Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 March 1996

51 articles found

Anger and uproar follow Bekasi gang rape verdict

Anger and uproar follow Bekasi gang rape verdict JAKARTA (JP): Cries from family members, outbursts of anger from the defendants and public uproar followed the verdict handed down yesterday at the Bekasi district court, where the 11 men charged with gang rape and robbery were sentenced to between five and 14 years in prison. The men, in three separate hearings, burst into fits of anger, beating wooden chairs and anything else nearby.

Negligence in overpass deaths falls under RI law

Negligence in overpass deaths falls under RI law JAKARTA (JP): Any proof of negligence behind the collapse of the overpass in Grogol which killed three workers and injured 18 others on Friday, will be dealt with under Indonesian law, a high ranking official said. Public works contracts between the government and contractors do not have a clause about negligence or the possibility of death, Ruslan Diwiryo, the secretary-general of the Ministry of Public Works said yesterday.

Authorities reject traders' demands

Authorities reject traders' demands JAKARTA (JP): The authority of Pluit development in North Jakarta has refused to fulfill traders' requests for kiosks on the ground floor of the new Muara Karang market. The head of the development authority, Darrundono, told councilors on Friday that the placement of the traders is based on the type of goods they sell. "It is impossible to fulfill their demands because the new market is arranged based on the type of goods.

Three shot dead

Three shot dead JAKARTA (JP): Three hoodlums have been shot dead in separate incidents while trying to escape from the police in North and Central Jakarta. The Tanjung Priok police sub-precinct confirmed the shooting of Yani alias Piyan, 30, on Sunday night near Tanjung Priok railway station. Yani, who was involved in several robberies, suffered three shot wounds in his legs. A resident of Kampung Bahari, Tanjung Priok district, North Jakarta, Yani is survived by his wife, Lilis.

Irresponsible builders

Irresponsible builders From Media Indonesia Since Jakarta's huge floods on Feb. 10, the inhabitants of the Greenville housing complex in West Jakarta are stressed out everytime it rains. A 15-minute downpour already results in water entering our houses. I have tried to search for the cause. I started at Citraland and went north along Jl. Latumeten.

PT Daya Mitra selects UK's C&W as new partner

PT Daya Mitra selects UK's C&W as new partner JAKARTA (JP): PT Daya Mitra Malindo, the private joint-venture firm assigned to develop a telecommunications network in Kalimantan, ended an internal dispute with the selection of Britain's Cable & Wireless as its new shareholders, replacing Telekom Malaysia.

Lessons in love

Lessons in love When I was in India some time ago, I noticed a scrap of newspaper which a street vendor had used to wrap chick peas in. The headline Expelling God really interested me, so I took a closer look. I couldn't find the writer's name, the date or even the name of the newspaper, and the first column was incomplete.

Plane wreckage identified

Plane wreckage identified BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Plane wreckage found in jungle in eastern Aceh has been identified as a Piper Astec belonging to the state- owned plantation company PTP-III that crashed thirteen years ago. The "sky van" crashed on Nov. 25, 1982 with five people on board, spokesman for the East Aceh police precinct Capt. Tamzil Djalil said yesterday. They were pilot Imam Supadio, PTP-III president O.B. Siahaan and three company employees identified as C.M. Gultom, Masduki and Sujasto.

Different exchange rates

Different exchange rates Being in Subang on Jan. 31, 1996 and seeing a Bank Central Asia branch I decided to change 1,000 Dutch guilders. The money was given to me for a friend's sister, who was ill. Two days later I changed guilders at my BCA branch in Lembang. To my pleasant surprise I received Rp 30 more per guilder and the bank employee told me that I could have received Rp 35 more per guilder on Jan. 31 if I had changed the money in Lembang. Why the difference?

