Archive: 28 June 1996
52 articles found
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
RI must take its car opportunity: Kia
RI must take its car opportunity: Kia By Riyadi SEOUL (JP): Indonesia's national car program, which involves South Korea's Kia Motors Corporation, has drawn wide criticism both domestically and internationally. The government, however, is determined to continue with the program at all costs. Kia's chairman, Kim Sun-hong, agrees with the Indonesian government, saying that the government is in the right direction in pursuing the national car program.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali: June 28, 1996
Where to go in Bali: June 28, 1996 Music and entertainment * Grand Hyatt Bali, Nusa Dua: Pasar Senggol - Balinese Arts & Crafts, daily. Sunset Procession, daily. Ramayana dance, Thursday. Legong dance, Saturday. Arjuna Wiwaha dance, Sunday. Rejang, Puspawresti, Belibis and Jaran Teji dances, Monday. Kecak dance, Friday & Tuesday. Jegog dance, Wednesday. Pesona Lounge - Live music by Filipino Guitar duo, Medi & Boy, daily. Lila Cita Fun Pub - Rakata Disc Band, Friday & Monday.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Polyester makers file dumping claim with government
Polyester makers file dumping claim with government JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Synthetic Fiber-Makers Association has asked the government to impose a 40 percent provisional antidumping duty on polyester staple fiber imports from South Korea and Taiwan. The association's chairman, A.A. Baramuli, said here yesterday that the proposal was submitted on Wednesday to the minister of industry and trade, who is also vice chairman of the Indonesian antidumping committee.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Land seizure in Serpong delayed
Land seizure in Serpong delayed TANGERANG, West Java (JP): The Tangerang District Court has postponed confiscation of a golf course and a 70-hectare plot of land in Gading Serpong. Tangerang District Court Chief Soedardji ordered the confiscation at the behest of heirs of the late Tan Hok Tjioe, who owned the property. The order, issued on June 5 this year, was based on a decision by the chief of the Central Jakarta District Court on Jan. 6, 1996.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Asian broadcasters urged to united to face the West
Asian broadcasters urged to united to face the West JAKARTA (JP): A senior business executive warned yesterday that broadcasting companies in Asia may lose business in the region if they fail to cooperate with each other to compete against western broadcasters. "We need to get together and agree that innovation and meeting customer demands are the right ways to go.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Planned suit against PDI congress acceptable
Planned suit against PDI congress acceptable JAKARTA (JP): Groups involved in the worsening rift within the minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) agreed with officials yesterday that their bickering should be settled in court. "No problem," said Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung yesterday about PDI chief Megawati Soekarnoputri's plan to sue him for his endorsement of the recent rebel congress which resulted in the election of Soerjadi as rival chairman.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
More Vietnamese refugees repatriated
More Vietnamese refugees repatriated JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia repatriated another 244 Vietnamese refugees from Galang Island under the Orderly Return Program on Wednesday, press reports said yesterday. The Vietnamese were sent home on the Indonesian Navy's KRI Teluk Hading 538 after a ceremony attended by local military commander Maj. Gen. Arie J. Kumaat, chief of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees local office Robert Cooper and six Vietnamese government representatives.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
The Listening Post
The Listening Post * The many varieties of spoken English which the non-native listener must learn to understand is a challenge which students at ALC and other schools in Jakarta are not ordinarily ready to consider.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
PDI at a crossroad
PDI at a crossroad From Jayakarta Since the congress in Medan three years ago, PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party) has been in an unstable condition. It is not extraordinary that around elections different contestants jostle with each other. PDI is now at a crossroad. Many senior members who have wrestled with politics for a long time, long before the fusion into a PDI, have now made a cautious move. Apparently they are not willing to be led by a young and inexperienced newcomer.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Lakes in critical condition
