Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 January 1995

49 articles found

'Indosiar' asked to put idealism first

'Indosiar' asked to put idealism first JAKARTA (JP): The government gave its blessing to the launching of Indosiar, the country's fifth private televison station, with the proviso that, without sacrificing its commercial interests, it should put the public interest first. "The government fully realizes that private television stations need to make money through commercial shows but I ask them to put idealism first," Minister of Information Harmoko said yesterday.

500 low cost houses dedicated

500 low cost houses dedicated JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Public Housing Siswono Judohusodo will dedicate 500 low cost houses today at the Bumi Serpong Damai complex in Tangerang. "The houses are part of the scheduled 1,409 low cost houses now under construction," Bumi Serpong Damai's director, Budiarsa Sastrawinata, said.

Bappenas, UNDP launch booklet

Bappenas, UNDP launch booklet JAKARTA: The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have published a report entitled Indonesia's Development Partners. The report contains short profiles of development cooperation programs of the participants in the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI). It aims to increase understanding among Indonesia's development partners about the objectives and scope of the assistance programs of each CGI member.

Southern Irian developed

Southern Irian developed JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The focus of transportation development is currently being shifted from the northern to the southern regions in order to open up more isolated areas, a local official said yesterday. Chief of the provincial office of transportation Martono said that the government would develop major rivers in the southern regions so that isolated areas could be reached by boat.

Alien universities welcomed in KL

Alien universities welcomed in KL KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia is opening its doors to foreign universities in a bid to stop soaring education costs and thousands of students from going abroad yearly for higher studies, officials said yesterday. "Appropriate conditions that are in line with the government's policies and the nation's needs will be imposed on foreign universities setting up branches here," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was reported saying in local newspapers.

Moslems encouraged to go on the minor haj

Moslems encouraged to go on the minor haj JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has advised Moslems to perform an umrah (mini haj) pilgrimage because the ceiling quota for Indonesian haj pilgrims is filled every year. Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher quoted the President as saying yesterday that the number of Indonesian haj pilgrims this year has already reached 174,000. Registration is open until Sunday.

Chance to gain U.S. citizenships

Chance to gain U.S. citizenships JAKARTA (JP): Planning to migrate to America with your family? Here's your chance to win that opportunity through a lottery. About the only requirement is that you must have, at least, graduated from high school. Under the "Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery" program, the United States is making available 55,000 visas for U.S. permanent residence to residents from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, the U.S. State Department said.

HK, Malaysia sign agreement

HK, Malaysia sign agreement HONG KONG (AFP): Hong Kong and Malaysia signed an extradition treaty yesterday which will remain in force after the reversion of the territory to China in 1997. It was the fourth such agreement to be signed by Hong Kong with foreign countries. Previously, it was Britain which approved extradition treaties for Hong Kong, but those agreements "cannot continue in their present form beyond 1997," said Hong Kong Security Secretary Alistair Asprey.

Chiang Mai Games to stage 28 sports

Chiang Mai Games to stage 28 sports JAKARTA (JP): The 18th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games organizing committee has turned down Indonesia's request to see three events make a comeback at the regional sports meet in Chiang Mai in December. President of the National Sports Council Surono told reporters on Tuesday that host Thailand has excluded karate, wushu and wrestling from among the 28 full-fledged medal events.

Don't dial 555 just yet

Don't dial 555 just yet JAKARTA (JP): Due to an upgrading of primary cables, telephone lines beginning with 555 in several areas within West Jakarta, including Taman Badara and Taman Dapad Indah housing complexes, Jl. Prancis, Griya Dadap Estate and Desa Dadap, will be disrupted. The West Jakarta telephone office announced earlier this week that the telephone networks in these areas are being computerized.

PT Produksi Indonesia to hold export promotion

PT Produksi Indonesia to hold export promotion JAKARTA (JP): Under the patronage of President Soeharto, a number of private Indonesian companies have set up PT Produksi Indonesia (Prodin), a company that will conduct export promotion activities throughout the world. "The President welcomes the establishment of the company and is willing to act as its patron," State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.

Plywood export monopoly

Plywood export monopoly The fall in both the volume and value of Indonesian plywood exports last year should cause grave concern because that wood product alone contributes more than 14 percent of the country's total export earnings. Final export figures for the whole year have yet to be announced by the Central Bureau of Statistics but for the first nine months of last year the exports were nine percent smaller than those in the corresponding period of 1993.

