Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 June 1996

58 articles found

Upi lost 3-1 to Alexandria

Upi lost 3-1 to Alexandria JAKARTA (JP): Upi Darmayana Tamin, projected to be Indonesia's first woman grandmaster, lost 3-1 to Georgia's woman grandmaster Nana Alexandria in their four-round chess duel which ended here on Thursday. Playing like a novice, Upi, whose elo rating is 2,135, lost the first two matches on June 9 and June 10. Apparently being afraid of another loss, Upi, despite her good position, quickly accepted Nana's offer of a draw at the 18th move on Tuesday.

Security needs public support

Security needs public support JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo has urged people to intensify their own security systems in their surroundings to help fight crime. "It's impossible for the police to be at all places at all times," the three-star general told 20,000 personnel of the civilian security members yesterday.

Bogor traders set up temporary stalls

Bogor traders set up temporary stalls BOGOR, West Java (JP): Traders from the Kebon Kembang market that burned down last March are now setting up temporary stalls around the former market site. Traders yesterday began to change the wooden planks covering the stall floors and walls to ceramic flooring and concrete walls. "I want my stall to look nice and neat," said 32-year-old Ahmad, who sells ceramics.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 14, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 850 0 10,000 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 675 0 20,500 Andayani Megah 1,275 100 707,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,900 -500 88,000 Anwar Sierad 2,125 0 41,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 3,075 0 116,500 Argo Pantes 1,975 0 0 Asahimas Flat 2,475 125 243,500 Asiana IMI...

Lippo Karawachi reports 600% oversubscription of its IPO

Lippo Karawachi reports 600% oversubscription of its IPO JAKARTA (JP): PT Pentasena, the lead underwriter of PT Lippo Karawachi's initial public offering (IPO), announced its preliminary estimate that the offering is approximately 600% oversubscribed.

Bhutto and Gowda

Bhutto and Gowda "For the sake of our people and as civilized nations, let us sit across the table for a search for lasting peace," Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wrote in a letter to her Indian counterpart, H.D. Deve Gowda (The Jakarta Post, June 12, 1996). The very next day I read in The Jakarta Post (June 13, 1996), "Premier Bhutto tells story of world's urban horrors".

Legislative posts for women

Legislative posts for women JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A local community leader called on the ruling Golkar to give local women positions in the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, Antara reported yesterday. Theys H. Eluay said no women from the province have been posted at either institutions in the past 25 years. "This is our homework assignment for Golkar," he said.

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.

Govt to submit psychotropic bill

Govt to submit psychotropic bill BANDUNG (JP): The government will present a long-awaited bill on psychotropic substances to the House of Representatives later this month, Minister of Health Sujudi announced yesterday. "The office of State Secretary will present the draft law to the House of Representatives for deliberation," Sujudi told reporters after opening a mosque at the Mitra Banjaran condom factory. The 1992 Health Law does not cover Ecstasy, a rave scene drug.

Pediatricians to hold congress

Pediatricians to hold congress PADANG, West Sumatra: The Association of Indonesian Pediatricians will start its 10th conference in Bukittinggi on Monday, Antara reported yesterday. The organizer of the congress, Syamsir Daili, said the five- day meeting will have the theme "Improving Indonesian Children's Health as part of the Country's Human Resource Development".

Oki's murder trial likely to be held up again

Oki's murder trial likely to be held up again JAKARTA (JP): The Los Angeles triple murder case, adjourned until June 27, may be postponed again as the lawyer the defendant wants on the case has refused the case. He dismissed on Thursday the lawyers he previously engaged to defend him. Lawyer Amir Syamsuddin, whom the defendant claimed to have engaged as his defense lawyer, said yesterday that he may not be interested in defending Harnoko Dewantono, better known as Oki.

Cholera outbreak strikes tribe

Cholera outbreak strikes tribe MANILA (AFP): A cholera outbreak struck the B'laan tribe in the southern Philippines, killing two people and infecting 59 others, but the disease has since been contained, the health department said yesterday. The May 1 to June 7 outbreak near the town of Tupi was the second reported by the government in the south over the past two months. Fifteen people were killed and 286 diarrhea cases in all were recorded in Baganga town in May.

State firms to help finace N-2130 jet

State firms to help finace N-2130 jet JAKARTA (JP): Twenty one state firms overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Trade will help finance the US$2 billion jet project of state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN, an official said here yesterday. The ministry's secretary general, Aidil Juzar, said the 21 firms have been persuaded to buy shares worth Rp 70 billion (US$30 million) in PT Dua Satu Tiga Puluh (DSTP).

