Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 March 1996

53 articles found

Importers upset at port's red tape

Importers upset at port's red tape JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association is upset with what it describes as rampant red tape caused by customs officials at the Tanjung Priok port. The association's chairman, Amirudin Saud, said yesterday that customs officials regularly issue "intelligence notes", which allow them to stall the clearance of imported goods and exact bribes from importers.

Government urged to make radical change in labor policy

Government urged to make radical change in labor policy JAKARTA (JP): A senior official of the Federation of All Indonesian Workers Unions called yesterday for radical change in the labor policy to strengthen workers' bargaining power. Union deputy chief Wilhelmus Bokha told a seminar the government should stop its habitual interference in the labor organization's internal affairs.

Haj embarkation chaos

Haj embarkation chaos Indonesians have been going to Mecca to perform the haj pilgrimage for centuries and the government has been organizing the pilgrimage for at least 45 years. Yet almost every year we hear the same litany of difficulties and chaos. Last year Indonesia sent 195,000 pilgrims -- the full quota allowed by the Organization of Islamic Conference -- and the affair was relatively well organized.

Robbers make off with gold

Robbers make off with gold PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: A robber posing as a customer snatched and escaped with 134 grams of gold from a jewelry shop here yesterday. "It happened so fast I and my security guards could not catch him," the owner of the Megah Ria shop, Chandra, was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency. Chandra said none of the people around had the courage to stop the robber. Police said they would collect information from eyewitnesses. (ste)

PLN workers file complaint

PLN workers file complaint JAKARTA (JP): Eight workers of the state-owned company PLN have filed a complaint at the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute, searching for help over their dismissals. Lawyer Apong Herlina said on Wednesday that the institute submitted the workers' claim to the South Jakarta District Court earlier this month. "We are now waiting for the court to schedule a hearing," she said.

ABRI to remain neutral in the 1997 general elections: Soesilo

ABRI to remain neutral in the 1997 general elections: Soesilo JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said yesterday that the Armed Forces (ABRI) would remain impartial in the 1997 general elections. Supporting an earlier statement made by Minister of Defense and Security Gen.(ret.) Edi Sudrajat about the military's neutrality, Soesilo said the public shouldn't worry about ABRI's stance as it belongs to all people.

RI and Israeli satellites on same rocket

RI and Israeli satellites on same rocket JAKARTA (JP): The Palapa-C2 satellite of Indonesia will blast off into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana, in May together with Amos, a communications satellite owned by the Israeli Aircraft Industry. The two satellites are scheduled to be placed in the same payload of the Ariane 4 rocket, a launch vehicle of the France- based commercial space transportation firm Arianespace.

On poser phones

On poser phones Further to Mr. John R. Kerr's letter in The Jakarta Post (March 26) on what he aptly called "poser phones", I think these objects can indeed be a nuisance. Ostentatious use of such phones in public places is tantamount to disturbing order. I know somebody who liked to walk into his front yard while clutching a hand phone. I do not understand why he had to raise his voice while talking into his cellular phone.

Kaspari meets Tiranov

Kaspari meets Tiranov JAKARTA (JP): Andrian Kaspari meets defending champion Russian Alexander Tiranov in a bout for the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental bantamweight crown in Surabaya, East Java, today. "I don't promise that I will win on points or by a knockout. I'll just try to do my best," Kaspari said. Kaspari, who has a record of 9-0 (all by knockouts), said he studied his Russian opponent's brawling style on video and that equipped him with some knowledge about Tiranov.

Power plant deal closed

Power plant deal closed WASHINGTON (Reuter): The U.S. Export-Import Bank said Tuesday it closed a deal on US$386 million of financing for sales of U.S.-made equipment for the Jawa power plant project in Indonesia. The financing will cover purchases of boilers and engineering services from ABB Combustion Engineering Systems, Inc. of Windsor, Conn., and engineering services from Black and Veatch Construction, Inc., in Kansas City, Mo., the Ex-Im Bank said. ABB is a unit of ABB Asea Brown Boveri.

