Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 July 1994

46 articles found

Maintenance of parks, greenery top priority

Maintenance of parks, greenery top priority JAKARTA (JP): The city park office said they will make the maintenance of public parks and greeneries alongside major thoroughfares a top priority during the current dry season. "We have to give top priority to this sector due to the shortage of water trucks," the office's Chief, Syamsir Alam, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Lawyer pleads Dutchman's innocence in drug trial

Lawyer pleads Dutchman's innocence in drug trial JAKARTA (JP): The lawyer of defendant Christian van den Bosch, on trial for drug trafficking, said yesterday his client is innocent and asked the Central Jakarta District Court to acquit him of all charges. "Based on testimonies presented in this trial we can conclude that the charges against the defendant of drug trafficking have not been proven," said lawyer Azis Unulula.

Ministers, businessmen to discuss GATT impact

Ministers, businessmen to discuss GATT impact JAKARTA (JP): A number of ministers and high ranking officials will hold a two-day dialog next week with executives of business associations. Strategies in facing the impact of the implementation of the new General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) will be discussed. Sri Mulyono Herlambang, the organizer of the meeting, told reporters in a press conference yesterday that Minister of Trade Satrio B.

Food poisoning kills one in N. Sulawesi

Food poisoning kills one in N. Sulawesi MINAHASA, North Sulawesi: Suspected poisonous food has killed an elderly woman and hospitalized 30 others, police said. The deceased was identified as 74-year-old Kolondam Adam. Five of the 30 people in the Bethesda and Gunung Maria Tomohon hospitals were in critical condition, Antara reported. Chief of the Minahasa police precinct, Lt. Col.

PAM Jaya delays imposition of new water price

PAM Jaya delays imposition of new water price JAKARTA (JP): In response to the public outcry, the City Water Company (PAM Jaya) has postponed the price increase for public water-taps until September of this year. The announcement was made by the company's director of administration and finance, Mahmud Ranusemitro, following an inspection by City Council's commission C on economy and commission D on development to North Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon.

EU to establish information center

EU to establish information center JAKARTA (JP): The European Union (EU) will establish an information center here later this year to promote investment and trade relations between Indonesia and the Union's 12 members.

State-owned hotels get new GMs

State-owned hotels get new GMs JAKARTA (JP): PT Hotel Indonesia International Corporation and Natour (HIIN), a state-owned hotel chain, restructured its organization yesterday by appointing new general managers for seven of its 17 hotels. The company's president, Widjaja Sugarda, swore in Ismojo Martokusumo as general manager of Hotel Indonesia, a five-star hotel in the capital, to replace I Made Gita, who has been promoted as operation director of the company.

Tax evasion

Tax evasion From Suara Karya As a witness in the Eddy Tansil trial in the Central Jakarta Court, Ms Amelia (Manager of Danamon Bank, Tamansari branch) revealed that defendant ET deposited his money, involving Rp 178 billion, in a Cayman Island bank through the services of Danamon Bank. This was done to evade income tax in Indonesia.

Music royalty evaders on the hot seat

Music royalty evaders on the hot seat JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of entertainment businesses here have been reported by the Indonesian Creative Acts Foundation (YKCI) to the city police for refusing to pay music royalties. "We have no choice but to report them to the police after a series of negotiations failed," Candra Darusman, general manager of the YKCI, told The Jakarta Post and Republika at city police headquarters yesterday.

Military is not above the law, officer says

Military is not above the law, officer says JAKARTA (JP): No member of the Armed Forces (ABRI) is above the law and any soldier who transgresses will be punished in accordance with the law, says the military commander in East Timor. Infantry Colonel Jhony J. Lumintang gave this assurance during a meeting with East Timor tribal leaders in Dili, capital of the province, on Tuesday, the Antara news agency reported.

Spy war chills Indo-Pakistani ties

Spy war chills Indo-Pakistani ties NEW DELHI (AFP): The tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats by India and Pakistan have plunged ties between the two countries to a new low and dimmed hopes for a resumption of talks on a code of conduct for diplomatic personnel, officials here said yesterday. Pakistan ordered out a second Indian diplomat on Tuesday, just hours after India announced the expulsion of a second Pakistani embassy official.

