Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 May 1995

53 articles found

Has NAM failed on NPT?

Has NAM failed on NPT? By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): When ministers of the 112-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) recently ended their meeting in Bandung, West Java, most headlines, both local and foreign, emphasized the Movement's failure to reach a consensus on the extension of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Government to revamp seaport management

Government to revamp seaport management JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to improve the efficiency of the Tanjung Priok seaport in North Jakarta, the government will revamp the port's management system, reform policies and upgrade its hardware facilities, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanudirto said. "We will soon launch a three-month trial period to test the planned reforms," Dhanudirto told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at Bina Graha yesterday.

S. Korea to host golf club tour

S. Korea to host golf club tour JAKARTA (JP): Top amateur golfers from 16 Asian country will tackle each other at the Johnnie Walker International Club in Cheju, South Korea in November. The annual championships, the country's biggest amateur golfing event, will see three new entrants, Japan, Guam and West Pacific's Saipan, making their debut at the 36-hole course of Chungmun Beach Golf Club.

Karet residents complain over land compensation

Karet residents complain over land compensation JAKARTA (JP): Forty-five residents of the Karet Tengsin subdistrict in Central Jakarta filed a complaint yesterday with the city council over the compensation they have been offered for their land, which is to be cleared as part of the Krukut river normalization project.

Floods claim 50 lives, wipe out crops

Floods claim 50 lives, wipe out crops JAKARTA (JP): At least 50 people were killed and 43 others are still missing in floods that swept through North Sumatra, Bengkulu and Central Java during the past week. Although officially the dry season has already begun in Indonesia, some parts of the country have continued to receive unusually high rainfall and unexpected flash floods.

BII to issue bonds

BII to issue bonds JAKARTA (JP): Bank Internasional Indonesia, a private commercial bank listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange since 1989, announced yesterday that it will issue bonds worth Rp 388 billion (US$174 million) to finance housing loans.

Coordinating on sports programs to be improved

Coordinating on sports programs to be improved JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs held a one-day workshop yesterday, with the objective of improving coordination with other government agencies involved in the implementation of national sports programs.

Hutomo wins opening rally

Hutomo wins opening rally JAKARTA (JP): Hutomo Mandala Putra drove his Subaru Impreza to victory in the opening leg of the national rally championships series in Pekanbaru, Riau over the weekend. Partnering with Anthony Sarwono, Hutomo set the pace from the onset of the two-day race, easing past the 1993 national champion Ledi Kurnadi, who teamed up with his brother Tedi. "I was well prepared for this race.

Service of PLN is poor, YLKI survey reveals

Service of PLN is poor, YLKI survey reveals JAKARTA (JP): A recent survey of PT PLN's service record in the city shows that the complaints most often lodged by consumers regard the recording of its electricity meters, unstable voltage levels and unannounced blackouts.

Message from the EU representative in Indonesia

Message from the EU representative in Indonesia It is my pleasure to present to you on the occasion of "Europe Day" this special issue, dedicated to the European Union and its relationship with Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Yesterday, it was exactly 50 years ago that the Second World War in Europe came to its end, having taken the life of many millions of innocent victims and left large parts of the continent devastated.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Children's Program: Dilentasia 3:30 TV Series: Willing And Abel 4:30 Science Program 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:30 School Program 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:05 Modern Drama 9:00 World News 9:30 Film: Escape from Angola 10:55 Late News 11:05 Music Program 2 4:30 p.m.

ABRI bill before house

ABRI bill before house JAKARTA (JP): Just two months after the idea was broached by President Soeharto, the government has submitted a bill to the House of Representatives proposing to reduce the number of military seats in the House. Disclosing the government proposal in a new working session of the House (DPR) yesterday, Speaker Wahono promised to give the bill a speedy reading in order to resolve the matter swiftly. He added that the House's meeting schedule would be adjusted accordingly.

Street vendor sites to be demolished

Street vendor sites to be demolished JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta mayoralty will demolish eight street vendor sites, to make way for the establishment of parks, as part of the local authority's effort to beautify the mayoralty. Kusnoto, head of the mayoralty's economic affairs section, said over the weekend that an order for the demolition of the street vendors sites has been issued by Mayor Sudarsono.

Reserved seats in the House show lack of democracy

Reserved seats in the House show lack of democracy SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): If Indonesia really wants democracy to prevail, no seats should be reserved for any group in the House of Representatives, a political analyst says. Riswandha Imawan, a lecturer in political science at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, said every House member should be elected by the people.

Integrated underground duct system costly

Integrated underground duct system costly JAKARTA (JP): The City Council's proposal for the development of an integrated system of water pipe, telephone and electricity cable ducts to prevent unnecessary excavation of streets would be impossible to implement due to the large cost involved, an official said yesterday. H. Soeharto, head of the City Public Works Office, acknowledged that an integrated duct system is one of the most important things a modern city such as Jakarta should have.

