Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 June 1994

48 articles found

New envoys accredited

New envoys accredited JAKARTA: President Soeharto received the credentials of three new ambassadors to Indonesia on Saturday. They are Alan Ine'e Oaisa of Papua New Guinea, Jorge Palacios Trevion of Mexico and Alfred Cyril Tandau of Tanzania. (emb)

Bunaken suffers degradation

Bunaken suffers degradation MANADO, North Sulawesi: State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja urged the provincial government to move quickly to save the Bunaken marine garden, said to be one of the best diving resort in the world, because it is now decaying. Sarwono and his two daughters took a tour of the Bunaken area on a sail boat on Saturday and found the condition there deplorable largely through neglect. He cited the damaged coral reefs, the Antara news agency reported.

Telkom and FT sign cooperation agreement

Telkom and FT sign cooperation agreement JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned domestic telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) signed an agreement here over the weekend with France Telecom (FT) and an Indonesia- France joint venture to develop a computerized system for the administration of the telecommunications network (Siska) using the Girafe system. Telkom spokesman Djoko Triwibowo said that the agreement was signed by Telkom president Setyanto P.

Stop Unas' conflict

Stop Unas' conflict From Media Indonesia For more than a year, an internal conflict has rocked the National University (Unas), Jakarta. On Jan. 27, the Jakarta Court office decided that Oesman Rachman's (OR) party had to leave Unas and surrender the university's assets to Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana (STA). The two parties may not benefit from the conflict, but 160 staff and lecturers have to suffer.

State firms face hard and long road to go international

State firms face hard and long road to go international JAKARTA (JP): The plans of several state-owned companies to list shares on the international stock exchanges must be carefully prepared due to extremely high standards set by international markets and tight competition for foreign capital, an American business analyst cautioned over the weekend.

RI takes only one title at Asian Cup

RI takes only one title at Asian Cup JAKARTA (JP): Barely two months after the Thomas and Uber Cup victories, Indonesia only managed to capture one out of the five titles at stake in the Asian Cup in Beijing. The leading men's doubles Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky managed to avoid the lousy, anticlimactic slump which plagued the nation's shuttlers' at the event, which ended on Saturday.

Agricultural Day observed

Agricultural Day observed JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Agriculture will lead the celebration of Indonesia's Agricultural Day tomorrow morning by conducting various social activities including the setting up of suburban farming projects in Bekasi, West Java. Director General of Plantation Muhammad Badrun said in a press conference on Saturday that the communities of seven poor villages in Cibarusah, Bekasi, will be granted with seeds of corn, coconut, maangostein as well as livestocks.

Prajogo seals $1b share deal in Malaysia

Prajogo seals $1b share deal in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesian timber group Barito signed Saturday a one-billion-dollar deal with Malaysia's Construction And Supplies House Bhd (CASH), which the firms said would "internationalise" Barito and make CASH a world-class timber giant.

Singapore to fine noisy vehicles

Singapore to fine noisy vehicles SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's environment ministry will crack down on diesel vehicles and motorcycles that are too noisy or emit too much smoke, a newspaper report said yesterday. Offenders will face court action and fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (US$1,307) under the effort to reduce carbon monoxide, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and lead pollution.

The biggest Jakarta Fair ever opened

The biggest Jakarta Fair ever opened JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno on Saturday opened the Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran, hoping that the annual trade exhibition will help promote Indonesian products. "One thing which we often forget is the lack of information and the absence of aggressive promotion of our products, including the tourist sector.

Legal experts divided over capital punishment

Legal experts divided over capital punishment By Arif Suryubuwono JAKARTA (JP): As four of the men on Indonesia's death row face imminent execution, legal experts debate whether execution should remain a part of the Indonesian system of justice. All experts, however, agreed that the law must be upheld and that the executions should go forward. President Soeharto recently rejected the appeals for clemency from the four, virtually shutting the door on possible reprieves.

Doctor serves over 10,000

Doctor serves over 10,000 AMBON, Maluku: One doctor in this province serves on average 10,000 patients, according to Abdul Rachman Polanunu, head of the provincial health office. This ratio is still favorable to the national average of one doctor for every 30,000 patients, Abdul said.

