Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 September 1996

47 articles found

China angry with RI over Chang visit

China angry with RI over Chang visit BEIJING (AFP): China has made "serious representations" to Indonesia over a recent visit by Taiwan's Foreign Minister John Chang, the foreign ministry said yesterday. "China is determinedly against any country which has diplomatic relations with China, forming official ties with Taiwan or having official exchanges and contacts with it in whatever form," said spokesman Shen Guofang.

Soeharto says the government is able to fight Ecstasy abuse

Soeharto says the government is able to fight Ecstasy abuse JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told Indonesian youths the government will be able to go all out in its fight against the trafficking of the rave-scene stimulant Ecstasy, now that a legal base for the campaign is being prepared.

DNA test establishes baby's parentage

DNA test establishes baby's parentage JAKARTA (JP): The DNA test done on a baby girl has helped establish the identity of her parents as the ones who said their baby was a boy. Chief of East Jakarta police precinct Lt. Col. Gories Mere said yesterday that the tests confirmed that the baby's mother is Nustita Siahaan. "We don't know any other way to prove (who the parents are) if Mrs. Nustita still refuses to recognize the baby," he said. Nustita, who gave birth to a baby on Aug.

Bekasi people marginalized

Bekasi people marginalized From Merdeka Criminality is rife in the town of Bekasi 30 kilometers east of Jakarta. It was in Bekasi that two robberies, in the same house, by the same gang, took place within a few months. The gang leader also raped the owner's wife on both occasions. In another burglary, a whole family was murdered. Bekasi is representative of a typical developing town.

Indo-Re announces $10.6m in net profit

Indo-Re announces $10.6m in net profit JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Reasuransi Umum Indonesia (Indo- Re) announced yesterday that its net profit of Rp 25 billion (US$10.6 million) for the first six months of this year is due partly to its restructuring program set up last year. "The profit figure is much higher than the company's expectation of only Rp 12 billion for the whole of this year.

Ten regions protest B. Wijaya's participation

Ten regions protest B. Wijaya's participation JAKARTA (JP): Ten regions are protesting because Benny Wijaya, one of Indonesia's leading tennis players, is to compete at the National Games. They say he betrayed the country when he refused to play in two crucial Davis Cup matches early this year. Ten chapters of the Indonesian Tennis Association signed a petition objecting to his inclusion. They cited a ban on Benny playing in all national events organized by the association.

Smoothing out the rough edges of political campaigning

Smoothing out the rough edges of political campaigning By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): President Clinton said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that he would not make any personal attacks on his opponent, Republican Bob Dole, during the election campaign. Nor would he allow any of his friends to attack the Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates. He said he would not wage a campaign of personal insults but of ideas.

Joko goes to the top

Joko goes to the top JAKARTA (JP): Joko Supriyanto, fresh from winning the Indonesia Open badminton championships in Medan, is now ranked number one in the world by the International Badminton Federation. Olympic silver medalist Dong Jiong of China is relegated to second position while Atlanta gold medalist Poul Erik Hoyer Larsen of Denmark remains in the third position.

Bre-X starts search for Indonesian gold partner

Bre-X starts search for Indonesian gold partner TORONTO (Reuter): Bre-X Minerals Ltd., Canada's hottest junior mining company, has officially started its hunt for a partner to develop its spectacular Indonesian gold discovery. The Calgary-based company said on Thursday it has hired international investment bank J.P. Morgan and Co. as its financial adviser and Republic National Bank of New York as its corporate adviser.

Implementation of WTO rules on textiles criticized

Implementation of WTO rules on textiles criticized JAKARTA (JP): Developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been disturbed by a virtual backslide by the developed countries in implementing a multilateral agreement on the trade of textiles and clothing. Adrianus Mooy, the executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) -- a United Nations body -- said here yesterday that there was widespread criticism of the way the agreement was being implemented.

Make election day a holiday

Make election day a holiday From Jayakarta Personally, I heartily support the idea of holding the upcoming general election on a holiday, or to declare that day a holiday. As the chairman of the United Development Party, Ismail Hasan Metareum said, the day is a "national day" which deserves to be observed and Indonesians will, on that day, be performing a "national task".

Cilacap residents to be evacuated

Cilacap residents to be evacuated CILACAP, Central Java: At least 400 families in Cilacap regency could be forced to evacuate their homes to make way for the construction of an electricity power plant by PT Bimantara Citra and the state-owned mining company, Pertamina. Rahardjan Sudjani, the head of the local development planning agency, said on Thursday that a mapping team has been working on a proposal for areas to be appropriated for the project.

