Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 September 1996

50 articles found

10 prosecutors for 'Gurita' case

10 prosecutors for 'Gurita' case BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The provincial prosecutors' office has appointed 10 prosecutors to examine five suspects in the Gurita ferry disaster, which claimed 338 lives in January. "Three out of the five dossiers examined still need revising, especially those concerning the suspects' responsibilities," the chief of the high prosecutors' office, Lukharni, was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday.

Motorola's WordTrek Plus brings new sophistication to paging

Motorola's WordTrek Plus brings new sophistication to paging By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Late last year I reviewed two products that enabled us to send paging messages without the help of operators. One of their main advantages was being able to send private messages such as "Happy Birthday, Honey" without having to feel embarrassed. One could also send messages in any language, not just Indonesian and English. The two products I discussed back then were Notify!

11 GRADUATES CUM LAUDE:

11 GRADUATES CUM LAUDE: Some 2,629 students from various study programs graduated from the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok on Saturday, with 11 of them graduating with honors. "This is the first time we have announced the cum laude designations right on graduation day," UI Rector M.K. Tadjudin said during the ceremony. In the past administrative processes made it impossible for the university to announce who was graduating cum laude on graduation day.

23 people dead and 19 missing in mudslide

23 people dead and 19 missing in mudslide KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): As the death toll in a mudslide at a Malaysian aborigine village rose to 23 yesterday, a geomancer called for a halt to hilltop tree-clearing, believing the avalanche to be the work of a disturbed "dragon." Police said 19 others, mainly children, were still missing in the mudslide that swept down Kinjang mountain and smashed into the Pos Dipang aborigine settlement in northern Perak state last Thursday.

Developers rapped for negligence

Developers rapped for negligence TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Tangerang Regent Saifulah AR has lamented the fact that so far, only a few of the developers operating in the regency have complied with the regulation to provide plots for public cemeteries. At present, there are 235 developers building housing and shopping complexes in the regency. "But so far, only 10 of them have handed over plots for public cemeteries to the administration," Saifulah said on Saturday.

Investors needed to speed up Kota renewal project

Investors needed to speed up Kota renewal project JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is inviting private companies to invest in the development of Jakarta's old city to speed up the rejuvenation of the Kota area in North Jakarta. An official at the city design and renovation agency, Wisnu Murti, said on Saturday that the implementation of the project has been slow because there are not many people interested in investing in the downtown area.

Moslem societies hold rallies for New Order

Moslem societies hold rallies for New Order SURABAYA (JP): Two major Moslem organizations held rallies over the weekend in displays of qualified support for the New Order administration. Some 50,000 members of Muhammadiyah pledged allegiance to the government in a rally here yesterday, but tempered it with the condition that the government remains committed to the fight against corruption and collusion.

Locally-made cars may fail in free trade

Locally-made cars may fail in free trade JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's domestic-oriented automotive industry, hampered by the government's inconsistent auto policy, will face difficulties to compete in a free market, an expert said. Achmad Shauki, a researcher from the Institute for Economic and Social Research at the University of Indonesia, said on Saturday that Indonesia would not be able to compete with Thailand and Malaysia in the automotive sector when the market is opened by 2003.

Contractors fail to keep their promise

Contractors fail to keep their promise JAKARTA (JP): The South Korean and local contractors carrying out the construction of the Grogol-Pluit elevated toll road have failed to repair the drainage system in Jelambar, damaged by their sloppy work. Local residents said on Saturday that they had had to repair the damaged drainage system themselves last week after waiting in vain for months.

East Timor to supply workers

East Timor to supply workers DILI, East Timor: The local office of the Ministry of Manpower plans to send 600 workers to 10 provinces in an effort to reduce the high unemployment rate, Antara reported. The office's head, Yosep Susanto, said on Saturday that the workers will be sent in three batches, beginning on Sept. 6 to South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. Others will go to Riau, Jambi, South Sulawesi and South Sumatra from October to December.

Thai military chief gets Indonesian medal

Thai military chief gets Indonesian medal JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung bestowed the Yudha Dharma Utama medal to his Thai counterpart Gen. Viroj Sang Snit on Saturday for his hard work and cooperation in promoting relations between the two countries. The medal was presented by Feisal during Viroj's farewell visit. He is scheduled to end his tenure as Thailand's armed forces commander soon. Viroj arrived for a two-day visit here on Friday.