Fire in North Jakarta

Fire in North Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): An electrical short circuit started a fire which devoured piles of wood, food stalls, a cooperative shop and a rice storehouse on Jl. Gaya Motor Raya in North Jakarta yesterday afternoon. A source at the North Jakarta Fire Department told The Jakarta Post that six fire brigade units were deployed to extinguish the fire, which started around 3:30 p.m. and lasted for an hour. Losses have been estimated at Rp 40 million. (14)

ABRI told to remain impartial

ABRI told to remain impartial JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat said yesterday that the Armed Forces should work with other sociopolitical forces and not just the ruling Golkar group to help develop the nation. The political role of the Armed Forces (ABRI) is based on Law No. 20/1982, which stipulates that it must work together with all sociopolitical forces to ensure national development, Edi told reporters after swearing in Lt. Gen.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 25, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 875 25 2,500 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,950 50 2,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,500 125 112,500 Anwar Sierad 2,225 25 135,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,775 25 279,000 Argo Pantes 2,150 150 13,000 Asahimas Flat 3,125 -25 93,500 Asiana...

Philippines and Singapore sign forex accord

Philippines and Singapore sign forex accord SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore and the Philippines signed a repurchase agreement here yesterday enabling them to draw on each other's reserves as part of a regional effort to stabilize the foreign-exchange market. The agreement was signed by Gabriel Singson, governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Lee Ek Tieng, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the city-state's de facto central bank.

Expert highlights ABRI declining political influence

Expert highlights ABRI declining political influence JAKARTA (JP): The country's emphasis on economic development and the growing clout of technocrats are both causing a decline of Armed Forces (ABRI) control over policymaking processes, says an expert. Indonesia-watcher Howard M.

Local component firms too weak to back Timor car

Local component firms too weak to back Timor car JAKARTA (JP): Without further incentives, PT Timor Putra Nasional, the only car firm to get tax and tariff breaks under the new national car program, will face a serious challenge to meet local content requirements set by the government, an industry executive said yesterday. Chairman of the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association Herman Z.

Taiwan gold demand to fall

Taiwan gold demand to fall TAIPEI (Reuter): Taiwanese overbought gold as tensions with China grew but demand is expected to drop after the island's presidential election, local traders said yesterday. "Unless the newly elected President Lee (Teng-hui) says any dramatic words to spark much more serious tension with the mainland, local gold demand is likely to fall below normal levels," a trader at China Trust Bank said.

Government satisfied with recent East Timor dialog

Government satisfied with recent East Timor dialog JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Ali Alatas gave a thumbs-up yesterday to the results of the All-Inclusive Intra-East Timor Dialog in Austria. "I think the results are quite good," Alatas told journalists. He expressed satisfaction that unlike at the inaugural talks last year, the results and discussion at this year's meeting remained within the parameters set by the United Nations along with the Indonesian and Portuguese government.

'IHT' libel damages donated to charity

'IHT' libel damages donated to charity SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's top three leaders have donated to charity the entire sum of S$950,000 (US$678,000) in libel damages they won from the International Herald Tribune (IHT), the government announced yesterday. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his son, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, had won the amount from the Paris-based newspaper in a landmark trial last July.

Dollar down in Asia but up in Eropa

Dollar down in Asia but up in Eropa TOKYO (AFP): The dollar lost ground against the yen here yesterday on expectations that tensions between Taipei and Beijing would ease after Taiwan's first direct presidential election. Towards the end of trading, the dollar was quoted at 106.46 yen here, down from 106.83 yen in New York late Friday and 107.13 yen here Friday afternoon. Against the mark, it was trading at 1.4751, compared with 1.4750 in New York late Friday and 1.4797 here Friday afternoon.

Murder witness retracts testimony to city police

Murder witness retracts testimony to city police JAKARTA (JP): A witness in a murder case retracted his earlier testimony to police during a court hearing held yesterday. Philipus, 47, a security guard at a Catholic church in Pademangan, North Jakarta, (not at a private company as reported earlier) is also the prime suspect in the murder. He took the witness stand yesterday at the court hearing to process Suparmi, his wife, who is allegedly an accomplice in the killings.

