Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 November 1995

57 articles found

Govt tightens control on state firms

Govt tightens control on state firms JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Finance yesterday issued a new ruling that imposes tighter controls on the widely criticized operations of state-owned companies. Ruling No. 489/KMK.016/1995, effective immediately, requires state-owned companies to separate their annual budgets and operational plans. Agus Haryanto, a ministry spokesman, said that the new guideline is essential if state-owned companies are to carry out their commercial activities efficiently.

Australian team in expo

Australian team in expo SYDNEY (AFP): Australia is sending its biggest ever team of mining suppliers to an international exhibition in Jakarta this month as part of its push for a bigger share of South-East Asia's mining services market, officials said yesterday. More than 70 firms providing products and services to the miners will be represented at the four-day International Mining Indonesia Exhibition from Nov. 22, Australian Trade Commission mining manager Geoff Spears told reporters here.

Bali to host volleyball meet

Bali to host volleyball meet JAKARTA (JP): Bali will play host to the opening leg of the inaugural Asian four-a-side beach volleyball championship series from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 The finals will be held in Lombok from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9. Teams from seven countries, including host Indonesia, have confirmed their entry in the series sanctioned by the world volleyball governing body FIVB. They will play round robin matches in each leg, vying for US$25,000 prize money.

Private sector's absence from G-15 expo lamented

Private sector's absence from G-15 expo lamented By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat BUENOS AIRES (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas lamented yesterday the absence of the Indonesian private sector in the business expo and forum being held here in conjunction with the fifth summit of the group of 15 (G-15) developing nations. "I regret the fact that for one reason or another our businesses did not attend the forum," Alatas said.

'Greater professionalism key to newspapers' survival'

'Greater professionalism key to newspapers' survival' JAKARTA (JP): Newspapers and magazines need to strengthen their professionalism if they are to survive the growing competition from the increasingly aggressive broadcasting media, senior journalist Jakob Oetama said yesterday.

Biodiversity talks review funding of conservation work

Biodiversity talks review funding of conservation work JAKARTA (JP): Funding has emerged as a major bone of contention at the ongoing international biodiversity conference here. On the third day of the Second Conference of Parties to the Convention of Biodiversity yesterday, delegates from developing countries demanded that industrialized countries contribute more towards the funding of conservation efforts.

Coconut oil jumps at Euro opening

Coconut oil jumps at Euro opening LONDON (Reuter): Coconut oil prices jumped by around US$15 a ton at the opening of the European vegetable oil market yesterday on renewed fears over supplies of coconut oil from the Philippines following the havoc wreaked by typhoon Angela. "People are talking in terms of force majeures, none have been declared yet but people now see them as a real possibility," said a trader.

Jagger and Hall take a dive

Jagger and Hall take a dive AMBON, Maluku: Rock star Mick Jagger and his wife Jerry Hall visited the panoramic island of Banda earlier this week, along with 50 other passengers of the Spice Lander, Antara reported. The cruise ship docked in Banda, also famous for its underwater scenery, on Tuesday. According to the news agency, Jagger and Hall took part in a scuba diving expedition there.

Tax reform slashes provinces' revenues

Tax reform slashes provinces' revenues JAKARTA (JP): The tax reform introduced earlier this year, by raising the tax-free threshold on property, will reduce regional administrations' revenues from property taxes by a total of Rp 100 billion (US$43.8 million), according to the director general of taxes.

Prostitute found dead

Prostitute found dead JAKARTA (JP): A prostitute was found dead yesterday morning in the Pulogadung industrial complex, East Jakarta, police said. The body of the 32-year-old woman, identified as Lasmarini, was found by a passerby at about 2 a.m. behind an electricity relay station box. There was severe bruising of the face and neck of the victim. Lasmarini had reportedly worked in the area in which her body was discovered.

Youth chief suspended

Youth chief suspended YOGYAKARTA: The local chairman of the National Youth Committee, Khairul Muhajir, has been suspended from his post pending an investigation into allegations of embezzlement, Antara reported. Two members of the youth organization's Central Executive Board, Ruhut Sitompoel and M. Syafri, told reporters that the decision was made to facilitate the investigation of the allegations against Khairul.

