Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 May 1995

46 articles found

Asia needs $140b for telecoms sector

Asia needs $140b for telecoms sector BANGKOK (AFP): Asian nations will soon be able to tap a wide range of financial sources for telecommunications projects, which will require US$140 billion in six countries alone through to 2000, an expert said yesterday. Scott Hawker, vice president of investment banking for Salomon Brothers, told a telecoms seminar that China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand must now look at alternative sources because of sky-high costs.

Heroic songs

Heroic songs From Media Indonesia I am having difficulty obtaining such heroic songs as Maju Tak Gentar (Fearless Advance), Halo-Halo Bandung (Hi, heroic city of Bandung), Padamu Negeri (Dedication to You, Country!) etc. I have visited all music shops, but have failed to find any of them. Maybe the recording companies are reluctant to produce such song because they are not very profitable.

Holiday

Holiday In observance of the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Friday. -- Publisher

Clipan to pay dividends

Clipan to pay dividends JAKARTA (JP): PT Clipan Finance Indonesia, a publicly-listed multifinance company, announced here yesterday that its shareholders had approved the distribution of 1994 dividends of Rp 150 each and a bonus share for every two existing shares. The company said in a statement that the dividends will be 47 percent higher than the previous year.

Let people decide on nuclear plants: Environmentalists

Let people decide on nuclear plants: Environmentalists JAKARTA (JP): Environmentalists pressed their demand yesterday that the government let the public decide whether Indonesia should or should not build nuclear reactors. Activists from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) and the Indonesian Anti-Nuclear Society (MAN) marched to the House of Representatives to make their demand heard.

Govt lifts 10 industries off negative investment list

Govt lifts 10 industries off negative investment list JAKARTA (JP): The deregulation package issued yesterday will significantly relax investment requirements in Indonesia, as illustrated by the opening up of 10 industries previously classified on the "negative investment" list.

American duplicity

American duplicity Thousands of demonstrators gathered Monday in front of the U.S. embassy in Jakarta. This largest-ever demonstration held against this superpower's mission came after Washington vetoed a UN Security Council resolution opposing the expansion of Jewish settlements in eastern Jerusalem last week. One of the sponsors of the resolution was Indonesia. The world is justifiably disappointed at the American stance.

Telkom appoints Morgan Stanley to advise on float

Telkom appoints Morgan Stanley to advise on float JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) has appointed Morgan Stanley of the United States as its financial advisor to support its plan to float shares on the New York, London and Jakarta stock exchanges by the end of this year.

City to get 1,994 new employees

City to get 1,994 new employees JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs is allowing the municipal administration to employ all 1,994 applicants, who passed the civil servant examination two years ago. City Secretary Harun Al Rasyid said yesterday that 200 of them will be accepted as permanent employees, while the remaining 1,794 will be employed under a contract basis. The city administration decided to employ all of them to help strengthen the workforce at City Hall, Harun said.

Pusan wins Asiad proposal amid Taiwan protest

Pusan wins Asiad proposal amid Taiwan protest SEOUL (Reuter): The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) yesterday awarded the 2002 Asian Games to the South Korean port city of Pusan amid protests by Taiwan about voting procedures. Pusan gained support from 37 of 41 member states of the OCA in a hand-raising vote, beating the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung to get the 2002 event. The 1998 games are in Bangkok.

Be good citizens

Be good citizens From Suara Karya The 50th anniversary of our country's independence is fast approaching. After 50 years of independence Indonesia should be mature enough. In the course of its history, the country has been tarnished by a number of wrongdoings such as corruption, manipulation, and other evil deeds committed by irresponsible people. We heard the wise words spoken by our president in relation to the demonstration held against him during his visit to Germany recently.

Deregulation welcomed, but criticisms persist

Deregulation welcomed, but criticisms persist JAKARTA (JP): Several analysts and politicians welcomed yesterday's deregulation package, although they lamented its lack of solutions to various distortions caused by monopolistic practices in the Indonesian economy.

