Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 February 1996

43 articles found

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 8, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 775 0 32,500 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,975 0 45,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 5,850 -50 16,000 Anwar Sierad 1,675 100 1,568,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 1,600 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,150 0 0 Argo Pantes 1,800 0 0 Asahimas Flat 2,875 50 3,209,000 Asiana IMI...

National leaders' terms of office too long: Expert

National leaders' terms of office too long: Expert YOGYAKARTA (JP): A scholar of the 28-million strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization has called for a limitation on the length of time national leaders should remain in office in order to prevent the emergence of a "stuffy political atmosphere".

Rice imports won't affect farmers: Official

Rice imports won't affect farmers: Official JAKARTA (JP): The government's rice imports are expected to have a direct impact on the commodity's retail prices, but not affect the incomes of farmers to the same extent. Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said yesterday that the imports will help keep prices stable, especially during the current fasting month and upcoming Idul Fitri holidays.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. My Country 2:35 TV Series: Amazing 3:00 News: Lintasan Berita 3:05 Science Film: Tuscany 3:30 Education Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 TV Series: Al Jamalludin Al Afghani 4:30 Culture: Pelangi Budaya 5:00 Evening News 5:25 My Country 5:30 News Feature: Kiat Kewiraswastaan 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: Jakarta 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Hobby: Embroidery 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Teller 7:30...

Press freedom still seen as privilege, not right: Expert

Press freedom still seen as privilege, not right: Expert SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The freedom of expression that the contemporary Indonesian press knows is still a privilege granted by the government, rather than a constitutional right, a legal expert said yesterday.

Workers to go on striking

Workers to go on striking JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of workers in a garment factory in the western suburb of Cengkareng have pledged to continue their strike if their demands are not met. "If we don't receive any response from the company by Friday, we are going to take our grievances to the city council," a worker told reporters yesterday. About 300 workers of PT Garmenindo Industry in Tegal Alur village have been on strike for two days.

Open-mindedness needed

Open-mindedness needed In a laudable speech delivered during the 49th anniversary of the Indonesian Islamic Student Association (HMI), Mar'ie Mohammad appealed to young Indonesians to open themselves up, not to indulge in exclusivism and not to take an a priori stance towards any thought, view or idea whatever, wherever it comes from.

Scholars defend E. Java governor in PDI dispute

Scholars defend E. Java governor in PDI dispute JAKARTA (JP): Three respected political observers challenged the widely-held belief that the government is to blame for the prolonged leadership conflict plaguing the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, Afan Gaffar and Amir Santoso expressed similar opinions at a seminar yesterday that the East Java government has been encouraging the disputing PDI activists to settle the conflict among themselves.

More Timorese reach embassy

More Timorese reach embassy JAKARTA (JP): Nine East Timorese jumped over the fence of the Australian embassy on Wednesday evening, the second break-in at the mission on Jl. Rasuna Said in less than a month. The Australian Embassy spokeswoman, Joanne Eyre, said yesterday that the seven men and two women had scaled the embassy walls at around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

RI eyes SEAG soccer gold

RI eyes SEAG soccer gold JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar said yesterday that the soccer gold is an imperative at the 19th Southeast Asian Games here next year. Wismoyo told the new board of the Indonesian Soccer Association yesterday that the national team ought to be smarting from a string of upsets in the 18th Games last December. "These failures should motivate us to bounce back," Wismoyo said.

Ads agencies lack moral principles: House

Ads agencies lack moral principles: House JAKARTA (JP): Members of the House of Representatives have charged advertising executives in Indonesia as lacking in moral principles. Sophan Sophiaan, who led the charge during a hearing yesterday with the Indonesian Association of Advertising Agencies, picked the Wrangler jeans television commercial to underline his point that advertising agencies are violating society's moral codes.