Recovered Lili set for SEAG badminton event

Recovered Lili set for SEAG badminton event JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian women's doubles player Lili Tampi is set for the 18th Southeast Asian Games badminton competition after recovering from a leg injury. National women's team coach Imelda Wiguna told reporters yesterday that doubles specialist Lili has resumed her training program with her long-time partner Finarsih this week. "I'm convinced that Lili is ready to play in the Games," said Imelda, a prominent world doubles player in the 1970s.

Asian advertising

Asian advertising The more than 1,000 advertising executives from Asia, Europe and the United States gathered at the 19th Asian Advertising Congress in Bali are predictably upbeat. The reason is obvious. Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, is not only located in the region with the world's most dynamic economies but also has had an annual growth rate of more than seven percent over the past two decades.

Johanes Kotjo takes over ABR top management

Johanes Kotjo takes over ABR top management SINGAPORE (Reuter): Four Indonesian businessmen led by Johanes Kotjo have taken over the top management of ice-cream chain operator ABR Holdings Ltd., ABR said in a statement yesterday. Kotjo, 44, who has been appointed executive chairman of ABR, recently took over the company by buying a majority stake. He is also executive chairman of Van der Horst Ltd. and senior executive director of Indonesia's Salim Group.

Minute's silence for heroes

Minute's silence for heroes JAKARTA (JP): Motorists in the city will be asked to stop their vehicles for one minute from 8:15 a.m. tomorrow to participate in a brief silence to commemorate National Heroes' Day. During the one minute of silence, all drivers are urged to stop their vehicles and bow their heads, praying for all of the heroes.

New $17.5m hotel planned for S. Sulawesi

New $17.5m hotel planned for S. Sulawesi UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Businessmen have collaborated with the local administration to establish the 250- room Sedona Makassar International hotel here at a cost of Rp 40 billion (US$17.5 million).

Three engineers on trial for plagiarism

Three engineers on trial for plagiarism JAKARTA (JP): Three engineers and an employee of a private company went on trial here yesterday for plagiarizing a hydraulic analysis for the reclamation of the capital's northern coastline. Public prosecutor Mawardi told the South Jakarta District Court that Achmadi Sulaiman, Bambang Widyarno, Zainal Amin and Ade Abednego had plagiarized the "Hydraulic Analysis for the Reclamation Plan of the Northern Coastline of Jakarta" compiled by PT Sac Nusantara.

Osaka summit seen crucial to Manila

Osaka summit seen crucial to Manila By Maria Teresa Villanueva-Cerojano MANILA (Kyodo): As host of the 1996 leaders meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Philippines is pinning its hopes on a successful APEC summit in Osaka in November. The Osaka dialogues will determine the issues the Philippines will take care of as chairman next year, when the framework for liberalization called the Action Agenda will be fleshed out.

Kawashima beats Aruan in 3rd

Kawashima beats Aruan in 3rd TOKYO (Reuter): Japan's Hiroshi Kawashima retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-flyweight title when the referee stopped the fight against Indonesia's Boy Aruan in the third round. Filipino referee Carlos Padilla stopped the fight one minute 57 seconds into the round, after Kawashima knocked down the Indonesian for the second time.

Bavaria, RI to tie up on solar generator

Bavaria, RI to tie up on solar generator JAKARTA (JP): The Bavarian State of Germany and Indonesia will sign an agreement on the development of solar electricity generation on Nov. 27 in Bonn, visiting Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport and Technology Otto Wiesheu said.

SE Asian states split over freeing farm trade

SE Asian states split over freeing farm trade By P. Parameswaran SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asia's commodity-rich nations, sensitive to opening up key farm products even among themselves, go into the APEC summit divided over moves to exempt agriculture from the Pacific grouping's free-trade plan. Especially sensitive is rice, the Asian staple.

Fishermen ask for nationalization of fishing vessels

Fishermen ask for nationalization of fishing vessels JAKARTA (JP): The Federation of Indonesian Fishermen (HNSI) asked the government yesterday to allow the nationalization of more than 480 foreign fishing boats operating in Indonesia's territorial waters. Tuk Setyohadi, the chairman of the association, announced after meeting with President Soeharto yesterday that the nationalization -- the switching of ownership from foreign to national property -- was needed to increase productivity.

