Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 March 1995

46 articles found

Mitsubishi boosts output

Mitsubishi boosts output TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it was considering upgrading its plants in the Philippines and Thailand to meet rising demand there. Mitsubishi is considering raising its capacity in the Philippines to up to 57,500 units a year from the current annual output of 37,500 units at a cost of up to 500 million yen (five million dollars), company officials said.

BI calm about yen surge

BI calm about yen surge JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono said yesterday that the yen's surge would not have an adverse impact on the Indonesian economy, even though nearly 40 percent of the country's external debts is denominated in the Japanese currency. "The government has acknowledged several times that any increase in the yen rate will have a potentially negative effect on the country's outstanding debts.

35 factories pollute rivers

35 factories pollute rivers JAKARTA (JP): The Tangerang administration has discovered that 35 factories in the regency have polluted Cimandiri, Cilongok and Cirarab rivers by discarding their industrial wastes into the rivers. Head of Tangerang's office in charge of environmental pollution H. Nana Mulyana announced on Thursday that the factories had simply ignored his office's call that they set up waste-treatment plants.

RI maid tortured in Malaysia

RI maid tortured in Malaysia JAKARTA (JP): The government has left a Malaysian court to handle the case of an Indonesian housemaid that was brutally burned and tortured by an Irishman and his Malaysian wife near Kuala Lumpur. Spokesman for the Ministry of Manpower Fachri Taharuddin said yesterday that Indonesia, through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has asked Malaysia to handle the case in accordance with its laws.

Govt will start airport expansion projects soon

Govt will start airport expansion projects soon JAKARTA (JP): The government, in cooperation with several foreign companies, will start expansion projects at a number of airports this year, including the Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java, the Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali, and the Hasanuddin Airport in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

Myanmar sets eye on ASEAN membership

Myanmar sets eye on ASEAN membership HANOI (Reuter): Myanmar wants to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and believes this will strengthen regional security, Myanmarese Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw said in an interview published yesterday. "We welcome the concept of 'the ASEAN 10' and consider it an active step in the direction of strengthening peace, stability and prosperity in this region," he told Vietnam's Communist Party daily Nhan Dan.

Church Services

Church Services * Catholic Church, University of Atmajaya, Jl. Jend. Sudirman: Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m., 10:30 p.m. (with songs) and 5:30 p.m. * First Church of Christ, Scientist, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro 48, Menteng, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (in Indonesian) and 8 a.m. (in English). * All Saints' Anglican Church (opposite The Aryaduta Jakarta), Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim No. 5, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. ; at G.K.I. Pondok Indah at 6 p.m.

Obituary

Obituary JAKARTA (JP): Senior actor Dicky Zulkarnain died of a heart attack here yesterday. He was 56. Famous for his portrayal of Si Pitung, the legendary hero of Jakarta during Dutch colonialism, Dicky Iskandar Zulkarnain was born in Jakarta on Oct. 12, 1939. He is survived by his wife, actress Mieke Wijaya, three daughters, a son, and four grandchildren. One of the daughters is the popular singer and actress Nia Zulkarnain.

Accident caused Filipino's death

Accident caused Filipino's death NABIRE, Irian Jaya: A Philippine business consultant's death was caused by accident, the Paniai Police said yesterday. Announcing the result of a three-month investigation, Paniai Police Chief Maj. Simanjuntak said Rodrigo de la Cruz, 47, fell to his death in last November while working at a timber project site, the Antara news agency reported. Early suggestions that Cruz was assaulted and killed were groundless, Simanjuntak said.

Thailand laments rival Games plan

Thailand laments rival Games plan JAKARTA (JP): The 18th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Organizing Committee strongly opposed yesterday a proposal to stage a rival sporting meet in Hanoi, labeling the plan a threat to the region's harmony. "We are very sorry about the proposal and totally against it," the committee's deputy secretary general Santiparb Tejavanija told reporters yesterday.

Midwives wait for pay checks

Midwives wait for pay checks PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Ninety-two midwives working in several villages in Purbalingga regency say they have not received their monthly pay checks since January. The midwives, who have been working in the region for the last six months, visited the Purbalingga branch of Bank Rakyat Indonesia recently to inquire about their salaries. They were told that the bank had not received the money from the Central Java Health Office.