Hundreds protest over ITB student expulsions

Hundreds protest over ITB student expulsions JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) staged a protest yesterday against the expulsion of two of their colleagues following an uproar over the death of a freshman during an initiation week recently. The orderly, albeit noisy, demonstration started with a street drama at the ITB campus by members of the students' theater group.

U.S seeks RI support on test ban treaty

U.S seeks RI support on test ban treaty JAKARTA (JP): A special representative of President Bill Clinton was in town yesterday to seek Indonesian support for a speedy conclusion of a nuclear test ban treaty. "Indonesia has long been a world leader to achieve a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)," Thomas Graham told journalists at the U.S. embassy yesterday. "The Indonesian government enthusiastically supports the conclusion of a CTBT this spring," he added.

Surakarta fights to come out of Yogyakarta's shadow

Surakarta fights to come out of Yogyakarta's shadow By Ardus M. Sawega In conjunction with National Press Day today, The Jakarta Post is publishing the following two stories: the first on the city of Surakarta, and the second on the establishment of the Indonesian Journalists Association 50 years ago. SURAKARTA (JP): Surakarta, also known as Solo, reputed to live in the shadow of neighboring Yogyakarta, has often been likened to a female of generous disposition.

Bad timing for blackouts

Bad timing for blackouts JAMBI, Jambi: Frequent blackouts have affected the way people observe the Ramadhan fasting month, because they come either before the breaking of the fast or during the evening when many Moslems are performing the taraweh (evening) prayers. Warasdi, head of the Indonesian Consumer Foundation's local office, said many people who became fed up with the blackouts before the breaking of the fast unintentionally swore, which technically annuls their fast, Antara reported.

Diarrhea kills seven

Diarrhea kills seven KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The number of people killed by an outbreak of a diarrheal disease in the Timor Tengah Selatan regency had risen to seven by yesterday, while more than 100 were still being treated at hospitals and clinics, Antara reported. Jack Werri Wanda, the Governor's Office Aid Relief Agency's head, said the number of people affected by diarrhea rose in the past week to 174, from 164 in mid-January.

Bids for coast reclamation project to be offered in March

Bids for coast reclamation project to be offered in March JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will start offering parts of the 35-kilometer land reclamation project to local and foreign developers next month, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja says. Speaking at a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission X yesterday, Surjadi said that the project will be part of the reclamation of the north shore, from Pluit to Cilincing.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Friday Maghrib 6.19 p.m. Saturday Imsak 4:28 a.m. Subuh 4.38 a.m.

Placer, Newmont in talks

Placer, Newmont in talks TORONTO (Reuter): Placer Dome Inc said it is talks with Newmont Gold Company over the Batu Hijau copper-gold find in Indonesia. "I can confirm we have been in discussions with Newmont," said Placer Dome spokesman Hugh Leggatt. "They are still continuing and I cannot say when they will be concluded." Newmont owns 80 percent of the lucrative property on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa with the rest privately-held.

Swindler arrested

Swindler arrested JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police have arrested a man for tricking 20 job seekers out of millions of rupiah. A victim, who refused to be identified, said he and his friends had paid Rp 1.5 million (US$652) each to Pramono a few months ago after Pramono promised them jobs at a foreign shipping company. Pramono stalled by saying he had received the order but needed time to get the work permits.

South Koreans rely on singles in Davis Cup

South Koreans rely on singles in Davis Cup JAKARTA (JP): South Korea is upbeat about sweeping the first two singles matches in the opening day of its Davis Cup duel against Indonesia here today. The South Korean non-playing captain Jeon Yoong-dai said after the draw yesterday that statistics and experience look to favor his team to a morale boosting 2-0 lead. Today's first singles match will pit Yoon Young-il against Indonesia's number one Suwandi.

Tambang Timah reports 11.8% profit increase

Tambang Timah reports 11.8% profit increase JAKARTA (JP): PT Tambang Timah, a publicly-listed tin mining company, yesterday reported an 11.8 percent increase in its net profit to Rp 134.5 billion (US$58.14 million) last year due mainly to a significant increase in prices. "The realized tin prices averaged $6,199 per ton last year, as compared to $5,413 in 1994," the company's president, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, told a press conference yesterday.

