Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 May 1996

44 articles found

Sarawak drug busters to RI

Sarawak drug busters to RI PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Thirty Malaysian narcotics officials from neighboring Sarawak will visit local police to discuss a common strategy in dealing with drug trafficking. The local police consider the May 20 visit important because not only will it allow them to exchange ideas on the narcotics problem, but it will also boost relations between the two neighbors. To meet the Malaysian officials, led by Abang Haji Nawi Abang Drahman, is local police chief Col.

Obituary

Obituary Teuku Yousli Syah, the general manager and chief editor of the Media Indonesia daily died of lung cancer here on Saturday. He was 58. Yousli died at Cikini Hospital. His relatives said Yousli had suffered from the disease for a year. He is survived by his wife and four children. Born in Meureudu, Aceh, on Dec. 30, 1938, Yousli was known as a dedicated journalist who ignored his health problems for the sake of his job.

Birds must be angry with PDI

Birds must be angry with PDI YOGYAKARTA: Apparently scared by Indonesian Democratic Party activists' noisy street rallies, thousands of herons flew home very late over the weekend. The herons, which have lived peacefully in the bushy trees near the Tamansiswa school complex, flew around the area and perched on trees wearily when Friday night closed in.

Poor record shuts RI out of UN rights commission

Poor record shuts RI out of UN rights commission SEMARANG (JP): Indonesia's poor human rights record is one of the main reasons why its candidates were not elected to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities, a candidate said. Human rights campaigner Muladi told The Jakarta Post here on Friday the country's poor human rights protection image was an obstacle to efforts to get an Indonesian into the committee.

British hostages reach home

British hostages reach home JAKARTA (JP): The four young British scientists recently freed in a military operation after being held for four months by separatist rebels in the jungles of Irian Jaya arrived in London yesterday. AFP reported that the young Cambridge University researchers, looking pale and tired after a 17-hour flight, were greeted by their families at Heathrow Airport before holding a press conference.

Lippo Life's profits up

Lippo Life's profits up JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed life insurance firm PT Lippo Life announced a 86 percent increase in its net profit to Rp 20.1 billion (US$8.5 million) last year from Rp 10.8 billion the previous year. The company said on Saturday that its premium revenues rose by 27.8 percent to Rp 386.6 billion last year from Rp 302.3 billion in 1994.

150 parachutists to join int'l meet here

150 parachutists to join int'l meet here JAKARTA (JP): At least 150 parachutists from 17 countries will be competing in the Sixth World Parachuting Championships at Lido Lake, Bogor, West Java, just before the Indonesian Air Show. Organizers of the championships expect 20 countries will take part in the championships. "We're still waiting confirmation from Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

Kapuk residents target wrong plant

Kapuk residents target wrong plant JAKARTA (JP): Residents in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, have found out that a briefcase factory which was subjected to a riot on Thursday was not the source of a smell which they identified with fumes that allegedly caused the death of a woman last month. On Friday night they found out the smell had come from a nearby plastic factory.

Irian Jaya should be closed

Irian Jaya should be closed The success of the Indonesian Armed Forces Special Forces in releasing the hostages captured by the Irian Jaya insurgents led by Kelly Kwalik has won the praise of many people at home and abroad. No less a person than UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali expressed his congratulations. The governments of Britain and the Netherlands also expressed their appreciation.

Factory workers want union leaders reinstated

Factory workers want union leaders reinstated JAKARTA (JP): Workers of a cable factory in the Pulogadung industrial complex, East Jakarta, are demanding the reinstatement of 11 union leaders which they say were fired by the management. They told city councilors yesterday that the management of PT Indo Tri Jaya Industries in East Jakarta plans to fire other workers after dismissing the 11 leaders on May 9 and four other workers as of Tuesday.

Timika to have police office

Timika to have police office JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo is scheduled to open the Timika police precinct and deploy two mobile units. Irian Jaya police chief Brig. Gen. Muharsipin said over the weekend that the new units are expected to improve services in the area. Timika hosts the controversial copper and gold mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia.