ABB gets US$24m to revamp locomotives

ABB gets US$24m to revamp locomotives HONG KONG (JP): PT Abdibangun Buana, a subsidiary of Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), has been appointed to overhaul 21 locomotives of the state-owned railway company Perumka in Medan, North Sumatra. Joachim Schulze-Warnecke, an executive of Abdibangun Buana, said on Monday that the job contract worth US$24 million would be signed with the Ministry of Transportation in the near future.

Legislators blast haj operation

Legislators blast haj operation JAKARTA (JP): While the government was struggling to smoothen out the operation of flying 195,000 haj pilgrims to Mecca, legislators yesterday visited trouble spots and drew attention to how past mistakes are being repeated. Reports said that, as of yesterday, of all the flights to Saudi Arabia, a total of 1,765 seats have been left vacant.

Reckless driving

Reckless driving From Berita Buana I was deeply upset over the recent Jagorawi toll road tragedy involving a Kramatdjati bus which claimed 31 lives. The disaster was allegedly due to recklessness. It was said that before driving, the driver swallowed Nipam pills which made him light- headed. This fatal accident cannot be taken lightly. The driver should be severely punished as an example to other drivers. Heavy sanctions should also be imposed on Kramatdjati bus company.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Jade Holiday Inn JADE EXPO: First Lady Tien Soeharto (center), accompanied by Mrs. Try Sutrisno (second from left) and Mrs. Umar Wirahadikusumah, chairwoman of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (left), opens an exhibition of jade carvings from Beijing at the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza, Jakarta. The exhibition last week was reportedly the biggest display of Chinese jade in Southeast Asia. Some proceeds from the sales will be donated to the cancer foundation.

French ballet to hit town

French ballet to hit town JAKARTA (JP): With the Lyon Opera Ballet in town, Jakarta's small but growing coterie of ballet aficionados will once again be able to savor some of the most admirable samples of what contemporary Western ballet has to offer.

Alleged thief shot to death

Alleged thief shot to death JAKARTA (JP): A 22-year-old man believed to have been involved in a series of motorcycle thefts was shot dead yesterday while resisting arrest on Jl. Percetakan Negara, Central Jakarta. The Johor Baru police precinct confirmed the shooting of Arifin, adding that the resident of Kramat Pulo, Paseban district in Central Jakarta, had been under police observation for a week.

Phone bill

Phone bill I have always been grateful and delighted that when my telephone malfunctioned a few times, Telkom responded almost immediately and fixed the phone. Indeed, the impression I have from Telkom is the best possible. As evidence of outstanding service, I received on March 26 a reply to a March 13 letter in which I informed Telkom that my phone was out of order. Their letter stated the problem with the phone, how it was being solved and the date that my phone would work again.

RI workers abroad

RI workers abroad The government is trying to improve the situation for Indonesians working abroad for various reasons. One is because sending workers overseas reduces the unemployment problem at home. Another is foreign exchange earnings. But we are happy that foreign exchange is not the only consideration. Now the government has said that it will be more selective and only send only those with sufficient skills. This is expected to improve Indonesia's image.

Pefindo rates 81 Indonesian companies

Pefindo rates 81 Indonesian companies JAKARTA (JP): The first credit rating agency in Indonesia, PT Pefindo, said that as of Feb. 29, it had accepted applications for ratings from 81 companies intending to issue debt instruments. Pefindo's president, Farid Haryanto, announced after the company's annual shareholders meeting yesterday that the applications involved a total issue of Rp 7.1 trillion (US$3.03 billion) worth of bonds and commercial papers.

Gold mining set to start in Sumbawa

Gold mining set to start in Sumbawa NEW YORK (Reuter): Newmont Gold Co. and Sumitomo Corp. have agreed in principal jointly develop and operate the Batu Hijau Project, a large copper/gold porphyry deposit on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, Newmont Gold said Tuesday. It is 90 percent owned by Newmont Mining Corp.

