Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 October 1995

42 articles found

Serious art forms needed: Official

Serious art forms needed: Official JAKARTA (JP): A recently-concluded national arts festival has shown that people need more than just entertainment; they need more serious art forms, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Many of the artistic performances at Art Summit Indonesia 1995, which ran from Sept. 23 to Oct. 12, were sold out. The festival involved 15 contemporary arts groups from nine countries.

'Soeharto unlikely to face contender in 1998 election'

'Soeharto unlikely to face contender in 1998 election' SEMARANG (JP): A nod from President Soeharto is all it will take to settle the presidential election in 1998, noted political scholar Riswandha Imawan said yesterday. Soeharto has the qualifications no other candidate has to run for president, even if it means staying in office for a seventh consecutive five year term, said the staff lecturer at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.

Danamon acquires Bank Delta

Danamon acquires Bank Delta JAKARTA (JP): The shareholders of publicly-listed PT Bank Danamon agreed yesterday to the company's proposal to acquire the remaining 85.45 percent of Bank Delta's shares which were owned by PT Danamon International. The company said in a statement that since the acquisition contained conflicts of interest -- involving companies in the same group -- it required the endorsement from at least 50 percent of its independent shareholders.

Muladi urges intellectuals to take risks

Muladi urges intellectuals to take risks SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Noted scholar Muladi told intellectuals yesterday to be honest, defend what's right and be courageous in facing the risks involved in such a stance. Addressing a meeting of the Central Java branch of the Indonesian Association of Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) here on Sunday, Muladi said intellectuals should be brave enough to reject government policies which they consider to be wrong. "They should dare to state what they think.

Two students die on Mt. Cartenz

Two students die on Mt. Cartenz JAKARTA: Two students at Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java, were found dead on Mt. Cartenz in Irian Jaya yesterday, a press report said. Antara said that the mountaineers, Herman CR and Bonavertura, may have died from cold rain storms in Timika, near the giant copper plant of PT Freeport Indonesia. A Freeport official, Suryaatmaja, said a search and rescue team brought the students' bodies down to Tembagapura at 12 p.m. local time.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Aryaduta Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Los Morenitos, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Los Paraguas, Friday and Saturday from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Boece & Ayu (pianist and singer), Tuesday and Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Pianist of Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 p.m.

Consumer group decries hikes in freeway tolls

Consumer group decries hikes in freeway tolls JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers' Foundation (YLKI) decried yesterday the latest increases in the city's toll road charges, of between 13 percent and 25 percent, saying the move runs counter to the government's avowed objective of promoting greater equity. YLKI chairwoman Zoemrotin K. said the increase, which was announced on Sunday night, will further widen the gap between rich and poor.

Robbers murder 12-year-old girl

Robbers murder 12-year-old girl PADANG, West Sumatra: Police arrested three men on Sunday on charges of robbery and murder of a 12-year-old girl. Chief of the Padang police precinct Lt. Col. Sutigno Subrata told journalists on Sunday the suspected robbers were aged between 17 and 20. Police identified them as repeat offenders. The robbery happened at about 12 p.m. on Saturday when the victim, Wulan, was home alone.

Lifting of Balabagan's death sentence hailed

Lifting of Balabagan's death sentence hailed JAKARTA (JP): Local activists, praising the lifting by the United Arab Emirates of the death sentence passed on Filipina maid Sarah Balabagan, called yesterday for better protection for Indonesian migrant workers. Led by Tati Krisnawaty of the group Solidaritas Perempuan (Women's Solidarity), some 15 women activists visited the UEA embassy here yesterday to deliver a statement on the issue.

Urban turnpike toll hikes

Urban turnpike toll hikes In 1978, when the authorities began collecting tolls on the Jagorawi turnpike connecting Jakarta and Ciawi, a hilly weekend resort 60 kilometers south of the capital city, people complained about the high cost of using that road.

New train to Surabaya

New train to Surabaya JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned railway company Perumka started operating their Sembrani train yesterday, which will make the Jakarta-Surabaya trip in 10 hours. The company's executive in Surabaya, Soedaryono, said that the new service will increase Perumka's passenger capacity to some 4,000 per day. "The growth rate of train passengers on the Jakarta-Surabaya route is 11 percent per year," the Antara news agency quoted Soedaryono as saying.

ASEAN to sign financial services pact at summit

ASEAN to sign financial services pact at summit BANGKOK (Reuter): Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will focus on speeding up the liberalization of financial services in the region when they meet in December, a senior Thai official said. Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Virawan told reporters at the weekend a proposal to accelerate the implementation of ASEAN's free trade area would also be on top of the agenda at the Dec. 14-15 summit in Bangkok.

When 'the underground king dragon' gets angry...

When 'the underground king dragon' gets angry... Text and photos by Mulkan Salmona JAMBI (JP): Earthquake! It always comes without warning when everybody is preoccupied with their daily lives or sound asleep, forgetting that it may happen any time and that it always comes with the mission to ruin and kill.

