Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 May 1995

39 articles found

Clarification needed

Clarification needed The building of a golf course on Bira Besar Island has become news since State Minister for the Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja reported the case to the President a few says ago. According to the minister, the Bira Besar environment was being destroyed by the island's managers felling trees and constructing a golf course taking up 20 hectares of the 30 hectare island. One-third of the island is part of Seribu Island National Park's center zone.

Bandung goes indigenous

Bandung goes indigenous BANDUNG: About 30 residential complexes in the city have voluntarily changed their names in compliance with a government appeal that Indonesian, as opposed to foreign names, be used. "The other residential estates will follow soon," said H. Sanusi, the second chairman of the West Java branch of Real Estate Indonesia, an association of property developers.

APEC businessmen to discuss free trade

APEC businessmen to discuss free trade JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of the private sectors of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, grouped in the Asia Pacific Business Network (APB-Net), will meet in Osaka, Japan, next week to discuss free trade issues. Aminuddin, an Indonesian delegate of APB-Net, said in a statement here yesterday that the APEC private sectors will meet on June 2 to prepare for an APB-Net congress scheduled for October 22 in Osaka.

Press warned on coverage of Marsinah's case

Press warned on coverage of Marsinah's case JAKARTA (JP): The military warned the local media yesterday not to make too many assumptions when reporting the police investigation of the murder of labor activist Marsinah. "In reporting Marsinah's case, Indonesian journalists must not make assumptions that could affect the ongoing investigation," Armed Forces (ABRI) chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwidjoyo said.

Bogor prepares decree on parking

Bogor prepares decree on parking BOGOR (JP): The Bogor administration is currently preparing a new decree to increase parking fees, an official says. Under the new decree, which is still in the process of being approved by the West Java governor, the parking fee for a four- wheel-drive vehicle in parking areas and parking stations will be raised from Rp 500 (22 US cents) for the first two hours to Rp 750. E.

Miss Universe 1993 due here tomorrow

Miss Universe 1993 due here tomorrow JAKARTA (JP): Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993 of Puerto Rico, is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow for a five-day visit during which she will take part in a number of social activities. Dayanara's visit is at the invitation of Kim Thong Bridal House, the Indonesian Stroke Foundation and PT Emerald Reksagemilang.

Planning board laments lack of funds for research

Planning board laments lack of funds for research SERPONG, West Java (JP): The National Development Planning Board laments the severe lack of funds for research projects in all government agencies. The board's deputy chairman Rahardi Ramelan said the lack of both financial resources and expertise has made Indonesia fall behind its neighboring countries in science and technology.

Surjadi promises to combat illegal levies collection

Surjadi promises to combat illegal levies collection JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja promised here yesterday to wipe out the rampant collection of illegal levies, both at the vehicle testing centers in Pulogadung and Ujungmenteng and at inter-city bus terminals throughout the capital. The governor said that officials of the city administration would not tolerate the unchecked growth of such practices.

Habibie starts 10-day visit to Australia

Habibie starts 10-day visit to Australia JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie arrived in Perth last Sunday evening for a 10-day tour, signifying a new chapter in the two countries' historically troubled relationship. Sponsored by Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Peter Cook, Habibie hopes to boost bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, aviation, bio-technology and environmental management.

West Java retains 'pencak silat' crown

West Java retains 'pencak silat' crown JAKARTA (JP): West Java has lived up to its billing as the country's best pencak silat stable, retaining the overall title at the ninth national championships which concluded on Sunday. The defending champion team won five gold, one silver and a bronze medal to emerge as the runaway leader at the annual event, which also served as the National Games qualifying round this year.

Computer firm set up

Computer firm set up JAKARTA (JP): PT Gunung Sewu Kencana and ST Computer Systems and Services Ltd. of Singapore signed an agreement here yesterday for the establishment of a joint venture company to provide services in computer system integration. The agreement was signed by a director of Gunung Sewu, Husodo Angkosubroto, and the managing director of ST Computer, Tay Siew Choon.

Japan to reduce aid to China over nuclear test

Japan to reduce aid to China over nuclear test TOKYO (Reuter): Japan, in a rare use of its economic clout to send a political message, announced yesterday it would trim grant aid to China to protest against Beijing's recent nuclear test.

