Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 January 1995

39 articles found

VD prevalent in Ujungpandang

VD prevalent in Ujungpandang UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: About 40 percent of the prostitutes in this city are infected with syphilis and gonorrhea, according to chief of the mayoralty health office Jasmin. He said last week that a recent study on venereal diseases among local prostitutes show that the prevalence of syphilis and gonorrhea is "appalling". Jasmin declined to mention the number of prostitutes working in the mayoralty.

Thief stabs pregnant woman

Thief stabs pregnant woman JAKARTA (JP): A pregnant woman remains in intensive care at the Islamic hospital in Cempaka Putih after being stabbed during a theft attempt in Cempaka Baru, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Saturday morning. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Murawi Effendi, said Nenny Karyati, who is in her 30s, was approached by a man on a bicycle, who snatched her purse. When she screamed for help, the man stabbed her with a knife three times in the back and abdomen.

Nation told to be ready for free trade

Nation told to be ready for free trade JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto reminded Indonesians yesterday that they must be ideologically prepared to face the trade liberalization set by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum for 2020, because the trend is inexorable. "We must be prepared technologically, ideologically, politically, economically, socially and culturally", he said.

Press ridicules RP 'popemobile'

Press ridicules RP 'popemobile' MANILA (AFP): The Philippine press yesterday attacked the locally-assembled "popemobile" which John Paul II will use in his visit here this week as "ugly" and a national embarrassment. "One has the right to expect something better from the Filipino," former press undersecretary Horacio Paredes wrote in his column in the Malaya newspaper.

BII to reduce credit growth to 20% in 1995

BII to reduce credit growth to 20% in 1995 JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) plans to limit its credit growth to 20 percent this year, down from a 25 percent expansion in 1994, says the bank's president, Indra Wijaya. Indra said here yesterday the move to reduce the bank's credit ceiling would be made in line with the government's policy to slow down credit expansion in the banking system.

Bus owners stage protests

Bus owners stage protests BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Owners of buses from the province staged a protest yesterday at the West Lampung office of the Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency over the seizure of their vehicles' documents. Agency officials confiscated their vehicle documents because the Jakarta-bound buses did not have clearance from the Bengkulu agency.

400 transmigrants go to Irian Jaya

400 transmigrants go to Irian Jaya SORONG, Irian Jaya: The KM Dobonsolo ferry left off carrying tourists on Sunday to leave Surabaya with 400 Javanese transmigrants heading for Irian Jaya. Adnan Sembiring, head of the Irian Jaya provincial transmigration office, said yesterday that the transmigrants would resettle in Moswaren, Sorong, and in Manimeri, Monokwari. There are already 300 Javanese transmigrants in the two resettlement areas.

Better pay urged for lecturers at university

Better pay urged for lecturers at university JAKARTA (JP): Low university salaries are impeding the abilities of lecturers, thus affecting the number of engineers trained well enough to meet the demands of the industrial sector, experts say. The government must therefore take a serious interest in improving the welfare of lecturers if they ever plan to produce qualified and motivated students. "Teachers must be exceptionally good.

Domestic plywood industry maybe dying, analist says

Domestic plywood industry maybe dying, analist says JAKARTA (JP): A foreign securities analyst warned yesterday that Indonesia's plywood industry, which experienced a significant drop in export revenues last year, might not have a sustainable future in the long run.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Lost Morenitos, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Monday to Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday from 12:30 p.m.

Pondok Boro residents protest rent hike

Pondok Boro residents protest rent hike JAKARTA (JP): Around two hundred residents of the Pondok Boro low-cost housing complex in the Pulo Gadung area, East Jakarta, marched to the City Council building yesterday to protest against the city administration's doubling of the daily rent on their apartments, which came into effect this month.

RI gets aid from Japan

RI gets aid from Japan JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese government yesterday extended a grant of some Rp 49.4 billion (US$22.45 million) for the development of two projects in the eastern provinces of Indonesia. The diplomatic notes of the grant were signed here yesterday by Japanese ambassador Taizo Watanabe (left) and the Indonesian director general for foreign economic relations, Wisber Loeis (right).

12 seaports suffer losses last year

12 seaports suffer losses last year JAKARTA (JP): PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III, the state- owned firm managing 41 ports in the central part of the country, was forced to subsidize 12 ports in 1994 due to their losses.

Businessmen told not to pay bribes

Businessmen told not to pay bribes JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief encouraged businessmen yesterday to have the courage to refuse to pay bribes in order to minimize "invisible costs" so they can pay their workers more. Businessmen should also stop offering bribes to government officials and wasting their money to sponsor social events or campaigns for socio-political organizations, he said. "Labor costs should not swell because of invisible costs," he told journalists.

