Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 January 1996

57 articles found

Palapa-C1 satellite ready for launching

Palapa-C1 satellite ready for launching By I. Christianto COCOA BEACH, Florida (JP): Palapa-C1, the first of Indonesia's new generation of telecommunication satellites, is ready to be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, tomorrow at 7:50 p.m. (Feb. 1 at 7:50 a.m., Indonesian Western Time Zone). Palapa-C1, which will replace the Palapa-B2P satellite at 113 degrees east longitude, is owned and will be operated by PT Satelindo, one of the country's private telecommunications providers.

Irian Jaya forests to help overcome timber shortage

Irian Jaya forests to help overcome timber shortage JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo says the government will encourage forest concessionaires in Irian Jaya to step up operations in order to overcome the shortage of timber facing plywood mills. Djamaludin told reporters yesterday that Irian Jaya's forests can provide plywood mills with the logs they need because there are only a few wood-based industrial plants in the province.

Indonesia rice imports reach record level

Indonesia rice imports reach record level JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rice imports during the first half (April-September) of the current fiscal year were valued at US$239.7 million, the highest level for more than a decade.

Proper planning, funding needed to handle floods

Proper planning, funding needed to handle floods JAKARTA (JP): Floods will remain a headache as long as the government lacks the coordination and financial support to solve the worsening problem, State Minister for Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja warned yesterday. Most of the 13 rivers that empty into Jakarta Bay originate from the Puncak area, a popular holiday resort in the regencies of Bogor and Cianjur.

Upset tailor slays his ex-girlfriend

Upset tailor slays his ex-girlfriend JAKARTA (JP): A woman reportedly had her throat viciously slashed by a former boyfriend near her residence in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta, yesterday morning. Annie Widyawati, 28, an employee of PT Samudera Indonesia, died instantly when her head was almost severed with a sickle, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said. The incident took place when the woman was on the way to work.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Dai-ichi, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta. - Mezzanine Lounge: Solo Pianist, daily from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., opening hours Monday to Sunday 11 a.m to 1 a.m. * Hotel Aryaduta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m.; Los Morenos, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - The Tavern Pub: Yeah Yeah Boys, Sunday and Thursday, 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Traffic in Jakarta

Traffic in Jakarta After some years of living in Jakarta I have come up with the following thoughts and comments. Firstly, why do drivers become different people once behind the wheel? I think it is because they live in an authoritarian world. You start off from the house and a spouse and family who probably spent the previous night and that morning giving you a hard time. Then you get to work to find a boss about to do the same thing.

Taiwan to set up industry in Medan

Taiwan to set up industry in Medan TAIPEI (Reuter): Taiwan's government has decided to invest some US$15 million to set up a 70-hectare (173-acre) industrial zone for Taiwanese and local firms in Medan on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, an official said yesterday. The official with the economics ministry's International Economic Cooperation Development Fund (IECDF) said Indonesia's government had agreed to the plan and construction would start in May.

No need for unions at state firms

No need for unions at state firms JAKARTA (JP): Labor unions are unnecessary at state-owned companies because labor disputes there are solved by the civil servants corps, according to an official.

Govt all set with new anti-poverty program

Govt all set with new anti-poverty program JAKARTA (JP): The government is ready to launch another poverty alleviation program next month that will cover nearly five million families around the country. The program, called Kredit Usaha Kesejahteraan Rakyat (People's Prosperity Business Credit), or Kukesra for short, will involve extending credits to help poor families start their own businesses.

Importers' union defends pre-shipment inspection

Importers' union defends pre-shipment inspection JAKARTA (JP): The pre-shipment inspection system currently applied to Indonesian imports will remain supportive of free trade in the region, the Indonesian Importers Association said. The association's chairman, Amirudin Saud, said yesterday that the pre-shipment inspection system will not hinder the harmonization of customs procedures among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Whose business is it to stop human rights violations?

Whose business is it to stop human rights violations? By John Phillips YOGYAKARTA (JP): Suppose you are walking down the street and you see an adult beating up his child. Or you witness hoodlums in a store harassing the store owner until some "protection' money is handed over. Or you see a student give another violent student a large knife. What do you do? The answer for many people is that they would intervene to prevent these bullies and gangsters from carrying out their deeds.