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Wajah Negeriku 2:35 TV Series: Gaiking 3:00 News: Lintasan Berita 3:30 Soccer: Dunhill League 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 Soccer: Dunhill League (continued) 5:10 Evening News 5:30 Environment 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country: West Nusa Tenggara 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Education: Package 27 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 TV Series: Meniti Pelangi 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music 9:00 World News...

Clinton's envoys meet Soeharto

Clinton's envoys meet Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): United States President Bill Clinton's envoys seeking a coordinated regional response to tensions in Myanmar met yesterday with President Soeharto and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. Security expert Stanley Roth of the Institute of Peace and retired Ambassador William Brown refused to divulge details of their discussion with Soeharto.

Alcatel Telecom launches its new GSM terminals

Alcatel Telecom launches its new GSM terminals JAKARTA (JP): Alcatel Telecom, a subsidiary of Alcatel Alsthom of France, is aiming to penetrate Indonesia's tightly competitive market of Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications networks. The company introduced here yesterday its new series of GSM terminals -- the HC 800 and HC 1000 -- which it claims are the smallest and lightest handsets in the world.

Three firms sign timber estate deal

Three firms sign timber estate deal JAKARTA (JP): State-owned forestry firm PT Inhutani III, cigarette producer PT Gudang Garam and Finland-based Nordic Forest Development Holdings Pte. Ltd. (ENSO) agreed yesterday to start the development of a 100,000-hectare pulp timber estate. The agreement was signed by Inhutani III's president, Kadar Slamet, Gudang Garam's vice president, Gunanto Tanoerahardja, and ENSO's managing director, Eero Palokangas.

Manpower bill criticized for being business-oriented

Manpower bill criticized for being business-oriented JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) criticized a government-sponsored bill on manpower for placing greater emphasis on business considerations than on the issues of manpower development and workers' interests. Abdul Hakim G. Nusantara, the director of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy, said yesterday that the bill also mixed discussion on manpower management with that of workers' interests.

Indonesian Chinese

Indonesian Chinese Recently there have been a number of letters to The Jakarta Post questioning the loyalty of Indonesians of Chinese descent. While I missed some of these anti-Chinese diatribes, I've seen enough to know that some of these writers are, to put it charitably, very narrow-minded. The country I was born and raised in, the United States, is populated chiefly by immigrants, and yet Americans are no less loyal to their country than Indonesians.

Regional athletics meet starts today

Regional athletics meet starts today JAKARTA (JP): The 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) schools track and field championship due to start here today will test the fitness of five Indonesian athletes for the Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta next year. All ASEAN members except Vietnam -- Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam -- have sent athletes to the championship which features 20 male events and 17 female events.

Aviation seminar planned

Aviation seminar planned JAKARTA (JP): The Communication Forum of Garuda Indonesia Pilots will organize a two-day seminar on civil aviation June 24 in conjunction with the Indonesia Air Show 1996. Forum executives said that seminar participants will discuss the latest developments and identify problems facing civil aviation in Indonesia.

5,000 workers face dismissal

5,000 workers face dismissal PURWAKARTA, West Java: Some 5,000 workers at a shoe factory which is experiencing financial troubles will be dismissed next month, Antara reported yesterday. Some of the workers, who have known about the plan since April, said their employers at PT Indo Soes, which exports its products, have offered them new jobs at another factory in Bogor.

One insurance firm closed down, two others suspended

One insurance firm closed down, two others suspended JAKARTA (JP): The government has closed down one insurance company, curtailed the operation of two, sent warnings to nine and is investigating two others. The director for the insurance industry at the Ministry of Finance, Sophar Lumban Toruan, disclosed here yesterday that the finance minister revoked the license of general insurer PT Asuransi Arindomaya with a finance minister decree dated April 25.

Rector candidates drop out of race

Rector candidates drop out of race PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Three of the five candidates for the position of rector of Sudirman University in the city resigned even before the voting began. Kamio, H. Tholib and Showan Masyhuri are believed to have dropped out of the running due to the distribution of pamphlets which discredited them. The pamphlets started circulating during the campaign. Acting rector Adisoewirjo said the election would proceed as scheduled.

