Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 January 1997

61 articles found

Ban all firecrackers

Ban all firecrackersFrom Media IndonesiaThe Bogor branch of the Indonesian Association of the Handicapped is a public organization that provides skills and training for the handicapped. It also monitors public events and problems.

S'pore politician faces injunction and tax check

S'pore politician faces injunction and tax check SINGAPORE (Reuter): Counsel for an opposition politician said yesterday they were considering how to deal with a court injunction that could force him and his wife to set aside up to $11.2 million (US$7.94 million).

Traders angered at firefighters' slow response

Traders angered at firefighters' slow response JAKARTA (JP): Traders at the fire-ravaged Pasar Baru shopping center aired their grievances yesterday over the slowness of firefighters putting out Monday's fire, saying it allowed the fire to get even bigger.

PT Arthayasa secures $232.7 million in loans

PT Arthayasa secures $232.7 million in loans JAKARTA (JP): PT Arthayasa Grahatama, a subsidiary of PT Danayasa Arthatama, secured yesterday US$232.7 million in syndicated loans to finance the development of its new property project.

It's not easy to curb gambling: Criminologist

It's not easy to curb gambling: Criminologist JAKARTA (JP): A criminologist says that recent crackdowns on illicit gambling dens would not deter gamblers.The University of Indonesia's Adrianus Meliala said yesterday raids on gambling dens were usually the result of a temporary agreement to test the...

Teijin raises textile output

Teijin raises textile output TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Teijin Ltd. plans to boost polyester product output at its plants in Thailand and Indonesia with an investment of 23.5 billion yen (US$196 million), a company official said Tuesday.

Students testify at senior's trial

Students testify at senior's trial JAKARTA (JP): Two Taruma Negara University students told the West Jakarta District Court Monday they could not recall a fellow student being beaten or kicked during a rigorous training program to join the university's Student Regiment in 1995.

West slammed over human rights double standards

West slammed over human rights double standards JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas lashed out yesterday at the West's "double standards" in relation to its condemnation of human rights cases in Indonesia.

Cycling association declines brothers' offer

Cycling association declines brothers' offer JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cycling Association said yesterday it would not need athletes who are unwilling to fight for the 19th SEA Games, to be held here in October, because they would be a bad influence on other athletes.

City Councilors to get 55 percent salary hike

City Councilors to get 55 percent salary hike JAKARTA (JP): The City Council speaker called on councilors to improve their performances in airing the public's aspirations in light of them getting pay rises averaging 55 percent.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Music * Hotel Aryaduta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: * Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Los Morenitos Vocal Group, Monday, Thursday, Sunday, 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Los Paraguas Vocal Group, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Taman Ria Senayan

Taman Ria Senayan In response to an article published on Jan. 23, 1997 concerning the development of Taman Ria Senayan, we would like to make some clarifications.PT Ariobimo Laguna Perkasa (PT ALP), a subsidiary of PT Ariobimo Perkasa which is solely owned by Syarif C.

Placer Dome sends proposal to President

Placer Dome sends proposal to President JAKARTA (JP): Canadian mining giant Placer Dome Inc. confirmed yesterday it had sent a letter to President Soeharto offering the Indonesian government and future local partners up to 40 percent of the stakes in Busang gold mine in East Kalimantan.

Minister criticizes 'nepotism' in politics

Minister criticizes 'nepotism' in politics JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat criticized yesterday the nepotistic tendencies behind the selection of candidates for the general election in May.

10,000 troops for Idul Fitri

10,000 troops for Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata inaugurated a special security team yesterday to safeguard the city during the Idul Fitri holidays.The team, which is in charge of a special operation called Operasi Ketupat, has 13,592 Armed Forces members,...

The price of arrogance

The price of arrogance The bloody incidents at the end of 1996 and those in previous years which carried overtones of human rights violations fill us with deep concern.What drove these people to such heartless and senseless actions to find a solution to their problems?Manifested in the riots was...

Subway project

Subway project I read in the newspapers recently that the Jakarta City Administration will soon build a subway system from Kebayoran in south Jakarta to Kota in the north. At the same time, a private company has agreed to build a triple decker system to service a similar route.

RI won't change stand at WTO's telecom talks

RI won't change stand at WTO's telecom talks JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will not change its stand in the final round of the telecommunications negotiating group of the World Trade Organization (WTO), scheduled to be begin in Geneva on Friday, a senior official has said.

Posco ties up with Korindo to make tinplate

Posco ties up with Korindo to make tinplate JAKARTA (JP): Korea's Pohang Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. (Posco) and domestic firm Korindo group have signed an agreement to form a joint venture, PT Posko Tin Indonesia, to build a tinplate mill in West Java, Korindo announced yesterday.

Bintang's travel ban lawsuit rejected

Bintang's travel ban lawsuit rejected JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Administrative Court ruled yesterday that an overseas travel ban imposed on sacked legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas was legal.A panel of judges led by Soedarto Radyo Soewarno concluded yesterday the Attorney General Singgih had done...