KL's tin output up 0.7%

KL's tin output up 0.7% KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia's output of tin-in- concentrates rose 0.7 percent to 6,500 tons in 1995 after a fall of 37.8 percent in 1994, Bank Negara Malaysia said yesterday. The increase was in response to higher prices resulting from rising global demand amid depletion of tin stocks in the world market, the central bank said in its 1995 annual report. Malaysia was the seventh largest world producer after China, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Australia.

More Tangerang workers on strike

More Tangerang workers on strike JAKARTA (JP): At least 200 workers of PT Roxy Prima in Cikupa, Tangerang, 30 km west of here, went on strike on Wednesday, demanding that the company increase their salary in accordance with the current minimum wage. The workers of the glass-producing company refused to work, and gathered at the factory's square. They said that they would not work unless the company raised their Rp 3,600 ($1.7) current salary to the present Rp 4,600 official minimum wage.

Pilot meets tribal people

Pilot meets tribal people JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A pilot reported yesterday he encountered "primitive" tribal people he believes are unknown to the local government while he was working in a jungle. Djoko Prasetyo, a pilot of Air Fast working for American mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia, said he had met the tribal people in the hinterland of Paniai. He told the Antara news agency that they use leaves to cover their genitals and that most of them suffer from skin diseases.

Road accidents

Road accidents From Republika I refer to Republika's article on toll roads in its March 11, 1996 edition. I am deeply saddened by the fact that accidents on toll roads have claimed so many lives. I sent a letter to the Kompas editor in February about the most disorderly traffic on the Jagorawi, Cikampek and Jakarta's toll roads. Drivers like to overtake other vehicles from the left side, sometimes on the shoulder of the road.

RI riders to race in 125cc GP

RI riders to race in 125cc GP JAKARTA (JP): Two Indonesian riders will try to make waves in the world motorcycling Grand Prix championships at Sentul circuit near Bogor, West Java, next month. Organizers of the championships said yesterday that Petrus Canisius and Ahmad Jayadie will don their Yamaha Team racing suits in the 125cc class during the April 5-7 event, the first world championships to be held in Indonesia.

Number of cheap buses drops by more than half

Number of cheap buses drops by more than half JAKARTA (JP): The number of operable buses on which fares are Rp 300 (US 13 cents) has dropped by 50 percent as the owners have no funds to maintain and repair the broken down vehicles, transport officials claim. "Owners do not have the funds to repair their buses," said Aip Syarifuddin, chairman of the association of public transportation owners (Organda) said yesterday.

Elite police regiment used to fight robbers

Elite police regiment used to fight robbers JAKARTA (JP): City police chiefs have deployed 30 members of their elite mobile regiment to help the Bekasi police protect local people from robbers. "The 30 plainclothes officers armed with standard detective equipment, such as guns and handcuffs, are also assigned to train the area's residents, particularly youngsters, on how to guard their own villages," City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday.

Old and new combine artist's powerfully symbolic sculpture

Old and new combine artist's powerfully symbolic sculpture By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): Hedi Hariyanto is famous for using second- hand objects in his installation works. The objects are integrated through simple formations -- iron ingots and pieces of wood are among the elements in his works -- which dominate his two installation works now on exhibit at Cemeti Gallery until March 30. The works of this graduate of the ISI School of Fine Arts in Yogyakarta tend to represent constructions.

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.

Quiet end to Kashmir's standoff spares India's Rao

Quiet end to Kashmir's standoff spares India's Rao SRINAGAR, India (Reuter): Armed separatists have left Kashmir's holiest shrine in a peaceful end to a two-day standoff, sparing Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao embarrassment before general elections starting next month.

Hotel industry told to be more innovative

Hotel industry told to be more innovative JAKARTA (JP): A property tycoon has challenged hoteliers and restaurateurs to be more innovative in their services so that they attract more foreign visitors in the coming era of free trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

PT Bukaka to supply components for Timor car

PT Bukaka to supply components for Timor car JAKARTA (JP): The publicly-listed engineering and manufacturing firm PT Bukaka Teknik Utama has agreed to become a component supplier for PT Timor Putra Nasional. "I have talked to Pak Tommy and he agreed that we will supply components for the Timor car," Bukaka's president, Fadel Muhammad, said before attending a meeting between business and Ministry of Industry and Trade officials.

