Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 March 1996

54 articles found

City military has new chief of staff

City military has new chief of staff JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, the City Military Command's chief of staff, handed over yesterday his position to Brig. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the command's former chief of operations. Sutiyoso will be appointed military command chief, replacing Let. Gen. Wiranto. Let. Gen. Wiranto, the outgoing commander, led the handing- over ceremony at the Military Command's headquarters in East Jakarta.

Most forestry firms unprepared for ecolabeling

Most forestry firms unprepared for ecolabeling JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said yesterday that an assessment of 61 forest concessionaires in Indonesia has concluded that only nine of them are considered "adequately prepared" to meet eco-labeling requirements.

Jababeka's profit up 50%

Jababeka's profit up 50% JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed industrial estate PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka announced a 50 percent increase in its after- tax profit to Rp 137.33 billion (US$59.5 million) in 1995 from Rp 91.65 billion in 1994. "The company's net income per share increased by Rp 45 to Rp 438 last year from the previous year's Rp 393," the company announced yesterday.

Ericsson-Paramindo deal

Ericsson-Paramindo deal STOCKHOLM (Reuter): Swedish Telecoms group LM Ericsson AB said yesterday it had won an Indonesian contract to supply DRA 1900 equipment, Ericsson's new radio access system based on the DECT standard. The order is from PT Pramindo Ikat Nusantara, a joint venture between PT Astratel Nusantara of Indonesia-based Astra Group, and France Telecom's Cable et Radio and two local companies, Ericsson said in a statement.

EU probes shoe firms on dumping charges

EU probes shoe firms on dumping charges JAKARTA (JP): A team from the European Commission is scheduled today to start its two-week investigation of eight footwear manufacturers which have allegedly sold their products in Europe at dumping prices, an industry executive said yesterday. The executive director of the Indonesian Footwear Association, P.A.

Red Cross gets new chief

Red Cross gets new chief JAKARTA (JP): The new chief of the city branch of the Indonesian Red Cross, Uga Wiranto, was installed yesterday to replace M. Muas. M. Muas, who is also a legislator, has served two periods of leadership. Uga Wiranto, the wife of outgoing Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto, also holds the position of deputy chief of the city's branch of the Golkar ruling party. (anr)

RI seeking to re-export huge quantities of rice

RI seeking to re-export huge quantities of rice SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia, faced with growing rice supplies, is seeking to re-export some of the huge quantity of rice it imported last year, especially from India, but traders said yesterday that there were few buyers around. Indonesia, a significant rice producer, turned to imports in late 1994 after adverse weather conditions hit domestic harvests.

BPS data on Internet

BPS data on Internet JAKARTA (JP): The Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) has entered the global computer network, the Internet, allowing foreigners to access data on Indonesia's macro and micro economy culled from the government agency's records. "After a year of preparations, we went on the Internet last October," BPS's chief, Soegito, said at a meeting with Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono here yesterday.

Poland offers RI technical expertise

Poland offers RI technical expertise JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Polish Prime Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz and President Soeharto yesterday discussed the prospect of economic cooperation in the field of infrastructure development. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said here yesterday that Poland, which has expertise in such fields, has specifically offered to help develop ports, power plants and coal mining. "Poland has experience and high technology in coal mining.

Ticket refund

Ticket refund My brother got an assignment to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. His company bought him a Jakarta-Balikpapan return ticket through Greentour Travel Bureau in Cilandak, South Jakarta. When his assignment was completed, he changed his Balikpapan- Jakarta route with a Balikpapan-Yogyakarta route, for some reason. For the refund the Merpati agent in Balikpapan issued an exchange coupon. The ticket and coupon were then submitted to Greentour's Bandung office on Jan.

More East Timorese leave for Portugal

More East Timorese leave for Portugal JAKARTA (JP): Four East Timorese yesterday left the French and Polish embassies here for Portugal after entering the missions on Monday in search of political asylum. Sources at both embassies confirmed their departure. The East Timorese left on a KLM flight to Amsterdam where they would await a connecting flight to Lisbon.

