Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 November 1997

39 articles found

Utut draws with Karpov in 4th round

Utut draws with Karpov in 4th round JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master Utut Adianto's game against FIDE world champion GM Anatoly Karpov ended in a surprising draw in the fourth round of the Clash of the Titans at Omni Batavia Hotel yesterday. Utut offered to draw after the 45th move which was accepted by Karpov. The draw occurred as both players sacrificed their two Castles, leaving no way for a checkmate.

Remuneration fee

Remuneration fee On Friday, Nov. 21, I required the services of Yayasan Pendidikan Internasional and had to pay through Bank Universal. Since the charge was in U.S. dollars, I paid dollars in cash through the bank's counter located in the Menara Imperium building, Kuningan. To my surprise, I was charged a two dollar "remuneration fee". For what service? According to the teller, the bank charges a one dollar fee for each payment slip.

Nobody killed in Dili riot, says rights body

Nobody killed in Dili riot, says rights body JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights disclosed yesterday that human rights violations had occurred in the latest incident in Dili, East Timor, but confirmed there were no fatalities.

Law on freedom of expression sought

Law on freedom of expression sought JAKARTA (JP): Legal expert Loebby Loqman says Indonesia has not fully implemented the spirit of democracy contained in the 1945 Constitution and that laws on freedom of expression and antitrust, both mandated by the constitution, are still missing. In a discussion held by the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction at the House of Representatives Saturday, Loebby said the House must now draft bills which support democratization.

Star-rated hotels in fiercer rate war

Star-rated hotels in fiercer rate war By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): The price war in the hotel industry is becoming fiercer with expensive hotels offering not only big discounts but also special packages to lure guests in the dwindling market. Several four and five-star rated hotels in the capital have offered discounts of up to 50 percent for their standard rooms.

CMNP rating reaffirmed

CMNP rating reaffirmed JAKARTA (JP): The country's only rating agency, PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo), said Saturday that it had lifted the rating alert on PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada's (CMNP) Rp 275 billion bonds and Rp 100 billion commercial paper. Pefindo announced in a statement that it had reaffirmed the AA- and A2 ratings for the toll road operator's bonds and commercial program with a stable outlook respectively.

President's call may help ailing stocks

President's call may help ailing stocks JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's instruction to state-owned companies to boost their portfolio investments will help restore the ailing stock market, said securities analysts. "It is really good news for investors. I think it will help bring back the buying impetus," vice president of Mashill Jaya Securities Tjandra Kartika told The Jakarta Post Saturday.

Beware of economic sabotage: Siswono

Beware of economic sabotage: Siswono JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo warned Saturday that certain parties are pushing for political change amid the current economic turbulence. He cited rumors about the resignation of Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad and the death of the country's richest tycoon Soedono Salim as evidence of this. "We could call this economic sabotage," said Siswono at a regional congress of the Indonesian Association of Architects.

Rights issue get greater attention at APEC meeting

Rights issue get greater attention at APEC meeting By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and Ati Nurbaiti VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): Social issues such as human rights protection are gaining unprecedented prominence, albeit still on the fringes, as leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members prepare for the start of their annual summit here today.

The right over development

The right over development From Merdeka Mulya Lubis in his article in Analisis (a magazine published by CSIS) No. 5/1993 reveals the dichotomy in the attitude assumed by the Indonesian government toward human rights. An example given in the article is the dichotomy between civil and political rights, on one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights, on the other, in the prevailing development concept.

Globalization a homogenization

Globalization a homogenization By Hilman Adil This is the first of two articles dealing with the issue of globalization. JAKARTA (JP): The debate about globalization as a world process, and its consequences, has been going on now for some time. Increasingly over the last few years the challenge of globalization has been much discussed in academic, political, business and wider public circles, referring to the possible demise of the nation-state.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 24, 1997

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Nov. 24, 1997 Exhibitions * Art Exhibition: Gelar Karya Perupa Jurnalis Indonesia, at The Art Exhibition Building (Wisma Seni Nasional), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until NOv. 25. * Painting Exhibition: The Southern Charm by Katrina Bohan- Tyrie, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Dec. 7. * Painting Exhibition: By Yaqub Elka at Kedai Cakep, Gelanggang Remaja Bulungan, Jl.

Illegal abortion practices 'caused by high demand'

Illegal abortion practices 'caused by high demand' JAKARTA (JP): Illegal abortion practices in big cities are common because the demand for them is quite high while the application of legal sanction against such practices is very low, a criminologist, lawyer and doctor said yesterday. They said that some people in society were hypocritical because they scorned those who opted to have an abortion, but socially accepted the practice.

Skirts

Skirts Thoughtful readers of The Jakarta Post may have difficulty reconciling two recent fashion reports. On Nov. 20, the Post published a letter castigating U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for her wearing of short skirts, flashing a bit of knee and thigh at diplomatic receptions.