Five state-owned firms unhealthy

Five state-owned firms unhealthy JAKARTA (JP): Five of the eight state-owned trade-related companies have been classified as economically unhealthy, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo said yesterday.

Bintan to have huge resort

Bintan to have huge resort SEOUL (Reuter): South Korea's LG Group plans to develop a huge resort complex in Bintan jointly with Sinar Mas Group of Indonesia, the influential Chosun Ilbo said. "About US$800 million is expected to be invested in the project by 2011," the daily quoted an LG official Sunday as saying. LG Chairman Koo Bon Moo will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian partner in early February.

Island volcano erupts, islanders flee to safety

Island volcano erupts, islanders flee to safety JAKARTA (JP): A loud explosion from Mt. Sakura yesterday shook the people of the Togian Islands in the Gorontalo Bay in Central Sulawesi, where fears of a greater eruption grow by the day. In total, Mt. Sakura, an island volcano near the Unauna island, has erupted 18 times since it was first heard on Friday, Antara reported yesterday.

Pasar Minggu traders protest

Pasar Minggu traders protest JAKARTA (JP): Shop owners and managers at the Pasar Minggu shopping complex in South Jakarta have complained about the presence of street traders in the parking lot. The situation, especially at Blocks E and F, has become increasingly messy since the roadside vendors were allowed to use the parking lot as a business site, the manager of Robinson Department Store, Roy Alveny, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

Garuda and tourism

Garuda and tourism From Kompas President Soeharto's end-of-year speech stressed that the year 1996 is the year of sea and air exploration. These two sectors are expected to bring in foreign exchange, as they are closely related to tourism and its promotion. As far as tourism is concerned, I feel that the authorities have not been aggressive enough in promoting the country.

Three soldiers tried for killing

Three soldiers tried for killing JAKARTA (JP): Three soldiers appeared before the military court in Jayapura yesterday charged with the death of at least three civilians last June, Antara reported. The news agency said a fourth soldier who was a member of the same patrol unit would be tried separately, beginning today.

Many Asian markets down, Taipei hit hard

Many Asian markets down, Taipei hit hard HONG KONG (Reuter): Many Asian markets closed lower yesterday with Taipei the hardest hit after a newspaper report said China has outlined a timetable for reunification with the island, brokers said. Taiwan share prices plunged at the close, with the index falling 169.23 points, or 3.48 percent, to end at 4,692.30.

Indonesia to triple cement imports

Indonesia to triple cement imports JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will more than triple its cement imports this year to meet increasing demand, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo said yesterday.

East Java to host Asian ladies golf

East Java to host Asian ladies golf JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the third leg of the Asian ladies golf championship circuit in Pandaan, East Java, from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18, organizers said yesterday.

Five die in traffic accident

Five die in traffic accident BREBES, Central Java: Five people died and three others were injured when a minibus they were traveling in plunged six meters into the Songgom River here Saturday. Police said the passengers, residents of Bekasi, West Java, were on the way to Purworejo when bad weather hit the area. The driver Sudarmo, 50, lost control of the vehicle in pouring rain. Those who died were Sudarmo, Aristo, 36, and his wife Yatmiati, and two children: Alam Wiyuda and Arif Rasarito.

Private sentry box in Pluit

Private sentry box in Pluit From Bisnis Indonesia In front of Jl. Pluit Barat Raya 32, on the bank of the Pluit river in West Jakarta, a guard post is manned 24 hours a day by three to five people dressed in green uniforms. The sentry box was built by the owner of the house and the guards have been hired to protect the house and it's inhabitants.

Delay evacuating shops owners: Legislators

Delay evacuating shops owners: Legislators JAKARTA (JP): Legislators have asked the government to postpone the evacuation of 100 shop owners in the Chinatown district. Legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party faction sent a letter to the West Jakarta mayor yesterday asking him to delay the Jan. 31 deadline to move the shop owners out of their premises.

