Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 August 1994

52 articles found

Military probes Moslem secessionist group

Military probes Moslem secessionist group JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) yesterday disclosed that it is currently investigating the existence of a Moslem secessionist group on the western coast of West Java. ABRI Chief, Gen. Feisal Tanjung, made the announcement and promised that the military would crush such a movement. "If they disrupt (pose a threat), then we'll sweep them out," Feisal told reporters before attending a cabinet meeting at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Technical aid extended to Continental Bank

Technical aid extended to Continental Bank JAKARTA (JP): The technical assistance extended to Continental Bank from a consortium of three other banks may lead to a take- over, say executives. Executives of the consortium, comprising of Bank Utama, Bank Danamon and Bank Central Asia, said yesterday that the technical assistance could be expanded into another agreement on financial assistance or equity injection. "The present stage of the cooperation is still limited to technical assistance.

Cautions urged in allowing use of Chinese characters

Cautions urged in allowing use of Chinese characters JAKARTA (JP): The government said its policy to allow the use of Chinese characters in the tourism sector has been carefully thought of, taking into account both the national interests and the security situation. Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said the relaxation of the use of Chinese literature for tourism would not spark social unrest nor pose political threat in Indonesia.

Diarrhea kills three children

Diarrhea kills three children SALATIGA, Central Java: An outbreak of diarrhea in the city has left three children dead and sent a total of 116 people to hospital for treatment. A doctor from Salatiga Central Hospital said most of the people treated for diarrhea are children. Delays in getting medical treatment caused the three deaths, he said. The city is recurrently attacked by the outbreak of the disease at this time of the year, the peak of the dry season, the doctor said. (har/05)

Closed-door rule for minibuses starts next year

Closed-door rule for minibuses starts next year JAKARTA (JP): Police have given owners of public transit vehicles, including the 12-seat minibuses, until early next year to fully comply with the closed-door policy. "Starting January, 1994, we shall fully enforce the policy, inclusive of minibuses," City Police Chief Maj. Gen.

Cambodia's detention of 14 Thais deplored

Cambodia's detention of 14 Thais deplored BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai foreign ministry yesterday summoned Cambodian Ambassador Roland Eng to express its "gravest concern" over Phnom Penh's detention of 14 Thais since an abortive coup d'etat a month ago. A senior foreign ministry official gave Eng an aide-memoire that said the continued detention of the 14 was clearly in violation of Cambodia's obligation to grant a minimum standard of protection to aliens.

Court rejects plan to appoint Basuki executor

Court rejects plan to appoint Basuki executor JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta district court yesterday rejected an appeal by the late Basuki Abdullah's lawyer to appoint a new executor to his estate directing the matter instead to the jurisdiction of the state owned Heredity Property Management Body (BHP). "The court cannot permit the request since it falls beyond the realm of a public court," said presiding Judge Moegihardjo in answer to Siti Zaitin Noor's appeal to have Mrs.

SSDI student movement aims to unite pro-democracy forces

SSDI student movement aims to unite pro-democracy forces JAKARTA (JP): The little known Student Solidarity for Democracy in Indonesia (SSDI) aims high: It intends to become an umbrella for disorganized pro-democracy movements. SSDI considers the existing pro-democratic movements, especially those on campus, "too loose" and ineffective to push for political reforms in Indonesia. "The student solidarity movement ...

Betawi culture to highlight first ever street festival

Betawi culture to highlight first ever street festival This is the last of two articles on the upcoming Jaksa Fair written by Lenah Susianty. JAKARTA (JP): The forthcoming three-day Jaksa Fair, the first street festival ever held in the city, will feature Jakarta's native Betawi culture. The fair aims to promote tourism industry in the street and to revive the old Betawi culture. To start on Friday, the fair is organized by the Association of Jl.

ASEAN ministers meet to mull Islamic sect ban

ASEAN ministers meet to mull Islamic sect ban KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Four Southeast Asian nations were to adopt a joint strategy during ministerial talks yesterday aimed at outlawing a powerful Islamic messianic sect which has triggered security concerns in the region, officials said.

50 Finnish companies to join trade exhibition

50 Finnish companies to join trade exhibition JAKARTA (JP): Around 50 Finnish companies will participate in a three-day trade exhibition scheduled to open today at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center.

Indonesian set to scale Everest

Indonesian set to scale Everest JAKARTA (JP): Gunawan Achmad will have the chance to become the first Indonesian to reach the peak of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, during a multinational expedition which starts on Aug. 26.

