Archive: 17 January 1995

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Indonesia's help sought for end of Bosnian war

Indonesia's help sought for end of Bosnian war JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic has asked for Indonesia to help seek a solution to end the 34- month civil war in the former Yugoslav republic. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that during a one-and- a-half-hour meeting with President Soeharto yesterday, Valentic appealed to Indonesia, particularly Soeharto himself, to take steps in finding a peaceful end to the discord there.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Abuse of rights a problem in power structure

Abuse of rights a problem in power structure JAKARTA (JP): An outspoken human rights activist deplored the country's poor human rights record in the past year, citing yesterday the violations occurring in the top layers of the power structure. Brig. Gen. (ret.) Roekmini Koesoemoastoeti Soedjono of the National Commission for Human Rights said in a discussion here yesterday that 1994 saw rife violations of human rights.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

No limit to number of Indonesian haj pilgrims

No limit to number of Indonesian haj pilgrims JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher has guaranteed that every Indonesian who can afford to go to Holy Mecca will be able to join the haj pilgrimage this year. "Even if the number of pilgrims exceeds the quota set by the Saudi government, Indonesia will send all haj pilgrims to Mecca this year," Tarmizi said yesterday. This year the haj season will fall in May.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Australia and RI work together on air safety

Australia and RI work together on air safety SYDNEY (AFP): Australian and Indonesian aviation authorities are trying to overcome air space co-ordination problems, fearing they could result in a major mid-air collision, The Australian newspaper reported yesterday. Fifty-nine incidents resulting from inadequate communication between air traffic controllers in the neighboring countries were reported in 1994, the newspaper said.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

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.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

U.S. tightens security further on Asian flights

U.S. tightens security further on Asian flights WASHINGTON (Reuter): The United States has ordered U.S. airlines to further tighten security on flights in East Asia in response to bomb threats directed at these flights, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Sunday.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Dilentasia 3:30 TV Series: Willing & Abel 4:30 Science Program 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teachings 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Wawasan 8:05 Traditional Drama 9:00 World News 9:30 Gelamor 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: To Catch A King Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Rolls-Royce to spread its wing in RI

Rolls-Royce to spread its wing in RI JAKARTA (JP): Rolls-Royce, a British-based aerospace and industrial manufacturer, plans to expand its business in Indonesia. "I think within the next five years we will be able to expand our business in Indonesia," the company's chairman, Ralph Robins told reporters yesterday. Robins, accompanied by four other top executives, was here for a three-day visit. He is to meet State Minister of Research and Technology J.B.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Croatia sets up plant here

Croatia sets up plant here JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Croatia yesterday forged closer ties by signing a cooperation agreement to build an electricity equipment plant in a ceremony here, which was attended by visiting Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic. Under the agreement, the two countries will establish a joint venture, called PT Twins Indonesia.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Domestic affairs key to RI's international role

Domestic affairs key to RI's international role JAKARTA (JP): As Indonesia assumes a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, experts and academics noted the resolution of domestic matters as a prerequisite to boosting the country's international role and image. "The country's domestic political and economic performance has to be sufficiently established before we can perform unencumbered in the international forum," said C.P.F.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Driver's license

Driver's license From Neraca It seems to me that it is better for people to renew their driver's license in the Jakarta Police Office by themselves rather than through the service of a middle man. Here I would like to share my experience in this business. The first thing I did upon arrival was to obtain the health certificate, which cost me Rp 3,000 (official price). Then I collected the form to be filled in and paid in the bank an amount of Rp 52,500.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Bekasi roads poorly lit despite huge subsidies

Bekasi roads poorly lit despite huge subsidies BEKASI (JP): Bekasi residents are complaining that the area's main roads are still poorly lit, despite reports of the state electricity company PLN receiving Rp 3 billion in yearly subsidies from private developers earmarked especially for street lighting.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Environmental laboratories to be upgraded

