Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 June 1994

53 articles found

U.S cotton growers open ASEAN office in Singapore

U.S cotton growers open ASEAN office in Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): Cotton Inc., a company representing U.S cotton growers, have opened a marketing office in Singapore to serve ASEAN customers, a company official said yesterday. Cotton Inc. public relations director Willaim Daddi said the company's move into the region was prompted by a sharp rise in cotton consumption as a result of poor crops in producing countries in the region.

Reptiles, amphibians to join exhibition at the Jakarta Fair

Reptiles, amphibians to join exhibition at the Jakarta Fair JAKARTA (JP): The committee of the Reptile and Amphibian Exhibition, which is part of the upcoming Jakarta Fair, needs 5,000 crickets per day to feed the animals. "We buy the crickets from some traders at the Pasar Burung (Bird Market) (on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta) at the price of around Rp 35 (around US1 cent) a piece," said Mah Wai Meng, project manager of Classic International exhibition company, at a press conference yesterday.

Goodyear to expand production capacity

Goodyear to expand production capacity JAKARTA (JP): PT Goodyear Indonesia, a tire manufacturer listed on the Jakarta and Surabaya stock exchanges, will increase its production capacity from 7,000 to 11,000 tires a day. Goodyear's sales manager, Gani Ghazali, said here yesterday during the launching of the company's new product that the company will invest at least US$64 million for the plant's expansion.

Many graduates are jobless

Many graduates are jobless BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Some 5,700 university graduates from various fields of study are still out of a job, according to the provincial manpower office. According to an official, the students are unable to find work because they don't have the skills sought by industry and they have no previous work experience. He added that there are vacancies for graduates who speak foreign languages and can operate computers.

Three suspects in gambling raid hospitalized

Three suspects in gambling raid hospitalized JAKARTA (JP): Police confirmed yesterday that three of the 238 suspected gamblers rounded up during a recent raid are in hospitals. "The three include a pregnant woman and two sick men, one of whom is suffering serious rheumatic pain in his back," City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto told reporters.

Commission formed to curb AIDS spread

Commission formed to curb AIDS spread JAKARTA (JP): Alarmed by the mounting AIDS problem, the government has formed a commission in charge of checking the spread of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes the deadly disease, officials announced yesterday. President Soeharto has assigned Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas to lead the commission, which will handle the AIDS problem nationally.

World Cup craze to boost night activities

World Cup craze to boost night activities JAKARTA (JP): As the World Cup hype continues to sweep Indonesia, the country's ardent soccer fans are set to participate in what could be the most extravagant nocturnal celebration in spectator sport.

Tansil denies bribing Bapindo branch executive

Tansil denies bribing Bapindo branch executive JAKARTA (JP): Eddy Tansil yesterday denied having bribed the former deputy manager of Bapindo's Jakarta branch to allow him to cash in on huge loans from the government-owned bank. Tansil testified in the trial of Maman Suparman, the branch executive, that he did not paid a single cent in return for the services accorded to him regarding the loans.

NU's good name in jeopardy, scholar warns

NU's good name in jeopardy, scholar warns JAKARTA (JP): An influential Moslem leader warned yesterday that the ulemas who want to hold a political gathering later this month are putting the reputation of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in jeopardy. Yusuf Hasyim, who heads NU's law-making body, said the gathering would amount to an embarrassing inconsistency with the organization's commitment to avoid politics. "I don't mind the meeting so long as they (ulemas) don't use NU as an umbrella.

Hotels in Batam agree to end their price war

Hotels in Batam agree to end their price war BATAM (JP): Hotels on this bonded island have agreed to end their price wars, setting the maximum discounts at 20 percent of the published rates. The local branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) noted at a meeting on Wednesday that the price wars between hotels had thus far turned into unhealthy competition.

Grundfos relocates plant

Grundfos relocates plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Grundfos Pompa, an Indonesian-Danish pump manufacturing company, has relocated its plant from the Nusantara bonded area near Tanjung Priok port to the Pulogadung industrial estate in line with its new policy that emphasizes on the domestic market. The new plant in the Pulogadung area, which will be inaugurated on Thursday, will market 75 percent of its water pumps on the domestic market and the other 25 percent on the export market.