Transportation

Transportation From Neraca I am disappointed at the way the Kopaja (T-52) minibus drivers on the Tanah Abang-Kampung Rambutan route treat their passengers. The problem is that when a bus returns from Tanah Abang to Kampung Rambutan, the driver almost invariably stops at Kampung Melayu (the half-way point) and refuses to take the passengers to the Kampung Rambutan terminal, which is the correct destination.

Bogor residents defy land appropriation

Bogor residents defy land appropriation JAKARTA (JP): About 100 people representing more than 200 villagers from the Bogor regency, West Java, filed a complaint with the National Commission on Human Rights yesterday over what they claim was the illegal appropriation of 300 hectares of land by PT Bahana Sukmasejahtera for a tourism development program.

Habits that determine success or failure in life

Habits that determine success or failure in life By Arif Suryobuwono JAKARTA (JP): Two points make a line, three a field. These two basic geometric postulates once surprised me. Why on earth should a stereology book tell high school students about such clear, fundamental common sense? This question struck me again at the Covey Leadership Center Indonesia course on Stephen Covey's 1989 book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People early last month.

RI slams Euro Parliament for Irian Jaya interference

RI slams Euro Parliament for Irian Jaya interference JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has denounced the European Parliament for what it perceives as interference in the nation's domestic affairs. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas issued a letter expressing dismay with European Parliament President Klaus Hansch, who has invited the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) to send a delegation to the assembly in Strassbourg, Austria.

Soeharto welcomes Howard visit

Soeharto welcomes Howard visit JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday he would warmly welcome Australia's new Prime Minister John Howard, who plans to visit Indonesia in two months. He said Howard's visit would strengthen ties between the two neighbors. Soeharto stated his stand receiving a courtesy call from the Chief Minister of the Northern Territories, Shane Stone, who was accompanied by former Indonesian Minister of Finance Frans Seda.

Jordan, RI to boost trade and investment

Jordan, RI to boost trade and investment JAKARTA (JP): A visiting delegation from the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to boost bilateral trade and investment. The JBA chairman, Hamdi Moh'd Sabri Tabba'a, and the head of Kadin's department of construction and real estate, Agus G. Kartasasmita, signed the memorandum in a ceremony prior to a business meeting between the two parties.

Rossy secures second straight Olympic berth

Rossy secures second straight Olympic berth JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's table tennis queen Rossy Pratiwi Dipoyanti assured herself of a place in the Atlanta Olympic Games in July after playing two matches in the Asian zone qualifying round in Chiba, Japan on Tuesday. Rossy finished second in Group A behind Liu Wei of China with a break-even 1-1 record, but it was enough to give the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist her second straight Olympic berth.

Concessionaires must replant trees: Minister

Concessionaires must replant trees: Minister JAKARTA (JP): The government will next year require concessionaires to replant 20 trees for every one they cut down in their forest concessions, Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said yesterday. "Until now we only appeal to them to replant trees. But next year we'll require them to replant 20 trees for every one they cut," he announced after installing a number of senior officials at his ministry.

Residents sue S. Jakarta mayor

Residents sue S. Jakarta mayor JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta residents of Pesanggrahan subdistrict filed a lawsuit with the Jakarta Administrative Court against the South Jakarta mayor over a land compensation dispute Tuesday. "We will process the case as soon as possible," a source at the court office told The Jakarta Post by phone yesterday.

Indonesia: A tiger cub learning to roar

Indonesia: A tiger cub learning to roar Like other developing countries, Indonesia's economic growth has brought with it unprecedented problems. Businessman Tan Bien Kiat takes a look at this issue. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is an emerging tiger -- some call it a tiger cub. With its steady growth and well-managed economy -- Indonesia is hot on the heels of the other tigers. Consequently, a consumer boom is occurring.

