Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 October 1997

62 articles found

Malaysian king to pay state visit

Malaysian king to pay state visit JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian King Ja'afar Abdul Rahman will arrive here tomorrow for a five-day state visit, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday.He is scheduled to hold talks with President Soeharto and visit Central Java and Bali.

Fire razes 700 houses

Fire razes 700 houses BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: About 700 houses, places of worship, schools and other buildings were destroyed by brush fires in the Banua Raya and Bati Bati subdistricts in Tanah Laut regency Sunday afternoon.

PDBI offers consultancy

PDBI offers consultancy JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Business Data Center (PDBI) is offering a new consultancy service to cater to the country's government and private sectors to boost business competitiveness.

Berlin growing into service metropolis with Asian help

Berlin growing into service metropolis with Asian helpBy Endy M. Bayuni BERLIN (JP): Berlin is going Asian these weeks.A month-long series of exhibitions and seminars opened on Sept. 15 to present Asia to Berliners, and to make Asians more familiar with Berlin and what it has to offer them.

National repentance

National repentance Whatever one may think of the recent call made by some of this country's most prominent Moslem leaders for Indonesians, as a nation, to repent, it is difficult to dispel the impression that such urgings are only a new expression of many of the recent concerns that have been...

Farmers harvest despite drought

Farmers harvest despite drought SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Despite the prolonged drought affecting a large part of the province, some hinterland farmers managed to till their land and had a great harvest yesterday.

MAS cancels flights

MAS cancels flights KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yesterday canceled three flights to the northeast resort island of Langkawi amid poor visibility due to thick haze caused by fires in neighboring Indonesia.

ABRI's challenge

ABRI's challenge The question of human rights has become a major issue in our society.Given this reality, consultation and dialogue, rather than force, should be the main mechanism for resolving differences and conflict.

Tastes differ

Tastes differ In Indonesia, even the poorest among the poor people do not want to consume snails. Yet, if my memory does not fail me, these slimy creatures become a good foreign-exchange earner as they have been exported to Europe.

SEA Games organizers slam rowdy local fans

SEA Games organizers slam rowdy local fans JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games organizing committee has complained about the Indonesian soccer supporters' behavior during the opening match against Laos and expects them to behave better in forthcoming games.The organizers' secretary-general, Rudolph S.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * 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., until Oct. 28.

One killed in boat accident

One killed in boat accident PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: A collision between an overloaded speedboat and a cargo ship carrying rocks killed one passenger and critically injured four others Monday.Antara reported the speedboat was heading to Banjarmasin from Kuala Kapuas.

Autopsy a burden for grieving families

Autopsy a burden for grieving familiesBy Emmy Fitri JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-year-old Cuntirah, a vegetable farmer from Kuningan in West Java rushed to Jakarta after being told that her husband, Saripin, 40, an ice seller, had been stabbed by a fellow street trader at the Tanah Abang market in Central...

Foreign aid pours in to combat fires

Foreign aid pours in to combat fires JAKARTA (JP): More than a dozen countries have contributed to efforts to fight the blazing brush and forest fires in Indonesia, with Australia sending two water bombers and Norway contributing funds to the effort yesterday.

International crossers to compete in Riau

International crossers to compete in Riau JAKARTA (JP): Crossers from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Thailand have confirmed their participation in the Gudang Garam Asia-Pacific Championship in Pekanbaru, Riau, from Oct. 18 to Oct. 19.

Haze disaster

Haze disasterFrom PelitaIrrespective of all informational procedures, allow me to share with the readers some information which may be useful as precautions against possible haze problems in Jakarta. A haze disaster seems inevitable since forest fires are still raging in many parts of the country,...

'Gurita' disaster suspect walks free

'Gurita' disaster suspect walks free JAKARTA (JP): The Banda Aceh District Court has acquitted an official of the Malahayati/Krueng Raya port from charges of negligence in connection with the sinking of the Gurita ferry off Aceh in January last year, Antara reported yesterday.