Japan fears ban on luxury car exports to U.S.

Japan fears ban on luxury car exports to U.S. TOKYO (Reuter): Japan's automakers could be forced to halt exports of luxury cars to the United States if Washington imposes tough sanctions after the breakdown of bilateral trade talks, company officials said yesterday. Punitive tariffs might be severe enough to price Japanese exporters out of the U.S. market for luxury models and recreational vehicles (RV), the officials said.

Homework for Copenhagen (2)

Homework for Copenhagen (2) By Mely G. Tan This is the second of two articles on the what, who and how to address some of the issues discussed at the Copenhagen summit. JAKARTA (JP): Now about civil society.

Thanks a million my friends ...

Thanks a million my friends ... By Anhar K. Kramadisastra Saturday, September 26, 1992, was a very special day for me as it marked the beginning of my one-year fellowship in Ireland. On a chilly, though unexpectedly sunny morning, I arrived at Dublin airport, greeted by a cabin attendant with the "Ceat Mille Faulte", the Irish equivalent to "Selamat Datang". Although I had never experienced such cold weather in my native Indonesia, it did little to lower my enthusiasm.

Southeast Asia is still suspicious of Japan (2)

Southeast Asia is still suspicious of Japan (2) This is the second of a two-part article examining Japan's relations with Southeast Asia. By Lam Peng Er SINGAPORE: What are the factors that will have an impact on Japan's relations with Southeast Asia and the broader Asia- Pacific region in the 21st century? First, will the United States have the commitment, capability and credibility to remain a key player in the region? Will the U.S.-Japan alliance be maintained?

First issue repros are on sale

First issue repros are on sale JAKARTA (JP): Singapore's only known copy of The Straits Times' inaugural issue has been sent for re-restoration to the National Archives of Singapore. The Straits Times reported yesterday that the copy, which belongs to the National Library, was last restored in 1992. It was thought that the Times House library had an original copy of this issue, but it is actually a reproduction, and only of the first page.

Exhibition of journalistic photos

Exhibition of journalistic photos JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition on journalistic photos is being held at the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum in Kota, West Jakarta. The exhibition, held from May 5 to 15, displays 32 photos of Juli Sofyan, a photographer for the Jayakarta daily. The photos, whose theme is dance performance activities, were taken in Jakarta in the period between May, 1994, and May this year. (hhr)

Idul Adha

Idul Adha In observance of Islamic Day of Sacrifice, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Thursday. -- Publisher

Further deregulation in the works

Further deregulation in the works JAKARTA (JP): The government will announce deregulatory measures on key aspects of the economy later this month in order to encourage competition and improve efficiency, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday. "The planned deregulatory measures are intended to increase our domestic competitiveness in utilizing the momentum of market globalization," Moerdiono said after a meeting with President Soeharto at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Human rights and power

Human rights and power Last week, the Supreme Court exonerated the defendants in the Marsinah murder case, which was controversial from the beginning. Last week, too, the judges at the Jakarta State Administrative Court ruled in favor of Goenawan Mohamad and 43 other ex- employees of the defunct news magazine Tempo, who had filed a suit against Minister of Information Harmoko for his revocation of Tempo's publishing license.

Two bourses to link merger deal soon

Two bourses to link merger deal soon JAKARTA (JP): PT Bursa Parallel Indonesia (BPI) and the Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSE) are expected to sign their merger agreement in June, says BPI's president Tito Sulistio. Tito said that shareholders in the companies operating the two exchanges and the capital market authority have agreed in principal on the merger plan. "No technical problems are impeding the merger deal and we hope the deal will be signed on June 16," he said.

Missing on Mount Merapi

Missing on Mount Merapi On March 24, 1995 we were told that Darren Roper was reported missing on Mount Merapi, Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, along with Edwards Williams and that a search by Mapala Proklamator along with the police was underway. Edward Williams later returned to Tubarair after seven days of being lost. Chris Roper and Lee Morgan (brother & brother-in-law) joined the search on March 29, 1995. Meanwhile, Mr.

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.

Court rejects 'Tempo' lawsuit for compensation

Court rejects 'Tempo' lawsuit for compensation JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court dismissed yesterday a damages claim brought against Information Minister Harmoko by former employees of the banned Tempo newsweekly. The decision dampened the workers' jubilation over their victory in a related action against the minister in the Jakarta State Administrative Court last week.

German fugitives arrested in Pattaya

German fugitives arrested in Pattaya BANGKOK (AFP): Thai immigration police and German Interpol agents have arrested two German fugitives in the resort town of Pattaya, police said yesterday. The German men -- identified as Willi Kurz, 44, and Andreas Maske, 29 -- were wanted by German authorities on charges of armed robbery of a bank in Koblenz, Germany, according to an arrest warrant issued by a German court.