Environmental laboratories to be upgraded JAKARTA (JP): The Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal) will upgrade its environmental laboratories across the country to guarantee a standardized system of pollution control. A meeting of laboratory staff, local government officials and officials of other related offices met here yesterday to discuss steps to be taken to strengthen and optimize the function of, as well as the coordination between, environmental laboratories outside of Java.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Sawangan farmers protest

Sawangan farmers protest JAKARTA (JP): A bus load of farmers and their families from Sawangan, Bogor, went to the National Commission on Human Rights headquarters yesterday calling for their intervention to release four of their fellow farmers now under police detention. The 36 visitors, including women and children, told the commission members that their four peers had been detained for over 30 days after a conflict with a real estate company over a land dispute came to a head.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Batam jobs only for single women

Batam jobs only for single women MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The provincial government will send 600 young, unmarried female job seekers to work with companies on rapidly growing Batam Island this year. To achieve the target, the local government has decided to dispatch 100 job seekers this month, chief of the local office of manpower Sukirno said yesterday.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

CitraLand hotel has new manager

CitraLand hotel has new manager JAKARTA (JP): A cocktail party was held over the weekend to welcome Hans Jorg Seiler, the newly appointed General Manager of CitraLand Hotel Jakarta, and to bid farewell to his predecessor Frank Liepmann. Liepmann was the driving force behind the great success of the hotel, the hotel spokesperson said.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Women warned to widen horizon

Women warned to widen horizon JAKARTA (JP): If women don't want to be forever outwitted by men, then they must broaden their horizons, Mrs. Yogie S. M. warned yesterday. The boss of the Association of Civil Servants' Wives (Dharma Wanita) under the home affairs ministry said women must better educate themselves because men keep developing cheating techniques and are ready to prey on the unwary, Antara reported.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Telkom promises faster installation

Telkom promises faster installation JAKARTA: PT Telkom yesterday said that new telephone lines in Jakarta should be connected from the moment they are installed and that subscribers should no longer wait a long time. Chief of Telkom Jakarta John Welly told reporters that the state telecommunication company is willing to compensate for any delay to the tune of 10 telephone pulses free for every day a subscriber has to wait.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Lawyers of Metromini bus driver reject murder charges

Lawyers of Metromini bus driver reject murder charges JAKARTA (JP): The lawyers of Ramses Silitonga have objected to the prosecutors' indictment in which their client is charged with murder. Ramses was the driver of a Metromini bus that plunged into the Sunter River, North Jakarta, in March. Thirty-four passengers died in, or as a result of, the accident. Viktor Siahaan, one of the lawyers, said the charges were tendentious and exaggerated.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Traffic jams

Traffic jams I am writing this letter, as a concern citizen, regarding the traffic jams that occur every day in Jakarta. Lately it has been more so and this nuisance has been taken as a way of life for Jakartans. As a matter of fact, the problem lies in drivers who are undisciplined, do not know the laws of the road or just could not care less about others. The public in general is suffering great losses in inefficient gasoline mileage. This loss is suffered by many but is not noticeable.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Expert team submits study on city traffic

Expert team submits study on city traffic JAKARTA (JP): A team of experts from the Bandung Technology Institute has submitted its study of traffic conditions in Jakarta with a number recommendations on how to overcome the congestion. Ofyar Z Tamin, who headed the special team on transportation technology, told the Antara news agency that some of the recommendations of the 1993 study on the environmental impact of traffic have been implemented by housing developers and shopping malls.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Inaccurate reporting

Inaccurate reporting I refer to The Jakarta Post, Jan. 12, 1995 and in particular to an article on page 1 More Merpati crash victims found, and Jan. 13 on page 2 440 new doctors placed in Irian. Both appear to have a trap for the unwary reader, even if the reports are not deliberately deceptive.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Asia poised for bigger coffee output