Sudjana inaugurates fuel transit terminal in Bali

Sudjana inaugurates fuel transit terminal in Bali JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana yesterday inaugurated the Manggis Transit Terminal in the village of Ulakan, 55 km east of Denpasar. The terminal is expected to facilitate fuel distribution in the provinces of Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka warmly welcomed the new facility, recounting how the island's economy was almost paralyzed during a severe fuel shortage in 1990.

Govt to address problems faced by textile companies

Govt to address problems faced by textile companies JAKARTA (JP): The government has agreed to look into complaints raised by textile and garment companies that its wage policy could mean disaster for the country's main export industry.

Australia sees strong ASEAN wheat demand

Australia sees strong ASEAN wheat demand CANBERRA (Reuter): South East Asia provided an important export market for Australian wheat with strongest future growth in demand seen coming from Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, the Australian government's commodity analyst said.

Obituary

Obituary I. WANGSA WIDJAJA, a senior journalist and former secretary to the first vice-president Moh. Hatta, died of old age at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Jakarta on Monday. He was 85. Born in Sumedang, West Java, on Feb. 27, 1911, Wangsa is survived by four grownup children and 14 grandchildren. He was buried yesterday at Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery, not far from Hatta's grave, whom Wangsa served loyally both in his official position as his secretary and informally for more than 30 years.

Bangkok, Yangon take first step to better ties

Bangkok, Yangon take first step to better ties BANGKOK (Reuter): Thailand and Myanmar hailed a new chapter in their rocky relations following a visit to Yangon by the Thai prime minister but analysts said yesterday more time and effort was needed to dispel years of mutual mistrust. Thai premier Banharn Silpa-archa was given a warm welcome when he arrived in the Myanmarese capital on Sunday, becoming the first Thai premier to visit Yangon in 16 years.

SEAG consortium needs presidential instruction

SEAG consortium needs presidential instruction JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to issue a presidential instruction appointing Bambang Trihatmodjo the coordinator of an underwriting consortium for the 19th Southeast Asian Games. State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman told reporters yesterday that the instruction will be issued early next month.

TV programs

TV programs Today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Amazing 3:05 Travel: Wisata Lembang 3:30 Science: Science World 4:05 TV Drama: Balada Si Jamin 4:30 Documentary 5:00 Evening News 5:30 Indonesian Lessons: Gurindam Dua Belas 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: East Kalimantan 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Farming and Ecology: Where The Person Goes 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 Culture: Pelangi Budaya 8:00 News: Lintasan...

Surabaya bourse expects six firms to list this year

Surabaya bourse expects six firms to list this year JAKARTA (JP): The Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) expects six small and medium scale companies to go public this year despite unfavorable market sentiment on small-size issues. "We have told a number of small and medium scale companies about the simplified procedures for listing on the SSX and some of them have expressed their enthusiasm to go public this year," SSX general manager Anton Natakoesoemah told reporters here yesterday.

Iraqi currency

Iraqi currency From Pikiran Rakyat My relative just returned from Saudi Arabia after working as a foreign worker there for two years. He brought with him his savings of two years, all of which was denominated in Iraqi dinar. Unfortunately, no bank or money changer could change the dinar into rupiah. I inquired about the matter at the Iraqi embassy, which told me that the money could only be changed in Saudi Arabia. This is impossible. How can he go back to Saudi Arabia just to change money?

Golkar says no to PPP's electoral reform plan

Golkar says no to PPP's electoral reform plan JAKARTA (JP): Golkar yesterday gave a definite "no" to the United Development Party (PPP)'s proposal to change the electoral law, but politely took the draft bill when it was presented, saying the document would make a nice academic paper.

Pelita Jaya hires Allen and Jones

Pelita Jaya hires Allen and Jones JAKARTA (JP): Pelita Jaya has included two foreign players in its roster for the professional basketball league which begins on April 9 in Surabaya, East Java. Coach Toto Sudarsono said yesterday that the club decided to hire Bobby Allen of Canada and American Charles Jones in a bid to improve his team's performance this season. The Jakarta-based club finished only fourth in last year's Kobatama league.