Acquisition approved

Acquisition approved JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka (KIJ) approved yesterday a management plan to acquire two other companies and to distribute an interim dividend of Rp 50 (2.18 U.S. cents) per share. KIJ president Ismail Sofyan told journalists after an extraordinary shareholders' meeting yesterday that the acquisition of PT Indocargomas Persada and PT Greenwood Sejahtera will allow it to expand its 790-hectare industrial estate in Bekasi, West Java, by 230 ha.

Public telephone

Public telephone From Bisnis Indonesia With reference to a letter from Mr. Pranajaya in East Jakarta published in Bisnis Indonesia on Nov. 3, 1995, we would like to clarify as follows: 1. We have often repaired the public telephones in the UKI hospital by replacing the whole set. The damage to the coin- operated telephone occurred because user stuff other objects or defective coins into the slot. This results blockage.

Govt reports export rise, higher inflation rate

Govt reports export rise, higher inflation rate JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday announced a 4.5 percent increase in Indonesia's exports to US$3.94 billion in August, up from $3.77 billion in July. However, a higher rate of growth in the country's imports caused a decline in its trade surplus to $148.5 million in August, as compared with $362.5 million in the previous month.

Indonesia included in the FIA world rally event

Indonesia included in the FIA world rally event JAKARTA (JP): Years of untiring efforts have finally paid off for Indonesia, which will now be included in the FIA world series calender of events. The Paris-based Federation Internationale d'Autosport (FIA), the world governing body of auto sports, has decided that 1996's calender of events will feature eight world rally series and six Asia-Pacific rally series.

Indosat's profit rises by 61.1%

Indosat's profit rises by 61.1% JAKARTA (JP): PT Indosat reported yesterday a 61.1 percent increase in its net profit for the nine months that ended on Sept. 30 to Rp 342.2 billion (US$150.3 million) from Rp 205.9 billion in the same period of last year. Indosat's president, Tjahyono Soerjodibroto, said here yesterday that the sharp increase in the net income was partly due to a significant increase in the volume of international telephone traffic.

Problem loans declining

Problem loans declining JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's banking system has successfully survived the recent financial stress brought on by high levels of non-performing loans, according to a report by Standard & Poor's. However, the Australian-based rating agency said yesterday that Indonesia's banking industry is underpinned by a potentially volatile developing economy.

Merpati to continue negotiations on leasing

Merpati to continue negotiations on leasing JAKARTA (JP): The new president of Merpati Nusantara, Budiarto Subroto, said yesterday that the company will continue negotiations with PT Arthasaka Nusaphala on the controversial leasing of 16 locally-made CN-235-200 aircraft. "Using domestic products is our priority. We will soon complete negotiations based on commercial calculations," Budiarto said after a ceremony transferring Merpati's management from his predecessor, Ridwan Fataruddin.

Three missing in boat accident

Three missing in boat accident PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Rescue workers were still searching yesterday for the bodies of three men who drowned after an accident on the Antasan Nusa river on Monday. Members of the Search and Rescue Agency have already recovered three bodies from the river, Antara reported. The six were among the 18 passengers of the boat Bambu Kuning, which split into two when it collided with another boat. (emb)

Morning TV broadcast

Morning TV broadcast From Neraca I like the programs aired by private television stations, but sometimes I turn to the government station if they have interesting programs. I notice that there is tight competition among the private television stations. And the government television station is also trying to compete with the private stations, but is lagging behind. I suggest the government station run more interesting morning broadcasts.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Ultraman 3:05 Morning Chat 3:30 TV Series: Harapan Nan Sirna 4:30 Women's World 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 TV Drama: Pelangi Senja 8:05 Cultural Program 9:00 World News 9:25 Film 10:55 Late News 11:05 Sports: Arena dan Juara Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Trial of Bintang adjourned due to lawyers' absence

Trial of Bintang adjourned due to lawyers' absence JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court failed to arraign yesterday controversial politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas, who is facing charges of insulting President Soeharto, because his lawyers failed to show up. Bintang appeared in court as scheduled yesterday only to inform the panel of judges that all five lawyers appointed to represent him had gone to Yogyakarta to attend the Indonesian Bar Association congress which began yesterday.

