Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 October 1997

55 articles found

Where to go in Jakarta: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997

Where to go in Jakarta: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997 Exhibitions * Ceramics Exhibition, Golekan at Bentara Budaya, Jl. Palmerah Selatan No. 17, Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Oct. 31. * Painting and Ceramics Exhibition: Manusia dan Alam Pikirannya, works of Firman, Tisna Sanjaya, Agus Suwage and Suyatna, at the Lontar Gallery. Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H East Jakarta, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 28. * Painting Exhibition: From Mooi Indie to Persagi, at Museum Seni Rupa Jakarta, Jl.

Southeast Asian palm oil prices seen as uncertain

Southeast Asian palm oil prices seen as uncertain KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Southeast Asian palm oil prices are seen heading into an uncertain week, with the trend in Malaysia and Singapore to be dominated by the direction of their currencies, traders said. "We're just looking at the ringgit. That's all you have to look at in palm at the moment," a Singapore dealer for a U.S. commodity house said. "It's all been ringgit-based." "KLCE-wise, it's all currency-based," he said.

Travel agencies losing money

Travel agencies losing money PADANG, West Sumatra: Travel bureaus in West Sumatra are loosing millions of rupiah as a result of cancelled tours due to the haze from the currently extensive brush and forest fires. "Each of the province's 29 travel bureaus has suffered losses averaging Rp 1 million (US$295) to Rp 8 million ($2,350)," head of West Sumatra's chapter of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies, Fauzi Tamin, told Antara here on Sunday.

Seminar on gas technology

Seminar on gas technology JAKARTA (JP): State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina and Japan's Osaka Gas of International Cultural Exchange will sponsor a seminar here tomorrow to promote the use of environmentally- friendly gas technology. The chairman of the seminar's organizing committee, Bambang Sugiarto, said yesterday Blue Sky Seminar '97 would feature speakers from the University of Indonesia, the Bandung Institute of Technology and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture.

Wiranto elected chairman of team to elect president

Wiranto elected chairman of team to elect president JAKARTA (JP): Gen. Wiranto was elected yesterday as the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) ad hoc committee in charge of electing a president and vice president next March for the 1998-2003 term. The Assembly also elected Gen. (ret) R. Hartono as the chairman of another ad hoc committee which will be in charge of drafting state policies that will be deliberated and endorsed in the body's session in March.

Environmentalists say caution needed in Lampung reclamation

Environmentalists say caution needed in Lampung reclamation By Dede A. Rizki BANDARLAMPUNG, South Sumatra (Antara): The area around Teluk Lampung strait is crowded with trucks, sand-and-brick carriers and other heavy machinery used for a huge reclamation project. Whether for the building of hotels, motorboat wharfs, warehouses or luxury resorts near the shore, the Teluk Lampung area is a constructor's delight, with environment appearing to be the least of considerations.

RI handles haze health problems

RI handles haze health problems JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Pulmonologists Association have started measures to deal with health problems affecting some 240,000 people in haze-blanketed regions, an official said. Minister of Health Sujudi pointed out yesterday the government has realized the magnitude of health problems caused by months of foul air and haze in twelve provinces affected by widespread forest fires, and has taken steps accordingly.

Man faces jail term for ruining painting

Man faces jail term for ruining painting JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor demanded that a local choreographer be sentenced to six months in prison for damaging a painting by the late Hendra Gunawan. Prosecutor Lukimanto told the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday that Sri Sugeng Edhi Kwartanto, 41, also known as Teted Sri WD, had admitted to damaging the painting.

Electing legislators

Electing legislators From Merdeka It goes without saying that all members of society have placed their hopes on the newly elected legislators and members of the People's Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR) who were installed on Oct. 1, 1997. I believe that these new people's representatives will be able to improve the negative image of their predecessors who were known to be sterile, and incapable of comprehensively solving problems that arose in society.

Malaysia pledges $1b in aid for Indonesia

Malaysia pledges $1b in aid for Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia pledged US$1 billion in assistance to Indonesia yesterday to supplement the currently negotiated financial package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore confidence in the Indonesian economy.

