Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 September 1994

57 articles found

Great Olajuwon gives brief basketball clinic

Great Olajuwon gives brief basketball clinic JAKARTA (JP): It was too short to be called a course, but the almost 30 minute basketball clinic put on by superstar Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon will live forever in the minds of the Indonesian junior players present. Dapper in a long sleeve dress shirt replete with necktie, the towering Olajuwon did indeed break a sweat while demonstrating his blistering skills to the youngsters at Senayan basketball hall yesterday.

State keeps postal service monopoly

State keeps postal service monopoly JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned postal service Perum Pos dan Giro (PPG) will continue its monopoly in the handling of letters, postcards and aerograms under a new regulation. Under the new regulation, signed by Director General of Post and Telecommunications Djakaria Purawidjaja last month, the state postal service will also a monopoly on selling stamps.

Jobseekers outpace jobs

Jobseekers outpace jobs DILI, East Timor: The size of East Timor's workforce has been increasing at an annual rate of 3.74 in the last five years while the number of job opportunities are increasing at a pace of 3.37 percent, according to head of the Manpower Office Anton Setyono. Anton explained that the East Timor work force increases rapidly largely because a greater number of local women are now opting to work.

Sri Bintang wants merger of public transit companies

Sri Bintang wants merger of public transit companies JAKARTA (JP): An outspoken member of the House of Representatives has suggested the authority to ask all privately- owned public transportation companies to merge so that they can be properly controlled in order to provide more comfortable desirable transportation means. "In many countries, public transportation is always monopolized by the authorities which assign a special body to oversee it," Sri-Bintang Pamungkas told a seminar yesterday.

Rainy season likely to come late for most of Java: Karjoto

Rainy season likely to come late for most of Java: Karjoto JAKARTA (JP): The weathermen have more bad news for farmers, the government and the people of Java and eastern Indonesia who are experiencing water shortages. The official weather agency predicts that the rainy season is coming late this year for many parts of Indonesia, and for some it won't even start until December. When it does finally come, the rainfall in some areas is predicted to be below normal.

It's visa-free to visit Turkey

It's visa-free to visit Turkey JAKARTA (JP): Beginning this Thursday, Indonesian passport holders intending to visit Turkey will no longer need a visa to enter the country. "This decision was made in the light of the friendly relations between Turkey and Indonesia, with the purpose of developing cooperation between Turkish and Indonesian peoples in every field," the Turkish embassy said in a statement yesterday.

Thailand scalps favorite Japan 2-0 in U-19 opener

Thailand scalps favorite Japan 2-0 in U-19 opener JAKARTA (JP): Thailand lived up to its billing as a promising Asian soccer powerhouse as it pounded favorite Japan 2-0 in their Asian youth under-19 soccer championship opener yesterday. Efficient play paid dividends for the Thai youngsters, while the Japanese side, who were stretched throughout the 90 minutes of the match, found no room to score.

Senior officials of APEC forum hail EPG report

Senior officials of APEC forum hail EPG report By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat YOGYAKARTA (JP): Senior officials of the 17 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum yesterday gave a positive response to a report by a special task force which recommended the implementation of free trade by the year 2020. "Many gave their support to the thrust of the report ... They reacted positively," said Indonesia's Wisber Loeis, who chaired yesterday's meeting of APEC officials.

Population conference

Population conference I have been closely following the news coming out of the International Population Conference in Cairo as published by The Jakarta Post. However, I find that the Post has so far not carried the message sent by the Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa to the Conference. In this message, she has called for a fight against abortion and has described it as the greatest destroyer of peace in the world.

Repeat offender fatally shot for resisting arrest

Repeat offender fatally shot for resisting arrest JAKARTA (JP): A much-sought after recidivist, who had been in jail eight times since 1982, was shot to death by city police in the wee hours yesterday. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. A. Latief Rabar said that Sugeng, 31, was gunned down when he tried to escape during a raid in Karet Tengsin, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. "After firing two warning shots, the officers in charge had no other choice but to shoot his leg and back," Latief said.