Control of exam papers distribution tightened

Control of exam papers distribution tightened JAKARTA (JP): Angered by reports that questions in school examinations had been leaked to students in Sulawesi, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro has vowed to tighten control of the distribution of exam papers in the future. Wardiman said over the weekend that such leaks are always possible because the papers are handled by numerous people in different administrative levels before reaching students.

Talks on Kebon Kacang land clearance to resume

Talks on Kebon Kacang land clearance to resume JAKARTA (JP): Renewed negotiations in a land settlement between a private developer and residents of Kebon Kacang subdistrict, which has been dragging on since 1989, are expected to begin soon. "When some city councilors visited us here on Friday, they promised to invite us for a meeting by today," Budi Santoso, head of the community neighborhood, told The Jakarta Post.

Four villagers die in Bogor flash flood

Four villagers die in Bogor flash flood BOGOR, West Java (JP): Four villagers died and four others were injured when a wall separating a ravine from a river on higher ground collapsed during a flash flood on Saturday. One of the residents of Cimanggu Lebak, Kedung Badak village, was buried alive, while the three others were swept away in the flooding caused by heavy rains. The victims were Ningsih, 11, Titik, 50, Karniyem, 30, and Khatimah, who was four years old.

Experts discuss human rights education

Experts discuss human rights education JAKARTA (JP): The inclusion of human rights in the national education curriculum should put emphasis on practical application rather than theory, experts said yesterday. University of Diponegoro rector Muladi said the teaching of human rights should not merely be based on classroom aphorisms, but on core values which can be applied in everyday life.

Sunjoto chairs Apparel group

Sunjoto chairs Apparel group JAKARTA (JP): Sunjoto Tanudjaja, an executive of publicly- listed PT Great River, was elected new president of the International Apparel Federation in a recent meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey. Sunjoto, who is currently the vice chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association, will lead the federation for a one-year term.

Investment in oil still promising: Abda'oe

Investment in oil still promising: Abda'oe JAKARTA (JP): Investment opportunities in upstream oil exploration and production remain promising, especially in the eastern parts of Indonesia. The president of state-owned oil company Pertamina, Faisal Abda'oe, said that only 36 out of the country's 60 sedimentary basins have been explored. Most of the unexplored basins are located in the country's eastern provinces.

Why should bad guys always win?

Why should bad guys always win? Arief Budiman SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): A Hong Kong based business research institution recently released findings that pinpointed Indonesia as the third most corrupt country in the world, after China and Vietnam. Although I would say that the statement is too dramatic, and we don't know what the criteria and data used to support the statement are, it is difficult to deny that corruption has become a serious problem, which affects the country's development.

Irian tribal chief denies dropping suit

Irian tribal chief denies dropping suit JAKARTA (JP): The leader of the Irian Jaya Amungme tribe, Tom Beanal, who is heading for the United States for a court hearing, denies that he ever asked to withdraw his lawsuit. "Tom Beanal has never asked that his US$6 billion class action lawsuit be withdrawn from the U.S. District Court in New Orleans," Tom's American Lawyer, Martin E. Regan, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Expert calls for better Bogor town planning

Expert calls for better Bogor town planning BOGOR, West Java (JP): Director of the Botanical Gardens, Suhirman, has called for better town planning with more emphasis on the Botanical Gardens as a scientific domain with historical value. He said Saturday that the development of Bogor should support the gardens' existence. The gardens should be taken into account in the master planning of the town, he said. "But what is happening is the opposite.

Federal Reserve meet may boost the JSX

Federal Reserve meet may boost the JSX JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is predicted to perform softly this week unless positive news emerges from this week's U.S. Federal Reserve meeting. "I think investors will stay sidelined on the first two days of the week while waiting for a decision to be made by the Fed whether to cut or to increase the U.S. interest rates," Lippo Securities' managing director, Kelvin Lee, told The Jakarta Post. The U.S.

Support for crime victims

Support for crime victims From Media Indonesia The bajaj (three-wheeled transportation) driver, Muhayat, who lost his life tragically on Friday, May 10 1996, was a model to humanity. Besides teaching mankind a lesson of life, he also prickled our conscience. In my opinion he was a blessed man, one who must have been welcomed by the angels in those fateful morning hours. We should not forget his widow Ecih and his children, Ida and Nur, who most certainly are in need of financial support.