Alatas hopeful ASEAN will admit Vietnam in 1995

Alatas hopeful ASEAN will admit Vietnam in 1995 JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said that he hoped Vietnam will be formally admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the middle of next year. "I believe that when we gather for the next ministerial meeting in Brunei, Vietnam can be formally admitted as a full member," Alatas told reporters yesterday before a cabinet meeting at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Indonesia needs batik museum

Indonesia needs batik museum YOGYAKARTA: The time has come for Indonesia to establish a batik museum, well-known batik painter Ardiyanto says. Ardiyanto, who collects hundreds of ancient batik clothes dating back to 1850, said such a museum could help preserve the priceless inheritance of the country. He said that he has no fund to build such a museum but he hopes that someone or the government could make his dream come true one day, Antara reported. (05)

Woman sells porn books

Woman sells porn books SEMARANG, Central Java: A 27-year old woman from Bandung, West Java, was arrested by police while selling pornographic books to high school students. Some copies of the books, which were printed in Jakarta, were also believed to have been sold to factory workers. A local police officer said the woman also rented the books out on a daily basis.(har/05)

Small families may produce `imperial kids'

Small families may produce `imperial kids' JAKARTA (JP): The success in the campaign for people to have small families has a major potential downside which parents must watch out for -- the tendency to raise "super brats" or what a senior Health Ministry official calls "imperial kids". Dr. Leimena, the Director General for Community Health Supervision, said there is a tendency for parents of small families to go all out to meet and satisfy their children's needs.

Asahi Glass expansion

Asahi Glass expansion TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. said yesterday its joint venture producing polyvinyl chloride in Indonesia would invest four billion yen (US$40 million) to nearly double its output. PT Asahimas Subentra Chemical, owned by Asahi Glass and PPG Industries of the United States, is to boost annual output from the current 140,000 tons to some 260,000 tons by 1996, company officials said.

Sime Darby Le Grand Opera

Sime Darby Le Grand Opera Thank you for your interest in the Sime Darby Le Grand Opera (article in The Jakarta Post). However, we would like to clarify some misunderstandings in your report as follows: * The Artists International who will perform in Sime Darby Le Grand Opera is a group of opera singers from the United States, not France. * Sime Darby is a multinational group of companies, the headquarters of which is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ramly to chair new company associations forum

Ramly to chair new company associations forum JAKARTA (JP): Abdul Rachman Ramly, chief commissioner of PT Astra International, will chair the newly founded National Cooperation Forum of Company Associations (FKAP). Sources close to the forum and executives of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) told The Jakarta Post this week that President Soeharto has agreed to the foundation of the forum and approved the leadership of the 67-year-old Ramly.

Tanker trucks banned from city

Tanker trucks banned from city BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai government is barring the streets of Bangkok to all tanker trucks carrying oil and gasoline, in a bid to ease the capital's chronic traffic congestion. Also, Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, announced yesterday it would stop receiving jet fuel from trucks on Aug. 12 -- the day the ban on gasoline tankers takes effect -- and would obtain fuel through a recently- constructed pipeline instead.

`New NU' apologizes to `Old NU', promises to change its name

`New NU' apologizes to `Old NU', promises to change its name JAKARTA (JP): The founders of Nahdlatul Ummah, a forum in the United Development Party (PPP) dubbed by the press as the New NU, apologized yesterday to the Nahdlatul Ulama faction, or the "old" NU, and agreed to change its name.

Private company to procure vehicles for APEC

Private company to procure vehicles for APEC JAKARTA (JP): A private company will manage the purchasing of a number of luxurious vehicles for the transportation of delegates for the November leadership meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) here and in Bogor, West Java.

Idris Sardi to hold concert before hanging up his violin

Idris Sardi to hold concert before hanging up his violin JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's most prominent violinist Idris Sardi will hang up his violin forever after his last performance at Sahid Jaya Hotel on Aug. 9, a concert aimed at marking his 40 year career and the 49th anniversary of the country's Independence Day. The concert, organized by Kompas daily, will feature selected repertoire from Idris' 180 compositions which were created for film music illustrations.

It's high time now for banks to sacrifice: Bank director

It's high time now for banks to sacrifice: Bank director JAKARTA (JP): The banking industry should willingly sacrifice to help small and medium scale companies in a bid to establish equal business opportunities, says an executive of Bank Danamon. "Unbalanced growth between big and small companies will undermine the economy and will threaten the banking industry," Yusuf Arbianto, the bank's managing director, said yesterday.

Search goes on till Saturday

Search goes on till Saturday SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Search and rescue officers have been ordered to continue their search for a helicopter that has gone missing since July 26, at least until Saturday. The order came from the Ministry of Transportation in Jakarta. The authorities had earlier planned to abandon the search on Wednesday. The Sikorsky S-5BT was carrying 18 people when it disappeared shortly after taking off from Tabang, the Antara news agency said.(05)

Employment of expatriates to be eased

Employment of expatriates to be eased JAKARTA (JP): The government will ease restrictions on the employment of expatriates for jobs which cannot be handled by Indonesians in a bid to promote foreign investments in the country, Minister of Information Harmoko said here yesterday.

