Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 September 1994

52 articles found

APEC's trade vision

APEC's trade vision The most visionary among the policy recommendations contained in the second report of the Eminent Persons Group delivered on Wednesday to President Soeharto, in his capacity as the Chairman of APEC, is the call for the development of free and open trade and investment in the Asia- Pacific region by 2020 at the latest.

15 firms invest Rp 1.3 trillion in provincial plantations

15 firms invest Rp 1.3 trillion in provincial plantations JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen companies have signed agreements on the establishment of plantations under a transmigration scheme with a total investment of Rp 1.3 trillion (US$597 billion), an official at the Ministry of Transmigration said here yesterday.

New chief for Bukit Barisan

New chief for Bukit Barisan MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Bukit Barisan Military Command, which oversees Aceh, the northern part of Sumatra, now has a new chief. Brig. Gen. Arie J. Kumaat, who headed the Military's Intelligence Agency, was inducted on Thursday to replace Maj. Gen. A. Pranowo during a gala military ceremony presided over by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar.

Workers of PT Cometa Can Corp. end four-day strike

Workers of PT Cometa Can Corp. end four-day strike JAKARTA (JP): Workers of PT Cometa Can Corp., a West Jakarta- based can factory, ended their four-day strike at noon yesterday after their representatives and the company's management reached an agreement on their demands. "The management has fulfilled our (seven) requests and hence we agree to resume work, starting with the second shift," said Suhaimi, a member of the workers' representatives negotiating with the company management.

Non-oil exports show signs of recovery

Non-oil exports show signs of recovery JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Trade and Industry Hartarto said yesterday that Indonesia's non-oil exports have showed signs of recovering following a decline in the first quarter of this year. Hartarto said that in June, non-oil exports reached a monthly value of above US$2.7 billion for the first time ever, indicating a 14.9 percent increase over the same period of 1993.

Buddhist monks complain of rights abuses in Walubi rift

Buddhist monks complain of rights abuses in Walubi rift JAKARTA (JP): A group of Buddhists monks and laypersons visited the headquarters of the National Commission on Human Rights yesterday to complain about alleged brutalities by opponents in the dispute befalling the Buddhist Council (Walubi). "We are concerned with the inhumane treatment conducted by certain people who intend to protect their own vested interests," spokesperson Parwati Soepangat told the commission.

Singapore seeks IHT report

Singapore seeks IHT report SINGAPORE (Reuter): Former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his son, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, are seeking damages from the International Herald Tribune newspaper for an article that alleged nepotism, a lawyer said on yesterday. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is doing the same, he said. The newspaper printed an apology on Wednesday for suggesting that Lee Hsien Loong got his job purely because of his father, now a senior minister.

Few attend Saigon Kick's lackluster show

Few attend Saigon Kick's lackluster show By Yoko N. Sari JAKARTA (JP): Rock band Saigon Kick painstakingly entertained their Jakarta fans during their one off performance at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center's Plenary Hall last Saturday night. The 5,000 seat concert hall was quite empty as they opened the concert with one of their hits entitled One Step Closer.

IMF surprised at Philippines' positive economic performance

IMF surprised at Philippines' positive economic performance MANILA (AFP): Positive economic figures for the Philippines in the first half of the year surprised a newly-arrived International Monetary Fund (IMF) review team, an economic official said yesterday. Officials presented to the IMF team figures showing the country's 5.4 percent gross national product (GNP) growth in the second quarter of the year, which pushed growth for the first half to 5.07 percent.

Computer exhibition to begin

Computer exhibition to begin JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Computer Entrepreneurs Association (Apkomindo) will hold its third exhibition, IndoComtech '94, at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center from Sept. 7 to Sept. 11. A spokesman for the association, Chris I. Japari, told reporters here yesterday that 80 companies will take part in the exhibition to provide the latest information on computer technology.

Religious leaders support RI stand on abortion in Cairo

Religious leaders support RI stand on abortion in Cairo JAKARTA (JP): The leaders of Indonesia's Moslem and Roman Catholic communities threw their support behind the government's fight against abortion as a means of population control yesterday.

Motorists who bribe officers to face trial: Hindarto

Motorists who bribe officers to face trial: Hindarto JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto yesterday said that motorists believed to have attempted to bribe police officers on duty will be brought to court. "Giving bribes is a crime and hence anyone suspected of attempting to bribe police officers on duty can be tried," he told reporters after attending the 46th celebration of Policewomen's Day at National Police headquarters.