Legislator warns of election fund abuses

Legislator warns of election fund abuses JAKARTA (JP): A legislator warned the government yesterday not to use general election funds for buying sprees, citing previous evidence of financial abuse.Member of the House of Representatives' state budget commission Soelaiman Biyahimo called for tighter...

RI, Myanmar firms to build cement plant in Myanmar

RI, Myanmar firms to build cement plant in Myanmar JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cement producer PT Semen Cibinong and the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. are teaming up to build and operate a US$210 million cement plant in Myanmar.

Indonesia incorporated?

Indonesia incorporated? Malaysia and Singapore are two ASEAN countries which have earned the praise of many foreign observers for having a clear vision about their position in the coming century.Malaysia has its "Vision 2020" concept which avows that the country will rank among the industrialized...

Five killed in tribal clashes over woman in Irian Jaya

Five killed in tribal clashes over woman in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): At least five people have been killed and two dozen injured in clashes over a woman between two tribal groups in Tembagapura, Irian Jaya, reports said yesterday.

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: FastJP/byiFAST BREAKING: City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso (right) and wife (left) welcome Army Chief Gen. Hartono (second from right) and his wife (second from left) at a breaking of the fast gathering with university rectors, religious leaders and some youth groups at...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 28, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,150 25 953,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,375 -25 1,207,000...

Mayor determined to clean up Tanah Abang mess

Mayor determined to clean up Tanah Abang mess JAKARTA (JP): Undeterred by Monday's riot at Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi warned yesterday that his officers would continue to remove vendors who spilled on to the streets around the huge market complex.

Learning from Tanah Abang

Learning from Tanah Abang The riot which broke out near the Tanah Abang market in Jakarta on Monday is yet another reminder of how easy it is for festering discontent among groups of people living on the fringes of society to erupt into violence.

Asylum for gay Algerian

Asylum for gay Algerian PARIS (Reuter): A gay Algerian has become the first person to win political asylum in France on grounds his life was in danger because of his sexual orientation, a homosexual rights group said yesterday.

China and U.S. open textile negotiations

China and U.S. open textile negotiations BEIJING (AFP): Chinese and U.S negotiators opened crucial textile talks here yesterday which look to go to the wire with a Chinese deadline for sanctions on U.S. imports due to take effect Friday.

Sumitomo causes LME to break tradition

Sumitomo causes LME to break tradition LONDON (Reuter): The London Metal Exchange, the hub of world industrial metals trading, broke a 118-year-old tradition on Monday when it appointed a staff member to set the official benchmark prices on the trading floor.

'No major upheavals before election'

'No major upheavals before election' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat acknowledged the public's growing codeern over democratization and the national leadership succession, but predicted no major upheavals in the next four months would disturb preparations for May's...

Five nightspots closed down

Five nightspots closed down JAKARTA (JP): The city public order office has temporarily closed four nightspots and an amusement center, and warned four others for violating Ramadhan opening hours."The nightspots will be closed down for at least a week starting Monday," said Toha Reno, head of the...

Finance ministers meet

Finance ministers meet BANGKOK (Reuter): Finance ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold their first official meeting next March in the Thai resort of Phuket, Thailand's Finance Ministry said yesterday.

Yogya sultan urges dialog

Yogya sultan urges dialog YOGYAKARTA: Sultan Hamengkubuwono X suggested yesterday that officials open their door to students wishing to discuss various issues of public concern.The sultan said he believed this would minimize student demonstrations against policies they considered detrimental to the...

Cahaya sees rising profits

Cahaya sees rising profits JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Cahaya Kalbar, the country's largest producer of specialty fats, booked a Rp 17 billion (US$7.33 million) net profit last year and expects to see this rise more than 44 percent to Rp 24.5 billion this year.

Surveyor's future hangs in the balance

Surveyor's future hangs in the balance JAKARTA (JP): The government has not yet decided what state- owned PT Surveyor Indonesia will do after its contract to inspect imports at points of loading ends in March, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo said yesterday.

Dili rioters go on trial

Dili rioters go on trial DILI, East Timor: The police have submitted dossiers on 16 people accused of inciting the Dec. 24 riot in which a member of the Armed Forces was killed.East Timor police chief Col. Yusuf Muharam said yesterday the authorities had not yet apprehended another five suspects.

Dark clouds hang over Ulsan

Dark clouds hang over UlsanBy Andrew Browne ULSAN, South Korea (Reuter): In his grand vision for Ulsan, general-turned-president Park Chung-hee spoke dreamily of a polluted city, of "black smoke belching into the sky to end South Korea's famine".

Rain storms hit Bali

Rain storms hit Bali DENPASAR: An eight hour rainstorm swept through Bali's western district of Jembrana on Monday, severely damaging scores of houses and uprooting countless trees.Ida Bagus Prayoga, spokesman for the Jembrana administration, said no injuries had been reported but that material...

