Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 August 1994

46 articles found

Venture capital, OTC could narrow gap

Venture capital, OTC could narrow gap JAKARTA (JP): Economists suggested here yesterday that the country further develop venture capital businesses and the Over- the-Counter (OTC) stock market in a bid to narrow the gap between large and small companies. They also called for the establishment of an independent body to help small- and medium-scale companies locate financial sources outside the banking system and the capital market.

Alcatel denies allegation of work safety violation

Alcatel denies allegation of work safety violation JAKARTA (JP): The Alcatel Cable company asserted its compliance with work safety standards and refuted any suggestion that the death of four workers in a telephone cable manhole in West Jakarta on Wednesday was caused by safety negligence. "The people working for our company observe safety rules and technical specifications," Alcatel Cable's resident manager R. Meljac said yesterday.

Bahana to build more venture capital firms

Bahana to build more venture capital firms JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned venture capital company PT Bahana Artha Ventura, which last month started operating a venture capital firm in Bandung, West Java, will establish three more similar businesses in East Java and West Sumatra this year.

In search of a more humane political culture

In search of a more humane political culture By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): A high-ranking military officer, Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, made an upbeat remark recently. "The government apparatus, including ABRI, must be proactive if it does not want to be caught off guard by progress and changes," Edi, who is the minister of defense and security, said. The occasion was the opening of the annual Armed Forces' (ABRI) leadership meeting, held on July 18, 1994.

KL palm oil stocks soar on rally and RI ban

KL palm oil stocks soar on rally and RI ban KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Listed plantation companies in Malaysia are experiencing a windfall in share prices due to a rally on the local bourse and Indonesia's plan to ban export of palm oil, analysts said yesterday. Plantation firms on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) dealing in palm oil have seen price hikes of up to 20 percent in the last two weeks amid the bourse's bullishness and Jakarta's proposal Tuesday to outlaw external sales of palm oil.

`Tempo' employees and its shareholders may part ways

`Tempo' employees and its shareholders may part ways JAKARTA (JP): The employees and shareholders of the defunct Tempo news magazine may part ways with each planning to establish their own magazines. This became apparent after a shareholders' meeting on Wednesday during which the employee representatives demanded an explanation from the Jaya Raya Foundation, holder of 40 percent equity, about rumors that it had struck up a deal with other investors to form a new magazine.

Only 20% buildings have permits

Only 20% buildings have permits Only 200,000 of an estimated one million permanent buildings across the city have building permits, a city official has said.

RI charged of undercutting

RI charged of undercutting KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian plywood exporters have charged that Indonesian counterparts were unilaterally slashing plywood prices to undercut them in the international markets.

Wimpy rules out powerful eruption

Wimpy rules out powerful eruption DENPASAR, Bali: A volcanologist has poured cold water on the suggestion that Mt. Batur in Bali will erupt violently soon, even though it has seen increased activity lately. "The probability that there will be a big and destructive eruption is small," Wimpy S. Tjetjep of the Directorate of Volcanology, said as quoted by the Antara news agency. "The pressure of sulfur gas thrown up by the volcano is relatively low," he said. Wimpy was sent to Bali to monitor Mt.

Life insurers report 33.5% growth in their revenues

Life insurers report 33.5% growth in their revenues JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Insurance Council (DAI) yesterday reported a 33.5 percent increase in revenues from the life insurance sector, rising to Rp 1.28 trillion (US$592.21 million) last year from Rp 963.15 billion in 1992. "Of last year's total revenues, Rp 1.04 trillion came from life insurance premiums," DAI's vice chairman for life insurance affairs, Sujono Soepeno, told reporters here yesterday.

Murayama to visit Manila Aug. 23-24

Murayama to visit Manila Aug. 23-24 MANILA (AFP): Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama will visit the Philippines from Aug. 23-24 on the first leg of a four- nation Asian tour, an official source said yesterday. The source at the Philippine foreign office said Murayama would meet with Philippine President Fidel Ramos to discuss a wide range of issues, including official aid, regional problems and the plight of Filipino women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II.