Dusit Inn in Balikpapan

Dusit Inn in Balikpapan JAKARTA (JP): Balikpapan, well known as the oil and timber town in East Kalimantan, now has two four-star hotels after the Dusit Inn launched its soft opening recently. The 208-room Dusit Inn Balikpapan, the first hotel established in Indonesia under the management of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, is owned by PT Sinarwisata Permai, a unit of the Sinar Mas Group. The hotel now offers a three-month special rate starting on June 9.

The stars to watch: 4. The strikers

The stars to watch: 4. The strikers By Richard Pedler JAKARTA (JP): Among the star strikers missing from USA'94 are Van Basten and Gullit (Holland), Sosa and Fonseca (Uruguay), as well as Papin, Shearer, Yeboah, Weah, and Kolyvanov (Russia, by choice). In the past, the World Cup has been blessed with the deadliest strikers. Just Fontaine hit 13 in six games for France back in 1958.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist) Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Boece (pianist) & Rima Monday to Thursday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio (chamber music) Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Yusuf (pianist), Sunday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Japanese returning to Irian Jaya

Japanese returning to Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: About 20.000 Japanese from the Yamagata Province are expected to visit the province next year to mark the 50th anniversary since the fierce battle with the Allies during World War II. A peace monument was erected here on Thursday to honor Japanese soldiers who died during the war. Yamagata Governor Kazuo Takahashi, Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Patippi and 70 Japanese war veterans were present at the ceremony.

Health campaign must target specific groups

Health campaign must target specific groups JAKARTA (JP): Any campaign against heart disease in Indonesia must be designed at specific target groups because of the diversity in the social and cultural mix of the people here. Dr. Doddy Partomihardjo, a medical advisor of the food and cosmetic giant PT Unilever Indonesia, yesterday said such a campaign would be difficult to carry out in a country with such complexity like Indonesia.

Federation of ASEAN Fisheries holds meeting here

Federation of ASEAN Fisheries holds meeting here JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia urged its neighbors to exploit their abundant marine resources and preserve them at the same time. In his remarks at the opening of the sixth ASEAN Fisheries Federation (AFF) meeting at the State Palace yesterday, President Soeharto said that Southeast Asian countries should take the environment into account.

China, Russia reject U.S. plan to punish N. Korea

China, Russia reject U.S. plan to punish N. Korea SEOUL (Reuter): China and Russia yesterday opposed a U.S. plan to punish North Korea for the secrecy of its nuclear program while former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and Pyongyang's leaders addressed "misunderstandings" they said were at the heart of the matter. Neither of North Korea's old communist allies said they would veto the measure in the UN Security Council.

Police still in the dark about Beng killing

Police still in the dark about Beng killing JAKARTA (JP): Police are still in the dark about the April slaying of businessman and gambling "lord" Nyo Beng Seng due to the absence of substantial material evidence at the scene of the crime. "So far we have only discovered a scabbard of a samurai blade at the scene which bears no words that might give as a clue to the murderer," North Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Heru Susanto told The Jakarta Post and Republika yesterday.

Governor installs 5 new officials

Governor installs 5 new officials Governor Surjadi Soedirdja installed five new municipal officials during a ceremony at city hall yesterday. Hendarin Ono Saleh was installed as new chief of the Municipal Training and Education Center, replacing Chudori Sutardjo. Safaat Widjayabrata was appointed new chief of the Jakarta chapter of the Development and Finance Surveillance Body, replacing H.M Ghazalie Latief. Rahjuono M.K.

Deregulation

Deregulation Correction: Rizal Ramli, the economist quoted in the article Seminar tears deregulation package to pieces on this page yesterday is not the chairman of the German-Indonesian Businessman Association (Ekonid) as written. Rizal chairs Ekonit, which is the Advisory Group in Economics, Industry and Trade. We apologize for the error. -- Editor

Governemt cautious over latest trend in investment

Governemt cautious over latest trend in investment Jakarta (JP): The government yesterday expressed cautious optimism concerning the latest trend in foreign and domestic investments despite the marked increase in new commitments approved in the first five months of this year.