RI aims for Olympic rowing qualification

RI aims for Olympic rowing qualification JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is striving for Olympic places in both rowing and canoeing in the Asia Zone qualifying round in Japan in May and June. National coach Budiman said after a hearing with officials of the National Sports Council (KONI) yesterday that he would select 16 athletes to join a centralized training stint in Jatiluhur, West Java. The training program would start early next month.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Tuesday Maghrib 6.20 p.m. Wednesday Imsak 4:25 a.m. Subuh 4.35 a.m.

Jakarta questions Lisbon's intention on East Timor

Jakarta questions Lisbon's intention on East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia questioned Portugal's move yesterday to continue supporting separatist elements in East Timor amid efforts to build confidence between Jakarta and Lisbon. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said in a speech broadcast to East Timor by satellite on Sunday that Lisbon would continue to support efforts for self-rule in East Timor.

Police security heightened for Bambu Apus murder case

Police security heightened for Bambu Apus murder case JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta authorities will deploy more than 100 police and military servicemen to guard the trial of the suspected murderers of a woman and three children. "Many security officers are ready to guard the court session," Mayor Sudarsono said while inspecting the East Jakarta District Court yesterday. The mayor was accompanied by East Jakarta Military District Commander Lt. Col.

BI to tighten private borrowing

BI to tighten private borrowing JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia will improve its monitoring of the inflow of foreign commercial loans to the country's non-bank borrowers, according to central bank governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono yesterday. He said the measure is essential to ensure better checks on the foreign commercial debts owed not only by banks but also by non-bank borrowers and to ensure that short-term borrowing is used for productive activities.

City has enough food stocks

City has enough food stocks JAKARTA (JP): The city logistics agency will make available an extra 350,000 tons of rice to anticipate increased demand during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday, an official said yesterday. The head of the agency, Achmad Noor, said the total stock is enough to feed Jakartans for 20 months based on a demand of 2,250 tons of rice per day.

'Jayakarta' GM died

'Jayakarta' GM died JAKARTA (JP): The general manager of the Jakarta-based Jayakarta, daily, Hadi Soepeno, died on Saturday. The 58-year-old retired army colonel died after being treated at the St. Carolus Catholic hospital, Jakarta, for lung cancer. His body will be buried today. According to press statements released by Jayakarta, Soepeno had been operated on for his illness. He had been the general manager at the daily since 1988.

WB fund to save reefs

WB fund to save reefs KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The World Bank has provided Rp 250 billion (US$ 109.4 million) for the campaign to save coral reefs in several provinces, Antara reported. The head of the environmental bureau of the provincial government, Djamaluddin Safaa, said the aid, to be donated over a five-year period, will be used mainly for campaigns to increase public awareness on the need to protect coral reefs.

NU faces political conspiracy: Abdurrahman

NU faces political conspiracy: Abdurrahman JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is being undermined by a political conspiracy to bring its 30-million members to support parties vying for power, according to chairman Abdurrahman Wahid. "Several parties wish to push the NU into practical politics," Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said yesterday. The organization commemorates its 70th anniversary tomorrow. "We are not interested," he said.

Second singles puzzles Indonesia Davis Cup team

Second singles puzzles Indonesia Davis Cup team JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Davis Cup team is struggling to find its fittest second singles players to accompany number one Suwandi for an Asia-Oceania zone first-round duel against South Korea here from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11. Non-playing captain Wailan Walalangi told reporters yesterday that he would be unable to answer that question until next Monday, when both teams will formally announce their lineups. The draw will be conducted on Wednesday.

Support for Mega

Support for Mega Knowing the decision of Basofi Sudirman, political patron for the province of East Java, I feel a sad need to write this letter. Envious and greedy people continuously try to hamper the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), especially its tough and firm but cool chairwoman, Megawati, in her management of the party's programs. Frankly speaking, this situation actually earns the party more sympathy and support.

Blind masseurs see injustice

Blind masseurs see injustice BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Leaders of the local chapter of Pertuni, an association for the blind, want to open their own traditional massage parlors but say they do not have the necessary money. Chairman Rusman Effendi told Antara that its 654 members, whose main skill is giving massages, still have to "stroll around" to find clients. "We have been wanting our own parlors for so long," he said Saturday. "We can't have them because we don't have the money".

