Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 June 1995

49 articles found

Farm lending simplified

Farm lending simplified JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah yesterday announced the simplification of procedures for farmers to obtain credit. Speaking to reporters at a press conference yesterday, Sjarifudin said the bureaucratic procedures for farmers to obtain loans would be reduced to three steps from the 11 steps at present. Farming loans, locally called KUT, were introduced for the first time in 1985 by the state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia.

Violence, robbery cases increase

Violence, robbery cases increase JAKARTA (JP): Police in the greater Jakarta area recorded a significant increase in cases of violence and robberies last month, with vehicle theft and burglary still at the top of the list. "Possibly, one of the main factors was the release of a large number of prisoners the previous month," City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko told reporters on Thursday.

Stolen cars must be returned

Stolen cars must be returned JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, widely known for his strict attitude on discipline, has ordered all crime investigation personnel to return immediately all stolen vehicles, that they are using, to their respective owners.

Local drivers stage down-hearted battle

Local drivers stage down-hearted battle JAKARTA (JP): Leading national drivers have opted to keep themselves away from a possible world-class battle during the Indonesia Rally championships in Medan, North Sumatra next month. "I just want to do my best as far as I can. It will be great if I manage to finish among the top ten," national champion Tony Hardianto told a press conference Thursday night. "I will take on top class drivers who dedicate all their lives to the racing sport.

Bali in the eyes of an Austrian

Bali in the eyes of an Austrian JAKARTA (JP): Bali and its beauty has inspired both local and foreign artists' works. And Austrian surrealist artist Helmut Kand is no exception. Admittedly an admirer of Bali's landscape and religious ceremonies, which he depicts a lot in his paintings, Kand is holding an exposition of his latest 60 paintings at the new Regent Hotel on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta.

Itochu joins Perwaja Steel

Itochu joins Perwaja Steel KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Itochu Corp. of Japan has bought a five percent stake in Malaysia's state-owned Perwaja Steel, one of Southeast Asia's largest integrated steel producers, reports said yesterday. Perwaja corporate director K.H. Kong said the new shares were issued to Itochu Corp. at three ringgit (US$1.20) each at a premium of two ringgit per share above the nominal value of one ringgit per share.

Bakrie raises $67m through bonds

Bakrie raises $67m through bonds JAKARTA (JP): PT Bakrie Investindo, a Bakrie Group company, secured US$67 million yesterday through the issuance of exchangeable bonds to a consortium of eight domestic and foreign investment institutions. Aburizal Bakrie, the company's chief commissioner, said the exchangeable bonds will mature in five years with an annual interest rate of four percent.

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, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Lost Morenitos, Monday Thursday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Los Paraguas, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Boece & Ayu (pianist and singer), Tuesday to Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Monday to Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The independence of Indonesia

The independence of Indonesia The English news service on TVRI Channel Two has been broadcasting a logo, showing the "50th Anniversary, the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia." This is evidently not correct. What happened on Aug. 17, 1945, was the proclamation of the independence of the Indonesian nation. The form of republic was adopted by the Committee for the Preparation of the Independence of Indonesia (PPKI) one day later, on Aug. 18, 1945.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 16, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Dharmala Insurance 1,500 0 0 Ades Alfindo 2,200 -250 2,500 Andayani Megah 3,075 -100 206,500 AHAP Insurance 3,275 -25 2,500 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,850 -50 313,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,000 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,100 0 0 Anwar Sierad 1,475 0 10,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,800 0 0 Argo Pantes 2,600 0 0 Asuransi...

Co-ops get Kanindo shares

Co-ops get Kanindo shares JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Federation of Indonesian Batik Cooperatives (GKBI) will get portions of the 25 million shares of the debt-ridden Kanindo group of textile companies. "All primary cooperatives at GKBI will get some of the shares and GKBI's chairman, Noorbasha Juned, is happy about it," Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

Political will vital in preservation of city museums

Political will vital in preservation of city museums JAKARTA (JP): Head of the City Museum Office Dirman Surachmat expressed concern yesterday over what he described as the city administration's lack of attention to the preservation of museums in the capital.

Jaya Group joins trend in elite school project

Jaya Group joins trend in elite school project By Hyginus Hardoyo JAKARTA (JP): The Jaya Group, one of Indonesia's largest business entities, is joining the trend among large-scale business groups to develop elite schools to meet the steadily rising demand for quality education. The Lippo Group has established an elite private school, Sekolah Pelita Harapan, in Karawaci, Tangerang, and the Al Azhar elite boarding school in Bekasi. The Argo Manunggal Group has built another elite school, St.