Student detained for libel

Student detained for libel MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: A student of the state-run Cenderawasih University in Jayapura has been arrested for allegedly defaming the Manokwari police. Lt. Col. Tjahjo Hernoadi, Manokwari police chief, said he ordered the arrest of the student, identified by Antara only by his initials SR, for libelous remarks made in a letter published by the Cenderawasih Pos newspaper.

22,000 telephone lines for Bogor

22,000 telephone lines for Bogor JAKARTA (JP): The Bogor Telecommunications Office has 22,000 telephone lines available for residents of the town and will distribute application forms to all sub-districts. Spokesman for the office, Djoko Bisowarno, said on Thursday that the forms are available free of charge to prospective customers at all local sub-district offices, Kompas reported.

God saves my life

God saves my life I am writing this as I recover from serious injuries sustained while climbing Mt. Agung, Bali. Foolishly I chose to climb solo without the aid of a guide. This mistake nearly cost me my life. Though the trail is unmarked, it is easy to follow until you reach the treacherous summit cone. While descending I fell and lacerated my hand on a bottle some uncaring person had discarded. The subsequent loss of blood coupled with a cold driving rain caused me to lose the trail.

Manila's steel mill

Manila's steel mill MANILA (AFP): The construction of the Philippines' first integrated steel mill will start in June, this time using technology from the Voest-Alpine company of Austria rather than a mothballed British plant, the industrial group spearheading the project said Friday. Eduardo Gumaru, spokesman of Grupo F.

Govt remains hopeful of intra-E. Timor dialog

Govt remains hopeful of intra-E. Timor dialog JAKARTA (JP): The Foreign Ministry asserted its hope yesterday that the all-inclusive intra-East Timor dialog facilitated by the United Nations would still proceed as scheduled. "The government of Indonesia remains committed to precisely such a dialog and remains hopeful that such a dialog can still take place," said a press statement from the ministry's director of information, Irawan Abidin.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m Sports 3:30 Entertaiment: Circus Lights 4:30 Culture Program 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Science Film 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Lemhanas 8:05 TV Drama: Hati Yang Mendua 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 10:45 Late News 10:55 Film: Nyi Ronggeng Program 2 4:30 p.m. Sports 5:30 City News 6:00 Film 6:30 English News Service 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:00 TV Series: Dirtwater Dynasty TPI 5:30 a.m.

Achieving stability by democracy, not vice versa

Achieving stability by democracy, not vice versa By Makmur Keliat JAKARTA (JP): It is an obvious truism that democracy has its limits. Boundless democracy certainly will turn a nation into a politically anarchic society. Accordingly, to some extent democracy is not always in line with the rationale behind the motive of establishing a state. In an abstract notion, one of the philosophical reasons everybody agrees with the existence of a sovereign state is the avoidance of a lawless society.

Rights commission backs war on 'preman'

Rights commission backs war on 'preman' JAKARTA (JP): Members of the National Commission for Human Rights said yesterday they supported the decision of the city police and military to combat street hooliganism.

Tour of duty at Sriwijaya

Tour of duty at Sriwijaya PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): The Chief of the Sriwijaya Military Command, Maj. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah, yesterday installed Brig. Gen. A.P. Siregar as his new chief of staff to replace Maj. Gen. Makmun Rasyid. Siregar previously served in the Army's Staff and Command College while Makmun has been called up to the Army's headquarters for a new assignment as Assistant for Operations to the Army Chief of Staff.

AIDS cases may reach one to two million by 2000

AIDS cases may reach one to two million by 2000 JAKARTA (JP): The number of people contracted by the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Indonesia may reach one to two million by the year 2000 if preventive steps are not taken seriously from now, Minister of Health Sujudi said.

Immigration responds

Immigration responds First of all I would like to thank Mr. Ulrich O. Zimmer for his elaborate letter, mixed with certain perceptions and emotions, if I may say so, due to the fact that he is married with an Indonesian woman. It does not mean that when a foreigner is married to an Indonesian woman there is be some sort of discrimination on the issuance of the required Immigration Document.

Greedy bus firms face punishment

Greedy bus firms face punishment JAKARTA (JP): The government has said it will punish bus owners who unlawfully raised their fares during the Idul Fitri holidays. Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto told journalists yesterday that not a single recalcitrant bus company would escape punishment. Haryanto and his senior staff personally conducted unannounced inspections at bus terminals and seaports one week before and one week after the Idul Fitri holidays, which fell on March 3 and 4.

