Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 June 1995

49 articles found

Thai MP proposes Andaman Pact

Thai MP proposes Andaman Pact BANGKOK (AFP): A five-nation Andaman Pact has been mooted here to promote development of an area rich in both resources and tourism potential, as well as a means to promote economic and political change in Myanmar. Addressing a forum on human rights and development Monday, one-time Thai foreign minister Pongpol Adireksan proposed that Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand form an Andaman Pact.

Bank issues rights shares

Bank issues rights shares JAKARTA (JP): Bank Bali, a publicly listed private bank, is to issue 65 million rights shares at Rp 2,000 each, 37 million detachable warrants with an exercise price of Rp 2,900 and bonds worth Rp 250 billion, the bank's president said. Rudy Ramli told an extraordinary meeting of the bank's shareholders yesterday that the schedule for the offering of the rights shares and warrants will be set at July 17 to Aug. 23, while the bonds will be floated in the middle of 1996.

Govt charged with badly managing aid to small firms

Govt charged with badly managing aid to small firms JAKARTA (JP): Members of the House of Representatives charged the government yesterday with improperly managing funds of about Rp 500 billion (US$227.27 million) set aside by state-owned firms to support small businesses and cooperatives.

Police charged for wrongful arrest

Police charged for wrongful arrest JAKARTA (JP): Two journalists and a press activist being tried on charges of inciting public hostility towards the government accused the police yesterday of wrongful arrest and demanded that the court acquit them. "Police investigators wrongfully arrested our clients," Rita Serena Kolibonso, one of the lawyers representing the three defendants, told the Central Jakarta District Court.

Police should get full autonomy in Marsinah case

Police should get full autonomy in Marsinah case JAKARTA (JP): As police are expressing confidence that some answers may be in sight in the reopened investigation into the murder of labor activist Marsinah, a legal expert has called for the enquiry to be carried out with greater professionalism and that it be granted complete independence.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 27 1995: Trading Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 2,250 0 0 AHAP Insurance 3,275 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,100 0 1,000 Andayani Megah 3,175 -25 177,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,000 25 37,000 Anwar Sierad 1,450 -25 50,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,800 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,775 -50 164,000 Argo Pantes 2,600 0 0 Asiana IMI Indusrties 800 0 2,500 Aster...

PTPs may not survive into the 2000s

PTPs may not survive into the 2000s JAKARTA (JP): Some analysts here allege that the team in charge of the second stage of the consolidation process of state plantation companies (PTPs) wants to make the restructuring the end, and not the means, to improve their overall efficiency, productivity and accountability. They see it as strange that those PTP directors who were sacked during the grouping process in May, 1994, were included in the consolidation team.

Harmoko appoints new film advisory board

Harmoko appoints new film advisory board JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko appointed yesterday a new National Film Advisory Board, whose first task will be to reinvigorate the moribund local film industry. Harmoko, in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the board's 25 members, said the local film industry, particularly for the wide-screen, has been on a downward path in recent years.

PASI drops five from SEA Games

PASI drops five from SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Track and Field Association (PASI) has taken strict punitive measures against five male athletes. The five have been dropped from the 18th Southeast Asian Games national team for a discipline violation.

Too much time wasted

Too much time wasted Third World countries are used to encountering internal ethnic, ideological and religious differences. Often, these conflicts turn into bloody ones which sap resources, disrupt people's lives and lead to a host of other problems. Through strong leadership, as in the case of Peru for example, some have managed to resolve such differences. The same cannot be said of Indonesia, Algeria or Sri Lanka, however. But questions arise as to the methods used.

Mayor threatens foliage vendors

Mayor threatens foliage vendors JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito threatens plant sellers on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan with legal action if they do not vacate the street. He said the sellers are liable to prosecution because they disturb public order. "Never build or do business here without a permit," he told several plant sellers in a surprise field visit yesterday.

Indonesia to have rice surplus of 3.48m tons

Indonesia to have rice surplus of 3.48m tons JAKARTA (JP): Despite reports to the contrary, Indonesia will enjoy a rice surplus of 3.48 million tons this year, Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said yesterday. Speaking at a hearing with the Forestry and Agriculture Commission of the House of Representatives, Sjarifudin said rice harvesting for the whole year of 1995 would at least reach 47.67 million tons of unhusked rice, compared with 28.76 million tons of husked rice.

