Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 November 1996

47 articles found

Racial issue upsets business tycoons

Racial issue upsets business tycoons JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Sofyan Wanandi called on the public over the weekend to stop raising the Chinese-Indigene racial issue because it could discourage tycoons from helping small- scale businesses and cooperatives. Sofyan said that the country's tycoons, mostly of Chinese origin, had provided much assistance in management and finance to small-scale businesses and cooperatives, in accordance with their promise at their meeting last year in Jimbaran, Bali.

APEC agenda still vague

APEC agenda still vague Two years after setting its lofty goal of lifting all trade and investment barriers by 2020, a group of 18 Asia-Pacific economies is facing the toughest test yet of its free-trade mettle. After talking about grand plans for a virtually borderless economy from North America to Southeast Asia, members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum are to submit detailed plans Sunday on implementing that vision, beginning Jan 1.

Soeharto meets Ramos and Goh

Soeharto meets Ramos and Goh MANILA (JP): President Soeharto met Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong separately here yesterday on the first day of his two-day visit. Soeharto landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the afternoon to attend the fourth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic leaders meeting at Subic Bay today.

Clinton in Bangkok to boost ties

Clinton in Bangkok to boost ties BANGKOK (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton's brief visit to Bangkok this week is seen as an opportunity for him to show America's interest in Asia and help boost trade in Thailand, Thai and U.S. diplomats said. Clinton is due to arrive in Bangkok tonight for a 27-hour stay -- the first presidential visit to Thailand in 27 years.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Wajah Negeriku: Ambon 2:35 TV Series: Buck Rogers 3:05 Children's Program: Anak Anak Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Fresh Prince of Bell Air 4:05 Science Film: Legend Of Lockness 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Evening News 5:25 Travel 5:30 Karya Tepat Guna 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Travel: South Borneo 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teachings: Buddhism 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama: Kuasa Tuhan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Talk Show: Mozaik 9:00...

Bali hotel gets warning

Bali hotel gets warning JAKARTA (JP): Bali's governor, Ida Bagus Oka, has ordered the Sol Elite Paradiso Hotel in Kuta to reduce the height of the concrete roofs of its main building and pavilions to comply with the province's regulation on building and construction. According to the regulation, the height of every building in Bali should not exceed the height of a coconut tree, or about 15 meters, the governor said.

Brazilians outgun Germans

Brazilians outgun Germans JAKARTA (JP): The Brazilian pair of Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede outgunned the German pair of Maike Friedrichsen and Danja Muesch to win the 11th World Women's Beach Volleyball Championships at the Senayan clay tennis courts yesterday. The well-knit Brazilian duo beat the Germans, 12-4, 12-8, in the final in front of 6,000 spectators. Behar and Bede, seeded second, had little trouble overcoming Friedrichsen and Muesch, seeded sixth, in a heavily one-sided first set.

Ministerial meeting adopts APEC action plans on tariffs

Ministerial meeting adopts APEC action plans on tariffs MANILA (JP): Ministers of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on Friday adopted action plans which for the first time clearly describe member country's individual timetables for trade and investment liberalization. With a deadline of 2010 for developed countries and 2020 for developing ones, members can now check each others commitment to free trade and investment.

Pakpahan ruling disappoints rights activists

Pakpahan ruling disappoints rights activists SEMARANG (JP): Two National Commission on Human Rights members have questioned the legal grounds in the Supreme Court's recent decision to put labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan back in prison after it acquitted him of all charges two years ago. Satjipto Rahardjo and Muladi said the Criminal Code Procedure states prosecutors could not appeal against a Supreme Court decision to unconditionally acquit a suspect.

Attack on churches politically engineered

Attack on churches politically engineered SURABAYA (JP): The Oct. 10 attack on churches in the East Java town of Situbondo was "politically engineered" to appear like a conflict between local Moslems and Christians, a discussion here has concluded. About 200 youths from various religious organizations agreed at Hotel Elmi yesterday that the attack, which claimed five lives, not only inflicted great losses on local Christians but also tarnished Islam as a religion of peace and unity.

Soerjadi-Megawati meeting proposed

Soerjadi-Megawati meeting proposed JAKARTA (JP): A well-known political analyst proposed Saturday that Soerjadi and Megawati Soekarnoputri, key figures in the rift-riddled Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), meet to bury the hatchet. Gen. (ret) Rudini, a former home affairs minister, said in Semarang that reconciliation between Soerjadi and Megawati is probably the best solution to the dragging leadership conflict in the PDI. "It is they (Megawati and Soerjadi) who have the mass support.