United Tractors' profit up

United Tractors' profit up JAKARTA (JP): PT United Tractors, the heavy machinery subsidiary of PT Astra International, reported yesterday a 28.90 percent increase in its net profits to Rp 46.04 billion (US$20.7 million) in 1994 from Rp 35.72 billion in 1993. The company's management reported to the annual general shareholders meeting that the earnings per share thus rose to Rp 334 last year from Rp 259 in 1993.

Govt lowers tariffs on over 6,000 items

Govt lowers tariffs on over 6,000 items JAKARTA (JP): The government introduced a new deregulation package yesterday, cutting tariffs on 6,030 items and opening up 10 previously restricted business sectors. Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Saleh Afiff said the deregulatory measures had been introduced in anticipation of tougher competition in the era of trade liberalization.

Manila mulls another media tour

Manila mulls another media tour MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines said yesterday it may allow a second media tour of the disputed Spratly islands despite warnings by China the first was a provocation that should not be repeated. "We are willing to bring another batch or more of our Manila- based reporters and foreign journalists to the Spratlys depending on the demand and the level of interest," Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon told reporters.

Bakrie to install lines in Vietnam and India

Bakrie to install lines in Vietnam and India JAKARTA (JP): PT Bakrie & Brothers, the holding company of the Bakrie Group's non-financial subsidiaries, will team up with PTT Nederland to install and market telecommunication facilities in Vietnam and India. Tanri Abeng, the president of Bakrie & Brothers, said here yesterday that the telecommunication projects in Vietnam will cover the construction of around 400,000 telephone lines.

RI team nervous about against S. Korea

RI team nervous about against S. Korea JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia faces another ordeal and needs extra work to settle its nerves against South Korea in the 1996 Olympic Games qualifying round match at the Senayan stadium tomorrow. It will obviously be a strenuous test for the young Indonesian soccer players who have prepared themselves thousands of miles away from home in Italy. A loss will land a bitter blow to Indonesia which has been struggling to regain its position on an international level.

Protesters target Embassy of India

Protesters target Embassy of India JAKARTA (JP): Some 60 Moslem students staged a protest outside the Indian embassy yesterday, denouncing the country's stance on the disputed-land of Kashmir Valley. Calling themselves the Communication Forum for Moslem Youths, the students condemned the recent "assault" by Indian troops which left 35 Kashmiri Moslem dead and an Islamic shrine destroyed.

U.S. veto

U.S. veto The world was shocked by the U.S. decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution on Israel's land confiscation in Arab East Jerusalem. The vetoed resolution was sponsored by six of the Council's non-aligned members: Indonesia, Botswana, Honduras, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda, and supported by its 14 council members, including the four veto-holding members: France, Great Britain, Russia and China.

Megawati urged to meet with E. Java branches

Megawati urged to meet with E. Java branches JAKARTA (JP): East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman urged yesterday Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party, to meet with leaders of the party's branches in his province to resolve their conflict once and for all. Basofi came to Jakarta yesterday to explain to Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. his administration's policy regarding the party's conflict in the province.

Analysts at odds about ABRI seats and democracy

Analysts at odds about ABRI seats and democracy By Santi WE Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): As the House of Representatives deliberates on a bill to reduce the number of military appointees serving in the legislative body, political analysts are at odds on the significance of the move towards democracy. J. Kristiadi of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the move doesn't necessarily signify the emergence of a more democratic political climate.

German MPs probing RI's human rights record

German MPs probing RI's human rights record JAKARTA (JP): Two members of the German parliament are currently engaged in a fact-finding mission regarding the human rights situation in Indonesia which will include a visit to East Timor. Volker Neumann of the Social Democratic Party and Reiner Eppelmann of the Christian Democratic Party, who arrived here on Monday, are scheduled to fly to East Timor later today.

Electricity bill

Electricity bill From Merdeka I pay my electricity bill regularly. But the April 1995 bill was double that of the previous months, although the power usage was relatively the same. I hope that the staff of the state electricity company recheck the meter. They should be aware that people have placed their confidence in the company. NARYO Jakarta

Generals graduate from Open University

Generals graduate from Open University JAKARTA (JP): Two military commanders and one governor were among 1,500 students, including 181 military members, who officially graduated yesterday at the campus of the Open University in Pondok Cabe, Ciputat. One of them, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto, arrived and left by helicopter, which was parked at the nearby Pelita airfield, University employees said.