Joint RI-Japan search for low-fat palm oil launched

Joint RI-Japan search for low-fat palm oil launched JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian conglomerate PT Bakrie-Brothers has entered into an agreement with Mitsubishi Kasei Corp. of Japan to conduct biotechnological research into a new oil palm variety with a low saturated fatty acid content as a strategic move to counter consumers' attacks on oil palm as a dangerous source of cholesterol.

Developer told to widen roads to Bintaro Jaya

Developer told to widen roads to Bintaro Jaya JAKARTA (JP): City councilors said yesterday the developer of Bintaro Jaya real estate is still obliged to widen the roads leading to the complex despite its plan to build the toll road linking Bumi Serpong Damai to Bintaro and the ringroad. The widening of the roads and the planned construction of the toll road are mainly intended to prevent the real estate's residents from being caught in traffic congestion around the housing complex.

Students need exposure to working world

Students need exposure to working world JAKARTA (JP): The majority of vocational schools in Indonesia and their students are ignorant of the working world, resulting in poor matches of graduates and job requirements, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro says.

Regent voted Bengkulu governor

Regent voted Bengkulu governor BENGKULU, South Sumatra: Former South Bengkulu regent Adjis Ahmad, 53, was elected by the provincial legislature as the new governor for the 1994-99 term. Adjis won 21 out of 45 votes. The other two candidates, Rachmat Rani and Zainul Karim won 15 and nine votes respectively. Adjis' election still has to be confirmed by President Soeharto. (arf)

Rajawali acquires Telekomindo

Rajawali acquires Telekomindo BANDUNG (JP): PT Rajawali Wira Bhakti has acquired a 51 percent stake in PT Telekomindo, a subsidiary of the state-owned domestic telecommunications company PT Telkom, which operates telecommunications service and talking advertising. Spokesman for PT Telkom Djoko Triwibowo said here yesterday that the acquisition was completed on June 9 in Jakarta.

21 defamation students may get YLBHI service

21 defamation students may get YLBHI service JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday said it is ready to represent 21 students, who are jailed for defaming President Soeharto, in an appeal to the Supreme Court after a high court reinforced their guilty verdict. The students had earlier dropped their plan to appeal against the lower court's verdict and the six month jail terms saying that they did not believe in the courts' fairness.

British trade mission

British trade mission JAKARTA (JP): A 29-company strong trade mission organized and sponsored by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry will visit Indonesia from June 20 to June 24 to explore export opportunities for a wide range of products and services. The mission will consist of 12 companies which are members of the Railway Industry Association to offer consultancy services, engineering and construction in railway sector and 17 other firms that represent a wide range of products.

The Listening Post

The Listening Post * Becoming competitive in tomorrow's job market is of great importance to many Indonesians -- and is the reason they often choose to study at a professional (and expensive!) school like American Language Training. It is clear that in Indonesia today one cannot go far without English-language skills; even menial positions like "office boy" or "driver" often demand basic English ability. So what does it really take to be competitive?

Flag hoisting for Jakarta's birth day

Flag hoisting for Jakarta's birth day In connection with the 466th anniversary of Jakarta, Governor Surjadi Sudirja has instructed all citizens living in the Greater Jakarta area as well as all state-run and privately owned institutions, factories, companies, hotels, hospitals and shops, to hoist national flags at their compounds, houses or sites for three days in succession, starting on June 21.

Suspects in Tampubolon murder tried in East Jakarta court

Suspects in Tampubolon murder tried in East Jakarta court JAKARTA (JP): The trial of the four suspects in the April 4 killing of Brig. Gen. TMF Tampubolon, an expert staff on economic affairs to the chief of the Armed Forces, began in East Jakarta yesterday. Presiding Judge Soeroto began by examining two defendants, Rusdi Abdul Rahman, 24, and Hendrik Setyawan, 25, who are the prime suspects.