Indorayon okays Rp 80 dividend

Indorayon okays Rp 80 dividend JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of PT Inti Indorayon Utama, a publicly listed pulp and rayon producer based in North Sumatra, approved yesterday the March distribution of dividends of Rp 80 (3.4 U.S. cents) per share to be made final. The company said in a statement made available here that it saw its net profits increase by 109 percent to Rp 135 billion last year, from Rp 64.6 billion in 1994. The company paid the dividends to shareholders on March 30.

I like the 'Post'

I like the 'Post' During my visit to Indonesia I enjoyed reading The Jakarta Post. When are you going to be available on the Internet? Your Crossword Puzzle is most entertaining and I also like your letters to the editor section which gives visitors an interesting insight into some of your cultural and social issues. May I suggest one thing, a little less negative copy on "This Odd World" keep it light and humorous.

Policy on soybean cake affects farmers

Policy on soybean cake affects farmers JAKARTA (JP): The government's recent decision to lift restrictions on soybean cake imports is likely to hurt domestic farmers in the short term, an academician says. Professor Bungaran Saragih, the director of the Bogor Agricultural University's Center for Development Studies, said this week that lifting import restrictions at this time would be disadvantageous to farmers. He acknowledged, however, that it would have to happen sooner or later.

Wardiman dismisses education warning

Wardiman dismisses education warning JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro yesterday played down the warning that the quality of education in Indonesia is declining. Wardiman challenged his critics to prove their theory that the low grades received by Jakarta students in exams held in April indicated that the overall quality of education in Indonesia is in bad shape.

Many residents of Benhil apartments transfer ownership

Many residents of Benhil apartments transfer ownership JAKARTA (JP): The new apartments in Bendungan Hilir, or Benhil, continue to attract interested buyers. Those who ask to speak with the management are told to deal directly with residents as units in the ten-story apartment building in Central Jakarta are not supposed to be for sale. "Visitors come every day, and on Sundays they come from morning until the evening," Sani, a resident, said yesterday.

Public called on to accept death of 'Tempo' weekly

Public called on to accept death of 'Tempo' weekly JAKARTA (JP): Law experts called on the public yesterday to accept the death of Tempo magazine following the Supreme Court's reversal of a lower court's decision that would have allowed the newsweekly to resume publication. Tempo's closure is final now that the Court has decided that the government has every right to revoke any publishing license that it grants, they argued.

Court turns down taxi drivers' lawsuit

Court turns down taxi drivers' lawsuit JAKARTA (JP): Six drivers from the Gamya taxi company who have been jobless for two years were left in despair Wednesday when the East Jakarta District Court dismissed their lawsuit against the company this week. The team of judges led by M. Basoeki ruled that there was no reason for the company to allow the drivers to establish a trade union.

Unemployment in C. Java higher

Unemployment in C. Java higher SEMARANG: Mayor H. Soetrisno Suharto reported yesterday that the number of people unemployed in the provincial capital has reached more than 160,000. The mayor said in a meeting here with local business representatives that 70 percent of the unemployed are high school and university graduates, most of whom are seeking employment in the private sector. The rest, Soetrisno told Antara, are expected to apply for government jobs.

Appreciation of rupiah probably temporary: UBS

Appreciation of rupiah probably temporary: UBS SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Indonesian rupiah's appreciation against the dollar following the central bank's decision to widen its intervention band is likely to be short-lived, UBS Singapore said in a commentary yesterday. Bank Indonesia announced on Thursday that it was expanding the dollar-rupiah band to 118 rupiah or five percent to increase the effectiveness of monetary control in the face of continued short- term capital inflows.

'Bemo' owners to buy minivans

'Bemo' owners to buy minivans JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has approved a proposal made by bemo owners that they be granted low-interest loans to buy minivans as replacements for the three-wheeled motorized vehicles, which will soon be phased out. The head of the Organization of Owners of Land Transport Vehicles, Aip Sjarifudin, said yesterday that the deputy governor for economic and development affairs has approved the proposal.

Bakrie mandates term loan

Bakrie mandates term loan HONG KONG (Reuter): PT Bakrie Finance Corp, the third largest multi-finance company in Indonesia, has mandated Standard Chartered Investment Banking Singapore Branch to arrange a term loan facility, the arranger said. The amount would be around US$25 million to $30 million, Standard Chartered said. The facility will be divided into two tranches. Tranche A has a tenor of one year and tranche B has a final maturity of two years. Other details were not available.