Mayor against court decision on land row

Mayor against court decision on land row JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said that he will appeal to the Jakarta High Administrative Court against the decision of the District State Administrative Court on a land dispute in Lebak Bulus. The district court overruled Pardjoko's ruling on a disputed 2,000 square-meter plot of land on Jl. Cireundeu in Lebak Bulus, and ordered him to pay a fine of Rp 470,000 (US$216). "I will appeal.

Tagore revisits Indonesia through dance drama `Chitrangada'

Tagore revisits Indonesia through dance drama `Chitrangada' By Linda Owens JAKARTA (JP): The legacy of Indian culture in Indonesia endures in the language, in the literature, in the architecture and in the performing and visual arts. As an Indian, Dr. Nilanjana Mukherjee was struck by these similarities when she first came to Indonesia to work as a nutrition expert.

Chinese in Singkawang support family planning

Chinese in Singkawang support family planning Text and photos by Lewa Pardomuan SINGKAWANG, W. Kalimantan (JP): An old Chinese saying states, "The more children you have the wealthier you will be." Although most Indonesians now believe that a small family has two children, the Indonesian-Chinese in Singkawang and the neighboring districts prefer to have three or four children. They say that having only two does not seem to be enough.

Peace commission lauded

Peace commission lauded DILI, East Timor: The church's recent initiative to form Commission for Peace and Justice has been widely praised by local community leaders. They hope that the commission will help create more respect for human rights in the predominantly Roman Catholic province. Florentino, chairman of the ETADEP Foundation, said the commission should address the numerous social problems stemming from racial discrimination and human rights abuses.

Better protection for forests

Better protection for forests UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Governor HZ Basri Palaguna pledged Saturday to intensify forestry control. Palaguna said forestry development faced major challenges such as the increasing amount of unproductive land, fires and illegal logging by nomadic farmers. "We need a wise policy to preserve the forests and protect the environment," he said as quoted by Antara.

APEC meeting in Tokyo

APEC meeting in Tokyo TOKYO (AFP): The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will hold a two-day vice-ministerial conference on small- and medium-sized businesses in Tokyo starting yesterday. Trade Ministry officials said that vice ministers from the 17 APEC member nations and regions are attending the meeting to prepare for a ministerial meeting scheduled for late October in Osaka, western Japan.

Bomb threat at JIS is false alarm

Bomb threat at JIS is false alarm JAKARTA (JP): Police said yesterday that a bomb threat at the Jakarta International School (JIS) turned out to be a false alarm. "After receiving a bomb threat at the school, we deployed a number of personnel to search the whole building but found no bomb," National Police spokesman Col. Hari Sutanto said yesterday. Spokeswoman of the U.S.

Wardens' welfare to be improved: Oetojo

Wardens' welfare to be improved: Oetojo JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman yesterday promised to improve the welfare of prison guards more commensurate with the heavy responsibility they shoulder. Oetojo disclosed that the question of warden's welfare is included in a legislation currently being drafted by the government to improve the way the country manages its jails.

Bapindo staffers blame Subekti in loan scandal

Bapindo staffers blame Subekti in loan scandal JAKARTA (JP): Two middle management executives of Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) blamed their former boss Subekti Ismaun for the Rp 1.3 million ($620 million) loan scandal at the government bank. Both M.

Two state banks take over management of Kanindo

Two state banks take over management of Kanindo JAKARTA (JP): A consortium of two state banks, Bank Bumi Daya and Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo), has taken over the management of the debt-ridden PT Kanindo Success Textile until it is ready for acquisition by a third party. "An agreement on the takeover was actually signed by Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad last month," an informed official, who insisted on anonymity, told reporters yesterday.

KL shuts door on talks with sect

KL shuts door on talks with sect KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government yesterday said it would not hold talks with leaders of the outlawed Al Arqam Moslem sect and dismissed reports that an official had met with the controversial group in Thailand. "The Al-Arqam has been banned and declared as deviationist. So why should we send officials to hold discussions with the movement?," asked Hamid Othman, deputy minister in Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's office.

Moro peace talks begin amid air of optimism

Moro peace talks begin amid air of optimism JAKARTA (JP): The second round of formal peace talks between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Philippine government began in high spirits here yesterday as both sides expressed confidence in the ultimate success of the current meetings. "Today we carry the mandate of our president to bring this negotiation to a higher plane and a brighter horizon of peace, progress and prosperity for the southern Philippines," said Manuel T.

Exim Bank raises loan

Exim Bank raises loan JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia (Exim Bank) is listing its US$59 million floating rate notes due in 1999 on the Stock Exchange of Singapore, the bank said yesterday.

