Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 November 1996

49 articles found

Habibie firm in rate debate

Habibie firm in rate debate JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie backed down yesterday in the debate on interest rates, while senior economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo called for more debate to create a more democratic society. "Don't ask me anymore because I have explained a lot about the role of interest rates in development and industry," Habibie said when queried about his zig-zag theory on interest rate reduction.

PCS-1900 system to be tried in Yogyakarta in 1997

PCS-1900 system to be tried in Yogyakarta in 1997 JAKARTA (JP): Mikrosel, a cooperative of small telecommunications firms, plans to begin a new cellular service pilot project in Yogyakarta early next year in cooperation with a local firm controlled by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. The new secretary-general of the Indonesian Association of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Offices (APWI), Danny F.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Animated Classic 3:05 Sport: Basket Ball 4:05 TV Series: Out of The Blue 4:30 Science Film: Earth Revealed 4:55 Filler 5:00 News: Siaran Berita TVRI 5:30 Travel and Tourism: North Sulawesi 6:05 Travel: DKI Jakarta 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Education: Package 27 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama: Tembang Masa Lalu 8:05 Saturday Night Music 9:00 World News 9:30 Soccer: German League (live) 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Drama: Wasiat Program 2 4:30 p.m.

S. African trade party heads for RI

S. African trade party heads for RI JAKARTA (JP): A 30-member delegation from South Africa is scheduled to arrive here today for a four-day visit to promote trade and investment relations with Indonesia, the South African embassy announced yesterday. The embassy's third secretary of political affairs, T.P. Kalcic, said yesterday the delegation, led by Western Cape provincial minister C. Nissen and Northern Cape provincial minister G.

Edy lives dangerously in preselection match

Edy lives dangerously in preselection match JAKARTA (JP): Former Davis Cupper Edy Kusdaryanto had to stretch his muscles to overcome junior Yusmawan Fahmi 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-0 in the preselection tournament for the national tennis team at the Senayan clay courts yesterday. Edy, who plays better on hard courts than on clay, got off to a slow start in this Group C match. Only his experience saved him in the first set tie-break. "He played very well.

RI's lonely star in Asian Matchplay

RI's lonely star in Asian Matchplay CIMANGGIS, Bogor (JP): Maan Naasim will be the sole Indonesian golfer in the Volvo Asian Matchplay and Hugo Boss Foursomes championships scheduled from Dec. 19 to Dec. 22 in the scenic Emeralda golf and country club in Cimanggis, Bogor.

Erratic BCA ATMs

Erratic BCA ATMs From Kompas My husband wanted to take out some cash at a BCA ATM in Hero Supermarket, Blok M Plaza, on Sept. 22. Pressing the button for Rp 500,000 produced no response, despite repeated efforts. Another try, this time for Rp 200,000, yielded the money asked for. Later in the day, at Makro in Pasar Rebo, a similar machine did not respond to several presses of the button.

Police broke agreement, says Zarina's father

Police broke agreement, says Zarina's father JAKARTA (JP): Zarina, the Ecstasy-case suspect, who was arrested in Houston on Monday had told Jakarta police of her whereabouts and had agreed to go home and surrender, her father said yesterday. Mirafsur K, father of the 24-year-old Zarina, who was popularly known as Zarima, said police broke the deal.

Club loan for finance firm

Club loan for finance firm JAKARTA (JP): PT Saseka Gelora Finance, a multifinance company which is 79.65 percent owned by Bank Niaga, signed a US$26- million club loan facility yesterday with a group of six banks, coordinated by the Singapore branch of The Sumitomo Bank Limited.

Dealing with problematic NGOs

Dealing with problematic NGOs By T. Mulya Lubis Controversy has lately arisen concerning the role which non- governmental organizations (NGOs) are supposed to play in Indonesia. In the following article, T. Mulya Lubis, chairman of the Center for Human Rights Studies, takes a look at the issue. JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman has told the press that there are 32 problem NGOs in Indonesia.

Fighting corruption

Fighting corruption The Jakarta Post's report "Harsh punishment needed to eliminate corruption" (Oct. 30) filled me with joy. The Post itself considered it as a breath of fresh air because the matter was brought up by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, the minister in charge of national development planning. When I read further down the column, my joy gradually diminished, because I could not find any pointers on how to fight corruption.

Illegal workers

Illegal workers From Kompas There are many Indonesian workers toiling illegally in Malaysia. They were forced to resort to their present status because they lacked the financial means to enter Malaysia the conventional way. Several families I met in Kota Kajang, at a 5- day seminar held in Malaysia, told me all about it. They told about the grueling sea journey, and about the time they landed on Malaysian shores.