Environmental study on Bira Island completed

Environmental study on Bira Island completed PUNCAK, West Java (JP): The environmental audit on Bira Island in the Seribu Islands concludes that the island can become a tourist site, an official says. Aboejoewono Aboeprajitno, the head of the city environment office, said during a workshop for reporters here yesterday that a golf course can also be built on the island.

Boeing eyes growing Indonesian market

Boeing eyes growing Indonesian market JAKARTA (JP): Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, an American aircraft manufacturer, expects to gain more orders from airlines in Indonesia and other Asian countries in line with the increase of the air travel business in the region. Boeing's regional director for marketing, Gregory H. Russell, told reporters yesterday that the world's airline industry has recovered after the 1990 to 1992 unprofitable period.

BI extends clearance schedule for Jakarta

BI extends clearance schedule for Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, will begin a new clearing schedule for banks in the city on April 1 to improve clearing efficiency and security. The changes are stipulated in Bank Indonesia's ruling No. 28/160/KEP/DIR and its circular letter No. 28/169/UPG, both dated March 5.

Yayuk hopes to regaim glory in Indonesia Open

Yayuk hopes to regaim glory in Indonesia Open JAKARTA (JP): Yayuk Basuki is likely to find the Indonesia Women's Tennis Open championships, slated here from April 8 to April 14, a crucial warm-up for the Federation Cup later in the month. The Indonesian tennis queen, knocked out of the semifinals last year by acute diarrhea, is seeded third in the week-long tournament, two places below her Fed Cup adversary Sabine Appelmans of Belgium.

Democracy vs welfare

Democracy vs welfare "Economic development is a pre-condition for democracy and political development. The main obstacle to the development of democracy in Indonesia is the huge proportion of economically weak people and the millions living below the poverty line," said Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin at the University of Indonesia (The Jakarta Post, March 4, 1996).

Natural gas found in South Sumatra

Natural gas found in South Sumatra CALGARY, Canada (Reuter): Gulf Canada Resources Ltd said on Monday that Indonesia unit Asamera South Jambi Ltd made a natural gas discovery in South Sumatra that flowed 36.5 million cubic feet per day of raw natural gas from four geological zones.

Schools to be renovated

Schools to be renovated BANDUNG, West Java: The provincial government plans to renovate 3,601 elementary school buildings in 25 regencies during the 1996/1997 fiscal year, Antara reported. In a written statement delivered in a hearing with the provincial legislative council on Monday, Governor R. Nuriana said the government has allocated Rp 49.92 billion (US$21,188,455) for the project. The province currently has 30,125 elementary school buildings. (swe)

Muara Karang traders take row to council

Muara Karang traders take row to council JAKARTA (JP): Traders opposed to the allocation of kiosk sites at the Muara Karang market in North Jakarta took their protest to city councilors on Monday. The traders said the sites in the new four-story market were marketed before a promised lottery to decide where the 271 original traders would be located. "We have already told the authorities that the lottery should be held," Choriyah, a vegetable trader, said.

Economist calls for effective competition policy

Economist calls for effective competition policy JAKARTA (JP): The government should complement the success of its deregulation measures with an effective competition policy to further reduce irrelevant business practices, economist Mari E. Pangestu believes.

Malaysia and RI tie up in plantation projects

Malaysia and RI tie up in plantation projects JAKARTA (JP): The HAK consortium of Malaysia and PT Plantana Razsindo Group, a plantation company, have agreed to establish a 47,000-hectare palm oil plantation in West Kalimantan's Kapuas Hulu regency. The agreement was signed on Monday in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, between Maj. Gen. Dato' Hasan bin Moh. Saleh, representing the HAK consortium, and Rommy P.A. Anas, representing Plantana Razsindo.