Military revokes shoot-on-sight order for rioters

Military revokes shoot-on-sight order for rioters JAKARTA (JP): The military revoked its controversial July 30 shoot-on-sight order for rioters yesterday, saying the city had returned to normal. Chief of the Jakarta Military Command Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said the order no longer held because massive riots, like those which rocked the capital on July 27, were unlikely.

Hexindo's profit rises

Hexindo's profit rises JAKARTA (JP): PT Hexindo Adiperkasa, a publicly-listed distributor of heavy equipment, recorded a net profit of Rp 6.3 billion (US$2.6 million) in the first six months of this year, up from Rp 4.8 billion in the same period last year. Hexindo said in a statement yesterday that its net sales had risen 21.8 percent to Rp 105.4 billion for the first six months of this year.

Contentious issues dog run-up to WTO meeting

Contentious issues dog run-up to WTO meeting JAKARTA (JP): The run-up to the inaugural ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), now less than four months away, is still being dogged by contentious non-tariff issues dividing developed and developing countries.

Andreya receives social visit visa

Andreya receives social visit visa SURABAYA: Andreya Masaru Miyakoshi, the four-year-old Japanese boy recently deported for overstaying his visa, returned on Thursday after the Indonesian embassy in Singapore granted him a social visit visa. With the document, Andreya will be able to stay in the country for 60 days. His mother, Atik Kristia Yuliani, an Indonesian, brought him to Bali where she planned to arrange for an extendible limited stay visa.

Govt unconcerned if Washington cancels F-16 deal

Govt unconcerned if Washington cancels F-16 deal JAKARTA (JP): The government said yesterday it was not bothered by the United States' decision to delay selling its F-16 fighters because of Indonesia's allegedly poor human rights record, adding that it could look elsewhere for new aircraft. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono yesterday maintained that Jakarta would have no problem whatsoever if Washington canceled its plan to sell the F-16s to Indonesia.

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.

Iraqi Kurdish forces clash with rivals near Iran

Iraqi Kurdish forces clash with rivals near Iran SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuter): Fighting between Iraqi Kurdish forces in northern Iraq inched closer to the Iranian border, one of the feuding factions said yesterday. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) official Shorsh Jalalal said the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) group struck at PUK positions in five villages around Halabja, 10 kilometers from the Iranian border.

Jakarta promises to be a good host

Jakarta promises to be a good host JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja promised yesterday that the Indonesian capital will try to be a good host for the 14th National Games which open Monday. Surjadi however pleaded to visitors, athletes and supporters, for their understanding if not everything goes according to plan. "Shortcomings are common at events this large," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Opposition to avoid distress at debate

Opposition to avoid distress at debate BANGKOK (AFP): Thai opposition MPs will try not to cause too much distress to the premier's daughter during an upcoming censure debate, for fear that the lady MP might burst into tears, The Nation reported yesterday. Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa faces a grilling from the opposition later this month, during which his daughter Kanchana is also expected to come under scrutiny for her part in a land deal involving the Banharn family and the central bank.

Smuggled garlic to be incinerated

Smuggled garlic to be incinerated PALEMBANG, South Sumatera: Tons of smuggled garlic recently discovered by the Musi Rawas police precinct will soon be incinerated, Police Chief Lt. Col. Agustiono Dechan said. The 10.5 tons of garlic was seized during two police raids on trucks on some major roads in the past two weeks. The first raid, codenamed Elephant, resulted in the confiscation of 2.5 tons of garlic, which allegedly originated from Pekanbaru in Riau province.

Inco offers partnerships

Inco offers partnerships JAKARTA (JP): The publicly-listed nickel mining company PT Inco is offering partnerships worth Rp 500 billion to local companies in South Sulawesi. "But we will select only capable companies to join partnerships through open tenders," Inco's president, Rumengan Musu, said here Thursday.

Serpong police chief still being quizzed

Serpong police chief still being quizzed JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday that the alleged extortion case involving one of his officers, Capt. Unggul Budi Tetuko, is still being investigated. "We're still investigating both the officer and the suspected gambler, who the officer is reported to have extorted money from," Hamami told reporters after witnessing the burning of 108,783 Ecstasy pills at the City Police headquarters here.

