Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 February 1995

50 articles found

Soeharto backs KONI's restructuring plan

Soeharto backs KONI's restructuring plan JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto gave his full support yesterday to a restructuring plan initiated by the newly-elected chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar. The former Army chief of staff paid a courtesy call on the President yesterday at the Bina Graha presidential office to report that he had completed the line-up of KONI's leadership board.

PPP 'star' legislator also in hot water

PPP 'star' legislator also in hot water JAKARTA (JP): With news of the sacking of legislator Bambang Warih Koesoemo just beginning to sink in yesterday, the House of Representatives was already abuzz with rumors of another impending dismissal. This time, the job in question is that of Sri Bintang Pamungkas, the enfant terrible of the United Development Party (PPP) faction.

Mar'ie's stance on credit

Mar'ie's stance on credit The Minister of Research and Technology, B.J. Habibie, makes a lot of sense in his argument about the crucial importance of export credits for pushing the sales of such high-tech and big- ticket products as aircraft. He was referring to the blunt reality of the international marketplace when he contended on Monday that nobody would pay cash for such high-tech products as aircraft and ships.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Lost Morenitos, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Monday to Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday from 12:30 p.m.

Collapsed bridges disrupt Java traffic

Collapsed bridges disrupt Java traffic PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Floods have knocked out two bridges in Brebes and Cilacap, disrupting traffic along both the northern and southern highways connecting the province with West Java. Workers are laboring around the clock to fix the bridges in the run-up to the Idul Fitri holidays on March 3 and March 4. Tens of thousands of vehicles are expected to follow those routes in the two weeks before and after the holidays.

No cholera outbreak in Bali: Ministry

No cholera outbreak in Bali: Ministry JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health says it is puzzled by a report suggesting 77 Japanese tourists have been affected by cholera after returning from the holiday island of Bali. As far as the ministry is concerned, there has not been a major cholera outbreak in Bali, or any other part of Indonesia for that matter, spokeswoman Suheni Sujatmiko told the Antara news agency yesterday.

Rp 21b, 4 lives lost in floods

Rp 21b, 4 lives lost in floods RENGAT, Riau: Floods that have been sweeping through the Indragiri Hulu regency over the last two months have caused an estimated Rp 21 billion (about US$10 million) in material losses. The floods have drowned four people and caused extensive damage to tens of thousand hectares of paddy fields, over 15,000 houses and other buildings, roads and bridges.

Wahono endorses Bambang's firing

Wahono endorses Bambang's firing JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono finally decided yesterday to endorse the expulsion of outspoken Golkar legislator Bambang Warih Koesoemo from the House of Representatives (DPR). Speaking to reporters after a meeting with his deputies, Wahono said the House leadership has decided to bring the proposal by Golkar's executive board to have Bambang removed, to President Soeharto for final approval.

KNU area

KNU area We thank The Jakarta Post (Feb. 22, 1995) for carrying the report on the fall of Kawmoora, but regret to point out that Reuter's reports from Thailand on the subject have been consistent in interviewing and quoting only the views of the Karen National Union (KNU) terrorists-remnants. There is not an inch of area under the control of the KNU in Myanmar anymore. A few may cross and recross the rugged 2400 km region of the Thai-Myanmar border.

Prosecutor's office probes cases of corruption

Prosecutor's office probes cases of corruption JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has been investigating 18 cases of corruption, including some in state banks, which were recently discovered by the Government Audit Agency (BPKP), Chief Justice Singgih said yesterday. The cases are among 223 cases that the agency has discovered over the past five years, and which have caused losses to the state of hundreds of billions of rupiah.

Sentul developer upset over burning of buildings

Sentul developer upset over burning of buildings JAKARTA (JP): The project manager of Rainbow Hills, an exclusive housing estate and golf course at Pasir Karet village in Sentul, Bogor, expressed concern over the burning of two of its buildings by unidentified men, allegedly working for PT FMP. Herry Sugandi alleges that the men from PT FMP, another housing estate located near Rainbow Hills, burned the two buildings on Feb. 18.

City police join narcotics meeting

City police join narcotics meeting JAKARTA (JP): Head of the Narcotic Division of the City Police Crime Investigation Directorate, Lt. Col. Djoko Satrio, has been assigned to represent Indonesia at a two-week conference on drug related crimes, to be held next month in Phuket, Thailand. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko said yesterday that the March 13-24 meeting is being sponsored by the U.S. Drugs Enforcement Agency's Singapore office.

A flicker of threat to region in the Spratly Islands?

