Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 December 1995

55 articles found

Motive behind Timorese sit-in remains mystery

Motive behind Timorese sit-in remains mystery JAKARTA (JP): The motive behind last week's protests staged by 113 East Timorese and non-East Timorese at the Russian and Dutch embassies here is unknown. Jakarta Police Department Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said that his office is still analyzing the motive. He declined to go into detail. Iman said that during the 24-hour questioning each protester gave ambiguous reasons why they broke into the embassies.

RI ambivalent on calls by U.S. nuke ships

RI ambivalent on calls by U.S. nuke ships By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat BANGKOK (JP): Indonesia remains ambivalent on whether it will allow the United States' nuclear armada to make port calls to Indonesian docks, saying that such a request will have to be studied when the time comes. "We'll see how things are later on in reality and under what conditions the request for nuclear ships or American ships to come are made," Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday.

A role for ICMI

A role for ICMI There are at least three aspects of last week's congress of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) which deserve the nation's attention. First, the re-election of B.J. Habibie, one of this country's most active and important scholars; second, the composition of the organization's new executive board, which consists of many intellectuals from many different circles; and, third, the organization's attitude toward the challenges currently facing the nation.

Soeharto inaugurates Hang Nadim airport

Soeharto inaugurates Hang Nadim airport JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto inaugurated the Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, Riau, yesterday, calling for further development of the new facility with a view to making it an international transportation hub. "In facing the new era of open markets and free trade, the role of transportation, especially air transportation, will be more important.

PT Asiana plans company with Wang Film Production

PT Asiana plans company with Wang Film Production JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed toy manufacturer PT Asiana IMI Industry plans to establish a joint-venture toy-production company with Taiwan-based Wang Film Production Company next year, an executive said yesterday.

RP warned of free trade

RP warned of free trade MANILA (Reuter): The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) yesterday warned of dire consequences if the country agrees to lower all trade barriers by year 2000. "Practically, all domestic and foreign investments in manufacturing for the domestic market will grind to a halt," FPI president Raul Concepcion told a news conference. He said domestic industries will no longer modernize their facilities since Filipinos will rely on cheap foreign goods.

Habibie's wife is on ICMI board of patrons

Habibie's wife is on ICMI board of patrons JAKARTA (JP): Ainun Habibie can now give her husband B.J. Habibie advice at home and at work having been elected to the advisory board of the influential Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI). Ainun Habibie is but one of the impressive people that the ICMI congress has just elected to the board, which is chaired by B.J. Habibie.

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.

Builders asked to build more low-cost houses

Builders asked to build more low-cost houses JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno called on developers yesterday to help close economic welfare gaps by building more low-cost houses. Speaking at the Indonesian Developers Association's 8th congress, Try pointed out that developers should implement the so-called 1:3:6 policy, which requires developers to construct six low-cost houses and three medium houses for every luxury house built.

Prosecutors grill U.S. firm's rep, Roh aide

Prosecutors grill U.S. firm's rep, Roh aide SEOUL (Reuter): South Korean state prosecutors probing business kickbacks to ex-president Roh Tae-woo questioned the Seoul head of U.S. firm Lockheed Martin yesterday over a huge warplane purchase. A prosecution official said Kim Yong-ho, vice president for the Seoul office of Lockheed Martin, was being questioned late yesterday about allegations that Roh accepted kickbacks from General Dynamics during his term in office from 1988-93.

Bailey Olter in Bali

Bailey Olter in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: Micronesian President Bailey Olter arrived here yesterday for a three-day visit to the province. Olter and his entourage were greeted on arrival by Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka and Maj. Gen. A. Rivai, chief of the Udayana Military Command. On Sunday and Monday, the state guests, who were accompanied by State Minister for Food Affairs Ibrahim Hasan, visited the tourist resort at Tanah Lot and the traditionally-irrigated farmland in Subang.