RI introduces human resource development draft

RI introduces human resource development draft By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia introduced yesterday a draft declaration on human resource development for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which will be proposed to the forum's ministerial meeting in Jakarta in November.

Sindunegara will become doctor

Sindunegara will become doctor Karyana Sindunegara, 62, a senior lecturer from the Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java, will be inducted on Wednesday as doctor on literature at an inauguration ceremony at the School of Literature of the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok. At his induction, Soedradjat is scheduled to present a scientific paper entitled Pengaruh Matra Sansekerta di Indonesia (the Influence of Sanskrit Words in Indonesian Language) .

Execution of Kupang convicts imminent

Execution of Kupang convicts imminent JAKARTA (JP): Three men sentenced to death for murdering an entire family in 1989 will be executed soon. They were allowed to meet with their close relatives for the last time last weekend at a penitentiary in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. "The three men are still here. We're just waiting for the word from the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta," a staff member at the Penfui penitentiary, who requested anonymity, told The Jakarta Post by phone yesterday.

RI forest concessions restructured

RI forest concessions restructured JAKARTA (JP): A ministerial decree will force the merger of 195 forest concessions into a smaller number in the coming five years under a new management system aimed at assuring the sustainability of Indonesian forests.

3,000 dogs vaccinated

3,000 dogs vaccinated SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The provincial government embarked on a two-week anti-rabies campaign Saturday, providing vaccinations for 3,000 pet dogs. Deputy governor Said Abdurrachman said the campaign aimed at making East Kalimantan rabies-free. Rabies, commonly transmitted by infected dogs, remains a "dreadful problem" in the province. The latest report of rabies was reported when a man suffering the disease was admitted to the hospital in 1991.

Islanders told to shop by mail

Islanders told to shop by mail PEKANBARU, Riau: The state post office company `Perum Pos dan Giro' is introducing a "shop by mail" service to facilitate the people in this province. Syahril Lubis, head of the company's local branch, said shopping by mail can offer goods at competitive prices with the added bonus that the goods will be delivered to their doorsteps. The company has produced a brochure that it is distributing to homes in the province, he said. (emb)

NGOs demand release of Moslem sect leader and family

NGOs demand release of Moslem sect leader and family KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian human rights groups yesterday demanded the immediate release of a Moslem sect leader and his wife, who were keeping their six-month-old baby with them while under state detention. "We are deeply concerned for Mubaraka, the baby daughter of Ashaari Muhammad and Khadija Aam, who is now being detained with her parents," R. Sivarasa, a spokesman for six non-governmental organizations (NGOs), told reporters.

House welcomes next tax bills as revenue getters

House welcomes next tax bills as revenue getters JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday welcomed the tax bills which will improve law enforcement among taxpayers and streamline the tax collection system. The four political factions of the House said in their general views on the bills, in a plenary session that will amend the tax laws introduced in 1984, that law enforcement is a key factor in increasing the government's tax receipts.

Govt introduces workers export quota

Govt introduces workers export quota JAKARTA (JP): The government effective Jan. 1 will enforce a quota system on the number of persons a manpower supplier company can send as part of its scheme to phase out the sending of unskilled workers. Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief told reporters that the ministerial decree regulating the quota has already been signed and approved by President Soeharto.

Water supply to some areas stopped

Water supply to some areas stopped The City Water Company, PAM Jaya, announced yesterday that its services to some areas in the city will be stopped for several hours today due to the installation of a remote control system in an electrical relay station. The stoppage will last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PSP to see more profits

PSP to see more profits JAKARTA (JP): PT Putra Surya Perkasa, a private real estate developer, estimates a 316 percent increase in this year's net profits which will be due to a growth in sales. The company's senior vice president, Jacob Kang, told reporters over the weekend that his company will likely see a net profit of Rp 80 billion (US$36.73 million) this year, more than three times last year's profits of Rp 19.23 billion. "Last year, we just focused on the business of property rental.

Ulemas and Politics: The case of the NU `kiyai'

Ulemas and Politics: The case of the NU `kiyai' Nahdlatul Ulama politicians, disappointed by the recent congress of the United Development Party, are contemplating joining the Indonesian Democratic Party, while others are toying with the idea of setting up a new political entity. Moslem intellectual Azyumardi Azra sees this thinking as unrealistic. JAKARTA (JP): Some interesting developments have unfolded in the aftermath of the recent third congress of the United Development Party (PPP).

