Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 August 1995

48 articles found

Betawi market in Kota needs to be renovated

Betawi market in Kota needs to be renovated JAKARTA (JP): A member of the City Council said yesterday that renovating the Betawi markets in the downtown West Jakarta area of Kota would help attract more tourists to the city.

Court told to drop murder charges

Court told to drop murder charges JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer for the defendants in a police murder case demanded yesterday that the South Jakarta District Court drop all charges against his clients because there was a deviation in the investigation process. Sapriyanto Refa said that Reza Lawalata, 25, and Idris Tuarita, 27, suspects in the murder of Lt. Budi Santosa, were not accompanied by a lawyer during questioning, as is required by article 56 of the Criminal Code.

No Allied invasion

No Allied invasion As an ardent believer in the tenet of respect for another reader's opinion in leisurely matters brought out in this popular column, I highly appreciate the logic expressed in the comment to my letter Mr. John R. Sprout, Jr. of Semarang wrote in this column of The Jakarta Post of Aug. 24, 1995.

PSSI to help place RI's soccer cream

PSSI to help place RI's soccer cream JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) is discussing ways to deploy national junior soccer players who have completed their training stint in Italy. "A special team will be set up to discuss it. We hope that a decision can be reached by and announced on Sept. 1," Nirwan Bakrie, the man who mastermind the teenagers' two-year stint, told reporters yesterday.

Indonesia's Employment Situation (in millions)

Indonesia's Employment Situation (in millions) 1993 1994 2000 2010 Total work force 79.25 83.70 97.38 125.71 Job opportunities 69.39 72.54 89.36 117.14 Unemployment rates 1. Working less than one hour 2.20 3.65 1.30 1.63 Percentage 2.78 4.37 1.33 1.30 2. Working less than 15 hours 9.86 11.15 8.02 8.57 Percentage 11.81 13.33 8.24 6.82 3. Working less than 35 hours 32.70 33.35 30.84 37.02 Percentage 41.26 39.85 31.67 29.45 Source: Ministry of Manpower.

Unidentified body buried in Mataram

Unidentified body buried in Mataram MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The body of an unidentified woman found floating last week off West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, was buried yesterday after the Mataram Public Hospital completed an autopsy. According to Muchdar, one of the physicians who performed the autopsy, no one has yet been able to identify the woman, thought to be about 18 years' old.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Hassai Sensei 3:05 Children's Program 3:30 TV Series: Singen 4:30 Science Program 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons 6:05 Variety Show: Pelangi 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Talk Show: Actress Profile 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:05 TV Drama: Tamu Malam Hari 9:00 World News 9:25 Special: Gema Indonesia Emas 9:45 TV Drama: Senja 11:05 Late News 11:15 Culture Program Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Trade surplus with China US$5.86b

Trade surplus with China US$5.86b JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia posted a cumulative trade surplus of US$5.86 billion with China since 1985, when direct bilateral trade ties were restored, up to the end of last June, a Chinese diplomat said here yesterday. Tan Weiwen, the first secretary in charge of economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy, said that the total value of bilateral trade reached $2.64 billion last year with Indonesia registering a surplus of $537 million.

RI, Singapore firms establish travel agent

RI, Singapore firms establish travel agent JAKARTA (JP): PT Wisata Smailing, one of the leading tour and travel agencies in Indonesia, signed an agreement yesterday with Ken-Air Leisure Group Pte. Ltd. of Singapore to establish a joint travel agent in the city. Under the agreement, signed by Wisata Smailing's president Rudy Akili and Ken-Air's chairperson Kristine Goh, the new company will be named PT Ken-Air Indonesia.

Non-OPEC states weaken oil price bid

Non-OPEC states weaken oil price bid KUWAIT (Agencies): Non-OPEC producers are undermining attempts to boost oil prices by failing to respond to pleas for market cooperation with OPEC, Kuwait's oil minister said in remarks published yesterday. "There must be cooperation and coordination between producers inside and outside the organization to stabilize the oil market and to allow prices to rise to suitable levels," Abdul-Mohsen al- Mudej was quoted as saying by al-Watan daily.

Playwright Ikranagara recounts Lekra's terrors

Playwright Ikranagara recounts Lekra's terrors By Ikranagara JAKARTA (JP): The communist coup of 1965, or G-30-S, was preceded by the establishment of an organization of artists grouped in the Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat (Peoples' Culture Institute), which was better known by the abbreviation Lekra. This statement was made by a prominent Indonesian communist -- a journalist -- in 1965.