RI haze back in Thailand

RI haze back in Thailand BANGKOK (AFP): Smog from Indonesian forest fires has returned to southern Thailand with the air quality deteriorating after an improvement last week, the Pollution Control Department said yesterday.

Checks loom for Bangkok's Asian Games work

Checks loom for Bangkok's Asian Games work BANGKOK (AFP): Two more key deadlines are looming for organizers of next year's Bangkok Asian Games which has been put on a tight schedule to get preparations back on track.

Determined Thais arrive quietly

Determined Thais arrive quietly JAKARTA (JP): The second wave of the Thai team arrived yesterday for the 19th SEA Games determined to repeat its superb performance of two years ago.Thailand's deputy chief of mission, Preeda Rodphothong, said upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport his...

Japanese envoy backs regional fund idea

Japanese envoy backs regional fund idea BANGKOK (AFP): Japan's ambassador here has said Tokyo would back a Southeast Asian initiative to set up a regional monetary fund to bolster troubled economies, reports said yesterday.

Manila approves rice import

Manila approves rice import MANILA (Reuter): Manila has approved the import of a total of 850,000 tons of rice for buffer stocks next year, National Food Authority (NFA) deputy administrator Gregorio Tan said yesterday."(NFA) was given a standby authority to import 500,000 tons rice next year.

Sound of Aceh's flute drowned out by new tunes

Sound of Aceh's flute drowned out by new tunesBy Ampelsa and Azhari BANDA ACEH (Antara): During the heyday of Aceh's Sultan Iskandar Muda in the 17th century, palace officials were serenaded by seurune kalee, a popular flute-like musical instrument.

Canadian bubble blower delights Jakarta crowds

Canadian bubble blower delights Jakarta crowds JAKARTA (JP): World-class bubble blower Fan Yang from Canada will be entertaining visitors to the Fantasy Land amusement park, at Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta, until Oct. 12.

U.S. cocoa quarantine costs RI producers

U.S. cocoa quarantine costs RI producers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cocoa Association said yesterday that the country's cocoa exporters were likely to look for new markets if the United States did not lift its tight inspection of the Indonesian commodity.The association's executive director, P.S.

Sachroni installed acting governor

Sachroni installed acting governor BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Minister of Home Affairs Moh. Yogie S.M. inducted yesterday Oman Sachroni as acting governor of Lampung replacing Poedjono Pranjoto who began serving as a legislator last Wednesday.

Rupiah and stocks stabilize on BI move

Rupiah and stocks stabilize on BI move JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah and stock prices stabilized yesterday following Bank Indonesia's sporadic intervention in the currency market, dealers said.The rupiah strengthened to close at 3,680/95 against the U.S.

Soeharto reconfirms APEC summit attendance

Soeharto reconfirms APEC summit attendance JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has confirmed with the Canadian government that he will attend the Fifth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vancouver next month.

RI may need IMF help: Sanwa Bank

RI may need IMF help: Sanwa Bank TOKYO (AFP): Indonesia might be forced to seek financial help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if it fails to meet billions of dollars in short-term obligations, a Japanese bank official said yesterday.

Malaysian tried for using fake passport

Malaysian tried for using fake passport JAKARTA (JP): A Malaysian woman was indicted at Tangerang District Court yesterday for allegedly using a fake Indonesian passport.Prosecutor Syahrudin charged the defendant Lam Miew Fun, 29, for violating Article 55 (a) of Law No. 9/1992 on Immigration.

Mahathir gets confidence vote

Mahathir gets confidence vote KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian opposition leaders joined government parties yesterday to voice support for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whose position was been undermined by rumors of his resignation.

Govt begin final stage of campaign to eradicate polio

Govt begin final stage of campaign to eradicate polio JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia entered a decisive stage in eradicating polio when it began yesterday the final phase of a three-year national campaign to wipe out the disease.

