Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 September 1994

56 articles found

Rights group blasts Malaysian sect arrests

Rights group blasts Malaysian sect arrests BANGKOK (Reuter): A Thai human-rights group yesterday condemned the arrest in Malaysia of members of a Islamic sect deported from Thailand last week. Thailand's Union of Civil Liberty (UCL), in an open letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, appealed for the immediate release of the Al Arqam sect members, some of whom, including leader Ashaari Muhammad, are being held under Malaysia's tough Internal Security Act.

Millions stranded as drivers strike enters third day

Millions stranded as drivers strike enters third day JAKARTA (JP): Millions of commuters were stranded here yesterday and had to struggle to reach their destinations in the capital as a sit-in protest of minibus drivers continued sporadically. Protesting drivers of some 5,000 minibuses said that they will return to work only if the government lifts a hefty new ticketing traffic fine scale, which is much higher than the previous one. Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen.

Chicken pox breaks out

Chicken pox breaks out DEMAK, Central Java: The local health office has appealed for calm in face of an outbreak of chicken pox, now affecting dozens of people. Hawik Pudjohastuti, head of the health office, said although there is no cure for the disease, it is not fatal. Hawik said that the disease is common during a transition in the weather from dry to rainy season. (har/emb)

Hartarto to speak at Melbourne forum

Hartarto to speak at Melbourne forum JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto is expected to speak at an international conference on city development and the new economic era to be held in Melbourne, Australia from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23.

City to hold fireworks show

City to hold fireworks show To celebrate being awarded the Parasamya Purnakarya Nugraha by the central government, the Jakarta city administration will hold a fireworks fiesta at the Monas Square Saturday evening. The display will be held in cooperation with Lippo Life insurance company. The award was given to the city administration for its success in the implementation of development programs during the Five- Year Development period, which ended last year.

Singapore to press for APEC free trade timetable

Singapore to press for APEC free trade timetable LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AFP): Singapore would press for a timetable for an ambitious plan to create an Asia-Pacific free trade zone by 2020, its prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, said yesterday.

Kanindotex has another problem

Kanindotex has another problem SEMARANG: Kanindotex, the giant textile business group widely rumored to be facing financial difficulty, faces a problem on a different front -- its factories are now the subject of an official investigation for allegations of pollution. The Central Java legislative assembly is monitoring Kanindotex plants in Harjosari and Merakrejo after residents near the plants complained of waste being dumped into the river.

Telkom-AT&T telecom deal

Telkom-AT&T telecom deal JAKARTA (JP): The state owned domestic telecommunications company, PT Telkom, has awarded four contracts to American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) for the supply and installation of digital switching and transmission equipment, fiber optic cables and operation systems throughout the country.

Clamp down on car exhaust

Clamp down on car exhaust SEMARANG: The city administration will soon clamp down on owners of vehicles which emit thick exhaust. Four facilities to measure the exhaust have already been installed in the most busy streets and the administration is now drafting a regulation which will include severe penalties for violators, the Antara news agency said.

Heavy equipment distributor plans to sell shares

Heavy equipment distributor plans to sell shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Hexindo Adiperkasa, a distributor of heavy equipment under the Hitachi brand, plans to sell around 25 percent of its 40 million shares to the public in the near future, the company's president said yesterday. Rustam Effendi said after a ceremony for the opening of its new office here that his company submitted an application for the share sales to the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) last month.

49% of Barito shares to go to government

49% of Barito shares to go to government JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo threatened yesterday to deny PT Barito Pacific Timber extensions to its forest concessions unless the largest company listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange handed over 49 percent of its shares to a state-owned company.

Police question 35 in relation to drivers's strike

Police question 35 in relation to drivers's strike JAKARTA (JP): City Police are questioning 35 people believed to have committed criminal acts related to the massive strike by city bus drivers over the past three days. The ongoing strike has left millions of people stranded. "Based on our tentative investigation, we've found strong indications that certain parties tried to make the best use of the strike," Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto announced yesterday afternoon.