Peruvian embassy holds contest

Peruvian embassy holds contest JAKARTA (JP): A painting contest, themed "Peru in My Imagination", is currently being held by the Peruvian Embassy in Jakarta in collaboration with the Women's International Club and the Indonesian National Commission of UNESCO. A Rp 2 million (US$909.09) cash prize and the Lord of Sipan Golden Medal will be awarded to the winner, along with a round trip ticket to Peru. Entries must be submitted to the Peruvian Embassy before Nov. 15, 1995.

Jakarta hospital reinstates doctor in AIDS conflict

Jakarta hospital reinstates doctor in AIDS conflict JAKARTA (JP): The management of the private Medistra hospital agreed yesterday to reinstate one of its leading AIDS doctors. Medistra has been caught in a controversy since Sjamsuridjal Djauzi, a doctor at the hospital, disclosed that he had been barred from treating patients. "As of today, Dr. Sjamsuridjal may again treat patients at Medistra," said the director of the hospital in South Jakarta, Evie Tilaar.

Local melamine plant gets $30.5m in on-shore loans

Local melamine plant gets $30.5m in on-shore loans JAKARTA (JP): PT DSM Kaltim Melamine received yesterday US$30.5 million in a syndicated on-shore loan to support the construction of a $130.1 million melamine plant in Bontang, East Kalimantan. The loan syndication, led by Bank Pacific and co-arranged by PT Bank PDFCI, includes funds provided by Bank Universal, Bank Bali and Unibank. The loan, which will mature in 2001, carries a floating interest rate which will be revised every six months.

Thai govt under fire from all sides

Thai govt under fire from all sides By Jim Hatton BANGKOK (AFP): Barely a month after taking office, Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa's government is under fire from all sides, including such heavyweights as the military and the monarchy. Discontent appears to be growing in both urban and rural areas. Villagers in northern Phrae province, opposed to a dam the government wants to build, threw stones at Banharn's helicopter on Aug. 18 when he came to inspect a reservoir.

ASEAN launches contest for new logo

ASEAN launches contest for new logo JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is holding a US$10,000 competition to come up with a new emblem. The ASEAN secretariat announced yesterday that, apart from taking account of new member Vietnam, the design must also take allow for the fact that ASEAN will eventually consist of 10 countries.

Malaysia's Sidek enters World Cup badminton

Malaysia's Sidek enters World Cup badminton JAKARTA (JP): Rashid Sidek will lead a four-strong Malaysian team to the US$180,000 World Cup badminton championships, to be held here from Sept. 13 to 17. Organizers of the invitational tournament said yesterday that Malaysia will parade its Thomas Cup backbones who also include Ong Ewe Hock and world's doubles team number three Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock.

Pino beats Wood, dodges Albert

Pino beats Wood, dodges Albert JAKARTA (JP): Middleweight title holder Pino Bahari punched his way to the semifinals of the President's Cup boxing championships here yesterday, but an intriguing duel with fellow Indonesian Albert Papilaya has not eventuated. Pino, a gold medalist in the 1990 Asian Games, won a unanimous decision over Stephen Wood of New Zealand to join another five home pugilists to advance to the medal race of the international boxing tournament.

Govt examines memoirs for misinterpretations

Govt examines memoirs for misinterpretations JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office yesterday said that it is currently examining the autobiography of a man who served as a cabinet minister under former Indonesian president Sukarno, amid allegations that the book contains dangerous misinterpretations of the events surrounding the 1965 attempted communist coup and its aftermath.

King's stance on ASEAN unchanged

King's stance on ASEAN unchanged PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk said yesterday he did not make a volte-face when he endorsed his country's entry into the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) last Friday. In a clarification released by the palace, King Sihanouk said it was Cambodia that has changed and not himself.

Why is teaching students to speak English difficult?

Why is teaching students to speak English difficult? By John Phillips This is the first of two articles on the teaching of English in Indonesian state schools. YOGYAKARTA (JP): An recent article in The Jakarta Post (July 6, 1995) referred to obstacles to the teaching of English at schools in Indonesia. E.V.

Indonesia's jobless rate 'serious'

Indonesia's jobless rate 'serious' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief, disclosing the official unemployment rate as ranging from four and 40 percent -- depending on the definitions used, warned yesterday that Indonesia is facing a "very serious unemployment problem." Latief told reporters, after reporting to President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace, that he plans to call for a series of coordinating meeting with other cabinet ministers, to discuss Indonesia's unemployment issue.

KL to liberalize finance gradually, says Rafidah

KL to liberalize finance gradually, says Rafidah KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia's signature on the recent global financial services liberalization pact means it will gradually open up its financial markets, International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz said yesterday. "We will liberalize gradually in consonance with our economic development," she said in reply to questions at an Asia-Pacific management consultants conference.