Asia poised for bigger coffee output SINGAPORE (AFP): Asia's share of global coffee supplies should increase substantially following upbeat production forecasts yesterday by leading producers Indonesia and Vietnam at a regional coffee conference here, officials said. Asian producers, who control 17 percent of world coffee supplies, already account for about 45 percent of robusta coffee output and more than five percent of arabica coffee production, they said.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

North Sea output hurts oil prices, OPEC says

North Sea output hurts oil prices, OPEC says DOHA (Reuter): OPEC President Ida Bagus Sudjana of Indonesia arrived in Qatar yesterday at the start of a Gulf Arab tour and said high North Sea oil production was affecting oil prices. "North Sea over-production will upset the market and make prices (go) down," Sudjana, also Indonesia's energy minister, told reporters after arriving in Qatar. "So far I am satisfied with the movement of prices after the Bali meeting. Now it is rising a little bit.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Merapi gushes burning lava

Merapi gushes burning lava SEMARANG, Central Java: Almost two months after its latest lethal eruption, Mount Merapi continues to gush burning lava. Officials at the Directorate of Geology office in Yogyakarta said the 3,962 meter high volcano gushed fiery lava 17 times on Sunday. The lava streaming down into gorges along the slopes offered a rare sight to tourists because it was clearly visible from monitoring posts in Kaliurang, a tourist resort at the foot of the mountain.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Newscast in English

Newscast in English As there are a number of expatriates as well as local people understanding English, SCTV or TVRI should broadcast English news at least once in a day in Surabaya. If this is considered, people will be thankful. R.B. SHAH Jakarta

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Drug defendants trade accusations in court

Drug defendants trade accusations in court JAKARTA (JP): Two defendants exchanged accusations with each other yesterday in the heroin trafficking case being tried at the Central Jakarta District Court. The two defendants are Freddy A Thing, a resident of Bekasi, and Sae Lim Iaw, also known as Boon Tan, a Thai national, who took the witness stand to testify against his alleged accomplice in yesterday's trial session.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

BHP gets new president

BHP gets new president JAKARTA (JP): The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) of Australia, which is currently exploring for oil in the Timor Gap, announced yesterday that the company will be led by a new president, CE Collin Smith, beginning next month. Working with a number of local partners, BHP operates four coal mines in Kalimantan, steel roll forming and wire mesh plants in Jakarta and Surabaya, East Java, and is constructing new steel coating lines in West Java.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Quick tax refunds promised

Quick tax refunds promised JAKARTA (JP): The government promised yesterday to pay a compensation of two percent interest per month if it failed to refund over-payments of tax within 30 days -- calculated after the tax office receives a refund request. An expert advisor to the Minister of Finance on state budget affairs, Mansury, said in a one-day seminar on tax that the promise was in line with the amendments of tax laws effected early this month.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Moslem fashion at Sahid Jaya

Moslem fashion at Sahid Jaya JAKARTA (JP): To greet this year's Ramadhan fasting month 16 Indonesian designers are holding a fashion show on Jan. 26 at the Sahid Jaya Hotel and Tower. The designers will show various influences in print, cloth and color from various regions of Indonesia, from Aceh in North Sumatra to the islands of East Nusa Tenggara. The event, jointly organized by Sahid Jaya Hotel and the Indonesian Association of Fashion Designers, will be in the Puri Agung room.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Group of PPP activists starts up new foundation

Group of PPP activists starts up new foundation JAKARTA (JP): A group of members of the United Development Party (PPP) yesterday announced that they had established a foundation which would take an active part in socio-economic and political activities but would stay out of the way of the party. Speaking to reporters at Sahid Jaya Hotel, H.J. Naro and other fellow-founding members of the foundation, which they call "The Jan.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

