Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 5 March 1996

49 articles found

AMN gets new governor

AMN gets new governor MAGELANG, Central Java: The new governor of the National Military Academy (AMN), Maj. Gen. Ilyas Yusuf was installed yesterday by Army chief of staff Gen. Hartono. He replaces Maj. Gen. Purwantono, who has been appointed General Commander of the Armed Forces Academy. Ilyas was deputy commander of the Army Education and Training Center before he assumed the new job, Antara reported. The installation, held at the academy square, was held by Maj. Gen.

No arrests made in police raids on two discotheques

No arrests made in police raids on two discotheques JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta police have released all of the nightclubbers who were caught in a special crackdown on "Ecstasy" users and traffickers at two discotheques on Saturday night. According to police officers, an unspecified number of clubbers were freed after being interrogated for several hours. "So far, we have no evidence to put them in jail and charge them as users alongside the traffickers of Ecstasy," said Lt. Col.

ADB to meet on EAGA

ADB to meet on EAGA MANILA (UPI): The Asian Development Bank yesterday announced it would sponsor a conference in Manila aimed at finalizing a year-long study on the potentials of the Brunei-Indonesia- Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (EAGA). The Manila-based bank said the three-day meet beginning March 13, to be keynoted by President Fidel Ramos, is the conclusion of a study to develop a strategic plan to promote economic cooperation and development in the quadrangle.

Nippon Electric builds RI plant

Nippon Electric builds RI plant CIKARANG, West Java (JP): PT Nippon Electric Glass Indonesia will invest US$300 million in a plant which will produce five million cathode-ray tubes here, the company's president, Masao Yamahashi, said yesterday. "We will initially invest $80 million to develop the first stage of the industry," Yamahashi said after the ground-breaking ceremony for the plant in a 20-hectare area in the Jababeka industrial estate.

Litter at prayer time

Litter at prayer time From Republika Every time I do Ied prayers in Jakarta I always notice that people leave their newspapers, which they use as mats, all over the ground. I would like to suggest that people use plastic mats and take them back home. If newspapers are used, they should be thrown away in the proper receptacles, more of which should be provided by the prayer organizers. ENDARTO H. PRAPTARDJO Jakarta

LPG tank

LPG tank From Kompas LPG gas sellers came to our house and insisted on replacing our steel gas cylinder with an aluminum one, saying that it is a requirement of Pertamina, the state-owned oil company. As a loyal citizen I rendered the steel cylinder, albeit reluctantly because it cost me Rp 175,000 to begin with, and they replaced it with an aluminum cylinder. When the gas was finished not all suppliers wanted to refill it or replace the cylinder with a steel one.

PT Argo Pantes's loan

PT Argo Pantes's loan HONG KONG (Reuter): Indonesia textile manufacturer PT Argo Pantes has mandated Sumitomo Bank to arrange a US$50 million three-year term loan facility, the arranger said. Proceeds of the loan will be used to refinance existing loans. Other details of the transaction including pricing were not immediately available.

Six missing in sea accident

Six missing in sea accident PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Six people were missing after a speedboat carrying 19 passengers sank in the Bilik straits over the weekend. Hamimzar Yahya, spokesman for the local administration, said the accident might have been caused by strong winds and rising waves during the last few days. "Local people are still looking for the missing people," Hamimzar said. The victims have yet to be identified.

Levies rampant in provinces

Levies rampant in provinces JAKARTA (JP): If you want to do business in East Java, be prepared to pay 22 different levies. If you plan to enter the lucrative forestry industry, it is 32 levies and in the sugar industry the number is 14. These are just the official levies. On top of that you still have to pay various unofficial levies.

Council eases criteria for Olympics

Council eases criteria for Olympics JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council will ease the selection system for the Atlanta Olympics Games by allowing athletes with prospects of breaking Southeast Asian Games records to go to the world's biggest sporting meet. The vice-chairman of the council, Arie Sudewo, said yesterday that the SEA Games are tough enough to preselect deserving athletes for the Olympics.

Indonesia and Australia need each other: Soeharto

Indonesia and Australia need each other: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto expects Wirjono Sastrowardojo, Indonesia's ambassador-designate for Canberra, to keep up strong relations with Australia under the new conservative government of Prime Minister John Howard. "We have to build close relations with our southern neighbor, because we need each another," Wirjono quoted the President as saying after meeting with the head of state at the latter's Jl. Cendana residence yesterday.

