Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 June 1994

37 articles found

Police warn of dangerous car items

Police warn of dangerous car items JAKARTA (JP): A senior city traffic police officer has called on vehicle owners to no longer install useless additional items on their cars which could only endanger other road users. City Police Traffic Directorate Head Col. Hotman Siagian also warned motorists over the weekend against using handphones while driving. "Do they think that they could fully concentrate on driving while talking on the lines?" he asked.

Indonesia, Vatican will defend traditional view about sex

Indonesia, Vatican will defend traditional view about sex JAKARTA (JP): In the current run up to the world conference on population in Cairo this September, Indonesia has joined forces with The Vatican and many Latin American countries to defend the view that sex should only be for the purposes of having children. As officials prepare the various documents and declarations to be read at the UN-sponsored conference, a debate has emerged as to the question of people's sexual rights.

Suspected killer of Marsinah faces 20 years

Suspected killer of Marsinah faces 20 years JAKARTA (JP): Government prosecutors are demanding 20 years imprisonment for the businessman who they believe masterminded the murder of labor activist Marsinah in May of last year. Lawyers defending Yudi Susanto however say they plan to contest the accusation and will seek no less than an acquittal because their client is innocent.

U.S. to help stem drug flow from Golden Triangle

U.S. to help stem drug flow from Golden Triangle KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The United States has expressed willingness to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region stem the flow of drugs from the Golden Triangle, Malaysian newspapers reported yesterday. Malaysia's Deputy Home Minister Megat Junid Megat Ayob was quoted as saying the United States had set aside US$22 billion to draw up programs to stop the drug supply from the area.

Steady Safe plans to offer 11.65 million new shares

Steady Safe plans to offer 11.65 million new shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Steady Safe, a company operating taxicabs and buses in the greater Jakarta area, will offer 11.65 million new shares accounting for 19.75 percent of its enlarged common stocks to the public later this month. Jopie Widjaja, the company's president, told reporters after a presentation here Friday evening that the new shares, each with a nominal value of Rp 1,000 (46 U.S.

House members blast lobbysts for power projects

House members blast lobbysts for power projects JAKARTA (JP): Amidst the lingering controversy over the March awarding of three power plant projects to foreign contractors, legislators have attacked the lobbyists and brokers who they say inflated the prices of the projects and undermined Indonesia's ability to lure more foreign investment.

Govt keeps transportation tariff control

Govt keeps transportation tariff control JAKARTA (JP): The government will maintain control over the pricing of transportation-related services even though foreign investors are allowed to take majority shares in these sectors, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanurtirto said.

Some wave victims are still waiting for disaster relief

Some wave victims are still waiting for disaster relief JAKARTA (JP): As massive relief aid poured to East Java for the victims of this month's devastating tidal waves, reports began to emerge that some of the intended recipients were left hungry because food is not reaching them fast enough. The reports, which have already raised concerns among officials in Jakarta, prompted Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Azwar Anas to issue a stern warning on Friday.

Anti-poverty program launched for least-developed areas

Anti-poverty program launched for least-developed areas By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): The quietness of Tidung, a coral island in the Seribu Island chain, was broken last Sunday by the arrival of Governor Surjadi Soedirdja and entourage, who came to launch the so-called "Inpres Desa Tertinggal" (Presidential Instructions on Least Developed Areas). The scheme, which is more popularly known as "IDT", is the latest bid by the government to raise the standard of living of the country's poor.

Half of pilgrims have returned

Half of pilgrims have returned JAKARTA (JP): Over 50 percent of 165,000 Indonesian pilgrims have returned home from Mecca aboard 210 flights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said yesterday. Today, 10 flights of wide-bodied planes are expected to land in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan, North Sumatra, to bring in another 4800 pilgrims from Jakarta, West Java, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara and Aceh. Today no haj flights are scheduled for Ujungpandang.

Westinghouse opens nuclear engineering center in Indonesia

Westinghouse opens nuclear engineering center in Indonesia MONROEVILLE, Philadelphia (UPI): Westinghouse Electric Corp. said it will open its first overseas nuclear engineering center in Indonesia that will provide detailed engineering for an advanced nuclear reactor in that country. Westinghouse will work with Indonesia's state nuclear agency, Batan, in the project.

Citra celebrates in its oil output

Citra celebrates in its oil output JAKARTA (JP): PT Citra Patenindo Nusa Pratama (CPNP) has succeeded in increasing the production of its three oil fields in South Sumatra from 1,600 barrels per day in 1993 to 2,000 barrels today. Chairperson Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana said on Friday as a company celebration that her firm expects to further expand the fields' daily output to 4,800 barrels in 1995 and 8,000 barrels in 1996.

