Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 November 1995

50 articles found

UIC, Nikki sign deal

UIC, Nikki sign deal JAKARTA (JP): PT Unggul Indah Corporation (UIC) and Nikki Universal, a U.S.-Japanese joint venture, signed here yesterday an engineering and licensing agreement to develop the third unit of detergent allkylate process in Merak, West Java. Unggul Indah, the country's only producer of alkyl benzene producer, announced here yesterday that the project, which will be started at the second quarter of next year and completed at the end of 1997, will cost about US$50 million.

BI tightens control of bank owners

BI tightens control of bank owners JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, announced on Tuesday its intention to curb the excessive intervention of commissioners in the management of state-owned and private banks. Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono said that tighter control of the commissioners would be one of the priorities of the central bank's working programs next year.

RI in Hanover Fair '96

RI in Hanover Fair '96 JAKARTA (JP): PT Prodin, a trade promotion company, expects 60 Indonesian firms to take part in the Hanover Fair '96, which will be held on April 22 to April 27, the company's chief operation officer, Thareq K. Habibie, said yesterday. "The number of Indonesian exhibitors in the Hanover Fair next year will be much smaller than last April when 150 Indonesian companies took part in the trade display," Thareq said.

Floods inundate many houses

Floods inundate many houses CILACAP, Central Java: Incessant rains on Saturday and Sunday have caused the Cibereum River and its six tributaries to overflow, inundating about 1,150 houses in six villages nearby. Thousands of villagers fled to higher ground, while local military posts have been turned into temporary command posts for rescue workers. Dozens of residents were hospitalized for various ailments brought about by the disaster, including diarrhea and respiratory problems.

Malaysian stocks soar

Malaysian stocks soar HONG KONG (Reuter): Aggressive foreign-led buying inspired local funds yesterday to propel Malaysia's stock market to more than double recent average volumes, traders said. Elsewhere in Asia, stock markets were mixed. In Kuala Lumpur, the Composite Index soared 17.79 points or 1.94 percent to 935.00. Volume was 207.7 million shares against 131.6 million previously. Average volume in past weeks has been below 100 million.

Council faction protests over cemeteries plan

Council faction protests over cemeteries plan JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party faction of the city council protested the administration's plan to move 550 private cemeteries. Deputy chairman of the faction, Saud Rachman, said that the plan is in direct contradiction to the program to increase the city's green areas, of which the cemeteries form a part.

Mini trawlers in Jakarta Bay

Mini trawlers in Jakarta Bay JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of mini trawlers operating in Jakarta Bay have frustrated local fishermen. The chief of traditional fishermen in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, H. Achmad Royani, said that the fishermen's catch has been dropping since the mini trawlers began operating some months ago. "We used to catch 50 kilograms of fish a day, but now only 10 kilograms," said Achmad as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

Metro opens in Plaza Senayan

Metro opens in Plaza Senayan JAKARTA (JP): PT Metropolitan Retailmart will open its second store in Plaza Senayan in December. Christine Barki, the company president director, said she hoped that the Metro Senayan would be able to contribute to the lifestyle needs of the local residential and business communities. The first Metro store was opened in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. The store, covering an area of 16,000 square meters over four floors, employs more than 1,200 people.

Taxi business

Taxi business From Media Indonesia The problem of taxis in Jakarta is complex. It ranges from driver behavior to uniformity of tariff to the proliferation of new taxis on the roads. Operating a taxi can be a promising business, and to be a taxi driver is a laudable profession. But as far as the tariff is concerned, the public can only tolerate a slight difference in fees, and not an 'argometer kuda', or a taxi meter that has been tampered with to run up quickly.

French architects rebuild Cambodian temple on sand

French architects rebuild Cambodian temple on sand By Leo Dobbs ANGKOR THOM, Cambodia (Reuter): Foreign experts, backed by computers, modern technology and a keen local work force, are returning to this ancient royal citadel to complete vital restoration work that war forced their peers to abandon.

RI shuttlers lead GP finals placing

RI shuttlers lead GP finals placing JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers dominate the placing of the world badminton grand prix finals in Singapore next week, the International Badminton Federation announced yesterday. World champion Hariyanto Arbi will lead six Indonesian men's singles players to the season-ending tournament.

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.

Right activist says path he chose is hard

Right activist says path he chose is hard JAKARTA (JP): Dutch-born human rights campaigner H.J.C. Princen celebrated his 70th birthday on Tuesday with a confession that the path he chose was rocky. At a reception, during which he launched a book recounting his years of standing in opposition to the government, he told 250 guests that life as an activist has not been easy.