Geophysicists meet in Yogya

Geophysicists meet in Yogya YOGYAKARTA: Some 1,000 geophysicists are currently attending the annual scientific meeting of the Indonesian Geophysics Experts Association, which began in Yogyakarta yesterday. Association chairman Pertangkuhen Manik said that, apart from exchanging information and selecting a new chairman, the three- day meeting will focus on improving the study of geophysics in the national curriculum.

Significant improvements seen at Priok port

Significant improvements seen at Priok port JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto says that significant improvements have been made at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port as a result of the port management's "crash" program, which began in June.

Bogor city becomes larger

Bogor city becomes larger BOGOR (JP): Around 9,500 hectares of land located in the Bogor regency have been handed over to the Bogor city administration, bringing the total area of the city to 11,850 hectares from the original 2,156 hectares. The handover was carried out in line with Government Decree No.5/1995. In a ceremony witnessed by West Java Governor Nuriana on Thursday, Bogor Regent Edy Yoso symbolically handed over the area to Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi, Antara reported.

Engineering firm set up

Engineering firm set up JAKARTA (JP): PT Tirtamas Majutama, a diversified business group controlled by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, has formed a joint venture with Onoda Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Chicibu Onoda Corporation, Japan's largest cement producer. The new company, to be known as PT Tirtamas Onoda Engineering, will commence business with an authorized capital US$2 million, a company statement said here yesterday.

Walking backwards, diagonally? Why not?

Walking backwards, diagonally? Why not? JAKARTA (JP): While the thought of someone walking backwards or sideways for thousands of kilometers may strike you as odd, a man from East Java has set out to do something even stranger, by walking backwards diagonally across the entire Indonesian archipelago.

Gandhi Cup badminton meet

Gandhi Cup badminton meet JAKARTA (JP): To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Gandhi Memorial International School will organize the Gandhi Cup Invitational Badminton Tournament for students studying in Jakarta. To be held from Wednesday through Sunday at the school's gymnasium, the tourney will be divided into two age groups: 12 to 14 and 15 to 17. It will feature boys' singles, boys' doubles, girls' singles, girls' doubles and mixed doubles events.

Traffic fraud

Traffic fraud From Media Indonesia This incident took place at the Jl. Proklamasi to Jl. Diponegoro turning, in front of Metropole Theater, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 1995, at about 3 p.m. The traffic was relatively quiet at that time. I was driving my car along Jl. Proklamasi towards Jl. Diponegoro. The traffic lights on the left showed yellow and were flashing, which meant that one could go on and turn left.

Irian protesters call for probe into Timika

Irian protesters call for probe into Timika JAKARTA (JP): Some 70 Irian Jaya university students held a peaceful demonstration at the House of Representatives yesterday calling for a thorough investigation into allegations of human rights abuses by military authorities in Timika, a village in Irian Jaya.

Rubber markets to take a breather

Rubber markets to take a breather SINGAPORE (Reuter): Surging southeast Asian rubber prices could take a breather this week on correction to the recent sharp advance, but traders said the underlying sentiment remained firm on worries over nearby supplies. Continued rains in some of the main growing areas in Indonesia and Thailand have hampered tapping and drying of sheet rubber and raised concerns of delayed shipments from the origins.

Central bank governor warns of price instability

Central bank governor warns of price instability JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono warned yesterday that the high inflation rate in the first months of this year could endanger price stability and Indonesia's balance of payments. "This year, the relatively high inflation rate serves as one of the indications toward the emergence of those problems," Soedjadjad said during a three-day workshop for officials of the Ministry of Trade here.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 28, 1995: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 2,400 50 2,000 AHAP Insurance 3,200 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,100 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,750 -150 428,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 6,500 0 0 Anwar Sierad 1,300 0 17,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,400 -100 70,500 Argha Karya Prima Industry 1,875 0 28,000 Argo Pantes 2,500 0 0 Asiana IMI Indusrties 925 -25...

Yayuk Basuki rejoins world top 30

Yayuk Basuki rejoins world top 30 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's tennis queen Yayuk Basuki shot to number 25 from 33 on the latest singles rankings issued by the Women's Tennis Association prior to the U.S. Open championships in New York. It was Yayuk's second highest career ranking as she came closer to joining the world's top 20 at number 21 early this year. As of Aug. 26, Yayuk has played 29 matches and won 19 of them.

List all fiesta activities, says Surjadi

List all fiesta activities, says Surjadi JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja yesterday called on his officials to list all activities related to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. Surjadi delivered his speech yesterday in front of city officials from district chiefs to vice-governors at Monas square. Surjadi asked all parties involved in the celebrations to be responsible, particularly in matters of administration.