Mal Citraland name inaugurated

Mal Citraland name inaugurated JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Mayor Suterdjianto has inaugurated the use of "Mal Citraland" for the complex previously known as "Citraland Mall". The ceremony marking the name-change was held in the mall complex in West Jakarta on Monday. The change was made in response to the city administration's call for the use of Indonesian names instead of foreign names.

Answer to traffic chaos

Answer to traffic chaos In his letter Traffic chaos (May 22, 1995), Mr Soelaiman Nilam is quite right to say that a lack of driver discipline is the prime cause of traffic chaos. The answer to indiscipline at busy intersections (disregard of the traffic lights, etc.), as I have pointed out in these columns before, is "the box", or a square comprising the four sides of the intersection on which are painted criss-crossed yellow lines.

Asian central bankers to discuss forex fund

Asian central bankers to discuss forex fund MANILA (Reuter): Central bankers from several Asia-Pacific nations will discuss the possibility of setting up a foreign exchange stabilization fund in a meeting in Manila starting today, a Philippine Central Bank official said. The official said the fund had already been discussed at a meeting in Hong Kong in January and during the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in New Zealand earlier this month.

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

Govt tighten management of coastal environment

Govt tighten management of coastal environment JAKARTA (JP): The government has launched a project to improve the management of the coastal areas in order to better tap the natural resources without harming the environment. The coastal zone environmental and resources management project, launched on Monday, will integrate the activities of various agencies in coastal areas. Surna T.

Compact disc pirates arrested

Compact disc pirates arrested JAKARTA (JP): City police arrested 14 suspects yesterday and confiscated thousands of compact discs in their operation to crack down on copyright violators. Nearly 2,250 audio compact discs, 87 CD-ROMs (compact discs - read only memory), 10 CD-Is (interactive compact discs), 300 floppy disks and 74 copied computer manuals were netted in the raid. Yesterday's operation was carried out at three shopping centers: Citraland, ITC, and Glodok. City Police spokesman Lt.

Woodies shoot to top place

Woodies shoot to top place JAKARTA (JP): Australia's strong tandem of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde earned a confidence-booster ahead of their French Open tennis championships when they won their third straight title to lead the ATP Tour world doubles rankings over the weekend. The Woodies claimed their 26th title in the U.S. Clay Court tournament in Coral Springs, Florida, by beating the Spanish team of Sergio Casal and Emilio Sanchez 6-3, 6-1.

E-mail challenges the 'sowan' tradition of Javanese people

E-mail challenges the 'sowan' tradition of Javanese people By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Sowan is a Javanese word for a face-to-face encounter with another person from a higher level of the social hierarchy. It has been practiced -- in both traditional and modern Javanese society -- that younger people, or people occupying lower ranks within the social hierarchy to present themselves regularly to older people or to someone higher up within the hierarchy.

Two new officials in Pejambon

Two new officials in Pejambon JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas installed yesterday two new top officials of his office on Jl. Pejambon: Abdul Irsan became Secretary-General and Dadang Sukandar became Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs. Both men are career diplomats. Irsan replaces Soewarno Danusutedjo, who is retiring after 30 years of service at the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Dadang replaces Irsan as Director General.

Military launches discipline campaign

Military launches discipline campaign JAKARTA (JP): Since President Soeharto launched National Discipline Movement campaign on May 22, the City Military District Command and other related agencies have deployed 2,000 personnel to seven areas in Greater Jakarta. The personnel have been instructed to take action against anyone violating the city's ruling on sanitation and order.

Discipline movement must succeed: Surjadi

Discipline movement must succeed: Surjadi JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja stressed yesterday that the National Discipline Movement drive in Jakarta cannot afford to meet with failure. "If would be terrible if the campaign in Jakarta failed," Surjadi said during a coffee break with several top municipal administration officials yesterday.