Lampung asks for govt's nod to `export' elephants

Lampung asks for govt's nod to `export' elephants JAKARTA (JP): The southern Sumatra province of Lampung has asked the central government for permission to resettle some of its elephants elsewhere in Indonesia because of increasing attacks by the beasts on villages and towns, which often resulted in loss of life.

New home for the JSX almost completed

New home for the JSX almost completed JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) plans to move its operations to its new building, which is now in the final stage of construction, in January next year.

592 firms face law suit

592 firms face law suit SEMARANG, Central Java: The provincial government has threatened to sue 592 companies for not insuring their workers. "The firms will soon be brought to trial for violating the law requiring companies to enlist their employees in the workers insurance plan," Haris Albert, chairman of the Central Java branch of the state insurance company Astek, said. Each owner of the companies may be fined up to Rp 50 million ($22,000) or a maximum jail term of six months, he said.

Big-size artists told to leave Ancol Art Market

Big-size artists told to leave Ancol Art Market JAKARTA (JP): City councilors and PT Pembangunan Jaya, which manages the Ancol Art Market, are urging crafters and painters who have blossomed into sizable businesses to move from the art market in order to create more space for their less-fortunate counterparts.

Farmers find ancient grave

Farmers find ancient grave MEDAN, North Sumatra: Farmers in Sorkam, Central Tapanuli regency, stumbled upon ancient graves and antique items that experts believe date back to as early as 1160. The farmers told Antara that the antiques, found in two graves they discovered when tilling their land, were a lamp, a sword, plates and coins with Malay-Arabic characters. Experts hope that more archaic items would be found in the area.

Guidance for NGOs?

Guidance for NGOs? The authorities are reportedly drafting a decree on the guidance of this country's non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Actor Onky gave no detail about the land, notary says

Actor Onky gave no detail about the land, notary says JAKARTA (JP): A public notary testifying in a swindle case involving actor Onky Alexander, told the West Jakarta District Court that she was not informed by the defendant nor by the official at the City Land Agency about the real measurements of the land sold to the plaintiff.

Solo to host next royal fest

Solo to host next royal fest SURAKARTA, Central Java: This city, more popularly known as Solo, has been selected to host the next festival of royalties in 1995, the Antara news agency said. Head of Surakarta's tourism office Soetrisno said the two royal palaces in Solo, Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran, are ready to play host to the festival while Mayor R. Hartomo has agreed to provide all the necessary facilities. This year's festival will kick off in nearby Yogyakarta on Saturday. (rid)

Bonafide debt-collectors welcomed

Bonafide debt-collectors welcomed JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono, chief of the Jakarta branch of the Agency for the Coordination of Support for National Stability (Bakorstanasda Jaya), said yesterday that bonafide debt collectors doing business for banks are not designated as targets of the army-sponsored Operation Cleansing.

Kasiyadi in the lead at golf tourney

Kasiyadi in the lead at golf tourney JAKARTA (JP): Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Kasiyadi, of Surabaya's Yani club, found this out yesterday when his poor 1-over 73 was enough to vault him into the lead of the Jakarta Circuit championship yesterday. Nevertheless, he appeared unhappy with his three-day total of 2-over 218 (76,69,73) at the difficult Halim II layout located near the air force base in East Jakarta.

Japanese MPs meet with Abilio

Japanese MPs meet with Abilio DILI, East Timor: A group of Japanese members of parliament, met with governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and placed a wreath at the Santa Cruz cemetery on Thursday. The MPs asked Abilio how many people were killed and missing in the bloody incident which took place Nov. 12, 1991, in which troops opened fire on demonstrators at the Santa Cruz cemetery.