RI nuke reactor seems imminent

RI nuke reactor seems imminent By Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): The construction of Indonesia's premiere commercial nuclear reactor in Central Java seems imminent. The director general of the National Atomic Agency, Djali Ahimsa, recently announced the opening of pre-qualification bids for its construction in Ujung Watu, on the Mount Muria peninsula. As the first of a possible eleven other nuclear plants, the rationale for it is to meet the country's increasing electricity demand.

Telkom suffers $4.3m loss

Telkom suffers $4.3m loss JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) suffered losses of almost Rp 16 billion (US$4.3 million) in line damages in the city last year. Bambang Riadhy Demar, head of Telkom's division two, the areas of which cover Jakarta and West Java, said yesterday that the damages were mainly caused by infrastructure work, such as the building of overpasses, underpasses and toll roads.

New resort launched

New resort launched SINGAPORE (Reuter): Laguna Bintan, part of the 23,000-hectare Bintan Beach International Resort in Indonesia, and jointly developed by DBS Land and an Indonesian company, was launched on Saturday, the companies said. A joint press release by DBS Land and Indonesia's Tropical Resorts Ltd (TRL) said the 423-hectare Laguna Bintan is an equal joint venture project between TRL and DBS Land's wholly-owned subsidiary Amethyst Holdings Pte Ltd. TRL is a subsidiary of Wah Chang.

Singapore sells itself as Asian tourism gateway

Singapore sells itself as Asian tourism gateway SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore intends to sell itself to travelers as a gateway to booming "New Asia" in a bid to sustain tourism growth amid rising competition from cheaper regional destinations, officials said yesterday. Last year, the number of arrivals in the tiny city-state reached a record 7.14 million, an increase of 3.5 percent over 1994, while tourism receipts grew 6.4 percent to S$11.6 billion (US$8.28 billion).

Locals give land for power plant

Locals give land for power plant MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Members of the Arfak tribe in the Prafi valley, Warmar district, declared their willingness to give up 35ha of their ancestors' land for the construction of a microhydro-powered plant. The head of the local office of the electricity company, Sumarsono, told Antara that the land is located along the Prafi River, whose water will be used to generate electricity.

Daiwa Bank in $3b sale

Daiwa Bank in $3b sale TOKYO (Reuter): Japan's Daiwa Bank announced the sale of more than US$3 billion worth of its U.S. business assets yesterday, just days before a deadline set for it to quit the United States following a scandal over huge trading losses. The buyer is another of Japan's big city banks, Sumitomo Bank Ltd. The two banks said they had agreed Daiwa would transfer loans and related business assets worth $3.3 billion from its U.S.

Workers' allowance

Workers' allowance East Java's military are planning to punish and blacklist any companies failing to give an Idul Fitri allowance to their workers. It is not surprising that Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo opted to pursue this line of action since workers' protests were rife in the province throughout last year. We can only hope that his decision will be copied by military commanders in other provinces. Isn't it everybody's wish to celebrate the upcoming Moslem holiday happily?

Locals ignorant of nuclear start date

Locals ignorant of nuclear start date JEPARA, Central Java (JP): The chief of Jepara regency, where the government plans to build Indonesia's first nuclear power plant, said yesterday he had not been told when the project will begin. "I have not received further official information on the plans," Bambang Poerwadi told reporters. " He admitted that it he who suggested the location of Ujung Lemah Abang, near Mount Muria, in Jepara.

Injured Casmadi speaks out on taxi robbery

Injured Casmadi speaks out on taxi robbery JAKARTA (JP): The dispute between the police and a 14-year-old boy who was exonerated by the court of attempted robbery of a taxi driver took a new twist when the taxi driver appeared and told reporters yesterday the boy stabbed him in the neck after demanding money.

Support for NU

Support for NU Observing the press coverage concerning NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) -- the biggest religious organization in Indonesia -- I think all right-thinking people hope that NU can manage its own affairs under Gus Dur's leadership, and should be left alone. The government officials should also support the party's leadership and stop issuing comments which give the impression that the government needs to save the party and lead the conflicting sides to reconciliation.