RI lifters win 6 medals in Seoul

RI lifters win 6 medals in Seoul JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian lifters chalked up a creditable showing in the just-concluded Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships in Seoul by grabbing three golds, one silver and two bronzes. The results are all the more impressive given that Indonesia was represented by only three lifters at the five-day event which ended yesterday.

IMB seeks info on hijacked ship

IMB seeks info on hijacked ship KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) appealed yesterday for information on a Malaysian gas-oil tanker, the Suci, which was hijacked by six armed pirates and is now believed to be sailing under the name Glory II. The IMB last Saturday issued an alert to all port authorities in Asia, as well as ships plying the region, to be on the lookout for the 17-year old tanker.

PLN urged to sell assets to improve financial soundness

PLN urged to sell assets to improve financial soundness JAKARTA (JP): The government has suggested that the State Electricity Company (PLN) sell its 800-megawatt coal-fired power station at Paiton, East Java to improve its financial soundness. "Yes, selling the assets in Paiton is one of the options being mulled over to cope with PLN's liquidity problems," said Zuhal, the director general for electricity, over the weekend.

Timor cars sold to agrarian ministry

Timor cars sold to agrarian ministry JAKARTA (JP): PT Timor Distributor Nasional (TDN), the distribution arm of PT Timor Putra Nasional, has sold 12 Timor cars to the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs. Gurhadi Kartasasmita, a TDN executive, said over the weekend the sale of the controversial cars to the ministry was part of the company's sales promotion program. The agrarian affairs ministry is the first government office to publicly disclose the purchase of the so-called national cars.

Progressive parking fee plan debated

Progressive parking fee plan debated JAKARTA (JP): Councilors are divided over progressive parking fees in city-owned parking lots. The chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, Lukman F. Mokoginta, said imposition of the progressive fees was urgently necessary in order to curb the use of private cars.

Lab School holds its annual int'l festival

Lab School holds its annual int'l festival JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students from Jakarta's international schools celebrated yesterday in festivities at the Lab School in East Jakarta. The annual event was held by the private-run School owned by the Jakarta Teachers Training and Education Institute in the Rawamangun subdistrict, Pulogadung. The students enjoyed participating in dances, songs and costume shows.

U.S Exim lends $400m to RP project

U.S Exim lends $400m to RP project MANILA (AFP): The U.S. Export-Import Bank on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding to extend more than US$400 million in political risk guarantees and term financing to a power project in the Philippines. The agreement will support the construction of a 440-megawatt, coal-fired power plant being set up in Mauban town, in Quezon province, by a consortium, the Quezon Power (Philippines) Ltd. Co. The signing of the agreement was witnessed by U.S.

33 NGOs demand bans on sexist ads

33 NGOs demand bans on sexist ads JAKARTA (JP): Thirty three non-government organizations demanded yesterday advertisements insulting women's dignity be banned. Spearheaded by the Indonesian Consumers Agency (YLKI), they lodged their petition with the Ministry of Information, the office of State Minister of Women's Roles, the advertising agencies' governing body and the mass media.

People friendly road for Kuningan: City planner

People friendly road for Kuningan: City planner JAKARTA (JP): Pedestrians along Jl. Prof. Satrio in Kuningan, South Jakarta, will be protected from rain and heat in new plans for the road, the head of the city architecture team said yesterday. Mohammad Danisworo, also chairman of the Bandung Institute of Technology's Center for Urban Design Studies, said pedestrian facilities were the main feature of plans for the road.

Business leaders upbeat on APEC after 2-day forum

Business leaders upbeat on APEC after 2-day forum By Prapti Widinugraheni and Meidyatama Suryodiningrat MANILA (JP): Business leaders from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum ended a two-day business forum here Saturday with a renewed vision on APEC. While acknowledging APEC's benefits for business, delegates said they were responsible for building an "APEC community".

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Dai-ichi, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta. - Morgan's 1072 Classic Disco, Asian Force Band, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Saturday: 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Acid Speed Band, Friday, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Platinum Band, Wednesday, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. * Hotel Aryaduta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Los Morenitos Vocal Group, Monday, Thursday, Sunday, 7:15 p.m.

Reporters get course on drugs

Reporters get course on drugs JAKARTA (JP): A course on illegal drugs for journalists from ASEAN countries will start today. The week-long course, which runs until Nov. 30, focuses on the media's role in preventing and combating drug abuse. Director General for Press and Graphics Subrata will open the course. The course is called "ASEAN Journalists/Media Personnel Encounter on Preventive Drug Information," and will be held at the Kartika Chandra Hotel in South Jakarta. Committee member A.