Tasik ready for NU parlay

Tasik ready for NU parlay BANDUNG: The host organizers of the upcoming congress of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, says they are ready to accommodate the participants and observers to the big gathering. The Cipasung Moslem boarding school in Tasikmalaya, where the congress will be held, said it is anticipating 5,000 people, including 3,500 delegates. The congress is expected to be opened by President Soeharto, according to the Antara news agency.

Prevent pregnancy!

Prevent pregnancy! When this letter appears in The Jakarta Post, the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo may just have ended. Controversial issues linked to fertility and the status of women have been the topics of the conference. The main objectives of this conference are: to stabilize population growth and fight endemic under-development.

Quality human resources

Quality human resources During the sixth five-year development plan we must focus our attention on enhancing the quality of human resources and the quality of the life. The values of social justice must touch every aspect of life. According to President Soeharto, the nation will be faced with more complicated challenges during this phase. This is not only due to the unpredictability of global development but also the increased development of the country.

Man may get 5 years for raping maid

Man may get 5 years for raping maid JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor H.P.W. Soekewi urged the North Jakarta District Court, yesterday, to sentence Ferdinand Sitompul to five years imprisonment for allegedly raping a maid. "Your honor -- Ferdinand has, beyond any doubt, been found guilty of raping and battering a maid," said Soekewi. She added that Sitompul deserved five years imprisonment.

Bapindo bosses sacrificed banking principles: Witness

Bapindo bosses sacrificed banking principles: Witness JAKARTA (JP): The directors of Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) sacrificed banking principles in 1989 when they extended loans to Golden Key Group because they wanted to help the company beat a deadline to win a project.

Ulemas facing rising temptation to join with PDI

Ulemas facing rising temptation to join with PDI JAKARTA (JP): Moslem ulemas who opposed the re-election of the United Development Party's Ismail Hasan Metareum are becoming increasingly tempted to shift their support to the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). Yesterday, the Indonesian Moslems Assembly (MMI), a mass organization affiliated with PDI, said it plans to invite top ulemas Alawy Muhammad and Abdurrahman Wahid to its congress later this month.

Radar installed at troubled airport

Radar installed at troubled airport KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): A mobile radar has been installed at Kuala Lumpur's airport to replace one knocked out by a fire but it will be another week before flight schedules return to normal, Malaysian Airlines System said yesterday. A mobile radar system, on loan from South Africa, was installed at Subang international airport on Sunday.

TV Today

TV Today TVRI 2:00 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Diletansia 3:30 TV Series: International Family Classic 4:30 Iptek 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: East Java 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Open University 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Insight 8:05 Drama 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 11:05 Late News 11:15 Film: Barbarosa Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Missionaries repatriated

Missionaries repatriated JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The government's plan to repatriate foreign missionaries under the "Indonesianization" of Christian propagation is a blow to the provincial administration, governor Jacob Pattipi said Saturday. Pattipi said Irian Jaya needed foreign missionaries not only to propagate Christianity but also to help the local government develop the numerous isolated villages on the sparsely populated island.

Major trading houses' joint ventures soaring

Major trading houses' joint ventures soaring TOKYO (AFP): The number of Asian joint ventures affiliated with six major Japanese trading houses is rapidly increasing, notably in China, where the figure is expected to surge 79 percent in the year to next March, according to a survey published yesterday. Six major traders -- Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Marubeni Corp., Sumitomo Corp., Itochu Corp. and Nissho Iwai Corp.

Apartments for fire victims

Apartments for fire victims Victims of the fire which gutted hundreds of houses at Bendungan Hilir, Tanah Abang subdistrict, Central Jakarta, on Friday, have supported the municipality's plan to build apartments on the old fire site. The support was contained in a formal statement submitted by 15 neighborhood chiefs of the area and a number of the fire victims to Mayor Abdul Kahfi who previously had disclosed the plan to them. The fire left a total of 465 families homeless.