Charges against alleged rapist stand: Police

Charges against alleged rapist stand: Police JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta police yesterday said that charges against a suspected rapist will not be dropped despite the fact that the suspect had married the victim. Lt. Col. S.Y. Wenas, the newly-appointed Central Jakarta Police Precinct chief, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the alleged rapist was still under police supervision. "I met and talked to him a few hours ago this afternoon in my office," Wenas said yesterday.

Philately expo to open

Philately expo to open BANDUNG, West Java: Vice President Try Sutrisno will open a ten-day international philately exhibition tomorrow at the PT Pos Indonesia building. A total of 431 young stamp collectors from 45 countries will take part in the event. Over 1,000 frames holding one million stamps from 250 countries have been prepared for the exhibition, according to organizer HMA Sampurna.

Westin, Wisma Kartika sign deal on new luxury hotel

Westin, Wisma Kartika sign deal on new luxury hotel JAKARTA (JP): Another luxury hotel will soon rise in the prime business area of Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, increasing the already fierce competition between five-star hotels. The new hotel, to be constructed on the site of the 25-year- old Hotel Kartika Plaza, will be managed by Westin Hotels and Resorts, a hotel management firm based in the United States, which signed an agreement yesterday with the hotel owner PT Wisma Kartika.

Military arrest 37 in wake of Jayapura riot

Military arrest 37 in wake of Jayapura riot JAKARTA (JP): The military has arrested 37 people believed to have led Monday's riot in the capital of Jayapura which left four people dead, Antara reported yesterday. Trikora Regional Military Command Spokesman Lt. Col. Maulud Hidayat said the suspects, believed to harbor separatist sentiments, will be charged with inciting unrest.

Residents to sue mayor over land compensation

Residents to sue mayor over land compensation JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of South Jakarta residents are demanding that the mayor give them more compensation money for their land which was appropriated for a road project. "The residents hope to begin legal proceedings by next week," Mugiyono, a clerk at the Jakarta State Administrative Court who received the residents yesterday, told The Jakarta Post.

RI economy 5th largest in 2020

RI economy 5th largest in 2020 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will be the fifth major economic power in the world, based on purchasing power parity, by the year 2020 after the United States, China, Japan and India, Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto said yesterday.

A new approach needed

A new approach needed The riot near Jayapura, the provincial capital of Irian Jaya, in which at least four people were killed, and the demands of local tribal chiefs of Timika that the PT Freeport Indonesia mining corporation be closed show that the social problems in the "wild east" province have grown more complicated. The riot was ignited by supporters of Dr.

Dead fish pollute river

Dead fish pollute river PEKANBARU, Riau: Since early this month, thousands of fish have been found floating dead on Mandau River near Sungai Selodang village in Bengkalis, Antara reported yesterday. Residents along the river have stopped using the water for washing and cooking because it has started to smell and has turned murky. Some residents said the fish might have been poisoned by industrial waste dumped into the river by a factory near the river.

Body found amid wrecks

Body found amid wrecks PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Workers clearing the Nusantara Port of debris from dozens of boats wrecked in a recent flash flood found on Sunday the badly decomposed body of an unidentified man. Antara reported yesterday that the man's face was unrecognizable. The authorities found on the body a resignation letter written by Asmui, a sailor on a ship operating in Irian Jaya. They also found some money. Police suspect the man drowned in last month's Loji River floods. (swe)

Damaged road

Damaged road From Jayakarta I, together with thousands of other road users, deplore the extremely bad condition of Jl. Raya Bogor. The holes that are gaping on the Kramat Jati section of the road are a real nuisance to motorists. Potholes are also found on other sections of the road. Some of the potholes are deep enough to damage vehicles. The horrible condition of the road makes traffic jams unavoidable.

New building on Jl. Dewi Sartika

New building on Jl. Dewi Sartika From Kompas The increased volume of traffic on Jl. Dewi Sartika, East Jakarta, has prompted the authorities to enforce the regulation for offices and shops on that street to provide adequate parking space on their premises. Inhabitants of the area have also been informed by the kelurahan (community head) office that the street will be widened by 14 meters in the near future.