Back to Makassar

Back to Makassar From Sinar I would like to make some comments on the idea of some university students who wants to change the name of Ujungpandang back to "Makassar". It is undeniable that in the 17th century the city of Makassar was very popular among the European countries. The wish of the students is also the wish of the community. I come from Ujungpandang and have lived in Jakarta for one year.

RI booters ready to play S. Koreans

RI booters ready to play S. Koreans JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is beating its warfare drum ahead of its Olympic Games qualifying round soccer match against powerful South Korea at the Senayan stadium on Thursday. The South Koreans, buoyed by its 5-0 drubbing of lowly Hong Kong, will serve as a stern test for Danurwindo's men, who have just completed their two-year Italian stint.

Ex-rebels pledge allegiance to RI

Ex-rebels pledge allegiance to RI LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: Dozens of people from the Tangse district in the Pidie regency have pledged their allegiance to the republic and renounced their old separatist cause for an Aceh state. The villagers, who had supported the Aceh Merdeka rebel group, made the pledge on Saturday before local officials, including Regent M. Diah Ibrahim and Lt. Col Herry Tjahyana, the chief of the military district command, according to Antara.

Quakes rocks Flores, kills one

Quakes rocks Flores, kills one JAKARTA (JP): A two-year-old girl was killed and five others were injured in an earthquake which shook eastern Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara Sunday, a press report said yesterday. Antara reported that the quake, which damaged more than a dozen buildings, had its epicenter under the Flores Sea, about 39 kilometers northeast of Larantuka. Officials of the local meteorology and geophysics office said the quake, which struck at 2.13 p.m.

Justice denies foreign pressures in Pakpahan case

Justice denies foreign pressures in Pakpahan case JAKARTA (JP): A Supreme Court judge denied suggestions that foreign pressures forced him to order the temporary release of a union leader accused of inciting a riot last year.

EU, U.S to step up pressure on ASEAN

EU, U.S to step up pressure on ASEAN BRUSSELS (AFP): The European Union and the United States agreed yesterday to step up pressure on ASEAN and other emerging economies to open up their financial services sectors, EU Commission sources said after bilateral trade talks yesterday. U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Cantor and EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan held two and a half hours of talks. Brittan and Kantor held talks on a range of simmering trade disputes between the U.S.

Tin producers open talks on quota system

Tin producers open talks on quota system KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The world's key tin producers opened a meeting here yesterday to evaluate eight years of joint efforts in limiting supply to restore tin's luster amid fresh calls by Indonesia to scrap the quota system. The eight-member Association of Tin Producing Countries (ATPC) kicked off semi-annual talks with discussion of administrative and financial matters.

Jakarta stock mart starts fully automated trading

Jakarta stock mart starts fully automated trading JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) commenced full automatic trading yesterday, marking the start of a new era in the country's capital market history. The introduction of fully automatic trading coincided with the move of the exchange's operations to new premises on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta.

Susi wins first match in world c'ship title defense

Susi wins first match in world c'ship title defense LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP): Defending champion and top seed Susi Susanti won her first women's singles match here easily yesterday as the world badminton championships moved into its second week. The 24-year-old world and Olympic champion cruised into the third round with an 11-2, 11-0 win over Debra O'Connor of Trinidad and Tobago.

Kanindo finally acquired

Kanindo finally acquired It was widely predicted that the business consortium led by Bambang Trihatmodjo, chairman of the widely-diversified Bimantara conglomerate, would end up as the new owner of the debt-ridden Kanindo textile group.

E. Timor ceases search mission

E. Timor ceases search mission DILI, East Timor: A military Search and Rescue (SAR) team on Monday abandoned its efforts to look for people reported missing since last week's powerful earthquake. The SAR team from the Marine command in Surabaya has combed the Dili beach and sent its divers to look for survivors but found none in the last three days, First Sergeant Meseri, who is heading the team, told Antara.

Soeharto renews appeal on forest protection

Soeharto renews appeal on forest protection JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto renewed his appeal to help protect the nation's forests, warning everyone that failure to do so would constitute a grave sin to future generations and to mankind. "We have an obligation to pass on our abundance of forestry wealth in well preserved form to future generations.

Chief Justice cannot use a letter to overrule: Oetojo

Chief Justice cannot use a letter to overrule: Oetojo JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman said yesterday that the Chief Justice has no authority to overrule a final court's verdict with a memo, a practice currently on the rise. "A letter from the Chief Justice has no legal power to nullify any decision made by the Supreme Court," Oetojo told journalists.