Four luxury houses to be demolished

Four luxury houses to be demolished Four luxury houses in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, owned by businessman R.J. Kaptin Adisumarta will be demolished because the owner has built them without permits. The houses, built on 9,000 square meters of land alongside the Pesanggrahan river, do not have the required building permits from the local authority, Ramal P, chief of the Municipal Public Order Office, said yesterday.

Indonesia to play Qatar in youth soccer contest

Indonesia to play Qatar in youth soccer contest JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has been drawn to meet Qatar in their Group A opening match of the 29th Asian Youth Under-19 Championship finals at Senayan Stadium here on Sept. 11.

Newly-married man falls from train

Newly-married man falls from train A newly-married man was killed as he fell from an inter-city train in Klender, East Jakarta, yesterday morning. Police said the man, identified as Sadi, 22, from Sukorejo, Bojonegoro regency, East Java, fell off the Gaya Baru train which plies the Surabaya to Jakarta route at around 9 a.m. when he was sitting at the door enjoying the morning breeze.

Govt plans public hearing on nuclear power plant: BATAN

Govt plans public hearing on nuclear power plant: BATAN JAKARTA (JP): In an attempt to win the public over to its nuclear power program, the government plans to give the public the opportunity to scrutinize the project at a hearing. "The hearing may be held sometime in 1996 during the last phase of the preliminary studies for the nuclear plant," Djali Ahimsa, Director General of the National Atomic Agency (BATAN) said yesterday.

Six overseas companies apply to launch Palapa-C2 satellite

Six overseas companies apply to launch Palapa-C2 satellite JAKARTA (JP): Six overseas firms have submitted applications to the government offering to launch Indonesia's Palapa-C2 satellite which is scheduled for orbit in 1996. The president of PT Satelindo, a telecommunications company, Iwa Sewaka, told reporters here yesterday that the six foreign firms include Krunichev-Lockheed, a consortium of Russian and U.S.

Environment and development

Environment and development In the midst of our great success in carrying out development during the past 25 years, we are faced with the bitter fact that we have heavily damaged the environment, if not completely demolished it. The Forestry Minister is in a very difficult position, because the destruction of forests throughout the country, particularly in Kalimantan, is worse than reported.

Bank savings to fund sportd activities in 1995

Bank savings to fund sportd activities in 1995 JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to provide funds for various sports activities from bank saving facilities in place of the defunct national lottery SDSB, starting from next year. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman told reporters here yesterday that the ministry is working with the Association of Private Domestic Banks (Perbanas) and the Ministry of Social Services to formulate the idea.

Tropical storm heads to Batanes

Tropical storm heads to Batanes MANILA (AFP): Tropical storm Caitlin was set to slam into the extreme northern Philippine island group of Batanes later yesterday with peak winds of 65 kilometers an hour, the weather bureau said. Caitlin was upgraded to storm strength from a tropical depression overnight Tuesday and was 170 kilometers southeast of Batanes at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday (2000 GMT Tuesday), weathermen said.

Maan leads golf tourney

Maan leads golf tourney JAKARTA (JP): Overnight leader Maan Naasim retained the lead in the Jakarta Golf Circuit tournament by two strokes yesterday after collecting a two-day total of 138 (68 70). The Circuit, the annual event organized only for local golfers and now entering its second leg, saw 21 of 45 golfers in the field advance to the third round. They are eligible to vie for the Rp 25 million cash prizes at stake.

Govt will continue rice price control operation

Govt will continue rice price control operation JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Chapter of the National Logistics Agency (Dolog Jaya) has said that the ongoing market operation aimed at controlling the price of rice will continue until prices returned to normal. Councilor Abdulgani H.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Tarzan 3:05 Children's Creativity 3:30 TV Series: Gunsmoke 4:30 Boy Scouts 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Arabic Lessons 6:05 Nusantara the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:25 Koran Recital 6:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama: Meniti Pelangi 8:05 TV Series: Combat 9:00 World News 9:30 Sports Program 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Passage West Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Borobudur, Prambanan temples will have modern theaters

Borobudur, Prambanan temples will have modern theaters JAKARTA (JP): The government is inviting several private sector firms to establish a joint venture with the state-owned temple management company to construct modern theaters near the Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Central Java.