Turning IKIPs to universities (2)

Turning IKIPs to universities (2) This is the second of two articles exploring the increasingly frequent mutation of teacher training institutes into universities. By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Now that most teacher training institutes (IKIP) seem determined to convert themselves into universities, two questions need to be considered. One, what must these institutes do to become good universities? Two, which institute will perform the teacher training function in the future?

Defendants in Bekasi rape case plead not guilty

Defendants in Bekasi rape case plead not guilty JAKARTA (JP): Eleven men charged with the robbery and rape of Acan's wife and teenage daughters in Bekasi last July asked the court to acquit them yesterday. They claimed they were not involved in the crime and had been forced to sign the testimony under police pressure. "I signed the testimony because I could not stand the torture which I experienced day and night from more than 10 policemen since they the day they arrested me.

Soeharto opens world-class lube oil recycling plant

Soeharto opens world-class lube oil recycling plant JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto inaugurated yesterday what is billed as the world's most modern and efficient lubricating oil recycling plant in Bekasi, West Java, which uses the Pennzoil technology process from the United States.

Barren land grows by 200,000 ha a year

Barren land grows by 200,000 ha a year JAKARTA (JP): Unproductive land, which mostly consists of soil unfit for agriculture, conservation or water catchment purposes, has been blamed for the floods which occur in the country every year.

Government urged to manage haj better

Government urged to manage haj better JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Haj Brotherhood called on the government yesterday to manage the dispatch of nearly 200,000 Indonesians on haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia more efficiently. "The journey to Mecca is a spiritual thing. The concentration of the pilgrims should not be disrupted by logistical problems," Sulastomo, the chairman of the brotherhood, told a hearing with the House of Representatives's Commission IX which deals with religious issues.

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.

Forward currency market booms in S'pore

Forward currency market booms in S'pore SINGAPORE (Reuter): Burgeoning interest in Southeast Asia's high-yield currencies and heavy capital and investment flows into the region will boost Singapore's forward currency markets this year, dealers said yesterday. The bulk of the increase will be in exotic currencies, chiefly the Thai baht and the Indonesian rupiah.

Beauties meet Governor Surjadi

Beauties meet Governor Surjadi JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja received 31 finalists of a beauty contest at his residence on Jl. Taman Suropati, Central Jakarta on Sunday. The visit was a courtesy call. The women were previously received by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono. Surjadi told the "beauties" the importance of improving human resources to cope with global competition.

Public telephone maintenance

Public telephone maintenance From Neraca In response to Supriyatna's letter in the Feb. 27 edition of Neraca concerning public telephones, we have the following comments: * We checked two telephones at the police post near the UKI hospital in Cawang, South Jakarta, on Feb. 2 and Feb. 22, 1996. One unit was in good condition, and the other's coin box was out of order, and later repaired. * We also checked the telephones in the UKI hospital on Feb. 22 and Feb. 28.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 4, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 2,100 0 44,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,450 -150 7,500 Anwar Sierad 2,075 175 3,592,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,100 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,650 50 433,500 Argo Pantes 1,800 0 51,000 Asahimas Flat 3,100 50 898,500 Asiana IMI...

Corpse found in bathroom

Corpse found in bathroom JAKARTA (JP): The corpse of a man, identified as Kopral, was found dead on Saturday morning in a bathroom at Pulo Gadung market, East Jakarta. A man wanting to use the facility discovered the body on the bathroom floor. The man reported to the police who later identified the body as that of Kopral, a known hoodlum who hung around the market. The Pulo Gadung police precinct sent the corpse to the Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital for an autopsy.

CASH anxious over deal with Barito

CASH anxious over deal with Barito KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Construction and Supplies House Bhd. (CASH) will decide within a week or two whether to submit fresh proposals to authorities here for a timber alliance with Indonesia's PT Barito Pacific Timber, company officials said. Anxious over the long waiting period for Malaysia's Securities Commission to approve its revised bid submitted in December, CASH managing director Joseph Ambrose Lee said it was time for the next course of action.

Manila eyes reserves of $10.581b

Manila eyes reserves of $10.581b MANILA (Reuter): The Central Bank of the Philippines is targeting gross international reserves of US$10.581 billion by the end of the year, Central Bank data released on Monday showed. The level, equivalent to 3.2 months' worth of import payment, easily exceeds the $7.79 billion level registered by end 1995. As of January, the level had reached $8.0 billion.

Discussion on women's issues

Discussion on women's issues JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Information Center is organizing a discussion on women's issues on Friday in observance of International Women's Day. The discussion, titled What Next After the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing? will feature feminist lawyer Nursyahbani Kacasungkana.