East Java has eight wage zones

East Java has eight wage zones JAKARTA (JP): The government recently announced its policy on minimum wage levels which will divide East Java into several zones as of April. The manpower ministerial decree on the raise of minimum daily wages for East Java divides the fast developing province into eight groups in relation to their industrial levels. Workers' minimum daily wage standards in Surabaya, Malang, Sidoardjo and Gresik will rise from Rp 3,000 (US$1.3) to 3,700.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Agency insists on rent increases in Pulogadung

Agency insists on rent increases in Pulogadung JAKARTA (JP): The city agency which supervises the operation of small enterprises in the Pulogadung industrial zone insisted that rent increases for the low-cost apartments it manages were necessary. R.O. Singgih, the head of the agency, told visiting city councillors and reporters yesterday that the increases were decided by a governor's decree and that he was not in a position to question or revise the rule.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Blue Bird responds

Blue Bird responds Blue Bird would like to thank Andri N. De Feraudy, for the letter to The Jakarta Post, Jan. 9, 1995, concerning a complaint of the unavailability of a Blue Bird taxi at a certain time, then being offered a Silver Bird as an alternative. Blue Bird always believes that we learn better by listening to our customers. In this opportunity, we, Blue Bird, would like to apologize for the misunderstanding. It was not our attention to force our customers to use Silver Bird.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Export shoe producer acquires five firms

Export shoe producer acquires five firms JAKARTA (JP): PT Indosepamas Anggun, an export-oriented shoe producer affiliated to the widely diversified Salim Group, has taken over stakes in five firms within the same group at a total value of Rp 155.55 billion (US$70.54 million).

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Ragunan school to be revamped

Ragunan school to be revamped JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday announced a large-scale renovation of the Ragunan Junior and Senior High School, the only school for scouting future athletes in Indonesia, as the school celebrates its 18th anniversary. A first-phase fund of Rp 2.6 billion (US$1.18 million) from the state budget this year has been secured to finance the revamping, Sri Sudono Sumarto, sports director of the Ministry of Education and Culture, said during yesterday's celebration.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

No rupiah devaluation: Soeharto

No rupiah devaluation: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto made it clear yesterday that Indonesia has no plans to devalue the rupiah or to reschedule its foreign debt. "The government has no reason to devalue the rupiah or reschedule its foreign debts," the President was quoted by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono as saying. Moerdiono, asked about the President's response to the dollar rush in the money market last week, said that the speculative trading of the U.S.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Intervention calms Asia's markets

Intervention calms Asia's markets HONG KONG (AFP): Central banks in Southeast Asia's booming economies acted swiftly yesterday to calm their financial markets after being dragged into the fall-out of the Mexican peso meltdown. In Hong Kong and Jakarta, central banks succeeded in warding off speculators who might have considered the region's emerging markets as vulnerable as those in Latin America.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

S'pore's deputy PM visits KL

S'pore's deputy PM visits KL KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived here yesterday for talks with Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy Anwar Ibrahim, officials said. Lee was received on arrival at the airport by Anwar, Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi and other top officials.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Native dancers welcome Pope to Papua New Guinea

Native dancers welcome Pope to Papua New Guinea PORT MORESBY (Reuter): Pope John Paul arrived in the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea yesterday, cheered by thousands of bare-footed villagers who trekked to the airport to greet the Pontiff on the second leg of his four-nation tour.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Fijian killed by his own catch

Fijian killed by his own catch SUVA (Reuter): A Fijian fisherman choked to death when he tried to kill his catch in the traditional way by biting its head off, police in Suva said yesterday. Sergeant Josese Lako said the head of the fish slipped and lodged in 50-year-old Samueal Taoba's throat during a spearfishing trip on Saturday.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Fiji's immigration plan opposed

Fiji's immigration plan opposed SUVA (AFP): Retailers warned here yesterday that Fiji's infrastructure may be inadequate to cope with an influx of thousands of Hong Kong Chinese migrants under a government-backed business migration plan. Government backbencher Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has joined growing opposition to the scheme, warning against the social and political impact of having large numbers of immigrants moving into Fiji's rural areas.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Dutch man dies climbing hill

