Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 September 1996

50 articles found

RI paintings withdrawn from Christie's auction

RI paintings withdrawn from Christie's auction JAKARTA (JP): Two valuable Indonesian paintings which were allegedly stolen from the National Museum here have been withdrawn by Christie's from its auction next month in Singapore. "The two paintings, (described in a Christie's catalog with) lot number 319 by R. Basoeki Abdullah and lot number 363 by Raden Sarief Bustaman Saleh, have been withdrawn from our Southeast Asian Pictures auction on Oct.

Ariawest secures loans

Ariawest secures loans JAKARTA (JP): PT Ariawest International secured US$614.85 million in syndicated loan facilities yesterday for the installation of new telephone lines in West Java. Ariawest President John G. Vandras said after signing the loan agreement here that the proceeds will be used to finance the development of 500,000 new telephone lines in West Java by the end of the first quarter of 1999.

Illegal foreign workers deported

Illegal foreign workers deported TANGERANG, West Java (JP): The Tangerang office of the Ministry of Manpower has had three foreigners deported for working without the necessary permits. "They have been proven guilty of violating the law by working illegally without permits from the Ministry of Manpower," the office head, Engkos Kosim said yesterday. Engkos said two of the three deported workers were Japanese nationals working at a garment factory in Mauk district, Tangerang, he said.

WB approves $98m loan for education in Sumatra

WB approves $98m loan for education in Sumatra JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank has approved a US$98 million loan to support the Sumatra Junior Secondary Education Project, the third in a series of Indonesian education projects totaling $301 million. The loan was approved in Washington on Tuesday, the bank's East Asia and Pacific Regional headquarters stated there yesterday.

Riady's sweetener fails to boost share trading

Riady's sweetener fails to boost share trading JAKARTA (JP): Mochtar Riady's planned sweetener in the proposed restructuring of his family's finance companies -- Lippo Securities, Lippo Life and Lippo Bank -- failed to boost trading of the three companies' shares on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday. The widely reported incentives to be provided by the Riyadi family in its controversial restructuring plan also failed to significantly support the companies' share prices.

Local firms may turn to foreign banks

Local firms may turn to foreign banks JAKARTA (JP): More local companies are likely to turn to overseas banks for loans in reaction to the central bank's plan to squeeze the lending market. Banking analysts concur that local companies will have little alternative but to go offshore if they want to obtain cheaper loans. This week alone, at least two local companies signed lending facilities with offshore financial institutions.

Wallets found in mail boxes

Wallets found in mail boxes BANDUNG: A director of the state-owned postal company PT Pos Indonesia found wallets and identification (ID) cards on Jl. Ahmad Yani during the company's nationwide mail box cleaning drive yesterday. According to a post office official, hundreds of wallets, valid ID cards, driving licenses and automatic teller machine cards are found everyday.

Lord says Indonesians must shape their own destiny

Lord says Indonesians must shape their own destiny JAKARTA (JP): U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Winston Lord said in Washington that while the United States' influence was important it was the Indonesian people who must ultimately determine the fate of their nation. "U.S. influence is important but limited. This said, we have positioned ourselves on the side of responsible change," said Lord before a Senate foreign relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific affairs on Wednesday.

Swiss banks open offices

Swiss banks open offices JAKARTA (JP): Swiss Bank Corporation and SBC Warburg, SBC's global investment bank, have opened offices in Wisma GKBI here. Rodney Ward, the chairman of SBC Warburg for Asia and Pacific, said in a statement yesterday that the opening of the two offices is expected to strengthen the two banks' presence in Indonesia. Renee Zecha has been appointed as the president of PT SBC Warburg and Rudolf H. Flury as SBC's senior representative.

Taxi robber arrested

Taxi robber arrested JAKARTA (JP): A 21-year-old man who allegedly specialized in robbing taxi drivers was arrested yesterday after trying to hail the taxi whose driver he had just robbed. The suspect, identified as Chairul, was arrested on Jl. Mampang Raya in South Jakarta at around 1 a.m. yesterday, shortly after getting out of a Hera Utama taxi whose driver, Armi Asril, he had robbed of Rp 20,000 (US$8.50) while threatening him with a pair of scissors.