Managing East Aceh's mangroves a dificult task

Managing East Aceh's mangroves a dificult task LANGSA, Aceh (JP): It's never easy to manage natural resources; balancing people's needs and the goals of conservation. For the local administration of East Aceh, the question is how to keep what's left of the regency's 75,000 hectares of mangrove forests intact without taking away the only livelihood of the people living in the area.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Wajah Negeriku 2:35 TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Music: Dilentasia 3:30 TV Series: Road to Avonlea 4:30 Science Program: IPTEK 5:00 Regional News 5:25 Travel: Face of My Country 5:30 English Program 6:05 Nusantara the Beloved Country: Yogyakarta 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Opening University 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Wawasan 8:05 TV Drama 9:00 World News 9:25 Business 10:55 Late News 11:05 Film Program 2 4:30 p.m.

None too peaceful

None too peaceful From Bisnis Indonesia On Sept. 1, 1995 I read in a Jakarta newspaper about burglaries taking place in the Bumi Serpong Damai (damai meaning peaceful) housing complex in the Tangerang region, 36 kilometers southwest of Jakarta. On the same day my uninhabited house in sector 14 also had an unwanted visitor.

Bekasi facing severe water pollution problem

Bekasi facing severe water pollution problem BEKASI (JP): More than 4,000 families in the Sukatani district in Bekasi, some 30 kilometers east of Jakarta, have complained to the regency about the poor quality of tap water supplied by state-owned water company, PDAM. They said yesterday that the tap water has become yellowish and full of foam in the last 12 months. They claim that the industrial waste dumped into the rivers is polluting the river water, groundwater and the tap water in the area.

Halla Group in RI venture

Halla Group in RI venture SEOUL (Reuter): South Korea's Halla Group said it would build a cement plant with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons and other facilities in Indonesia. A Halla spokesman said the group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's West Sumatra administration to participate in the provincial government's projects.

New Corolla launched

New Corolla launched JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota-Astra Motor yesterday launched a new Corolla with more components made in Indonesia. The new sedan, called Twin Cam 16 with a 1,600 cc engine, has an increase of local components, from 10 percent to 24 percent, the company's marketing director N. Nabata, told reporters. He said the new car, available in four types including automatic transmission, is equipped with an air bag, electronic fuel injection and a computerized control system.

Transactions on Batam in rupiah soon

Transactions on Batam in rupiah soon JAKARTA (JP): Business transactions on Batam Island in Riau must use rupiah, not foreign currencies, Chairman of the Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) B.J. Habibie said yesterday.

E. Timorese sent to S. Sulawesi

E. Timorese sent to S. Sulawesi DILI, East Timor: As many as 75 East Timorese workers are to be sent to work in South Sulawesi. Josef Susanto, an official of the East Timor provincial manpower ministry office, said the East Timorese workers would be sent to 10 manufacturing companies in South Sulawesi. The 75 workers are the last batch of 500 East Timorese dispatched for employment outside the province.

More HIV/AIDS cases reported

More HIV/AIDS cases reported JAKARTA (JP): Four more people have tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the city, and one new case of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been reported, bringing the total official figure for the capital to 123 people with HIV/AIDS, an official said yesterday. The deputy head of the City Health Agency, Justin S.H.

Protests mark Rights Day

Protests mark Rights Day YOGYAKARTA: Hundreds of students staged separate demonstrations at campuses here yesterday to mark International Human Rights Day. About 200 students of the National Islamic Institute held an open forum, allowing student leaders take turns in expressing their views on the subject of human rights, while their colleagues held up banners denouncing the military's intervention in campus affairs.

German found dead in river

German found dead in river BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The body of a German tourist who was drowned in the Mamas River in southeast Aceh regency last week was cremated and the ashes flown home by his brother on Sunday. Antara reported yesterday that police found the body of 24- year-old Tim Klenke on Saturday after a six-day search. His body was in tact, although the mouth was torn, said Lt. Col Sirwandi, the chief of the regency police precinct, as quoted by Antara.

