the outlawed Indonesian Prosperity Labor Union (SBSI) Muchtar Pakpahan was sentenced to three years imprisonment yesterday for inciting workers to demonstrate violently last April. The Medan District Court found the 41-year old labor leader guilty for his role in the workers' riot which left one businessman dead and dozens of factories severely damaged.

Moslem leaders condemn Gus Dur for Israeli visit

Moslem leaders condemn Gus Dur for Israeli visit JAKARTA (JP): Condemnations came hard and fast yesterday against controversial Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid for his recent visit to Israel. Prominent ulemas including K.H. Hasan Basri and K.H. Ali Yafie from the influential Indonesian Council of Ulemas, and Dr. Anwar Haryono of the Council for the Propagation of Islam protested Abdurrahman's visit, saying it would split Moslem opinion here.

Indonesia needs more investment in gas industry

Indonesia needs more investment in gas industry Frits H. Pangemanan NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesia, which has successfully supplied natural gas to buyers in Asian and Pacific countries for over the last 20 years, is inviting foreign and domestic investors to develop its gas industry in anticipation of rapidly increasing demand in the region.

NAFTA is not a trade bloc, Barry says

NAFTA is not a trade bloc, Barry says JAKARTA (JP): The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is not a trade bloc but rather a complement of the new General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), American Ambassador to Indonesia Robert L. Barry said yesterday.

Supreme Court reverses ruling on land dispute

Supreme Court reverses ruling on land dispute JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has reversed its own ruling on the highly political Kedung Ombo land dispute, and has now ruled in favor of the government which is being sued by 34 displaced villagers. The latest Supreme Court position was announced to the press yesterday by outgoing Chief Justice Purwoto Gandasubrata on the day he handed over the post to his successor Soerjono.

Govt expects no major change in 95/96 budget

Govt expects no major change in 95/96 budget JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad estimated no major change in the government's revenues in the 1995/96 fiscal year, which will begin next April. The minister said that tax receipts from the oil and gas sectors will likely be around the same level of those projected in the current fiscal year due to the gloomy prospect of the oil market and the flattening level of production.

Indonesian banks forced to face global competition

Indonesian banks forced to face global competition JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian banks have to seriously prepare themselves as they enter an era of free trade in services early next year, when the new GATT principles go into effect, Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono says.

APEC trade team failure criticized

APEC trade team failure criticized JAKARTA (JP): APEC meetings encountered their first hurdle here yesterday when the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), facing opposition from the United States, failed to adopt a draft on a set of non-binding investment principals. "As far as the U.S.

Soeharto for free trade

Soeharto for free trade Many businessmen and analysts, even those in Indonesia itself, are still surprised at President Soeharto's enthusiasm about the free trade concept recommended by the Eminent Persons Group and the Pacific Business Forum. Such surprise is, to a certain extent, understandable because, as recently as last year, Indonesia was still dragging its feet on the process of establishing a free trade area in the ASEAN sub-region.

Govt threatens to close hospital treatment plants

Govt threatens to close hospital treatment plants JAKARTA (JP): The city environment bureau has threatened to close down the waste treatment plants of 11 hospitals in Jakarta after they ignored repeated warnings issued by the municipal administration. The warnings were aimed at improving the hospitals' waste management in order to support the city's program of clean rivers, locally known as Program Kali Bersih (Prokasih).

Govt ready with free health services for the needy

Govt ready with free health services for the needy JAKARTA (JP): After less than a year's try-out, the Ministry of Health yesterday announced it is ready to provide free health services to the 25.9 million poor people nation-wide.

TV Today

TV Today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Diletansia 3:30 Film 4:30 Science Program 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Open University 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Wawasan 8:05 Traditional Drama 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Karya Nada 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film : The Coming Program 2 4:30 p.m.

RI, PNG talks on joint border resume

RI, PNG talks on joint border resume JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Papua New Guinea opened its 13th meeting of their joint border committee yesterday, in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak. Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said in his opening address the committee should prioritize discussions on establishment of more border posts. Yogie said Indonesia would seek Papua New Guinea government's agreement to set up border posts in Skou, Sota Waris and Warapko.

