Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 May 1995

40 articles found

Enteos Club reopens after 6-month hiatus

Enteos Club reopens after 6-month hiatus JAKARTA (JP): The Enteos Bankers' and Industrialists' Social Club, an exclusive club which has 1,087 members, mostly prominent bankers and industrialists, is back in business after six months of inactivity. The club, whose offices are on the 30th and 31st floors of the BRI-II building in Central Jakarta, ceased its activities last December because PT Mulia Persada Pacific, which manages the building, cut off the electricity and telephone used by the club.

Australian attitudes to Indonesian reviewed

Australian attitudes to Indonesian reviewed By Rob Goodfellow WOLLONGONG, New South Wales (JP): A finding of my research about how little Indonesia is known in Australia was published in The Jakarta Post in November last year. While the research method was not particularly remarkable the data proved to be the right information at the right time in terms of the debate about Australia' economic integration with the region and Australian beliefs about our closest Asian neighbor, Indonesia.

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.

Negligence causes fire

Negligence causes fire AMBON, Maluku: A city shopping center caught fire on Saturday night, destroying two shops and a billiard hall,Antara reported yesterday. It took five fire trucks more than an hour to put out the blaze. Chief of Ambon police precinct Lt. Col. Suroto said early investigations showed that the fire was caused by a "negligent" shop owner who failed to put out a small fire in his kiosk. "We have detained four people, including the shop owner, for further investigation," he said.

Hariyanto to take on mighty Joko in world c'ships

Hariyanto to take on mighty Joko in world c'ships LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP): Indonesia's top seed Hariyanto Arbi has an early test against 1993 winner and compatriot Joko Suprianto in this year's world badminton championships. Hariyanto has a quarterfinal meeting with Joko with a possible semifinal against Denmark's 3/4 seed and All England winner Poul- Erik Hoyer-Larsen following Saturday's draw.

Mutiari

Mutiari Mutiari, the first victim of the mistrial in the Marsinah murder case and whose story appeared on this page on May 20, was not dragged into an armored vehicle by the officer who arrested her but into a van. -- The Editor

Appointed legislators

Appointed legislators From Suara Karya There has been much discussion about the legislators who hail from the Armed Forces. As we know, 100 armed forces members are appointed as legislators. The problem, in my opinion, is not whether the number should be reduced or not, but their commitment to the interests of the people. Some people say they are not very thoughtful as to the fate of the people. Furthermore, I am rather concerned with the trend of liberalism in the way the people think.

Britain's Saunders earns top spot in Formula Asia

Britain's Saunders earns top spot in Formula Asia JAKARTA (JP): Britain's Brian Saunders regained top position in the Formula Asia auto racing championship yesterday at the Sentul circuit in West Java as strong challengers scrambled with engine problems. Saunders reigned in both races of the championship's second leg, silencing home favorite Roy Haryanto who slid his FA-2000 car off the track just after starting the second race.

Student regiments' field work

Student regiments' field work JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-four members of Jakarta student regiments have finished three-month's field work in East Timor. They were received by chief of staff of the Jakarta Military Command Brig. Gen. Sutiyoso in Jakarta over the weekend. At the ceremony the regiment members were urged to use what they had learned in East Timor to help evaluate and improve the provincial administration's programs.

New rule wreaks havoc on Iran currency market

New rule wreaks havoc on Iran currency market TEHRAN (AFP): Iran's currency exchange market was left in confusion on Saturday following the introduction of tough new government measures to try to tackle the country's economic crisis. Nearly all private money changers in the capital remained closed or refused to conduct transactions on the first trading day of the week after the government abandoned the free exchange market and introduced new controls on capital flows in and out of Iran.

Major polluters' names to be announced: Sarwono

Major polluters' names to be announced: Sarwono SOLO, Central Java (JP): Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja promised on Saturday to announce next month the names of 200 major industries which pollute the environment. Speaking at a seminar on environment at Sebelas Maret University in Surakarta, Sarwono said he hoped the move would encourage the public to be more selective in choosing their products and opt for brands produced by environmentally-friendly industries.

Profit-taking sends prices down on JSX

Profit-taking sends prices down on JSX JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) failed to sustain its upward momentum last week, following heavy bouts of profit-taking during the early part of the week. The JSX Composite Index lost 2.82 points (0.6 percent) to close the week at 458.71. Having hit the over-bought indicators, the market rally started to lose its impetus as both foreign and local punters cashed in on gains from the previous week.

Apartments for factory workers

Apartments for factory workers JAKARTA (JP): The Tangerang administration is currently developing low cost apartments for factory workers at Alam Jaya village. Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Machmud laid the cornerstone marking the start of the construction of the apartments on Saturday. The Tangerang administration has allocated Rp 1.5 billion ($681,818) of its annual budget for the construction of the apartments being built on a two hectare plot of land.