Workers demand postponed salary

Workers demand postponed salary TANGERANG (JP): Forty workers of PT Proclean, a cleaning service company, ended their one-week strike, but demanded that the management pay two months worth of postponed salary. The workers staged a protest at the Tangerang legislative council building. The workers at the Garuda Indonesia maintenance facility at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, told legislator Endang Muchtar that the company had not paid their February and March salaries.

Golkar and ABRI: An historical alliance

Golkar and ABRI: An historical alliance A recent statement by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono that every soldier of the Armed Forces is a Golkar cadre has sparked a wide debate on the role of the Indonesian Armed Forces. Political scientist Cornelis LAY disentangles the historical myths from current reality. JAKARTA (JP): For everyone who has followed the birth and development of Golkar, Gen. Hartono's statement is easily understandable.

Holiday

Holiday In observance of the Hindu Day of Silence, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Friday. -- Publisher

Forschuetz up close, but far from personal

Forschuetz up close, but far from personal By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): Fragments Of the Self is an exhibition of photographs by Thomas Florschuetz at the Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara in Central Jakarta. It is presented jointly by the Galeri and the Goethe Institut. Born in 1957, Florschuetz moved to East Berlin in 1981, where he started working as a freelance photographer.

Military files dossiers on Nipah case

Military files dossiers on Nipah case SURABAYA (JP): Chief of the Brawijaya Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo presented to the military tribunal yesterday dossiers on the soldiers allegedly responsible for the 1993 deaths of four villagers of Nipah, Sampang, East Java. Chief of the East Java police Maj. Gen. Roesmanhadi also presented to chief of the tribunal Lt. Col. Yamini, the dossier on a police officer suspected of having been involved in the case.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 19, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 900 0 10,000 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,975 0 12,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,375 0 0 Anwar Sierad 2,225 -25 876,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,700 25 222,500 Argo Pantes 1,800 0 0 Asahimas Flat 3,175 150 2,164,000 Asiana IMI...

Nike Ardilla fans flock to grave site

Nike Ardilla fans flock to grave site CIAMIS, West Java (JP): Thousands of young people flocked to the grave of Nike Ardilla yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the pop singer death. Twelve months after the tragic car accident that caused the death of the young singer, many of her fans from far flung places in Indonesia trekked to the tiny village of Imbanagara, just outside Bandung, where she is buried. Some were still in their school uniforms.

Bus plunges into river, one dead

Bus plunges into river, one dead CIAMIS, West Java: An unidentified woman died and three other people were missing when a bus plunged into the Cimuntur River along the Ciamis to Banjar road on Monday. All 26 other passengers on the bus were injured, Antara reported. Driver Enceng Tajil, insisting he wasn't speeding, said the steering wheel became stuck and he eventually lost control of the vehicle. The Budiman bus then careened down the slippery Batununggal slope before splashing into the river.

PPD to transport haj pilgrims

PPD to transport haj pilgrims JAKARTA (JP): Garuda Indonesia has officially appointed the state-owned transportation company PPD to handle the transportation of haj pilgrims from the Pondok Gede haj dormitory in East Jakarta to the Halim Perdanakusuma airport. PPD Operation Director Djati Santoso said yesterday that the company will field 27 air-conditioned buses, four trailers and one box to transport the pilgrims and their luggage.

Hotels flourish during Balinese New year

Hotels flourish during Balinese New year By Intan Petersen NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Tonight is Tilem Kesanga, the eve of the Balinese New Year according to the Balinese Saka calendar. This is the night when monstrous ogoh-ogoh effigies are taken on a wild parade through the Bali's streets before the silence of the next day. For the Hindu Balinese, New Year's Day, or Nyepi, is a day of silence, prayer and meditation. Everyone is obliged to stay indoors and meditate.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Dai-ichi, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta. - Mezzanine Lounge: Solo Pianist, daily from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., opening hours Monday to Sunday 11 a.m to 1 a.m. * Hotel Aryaduta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Los Morenitos Vocal Group, Monday, Thursday, Sunday from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Los Paraguas Vocal Group, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.