Lakes in critical condition SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Three major lakes in the hinterland of Kutai are now in critical condition due to erosion along their beaches, Antara reported yesterday. Head of the province's environmental bureau H. Mulyadi said the condition of the 15,000 hectare Jempang Lake, the 13,000 hectare Semayang Lake, and 11,000 hectare Malintang Lake is alarming.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: June 28, 1996
Where to go in Jakarta: June 28, 1996 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.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Students to join fuel saving race
Students to join fuel saving race JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian university students will test their skills in modifying cars to have the lowest fuel consumption in a 770-kilometer race stretching from Jakarta to Surabaya, East Java. A total of 22 universities from Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Surabaya and Malang have confirmed their participation in the three-day race, to be flagged off on July 25 at the National Monument park.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Schering Plough dividends
Schering Plough dividends JAKARTA (JP): PT Schering Plough Indonesia decided yesterday to increase its final dividend for last year by 25 percent to Rp 750 (US$0.32) per share from Rp 600 in 1994. At yesterday's annual meeting of the company's shareholders, chief commissioner Ian L. Price reported a sales growth of 32 percent to Rp 39.7 billion in 1995 and a profit growth of 33 percent to Rp 7.3 billion.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
U.S. will boost trade with RI
U.S. will boost trade with RI JAKARTA (JP): The United States will continue to support trade ties and investment in Indonesia despite its opposition to Indonesia's national car policy. Visiting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor said yesterday that Indonesia remained a priority on Washington's foreign trade map. He said that Indonesia, the largest country within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), contained tremendous business opportunity for American companies.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indomulti pays dividend
Indomulti pays dividend JAKARTA (JP): PT Indomulti Inti Industry, a publicly-listed producer of shoes, announced that it has allocated Rp 3 billion (US$1.2 million) out of its last year's net profit of Rp 50 billion for dividend payment. The company said in a statement that its sale revenue rose 168 percent from Rp 307 billion in 1994 to Rp 824 billion last year.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
National Police Force to be expanded for polls
National Police Force to be expanded for polls JAKARTA (JP): The National Police announced yesterday a plan to expand its size and personnel in order to be better equipped for safeguarding the 1997 general election. Declared on the heels of Tuesday's reorganization of the Army's special force (Kopassus), the planned expansion will mean the police force's elite Mobile Brigade will increase from 49 units to 56 units. National Police Chief Lt. Gen.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Asahimas shares for co-ops
Asahimas shares for co-ops JAKARTA (JP): PT Asahimas Flat Glass Co. Ltd. announced yesterday that its founders have transferred 3.48 million shares, or 1 percent of the company's total shares, to 40 cooperatives. The company, founded by Rodamas Indonesia and Asahi Glass of Japan, is the country's largest producer of glass sheets with a production capacity of 420,000 tons per annum. (rid)
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Pulogadung priciest plant site
Pulogadung priciest plant site JAKARTA (JP): Pulogadung in East Jakarta is currently the most expensive area in Greater Jakarta to locate a factory. Prices range from US$207 to $220 per square meter, while areas in Bekasi and Tangerang range from $45 to $100 per square meter, a monthly property report said.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Extortion at bus terminals
Extortion at bus terminals JAKARTA (JP): The City Land Transportation Agency has threatened to take firm action against unscrupulous workers at inter-city bus terminals who steal money from the sale of platform entrance tickets. The head of the agency, JP Sepang, said yesterday that his office will not condone such action, which causes a drop in city revenues.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 27, 1996: -------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 800 -25 21,000 AHAP Insurance 2,800 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 650 0 25,000 Andayani Megah 1,150 0 138,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 3,900 0 83,000 Anwar Sierad 2,100 25 91,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 3,200 100 6,000 Argo...