Environmental agency to mediate pollution dispute

Environmental agency to mediate pollution dispute JAKARTA (JP): The Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal) has promised to mediate in the dispute between the people living along the Ciujung river in Serang, West Java, and the companies which are allegedly polluting it. Deputy chairman of the agency, Nabiel Makarim, said yesterday that his office would make efforts to sponsor a meeting between managers of the companies and the local people.

Four developers lose their licenses

Four developers lose their licenses JAKARTA (JP): Four real estate companies in West Jakarta have lost their licenses to develop their allocated plots, six denied services momentarily from the mayoralty and 33 served with final warnings for their failure to build public and social facilities.

Forestry firm sees rise in profit

Forestry firm sees rise in profit JAKARTA (JP): Perhutani, a state-owned forestry company, reported a before tax profit yesterday of Rp 125.84 billion (US$57.2 billion) in 1994. Perhutani's president, Harnanto H.M., said at a meeting of state forestry firms at the Manggala Wahana Bhakti building that the firm's 1993 after tax profits reached Rp 24.1 billion. "The increase in profits is due to greater efficiency and more successful application of market intelligence," Harnanto told reporters.

Businessmen ready to reveal bribery cases

Businessmen ready to reveal bribery cases BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Businessmen (APINDO) Hadi Suratno says the association is ready to disclose documented cases of bribery, provided that the government guarantees the anonymity of victims.

Three died as floods hit villages in Riau

Three died as floods hit villages in Riau JAKARTA (JP): Three people, including a five-year-old boy, were killed and around 2,600 others forced to leave their homes when floods hit a number of villages in Riau province. Days of incessant downpours caused the Indragiri river and a number of others to overflow, inundating thousands of houses and hundreds of hectares of rice fields in 109 villages, the Antara news agency reported from Pekanbaru, the provincial capital, yesterday.

JAL to expand flights to Asia and Europe

JAL to expand flights to Asia and Europe TOKYO (AFP): Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. (JAL) said yesterday it planned to increase the number of flights to Southeast Asia, Europe and Hawaii as well as a couple of domestic routes in the new year starting in April. JAL also said it expected net earnings to remain flat next year, projecting that profits after tax would only "break even" for the second year in a row.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Wide World of Kids 3:05 Children's Program 3:30 TV Series: Emergency Call 4:30 Women's Program 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 Miniseries 8:05 TV Drama: Harapan Nan Sirna 9:00 World News 9:30 People & Event 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Anna Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Judges still lenient to traffic violators

Judges still lenient to traffic violators JAKARTA (JP): It was something of an anti-climax to the tough talk of the police and their new operation to clamp down on traffic violators. As the first trials of the hundreds of motorists caught under the special operation were opened in five district courts in Jakarta on Tuesday, judges refrained from imposing the stiffest penalties permitted by law -- almost to the point of defeating the operation's objective.

RI hotel industry offers more chances to foreigners

RI hotel industry offers more chances to foreigners JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rapidly growing hotel industry offers greater opportunities to overseas hotel-utensil manufacturers rather than domestic firms, which generally fail to anticipate growing opportunities, a senior tourism official said.

RI, China sign legal agreement

RI, China sign legal agreement JAKARTA (JP): The governments of Indonesia and the People's Republic of China have agreed to exchange experiences and information for the development of the legal systems in both countries. Attorney General Singgih and Beijing law official Zhang Siqing yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding for the cooperation as an effort to resolve legal matters between the two countries.

New pay system sought to end labor conflicts

New pay system sought to end labor conflicts BANDUNG, West Java (JP): A labor activist and a businessman proposed yesterday that Indonesia establish a national remuneration system because the wage levels dictated by the government are not entirely acceptable. Labor activist Suradi Idris and entrepreneur Rienaldo Thamrin said they believe a national remuneration system would prevent labor conflicts sparked by poor wages.

Unorthodox punishment

Unorthodox punishment BOGOR (JP): A female worker of PT Truba Shoes Factory has filed a complaint with police after the company's executives forced her to stand in the sun as a punishment. Rosidah, 30, told police that she and several other female employees had been ordered to stand in the sun for several hours as a punishment for not coming in for work several days earlier, Suara Pembaruan reported.

House balks at foreign loan plans

House balks at foreign loan plans JAKARTA (JP): The Budgetary Commission of the House of Representatives has raised concern over the government's plan to increase foreign borrowing to finance its development programs in 1995-96.