E. Jakarta police chief replaced

E. Jakarta police chief replaced JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo yesterday appointed Lt. Col. Gregorius Mere, previously head of general crimes of the city crime investigation directorate, the new East Jakarta police chief to replace Lt. Col. Miyanto. The new officer, better known as Gories Mere, has recorded a wide range of successes in investigating challenging crimes in the city.

Indonesia-Malaysia timber pact criticized

Indonesia-Malaysia timber pact criticized JAKARTA (JP): A House member criticized the Indonesian- Malaysian cooperation agreement on tropical timber yesterday, saying that the agreement doesn't address such strategic issues as optimum utilization of natural resources and border-crossing trade.

World's poets to perform here

World's poets to perform here JAKARTA (JP): An international poetry reading is slated to start tomorrow to Oct. 22 at the Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki in Central Jakarta. The five-day poetry reading, part of the second Istiqlal Festical, will see dozens of noted poets from 18 foreign countries, including Indonesia. The event will become the biggest poetry reading which ever been held in Indonesia.

Fire razes market place

Fire razes market place PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Fire destroyed 13 shops in the Kahayan market here at midnight on Saturday, Antara reported yesterday. Eyewitnesses said that the fire started in a gasoline kiosk and quickly spread to the adjacent shops due to the blowing wind. Among the things destroyed in the disaster were a fertilizer storehouse, a motorcycle repair shop and food shops. Smoke was still bellowing on Sunday noon. (pan)

Clarification from Sudomo

Clarification from Sudomo From Merdeka I would like to focus on Supreme Advisory Council chairman Sudomo's comments in Merdeka (Oct. 6, 1995) on the relations between the Armed Forces (ABRI) and Golkar. Clarity in history is of the utmost importance, especially for the generations to come. A clarification from the government will strengthen the veracity of the nation's history. ABRI's sociopolitical assistant Maj. Gen.

Foreigner suspected of murder, detained

Foreigner suspected of murder, detained JAKARTA (JP): A 26-year-old woman was found dead in a corridor on the 12th-floor of a five-star hotel in Central Jakarta yesterday morning. Several hours later, city police detained an Indian businessman, identified only as CJ, for allegedly killing the woman, identified as Wati, after police learned that a pillow case found near the dead body had come from CJ's room.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 16, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,650 -125 6,500 AHAP Insurance 3,250 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,150 0 0 Andayani Megah 2,150 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,400 -100 20,500 Anwar Sierad 1,075 0 48,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,400 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,850 -50 265,500 Argo Pantes 2,500 0 0 Asiana IMI Indusrties 950 0 0 Aster Dharma...

Questions arise about the future of NAM

Questions arise about the future of NAM By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): As Indonesia hands over the chairmanship of the 112 nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to Colombia this week, questions arise about the past three-years and the commitment of the new chairman towards the movement. Indonesian experts have varied opinions on the effectiveness of Indonesia's leadership, but share the view that Latin American issues will gain prevalence.

Call for MPR reform gets positive response

Call for MPR reform gets positive response JAKARTA (JP): The latest call for the highest law making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), to be more active received a positive response from a senior official of the body yesterday. Soerjadi, one of the MPR deputy chiefs, said that the law- making body should convene not only once every five years as has been practiced over the past three decades, but should meet more frequently to discuss major state problems.

ABRI names faces behind incidents

ABRI names faces behind incidents JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) announced the names of three people whom it has identified with the "formless" organizations that have been blamed for recent acts of provocation. ABRI Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono identified the three as author Pramoedya Ananta Toer, scholar George Aditjondro and labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan. "These are not rumors. These are the facts," Soeyono told reporters at his office.

Palm oil prices in Asia expected to firm this week

Palm oil prices in Asia expected to firm this week KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Asian palm and laurics oils prices are largely expected to be firm this week, with good demand and apparent low stocks of palm olein seen aiding Indonesian prices, regional traders said. Malaysia's palm market is closely watching the Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority's (PORLA) release of key September output/stock/export figures yesterday, with traders expecting supportive data.

40 officers sent to Bosnia, Philippines

40 officers sent to Bosnia, Philippines JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will soon send 40 military and police officers to Bosnia-Herzogovina and the southern Philippines to replace its teams of cease-fire observers who have completed their tours of duty in the war-torn areas. The officers -- 25 of whom will be sent to Bosnia while 15 will go to the Philippines -- reported for duty yesterday to Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono at the military's headquarters.

Natural forests inadequate

Natural forests inadequate JAKARTA (JP): A scientist warned yesterday that timber logged from Indonesia's natural forests would not be adequate to meet the domestic demand for both the medium and long term period. M. Ari Soedarsono from the Ministry of Forestry told a seminar on biodiversity yesterday that theoretically, only 0.45 cubic meter of timber could be harvested from one hectare of forest each year.

Brother killed over a parrot

Brother killed over a parrot JAKARTA (JP): An employee of the Bogasari flour mill in North Jakarta was killed by his own brother yesterday because of an argument over a pet bird. Anton Matindas, aged 25, also known as Toni, died of stab wounds received to the left side of his chest at the hand of his younger brother Roni Matindas, 22, at their house on Jl. B. Lagoa Terusan Gg. V/C 12, North Jakarta, at 7:30 a.m., during a fight over a parrot.