Farmers

Farmers Correction: In the story Military admits error in handling Jember farmers which appeared on this page yesterday, the error referred to an incident early this month, and not in August last year, as reported. -- Editor

City to renovate the planetarium

City to renovate the planetarium JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has approved a plan to renovate and modernize the planetarium, located at the Taman Ismail Marzuki art center, Central Jakarta. The governor said yesterday that the 26-year-old planetarium should be improved because most of its equipment is obsolete and not produced by the original factory in Germany anymore. However, Surjadi urged the modernization team to thoroughly study a plan to change the equipment with other brands.

Veterans legion renominates Soeharto

Veterans legion renominates Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The 850,000-strong Legion of Indonesian Veterans, which is affiliated to the ruling Golkar party, will renominate Soeharto in the 1998 presidential election. Legion chief Achmad Tahir said yesterday that Soeharto, who has ruled the republic for almost 30 years, has statesmanlike qualities no other Indonesian has. "We are aware many people in the street claim they have the ability.

Analysts bullish about shares of cement producers

Analysts bullish about shares of cement producers JAKARTA (JP): Analysts estimated yesterday that the shares of cement manufacturers listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) will exceed the average performance of other shares this year. The research director of PT HG Asia Indonesia, Jonathan Harris, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that cement manufacturers will enjoy a steady increase in profits until 1998 because of the current under supply situation.

Irian rebels free two student hostages in PNG

Irian rebels free two student hostages in PNG JAKARTA (AFP): Irian Jaya separatist rebels hiding in neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG) Monday released two Indonesian students abducted in Indonesian territory in November, an official said Monday. "The two hostages were released at 2:30 p.m. (0430 GMT) in Skotchiau area," Vice Consul Supeno Said of the Indonesian consulate in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea said by telephone.

China military buildup spurs Asian arms race

China military buildup spurs Asian arms race By Pierre-Antoine Donnet TOKYO (AFP): The threat of China's military build up has spurred other Asian countries, from Indonesia to Japan, to rearm at a rate not seen since the Cold War, analysts here say. "A major reason (for the arms build up) is that many of these Asian countries have become richer and now have money to buy weapons," said Masashi Nishihara, chief researcher at Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies.

RI remains against ties with Israel

RI remains against ties with Israel JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia remains firmly against establishing diplomatic relations with Israel and refutes suggestions that a peace agreement between Damascus and Tel Aviv would be a precursor to ties with Jakarta.

Advertisers change sales pitch to discerning Asians

Advertisers change sales pitch to discerning Asians By Ong Saw Lay KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): As Asia's middle classes have bloomed, their appetites have changed, posing a challenge for advertisers who now have to pitch to discerning and yet still widely varied markets in this vast region. With rising affluence, more and more Asians, flaunting the ubiquitous mobile phones and credit cards as status symbols, are settling for nothing less than designer labels, advertisers say.

Public transport goes on strike

Public transport goes on strike BANDUNG: Hundreds of striking public transport drivers parked their minibuses along Jl. Diponegoro for three hours yesterday, leaving thousands of passengers on the Cicaheum - Ledeng route stranded. Driver Tatang told Antara that he and his friends staged the strike in protest at the number of new minibuses operating illegally. Competition among the 200 registered public transport vehicles is stiff enough, without having to contend with the new ones, he said.

Polonia's revenues up

Polonia's revenues up JAKARTA (JP): The Polonia airport at Medan, North Sumatra, reported a 9 percent revenue increase from Rp 24.5 billion (US$10.65 million) in 1994 to Rp 26.7 billion last year, an executive said yesterday. "Last year's revenue exceeded our target of Rp 24 billion," the head of the Polonia branch of the state-owned airports firm PT Angkasa Pura II, Mulyono DS, was quoted by Antara as saying in Medan.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 29, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 3,000 AHAP Insurance 3,000 -100 15,000 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,925 -50 357,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 5,900 -200 1,000 Anwar Sierad 1,125 0 22,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 1,500 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,100 0 0 Argo Pantes 1,800 0 62,000 Asahimas Flat 2,725 50 322,000 Asiana IMI...