Highest loan given in KL

Highest loan given in KL KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian entrepreneur Tajudin Ramli yesterday secured Malaysia's biggest loan of 1.79 billion ringgit (US$720 million) by an individual to finance his helicopter firm's takeover of national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Tajudin signed with five financial institutions for the credit to fund the purchase of a 32 percent stake in the national carrier by his listed vehicle Malaysian Helicopter Services Bhd. (MHS).

Mayors' help sought to curb urbanization

Mayors' help sought to curb urbanization JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has said that he will urge all 96 of Indonesia's mayors at the upcoming 11th National Inter-City Congress to help reduce the urbanization flows from their areas to Jakarta. "They can do this by making their villages better places to live," Surjadi told a press conference on Tuesday. The governor said he will ask the mayors to encourage their people to build `cities' in their own villages.

INRO to exhaust stockpile if price rises continue

INRO to exhaust stockpile if price rises continue KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO) would unload its entire 220,000-ton stockpile if the current surge in rubber prices continues unabated, INRO buffer stock manager Aldo Hofmeister said yesterday. "We have sold a sizable amount, which seems to have no impact yet on prices. There is a real shortage and we will go on selling until we run out to fill that void in the current bullish market," Hofmeister told AFP.

Soccer talks in Soeharto's agenda

Soccer talks in Soeharto's agenda SEMARANG (JP): President Soeharto will be talking about soccer today -- not necessarily about this morning's World Cup semifinal matches, but more about his childhood days. During his official visit to Wonogiri, the 73-year old President will meet with 10 men with whom he played soccer during his childhood, which he spent in the Central Java city. Given the tight schedule, it is not certain whether the 11 men will be kicking the ball around.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices gained ground on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) in active trading yesterday as more investors returned to the trading floor. The broad-based Composite Index rose by 3.5 points to close at 453.21 after falling on Tuesday to 449.72, its lowest level since last October. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also strengthened to close at 107.93 from 106.95.

750 families live on reservoir

750 families live on reservoir BOYOLALI, Central Java: More than 750 families still occupy the area known as the "green belt" of the giant Kedungombo reservoir, more than two years after the controversial project went into operation. Chief of the Kemusu district, Teguh, said the government has been trying in vain to make the farmers leave their homes. The government will neither build public facilities for the villagers nor give them land titles, he said.

`Filipinos want U.S. forces back'

`Filipinos want U.S. forces back' MANILA (AFP): A majority of Filipinos want U.S. forces to return to the country, some two years after they left, a survey of residents here showed yesterday. The survey by ABS-CBN, the country's largest broadcasting firm last month, found that despite negative publicity against the U.S. presence and the decision by the Philippine senate to close all US bases in 1992, 54 percent of respondents in the capital "advocate the return of the U.S.

Ramos says Vietnam is set to join ASEAN

Ramos says Vietnam is set to join ASEAN MANILA (Agencies): Vietnam appears set to become the seventh member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but Myanmar is not yet there, Philippine President Fidel Ramos said yesterday. "The countries that are about to enter into ASEAN, because they have been elevated to a higher status ... are the so-called Indochinese states," he told a news conference.

Companies allowed to import fishing vessels

Companies allowed to import fishing vessels JAKARTA (JP): The government might now allow companies to import fishing vessels to meet the urgent need for specific ships to maximize the exploitation of Indonesia's marine potentials. "Many businessmen involved in the domestic fishing industry complain about the limited availability of fishing vessels," State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo told reporters, yesterday, after a meeting of the Agri-Business Club.

Publishers pledge to prevent further bans on news media

Publishers pledge to prevent further bans on news media BOGOR, West Java (JP): Newspaper publishers yesterday pledged to make an all-out effort to prevent further government bans against newspapers and magazines by enhancing communication among themselves.

French cultural connection with RI spans many years

French cultural connection with RI spans many years The discovery of a treasure trove of paintings in 1991, buried under a mound of dust in a store room at Indonesia's National Museum, acted as a tangible reminder of the long history of cultural ties between France and Indonesia.