RI loses to China in Sudirman Cup

RI loses to China in Sudirman Cup LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Agencies): China celebrated its return to the badminton world's top spot with a victory in the Sudirman Cup mixed team final against hot favorite Indonesia. Ye Zhaoying and Sun Jun demonstrated their superb attacking play which shot down world women's singles and men's singles number one, Susi Susanti and Hariyanto Arbi, to give China a 3-0 winning lead over Indonesia.

Apartment blocks to become hotels

Apartment blocks to become hotels JAKARTA (JP): Four money-losing apartment complexes in Jakarta are to be converted into hotels in a bid to make them more profitable, according to an official of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications.

Vietnam to make Reebok

Vietnam to make Reebok HANOI (AFP): A Ho Chi Minh City shoe manufacturer has signed a US$7million deal with U.S.-firm Reebok to produce 650,000 pairs of sports shoes for the U.S. market, a news report said yesterday. The first consignment of Vietnamese-made Reeboks -- made by Hiep Hung Shoe Co. in the southern hub -- has already been sent to shoe stores in the United States, the Vietnam Investment Review (VIR) said. The order was set up through Reebok's Thailand representative office, it added.

Ethnic tension rising in Chinese province

Ethnic tension rising in Chinese province KUQA, China (AFP): Officials in Xinjiang sing a sweet song with a repetitive refrain -- that life among four dozen ethnic groups that make up China's far northwestern province is one of untroubled harmony. Behind their utterances, however, is deep anxiety about social friction, anger amongst some minorities at the easier life enjoyed by ethnic Chinese, and a wellspring of support for separatism that could wrench the province out of Beijing's control.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Voltron 3:00 Children's Program 3:30 TV Series: Unsolved Mysteries 4:30 School Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Family Program 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Hankamnas 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:05 TV Series: Santa Barbara 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 10:30 Film: Vengeance Is Mine 10:55 Late News 11:05 Film (continued) Program 2 4:30 p.m.

'Yogya Post' reappears

'Yogya Post' reappears YOGYAKARTA: The Yogya Post daily, which stopped publishing in 1992 because of financial difficulties, has resumed as a weekly with a circulation of 10,000. Yahya Ombara, president of the daily's publisher PT Citra Masa Kini, said on Saturday that the paper plans to appear daily as of July. The paper, which is published on Fridays, has six editors and twelve reporters, he was quoted by Antara as saying. It has two competitors, Bernas and Kedaulatan Rakyat.

Amien tells Moslems not to be easily provoked

Amien tells Moslems not to be easily provoked SEMARANG (JP): Moslems should be more discerning and not be drawn into polarizing debates on sensitive issues such as human rights and social gaps, a prominent Moslem leader said yesterday. Addressing a gathering of thousands of Moslems, Amien Rais, chairman of the influential Muhammadiyah, said that members must shoulder the same responsibility as the rest of the nation in maintaining stability and order.

Results of research

Results of research From Kompas I was saddened to read the report about Dr. Mochtadi in Semarang, Central Java (Kompas, May 13, 1995). He will be stripped of his position because he unveiled the outcome of his research on the sexual behavior of teenagers in Semarang. As a researcher myself, I am concerned at the attitude of the Central Java legislators of Commission E and the chief of health services in the province.

Korean man makes maid sex model

Korean man makes maid sex model SEMARANG, Central Java: The provincial legislative council is taking reports that a Korean worker has photographed his maid in the nude seriously. The council has called for an investigation into the reports that have been circulating among local newspapers. "The (Korean) worker's act amounts to degrading an Indonesian woman's dignity.

Indovision

Indovision Correction: The eighth paragraph of an article on Indovision on Page 9 of the Saturday edition should have read: In order to relay the programs, subscribers need to own a parabola antenna and a decoder worth Rp 1.24 million (US$559) -- instead of Rp 4.35 million, as printed. It should have continued: exclusive of value added tax, and must pay a $41.25 -- instead of a $500 -- monthly subscription fee. We regret the error. -- Editor

26 people injured in quake-hit C. Sulawesi

26 people injured in quake-hit C. Sulawesi JAKARTA (JP): The number of people injured in a weekend earthquake in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu has reached 26. The earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the open-ended Richter scale, also damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings. So far no deaths have been reported.

DBS Bank opens branch

DBS Bank opens branch SHANGHAI (AFP): DBS Bank, one of Singapore's Big Four banks, officially opened a branch office here Saturday, becoming the 35th foreign financial institution to do so in China's financial center. The branch was DBS Bank's first in China, following the establishment of a representative office in Beijing in 1992, and the third of five branches the bank was opening in five countries this year, chairman Ngiam Tong Dow said.

Relations with Israel

Relations with Israel From Prospek Opening diplomatic channels with Israel would be tantamount to an unconstitutional act since our Constitution is against any form of colonialism and imperialism. If we do this, it means that we indirectly approve of and support Israel's imperialism against the people of Palestine. Furthermore, diplomatic ties are generally established due to a number of factors, not just in terms of legality. In this case Indonesia does not have any direct interests in Israel.