Small-scale businessmen

Small-scale businessmen From Merdeka Indonesian economic growth is a reflection of the success of development. But unfortunately, the fruits of the economic pie are concentrated with a certain group of businessmen and small portion of society. Small and middle-scale businessmen and those who live in small towns and villages almost never get their shares.

Jakarta still indecisive over badly-needed MRT

Jakarta still indecisive over badly-needed MRT By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): The prolonged indecision of the government in establishing an urban Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), further deteriorates the decaying transport situation in Jakarta which for over 10 years has yearned for a comprehensive remedy. "Somewhere between 1978 and 1980 we should have had an MRT, now in the 1990s we're already 10 years too late," said the city's former vice-governor Bun Yamin Ramto recently.

Ramos apologizes to Mitterrand's wife

Ramos apologizes to Mitterrand's wife MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos has apologized to the wife of French President Francois Mitterrand for banning her from a controversial conference on East Timor in the Philippines last month.

Police in the dark about death of a Saudi citizen

Police in the dark about death of a Saudi citizen JAKARTA (JP): Police remain mystified by the murder of a 55- year-old Saudi tourist, who was found dead Friday morning in his room at a small hotel in Central Jakarta. "We have made no significant progress thus far, and are still questioning a number of the hotel's employees and gleaning all evidence from the scene to find out certain clues to crack this case," Maj.

Yayuk could pose a threat at Wimbledon

Yayuk could pose a threat at Wimbledon By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki carved out another distinction for herself this past week by reaching the semifinals of Eastbourne, the favored women's warm-up tournament for Wimbledon. Yayuk, despite losing 0-6, 5-7 to American Meredith McGrath, proved that she ranks today as one of the top 10 women players on grass and will be a threat to any player as Wimbledon opens today.

Southern Yemen skeptical of Cairo talks

Southern Yemen skeptical of Cairo talks ADEN (Reuter): Breakaway southern Yemen, its beleaguered capital Aden battered by heavy shelling, accused its northern foes yesterday of planning to use UN-sponsored talks in Cairo as a cover for fresh attempts to take the city. Abdel-Rahman Ali al-Jifri, vice-president of the secessionist state declared on May 21, told Reuters a cease-fire in the civil war had to be a pre-condition for any talks.

`We're happy to be living here,' expats fond of life in Jakarta

`We're happy to be living here,' expats fond of life in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Members of Jakarta's expatriate community exhibit a fondness for life here, defying the day-to-day hassles of living in Indonesia's largest metropolis. "It's a good place to make a living. Its a good place to raise a family," said Molly Walter who, with her family, has lived here for over five years.

Modern Bank's primary offering

Modern Bank's primary offering JAKARTA (JP): PT Lippo Securities announced over the weekend that PT Modern Bank's primary offering of 20 million shares on June 13-15 was oversubscribed. "The allotment for foreign investors (49 percent) was oversubscribed by 120 percent and for domestic investors by 80 percent," Lippo Securities, the managing underwriter of the offering, said. The shares, to be listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange on July 6, were sold at Rp 2,050 (US$0.94) apiece.

Minang urged to call home

Minang urged to call home PADANG, West Sumatra: Governor Hasan Basri Durin is appealing to Minangkabau people who live outside the province to help with the development of their home villages. Hasan said there is now a trend among the Minangkabau people to treat their home province as simply a place to retire to in their old days, the Antara news agency reported.

Mar'ie reaffirms high budget discipline

Mar'ie reaffirms high budget discipline SEMARANG (JP): Finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad reaffirmed over the weekend the importance of maintaining a high degree of budget discipline. "Constraints on foreign loans and limited availability of domestic funds are forcing the government to strengthen its budget discipline," Mar'ie told a seminar on taxation here.

PPD employees to get salary hike

PPD employees to get salary hike The employees of the city-owned PPD bus company will receive a salary hike starting next month, an official says. Zaini Noer, the director of the company was quoted by Pos Kota as saying Friday the board of directors of the firm decided on June 15 to raise the salaries of the firm's employees. Besides, he said, the firm will also provide some additional fringe benefits for the lowest ranking employees.

Enhancing quality of human resources

Enhancing quality of human resources The development of human resources is a must for Indonesia as a maritime country. Ideally, Indonesia should have a large boat equipped with modern and sophisticated machines for canning fish catches. At least this should be our future goal. We should therefore inspire the young people to be sea oriented and work to exploit the riches of the sea.