Long drought

Long drought We have good reasons to be concerned about the long drought that will hit hectares of agricultural land in West Java as stated by H. Sanusi, Chief of the Office of Agricultural Service and Food Crops. It is also feared that ground water and rivers will decrease during that dry period. In this context, West Java Deputy Governor Haji Ukman Utarya has warned all district chiefs not to work behind the desk only, but instead to tour the area to monitor the situation.

Concert held to help preserve Indonesia's forests

Concert held to help preserve Indonesia's forests By Gus Kairupan JAKARTA (JP): Alexander Baillie strode onto the stage, acknowledged the applause, sat down, touched bow to strings, and from that moment on everyone in the audience knew they were in the presence of a true maestro of the cello.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices generally continued to weaken on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday with most issues losing ground in heavy trading. The broad-based Composite Index lost 4.95 points to close at 477.13 from 482.09 on Wednesday. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index weakened as well to close at 113.59 from 114.57 previously. PT Mayatexdian and PT Kabel Metal made additional listings of 70 million shares and 51 million shares, respectively.

TV Today

TV Today TVRI 2:30 p.m Cintaku Negeriku 2:40 Cartoon: I'm Telling 3:05 Langka & Unik 3:30 Science Film: Zero One Magazine 4:00 Student Quiz 4:30 Flora Fauna: Heart of Courage 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Cultural Program: Singa Depak 6:05 Nusantara the beloved country: West Kalimantan 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Things You should Know: Giant Aquarium 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Dinamika 8:05 Music 9:00 World News 9:25 Journal of World Cup 1994 9:55 Nusic 11:00 Late News 11:10 Film: The Legend Sleeping in...

Golkar defends proposal on credit guarantee fund

Golkar defends proposal on credit guarantee fund JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian ruling Golkar party yesterday clarified its initiative to set up a guarantee fund as a matter of financial supervision rather than a proposal for establishing a financial management company. "We have never come to a decision to set up a financial management firm, as it is currently misunderstood by many parties," Warno Hardjo, head of Golkar's economic division, told reporters here yesterday.

Be more sensitive

Be more sensitive It is really sad to see how The Jakarta Post, an Indonesian daily, in a way doesn't show tolerance to our fellow Moslem readers. It is the way you use the term 'Moslem Bandits' and 'Moslem Rebels', which appear on your report taken from AFP concerning the Philippines' Moro rebellion (June 13 and 14, 1994).

Five candidates named

Five candidates named JAKARTA: Minister of Home Affairs Moh. Yogie S.M. has received the names of five candidates for the gubernatorial election Central Kalimantan sent by way of the province's legislature. The five names are Asmawi Agani (South Barito regent), Abdullah Zaini (deputy chairman of the Golkar faction), Donis N. Singaraca (former Palangkaraya mayor), Eloeser Gerson (provincial government secretary) and Warsito Rasman (acting governor).

Moslem forces fight each other in Bosnia

Moslem forces fight each other in Bosnia SARAJEVO (Reuter): Fighting raged between rival Moslem forces in a northwest enclave as diplomats from major powers planned to meet yesterday to draw up a final compromise map aimed at bringing an end to Bosnia's bloody war.

Salim, two foreign partners get piggish in Singapore

Salim, two foreign partners get piggish in Singapore JAKARTA (JP): Salim group, one of Indonesian blue chips, is expanding its livestock division through a joint venture agreement with two of the largest pig farm operators in Singapore to construct a S$30 million abattoir in the region. The Salim group is making the investment through its Singapore-based agency, Kabila Mandiri Persada (KMP) Pte Ltd.

IDT donates money to poor sub-districts

IDT donates money to poor sub-districts The chief of the Jakarta rural development directorate, Muhamad Amin, yesterday donated a sum of Rp40 million to 120 villagers living in two least developed sub-districts, Tegalalur and Kamal, located in Kalideres subdistrict, West Jakarta. The donation was provided under the Inpres Desa Tertinggal (IDT-Presidential Instruction on Least Developed Areas) scheme.

