Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 September 1996

44 articles found

KL trade gap worsens

KL trade gap worsens KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The Malaysian penchant for foreign brand-name clothes and expensive imported furniture is adding to the country's balance of payments deficit, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. "We have been afflicted with expensive taste syndrome, buying imported goods for ourselves, decorations for our house," Anwar, who is also finance minister, was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper on Saturday.

Regency demolished nine Puncak villas

Regency demolished nine Puncak villas BOGOR, West Java (JP): The Bogor regency authority demolished Friday nine luxury villas built without permits in the Puncak hill resort, Antara reported. The nine villas, all located in Tugu Selatan village, Cisarua subdistrict, were estimated to be worth Rp 5 billion (US$2.1 million).

KL to stop importing workers

KL to stop importing workers JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta fully respects Malaysia's decision to stop importing workers, including from Indonesia, and hopes that the ruling will only be temporary, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said over the weekend. "Surely Malaysia made the decision based on its domestic conditions. We respect it," Latief said from Kuala Lumpur, where he joined some 13,000 Indonesian workers at a concert featuring Indonesian singers.

Politics and RI foreign policy

Politics and RI foreign policy By Juwono Sudarsono The following article is an excerpt of a paper presented at a conference held by the Indonesian Students Association in Australia in Canberra on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, 1996. CANBERRA: I would like to address the domestic-foreign policy nexus in Indonesia through brief discussions on three general areas: the political role of the Armed Forces, the position of Chinese-Indonesians and Islam in domestic politics and foreign policy.

Earthquake jolts Sulawesi

Earthquake jolts Sulawesi MANADO, North Sulawesi: An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the open-ended Richter scale shook the eastern Indonesian province of North Sulawesi on Friday, sending residents into the streets in panic but causing only minor damage to homes and buildings, Antara reported. The temblor was felt in the provincial capital of Manado and nearby cities in North Sulawesi.

Bekasi water company seeks private investors

Bekasi water company seeks private investors BEKASI, West Java (JP): The Bekasi administration-owned water company, PDAM, is inviting private companies to help multiply its production capacity to 5,000 liters of water per second from the current level of 1,000 liters under a joint-operation scheme. "We need a total investment of Rp 500 billion (US$211.8 million) for the expansion project, which is slated to start in 2000," the firm's chief executive, Dudung T. Ruskandi, said.

Councilor deplores prostitution

Councilor deplores prostitution JAKARTA (JP): A councilor said the administration should act firmly against prostitutes operating outside Kramat Tunggak, the only red-light district recognized by the city administration, with particular reference to those working at the Jatinegara railway station in East Jakarta. Amier Armas said the women, aged between 16 and 40, seemed to be "protected", given that they appeared to freely operate around the station's platform, food stalls and book stores.

Ismail Saleh launches book about his legal career

Ismail Saleh launches book about his legal career JAKARTA (JP): Former attorney general and justice minister Ismail Saleh launched a book on Saturday in commemoration of his 70th birthday. Ismail Saleh's 70th Birthday: From Serious to Light Moments compiles 51 articles about him and his career written by 51 well- known figures in the country. The contributors are Ismail's former superiors, employees, friends, government officials, a former prisoner, his critics, lawyers and journalists.

Riau to fight rabies

Riau to fight rabies PEKANBARU, Riau: Rabies is still prevalent in the province. Only Batam and Riau islands are free from the contagious disease, Governor Soeripto said on Saturday. According to Soeripto, rabies is worst in Pekanbaru, Bengkalis, Kampar, Indragiri Hulu and Indragiri Hilir, Antara reported. "Since Riau is surrounded by provinces infected with rabies such as North Sumatra, Jambi and West Sumatra, our efforts to exterminate the plague must be maximized," he said.

High LSWR stocks delaying liftings

High LSWR stocks delaying liftings SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia's low sulfur waxy residue (LSWR) stocks are rising as regional buyers failed to find outlets, curbing state-owned Pertamina from raising its September allocations, traders said. Traders said the Platinum, a VLCC (very large crude carrier) used by Pertamina as a floating storage, has reached full storage. The vessel is anchored off northern Sumatra coast and south of Singapore. "Barrels have backed up a bit," said a trader.