PPP congress ends with new board lineup

PPP congress ends with new board lineup JAKARTA (JP): The congress of the United Development Party (PPP) last night endorsed the formation of the 21-strong party's central executive board (DPP) and six-person advisory board (MPP). The line up of the executive board is as follows: Chairman (1): Ismail Hasan Metareum. Deputy Chairperson (9): Aisyah Aminy, Hamzah Haz, Ali Hardi Kiaidemak, Yudo Paripurno, Djoefri Asmoredjo, Zein Badjeber, Syaiful Anwar Husein, Jusuf Syakir and Zarkasih Nur.

2,000 Chinese seek citizenship

2,000 Chinese seek citizenship PALU, Central Sulawesi: Some 2,073 out of 2,681 registered Chinese descendants in Central Sulawesi have applied for Indonesian citizenship, Vice Governor H.M. Sulaiman said. "Their applications are being processed by the immigration office, the district court and other government agencies," Sulaiman was quoted by Antara as saying. Sulaiman heads a team carrying out a census on the number of Chinese descendants in the province.

Jakarta to become waterfront city

Jakarta to become waterfront city Deputy Governor for Economics and Development Tb. M. Rais said that the city administration plans to transform Jakarta into one of the most beautiful waterfront cities in Southeast Asia. "We have neglected the development of the Jakarta Bay over the last two decades. We just made it into a huge basin for our garbage," he told a seminar on Wednesday.

Companies told to operate night fleet

Companies told to operate night fleet The head of the City Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency (DLLAJ), J.P. Sepang, said that public transit companies operating in the city had to mobilize 30 percent of their fleets for night transportation in order to meet the increasing public demand for that service. "Night transportation will be launched officially starting next week," Sepang said.

Helplessness pervasive among Indonesians

Helplessness pervasive among Indonesians JAKARTA (JP): A pervasive feeling of helplessness is still reigning over most Indonesians, and they have a tendency to remain silent in the face of injustices or other difficulties, a scholar says. Dr. Marwah Daud Ibrahim, a legislator from the House's Commission I on security and political affairs, said on Wednesday that this helplessness is a legacy of the authorities' domination during the first 25 years of the New Order government.

Cairo conference

Cairo conference The use of contraception in population control has become a controversial issue at the upcoming Cairo conference following protests from both Moslems and Catholics. Indonesia, for one, believes in traditional values in family life. We expect that our presence at the conference will serve as troubleshooters toward the controversial issues. This is also a role assumed by Indonesian in many other international conferences like OPEC, for example.

Belated mail

Belated mail From Kompas On Aug. 15 two express letters were delivered to my house. The first one had a post office stamp dated Aug. 2, and came from Yogyakarta for our son. This letter informed him that Aug. 16 was the deadline for payment of his college fee for the first semester study at Atma Jaya University in the city. The second one which had a post office stamp dated Aug. 6, came from our cousin in Jakarta. He invited us to attend a religious ceremony in Cipanas.

Labor supply firms get 6-month reprieve

Labor supply firms get 6-month reprieve JAKARTA (JP): The government has postponed the enforcement of stricter rules regulating the lucrative but highly disorderly business of sending Indonesian workers overseas. The decision was announced during a meeting between Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief and around 100 executives of manpower supplier companies.

Moros granted greater autonomy

Moros granted greater autonomy JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of the Philippine government have agreed to delegate greater autonomy to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the judiciary and education fields. "They (the Philippine government) have agreed to allow the use of the Arabic language as a medium of instruction in areas involving religious studies," said Indonesia's chief mediator S. Wiryono of yesterday's first day of talks here.

Three killed in road collision

Three killed in road collision SEMARANG: Three people were killed and 15 others injured when two minibuses collided head on along the Kalimas highway in Mijen on Wednesday. Witnesses said that the driver of one of the minibuses, Kristanto, apparently lost control of the steering wheel, causing his vehicle to veer to the right and into the path of the approaching minibus. Kristanto had just returned from visiting his ailing father at a hospital.

Arief Budiman to sue varsity

Arief Budiman to sue varsity SALATIGA, Central Java: Satya Wacana Christian University Lecturer Arief Budiman plans to sue the college's rector and foundation for slandering his name and reputation. Arief told reporters that he was disputing in particular a circular issued by the university's foundation expressing its concern over remarks he reportedly made, and reprinted in the press, that discredited the university.

Ismail Hasan re-elected PPP chief

Ismail Hasan re-elected PPP chief JAKARTA (JP): Ismail Hasan Metareum was re-elected chairman of the Moslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP) yesterday after a tense day-long deliberation. His re-election will apparently keep the party's notorious internal rifts aflame because he was deprived of the endorsement of influential ulemas of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Disney to look over Thailand

Disney to look over Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): Three executives from the Disney Development Co. arrive in Bangkok today to scout locations for another Disney amusement park, a Thai official said. The Americans will be looking at potential sites of at least 480 hectares some 150 kilometers or more from Bangkok, Veerayuth Chungsura, managing director of the Siam Park Co., said yesterday. The new Disney park will include hotels, so a large tract of land is needed, Veerayuth told AFP.