Domestic investors' base needs to be broadened: Seminar

Domestic investors' base needs to be broadened: Seminar NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Securities analysts and businesspeople have reaffirmed the important role of domestic investors to strengthen the capital market, which is still dominated by foreign investors. The Association of Indonesian Issuers (listed companies) chairman Rosano Barack said, "We badly need to increase the participation of our local investors to improve our capital market's liquidity and to offset the domination of foreign investors.

Emotion runs high after Senen fire

Emotion runs high after Senen fire JAKARTA (JP): Emotion ran high yesterday among the store owners whose kiosks and goods were razed by fire at the Senen shopping center on Saturday, with some accusing the center's management of negligence and others suggesting sabotage. Many of them said the fire's timing, a few weeks before their leases expired, was too coincidental.

Student tried for Ecstasy

Student tried for Ecstasy JAKARTA (JP): A student was accused at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday of trafficking in 120 Ecstasy pills. The 21-year defendant, a resident of Gang Puri Mas in Gambir subdistrict, was arrested in May while counting the Ecstasy pills in a car, prosecutor Astoeti told the court. "He was about to sell the pills to two friends," she said. Police investigations found that the suspect had bought the pills from a friend named Andi for Rp 39,000 each.

APEC business leaders make $2b worth of deals

APEC business leaders make $2b worth of deals MANILA (Reuter): Asia Pacific businessmen emerged from a two- day meeting on the fringe of the annual APEC summit with a rich haul -- business deals worth over $2 billion and contacts to bring more business. Yesterday, the 600 or so chief executives of some of the biggest companies in the region celebrated their parallel "summit", where deal-making and networking topped the agenda. Many played golf, while others toured nearby Corregidor Island.

Clinton's zealous security

Clinton's zealous security MANILA (Reuter): Security was so tight when U.S. President Bill Clinton flew into Manila for an Asia-Pacific summit that his minders stopped the Philippine vice-president when he went to welcome the U.S. leader at the airport. "You cannot tell me what to do right here in my country," Vice-President Joseph Estrada snapped to the U.S. security men.

'Tofu producers should move'

'Tofu producers should move' JAKARTA (JP): Around 80 tofu makers currently operating in several districts in the Bogor regency should be relocated to one place for better control of waste disposal, an expert said. Abdul Basith, who specializes in industrial technology at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said Friday tofu makers usually empty their waste in the nearest gutter or river, without prior treatment. Basith said tofu waste does not only smell bad, it also causes skin rashes.

U.S. official grilled over high tech plan

U.S. official grilled over high tech plan MANILA (AFP): Acting U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky came under sharp questioning here Saturday after what appeared to be a clear U.S. climbdown on a high tech trade proposal. Barshefsky insisted the United States had never sought an agreement from its partners in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum for zero tariffs by 2000 on information technology products.

General Motors says Asia still protective

General Motors says Asia still protective MANILA (UPI): U.S. automotive giant General Motors Corp. Saturday criticized persisting protectionism in some Asian countries, blocking Western car manufacturers from tapping the region's potential markets. GM chief economist G. Mustafa Mohatarem said most of Asia's booming car markets remains untapped, except for Japan and South Korea, frustrating American car manufacturers' aim to cash in on the region's rapid growth.

No other suspects in Marsinah case

No other suspects in Marsinah case SURABAYA, East Java: Police have not found any new suspects in their investigation of the slaying of labor activist Marsinah since the Supreme Court exonerated several suspects last year, a police spokesman says. "The National Police have not yet found other suspects, be they new or from among the previous group of suspects, for the 1993 murder of Marsinah," East Java police spokesman H. Sofwat Hadi was quoted by Antara as saying here on Saturday.

RI riders set to end Japan's domination

RI riders set to end Japan's domination JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will fight tooth and nail to end Japan's domination in the Second Asian Mountainbiking Championships in Taipei from Nov. 30. "Japanese riders ruled the roost in last year's event. But we are out to put up a formidable challenge to them in Taipei.

Worker killed, another injured

Worker killed, another injured JAKARTA (JP): One worker was killed and another was seriously injured when they fell while working at an apartment project in West Jakarta. The accident took place Friday night at the Taman Anggrek Mall project. The number of casualties at the project since it was begun in 1995 is now 18. Most of them were killed. Wasli, the dead worker, was said to have been new to the project.

Police reject Zarina's request for city arrest

Police reject Zarina's request for city arrest JAKARTA (JP): Police have turned down a request from lawyers of Zarina, the Ecstasy-case escapee, that she be placed under city arrest. Temporary release either on the basis of bail or a guarantee that she would not leave town would disturb ongoing investigations, the head of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Detectives, Lt. Col. Paimin Aboeamr, said Saturday.