Hotel development projections off target

Hotel development projections off target JAKARTA (JP): Hotels are being established at a rate far slower than that outlined in the government's Sixth Five Year Development Plan (Repelita VI). The Directorate General of Tourism's recently issued Hotel Directory shows that only 836 new hotels with 19,414 rooms were added during the January 1994 to June 1996 period. Under Repelita VI, the government set a target of 100,000 new hotel rooms between April 1994 and March 1999.

Observer paints gloomy picture of PDI in East Java

Observer paints gloomy picture of PDI in East Java SURABAYA (JP): A senior political observer doubts that the appointment of Dimmy Haryanto as chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) East Java chapter will resolve the party's leadership problems in the province. Ramlan Surbakti of Airlangga University said Saturday that Dimmy is barely known among local PDI activists and he questioned the legality of his appointment. "Dimmy's appointment went against the party's constitution.

Bekasi resident arrested for book piracy

Bekasi resident arrested for book piracy BEKASI, West Java (JP): Police have confiscated a set of printing machines, four trucks of books worth Rp 1 billion (US$422,654) and arrested a person suspected of illegally reprinting books and dictionaries. "The pirated books and dictionaries include those whose copyrights are held by the Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York," Bekasi police chief, Lt. Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo, said Saturday.

Promoting sports

Promoting sports Today, as the 14th National Games (PON) open with the usual pomp at Jakarta's Senayan main stadium, Indonesians should be happy to know that the country's biggest sports festival is expected to be a success financially if all the funds expected are collected.

Vietnam and RI move closer to Tiger Cup semis

Vietnam and RI move closer to Tiger Cup semis SINGAPORE (Reuter): Vietnam and Indonesia effectively sealed berths in the semifinals of the 1996 Tiger Cup with solid wins in their group matches on Saturday. Vietnam thwarted a threatened Myanmarese counterattack to win 4-1 while Indonesia beat Cambodia in fairly unsatisfactory style 3-0. Vietnam top group A with seven points from three games, with Indonesia, with two wins and a match in hand, lying second with six point.

Merger with Malaysia not on my agenda: S'pore PM

Merger with Malaysia not on my agenda: S'pore PM SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong reaffirmed yesterday that a merger with Malaysia was not on his political agenda, after the prospect of reunification stirred an emotional debate in both countries. "Malaysia and Singapore are two different countries, two different societies, and want to remain so," Goh said at a teachers' day rally, adding that both were successful economies with a bright future.

Bimantara boss joins US$1.5b MRT project

Bimantara boss joins US$1.5b MRT project JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Bimantara business group Bambang Trihatmodjo, the second son of President Soeharto, is to be one of several investors in the Mass Rapid Transit project. Irsan Rifai, who heads the secretariat of the project's joint working group, said Friday that Bambang had joined forces with another businessman, Bambang Yoga Soegama.

WTO seeks resumption of talks on services

WTO seeks resumption of talks on services JAKARTA (JP): The inaugural ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Singapore in December is expected to pave the way for earlier resumption of negotiations on financial services, basic telecommunications and maritime transports.

Moslem leaders against condoms in AIDS campaign

Moslem leaders against condoms in AIDS campaign JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders remain steadfast in their rejection of the promotion of condoms in the anti-AIDS campaign because endorsing the latex would amount to condoning promiscuity. They said on Saturday that they would endorse the use of condoms only as a contraceptive to be used by husbands and wives.

RI to buy sub from Germany

RI to buy sub from Germany JAKARTA (JP): Rear Admiral Arief Kushariadi announced yesterday that the Indonesia Navy is planning to buy another submarine from Germany. "God willing, we will get another submarine from Germany next year," the Antara news agency quoted Arief as saying on the Cakra-401 submarine in the Java sea. He said the submarine was expected to be the same as the Cakra and Nanggala, two submarines used by the Navy that were also built by Germany.

Pilgrimage demand set to double

Pilgrimage demand set to double MEDAN, North Sumatra: Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said here Saturday that 700,000 Moslems are expected to register for the haj pilgrimage next year, doubling the number of pilgrims in 1993. Antara reported the minister as saying after a meeting with local Moslem students that despite the increase, Indonesia will still only be able to send 195,000, which is the quota allotted by Saudi Arabia.

