Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 December 1996

60 articles found

Olex wins $9m contract

Olex wins $9m contract JAKARTA (JP): Olex Cables has won a US$9-million contract to supply 1900 kilometers of fiber telecommunications cable to be installed throughout Central Java.The Australian subsidiary of Pacific Dunlop Cables announced yesterday the contract was part of a three-year project...

Myanmar releases protesters after brief detention

Myanmar releases protesters after brief detention YANGON (Agencies): Myanmar's military government said it had briefly held hundreds of students yesterday after they staged night-long street protests in the capital Yangon, the biggest such demonstrations in several years.

Prospects of a greater ASEAN

Prospects of a greater ASEAN Considering the situation currently prevailing in the Asia- Pacific region, a broadening of ASEAN's membership is indeed a most appropriate move. The joining of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia will have considerable political and economic significance, although that does not...

Ricky and Rexy ready for hardest post-Atlanta test

Ricky and Rexy ready for hardest post-Atlanta testBy Primastuti Handayani NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesia's men's doubles stars Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky see the Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals as their greatest test since their victory at the Centennial Olympic in Atlanta, Georgia.

Students to face subversion trial

Students to face subversion trial JAKARTA (JP): Three students arrested on suspicion of inciting a massive labor strike in July will soon stand trial in Surabaya on subversion charges.Chief of the provincial prosecutors office M.A.

Govt starts preparations for massive Idul Fitri transport

Govt starts preparations for massive Idul Fitri transport JAKARTA (JP): The government has begun preparing the massive transport arrangements required for February's Idul Fitri holidays when over 21 million travelers are expected to use public transport.

Banker disputes forecast on lower interest rates

Banker disputes forecast on lower interest rates JAKARTA (JP): Economist Sjahrir's expectation of lower bank interest rates next year because of lower inflation were contradicted yesterday by banker Trenggono Purwosuprodjo who warned tight monetary policy would slow any credit expansion.

Thai minister backs stable baht

Thai minister backs stable baht BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Finance Minister Amnuay Virawan yesterday ruled out changes in the country's stable baht-dollar exchange rate policy, saying economic recovery would depend on fiscal measures.

Kaolin prospects are bright

Kaolin prospects are bright JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association of Kaolin Industry (Askabel) denied that the kaolin industry in Belitung, South Sumatra, is facing bankruptcy, saying that it still holds a bright prospect in the future."The kaolin price is stable.

Concerted action needed to fight robberies

Concerted action needed to fight robberiesBy Mulyana W. Kusumah JAKARTA (JP): The recent spate of robberies here, including the one at the Ministry of Information across from Merdeka Palace, has caused genuine concern.

Bus companies denounced

Bus companies denounced JAKARTA (JP): A city official denounced bus companies yesterday for not operating their buses in accordance with government regulations.Under existing regulations bus companies must operate 40 percent of their vehicles for cheap transportation and the remaining 60 percent...

Japan hands over $1.96 million loans

Japan hands over $1.96 million loans JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Japan exchanged diplomatic notes yesterday on Japan's overseas developmental assistance loans worth 190.1 billion yen (US$1.96 million) to fund 23 development projects and one sectoral program loan.

Fire destroys brothels complex

Fire destroys brothels complex JAKARTA (JP): A fire destroyed 10 buildings in a brothel complex in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, Monday night but no one was killed.It took fire fighters only an hour to put out the fire which started about 11 p.m., Central Jakarta Fire Brigade officer Zaenal said.

Central Bank finds 30 percent of secondary banks unhealthy

Central Bank finds 30 percent of secondary banks unhealthy JAKARTA (JP): More than 30 percent of secondary banks (smaller, mostly rural banks) are unhealthy, according to Murti Wijono, the chief of secondary bank supervision at Bank Indonesia.Wijono said yesterday 44.

ICMI meeting to discuss GBHN

ICMI meeting to discuss GBHN JAKARTA: The Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) will begin its three-day annual congress today, during which some 400 leading members from across the country and abroad will discuss suggestions for the 1998 establishment of the Broad Guidelines of...

Children die of dengue fever

Children die of dengue fever SEMARANG: Dengue fever has killed 11 children in the two- months it has been spreading in the Klaten regency since October.More than 70 people, mostly children, have been hospitalized.

The retirement age

The retirement age Turning 55 years old must be the most dreaded thing for many Indonesians. At that age, they are required to retire, even though they are probably fit, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, they are not entitled to what few benefits are available to senior citizens, defined...

Heavyndo wins engine license

Heavyndo wins engine license JAKARTA (JP): Cummins Engine Co. Inc. of the United States announced yesterday it had licensed PT Perkasa Heavyndo to produce Cummins' B Series engines in Indonesia.The engines will be used initially to power medium-size and heavy-duty trucks to be produced by Heavyndo,...