PT. Sucofindo to become int'l surveyor

PT. Sucofindo to become int'l surveyor JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Sucofindo aims to become an international surveying firm by the year 2000 and raise its annual contribution to government by 50 percent despite its decreased dependence on state projects. "We can increase our annual financial contribution to the government to Rp 600 billion from last year's level of Rp 400 billion.

Campaign to promote Islamic studies launched

Campaign to promote Islamic studies launched JAKARTA (JP): Students across the country will begin their month-long holiday next week studying Islam in a government- sponsored campaign to promote religious studies in schools. President Soeharto launched yesterday the nationwide campaign to encourage schools to hold short courses on Islam, called Pesantren Kilat.

Australian School opens soon

Australian School opens soon JAKARTA (JP): Another school for expatriate children will open on July 15 in Jati Murni, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. The Australian International School, which will cater students from preschool to junior high, will be using Australian texts as they are readily adaptable to a wide variety of environment and cultural settings, said Penny Robertson, the principal. "The school will adopt the National Curriculum Guidelines of Australia," said Robertson.

Foreign crossers favored in Padang

Foreign crossers favored in Padang JAKARTA (JP): Three foreign crossers, Belgian Jimmy Verburg from the Yamaha team and Australians Jay Harvey and Aaron Klanjscek from the Honda team, are favored to win the second leg of the Gudang Garam Motocross Championship in the Lubuk Buaya circuit in Padang, West Sumatra, today and tomorrow.

Consumer credit still high, regardless of tight measure

Consumer credit still high, regardless of tight measure JAKARTA (JP): The growth rate of bank consumer credits remained high -- at 31.5 percent in the 1995/96 fiscal year -- despite Bank Indonesia's measure to curb such lending. According to the central bank's annual report for last fiscal year, the high growth of consumer lending was fueled by sharp increases in credits for the purchases of automotive vehicles and houses.

Garuda is safe, says Soepandi

Garuda is safe, says Soepandi FUKUOKA, Japan (Agencies): Garuda Indonesia's President Soepandi yesterday defended the airline's safety record after a fiery DC-10 crash, but promised more Japanese-speaking stewardesses after complaints about evacuation procedures. Soepandi, who flew in yesterday to handle the crisis, said Garuda had had no accident on flights between Japan and Indonesia for 33 years, Reuters reported.

National car

National car From Media Indonesia The plan to manufacture cheap national cars here seems to be having a worldwide impact, particularly in countries with automotive industries like Japan and the United States. What steps will Indonesia take now that the national car policy has been issued? In my opinion, the only thing we people should do is give full support and, if possible, be directly involved in the manufacturing of the cars.

Breathing clean air

Breathing clean air At long last, the Jakarta administration launched a campaign on Wednesday to bring the level of vehicle emission under control. Given that this is the first conscious effort to deal with the problem, it comes as no surprise that on the first day of the campaign nearly all of the 100 vehicles tested failed: 80 percent exceeded the tolerable limit set for hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and smoke.

Confession to murder retracted

Confession to murder retracted JAKARTA (JP): A high school student told a court on Wednesday that he had been forced to confess to fatally stabbing a person. "I was coerced by the police into admitting that I stabbed Abdul Halim to death," the suspect, identified only as Ind., 18, told the East Jakarta district court.

APEC business council will work for trade liberalization

APEC business council will work for trade liberalization MANILA (AFP): The new APEC Business Advisory Council will work to liberalize trade within the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines representative to the group said yesterday. Roberto Romulo, who will represent the Philippines at the council's inaugural meeting in Manila this weekend, said the gathering was an acknowledgement by leaders of the APEC nations that private business had pioneered economic integration in the region.

Suba Indah pays dividends

Suba Indah pays dividends JAKARTA (JP): The shareholders of PT Suba Indah, a Hero Group subsidiary producing food and beverages, approved yesterday final dividend payments of Rp 50 (21 U.S. cents) per share for the year 1995, which will be distributed on Aug. 1. The company said its net profit last year rose 104 percent to Rp 5.8 billion over the previous year, while its net sales revenue increased by 58 percent to Rp 61 billion. (alo)

Paintings of Jakarta displayed to mark the city's birthday

Paintings of Jakarta displayed to mark the city's birthday By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta di Kanvas Pelukis Jakarta (Jakarta on Canvas) exhibition brings together an eclectic collection of artists and paintings that express individual responses to the city of Jakarta. "The theme is Jakarta because the exhibition is to celebrate the birthday of the city of Jakarta on June 22, when Jakarta becomes 469 years old," explained Ipong Purnama Sidhi, a curator of the show.