Discrimination not good

Discrimination not good I'm responding to Mr Farid Baskoro's Western view published in the "Your Letters" column of The Jakarta Post on June 22, 1995. Dear Mr Farid Baskoro, it is always good to bring attention to people's mistakes, especially when it concerns discrimination of race. Of course, the behavior of the people mentioned in your letter is certainly wrong.

Hoodlums netted in police raid

Hoodlums netted in police raid MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of hoodlums, prostitutes and other criminals have been netted during a recent police operation, code named Pekat Toba. The operation also netted hawkers of alcoholic drinks, beggars, and people who did not have their identification cards with them at the time of the raid, Antara reported Monday. In all, over 200 people have been arrested over the last three days. Commander of the regional military command, Maj. Gen. Arie J.

Achieving standard of quality, the ISO 9000

Achieving standard of quality, the ISO 9000 By Simon Potter This is the first of three articles on ISO 9000, the international quality system standard. JAKARTA (JP): ISO 9000. It's in the headlines, in the news, on every body's lips. It's revolutionizing companies and uniting continents. It's universally recognized in Britain, but is virtually unknown to many Indonesians. So just what is ISO 9000?

ABRI helps floods victims

ABRI helps floods victims PADANG, West Sumatra: The Armed Forces (ABRI), through one of its programs, is building 100 houses for the victims of heavy floods that swept the areas in December. Antara reported on Monday that the commander of the local military office, Col. M. Iskak, said, cooperation with the community is the key to success in alleviating the people's suffering.

Some truths are best left unstated: Lemhannas chief

Some truths are best left unstated: Lemhannas chief JAKARTA (JP): Some truths are best left unsaid if revealing them could cause unrest and disrupt national stability, the governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) said yesterday. Commenting on his days as a field commander, Lt. Gen. Moetojib said yesterday that his heart always beat faster whenever someone expressed an opinion that could cause unrest in society, Antara reported.

Australia accepts new RI envoy

Australia accepts new RI envoy CANBERRA (Agencies): Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, while accepting the appointment of an Indonesian general as Jakarta's next ambassador, said yesterday that the general may soon have to explain some of the remarks he purportedly made about an incident in East Timor four years ago. Evans, in comments widely reported by the Australian press yesterday, said however that Canberra did not see any reason to refuse Jakarta's appointment Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.B.L.

Japanese investors

Japanese investors The outright rebuttal by State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo of Japanese businessmen's complaints about red tape, import tariffs, customs services and taxation in Indonesia is understandable. After all, Sanyoto can support his statement with a very impressive record of foreign investment approvals over the last two years. In the first semester alone, total investment approvals already exceeded US$20 billion, or almost the amount for the whole of last year.

Most police do not have housing

Most police do not have housing JAKARTA (JP): About 62 percent of the city's 17,000 police officers have no house of their own, city police chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo says. "We all know that only 38 percent of the total city police personnel have homes of their own," he said during the inauguration of a small police dormitory, which was renovated after catching fire recently, in Pesing, West Jakarta.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: ETimor Antara EAST TIMOR VISIT: Local government officials in East Timor greet Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (center) when he arrives in the province for a three-day visit. During the visit, Alatas acted as a representative of the Golkar political group. He provided Rp 100 million in funds to construct a number of public school buildings in Ermera regency. Photo B: Yogie Antara HAPPY MARRIAGE: Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Reform of state plantation firms moving at slow pace

Reform of state plantation firms moving at slow pace JAKARTA (JP): The reform of state-owned plantation companies (PTP) which began in May, 1994, with the realignment of the 26 PTPs into nine groups, has been running much slower than planned.

Sex, lies and journalism

Sex, lies and journalism I was watching one of those lawyer movies on TV the other night and these two lawyers were discussing a case and one says to the other, "You know as well as I do it's the accusations that make the headlines, not the ruling. The damage is already done." I could not help but think of my friend and colleague MR whose name was thrashed and reputation butchered in the pages of The Jakarta Post under a huge headline reading American teacher accused of rape.

Leigh Warren and Dancers in town

Leigh Warren and Dancers in town JAKARTA (JP): The Australian dance group Leigh Warren and Dancers is performing at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta for two days, ending today. The event is co-sponsored by the Gedung Kesenian and the Australia-Indonesia Institute. Leigh Warren and Dancers, known for its contemporary Australian dances, features two dances, Petrouchka and Lure, at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Central Jakarta.