Student brawls

Student brawls From Neraca Films, television and everything that sounds metropolitan or has a metropolitan flavor have a great influence on teenagers, students in particular. And in Jakarta, the negative impact of the environment has been very tangible -- occurrence of student brawls that are uncontrollable.

'Watch out for the emergence of new comunism'

'Watch out for the emergence of new comunism' JAKARTA (JP): The conventional screening system used to net communist-aligned citizens is no longer effective because a "new- style communism", not detectable by the current system, has arisen in Indonesia, according to a senior official. Suhardiman, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Board, said yesterday that the "new-style communism" currently looms as a potential threat to the state ideology Pancasila and to the country.

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.

Police investigate 12 students

Police investigate 12 students TANGERANG (JP): Police are investigating twelve college students alleged to have helped workers of PT Ganda Guna Indonesia, who are seeking meal and transportation allowances. The students were rounded up by police when they joined hundreds of the factory's employees in staging a demonstration within the factory compound in the Pasar Kemis subdistrict, Tangerang, yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): Share prices continued to close lower on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday, with the broad-based Composite Index losing ground to close at 461.39 from 468.68 on Tuesday. The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also closed lower at 109.73 from 111.27. Significantly increasing shares were, among others, Ugahari (up Rp 450) and Tempo Scan Pacific (up Rp 500).

Airports suffer losses

Airports suffer losses JAKARTA (JP): Four airports, in Solo of Central Java, Manado of North Sulawesi, Biak of Irian Jaya and Balikpapan of East Kalimantan, suffered losses last year, president of the state- owned airport firm, PT Angkasa Pura I, Fachri Zainuddin, said yesterday.

BI policy not a problem for developer

BI policy not a problem for developer JAKARTA (JP): Executives of PT Primagraha Majumakmur, the developer of Casabella Court, said a warning issued recently by Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono, to reduce loan approvals for the real estate sector will not affect the construction of their project. They said the Casabella Court condominiums, located in the Sudirman Central Business District, is offering luxury apartments for those who can pay the US$2,500 per square-meter.

Subway the best choice for Jakarta: Expert

Subway the best choice for Jakarta: Expert JAKARTA JP): Despite its massive cost, building a subway transportation system is the most viable alternative for Jakarta to solve its ever growing traffic problems, leading urban planning expert Eko Budihardjo said. Eko, a lecturer at the state-run Diponegoro University in Semarang, said that, in the long run, a subway has a lot of advantages compared to other alternative mass rapid transit systems, reported the Antara news agency.

RELIGIOUS PROPAGATION:

RELIGIOUS PROPAGATION: JP/alx President Soeharto chats with participants of the Majlis Dakwah Islamiyah congress. The President warned people active in religious propagation not to mix their activities with politics. The President (third from right) told participants of the 4th congress of Majlis Dakwah Islamiyah, a Golkar-oriented Islamic missionary organization, that if their activities are mixed with politics, certain groups will use the opportunities for their own ends.

Cultural program for students

Cultural program for students JAKARTA (JP):A total of 1,500 students, from 22 high schools in South Jakarta, participated in a one-day cultural appreciation program at the Bulungan Sports Hall yesterday. Secretary of the South Jakarta administration, Abdul Mukti, who opened the program on behalf of the South Jakarta Mayor, said he fully endorsed the program. "The program is quite commendable and should continue to be held on a regular basis.

C. Java raises minimum wage

C. Java raises minimum wage SEMARANG, Central Java: After weeks of haggling with labor activists, governor Suwardi finally agreed yesterday to raise the local daily minimum wage from Rp 2,700 ($1.20) to Rp 2,800. The increase is Rp 400 less than originally proposed by the local DP2D, the council responsible for formulating policies on regional wage levels. Suwardi said that the government had taken the 1994 inflation rate of 9.24 percent into consideration when setting the new minimum.

Filipino expelled for abusing visa

Filipino expelled for abusing visa MANADO, North Sulawesi: Immigration authorities have deported a Filipino man for misusing his tourist visa for working in a company. Head of the Manado immigration office M. Marcho said yesterday that Alegendra Lukas Aguja had been arrested during a crackdown on illegal aliens. He was deported late last month.