Few firms have labor union

Few firms have labor union SURABAYA: About only 32 percent of East Java's 27,000 companies are strike-free because they already have a Federation of Indonesian Labor Union (FSPSI) unit. Med Ismoe Handoko, chief of the federation's East Java office, said Saturday the remaining 68 percent were prone to strikes because they did not have a union. Ismoe said most of the 27,000 companies were only after profit so did not hesitate to exploit their workers, Antara reported.

RP protesters denounce Hillary

RP protesters denounce Hillary MANILA (Reuter): Police swiftly dispersed a small group of Filipino feminists who staged a protest yesterday denouncing U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton. Mrs Clinton, accompanying her husband to the Asia-Pacific trade summit that the Philippines is hosting, was giving a speech in a Manila hotel two blocks from the protest. Mrs Clinton called in her address for the empowerment of the region's women but the 30 Filipino protesters said she didn't mean what she said.

TV's role in education

TV's role in education From Bisnis Indonesia It is a fact that children and their parents spend four to five hours daily watching television. How about transforming this facility into an English language session? Does anyone remember the toddler who was able to spell many English words, just from watching television? You could try this by showing an English-speaking film subtitled in Indonesian, or, an Indonesian-speaking film subtitled in English.

RI gets $260m from World Bank

RI gets $260m from World Bank JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank has approved loans totaling US$260 million to finance infrastructure projects in Sulawesi and improve railway networks in Java. The bank stated that $155 million of the loan would finance the Second Sulawesi Urban Development project and the remaining $105 million would be allocated to the Railway Efficiency project.

New avenues to growth, security

New avenues to growth, security By Juwono Sudarsono The following article is based on a paper presented at the Australia-Indonesia Defense and Science Technology Seminar in Nov. 20, 1996. DENPASAR, Bali: The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is an attempt to transpose the success of the ASEAN security model to the wider Asia Pacific canvass.

Workers report exploitation

Workers report exploitation TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Dozens of workers, mainly women, have reported to the local chapter of the Indonesian Journalists' Association that their employer has denied them their full salaries and has forced them to work overtime without pay. Several of the workers are said to be between the ages of 14 and 17. One of them, who said she was 15, has suffered a work- related accident.

Scholars lament pressure on judges

Scholars lament pressure on judges SEMARANG (JP): Indonesian judges find it hard to remain impartial because too many parties intervene in cases, a law professor at the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University said yesterday. Sudikno Mertokusumo said judges often faced dilemmas because they were squeezed by "internal and external pressures". "This is not something than can be easily confirmed.

Man dies in fire

Man dies in fire PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Fire gutted hundreds of houses, a hotel and a motel in the densely populated Pahandut district yesterday morning. Antara reported the fire razed the houses and buildings on Jl. Halmahera and Jl. Jawa. Husaini, a 40-year-old resident, fell from the roof of one of the buildings. The fire, which started just before 11 a.m., was contained three hours later. The news agency said about 500 families had become homeless and several people were injured.

25,000 watch Bishop Belo bless giant statue of Christ

25,000 watch Bishop Belo bless giant statue of Christ DILI, East Timor (JP): About 25,000 Catholics thronged the Fatucama peninsula, seven kilometers east of Dili, to watch the blessing of a giant statue, Christ the King, yesterday. The blessing, led by Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, began at 3:30 p.m. local time. It proceeded without incident. "Now the statue has become a sacred place for people to come to pray and meditate," Belo said during his sermon.

APEC leaders meet today

APEC leaders meet today By Prapti Widinugraheni and Meidyatama Suryodiningrat MANILA (JP): Leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in their meeting today are expected elevate the role of the private sector in achieving the forum's goals of regional free trade, officials said yesterday. In a day-long meeting at Subic, the 18 APEC leaders are expected to issue a declaration highlighting the integral role of business.

'Curbs on Bank's activities in bourse are understandable'

'Curbs on Bank's activities in bourse are understandable' NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Businessmen understand the reasons behind the restrictions imposed by Bank Indonesia (the central bank) on commercial banks' involvement in the stock market, the chairman of the Association of Indonesian Issuers, Rosano Barack, said here.

Police roadblock anti-APEC convoy

Police roadblock anti-APEC convoy MANILA (Agencies): Heavily armed Philippine police set up frequent road blocks yesterday to delay convoys of leftist protesters heading to Subic Bay, site of an Asia-Pacific trade summit. The protesters, most riding in the Philippines' colorful "jeepney" minibuses, were subjected to repeated searches by slow- moving but scrupulously polite policemen. Tempers rose in the steady drizzle but although heated words were exchanged, there was no violence.