Astra helps small businesses

Astra helps small businesses PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): The publicly-listed carmaker PT Astra International realized its commitment to the so-called Jimbaran Declaration yesterday by signing partnership agreements with five small companies and cooperatives.

Grain ship departs Australia for RI

Grain ship departs Australia for RI SYDNEY (Reuter): Disruption to Australian commodity exports from Maritime Union of Australia bans on Indonesian ships and cargoes appears to be less than feared after the sailing of grains carrier Bogasari Empat from Fremantle yesterday. The Port of Fremantle said yesterday the 32,500 ton vessel set sail for Indonesia at 8.15 a.m. West Coast time (00:15 GMT).

ADB to assist plantations

ADB to assist plantations JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to loan US$44 million to Indonesia for the development of plantation crops starting in the 1997/1998 fiscal year. The loans, which mature after 25 years with a seven-year grace period, will finance 55 percent of the $79.6 million-project. The remaining 45 percent, or $35.6 million, will come from the government and farmers participating in the project. According to Director General of Plantations A.R.

CSIS helps reduce regional tension

CSIS helps reduce regional tension JAKARTA (JP): With 25 years of academic achievement under its belt, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has emerged into an instrument which helps promote peace and stability in the region. "It plays an important role regionally in helping to reduce misunderstandings between other countries and Indonesia," British academic Michael Leifer replied when asked to comment on the role of CSIS in Indonesia.

ANA to start Bali flight

ANA to start Bali flight TOKYO (Reuter): All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (ANA) said yesterday that it would start flights between Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Denpasar on the Indonesian island of Bali, via Jakarta, on Oct. 30. An ANA spokeswoman said the Transportation Ministry approved the airline's registration for the flights and issued a license on Thursday. ANA will offer twice-weekly flights on the new route using Boeing 767-300 aircraft, she said.

Firms in a flap over fried chicken franchise

Firms in a flap over fried chicken franchise By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): Four companies are fighting for the right to control the California Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut outlets here in Indonesia's second largest city. The battle over the right to sell California Fried Chicken products is pitting PT Harapan Sejahtera Pioneerindo against its former business partner PT Putra Sejahtera Pioneerindo.

The importance of cultural and scientific literacy

The importance of cultural and scientific literacy By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): Physics professor James Trefil once said that scientific literacy is a subset of cultural literacy. To those who view culture and science as two unrelated matters, this is both a shocking and revealing statement. Are science and culture really unrelated?

Jakarta to host PATA seminar

Jakarta to host PATA seminar JAKARTA (JP): The city will host a seminar and conference next month of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) tourism youths in Indonesia. "The event will follow up the results of the PATA Youth Forum held in Surabaya, East Java in January," Director General of Tourism Andi Mappi Sammeng told reporters yesterday.

NTT needs 300 midwives

NTT needs 300 midwives KUPANG: The head of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Ministry of Health office has said that the province needs 300 more midwives to cover 15,000 needy villages. Bambang Purnomo told The Jakarta Post Thursday that the lack of midwives is to blame for the high infant mortality rate, which is 911 per 100,000 live births, far above the national rate of 450 per 100,000 live births. People are reluctant to go to medical personnel and prefer to consult traditional midwives, he said.

Water supply disrupted

Water supply disrupted JAKARTA (JP): Tap water distribution in North Jakarta may be disrupted tomorrow and Sunday due to the replacement of a pipe along Jl. Sunter Jaya and Jl. Sunter Agung. The water pipe repair work will be conducted from 8 p.m. today to 10 a.m. tomorrow, Agus Tabrani, the company's marketing manager said. "Areas to be affected are Sunter Agung Podomoro and surrounding areas," Agus said yesterday.