'Policy adjustment needed to contain speculative attacks'

'Policy adjustment needed to contain speculative attacks' JAKARTA (JP): Macro, micro and sectoral cooperation is badly needed to contain possible speculative attacks on the country's financial sector, Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono said yesterday. Speaking at a conference, organized by the central bank and the International Monetary Fund, the governor said globalization had created a borderless financial world which undermined the roles of monetary authorities.

BI defends intervention in banking

BI defends intervention in banking JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono defended the central bank's increasing intervention in the banking sector yesterday, arguing that it is part of its efforts to improve the soundness of the local banking system. The governor noted that both regulation and deregulation in the banking sector is part of the central bank's adjustment policy to prepare the local banking industry to face the rapid changes in the global economy.

Bulog announces lower annual financial surplus

Bulog announces lower annual financial surplus JAKARTA (JP): The National Logistics Agency (Bulog) yesterday announced a financial surplus of Rp 13.6 billion (US$5.91 million) for the 1995/1996 fiscal year, down from Rp 133 billion in 1994/1995. Bulog Chief Beddu Amang said despite the drop, Bulog was better off than it was three years ago, when it suffered a Rp 115 billion deficit in 1993/1994.

Marketing scam

Marketing scam Several days ago, I received a message that someone from PT Vakansi Megah Jakarta had repeatedly tried to get in touch with me to inform me that I was the lucky winner of a US$2,000 vacation voucher to be spent in Bali or Europe. I finally had the opportunity to talk on the phone with a Mr. Samsi on Oct. 26. He confirmed the news of my lucky voucher, stressing that there would be no second raffle and that they had to hand over the award to me.

Ambassador Smith thrives on variety challenges

Ambassador Smith thrives on variety challenges JAKARTA (JP): Changes and challenges are as common for those working in the foreign service as the congested morning ride to work is for most Jakartans. While some loathe continual shifts, others thrive on new personal and professional challenges. Canada's new Ambassador to Jakarta Gary J. Smith admitted he thrives on variety.

Workers set to sue firms over salaries

Workers set to sue firms over salaries BEKASI, West Java (JP): The Local All-Indonesian Workers Union Federation (FSPSI), representing almost 700 employees from two factories, will file suit against the managements for failing to pay the workers' wages and severance pay as promised. Rahmat Abdullah, secretary of the Bekasi FSPSI, said yesterday the legal step was considered the best option after the managements ignored FSPSI's requests to settle the lingering disputes with the workers.

Congress on dialects held

Congress on dialects held DENPASAR: A congress on local dialects is being held here, participated in by 200 experts, Balinese language teachers, students and government officials. Antara quoted Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro as saying when opening the two-day congress yesterday that local dialects could serve as a communication means for development programs. In addition, he said local languages contribute greatly to the national language.

Low cost apartments officially opened

Low cost apartments officially opened JAKARTA (JP): A low cost apartment complex built for victims of a 1994 South Jakarta slum fire is finally ready to be lived in. The apartments in the West Tebet subdistrict, opened yesterday by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, covers a 17.3-hectare plot where the fire razed hundreds of homes. Following the fire, the governor's decree to build a low cost apartment complex on the land met resistance from the fire's victims.

Timor forum to go ahead despite ban

Timor forum to go ahead despite ban KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): A coalition of human rights groups said yesterday they would go ahead with their conference on East Timor despite the Malaysian government's threat to take legal action to stop it. "We believe our conference is legal," Sanusi Othman, one of the organizers of the second Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor (APCET), told a news conference. The conference is due to take place from today to Monday.

93 firms ignore agency rule

93 firms ignore agency rule JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam), I Putu Gede Ary Suta, disclosed yesterday that 93 of the 288 public companies registered with the agency did not have corporate secretaries, as required by the agency's regulations.

Pelita Harapan gives scholarships

Pelita Harapan gives scholarships JAKARTA (JP): Six thousand needy children will get scholarships for nine years from the Pelita Harapan Education Foundation (YPPH). An agreement to provide Rp 4.24 billion (US$1.8 million) was signed by foundation chairman Johannes Oentoro and the executive chairperson of the National Foster Parent Drive Committee, Halimah Bambang Trihatmodjo at the Jakarta Hilton International hotel Thursday evening.

More cases of HIV/AIDS reported to health officials

More cases of HIV/AIDS reported to health officials JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health last month recorded 14 more cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), bringing Indonesia's official total to 463. Twelve people tested positive for HIV and two were discovered to have AIDS. Director General for Communicable Disease Control and Environmental Health Hadi M.