Thai finance chief vows to curb economic slide

Thai finance chief vows to curb economic slide BANGKOK (Reuters): New Finance Minister Kosit Panpiemras said yesterday he would try to stop Thailand's economic crisis from worsening by maintaining strict fiscal discipline in the short time he expects to be in office.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 27, 1997: ------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 900 0 31,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 675 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 575 -50 42,000 Alumindo Perkasa 400 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 625 0 82,500 Anwar Sierad 750 0 781,500 Apac Centertex Corp.

Soeharto warns of uncontrollable urbanization

Soeharto warns of uncontrollable urbanization JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday of the danger of uncontrolled urbanization because most big cities are not prepared to accommodate a speedy population growth. Unless major anticipatory preparations are taken, densely- populated cities will not be able to provide a sufficiently healthy environment or quality public services, Soeharto said.

Some facts of life

Some facts of life Mr. Bill Starr calls me "offensive" and "presumptuous" ("Your Letters," On concept of guilt, Oct. 25) in daring to suggest that the concepts of selfishness and guilt are not high on the philosophical agenda in Indonesia. Apparently I have a lot to learn, particularly from his example of "family values," of which he proposes, Western societies might learn something from Indonesia. To what "family values" is he referring?

Australian PM arrives for talks

Australian PM arrives for talks JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard will arrive here this afternoon for a two-day visit on his way home from the Commonwealth summit in Edinburgh, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday. Howard will meet President Soeharto tomorrow to discuss bilateral and regional issues such as the ongoing Southeast Asian currency crisis.

Awaited rain brings tragedy to C. Java

Awaited rain brings tragedy to C. Java SEMARANG, Central Java: Long-awaited rainfall in Central Java brought sudden calamity as dozens of homes were destroyed by the rain and strong winds. The spokesman of the Grobogan regency, Tjipto Santoso, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that heavy rain Sunday evening had destroyed 20 homes, damaged at least 250 and resulted in the death of dozens of goats killed underneath the debris.

200 minivan drivers go on strike in Bogor

200 minivan drivers go on strike in Bogor BOGOR (JP): About 200 drivers of No. 07A minivans, which serve the Pasar Anyar-Salabenda route, went on strike yesterday to protest a five-kilometer overlap with No. 32 minivans -- which ply the Cibinong-Taman Pagelaran route. The drivers gathered in front of Yogya Department Store on Jl.

PLN expected to lose at least $421m next year

PLN expected to lose at least $421m next year JAKARTA (JP): State-owned electricity company PT PLN projected yesterday that it could lose at least Rp 1.5 trillion (US$421.3 million) next year due to the rupiah's depreciation against the U.S. dollar. PLN president Djiteng Marsudi said on the sideline of the national electricity day celebration at PLN's headquarters that the company was burdened by the depreciation as it had to pay most of its debt in U.S. dollars, while earnings were in rupiah.

Vice crackdown catches 62

Vice crackdown catches 62 JAKARTA (JP): The city public order officer rounded up 62 prostitutes and transvestites operating in several locations on the weekend. Thirty-five women and 27 transvestites were caught in the National Monument (Monas) square park, Central Jakarta, and Pulomas and Jatinegara, both in East Jakarta. The crackdown was held from 9 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Jababeka builds new industrial park

Jababeka builds new industrial park CIKARANG, West Java (JP): PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka, in cooperation with three Singaporean industrial developers, started development yesterday of an industrial park here despite concerns of an uncompleted Environmental Impact Analysis. The head of the coordinating team for industrial estates at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Kasru Susilo, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the 240-hectare Techpark Cikarang.

Fiber optic companies urge government to lower tariffs

Fiber optic companies urge government to lower tariffs JAKARTA (JP): The country's fiber optic manufacturers have been complaining about the high import duty on raw materials, urging the government to set lower tariffs to accelerate the industry's progress.