Most E. Timorese live in poverty

Most E. Timorese live in poverty DILI, East Timor: About 70 percent of the 892,000 East Timorese residents still live below the poverty line, a local official said yesterday. "Those in absolute poverty live in isolated villages. In towns, fewer people live in absolute poverty," said Soebarjo, chief of the local office of the bureau of economic and trade statistics.

Two killed, one injured in offshore blast

Two killed, one injured in offshore blast JAKARTA (JP): An explosion on a natural gas processing platform in the Java Sea killed at least two people and injured one other, with one fisherman still missing, the city water police announced yesterday. According to reports from the city water police the accident took place at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, when fire balls spread from gas pipes on the platform Uniform F/S, which is operated by Atlantic Richfield Indonesia Inc.

Population hard to control

Population hard to control KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The local government conceded yesterday that its efforts to check population growth has not brought about the expected results. Chief of the provincial population office Yoeswantoro said that the failure to control the population growth rate is largely due to people's low participation in the state-sponsored family planning program.

Freeport Indonesia no longer alone

Freeport Indonesia no longer alone By Imanuddin TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (JP): For more than 25 years, PT Freeport Indonesia Company was virtually the only investor in Irian Jaya, managing a highly profitable copper and gold mining operation in the province's hinterland. The American company built its own infrastructure and facilities, constructing new settlements to house the thousands of people it brought in for its huge operation in and around Timika.

See it live

See it live The followings are sports competitions shown live on TV this weekend (all Western Indonesia Time): Saturday Soccer Indonesian league: Pelita Jaya v PSDS Deli Serdang TVRI at 3.30 p.m. Sunday Boxing WBO heavyweight championship: Riddick Bowe v Jorge Luis Gonzalez, ANTeve at 9.00 a.m. Badminton Asia Cup badminton championships finals, RCTI at 1.30 p.m. Soccer Indonesian league: ASGS v Persebaya Surabaya, ANTeve at 3.30 p.m.

East Java to honor Sukarno

East Java to honor Sukarno JAKARTA (JP): East Java authorities have taken charge of all the arrangements for the commemoration of the death of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno. The ceremony will be held in the city of Blitar where Sukarno is buried. Every year on June 20, thousands of people travel to Blitar to pay homage to the late president. In the past, the family of Sukarno have headed the commemoration.

More banks for STNK applicants

More banks for STNK applicants JAKARTA (JP): PT Sakra Bima Mandala Persada has signed a cooperation agreement with seven local private banks to expand business networks in vehicle document processing. The agreement was signed at the Jakarta Hilton Hotel here yesterday by executives of the private company and Bank BII, Sewu Bank, Orient Bank, Astria Bank, Utama Internasional Bank, Prasidha Bank and Indotrade Bank. Sakra Bima Mandala Persada's managing director M.

Swindler gets 4 years

Swindler gets 4 years BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The district court sentenced a woman to four years imprisonment for swindling Rp 3 billion (US$1.3 million) mostly from local and West Java businessmen. Judge Dardiri said in the verdict that the convict, 45-year- old Dewi Untari, a resident of Bandar Lampung, was guilty of defrauding the victims. Untari, the judge said, cleverly convinced her victims to give her a certain amount of money that she promised would multiply by magic.

Church Services

Church Services * Catholic Church, University of Atmajaya, Jl. Jend. Sudirman: Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m., 10:30 p.m. (with songs) and 5:30 p.m. * First Church of Christ, Scientist, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro 48, Menteng, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (in Indonesian) and 8 a.m. (in English). * All Saints' Anglican Church (opposite The Aryaduta Jakarta), Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim No. 5, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. ; at G.K.I. Pondok Indah at 6 p.m.

Thorough assessment of state firms urged

Thorough assessment of state firms urged JAKARTA (JP): Comprehensive assessment of the overall performances of state-owned companies is prerequisite to entering the free market era, a senior government official said yesterday. Marzuki Usman, the chairman of the Educational and Training Agency of the Ministry of Finance, said here yesterday that the assessment should be conducted to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the state-owned firms and the opportunities and threats they could face.

Bambang's stake in VDH

Bambang's stake in VDH SINGAPORE (AFP): A son of Indonesian President Soeharto has raised to more than 10 percent his stake in Singapore's publicly listed power and infrastructure company Van Der Horst (VDH). Bambang Trihatmodjo, who controls Indonesian conglomerate Bimantara Group, said in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Singapore late Thursday that he had bought 4.2 million shares at an average price of S$6.29 (US$4.49) each. The purchase, raising his stake in VDH to 10.26 percent from 6.