NU congress to fortify vow to shun politics

NU congress to fortify vow to shun politics JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will reaffirm its commitment to shunning formal politics in its congress next month. The five-day congress in the West Java town of Tasikmalaya will renew its 1984 pledge to return to NU's original mission as a socio-educational organization or Khittah, the organization's officials said yesterday.

29 bodies recovered

29 bodies recovered MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The bodies of 29 of the 31 people believed to have drowned in last week's flash flood have been recovered, a local official said yesterday. Spokesman for the East Lombok regency government Met Mugni told Antara that search and rescue workers are still working to recover the bodies of the other two victims. The victims of the flood that hit the Aikmel subdistrict were badly decomposed, he said.

Polyethylene plant expanded

Polyethylene plant expanded JAKARTA (JP): PT Petrokimia Nusantara Interindo, a British- Japanese-Indonesian joint venture, will double the production capacity of its polyethylene plant in Merak, West Java, from 200,000 to 400,000 tons per annum. The company's president, Jim Hay, said yesterday that the construction of the expansion project, likely to cost US$100 million, will start next year and production is expected to start by the end of 1996.

KL rejects U.S. plan for military base

KL rejects U.S. plan for military base KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has joined Thailand and Indonesia in rejecting a U.S. plan for a new military base in Southeast Asia following the withdrawal of American troops from Subic Bay in the Philippines. "We don't feel there is a need for such a base in Southeast Asia because we don't feel threatened by anyone, including China and Japan," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted saying in local newspapers yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): The buying drive on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) remained low yesterday with a price drop taking place across the board. The JSX Composite Index lost nearly three points to close at 517.78 against 520.59 on Friday. The GTDBS-50 Index also dropped to 123.96 from 124.77. Securities brokers said that prices of popular issues mostly dropped amid selling pressure from local investors.

Dialog with East Timorese

Dialog with East Timorese President Soeharto made a sympathetic gesture last week when he expressed his readiness to hold a dialog with an anti- integration group of East Timor. The offer of a dialog will be a substantive contribution to the solution of the issue. The Indonesian government has reiterated that the East Timor issue is a non-issue any longer, de facto and de jure. But it is also true that several anti- integration groups are still continuing their campaigns.

On colonialism II

On colonialism II I have read the letters of Mr. de Jong and Mr. de Kort, the last one of Nov. 5, 1994 in The Jakarta Post. I got the impression by their tone and attitude of not willing to admit (let alone apologize!) the malpractice of colonial times, whether it is three-and-a half years or 350 years (this is history), these gentlemen appear to be angered and embittered that Indonesians as a whole ("former colonial subjects") are capable of knocking them off!

Korea favors free trade by 2020

Korea favors free trade by 2020 SYDNEY (Reuter): South Korean President Kim Young-sam will support a deal to create a free trade zone in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region in the next century, The Australian newspaper reported yesterday. "I will support the recommendation to complete free trade by 2020 in Bogor (Indonesia)," Kim was quoted as saying in an interview with the newspaper.

Tangerang expands with 17 new sub-districts

Tangerang expands with 17 new sub-districts JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang Mayor H. Djakaria has installed heads of 17 new sub-districts as part of the mayoralty's efforts to anticipate the sharp growth of population. "The installation is designed to help the city administration improve services to the public," Djakaria said at the ceremony over the weekend.

Nick Faldo to auction clubs

Nick Faldo to auction clubs JAKARTA (JP): Golfers wishing to own clubs use by world top player Nick Faldo may try their luck Thursday when the Cikarang Golf and Country Club hosts a cocktail party to honor the Englishman. The 6,850-yard 18-hole layout located some 45kms northeast of the capital was designed by Faldo, who unfortunately was disqualified at the Alfred Dunhill Masters in Bali on Sunday. He was here yesterday to inspect the golf link.

Citarum river banks to be cleared

Citarum river banks to be cleared The municipal authorities plan to make a clean sweep of the hundreds of shanties and other structures standing along the Citarum river bank in Cedeng, Central Jakarta, by the end of this month. Chief of the City Public Works Office, IG Nyoman Suwandhi, said over the weekend that the demolition will be done by security officers if the squatters refuse to clear away the hovels by themselves. Quoting City Regulation No.

