Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 November 1995

39 articles found

Rendra intends to remain an independent artist

Rendra intends to remain an independent artist JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading poet, W.S. Rendra, who turned 60 last week, said over the weekend he will stand strong on his principle of remaining an independent artist. Rendra said Saturday he will not accept any funds from political parties, the government, the Armed Forces, or foreign companies and organizations to finance his performances. "I just want to be a free, honest and beautiful person just like a charcoal maker I met years ago.

Rallying popular support

Rallying popular support Half a century ago, the city of Surabaya was the scene of a heroic battle. With whatever weapons that were available, the people assisted the Armed Forces in confronting the British and Allied forces, who possessed much more sophisticated arms. We can imagine what would have become of our country if the people had not been willing to fight and to sacrifice much for their country.

Govt plans immunization against Hepatitis B

Govt plans immunization against Hepatitis B JAKARTA (JP): Prevention is better than cure, and in the case of Hepatitis B, for which there is no cure, prevention is the only way. After last month's overwhelming success in the national mass immunization against polio for children under five years of age, the government is considering a similar campaign to fight Hepatitis-B.

RI yet to tap fishery sector potential fully

RI yet to tap fishery sector potential fully JAKARTA (JP): The achievements of Indonesia's under-developed fishery sector has a long way to go before matching the size of the country's sprawling 5.8 million square kilometers of tropical seas. Statistics show that Indonesia actually has a potential fishery catch of 6.7 million tons a year; 4.4 million tons from its territorial waters and 2.3 million tons from its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

RI medal of honor for Aussie diplomat

RI medal of honor for Aussie diplomat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has awarded the Bintang Jaya Utama medal of honor to Sir Richard C. Kirby, a veteran Australian diplomat, for meritorious services to this country. The charge d'affaires at the Indonesian embassy in Canberra, Zakaria Soemintaatmadja, conferred the medal on Sir Kirby in a ceremony there on Friday evening.

'Feudalism' rife in government, says Rudini

'Feudalism' rife in government, says Rudini JAKARTA (JP): Noted political observer Rudini says "feudalism" among top Indonesian government officials is hampering democratization. "A great number of our officials in the bureaucracy cannot take criticism, and treat differences of opinion as proof of disloyalty toward or rebellion against superiors," Rudini, who is chairman of the Indonesian Institute for Strategic Studies, said yesterday.

Clean river program

Clean river program From Neraca The clean river program in the Jakarta area cannot be carried out incidentally. The cleaning of Ciliwung river, for example, which divides the city of Jakarta, must be managed systematically, so that cleanliness of the rivers can be maintained. In this context I would like to suggest that the Jakarta administration sets up a special body responsible for the cleanliness of Jakarta's rivers.

Mayoralty to give squatters Rp 7,500

Mayoralty to give squatters Rp 7,500 JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta mayoralty has agreed to give Cisadane riverbank squatters in Kedoya Utara, Kebon Jeruk, Rp 7,500 each to assist them in moving from the area. After meeting with seven residents, mayoralty secretary H. Solihin DJ said on Friday, that the mayoralty was willing to help the families, whose houses were demolished by the authorities two weeks ago, with trucks to transport their belongings.

Children commemorate UN Day in art show

Children commemorate UN Day in art show JAKARTA (JP): Children from 25 schools, international and local, held an art performance here over the weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Farsida Lubis, an officer of the United Nations Development Program, said in opening the performance that she hoped that, through artistic activity, children will be able to understand the world's cultural diversity.

Parkindo goes ahead with its congress

Parkindo goes ahead with its congress JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Christian Participation association (Parkindo) went ahead with its congress over the weekend, despite of the absence of government officials and leaders of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Discipline drive volunteers told to avoid violence

Discipline drive volunteers told to avoid violence JAKARTA (JP): The 15,000 volunteers fielded today in the discipline drive have no right to punish violators and must avoid violence in their actions, City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto says. In a call for preparedness of the discipline drive, at the Senayan east parking lot on Saturday, Wiranto said that the volunteers are supposed to remind the violators in a persuasive and educative manner.

Voice mail introduced

Voice mail introduced JAKARTA (JP): PT Intidaya Sistelindo, in cooperation with PT Informindo Trustama, has started a voice mail service, called Swatel, in Surabaya, East Java. Antara reported that Intidaya's director, Budi Adji, said over the weekend in Surabaya that the message (the original voice of the sender) will be recorded by the Swatel and the customer may open the message from his own telephone or a public phone.

'Be independent', Yogie tells mass organizations

'Be independent', Yogie tells mass organizations JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has said mass organizations should be independent but should also "adhere to the rules." "All the government wants from mass organizations is their independence in defining and carrying on their activities," Yogie told participants in a week-long congress of the influential cooperative Kosgoro yesterday. "However, they still have to adhere to the rules and regulations," he added.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Arya Duta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48,Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 1.p.m.; Los Morenos, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7 p.m to 11 p.m. - The Tavern Pub: Yeah Yeah Boys, Sunday and Thursday,9.30 p.m to 1 a.m ; Geometrics Band, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 p.m to 2 a.m.; Yeah yeah Boys Thursday 9 p.m. to a.m.: Front line Band, Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. * Century Park Hotel, Jl.