American publishers deplore censorship

American publishers deplore censorship JAKARTA (JP): A visiting delegation from the Association of American Publishers yesterday called for an end to censorship in Indonesia and more respect for writers' and journalists' rights to express their views without fear of intimidation. After a week-long stay here, Wendy Wolf, the chair of the Association's International Freedom to Publish Committee, expressed the delegation's concern about restrictions on writers and journalists in Indonesia.

Fourth person charged over Tansil's escape

Fourth person charged over Tansil's escape JAKARTA (JP): A fourth staff of the Cipinang penitentiary was arraigned in the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday in connection with the escape of businessman Eddy Tansil. The prosecution alleged that SM, a prison clerk, accepted Rp 1.1 million (US$480) in bribes for his role in helping the convicted prisoner escape. SM, 47, was charged under Article 419 of the Criminal Code.

Merpati plans to serve more international routes

Merpati plans to serve more international routes JAKARTA (JP): Merpati Nusantara Airlines, a subsidiary of the national flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia, plans to augment its service to overseas destinations and cut down on unprofitable domestic and regional routes. Merpati's director of operations, Prasetyo Wisaksono, said here yesterday that the airline plans to open, later this year, a route linking Jakarta and Hong Kong via Medan in North Sumatra by operating Airbus A-310-300 aircraft.

Atoms takes on PSM today

Atoms takes on PSM today JAKARTA (JP): The Pohang Atoms soccer club, representing South Korea in this season's Asia Champions Cup, arrived in Ujung Pandang yesterday to take on PSM Ujung Pandang today at the Mattoangin stadium. Coach Park Sung-hwa was quoted by Antara as saying that PSM, the leader of the Indonesian League's East Group, "must be a tough opponent". He said he was optimistic that his team would win.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Wajah Negeriku 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 5:00 News: Siaran Berita TVRI 5:30 Creation 6:05 Travel: Bengkulu 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:05 Music: Tunas Vokalia 9:00 World News 9:30 Quiz: Siapa Dia 10:30 Late News 10:40 Film: Corsican Brothers Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Rainy season forecast to start soon

Rainy season forecast to start soon JAKARTA (JP): The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency has forecast the start of this year's rainy season as early as this month for West Java, Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. But another 68 percent of Indonesia will not have rainfall until as late as December, agency chief Sri Diharto told journalists on Thursday.

Two men buried alive

Two men buried alive TANGERANG, West Java (JP): A scraper operator and his assistant were killed instantly when a 12-meter-high mound of dirt collapsed on them in Serpong. Eye witnesses said yesterday Sahrijal Siregar, 50, and Umar, 27, were operating a scraper when the mound of dirt suddenly collapsed and buried them alive on Thursday. "They screamed for help before they disappeared in the heap of soil," one of the local residents said.

Airline ad (2)

Airline ad (2) I was happy to see in The Jakarta Post of Sept. 2 an advertisement for what I thought was a cheap flight package to the United States. Feeling like a holiday and having never been to the United States, I had my secretary contact Eva Air direct, only to be told, sorry it was an advertising mistake. The correct wording should have been a discount of US$150 round-trip, not full fare. I first thought they had some gimmick but this type of error "takes the cake".

Traffic jams on Jl. Tomang Raya

Traffic jams on Jl. Tomang Raya From Neraca The problem of traffic congestion indeed seems difficult to solve, despite all the efforts made by the police. This is certainly true for Jl. Tomang Raya, where to this day, jams are normal daily occurrences. From 6:00 a.m. to 10:OO a.m. and also during certain hours in the evening, motorists have to take a roundabout route to get to this street. Yet jams still occur, although to a lesser degree.

Construction of Jakarta-Serpong toll road starts

Construction of Jakarta-Serpong toll road starts TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Construction of the Rp 250 billion ($106 million) Jakarta-Serpong toll road began yesterday with a ceremony led by Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar in Rawabantu village, Serpong, West Java. The first part of the project, covering 7.2 kilometers and extending from Serpong to Pondok Aren (South Jakarta), will be undertaken by PT Bintaro Serpong Damai, a consortium comprising PT. Bumi Serpong Damai, PT.