Telkom fully subscribed

Telkom fully subscribed JAKARTA (JP): PT Telkom shares which were offered domestically last week have been fully subscribed, the company said. Telkom announced on Tuesday that 21 government-related institutions bought 373.3 million out of the 1.17 billion shares (which will account for 12.5 percent of the company's enlarged capital) offered domestically.

Govt to stay out of Ikadin affairs

Govt to stay out of Ikadin affairs YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman promised yesterday that the government will stay out of the affairs of the Indonesian Bar Association (Ikadin). In his speech opening Ikadin's congress, Oetojo said he had neither the ability nor the intention to try to influence the proceedings of the meeting. The minister underlined, however, the need for Ikadin to continually rejuvenate itself as an organization.

ADB invests in firm

ADB invests in firm MANILA (Reuter): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said yesterday it had approved a 3.0 billion yen (US$29.1 million) investment in Asian Infrastructure Development Co Ltd (AIDEC), a multilateral investment company aimed at financing infrastructure projects in Asia. In a statement, the Manila-based ADB said other major shareholders of AIDEC are Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and other regional private institutional investors.

Print media may be extinct in 2005: Publisher

Print media may be extinct in 2005: Publisher NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Roger F. Fidler, an internationally- recognized electronic publishing visionary from the United States, foresees the end of print media in about the year 2005. Fidler, director of the Knight-Ridder Information Design Laboratory, told the 19th Asian Advertising Congress yesterday that in about 10 years from now the print media will be pushed out of the market by electronic tablet publishing.

Forest biodiversity under threat: Locals

Forest biodiversity under threat: Locals JAKARTA (JP): Four forest inhabitants yesterday related their experiences in an effort to show just how serious is the threat to biodiversity in their immediate surroundings. The four men were invited to address a gathering organized by BioForum, a coalition of Indonesian non-governmental organizations, on the sidelines of the ongoing international biodiversity conference.

Assuring foreigners' safety

Assuring foreigners' safety Japanese businessmen are complaining; not about complicated bureaucratic licensing procedures but about daily living comforts in Jakarta. In a meeting with the National Police Deputy of Operations, which was meant to be an exchange of information about business conditions, they complained about daily annoyances for which the police should take responsibility.

Governor warns of floods

Governor warns of floods JAMBI (JP): Officials must remain on the alert for floods and landslides following last month's earthquake, which killed 80 villagers and damaged hundreds of buildings, Jambi Governor Abdurrachman Sayoeti has said. "Floods and landslides are quite likely in the rainy season after the strong earthquake of last month," he told local officials here on Saturday.

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.

Police hunt Ecstasy traffickers

Police hunt Ecstasy traffickers JAKARTA (JP): Police have compiled a list of about 100 people which they say are their most-wanted suspects in relation to the trafficking and use of the drug "Ecstasy" in Indonesia. According to data made available to The Jakarta Post yesterday, the list includes relatives of important public figures. Some of the suspects are Indonesian nationals who are living in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.

Transportation fees

Transportation fees From Media Indonesia I appreciate the Minister of Transportation's strong opposition to the proposal to raise bus fares. This is certainly done for public interest, but doesn't mean the fate of the bus companies and their employees is being ignored. Unfortunately the problem does not end with the minister's refusal because the present bus fares have not kept up with inflation. The bus companies therefore become a victim of macro- economic policy.

Persib to host Asian Cup quarters

Persib to host Asian Cup quarters JAKARTA (JP): Persib Bandung has been chosen by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to host the Champions Cup league quarterfinals Group East at the end of the month. Secretary-general of the All-Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI) said on Tuesday that confederation representatives would arrive today to discuss the site of the quarterfinal matches, scheduled between Nov. 26 and 30.

Farm lobbies prepare for APEC

Farm lobbies prepare for APEC By Jack Taylor SYDNEY (AFP): Wielding political clout and war chests brimming with cash, the agricultural lobbies in key Asia-Pacific economies may determine whether next week's APEC meeting in Osaka is a success or a dismal flop. Nothing will be tougher to crack at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum than the plan to demolish internal barriers in food trade.