Train service proposed on Sumatra-Malaysia bridge

Train service proposed on Sumatra-Malaysia bridge JAKARTA (JP): The government has asked the developer of the planned cross-border bridge linking northern Sumatra and Malaysia to incorporate railroad tracks.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Family's Film: Big Brother Jake 3:10 Children's Program: Anak-Anak Indonesia 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 TV Series: Road to Avonlea 5:55 Music 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05...

Nice experience with a hotel

Nice experience with a hotel I would like to share my "nice experience" staying at Westin Plaza Hotel in Singapore. We (three of us from Jakarta) checked in on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 1997 and checked out on Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997.We booked three rooms but when we checked in at the hotel around 3 p.

Tax-evading premises face closure: Wahab

Tax-evading premises face closure: Wahab JAKARTA (JP): The City Revenue Agency has threatened to close down hotels, restaurants and nightspots which have failed to pay taxes, an official said yesterday.

Philippines looks to youth in Games

Philippines looks to youth in Games As part of our coverage of the SEA Games, The Jakarta Post is running a profile of each of the 10 participating countries. The story below is fifth in the series. JAKARTA (JP): The Philippines contingent is coming down to the 19th South East Asian Games prepared...

Riot in Ujungpandang

Riot in Ujungpandang The race riots which rocked Ujungpandang in September seemed to die away in the media with barely a whimper. Even now though, gangs of youths still harass Chinese shop owners, threatening to wreck shops if money is not handed over.

Indonesia seeks balanced trade with New Zealand

Indonesia seeks balanced trade with New Zealand JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto hopes Indonesia and New Zealand can balance their trade which is currently heavily in favor of the latter."Amidst the growing economic ties between our two countries lately, I would be happy if New Zealand were to...

Indonesia loses family planning advocate

Indonesia loses family planning advocateBy Prijono Tjiptoherjanto JAKARTA (JP): The country lost one of its best sons with the death of noted demographer Prof. Masri Singarimbun on Sept. 25 at the age of 66.

Expert calls for long term solutions to forest fires

Expert calls for long term solutions to forest fires BOGOR, West Java (JP): With the help of more than a dozen countries, Indonesia is currently going all-out in its fight against spreading brush and forest fires.

Students express mixed feelings on Games holiday

Students express mixed feelings on Games holiday JAKARTA (JP): Students from several junior and senior high schools in the city have given mixed reactions to the government sponsored six-day holiday during the 19th SEA Games beginning next week.

Fires blamed on land tillers unfair

Fires blamed on land tillers unfairBy Amon Stefanus KETAPANG, West Kalimantan (JP): It is generally accepted that forest fires are responsible for the current haze disaster. However, the cause of these forest fires, a moot point now, has made people point an accusing finger at one another.

Danish Dynamite

Danish DynamiteBy Djanwar Madjolelo JAKARTA (JP): The entrants in the 6th World Junior Team Championships 1997 include 17 nations from seven zones and two teams from Canada.Zone 1 (Europe): Denmark, Norway, Russia, IsraelZone 2 (North America): USA I, USA IIZone 3 (South America): Brazil,...

Rating fall to hit investment in India

Rating fall to hit investment in India BOMBAY (AFP): India's decision to give large pay rises to federal and state employees will hurt investment following the revision of the country's credit rating by the international agency Standard and Poor's, economists said yesterday.Standard and Poor Inc.

New infantry chief installed

New infantry chief installed JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Kaharudin Wahab was installed yesterday as the new commander of the Tangerang Infantry Battalion-203/Arya Kamuning, replacing Lt. Col. Amril Amir.The installation ceremony was held at the Tangerang Infantry Battalion headquarters, with Col.

Firms must reschedule debt repayment: Expert

Firms must reschedule debt repayment: Expert JAKARTA (JP): Companies which cannot repay their much inflated foreign debt because of the currency woes must collectively renegotiate the rescheduling of debt repayment with creditors, economist Christianto Wibisono said yesterday.