New tax laws curb outflows of insurance premiums overseas

New tax laws curb outflows of insurance premiums overseas JAKARTA (JP): The new tax law will effectively curb the mounting outflow of insurance premiums overseas, says an executive of the Indonesian Insurance Council. J.T.

Americans warned of Thai drug-gang retaliation

Americans warned of Thai drug-gang retaliation BANGKOK (Reuter): The United States has warned its citizens to be careful traveling in northern Thailand because revenge attacks by drug gangs were possible after the arrest of 10 suspected heroin traffickers, a U.S. Embassy official said yesterday. "As a result of the recent arrest of several leading drug traffickers, the State Department is concerned about possible reprisals," the official said.

Thai govt agree on Asiad venues

Thai govt agree on Asiad venues BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai Cabinet has come up with a compromise on facilities for the 1998 Asian Games after long delays which had prompted the Olympic Council of Asia to threaten to move the Games elsewhere. In a long meeting Tuesday, the Cabinet decided to spread the facilities over three widely-separated sites on the northern and eastern outskirts of Bangkok.

Land dispute in Lampung

Land dispute in Lampung BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The National Commission on Human Rights urged a local company yesterday to resolve a conflict over land acquisition with local residents. Officials of PT Kapuan Kencana Sejahtera and two members of the commission, Albert Hasibuan and Maj. Gen. (ret) Soegiri, met to discuss ways to end the conflict. The company intends to acquire 23,900 hectares of land to develop brackish fishponds in the Menggala subdistrict near here.

Small businesses, cooperatives urged to form consortiums

Small businesses, cooperatives urged to form consortiums JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana said yesterday his office will promote the establishment of consortiums comprised of small enterprises and cooperatives to handle projects for the state companies under its supervision.

Worker sues labor mediation agency

Worker sues labor mediation agency JAKARTA (JP): A female worker who lost her job in the latest dispute with the textile manufacturer she was working for is suing the central government's labor mediation agency for giving the green light to the company to fire her. Ngati Sriyani was fired by PT Sandratex, a state-owned textile company in Tangerang, in February 1994 on the pretext that she had skipped work for nine consecutive days.

Marubeni in RI pulp project

Marubeni in RI pulp project TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Marubeni Corp. and Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. plan to join a US$1 billion pulp project in Indonesia with local lumber company Barito Pacific, a Marubeni spokesman said yesterday. The spokesman for the trading house said the three partners would set up a joint venture as early as February, marking the first involvement of the Japanese private sector in the Indonesian pulp industry.

Govt abandons new phone bill rates

Govt abandons new phone bill rates BANDUNG, West Java (JP): The government has canceled the new tariff structure for telephone calls made within the area-codes of Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Medan and Ujungpandang. "We return to the system in which all calls made within the same area code are classified as local calls," the service director of the state-owned domestic telecommunications firm PT Telkom, H. Soeratno, said yesterday. The return to the old system begins today.

Complaint on Garuda

Complaint on Garuda Welcome aboard! Garuda Flight 664 due to leave Jakarta on Dec. 25 at 15.15 was not to depart until 16.45, compliments of the very diligent national airline...Of course, passengers were on board and dutifully greeted by the crew, but left steaming on the tarmac due to the "occasional" failure of the AC system.

High cost economy

High cost economy That Indonesia has achieved extraordinary high economic growth during the past decade is indisputable. The economic growth reached an average of over 6.5 percent and the inflation was curbed. This was seen by the international nations as something to be taken into account. That the non-oil exports have gained firm ground is also considered a special achievement. But in the meantime, world competition becomes increasingly challenging.

Four bodies found among Merpati plane debris

Four bodies found among Merpati plane debris JAKARTA (JP): Search and rescue workers found four unidentified bodies and parts of a Merpati Nusantara Airlines aircraft in the Molo Strait, East Nusa Tenggara yesterday. Merpati said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post last night that the wreckage of the 16 seater turboprop was found by SAR workers off the west coast of Flores at 4:30 p.m. yesterday.

Bookies paid US$600,000

Bookies paid US$600,000 KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Bookies paid an estimated 1.5 million ringgit (US$600,000) to soccer players to rig the results of last year's Malaysian league matches, police said yesterday. Players involved in match-fixing received an average of between 10,000 ringgit ($4,000) and 15,000 ringgit ($6,000) per game, said federal criminal investigation chief Mohd Said Awang. " Some were paid as high as 45,000 ringgit ($18,000)," Mohd Said was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.