Taiwan president's win is strong rebuff to China

Taiwan president's win is strong rebuff to China By William Kazer TAIPEI (Reuter): Taiwan's president won the mandate he wanted in the island's first presidential election as voters gave a strong rebuff to China, analysts said. They added that Lee Teng-hui's margin of victory -- more than 50 percent in a four-way race -- was probably helped by a voter backlash against Beijing's live-fire war games and missile tests.

Arms sales to Taiwan

Arms sales to Taiwan This is in response to Mr. Jonathan Power's article titled Why Beijing shouldn't be feared which appeared on page 5 of The Jakarta Post's March 23, 1996 edition. In the article, Mr. Power said, among other things, that "It was a serious mistake for President George Bush to decide to sell Taiwan state-of-the-art warplanes in clear contradiction of a solemn U.S. promise to Beijing." Mr. Power is mistaken. The United States never promised not to sell arms to Taiwan.

Evangelicals urge OPM to free hostages

Evangelicals urge OPM to free hostages JAKARTA (JP): The Evangelical Church in Irian Jaya called on separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels yesterday to free the 11 people, including six Europeans, they have been holding hostage since Jan. 8. The Evangelical Church, the largest in the dominantly Christian territory, expressed deep remorse over the uncertainty in the solution to the drama that has raised international concern.

Top shuttlers miss Asian C'ships

Top shuttlers miss Asian C'ships JAKARTA (JP): The world's top players are passing over the Asian Badminton Championships this year, making room for a number of participants from countries where badminton is alien. The US$30,000 championships will be held in Gelora Pancasila stadium in Surabaya from Apr. 17 to Apr. 21.

Hopes for Taiwan-China peace surge after polls

Hopes for Taiwan-China peace surge after polls TAIPEI (Reuter): Hopes for a peaceful new dawn across the Taiwan Strait surged yesterday, with Taipei offering reconciliation and Beijing announcing a full stop to weeks of menacing war games. The end on schedule of eight days of military exercises in the northern Taiwan Strait halts 17 days of maneuvers which failed in their aim of turning voters against President Lee Teng-hui, who was elected in a landslide on Saturday.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Kid's Songs 3:05 Children's Program: Taman Bermain; Halal Bi Halal 3:30 Film: Road to Avonlea 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 Film: Road to Avonlea (continued) 4:30 Science Film: The Great Day of Century 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons: Vocabulary 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: Irian Jaya 6:15 Village Program 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 Discussion: Wawasan Kepustakaan 8:05 Traditional Drama:...

Riau workers face weekend toil

Riau workers face weekend toil PEKANBARU, Riau: The provincial government has found working five days a week ineffective and is to reintroduce the six-day week from April 1. The Riau administration had weighed up all the consequences before it decided to refuse the shorter working week, the governor's secretary Rustam S. Abrus said yesterday. "During this experimentation, we found that employees wasted too much of their time.

Youths divided over presidential election

Youths divided over presidential election JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's next presidential election may not be until 1998, but the debate over whether there should be one or more candidates is already heating up. More than 50 students from various universities in Java and Bali yesterday submitted a petition to the House of Representatives demanding a more democratic election and more than one presidential candidate.

IULA-ASPAC meet in Jakarta

IULA-ASPAC meet in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, in his capacity as president of the International Union of Local Authorities for the Asia-Pacific region (IULA-ASPAC), officially opened the union's executive committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Siemens and PowerGen to invest in Paiton II

Siemens and PowerGen to invest in Paiton II JAKARTA (JP): Siemens Power Ventures GmbH and PowerGen signed the financing documents for the US$1.7 billion Paiton II power plant in London yesterday, Siemens announced recently.

Changi cargo handling up

Changi cargo handling up SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's Changi Airport last year posted close to a 10 percent annual increase in the volume of air cargo it handled, and is pursuing expansions plans to accommodate future growth, officials said yesterday. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said the airport handled 1.105 million tons of air cargo in 1995, up 9.5 percent from the year before.