Judges named for Acan family case trials

Judges named for Acan family case trials JAKARTA (JP): The Bekasi District Court named the panels of judges for the trials of 11 men charged with gang rape and robbery over the weekend. The chief secretary of the Bekasi District Court, J.A. Situru, announced the three separate trials to be presided over by three judges each on Saturday. The first panel of judges is led by Judge Pieter Purba, with Mohammad Nawir and Samsudin Manan Sinaga as members.

Thatcher in town

Thatcher in town JAKARTA (JP): Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher will start a three-day visit in Indonesia today as a speaker at the Citibank Asian Leadership Series meeting. A statement released from Citibank over the weekend stated that the series, launched in 1992, consists of discussions on the emerging role of the Asia-Pacific region and on leadership in the new world order. Thatcher's visit marks Citibank's 27th anniversary in Indonesia.

IPTN opens permanent office in the Gulf

IPTN opens permanent office in the Gulf DUBAI (AFP): Indonesia's Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) aircraft industry has opened its first office in the Gulf to boost sales of its 135 seat passenger jets, the CN235, in the region, company officials said here yesterday. The office will provide services for customers who have already bought these planes and boost future sales. So far, 13 CN235 have been sold to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The Rp 7 billion mansion

The Rp 7 billion mansion The success of Indonesia's economic development efforts of the last two decades has of late made many of us accustomed to seeing advertisements offering pricey housing projects with homes that cost from several hundred million rupiah up to two billion. Of course, in a country with an annual per capita income of only US$920 and some 25 million people still living below the poverty line, only a handful of people can afford to own a Rp 2 billion mansion.

Moehono elected chairman of PCPP

Moehono elected chairman of PCPP YOGYAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. (ret) Moehono was elected chairman of the Association of Intellectuals for Pancasila Development (PCPP) in its first congress that ended here last night. Rubianto Wisman, a professor of agriculture from the Sudirman University of Purwokerto, Central Java, was appointed secretary general of the organization established in July. As widely expected, the congress' electoral board appointed Sambas Wirakusumah deputy chairman.

'People have low political awareness'

'People have low political awareness' SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Commander of the Tanjungpura regional military command, Maj. Gen. Namuri Anoem, said on Saturday that the people of East Kalimantan have low political awareness. He said that, of the 4.4 million voting cards damaged during the 1992 general elections, almost 60,000 were found in the pool booths in the province.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Saber Rider and The Starr Sheriff 3:05 Children's Program: Riang Ria 3:30 TV Series: The Crystal Maze 4:30 School Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Evening News 5:30 Technology 6:05 Nusantara the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 News Program: Laporan Luar Negeri 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama: Tembang Kota 8:05 TV Series: Santa Barbara 9:00 World News 9:25 Indonesian Music: Gebyar Music 10:25 Film: Panga 10:55 Late News 11:05 Film: Panga (continued) Program 2...

Saro-Wiwa, a martyr for minorities

Saro-Wiwa, a martyr for minorities PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuter): Ken Saro-Wiwa, one of nine activist hanged by Nigerian authorities last Friday, touched a raw nerve by focusing his minority rights campaign on Nigeria's lifeblood oil industry. In his crusade against oil pollution in the Niger delta, Saro- Wiwa, a prominent playwright and satirist, also took on the might of the Anglo-Dutch Shell, the leading oil company operating in the area and throughout Nigeria.

Unethical advertisements

Unethical advertisements From Bisnis Indonesia The 19th Asian Advertisement Congress in Bali was opened by President Soeharto. The President warned that apart from enhancing professionalism, the advertising agencies should also strengthen the ethical basis. We often find unethical advertisements published in the media, some even are far from the truth. Consumers usually regard the advertisements as promises made by the producers.

Dialogs needed to reduce suspicion: Darmaputera

Dialogs needed to reduce suspicion: Darmaputera JAKARTA (JP): A Christian leader said yesterday that the often-strained relations between Moslems and Christians are the result of mutual suspicion of cross-proselytizing. Reverend Eka Darmaputera said Moslems are wary of what they see as a "Christianization" campaign, while Christians feel the same way about "Islamization". Only continuous dialog can help reduce this suspicion, he said.

Indonesia faces no problem in covering deficit

Indonesia faces no problem in covering deficit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is likely to face no immediate problem in covering its widening current account deficit, judging from the sharp increase in the inflow of foreign direct investments, according to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company.

Police search for drugs in disco

Police search for drugs in disco JAKARTA (JP): About 100 patrons of a discotheque in Central Jakarta were subjected to a police search of their persons on Saturday night. The police officers, led by Maj. Agung Sabar Santoso, conducted the operation as part of their efforts to catch distributors of the drug Ecstasy, which police believe is widely circulated in the city. The police asked the visitors to the discotheque to come outside before searching them for the drug.