Evidence shows unilateral sanctions a no-win crusade

Evidence shows unilateral sanctions a no-win crusade By Arif Havas Ugroseno JAKARTA (JP): Are sanctions becoming an increasingly important foreign policy tool for enforcing international norms and standards of behavior? Yes, according to Stuart Eizenstat, U.S. Undersecretary for International Trade, who cited U.S. sanctions against South Africa, Iraq, Libya and Serbia (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 4). But he is wrong on at least one count. Many U.S.

Own up to ethnic problem

Own up to ethnic problem Today, the Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) is scheduled to hold a seminar to address a problem that should have been discussed a long time ago: Precarious ethnic relations, more specifically the relations between the dominant pribumi (indigenous ethnic groups) and the descendants of ethnic Chinese, the largest minority ethnic group in Indonesia. The issue has always been considered too politically sensitive to be discussed openly.

To the tower top with PLN

To the tower top with PLN JAKARTA (JP): Global System for Mobile Phones (GSM) provider PT Excelcomindo Pratama has sent 200 personnel to tower climbing training at state-owned electricity company PLN. Company director, T. Indarto Suryo, said here yesterday his company, which operates the GSM-XL service, was committed to improving its services by keeping its base transceiver station towers in good condition. He said there were about 300 GSM-XL towers, with an average height of about 50 meters.

Councilors want end to Tanah Abang thuggery

Councilors want end to Tanah Abang thuggery JAKARTA (JP): City councilors urged the municipality yesterday to crack down on the Tanah Abang hoodlums who have for decades controlled the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. Djafar Badjeber, the head of Commission B for economic affairs, said yesterday that the existence of hoodlums could no longer be tolerated. "Hoodlums must be wiped out as their activities have gone too far," he said.

What does IMF have in store for RI?

What does IMF have in store for RI? Any day now, the International Monetary Fund is expected to announce its reform package for Indonesia following negotiations with Indonesian government officials. In the following discourse. economist Kwik Kian Gie talks about what to expect from the IMF. Question: The IMF will likely leave the national car project alone. What have you heard?

Southeast Asian currencies fragile as despair

Southeast Asian currencies fragile as despair SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asian currencies kept their heads bowed yesterday as North Asia's nervous markets hogged center stage and the previously sanguine Australian dollar looked set to join the fray.

Widespread flooding is imminent, official warns

Widespread flooding is imminent, official warns JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans should prepare for more severe flooding during this year's wet season as preliminary data has revealed a jump in the number of flood-prone areas, from 82 last year to a predicted 100, an official said yesterday.

Putra Surya rated AAA

Putra Surya rated AAA HONG KONG (Reuters): Standard & Poor's said yesterday it had assigned its AAA rating to Indonesian Motor Vehicle Funding 1997- 1 Ltd.'s US$177.6 million guaranteed asset-backed floating-rate notes due 2001. This is the first securitisation of motorcycle and light commercial vehicle loans by Indonesian finance company PT Putra Surya Multidana (PSM).

Rubin rules out Mexican-style bailout for Asia

Rubin rules out Mexican-style bailout for Asia WASHINGTON (Reuters): Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin on Sunday ruled out a U.S.-led Mexican-style bailout for the shaken economies of Southeast Asia. Rubin said the United States is working with Asian governments, especially Indonesia, as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other governments to craft a package to ease the financial crisis gripping the region.

Insolvent banks 'should not be liquidated now'

Insolvent banks 'should not be liquidated now' JAKARTA (JP): Forcing problematic banks to liquidate in the midst of the ongoing monetary crisis would further deteriorate confidence in the country's monetary sector and could spark a run on banks, the Econit Advisory Group says.

Sea collision off Singapore

Sea collision off Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): A Singaporean fishing boat sank after colliding with a Vietnamese-registered container ship off here, the Singaporean Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said yesterday. The 8,384-ton Me Linh, bound for Ho Chi Minh City, and the Singaporean boat collided late Saturday when visibility was about four kilometers, the MPA said. No one was injured in the container vessel which was undamaged.

KL to expand defense industry

KL to expand defense industry KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar called yesterday for further efforts to expand Malaysia's defense industry to make it more self-sufficient. Syed Hamid said the sector was still developing and existing industries had not made much progress in terms of technological sophistication.