Batam-Surabaya flight service

Batam-Surabaya flight service BATAM, Riau (JP): Merpati Nusantara Airlines, a subsidiary of the national air carrier of Garuda Indonesia, will link Batam with Surabaya and Denpasar with its Batam-Palembang-Bandung service beginning on July 1. "The airplane will stop over in Palembang and Bandung before going to Surabaya and Denpasar and passengers will not have to stop over in Jakarta anymore," said Abdul Rodjak, Merpati Nusantara Airlines district manager here over the weekend.

RI won't buy Thai rice

RI won't buy Thai rice JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has no intention to buy the rice offered by Thailand on the grounds that Indonesia's rice stocks are now more than enough, the government announced on Saturday. After meeting with the visiting Thai minister of trade, Uthai Pimchaichon, Minister of Food/Chairman of the Logistic Board (Bulog) Ibrahim Hasan said that Bulog's rice stocks now exceed one million tons.

TV Today

TV Today TVRI 2:30 p.m. World Cup 1994: Cameron vs Sweden 4:30 Student Quiz 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Wayang 6:05 Nusantara the beloved country: East Kalimantan 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teachings: Buddhism 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:05 TV Series: Golden Years 9:00 World News 9:25 Journal of World Cup 1994 9:55 Music 11:00 Late News 11:10 Film: Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Lontar Foundation and RI Independence

Lontar Foundation and RI Independence From Berita Buana To celebrate Indonesia's 50th Independence Day, the Lontar Foundation will produce a video series called On The Record. This video series will feature about 50 Indonesian poets who were popular in the 1920s to 1960s. A guidebook, complete with narrations, translations (in English) and the poets' biographical data, will accompany each series.

Bapindo boss gives details of loan losses

Bapindo boss gives details of loan losses JAKARTA (JP): Bapindo President Director Achmad Marzuki said the government bank lost a total of Rp 1.05 trillion, or US$489 million, from its transactions with Eddy Tansil.

Eriksson steers Mitsubishi to triumph in Indonesia Rally

Eriksson steers Mitsubishi to triumph in Indonesia Rally By Dwiatmanta MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Sweden's Kenneth Eriksson denied Possum Bourne a second successive victory at the Indonesia Rally championship as he left the defending champion two minutes 10 seconds adrift to take the President's Cup yesterday.

Only 180 of 236 suspected gamblers to be tried in court

Only 180 of 236 suspected gamblers to be tried in court JAKARTA (JP): Police have released 56 of the 236 suspected gamblers rounded up during a recent raid at a gambling den in North Jakarta, saying that the persons were not playing when the raid took place. Five others, including a pregnant woman, have been under "city arrest" due to their unhealthy condition as stated by police medical personnel.

Singapore poised to become world's top container port

Singapore poised to become world's top container port SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore, the world's second largest container port, is close to exceeding the volume of containers handled by industry leader Hong Kong, according to statistics from the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA).

Yogya holds painting expo

Yogya holds painting expo YOGYAKARTA: Paku Alam VIII, the governor of this special territory, launched an exhibition by five senior painters from the area on Wednesday night. The exhibition at the contemporary painting museum Nyoman Gunarsa, features the works of Nansyah Djamin, Joko Pekik, Darsono, Va Sudiro and S.Bardi. Together they present 25 oil paintings (arf)

Tinggang bird nearly extinct

Tinggang bird nearly extinct PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: The Tinggang bird, the pride of the Dayak tribe in the province, are on the brink of extinction because of the frequent destruction of their habitat. Antara reported that the birds' habitat is gradually being destroyed by logging in the forests and by the activities of the concession holders operating in the area. Sudelman, a local resident, recalled that he used to hear the birds singing before sunrise. "But now, I seldom hear them.

Weekly review of Jakarta Stock Exchange

Weekly review of Jakarta Stock Exchange By Sigma Batara JAKARTA (JP): The listing of Ades Alfindo Putra Setia last week and Tempo Scan Pacific over the weekend failed to rejuvenate the market despite the later stock closing slightly higher than its initial public offering (IPO) price. The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) was generally quiet except for the Barito Pacific and Multipolar counters which were hit by a series of unconfirmed but sensitive reports.