Army ready to help police investigate fatal robbery

Army ready to help police investigate fatal robbery JAKARTA (JP): The Army has threatened to take strong action against any member proved to have been involved in last month's armed robbery and the subsequent violent death of a suspect in Bogor police custody. Responding to speculations about the involvement of army members in the case, spokesman Brig. Gen.

Poison, poison everywhere, but not a drop to eat

Poison, poison everywhere, but not a drop to eat By John Aglionby JAKARTA (JP): Fugu, a prickly blowfish, are 1,000 times more poisonous than cyanide. To most people that would be a very good reason to avoid them. But the Japanese, famous for their penchant for raw fish, think otherwise. Four thousand years ago they began to eat, and die from, this extremely expensive winter delicacy, if fossil analysis is anything to go by.

Private firms to monitor APEC action plans

Private firms to monitor APEC action plans TOKYO (AFP): The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has agreed to involve business circles in monitoring the execution of action plans for trade liberalization, press reports said Friday. Under the agreement, the 18 APEC member economies will respect requests from businesses when they annually review their individual action plans, the Kyodo News quoted Japanese government sources as saying.

RI mosque to be built in Sarajevo

RI mosque to be built in Sarajevo JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) has formed a committee to oversee construction of a grand mosque, to be named after President Soeharto, in the war-torn Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. Lukman Harun, the head of the council's foreign affairs section, said the committee comprises of people from both Indonesia and Bosnia Herzegovina.

Police shoot car thief

Police shoot car thief JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man and arrested his friend yesterday for allegedly stealing a Kijang van on Jl. Pengadegan Barat, South Jakarta. The Chief of the South Jakarta detectives Maj. Rycko AD. said Damiri, 30, was shot dead for resisting arrest, while his friend, Aji Reza, 31, was arrested while in the van.

Five Indonesians head to World Power Lifting meet

Five Indonesians head to World Power Lifting meet JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weight Lifting, Power Lifting and Bodybuilding Association will send five lifters to Vienna, Austria, for the World Power lifting Championships scheduled from Nov. 11 to Nov. 19. The association's general affairs manager Budi Santoso was quoted by Antara in Pringsewu, Lampung, as saying Thursday he was optimistic the musclemen would all snatch gold medals.

Canadian arrested in Irian Jaya

Canadian arrested in Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Local police have arrested Canadian Greg Witson, 42, for illegal possession of a number of protected animals, said an Antara report yesterday. Head of Jayapura police precinct Second Lt. B. Chris Rihulay said police also detained Nico Halatu, a local, for allegedly selling protected animals. The authorities are currently seeking lawyers to represent the Canadian.

1,543 athletes join centralized training programs

1,543 athletes join centralized training programs JAKARTA (JP): A total of 1,543 athletes are being groomed in centralized training programs for the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which will be staged here next year. The National Sports Council's spokesman, Ishadi SK said yesterday that there will be three selection phases to pick the 700-member national squad for the biennial event. "The phases are scheduled to take place in April, July and October.

Upi sets sights on becoming first RI woman grandmaster

Upi sets sights on becoming first RI woman grandmaster JAKARTA (JP): Upi Darmayanti Tamin is training hard in an effort to realize her liftetime ambition: to become Indonesia's first woman chess grandmaster. " I have been training six hours regularly every day for the past two months in preparation for a series of international tournaments in Europe next May.

Sinar Mas to issue 663m new shares

Sinar Mas to issue 663m new shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Sinar Mas Multiartha, the Sinar Mas Group's holding company, won the approval of its shareholders yesterday to issue 663 million new shares for Rp 750 (31 U.S. cents) a share through a limited offering. The company said it expected to receive Rp 497.2 billion through the offering.

Volcano obscured by emission

Volcano obscured by emission SEMARANG: A thick cloud blanketing Mt. Merapi since Thursday is causing poor visibility and hampering the work of officials at observation posts. Antara yesterday quoted Sunarto at the Kaliurang observation post as saying that activities of Indonesia's most active volcano could not be monitored visually because the cloud is obscuring the top of the volcano.