Man arrested for sexual molestation

Man arrested for sexual molestation TANGERANG, West Java (JP): An employee of a kindergarten in Karawaci has been arrested for allegedly sexually molesting a six-year-old boy. Local police sources said yesterday that an employee of Melati Kindergarten, identified as Sy, was arrested on Wednesday. Sy was arrested following a report from the parents of Ar, 6, who discovered that something was wrong with their child.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 6, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,700 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 675 0 22,000 Andayani Megah 1,050 -25 83,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 2,400 0 70,500 Anwar Sierad 1,975 100 202,000 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,300 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,975 0 0 Argo Pantes 1,900 0 0 Asahimas Flat 1,350 -25 571,500 Asiana IMI Indusrties...

Rights body told to prove its findings

Rights body told to prove its findings JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto challenged the Commission on Human Rights yesterday to prove its report that up to 74 people were missing after the July 27 riots. "The number of people missing that the commission reported was enormous. The government is very surprised," the President was quoted as saying by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.

Bank issues $90m in notes

Bank issues $90m in notes JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia will launch floating rate notes worth US$90 million on the Luxembourg stock market in Sept. 16. The seven-year notes will be issued by the bank, more popularly called Bank Exim here, through its Cayman Islands branch, according to Reuters.

Bali to host tourism meeting

Bali to host tourism meeting JAKARTA (JP): Parliament members, ministers and governors from 61 countries will meet in Bali from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27 for an international conference on tourism, a minister said yesterday. Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave said after meeting with House Speaker Wahono that the conference is expected to produce a declaration outlining the common stands on world tourism regulations.

Police chief suspends Col. Adang Rismanto

Police chief suspends Col. Adang Rismanto JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo has suspended the once famous Jakarta police officer Col. Adang Rismanto for unexplained reasons. Adang's latest posting was head of the Chemical and Biological Forensic Department of the National Police.

NGOs complain to rights body of harassment

NGOs complain to rights body of harassment JAKARTA (JP): Activists from local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) complained about continued harassment from "government officials" yesterday. Maria Pakpahan, a member of one of the 16 NGOs lodging their complaint with the National Commission on Human Rights, said some of the harassment amounted to violations of civil rights.

Mass vaccination for polio to be held at markets, hotels

Mass vaccination for polio to be held at markets, hotels JAKARTA (JP): Polio vaccination posts are to be set up throughout the capital; in markets and supermarkets, at railway stations and airports and in hotels, to cope with the 950,000 needy infants. The vaccination, which will be provided for free at regular public health centers on Sept. 10 and Oct. 15 and at the city's 9,135 posts is part of a national campaign to eradicate polio.

Puryanti wins Ladies Open

Puryanti wins Ladies Open JAKARTA (JP): Titi Puryanti won the 19th Indonesian Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championships at the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club in Cibinong, West Java, Thursday. Puryanti scored 224, just ahead of the 1993 and 1994 champions, Retno Mustari and Ani Iman, who are both in the national team. Puryanti, the 1992 winner, led from the first day and remained consistent until the final.

Bank client robbed of Rp 20 million

Bank client robbed of Rp 20 million JAKARTA (JP): Two unidentified armed men robbed a bank customer of Rp 20 million (US$8,510) in cash in the parking lot of a leasing company building on Jl. Juanda, Central Jakarta, yesterday. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira said that the bank customer, Andreas Hutagalung, got out of his jeep in the parking lot of PT Gama Multi Finance and saw that the vehicle's rear left tire was flat.

Singapore copper premiums rise again on good demand

Singapore copper premiums rise again on good demand SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore copper premiums were buoyant on good demand this week, underpinned by rising copper cable and wire production in Indonesia and Malaysia and despite weak buying from China, traders said yesterday. Local copper premiums were quoted at between US$100 and $120 a over London Metal Exchange (LME) cash metal compared to about $100 a ton last week.

Mali keen on RI helicopters

Mali keen on RI helicopters JAKARTA (JP): Mali, Africa's second largest cotton producer, wishes to buy helicopters built by the state-owned Nusantara Aircraft Industry (IPTN), a senior government official said yesterday. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that in return, Indonesia will buy cotton from the predominantly Moslem, West African country. "The Mali president strongly desires to buy locally-built helicopters.

'Relocate schools to avoid brawls'

'Relocate schools to avoid brawls' JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata suggested yesterday that the authorities immediately relocate schools that are situated close to each other or near shopping centers to avoid student brawls which usually resulted in destruction. "I've aired this suggestion since 1987 when I was chief of the Central Jakarta Police, but it seems nobody heard me," Hamami told a meeting of executives of transportation firms.