Airline for growth area

Airline for growth area MANILA (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos has ordered three senior officials to work for the creation of an airline to serve the sub-regional growth area formed by four southeast Asian countries, the presidential palace said on Saturday. The growth area, which is known as the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA), comprises the backdoor provinces of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and the state of Brunei.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Saber Rider and The Star Sheriff 3:05 Children Program: Anak Anak Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Major Dad 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 Science: Animal Odyssey 4:30 Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Hobbies: Tungku Halo 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: East Kalimantan 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teaching: Buddhism 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 TV Drama: Keluarga Selamat 8:05 Variety...

Cellular phone

Cellular phone Referring to your article entitled: Komselindo: the Cellular Expert, in The Jakarta Post, Friday May 17, 1996, page 8 (by zia), PT. Produk Indonesia (PRODIN) as the organizer of the Indonesian Air Show'96 (IAS'96) would like to correct the following statements: 1. Komselindo is not the Official Carrier for cellular phone communications for IAS'96. With the signing of the contract this week, the Official Telecommunication for IAS'96 is SATELINDO. 2. PT.

PT Chandra Asri to halt production for six weeks

PT Chandra Asri to halt production for six weeks JAKARTA (JP): The PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center is to halt its production activities for 42 days from June 12 to complete preparations to increase its design capacity. "We hope that we'll resume operations in August with a bigger production capacity," the company said in a statement over the weekend.

Indonesia's economy predicted to continue to cool down

Indonesia's economy predicted to continue to cool down JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's economy is likely to continue to cool down this year, with economic growth, the current account deficit, inflation and interest rates being kept in check. Hong Kong-based Peregrine Brokerage Ltd. said in its special report on Indonesia that the country's economy is likely to grow by 7.5 percent this year, compared with 8.07 percent last year.

Hostage release may discourage separatism

Hostage release may discourage separatism JAKARTA (JP): Two observers say the recent success of the Armed Forces (ABRI) in freeing nine people held hostage for months by Free Papua Movement rebels will deter the separatist movement and other similar organizations. Maswadi Rauf of the University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences and B.N. Marbun of House Commission I for security and political affairs praised ABRI.

PT Petro Oxo to build octanol plant in Gresik

PT Petro Oxo to build octanol plant in Gresik JAKARTA (JP): PT Petro Oxo Nusantara, a newly-established joint venture company, is to set up Indonesia's first octanol plant in Gresik, East Java, with a production capacity of 100,000 tons per year. "We'll start production late next year," Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, commissioner of the joint venture, said after the ground breaking ceremony for the plant, which was attended by State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo in Gresik, Friday.

Some 1.2 million Buddhists vow allegiance to Golkar

Some 1.2 million Buddhists vow allegiance to Golkar JAKARTA (JP): The 1.2 million strong Buddhist Niciren Syosyu denomination has promised to vote for the ruling Golkar party in the 1997 general election. "We will never regret it if we choose Golkar to continue the New Order government," Niciren Syosyu leader Herwindra Aiko Senosoenoto said in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday. Aiko was addressing 1,200 North Sumatra sect members taking part in a Golkar gathering.

Review of nation's politics called for

Review of nation's politics called for JAKARTA (JP): Political observer Rudini says the springing up of new organizations is a signal for the nation to re-examine its political system. Antara quoted the retired army general and former home affairs minister as saying in a seminar on political organizations in Bandar Lampung on Saturday that the country's political life is stagnant.

Dili police seize fire bombs

Dili police seize fire bombs DILI, East Timor: Police seized more than 50 fire bombs and a long-barrel rifle from a house in Keluhun village near here over the weekend. The police are still tracking the suspected makers and owners of the bombs and the rifle, said the chief of the Udayana regional military command, Maj. Gen. Abdul Rifai who oversees security in Bali, Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. He said he had information that the suspects planned to use the weapons in Dili on May 25.

