Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 December 1996

62 articles found

Singapore opposition ex-leader quits party

Singapore opposition ex-leader quits party SINGAPORE (Reuter): Chiam See Tong, founder of the main opposition Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), said yesterday he had resigned from the party."It is a sad thing to do," he told Reuters.

Lawyers demand police apology

Lawyers demand police apology YOGYAKARTA: Fourteen senior lawyers are demanding police chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo apologize to them for a remark they consider slanderous.They are angry because Dibyo told the House of Representatives that they foiled the Dec.

Keep E. Timor out of local politics

Keep E. Timor out of local politicsBy Onghokham JAKARTA (JP): On the occasion of Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, for which we heartily congratulate him, some thoughts on East Timor are called for.The Portuguese have been in East Timor for a very long time.

Three Timorese jailed in Australia

Three Timorese jailed in Australia KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Three people from the province are locked up in the West Australian town of Broome for allegedly helping aliens illegally enter Australia, a press report said yesterday.

BII issues mutual funds

BII issues mutual funds JAKARTA (JP): BII Lend Lease Investment Services announced yesterday it would issue its first two local mutual funds tomorrow.The company expects to raise Rp 1.5 trillion (US$63 billion) from the funds, Super Saham and Superpundi Plus.

Experts call for govt intervention to realize ideals

Experts call for govt intervention to realize ideals JAKARTA (JP): The undertaking to establish a more democratic economy calls for more government intervention in guaranteeing a fairer distribution of income, assets and access for all, a seminar concluded yesterday.

RP congressman charged with rape

RP congressman charged with rape MANILA (AFP): A Philippine congressman was yesterday charged by government prosecutors with the rape of an 11 year-old girl, a court official said.Romeo Jalosjos, a congressman for the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte, was charged with two counts of rape and...

'Educated people also spread AIDS'

'Educated people also spread AIDS' JAKARTA (JP): An anti-AIDS campaigner laments the fact that highly-educated people irresponsibly continue to have unprotected casual sex with extramarital partners despite knowing they have contracted Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

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.

Zarina dossier acceptable

Zarina dossier acceptable JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Provincial Prosecutors' Office announced yesterday it had received and okayed the dossier on Ecstasy suspect Zarina."The dossier is considered complete and now we are expecting the police to hand over the suspect and all material evidences as soon...

Marzuki slams journalists for rights violations

Marzuki slams journalists for rights violations JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian journalists had their knuckles rapped yesterday when leading human rights activist Marzuki Darusman accused them of violating people's rights in their reports.

OPEC lends Vietnam

OPEC lends Vietnam HANOI (AFP): The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is to give US$14.15 million worth of credit to Vietnam for public health and electricity projects, press reports said yesterday.

Food a flop but dancer dazzles at Churrascaria

Food a flop but dancer dazzles at ChurrascariaBy John Aglionby JAKARTA (JP): Cynics would argue there is no need for anything Brazilian in Indonesia. After all, what the South American country is famous for -- dense jungle, shanties sprawled around towering skyscrapers, and white-sand beaches...

Exiled prince can return if king grants pardon

Exiled prince can return if king grants pardon PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodian Second Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said he would not oppose the return of the exiled half- brother of King Norodom Sihanouk if the monarch grants the prince a pardon.

WB forecasts continued growth in East Asia

WB forecasts continued growth in East Asia WASHINGTON (AFP): East Asia should enjoy high economic growth into the next century but must commit itself to ending poverty and inequality in income distribution, the World Bank said Monday.

NEC, NTT enter Vietnam

NEC, NTT enter Vietnam TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) and NEC Corp. and Hong Kong's PHS International Ltd., will launch trials of the personal handyphone system (PHS) in Vietnam starting Tuesday, company officials said.

Kodel Group to expand into services business

Kodel Group to expand into services business JAKARTA (JP): The diversified Kodel Group will expand into the hospitality, restaurant and sport businesses next year, making a total investment of Rp 63.7 billion (US$27 million).

Minister Sudjana upbeat on oil investments

Minister Sudjana upbeat on oil investments JAKARTA (JP): The country's oil industry looks promising despite an estimated decline in new contracts this year, Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana said yesterday.

Dutch defendant almost gives birth at trial

Dutch defendant almost gives birth at trial TANGERANG, West Java (JP): A defendant charged with smuggling 11,370 Ecstasy pills almost went into labor during a court hearing yesterday.The 25-year-old Dutch defendant, BAR, was rushed at about 12:30 p.m.

Telkom 108 disappointing

Telkom 108 disappointingFrom NeracaI am deeply disappointed by PT Telkom's information hot line, 108. I feel lucky if I get the information asked for at all, and then sometimes the information is wrong.A few days ago, I inquired about a relative's telephone number. I gave them the name and address.

Soeharto tells officials to use their initiative

Soeharto tells officials to use their initiative JAKARTA (JP): Regional development programs would not run smoothly and would cause unequal distribution if administrators relied heavily on government advice in the decision making processes, President Soeharto said yesterday.

