Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 May 1995

47 articles found

Harsh punishment for corrupt police

Harsh punishment for corrupt police JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo vowed yesterday to punish any police officers found to be taking bribes in the processing of driving licenses. "If you see (police officers taking bribes), please tell me. I will not hesitate to take firm action against them," he said, adding that some officers had already been punished for bribe- taking.

Indonesia and NAM

Indonesia and NAM What are the positive achievements of the three years of President Soeharto's leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)? First of all, by positioning the movement as partner in dialog, rather than as a force for confrontation, his leadership has given the movement credibility and authority. Particularly among the industrial countries of the West this approach is appreciated.

Taxi refuses to use meter

Taxi refuses to use meter As a businessman who often travels, I have just returned from a trip to Bandung, wherein this is the first time I have traveled to Bandung, without making use of my own car. It will be of interest to your readers to know that although all taxis in Bandung are equipped with meters, a majority of taxi drivers refuse to use their meters, as a means of allowing the passenger to pay for the duration of the trip.

Permadi case

Permadi case From Gatra The Permadi case interests me. We should take the principle of "presumption of innocence". Were there no Moslems among the audience, when, a year ago, Permadi made the statement that is said to be blasphemous against Islam? Also, when he said something unpleasant about Golkar, were there no Golkar members then? Why do all these things come up now? Name and address withheld

On foreign words

On foreign words I fully agree with the letter by Yakup P (The Jakarta Post, April 28, 1995) regarding foreign words being used to name buildings, apartments and other places in Indonesia. Since this is Indonesia, it is better for them to have Indonesian names. In the time I've spent in Indonesia, I have made an effort to learn the Indonesian language. I have noticed foreign words being used not only as the names of places, but also as verbs to replace Indonesian verbs unnecessarily.

Deal on pensioner credits

Deal on pensioner credits JAKARTA (JP): PT Taspen, the state-owned company responsible for insurance and pensions for civil servants, commissioned Bank Bumi Artha yesterday to manage its loans to pensioners. The loan management deal was signed by Taspen's president, Purwanto Abdulcadir, and the bank's president, Rachmat M.S.

Bulog to raise rice reserves to 2 million tons

Bulog to raise rice reserves to 2 million tons JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto instructed the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) yesterday to increase its buffer stocks of rice to about two million tons by the end of the 1995-1996 fiscal year.

Councilors concerned about Sunter land case

Councilors concerned about Sunter land case JAKARTA (JP): The City Council urged the city administration yesterday to pay compensation to 344 families whose land in Sunter, North Jakarta, will be appropriated for the construction of a new reservoir. Chairman of the Council's Commission A in charge of government affairs, M. Aman, said that prompt payment is critical to help them move to other areas before land prices escalate further.

Tangerang bus drivers on strike

Tangerang bus drivers on strike TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of employees working in Jakarta were stranded in Tangerang yesterday due to a massive strike staged by minibus drivers. The 12-seat minibus drivers launched the strike, their second protest since last year, due to the unwillingness of the local authorities to improve the roads along their routes.

SEA Games athletes to compete in world events

SEA Games athletes to compete in world events JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to further develop their skills before the 18th Southeast Asian Games, Indonesia is sending its boxers, female sharp shooters and lady golfers to international events abroad. The selected boxers will go to Berlin for the world amateur championships, the markswomen will join the shooting World Cup in Chiba, Japan, while the golfers will proceed to Tokyo for the annual Queen Sirikit Cup women's team competition.

Indonesian experts teach 'Lessons Without Borders'

Indonesian experts teach 'Lessons Without Borders' By Dean Crignan SEATTLE, Washington (JP): Last month three Indonesian environmental experts traveled to Seattle, Washington, to advise U.S. citizens and organizations on successful approaches to environmental conservation. This visit was part of a unique conference entitled "Lessons Without Borders". Co-sponsored by the U.S.

Group of young lawyers decry chief justice

Group of young lawyers decry chief justice JAKARTA (JP): Chief Justice Soerjono came under further criticism yesterday for his letter declaring unenforceable a Supreme Court ruling in a land dispute in Irian Jaya. This latest objection came from a group of young lawyers who call themselves the Indonesian Law Society.