Indonesia's biggest shopping mall being built in Pluit

Indonesia's biggest shopping mall being built in Pluit JAKARTA (JP): Residents of North Jakarta will soon enjoy a new mega shopping mall called Mega Mall Pluit being built at a total cost of Rp 150 billion (US$68.7 million). Sri Purwanto, a public relations officer of the company, said over the weekend that the shopping mall, designed to be the biggest of its kind in the country, is owned and being developed by PT Duta Wisata Loka.

Huge power expansion

Huge power expansion The massive development of new power generation stations recently, as explained by Zuhal, the president of the State Electricity Company (PLN), augurs several encouraging trends. One significant advance is the doubling of PLN's generation capacity to more than 26,000 megawatts within the next five years, which will hopefully solve the severe electricity shortage which has been hindering industrial development since 1990.

Gulf to learn from Asia

Gulf to learn from Asia ABU DHABI (AFP): Gulf Arab states should copy the development experience of Japan and other Asian economic giants if they want to achieve adequate growth in non-oil sectors, a former World Bank expert says.

Car taxes

Car taxes From Bisnis Indonesia According to reports, the Jakarta City legislative council has already given its approval to a draft regulation regarding a progressive system of taxes on motorized vehicles in the Jakarta area. The draft has reportedly been submitted to the Minister of Home Affairs for endorsement. So that the new regulation will be implemented fairly, I would like to make the following suggestions: 1.

Malaysian police nab 600 illegals

Malaysian police nab 600 illegals KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian police rounded up more than 600 illegal immigrants, comprising Bangladeshis, Indonesians, Burmese and Filipinos, following a swoop on a coastal town, officials said yesterday. The illegals, including 30 women, were spending their weekend in the town of Klang in central Selangor state when police zoomed in. Most of those caught were Bangladeshis.

Environmental tragedy

Environmental tragedy A friend and I recently completed a trek in the Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra. During our stay we were greatly disturbed by the flagrant disregard for the park's boundaries shown by a few unscrupulous residents. Significant areas of the forest have been chopped down, with the wood being either burnt or left to rot. The cause of this apparent insanity is for the growing of tomato and chili plants.

21 killed in road crash

21 killed in road crash MEDAN, North Sumatra: Twenty-one people were killed when a bus rammed into a truck which was parked on the Trans Sumatra Highway in Labuhan Batu regency on Sunday. The Berlian Baru bus was on its way from Rantau Prapat towards Pematang Siantar when its driver lost control while avoiding another bus coming in the opposite direction.

Tanah Merah people strike back over demolition of their home

Tanah Merah people strike back over demolition of their home JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of residents living in a 160-hectare disputed plot of land in Tanah Merah, North Jakarta, visited the National Commission of Human Rights yesterday, asking the Commission to stop the demolition of their shanties by the government agencies. "The Commission earlier had advised that the agencies respect the law. The Commission's remark, however, went unheeded," said M.

Rubber prices firmer

Rubber prices firmer SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's rubber futures prices ended a shade firmer yesterday during quiet trading, in line with the slightly elevated Tokyo and Kobe markets, dealers said. "With the Japanese markets going up almost everyday, traders were reluctant to trade today and were mostly sidelined," said a dealer, adding that the Tokyo market was up about a half yen.

Islands rift may be raised during Mahathir's visit

Islands rift may be raised during Mahathir's visit JAKARTA (JP): The lingering dispute over the ownership of the Sipadan and Ligitan islands is likely to find its way into talks between President Soeharto and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when the latter makes an unofficial visit later this week.

Expo of export products

Expo of export products JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will hold its ninth export product exhibition at the Jakarta Fairgrounds next month to promote the country's non-oil exports, which have been declining since early this year. Chairman of the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) Rudy Lengkong told journalists here yesterday that the six-day exhibition, called Resource Indonesia '94, will be officially opened by Vice President Try Sutrisno on Oct. 25.

Resort project resumes

Resort project resumes JAKARTA (JP): The construction of the Bali Nirwana Resort (BNR) project near the Tanah Lot temple in Bali, which has been halted for eight months, will soon resume after the completion of the study on environmental impact (amdal). A spokesman for the Bakrie Group, the sponsor of the project, said yesterday that the study has been completed by the Udayana University Study Center.