Official testifies in fake reclamation paper case

Official testifies in fake reclamation paper case JAKARTA (JP): A West Jakarta Environment Board official told the South Jakarta District Court yesterday that because he suspected foul play in a land reclamation project last year, he refused to issue a license to a private company. The official was testifying at the trial of four engineering consultants, who were charged with forging a hydraulic analysis originally made by PT Sac Nusantara.

Persib receives approval to host Asia Club quarters

Persib receives approval to host Asia Club quarters BANDUNG (JP): Persib Bandung received formal approval to host the Asia Club Championship quarterfinals from the Asian Football Confederation, but then complained about the whopping deficit it may suffer. A Persib official, Dwi Koernianto, said after announcing the approval yesterday that the West Javanese club would need at least Rp 400 million (US$180,000) to upgrade the Siliwangi stadium and to provide accommodation for three visiting teams.

Rubber prices projected to increase even more

Rubber prices projected to increase even more TOKYO (Reuter): Soaring rubber prices on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (Tocom) are expected to climb even higher due to persisting supply tightness caused by torrential rain delaying rubber output in producing countries, traders said yesterday. "Prices have upward potential as heavy rainfall and floods in producing countries have brought the rubber tapping process to a halt," a trader with a major trading house said.

Military mobilize 2,500 personnel to back up police

Military mobilize 2,500 personnel to back up police JAKARTA (JP): City Military Command, without much publicity, has fielded 2,500 troops to back up a police anti-crime operation, an official says. Spokesman for the City Military Command, Lt. Col. Didi Supandi said that 1,300 of them are motorbike troops who normally operate in Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi areas. The officers, part of 4,000 personnel fielded for the discipline campaign, are on the alert in crime prone areas, he said.

Amien Rais backs moves to end monopolies

Amien Rais backs moves to end monopolies YOGYAKARTA (JP): Muhammadiyah, one of the most influential Moslem organizations, yesterday said it supports current moves to break up the various economic monopolies in Indonesia. Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais said in a seminar that his organization feels dutybound to establish social justice in the country as required by Islamic teachings.

OPEC faces up to weak oil prices, quota-busting

OPEC faces up to weak oil prices, quota-busting VIENNA (Reuter): OPEC ministers entered a closed session of their Vienna conference yesterday, near consensus on a production freeze and vowing to confront the quota-busting often blamed for weak world oil prices. The 99th ministerial conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was set to agree to extend a current output ceiling into an unprecedented third year.

Free comedy on AIDS

Free comedy on AIDS JAKARTA (JP): This weekend, people will be able to enjoy a free comedy on AIDS starring popular artist Ira Wibowo. Ira and other artists from SIMAS group are scheduled to perform lenong, a Betawi-style comedy, entitled Jauh Di Mata Dekat Di Mati (Far from Sight, Close to Death). The comedy is directed by Firman Triyadi. The play will be staged at Fatahilah Museum in downtown Kota on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Britain wants RI to lower tariffs

Britain wants RI to lower tariffs JAKARTA (JP): British Minister of Trade Anthony Nelson suggested here yesterday that Indonesia lower its import duties used to protect local industries. He said after a seminar on privatization that Indonesian tariffs on the imports of many industrial products, such automobiles, are forcing British companies to pay extremely high duties.

Govt plans to deregulate state firms

Govt plans to deregulate state firms JAKARTA (JP): The government will deregulate state-owned enterprises to prepare them to compete with private firms, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad said yesterday. Speaking at a hearing with the budgetary commission of the House of Representatives, Mar'ie said that the planned deregulation will cut "paper" procedures for state-run companies.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 22, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 975 75 10,500 AHAP Insurance 3,225 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,150 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,575 -25 137,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 5,300 -100 35,000 Anwar Sierad 975 0 73,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,400 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,850 0 50,500 Argo Pantes 2,075 0 0 Asahimas Flat 2,300 100 636,500 Asiana IMI...

Britain's dishonorable exit

Britain's dishonorable exit Hong Kong's transition from British to Chinese sovereignty, due to be completed at midnight on June 30, 1997, is not going smoothly. One reason lies in the British refusal to solve one small post-colonial anomaly, The Jakarta Post's Asia Correspondent Harvey Stockwin reports. The problem should have been solved as soon as the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed in 1984. Instead British procrastination has been the thief of the colony's confidence.

Libraries asked to draw public by advertising

Libraries asked to draw public by advertising JAKARTA (JP): Libraries must try to sell themselves more to the public, by placing advertisements in newspapers, radio and televisions, an expert said. Agus Rusmana, the head of the library department of the Bandung-based University of Padjadjaran, said in a seminar on Tuesday that libraries are not attracting enough readers because the public is unaware of their existence, and the services they offer.