RI ousted from bridge meet semis

RI ousted from bridge meet semis JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's struggle to elbow its way into the semifinal of the Bermuda Bowl men's team world bridge championship in Beijing ended in defeat on Sunday. Indonesia was finally edged out of the competition 223-181 by USA-2, after managing to take a 158-143 lead during the early sessions. The same fate befell China, which was beaten 193-196 by France, as well as defending champion the Netherlands, which fell 227-182 to Sweden.

River water quality still deteriorating

River water quality still deteriorating JAKARTA (JP): The quality of the city's river water is deteriorating as a result of the dumping of household and industrial waste, a city official said yesterday Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, the city secretary's assistant in charge of development administration, said that the deterioration of the water quality was mainly caused by liquid household waste, the major pollutant of Jakarta's rivers.

Councilors worry about quality of school buildings

Councilors worry about quality of school buildings JAKARTA (JP): The city council has urged the city administration to tighten its supervision of the construction of school buildings to ensure quality. Siti Maryam Ahmad, secretary of the council's Commission E, which oversees people's welfare, said that the construction of many school buildings has not been in accordance with the city administration's requirements.

RP allocates fund for refugee camp

RP allocates fund for refugee camp MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government is releasing 500,000 pesos (US$2,000) to shelter Vietnamese made homeless after a fire at their refugee camp last week. President Fidel Ramos said in a statement released yesterday that an emergency fund would be used to build living quarters and provide for other immediate requirements of the displaced Vietnamese.

RI makes NAM a more relevant movement

RI makes NAM a more relevant movement President Soeharto is slated to hand over the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement today. Noted political scientist Dewi Fortuna Anwar observes that Indonesia has successfully turned the movement into an organization which is more relevant to the needs of the South.

Fire sweeps Ujungpandang

Fire sweeps Ujungpandang UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: More than 200 people lost their homes as fire destroyed dozens of houses in a crowded housing area in the Wajo district over the weekend. There was no word on injuries, but two persons collapsed on seeing fire gut their property, Antara said yesterday. It took more than two hours for residents and fire fighters to put out the blaze, which also triggered panic at the Akademis Hospital nearby.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Children's Program 3:30 TV Series: Singen 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: Belief in God the Almighty 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Wawasan 8:05 TV Drama: Cinta Buta Buta Cinta 9:00 World News 9:45 Film 11:15 Late News 11:25 Music: Nada dan Irama Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Higher transport rates?

Higher transport rates? Public transport rates in Jakarta have again become a subject of public discussion. Public response arose after the transportation companies in Jakarta requested, through their association Organda, that the government allow them to raise the tariffs. The increase, according to Organda, is very much needed by the city's public transport companies. Operating and maintenance costs, it argues, have soared. The current rates can no longer be depended on to cover maintenance.

KL to expand offshore palmoil investments

KL to expand offshore palmoil investments KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia, in a bid to sustain its multi-billion ringgit palmoil industry, will expand overseas investments, Primary Industries Minister Lim Keng Yaik said. In an interview with the Business Times daily, Lim said the government will adopt a three-pronged approach for the development of the industry.

India woos RI tourists

India woos RI tourists JAKARTA (JP): India aims to increase the number of Indonesian tourists by at least 25 percent this year and double the frequency of direct flights between the two countries, a senior Indian official says. India's visiting Minister of Tourism Sukhbuns Kaur said in a press conference yesterday that currently only 6,000 Indonesians travel to India every year. "This is a very small number.

CTHV, Mitraguna tie up in licensing of movie titles

CTHV, Mitraguna tie up in licensing of movie titles JAKARTA (JP): Columbia Tristar Home Video (CTHV) and PT Mitraguna Likorindo announced yesterday an agreement which will enable the licensing of CTHV titles on video cassettes and laser discs in Indonesia. The agreement, signed by the president director of PT Mitraguna Likorindo, Firman S.

Developers pocketing subsidies: Minister

Developers pocketing subsidies: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Many developers of small and very small basic houses have pocketed some of the government subsidy designated for buyers of low-cost houses, Minister of Agrarian Affairs Soni Harsono said yesterday. Soni, who is also chairman of the National Land Agency, said his office has subsidized the fees of land certificates for simple and very simple houses.

Theater group's lawsuit dismissed

Theater group's lawsuit dismissed JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta State Administrative Court yesterday turned down a lawsuit filed by the Indonesian Labor Theater Group against a city official who banned the group from performing.

Hartarto's honorary degree

Hartarto's honorary degree JAKARTA (JP): Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands has awarded an honorary degree -- equivalent to a doctoral degree in science -- to Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto Sastrosunarto. The award presentation ceremony took place last week at the university on Oct. 12, after Hartarto delivered his speech entitled "Indonesia, a model for synergy with Europe" as part of the Bernard Mandeville Lecture series.

Jasindo-INTI insurance

Jasindo-INTI insurance JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Jasindo) signed yesterday the extension of an insurance agreement with the state-owned telecommunications equipment manufacturer PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia (INTI). Jasindo's president, Amir Imam Poero, said that the agreement, first signed in 1991 and renewed every two years, covers all assets of PT INTI.