RI vows to reduce trade deficit with L. America

RI vows to reduce trade deficit with L. America By Riyadi BUENOS AIRES (JP): Indonesia started its one-week economic mission to Latin America here on Thursday with pledges to improve its economic presence and reduce its continuing trade deficit with Argentina and other countries in the region. "We want to see our bilateral trade to be balanced," Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo, who led the mission, announced after opening an Argentina-Indonesia business forum here.

Tax exemption proposed for travel in ASEAN

Tax exemption proposed for travel in ASEAN JAKARTA (JP): Travelers leaving Indonesia for other ASEAN countries can soon expect to be exempted from exit taxes following the government's most recent commitment to spur subregional economic growth and cooperation. Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto said the exit tax exemptions were expected to encourage travel from Indonesia to other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Press told 'handle riots with care'

Press told 'handle riots with care' JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on senior Indonesian journalists yesterday to handle stories about unrest with care. "Whether in news stories or commentaries, care must be taken so as not to give the impression that an act of rioting is a legitimate process," Soeharto said during a meeting with Indonesia's top media executives at the State Palace. "Care must be taken to ensure accurate news data.

Brawl tarnishes East Java's soccer gold

Brawl tarnishes East Java's soccer gold JAKARTA (JP): A brawl marked the end of the 14th National Games soccer competition, which saw East Java beat defending champion Irian Jaya 2-1 yesterday. Such a violation of sportsmanship was incited by officials of the losing team, who protested over what they claimed was bad refereeing made by I Made Sudra of Bali for letting East Java escape a penalty after a handball in its box.

Bank closes US$90n FRN

Bank closes US$90n FRN HONG KONG (Reuter): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's US$90 million floating rate note (FRN) issue has been allocated, said arranger Societe Generale Asia. The notes have a final maturity of seven years but can be put or called on the fifth anniversary. They pay a margin of 62 basis point over the six-month London Interbank Offered Rate. Lead managers, with US$10 million each, are DKB Asia, Fuji International Finance and Societe General Asia.

RP and RI firms tie up

RP and RI firms tie up MANILA (Reuter): Philippines' East Asia Power Resources Corp said it will sign a memorandum of understanding with PT Apac International Corpora of Indonesia next week to invest in a local firm that will operate a 50-megawatt power plant in Indonesia. The two companies will invest in PT Vita Daya Harapan, East Asia said in a statement. "The power plant will provide power exclusively to one of the world's largest textile mills," the company said.

Woman questioned for harboring foreigners

Woman questioned for harboring foreigners JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Immigration is questioning a woman for allegedly accommodating foreigners who entered the country without legal documents. The acting spokesman for the Immigration Directorate General, Mursanudin A. Ghani, said in a release distributed to The Jakarta Post that the arrest of Mrs. Djaenab Rusmijati Everaers, alias Tati, was made following the arrest of a Moroccan man, Mohamed Saidi, in her home on Jl.

3 charged with Tiger Cup bribe

3 charged with Tiger Cup bribe SINGAPORE (Reuter): Three men were on Friday charged with offering a Philippines soccer player a bribe during the 10-nation Tiger Cup tournament in Singapore earlier this month. Malaysian businessmen Kandasamy Karuppanb and Yam Phung Fei and Singaporean personnel manager Chong Thin Hoong were charged with offering defender Saluria Bearneza Judy $50,000 on September 6, a spokesman for the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said.

Jakarta court tries man for blasphemy on virginity

Jakarta court tries man for blasphemy on virginity JAKARTA (JP): The trial began yesterday of a man charged with blasphemy over his public statement that most girls in South Sulawesi's Tana Toraja region have lost their virginity. The man, identified only as KM, 44, had said that "96 percent of Tana Torajan female school students have lost their virginity to tourists" and "those girls mostly are not Moslems", prosecutors Mohammad Yaman and Tony Montana said in the Central Jakarta District Court.