Amoco, Salim will tie up

Amoco, Salim will tie up JAKARTA (JP): Amoco Chemical Asia Pacific, Ltd and Salim Chemicals announced a joint feasibility study yesterday to develop a polypropylene plant in Merak, West Java.Amoco said in a statement that the plant, with an annual 200,000-metric-ton capacity, would mark Amoco's...

SE Asian currencies take roller-coaster ride

SE Asian currencies take roller-coaster ride SINGAPORE (AFP): Bruised Southeast Asian currencies went through a roller-coaster ride yesterday as markets were driven by fears of central bank intervention and more capital controls across the region, dealers said.

Smog: ASEAN's unconventional security threat

Smog: ASEAN's unconventional security threatBy A.K.P.Mochtan JAKARTA (JP): The smog which is emanating from Indonesia and plaguing Southeast Asia has come at an unfortunate time. A time when the region's governments are wrestling with economies allegedly being attacked by foreign speculators.

Jayawijaya regent seeks more drought relief supplies

Jayawijaya regent seeks more drought relief supplies JAKARTA (JP): The regent of the area in Irian Jaya with the highest number of drought-related deaths warned yesterday that while relief was getting through to the worst hit villages, food shortages could get worse in the next three months.

Toyota sells 11,122 vehicles

Toyota sells 11,122 vehicles JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota Astra Motor sold 11,122 Toyota vehicles in the domestic market last September, compared to 5,985 vehicles in September 1996.The company, a venture between Japan's Toyota Motors Corp and Indonesia's PT Astra International, said yesterday that most...

Spotlight

SpotlightPhoto A: IndianJP/alxPASSAGE TO INDIA: Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto (left) is welcomed by Indian ambassador Sudhir Tukaram Devare and his wife Hema Devare, as S.P. Lohia (right), director of PT Indorama Synthetics, greets Mrs. Hartarto.

Billions for governor office

Billions for governor office MEDAN, North Sumatra: The provincial legislative council relented and approved Monday the requested additional Rp 4.9 billion funding for the construction of the governor's new office, bringing the total cost to Rp 33 billion (US$8,918).

Municipality to cut budget by 4.27 percent

Municipality to cut budget by 4.27 percent JAKARTA (JP): The municipality will cut Rp 144 billion (US$38.92 million) or 4.27 percent of its Rp 3.369 trillion budget for the 1997/1998 fiscal year, a city councilor said yesterday.

Sutiyoso meets his constituents

Sutiyoso meets his constituents JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso started his first day on the job yesterday, arriving at City Hall at 7:15 a.m. and walking around his new office before inspecting the deputy governors' offices.

Telkom installs facilities

Telkom installs facilities JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Telkom has installed a variety of telecommunications networks and facilities to support the 19th SEA Games, which starts on Oct. 11 and ends on Oct. 19.

ABRI, Golkar refusal to rights decree questioned

ABRI, Golkar refusal to rights decree questioned SEMARANG (JP): Two leading human rights campaigners joined the chorus for the establishment of an Indonesian human rights charter yesterday.Baharuddin Lopa and Muladi, both members of the National Commission on Human Rights, separately expressed...

17 killed truck accident in E. Timor

17 killed truck accident in E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): At least 17 people were killed when a truck carrying dozens of people plunged into a ravine in the East Timor district of Ermera yesterday afternoon.Dozens of other passengers suffering both serious and light injuries have been taken to the Ermera...

Undermanned Vietnam holds Indonesia 2-2

Undermanned Vietnam holds Indonesia 2-2 JAKARTA (JP): Vietnam, playing with 10 men for most of the second half, held host Indonesia 2-2 in their group B match of the 19th SEA Games soccer competition yesterday.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 7, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 975 25 8,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 800 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 625 25 75,000 Alumindo...

Asian states prone to oil price rise

Asian states prone to oil price rise SINGAPORE (Reuter): Crude prices in Asia have come crashing down after spiking to an eight month peak but remain high enough to leave some Asian economies reeling, oil traders and analysts said yesterday.