City insists on apartment plan

City insists on apartment plan South Jakarta mayor Pardjoko said that the city administration will go ahead with its plan to build a low-cost apartment complex on a former fire site in West Tebet, South Jakarta. Pardjoko confirmed the plan after a closed meeting with 20 delegates representing the fire victims at his office last Friday. "I hope the residents will approve the city's plan as it will improve their own welfare," he was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

Investments in Batam

Investments in Batam BATAM, Riau (JP): The Batam Development Authority has recommended 22 foreign investment project proposals worth US$137.71 million between January and May this year. "The investment commitments are being processed by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) in Jakarta before they are submitted to the President for approval," T. Otman Rasyid, head of local BKPM office told the press here on Saturday.

Cambodia's prime ministers to visit Indonesia

Cambodia's prime ministers to visit Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Hun Sen, the joint prime ministers of Cambodia, are expected here later today for an official visit and meeting with President Soeharto. This will be the first time the two men come to Indonesia in friendship. The two came here as foes several times in late 1980s when Indonesia hosted a series of meetings to help end the civil war in Cambodia.

Great job

Great job Each morning I must travel quite a distance from my house to my office. When I see those young boys who direct and organize traffic -- every day, the whole day long -- I realize that from time to time we should mention the great job they are doing. In my opinion, this is a good example of earning some money in a good, socially helpful way. K. KUNZE Jakarta

Bad weather blamed for plane crash

Bad weather blamed for plane crash JAKARTA (JP): Bad weather is blamed for the crash of a Merpati Nusantara Airlines plane that killed all 12 people aboard in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi, on Saturday. The Fokker-27 from the East Kalimantan city of Balikpapan crashed into the 2,053 meter tall Mount Gawalise just minutes before it was scheduled to land in Palu's Mutiara airport at 12.16 p.m. local time.

Koran not root of sexism in Islam

Koran not root of sexism in Islam JAKARTA (JP): Islam does not discriminate against women but its adherents may be guilty of discrimination due to a misinterpretation of the religion, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher says. As a consequence, the religious principles don't need to be discarded, but the erroneous interpretation of its adherents must be corrected, Tarmizi said on Saturday at a seminar on gender in Islam.

Logitech's ScanMan EasyTouch: A companion for your notebook

Logitech's ScanMan EasyTouch: A companion for your notebook By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): With most scanners, one of the things we have to do in connecting them with the PCs is to install their internal interface card. Small as it is, this card requires a standard ISA slot in the motherboard. That makes using one scanner for more than one PC immediately seem impractical, since you'd have to open up the boxes to take out and re-install the card.

Thai bid for WTO seat

Thai bid for WTO seat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia pledged its backing for Thailand's bid to the chair of the Committee for Agricultural Products of the World Trade Organization (WTO) when the two nation's trade ministers met on Saturday. Jakarta will lend full support, Minister of Trade S.B. Joedono said after a meeting with his Thai counterpart Uthai Pimchaichon who was visiting at the head of a delegation.

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.

Heart disease affects rich and poor alike

Heart disease affects rich and poor alike JAKARTA (JP): Coronary heart diseases, long popularly believed to be a "rich man's affliction", turn out to also be a major health problem for the poor. In fact, in certain cases, the poor are more prone to heart problems than the rich. Senior heart specialist Dr.

Squatters face eviction

Squatters face eviction BATAM, Riau: The Batam industrial authority plan to demolish some 1,200 houses erected on a plot belonging to the government and evict their inhabitants saying that the community will create social problems. A chief of the authority's task force Soeryohadi Djatmiko said the military have started to approach the squatters, most of whom are workers from outside the island.

Toll road to finish by 1996

Toll road to finish by 1996 A toll road which links the Bumi Serpong Damai real estate complex, the Bintaro Jaya area and Jakarta is slated for completion by 1996, a spokesman said Saturday. Johannes Tulung, spokesman for the PT Bintaro Serpong Damai (BSD), the developer which will build the 13.1 kilometer road, told the Jakarta Post the firm expects to complete construction around the middle of 1996. "It will be completed by the end of the year at the latest," he said.

Mahathir exchanges letters with Rabin

Mahathir exchanges letters with Rabin KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he had exchanged several letters with his Israeli counterpart Yitzhak Rabin discussing Malaysian recognition of the Jewish state. Mahathir told reporters that Rabin had sent three letters to Islamic Malaysia since Israel held peace talks with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Mahathir said he had replied to all of them, but has not decided to recognize Israel.