Asia Pulp to expand operations

Asia Pulp to expand operations NEW YORK (Reuter): Asia Pulp & Paper Company Ltd said on Thursday it would install three new paper machines at its mills in Indonesia, build a pulp mill in Malaysia and expand its operations in China. Two paper machines costing US$300 million each would be installed at Asia Pulp's publicly listed subsidiaries, PT Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Corp and PT Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia, the company said in a statement.

Chandra Asri to raise output

Chandra Asri to raise output TOKYO (Reuter): Indonesian petrochemical firm PT Chandra Asri plans to invest US$500-$600 million to boost petrochemical product output at a plant in West Java, joint venture partner Marubeni Corp said yesterday. The petrochemical complex in Cilegon will increase output of ethylene by 160,000 tons to an annual 670,000 tons, propylene by 60,000 tons to 300,000 tons and polyethylene by 200,000 tons to 500,000 tons, a Marubeni spokesman said.

Mulia to boost capacity

Mulia to boost capacity JAKARTA (JP): PT Mulia Industrindo said that it will increase its production capacity from 67,000 to 120,000 square meters of ceramic tiles per day with the operation of its second and third plants. The company said in a statement that total investment for the two new production lines is US$80 million.

Yogie gives guarantees on 'honest and fair' election

Yogie gives guarantees on 'honest and fair' election JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. gave his word yesterday that the general election next year would be "honest and fair", although the election rules do not specify this. Yogie, who heads the General Elections Institute, said the "direct, free, open and secret balloting" principle stated in the rules implied that elections would be honest and fair.

Ramos's sister aims for UN post

Ramos's sister aims for UN post MANILA (Reuter): Philippine senator Leticia Ramos Shahani is vying to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the Presidential Palace said in statement yesterday. President Fidel Ramos said his younger sister had filed her candidacy for the top UN post while Solicitor General Raul Goco had applied for a position in the UN International Law Commission, the Malacanang Palace statement said.

Games end in blazing glory and discord

Games end in blazing glory and discord JAKARTA (JP): "See you at the 15th National Games in 2000" said the static fireworks at the 14th National Games closing ceremony, which had the usual pageantry, laserworks and fireworks yesterday. The burning phrase rose out of the darkness, following the slow death of the Games' flame in the blacked-out Senayan main stadium. A series of fireworks lit the moment. Then the lights were switched on again.

Publicity fund for council rules questioned

Publicity fund for council rules questioned JAKARTA (JP): The use of over Rp 4 billion (US$1.7 million) in funds for familiarizing the public with city regulations has come into question, giving the impression that many Jakartans do not know about the regulations. Councilor Romulus Sihombing of Commission E, which deals with development affairs, said yesterday both the legal bureau and the city's public relations office are among the offices most responsible for informing the public.

Credit card holders beware

Credit card holders beware From Kompas I was flabbergasted when American Express charged me Rp 550,000 (US$ 237.70) for a payment to a particular Jakarta hotel when the account clearly stated: "Your account is now closed. Please pay in full upon receipt of your statement". I really did not know what the payment was for, especially with the growing number of new hotels. I have not been there for quite a while because our guests prefer the newer hotels in Jakarta.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 TV Series: Gaiking 3:05 Sports 4:05 TV Series: Out of The Blue 4:30 Science Film: Earth Revealed 4:55 Filler/Trailer 5:00 News: Siaran Berita TVRI 5:30 Environment: Lahan Gambut 6:05 Travel: North Sulawesi 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Hobbies: Murah, Mudah dan Tepat 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:05 Saturday Night Music 9:00 World News 9:30 Music Quiz: Siapa Dia 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Drama Program 2 4:30 p.m.

RI immigration responds

RI immigration responds With reference to the letter published in your paper on Aug. 30 titled RI Immigration office deplored, we would like to clarify the matter as follows. The Singapore Bike Hash group arrived at the Teluk Senimba ferry terminal at 7:35 p.m. They were actually divided into smaller groups and each group arrived at the ferry terminal at different times. The last group arrived at 7:45 p.m. They should have allowed time to check in and load their bikes on the ferry.

