Telkomsel appoints dealers in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): PT Telkomsel, a digital mobile cellular telecommunications operator, signed agreements yesterday with 14 dealers to support its marketing strategy for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) telephones in the city. Telkomsel's director of commerce, Rudiantara, said the appointment was part of the company's preparation for the launching of its GSM business in the city on May 26, the first anniversary of the company.

Mutual funds get tax incentives JAKARTA (JP): The government hopes to encourage the establishment of mutual funds and the participation of local investors in the funds through income tax incentives. Director General of Taxes Fuad Bawazier said in a circular letter dated April 30, 1996, that the dividends distributed by a mutual fund to its investors will not be subject to income tax.

Veteran legion supports Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): The Legion of Veterans yesterday reaffirmed its support for the reelection of President Soeharto in 1998, in spite of the death of First Lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto last Sunday. "He is the right person for the presidential post and our support for him has not changed," the legion's chairman, Lt. Gen. Achmad Thahir was quoted by Antara as saying.

Harmoko clarifies policy on television dubbing JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko said yesterday that his recent appeal for television stations to dub all their foreign programs into the Indonesian language does not apply to programs broadcasted in English. "We need to learn English," Harmoko told reporters in his office. The information minister was clarifying a statement he made on Tuesday which the press had interpreted as applying to all foreign programs without exception.

Marga Mandalasakti to build two more toll roads JAKARTA (JP): PT Marga Mandalasakti, the builder of the 72- kilometer Tangerang-Merak tollway in West Java, has been assigned to construct two more toll roads in the province at a total cost of Rp 520 billion (US$222 million). The company's director, M.

U.S. takes cases against four countries to WTO WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States said Tuesday it would take complaints against India, Pakistan, Turkey and Portugal, accused of failing to protect intellectual property rights, to the World Trade Organization and included Indonesia in its "priority watch list". The office of the U.S.

Sumatran forest-fire prevention team briefed PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): The Ministry of Forestry urged its officials in Sumatra to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of forest fires, which tend to break out on the island during the dry season. "1996 is expected to be a forest-fire prone year. We need to step up our vigilance," Soemarsono, the Director General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, said on Tuesday.

Economic growth and reality Recently, the Chairman of the National Development Planning Board, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, announced that Indonesia's economic growth for 1995 was 8.07 percent, as compared to 7.48 percent for 1994. Income per capita for 1995 was US$978 (approximately Rp 2,000,000), a slight improvement from the previous year. We should not be too happy with these facts and figures. They have a statistical value only.