Ex-Im Bank lends RI firm

Ex-Im Bank lends RI firm TOKYO (AFP): The Export-Import Bank of Japan said yesterday it and 16 private banks would extend US$210 million in loans to an Indonesian cement maker, PT Indo Kodeco Cement.The loans are the first of their kind to incorporate political risk, the governmental bank said.

City to open new gas fuel pumps

City to open new gas fuel pumps JAKARTA (JP): The city will officially open new gas pumps at 11 filling stations as part of the blue sky air pollution campaign on Dec. 20, an official said yesterday.TB. M.

Taruna Nusantara grads top the in ABRI academy

Taruna Nusantara grads top the in ABRI academy JAKARTA (JP): When President Soeharto inducts 932 graduates of the Armed Forces Academy at the Merdeka Palace tomorrow, one thing will stand out: Most of them are Taruna Nusantara alumni, a high school in Magelang which combines academic excellence...

China reluctant to join project on biodiversity

China reluctant to join project on biodiversity JAKARTA (JP): Most participants of a regional meeting to discuss cooperation in the South China Sea agreed to launch a joint research project on biodiversity resources in the area, but the project may be delayed by China's reluctance to take part.

Hundreds of homes burned in RP

Hundreds of homes burned in RP COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Suspected Christian vigilantes torched a mosque and about 100 Moslem homes in a southern Philippine town near this city in an apparent escalation of a sectarian feud, the military said yesterday.Lt.

Court rejects Megawati loyalists' suit

Court rejects Megawati loyalists' suit SEMARANG (JP): The district court rejected yesterday a law suit filed by loyalists of the deposed leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri against their political foes.

Timber giants eye the Amazon region

Timber giants eye the Amazon region Asian timber giants are moving into the Amazon, raising fears of massive damage to the world's largest tropical rain forest. Haider Rizvi reports for Inter Press Service.

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: JapaneseJP/arhCALLIGRAPHY: Yanai Kimiko, a member of the Japanese Women's Association, demonstrates the art of calligraphy. The lesson was given during the Japanese cultural festival at Universitas Nasional in Jakarta last weekend.Photo B: RussianHoliday InnVODKA TOAST: Nikolai N.

Budgetary discipline

Budgetary discipline Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, one of the most respected technocrats in the cabinet, does not seem to care about politics. But the blunt reality is that fiscal policy is very much bound up in politics.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 17, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 775 0 5,500 Andayani Megah 1,025 0 217,000 Aneka...

IndosatNet spreads Internet service

IndosatNet spreads Internet service JAKARTA (JP): IndosatNet, owned by state telecommunication company Indosat, has launched its Internet service in Medan, Batam, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya and Denpasar.

Bogor residents protest over low compensation

Bogor residents protest over low compensation BOGOR, West Java (JP): Over 100 families from the Cibentang village in Bogor, 30 km south of Jakarta, protested Monday the low compensation they would get for their properties which they have to give up to make way for an electrical installation project.

Small industries in the regions

Small industries in the regions As the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta is thought to be a place which promises a better livelihood for a newcomer. Many fortune seekers are dreaming of going to Jakarta, although they lack the skills that may be required for doing certain jobs.

Govt to act on money laundering

Govt to act on money laundering JAKARTA (JP): The government wants to draft rules to stop money laundering, Bank Indonesia (the central bank) director Heru Soepraptomo said yesterday."Money laundering has been haunting our banking system," Heru told a seminar at the Jakarta Fairground.

Minister defends RI's participation in info-tech deal

Minister defends RI's participation in info-tech deal JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo defended yesterday Indonesia's participation in a pact to liberalize trade on information technology products as the right move to protect its interests.

House members question Sudjana's appointments

House members question Sudjana's appointments JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana, who has been cleared by the President from the controversy over why he ordered a transfer of coal funds, was subject yesterday to another wave of tough questions from House members.

Bantul regent's involvement in mystical deal confirmed

Bantul regent's involvement in mystical deal confirmed JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday slammed a Central Java regent for allegedly promising a local soothsayer Rp 1 billion (US$420,700) if he helped him get re-elected for a second term.

Scholars urge biosafety precautions

Scholars urge biosafety precautions JAKARTA (JP): Scholars questioned yesterday whether Indonesia was ready to face the repercussions of an oncoming era of genetic engineering, distant though the prospect may seem.

Arianespace opens office in Singapore

Arianespace opens office in Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): European space transport giant Arianespace opened a Southeast Asian representative office here Tuesday to tap the explosive growth in the region's satellite communication needs.

Internet helps journalists

Internet helps journalists JAKARTA: In this competitive information age, the Internet has become one of the most complete sources for journalists, authors of a book on the Internet said yesterday."Journalists could gather information from the other side of the world more quickly, efficiently, and...

Sibling jailed for fraud

Sibling jailed for fraud JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta District Court jailed a businessman for one-and-a-half-years and his sister for six months yesterday after they were found guilty of fraud.The court found Hendrik Tatang, 35, and Vivi Sumawati Tatang, 33, guilty of defrauding six businessmen...