Indonesia trails 0-2 in Davis Cup

Indonesia trails 0-2 in Davis Cup JAKARTA (JP): A weakened Indonesian team was on the brink of a Davis Cup humiliation when it lost 0-2 to host Chinese Taipei in the first day of competition yesterday. Bonit Wiryawan, returning to the team after a year's absence, fought a tough battle before crashing to a 5-7, 4-6, 3-6 defeat to Taiwan's number one Tsai Cia Yen in the competition's first singles match.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 20, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,100 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,700 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 650 -50 500 Andayani Megah 1,100 0 307,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 2,450 -50 137,500 Anwar Sierad 2,400 -25 6,120,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,925 275 212,000 Argo Pantes 1,900 0 0 Asahimas Flat 1,300 0 304,000 Asiana IMI...

Moslem council plans prayer meeting on Oct. 1

Moslem council plans prayer meeting on Oct. 1 JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Moslem Council plans to organize a prayer meeting on Oct. 1 to mark the victory of Pancasila over the communist ideology. Council chairman Hasan Basri told reporters yesterday after meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace that the meeting will become an annual event starting this year. Oct. 1 has been marked each year as Pancasila Sanctity Day.

Support grows for new Games venue

Support grows for new Games venue JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, has joined the mounting chorus of support to hold the next National Games outside Jakarta. Wismoyo told reporters, after watching the men's hockey final on Thursday, that the time had come to give other provinces a chance to host the quadrennial event for the sake of national sport's development. "Boredom is not the reason to move the Games away from here.

Bank gives poor Rp 300m

Bank gives poor Rp 300m JAKARTA: Bank Niaga has handed out Rp 300 million (US$127,659) in aid as part of its social activities to mark its 41st anniversary on Sept. 26. The donations were handed out by the bank's president director Gunarni Soeworo on Thursday to several social organizations, orphanages, religious projects, the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital for its heart catheterization project and Cendrawasih University in Irian Jaya.

Beware of false job offers

Beware of false job offers From Kompas On July 20 I had a visitor who said he had been living in Australia for 21 years. The visitor offered easy ways and means to get work there, or to attend Australian schools. I discovered later that I had been cheated. This person usually preys on victims through classified advertisements. He contacts advertisers and offers his assistance in getting work, or, admittance into Australian schools.

'Fortune' to launch Asia edition

'Fortune' to launch Asia edition SINGAPORE (Reuter): Fortune, the United States-based business magazine, said yesterday it plans to launch an Asian edition in January. It said in a statement the magazine planned to open a new bureau in Singapore and beef up existing bureaus in Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Teachers strike ends after salary hike

Teachers strike ends after salary hike BEKASI, West Java (JP): Teachers at a private elementary school here, SD Tunas Jakasampurna, have resumed teaching after their demand for a 20 percent salary hike was met by the school foundation. All 60 teachers at the school staged a protest and refused to teach earlier this week to highlight their demand for the rise. "The strike lasted about two hours.

Religious leaders urged to promote peaceful coexistence

Religious leaders urged to promote peaceful coexistence SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat called on religious leaders yesterday to boost peaceful coexistence among followers of different religions in Indonesia. Addressing the 7th Parisada Hindu Dharma congress, Edi reminded religious leaders that the relatively peaceful coexistence must not be taken for granted.

Southeast Asian exports predicted to recover next year

Southeast Asian exports predicted to recover next year HONG KONG (Reuter): Southeast Asian exports will bounce back from this year's sudden decline, but economists warned yesterday the recovery will be patchy and fail to match the heady rates of the past two years. "The extent of the slowdown in the first half this year will limit the upside for the full year, but demand conditions should improve in 1997," ING Barings said in a report.

Robot's mother ready to accept verdict on him

Robot's mother ready to accept verdict on him JAKARTA (JP): The mother of alleged pedophile and killer Siswanto, alias Robot, said yesterday she would respect any legal decision on her son, even if he received the death penalty. "I will accept anything the court gives to my son if he is found guilty," Dariah told reporters after meeting with her son at the Central Jakarta Police precinct.