Hot line for dengue fever

Hot line for dengue fever JAKARTA (JP): A hot line service for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) has been set up by the state telecommunications company PT Telkom in cooperation with Lahsi (Lembaga Aksi Hidup Sehat Indonesia), a non-governmental organization specializing in health information services. Volunteers from Lahsi provide a 12-hour service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, giving detailed information about the disease and steps to prevent the disease from becoming fatal.

Soeharto rests in Cancun, ready for APEC summit

Soeharto rests in Cancun, ready for APEC summit By Kornelius Purba CANCUN, Mexico (JP): After a 16-hour trip from Cape Town, South Africa and an hour stopover for refueling in Rio de Janeiro, President Soeharto and his entourage arrived here Saturday evening local time to take a rest from their hectic schedule.

APEC's stance on migrant workers unclear

APEC's stance on migrant workers unclear By Tati Krisnawaty JAKARTA (JP): The leaders of the 18 members of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum are convening in their fourth summit in Vancouver this week but queries prevail over whether they will address matters related to the protection of migrant workers. They are expected to continue working on the core issues of economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region -- the liberalization of trade and investment.

Navy to train village midwives

Navy to train village midwives JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Navy headquarters will start early next year training female villagers here and in Maluku province on how to be midwives, Antara reported Saturday. Chief of the Maluku-Irian Jaya Naval Base Commodore Freddy Numberi said the monthly training sessions aim to provide people in the regions' coastal villages with more village midwives. Numberi said Navy doctors would be deployed to train the female villagers.

Meeting on marital problems

Meeting on marital problems JAKARTA (JP): The unhappy marriage of the late Princess Diana in relation with a number of tragedies clouding her life will be discussed in a one-day meeting here tomorrow. Organized by the Association of Graduate Students in Communication at the University of Indonesia, the discussion will focus on the importance of marital relations and the risk of intervention by third parties, said Gita Akmal, one of the organizers.

ITB gets Bechtel grant

ITB gets Bechtel grant JAKARTA (JP): Bechtel, one of the world's leading engineering and construction companies, delivered a US$10,000 grant to the Technology Institute of Bandung (ITB) Saturday to upgrade the institute's research and student facilities. The company said in a statement that the country manager of Bechtel Indonesia also signed a memorandum of understanding with ITB's rector Lilik Hendradjaya to promote the exchange of technology and knowledge between Bechtel and ITB.

Man arrested with 60 kgs of marijuana

Man arrested with 60 kgs of marijuana JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a man in Depok, West Java, Saturday for allegedly possessing and trafficking about 60 kilograms of first-grade dried marijuana from Aceh worth about Rp 144 million (US$41,142). Chief of Jakarta City Police Detectives' Narcotics Affairs unit, Lt. Col. H. Abdullah, said Saturday that the arrest of the suspect, identified as Muslim, alias Sumardi, 29, constituted the largest marijuana haul in the last three years.

Asia's poor to bear the brunt of current economic crisis

Asia's poor to bear the brunt of current economic crisis When things go bad, the rich tighten their belts while the poor just suffer. So as Asia goes through a financial turbulence, expect the poor to bear the brunt of the economic woes. Johanna Son of Inter Press Service reports. MANILA: Stockbrokers in suits and property tycoons are licking their wounds as Asia goes through a rough financial spell, but the poor will have to pay the highest price for the region's economic turmoil.

Expert says giving money to beggars worsens problem

Expert says giving money to beggars worsens problem JAKARTA (JP): Kindhearted city residents who give to beggars and vagrants are inadvertently fanning an increase in their numbers, a sociologist said at the weekend. Sardjono Djatiman of the University of Indonesia told The Jakarta Post Saturday that beggars pour into the city around major holidays to prey on the good intentions of Jakartans. "Vagrants and beggars take advantage of the situation on festive occasions.

Lampung projects left in a mess

Lampung projects left in a mess BANDAR LAMPUNG: Several reconstruction projects for a regency damaged by a major earthquake in 1994, funded by the state budget and foreign aid, have been left in a mess, Antara reported Saturday. The repair work of a six kilometer road, football field, renovated mosques, houses and other infrastructure in Liwa, West Lampung was considered poor.

RP signs pact with Microsoft

RP signs pact with Microsoft REDMOND, Wash (Reuters): Philippines President Fidel Ramos met with Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates Friday and proudly collected a certificate legalizing much of his government's pirated computer software. After a ceremony to observe the signing of agreements tightening relations between the software giant and the Philippines, Gates presented Ramos with a license for free software that was the equivalent of a partial declaration of amnesty.

Heavy rain destroys houses

Heavy rain destroys houses PURBALINGGA, C. Java: Heavy rain and torrential winds destroyed Friday 18 houses in Karangambas village, Padamara subdistrict, Antara reported Saturday. No casualties were reported. An official at the regency's natural disaster management unit estimated that millions of rupiah of losses had been incurred in the storm.