Bapepam blocks Intisetia's bid

Bapepam blocks Intisetia's bid JAKARTA (JP): The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) has formally opposed PT Intisetia Tritunggal's bid to take over a majority stake of publicly-listed PT Telagamas Pertiwi. The capital market watchdog did not explain the reason of its objection, which was stipulated in its letter No. S-1408/PM/1996 issued last week. Analysts, however, believed that the objection was made due to the bad records of Intisetia shareholders in their previous takeover moves.

DNA, blood test findings link suspect to victim

DNA, blood test findings link suspect to victim JAKARTA (JP): DNA tests done on sperm found in the body of a murdered child and tissue samples from Siswanto, alias Robot, match, an expert at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital said on Saturday. Robot, an alleged pedophile, is suspected in the killings of 10 boys.

KL brokers to enter RI

KL brokers to enter RI JAKARTA (JP): Nine brokerage companies from Malaysia are seeking approval from the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) to enter the Indonesian capital market. Agus Muhammad, the head of Bapepam's transaction department, said that the capital market watchdog is still processing licenses for the nine Malaysian brokerage firms. He said that the nine companies of the neighboring country are T.A.

Irianese help hunt kidnappers

Irianese help hunt kidnappers MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Ekari, an indigenous tribe of the Fakfak regency is helping the military to rescue three employees of PT Kamundan Raya who have been held hostage since Aug.14. Col. Frans Willem de Wanna, leader of the rescue division, told Antara on Saturday that he very much appreciated the Ekari tribe's help. The Armed Forces freed nine hostages last week. The rebel group originally held 16 hostages captive.

National Games flame arrives in Jakarta

National Games flame arrives in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The National Games flame was carried into Jakarta yesterday after being handed over earlier in front of the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. The flame, which is taken from a natural gas source in Mrapen, Grobogan, Central Java, was handed over by West Java Deputy Governor HMA Sampurna to Jakarta's Deputy Governor for People's Welfare RS Museno in Depok. It reached South Jakarta at 10:45 a.m.

Siswono calls for fair treatment of PRD members

Siswono calls for fair treatment of PRD members JAKARTA (JP): Former youth activist Siswono Yudohusodo said over the weekend that the detained members of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) should be treated fairly and that the "radical youths" be given the opportunity to reform. Siswono, also the minister of transmigration and resettlement of forest squatters, made the call during a political discussion held by the National Committee of Indonesian Youth.

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.

Iriantine achieves her dreams in exhibition

Iriantine achieves her dreams in exhibition By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): A mere three years after her re-emergence as a sculptor, Iriantine Karnaya is presenting her work in a solo exhibition. Having entered the world of sculpture in 1969, the year 1996 is especially auspicious for her. The numbers 69-96 are the subtitle of the exhibition. Iriantine graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 1975.

Government closes down Galang boatpeople camp

Government closes down Galang boatpeople camp By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat GALANG ISLAND, Riau (JP): The island of Galang began a new chapter yesterday as officials formally closed the Indo-Chinese camp for boatpeople that has hosted nearly 250,000 asylum-seekers over the past two decades.

Citatah targets $42 million in sales this year

Citatah targets $42 million in sales this year JAKARTA (JP): PT Citatah, the country's largest marble producer, listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange, is targeting to increase its total sales by 177.1 percent to Rp 97 billion ($42 million) this year.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:35 p.m. Opening Ceremony of the 14th National Sports Games (PON) from the National Sports Stadium (live) 5:40 Regional News 6:05 Nusantara My Beloved Country DKI Jakarta 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Education: Open University 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 PON Journal 10:30 Late News 10:40 Music Program Program 2 4:30 p.m.

The failings of computer classes in local schools

The failings of computer classes in local schools By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Each time I look back on when I was still an elementary school pupil, I cannot help being amazed at how much our school system has changed. Most striking is perhaps the change in the main mission. Our schools seem to have shifted from being a social institution that provides education for the masses to being money-making centers through which individuals can become rich quickly.