Journalists from 'Tempo' ready to publish again

Journalists from 'Tempo' ready to publish again JAKARTA (JP): Journalists from Indonesia's respected magazine Tempo said yesterday they were ready to publish again after winning an appeal against a government ban. The Jakarta Administrative High Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court's decision reached in May, which ruled against the Ministry of Information's June 1994 banning of the magazine. "This is not a victory just for Tempo, but ...

AMEX responds

AMEX responds With regards to Ms. Ong MY's letter which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 21, 1995, we would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the unnecessary problems that she encountered with her application for a supplementary card. Achieving customer satisfaction drives everything that we do as a company and we place an overriding commitment to pursuing this.

SPSI pledges autonomy despite ties with Golkar

SPSI pledges autonomy despite ties with Golkar CARINGIN, West Java (JP): The new chairman of the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI), Bomer Pasaribu, vowed to make the only officially sanctioned labor union independent despite its ties with Golkar. Bomer, who is a legislator for Golkar, the dominant political grouping, told The Jakarta Post he is committed to fighting for the interests of the workers.

Thailand will beat RI in SEA Games: Observer

Thailand will beat RI in SEA Games: Observer CIPAYUNG, West Java (JP): Indonesia does not have much of a chance to defend its title at the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a noted sports observer says. "Realistically speaking, host Thailand stands a good chance of scooping up 110 to 120 gold medals, while Indonesia can only hope to take 90 to 95," Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, the country's most respected sports observer, told reporters yesterday.

Jasa Marga loses Rp 2.1b in markup

Jasa Marga loses Rp 2.1b in markup JAKARTA (JP): PT Jasa Marga, the state-owned toll-road developer and operator, has lost Rp 2.1 billion (US$917,030) in bad credits due to mark up practices by some officials of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, a spokesman said.

Current electoral system seen most suitable

Current electoral system seen most suitable DEPOK, West Java (JP): Amidst debates on electoral reforms, academics agreed yesterday that the proportional representation system is still the most appropriate one for Indonesia. Political observers Miriam Budiardjo, Bintan Saragih and Iwan Sujatmiko of the University of Indonesia also agreed that, in the present climate, proportional representation should be retained.

Holiday transportation prepares

Holiday transportation prepares JAKARTA (JP): To meet the anticipated increase in passenger- activity during the Christmas and year-end holidays, the government will provide additional transportation services from Dec. 18 to Jan. 8, 1996. Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said in a hearing with the House Commission for Transportation yesterday that the number of passengers will likely increase by between 7 percent and 10 percent during the holiday season.

Waves of asylum bids won't affect talks

Waves of asylum bids won't affect talks JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday said that the recent wave of requests for asylum by East Timorese youths would not derail the on-going United Nations sponsored talks between Jakarta and Lisbon. Alatas however said the climate of the talks would be affected since, as mutually agreed, all sides were supposed to refrain from creating situations which might disrupt the talks.

Sarwono gets his knuckles rapped

Sarwono gets his knuckles rapped JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja was reprimanded by President Soeharto yesterday for a recent outburst against fellow cabinet members. "Yes, I was advised to control my behavior," Sarwono told journalists after meeting with the President at the Merdeka Palace. "I accepted the advice, because, well, I work for the president," he said.

Merpati set to finalize talks on CN-235 soon

Merpati set to finalize talks on CN-235 soon JAKARTA (JP): Merpati Nusantara, an airline affiliated to state-owned Garuda Indonesia, will finalize negotiations with a private firm on the leasing of 16 locally-made CN-235-200 aircraft next month, a minister said. Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday that Merpati and PT Mitra Guna, the private firm, will reach a leasing accord beneficial to each other.

Summarecon reaffirms property claim

Summarecon reaffirms property claim JAKARTA (JP): PT Summarecon Agung, a publicly listed property developer, reaffirmed yesterday its claim to the rightful ownership of the piece of land in its Kelapa Gading housing estate on which public facilities have been built and have been donated to the Jakarta municipal administration. Summarecon's Financial Director Maryono made the reconfirmation in response to the claim to ownership of the property made by PT A.M.

RI, PNG move against rebels

RI, PNG move against rebels MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: About 200 residents of the Ikcan Baru village in Waroko districts are reportedly being held hostage by members of the Free Papua Organization separatists. The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) and the Papua New Guinean Army have reportedly "coordinated" in dealing with the crisis which has left one person, a public works employee, dead earlier this month. The body of Panudjianto was found on Sunday; he was shot by rebels on Nov.

S'poreans jailed for drugs

S'poreans jailed for drugs YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta district court has jailed four Singaporeans for smoking marijuana, the Antara news agency said Tuesday. The agency said that judges at three separate trials found Singaporeans Affandi, Kamaruddin, Abdul Muthalib and Mohammad Khairudin guilty of smoking marijuana while at a hotel in Yogyakarta in July.