Gina and Oki -- two names that steal the headlines

Gina and Oki -- two names that steal the headlines JAKARTA (JP): Gina and Oki are names that are the talk of the town today. The former belongs to a woman, known as bright and vibrant, who was found, murdered, in Los Angeles. The latter belongs to a successful young businessman, apparently a playboy, who is under police arrest in Jakarta and is wanted by the LA Police Department.

Surakarta braces for PDI fiesta

Surakarta braces for PDI fiesta SURAKARTA, Central Java: This town braced yesterday for the 22nd anniversary of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) at the Manahan Sports Stadium here today. Security authorities said they would see to it that the celebration of the conflict-ridden party would proceed without incident. Makyo Sumaryo, chairman of PDI's Surakarta (Solo) chapter said there have recently been anonymous phone calls threatening to disrupt the ceremony, the Antara news agency reported.

Students in food expo

Students in food expo JAKARTA (JP): A group of 25 students from the Bandung-based Tourism Training Institute will demonstrate their catering skills during a food and hotel exhibition to be held at the Jakarta Fairground on Jan. 12 to Jan. 14. The "Food and Hotel '95" exhibition, in which more than 400 firms from various countries will participate, will be opened on Friday by the chief of the Jakarta office of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, Pudjo Basuki.

Home favorites fall in 1st round

Home favorites fall in 1st round JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia waged a bleak campaign at the US$300,000 Indonesia Men's Open tennis championships as its three top players crashed to first-round defeats yesterday. The home favorites, two of them wild-card entrants, fought tooth and nail but were no match for their stronger opponents.

`Tiras' magazine finally obtains publishing license

`Tiras' magazine finally obtains publishing license JAKARTA (JP): A group of former employees of the defunct Editor weekly announced yesterday that they have obtained a publishing license for their new weekly magazine, Tiras, which will hit the streets on Jan. 26. Eddy Herwanto, general manager of the new magazine, said his group received the publishing license at 11 a.m. yesterday. The license, dated Jan.

No harm in teens' craze for rap music

No harm in teens' craze for rap music JAKARTA (JP): Rap music may be devoid of aesthetic value, but that is no reason to condemn Indonesia's young people for catching up with the phenomena, let alone banning rap, a leading artist said. Jathi Kusumo, chairman of the Nusantara Artists Association, said rap music carries messages from young people, and rather than condemning it, people should try to understand it, Antara reported.

Govt to stay out of KONI chief election

Govt to stay out of KONI chief election JAKARTA (JP): The government vows not to mix into the National Sports Council (KONI)'s chairmanship election at the congress scheduled for Jan. 23-Jan. 25, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman told reporters yesterday. "Who will eventually come out as chairman will be solely determined by the congress," Hayono said.

Police seize dirty magazines

Police seize dirty magazines JAKARTA (JP): Kemayoran police have arrested two suspects and seized a total of 4,000 pornographic magazines at their house in Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Murawi Effendi, said the two suspects, identified as Gerry and Sium, were arrested at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Danger of disintegration

Danger of disintegration Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals on Saturday, the State Minister of National Development Planning/Chairman of the Indonesian National Planning Board, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, warned that the factor that endangered the nation's stability and unity the most, at present, was no longer problems such as religion and ethnicity, but rather economic and social disparity.

Blind man behind rigged games

Blind man behind rigged games KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A blind man with no interest in football has been identified as the mastermind behind scores of Malaysia's fixed soccer games, officials said Monday. The 50-year-old man, among more than 50 underground bookies and players arrested since August in a bid to clean up the sport, astounded authorities with his ability to rig matches without knowing how they are played.

16 smuggled cars seized

16 smuggled cars seized DILI, East Timor: The recent smuggling of 16 cars and eight motorcycles into this town has caused the local administration to suffer losses due to Rp 1 billion in unpaid taxes. A reliable source at the local office of customs and excise said that a company imported 16 Unimob cars from another province without the proper documents. The source said that recently the police also seized eight American-made Harley Davidson motorcycles imported without the necessary documents.

No more transit fare hikes!

No more transit fare hikes! From Jayakarta I have strong objections to any plan to increase the transit fares. I always use the public transit system to go to work and I have to change buses three times. Besides, I often have to stand passenger through the whole ride because the buses are packed with passengers. What an inconvenient experience! The present fare for the PPD state-owned buses is Rp 250, for Metro Mini Rp 300 and for the "limited passenger bus" Rp 600.