PT Timah to diversify its business

PT Timah to diversify its business JAKARTA (JP): The publicly-listed tin mining company PT Tambang Timah announced yesterday that it has paid deposits of Rp 17.8 billion (US$7.6 million) to the Ministry of Mines and Energy to start gold and diamond exploration in South Kalimantan.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 27, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 900 0 18,000 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,750 -100 1,119,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,500 0 0 Anwar Sierad 2,225 25 276,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,800 25 67,500 Argo Pantes 2,275 50 61,000 Asahimas Flat 3,050 -50 94,500 Asiana IMI...

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Ultraman 3:00 News: Lintasan Berita 3:05 Dance: Dance Variety 3:30 TV Series: Harapan Nan Sirna 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 TV Series: Harapan Nan Sirna (continued) 4:30 Education: Dunia Mahasiswa 5:00 Evening News 5:30 Arabic Lessons: Permukaan Bumi II 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Music 6:15 Village Program 6:25 Koran Recital 6:35 Religious Teachings: Syukur Nikmat 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Teller 7:30 TV...

High rate of maternal mortality deplored

High rate of maternal mortality deplored JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that women must be given greater access to health care, education and employment opportunities if they are to achieve equal partnership status with men. The lack of access to health care is to blame for the country's present maternity mortality rate, which is the highest in Southeast Asia, he added.

Petrochemical firm set up

Petrochemical firm set up TOKYO (Reuter): Japan's Idemitsu Petrochemical Co Ltd, Sumitomo Corp and Indonesia's PT Bima Kimia Citra have agreed to set up a petrochemical joint venture in Indonesia, an Idemitsu official said. The 11,000 ton-per-year PT Idemitsu Compounding Indonesia plant is set to start production of flame-resistant polystyrene in October, he said. The polystyrene will be used in Japanese electrical appliance plants in Indonesia.

PNG warns Solomon Islands over rebel issue

PNG warns Solomon Islands over rebel issue PORT MORESBY (Agencies): Papua New Guinea has warned the Solomon Islands it will send its troops in hot pursuit if its South Pacific neighbor continues to harbor secessionist rebels from conflict-torn Bougainville island. "If they do, we will make it hell for them," Defense Minister Mathias Ijape said in a statement carried in newspapers here yesterday.

City collects US$120 million in vehicle taxes

City collects US$120 million in vehicle taxes JAKARTA (JP): The city's revenues from vehicle taxes in the 1995/1996 fiscal year have so far totaled Rp 276.18 billion (US$120 million), Rp 6.5 billion of which comes from the implementation of a progressive tax system. The head of the city council's commission C for finance, Helmy AR Syihab, said yesterday that the amount was higher than the Rp 5.24 billion estimation made in 1994.

Irianese youths

Irianese youths Correction: The fifth paragraph of the story entitled Three alleged Irian separatist leaders arrested on this page yesterday should have read "Bambang said Michael was interrogated by four military officials following a recent demonstration by Irianese youths at the State Secretariat against PT Freeport, a giant American mining company." We regret the error. -- Editor

Big S'pore bank to launch Asia Infrastructure Fund

Big S'pore bank to launch Asia Infrastructure Fund SINGAPORE (AFP): One of Singapore's biggest banking groups has set up a fund that will invest in Asian companies involved in the region's burgeoning infrastructure business, company officials said. The Savers Asia Infrastructure Fund is to be launched today by OCBC Asset Management Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., one of the city-state's "big four" banks.

Poll watchdog activists arrested in Lampung

Poll watchdog activists arrested in Lampung JAKARTA (JP): Two activists of the independent election watchdog in Lampung were arrested yesterday, despite some government officials giving the organization a cautious welcome. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation protested on Tuesday the arrest of Bambang Ekalaya and Sahzan Sarif who were in the process of declaring the creation of the Lampung branch of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee.

School buses

School buses From Bisnis Indonesia Public transportation is still insufficient for the needs of the public. Students, in particular, have difficulty getting transportation to school. For example, if I want to go to Slipi I have to wait for hours for the Bianglala 79 bus. And if one comes it is more often than not already crowded with commuters. It is also often frustrating that some bus drivers do not want to take on students, which makes the waiting time much longer.