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Structuring of Asian security
Structuring of Asian security By Hermawan Sulistyo SURABAYA (JP): There is no doubt that in the last decade there has been a significant increase in the arms expenditures of Southeast Asian countries, as Dewi Fortuna Anwar eloquently wrote (The Jakarta Post, June 6 and June 7). Yet, to conclude that this is a sign of balancing post-Cold War security in Southeast Asia is too much.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Export of elephants suggested
Export of elephants suggested BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Local farmers, complaining of frequent raids on their land by herds of wild elephants, are calling on the government to export the animals, which have become a pest, Antara reported yesterday. "We can't kill the elephants because there are laws to protect them, despite the fact that they destroy our land and even kill people," a farmer said. The locals said the elephant population has been increasing and they have been spreading.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
United's Andy Cole is coming to town
United's Andy Cole is coming to town JAKARTA (JP): Manchester United striker Andy Cole will be at the Senayan stadium on July 5 for a one-hour soccer clinic with young Indonesian players. Ruby Sjabana, sales and marketing manager of Reebok's Indonesian distributor, PT RSH Marketing, said yesterday the 26- year-old striker was promoting Reebok International Ltd.'s products in Asia. Before coming to Indonesia, Cole will visit Japan and Singapore.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
PT Telkom and Police to create digital hotline
PT Telkom and Police to create digital hotline JAKARTA (JP): PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia has signed an agreement with the National Police Force for establishing a police hotline number and installation of an integrated system digital network (ISDN) at police headquarters. The agreement was signed by the Executive Director of the telecommunication firm, A.A. Nasution, and the National Police Chief, Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, at the Jakarta Police headquarters yesterday.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Landuse and human resources
Landuse and human resources The policy of encouraging industrial growth during the past 25 years proved inadequate in keeping pace with the growing number of human resources. The number of job opportunities available is not balanced by the number of people entering the labor market. In the past few days, two new developments related to the human resources situation have occurred. First, the government decided to extend landuse rights (HGU) from 80 to 95 years. Second, Prof.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Nokia wins Asian orders
Nokia wins Asian orders HELSINKI (Reuter): Dutch cable maker NKF Holding's Nokia Cables unit has won Asian power cable and telecommunications cable orders worth almost 100 million markka, Nokia Cables said in a statement yesterday. Nokia Cables said it would supply copper telecommunications cables worth almost 65 million markka to South Korea's Hyundai's telephone network expansion project in Indonesia.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Three die in car accident
Three die in car accident KEBUMEN, Central Java (JP): Three university students died on the spot after their car hit a tree, overturned, and plunged into an irrigation canal here on Tuesday. Deputy chief of local police precinct Maj. M.X. Soekarno said it was possible that the driver, Salahudin Ayubi, a student from a university in Surabaya, might have lost control of the car because he had been exhausted.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Rights body will report demolition case to President
Rights body will report demolition case to President JAKARTA (JP): The National Committee on Human Rights will soon send a letter to the President in its effort to deal with complaints from families living in Tebet, South Jakarta, about the demolition of their low-cost apartment complex on Jl. Rawa Bilal. "The apartments on Jl. Rawa Bilal were constructed under the presidential aid scheme.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
British Aerospace offers scholarship to Indonesians
British Aerospace offers scholarship to Indonesians JAKARTA (JP): British Aerospace announced here yesterday that it will provide a post-graduate scholarship to Indonesians to honor B.J. Habibie for further developing aircraft technology. "The scholarship will be awarded every year to an Indonesian post-graduate student selected by Habibie," said Tim Martin, the regional director of British Aerospace in Indonesia. He added that the scholarship program is called the Habibie Scholarship.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Singapore Amcol names new board, faces investigation
Singapore Amcol names new board, faces investigation SINGAPORE (Reuter): Trading firm Amcol Holdings Ltd said yesterday Singapore's white collar crime bureau, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), had started an investigation into the affairs of the company. Amcol, the subject of a fierce takeover battle between two large shareholders, said in a statement the investigation followed concerns raised over the affairs of four of Amcol's subsidiaries and associated companies.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
The 'musyawarah' spirit
The 'musyawarah' spirit Whatever happened to the spirit of musyawarah? This question about an age-old Indonesian tradition of settling differences through deliberations was asked by Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat during a hearing with the House of Representatives on Wednesday. As reported in this newspaper yesterday, the retired Army general complained during the hearing reviewing the security situation with the House's Commission I about the fading spirit of musyawarah.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya: June 28 1996.