A flicker of threat to region in the Spratly Islands? By Rizal Sukma JAKARTA (JP): It was reported that China had quietly enforced its claim again in the Spratly Islands. This time, it was the Philippines which felt intimidated by the most recent Chinese move. The Philippines President Fidel Ramos accused China of sending its navy to one of the groups of tiny islands, the Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef), which is claimed by Manila.

Leading golfers to tee off in Bali

Leading golfers to tee off in Bali JAKARTA (JP): Leading Australian golfers Todd Hamilton and Lucas Parsons are expected to lead a pack of foreign golfers at the Sempati Bali Open, slated to tee off at Bali Golf and Country Club on March 22. Hamilton, winner of the Asian Tour 1995 opener in the Thailand Open earlier this month, and Parsons, runner-up at the Australian Masters last week, have confirmed their entry for the US$250,000 event, the eighth leg of this year's Asian Tour's 15-leg.

Waste land turns productive

Waste land turns productive BANDA ACEH: Approximately 175,000 hectares of unproductive farm land in the Aceh Besar and Piddie regencies will be turned into timber estates to maintain forest conservation, Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud said. "The establishment of the two timber estates is meant to rehabilitate unproductive land," Mahmud told the provincial legislative meeting on Tuesday.

Indonesia likely to play active role at global summit

Indonesia likely to play active role at global summit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will have an opportunity to help shape the course of a global development program at next month's World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, a top official says. Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Soeweno said yesterday that Indonesia supports the main themes of the UN- sponsored summit -- poverty, unemployment and social disintegration.

New global rubber pact can reduce price volatility: INRO

New global rubber pact can reduce price volatility: INRO KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The new international rubber pact finally adopted in Geneva last week could help reduce price volatility and benefit both the world's natural rubber producers and consumers, officials said yesterday.

Dangers of urbanization

Dangers of urbanization The same problem confronts the Jakarta City administration every time after Idul Fitri. Jakarta's population continues to swell because, after spending the holidays in their respective home towns and villages, people come back to Jakarta with relatives or other people who are lured by those people's success.

Australian cattle for Asia

Australian cattle for Asia CANBERRA (AFP): Exports of live cattle to Southeast Asia jumped 53 percent to a record 290,000 head in 1994, the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC) said yesterday. AMLC chairman John Kerin said Australia's two biggest markets in the region, the Philippines and Indonesia, imported 127,000 and 120,000 head of cattle respectively.

Govt to open one-stop ticketing counters

Govt to open one-stop ticketing counters JAKARTA (JP): The ministry of Transportation will coordinate cooperation among transportation companies to provide one-stop reservations for packages of various transportation services throughout the country, a senior official says. Director General for Land Transportation Soejono said yesterday that such cooperation is expected to result in the opening, later this year, of one-stop ticketing counters in major cities in Java and Sumatra.

House approves bill on 1995-1996 state budget

House approves bill on 1995-1996 state budget JAKARTA (JP): The Budgetary Commission of the House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday approved a bill on the government's 1995-1996 budget, which calls for an 11.9 percent increase in both revenue and spending. The bill on the 1995-1996 national budget, proposed by President Soeharto to the House in early January, will formally be approved by the House in a plenary session tomorrow.

Minimum pay must be maintained

Minimum pay must be maintained From Merdeka Reports in the media say that the Indonesian Textile Association (API) has appealed to the government to review its policy on minimum regional wages on the grounds that it will cause an increase in total textile company costs. Some 123 garment enterprises located in Jakarta, West Java and Central Java have expressed their concern with the new pay policy.

NGOs call for 60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions

NGOs call for 60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions JAKARTA (JP): Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called on the government yesterday to commit itself to a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of at least 60 percent by the year 2030. "As an archipelagic country, Indonesia will be significantly affected by global climate changes...

Monopolistic practices denounced

Monopolistic practices denounced JAKARTA (JP): The speaker of the House of Representatives, a business analyst and a lawyer yesterday all denounced monopolistic business practices in the country and called for legal reforms to ensure fair competition. "Unfair competition and the concentration of economic power in one group or monopoly will harm the public.

Ships alerted to piracy threats

Ships alerted to piracy threats KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Ships in Southeast Asia were alerted to renewed piracy threats yesterday after gun-wielding masked pirates hijacked a cargo vessel off Vietnam and escaped with its cargo last week. The vessel, Lucky Trader, reported the pirates threatened the crew at gunpoint and took over the ship, said Beverley Brown, the London-based International Maritime Bureau's regional manager here.