Myriad of AIDS teams

Myriad of AIDS teams From Kompas Indonesian society (including NGOs) has done much to check the advance of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Information has been imparted to people, including those who have been affected by the disease. The Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare has established a "Technical Team for Assisting the Commission Secretary's Activities of Curbing AIDS." Yet another team to add to the various teams already formed.

Beware of false fund-raisers: Harun Al Rasyid

Beware of false fund-raisers: Harun Al Rasyid JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the city's anniversary organizing committee, Harun Al Rasyid, has warned the public, particularly company owners, to be wary of people asking for donations. "As we are celebrating the city's 468th anniversary, many people are using this opportunity to ask for donations. I warn Jakartans to be wary of those people.

No request yet to ban La Toya Jackson shows

No request yet to ban La Toya Jackson shows JAKARTA (JP): The Immigration Office has not received any formal request to ban a visit by American singer La Toya Jackson. "Although many quarters have raised objections to her planned performances, we have yet to receive any official requests to ban the artist from performing here," the spokesman for the office, Hario Subayu, said here yesterday as quoted by Antara.

Power concentrated in bureaucracy: Professor

Power concentrated in bureaucracy: Professor JAKARTA (JP): Political power in Indonesia is too concentrated in the hands of the bureaucracy and this has been one of the sources of problems in the country, an economic professor said yesterday. Wan Usman of the University of Indonesia said the strength of the bureaucracy is not matched by those of the political parties who have the job of checking the power of the administration.

Wet markets discussed

Wet markets discussed JAKARTA (JP): In commemoration of this year's golden anniversary of Indonesian independence, the Indonesian Economists Association will hold a discussion and writing competition on traditional, or wet, markets the association announced yesterday.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Wedding JP/27 HAPPY OCCASION: Prominent scholar Franz Magnis-Suseno (wearing batik shirt) congratulates former minister Cosmas Batubara and his wife on the wedding of their son, Dewata Mangatur Batubara, to Hana Eureka Prasetyani at the Puri Agung Sahid Jaya Hotel on May 16. A large number of VIPs attended the lavish wedding party.

RI names team for Far East Bridge

RI names team for Far East Bridge JAKARTA (JP): A blend of both seasoned and junior players will make up the Indonesian team for the Far East Bridge Championships in Perth next week. Veteran pairs Denny Sakul/Franky Kawur, Munawar Sawiruddin/Bert Toar Polii and Henky Lasut/Eddy Manoppo will form the backbone of the men's team. The women's team is also fielding three pairs: Joice Mandolang/Lusje Boyoh, Sarce Pontoh/Vonnie Djadja, and Waya Langkay/Winda M. Sumenge.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 a.m. TV Series: Incredible Book Escape 3:05 Youth Program 3:30 Science Program 4:05 Among Us 4:30 Documentary Film 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Indonesian Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Science Program 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:05 Spektrum 9:00 World News 9:25 Talk Show 10:25 Film: A Gun The House 10:55 Late News 11:05 Film (continued) Program 2 4:30 p.m.

'Living in sin' is expensive

'Living in sin' is expensive PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): Officials of the Pebanaan village in Indragiri Hilir in Riau province will enforce a rule requiring all unmarried couples to pay a fine of Rp 50,000 if the woman gets pregnant. Antara reported yesterday that the rule is meant to deter people from 'living in sin' and minimize the likelihood of "reproductive accidents" among both youngsters and adults.

Death row convicts not forgotten

Death row convicts not forgotten SEMARANG, Central Java: A group of lawyers will leave for Malaysia today to seek first-hand information on five Indonesian workers on death row in the neighboring country. A spokesman for the lawyers, Ramdlon Naning, said yesterday that they would be meeting with both the condemned men and with Malaysian officials during the three-day visit.

Significance of May 23 deregulation

Significance of May 23 deregulation The government introduced yesterday a new deregulation package. Noted economist Hadi Soesastro takes a close look at this. JAKARTA (JP): The May 23 deregulation package has five main components. The more significant measures are in the reduction of both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. They have been awaited since the last major trade deregulation in 1991.