LBH chief appointed

LBH chief appointed YOGYAKARTA: The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation has agreed on a compromise candidate to head its representative office here. Budi Santoso, who did not win a single vote at the last election for the chairmanship of Yogyakarta's Legal Aid Institute (LBH), was installed on Wednesday by Amartiwi Saleh representing the foundation's executive board, Antara reported.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Aid DONATION FOR KERINCI: Vatican ambassador to Indonesia Pronuncio Mgr. Pietro Sambi hands over a US$15,000 donation from Pope John Paul II to RM. R. Hardaputranta, director of Caritas Indonesia. The donation, made at the ambassador's residence last week, will be used to help reconstruct houses and buildings wrecked by the serious earthquake last month in Kerinci, Jambi province, Sumatra.

Asian markets bearish, Manila defies trend

Asian markets bearish, Manila defies trend HONG KONG (Reuter): Asian stock markets turned bearish yesterday as Tokyo failed to attract buyers for a second day while a political scandal continued to drag down the Seoul market, brokers said. Manila separated itself from the list of losers, chalking up gains for a second day on market heavyweight Philippine Long Distance Telephone's (PLDT) 41 percent rise in net profit for the first nine months of this year. In Tokyo, stocks ended down.

Old tomb may be of Gajah Mada

Old tomb may be of Gajah Mada BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: An official team from Jakarta recently visited Pugung Tampak, a village in the Pesisir Utara district, to look at an old tomb which may belong to Gajah Mada, the prime minister of the 14th-century Majapahit kingdom. The team, from the Supreme Advisory Council, was headed by former Lampung governor Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yasir Hadibroto, Antara reported.

Personnel shortage leaves shanties in place

Personnel shortage leaves shanties in place JAKARTA (JP): The city administration just doesn't have enough people to keep shantytowns from springing up, Toha Reno, the head of the city's public order office says. This personnel shortage is what causes the inconsistency in the demolition of unauthorized structures, Toha, told The Jakarta Post in an interview yesterday. Toha said his office has too small a number of staff to detect the building of shanties at an early stage.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 8, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,150 0 0 AHAP Insurance 3,225 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,150 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,800 -50 142,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,100 -100 30,000 Anwar Sierad 1,025 0 101,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,400 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,900 25 253,000 Argo Pantes 2,075 0 0 Asahimas Flat 2,475 25 23,078,000 Asiana IMI...

Mayor defends demolitions

Mayor defends demolitions JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto has defended last week's demolition of shanties on the banks of the Angke River. In his written report to the city governor, Sutardjianto said that the demolitions had been carried out properly. Official demolition orders were sent to the residents, he said. "The 500 houses in the Kembangan Utara subdistrict and the 400 others in Kedoya Utara were all illegal, as they stood on the riverbank," he said.

E. Timorese leave for Portugal

E. Timorese leave for Portugal JAKARTA (JP): Eight young East Timorese left Jakarta on an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight last night to start a new life in Portugal after their request for asylum was granted through the Dutch embassy. They had spent a day inside the Dutch embassy while The Hague negotiated for their passage out of the country. Lisbon agreed to take them soon after they entered the embassy although The Hague was still considering their request.

Seoul summons five more tycoons

Seoul summons five more tycoons SEOUL (Reuter): State prosecutors grilled top South Korean business leaders yesterday and summoned another five to probe their links with former president Roh Tae-woo's US$654 million slush fund. The chairmen of the Doosan, Haitai, Kolon, Kohap and Hyosung groups will come in on Thursday, prosecutor Ahn Kang-min, leading the probe into the fund scandal, told reporters.

Keating will be the key to APEC accord in Osaka

Keating will be the key to APEC accord in Osaka CANBERRA (Agencies): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating will play a key role in heading off a bid by four Asian economies to exclude farm trade from a free trade blueprint at the upcoming APEC summit, Trade Minister Bob McMullan predicted yesterday.

Abilio ordered to lift rule on mosque restoration

Abilio ordered to lift rule on mosque restoration JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has ordered East Timor governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares to rescind a governor's decree that has kept the minority Moslem community in the territory from repairing their mosques. H.S.A.

Developers welcome idea of added bus service

Developers welcome idea of added bus service JAKARTA (JP): The idea proposed by the PPD state-owned bus company to provide public transportation services to newly opened housing estates was warmly welcomed by developers yesterday. PPD aired the proposals to help the thousands of commuters in Tangerang who have to ask for private rides due to the insufficient number of public buses operating in the area. PPD officials said that the developers had never proposed to them the idea of bus service.