Additional bus terminals prepared

Additional bus terminals prepared JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta and West Jakarta mayoralties have prepared eight additional bus terminals in anticipation of a sharply rising number of travelers for the Idul Fitri holidays. The four bus terminals in Central Jakarta are located in Mampang Prapatan, Pasar Minggu, Bintaro and Patal Senayan. The other four in West Jakarta are on Jl. Daan Mogot, at Taman Kota, Tanjung Duren and the Grogol city depot, Antara reported. (hhr)

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 22, 1995 Trading Shares Close Change Volume -------------------------------------------------------- ADES ALFINDO 2,400 0 AHAP INSURANCE 3,350 0 ALUMINDO PERKASA 1,100 0 ANDAYANI MEGAH 2,300 -50 112,000 ANEKA KIMIA RAYA 5,500 50 30,000 ANWAR SIERAD 1,650 0 AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPI 2,800 0 ARGHA KARYA PRIMA INDUSTRY 1,975 669,000 ARGO PANTES 2,725 0 ASIANA IMI INDUSTRIES 1,650 1,000 ASTER DHARMA INDUSTRY 900 0 ASTRA...

Girl without anus undergoes surgery

Girl without anus undergoes surgery SEMARANG, Central Java: Surgeons have successfully made an artificial anus for seven-year-old Astriani, a press report said yesterday. The girl, from a village in Temanggung, underwent the medical operation at the Dr. Kariadi general hospital in the city on Tuesday. Doctor Yulianto, who led the team of surgeons, said the two- hour medical operation went without difficulties, Antara news agency reported.

Sudwikatmono denies failing to donate

Sudwikatmono denies failing to donate JAKARTA (JP): Prominent businessman Sudwikatmono said yesterday that he was surprised at reading newspaper reports about the failure of conglomerates to donate Rp 3 billion to the 1994 National Social Solidarity Day organizing committee. The business tycoon told Antara in an interview that, as one of the conglomerates listed to give a donation, he felt cornered by the reports which suggested that he and the other conglomerates had reneged on their promise.

McDonald's gives parcels to orphans

McDonald's gives parcels to orphans JAKARTA (JP): The management of McDonald's Indonesia donated Rp 500,000 in cash and parcels to 50 orphans from the Kebon Melati orphanage in Central Jakarta. The presentation was made at McDonald's Sarinah building outlet on Jl. MH Thamrin yesterday. The director of PT Ramako Gerbangmas, the owner of McDonald's Indonesia, Bambang N. Rachmadi, said the activity was part of the firm's fourth anniversary.

Provinces asked to give govt jobs to Timorese youth

Provinces asked to give govt jobs to Timorese youth JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto asked regional administrations across the country yesterday to consider recruiting university graduates from East Timor to help Indonesia's youngest province out of its unemployment predicament. The chairman of the State Administration Institute, J.B. Kristiadi, told reporters that Soeharto wanted young East Timorese to be given the chance to serve the government outside of their home province.

PPP and PDI cautious on changing election system

PPP and PDI cautious on changing election system JAKARTA (JP): Golkar says it is ready for changes in the electoral system away from the current system of proportional representation, as hinted at by President Soeharto, but the two minority parties are more cautious about the issue. Golkar chairman Harmoko told reporters yesterday in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, that his group, which has won each of the last five general elections, was prepared for any system.

KL wants new talks on islands

KL wants new talks on islands KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi yesterday urged Jakarta enter into fresh talks to resolve a 25- year-old dispute over the ownership of two small islands. The dispute over the Sipadan and Ligitan islands could not be resolved through demonstrations or any acts of aggression, he said, reiterating that Jakarta could refer the dispute to a bilateral joint mechanism.

Savings in BRI

Savings in BRI From Kompas I am the youngest child in my family. When my parents died the inheritance was divided among the children (there are six of us). Since I was still a small child at the time, the money was kept for me by my elder sister Lisna Juwita. The money (Rp 750,000) was deposited in Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. We lost the records of the bank account and when I inquired about it at BRI, only Rp 40,000 was left.

Eleven fired for misuse of villages aid funds

Eleven fired for misuse of villages aid funds JAKARTA (JP): Eleven low-level bureaucrats have been fired for embezzling government funds, earmarked for the development of impoverished villages, an official said yesterday. The Ministry of Home Affairs' Inspector General Soedardjat Nataatmadja said those who lost their jobs were 10 village chiefs and one subdistrict head.

Bank Bira's after-tax profit up almost five fold

Bank Bira's after-tax profit up almost five fold JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Bank Bira announced yesterday a surge in its after-tax profit last year to an audited Rp 18 billion (US$8.18 million), up from Rp 3.64 billion in 1993. The bank's president, Frans Limas, said in a public presentation that the loans extended by the bank had increased by 113 percent over the previous year to Rp 894.1 billion in 1994.