Bekasi rocked by another robbery and gang rape

Bekasi rocked by another robbery and gang rape BEKASI (JP): Bekasi has been rocked by another robbery and gang rape. The latest incident occurred in Lengahjaya village, Cabangbungin district, on Sunday. Police are still hunting four suspects from last Tuesday's robbery and gang rape in the village of Cikedokan, also in Bekasi. "At least 20 people have been questioned over Sunday's crime but the police have yet to come to any conclusion," Bekasi Police Chief Lt. Col.

Mekong River contries differ over water control

Mekong River contries differ over water control HANOI (Reuter): Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have ended a two-day meeting of their Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Hanoi after having failed to agree on sensitive issues, a U.N. official said last Wednesday. The official, from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Hanoi, said the four nations -- joined last Tuesday by representatives from China and Burma -- had postponed further discussion to a meeting next month in Bangkok.

Govt revokes Kramatdjati bus license

Govt revokes Kramatdjati bus license JAKARTA (JP): The Director General of Land Transportation yesterday revoked the license of the Kramatdjati bus on which 31 people died in an accident on the Jagorawi toll road on Saturday. J.A. Barata, spokesman for the Directorate General, told The Jakarta Post that the revocation is to be applied only to the one vehicle and will be effective from today. It means the company will not be able to replace the destroyed bus.

Ficoritas opens gallery

Ficoritas opens gallery JAKARTA (JP): PT Ficor Sekuritas Indonesian (Ficoritas), a member of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), signed an agreement yesterday with PT Bepede Jateng Sekuritas to strengthen cooperation between the two companies. Under the agreement, Bepede Jateng, which does not have a seat on the JSX, will be allowed to trade on the exchange through Ficoritas.

Indonesian and Malaysian rubber prices set to rise

Indonesian and Malaysian rubber prices set to rise SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesian and Malaysian traders said yesterday rubber prices could rebound this week on hopes that the end of a strike at U.S. auto giant General Motors would spark fresh tire manufacturer buying. But other southeast Asian traders were less optimistic, saying some prices could continue to retreat in anticipation of selling by growers eager to release stocks and raise cash.

Australia seeks better trade ties with Malaysia

Australia seeks better trade ties with Malaysia DARWIN (Reuter): Australia pushed yesterday for increased trade with Malaysia in the first meeting between the new conservative government and Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told reporters his 50-minute meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister, ahead of talks between Mahathir and Australian leader John Howard on Friday, was "very positive, warm, and easy".

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.

Ministry denies banning latest 'Readers' Digest'

Ministry denies banning latest 'Readers' Digest' JAKARTA (JP): The government denied yesterday it had barred local newsstands from selling the latest edition of Reader's Digest, which alleges widespread human rights violations in East Timor. "There has been no ban imposed at all," according to Indrawadi Tamin, the public relations director of the Ministry of Information. "If there has been a reduction in the magazine's distribution here, it's probably because of the distributor's own policy.

Misguided sects sprout in C. Java

Misguided sects sprout in C. Java SEMARANG: Highly active misguided sects have become a new headache for local Moslem ulemas. Officials of the local chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) have been closely watching the activities of several sects that have stirred unrest in some regencies. "The emergence of misguided sects is worrying. The council will have to take a prompt action to disband them," local council chief Sahal Mahfudh said yesterday.

Golkar not afraid of independent poll watchdog

Golkar not afraid of independent poll watchdog JAKARTA (JP): Golkar, the ruling political organization and winner of the last five general elections, yesterday defended its stance that the establishment of an independent poll watchdog is unconstitutional. Golkar's deputy chairman, Ismael Hassan, also rejected suggestions that the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) could have an adverse affect on the ruling group's performance in the 1997 general election.