Jakarta student injured

Jakarta student injured CILACAP, Central Java: A university student from Jakarta was injured after he fell off a train at the Kroya station on Thursday. Didi Cahyadi, 25, a resident of Johar Baru sub-district in Jakarta and student of the Borobudur University, fell off the Empujaya train that was traveling from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. He was rushed to a local hospital and is being treated for head and body injuries.

Police raid NGO office, arrest two and look for more

Police raid NGO office, arrest two and look for more JAKARTA (JP): The police have raided the headquarters of Pijar Foundation, a non-governmental organization well-known for its outspokenness, arresting two of its activists. The Thursday night raid has caused speculation, notably among activists here, that the long anticipated crackdown on Jakarta- based NGOs which criticize the bureaucracy has just begun.

City to introduce receipts for sanitation fees

City to introduce receipts for sanitation fees JAKARTA (JP): The City Sanitation Office will soon introduce receipts for sanitation collection fees in a bid to help increase revenues. Head of the office M. Subasir told reporters that officials from the office will present the receipts to most households in the capital. Under the system, each family can pay a fee ranging from Rp 500 (US$0.22) to Rp 3,000 monthly depending on their economic capability, he said.

Usman Hasan needed by foreign ministry, Golkar chief says

Usman Hasan needed by foreign ministry, Golkar chief says JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Chairman Harmoko said yesterday that the foreign ministry has asked him to reassign legislator Usman Hasan to an ambassadorial position. Harmoko denied speculation that the initiative to withdraw Usman was an attempt by the dominant political grouping to remove another one of its outspoken members from the House of Representatives.

European Union to ease GSP procedures for ASEAN

European Union to ease GSP procedures for ASEAN JAKARTA (JP): A leader of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) predicted yesterday that the European Union would reduce its aid to the world's least-developed countries but that it would facilitate entry of imports through the generalized system of preferences (GSP). The reduction in aid would result from a redirection of EU funds to eastern Europe, according to Aminuddin, Kadin's Vice Chairman for International Trade.

Tiger kills villager

Tiger kills villager BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The badly mutilated body of a farmer was found near a park with tiger footprints around it yesterday. It is believed he was attacked and killed by a tiger. The farmer, identified as Sumarno, lived in Tanjung Tirto village. It is thought he was killed last week by a tiger from the Way Kambas National Park, near the village.

Gold mining in Maluku

Gold mining in Maluku JAKARTA (JP): PT Prima Lirang Mining, a gold mining company operating in Southeast Maluku district, will expand its exploration activities in the district with a total investment of US$2 million. The company's president, Gerry Mbatemoy, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday that Gensor had allocated US$1 million for the first phase of the expansion program.

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.

Diponegoro gets new chief

Diponegoro gets new chief SEMARANG: Army chief of staff Gen. R. Hartono yesterday installed Maj. Gen. Yusuf Kartanegara as the new chief of the Diponegoro Military Command which oversees security in Central Java and Yogyakarta. Yusuf, who was formerly Chief of Staff of the Jakarta Garrison, replaced Lt. Gen. Soeyono, who was last month promoted to become chief of the Armed Forces' General Affairs.

Stone film heaven-sent, earthbound

Stone film heaven-sent, earthbound By Jane Scott JAKARTA (JP): Heaven and Earth is a recent film from American director Oliver Stone that has arrived in Jakarta after being released overseas early last year. The director's most recent film Natural Born Killers also went on release in 1994 and has generated the sort of controversy we have come to expect of the combative films (JFK, The Doors) we get from this bad-boy of the American cinema.

S'pore oil complex

S'pore oil complex SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has appointed Japan's Penta-Ocean Construction Co. to reclaim land off Singapore's southern shore, to merge seven islands into a massive offshore petrochemical production complex, officials said Thursday. Penta-Ocean will undertake the project on a joint-venture basis with local partner Koon Construction and Transport Co. Pte. Ltd. in the first stage of reclamation costing S$240 million dollars (US$160 million).

RI seeks world commitment to education

RI seeks world commitment to education By Rikza Abdullah COPENHAGEN (JP): President Soeharto urged other world leaders yesterday to throw their weight behind the "education for all" concept as one way of improving the welfare and prosperity of mankind.