Children testify in Rohadi family murder case

Children testify in Rohadi family murder case JAKARTA (JP): A child witness told a district court here yesterday that she crossed paths with the main suspect in the Rohadi family murder case on her way home from school minutes before she learned about the killings. "I saw him carrying a klewang (a kind of sword) accompanied by the two boys," Nurhayati said, indicating pictures of the main suspect Philipus Kia Lejab, 47, a neighbor of Rohadi, and two boys, when asked to identify the man.

Sand quarrying at airport

Sand quarrying at airport TANGERANG (JP): Residents of Benda, a village in Tangerang which is adjacent to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in West Jakarta, have complained about illegal sand quarrying in the area. Hanif, one of the residents, said the 1,500 square meter quarry, which is between three and five meters in depth, is right next to the airport fence and could cause damage. According to Hanif, the quarrying has been going on for a long time.

GSM operators prepare massive network expansion

GSM operators prepare massive network expansion JAKARTA (JP): The country's three telecommunications operators of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) have planed major projects to further expand their services in various provinces.

Anwar Sierad acquires Hartz Restaurant

Anwar Sierad acquires Hartz Restaurant JAKARTA (JP): PT Anwar Sierad Group has acquired a 51 percent equity stake in Hartz Restaurant Inc. for US$3 million with an option to increase its ownership up to 70 percent, the company announced yesterday. "Hartz Restaurant Inc., incorporated in the United States, is the holding company of Hartz Chicken Inc., the franchiser of Chicken Buffet which currently operates in 42 locations in Malaysia," read a company statement.

KL opposes expansion of ASEAN members

KL opposes expansion of ASEAN members KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia yesterday objected categorically to proposals by certain counterparts in ASEAN to expand membership to non-Southeast Asian nations, asserting that ASEAN's identity should be preserved. Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consolidate after its expansion into a 10-member grouping to encompass Burma, Cambodia and Laos by the year 2000.

Teachers' uneven distribution cripples system

Teachers' uneven distribution cripples system By Santi W.E. Soekanto UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): The uneven distribution of teachers in the country, one cause of poor education in the remote areas, emerged as the central issue on the first day of the third national conference on education. Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, who opened the event, said yesterday that one of the biggest problems in Indonesia is the glut of teachers.

Defense minister rejects impartial poll watchdog

Defense minister rejects impartial poll watchdog JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat has rejected calls to establish independent election watchdogs and to abolish the antisubversion law. Edi said yesterday that an independent electoral monitoring body is not needed because Indonesia has the official supervision committee under the National Election Institute.

Satelindo to receive $41.5m from Jasindo

Satelindo to receive $41.5m from Jasindo JAKARTA (JP): PT Satelindo will receive a total of US$41.5 million from PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Jasindo), the state insurance company, in compensation for the malfunctioning of four of the Palapa-C1's 34 transponders.

Security officer arrested for murder

Security officer arrested for murder JAKARTA (JP): Ciracas detectives in East Jakarta have arrested a security officer for allegedly killing a truck driver, who was found dead with three stab wounds to his stomach and back in front of a rice stall in the area on Friday. Jakarta Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday that Jumari, 43, was caught less than three hours after the local police were informed about the death of Suwandi, 35.

Trained elephants in poor condition

Trained elephants in poor condition MESUJI, Lampung: The lives of two domesticated elephants, which have been trained to plough rice fields, are in danger because of poor care by farmers. Both elephants have been used in a pilot project, in Brabasan village, Perwakilan Tajungraya district, in northern Lampung since 1993.

Singing fisherman robbed and killed

Singing fisherman robbed and killed JAKARTA (JP): A 16-year-old fisherman was killed over the weekend by three men in Kalibaru, North Jakarta. Ordhi was singing on the streets for extra income Saturday night when three men robbed him of his guitar, but not the Rp 9,000 Rp in cash he had on him, reported Darmi Saduki, the head of the local neighborhood group. The fisherman was trying to protect his guitar from the three men who mobbed him.

State agency may intervene in debt-ridden Dayak Besar

State agency may intervene in debt-ridden Dayak Besar JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo affirmed yesterday that PT Dayak Besar Group's debt-burdened timber companies must settle their debts themselves if no new investor is interested in taking over those firms.

Fishing boats not seaworthy

Fishing boats not seaworthy BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Around 50 percent of the 70 fishing boats operating off Bengkulu are not seaworthy for a variety of reasons. The head of the Bengkulu port office Fikri Ali said yesterday that the condition of the old boats is bad and they are not furnished with safety equipment. But he said that although their condition is poor they are still allowed to operate in fear of the possibility of a decrease in fishing products.