Indonesian literature goes to Bulgaria

Indonesian literature goes to Bulgaria By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): Bulgaria is one continent away from Indonesia, but in terms of culture the distance has to some wonderful extent been bridged by a Bulgarian poet named Krassin Himmirsky. Early this year, the 65-year-old launched an anthology of poems by Indonesian modern poets which he translated along with a group of Bulgarian leading poets.

Five firms awarded Pertamina contracts

Five firms awarded Pertamina contracts JAKARTA (JP): State-owned oil company Pertamina awarded yesterday production sharing and technical assistance contracts worth US$171.17 million to four foreign firms and one local company. The contracts consisted of three new production sharing deals, one extension accord with Australia's Energy Equity Ltd., and one technical assistance agreement with Indonesia's PT Radiant Energy Sukatani.

RI-China small business promotion

RI-China small business promotion JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia-China Foundation for Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation will discuss cooperation among the small and medium-scale businesses of the two countries in its annual meeting in Beijing from Aug. 2 to Aug. 7.

ABRI begins another round of reshuffles

ABRI begins another round of reshuffles JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) announced top personnel changes yesterday, affecting 85 officers in all the branches of service -- the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the National Police. Among the agencies affected are the Sriwijaya Regional Military Command, the Army Strategic Reserves Command, ABRI's Intelligence Agency, the Presidential Guard Force and the Eastern Armada Naval Command, Antara reported. Maj. Gen.

Plagiarized paper?

Plagiarized paper? As an Indonesian living in an increasingly global world, I applaud my country's initiative in allowing international conferences to be staged here. One such conference, entitled Communications, Culture, and Development, sponsored by Asian Mass Media Communications Research and Information, headquartered in Singapore, is scheduled for June 22 to June 24, 1995, at the Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta. As I am very interested in the conference, I obtained a copy of its program.

Freeport criticized despite its success

Freeport criticized despite its success TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia Company may be one of the biggest success stories of foreign investment in Indonesia, but it is not free of criticism. Despite it being one of the largest corporate taxpayers in Indonesia, and the biggest investor that has brought about development in Irian Jaya, there are still those who question the real benefits of Freeport's presence in the area, and the hidden costs it has exacted.

Singapore aims to become Europe's gateway to Asia

Singapore aims to become Europe's gateway to Asia SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong urged Europe to step up investment in Asia, saying yesterday the strategically-located island nation could serve as a bridge between the two continents. "Europe should be more strongly represented in Asia," Goh said at the opening of a US$35 million German business center here.

U.S. to asses labor conditions in Indonesia

U.S. to asses labor conditions in Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): A new United States study of labor conditions in Indonesia which begins next week could lead to the suspension of the trade privileges granted to this country by Washington under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Ketut vows to cut back log of cases

Ketut vows to cut back log of cases JAKARTA (JP): The newly-installed Deputy Chief Justice of the State Administrative Court, TH Ketut Suraputra, asserted yesterday that one of his man goals in the job was to reduce the mounting backlog of appeals' cases in the Supreme Court.

Posted abroad

Posted abroad When Mr Okuno (not real name) was a high school student, he used to have daydreams about a tropical country known as Indonesia. He imagined a country of eternal spring (Japanese Toko Natsu no kuni) of coconut trees swaying in the tropical breeze and sandy beaches glittering in the sunlight, of the most friendly people on earth and so on, so much so that Mr Okuno decided to specialize in the Indonesian language after finishing senior high.

Soldiers in Liquisa killing seek acquittals

Soldiers in Liquisa killing seek acquittals JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers representing two soldiers tried separately in connection with the deaths of six East Timorese villagers are appealing to the military tribunal to acquit their clients of the murder charges. In his defense statement, the soldier who fired the six villages, said he was simply carrying out an order from his commanding officer.

RI toy exports set to surge in 1995

RI toy exports set to surge in 1995 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's toy exports, spurred by a stronger demand from Europe, are expected to surge again this year after suffering a 16 percent drop in 1994. The president of PT Asiana IMI Industries, Winarto Alim, said here yesterday that exports of toys are estimated to increase by around 50 percent to US$270 million this year. He said the European Union's decision last year to limit toy imports from China has benefited Indonesian toy manufacturers.