Post-graduates uninterested in civil service

Post-graduates uninterested in civil service JAKARTA (JP): Few post-graduates are interested in pursuing careers as teachers or civil servants, rector of the University of Indonesia M.K. Tadjudin said on Saturday. Tadjudin said that post-graduates with a master's or doctoral degree are not interested in government jobs because their initial salaries are generally the same as an undergraduate's.

Quiet trading likely on JSX this week

Quiet trading likely on JSX this week JAKARTA (JP): Share trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to be quiet again this week on speculations of a possible hike in the U.S. interest rate and lack of fresh news on the domestic side. The tension between the United States and Iraq could become another reason to further emphasize the market's wait-and-see attitude, analysts said. Some analysts contacted by The Jakarta Post viewed that fears on the possible hike in U.S.

Report on Rp 2m fee for ID card not true

Report on Rp 2m fee for ID card not true JAKARTA (JP): Officials and a journalist acknowledged over the weekend that recent reports on ID card processing fees, which were said to range from Rp 500,000 (US$211.59) to Rp 2 million, were false. Officials did not deny, however, that people were paying up to Rp 150,000 to service bureaus which promised to take care of their documents at the subdistrict offices.

Congestion near Pasar Rebo

Congestion near Pasar Rebo From Merdeka I left my home in Depok at 7.30 a.m. the other day and had to endure a traffic snarl at Pasar Rebo that began at Gang Suci, Cijantung, in East Jakarta. For long excruciating minutes, vehicles had to wait before the traffic moved up to the Pasar Rebo traffic light as the green light allows passage to only a few vehicles. The road has not been this jammed before, even when the artery road was being constructed.

Land agency's clarification

Land agency's clarification State Minister of Agrarian Affairs/Chairman of the National Land Agency Soni Harsono has instructed us to make a correction on the report in the front page of The Jakarta Post of Aug. 29, 1996 under the heading: Beware of politicized land feuds. The report stated that the minister said he received the list of NGOs, which claimed to represent the people in land disputes, from the World Bank.

Indovision calendar

Indovision calendar As a long-time subscriber of the Indovision-Turner package, I certainly appreciate their welcome contribution to the otherwise dull program selection available, although the pricing is probably the most expensive in the world. Included in the price was supposed to be a monthly program calendar, distributed in good time for each and every new calendar month. Out of that came nothing else than a vision. It has not happened once that we have received the calendar in time.

Athletic row raises curtain on 14th PON

Athletic row raises curtain on 14th PON JAKARTA (JP): The unsettled fate of Central Java women's marathon runner Ruwiyati made for an unpleasant prelude to the 14th National Games (PON) which open today. Ruwiyati's coach, Alwi Mugiyanto, said yesterday that his 18- year-old protege would decline national duty at the Southeast Asian Games next year if she is barred from participating in the PON's marathon competition.

KL's opposition leader says he is no threat

KL's opposition leader says he is no threat KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian opposition leader Razaleigh Hamzah dismissed claims he would represent a threat to the leadership of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) when he joins the party, a news report said yesterday. Razaleigh, an arch-foe of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, described himself as a "gurkha" and said he and 200,000 other supporters of his soon-to-be disbanded party were joining UMNO as ordinary members.

Supermarket wanted

Supermarket wanted From Pelita People living in Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta, seem to be needing a supermarket. There is no market of any kind in that neighborhood, no traditional market nor supermarket. So far, the community in that part of the capital, has to go to Pasar Kramat Jati, Pondok Gede and Cijantung, to do their household shopping.

Indonesian soccer clubs clinch their first victories

Indonesian soccer clubs clinch their first victories JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's representatives got off to a winning start on Saturday during the first rounds of the Asian Champions Cup and Cup Winners Cup. Brazilian Jacksen Tiago scored the winner in the 34th minute in PSM Ujungpandang's 1-0 home leg victory over South Korean champion Pohang Atoms at Mattoangin Stadium.

Toll road closed for bike race

Toll road closed for bike race JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned highway corporation, PT Jasa Marga, called on drivers to be alert when using the toll road today, due to the National Games cycling contest. Ashar Rivai, the company spokesman, announced on Saturday that the Open Road Race will be held on the Semanggi-Cawang-Krawang- Cikampek toll road from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Monday. "The segments will be closed and opened according to the competition schedule," he said.