Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 August 1994

49 articles found

Indonesia to hold first tourism market

Indonesia to hold first tourism market JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will hold its own tourism mart next month, which will involve 155 foreign companies and more than 200 domestic firms, to promote its tourism industry, an executive says. The managing director of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), Wuryastuti Sunario, told a press conference here on Friday that the Tourism Indonesia Mart `94, which lasts from Sept. 29 to Oct.

Warship serves Jepara-Karimunjawa

Warship serves Jepara-Karimunjawa SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Holidaymakers to Karimunjawa Island will soon be able to add to their experience by riding a commercial warship. The curious news came last week as the Jepara regency government plans to operate a Landing Ship Tank (LST) to service the Jepara-Karimunjawa route after the regular ferry, KM Sejati Berkah was declared unseaworthy.

Children burnt to death

Children burnt to death JAKARTA (JP): Ten people, including five young girls and a baby, burned to death after fire razed a shop on Friday night, a press report said. The shop owner, Ng Kie Ong, together with his wife, Li Lie, were in Pekanbaru, Riau, when the fire destroyed the building, the Kompas daily reported. An eyewitness said the neighbors could not immediately help rescue the occupants of the building because the doors were locked. Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Government to regulate laser disc circulation

Government to regulate laser disc circulation JAKARTA (JP): The government will issue a regulation on laser discs later this month to end the decade old controversy over the legality of their circulation in Indonesia. Along with the laser disc regulation, the Ministry of Information will issue two decrees on the renaming of the National Film Censorship Body and the establishment of the National Film Advisory Council, which will replace it.

KL soccer body seek corruptors

KL soccer body seek corruptors KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The Malaysian Football Association, in a crackdown on widespread corruption, said all players and officials in its professional or premier leagues had to declare their assets, local press reports said yesterday. "When they declare their assets, we will be able to identify those who are living beyond their means," the New Sunday Times quoted the association's deputy president as saying.

President of Taiwan not to attend APEC

President of Taiwan not to attend APEC JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas on Friday dashed all speculation concerning Taiwanese President Lee Teng- hui's participation at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting, by asserting that Taiwan will be represented only by a senior official.

A dialog with Darul Arqam

A dialog with Darul Arqam From Bisnis Indonesia It is really ironic that the Indonesian Ulema Council has refused to hold a dialog with the controversial Darul Arqam group while there are newspapers which are set up by non-Moslems that are urging a meeting between the council and the group. The refusal of council leader Hasan Basri -- not the refusal of the whole council -- to meet the group is very disappointing because it deprives Darul Arqam from defending itself.

Liem richest in S.E. Asia

Liem richest in S.E. Asia HONG KONG (AFP): Indonesia's business magnate Liem Sioe Liong, with an estimated US$3 billion in net assets, is the richest ethnic Chinese in southeast Asia, Hong Kong-based Asiaweek said. The Indonesian cement, food, banking and trading magnate Liem, 72, pipped 19 other billionaires, including three other Indonesians, six Thais, four Malaysians, three Filipinos and three Singaporeans, the weekly magazine said Friday.

Religious differences must not disturb unity: Soeharto

Religious differences must not disturb unity: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has reminded Indonesians that conflicts among followers of the same religion can often be more serious than inter-religious disputes. Speaking at the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday at the State Palace Friday evening, the President said that he once again called on the nation to live in harmony.

Preserving the dignity of schools and teachers

Preserving the dignity of schools and teachers By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Judging from the way he told me the story, my driver must be really upset. His second son was accepted at an elementary school where his elder son has been a pupil for two years. Now textbooks have to be purchased for this younger son. According to him, these books are exactly the same as the ones used by his elder son except for the cover.

Pirates attack Japanese tugboat

Pirates attack Japanese tugboat MANILA (Reuter): Pirates armed with guns and knives attacked a Japanese tugboat anchored on Manila Bay, stabbed and wounded its Indonesian captain and fled with cash and valuables, the Philippines navy said yesterday. Eddie Yusod, master of the Honduran-registered Fukumaru No. 8, was wounded when he tried to fend off the bandits who stormed his vessel on Friday night, a navy spokesman said. The rest of the crew were unharmed. The pirates fled on a motorized boat.

Foreign ministry needs better human resources

Foreign ministry needs better human resources JAKARTA (JP): As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated the country's 49th anniversary last week, its members were urged to enhance the quality of human resources to face future challenges. "The foreign ministry continuously tries to improve the ability and proficiency of its employees through training, instructional courses and educational programs both at home and abroad," Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said Friday.

