Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 March 1995

39 articles found

Wrong stuff for Your Letters

Wrong stuff for Your Letters During the month of February we have seen the best and worst uses of the "Your Letters" section of The Jakarta Post. Mr. Link Luckett's early February letter regarding puasa resulted in several spontaneous letters from readers which increased my knowledge about this yearly event. This, to my way of thinking, is the way "Your Letters" should work: an idea or opinion stated with feedback from readers leading to a greater understanding among us all (even if Mr.

Bintang to remain active in politics

Bintang to remain active in politics SOLO, Central Java (JP): Legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas vowed to remain an outspoken politician yesterday, even if his party's plan to fire him is eventually endorsed by the House Speaker. The House member from the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) is facing dismissal by his party for allegedly questioning the state-ideology Pancasila.

RI badminton sweep hoped for at Games

RI badminton sweep hoped for at Games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia looks certain to sweep all seven badminton gold medals at the forthcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games given that no tough competitors are in sight, a former top official of the Badminton Association of Indonesia said. "It's not going to be a see-saw competition," Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, who was the association's official in charge of tutelage and development affairs, told reporters yesterday.

Ramos lifts travel tax

Ramos lifts travel tax MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government lifted yesterday travel tax requirements at international airports in the country's south to boost tourism and business links with contiguous areas of southeast Asia. President Fidel Ramos exempted for two years air and sea passengers from the southern Mindanao region to Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia from paying travel tax, the presidential palace said in a statement.

RI less attractive to Taiwan

RI less attractive to Taiwan JAKARTA (JP): A Taiwanese economic study illustrates that Indonesia is less attractive for doing business than Malaysia and Thailand. Tain-Jy Chen, a visiting director of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said yesterday that out of the 253 Taiwanese companies established in five Southeast Asian countries since 1960, only 39 were set up in Indonesia, as compared to 62 in Thailand and 123 in Malaysia.

Dengue plagues W. Jakarta

Dengue plagues W. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto has cautioned all district and sub-district heads in his mayoralty about the spread of dengue fever in the area. "Let's launch an operation which focuses on cleaning and scrubbing water containers, covering them and disposing of used cans by burying them, in order to eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes," he said yesterday as quoted by Antara. A similar call was also made by chief of West Jakarta's health office, Dr.

Police suspect arson in Ancol fire

Police suspect arson in Ancol fire JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi has suspected foul play in the fire that gutted the Mystery Castle in the Fantasy Land complex at Ancol Dreamland recreation center in North Jakarta on Sunday night. "I don't rule out the possibility of arson. I also do not rule out the possibility it was done for the insurance money," Edi said on Monday.

Ten killed in streets

Ten killed in streets CIAMIS, West Java: Ten people died in separate traffic accidents on the eve of and on the Idul Fitri holiday in this area, Antara reported. Four accidents occurred near Tasikmalaya, taking the lives of Ujang, 6, Nana, 40, Mujiono and Kristianto, both 25. Mujiono died on the Gentong Slope after his motorbike was hit by a jeep. A day later Kristianto was killed on the same spot after his motorbike was hit by a car.

RI backs grouping of Indian Ocean

RI backs grouping of Indian Ocean By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia supports the idea of an economic regional grouping incorporating the many countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas unhesitatingly expressed Jakarta's keenness when asked by The Jakarta Post about the possibility of Indonesia's participation in the group.

Bambang, Bintang urged to proceed with lawsuits

Bambang, Bintang urged to proceed with lawsuits By Santi WE Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): Although their chances of winning are slim, Bambang Warih Koesoemo and Sri Bintang Pamungkas should proceed with their plan to sue their respective political parties for dismissing them from the House of Representatives, three political commentators said yesterday. M. Budyatna and Loebby Loqman, both from the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, and Dr.

RI's Baring back to business soon

RI's Baring back to business soon JAKARTA (JP): PT Baring Securities Indonesia (BSI), the Indonesian division of the collapsed British merchant bank Barings, is likely to resume trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) tomorrow. John Marshall, BSI's president, said yesterday that he expects the Indonesian arm of the British investment bank to resume full trading on Thursday.

Police lieutenant killed by drunken Blok M hoodlums

Police lieutenant killed by drunken Blok M hoodlums JAKARTA (JP): Two officers from Jakarta's prestgious Police College were attacked by a group of drunken street hoodlums on Monday, with one fatally stabbed in the abdomen. First Leiutenant Budi Prasetyo Utomo, 29, was buried yesterday in a military ceremony at the Tanah Kusir public cemetery in South Jakarta. His classmate, Capt. Arman Depari, a member of the police's mobile regiment, has recovered from a number of severe blows to his face.