Samsung cleared by environmental agency

Samsung cleared by environmental agency JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja disclosed yesterday that PT Cheil Samsung Indonesia in Pasuruan, East Java, was officially cleared of charges of polluting a nearby river as recently as Nov. 9. The company, which produces monosodium glutamate, shut down indefinitely beginning last week because of violent actions by farmers who accused it of polluting their fish and shrimp ponds.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Lingle Bali Hyatt MAYORS' VISIT: Linda Lingle, mayor of Maui County in Hawaii (sitting left) poses with Denpasar mayor Made Suwendha (sitting right) and Marc Hediger, general manager of the Bali Hyatt (standing), during the Sister Cities International program in Bali last week. Lingle was accompanied by three U.S. mayors from Minnesota, Louisiana and California who were here to develop personal relationships with cities in different countries.

Jasa Marga asks for bigger toll fee share

Jasa Marga asks for bigger toll fee share JAKARTA (JP): PT Jasa Marga asked yesterday for a fairer share of profits gained from the city toll roads it jointly operates with PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada, a unit of the Citra Lamtorogung group. "Citra Marga should not use the size of investments as the only yardstick for determining the profit-sharing ratio made on city toll roads," Jasa Marga's spokesman Yunial Harun said as reported by Antara yesterday.

Govt to go ahead with privatization

Govt to go ahead with privatization JAKARTA (JP): The government will go ahead with its privatization plans despite the unsatisfactory performance of the initial public offering of PT Telkom, the state-owned domestic telecommunications firm.

Unrest in Pasuruan

Unrest in Pasuruan Joint security forces comprising local soldiers and police acted sternly against demonstrators who have resorted to criminal actions by setting fire to two cars and ransacking houses. The unrest, which began on Nov. 15, was initially sparked by suspicions that waste discarded by PT Chell Samsung Indonesia (PT CSI) has led to the decline of the shrimp population around Rejoso, in Pasuruan, East Java.

Garuda and lost baggage

Garuda and lost baggage From Republika On Sept. 28, 1995, I left on official duty from Polonia airport, Medan, to Jakarta on Garuda Indonesia GA 153. I brought a briefcase containing clothes and registered it as baggage. Upon arriving at Soekarno-Hatta airport (at about 1:30 p.m.) I couldn't find my briefcase on the baggage belt. I reported the matter to an officer in charge at the airport.

Spratlys threatens regional security

Spratlys threatens regional security CANBERRA (Reuter): The territorial row over the Spratlys, a potentially oil-rich island chain claimed by some of Asia's leading military powers, poses a major threat to regional security, Australian Defense Minister Robert Ray said yesterday. "It is, apart from the Korean peninsula, the most volatile and risky security situation that exists in our region," Ray told the National Press Club.

United against speculators

United against speculators The conclusion of an interlocking set of bilateral repurchase agreements between the central banks of Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in Hong Kong on Monday should be welcomed as a contingency program to cope with speculative attacks on currencies. The repurchase agreements, usually called repos, enable the participating central banks to raise foreign reserves from each other against their respective holdings of U.S. government securities.

Philippines can handle next APEC summit: Ramos

Philippines can handle next APEC summit: Ramos MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos yesterday lashed out at congressmen who had charged that the Philippines could not afford to host the next APEC summit in 1996. Ramos told a press conference that his critics "do not know their arithmetic," describing their concerns as "unfounded ...

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Face of My Country 2:35 TV Series: Ultraman 3:05 Dance Performance 3:30 TV Drama: Harapan Nan Sirna 4:30 Sports 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Arabic Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: Southeast Sulawesi 6:15 Village Program 6:25 Koran Recital 6:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama: Pelangi Senja 8:05 Cultural Program 9:00 World News 9:25 Film: Hour of The Assassin 10:15 Late News 11:25 Sports: Arena dan Juara Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Monas: An observation

Monas: An observation From Berita Buana Although the National Monument (Monas) park is no longer used as the site of the Jakarta Fair, many are still attracted to the park on regular days. People go at night to relax and walk around. And where there are crowds, there are vendors. It is said that in Indonesia there are about 34 million small business operators, or about one vendor for every five people. Many of the vendors are children of school age, hawking their goods to the Monas visitors.

When will we produce own car?

When will we produce own car? As a country with a big population and with a fast growth in Gross Domestic Product, Indonesia is a good market for the car industry. Since the year 1990, the volume of sales has always been big. But the market is continuously dominated by the big five, i.e. Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Daihatsu, all from Japan. In 1978, the government issued a regulation which required local assemblers to gradually introduce the use of locally made components.