Pasar Jaya refuses to see traders

Pasar Jaya refuses to see traders The management of PD Pasar Jaya, the city-owned market authority, has refused to meet traders from the Ampera market in Kampung Ambon, East Jakarta. Security officers informed the traders of the rebuff on Tuesday when they went to the PD Pasar Jaya office.

Santa Fe finds oil

Santa Fe finds oil JAKARTA (JP): The state oil company Pertamina, in cooperation with the U.S. Santa Fe Company, have found a new oil resource with an estimated output capacity of 2,020 barrels per day in the Tuban block in East Java. Bambang Sutarso, general manager of the Pertamina-Santa Fe Joint Operation Board, said that the oil was found at the Mudi-1 well in Rahayu village, Tuban.

Merapi named decade's volcano

Merapi named decade's volcano BANDUNG: Mt. Merapi in Central Java has been named as one of this decade's volcanoes by the United Nations agency for International Natural Disaster Reduction, officials said. This means that Merapi will be subject to observation and discussion by international geologists and experts throughout the 1990s, Adjat Sudradjat, the director general of geology and mineral resources, said.

About 1,500 houses to be demolished

About 1,500 houses to be demolished JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta administration will demolish around 1,500 illegal houses in seven subdistricts on Oct. 24 to pave the way for a river improvement project and green belt construction. Karsidin, the administration chief of security department, said yesterday that most of the occupants of the government land along the 11-kilometer-long left bank of Cisadane river, will be asked to leave.

Abortion compromise attempt lingers

Abortion compromise attempt lingers CAIRO (AFP): Efforts to resolve an abortion controversy at the UN population conference ran into trouble yesterday as Latin American nations joined the Vatican in opposition to a compromise proposal, delegates said. Islamic states Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia late Tuesday backed a compromise on abortion contained in a plan to curb population growth which was rejected by the Vatican.

U.S., Japan and S. Korea told to ratify GATT

U.S., Japan and S. Korea told to ratify GATT JAKARTA (JP): The United States, Japan and South Korea have to give commitments ratifying the Uruguay Round before attending the second summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leadership meeting in Bogor in November, economist Mari Pangestu said here yesterday.

Car rent agencies establish union

Car rent agencies establish union JAKARTA (JP): At least 250 car rental businesses have set up an organization in an effort to improve services and avoid unhealthy competition among them. The chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Car Rental Businesses (Hipermi), Sabaruddin S, said in a statement here Tuesday night that the organization will also help the government in its efforts to discourage tax evasion among its members.

Discipline on the road

Discipline on the road As far as we can recall, no recent bus strike has inconvenienced so many Jakarta commuters for so long as the one which has occurred over the past three days. The strike began on Monday when an undisclosed number of minibus drivers went on strike to protest the hefty increase in fines for traffic infractions. Drivers found violating the new law can be fined between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000, or twice the amount previously imposed for the same offenses.

Mt. Lawu's forest razed

Mt. Lawu's forest razed KARANGANYAR, Central Java: Some 45 hectares of forest near the peak of Mt. Lawu have been razed by fire originating from a camp fire. Forest rangers, working with local villagers, tried to contain the fire with little success as the strong wind helped spread the blaze. Perhutani, the state forestry office which manages the area, has temporarily closed the path to the mountain's peak to climbers. (har/emb)

U.S. not to raise human rights issue in APEC Summit

U.S. not to raise human rights issue in APEC Summit JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. administration will not raise human rights or democratic questions during the meeting of leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) here in November, says a visiting U.S. official. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sandra O'Leary said here yesterday that APEC would not discuss topics other than economic and trade issues during the summit meeting. "APEC is an economic organization...

House expresses concern over widespread, unchecked pollution

House expresses concern over widespread, unchecked pollution JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) expressed concern yesterday over pollution levels in Java and Sumatra, and urged the government to tighten control over waste dumping. Commission X in charge of ecological affairs warned that unchecked disposal of toxic waste has not only contaminated the environment, but also poses a health risk to human beings.