KONI receives donation of Rp 1.6 billion for Asiad

KONI receives donation of Rp 1.6 billion for Asiad JAKARTA (JP): After months of waiting the national squad for Asia's greatest sporting extravaganza has found a helping hand for its financial shortcomings, although some crucial problems have yet to be resolved. A group of five entrepreneurs, who requested anonymity, gave Rp 1.6 billion (more than US$738,300) in checks to the national sports governing body (KONI), cutting the deficit of its set budget for the Games to Rp 1.4 billion ($646.050).

Intellectual seminar

Intellectual seminar With Independence Day around the corner, four Indonesian intellectual organizations are jointly holding a seminar on human resources in Jakarta. This seminar, which was officially opened by President Soeharto yesterday, is the first of its kind ever held. Obviously, we hail this seminar as an important effort to produce quality human resources, which will be much needed by the nation in the coming decades.

Govt to protect olefins from imports

Govt to protect olefins from imports JAKARTA (JP): Less than two months after ruling out tariff protection for new industrial ventures, the government announced yesterday that it plans to protect the olefins produced by PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center in Serang, West Java, from import competition.

North Korea honors Alatas with award

North Korea honors Alatas with award JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday received the Order of Friendship First Class award from North Korea for his efforts toward the reunification of the two Koreas. Former Indonesian ambassador to North Korea Muhamad Muharam Soemadipradja was awarded the Order of Friendship Second Class honor.

Pondok Kelapa named best subdistrict

Pondok Kelapa named best subdistrict Pondok Kelapa subdistrict in East Jakarta has been named as the winner of the city village contest for the 1994 fiscal year and will receive First Lady Tien Soeharto's trophy, a cash prize of Rp 400,000 (US$184) and a village bank loan of Rp 5 million. The announcement was made by the Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs, Idroes, in his office on Wednesday.

The Piano: No porn film

The Piano: No porn film After reading the "Your Letters" column in The Jakarta Post (Aug.9, 1994) I was shocked to see my name below a letter that I had not written as printed. Not only had you modified the English in a rather awkward fashion but also cut out two of my main arguments about the film The Piano. The arguments were that The Piano is not a pornographic film and that censorship is superfluous when the laws of economics are applied.

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.

Reforestation decentralized

Reforestation decentralized JAKARTA (JP): The government has decided to decentralize reforestation programs by giving local authorities a bigger role, Director General of Reforestation and Land Rehabilitation Sumahadi said yesterday. "We will establish offices in 195 regencies in 26 provinces and assign them to deal with reforestation and land conservation programs," Sumahadi said. Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Bakrie sells 6.8m shares

Bakrie sells 6.8m shares JAKARTA (JP): Hanil Leasing Company Ltd. of South Korea has acquired 4.25 million shares of PT Bakrie Finance Corporation (BFC) and the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) another 2.55 million shares. A spokesman for Bakrie Finance said here yesterday that the transactions for the share acquisition were made last Friday at the Jakarta Stock Exchange under the coordination of PT Bakrie Nusantara Corporation.

Telephone

Telephone From Neraca Telkom has been very helpful in providing the public with telephones. I am very grateful for this. In Lenteng Agung district, southern Jakarta, in front of the campus of Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Komunikasi, there are three public telephone booths. Unfortunately they have not been working for weeks now although the Telkom workers who gather the coins from the phone boxes must know about this.

Lack of seats at railway stations

Lack of seats at railway stations From Neraca As a Jakarta residence, I used to travel by train to my work place and back every working day because it is the only fast and cheap means of public transportation in the city. I, and perhaps many other commuters who used to travel by train, are proud of the city's railway stations with their grand architectural style. Why can't our government afford to build railway stations like those in advanced countries.

Foreign investments decline sharply

Foreign investments decline sharply JAKARTA (JP): Foreign investments approved by the government for the development of non-oil and non-financial businesses fell sharply in the period from June to July, dropping to US$139.56 million from $225.85 million in the May-June period. However, in a monthly report released yesterday, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) said that domestic investments surged to Rp 7.55 trillion ($3.48 billion) from Rp 3.05 trillion.