Wage earners in RI fare better than in other nations

Wage earners in RI fare better than in other nations JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank says real manufacturing wages in Indonesia grew by 5.5 percent a year between 1970 and 1991, surpassing the wage growth in most other countries, except South Korea. The Washington-based development bank observes in its 1996 report on Indonesia that the wages of agricultural workers in the country rose at an annual average of 3.7 percent, higher than in other countries, except Egypt, South Korea and Malaysia.

Restrictions on exports destroy rattan producers

Restrictions on exports destroy rattan producers JAKARTA (JP): The 1996 World Bank report on Indonesia once again sharply criticizes the export restrictions on various commodities as counter-productive and as a major cause of inefficiency in resource uses. The report, released on Friday, cites the results of comprehensive studies on rattan, plywood and crude palm oil to describe the devastating impact of the export restrictions on inputs upon downstream industries.

Business partnership

Business partnership The basic principles and operational directives outlined by President Soeharto for the National Business Partnership program set up a strong foundation and provide economic viability for the development of business ties between big companies and small firms on a sustainable level. The President asserted at the launching of the program on Wednesday that business partnerships should run on the basis of mutual benefit and equality.

RI seeks crucial win in Uber Cup semifinals

RI seeks crucial win in Uber Cup semifinals By Arif Suryobuwono HONG KONG (JP): A win, regardless the end score, will be just fine for Indonesia in its Uber Cup women's team badminton clash against Russia at the Queen Elizabeth stadium here today. China, however, is out for a landslide win. Today's Uber Cup matches will determine which four teams go to the semifinals on Thursday. Indonesia will play Russia, while China takes on Japan.

Indonesia routs Sweden 5-0 in Thomas Cup c'ship

Indonesia routs Sweden 5-0 in Thomas Cup c'ship By Arif Suryobuwono HONG KONG (JP): Replacing its second singles player with its first did not help Sweden cut its 5-0 loss to Indonesia on the second day of the Thomas Cup men's team badminton championship here yesterday. In other Thomas Cup action, Denmark, led by All-England champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, surprised by edging South Korea 3-2.

On Western bias

On Western bias I am writing in response to Mr. Baskoro's letter regarding Western press and colonialism in the May 10, 1996 edition of The Jakarta Post. There is no doubt that in retrospect colonialism was morally and ethically wrong. However, colonialism was not a concept created exclusively by the West, nor did it occur overnight. It is something that happened over many centuries. The Egyptians, Babylonians and Persians had ancient empires.

Japanese firms expect lower profits from overseas plants

Japanese firms expect lower profits from overseas plants TOKYO (Reuter): Japanese firms earn less than they had hoped from their factories overseas, the government said in a report. Even more galling is that U.S. and British companies are bringing home bigger profits from such operations.

Japanese Language Center to move

Japanese Language Center to move JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese Language Center, currently on the 10th floor of the S. Widjojo building, will move to the Summitmas Building I to be under one roof with the Japanese Cultural Center (Japan Foundation). The Japanese Cultural Center, the premises of which are being renovated, informed The Jakarta Post on Saturday that its temporary telephone number is 5201266 ext. 111, and the fax number 5255159. The numbers will be operable until June 28.

A look at what's new in the personal computer world

A look at what's new in the personal computer world By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): It's been a while since we had a roundup of new and interesting software and hardware. Life moves very fast in the computer industry and a lot has happened in just a short period of time. Microsoft, for instance, has already opened an office in Jakarta. The name of the company is PT Microsoft Indonesia.

Asia's services sector estimated to double by 2010

Asia's services sector estimated to double by 2010 SINGAPORE (Reuter): Asia's exports of commercial services, now running at about U.S$200 billion, are estimated to double by 2010 due to technological advances and freer trade, a top Hong Kong banker said over the weekend.

Ice sculpture on display

Ice sculpture on display JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Command Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso opened Saturday an ice sculpture exhibition in the eastern parking lot of Senayan stadium in Central Jakarta. The exhibition, called the Harbin International Ice Show, will be open to the public for three months. On display are the works by some 25 Indonesian and Chinese ice sculptors. "This exhibition shows a cultural harmony between the two countries," Sutiyoso said at the opening ceremony.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Dai-ichi, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta. - Mezzanine Lounge: The Praise Vocal Group, nightly except Sundays, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.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.