Kodeco expands activities in Irian Jaya

Kodeco expands activities in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): Korea Development Co. Ltd. (Kodeco) has been diversifying its businesses in Irian Jaya from timber into the exploration and development of gold, coal and minerals with an additional investment of up to US$140 million. "We are entering the easternmost Indonesian province in a big way to develop its resources and create a lot of jobs for the local people," Kodeco's Vice President Choi Jae Won said here yesterday.

Young businessmen told not to rely on government

Young businessmen told not to rely on government JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday told members of the Indonesian Association of Young Business People (Hipmi) to reduce their dependence on government initiatives to gain instant success. "The government's financial role in the country's economic development will continue to gradually decrease and Hipmi members should not depend so much on its projects," Hipmi chairman Bambang Atmanto Wiyogo quoted Soeharto as saying.

Ministry unveils plan to nurture young talent

Ministry unveils plan to nurture young talent CIANJUR, West Java (JP): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports yesterday unveiled a new initiative in its painstaking effort to nurture national talent by setting up branch offices in the country's 27 provinces. Minister Hayono Isman said in a seminar held by the National Sports Council that he will consult the Ministry of Home Affairs to realize the plan, which is expected to start next year.

Hours of happiness

Hours of happiness I am all in favor of "Happy Hour," as advertised by Hotel Kristal (page 2, The Jakarta Post, March 25, 1996, and previously). Happy Hour is actually often a couple of hours, e.g. 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. -- but nine hours (11.00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) must surely qualify for the Guinness Book of Records! But who is happy? Surely not the customers, for the advertisement promises "50 percent on all drinks," i.e. drinks cost 50 percent more.

Indonesia offers LSWR

Indonesia offers LSWR TOKYO (Reuter): Indonesia offered about 3.2 million barrels of April-lifting Low Sulphur Waxy Residue (LSWR) to its affiliates, traders said yesterday. The April allocation is about 350,000 barrels smaller than the initial March allotment of 3.55 million barrels, they said. In March, after the initial allocation, Indonesia offered its affilites approximately one million extra barrels of LSWR, bringing the total allocation to 4.5 million.

Crumbling infrastructure may spark more disasters

Crumbling infrastructure may spark more disasters By Martin Abbugao MANILA (AFP): A crumbling infrastructure and corruption are likely to spark more tragedies like the discotheque fire last week that killed at least 154 persons, and could weigh down the Philippines' modest economic gains, analysts here say. The smoke has barely cleared from the blaze that turned Manila's popular Ozone night club into a crematorium, but Filipinos already betting on when the next man-made disaster will strike.

Saudi Arabia asked to open new consulates

Saudi Arabia asked to open new consulates JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has suggested that Saudi Arabia open consulate general offices in several regions to ease the embassy's burden of processing documents for the annual haj. Ahmad Gozali, the director general of Islamic and haj affairs of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, pointed out that most of the problems that occurred during the sending of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Mecca were caused by a lack of visas.

British teacher stabbed in Manila

British teacher stabbed in Manila MANILA (Reuter): A British teacher attending a seminar in the Philippines on nursery education was stabbed with an icepick by a thief, police said yesterday. Jacqueline Louise, 22, from Northumberland was in serious condition in a Manila hospital after the Sunday night attack, police said. Louise was waiting for a cab when a man tried to grab her bag, police Col. Art Castillo told reporters.

Pertamina's units merged

Pertamina's units merged JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned oil company Pertamina has merged its two marketing affiliates in Japan -- Far East Oil Trading Company and Japan Indonesia Oil Company -- into a new company called Pacific Petroleum Trading Company, said a minister. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Soeharto yesterday, Minister of Mines and Energy I.B.

PT Indosat gears up for ISO certification

PT Indosat gears up for ISO certification JAKARTA (JP): The country's international telecommunications operator PT Indosat has said it is seeking ISO-9002 certification this year, in an effort to become a leading global telecommunications carrier. A company spokesman, J.B. Basuki, said here yesterday that such a certificate would help the company's performance.