Air Force selects best to fly Sukhois

Air Force selects best to fly Sukhois JAKARTA (JP): The Air Force is selecting eight of its best pilots to be the first Indonesians to fly the Russian-made Sukhoi SU-30K fighter planes ordered in August. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Marshal S. Djatmiko said the pilots would be selected from the country's F-5 Tiger II, A-4 Sky Hawk, Hawk Mk-53 and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots.

Kramat Jati traders to move temporarily

Kramat Jati traders to move temporarily JAKARTA (JP): Traders from the Kramat Jati market, in East Jakarta, will be moved to makeshift kiosks on a nearby alley -- possibly after Idul Fitri -- as the market will be renovated, an official said yesterday.

Young woman commits suicide

Young woman commits suicide JAKARTA (JP): An 18 year old committed suicide by drinking insecticide in her rented room in Teluk Gong, Pejagalan, in North Jakarta early yesterday. The woman, identified as Juliana, was believed to be a student at Atma Jaya University. She was first sent to Atma Jaya Hospital in Pluit, North Jakarta, after being found by one of her friends at 1:15 a.m., a morgue worker of the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital quoted police as saying.

Polysindo to issue rights to finance its expansion

Polysindo to issue rights to finance its expansion JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's major polyester manufacturer PT Polysindo Eka Perkasa will issue 99-for-100 rights in a bid to raise Rp 1.09 trillion. Publicly listed Polysindo announced yesterday it planned to use Rp 993 billion of the proceeds to finance part of its US$800 million expansion program and the balance to strengthen its working capital.

Inco's interim dividend

Inco's interim dividend JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) announced here yesterday its board of commissioners has approved an interim dividend in respect of 1997 of 5 U.S. cents per share. The company said dividends would be payable on Dec. 18 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 19. Indonesian shareholders will be paid in rupiah equivalent of the U.S. dollar based on Bank Indonesia's middle rate on Nov.

Alleged hoodlum stabbed to death

Alleged hoodlum stabbed to death JAKARTA (JP): An on-duty security guard from a private company in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, stabbed to death an alleged hoodlum for extorting and assaulting him, police said yesterday. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the security guard, identified as Suratno, claimed he stabbed the man in self- defense. Kebon Jeruk Police have detained Suratno for further questioning, Aritonang said.

Battle against fires to go on

Battle against fires to go on JAKARTA (JP): The battle against brush and forest fires is likely to continue for another two or three months, when the delayed monsoons are due, the government said yesterday. Despite the all out effort with the aid of international donors, it appears that Mother Nature will be the determinant factor in dousing the fire. "We still don't know when our fire fighting efforts will stop ...

Golkar dismisses call for poll on next president

Golkar dismisses call for poll on next president JAKARTA (JP): A senior figure of Golkar said yesterday that the dominant political organization would not listen to external criticism of its commitment to renominate Soeharto for the 1998/2003 presidency. Chairman of the Golkar faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ginandjar Kartasasmita also dismissed the idea of holding a national poll to reconfirm whether Soeharto was the real choice of Indonesians.

Rupiah stabilizes against U.S. dollar, stocks firm

Rupiah stabilizes against U.S. dollar, stocks firm JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah continued to stabilize against the U.S. dollar withstanding regional pressure, currency dealers said yesterday. Meanwhile, stock dealers said local stock prices ended slightly lower as investors were waiting for the results of talks between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Indonesian government for financial assistance.

Democracy in Indonesia seen trough the eyes of a scholar

Democracy in Indonesia seen trough the eyes of a scholar This is the second of two articles based on an excerpt from Prof. Arief Budiman's Inaugural Professorial Lecture delivered on Oct. 9, 1997 at the University of Melbourne to mark his chairmanship of the Indonesian Studies Program at the university. MELBOURNE: To come back again to the question: Does democracy exist in Indonesia? And if it does, what kind? The answer to the first question is yes and no. Democratic situations come and go.

TV Program: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997

TV Program: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997 TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Lucan 3:10 Teenager's Program: Remaja Indonesia 3:35 Development Program: Hamkamnas 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Teenager's Drama: Yang Bersemi Dihati 5:00 English Lessons 5:30 Documentary Film 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Talk Show: Wawasan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Music: Orkes Symphoni 9:00 World...