Councilors say Jakarta city deserves award

Councilors say Jakarta city deserves award JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta deserves the Parasamya Purnakarya Nugaraha, the award bestowed to the province with outstanding achievement in development over the past five years, city councilors say. Jakarta received the prestigious award by a Presidential Decree issued on Aug.

Journalists association suspends Medan tabloid editor

Journalists association suspends Medan tabloid editor JAKARTA (JP): The Honorary Council of the Indonesian Journalists' Association (PWI) has suspended the membership of Bintang-Sport-Film (BSF) weekly's chief editor for publishing reports on an alleged case of sexual harassment involving the governor of North Sumatra. Romuthu Setia Dharma was suspended for two years, beginning Aug.

Ideology course in local dialects

Ideology course in local dialects AMBON, Maluku: The local office of BP7, the government agency which oversees the course on Pancasila ideology, is currently preparing its materials in three local dialects. Maluku BP7 Chief Nus Manuputty said his office has translated the materials of the P-4 course into the Alune dialect which is widely used in Serami Island, Galela in North Maluku and Kei in Southeast Maluku.

Joint operation set up to check trailer trucks

Joint operation set up to check trailer trucks JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta city police in cooperation with military and municipal authorities have started an operation aimed at inspecting trailer trucks for roadworthiness. The campaign, which was launched on Friday, is part of the on going effort to fully implement the controversial 1992 traffic law. City police chief Maj. Gen.

Capitalistic concept blamed for debts, economic gaps

Capitalistic concept blamed for debts, economic gaps JAKARTA (JP): The capitalism-based concept of development has failed to free the Third World countries from the jaws of poverty and illiteracy, according to a Moslem scholar. A.M. Fatwa, member of the Petisi 50 group of government critics who spent several years behind bars for subversion, advised that Moslem countries start looking towards Islamic concept of development.

Prominent ex-con Johny Sembiring kidnapped, killed

Prominent ex-con Johny Sembiring kidnapped, killed JAKARTA (JP): Johny Sembiring, one the most prominent figures of Indonesia's criminal underworld in the 1960s, was kidnapped and killed by a group of unidentified men. Sembiring, 62, ran a debt collection business. He was reportedly kidnapped from his BMW sedan by a group of men riding a Kijang van Thursday afternoon in Tanah Abang district, Central Jakarta.

Inten Suweno supports raid on prostitutes

Inten Suweno supports raid on prostitutes JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Social Services Inten Suweno has thrown her weight behind city police's ongoing anti-prostitution campaign. The minister was quoted by Antara late last week as saying that she supported the operations, but at the same time concerted efforts should be done to rehabilitate prostitutes so that they will not resume their profession when they return to the community.

Ten students freed as Supreme Court reviews their case

Ten students freed as Supreme Court reviews their case JAKARTA (JP): Ten students who were serving jail terms for defaming President Soeharto were released on Friday as the Supreme Court, almost unsolicited, decided to review their case. The students were given a frantic welcome by their colleagues and families as they walked out of the gates of the Salemba Detention Center, where they have been locked up since December.

Manila releases Indonesian plane

Manila releases Indonesian plane MANILA (Reuter): Philippine aviation authorities yesterday released an Indonesian plane carrying 25,000 kilograms of explosives after briefly impounding it for landing in Manila without official clearance. The Boeing 707 plane of the Indonesian Merpati Airlines created a stir on Friday night when it arrived at the Manila airport without a permit from the Air Transportation Office (ATO), officials said.

Polyester producers to increase capacity

Polyester producers to increase capacity JAKARTA (JP): PT Indorama Synthetics has assigned five foreign companies to provide technical assistance and plant equipment for its expansion projects which will make it the largest polyester producer in Indonesia.

Rescue from debt trap

Rescue from debt trap The ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the debts of the least developed countries (LDC) in Jakarta last week might go down in the NAM history as a one-time affair or, at the most, could lead into long, complex negotiations between debtors and creditors. Yet, the Indonesian government should be commended for organizing the unilateral dialogs among the 31 NAM member countries.

Outspoken Bintang is running for PPP chairmanship

Outspoken Bintang is running for PPP chairmanship JAKARTA (JP): Outspoken politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas entered the battle for the top spot of the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) yesterday, saying the current leadership is too passive to develop the potential of the organization.