Soeharto cautions on imports

Soeharto cautions on imports JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has raised the alarm about Indonesian products losing out to imports at home, even before the nation moves on to free market arrangements with its neighbors in Asia and the Pacific. Soeharto asked yesterday for the Supreme Advisory Council to conduct a survey in supermarkets, to see how far foreign products have penetrated Indonesian markets.

Algeria suggests textile joint-venture

Algeria suggests textile joint-venture JAKARTA (JP): Algeria has invited Indonesia to enter its textile market in the form of joint venture company to be established in Algeria. After meeting with President Soeharto, Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammed Salah Dembri and Minister of Small and Medium Industries Redha Hammiani said that publicly-listed Texmaco will form a joint venture company with Algerian partners to produce synthetic fiber.

RP absorbs more aid

RP absorbs more aid MANILA (AFP): The Philippines' absorption of assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan has increased in the first quarter of 1995, the chief aid coordinator Alan Ortiz said here yesterday. Ortiz said total drawdowns of ADB loans to the Philippines increased by 23.47 percent and drawdowns on OECF loans rose at least 28.7 percent in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 1994.

Tradition vs traditionalism (2)

Tradition vs traditionalism (2) By Ignas Kleden This is the second part of an article examining the relationship between the concept of tradition and political thinking. JAKARTA (JP): With the culture debate essentially behind us, it is still timely for us to look into some of the arguments put forth by both sides to find out whether and to what extent their predictions have come to past in real cultural life.

Plan to legalize gambling opposed

Plan to legalize gambling opposed JAKARTA (JP): City Council Chairman M.H. Ritonga said yesterday that he is against the idea of designating a special location in the city for gambling activities "We do not agree with the idea. It is dangerous," he said. Though local authorities have resumed their fight against gambling operations, illegal gambling business are still flourishing, mostly in local hotels, private houses and warehouses.

ASEAN vows to oppose ILO's social clause

ASEAN vows to oppose ILO's social clause JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will resist staunchly a campaign by industrialized countries' to link trade to labor issues at June's International Labor Conference in Geneva, a minister said yesterday.

Australia targets RI in $7.2m campaign

Australia targets RI in $7.2m campaign JAKARTA (JP): Australia is targeting Indonesia, along with South Korea, Thailand and the Shanghai region of China, in its multimillion-dollar campaign to draw more attention to its technological capacity. When launching the "Inventive Australia" campaign here yesterday, visiting Australian Trade Minister Senator Bob McMullan said many Indonesian officials remain hazy about Australia's strength in technology and services.

Legislative seats of ABRI less after 1997 polls

Legislative seats of ABRI less after 1997 polls JAKARTA (JP): The number of Armed Forces (ABRI) seats in the House of Representatives will be slashed from 100 to 75 after the 1997 general election, a senior military official confirmed yesterday. Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, assistant to ABRI's chief of socio- political affairs, said that the government was working to finish the bill by the upcoming 1997 election.

Sanitation at Permata Hijau

Sanitation at Permata Hijau JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko expressed concern with the bad management of the luxurious Permata Hijau housing complex. According to the mayor, the grass in a number of areas around the complex is not tended properly and growing wildly. Moreover, food sellers have been allowed to offer their services under the foliage of a large tree. "We actually expect the Permata Hijau complex to become a model for other sub-districts in the mayoralty," the mayor said.

Anti-AIDS drive in Tarakan

Anti-AIDS drive in Tarakan TARAKAN, East Kalimantan: Health officials in charge of curbing the spread of HIV are intensifying their activities on Tarakan island. They said the island, which borders Malaysia, is especially vulnerable to the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) because it is a gateway for foreign visitors into the eastern provinces.

Seminar on British studies

Seminar on British studies JAKARTA: Rector of Semarang's University of Diponegoro Muladi is scheduled to open a seminar on the Teaching of British Studies in Indonesia in Bandungan, Central Java, today. The four-day seminar, organized by British Council Indonesia in conjunction with the university, will take place at Hotel Nugraha Wisata in Bandungan.

Polygamy and polyandry

Polygamy and polyandry It is generally known that polygamy does prevail in many parts of the world, including Indonesia. According to the Indonesian marriage law, a man is allowed to marry a second woman only upon consent of the first wife. A question arises: Which woman is able and willing to tolerate voluntarily to share her lovely husband with another woman? Most women, if not all, will undoubtedly not approve her husband's desire to marry other women. The article written by T.