Trade and investment relations between the EU and RI

Trade and investment relations between the EU and RI The European Union is the world's largest trade entity. Its trading activities account for more than one-fifth of total world trade in goods. EU exports to the rest of the world form a vital source of its income, representing 9% of the Union's gross domestic product (GDP). EU imports correspond to 21% of the world total and 10% of its GDP.

Renovation of disputed school will go on

Renovation of disputed school will go on JAKARTA (JP): The City Administration will demolish a fence built around state junior high school SMP 43 on Jl. Piere Tendean, South Jakarta, to help speed up its renovation project, an official said yesterday. H. Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, assistant for the development administration, said that an order for the demolition could be issued by the City Administration some time this month.

Interest rates rise

Interest rates rise The new wave of increases in bank deposit rates over the last few days is not surprising at all, especially after the central bank raised the discount rate on its short-term securities by a half percentage point on Friday. That, we think, reflects in part the market's doubts about the government's ability to curb inflation.

'Belajar Berbicara' to be staged soon

'Belajar Berbicara' to be staged soon JAKARTA (JP): What happens if three toddlers, nineteen children and eleven adults, all of who can act, meet? An intriguing theatrical performance takes place. Be-be or Belajar Berbicara (Learning to Talk) is the title of a play to be presented on May 12 and 13 by Bela Studio children's theater at Erasmus Huis on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta. Be-be tells of the difficulty children in a city like Jakarta have in finding a good role model.

Aid for cashew projects

Aid for cashew projects JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) warranted yesterday a technical assistance worth US$701,750 to the Ministry of Agriculture for cashew development projects in eastern provinces of Indonesia. According to the project document, signed yesterday by the UNDP Resident Representative C.

Investment in Vietnam up

Investment in Vietnam up HANOI (Reuter): Vietnam has licensed 122 foreign investment projects with total capital of US$2.4 billion so far this year, officials said yesterday, indicating a rising rate of investment pledges. Authorities gave licenses to 35 joint-venture projects worth $555 million in April, an official of the State Committee for Cooperation and Investment (SCCI) said.

Rights abuses continue in East Timor: Bishop

Rights abuses continue in East Timor: Bishop DILI, East Timor (JP): Observers are calling for better protection of people's basic rights here as a means of checking pro-independence sentiment. Legislators and community leaders, including the influential Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, told The Jakarta Post that human rights violations still occur in various parts of the territory.

BBC to build new transmitter

BBC to build new transmitter BANGKOK (Reuter): Buddhist monks joined in a ceremony in central Thailand yesterday to start building of a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio-relay station that should improve reception for listeners from Beijing to Bombay. The monks blessed a marble foundation stone laid at the transmitter's site in the province of Nakhon Sawan, 240 kilometers north of Bangkok, a British embassy official said.

Man jailed for Xmas harassment

Man jailed for Xmas harassment MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The district court here has sentenced Didik Warsito to five years imprisonment for harassing a Christmas service in a Roman Catholic church last December. Earlier, prosecutors sought three-and-a-half years, considered by local residents to be too lenient. Demands for a review sparked rioting that claimed at least one life last month. Warsito was found guilty of disrupting a Catholic Christmas service at the St. Josef Wairpelit church.

Indonesia and Europe: Partners in progress

Indonesia and Europe: Partners in progress A cooperative partnership between Indonesia and the European Commission was initiated in 1976 within the framework of the EC's cooperation with Asian countries. The EC-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur in 1980 went a step further by integrating specific regional considerations to be taken into account and describing the objectives and instruments of cooperation in the fields of development assistance and economic cooperation.

Police stop protest outside U.S. embassy

Police stop protest outside U.S. embassy JAKARTA (JP): Police yesterday foiled an attempt by students to stage a demonstration outside the American Embassy here, dispersing the group before they had a chance to make their statement. About 40 students from the Islamic University of Bandung, West Java, marched to the embassy on Jl. Merdeka Selatan carrying banners condemning Washington for its decision to impose a comprehensive economic embargo on Iran.

EU-ASEAN ties flourishing

EU-ASEAN ties flourishing EU-ASEAN relations, which have been progressing fast and deep over the years, have gained new momentum since the successful EU- ASEAN ministerial meeting in Karlsruhe. The sustained economic growth achieved by ASEAN countries has generated a wave of self-confidence in regional economies. This changing attitude in ASEAN has been matched by a corresponding change in Europe as well.

Capital city outside Java

Capital city outside Java From Neraca In order to solve lots of crucial problems facing the capital city, I would like to suggest that the capital of the republic be moved outside Java. We should build a specific city, that is far from the tumult of business activities. The new site for the capital city could be in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, or Irian Jaya because these places are still sparsely populated. The new capital should function only as the center of the government of the republic.