Land disputes may grow worse

Land disputes may grow worse SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: State Minister of Agrarian Affairs Soni Harsono said disputes over land in the eastern Indonesia region are rampant and potentially explosive because most property owners don't have land certificates. He named East Kalimantan as one of the provinces in which land disputes are frequent,Antara reported yesterday. "Land disputes are a sensitive matter.

Indocement 'adopts' students

Indocement 'adopts' students JAKARTA (JP): The management of the private-owned PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa has started a foster children program for 626 elementary and junior students. The elementary students will get Rp 75,000 (US$32.09), and the junior students Rp 175,000 annually. The program follows calls by the government to support the nine-year compulsory education move, by helping students of low income families.

Trading houses needed to facilitate barter deals

Trading houses needed to facilitate barter deals BANDUNG, West Java (JP): An aircraft executive has suggested that a trading house be established in order to facilitate the growing number of barter trades taking place with other countries.

Textile trader stabbed to death

Textile trader stabbed to death JAKARTA (JP): A textile trader was stabbed to death on Thursday by five unidentified men in Jl. Kampung Rawa, Johar Baru district, Central Jakarta. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira confirmed the killing of Defrison Antonius, 25. "Defrison was stabbed in the back and neck. He died instantly at the scene of the crime," Abubakar said yesterday. He said the killers were still at large.

Hutomo gears up for Petronas rally

Hutomo gears up for Petronas rally JAKARTA (JP): Leading Indonesian rally driver Hutomo Mandala Putra and codriver Tony Sircombe will start from the 11th position in the Petronas Rally Malaysia today. The rally is the third round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. The 51 cars come from Australia, Chinese Taipei, England, South Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand, Indonesia and host Malaysia. Starting in the poll position is Kenneth Eriksson of Sweden in a Subaru.

Tide of support welling up for Megawati

Tide of support welling up for Megawati JAKARTA (JP): A tide of support is rising for the embattled chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), Megawati Soekarnoputri, as her rivals continue to plan their rebel congress and leadership election. Deputy secretary-general of the PDI central board Haryanto Taslam, a Megawati loyalist, said yesterday that over 70 party branches had sent letters endorsing Megawati's leadership and rejecting the planned election.

Fund involvement for dam protested

Fund involvement for dam protested KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian activist groups yesterday protested the involvement of the national Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in financing the controversial Bakun hydroelectric dam project. "What guarantees can the EPF give the Malaysian workforce, should something go wrong with the project in the future?" asked Cynthia Gabriel, spokeswoman for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) opposing the dam.

Saudis want Islam on Internet

Saudis want Islam on Internet RIYADH (AFP): Saudi Arabia is eager to join the Internet to boost business and promote Islam but it is still debating how to prevent pornography and political opposition manifestos from flooding into the kingdom. "Imagine in the African jungle, in Europe, America, and even in Alaska people could learn a lot of things about Islam, Arab history and the Saudi economy," said Ihsan Abu Haliqa, a university professor in Saudi Arabia.

Women struggle for better education

Women struggle for better education By Stevie Emilia KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Paulina Li has been working hard for 20 years, weaving tenun ikat, the traditional cloth of Sabu Island, and peddling it door-to-door and to various hotels in her area. The 48-year-old resident of Airnona district, Kupang, has only a primary school education, but she vows that her two daughters will each receive as high a level of education as she could manage to help them achieve.

Church Services

Church Services * Catholic Church, University of Atmajaya, Jl. Jend. Sudirman: Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (with songs) and 5:30 p.m. * First Church of Christ, Scientist, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro 48, Menteng, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (in Indonesian) and 8 a.m. (in English). * All Saints' Anglican Church (opposite The Aryaduta Jakarta), Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim No. 5, Central Jakarta: Services on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. with Sunday School.

Sheikh Hasina starts forming new government

Sheikh Hasina starts forming new government DHAKA (AFP): Sheikh Hasina Wajed began work yesterday on forming a new Bangladeshi government following the victory of her party, the Awami League, in general elections declared free and fair by foreign observers. Although the results from 29 constituencies have yet to be determined, Wajed met with her advisors and others to discuss forming a government later this month, party officials said.