Jakarta determined to become champion

Jakarta determined to become champion Governor Surjadi Soedirdja saw off Jakarta's 48-person delegation, including eight officials, to the upcoming 17th National Koran Reading Contest in the Riau provincial capital of Pakanbaru. During his farewell speech, Surjadi emphasized the need for the Jakarta delegation to maintain its position as the competitions's overall champion. Jakarta emerged as the overall winner in the 16th National Korean Reading Contest in Yogyakarta three years ago.

Productivity is an acquired culture, seminar told

Productivity is an acquired culture, seminar told JAKARTA (JP): Productivity, one of today's most popular catchphrases in government and business circles, turns out to be an acquired culture that can only evolve in society over time. Rahadi Ramelan, deputy chairman of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), told a seminar yesterday that productivity enhancement and sustainable economic growth are part of the evolution of the national culture.

Cooperatives encouraging

Cooperatives encouraging The way that cooperatives in this country have developed is extremely encouraging. The government has given its attention to cooperative institutions, because cooperatives constitute one of the main economic pillars besides state-owned companies and private enterprises. Cooperatives, managed using up-to-date methods, are found throughout the country, with the aim of enhancing the members' welfare.

Army officer goes on trial for his role in Marsinah murder

Army officer goes on trial for his role in Marsinah murder JAKARTA (JP): The Surabaya Military Tribunal in East Java has opened the trial of an Army captain in connection with the murder of labor activist, Marsinah, now that the last of nine civilians linked with the killing has been convicted.

France and Indonesia bolster strong economic ties

France and Indonesia bolster strong economic ties French and Indonesian economic ties continue to flourish in 1994 as both countries explore new avenues of cooperation and trade. Today, the two republics enjoy unprecedented economic relations. Compelling evidence of this successful cooperation is that France's market share in Indonesia ranks as its largest in Asia. France's business and investment track record in recent years is impressive.

The Kedungombo decision

The Kedungombo decision Last week's decision of the Supreme Court in favor of farmers at the Kedungombo reservoir site in Central Java must have come as quite a blow to the state. Judging by the intensity of the reactions expressed the other day by the governor and the military commander of Central Java, one can feel more than just anger and disappointment behind their words.

Jealousy provokes worker's killing

Jealousy provokes worker's killing JAKARTA (JP): Police have captured a South Jakarta resident who is believed to have killed a contract worker in a fit of jealousy. Maj. Tasmin, a spokesman for the city police, said the suspect identified as Nahrowi, 21, resident of Cilandak Barat subdistrict, South Jakarta, killed a contract worker identified as Ilyas, 22, who hailed from Jember, East Java. According to police, the death occurred at around 8 p.m. on Monday.

Law on cooperatives

Law on cooperatives From Media Indonesia One of the three main pillars of our economy after state-owned companies and private enterprises is cooperatives. All three are based on the principle of togetherness. It seems that the two sectors -- the government and private sectors -- have evolved to a stage of stability, while cooperatives have yet to reach steadfastness. What makes this difference? In fact, the state company PT.

Abdurrahman warns ulemas not to drag NU into PPP

Abdurrahman warns ulemas not to drag NU into PPP JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid warned some of his top leaders, who are busy discussing the upcoming election of the United Development Party (PPP), not to drag his Islamic organization into their political affairs. "The law stipulates that NU is a religious organization while PPP is a political organization.

Barito Pacific's sales up

Barito Pacific's sales up JAKARTA (JP): PT Barito Pacific Timber announced a 43 percent increase in net sales in the January-March period of this year to Rp 274.06 billion (US$130.5 million) from Rp 191.02 billion in the same period of last year.

`Asia's rising markets still attractive'

`Asia's rising markets still attractive' JAKARTA (JP): Asia's emerging capital markets are still attractive despite the sharp fall of prices early this year. Japan will be the best performing major market during the rest of 1994, a report says. According to a report in the July issue of World Equity, the international investment magazine, over 50 percent of respondents believed that the Japanese equity market would perform best.

Four Japan warships visit Jakarta

Four Japan warships visit Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Four Japanese warships anchored at the Tanjung Priok harbor yesterday for a four-day courtesy call. The four destroyers, each carrying a helicopter, were welcomed by Col. V. Napitupulu, operation assistant to the second Navy main base. The four warships are JDS Haruna-141, JDS Asayuki-132, JDS Shimayuti-133 and DJS Setoyuki-131, all embarked from their bases in Okinawa.