Malaysia fears RI palm competition

Malaysia fears RI palm competition KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia's palm oil refining industry, languishing in the face of poor margins and Indonesian competition, is set to see more shake ups without support from domestic suppliers, officials warned on Monday. "If this situation continues over the next two years, lots of (local) refiners will be cut down," cautioned R. L.

Experts see need for hi-tech teaching facilities

Experts see need for hi-tech teaching facilities UJUNGPANDANG (JP): The lack of basic schooling opportunities in many regions in Indonesia should not negate the increasing demands in urban areas for high-tech education facilities, such as the Internet or multimedia computers, according to experts. "We have to handle every problem in education simultaneously," said Anah Suhaenah, a professor of education and rector of the state-owned Teacher Training College (IKIP) in Jakarta.

Participants in forestry hearing agree to disagree

Participants in forestry hearing agree to disagree JAKARTA (JP): Forest people, timber companies, environmental organizations and government officials from Asia attacked one another in an unprecedented public hearing yesterday. The comfort of the convention hall at the Sahid Jaya Hotel helped to douse the two-day hearing which at times turned into shouting matches among the various "stakeholders".

Papanggo people seek higher compensation

Papanggo people seek higher compensation JAKARTA (JP): Riverbank residents in the Papanggo subdistrict in North Jakarta filed a complaint with the city council yesterday over the small amount of compensation the mayoralty offered them for their houses which are scheduled to be demolished. Eight residents, claiming to represent 15 others, complained that the mayoralty is only willing to pay a compensation rate of Rp 100,000 (US$43.47) per square meter to every family living in the subdistrict.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Kid's Songs 3:05 TV Drama: Kampung Halaman 3:30 Film: Road to Avonlea 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 Film: Road to Avonlea (continued) 4:30 Technology: TELKOM 5:00 Regional News 5:30 English Lessons: Your Letters 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: Jambi 6:15 Village Program 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Nationality: Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 Review: ASEM (ASEAN-Europe Meeting) 8:05 Traditional Drama 9:00 World News 9:30 Film...

Roads badly damaged in Ciputat

Roads badly damaged in Ciputat JAKARTA (JP): Damaged roads in the Ciputat district of Tangerang, some 30 km west of the city, are causing major traffic problems and must be repaired soon, residents said yesterday. One of the worst off is busy Jl. Dewi Sartika. The crowded street, lined with shopping centers and supermarkets in the center of town, is full of potholes and big stones left over from construction projects.

Mitsui's resin venture

Mitsui's resin venture TOKYO (Reuter): Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals Inc. said yesterday it would set up a joint venture in May with an Indonesian firm in Indonesia to produce resin pre-mix, a raw material used to make polyurethane. The new company, named P.T. Cosmo Polyurethane Indonesia, capitalized at US$1.05 million, will be owned 46 percent each by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals (Asia) Ltd, Mitsui Toatsu's Singapore- based supervising unit, and P.T.

Indonesia routs India 7-1

Indonesia routs India 7-1 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia increased its chances of qualifying for the Asian Championship Finals after thrashing India 7-1 in their group elimination match in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Fachry Husaini and the team gave a smart reply to critics following their goalless draw with hosts Malaysia in Saturday's opening match with a more attacking play against India, reduced to ten men after 35 minutes.

200 RI firms to tap offshore debt market

200 RI firms to tap offshore debt market JAKARTA (JP): Approximately 200 Indonesian companies will, for the first time, raise funds from offshore debt markets this year, according to Peregrine Fixed Income Limited (PFIL) of Hong Kong.

Duty free shop

Duty free shop I don't know what sparked Melody Kemp to write her very interesting letter (Outrageous prices, The Jakarta Post, March 2, 1996). I should like to reinforce her statements. Before Christmas, I went to shop, as has been my work, at the Duty Free Shop on Jl. Lt. Jen. Haryono. The shelves were actually bare, so I went to the shop on Jl. Bangka, South Jakarta, which I found abundantly stocked, though missing one or two items I wanted.

10-km jam at Bakauheni port

10-km jam at Bakauheni port BAKAUHENI, Lampung: A 10-km traffic jam at Bakauheni port blocked the ferry crossing between Sumatra and Java yesterday. Thousands of vehicles, mainly trucks, had to wait for days to get the ferry across the Sunda strait to reach Merak, at the west end of Java. Priority is given to buses, private cars and trucks carrying perishable food, the Antara news agency reported yesterday.