Row over Ramos drowns Xmas cheer in Manila

Row over Ramos drowns Xmas cheer in ManilaBy Ruben Alabastro MANILA (Reuter): Christmas cheer in Asia's only largely Roman Catholic nation is being pushed to the sidelines by a row over whether to extend the term of President Fidel Ramos, barred by the constitution from seeking re-election.

4.9 kg of dried marijuana seized

4.9 kg of dried marijuana seized JAKARTA (JP): Police seized 4.9 kilograms of dried marijuana worth about Rp 10 million (US$4,291) Monday from minibus passengers in East Jakarta.East Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col.

Late treatment main culprit in maternal mortality

Late treatment main culprit in maternal mortality JAKARTA (JP): Late medical treatment is one of the main reasons for Indonesia's high maternal mortality rate, a gynecologist said Monday.Siti Dhyanti Wishnuwardhani, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine, said most...

Navy evicts foreign boats

Navy evicts foreign boats JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Navy expelled 15 fishing boats flying the Chinese flag for entering Indonesian waters without the necessary documents Monday, the authorities said yesterday.

Car sales drop by 15 percent: Auto association

Car sales drop by 15 percent: Auto association JAKARTA (JP): Car sales between January and November this year dropped 15 percent on the same period of 1995, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Companies said yesterday.

Polgar, Utut draw first blind chess game

Polgar, Utut draw first blind chess game JAKARTA (JP): Hungarian Grandmaster Judith Polgar and Indonesia's GM Utut Adianto's first blind chess match ended in a draw yesterday.With the draw, Polgar leads Utut 3-2. They will play blind chess again today in the last of the six games of their duel.

Ometraco forms venture

Ometraco forms venture JAKARTA (JP): General Accident Asia Ltd., formerly New Zealand Insurance, and PT Ometraco Arthaguna announced yesterday they would form a joint venture insurance company.They envisage the joint venture, PT Asuransi General Accident Ometraco, will begin operating on Jan.

Dow chemical to do more in Asia

Dow chemical to do more in Asia SINGAPORE (AFP): U.S. giant Dow Chemical Co. announced yesterday expansion plans in Thailand, China, Singapore and India and forecast Asia-Pacific turnover to more than double to US$6 billion in 2005.

Army to build hotel

Army to build hotelJP/msa JAKARTA (JP): PT Wisma Kartika, a joint venture developer owned by army cooperative INKOPAD and private firm PT Luminary Prima, started building the US$200 million 40-story Westin Jakarta Hotel yesterday.

Vietnam smashes illegal coal mines

Vietnam smashes illegal coal mines HANOI (Reuter): Authorities in Vietnam's northern province of Quang Ninh have destroyed 111 illegal coal mines and arrested 15 pit owners in the past two months, a provincial official said yesterday.

Real estate promotion

Real estate promotion Citra Indah Kota Nuansa Alam Timur, a developer, was holding a promotion drive at Pondok Indah Mall from Nov. 25 to Dec. 8, 1996. The event involved children between the ages of 8 and 10.

Maj. Gen. Hendro moves back to Jakarta

Maj. Gen. Hendro moves back to Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono officially moved back to Jakarta yesterday, this time in a civilian outfit.Hendro, as the one time rising Army star is popularly known, was installed by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono...

Bad service angers mobile phone users

Bad service angers mobile phone users JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phones are all the rage but many people buy them without thinking of the problems they bring.Complaints about cellular phones including the unexpected costs and complicated traffic calls were aired in a dialog between operators and...

Won to further decline

Won to further decline SEOUL (AFP): The relentless depreciation of the South Korean won against the dollar is expected to continue through next year, but the state is expected to intervene to stem the trend, financial experts said yesterday.The won has weakened to a record 840 to the U.S.

Daei's four goals boot S.Korea out of Asian Cup

Daei's four goals boot S.Korea out of Asian Cup ABU DHABI (Reuter): Iranian striker Ali Daei scored four goals in 22 minutes to send Asian soccer powerhouse South Korea crashing out of the Asian Cup with a stunning 6-2 defeat Monday.

Ramos says no second term for RP president

Ramos says no second term for RP president MANILA (Agencies): Philippine President Fidel Ramos has reiterated that he will oppose moves to extend his term in office and said those who had misgivings about his commitment would just have to accept his word."Let me be very clear here.

Metro opens pager plant

Metro opens pager plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Metro Media Raya, a subsidiary of PT Motorollain Corp, said yesterday it had spent about Rp 10 billion (US$4.2 million) building its pager factory in Pondok Cabe, South Jakarta.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Fun House 3:05 Children's Program: Arena 123 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...

Porn poster display

Porn poster displayFrom Pos KotaOn Dec. 9, 1996, I took my family to Lokasari Recreation Center. Right at the entrance gate, a number of movie posters are on display. These posters inevitably draw the attention of moviegoers.

Woman tortures maid to death

Woman tortures maid to death JAKARTA (JP): A maid was tortured to death by her employer Monday night in a house on Jl. Garden, Kebon Jeruk district, West Jakarta.West Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Andi Chaeruddin said yesterday the employer, MUT, beat, Srini, 33, to death with a broom stick.