Telkom secures $325m loan

Telkom secures $325m loan JAKARTA (JP): PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), the state- owned company for domestic telecommunication services, has secured a US$325 million soft loan from the World Bank, an executive said. Antara reported yesterday that Telkom's president, Setyanto P.

Astra International plans huge investment

Astra International plans huge investment JAKARTA (JP): Astra International, Indonesia's largest automotive assembler, plans to invest about Rp 3 trillion (US$1.3 billion) over the next five years in anticipation of tougher competition in the country's automotive vehicle market. T. Permadi Rachmat, the company's president, said yesterday that the massive investment program would concentrate on automobile and motorcycle manufacturing.

Merapi lava brings destruction

Merapi lava brings destruction SEMARANG, Central Java: Lava from Mt. Merapi flowed onto a sand quarrying site near the Bebeng River in Magelang during the weekend, destroying eight trucks that were parked in the area. Antara reported that there were no human casualties as most workers managed to flee to safety. "Dozens of people deployed to pull the trucks out of piles of volcanic material could not carry out the job," said Badarudin, a seismic officer at the Mt. Merapi monitoring station.

ASEAN members should have extradition pact

ASEAN members should have extradition pact JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia urged other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday to adopt extradition agreements to help control trans-national crime in the region. When opening the 15th ASEAN Police (ASEANAPOL) conference, Indonesian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung stressed that it was urgent for all six member countries to have the agreements.

Man files report of police torture

Man files report of police torture JAKARTA (JP): A man yesterday complained to the city police that a group of people, including a police officer whom he identified as Lt. Col. Alfon, had kidnapped and tortured him. The victim, entrepreneur Sulaiman Ramli alias Han, 52, said that on May 12, 1995, at 11 p.m., around twenty people came to his house.

Tapornas scheme not gambling: Minister

Tapornas scheme not gambling: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman reiterated his full support of the new bank saving scheme expected to be introduced to collect funds to finance national sports activities. "The bank savings is clearly different from the defunct national lottery. The sports fund raising program is organized solely by a bank. It has no agent nor broker," Hayono said during his visit to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara yesterday.

Sleman needs more officials

Sleman needs more officials YOGYAKARTA: More autonomy means more work for the Sleman regency administration, which says it needs between 12,000 and 14,000 new staff to cope with the additional load work. "We need them to handle services ...in 22 agencies in charge of 235 affairs," said Sleman Regent Arifin Ilyas yesterday, as quoted by Antara. Sleman is one of 26 regencies in Indonesia selected by the government for a two-year trial run of the regional autonomy project launched last month.

Bank offers rights shares

Bank offers rights shares JAKARTA (JP): Bank Bali, a private commercial bank listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange, announced yesterday that it will offer more than 65 million rights shares and about 37 million warrants to its existing shareholders. "The amount of the rights shares to be issued is about 35 percent of the bank's total shares, while the warrants offered will account for about 14 percent," Rudy Ramli, the bank's president, told reporters at his office here.

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.

Thousands stage noisy anti-American protest

Thousands stage noisy anti-American protest JAKARTA (JP): About 4,000 students and young Moslems staged a noisy but peaceful demonstration outside the American embassy here yesterday, condemning Washington for vetoing a pro- Palestinian draft resolution at the United Nations. But while the protest proceeded in an orderly manner, over in Yogyakarta a smaller protest on the campus of Gadjah Mada University campus burnt American and Israeli flags.

No stock table

No stock table Notice: Due to technical problems at the Jakarta Stock Exchange last night, today's table of shares is not available. -- Editor

City simplifies permit process

City simplifies permit process JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is offering a new mobile service to issue disturbance permits, which must be obtained for any business that could inconvenience a community. Head of the City Public Order Office Kuseini Budiantoro said yesterday that the office has deployed two buses as mobile service units to issue permits as of May 22.

Building owners told to replace foreign names

Building owners told to replace foreign names JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja reminded the owners of buildings along the city's main roads yesterday to replace their foreign names with Indonesian terms. "There is already a Gubernatorial Decree on this matter and I hope that buildings along Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Jend.

Hotels won't change names

Hotels won't change names DENPASAR, Bali: Many owners and operators of hotels and inns in Bali are objecting to the government call that they drop foreign names in favor of names using the Indonesian language, chiefly on the basis that the changeover would be very expensive.