Fire razes 300 houses

Fire razes 300 houses SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Fire razed around 300 houses in the city on Wednesday, leaving some 1,500 people homeless. Houses along Jl. Imam Bonjol and Jl. Kapuas were gutted by the fire which was believed to have started when a stove exploded in one of the houses. An elementary school, two photo studios, an optical shop and a number of offices were among the structures destroyed by fire, according to Antara. It took seven fire brigades to extinguish the fire. (05)

Bank NISP to go public

Bank NISP to go public JAKARTA (JP): The Bandung-based Bank NISP, one of the oldest banks in the country, plans to offer 12.5 million new shares, which will account for 20 percent of its total common stocks, to the public to generate funds to finance its expansion programs. A bank report made available here yesterday said that a Japanese-Indonesian securities company, Nomura Indonesia, will act as lead underwriter of the bank's share issuance.

Federal Motor gets loan

Federal Motor gets loan JAKARTA (JP): PT Federal Motor, the sole agent and manufacturer of Honda motorcycles, obtained US$100 million in a syndicated loan under an agreement with 23 foreign banks which was signed in Singapore yesterday. The three-year loan charges an annual interest rate which is floating 1.98 percent above the Singapore inter-bank offered rate (SIBOR). The loan will be used to refinance a previous syndicated loan which was used by Federal Motor for importing spare parts.

`Jakarta, Botabek inseparable'

`Jakarta, Botabek inseparable' Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday that various problems faced by Jakarta could not be solved by the city administration because the capital city is inseparable with surrounding areas. "The problems of the city are closely related to urbanization and the progress of development in the buffer zone areas (Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi)," Surjadi said.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): The price rally on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued yesterday for the third consecutive day, with most shares booking a significant gain in active trading. The broad-based Composite Index rose by another 5.6 points to close at 464.85 yesterday as compared to 459.23 on Tuesday after booking a gain of 6.5 points. The high returns on the last two trading days were the highest recorded since early June.

Looking for parent

Looking for parent From Pikiran Rakyat Durji left his wife, Kesih, while she was expecting their child. The child is now 19 years old and longing to meet the father. Durji used to live in Sedong, Cirebon and work in Jakarta as a contract construction laborer. He had a brother named Amin. Anyone who knows him and his whereabouts, or his relatives, can contact: Eman, SD Cisaga VIII, Desa Mekarmukti, Kec. Cisaga, Cirebon, Jawa Barat. EMAN Cirebon, West Java

Dumping charges on textiles groundless

Dumping charges on textiles groundless JAKARTA (JP): Dumping charges launched by European countries on Indonesian textile producers are groundless and are a means of protectionism, an official of the Indonesian Textile Association (API) said yesterday. "Dumping charges from importing countries are often harassment of their trade relationship with exporting countries," API's Deputy Chairman Chamroel Djafri told The Jakarta Post.

Five-day working week

Five-day working week From Republika The five-day working week plan is good news for civil servants, employees of the private sector and school students. However, it means they will have to work longer days throughout the week. Since Friday will become the last day of the week, what about the Friday prayers? Exhaustion from work throughout the week may culminate on Friday and people may easily fall asleep in mosques.

Hoteliers welcome policy on use of Chinese characters

Hoteliers welcome policy on use of Chinese characters JAKARTA (JP): Hotels in Jakarta and Surabaya welcome the government's move to permit them to print brochures in Chinese, although the larger establishments say Chinese-speaking visitors make up a small percentage of their patrons. The policy would give hoteliers a choice of whether or not to extend the market to Chinese-speaking visitors, said Riza A. Suryo, Public Relations Director of Jakarta's Shangri-La Hotel.

Ramos seeks peace with church

Ramos seeks peace with church MANILA (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos sought peace yesterday with the Roman Catholic Church over the government's campaign to trim high Philippine population growth through contraception.

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.

Feminist Nasrin surrenders in Dhaka, court grants bail

Feminist Nasrin surrenders in Dhaka, court grants bail DHAKA (AFP): Fugitive feminist writer Taslima Nasrin yesterday ended two months in hiding, surrendering before a tightly-guarded superior court where she was immediately granted bail. She was sheltered by a western diplomat while in hiding and has sought asylum in the United States, a diplomatic source said.

Rice traders told not to hoard

Rice traders told not to hoard BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Deputy Governor Gusti Hasan Aman has appealed to local rice traders not to hoard the commodity in the hope of bolstering their profit. He said that the government was prepared to beat them at their game as it has ample stocks which it could release in the market to bring the prices down, the Antara news agency reported. Rice prices have shot up upon speculation that the severe dry spell is threatening the national rice supply.

New fast boats for coast guards

New fast boats for coast guards JAKARTA (JP): The Navy received four new fast patrol boats yesterday which it will deploy for its coast guard units' drive against smuggling and illegal fishing. The boats, built by a local shipbuilding company, PT. Mahayala Utama, are not equipped with guns but can travel non-stop for 15 hours and have a maximum speed of 32 knots per hour. Each can carry 14 passengers.