Share prices discounted despite hike in interest rate

Share prices discounted despite hike in interest rate JAKARTA (JP): Share prices advanced further as investors continued their buying orders on most boards despite the increase in the U.S. interest rate. The increase in the U.S. dollar interest rate came as no surprise as the market maintained its comeback course, closing the week at 492.21, up 17.31 points from the previous week.

PDI party

PDI party Under the leadership of Megawati Soekarnoputri PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party) is experiencing friction again. In East Java two leaders have emerged. One is Latief Pudjosakti who was elected through a voting procedure by a formative team of eight members. The other is Soetjipto who was appointed by the Central Board of Executives in Jakarta. The election of Pudjosakti was a culmination of rows and conflicts existing between groups within the party.

Body of missing businessman found

Body of missing businessman found BANGKOK (Reuter): Rescuers yesterday retrieved the body of one of Thailand's wealthiest businessmen from his wrecked plane that crashed into a mountain three days ago, officials said. The body of Suvit Wanglee, and that of his co-pilot, was found trapped in the wreckage on Phyaphoh mountain about 16 kilometers, rescue officials said.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Peter Pan & the Pirates 3:00 Riang Ria 3:30 TV Series: Unsolved Mysteries 4:30 Students' Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Family Welfare 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Hankamnas 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Lintas Ekonomi 8:05 Music: TVRI's anniversary celebration 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Angel Dusted Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Bogor Museum needs serious attention

Bogor Museum needs serious attention By Lenah Susianty BOGOR, West Java (JP): All the rooms at the Bogor Zoological Museum are gloomy and stuffy. It is hot. There are no air- conditioners and the fans hanging from the ceiling don't work. A couple of backpackers are looking at a diorama of monkey's species and four children in elementary school uniforms are discussing a stuffed 2,280 kilogram rhinoceros placed inside a glass box in the mammals room.

Mandarin language

Mandarin language From Media Indonesia Controversy about the Mandarin language has forced me to ponder: What actually is the significance of the language? It is true that some advertisements seek those who master this language, but as one of several foreign languages in the country it is not unusual that it occasionally becomes a debating topic. An example of this is a ban on karaoke festivals in Mandarin by the East Java authorities.

Dollar gives mixed performance against Asian currencies

Dollar gives mixed performance against Asian currencies HONG KONG (AFP): The U.S. dollar performed mixed against Asian currencies over the week. Several units registered slight gains following the U.S. Federal Reserve Board's decision to raise interest rates and Washington's release of trade data showing a widening deficit with Tokyo, dealers said. The Australian, New Zealand and Hong Kong dollars and the Indonesian rupiah were weaker, but losses were slight.

Clinton to visit Philippines

Clinton to visit Philippines MANILA (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton will visit the Philippines in November in the first trip by an American president to this country since U.S. forces pulled out in 1992, the presidential palace said yesterday. Officials said they were arranging for Clinton to go to the former U.S. Subic naval base in Olongapo city, 80 kilometers northwest of Manila, during his visit from Nov. 12 to 14. The Philippine government has turned Subic into a free port since U.S.

Govt cuts annual logging rights by 40%

Govt cuts annual logging rights by 40% JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry has reduced the annual logging rights of most forest concessionaires by 40 percent due to their failure to meet government regulations, and is warning that they may lose their licenses if they cannot improve performance.

6,000 firms offer apprenticeships to technical schools

6,000 firms offer apprenticeships to technical schools JAKARTA (JP): Some 6,000 small and medium companies have agreed to offer apprenticeships to students of vocational high schools to help bridge the gap between the education and working worlds. The pledge was made before Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro when he met with leaders of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Friday at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center.

Healing hands

Healing hands About two months ago the ankle of my right foot gave me lot of trouble when I took a walk in the morning. It felt as if I had twisted my ankle, but I could not recall having stumbled on a stone or having had a nasty fall. As time went on, the pain got worse until finally I could not do my daily exercise. I wondered if this was an old man's disease. My wife's friend, Mrs. T.

OPEC to meet in Bali

OPEC to meet in Bali LONDON (Reuter): OPEC has agreed to hold its year- end ministerial talks beginning on Nov. 22 in Bali, Indonesia, OPEC sources said on Friday. Indonesia offered at the June meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to host the end-year session but it wasn't clear until this week whether all the logistics would be worked out in time, the sources said.

