Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 December 1996

47 articles found

OIC not taking sides in Afghan conflict: Alatas

OIC not taking sides in Afghan conflict: Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, as chairman of the Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said yesterday that the group was not taking sides in the conflict raging in Afghanistan. "The conference is not the taking side of anyone. This must be understood, don't misinterpret it," Alatas told journalists yesterday.

Loan words

Loan words I can't take much eksepsi to a couple of points made by Lucas Ocken in response to my letter about the pidginisasi of Bahasa Indonesia. Yes, my family name was originally French (although it is actually Scottish) and yes, every language has loan words: It's hardly a matter of surprise that Indonesian incorporates some Dutch loan words.

Sandyawan receives Yap Thiam Hien award

Sandyawan receives Yap Thiam Hien award JAKARTA (JP): Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi, a Jesuit Catholic priest who made headlines for sheltering wanted activists charged with inciting the July 27 riots, received the Yap Thiam Hien human rights award yesterday. Some 700 people, mostly activist students, packed the Atrium Hall at the World Trade Center on Jl. Sudirman to pay homage to Sandyawan, the fifth person to win the laurels since 1992.

Indomobil to make ACs

Indomobil to make ACs JAKARTA (JP): Indomobil Investment Corporation, Anugerah Idealestari and Japanese firms Zexel Corporation and Itochu Corporation agreed here yesterday to establish a joint venture to produce automotive air conditioners. President of Indomobil Group Soebronto Laras said the joint venture, to be named Zexel AC Indonesia, would invest around US$10 million in the plant.

Broadcasting law

Broadcasting law At long last, Indonesia will soon have its first broadcasting law, following the House of Representatives' decision to endorse the government-sponsored bill Monday. The sweeping law provides a legal framework for the industry to operate within. It also provides greater certainty than the present system, which is regulated by a series of government rules.

Belo, Horta receive Nobel prize

Belo, Horta receive Nobel prize By Lela E. Madjiah OSLO (JP): Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo accepted the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday with a call for the Indonesian government to release all East Timorese political prisoners in step towards peace in the former Portuguese territory. The head of the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor said the gesture would demonstrate a sincere effort toward changing the serious human rights conditions in East Timor.

UAE stagger into Asian Cup quarterfinals

UAE stagger into Asian Cup quarterfinals ABU DHABI (Agencies): An unimpressive United Arab Emirates qualified for the Asian Cup quarterfinals when they beat Indonesia 2-0 in their final Group A match here yesterday Goals from Hassan Ahmed and Adnan Al Talyani ensured that it was the end of the adventure for Indonesia, who were playing in their first ever Asian Cup finals.

Thailand to shun ceremony in Oslo

Thailand to shun ceremony in Oslo BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand will not send representatives to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to two East Timorese, reports said yesterday. The Thai ambassador to Norway, where the Peace Prize was handed yesterday, told the Bangkok Post that he had turned down an invitation to attend the ceremony. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, bishop of the East Timor capital Dili, and Jose Ramos Horta, spokesman in exile of the East Timorese resistance, jointly received the prize.

FSPSI sets up team to handle bank dispute

FSPSI sets up team to handle bank dispute JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI) has set up a special team to handle the lingering HongkongBank labor dispute, the union's chairman, Marzuki Achmad, said yesterday. Marzuki said this was the first time the union had done this in its 23 year history. "From now on we will set up teams, if necessary, to handle possible cases in the future," Marzuki said.

Next year's Jakarta Fair promises a new look

Next year's Jakarta Fair promises a new look JAKARTA (JP): Next year's Jakarta Fair will undergo a major facelift with many new facilities, an organizer said yesterday. Rudi Hendra, the deputy general manager of PT Jakarta International Trade Corporation (JITC), said the facelift would include a new boulevard and a wider car park. "We will also provide more attractions and better transportation and security facilities for visitors.

'Oki had business problem with victim'

'Oki had business problem with victim' JAKARTA (JP): A United States detective testifying in the trial of an Indonesian charged with a Los Angeles triple murder said yesterday one of the victims had a business problem with the suspect. Jacqueline Franco, 54, a deputy sheriff with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), said this was why the suspect, Harnoko Dewantono, alias Oki, killed Suresh Mirchandani, an Indian businessman.

Nuclear power plant is safer, official says

Nuclear power plant is safer, official says JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's future nuclear power plants will be "99.9999 percent safer" than any other source of power, new chief of the Nuclear Energy Agency, Iyos S. Subki, insisted yesterday. The plants will be built with the kind of technology that is able to minimize nuclear disaster, Iyos announced after opening a two-day seminar.