Time to learn to be good loser

Time to learn to be good loser By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): I think hooligans in soccer games and rebel members in political parties share common characteristics. Both are groups of people who cannot accept defeat. They become furious and capable of destroying everything in their path whenever their side is defeated. According to newspaper reports, the one significant difference between these two groups is age.

Esso clinches US$35b Natuna gas project

Esso clinches US$35b Natuna gas project JAKARTA (JP): Esso Natuna Inc. of the United States clinched a deal yesterday with the state oil firm Pertamina for the construction of a US$35 billion gas liquefaction project in Natuna, Riau. "All parties are satisfied with results of the final negotiations on the Natuna gas liquefaction project," Pertamina's president, Faisal Abda'oe, told reporters after the signing ceremony at the company's headquarters here yesterday.

Pertamina offers 28 oil exploration areas

Pertamina offers 28 oil exploration areas JAKARTA (JP): The state oil company Pertamina yesterday announced that it has opened bidding for 20 oil and gas exploration areas under production-sharing arrangements and a further eight areas under a technical assistance scheme. Pertamina's director of production and exploration, G.A.S.

RI examines LA Police plea to extradite Oki

RI examines LA Police plea to extradite Oki JAKARTA (JP): The National Police Force is considering a request by the Los Angeles Police Department to extradite Harnoko Dewanto, alias Oki, who is wanted in connection with the murders of his brother, a young Indonesian woman and an Indian citizen there last year.

Seminar on convention

Seminar on convention JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Tourism will hold a seminar on the meeting, incentive convention and exhibition industry this month in cooperation with the Asian Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. The one-day seminar, focusing on "Generating Asian Conventions" will be held on Jan.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) fell yesterday due to the number of bluechips booking significant losses in active trading. The JSX Composite Index, the market's main trading barometer, declined by 4.18 points to close at 477.04 yesterday from 481.22 on the previous day, while the GTDBS-50 Index declined to 113.77 from 114.76. Yesterday's gainers included H.M. Sampoerna (up Rp 200), Kalbe Farma (up Rp 200) and Suara Indah (up Rp 800).

No fences between buildings

No fences between buildings JAKARTA (JP): The municipality is launching a pilot project to eliminate fences between various high-rise buildings situated within one city block, in an effort to redesign the areas and to make greater way for pedestrians. The project, known as the urban design guideline project (UGDL), will first be tried on the block that houses Wisma Antara, Bangkok Bank Building and the new Migas building which is still under construction.

Portugal and Indonesia renew East Timor talks

Portugal and Indonesia renew East Timor talks GENEVA (Reuter): Portugal and Indonesia resumed talks about East Timor yesterday but Portuguese Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso said the two countries were still "in completely opposite positions" over the territory's future. Barroso told reporters before meetings with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali that he expected fresh proposals from the U.N.

Inmates need exhibition space

Inmates need exhibition space AMBON, Maluku: Head of the provincial justice office Shidarto asked yesterday that all regency administrations in the province allows inmates to build spaces to show their craft products near their respective prisons. The exhibition spaces, to be built outside of the prison walls, will be used to help market the various craft products created by the inmates, he said. "The quality of their work is generally very good.

S'pore earmarks $10 billion for RI infrastructure

S'pore earmarks $10 billion for RI infrastructure JAKARTA (JP): Singapore has allocated US$10 billion out of its foreign exchange reserves of some US$80 billion for infrastructure investments in Indonesia, according to an official. Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Soedibyo Rahardjo said yesterday that Singapore earmarked the funds last September but the money had remained idle because suitable local partners have not yet been found.

Clear and present danger?

Clear and present danger? Communism may be dead in Eastern Europe, or temporarily stored in the attic in China or Vietnam, but, ironically, here in Indonesia it is still believed to pose a clear and present danger. At least, its specter continues to haunt us. Officially, three decades after its beheading following the failure of the coup undertaken by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in 1965, that ideology is still considered a threat to the nation.

24 apprehended in E. Timor protest

24 apprehended in E. Timor protest DILI, East Timor (JP): Local police chief Col. Andreas Sugianto said security authorities arrested 24 people in a new pro-independence demonstration here yesterday. Several dozen people staged the demonstration at the East Timor University, where police also seized 10 posters containing anti integration-messages and demands for the release of rebel leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, now jailed in Jakarta.

Govt asked to review new telephone rates

Govt asked to review new telephone rates JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI) has called on the telecommunications authorities to review their recent decision to raise the rate for telephone calls made within the city. Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Joop Ave announced last month a 10 percent rise in the rate for city calls and reductions of up to 56 percent on long distance calls and the installation of new telephone lines.