Child workers will total 5 million by 2008

Child workers will total 5 million by 2008 By T. Sima Gunawan OSLO (JP): Indonesia will have on its hands the problem of 5 million child workers and other vulnerable children by 2008, a government official said. Suyono Yahya, secretary to the office of the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, described vulnerable children as those coming from poor families who are likely to also be forced to work for income.

Reforestation

Reforestation I would like to inquire whether banking institutions could support the activity of planting a billion trees in order to safeguard the quality of air. Bank Indonesia backed by all banks, private and government, have supported the savings campaign in the National Savings Week in August/September for a number of years. Related activities included visits to schools to inform students about saving, banking and government development.

Business and human rights meet

Business and human rights meet This is the second of two articles digging into the heart of business endeavors and tieing it to the fundamental of human rights.

Abusing concept of justice

Abusing concept of justice The letter from D. Prabhakar (Oct. 23) should remind us all that there are more important things being lost in this current year of tragedy for Indonesia than foreign investment -- lives are being lost wholesale (ferry, train, bus and aircraft disasters, for example), but to me, the most poignant death has been the state condoned murder in Saudi Arabia of the East Javanese girl, Soleha Anam Kadiran.

Jayawijaya tourism drops

Jayawijaya tourism drops JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The severe dry season has not only resulted in a lack of water in the Jayawijaya regency but also a fall in the number of tourists to the area. The head of the Jayawijaya tourism office, Arnold Tunkudung, said the number of tourists arriving in the area has been halved in the past few months. He said some 2,000 tourists usually visit the regency each month, but now there are only about 1,000.

Man shot dead for stealing bird

Man shot dead for stealing bird JAKARTA (JP): A military officer shot dead a 21-year-old man yesterday for allegedly trying to steal a bird from its cage on the terrace of his home. Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said the shooting took place in Cijantung military complex, East Jakarta, at the home of Chief Sgt. Ridwan. Nachrowi declined to give details of where Ridwan was assigned or which branch of the Armed Forces he was in.

Asia crisis brings risks, rewards for U.S. companies

Asia crisis brings risks, rewards for U.S. companies NEW YORK (Reuters): With Asia's financial crisis threatening economic growth, U.S. industries like technology and finance face heightened risks from ties to the region. But while U.S. investors for now appeared poised to abandon association with the troubled economies, Wall Street analysts said some multinationals should benefit, particularly those that have shifted production to the afflicted economies. "Many U.S.

Cement prices to remain stable

Cement prices to remain stable JAKARTA (JP): Cement prices will not be raised again this year despite the continuing depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar, the president of the country's largest cement producer, PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, said. Sudwikatmono said a drop-off in cement sales precluded local producers from increasing the price of their product.

Schmidt to address batik conference

Schmidt to address batik conference YOGYAKARTA (JP): Former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt is scheduled to address a batik conference and exhibition held here on Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, organizers say. Muljarto Tjokrowinoto from the International Conference on Cultural Tourism (ICCT) said over the weekend that Schmidt's speech will focus on the importance of cultural identity in globalization.

Alvin wins Sentul Formula Asia event

Alvin wins Sentul Formula Asia event JAKARTA (JP): Alvin Bahar won the national Formula Asia motor race at Sentul, near Bogor, Sunday. Alvin won the event involving two races over two days by scoring 75 points. Fino Saksono came second with 52 points followed by Stanley Iriawan (50), Haridharma (31) and Dendy Rukmana (28). The races were watched by only 500 people, including Indonesian Motor Association chairman Bob Nasution and Tinton Suprapto, the circuit's director.

RI banks rated with outlook negative

RI banks rated with outlook negative NICOSIA (Reuters): Cyprus-based ratings agency Capital Intelligence has assigned a negative outlook to 21 rated Indonesian banks amid concern over the implications of Indonesia's currency crisis. Any future rating changes are likely to be downward, the ratings agency said in a news release on Monday.