Language and discipline

Language and discipline From Pikiran Rakyat In the framework of our effort to uphold discipline in using the national language, I would like to put forward some suggestions. It should be realized that mistakes in spelling are quite often found in the mass media and in subtitles shown on TV, as well as in other usages. For that matter, I want to suggest that language watchdogs should be created.

PLN to launch 'zero interruption' next year

PLN to launch 'zero interruption' next year JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta and Tangerang distribution branch of the state-owned electricity company, PT PLN, is to apply a program called "zero interruption" to reduce electricity blackouts from January next year, an official said yesterday. Branch head Tunggono said the program, which is scheduled to be completed in 1998, would be phased in gradually. "So, there won't be any electricity blackouts because of installation workings," Tunggono said.

Hero Supermarket

Hero Supermarket On Dec. 3, I did some shopping at Hero Supermarket in Plaza Senayan. Apart from candies and matches, I wanted to buy a telephone card. Complications arose when I could not use my credit card, because telephone cards must be paid for in cash. I do not understand why a big company like Hero Supermarket confuses clients by applying two methods of payment. Why the exception to pay by cash for telephone cards?

Golkar is a powerless grouping: Observers

Golkar is a powerless grouping: Observers DEPOK, West Java (JP): Golkar, despite its majority, is a weak political grouping because it is controlled by the military and dictated by the president, political observer Arbi Sanit said yesterday. Addressing a seminar on politics at University of Indonesia, Arbi said the political grouping is often unable to stand against "external pressures". "It's a jumbo, a flabby political grouping.

Malaysians told not to eat seaweed

Malaysians told not to eat seaweed KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's Health Ministry has warned the public to stop eating "sarer" seaweed imported from southern Thailand after it was found to contain excessive lead levels, newspapers said yesterday. Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said tests on the seaweed, which is a popular salad dish in Malaysia's northern states, recently found it contained lead levels of between 2.1 parts per million (ppm) and111 ppm from the permissible 2 ppm level.

Soeharto vows to continue efforts towards openness

Soeharto vows to continue efforts towards openness JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday efforts are continuously being made to turn Indonesia into a more open society, one which upholds democracy and human rights. Addressing the opening of the 10th congress of Generation '45 organization here, Soeharto said Indonesia is relentless in its efforts to disseminate, monitor and examine its implementation of human rights.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Health Papandayan Hotel HEALTH MEETING: Minister of Health Sujudi (left) receives a warm welcome from Edgar Solenthaler, the general manager of Bandung's Papandayan Park Plaza International Hotel. Sujudi opened the 12th national congress of the Indonesian Pathology Specialists Association on Nov. 28. Photo B: AIDS JP/msa AIDS TALK: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education and Culture Hasan Walinono (second from right) chats with organizers of a seminar on AIDS.

Hoyer-Larsen out for revenge over Fung in World Cup

Hoyer-Larsen out for revenge over Fung in World Cup JAKARTA (JP): Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark is hoping for revenge over World Grand Prix champion Fung Permadi, a former Indonesian shuttler who now plays for China Taipei, at the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship here this week. "The last time I played in Jakarta, I lost to Fung but this time I hope to meet him in the semifinals and take revenge," Hoyer-Larsen told a press conference yesterday.

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, Wednesdy, 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.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Fun House 3:50 Talk Show: Gita Wicara 3:30 TV Series: Just the Ten of Us 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 4:30 Documentary Film 4:55 Filler and Trailer 5:00 Evening News 5:25 Travel: My Country 5:30 Indonesian Lesson 6:05 Nusantara My Beloved Country: Central Java 6:15 Village Program 6:45 TV Series: Island Wild Life 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Filler and Trailer 7:30 Economic Bourse: Mitra Kita 8:05 News: Lintasan...

Megawati's loyalists file Rp 1.1 billion lawsuit

Megawati's loyalists file Rp 1.1 billion lawsuit SURABAYA (JP): Local leaders of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under the government-backed Soerjadi are facing a Rp 1.1 billion (US$470,000) law suit filed by their foes Monday. The plaintiffs are four loyalists of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted PDI chief, and the accused are seven Soerjadi supporters.