Myanmar ready to be ASEAN member

Myanmar ready to be ASEAN member YANGON (Reuter): Myanmar Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw yesterday expressed confidence his country would be ready to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a full member next year.

Ometraco posts 40 percent rise in net profit

Ometraco posts 40 percent rise in net profit JAKARTA (JP): Ometraco Corporation's net profits rose by over 40 percent to Rp 53 billion (US$22.5 million) in this year's third quarter up from Rp 36.7 billion for the same period last year.

Spotlights

SpotlightsSpotlight A: AmbassadorJP/arhPAINTING EXPO: Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Antonio Sanchez Jara (right) talks with Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro (middle) and painter Ramon Canet at the opening of an exhibition at the Embassy of Spain.

Domestic airlines urged to ally with foreign airlines

Domestic airlines urged to ally with foreign airlines JAKARTA (JP): Domestic airlines should form alliances with foreign airlines to cope with more tourists by 2005, Director General of Air Transportation Zainuddin Sikado said yesterday.

Pelni hospital responsible, lawyer says

Pelni hospital responsible, lawyer says JAKARTA (JP): A feminist lawyer said yesterday Jakarta's Pelni hospital should be held responsible for the rape of a girl being treated at the hospital last week and that police should investigate the case.

Govt agencies to check buildings fire safety

Govt agencies to check buildings fire safety JAKARTA (JP): Several government agencies would jointly inspect all public buildings to see if they had fire safety systems in an effort to prevent more fires, a deputy governor said yesterday.

Unggul Indah to enter property game

Unggul Indah to enter property game JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's sole producer of alkyl benzene, PT Unggul Indah Corporation (UIC), won an approval from its shareholders yesterday to enter the property business.

Xanana says he is not anti-Indonesia

Xanana says he is not anti-Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Jailed East Timor separatist leader Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao said here yesterday that he is not anti- Indonesia."We are not anti-Indonesia, we just want the problems besetting the province to be resolved as soon as possible.

RI to raise textile and clothing issues at WTO

RI to raise textile and clothing issues at WTO JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia plans to raise textile and clothing issues at the upcoming ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) while rejecting any inclusion of contentious issues like human and labor rights.

Ultimate climax quest ends in jail

Ultimate climax quest ends in jail JAKARTA (JP): A jobless man who enlarged his penis by implanting small marbles in it failed to reach the ultimate ecstasy in sexual intercourse and landed in jail instead.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption Following Mrs. Hetty M. Frederik's remarks on the consumption of alcohol (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 16, 1996 Indonesians and drinks), I would like to add the following on the subject.There are about 26 million people living below the poverty line in Indonesia.

Search for self brings stardom to Alanis Morissette

Search for self brings stardom to Alanis MorissetteBy Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Ever since Billie Holiday let out a melancholy wail, female singers and musicians have lamented the music industry's rampant sexism.The times are slowly changing.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 3, 1996: -------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,075 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa...

Night trains to start next month

Night trains to start next month JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned railway company's (Perumka) greater Jakarta office will start operating night commuter trains on the Jakarta-Bogor route next month.The office's head, Eddy Sasongko, said these night commuter trains would cater to workers who started...

Govt programs benefit few disabled people

Govt programs benefit few disabled people JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno said yesterday that less than 10 percent of Indonesia's six million disabled people benefit from government assistance.

Indonesia beyond the headlines

Indonesia beyond the headlinesBy Wimar Witoelar The following article is based on a paper presented at the annual meeting of Sinclair Knight Merz, a leading Australian engineering company, in Brisbane on Nov. 23, 1996.

Customs officers seize Ecstasy at a post office

Customs officers seize Ecstasy at a post office JAKARTA (JP): Customs and excise officers have found a package containing tens of thousands of Ecstasy pills at a post office, Director General of Customs and Excise Soehardjo Soebardi said yesterday.

Capella Amadeus going from strength to strength

Capella Amadeus going from strength to strengthBy Gus Kairupan JAKARTA (JP): The program book for the most recent concert of the Capella Amadeus String Ensemble lists five instances of having appeared in Indonesia, but surely there have been more.

'Yen correction weakens ASEAN economies'

'Yen correction weakens ASEAN economies' TOKYO (AFP): The competitive position of Southeast Asian economies has been "somewhat weakened" by the recent correction of the yen against the dollar, a senior official from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said yesterday.

Vietnam's sugar imports

Vietnam's sugar imports HANOI (AFP): Vietnam is to curb refined sugar imports from next year as domestic production is sufficient to satisfy demand, a senior Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development official said yesterday.

Bishop Belo reveals his Oslo travel plans to Alatas

Bishop Belo reveals his Oslo travel plans to Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday revealed that Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo has sent a letter outlining his planned trip to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize next week.