Thoughts for Press Day

Thoughts for Press Day Once again Indonesia is marking its National Press Day with a string of special events. This year those formalities are concentrated in the city of Surakarta, Central Java. Although we are well aware of the fact that a good deal of skepticism exists in certain parts of our society as to the state of our national press -- and hence about the real significance of National Press Day -- there can be little doubt about the significance of this year's commemoration of the event.

One China

One China A letter was published on Jan. 29, 1996, called Beijing intimidation and written by David Tzou, the Information Director of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta. Responding to a Reuters news story which appeared in the Jan.

Cathay's B-777 in Jakarta

Cathay's B-777 in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The first Boeing B-777-200 jet of the Hong Kong- based air carrier Cathay Pacific arrived at Soekarno-Hatta airport yesterday, as a part of a 90-cycle program around Asia and Australia. The program, jointly conducted by Boeing and Cathay, will certify the Rolls-Royce powered B-777 for extended twin engine operations. Cathay ordered 11 B-777s in 1992 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines in a deal worth US$2.6 billion.

Detainee shot dead

Detainee shot dead JAKARTA (JP): A man was shot dead by his police escort on Wednesday night while trying to escape detention. Saimin, known as Ompong, was apprehended by the police Tuesday afternoon moments after he jumped into the Ciliwung River near Jl. Hayam Wuruk in West Jakarta. Witnesses said Ompong sought refuge in the murky river after allegedly grabbing a woman's gold necklace in front of the Murah dan Baik supermarket.

Bintang dismisses taped evidence

Bintang dismisses taped evidence JAKARTA (JP): Sri Bintang Pamungkas denied it was his voice on a recording used by prosecutors to prove that he had insulted President Soeharto during a lecture he gave at a German university last April. "I deny making any of the recorded statements. The speaker's voice resembles mine but it is not mine," the controversial politician told the judges during a hearing on Wednesday.

Three prisoners still at large

Three prisoners still at large DILI, East Timor: Police appealed yesterday to three convicts who escaped last month from the Becora Correctional Facility to turn themselves in, promising that, like seven other escapees before them, they would be well treated. East Timor Police Chief Col. Andreas Sugianto made the appeal after one convict turned himself in on Saturday, Antara reported.

Revocation of cigarette bank guarantee urged

Revocation of cigarette bank guarantee urged JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association of Cigarette Manufacturers (Gappri) yesterday urged that the government to revoke a requirement on the banking guarantee for the procurement of excise stamps. The association's spokesman, Djuffan, said in a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission VII that the banking guarantee requirement is burdensome for small cigarette producers.

Income gap widening, says BPS

Income gap widening, says BPS JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Sugito Suwito disclosed yesterday that the income gap between those in the lowest and highest brackets has been widening in the past five years. The results of surveys on family incomes showed that the ratios between the lowest and the highest income brackets were one to 6.5 in 1975, one to 5.3 in 1980, one to 3.8 in 1985, one to 4.3 in 1990 and one to 6.2 in 1993.

Illegal kiosks, stalls destroyed

Illegal kiosks, stalls destroyed JAKARTA (JP): The Bogor administration has continued to demolish buildings and stalls erected without official permits, including makeshift kiosks. At least 10 kiosks erected along Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan and around the Merdeka bus terminal were pulled down by officials from the city public order office yesterday, Antara reported.

Bakrie clinches $1.1b contract in Uzbekistan

Bakrie clinches $1.1b contract in Uzbekistan JAKARTA (JP): PT Bakrie Communication Corporation, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers, set up a joint venture with an Uzbekistan state-owned company to develop a telecommunication project worth US$1.1 billion.