Indonesia to host SE Asian show jumping events

Indonesia to host SE Asian show jumping events JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is to host the third and fourth legs of the newly formed Southeast Asian Show Jumping League next year. The league, whose establishment was confirmed in an Oct. 15 letter by director World Cup for Jumping Riders Max E. Ammann to the equestrian governing bodies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, features eight one-day legs. The first leg is scheduled for Aug.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 8, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 900 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 825 0 18,500 Andayani Megah 1,025 0 52,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,200 -50 16,000 Anwar Sierad 2,575 0 368,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,825 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 3,500 -50 89,500 Argo Pantes 1,750 0 0 Asahimas Flat 1,325 0 1,795,000 Asiana IMI...

New association for rights founded

New association for rights founded JAKARTA (JP): A group of prominent legal and human rights activists announced yesterday the establishment of Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI). Aiming to provide legal aid for the poor and the legal- illiterate, the association is mostly staffed by people previously active in the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), one of Indonesia's prominent legal aid bodies. Mulyana W.

S'pore economic growth to slow

S'pore economic growth to slow SINGAPORE (AFP): The Singapore economy is expected to expand by a much slower pace of 2.6 percent year-on-year in the last quarter of 1996 for a projected annual six percent growth, government officials said yesterday. The economy had expanded by 3.2 percent in the third quarter, the city state's worst growth rate in a decade, due to weakness in the crucial manufacturing sector, they told a media briefing.

Bakrie offers bonus shares

Bakrie offers bonus shares JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of publicly-listed PT Bakrie & Brothers, a widely-diversified business group, yesterday approved a plan to issue three bonus shares for every old share, according to company director Joseph Inkiriwang. Speaking after an extraordinary shareholders meeting, he said the bonus shares would be derived from its agio, the share price premium obtained from its trading on the capital market.

IMF talks end in consensus on exchange rates

IMF talks end in consensus on exchange rates JAKARTA (JP): A two-day conference on ASEAN economics ended here yesterday, with consensus that significant misalignment of regional exchange rates must be avoided. The conference, co-sponsored by Bank Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), also concluded that sound macroeconomic fundamentals were important, especially those relating to fiscal policies, domestic savkngs rates and investment. Bank Indonesia Governor J.

Texmaco to build rayon fiber plant

Texmaco to build rayon fiber plant JAKARTA (JP): The Texmaco Group, a producer of textile machinery, will take over the forestry concessions of PT Astra International and its partner Scott Paper Co. of the United States in Irian Jaya, a minister said yesterday. "Texmaco will take over the plan of Astra and its partner in Irian Jaya.

The fashionable diamond is both casual and smart

The fashionable diamond is both casual and smart By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): This just in from the fashion brokers: it's no longer gauche to wear diamonds with blue jeans. It's chic. The De Beers Diamond Information Centre and GoldMart Jewelry are adding new designs to their collection, Diamonds for the Modern Woman, which pioneered the concept of simple, wearable diamond jewelry two years ago in Jakarta.

67 senior Army officers to retire on Monday

67 senior Army officers to retire on Monday JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono will lead a military ceremony in the Central Java town of Magelang on Monday to bid farewell to 67 retiring senior officers. Hartono will also induct 1,000 army cadets from the National Military Academy in Magelang, Army Chief Spokesman Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav said yesterday. The ceremony will coincide with the academy's 49th anniversary. The mandatory retirement age for an Army officer is 55.

Developers must heed economic gap, says Rais

Developers must heed economic gap, says Rais JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor for Economy and Development Affairs TB.M. Rais told developers who build luxury housing and commercial complexes to watch out for Jakarta's economic gap. Addressing the second convention of the city branch of the Association of Indonesian Developers (REI), Rais said providing public facilities is one way to prevent a wider gap.

Asian embassies attacked as Australian race debate rages

Asian embassies attacked as Australian race debate rages SYDNEY (AFP): The Australian government has been forced to upgrade diplomatic security after Chinese and Malaysian missions were both targeted in attacks blamed on a race debate raging here, officials said yesterday. Missiles were fired, probably by a slingshot, through the windows of the Chinese Consulate-General here on four consecutive nights in October, a foreign affairs spokesman in Canberra told AFP.

Info tech exibition on for 1997

Info tech exibition on for 1997 JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition featuring information technology solutions for banking, finance, offices, manufacturing, telecommunications, retail, transportation, publishing and logistics will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center next year.

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, Firday, 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.

New apartments for C. Jakarta

New apartments for C. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): A private joint venture developer will build three apartment blocks, called Perada Jakarta, on Jl. Teluk Betung, Kebon Melati district, Central Jakarta worth US$120 million, a company executive said yesterday. The buildings will stand on 1.8 hectares of land and be built next April by PT Dharma Panggung Sentosa, Hendro S Gondokusumo, president of PT Dharmala Intiland said yesterday.