Where to go in Surabaya: June 28 1996. Music * Elmi Hotel: Jl. Panglima Sudirman No. 442-44: - Qemi Club: Abouwhim Band, 9 p.m. * Majapahit Hotel: Jl. Tunjungan 65: - Palm Bar: La Costa Band, daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. * Patra Surabaya Hilton International: Jl. Gunung Sari: - Kedai Jepara: Marcell Suryadharma (pianist) - nightly, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., except Sunday and Monday. - The Beer Garden: The La Mapas Resident Band - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Trial on triple slaying in Los Angeles begins
Trial on triple slaying in Los Angeles begins JAKARTA (JP): The indictment against the sole defendant in the Los Angeles triple slaying was finally read at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday after a two-week adjournment. Public Prosecutor J. Kamaru, who led the team of prosecutors, began reading the 17-page indictment after defendant Harnoko Dewantono, better known as Oki, told presiding Judge I.G.K. Sukarata that he now had a team of lawyers to defend him.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Live broadcast of Oki trial sparks mixed reactions
Live broadcast of Oki trial sparks mixed reactions JAKARTA (JP): The live broadcast of a murder trial is the first of its kind in Indonesian broadcasting, experts said yesterday. Daniel Dhakidae, a researcher on press issues, and Andi Muis, an expert in legal aspects of communications, said separately that to their knowledge audiences here have never witnessed a live broadcast of a trial.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Apac's rights issue
Apac's rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Textile firm PT Apac Centertex Corporation announced yesterday that it will issue 408 million rights shares and 76.5 million warrants. The company, controlled by a consortium led by businessman Bambang Trihatmodjo, said in a statement yesterday that shareholders are entitled to subscribe 16 new shares for each four shares they hold and three warrants.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Man mobbed to death for stealing
Man mobbed to death for stealing JAKARTA (JP): A 20-year-old man was killed by a mob after allegedly robbing a woman of a three-gram gold ring in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The man was identified as Aliek, a known hoodlum in the area, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday. Aliek met his death on Tuesday afternoon on Jl. Jembatan II after threatening a 33-year-old housewife at knifepoint and forcing the penniless victim to give up her ring.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia rules HK regatta
Indonesia rules HK regatta JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian paddlers maintained their victorious tradition by winning the overall championship title, with four gold and two silver medals, at the third Asian Dragon Boat Race in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The men's team won gold in the 1,000m and 500m races, and so did the mixed team in the 500m and 800m sprints. China finished second with two golds in the three-day event, beating the Indonesian women's team in the 800m and 500m.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia rejects Aussie finding on reporters' death
Indonesia rejects Aussie finding on reporters' death JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government rejected yesterday the finding of an Australian official investigation which pins the blame for the deaths in 1975 of six Australian-based journalists in East Timor squarely on Indonesian soldiers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that while it has not had the opportunity to review the report published in Canberra yesterday, Jakarta's position regarding the cause of the deaths remained unchanged.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian artists leap onto Internet
Indonesian artists leap onto Internet JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian pop artists are going Internet. Artists to be introduced on an Indonesian Internet home page include singers Trie Utami, Ruth Sahanaya and Yuni Shara. It also includes male vocalist Harvey Malaiholo, saxophonist Embong Rahardjo, television starlet Kris Dayanti and the dangdut (Indian-based genre of music) singer Camelia Malik.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Slow industrial estate growth lamented
Slow industrial estate growth lamented JAKARTA (JP): Industrial estate development occupies about 11 percent of the total area allocated for it nation-wide, an official said yesterday. "Moreover, of the total land approved to be converted into industrial estates, only 35 percent has been acquired," a deputy chairman of the National Land Agency, Nad Darga Talkur Putra, said yesterday at a seminar of the Indonesian Industrial Estates Association. "It's very disappointing.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Mall worsens traffic
Mall worsens traffic From Kompas Construction of Mega Mall in Pluit, North Jakarta, was completely wrong, because it worsens traffic problems. Prolonged traffic jams take place every day including holidays, since there is only one entrance on Jl. Pluit Indah. To reach North Pluit, Pluit Permai and Pantai Mutiara, one has to go through the bridge at Muara Karang (some three kilometers away), because the road goes one way. This results in a heavy congestion on Jl. Pluit Indah Raya.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Restaurant din