Jazz musicians seeks official appreciation

Jazz musicians seeks official appreciation JAKARTA (JP): Jazz music is slowly receiving more appreciation from the public and the mass media, but none whatsoever from the government, according to one of the country's leading jazz players. Idang Rasidi said that his team, the Jakarta All Stars, have won awards overseas and promoted Indonesia's name. He said, however, there has not even an official acknowledgement or appreciation so far, the Antara news agency reported.

Bourne-Sircombe put first in Medan

Bourne-Sircombe put first in Medan JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Possum Bourne of New Zealand was placed on top of the seeding list issued by FIA, the world automotive governing body, for the Medan Rally due to start on Friday in this North Sumatra capital. Bourne and navigator Roger Freeth, driving under the banner of the 555 team, won last year's rally in convincing style.

S. Asia boosts rice output

S. Asia boosts rice output LOS BANOS, Philippines (AFP): South and Southeast Asia's less hospitable rain-fed lands are likely to start in efforts to boost rice harvests and ease a projected supply crunch by the turn of the century, scientists say. Agronomists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) here say that these non-irrigated lands will be the source of the world's next potential miracle rice seed, which they are feverishly trying to develop.

Ciputra awards bonuses to Uber, Thomas Cuppers

Ciputra awards bonuses to Uber, Thomas Cuppers JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said they will not interfere in the internal policy of each club who are giving rewards to its shuttlers who were on the winning Thomas Cup and Uber Cup squads. PBSI secretary general RAJ Gosal said yesterday that the national badminton body did not believe that the bonuses would dishearten shuttlers whose clubs were unable to provide enormous prizes.

Kalimantan's bridge pair won

Kalimantan's bridge pair won JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian bridge virtuosos Jusuf and Henry from Pontianak, West Kalimantan came unchallenged with a score of 1,755 in the Indonesian leg of the Ninth Epson Worldwide Bridge Tournament for 1994, the world's biggest bridge tournament to date. The one-day event was held simultaneously in five continents and participated in by 100,000 bridge players from 90 countries.

KL to build large port

KL to build large port KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Taiwanese company has announced plans to build a large port in southern Malaysia's Malacca state, in what local officials said yesterday could be a major boost to the state's industrial fortunes. The one billion ringgit (US$400 million) port proposed by the Orna Group at Malacca city is likely to be built as a joint venture, the officials said, adding that it would largely serve the ambitious expansion plans of the area's steel industry.

Farm commodity producer to go public

Farm commodity producer to go public JAKARTA (JP): PT Prasidha Aneka Niaga, an agriculture commodity processor and exporter, will offer 30 million shares or 25 percent of its total common stocks to the public later next month. "The offering price will amount to less than 15 times the company's price earning," said J.J. Figgins, the president of PT Standard Chartered Indonesia, which will act as the lead underwriter of the share issue.

Unemployment conflicts with Operation Cleansing

Unemployment conflicts with Operation Cleansing JAKARTA (JP): The ongoing Operation Cleansing will not be able to completely crack down on crime as long as unemployment prevails, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja says. "The facts show that despite the aggressive operation, robberies on the public buses continue," Surjadi said during his visit to Senen and Kramat subdistricts, Central Jakarta, over the weekend. The governor inspects two subdistricts every Friday.

Education vital to alleviating traffic-jams

Education vital to alleviating traffic-jams JAKARTA (JP): A former police traffic director has identified community training and education as the most effective ways to ease Jakarta's traffic problems. Brig. Gen.

The government's debt

The government's debt Indonesia is known to be very prudent in spending its foreign debt, i.e. it is mainly used to finance projects which will increase national productivity and enhance the quality of human resources. As a debtor, Indonesia is also known to be punctual in paying the installments of its debt.

Seven foreigners busted in gambling sting

Seven foreigners busted in gambling sting JAKARTA (JP): Five Malaysians, a Hong Kong and a Taiwanese man, along with 231 locals were arrested in gambling dens in Pluit North Jakarta. They were nabbed in raids carried out by a joint, city military-police team in the wee hours of the morning, Saturday. The 40-member Operation Cleansing team from the Jakarta Chapter for the Agency of the Support for National Stability (Bakorstanasda Jaya), led by Lt. Col.

Freedom is never absolute, says Wardiman

Freedom is never absolute, says Wardiman By Riyadi SEMARANG (JP): Freedom is never absolute and this goes for academic freedom too, according to Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro. "Academic freedom is strictly for the intelligentsia, that is, those who have a higher intellectual standard than that of ordinary laymen. This means that they can be locked in a heated debate without losing control of their emotions," Wardiman told The Jakarta Post recently.