Talks on women held

Talks on women held JAKARTA (JP): Convention Watch, a group monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, is holding a one-day seminar today. The talks, focusing on women and the future free trade era, will be held at the LPEM (Lembaga Penelitian Ekonomi dan Masyarakat) building of the University of Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 4 in Central Jakarta.

Rumini ends Indonesia's athletics drought

Rumini ends Indonesia's athletics drought By Dwiatmanto CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): Rumini Sudragni stole the thunder yesterday in the women's 10,000-meter to give Indonesia its first track and field gold at the 18th Southeast Asian Games. A barefoot Rumini clocked a new meet record of 35 minutes and 21.43 seconds to shave 7.4 seconds off the four-year-old mark set by Mar Mar Min of Myanmar in Kuala Lumpur.

'Many law enforcers don't understand human rights'

'Many law enforcers don't understand human rights' SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis said many law enforcers "don't understand human rights" and often take power as the law. "It's a fact that our judicial system is not yet free and independent, especially when dealing with cases which are politically laden," he told a seminar on human rights here yesterday.

CMS Energy to invest $1b in Asia

CMS Energy to invest $1b in Asia SINGAPORE (Reuter): CMS Energy Corporation plans to invest over US$1 billion or a third of its capital expenses in the next five years in Asia, top company officials said yesterday. "Looking over the next five years, we would be in the position to invest upwards of a billion in S.E. Asia. This is additional investments to our existing ones," Victor Fryling, president of CMS Energy told Reuters at an interview.

One SE Asia: A dream or reality?

One SE Asia: A dream or reality? BANGKOK: Before the current euphoria materialized over one Southeast Asia, the region was divided into three groups. The first group comprised the non-communist Southeast Asia countries, which were the original members of ASEAN. The second one included the communist states of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, which recently embraced democracy. Myanmar stood alone as a neutral and isolated state. Well, are we moving closer to really establishing one Southeast Asia?

ASEAN may protect trademarks

ASEAN may protect trademarks By Riyadi BANGKOK (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is gearing up for cooperation on intellectual property rights and the possible establishment of free trade in services. ASEAN economic ministers finalized yesterday framework agreements on the two issues, in addition to agreements on the free trade of goods under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) arrangement.

Salatiga teen brings pride to Indonesia

Salatiga teen brings pride to Indonesia By Dwiatmanta CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): A little-known teenager from Salatiga, Central Java, salvaged Indonesia's wounded pride yesterday as the country fell further behind host Thailand in the medals' chase on the third day of the Southeast Asian Games. Thailand bagged 10 more golds to bring its total to 27, while Indonesia, the defending champion, managed six golds bringing its total to 10.

Many question bureaucrats' grip on ICMI

Many question bureaucrats' grip on ICMI By Haryoso SEMARANG (JP): Observers are divided over the significance of the strong presence of senior government officials in the new leadership of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI). Political analysts welcomed the appointment of scholar Adi Sasono to the newly-created post of secretary-general, as helping to reduce ICMI's dependence on government figures. ICMI ended its congress on Saturday with the reappointment of B.J.

Medal Tally

Medal Tally Gold Silver Bronze Total Thailand 27 22 16 65 Indonesia 10 16 18 44 Malaysia 7 5 9 21 Philippines 6 7 7 20 Singapore 4 1 4 9 Vietnam 3 3 4 10 Myanmar 2 4 5 11 Brunei 0 1 0 1 Laos 0 0 1 1 Cambodia 0 0 0 0

Govt revamps transmigration ministry

Govt revamps transmigration ministry JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo is revamping his office, creating a new directorate general to lead the campaign to encourage more people to migrate from one place to another.

The rise of ASEAN

The rise of ASEAN The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to be held in Bangkok this week is attracting world attention for several reasons. First, the birth of ASEAN marked a new phase in the development of the Southeast Asian regional order.

Vietnamese expert pioneers techniques to raise sea horses

Vietnamese expert pioneers techniques to raise sea horses By Robert Templer NHA TRANG, Vietnam (AFP): Truong Si Ky spends his days as matchmaker and midwife to a tank full of some of the rarest and potentially most valuable fish in Vietnam -- the first sea horses to be bred in captivity.