Chandra Asri's expansion

Chandra Asri's expansion TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Marubeni Corp. and Showa Denko KK are considering plans to boost output by some 20 percent in an Indonesian ethylene venture, a spokesman said yesterday. The plan to increase annual ethylene output capacity to 675,000 tons by mid-1996 from the initially planned 550,000 tons is aimed at meeting an expected increase in local demand, the spokesman for Marubeni, a major trading firm, said.

High food prices cause inflation to remain high

High food prices cause inflation to remain high JAKARTA (JP): The high prices of food caused the consumer price index to remain high last month, bringing the country's inflation to 6.85 percent in the first eight months of this year, Minister of Information Harmoko said. The minister told reporters that the .89 percent inflation in August was caused mainly by the increase of food prices by an average of 1.46 percent at the capitals of the country's 27 provinces.

Indonesian swimmers join upset Asiad sideliners

Indonesian swimmers join upset Asiad sideliners JAKARTA (JP): Women's swimmers turned out to be among the 12 athletes dropped from the Indonesian team for the 12th Asian Games in Hiroshima when the national sports governing body (KONI) announced the team yesterday. National pool queen Elsa Manora Nasution and Meitri Widya Pangestika will miss the continent's biggest sports event, because of KONI's final judgment that they had little or no chance of winning medals.

Law taken into own hands

Law taken into own hands The tendency to take the law into one's own hands is now more apparent than ever. One recent example was the burning down of a city bus in Jakarta by an angry mob after it hit a mikrolet public transport vehicle, severely wounding its four passengers. The other is the marching 'punishment' imposed by villagers in Padang Pangrapat, East Kalimantan on four young women for alleged involvement in the world's oldest profession. This list could go on and on.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Tarzan 3:05 Children's Creativity 3:30 TV Series: Gunsmoke 4:30 Women's World 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 8:05 TV Series: Combat 9:00 World News 9:30 Sports: Arena dan Juara 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Spy Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Hospital for AIDS patients

Hospital for AIDS patients Referring to a letter published on Aug. 29 in The Jakarta Post we would like to inform the readers that the hospital designated to treat AIDS patients is not the Koja Hospital as mentioned in the letter but the Sulianti Saroso Hospital which specializes in infectious diseases. Regarding standard procedure in treating AIDS patients: preventive measures such as the use of gloves and the disposal of syringes after use has come into practice.

Ramos sets out Euro trip

Ramos sets out Euro trip MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos is to meet Thailand's prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, in Bangkok today en route to the Philippine leader's five-nation official visit to Western Europe, the presidential palace said yesterday.

`Tempo' editor sues Harmoko for closing down magazine

`Tempo' editor sues Harmoko for closing down magazine JAKARTA (JP): The former chief editor of the defunct Tempo weekly filed a lawsuit against Minister of Information Harmoko yesterday for revoking the magazine's publishing license. "This is one of our efforts to show that there is something wrong with the banning of Tempo," Goenawan Mohamad told journalists in his office after filing the suit at the Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta).

KL traffic cops fight haze maze

KL traffic cops fight haze maze KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Police have blamed the haze enveloping Kuala Lumpur for traffic jams around the city, the national news agency, Bernama, reported. It quoted the Malaysian capital's traffic police chief, Kamaruddin Alias, as saying the haze has cut visibility for policemen relaying information on vehicle traffic flows. "The policemen stationed at certain skyscrapers cannot see much as the haze has cut out visibility," Kamaruddin said.

Almost 10 percent of shrimp ponds damaged: Official

Almost 10 percent of shrimp ponds damaged: Official JAKARTA (JP): This year's severe drought and industrial pollution have damaged almost 10 percent of Indonesia's shrimp ponds, Director General of Fishery Muchtar Abdullah says. He told reporters here yesterday that his office has assigned a special task force to investigate the seriousness of the damages. He explained that most of the damaged ponds are located in West, Central and East Java.

KL ends ban on British business

KL ends ban on British business KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysia government announced yesterday it was lifting its Feb. 25 ban on British firms to participate in government contracts with immediate effect. Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to lift the ban was made by the cabinet at its weekly meeting yesterday. "I would like to inform that the cabinet has decided that British companies will be eligible fully in all government contracts ..