City Police nab all suspects of Blok M incident

City Police nab all suspects of Blok M incident JAKARTA (JP): City Police announced yesterday that they had apprehended all members of a group of street hoodlums believed to have attacked and killed one plainclothes police officer and wounded another on Monday. "By this afternoon, all of the 10 suspects, including the one who was shot earlier, were already in our hands," City Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, told reporters.

Clean up the hoodlums

Clean up the hoodlums A few days ago a policeman was stabbed to death in a shopping district of Jakarta. This incident has woken up the police from their negligence of the mushrooming of street gangsters. Hoodlums can be easily seen collecting money from public transportation drivers on the streets. The practice, which clearly leads to expensive transportation costs, is overlooked by the police.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 10, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- ADES ALFINDO 2,700 0 AHAP INSURANCE 3,350 0 ALUMINDO PERKASA 1,100 0 ANDAYANI MEGAH 2,225 -125 243,000 ANEKA KIMIA RAYA 5,100 -250 25,000 ANWAR SIERAD 1,400 -100 106,000 AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPI 2,800 0 ARGHA KARYA PRIMA INDUSTRY 1,975 75 175,500 ARGO PANTES 2,725 0 ASIANA IMI INDUSTRIES 1,600 0 ASTER DHARMA INDUSTRY...

U.S. positive about SEA nuclear free zone

U.S. positive about SEA nuclear free zone JAKARTA (JP): The United States said it was sympathetic to the formation of a nuclear weapons free zone in Southeast Asia. "We are positively inclined towards such an arrangement," said Robert Einhorn, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for political and military affairs, during a Worldnet dialog from Washington yesterday.

NAM states to exhibit joint contemporary arts next month

NAM states to exhibit joint contemporary arts next month JAKARTA (JP): Member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) plan to hold a joint contemporary arts exhibition here next month to enhance "spiritual understanding", an official said yesterday. "Non-Aligned countries have always been engaged in physical cooperation.

'Disclosure' reveals War of the sexes

'Disclosure' reveals War of the sexes Disclosure; Michael Crichton; Ballantine Boos, New york, 1994; 497 pages JAKARTA (JP): We are in the middle of World War III and most of us don't even know it. The potent opponents maintain opposite tenements on the two sides of a magnet -- a love-hate ambitious cocktail -- which sometimes brings them together in an immeasurable, consuming passion for each other.

New joint venture to produce color picture tubes

New joint venture to produce color picture tubes JAKARTA (JP): PT Tabung Gambar Indonesia yesterday clinched a deal with Toshiba Corp, Sumitomo Corp, both of Japan, and Orion Electric Co. Ltd. of South Korea for setting up a new joint venture to produce color television picture tubes in Bekasi, West Java.

Mass circumcision at Kramat Jati

Mass circumcision at Kramat Jati JAKARTA (JP): The Usaha Mulia Abadi Social Foundation (YUMA) and the Pondok Labu Al Izhar Islamic Boarding School held a mass circumcision for 150 children from poor families in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Thursday. YUMA chairperson Mrs. Sanityo said the event was one of its social activities to commemorate Social Solidarity Day. She explained that due to a lack of funds this year her foundation only held the event in East Jakarta.

Cleaning up hoodlums

Cleaning up hoodlums Police officer First Lieutenant Budi Prasetyo Utomo was killed and his friend Capt. Arman Depari is suffering from injuries because a group of hoodlums attacked them in Blok M, Jakarta recently. The cause of the fight is unimportant. The police officers, while trying to park their car, misunderstood the demands of the hoodlums, who were at that place. An exchange of angry words entailed, which led to the deadly fight.

Two suffocate to death in RP

Two suffocate to death in RP MANILA (AFP): Two Filipino employees suffocated to death yesterday in the hold of a power barge anchored off a suburb of the Philippine capital, an official of the company that owns the barge said. Jose Reyes, vice-president of East Asia Power Corp., a Filipino-owned firm, said the two were part of a five-man team which went into the hold of the 52-megawatt barge for a regular check. Another team later discovered the five, all unconscious.

Here come the migrants

Here come the migrants In the wake of Idul Fitri, officials at the Jakarta city administration are busy counting the newcomers coming into the capital along with the millions of people returning from their hometowns where they celebrated the Moslem post-fasting holiday with relatives. This has become no more than a routine post- holiday task because the influx of unskilled job seekers has become as much of a tradition as the mudik, or holiday trip home.