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.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Muppet 3:05 Talk Show 3:30 Science Program 4:05 Family Program: Around Us 4:30 Documentary Film 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Indonesia Lessons 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Science Program 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music Contest: Asia Bagus 8:05 Spektrum 9:00 World News 9:30 Talk Show 10:25 Film: Treasure Of Macuba 10:55 Late News 11:05 Film (continued) Program 2 4:30 p.m.

29 die in dengue outbreak

29 die in dengue outbreak JAKARTA (JP): Twenty nine people have died and more than 2,000 others have been hospitalized in an outbreak of dengue fever throughout the city over the past six months, a senior official said yesterday. Chief of the city health office Aslan Lasman warned that the epidemic in the five mayoralties has shown no indication of abating in the foreseeable future. West Jakarta is the worst hit, where six of the 527 affected people have died, he told journalists at his office.

Company denies foul play in apartment project

Company denies foul play in apartment project JAKARTA (JP): PD Sarana Jaya, a city-owned housing developer, denied accusations that it had displaced occupants of an apartment building with force and without compensation. Spokesman for the company, Brandjangan, also denied that some of the displaced occupants will be rehoused in the luxurious Tebet Park condominium.

Hightech battle in Medan Auto Rally

Hightech battle in Medan Auto Rally JAKARTA (JP): Newly-improved high-tech cars will be the highlight of the Bank Utama Indonesia Rally '95, which is set to be a battle of world beaters and the giant car manufacturers. Three of the world's leading car producers--Japan's Mitsubishi, Ford of England and Japan's Subaru--have vowed to field new high-technology cars in their bid to win the President Soeharto Cup.

'Bamboo paper more economical than pulp'

'Bamboo paper more economical than pulp' UBUD, Bali (JP): Amid continued newsprint shortages in Indonesia, researchers say bamboo is an economical substitute for softwood pulp in paper production.

Fair visitors less than expected

Fair visitors less than expected JAKARTA (JP): The number of people visiting this year's Jakarta Fair is falling short of expectations, raising fears that the targeted three million visitors will not be achieved. Over the first nine days, the number of visitors reached 425,350, lower than the 671,540 visitors over same period last year. "Data at the ticket sale section shows that the number of visitors has plummeted this year," the Antara news agency reported yesterday.

Bintang races against police to build defense

Bintang races against police to build defense JAKARTA (JP): Sri Bintang Pamungkas, the vocal government critic facing prosecution for allegedly insulting President Soeharto, is in a race against the police to collect evidence for his defense. "If they are looking for witnesses to support their case, I won't stay quiet. I'll be looking for my own witnesses," Bintang was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

Green Garden embroiled in bitter land dispute

Green Garden embroiled in bitter land dispute JAKARTA (JP): PT Green Garden, one of the city's most prominent developers, is embroiled in a bitter land dispute with farmers in the Rorotan subdistrict of North Jakarta. The farmers vow to stay until the developer pays them more compensation but the developer insists that they are illegally occupying four hectares of land it appropriated in the early 1980s.

Cameron: Hairdresser with sense of rhythm

Cameron: Hairdresser with sense of rhythm JAKARTA (JP): Patrick Cameron may be the only hairdresser who dances while he snips away. With lively music in the background, Cameron dances while his hands busily arrange and cut the hair of his model at a demonstration held by Wella Hair Cosmetics at Shangri-La hotel on Monday. And as he moves from one corner to another his model follows him everywhere while she holds all his tools of the trade, such as hairpins, hair spray and brush.

Banks forge reports, evade taxes

Banks forge reports, evade taxes JAKARTA (JP): A number of private banks manipulate their financial reports to evade tax payments, Tax Director General Fuad Bawazier disclosed yesterday. Fuad refused to name which banks were engaged in such practices but said that one of them was caught "red-handed" only recently. The alleged financial manipulation was unveiled at a hearing with the Finance and Trade Commission of the House of Representatives.

Successful in Asia Zone, Utut joins elite circle

Successful in Asia Zone, Utut joins elite circle JAKARTA (JP): A year of endless efforts deserved a reward as Indonesia's Utut Adianto finally assured himself of a coveted place in the world's society of Super Grand Master. The memorable moment came after his impressive win in the Asia Zone 3.2 chess tournament in Genting Highland, Malaysia, on Monday.

Investors want cement price reference removed

Investors want cement price reference removed JAKARTA (JP): Investors planning to set up cement plants in Indonesia suggested yesterday that the government abandon the use of local references on the pricing of cement.