PPP chairman threatens to remove vocal legislators

PPP chairman threatens to remove vocal legislators JAKARTA (JP): The beleaguered newly re-elected chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), Ismail Hasan Metareum, yesterday broke his promise not to dismiss his critics in the House of Representatives (DPR). "I can no longer guarantee that there will be no removals (of DPR members from the PPP)," Ismail Hasan told journalists yesterday.

Medan moves factories to north

Medan moves factories to north MEDAN, North Sumatra: All manufacturing plants in south Medan will soon be asked to relocate to the north in compliance with the city's spatial plan, the Antara news agency reported. The spatial plan has designated the southern part of Medan strictly for residential purposes, according to Wirda Alrahman, an official of the city's spatial planning section. Factory owners in south Medan have agreed in principle to relocate at the end of their leases, Wirda said.

Metro Mini tries to improve discipline of its drivers

Metro Mini tries to improve discipline of its drivers JAKARTA (JP): PT Metro Mini, a minibus company which has been involved in many road accidents, has tried to improve the discipline of its drivers, an executive says.

Mayor says he will step up probe on corruption

Mayor says he will step up probe on corruption JAKARTA (JP): Amidst allegations that a number of military and civil servants of the East Jakarta administration were involved in a corruption case, Mayor Sudarsono said yesterday that he will step up efforts to overcome the problem. Sudarsono, however, declined to give details of the development of the investigation, saying that he will tell the media about the case after cooling down the tense situation.

Tourist industry to become largest forex earner

Tourist industry to become largest forex earner JAKARTA (JP): The tourist industry will be the country's biggest foreign exchange earner by the end of the Seventh Five Year Development Plan (Repelita VII) period, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita says. "We have already set the goal in the foreign exchange earning," Ginandjar said at the opening of a three-day workshop of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications yesterday.

Vietnam to sell rice to RI

Vietnam to sell rice to RI HANOI (Reuter): Vietnam will sell Indonesia 265,000 tons of rice in the next two months in order to help meet shortages, a former Indonesian food minister was quoted as saying yesterday. The Saigon Newsreader, a daily news digest published in Ho Chi Minh City, quoted former minister Bustanil Arifin as saying Indonesia had planned to import 900,000 tons of rice from Vietnam but Vietnamese firms did not have a surplus that large.

Bakrie financing secured

Bakrie financing secured JAKARTA (JP): Bakrie & Brothers says the one-month delay in the processing of letters of credit for imports by its telecommunications subsidiary, PT Radio Telephone Indonesia (Ratelindo), was only technical in nature and by no means related to financing resources. "Neither does the delay affect the completion schedule of Ratelindo's cellular digital radio telephone project," Bakrie's Chief Executive Officer Tanri Abeng said yesterday.

Ecolabeling to protect environment, trade

Ecolabeling to protect environment, trade By Ronald Nangoi JAKARTA (JP): Ecolabeling, or certification of timber products, is part of the international community's effort to protect the global environment by fostering sustainable forest management. Ecolabeling also reflects the growing environmental awareness among the world's traders. As we know, GATT recently included environmental issues in its new borderless agenda.

Red Cross's hospital in Bogor due for renovations soon

Red Cross's hospital in Bogor due for renovations soon BOGOR (JP): The worn-down, 60-year old Indonesian Red Cross Hospital in Bogor will soon undergo a face-lift in a drive to improve services and provide more decent facilities to its patients. Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Ibnu Sutowo told reporters yesterday the renovations and additional buildings would cost some Rp 35 billion ($16 million), most of which was expected to come from donations.

Developer asked to complete permits

Developer asked to complete permits City Councilors are pressuring the developers of the Ketapang Indah luxury residential complex at Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to complete the necessary permits. Mansyur Achmad, chairman of City Council Commission D for development told Kaptin Adisumarta, the owner, on Tuesday, to fulfill all conditions required by the mayoralty office.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued its rally yesterday amidst a new controversial issue involving the biggest timber concession holder, PT Barito Pacific Timber, and the Ministry of Forestry, concerning a possible acquisition of Barito shares. The ministry told Barito to hand over some 49 percent of its stake to a state-owned company yesterday.