330,000 new comers estimated for Jakarta

330,000 new comers estimated for Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The City Population Office predicts the number of "newcomers" returning to the capital together with their Jakartan family members after the Idul Fitri holiday will reach over 330,000 this year. "The prediction is based on the average number of newcomers arriving in the past, which is generally equal to about 11 percent of the total number of Jakartans that leave the city," said Suwarno, the head of the statistics department.

Economic competitiveness

Economic competitiveness Our attention should focus on the Indonesian economy in relation to the global economy, the GATT agreement and the era of trade liberalization within the framework of APEC. To face this situation, as President Soeharto suggested, Indonesia must make the necessary preparations as early as possible. Our economy must be efficient and our export products must be able to compete in the world market.

Permadi plans call on military chief

Permadi plans call on military chief JAKARTA (JP): Psychic Permadi plans a preemptive call on the Central Java military chief to explain his prediction, on audio cassettes, on this year's political upheaval. The cassettes have been mass recorded and sold in the province.

WORKSHOP ON EXPORT PROMOTION

WORKSHOP ON EXPORT PROMOTION JP/alx The National Agency for Export Development (NAFED), financially supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), will organize a three-day workshop in Yogyakarta next week to promote exports by small and medium-size businesses. UNDP's chief representative for Indonesia, Jan C.

Faulty landing in rice field

Faulty landing in rice field JAKARTA (JP): Strong winds handed another blow to the international Bali-Lombok boogie show in Lombok's Selaparang airport on Monday as ten parachutists landed off course in a rice field about one kilometer from the proper landing field. The owner of the rice field was kind enough to pick them up in his van and take them to the airport. None reported any injuries.

Excercises keep army's reserves in shape

Excercises keep army's reserves in shape By Ridwan M. Sijabat CILODONG, Bogor, West Java (JP): The Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), one of the service's elite forces, is constantly active, if not putting down rebellions in far flung regions, then exercising to stay in top form.

Dry season starts early in Jakarta and north Java

Dry season starts early in Jakarta and north Java JAKARTA (JP): The dry season will begin as early as April in Jakarta and most northern coastal areas of Java, which could have severe implications on water supplies in the region, the weather forecast agency says. Some parts of the country, including Situbondo in East Java, East Sumba, East Flores and the northern part of East Timor, will even experience dry spell as early as this month, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.

S'pore, Vietnam set up defense ties

S'pore, Vietnam set up defense ties SINGAPORE (Reuter): Vietnam and Singapore established bilateral defense ties yesterday during an official visit to Singapore by Vietnam's defense minister, Gen. Doan Khue. Khue was the first Vietnamese defense minister to tour the city state. "The visit by General Khue heralds the establishment of bilateral defense ties between Vietnam and Singapore," the Singapore Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Money-losing high-tech industries

Money-losing high-tech industries The State Minister of Research and Technology and Chairman of the Board for the Study and Application of Technology, B.J. Habibie, has admitted that five of the ten state-owned enterprises under the management of the Management Board for Strategic Industries are losing money. They include the Nusantara Aircraft Industry IPTN, the PT PAL shipyard as well as some high-technology industries.

Satria Nusantara not self-defense

Satria Nusantara not self-defense From Kompas I am referring to the article in Kompas (Feb. 17, 1995) about Beddu Amang, the new Chief of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog). It said that Beddu likes to play golf and joins an organization for the art of self-defense. I would like to make the correction that Satria Nusantara is not a training center for self-defense. But it is training for the art of breathing which has some benefits.

500 Dutch tourists arrive for nostalgic trip

500 Dutch tourists arrive for nostalgic trip JAKARTA (JP): The Ocean Majesty liner, with 500 Dutch passengers aboard, not 450 as reported on Monday, has berthed at the Tanjung Priok port for a three-day visit, as part of a 17-day trip in Indonesia. The passengers, most of whom used to reside and work in Indonesia during the Dutch colonial era, were welcomed at the port on Monday by Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Paul R. Brouwer and Indonesian Director General of Tourism Andi Mappi Sammeng. Mrs.

Pancasila democracy

Pancasila democracy From Merdeka As a citizen of 60 years old, I am happy with President Soeharto's order to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences to find the best system for general elections and to analyze the function of the Armed Forces (ABRI) in the House of Representatives. This indicates that President Soeharto is sensitive enough on the current social political situation.

WW II plane wreckages found

WW II plane wreckages found SORONG, Irian Jaya: The wreckages of 20 war planes belonging to the Allies fighting the Japanese during the Second World War have been found by local residents. The wreckages were discovered at the bottom of the sea and in the jungles of the area's rugged mountains. John Mare, 65, who witnessed the war, said he had seen Japanese troops firing at Allied troops trying to bombard the Jefman Airport they thought was used as a base by the Japanese.