Results

Results CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Agencies): Results of finals events at the Southeast Asian Games here Monday (including Sunday evening results): Fencing Foil men: 1. Edi Suwarto (Ina) 2. Elvizar (Ina) 3. Surachai Udomsuk (Tha) 4. Mak Chee Wah (Sin) Foil women: 1. Timisela Christinam (Ina) 2. Ratu Fabiolatip (Ina) 3. Usaha Ampa (Tha) 4. Roberta Gonzales (Phi) Athletics 10,000m walk men: 1. Morgan Rajoo (Mas) 43:34.01 2. Myint Htay ((Mya) 43:42.24 3. Saravanan Govindasamy (Mas) 43:46.01 4.

RI contingent dismayed by Thai domination

RI contingent dismayed by Thai domination JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar said in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Sunday evening that the Indonesian contingent to the Southeast Asian Games was very dismayed about Thailand's domination of the regional sporting event. At that time, host Thailand had already bagged 16 gold medals, eight silvers and seven bronzes. Ishadi S.K., the Indonesian contingent's spokesman, delivered Arismunandar's statement.

Indonesia needs environmental courts

Indonesia needs environmental courts SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Attorney General Singgih, lamenting the poor enforcement of environmental laws, has proposed the establishment of a special court for trying cases of contamination for commercial gain, with emphasis on environmental pollution.

Indonesia ready for world customs harmonization

Indonesia ready for world customs harmonization By Hendarsyah Tarmizi NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad said here yesterday that Indonesia is ready to cooperate with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures. The minister said other countries should also take the same approach of applying relatively simple and standard customs rules.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 11, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,025 100 2,000 AHAP Insurance 3,200 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,150 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,650 -75 159,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,000 0 0 Anwar Sierad 1,075 0 105,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 1,750 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,050 0 488,000 Argo Pantes 2,075 0 0 Asahimas Flat 2,325 -25 422,500 Asiana IMI...

Property taxes collected door-to-door

Property taxes collected door-to-door JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty has begun a door- to-door collection of property taxes, the mayor said yesterday. Abdul Kahfi said yesterday that his office was relying on the method to the help the mayoralty reach its property tax revenue target of Rp 79 billion. The mayoralty, he said, has only collected Rp 52.14 billion (US$23.17 million). "As of today we began collecting the taxes door to door.

Restructuring program cuts Pertamina's costs

Restructuring program cuts Pertamina's costs JAKARTA (JP): State-owned oil company Pertamina's restructuring program, which has been accelerated from five years to three years, has helped reduce its operational costs by about Rp 70 billion (US$30.43 million) per year, its president said.

Rules on broadcasting tightened

Rules on broadcasting tightened JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko disclosed yesterday that the government plans to limit the number of private radio stations in each region. Opening the 8th national conference of the Association of Indonesian private radio broadcasting (PRSSNI), Harmoko said his ministry is now studying the ideal number of radio stations each region should be allowed to have.

Southeast Asian rubber prices seen rising

Southeast Asian rubber prices seen rising SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asian rubber prices are expected to push higher through mid-December on a resurgence in strong consumer demand, which late last week ended a short downward correction in the market, regional traders said yesterday. Malaysian traders said they expected more inquiries from consumers this week, due to low stocks, and added that this should underpin prices.

Tax office worker may get 3 months

Tax office worker may get 3 months JAKARTA (JP): The prosecution asked the South Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence an employee of the Directorate of Property Tax to three months imprisonment for alleged land fraud. Prosecutor Usman said that the defendant, Arief S., 46, had made out a bogus receipt for the fictitious sale of a 70-square- meter plot of land to his neighbor, Abdul Muthalib. According to the phony receipt, Arief paid Rp 3,250,000 for the land, the prosecution alleged.

ASEAN, EU say free trade offers benefits to all

ASEAN, EU say free trade offers benefits to all BANGKOK (Reuter): Increased trade between Europe and Southeast Asia offers more jobs and increased prosperity to both sides, senior officials from the regions said yesterday.