Bus strike

Bus strike From Neraca Among the readers writing letters to the editor, there are sure to be some victims of the strike by minibus drivers. Frankly, I do not know what caused this strike, but I and many others feel victimized. What surprised me was why in such a situation the authorities responsible did not immediately take any measures. For example, PPD buses or other means of transport could have been made available. If necessary even government or Armed Forces buses could have been mobilized.

Traffic light changes too soon

Traffic light changes too soon Traffic flow from Jalan Jatinegara Barat all the way to Jalan Salemba Raya has been congested recently on the junction of Matraman Raya, Slamet Riyadi and Jalan Bunga. This has been occurring especially during the morning rush hours, ever since the traffic light at the intersection was repaired over a two-week period. The core of the problem seems to come from the much shorter period of the green light compared to what it was before the repairs.

Jakarta track and field meet kicks off with poor start

Jakarta track and field meet kicks off with poor start JAKARTA (JP): Madya Senayan stadium was home to some poor performances on the first day of the Indonesian Open track and field championships yesterday. However, East Javanese women's runner Ester Sumah stole a bit of the thunder when she managed to take the bronze in the 800m race. National record holder Ester displayed an encouraging experience, as she hotly pursued three Australian rivals in the last 100 meters.

Information on transmigration

Information on transmigration From Merdeka As an Indonesian citizen, I would like to voice my concern over the scarcity of information about efforts in battling poverty in this country, especially through the transmigration program. Newspapers in this city carry too few reports about the government's efforts towards achieving the goals of the program. For example, the government's efforts in encouraging private sectors to take part in the program. I think this is a great stride in the program.

Malaysia suggests arbitration on island dispute

Malaysia suggests arbitration on island dispute JAKARTA (JP): In a surprise move, Malaysia called for arbitration yesterday in the dispute over the Sipadan and Ligitan islands should the present talks with Indonesia fail to produce a conclusive outcome. "If Malaysia and Indonesia cannot resolve the issue in the current talks, we believe the best solution would be to call in a third party," Ahmad Kamil Jaafar, Secretary General of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, said yesterday.

Taiwan may boycott Asian Games over invitation

Taiwan may boycott Asian Games over invitation TAIPEI (Reuter): Taiwan yesterday warned it might boycott next month's Asian Games in Japan if Olympic officials rescinded under pressure from Beijing an invitation to Taiwan President Lee Teng- hui to attend.

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.

YLBHI has another brush with the law

YLBHI has another brush with the law JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday launched a strong protest after police broke up a seminar on land conflicts it was organizing in Jakarta. The seminar, which was to feature distinguished speakers from the legal profession, had barely begun when about a dozen police officers moved into the building and declared the gathering illegal in the absence of any official permit.

Water crisis seen in 2000

Water crisis seen in 2000 BANDUNG: West Java will experience an acute shortage of water by the year 2000, the province's Public Works Office says. Head of the office's irrigation division Maman Gantina said during a hearing with the local legislative assembly that the province will have a deficit of 745 million cubic meters a month in the year 2000. "Under such conditions, there will be intense competition for scarce water supplies," Gantina said.

Murder suspects still at large

Murder suspects still at large The police have not arrested any suspects in the case of a female massage parlor worker who died of stab wounds here on Tuesday. Lily Jamilah, 33, of Tanah Serial district, West Jakarta, was found in critical condition Tuesday, at the side of a road near Soekarno-Hatta international airport. The married woman died at the Tangerang hospital, 26 kilometers south of here, not long after she was taken there by police officers.

Five-day school week

Five-day school week From Republika The plan to introduce a five-day week for educational institutions in Indonesia requires attention to a number of aspects involving the interests of students and teachers. First: the ability to concentrate on lessons. On the average, Indonesians are able to concentrate for seven hours. Would additional hours of study be healthy for the students' minds? Second: the sense of discipline of students and teachers.