Asian Internet links

Asian Internet links TOKYO (AFP): Telecommunications operators in Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan will build an Internet network directly linking their service areas by the end of this year, a newspaper report said Saturday. The network, using existing fiber-optic marine cables, will enable direct Internet communications among the four robust Asian markets, instead of hookups via the United States, the leading economic newspaper Nihon Keizai said.

Ramos denies Marcos' charges

Ramos denies Marcos' charges MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Fidel Ramos yesterday dismissed charges by Imelda Marcos that he was responsible for widespread human rights abuses when he headed the national police during the regime of her late husband, deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

United States wants more open Asian skies

United States wants more open Asian skies HONG KONG (Reuter): U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena said on Saturday the value of international travel to the Pacific and Asia will soon overtake Atlantic routes. Pena, on a 17-day mission to open Asian aviation markets to U.S. carriers and help win contracts for U.S. companies, said the United States wanted Asian skies to be opened up more to air traffic. "The significance of aviation in Asia is extraordinary.

Police ask for pub owners' help

Police ask for pub owners' help SURABAYA, East Java: Provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Roesmanhadi has called on owners of pubs, nightclubs and karaoke bars to help fight the drug trade. "We are calling for their help...so that the network can be wiped out," he said on Saturday, as quoted by Antara. Roesmanhadi said the police had been enjoying success recently in their efforts to stop drug trafficking in the province. He said the sale of drugs often took place in places such as pubs.

Teachers moonlight for a living

Teachers moonlight for a living BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Teachers posted on Pasaran Island have to spend whatever spare time they have doing extra work to supplement their income and pay for sea transportation. Antara reported on Saturday that a number of teachers have had to open food stalls, sell petrol by the roadside, fish, or even become construction workers.

Some stalls at Istiqlal closed

Some stalls at Istiqlal closed JAKARTA (JP): The organizing committee of the Istiqlal Festival has closed down stalls selling goods at exorbitant prices, or selling objects not listed in their permits, the chief coordinator of the festival, Etty Mar'ie Muhammad, said over the weekend. Closure was also due to a lack of cleanliness and disorderliness at the stalls, Etty said. The festival is scheduled to end on Nov.18. (03)

Jakartans prone to lead poisoning

Jakartans prone to lead poisoning JAKARTA (JP): The incidence of lead poisoning is four times higher among Jakartans than among residents of Indonesia's other large cities. A Ministry of Health official, Soedijono Setyonegoro, said over the weekend that the level of air pollution in big cities is high and that Jakarta has the highest. Soedijono said research conducted by the ministry shows that children in big cities tend to suffer from lead poisoning.

Wonosari enjoys TV broadcast

Wonosari enjoys TV broadcast From Kompas I have been living in Jakarta a long time. I come from Wonosari Gunungkidul. I am happy that Indosiar's broadcast can be received in my home town, by using an ordinary antenna, not a parabola. Both the picture and the sound are very good. The local people are very happy too, because they can watch programs featuring Javanese traditional culture, such as leather puppets, ketoprak, ludruk, etc., which are aired by Indosiar.

KL won't cover up shooting of Thais

KL won't cover up shooting of Thais KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar yesterday promised an unbiased probe into the fatal shooting of two Thai fishermen by the navy, saying he hoped the incident would not hurt bilateral ties. "We will not try to cover up any form of action taken by the navy in the incident," Syed Hamid was reported by Bernama news agency as saying on his return from a week-long visit to Johannesburg.

Jakarta stocks under foreign selling pressure

Jakarta stocks under foreign selling pressure JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) dropped significantly last week, following the heavy selling pressure from offshore investors on the last day of trading. On Friday, the JSX Composite Index fell by almost three percent during the first session before rebounding in the afternoon trading. The index closed the week at 474.59, a drop of 13.73 points (2.8 percent) from the week's opening of 488.32.

Is it Padang, or Java?

Is it Padang, or Java? PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave declined when a Sedona Bumi Minang Hotel waiter offered to him a plate of a brown-colored delicacy called serikaya during a visit there on Saturday. Instead, the former head of protocol of the Presidential Palace asked for information about the dish. A number of people told him it was a specialty of the Minang people of West Sumatra.

Security in Bumi Serpong Damai

Security in Bumi Serpong Damai From Media Indonesia Our motto in Bumi Serpong Damai is "comfortable in a fresh environment". Almost all facilities needed for the convenience of the complex's residents are available. However, the condition of the complex's security is beginning to concern us. Especially to a retired person like me, who badly needs a quiet and safe area to live in, Bumi Serpong Damai has become an intolerable human habitat.

Religious-based groups should hold more dialogs

Religious-based groups should hold more dialogs JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) has called on all five religious-based intellectual organizations to hold regular dialogs to strengthen the national culture. Addressing a seminar jointly organized by the five groups, ABRI Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. M. Ma'ruf said members of these associations are in a position to promote the development of national culture, provided they can put aside their own religious attributes.