Moslem leader blasts Russia's Bosnia stance

Moslem leader blasts Russia's Bosnia stance JAKARTA (JP): The Committee for Moslem Solidarity yesterday criticized Russia for opposing the efforts to lift a United Nations arms embargo against the besieged Bosnians. Committee chairman Lukman Harun said Russia's attitude only confirms that the country is behind the Serbs' aggression in the former Yugoslav republic. "Russia's stand only serves to confirm their support for the Serbs' aggression in Bosnia," Lukman said.

World Bank gives Indonesia $124 million in loans

World Bank gives Indonesia $124 million in loans JAKARTA (JP): The Washington-based World Bank approved on Wednesday two loans totaling US$123.9 million for the development of higher education and farming on reclaimed swampland. The World Bank office here said yesterday that $58.9 million of the loans would be used to improve higher education in anticipation of a higher demand for graduate education.

Yayuk labors to semi finals in Eastbourne

Yayuk labors to semi finals in Eastbourne EASTBOURNE, England (Agencies): Indonesian tennis queen Yayuk Basuki gloriously progressed to the semi-final of the pre- Wimbledon women's grass tournament by whipping Italian 'giant killer' Silvia Farina in a heroic three-setter 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6- 4. The match was nerve-wracking from the very first set, in which the Indonesian grass-court specialist showed masterful strokes and graceful foot-work.

Universities and misleading ads

Universities and misleading ads From Kompas Advertisements of various private universities and colleges seeking senior high school students are published in many papers and magazines. Although those private universities or colleges, whose names we sometimes never hear of, are usually the second choice for the students (if they cannot enter state universities), they regularly campaign on their lofty credentials.

Medan rally reduced to 25 SS

Medan rally reduced to 25 SS By Dwiatmanta MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Competitors in the 1994 Indonesia Rally championship gave a sigh of relief, yesterday, when the organizers decided to cancel the ninth special stage of the race -- one of the most demanding of the three-day event -- due to poor track conditions.

Squatters cause epidemic in Seribu islands

Squatters cause epidemic in Seribu islands JAKARTA (JP): For the people of the Seribu islands, a call of nature usually means a trip to the beach. However, health experts warn that this old habit is the cause of serious health problems. Dr. Subagio Partodihardjo, a member of the City Council who was head of a public health center on the island group between 1973 and 1978, said that this practice had made the islands population prone to intestinal worms and other diseases.

Prajogo to acquire Malaysian firm at $1b

Prajogo to acquire Malaysian firm at $1b KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesian timber tycoon Prajogo Pangestu would expand his acquisition of a publicly-listed Malaysian firm under a deal that could be worth up to 2.56 billion ringgit (US$1 billion), a report said yesterday. Prajogo, the world's biggest plywood exporter, would inject more of his timber-related assets into Construction and Supplies House Bhd.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Music and entertainment * Nusa Dua Beach Hotel: Budaya Stage - Legong Buffet Dinner, Friday; Ramayana Buffet Dinner, Monday. Coffee Shop - Indonesian Night with Joged Dance, Saturday. Village Night with Frog Dance, Tuesday. Notte Italiana with Capo Dastro Quartet, Thursday. Poolside - BBQ Night with Hawaiian Band, Wednesday. * Sheraton Lagoon Nusa Dua Beach: Poolside Terrace - Janger Cultural Performance, Friday. Pasar Ikan Seafood Market, Saturday.

Let press inform the public, says Forum for Democracy

Let press inform the public, says Forum for Democracy JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian press must be allowed to continue to report on events of public interest, including the controversy over the government's procurement of warships from Germany, the Forum for Democracy said yesterday.

RI-Korean automotive firm

RI-Korean automotive firm MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Indauda Putra Nasional (INP), an Indonesia-South Korea join automotive manufacturing company, expects to start selling its cars later next year. The company's director, Hutomo Mandala Putra, said here yesterday that he was optimistic about the prospect of INP's new 2,000 cc injection jeep branded Sportage despite the fierce competition in the domestic market.

Malaysia's move on US rejection

Malaysia's move on US rejection KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia would resort to concerted efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to thwart Washington's opposition to the East Asia Economic Caucus, officials said yesterday. "It would have to be a concerted ASEAN effort. After all, the EAEC, although mooted by Malaysia, is already an ASEAN initiative," a top Malaysian government official said.