Dutch man dies climbing hill AMBON, Maluku: A Dutch national, Junannes Ditzal, 64, died as he was climbing Leasusu hill on this island on Saturday. Ambon police precinct chief Lt. Col. Suroto said the authorities had sent Ditzal's body for an autopsy to determine the cause of his death, Antara reported yesterday. He said one of Ditzal's three guides told the police the tourist died after he complained of cramps in his feet about 100 meters from the top of the 500 meter high hill.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Oki interrogated by Jakarta police without lawyer

Oki interrogated by Jakarta police without lawyer JAKARTA (JP): Harnoko Dewanto, alias Oki, was questioned by Jakarta police yesterday, without a lawyer being present, in connection with a triple murder in Los Angeles. The city police's chief spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko confirmed yesterday that under the law Oki had a right to have a lawyer present during the questioning. But the suspect had waived that right, Bambang said.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Local stock marts see bullish prospect

Local stock marts see bullish prospect JAKARTA (JP): Crosby Securities of Hong Kong is very upbeat about the prospects for Indonesia's capital market over the next five years despite the current dip stemming from the Mexican financial crisis.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Singapore, KL move to revitalize growth triangle

Singapore, KL move to revitalize growth triangle KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Singapore and Malaysia yesterday agreed on steps to revitalize a growth triangle linking the city state with Malaysia's southern state of Johor, Malaysia said. Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong discussed the issue with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, Finance Ministry Secretary-General Clifford Herbert told reporters.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

KONI chief rejects further extension

KONI chief rejects further extension JAKARTA (JP): Executive chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) looks to throw in the towel even before the competition begins. Yesterday he turned down the nomination for the council's leadership board for the next four-year term. "Eight years are too much for me," Soeweno said. "I don't deserve any post any longer since I failed to lead the national team to success during the recent Asian Games," he added.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Lesson from Mexico

Lesson from Mexico Although Indonesia's economy is in better shape than Mexico's, prudence is still needed in handling the economy. This is the important message we get from Finance Minister Mar'ie Muhammad. We would like to add that we also have to learn from the Mexican crisis. Economic crisis befell that country in the 1980s. The price of oil, its major export commodity, dwindled. Mexico failed to service its foreign debt. Its economy entered a prolonged recession.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Nestle acquires noodle firm

Nestle acquires noodle firm JAKARTA (JP): Nestle S.A. of Switzerland has acquired a 80 percent stake in PT Supmi Sakti, a producer of instant noodles under the brands Supmi and Doremi. Nestle, which currently operates four factories in Indonesia, did not disclose the terms of transaction. It announced that the deal, which was signed last week, is subject to approval by the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board. (rid)

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) recovered yesterday with most issues gaining ground in moderate trading. The broad-based Composite Index rose 5.42 points to close at 447.29 on the return of foreign fund managers. The index lost nearly six percent last week as foreign fund managers, fearing that the Mexican financial crisis would affect Indonesia, dumped their stocks.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Many suffer from mental illness

Many suffer from mental illness JAKARTA (JP): Out of 1,000 Indonesians 80 are mentally ill, according to Dr. Dadang Hawari, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Psychiatrists. Speaking in Bandung recently he also predicted that within the next 25 years that figure would rise by 400 percent. He said that the causes of the upward trend are the increasing economic burdens on the people and the negative impact of a rapid shift from an agrarian society to an industrial one.

Tue, 17 Jan 1995, 00:00 WIB

Malaysia protests senator's remarks

Malaysia protests senator's remarks MANILA (Reuter): Malaysia has been angered by remarks by a leading Philippine senator that it was a "high-risk and dangerous" destination for Filipino workers, the foreign office said yesterday. Foreign Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino said Malaysia had protested against a warning issued by Senator Ernesto Herrera to Filipino workers that Malaysia was an unsafe destination.