Child witness identifies suspect

Child witness identifies suspect BENGKULU: Eight-year-old Marlina, the sole survivor and witness of the brutal murder of her family, displayed fear and cried as she was asked to identify the four suspects believed to have murdered the Hasanudin family. "'Yes that's right, they killed Pendi and Bambang with a chopping knife by the river,'" said Rejang Lebong police chief Lt. Col. Julius Srijono, quoting Marlina, who spoke in local dialect.

Govt to maintain clove agency, foreshadows 'improvements'

Govt to maintain clove agency, foreshadows 'improvements' JAKARTA (JP): The government will maintain its policy of assigning the Clove Stock Management and Marketing Agency (BPPC) as the agency with a monopoly over clove trading in Indonesia, Trade Minister Satrio B. Joedono said yesterday. "We still need the clove buffer stock agency, but its trading mechanism has to be improved," Joedono told the press after opening a workshop being held by his ministry.

Activist faces 4 years for insulting Soeharto

Activist faces 4 years for insulting Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The prosecution in the trial of political activist Tri Agus in the Central Jakarta District Court demanded yesterday that Tri be sentenced to four year's imprisonment for allegedly insulting President Soeharto. Agus is an activist with the Pijar Foundation, a non- government organization well-known for its outspokenness, as well as editor of the foundation's hard-hitting periodical Kabar dari Pijar (News from Pijar).

Suppliers of marijuana extend business in town

Suppliers of marijuana extend business in town JAKARTA (JP): City police say that a number of large-scale suppliers of marijuana brought in from the northern tip of Sumatra are significantly expanding their distribution networks in Jakarta. "Based on all data available, we have concluded that the large-scale agents are further extending their networks and sales of the contraband in the city," a reliable source at the drugs unit at city police headquarters told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

Indonesian company seeks huge Cambodian timber deal

Indonesian company seeks huge Cambodian timber deal PHNOM PENH (Reuter): Indonesia's Panin Group is negotiating for a logging concession covering 1.5 million hectares of Cambodia's dwindling forests despite a ban on log exports, officials and diplomats said. "I have not signed the contract...we are just discussing," said Agriculture Minister Tao Seng Hour. Any deal would be twice as large as the controversial 800,000 hectare concession awarded to Malaysia's Samling Corporation last year.

From Tapos to Bali

From Tapos to Bali The business gathering in Bali over the weekend was very similar to the one at President Soeharto's Tapos cattle ranch in West Java more than five years ago. The central topic of discussions at the two meetings was the steep inequality in income distribution and asset ownership. The participants, the owners of the largest business groups which account for about 70 percent of the country's economic activity in the private sector, were almost the same. Only the format differed.

Man seeks 11th hour reprieve

Man seeks 11th hour reprieve SURABAYA, East Java: J.A. Pratikno, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Marine Lt. Col. Purwanto and his family, yesterday applied for a new hearing of his case just as rumors grew stronger that his execution was imminent. His lawyers filed the petition at the Surabaya district court.

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.

Try inaugurates projects in East Timor

Try inaugurates projects in East Timor DILI, East Timor (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno started his two-day visit here yesterday by inaugurating several development projects worth Rp 10.8 billion (approximately US$4.8 million). In a ceremony at the East Timor Museum, Try officiated the opening of a bridge and a training center building for health workers. In his speech, Try told the East Timorese that they have developed rapidly in their 19 years of integration with Indonesia.

Filipino Esquilo wins ASEAN arts award

Filipino Esquilo wins ASEAN arts award JAKARTA (JP): In a ceremony attended by Indonesian First Lady Tien Soeharto here yesterday, Filipino Alfredo Esquilo was celebrated as winner of the ASEAN Arts Award 1995. Esquilo's oil-painting, Ritwal, beat over 2,600 other entries from six countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to collect the US$10,000 prize along with a certificate from Mrs. Tien Soeharto and a trophy.

Obituaries

Obituaries Poppy Mercury, a pop star made famous by the melancholic song Hati Siapa Yang Tak Luka (Whose Heart Wouldn't be Hurt), died at the Hasan Sadikin hospital in Bandung, her home town, yesterday. She was 23 years old. According to Antara, Poppy died from complications of various illnesses which she had for some years, including an ulcer, bronchitis, rheumatism and inflammation of the throat. She was admitted to the hospital on Friday morning.

Course on club management

Course on club management JAKARTA (JP): The International Association of Golf Course Managers will hold a six-week course on club operations as well as golf and country club management in Kuala Lumpur beginning on Friday. The organization's secretary, Simon Hanley, said yesterday that the program will be the first ever held in the Asia-Pacific region, where the supply of club managers has never met the demand.