Burglars dig tunnel to loot Malaysian finance firm

Burglars dig tunnel to loot Malaysian finance firm KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Burglars broke into the vault of a finance company and escaped with millions of dollars worth of valuables after digging a 25-meter long tunnel under the firm, officials and news reports said yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 7, 1995 Trading Shares Close Change Volume --------------------------------------------------------- ADES ALFINDO 2,700 0 AHAP INSURANCE 3,350 0 ALUMINDO PERKASA 1,100 0 ANDAYANI MEGAH 2,225 -50 3,000 ANEKA KIMIA RAYA 5,500 47,500 ANWAR SIERAD 1,550 -50 18,500 AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPI 2,800 0 ARGHA KARYA PRIMA INDUSTRY 1,925 -50 74,500 ARGO PANTES 2,725 0 ASIANA IMI INDUSTRIES 1,600 0 ASTER DHARMA INDUSTRY 800 0 ASTRA...

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.

Asia's largest jewelry show

Asia's largest jewelry show HONG KONG (AFP): Hong Kong will stage Asia's largest jewelry fair next week, with new exhibitors from Indonesia, Lebanon, Israel, Lithuania, Russia, Mexico and Vietnam, participating, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said yesterday. HKTDC assistant executive director of exhibition Owen Chi said the number of exhibitors was almost 40 percent up on last year.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Puppet show: Prince Valliant 3:05 Music Show 3:30 Scientific Film: Science World 4:05 Comedy: Kok Nggak Percaya 4:30 Documentary Film 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Indonesian Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Langka Tapi Nyata 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music Show: Asia Bagus 8:05 Spektrum 9:00 World News 9:30 Traditional Culture: Ludruk 10:35 Late News 10:45 Film: Death Moon TPI 5:30 a.m.

Program for low achievers

Program for low achievers SEMARANG, Central Java: The state Diponegoro University is considering a special program aimed at helping about 800 students who fail to complete their studies. Rector Muladi declined to describe what the program would be but stressed that those who fail to complete it would be expelled.

Steady Safe gets loan

Steady Safe gets loan SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesia's publicly-listed transport firm PT Steady Safe obtained yesterday a syndicated US$25 million loan from eight offshore banks in Singapore to expand its business, officials said. The facility was arranged by Banque Nationale de Paris Singapore and co-arranged by Japan's Sanwa Bank. Steady Safe, which mainly provides public transport services, is to use the loan to expand its taxi and bus operations.

Suitable or democratic election?

Suitable or democratic election? The Indonesian Institute of Sciences is now looking at the nation's election system and the political role of the Armed Forces (ABRI) upon the request of the head of state. Noted sociologist Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto reminds us that democracy encompasses a broader realm than an election system.

Ban of preacher roundly criticized by Moslem leaders

Ban of preacher roundly criticized by Moslem leaders JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders spoke out yesterday against the military authorities who banned the prominent preacher Dr. Deliar Noer from delivering his Idul Fitri sermon last week. "Now I don't know where to lodge my complaint over what happened to me," Deliar told The Jakarta Post.

Train passengers peaked on March 1

Train passengers peaked on March 1 JAKARTA (JP): Train passengers returning to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri recorded the highest number on March 1, two days before the Moslem holiday. According to data at the Gambir railway station, there was a total of 80,890 passengers departing from eight railway stations in the city, Antara reported on March 1. Revenue collected from ticket sales on March 1 was more than Rp 1 billion.

RI may lose share of Japanese plywood market

RI may lose share of Japanese plywood market JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia may lose more of its share of the Japanese plywood market if appropriate measures are not taken to promote exports to Japan, an official says. Koes Saparjadi, the attache for forestry affairs at the Indonesian embassy in Tokyo, said that Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, which have ambitious plans to boost their plywood industries, have the potential to grab the Japanese market away from Indonesia.

Indosat to join sub cable project

Indosat to join sub cable project JAKARTA (JP): PT Indosat, the state-owned international telecommunications company listed in New York, will take part in the third generation of an optic fiber submarine cable project linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe.

Jakarta garrison gets a new chief

Jakarta garrison gets a new chief JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Wiranto yesterday installed Brig. Gen. Noerdin Yusuf as the new chief of staff of the Jakarta Garrison, replacing Maj. Gen. Yusuf Kartanegara. Noerdin, an old hand in military intelligence, will be largely in charge of maintaining the discipline of troopers posted in Jakarta. "I have confidence that the general will be able to carry out the task," Wiranto said when he inducted Noerdin.

Holiday travelers trickle back to Jakarta

Holiday travelers trickle back to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The number of people returning from their Idul Fitri holidays did not increase significantly yesterday. According to National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro, travelers may continue to return as late as Sunday because many people extended the holiday to visit tourist attractions around their hometowns.