Banks may increase deposit rates to curb capital flight

Banks may increase deposit rates to curb capital flight JAKARTA (JP): Local banks are likely to raise their deposit rates to curb a possible capital flight resulting from the increase in the interest rate of the U.S. dollar, business analysts estimate. The analysts, however, predicted that the possible increase in the deposit rates would not fuel an increase in the lending rates.

Action on massage parlors urged

Action on massage parlors urged A deputy chairman of the City Council, Ismunandar, has urged the city administration to close down massage parlors covertly operating as brothels. Ismunandar said late last week the parlors would tarnish Jakarta's image. Some massage parlors in North and Central Jakarta, for example, have reportedly hired prostitutes who charge between Rp 200,000 (US$92.5) and Rp 300,000 for a quick visit.

Distorting Japan's behavior a political crime

Distorting Japan's behavior a political crime The Jakarta Post Asia Correspondent Harvey Stockwin explores why it is that Japanese cabinet ministers keep on resigning after they have distorted wartime history. HONG KONG (JP): Once again, another Japanese cabinet minister has been forced to resign because he has offended Asian opinion by misrepresenting Japan's behavior in the first half of the twentieth century. On Aug.

Link between ASEAN and Australasia explored

Link between ASEAN and Australasia explored WELLINGTON (Reuter): ASEAN is likely to move towards closer relations with Australasia but the idea of integrating the two trade zones has yet to win full acceptance from all members, Thailand's deputy foreign minister said on Friday. Surin Pitsuwan said most of ASEAN's six members supported expanded ties with Australia and New Zealand and that formalizing links would be a question of tactics and timing.

ASEAN seeks extension of U.S. GSP

ASEAN seeks extension of U.S. GSP MANILA (AFP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sought a further 10 years of preferential trading with the United States, saying lost revenues from lower tariffs would be offset by increased U.S. exports to the region, Philippine officials said. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) extended to developing countries such as those in ASEAN -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand -- expires on Sept.

Political party

Political party From Berita Buana The Republic of Indonesia is 49 years old and has achieved a lot in its course. The New Order government has achieved its goal and has a lot to offer society. One of the important achievements is in the political life of the nation. The government has succeeded in reducing the number of the political parties to only three. In this matter there is something I feel concerned about. I am particularly concerned about the other two political parties i.e.

Police told to question family of deadly Metromini bus driver

Police told to question family of deadly Metromini bus driver JAKARTA (JP): A noted criminologist has suggested that police question relatives and fellow drivers who allegedly helped protect Ramses Silitonga, the driver of a minibus which six months ago careened into Sunter River with its 33 passengers. Mulyana W.

Things you can do to bitmap images

Things you can do to bitmap images By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Today, bitmap image editing tools have become so advanced and so sophisticated and every day we see so many of their new and creative uses around. Programs such as Adobe PhotoShop, Aldus PhotoStyler and CorelPHOTO-PAINT! provide us with a raft of powerful tools and exotic filters that help us create different effects automatically.

Sudomo, Siska chose to end their four years' old marriage

Sudomo, Siska chose to end their four years' old marriage JAKARTA (JP): Retired admiral Sudomo, and his second wife Fransiska Diah Widowati, have failed to reconcile their differences, deciding to end their four years of marriage. Presiding Judge Soedjatman from the South Jakarta District Court said on Friday that lawyers for both Sudomo and Siska said that their clients stuck to their original plea for divorce and refused to reconciliate their differences.

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.

Australians join RI navy

Australians join RI navy JAKARTA (JP): Two Australian navy officers, Maj. Gregory J. Paek and Capt. Richard, will join this year's Indonesian Navy service operation Surya Baskara Jaya in Irian Jaya, commander of the Sorong naval-base, Lt. Col. A.T. Aprianto, said last week. The participation of the two Australian medical doctors is part of the Indonesian-Australian naval cooperation, Aprianto was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

Bank DKI will collect parking fees

Bank DKI will collect parking fees Bank DKI has been appointed the official bank to collect parking fees in line with 1994 Gubernatorial Decree No. 201, which is aimed at reducing leakage in parking revenue. Suharto, the bank's president, said recently that the city- owned bank is prepared to carry out the mission entrusted to it by the municipal administration, and has already formed a special task force and provided extra facilities to manage the parking funds.

National film sluggish

National film sluggish From Sinar Pagi The sluggishness of the Indonesian film business is caused by the society's declining interest in seeing the films. The cinema goers have much stronger desires to see foreign films which are more appealing and are supported by luring posters. Appealing films do not mean that the films must present pornographic scenes. Such scenes will only give the impression that the producers have low taste.