Fighting corruption and collusion

Fighting corruption and collusion According to Dr. Anwar Nasution, an observer of economic affairs, the practice of collusion could have far-reaching effects on the Indonesian economy. Japan, for instance, once threatened it would no longer invest capital in Indonesia because of the huge costs incurred by collusions. Such threats, according to Anwar Nasution, could deal a heavy blow to the Indonesian economy in this era of globalization.

Manggarai plan faces criticisms

Manggarai plan faces criticisms JAKARTA (JP): House members criticized yesterday the government's plan to build a major integrated transport terminal in Manggarai, South Jakarta, insisting that every detail of the project should be clear and transparent.

Boxer pledged house as reward

Boxer pledged house as reward JAKARTA (JP): Adrianus Taroreh, the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion, will soon find his dream of owning a house come true thanks to North Sulawesi Governor E.E. Mangindaan. The governor said yesterday that the North Sulawesi authorities would buy a Rp 43 million (US$19,500) house in the province's capital city Manado for the pugilist. "We will not break our promise," Mangindaan was quoted as saying by Antara.

Indonesian food items more popular in Holland

Indonesian food items more popular in Holland By Solita Sarwono AMSTERDAM (JP): An Indonesian friend came to Holland for a postgraduate study program. Besides books, she brought with her a big bottle of sweet soya sauce. Another friend brought a cobek (stoneware bowl used for grinding spices) and its stone pestel. These women thought that they would not find these things in Holland. But they were wrong.

Houses for fishermen

Houses for fishermen UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tanjung has pledged support and assistance for the local administration's plan to build 400 houses for poor fishermen. Laelae Island's slum dwellers will be resettled in a new housing complex which will be erected on a 26 hectare plot of land. The local administration has allocated Rp 5 billion (approximately US$ 2.3 million) for the project, Antara reported.

Lopes suspects foul play at Vienna meeting

Lopes suspects foul play at Vienna meeting JAKARTA (JP): A senior East Timorese politician suspects foul play in the wording of the final declaration for the All- Inclusive East Timor Dialog that took place earlier this month. Lopes da Cruz told journalists that the text of the final declaration deviated from what was agreed upon during their meeting in Austria.

Role of NGOs

Role of NGOs From Media Indonesia Various newspapers published the statement on NGOs made by the Commander of the Jakarta Military Command during a seminar in Jakarta. The statement, among other things, said that the wrong perception of NGOs must be changed. We all should view the NGOs with an open mind. NGOs are expected to represent the public interests now and in the future. They should act to bridge the interests of society and government.

Japan strives to win over Indonesian students

Japan strives to win over Indonesian students JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to lure Indonesian students away from the United States and other countries for overseas study, Japanese educational institutes held their sixth annual exhibition last weekend. While the latest estimates show that more than 10,000 Indonesians are currently studying in the United States and a few thousand in Australia and Europe, fewer than 1,200 Indonesians chose Japan.

Imposing export tax on paper not essential: Mar'ie

Imposing export tax on paper not essential: Mar'ie JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad hinted yesterday that he would not introduce a tax instrument to curb exports of paper in spite of the current shortage of supply. Speaking at a hearing with the Finance and Trade Commission of the House of Representatives, Mar'ie said that Indonesian paper producers could lose their markets if they are required to pay export taxes.

Legislator calls for termination of national exam

Legislator calls for termination of national exam JAKARTA (JP): Following reports of manipulation of elementary school pupils' final scores, a legislator has suggested that the government scrap the national examinations altogether. Wuryanto of House of Representatives' Commission IX expressed serious concern yesterday about reports of the selling of improved scores for certain prices and the lowering of the scores of pupils whose parents were unable or unwilling to pay the bribes.

City Hall promises to consult House on major projects

City Hall promises to consult House on major projects JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja assured yesterday that no major development project in the city will start without prior consultation with the House of Representatives. Surjadi said in hearing with House Commission X, which deals with national development planning, that any project deviating from the city plan will be discussed with the legislative body.

Housing developer may lose permit

Housing developer may lose permit JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is threatening to revoke the development permit granted to PT Setdco Grahamandura to build a US$400 million condominium in Tebet, South Jakarta, unless the firm also builds low-cost flats for low-income people. Head of the City Housing Office Ongky Sukasah said that the developer had so far failed to meet its obligation to build three blocks of low-cost apartments in Tebet Barat, also in South Jakarta.