Indonesian workers

Indonesian workers From Kompas I am delighted with the way our Police are tackling the case involving the murder of Gina Sutan Anwar, Eri Tri Harto Darmawan and Suresh Michandani, with Harnoko Dewantono (Oki) as the suspect. It was enthusiastically reported in the media that the Police sent four of its detectives to the United States to investigate the case. This is certainly aimed at being consistent in implementing Indonesian law and in protecting the rights of Indonesian citizens abroad.

Poor police know-how leads to fireworks blast

Poor police know-how leads to fireworks blast JAKARTA (JP): Inexperience and a lack of fireworks knowledge led to a huge explosion at the Bekasi police precinct on Tuesday, a spokesman for the City Police says. "The police personnel properly treated the fireworks by dousing them with water upon confiscation but they forgot that certain chemical substances, used as the raw material for the fireworks, react violently with water, especially at high temperatures," Lt. Col.

On 'puasa' and fasting

On 'puasa' and fasting My sincere thanks to Pujo Broto and Sanjoto W. for their reinforcement of my contention that the words puasa and `fasting' are not suitable to translate their meanings, one for the other.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Thursday Maghrib 06.17 p.m. Friday Imsak 04.31 a.m. Subuh 04.41 a.m.

Matahari store in Jatinegara warned

Matahari store in Jatinegara warned JAKARTA (JP): The Municipal Law and Order Office warned the management of the Matahari department store in Jatinegara Plaza, East Jakarta, yesterday that it will be closed down if it doesn't get an operation permit. "The first warning will be followed by a second if the company fails to fulfill the requirement within a week," Kuseini Budiantoro, head of the office, told reporters yesterday.

Land developer refuses to talk to protesting Dairi villagers

Land developer refuses to talk to protesting Dairi villagers JAKARTA (JP): A group of villagers from Dairi regency in North Sumatra yesterday marched to the Jakarta office of PT Agro Citra Wahanamas Gemilang, the land developer and plantation company that plans to acquire their land. The delegation of four villagers, who have been in town for the past week to try to draw the government's attention to their predicament, failed to get a meeting with the owner of the company.

U.S. should hand over Oki evidence: Singgih

U.S. should hand over Oki evidence: Singgih JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has once again asked the United States government to hand over all material evidence regarding a triple murder in Los Angeles, to enable the main suspect, Harnoko Dewantono, alias Oki, to be tried here.

Catchments

Catchments From Kompas As a layman I do not know much about geology. But I need some explanations about catchment systems, which are often discussed in the media. The problem of the development of such areas as North Bandung and Puncak never fails to attract the media. Is it true that the construction of buildings in the catchment locations are the main cause of floods that hit the lower areas?

Lampung strict on expired food

Lampung strict on expired food BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The provincial government is seeing to it that Idul Fitri food parcels bought from shops are in good condition. The local health office has formed a special team in charge of supervising the condition of Idul Fitri food parcels, Antara reported. The team that consisted of officials from the local office of food and drug supervision started checking on food parcels in shops on Feb. 10, a spokesman for the health office, A.

Philippines must take steps to avoid Mexican crisis

Philippines must take steps to avoid Mexican crisis MANILA (AFP): The Philippines must act on its fiscal position and trade deficit if it hopes to avoid a Mexico-style currency crisis and enjoy East Asian growth rates, economists said yesterday.

China agrees to talk with RP about Spratlys

China agrees to talk with RP about Spratlys MANILA (AFP): China has agreed to hold talks with the Philippines over Beijing's occupation of a reef claimed by both countries in the disputed Spratly island chain, the Chinese ambassador to Manila said yesterday. Huang Guifang told reporters the two countries would hold "exploratory talks" on the Spratlys dispute, but did not elaborate.

UN and Vietnam pressured to end refugee saga

UN and Vietnam pressured to end refugee saga KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A global meeting on Indochinese refugees yesterday called on the United Nations and Vietnam to speed up repatriation of 40,000 Vietnamese still languishing in refugee camps in Asia, with forced return debated as a last resort.

Navy to put off sub purchase

Navy to put off sub purchase BANGKOK (AFP): Defense Minister Vichit Sookmark has told the Thai navy to postpone its plans to buy two diesel-powered submarines, saying the 15-billion-baht (US$600-million) price tag is too high. Vichit said on official Radio Thailand that he had ordered the navy on Tuesday to delay the purchase because the cost would exceed the total amount allocated to the navy for weapons purchases.

Man gets 3 years for killing

Man gets 3 years for killing JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta District Court has sentenced Romli, alias Lili, to three years imprisonment for stabbing Sujoko to death. Judge Judo Sumarto said in the verdict that on Sept. 27, 1992, Sujoko, who had extorted money from Lili several times, threatened to kill the defendant for refusing to give him money, Antara reported. On the next day the defendant retaliated by stabbing the victim in the abdomen, buttocks and arms.