Small-scale businessmen

Small-scale businessmen From Bisnis Indonesia Recently the Minister of Cooperatives and Small Business Development said that the government has decided to drop privileges for small-scale businessmen. In other words small-scale businessmen and cooperatives must now compete with big businessmen. To me this decision has no historical logic. I wonder why the minister has forgotten the fact that the government has nurtured small-scale business throughout this time to form conglomerates.

Japan film week at TIM

Japan film week at TIM To commemorate its 15th anniversary, the Japan Cultural Center will be showing a week of Kenji Mizoguchi's films free of charge starting next Tuesday at Taman Ismail Marzuki art center, Central Jakarta. Six of Mizoguchi's works produced between 1936 and 1956 will be shown during the retrospective film week. Most of the films are about women and their struggles, a distinctive feature of Mizoguchi's work.

Work hard to attain social justice, President says

Work hard to attain social justice, President says JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that Indonesia must persevere in its effort to attain the lofty goal of social justice for all. "Obviously, materializing social justice and common prosperity cannot be achieved in a short period of time," the president said when opening the fourth congress of MKGR, a mass organization affiliated with the government-backed Golkar.

NAFED needs improvement in status for export promotion

NAFED needs improvement in status for export promotion JAKARTA (JP): A.A. Baramuli, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR), yesterday urged the government to improve the status of the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) and to make it independent from other institutions.

Orientation program

Orientation program From Kompas I am a student at a university in Jakarta. I am concerned about an incident experienced by a fellow student during the three-day orientation program held by the School of Landscaping Architecture and Environment Techniques. The program includes a social activity, planting trees in a certain district, which should be good for the students. However, the program turned out to be a harmful practice because the senior students treated their juniors improperly.

Ex-minister, IHT settle libel suit

Ex-minister, IHT settle libel suit SINGAPORE (AFP): Former Singapore Law Minister Edward Barker has agreed to an out-of-court settlement for damages from the International Herald Tribune (IHT) for publishing an allegedly defamatory letter about him. Lawyers for both parties yesterday declined to reveal terms of the settlement but The Straits Times newspaper said that Barker would get between 10 and 20 percent of the S$750,000 (US$494,000) he had demanded.

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.

Mizoguchi and the tragedy of women

Mizoguchi and the tragedy of women By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese, traditionally known as chauvinistic, have a film director who was very interested in the struggle of women, Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956). His films will be shown for a week at Taman Ismail Marzuki Art Center, starting July 19. The audience will be able to determine how Mizoguchi differs from the other two featured Japanese directors, Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, especially in the choice of theme.

Government seeks new trial in Kedungombo case

Government seeks new trial in Kedungombo case JAKARTA (JP): The government, still reeling at a Supreme Court decision in a highly charged land dispute, announced yesterday that it plans to petition for a new trial. The Attorney General's chief spokesman Basrief Arief told reporters yesterday that the government will also file for a stay of execution of the Supreme Court's ruling over the amount of compensation it must pay the displaced villagers pending the outcome of the new trial.

PDI official has a heart attack

PDI official has a heart attack MALANG, East Java: A top official of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) had a heart attack amid the tense election of a new provincial party chapter on Tuesday. Fatimah Ahmad, a deputy chairperson of PDI central executive board, was rushed to the Army Hospital where she underwent intensive medical care yesterday.

128 participate in beauty contest

128 participate in beauty contest South Jakarta Mayor H. Pardjoko is calling on participants of the Abang and None (Mr. and Miss) South Jakarta contest to help promote the city administration's campaign encouraging residents to live in apartment buildings. "You all are expected to participate in the campaign because there is no other choice for Jakartans in the future but to live in apartment buildings due to limited space and escalating land prices," Pardjoko said.

Mysterious bill

Mysterious bill I would like to have your readers share an experience I just had with my credit card a few weeks ago. When I checked my latest account, I noticed with surprise that a five-star hotel in Jakarta, where I once spent a night (and paid for it with my credit card), later on had claimed an unidentified charge which was then deducted from my account without any permission, signature or notion from my side.