RI refinery units to shut

RI refinery units to shut SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia's state-owned oil firm Pertamina will shut two secondary processing units at its Balikpapan refinery on March 1 for a scheduled one-month maintenance, Pertamina sources told Reuters yesterday. The refinery's 34,000-barrels-per-day (bpd) reforming unit, which produces gasoline, will be shut to change a reforming tube, they said. The units hydrogen and nitrogen plants will also be shut, the sources said.

Consumers' guide to English language training business

Consumers' guide to English language training business By John Phillips This is the second of two articles on English teaching in Indonesia. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Previously, I outlined some of the problems with the English language teaching business and I promised to make suggestions for reform.

Govt may scrap pesticide labeling

Govt may scrap pesticide labeling JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said yesterday that the government may revoke, or postpone the implementation of a ruling on pesticide labeling if it turns out to be a burden to farmers. Sjarifudin made the remarks at a hearing here yesterday with members of the House of Representatives' commission for agriculture and forestry.

'Post' much improved

'Post' much improved It's been eight years since I was last in Jakarta. On Tuesday morning (Feb. 6, 1996) I received your newspaper under my door. The Jakarta Post has made much progress over the years -- from when I last remember reading it. The overall quality is better, I think it's a larger page size now? I enjoyed your crossword puzzles very much. Keep up the good effort. HENRY R. RIDDICK New York, U.S.

Thousands flee Kampar flood

Thousands flee Kampar flood PEKANBARU, Riau: More than 7,000 people living in villages along the Kampar River have fled their homes as flooding from the river worsened, Antara reported. Since the river overflowed last Saturday, floods have stricken 51 villages in seven districts in the Kampar regency. A six-year- old girl who drowned on Monday was the only reported casualty. Water has also inundated the eastern Sumatra highway, cutting off the main land access from and to Java.

No holiday for postal workers

No holiday for postal workers BANDUNG: PT Pos Indonesia, the state-owned post office company, has canceled all leave of absence for its employees in the run-up to the Idul Fitri holiday. Pos Indonesia spokesman Yusuf Prihatna told Antara that the company is making every effort to deliver the millions of Idul Fitri cards being sent to mark the festivities. The company has supplied all post offices with more stamps, and every employee has been ordered to check that their equipment is in order.

Soeharto slated to open bazaar

Soeharto slated to open bazaar JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto is scheduled to open a bazaar organized by the Arief Rachman Hakim Eksponen '66 organization at the National Monument on Monday. The bazaar will be open to public from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day until Feb. 16.

RI jets marketable in 2006

RI jets marketable in 2006 SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesian state-owned aircraft maker PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) said yesterday its first jet was expected to enter the market in 2006. A company statement said IPTN was planning to design a twin- jet, 130-seater aircraft to be known as the N2130.

Police need more information on bank scam case

Police need more information on bank scam case JAKARTA (JP): A noted criminologist has urged all parties concerned with the recent massive fraud at the HongkongBank's branch office here to help police by providing the necessary information. "Due to a series of complicated banking rules and procedures, it will be difficult for city police to solve the case without the cooperation and goodwill of all related parties," criminologist Mulyana W. Kusumah told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

PWI observes 50 anniversary in Surakarta

PWI observes 50 anniversary in Surakarta By B. Sutikno SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Today is the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). On Feb. 9, 1946, when the six-month-old Indonesian Republic was struggling to maintain its independence, a number of journalists gathered in Surakarta to establish a press organization. The date later became National Press Day. An Indonesian press existed long before independence was proclaimed on Aug. 17, 1945.

KONI to have smart new home

KONI to have smart new home JAKARTA (JP): The management of the Senayan sports complex revealed yesterday a gigantic plan to build a 50-story skyscraper above the lot which now accommodates the National Sports Council office. A source at the board who requested anonymity told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the construction project of the new skyscraper, to be named Gelora Senayan Tower, will start after Idul Fitri holidays.