Villagers survive by chopping down mangrove forests

Villagers survive by chopping down mangrove forests By Prapti Widinugraheni LANGSA, Aceh (JP): Ridwan, 40, has just returned from harvesting several mangrove trees. It took him four hours to find trees of the appropriate size, two hours to do the cutting and another four hours to return home. His harvest was good this time. Together with Usu, 35, he managed to fill their 2.5-meter long and .5-meter wide boat.

Court rejects Bintang's lawsuit against President

Court rejects Bintang's lawsuit against President JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta State Administrative Court rejected yesterday a lawsuit filed by controversial politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas against President Soeharto for removing him from the House of Representatives (DPR) last May.

Taxis in Bandung

Taxis in Bandung From Kompas At 8 p.m. on Nov.17, 1995, my son and I arrived in Bandung on the Parahyangan train from Jakarta. We exited from the northern side of the station on Jl. Kebon Kawung and hired a Kota Kembang taxi, No.81. All the taxis refused to use their meters. I was compelled to negotiate a fare of Rp 5,000 (normal rate Rp 3,000). I was also asked to pay an additional Rp 1,000 if we were held up by traffic jams.

Indonesian sports pioneers to receive Seagcon Awards

Indonesian sports pioneers to receive Seagcon Awards JAKARTA (JP): A former gymnastics athlete, Eva Theodora Butarbutar, and a former chief of the National Gymnastics Association, Pertiwi Hasan, will receive awards from the Southeast Gymnastics Confederation (Seagcon) for their roles in developing the sport in the region.

Rape of Okinawan girl

Rape of Okinawan girl Pak Hartono's letter in The Jakarta Post (Dec. 5, 1995) starts by calling the rape of the girl in Okinawa by U.S. servicemen regretful. He says he understands the Okinawans' fury, but then devotes six paragraphs to a horrible World War II incident involving Japanese troops and a Dutch resident of Java.

Thai shocks Indonesia in tennis men semis

Thai shocks Indonesia in tennis men semis CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): A spirited Thailand turned the tables at the 18th Southeast Asian Games men's tennis team semifinals here yesterday, sending top seed Indonesia packing with a surprising 3-0 trouncing. But Yayuk Basuki and company salvaged Indonesia's pride in the women's team with a 3-0 thrashing of the Philippines. The Indonesian women will now face high-riding Thailand in today's final.

More than 3,000 lamps installed in city streets

More than 3,000 lamps installed in city streets JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has installed more than 3,000 street lamps in five mayoralties in the current fiscal year, a city official said yesterday. Niazie Gani, the head of the city's illumination agency, told reporters that 2,900 mercury lamps will be installed in residential areas in the city's five mayoralties.

Vietnam pledges to meet obligations

Vietnam pledges to meet obligations BANGKOK (Reuter): Communist Vietnam admitted yesterday it faced new challenges after its recent entry into the non- communist Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but pledged to meet membership obligations. "As an ASEAN member, we are fully aware of new challenges as well as membership obligations," Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet said in an interview with Thailand's The Nation newspaper.

Experts: What about economic rights?

Experts: What about economic rights? JAKARTA (JP): As human rights campaigners marked the international human rights this weekend debating individuals' civic rights, another group of experts yesterday asked: "What about people's economic rights?" Legislator A.A. Baramuli, economist Loekman Soetrisno and human rights activist B.N. Marbun joined in a seminar which concluded that people's economic rights have not fared any better than their political rights.

Strong growth in Asia seen slowing to 8.2%

Strong growth in Asia seen slowing to 8.2% TOKYO (AFP): Asian economies should sustain strong but slowing growth next year, reports quoted a Japanese government think tank saying yesterday. The Institute of Developing Economies said real growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for 10 Asian economies excluding Japan would slow to 8.2 percent in calendar 1996 from an estimated 8.5 percent in 1995, according to reports by Kyodo news agency and Jiji Press.