Economic plan for Mindanao

Economic plan for Mindanao ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos yesterday launched a 15-year development plan for the Philippines' most politically volatile region but said it had little chance of success unless Moslem extremism was curbed.

Publishers insist on lower book prices

Publishers insist on lower book prices JAKARTA (JP): Soaring newsprint prices have forced publishers to once again pressure the government to exempt books from numerous taxes in order to make books affordable. "The government should apply a 'no tax for knowledge' policy," Putut Widjanarko, General Manager of the Mizan publishing company in Bandung, was quoted by Antara on Saturday as saying.

Traffic chaos

Traffic chaos From Media Indonesia It would be more appropriate to welcome the "National Discipline Movement" by first focusing our attention on the traffic problem. In spite of the traffic lights, traffic continues to be congested at several intersections like Jl. Cideng Timur/Barat, Harmoni and other intersections on Jl. Gunung Sahari. One of the main causes of the traffic jams is a lack of driver discipline.

Implementation of Constitution discussed

Implementation of Constitution discussed JAKARTA (JP): Observers have bemoaned shortcomings in the implementation of the 1945 Constitution, including the concentration of capital in the hands of a privileged few. Economist Dorodjatoen Koentjorojakti and legislator Sugeng Sarjadi discussed on Saturday the various changes Indonesia must handle before globalization as well as the threats and opportunities it may face and ways to deal with them.

Govt pressed to ban imports of toxic waste

Govt pressed to ban imports of toxic waste JAKARTA (JP): Seventeen environmental, consumer and legal aid organizations joined hands this weekend to pressure the government to reimpose the total ban on importing toxic and hazardous waste. The organizations, in a joint statement, accused the government of succumbing to pressures from powerful industry lobbies to lift the ban it imposed in April 1994.

'Rice fields not to disappear'

'Rice fields not to disappear' JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja says that the rapid development of the capital is not being carried out at the expense of rice fields. The governor made the remark in a speech on Friday to mark the beginning of the harvest of rice planted under an agriculture intensification program in Rorotan subdistrict, North Jakarta.

Student on silence and hunger strike

Student on silence and hunger strike JAKARTA (JP): A student entered his second day of hunger and silence strike on Saturday at the University of Indonesia's campus in Depok, in protest of various human rights abuses. He began the strike on Friday at the House of Representatives building. Prastyadi Panca Putra, who has almost finished his studies at the school of social and political sciences at Airlangga University in Surabaya, taped his mouth shut in the lobby of the House building.

The go-nuclear issue

The go-nuclear issue Last Friday, for the third time in six months, a public debate on nuclear energy organized by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) was canceled. This was reportedly because the Ministry of Home Affairs refused to issue a recommendation for the organizers to enable them to hold the meeting. Some 50 would- be participants then marched to the House of Representatives to lodge their complaints. Last week's incident must surely have raised eyebrows.

Bambang Wiyogo elected as new Hipmi chairman

Bambang Wiyogo elected as new Hipmi chairman JAKARTA (JP): Executives of the Association of Indonesian Young Businessmen (Hipmi) elected Bambang Atmanto Wiyogo, son of former Jakarta governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto, as the association's chairman for the 1995 to 1998 term at the end of their congress Saturday. Bambang defeated two other candidates, Ketut Suardhana Linggih and Eddy Kuntadi, in the election that was broadcast live on ANteve.

Golkar for review of Tapornas

Golkar for review of Tapornas JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Harmoko said that the government's plan to fund-raise for national sports development with a savings scheme next year should be studied and discussed in the House of Representatives and with mass organizations.

Pluit to have mega-mall by end of year

Pluit to have mega-mall by end of year JAKARTA (JP): Megamall Pluit, a new exclusive shopping center being built at a cost of about US$100 million in Pluit, North Jakarta, is scheduled to open this December.

Vietnam gets help with English for ASEAN countries

Vietnam gets help with English for ASEAN countries HANOI (Agencies): Friendly governments are helping Vietnamese officials learn English before the country becomes a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July, diplomats said yesterday. The foreign and trade ministries and several other government offices will need hundreds of officials to manage exchanges with ASEAN partners, serve on committees and conduct business in English, the group's working language.

BNI to float shares

BNI to float shares JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) has announced that it will offer shares to the public by next year. "Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad has agreed to this plan and we expect BNI to float its shares by 1996," Winarto Soemarto, the bank's president, was quoted as saying by Antara over the weekend. BNI, which is ranked as the best of Indonesia's state banks, will be the first state-owned financial institution to make a public offering.

Promotion of democracy hits obstacle: Scholar

Promotion of democracy hits obstacle: Scholar YOGYAKARTA (JP): Efforts to strengthen the House of Representatives as the pillar of democracy in Indonesia have hit a wall, an academic says. Ichlasul Amal of Gadjah Mada University said during a seminar last week that the House's internal rules are far too complicated to enable it to effectively carry out its duties. "Besides, the legislative body is weaker than the executive," he said.