Small business still out: BKPM

Small business still out: BKPM JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo said yesterday that business activities reserved for small-scale businesses would remain closed to foreign investment. "Like the retail sector, business activities especially reserved for small companies remain closed to foreign investment," he said.

Aceh gets aid from Canada

Aceh gets aid from Canada JAKARTA: Canada is committed to providing grants worth Rp 53 million (about US$25,000) for two community projects in Aceh, Canadian embassy Lawrence T. Dickenson said here yesterday. The first project will focus on income generation for women through duck raising, gardening and horticulture initiatives. The Rp 25 million project in Blang Mirau will be handled by the Yadesa foundation.

Money changer

Money changer During a stop-over at Medan airport on March 17, 1995, I changed a few hundred Dutch guilders at the one money changer in the transit hall. I was to travel further to Bali and was not sure if I would arrive there in time to find the banks still open. I did not know the rate of exchange for Dutch currency but I felt safe I could fully trust this 'official' changer. The rate of exchange quoted was Rp 1210, and this I received.

Competition for foreign students

Competition for foreign students JAKARTA (JP): An English language consultant Lembaga Antar Bangsa is scheduled to hold a competition in poetry writing and reading in Bahasa Indonesia for foreign students in Jakarta, Lilimunir Croft announced yesterday. The competition will be held by the consultant in cooperation with the Association of Indonesian Teachers at Jakarta-based Foreign Schools (Ikapinsi) and publishing company PT Gramedia on June 10, 1995, at Bentara Budaya on Jl.

Indonesian basketball season to start

Indonesian basketball season to start JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian basketball league will introduce a relegation system when the new season of competition starts at the end of this month in Surabaya, East Java. League secretary Deddy Gumbiro said yesterday that a second division will, from now on, run together with the primary league, which features 10 teams.

Govt will retain control over haj

Govt will retain control over haj JAKARTA (JP): The government intends to retain control over departure arrangements for Indonesian haj pilgrims to Mecca next year, despite the chaos that marked this year's operation. Before departing for Mecca on Sunday night, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher promised that next year would be better and that changes would be made.

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.

FBI asked to conduct autopsy

FBI asked to conduct autopsy MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines and Singapore have agreed to ask the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct an autopsy of the remains of a Filipina maid in a bizarre twist to a murder case that has rocked relations between two Asian allies. The shipment of Delia Maga's remains to the United States will make the corpse of the domestic helper probably one of the most travelled in Philippine diplomatic history.

Outspoken House member Bintang formally sacked

Outspoken House member Bintang formally sacked JAKARTA (JP): As news of his sacking from the House of Representatives (DPR) emerged yesterday, legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas promised he would continue his fight as an "opposition" to the government. The outspoken legislator of the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) said he had not been formally informed of President Soeharto's approval of his party's proposal that he be removed from the House.

Twelve die of diarrhea

Twelve die of diarrhea DILI, East Timor: At least 12 people have died from a diarrhea outbreak in Bobonaro regency, about 180 kilometers west of here, reports said yesterday. The local station of the state-run Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) said that the provincial government had yet to send relief aid to the stricken area. Kornelius, an official of the Bobonaro health office, said that the epidemic was spreading and the number of people affected was increasing.

Indonesia calls for extension of 4-month old Bosnia truce

Indonesia calls for extension of 4-month old Bosnia truce JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia yesterday called on all sides embroiled in the civil war in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina to extend a four-month old truce which has since expired. "Indonesia, as chairman of NAM (the Non-Aligned Movement), wishes to continue to appeal to all sides concerned to extend the cease-fire for a period, based on mutually agreed conditions," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday.

See Lidya, Ria and Nurul in 3-D

See Lidya, Ria and Nurul in 3-D JAKARTA (JP): Television viewers in Indonesia will soon be able to see their favorite slap-stick comedy actresses like Lidya Kandou, Ria Irawan and Nurul Arifin in three-dimension. The private channel RCTI next month will begin broadcasting 3- D shows for some of its programs, enabling viewers to get more realistic, in depth pictures, instead of the usual one- dimensionality of ordinary television programs.