Kuala Lumpur airport hit by gold bar robbery

Kuala Lumpur airport hit by gold bar robbery KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Seven robbers made off with 12 gold bars from Malaysia's troubled Kuala Lumpur International Airport and an angry Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday planes might start disappearing soon. The robbery on Wednesday was the second gold-bar theft this year at the airport, still recovering from a fire that destroyed its air traffic control radar on Aug. 13.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices continued gaining ground on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday amid a strong selling pressure on industrial issues. The broad-based Composite Index managed to book another increase ending the day 2.4 points higher at 512.70 despite the fall in prices of a number of bluechips. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index closed almost unchanged at 124.76, as compared to 124.34 on the previous day.

New RI soccer league to be named Dunhill

New RI soccer league to be named Dunhill JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian professional soccer league became reality after the country's soccer governing body agreed to re- name it. The Indonesian League was renamed the Dunhill League after the cigarette producer agreed to pay Rp 4.35 billion (US$2 million) to sponsor the league's first competition round which is slated to start at the end of November.

Tiger cub mauls child at zoo

Tiger cub mauls child at zoo KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): A tiger cub, used by a Malaysian zoo for photo sessions with visitors, mauled and seriously injured a five-year old boy, the New Straits Times newspaper reported yesterday. The cub, which was kept on a leash, charged and attacked Mohamad Nor Saiful Ramian on Wednesday, the newspaper said. Zoo authorities later said the boy had been squatting too close to the animal.

Night buses

Night buses From Merdeka According to a report in a newspaper the state-owned transportation company is to operate night buses from 10:00 p.m. to morning in Jakarta. The decision was made on consideration that the society badly needs night transportation. As a Jakarta citizen who has no private car and has a lot to do, I fully support the government's plan to operate night buses.

Police closer to disclosing murder case of Sembiring

Police closer to disclosing murder case of Sembiring JAKARTA (JP): Police announced that they have identified the gang members who allegedly killed ex-convict Johny Sembiring. "We've come closer to disclosing the case. The killers are suspected to be debt collectors but we have yet to detain them," said Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto, Chief of the City Police.

Night transportation

Night transportation From Jayakarta As a Jakarta resident, I was really happy when newspaper reports said that the city administration confirmed its plan to operate public transport at night. It is because currently the number of public buses which operate late at night is limited, including the number of those which ply the downtown area. Even at around 9 p.m. hardly any public buses are seen operating.

Port seeks ADB loan

Port seeks ADB loan JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned seaport company, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III, has asked the Asian Development Bank for a loan of Rp 200 billion (US$92.46 million) to build several facilities at the Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya, East Java. Company spokesman Taryono said yesterday that the proposed loan would also be used to build a 950-meter dock.

Yayuk-Sabatini match may be just a dream

Yayuk-Sabatini match may be just a dream JAKARTA (JP): A planned exhibition match between superstar Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina and Indonesia's top player Yayuk Basuki is dangling in the balance. Yayuk, whose Women Tennis Association ranking has risen to 28, is scheduled to play Sabatini in exhibition matches on Sept. 14 and 16. The match's organizer, Pelita Jaya, released a press report yesterday saying that Sabatini will arrive here on Sept. 13.

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.

No price war among retail outlet businesses, AP3I says

No price war among retail outlet businesses, AP3I says JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Retailers Association (AP3I) is stating that there is no price war among retail outlet businesses in the Greater Jakarta area. "There is no price war," said J.A. Sinungan, the chairman of AP3I, in a press conference on Wednesday.

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.

Diarrhea kills 26 people

Diarrhea kills 26 people JAMBI, Jambi: At least 26 people have been killed by outbreaks of diarrhea in 14 villages in the coastal Tanjung Jabung regency during the last three months, the Antara news agency reported. Jambi Health Office chief Abdul Hamid said a total of 650 people have been affected by diarrhea and the 14 villages have since been officially declared as under an "emergency condition" that entitles them to priority for various treatments and medical supplies.

Positive action

Positive action From Sinar I notice many positive things in the measures taken by Jakarta Military Commander Major Gen. Hendropriyono, in his efforts to enthusiastically overcome all forms of injustice, which is of great concern to the society. The people would be much relieved if the Commander were to combat corrupt activities practiced by certain officials.