Keep the city clean: Mayor

Keep the city clean: Mayor South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko has called on the developer handling the Sudirman Central Business project to help keep the city clean. Pardjoko made the remarks during an inspection on Sunday. The mayor and his entourage saw a large pile of debris scattered on the pavement in front of the project. He immediately went to the project site and asked several construction workers to clean the sidewalk and take the debris back to the project area.

Planet Hollywood restaurant

Planet Hollywood restaurant Commenting on Mariani's letter in The Jakarta Post (Nov. 3, 1994) about SCTV's coverage of the opening of Planet Hollywood on Saturday, Oct. 22, 1994, I would like to say that the only emotions that I experienced were nausea and deprivation. This boring razzmatazz of aging stars, coupled with poor interviewing, denied me half my weekly "diet" of English soccer advertised the whole of the week.

Stray dogs will be killed

Stray dogs will be killed MEDAN, North Sumatra: Governor Raja Inal Siregar has ordered security authorities to destroy stray dogs he believes are to blame for the rise in rabies cases. Siregar said owners of dogs should have their pets vaccinated and pay taxes, as the law requires. Husbandry officials said that so far this year North Sumatra has had 2,500 cases of rabies transmitted by dogs, cats and monkeys. Ten of those have died, Antara reported.

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.

Telecom project in Natuna

Telecom project in Natuna JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned domestic telecommunications company, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), will complete the development of communication networks in Natuna, Riau, early next year to support a natural gas liquefaction project there. "Telkom will have the completed telecommunications infrastructure in January although the natural gas liquefaction project on the island will not begin until later," the company's president, Setyanto P.

Fraudulent ad hunting

Fraudulent ad hunting From Kompas On July 30, 1994 a man visited me. He told me he was an employee of Metropolitan Promotion Directory, whose office was in Maya Indah building, on Jl. Kramat Raya. The company was looking for people wanting to place advertisements in the 1994-1995 directory. As a businessman who sells services, I was interested in his offer of placing an advertisement in Executive magazine (Yellow Pages). For this I paid him Rp 125,000 in cash.

Water problem and drought

Water problem and drought From Media Indonesia The well in our house has dried up due to the long drought. The same problem also plagues our neighbors and, I believe, many families in this capital city. Now we have to take a long walk to a distant neighbor just to take a bath. This has gone on for weeks and we will keep on worrying until the rain comes. Actually we have deepened our well in the past despite our awareness that this could endanger the environment.

Accident at zebra crossing

Accident at zebra crossing From Kompas A pedestrian was hit by a car at a zebra crossing in front of the National Museum on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta on Oct. 13, 1994 at about 7 p.m. The driver of the car had to swerve when the car in front unexpectedly came to a halt at a red light. The car careened onto the pavement and hit a person just behind me. The poor pedestrian had to be taken to hospital with severe injuries.

Japan's loan to Vietnam

Japan's loan to Vietnam TOKYO (AFP): The Japanese government is expected to provide a loan of 65 billion yen (US$670 million) to Vietnam for the financial year to next March, official sources were quoted as saying yesterday. Japan is likely to express readiness to extend the loan at an international meeting to be held in Paris on Tuesday of next week to discuss measures to help Vietnam, Jiji Press quoted the sources as saying.

Three killed in rain storm

Three killed in rain storm GROBOGAN, Central Java: Three people were killed, 45 houses destroyed and hundreds others badly damaged in a rain storm sweeping three villages in this regency last week, officials said. The worst hit was the Teguhan village, where the fatalities occurred, and 35 houses destroyed. Those killed belonged to the same family. They were crushed when their house collapsed on top of them.

Seven hospitals ready for APEC

Seven hospitals ready for APEC The City Health Office has appointed seven hospitals in Jakarta to serve the delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The Jayakarta daily reported yesterday that the seven medical facilities in Jakarta are Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Harapan Kita Cardiac Hospital, Medistra Hospital, Pertamina Hospital, MMC Hospital and Gatot Subroto Hospital.

On colonialism I

On colonialism I We now, at least, have an admission of colonial malpractice from Mr. de Kort (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 5, 1994). However, it is less than reassuring that, for murdering 40,000 Indonesians, Kapitein Westerling received a severe rap over the knuckles from the Dutch public and was duly granted his freedom. The reason why Westerling was not tried for crimes against humanity (or as Mr.