Bapepam cannot regulate asset-backed securities

Bapepam cannot regulate asset-backed securities JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) has no specific rule to regulate the trade of asset-backed securities, agency chairman I Putu Gede Ary Suta said yesterday. He said the absence of a specific ruling should not discourage the domestic asset-backed securities trade because existing regulations could accommodate it.

Javanese opera faces extinction

Javanese opera faces extinction SEMARANG: President Soeharto called on the mayor yesterday to save a traditional Javanese opera group, Ngesti Pandowo, which is severely threatened by modern entertainment. "The president considers the group a national cultural asset," said Purnomo, former chief of the presidential household management, who carried the president's message to Semarang Mayor Soetrisno Soeharto.

Seoul bourse bailout urged

Seoul bourse bailout urged SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's ruling party yesterday urged the government to intervene with a comprehensive package to rescue the ailing stock market, officials said. The bailout steps recommended by the New Korea Party (NKP) include allowing 14 public and pension funds to raise their stock investment in a bid to strengthen the demand base.

Japanese films at Summitmas

Japanese films at Summitmas JAKARTA (JP): Six Japanese films will be screened from Dec. 17 to Dec. 21 at the Summitmas I building on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta. Japanese Film Week, which will show films produced in 1994, is being organized by the Japanese Cultural Center. Entrance is free. On Dec. 17 to Dec. 20 two films will be shown at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Dec. 21 three films will be screened at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. (anr).

Father gets five years for rape

Father gets five years for rape JAKARTA (JP): A father who raped his daughter since she was a child is serving a five-year sentence in a Tangerang prison, a lawyer said on Monday. Titi Yunus of the Parayuwana Foundation, which focuses on neglected children, said the girl, now 18, had been expelled for shaming her school. "She's just living at home now with her mother," Titi said. "We are still seeking funds in case she wants to continue her education," the lawyer said.

Mar'ie denies transfers to ministers illegal

Mar'ie denies transfers to ministers illegal JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad said yesterday the transfer of state revenue, outside the state budget, to ministers' bank accounts was legal if it was based on government regulations. But Mar'ie conceded the government must improve its budgetary discipline to keep development on track.

Minister promises to investigate NU member's death

Minister promises to investigate NU member's death JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said yesterday that an East Java Moslem's death in custody last week will be investigated. Soesilo promised severe punishment for any official found responsible for the suspicious death of Ahmad Sidik, a member of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization from Situbondo. "Whoever was involved in his death will be brought to trial," Soesilo announced.

Mount Lokon highly active

Mount Lokon highly active MANADO, North Sulawesi: The government called yesterday on residents living near Mt. Lokon (1,689 meter) to stay away from it because volcanic activity has been on the increase over the last few days. Tumohon regent Karel Senduk ordered all chiefs of villages near the volcano to inform residents of the imminent danger. He said they feared the mountain would spew poisonous gases. Gray volcanic clouds have been seen erupting from Mt. Lokon and villagers have smelt sulfur.

Myanmar airline launches maiden flight to Jakarta

Myanmar airline launches maiden flight to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Myanmar Airways International's maiden flight to Jakarta, a Boeing B-757-200ER carrying 105 passengers from Yangon and Singapore, landed yesterday at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. "There were 25 Indonesians originating from Yangon and another 33 Indonesians and 17 Myanmar people from Singapore among the passengers on the inaugural flight to Jakarta," airline chairman Col (ret.) Tun Aung told reporters here yesterday.

Human rights violations lamented

Human rights violations lamented JAKARTA (JP): The newly-established Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) took note yesterday of power abuses as it concluded its end of year evaluation on human rights. The association's executive director Hendardi said there was deep concern about the malfunctioning of Indonesia's legal and judicial institutions and about political violence which had almost reached a critical point.

Rivers dredged in preparation for coming floods

Rivers dredged in preparation for coming floods JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta is ready to face the season's peak downpours once dredging of the city's three main rivers is finished, a top official of the Ministry of Public Works said. Director General of Water Resources Development Soeparmono said yesterday that the city's three main rivers, the Muara Angke River, the Muara Karang River and the Sunter River, all in North Jakarta, were dredged last month to stem annual floods.

RI gunning for overall SEAG title

RI gunning for overall SEAG title JAKARTA (JP): A national sports official says Indonesia will go all out to regain the overall title from Thailand at next October's 19th SEA Games (SEAG), but refuses to predict how many gold medals the country will collect in the biennial celebration.