Rebel leader gets 18 months

Rebel leader gets 18 months DILI, East Timor: The district court here yesterday sentenced Jose Antonio Belo to 18 months in jail for masterminding a pro- independence demonstration in January. Belo, a University of East Timor student, was accused of planning and designing banners for the demonstration that was staged on the university's campus on Jan. 9. The verdict, read by presiding judge Agustinus Runggu, was less than the three-year term prosecutors had demanded.

Tigaraksa pays dividends

Tigaraksa pays dividends JAKARTA (JP): PT Tigaraksa Satria, a wholesale trading company listed on the Jakarta and Surabaya stock exchanges, will pay a cash dividend of Rp 150 (6.7 U.S. cents) per share for the 1994 book year. The dividend, accounting for around 30 percent of the company's earnings per share (EPS), will be paid in July, the company announced yesterday at their shareholders meeting.

Message from the EU Presidency in Jakarta

Message from the EU Presidency in Jakarta On the occasion of the Europe Day, commemorating the Declaration of Robert Schuman, who proposed courageously, since the memories of war were still close by, the very first step towards building the European Community, France, in its capacity as President of the European Union, is proud to see the achievements in 45 years, namely the growth, extension and consolidation of today's European Union.

RI-Algeria team set up

RI-Algeria team set up JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Algeria yesterday formed a Joint Economic and Technical Cooperation Commission to further enhance bilateral ties between the two countries. The commission was established with the signing here of notes by Director General for Foreign Economic Relations Sumadi Brotodiningrat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Algerian Ambassador Abdallah Baali.

32 million, not 40 million

32 million, not 40 million I am referring to the article 40m Indonesians cannot speak 'Bahasa': Expert, published in The Jakarta Post on Thursday, May 4, 1995, page 2. The article was quoting my speech in front of the Antara journalists, in which I said that, "17 percent of the 103 million population do not know Bahasa Indonesia." So this percentage is equal to 32 million, and not 40 million as reported. If we count only the Indonesian people over five years old, the number will be 27 million.

Indonesian burglar arrested in S'pore

Indonesian burglar arrested in S'pore JAKARTA (JP): Singapore police have arrested an Indonesian man believed to have burglarized more than 10 terrace houses and bungalows in the Hillview and Serangon vicinity in Singapore. The arrest of the 34-year-old man was made on Sunday morning following a police stakeout of Hillview Way. Operating from a hotel in the Jalan Besar area, the burglar had a penchant for branded watches and pens, The Straits Times reported yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 8, 1995: Trading Shares Close change Volume ------------------------------------------------------ ADES ALFINDO 2,725 0 AHAP INSURANCE 3,300 2,500 ALUMINDO PERKASA 1,100 0 ANDAYANI MEGAH 2,075 -50 11,500 ANEKA KIMIA RAYA 5,400 75,000 ANWAR SIERAD 1,275 25,000 AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPI 2,800 0 ARGHA KARYA PRIMA INDUSTRY 1,675 25 59,500 ARGO PANTES 2,575 0 ASIANA IMI INDUSTRIES 1,100 0 ASTER DHARMA INDUSTRY 750 100 2,500...

Discrimination against women workers 'pitiful'

Discrimination against women workers 'pitiful' JAKARTA (JP): A leader of the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) said yesterday that discrimination against women workers was widespread in Indonesia. Despite some progress, the overall discrimination against women workers in Indonesia was still "appalling", said Ari Sumarijati, who chairs the SPSI's unit on women and child workers.

Land-for-land solution proposed

Land-for-land solution proposed JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono, concerned at the rising number of land conflicts, proposed yesterday that people who give up their land be compensated with land, plus a certain amount of money. "Land to many people is the most basic necessity. It cannot be substituted or replaced by other goods," Wahono told a plenary session of the House.

Golkar official pushes for prosecution of soothsayer

Golkar official pushes for prosecution of soothsayer JAKARTA (JP): A Golkar official visited the Attorney General's Office yesterday to push the ruling political group's campaign to prosecute soothsayer Permadi Satrio Wiwoho for slander. Agung Laksono, deputy chairman of Golkar's central executive board, met with deputy attorney general Mohammad Hasan to discuss the plan to prosecute the mystic for comparing Golkar to the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Everton coach to visit Jakarta

Everton coach to visit Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Joe Royle, coach of English premiership and FA Cup finalist Everton, is among the VIP guests of a school soccer tournament, held by the British International School on June 4. Royle, a former England international, will be expected to present awards to the winning teams of the tournament. The school is hosting the fifth school soccer meet, which is open to the public. (amd)