Mahathir comments irk Singaporeans

Mahathir comments irk Singaporeans SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singaporeans have reacted with irritation at suggestions by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that they were the source of negative rumors about Malaysia. "Don't scapegoat us, Dr Mahathir" was one headline on the front page of Singapore's pro-government Sunday Times. Mahathir said on Thursday many of the rumors swirling around Malaysia's financial markets originated in Singapore.

PGI warns against 'high cost politics'

PGI warns against 'high cost politics' JAKARTA (JP): A series of ethnic and religious riots which rocked the country prior to the May 29 general elections was "political improvisation", the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) has said. The PGI said the public unrest was the price the nation had to pay for allowing an oligarchy to develop. It called for a halt to these "high cost" political improvisations, saying they would demolish democratization and national harmony.

Disappointment with Lippo Bank

Disappointment with Lippo Bank Since late 1996 I have been a holder of a Star Card under the account number 730-15-03688-6 issued by the Surabaya branch office of Lippo Bank. I had opened this account at the request of my head office in Jakarta so that my bonuses and commissions could be directly transferred to this account.

TV Program: Monday, Nov. 24, 1997

TV Program: Monday, Nov. 24, 1997 TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 Cartoon Film: The Big Valley 3:10 TV Drama: Warisan Orang Tua 3:35 Belief in God The Almighty 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Health Program: Kesehatan Gigi dan Mulut 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Documentary: Pahlawan Nasional Raja Haji 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 Student Program: Dunia Mahasiswa 8:00 News:...

Another man killed as new clash erupts in Tanah Abang

Another man killed as new clash erupts in Tanah Abang JAKARTA (JP): A man was killed Friday in the second fatal clash in three nights between Jatibaru residents from Kampung Bali and an unidentified group in Tanah Abang, despite a settlement between the two parties earlier in the evening. The 20-year-old victim was identified as Yosephus Yovi Nang, from Flores, living in Slipi, West Jakarta, by his brother, Didi, yesterday. Yosephus died from severe stab wounds to his body and head, Didi said.

Closed Bank Pacific forms team to settle its debts

Closed Bank Pacific forms team to settle its debts JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of Bank Pacific, one of the 16 private banks closed by the government early this month, have formed a special team to speed up the process of settling its debts to both individuals and institutions.

Bylaw on parking to be reviewed

Bylaw on parking to be reviewed JAKARTA (JP): City Council will soon reevaluate the city's bylaw on parking in a bid to give it greater flexibility to cooperate with private investors, a councilor said yesterday. Lukman Mokoginta of Commission D for development affairs told The Jakarta Post that a special team would be established later this month to conduct the reevaluation. Lukman said the reevaluation was needed because Bylaw No. 7/1987 on parking was already out of date.

Komodo visitors mostly backpackers

Komodo visitors mostly backpackers KUPANG, E. Nusa Tenggara: Overseas tourists visiting Komodo Island to see Komodo dragons (Varanus Comodoensis) are mostly backpackers because there are no adequate hotel facilities to lure affluent foreign tourists, a local official said here Saturday. Head of the tourist office in Manggarai district, Paul Boleng, said Labuanbajo, a main gateway to the island, did not have any star-rated hotels.

APEC analysts predict slower growth for RI

APEC analysts predict slower growth for RI By Meydiatama Suryodiningrat VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum predicted an optimistic 6.5 percent growth for Indonesia this year and 6 percent next year. But the 1997 APEC Economic Outlook report noted that its high current account deficit had been one of the triggers which caused the financial crisis in Indonesia.

APEC leaders `responsible' for labor rights violations

APEC leaders `responsible' for labor rights violations By Ati Nurbaiti VANCOUVER (JP): Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum should be held accountable for violations of labor rights in their countries, human rights and labor activists have said. They reached this conclusion following an international tribunal on workers' rights held here last week to hear the testimonies of workers from different countries.

Danamon trims insurance stake

Danamon trims insurance stake JAKARTA (JP): PT Danamon Sanggrahan is set to divest 30 percent of its 50 percent ownership in insurance firm PT Danamon Aetna Life to its partner, Aetna International. The company said Saturday that the move would increase Aetna International's stake to 80 percent. In the same statement, Danamon Sanggrahan announced it had established a new insurance company, PT Danamon Asuransi Jiwa (Danamon Jiwa).

Govt prepares new rules on geothermal power

Govt prepares new rules on geothermal power JAKARTA (JP): The government is preparing a new regulation to boost the development of geothermal resources and lower geothermal power prices, according to Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana. Sudjana said the presidential decree would scrap the monopoly given to the state-owned gas and oil company Pertamina to exploit the country's geothermal resources.

China, Vietnam engage in new maritime dispute

China, Vietnam engage in new maritime dispute HANOI (AFP): Vietnam has protested to China after Beijing granted a U.S. oil company exploration rights in waters which Hanoi claims as its exclusive economic zone, an official said yesterday. The Oct. 20 decision to grant Atlantic Richfield Corp (Arco) oil and gas exploration rights could renew tensions between the two countries.