Activists accused of sowing hatred

Activists accused of sowing hatred JAKARTA (JP): State prosecutors yesterday accused three activists of sowing public hatred against the government, by distributing an unlicensed magazine highly critical of the current administration. The three -- Ahmad Taufik, Eko Maryadi and Danang Kukuh Wardoyo -- were arraigned at the Central Jakarta District Court on charges of distributing the Independen magazine to the public.

PT Pelabuhan II promises rapid port improvement

PT Pelabuhan II promises rapid port improvement JAKARTA (JP): PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II, the state firm managing the Tanjung Priok port, has announced its crash programs to improve services, while foreign shipping lines confirmed that they might impose additional charges on congestion.

Indonesian archer steals the thunder

Indonesian archer steals the thunder JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Gatot Ariyanto sprang a surprise at the national archery championships yesterday when he put out top seed Jackson Fear of Australia in their quarterfinal duel. Gatot's impressive run, continued into the semifinals scheduled for completion yesterday, came to a premature halt due to an hour of heavy rain, which drenched the pitch. The semifinals matches will continue today.

Academic forums need no permits: Education official

Academic forums need no permits: Education official JAKARTA (JP): Academic gatherings under the supervision of a rector need no official permit but the participants should be carefully selected, a senior official said yesterday. Director General of Higher Education Bambang Soehendro said that participants of academic gatherings should be limited to people with relevant academic backgrounds so that there won't be any misperception about the content.

HK paper mogul unfazed by '97 prospect

HK paper mogul unfazed by '97 prospect By Carrie Lee HONG KONG (Reuter): The looming problems of Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China do not faze the territory's latest budding newspaper mogul. Jimmy Lai, who made his fortune in the rag trade, believes the time is ripe for his new Chinese-language newspaper, Apple Daily, which hits the streets on June 20 and which he says will bow to no one. "It's good timing because many people say the media now are exercising self censorship.

Malaysia calls for talks over Spratlys

Malaysia calls for talks over Spratlys KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia yesterday called for formal talks over the disputed Spratly Islands to ensure stability in the region, the national Bernama news agency reported. "I think it is very timely that we begin on a formal basis some discussions as to how we need to handle this," Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi said, commenting on the escalating tension over the islands.

Battle against crime

Battle against crime Correction: Due to a technical error, a story appeared on this page yesterday entitled Judges, scholars call for battle against crime which had previously appeared in The Jakarta Post. We regret the error and any confusion it may have caused. -- Editor

Seminars, expo on defunct magazines

Seminars, expo on defunct magazines JAKARTA (JP): Erstwhile journalists and readers of the banned Tempo, DeTik and Editor magazines will commemorate the first anniversary of the government's closure of the three weeklies by holding exhibitions and seminars. Controversial scholars Arief Budiman and Abdurrahman Wahid are scheduled to address the opening ceremony of an exhibition of Tempo illustrations on Monday at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts and Cultural Center here.

Extortion

Extortion From Neraca As city transportation drivers we are very concerned over extortion by certain hoodlums, who operate on Jl. Raya Pondok Gede, Pangkalan Kramik, Kramat Jati district. They usually ask Rp 1,000 per day from each driver while we are waiting for passengers. If we refuse to fulfill their demand, we know we will have some problem with them. So we have no choice but reluctantly give them the money.

Free expression should not require a permit

Free expression should not require a permit By Aswab Mahasin JAKARTA (JP): It was shocking to learn that Dr. Robert Hefner, an American anthropologist from the Boston University, was questioned on Monday for six hours by the Jakarta police. The questioning began at 10 p.m., right after he gave a presentation, at a seminar, on Islam, democracy and strategic elites in Indonesia, which has been a common academic topic recently.

Cahyana to lead postal firm

Cahyana to lead postal firm JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave is expected next week to install new directors of the state-owned postal firm, which has been renamed from Perum Pos dan Giro into PT Pos Indonesia.

Bill expected to handle distinct crimes

Bill expected to handle distinct crimes JAKARTA (JP): A new bill on the correctional system is expected to better equip the authorities to deal with the increasingly diverse and sophisticated crimes, says Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman. The bill, submitted by the government in late March, is now under deliberation in the House of Representatives.

The Hefner interrogation

The Hefner interrogation After the disbanding of a scientific discussion with a limited audience, Prof. Dr. Robert W. Hefner, an anthropologist and teacher at Boston University in the United States was taken to the Central Jakarta Police Precinct, together with six organizers of the meeting. There, they were interrogated for six hours. The reason given by the police: The organizers did not have a permit to hold the discussion.