Singapore plans marketing drive to lure tourists

Singapore plans marketing drive to lure tourists SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore plans a marketing assault to lure foreign tourists after welcoming a record 7.29 million visitors last year, a 2.2-percent increase over 1995, officials said yesterday.

RI expects victory at Far East bridge event

RI expects victory at Far East bridge event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Contract Bridge Association expects its players to win the Far East Bridge Championship in Hong Kong in May, which is a qualifying round for this year's Bermuda Bowl.

Hotel Gran Aquila

Hotel Gran Aquila I refer to your article dated Jan. 18, 1997 titled Hyatt expands to Bandung, in which Hotel Gran Aquila was classified as a four star hotel. This information is incorrect.The Hotel Gran Aquila due for a soft opening at the end of this month is classified as a five star hotel.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Fun House 3:05 Teenagers' Program: Gita Wicara 3:30 TV Series: Just The Ten of Us 4:00 News: Lintasan Berita 4:05 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 4:30 Documentary Film 4:55 Filler and Trailer 5:00 Evening News 5:25 Travel: My Country 5:30 Indonesian...

Prosecutor calls for Robot's trial

Prosecutor calls for Robot's trial JAKARTA (JP): A state prosecutor urged the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to continue to try Robot, the man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering 6 young boys.

Sierad opens new outlet

Sierad opens new outlet JAKARTA (JP): PT Sierad Produce, the subsidiary of the publicly-listed PT Anwar Sierad, had expanded its fast food business to Shanghai, China, by opening a 480-seat restaurant, the company announced.

Sony invests in Malaysia

Sony invests in Malaysia TOKYO (UPI): Sony Corp. has started making MiniDisc players in Malaysia for export to Europe and the United States, says a company spokewoman."We started production on a trial basis at the end of 1995, and began turning out 10,000 units a month for export at the end of last...

State-owned hotels ready for privatization

State-owned hotels ready for privatization JAKARTA (JP): Seven hotels owned and managed by the state- owned hotel operator PT Hotel Indonesia International Corporation and Natour are ready to be refurbished and extended with the help of private investors.

Fire hits gold mining office

Fire hits gold mining office SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Police are still investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed the office of a mining factory in Busang, Kutai, PT Westralian Atan Mineral, on Jan. 23.East Kalimantan police chief Brig. Gen.

Productivity to low: Minister

Productivity to low: Minister JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo blamed yesterday the non-oil and gas export slowdown in recent years on the low productivity of Indonesian workers, which had not risen to match the rapid rise in government-mandated minimum wages.

Incentives for teachers

Incentives for teachers PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: For the 1997/1998 fiscal year, the Central Kalimantan administration is providing funds totaling Rp 750 million (US$312,500) as incentives for teachers serving in the province's remote areas.

Megawati faces fresh police questioning

Megawati faces fresh police questioning JAKARTA (JP): Ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri is facing a fresh round of police questioning for holding a "political meeting" without an official permit at her residence on Jan. 10.

KIPP to continue monitoring election stages

KIPP to continue monitoring election stages JAKARTA (JP): The Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP), which shot to prominence shortly after its birth last year and has since been long silent, says it has found violations in some of the preparatory stages of the May general election.

New legislators unlikely to bring change

New legislators unlikely to bring change Controversy over alleged nepotism in the provisional list of legislature candidates fielding more than 2,000 candidates issued by the General Election Institute on Jan. 20 continues unabated. Political scientist Arbi Sanit reflects on the issue.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for JakartaWednesdayMaghrib 6:19 p.m.ThursdayImsak 4:24 a.m.Subuh 4:34 a.m.

Slain journalist's widow refuses examination

Slain journalist's widow refuses examination YOGYAKARTA (JP): Marsiyem, the wife of slain journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, answered a police summons yesterday but refused to undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether she could withstand further questioning.

Tourism board denies report on financial problems

Tourism board denies report on financial problems JAKARTA (JP): The Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), a private agency promoting the country's tourist industry, has denied it has financial problems.Tanri Abeng, the board's chairman, said Monday the board's finances were not too bad because its assets...

Customs and Excise entrusted to check all imported goods

Customs and Excise entrusted to check all imported goods JAKARTA (JP): A new finance minister decree on customs clearance of imports empowers the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to inspect all imported goods at customs or designated temporary storage areas.But decree No. 25/KMK.

New tax on motor vehicles

New tax on motor vehicles The government has submitted a draft bill on regional taxes and fees to the House of Representatives.An additional tax is being proposed for motor vehicle fuel. The amount is 5 percent of the sale price of fuel (gasoline and diesel).

Unity and integrity

Unity and integrityFrom MerdekaOf late, we have witnessed a range of destructive incidents such as vandalism, robberies and burning buildings including places of worships i.e a mosque in Dili, and churches in Situbondo and Tasikmalaya.

Ministry of Health to get $1.3b

Ministry of Health to get $1.3b JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Sujudi sought ideas from the House of Representatives yesterday on his ministry's allocation of Rp 3.1 trillion (US$1.3 billion) for the 1997/1998 fiscal year.