White House to release Mochtar Riady's letter

White House to release Mochtar Riady's letter WASHINGTON (Reuter): President Bill Clinton said on Monday the White House will release a 1993 letter to him from Indonesian businessman Mochtar Riady and suggested there was nothing wrong in Riady having given him policy advice.

Ramos urged to name successor

Ramos urged to name successor MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos was urged yesterday to name now the candidate he will support for the presidency, to assure the business community of continued reforms.

Kuwait boycott threatens Asia Cup quarterfinals

Kuwait boycott threatens Asia Cup quarterfinals ABU DHABI (AFP): A possible threat by Kuwait is casting a cloud over the Asian Football Cup which kicks off here today.Kuwaiti officials have warned they will pull out of the tournament, the showcase of Asian soccer, if they find themselves drawn...

Arms controls talks in ASEAN proposed

Arms controls talks in ASEAN proposed MANILA (Agencies): A proposal to include arms controls talks in the agenda of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) has been made at a regional security conference in the Philippine capital, an official said yesterday.

Post-shipment checks will be smooth: Customs

Post-shipment checks will be smooth: Customs JAKARTA (JP): Customs officials at Tanjung Priok port and Soekarno Hatta airport have assured businessmen the post-shipment inspection of Indonesia's imports, starting April 1, will run smoothly.

Malaysia's growth expected to moderate

Malaysia's growth expected to moderate KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's robust economic growth is expected to moderate over the next year before picking up in 1998, the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research said yesterday.The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to ease to 8.

Boy arrested for sexual assault

Boy arrested for sexual assault JAKARTA (JP): Truck drivers could help contribute their ideas to combat AIDS by painting slogans on their trucks to remind themselves and others of the deadly virus, local AIDS Day organizers said yesterday.This has been going on since Nov.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Fun House 3:05 Travel: Tanah Airku 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 Lessons...

Rudy plans badminton clinics

Rudy plans badminton clinics NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Former eight-time All England winner Rudy Hartono plans to establish badminton clinics throughout the country's 27 provinces."I hope by establishing the schools, I can help develop badminton in the country," Rudy told reporters yesterday.

House to question Premix price rise

House to question Premix price rise JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives would ask the Ministry of Mines and Energy about the Rp 50 increase in the price of premix gasoline, a Commission VI member said yesterday.

Prevention vital to free youth from drug abuse

Prevention vital to free youth from drug abuse JAKARTA (JP): An official of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Makmuri Muchlas stressed yesterday the importance of preventing Indonesian youths abusing drugs and other substances.

Andrian survives scare in tennis selection event

Andrian survives scare in tennis selection event JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Davis Cup players look certain to be reunited in the national elite team after scoring second successive wins in their respective group matches at the selection tournament yesterday.

Governor says masterplan key to urban growth

Governor says masterplan key to urban growth JAKARTA (JP): Consistency and improvement of Jakarta's masterplan is the key to control the city's growth, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday in response to President Soeharto's call to control urban growth.

Ambition blamed for visionless city development

Ambition blamed for visionless city development JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cities are facing several major problems, including a visionless over-development driven by an ambition to catch up with other cities in the region, a scholar says.

Influence from Dutch

Influence from Dutch Recently, two people (David Jardine :Pidgin language, Nov. 29, 1996 and Robby Susatyo: Kondomisasi needed to fight AIDS, Dec. 2, 1996) have addressed the pidginisasi of the Indonesian language.

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.

Levi's forms subsidiary

Levi's forms subsidiary JAKARTA (JP): Levi Strauss and Co announced the establishment of its new Indonesian affiliate, PT Levi Strauss Indonesia, yesterday.The new company is wholly owned by the San Francisco-based Levis Strauss and Co, which sells its clothes in more than 60 countries.

Navy's elite force to be reorganized

Navy's elite force to be reorganized JAKARTA (JP): The Marine Corps, the Navy's special force, will be reorganized to increase its effectiveness in meeting the increasing challenges of naval security operations.

Businesspeople groan about bribery again

Businesspeople groan about bribery again JAKARTA (JP): Businesspeople are complaining again about problems in getting business licenses, illegal levies and the country's poor market information system."BKPM (The Investment Coordinating Board) has already improved its services, but it is still a bit...

BI chief predicts slowdown

BI chief predicts slowdown JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono predicted yesterday economic growth would slow down next year but remain above 7 percent.Soedradjad said next year's economic growth would be similar to this year's, but slower than the 8.

Catchment area filled for housing

Catchment area filled for housingFrom KompasAs residents of Villa Cinere Mas, we are concerned about PT Indokisar's misleading advertisement in Kompas (Nov. 8) on its new project, "Cinere Mas". The project is actually located at Pisangan, Ciputat, Tangerang in West Java and not in Jakarta.Jl.