Restaurant din A new restaurant, Chicago Ribs, recently opened near my house on Jl. Kemang Raya in South Jakarta. Normally this would be a welcome development, as it adds yet another dining and entertainment choice to the increasing busy Kemang area. The problem is that Chicago Ribs generates a tremendous amount of noise as a result of playing amplified music, on most nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Divide and rule
Divide and rule We have all witnessed that the New Order government has succeeded in ousting Megawati Soekarnoputri, allowing her rivals to hold the Medan Congress and elect a new "apple polisher", Soerjadi. Our government seems to be identical to the Dutch colonialists, applying the time-honored tactic of divide and rule in a spirit of fear and cowardice to any creative movement trying to oppose or improve the government.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
RI to sell food, medicine to Iraq
RI to sell food, medicine to Iraq JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade, Tunky Ariwibowo, and Iraq's Minister of Trade, Mohammed Mehdi Saleh, yesterday agreed that Indonesia could sell food and medicine to Iraq. "Indonesia has the opportunity to sell food and medicine to Iraq according to the Oil for Food Arrangement policy set by the United Nations (UN)," Tunky said after a two-day joint commission session on economic, scientific and technical cooperation.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Rights activist advises rival PDI leaders to reconcile
Rights activist advises rival PDI leaders to reconcile SEMARANG (JP): The government's call for the rival camps in the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) to reconcile their differences found support from a human rights activist and a member of the Supreme Advisory Council yesterday. Rights campaigner Muladi and council member Harsudiono Hartas said they believed the best way to end PDI's leadership crisis would be for the opposing camps to talk and narrow their differences.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Asia fears 'green protectionism'
Asia fears 'green protectionism' SINGAPORE (Reuter): Asian nations fear their trade could suffer because of proposed Western environmental pacts, two Asian speakers told a conference yesterday. Ponciano Intal, president of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said environmental agreements would meet strong opposition among developing Asian countries which fear the pacts could lead to "green protectionism." The opposition "stems primarily from their fear (these rules) ...
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
WB lends RI, Thailand
WB lends RI, Thailand WASHINGTON (AFP): The World Bank announced yesterday loans for projects in Thailand, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan totaling more than US$400 million. The bank awarded $113.5 million in two loans aimed at improving the Thai educational system. One credit of 81.9 million will be for projects aimed at training secondary school teachers and upgrading classrooms; a second of 31.6 million is aimed at technical education.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Friday, June 28, 1996
TV Program: Friday, June 28, 1996 TVRI 2:30 p.m. My Country 2:35 TV Series: Amazing Stories 3:05 TV Series: Remaja Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Fresh Prince of Bell Air 4:05 Comedy 4:30 Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:00 Evening News 5:30 Hobbies 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Music: Parlementaria 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Information: Karya Nyata 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:35 Nationality: Dinamika 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Nationality: Permata Nusantara 9:00 World News...
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia considers Portuguese FM's visit
Indonesia considers Portuguese FM's visit GENEVA (Agencies): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday that Indonesia is ready to consider a visit by his Portuguese counterpart, Jaime Gama, to discuss East Timor.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia Olympic archery team named
Indonesia Olympic archery team named JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Archery Association announced yesterday that Nurfitriyana Lantang and sisters Dahliana and Hamdiah Damanhuri will comprise the Indonesian archery team in the Atlanta Olympic Games next month.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
Uphold election rules: Soeharto
Uphold election rules: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on the public yesterday to stick to the rules of the game in the 1997 general election. Only if everybody follows the rules will the upcoming election proceed peacefully, the president said, addressing the annual three-day conference of the Information Ministry. "I would like to use this occasion to urge all government officials, contestants and the public to make the 1997 election a success," the President said.
Fri, 28 Jun 1996, 00:00 WIB
'Communication among people is improving'
'Communication among people is improving' JAKARTA (JP): Wimar Witoelar, a political observer and popular talk show host, says the public's desire for "free communication" is strong enough to withstand government attempts to control it.