Feminism unsuitable for local women

Feminism unsuitable for local women PADANG, West Sumatra: Feminism is a concept that is strictly western and unsuitable for Indonesian women, an expert argues. "Indonesian women have their own concepts and strategies inspired by their own religious, cultural and traditional values," R.A. Tity Koesoemodardo said in a seminar. The lifestyles of Western women stress individualism, said Tity, who was formerly one of Indonesia's officials in the United Nations and in Europe.

Vice President in Palu

Vice President in Palu PALU, Central Sulawesi: Vice President Try Sutrisno and several cabinet ministers arrived here yesterday for a two-day working visit. Welcomed by governor Azis Lamadjido at the airport, Try went straight to the gubernatorial office to attend a local government meeting. Try visited a national reforestation project in Ngatabaru village, Antara said. His main agenda is to inaugurate a number of public works projects today before flying back to Jakarta. (pan)

Two activists arrested for leading protest

Two activists arrested for leading protest JAKARTA (JP): Two labor activists were arrested yesterday for organizing a demonstration to press their demand that the government raise the daily minimum wage to Rp 7,000. The two, Dita Sari and Wilson from the Center for Indonesian Workers' Struggle (PPBI) led about 50 worker activists to stage a peaceful protest to the manpower ministry.

Poverty rate is still high

Poverty rate is still high JAKARTA (JP): Over 27.6 percent of Jakarta families live below the poverty line, an official of the city administration said yesterday. Ritola Tasmaya, head of the Jakarta office of the Family Planning Coordinating Board, said that a survey conducted earlier this year showed that 354,476 families, or 27.64 percent of all the families in Jakarta, were living in poverty.

BII introduces new service

BII introduces new service JAKARTA (JP): Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), in cooperation with Western Union of the United States, introduced yesterday a fast money transfer service at two of its Jakarta branches. Stefan Wanandi, BII's assistant manager for product and system development, said that clients can use the new service at the two branches, which have special computer links with Western Union, without having to open a bank account.

Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange

Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 1, 1995: Trading Share Close Change volume ------------------------------------------------------ ADES ALFINDO 2,725 0 AHAP INSURANCE 3,300 0 ALUMINDO PERKASA 1,100 0 ANDAYANI MEGAH 1,825 -175 62,000 ANEKA KIMIA RAYA 5,400 0 ANWAR SIERAD 1,250 81,500 AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPI 2,800 0 ARGHA KARYA PRIMA INDUSTRY 1,575 -25 179,500 ARGO PANTES 2,600 0 ASIANA IMI INDUSTRIES 1,100 100 16,000 ASTER...

Technology causes environmental damage

Technology causes environmental damage JAKARTA (JP): Advances in science and technology have caused a degradation of the natural environment, former environment minister Emil Salim said on Saturday. "Modern technology like air conditioners, pesticides and motor vehicles could lead to the destruction of humanity," Emil said at a seminar on the environment and development.

Tanjung Priok project claims two children's lives

Tanjung Priok project claims two children's lives JAKARTA (JP): The bodies of two young boys were discovered at a project site in Tanjung Priok port, East Jakarta, on Friday. The operator of an excavator, which was operating near where the boys were playing, has been detained for questioning. City Police denied yesterday rumors that there were more children buried at the site. "We have combed the site and found no other bodies, except the two children," Maj.

Bapindo gets $125m loan

Bapindo gets $125m loan JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) has signed a subscription agreement with a number of banks and financial institutions in London on floating rate notes worth US$ 125 million. Bapindo said in a statement yesterday that under the agreement signed last Friday by the bank's president, Arbali Sukanal, the notes have a maturity of seven years and carry a coupon rate of one percent per annum above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.

Combating counterfeiters

Combating counterfeiters The United States Trade Representative, Mickey Kantor, cited Indonesia as one of the countries which have markedly improved copyright protection, thereby escaping a special review with regard to possible U.S. trade sanctions. However, Kantor's annual report to Congress on Saturday showed that Indonesia remains on the watch list, the lowest priority for targeted trade sanctions.

Silver Bird responds

Silver Bird responds PT Silver Bird would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused by one of our drivers on March 29, 1995, reported under the heading "Silver Bird's service" (The Jakarta Post, April 18, 1995). We would like you to know that we care about our customers and we cannot tolerate such a behavior. We have suspended the employment of the driver concerned. We would also like to thank you for giving us the feedback, whereby we can improve our service.