Disabled students

Disabled students From Republika In reply to Yendi Sufyandi's letter to Republika of Aug. 13 (published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 15) on "Gadjah Mada University discriminates against the disabled", we would like to give the following response: 1. We thank Mr. Yendi Sufyandi for his attention in particular to the subject of student admissions. 2.

Manggarai project may start next year

Manggarai project may start next year JAKARTA (JP): Prominent developer Ciputra said on Saturday he hoped the construction of an integrated public transportation terminal in Manggarai, South Jakarta could begin next year. Ciputra, a founder of PT Pembangunan Jaya, a consortium member of the widely debated project, said a meeting of shareholders revealed last week a "considerably rapid advance in the progress report".

Petronas seals China pact

Petronas seals China pact KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's national oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) Saturday sealed its third oil exploration contract in China. Petronas unit, Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Bhd (PCOSB) signed a pact with China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) and Chevron Overseas Petroleum Ltd to jointly undertake oil and gas exploration.

BDNI reports profit rising

BDNI reports profit rising JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI) booked an 8 percent increase in its net profit in the first half of this year to Rp 74 billion (US$31 million) over the same period of last year.

Over 90 students arrested for brawl

Over 90 students arrested for brawl JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested and charged 91 students from various technical high schools with brawling after an early Saturday morning altercation which sent at least three youths to the hospital with injuries. According to the police, the brawl started at around 7:15 a.m. on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta inside a Mayasari Bhakti bus plying the Ciputat, South Jakarta - Pasar Baru route.

Elektrindo set to join telecoms supplier tenders

Elektrindo set to join telecoms supplier tenders MALANG, East Java (JP): PT Elektrindo Nusantara is set to join tenders in competition with foreign suppliers for government projects needing digital telecommunications equipment.

Govt to raise mandatory forest royalties by 10%

Govt to raise mandatory forest royalties by 10% JAKARTA (JP): The government plans a 10 percent hike in the mandatory royalties it imposes on forestry products following increases in the prices of plywood on the international market and of logs domestically. Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said over the weekend that he would issue a ministerial ruling on the royalty increase in September and make it effective on Oct. 1.

Questioning of priest raises ethical debate

Questioning of priest raises ethical debate JAKARTA (JP): The government's summonses for a Catholic priest and a lawyer in connection with the investigation into the July 27 riot has sparked a debate about whether they should heed the call, and if so, how much they can divulge.

Kelantan defends ban on lipstick

Kelantan defends ban on lipstick KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The Islamic government of Malaysia's Kelantan state has defended its recent ban on the excessive use of lipstick by women, saying that such practices were a prelude to illicit sex.

Equatorial hotel acquired

Equatorial hotel acquired JAKARTA (JP): The Equatorial Hotel has changed its name to Millennium Sirih Jakarta following PT Tanahabang Indah Pratama's recent sale of shares to a Singapore firm. CDL Hotels International Ltd., a Singapore-based subsidiary of Republic Hotels and Resorts Ltd., has bought an 80 percent stake in Tanahabang Indah Pratama, which owns the 15-story hotel with 405 rooms, for US$13.8 million.

Misuari in Manila to sign peace pact

Misuari in Manila to sign peace pact MANILA (AFP): Moslem leader Nur Misuari arrived here yesterday from Indonesia to sign a peace pact with the Philippine government ending a 24-year Islamic insurgency that has left 120,000 people dead in the country's south, officials said. Misuari, chairman of the autonomy-seeking Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was aboard an Indonesian Air Force Boeing 707 that landed at the Villamor Airbase in suburban Manila.

Follow-up urged to human rights commission report

Follow-up urged to human rights commission report JAKARTA (JP): Human rights campaigners responded positively to the independent findings of the National Commission on Human Rights concerning the July 27th riots and urged follow-up to "shed some light" on the 74 missing persons. Luhut Pangaribuan of the Legal Aid Institute commended the commission for its "courage" in producing a report which did not merely emulate the official military version. "It's a good start but we have to finish this.

Central Java team regains Haornas/Coke Cup trophy

Central Java team regains Haornas/Coke Cup trophy SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The Central Javanese boys delighted their home crowd with a 3-0 thrashing of Jambi to win their fourth Haornas/Coke Cup under-16 soccer championship title yesterday. For surprise finalist Jambi, it was an anti-climatic performance after conquering the defending champion and pre- tournament favorite Jakarta in Thursday's semifinals.

Strikes raise metal prices

Strikes raise metal prices LONDON (AFP): Strikes in several copper and nickel mines around the world sent a shiver of excitement through the market, which was still awakening from a sleepy summer, and drove the price of these metals higher last week. Some traders fear that the stoppages at copper mines in Chile and Namibia will cut into world production, which was expected to expand strongly later this year.