Metro Mini needs reorganization

Metro Mini needs reorganization Aip Sjarifuddin, the head of Land Transportation Company (Organda) Organization says that the management of PT Metro Mini, the biggest private land transportation in Jakarta, should be reorganized. He said that the operation of Metro Mini busses should not be handled by their individual owners but should be managed by the company itself.

Beware of medical technology abuse: Defense minister

Beware of medical technology abuse: Defense minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Edi Sudradjat warns Indonesia against potential abuse of medical technology as weapons for destruction. Considering the rapid advancement in genetics engineering techniques, "it's possible that people might want to develop virus which can weaken the human resources of a nation," he told a workshop on abuse of medical technology here yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices closed mostly lower on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday after gaining ground the last three weeks. The broad-based Composite Index yesterday closed at 521.23, 11.12 points off Friday's close of 532.25. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also weakened to end at 127.69 from 130.41 on Friday.

Illegal fee

Illegal fee From Kompas Last June my family went to the Central Jakarta Religious Court Office at Tanah Abang to draw up a will. In the process we came across some rather puzzling facts. To begin with, upon registration (at table 1) we were asked to pay the administration cost of Rp 2,500 without any receipt. When paying the cost of the court session we were obliged to pay an additional fee almost twice the official cost printed on the receipt, i.e.

RI's per capita income will be $1,000 by 1999

RI's per capita income will be $1,000 by 1999 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's per capita income will reach US$1,000 a year by the end of the current Sixth Five Year Plan (Repelita VI) in 1998/99, according to the country's leading statistician. Chief of the Central Bureau of Statistics Soegito said that he is confident that if the present rate continues, Indonesia will be able to break the $1,000 mark within the next four years.

Amway expands spans

Amway expands spans JAKARTA (JP): PT Amindoway Jaya, a sole direct-selling distributor of Amway products, expands its spans into eastern provinces of the country by opening its branch in Surabaya. Frank Reuneker, president of Amindoway Jaya, said here yesterday that the opening of the Surabaya branch is part of the company's efforts to increase the sale of Amway products, which include 30 household appliances.

Investors need more information on East Timor

Investors need more information on East Timor DILI, East Timor (JP): The government and local administration need to prepare detailed information on potential businesses that can be developed by private sector companies in a bid to attract investors into East Timor, economist Frans Seda says.

Two may be jailed for operating gambling den

Two may be jailed for operating gambling den JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor Soejitno demanded yesterday that the North Jakarta District court sentence defendant Guan An and Willy Hartono to eight and five months imprisonment respectively for their alleged roles in a gambling operation. "Guan An's involvement in the illicit gambling business has been proven, therefore I urge the honorable judges to sentence him to eight months imprisonment," he said.

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.

Diarrhea hospitalizes 36 and kills one on Panggang Island

Diarrhea hospitalizes 36 and kills one on Panggang Island JAKARTA (JP): An outbreak of diarrhea has killed one person and caused 36 other people to be hospitalized in Panggang -- one of the Seribu islands -- a newspaper report said. The outbreak of the disease in the area was due to the dearth of drinking water during the current prolonged dry season, Suara Pembaruan reported yesterday. The daily said the epidemic has affected area residents since early this month.

Family planning in East Timor

Family planning in East Timor DILI, East Timor: Some 43 percent of an estimated 106,000 fertile couples in the predominantly Roman Catholic East Timor are registered as participants of family planning. An official of the governor's office, Armen Thaher, said that the majority of the couples opted for the injectable birth control method because it is considered to be the least risky and most practical, the Antara news agency reported.

Terminal fees

Terminal fees From Neraca I would like to bring my personal experience in Pulogadung terminal to the authority's notice. The practice of taking illegal fees at this particular terminal is rampant and it becomes livelier particularly in the early hours when the inter- city buses are arriving from West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java. As buses enter the terminal area two or three terminal employees stop each of the buses and the bus crew hand over a few Rp 1,000 banknotes.