Watch the spelling

Watch the spelling Since I started coming to Indonesia, which is about 13 years ago, I've been a regular subscriber and reader of The Jakarta Post. I found the contents--domestic as well as international, very informative. The English language is not my mother tounge, although the school I attended (from grade school to college) uses English as the medium of instruction. I know this does not make me an authority in English (both oral and written) but I can somehow manage my spelling.

SOM ends with Jakarta Declaration

SOM ends with Jakarta Declaration JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Pacific senior official meeting (SOM) on the role of women in development ended here Saturday with the approval of a draft plan of action for the region and declaration for the advancement of women.

Indonesia intensifies tourist promotion drive in 15 states

Indonesia intensifies tourist promotion drive in 15 states JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will intensify tourism promotion in 15 major countries in order to reach the target of 6.5 million visitors with total spendings of US$8.9 billion by the end of the Sixth Five Year Development Plan (Repelita VI) in 1999.

56,000 sign up for college entrance test

56,000 sign up for college entrance test JAKARTA (JP): Through Thursday 56,000 students had applied for the state university entrance test (UMPTN) in Jakarta's Region A, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro announced Friday. Wardiman believes the number will increase before the June 17 deadline. Earlier, the rector of the University of Indonesia, M.K.

RI, German banks develop small firms

RI, German banks develop small firms JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian small and medium-scale firms are invited to make use of a business advisory service jointly provided by the state-owned Development Bank of Indonesia (Bapindo) and the German Investment and Development Company (DEG). The Integrated Advisory Service for the Promotion of the Private Sector in Indonesia (IAS) which was launched in 1992 offers a complete range of services to develop business ties between Indonesian and German firms.

UI will get new professor

UI will get new professor Dr. Suprapti Sumarmo Markam, 56, a senior lecturer at the faculty of psychology at the University of Indonesia (UI) will be inducted as professor at a ceremony at the university's auditorium in Depok this week. During Wednesday's induction ceremony Suprapti will deliver a scientific paper titled Emotional Experience and Mental Health. Born in Medan on Feb.

APEC business meeting

APEC business meeting SINGAPORE (Reuter): Business leaders from 16 Asia-Pacific economies discussed ways to come up with a unified vision of the region's future during two days of talks here which ended on Saturday. "We want to develop a business-sector vision of the Asia- Pacific region, and to recommend to the (government) leaders ways and means for advancing the economic development of the region," the delegates said in a statement.

Singapore oil product exports may fall

Singapore oil product exports may fall SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's oil product exports are likely to drop by 10-to-15 percent in the second half of the decade as domestic consumption rises, according to an oil trade publication. The Singapore Oil Report attributed the decline in exports to 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the start up of new petrochemical plants and higher domestic consumption of petroleum products.

Openness

Openness From Media Indonesia We the boards of the student senates of Kertanegara Colleges and Academies express our concern over the fate of our friends--students in Bandung, who joined the "Alliance of Youth and Students Movement of Bandung." It is highly deplorable that in this era of openness there is a certain party who wants to block our common cause.

Public telephones

Public telephones From Neraca The efforts of PT Telkom (telecommunication company) to anticipate the need for telecommunication facilities deserve our appreciation. Besides servicing customers in various areas, the company continues to install public telephones in various strategic places. We may see more than one telephone is available at a certain corner of the city. The company can, no doubt, install lots of public telephone units, but the problem is how it can maintain all the facilities.

More people hunted over Basuki case

More people hunted over Basuki case The South Jakarta police are still hunting several people believed to have sold or received valuables stolen from the late painter Basuki Abdullah. "Since the killing of Basuki in November, we've been ordered to find out as much material evidence as we could and nab those believed to be involved in the murder as well as the trading of Basuki's valuables, which were stolen by the murderers," a police officer told The Jakarta Post here late last week.

Dubbing system

Dubbing system Nowadays, our television has made a great advance. On of the advances is dubbing. All foreign series and films (except Western ones) have been dubbed in Indonesian. In my opinion, this system is not always good and suitable for all people, especially for someone who studies foreign languages like Japanese. Why don't we use another system such as sub-titles? As you know, television is not only for entertainment but also for education. WINNY Jakarta

Bearish sentiment on JSX prevail in 2nd week of June

Bearish sentiment on JSX prevail in 2nd week of June By Sigma Batara JAKARTA (JP): Bearish sentiments continued throughout the second week of June. The JSX (Jakarta Stock Exchange) Composite Index lost 3.68 points from the previous week to close at 483.05. It seemed many overseas fund managers started their holidays, resulting in a lack of foreign presence in the market. This prompted short-term buying and profit taking among local investors.