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.

Construction of toll road to start

Construction of toll road to start JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a 14-kilometer toll road linking Serpong in West Java and Bintaro in South Jakarta will start next week, developer Ciputra said on Saturday. "Minister Radinal Moochtar (of Public Works) will officiate the construction on Sept. 6," Ciputra said. "This has been a long-time promise which we must fulfill," added Ciputra, head of the Jaya Group, which is building the toll road.

Ex-high jump star dies at 66

Ex-high jump star dies at 66 JAKARTA (JP): Former national men's high jump star I Gusti Oka Mona died of a stroke at 66 years old in his hometown of Denpasar, Bali, on Friday. Mona, whose 1956 national record of 1.96 meter remained intact for 20 years, had been paralyzed for three months due to his illness. He is survived by four children and four grandchildren.

Lippo's massive internal takeover gets mixed reactions

Lippo's massive internal takeover gets mixed reactions JAKARTA (JP): The Riady family's move to sell their shares, worth almost Rp 1 trillion (US$424 million), in Lippo Group's two major listed finance firms -- PT Lippo Bank and PT Lippo Life -- under the group's planned internal acquisition has received mixed reactions from analysts. Analysts regard the internal acquisition as the family's way of cashing out their controlling stakes in the two finance companies.

73 journalists sign petition for fired colleagues

73 journalists sign petition for fired colleagues JAKARTA (JP): More than 70 journalists have signed a petition expressing concern at the fate of seven Suara Pembaruan journalists who have gone 20 months without pay because of their dispute with management. "Those (seven) journalists have had to endure an extremely hard life these past 20 months.

JavaSoft: A welcome addition to the Intranet

JavaSoft: A welcome addition to the Intranet By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): A gamelan player, who performed for the Enterprise Java Summit seminar last Thursday, translated the Javanese on the banner as saying, The Big Growth of the Java Language. It is anticipating the growth of the Java programming language, which is to be integrated into the booming Intranet technology.

Great River's profit up

Great River's profit up JAKARTA (JP): PT Great River International, a garment manufacturer and retailer, posted a 112 percent increase in its net profit to Rp 12.9 billion in the first half of this year from Rp 6.1 billion (US$2.5 million) in same period of last year.

Johny unlikely for 14th PON

Johny unlikely for 14th PON JAKARTA (JP): National motocross champion Johny Pranata may fail to make an appearance at the 14th National Games (PON) exhibition races on Sept. 14. He broke his wrist in a fall at the Gudang Garam championships in Muara Enim, South Sumatra on Saturday. Deputy chief of the committee, Helmy Sungkar, said that Johny fell off his motorcycle when he tried to pass a table-top.

Ruling Golkar warned of political blunders

Ruling Golkar warned of political blunders JAKARTA (JP): Members of Golkar, the ruling political organization, have been advised to watch their step so as not to make any political errors in the run-up to the 1997 election. "Be thoughtful in making decisions on economic and political matters so as not to make blunders," said Siswono Yudohusodo, a member of Golkar's powerful board of patrons.

Model students hold safari

Model students hold safari DENPASAR, Bali: A group of model students from Indonesia's 27 provinces yesterday met with 750 local youths to discuss substance abuse, Antara reported. Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka and a number of other community leaders also attended the gathering. The students are holding a two-week safari which covers 10 provinces in Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Bali.

Jet-foil has engine trouble

Jet-foil has engine trouble SERANG, West Java: A jet-foil with 40 people on board was adrift in Sunda Strait waters near Tanjung Lesung, Pandeglang regency, Banten, for several hours yesterday after its engine stalled. No casualties occurred and all of the passengers were safely evacuated, Banten port administrator Jimmy Abubakar Nikijuluw said.

Discotheque shut down

Discotheque shut down SEMARANG: Mayor Soetrisno Suharto proved he was serious about his threat to take stern action against discotheques caught violating government regulations when he closed GP discotheque on Jl. Jend. Soedirman on Saturday morning. The local government has alleged that some discotheques remain open until 2 a.m. on regular days and 3 a.m. on holidays, much later than the hours permitted by a government regulation.

Main heat exchanger for Bontang train-G installed

Main heat exchanger for Bontang train-G installed BONTANG, East Kalimantan (JP): PT Inti Karya Persada Tehnik (IKPT), an Indonesian engineering and construction company, erected the main heat exchanger for train-G of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant here over the weekend. The work completed 65 percent of the train construction. "The main heat exchanger is the heart of this project.