Turkey becomes first country to by Iraqi oil

Turkey becomes first country to by Iraqi oil ANKARA (Reuter): Turkey yesterday snapped up the first batch of Iraqi crude on the world market for six years under a United Nations deal allowing Baghdad to sell a limited amount of oil to buy humanitarian supplies. State-owned oil refiner Tupras said it had signed an accord with Iraqi state oil marketing body SOMO to take 75,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 3.6 million tons of oil a year, effective immediately.

WTO wrangles with several contentious issues

WTO wrangles with several contentious issues By Riyadi SINGAPORE (JP): Talks on competition policy, investment treaty and textiles grew heated on the second day of the inaugural World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference yesterday. But talks on the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) proceeded smoothly, with four major trading countries -- the United States, Japan, Canada and European Union -- resolving their differences.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 10, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 -75 1,000 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 750 0 8,000 Andayani Megah 1,000 -25 86,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,425 50 1,449,500 Anwar Sierad 2,250 0 0 Aqua Golden Mississippi 4,025 25 11,000 Argha Karya Prima Industry 3,475 -25 7,500 Argo Pantes 1,600 0 0 Asahimas Flat 1,650 0 5,997,000 Asiana...

Mass wedding, planned next week

Mass wedding, planned next week JAKARTA (JP): A mass wedding and mass circumcision will highlight the Islamic Culture Display scheduled to take place at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta from Dec. 19 to 22. At least 80 couples from poor families will join the mass wedding in the three-day event which will be opened by Mrs. Tuti Try Sutrisno, the wife of the vice president. Antara reported yesterday that children from several orphan homes would join the mass circumcision.

New tools for measuring ozone

New tools for measuring ozone PADANG, West Sumatra: The agency for meteorology and geophysics has installed sophisticated equipment for monitoring global atmosphere in Agam regency. The station called Global Atmosphere Watch which opened over the weekend is the first in Indonesia and the sixth in the world after Algiers, Argentina, Brazil, China and Kenya.

Accused killer declares his innocence

Accused killer declares his innocence YOGYAKARTA (JP): The man accused of killing journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin insisted he was innocent and refused to continue with a murder reconstruction the police staged Monday. Dwi Sumaji, the accused, said he had never set foot in the journalist's home in Bantul, south of Yogyakarta, and could not therefore "enact" the killing as police ordered him to do.

RI, Mauritius sign tax deal

RI, Mauritius sign tax deal JAKARTA (JP): The governments of Indonesia and Mauritius signed an agreement here yesterday on avoiding double taxation. The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Mauritius Minister of Finance Jacques Chasteu De Balyon on the sidelines of the 24th ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Dynaplast to set up packaging plant in India

Dynaplast to set up packaging plant in India JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Dynaplast plans to set up a packaging plant in Hyderabad, southern India, and a local joint venture to produce cubic printing products with a Rp 28 billion (US$12.07 million) total investment. Company president Tony T. Hambali said shareholders had agreed to the plan in their extraordinary meeting yesterday. It would cost about Rp 20 billion to set up the plant in India, Tony said after the meeting.

Patrako's satellite services

Patrako's satellite services JAKARTA (JP): PT Patra Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Patrako) has launched a satellite communication system for oil companies to reduce their communication costs and improve their efficiency. PT Elnusa president Budy Prasetyo said yesterday Patrako would provide several communication services, including voice, data, sign, image and video conference services.

Permit requests exceed quota

Permit requests exceed quota JAKARTA (JP): Local fishing companies' applications to import fishing boats had exceeded this year's quota of 240 vessels, a senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday. Boedi Soesilo, a director at the Directorate General for Fisheries, said the orders came from 25 local fishing companies. He said companies could apply for licenses until Dec. 17 even though the quota had been exceeded.

Taman Harapan gets loan

Taman Harapan gets loan JAKARTA (JP): PT Taman Harapan Indah, a subsidiary of PT Dharmala Intiland, has secured a Rp 37 billion (US$15.6 million) syndicated loan for its Pantai Mutiara housing project in North Jakarta.

Helgemo mixes charm, craft

Helgemo mixes charm, craft By Djanwar R. Madjolelo JAKARTA (JP): In the course of the last 18 months Geir Helgemo has won the World Junior Pairs (with Boye Borgeland), the Cap Volmac Pairs (with Tor Helness) and the General World Men's Individual. In addition he has put together a good string of results in the U.S. Nationals (notably in Miami) and represented Norway in the Rhodes Olympics.