Indonesia warned of widening economic gap

Indonesia warned of widening economic gap JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, whose gap between the poor and the rich has become notorious in the last two decades, received another warning yesterday following the remark of a senior economist, Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, about the issue. "I immediately read this eye-catching statement," State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie said yesterday.

U.S. investment in ASEAN

U.S. investment in ASEAN BANGKOK (AFP): U.S. investment in ASEAN countries has topped that of Japan, reaching US$40 billion and likely to pass $200 billion by the end of the decade, a U.S. business representative said yesterday. Robert Driscoll, president of the U.S.-ASEAN Council, which promotes private business ventures in Southeast Asia, said U.S. investment to the region grew by $3 billion in 1993 alone, according to the U.S. Chambers of Commerce. U.S.

Rebel PDI activists told to set up own political party

Rebel PDI activists told to set up own political party JAKARTA (JP): A leading member of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) yesterday said that party members who are discontent with the leadership of Megawati Soekarnoputri should form their own party instead of trying to undermine the party.

Soeharto accords role to religious intellectuals

Soeharto accords role to religious intellectuals JAKARTA (JP): Religious-based intellectual organizations, widely criticized recently for fostering sectarian politics in Indonesia, yesterday won the presidential seal of approval when they jointly organized a seminar on human resource development. President Soeharto told the seminar that religious intellectuals play a major role in national development, including promoting the country's religious life.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose in active trading yesterday with the broad-based Composite Index gaining almost two points to close at 473.52 from 471.69 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the narrow-based GTDBS-50 Index increased to 112.05 from 111.22. Total trading volume rose to 27.46 million shares worth Rp 175.56 billion (US$80.86 million) from 22.52 million shares valued at Rp 101.08 billion.

Executive property expo to be held here

Executive property expo to be held here JAKARTA (JP): Buoyed by optimism about local investment, four property companies and the Batam Development Authority will hold a property exhibition, called Executive 2000, from Aug. 20 to 28 in the atrium of Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta. Peter Chan, vice president of Bonauli Group, said the local property market still looks promising.

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.

Healed Alan vows to return to the big league and defend title

Healed Alan vows to return to the big league and defend title By Hidayat Jati YOGYAKARTA (JP): Alan Budikusuma, defending Indonesia Open badminton champion and gold medal winner in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said that he has licked his wounds long enough and vowed to return to the top three. "1994 has not been exactly my best year, thanks to the my knee injury last year," he told the Jakarta Post while watching the many one sided matches at the Among Rogo stadium yesterday.

Golkar gets the blame

Golkar gets the blame KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Local elementary school teachers have had their salaries deducted by another Rp 6,000 per month on top of other deductions, this time to pay their membership dues to Golkar, the ruling political organization.

Fire razes Pertamina building

Fire razes Pertamina building A blaze destroyed part of the third-story of Pertamina building on Jl. Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, yesterday morning. The fire, which occurred around 7.50 a.m., was put out by firemen from the City Fire Office together with the state oil company Pertamina's firemen in less than an hour. No casualty was reported in the blaze, while the amount of financial losses had yet to be calculated.

Compaq unveils Intech' 94

Compaq unveils Intech' 94 JAKARTA (JP): Compaq Computer Asia/Pacific introduced here yesterday Intech'94, the Compaq International Technology Summit, in Singapore next month which will feature information technology leaders from around the world. Phey Teck Moh, Compaq's General Manager for Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines, said yesterday that Intech'94, which will be held at the World Trade Center on Sept.

Hermawan shocks Indonesian Open with loss to rookie

Hermawan shocks Indonesian Open with loss to rookie By Hidayat Jati YOGYAKARTA (JP): Adrenalin finally started flowing at the RCTI Indonesia Open 1994 yesterday as giant-killer Hermawan Susanto was toppled by steel-nerved rookie Budi Santoso in a series of second-day upsets. Hermawan, a 27-year-old Thomas Cup veteran, went down hard to second-string, but agile, Budi. The 19-year-old member of the junior national squad beat out fifth seed Hermawan in a tight three setter 15-4, 18-14, 15-8.