ASEAN to discuss Internet policies

ASEAN to discuss Internet policies SINGAPORE (AFP): Senior ASEAN officials meet here today to discuss Internet policies and measures to regulate the global information highway. Delegates from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will attend the three-day ASEAN Forum on the Internet being held for the first time, officials said. The Singapore Broadcasting Authority is organizing the event on behalf of the ASEAN committee on culture and information.

Indonesia wins Brighton bridge

Indonesia wins Brighton bridge JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian bridge team received a warm welcome at home on Saturday after winning the Bridge Union international tournament in Brighton, England.

Big debt haunts SE Asian states

Big debt haunts SE Asian states SINGAPORE (AFP): After years of sizzling growth, Southeast Asia's emerging "Tigers" are finding that there can be no easy escape from the problem of high current-account deficits hanging over their economies. Economists predict worrying deficits to persist for Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, crimping the ability of their monetary authorities to lower interest rates amid concern over the disruptive nature of excessive capital inflows.

Relocation affects plants

Relocation affects plants KUTA, Bali (JP): The government wants ethanol producers to adjust their programs to its plan to relocate 27 of its sugar factories in Java to other islands. Director General for Agricultural and Forestry Industries Sujata said here Saturday that program adjustments are necessary for the nine ethanol producers in Java because they now rely on the supply of molasses from sugar factories.

Jakarta ID

Jakarta ID From Pelita On the evening of Aug. 26, Bekasi administration officials came to the Pondok Hijau residential area of Bekasi to inspect IDs as part of its operation to catch people with Jakarta IDs now living in Bekasi. My wife was stopped in her car on her way home from Jakarta. They asked her where she was going and her home address. When they discovered that her ID was issued in Jakarta, they confiscated it. My wife later had to complete forms and apply for a Bekasi ID.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. TV Series: Saber Rider and The Star Sheriff 3:00 Children's Program: Anak Anak Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Major Dad 4:05 Science Film: Castaway Coast 4:30 Quiz: Cepat Tepat 4:55 Filler 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Technology 6:05 Travel 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teaching: Hinduism 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 TV Drama: Sketsa Asa Kanvas 8:05 Variety Program: Mozaik 9:00 World News 9:30 Music: Gebyar Musik 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV...

Seminar says parents often stifle the creativity of children

Seminar says parents often stifle the creativity of children JAKARTA (JP): The people most to blame for stifling children's creativity are parents who mistakenly perceive it to be unruliness. That is the opinion of State Minister of Population/Chairman of the Family Planning Coordinating Board Haryono Suyono, given in a discussion during a seminar on children's creativity on Saturday.

KIPP chairman summoned over subversion case

KIPP chairman summoned over subversion case JAKARTA (JP): Senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad who also heads the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) has been summoned by the authorities for questioning as a witness in a subversion case. Reuter yesterday quoted Goenawan as saying that he had been summoned on Tuesday by officials of the Attorney General's Office. "I'm ready to answer the summons.

E. Java eyes 2nd place in 14th National Games

E. Java eyes 2nd place in 14th National Games JAKARTA (JP): East Java is set to regain second place at this year's 14th National Games (PON), scheduled here from Sept. 9 to Sept. 20, the province's Governor Basofi Sudirman said on Saturday. "I am optimistic we can take back our second position, which we lost to West Java in the previous Games in 1993," Basofi said.

Military handling of riot aftermath hailed

Military handling of riot aftermath hailed JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta Military Commander Kentot Harseno said over the weekend that the Jakarta Military Command acted according to standard procedures in controlling the city after the riot on July 27. "I think the military has handled the city situation properly, especially after the riot," Harseno told reporters after launching his second book, entitled Introspeksi (Introspective), at his residence on Jl. Ceger in East Jakarta.

JSX stock prices may drop on fear of U.S. rate hike

JSX stock prices may drop on fear of U.S. rate hike JAKARTA (JP): Fears of a possible U.S. interest rate hike and a slow recovery of investors' confidence in Indonesia's political stability are likely to push share prices here further down this week, analysts said. Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), which have been continuously stagnant following the July 27 riot, need more time to rebound as foreign investors are likely to remain sidelined.

Exporters honored

Exporters honored It must have been a greatly exhilarating experience for each of the executives of the 67 companies to receive the Primanyarta award directly from President Soeharto on Thursday. The award presentation, held annually, reflects the government's recognition of the private sector's role as the locomotive of the country's economic growth.