Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 December 1997

59 articles found

PLN, city officials to be awarded

PLN, city officials to be awarded JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta branch of Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) will present medals this year to the president of state-owned electricity firm PLN, a deputy governor and a former North Jakarta mayor.

Frost backs Asians at HK Open Golf C'ship

Frost backs Asians at HK Open Golf C'shipBy Bobby Allan Wilson HONG KONG (JP): South African David Frost has tipped an Asian player to win this week's star-studded Andersen Consulting US$850,000 Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Soeharto says supply of rice is sufficient

Soeharto says supply of rice is sufficient JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto assured the nation yesterday that rice stocks will be more than enough over Christmas, New Year and the Islamic holy month Ramadhan.

Banking transparency vital for recovery: Dornbusch

Banking transparency vital for recovery: Dornbusch JAKARTA (JP): Improved transparency in the banking sector would help restore confidence of both domestic and foreign investors and bring about economic recovery, renowned international economist Rudiger Dornbusch said here yesterday.

APPRI develops Indonesia's first private oil refinery

APPRI develops Indonesia's first private oil refinery JAKARTA (JP): PT Asia Pacific Petroleum Refinery Indonesia (APPRI), partly owned by tycoon Bambang Trihatmodjo, started Tuesday the construction of the country's first private oil refinery in Situbondo, East Java.

Apple opens branch in Philippines

Apple opens branch in Philippines MANILA (AFP): Apple Computer Inc. said yesterday it is to open a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Philippines to take advantage of the market opportunities here."As the Philippines is one of Apple South Asia's fastest growing markets, there is tremendous potential...

Sports bodies told not to give up hope over Asiad

Sports bodies told not to give up hope over Asiad JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, urged sports organizations which were not chosen to compete in the 13th Asian Games not to give up hope.

Impersonator tried for theft

Impersonator tried for theft JAKARTA (JP): A man was indicted at the South Jakarta District Court yesterday for stealing eight personal computers and two printers worth Rp 21 million (US$5,833) from various police offices.

Pati villagers go on the rampage

Pati villagers go on the rampage PATI, Central Java: Villagers went on the rampage yesterday afternoon over a dispute about the election of the chief of the Sundoluhur village in Kayen subdistrict.Pati Regent Yusuf Muhammad confirmed that several buildings were damaged in the melee, but did not...

Motorcycle taxi driver killed

Motorcycle taxi driver killed JAKARTA (JP): A motorcycle taxi driver from North Bekasi died yesterday after being slashed in his face, hands, thighs and feet.His motorcycle was not found at the site.The body of M.

Matahari raises stake in Hero Supermarket to 10%

Matahari raises stake in Hero Supermarket to 10% JAKARTA (JP): The country's largest retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima announced yesterday that it had bought another five percent of Hero Supermarket, raising its stake in the supermarket chain to 10 percent.

Govt to help finance foster parents group

Govt to help finance foster parents group JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has instructed provincial administrations to allocate funds from their annual budgets to help finance the activities of the Foster Parents Movement (GN-OTA).

Art has its place in child development

Art has its place in child developmentBy Rosemarie F. Oei UBUD, Bali (JP): "Art is a mirror of mind and emotions, a space for completing the need of matters of inner and outer world," S. Fitzgerald wrote in 1991's Education and the Australian Mind.

Symposium on typhoid fever

Symposium on typhoid fever DENPASAR, Bali: Minister of Health Dr Sujudi is scheduled to open the third Asia-Pacific symposium on the prevention of typhoid fever and other types of salmonellosis in Sanur, Bali, next Monday.

Abuse of morals chronic in House: Kharis Suhud

Abuse of morals chronic in House: Kharis Suhud JAKARTA (JP): Violations of moral values are among major problems which have been facing the House of Representatives for a long time, former House speaker Kharis Suhud said yesterday.

Jakarta's mixed burden

Jakarta's mixed burdenFrom MerdekaI am writing in response to Mr. Tasdik TN's letter of Nov. 22 in Merdeka on how to keep the Betawi community (Jakarta's indigenous group) intact.Mr. Tasdik TN, from Bekasi, said it was necessary to make a distinction between: (1) Jakarta as the capital of the...

Rupiah hits new record low as stocks continue to fall

Rupiah hits new record low as stocks continue to fall JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah and stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) touched new lows yesterday due to regional weaknesses, stockbrokers and dealers said.Currency dealers said the rupiah touched a new historic low of 3,980 against the U.

Safety in the city

Safety in the cityFrom MerdekaAs a Jakarta citizen who longs for safety, progress and brightness in the city, I am in full support of the efforts made by the Armed Forces and the Police to eradicate the hoodlums who terrorize the community.Jakarta should not become unsafe, inspiring fear in all.

Government to reviews policies on sugar production

Government to reviews policies on sugar productionBy Beddu Amang The following article is based on a paper presented at the International Sugar Council meeting in London on Nov. 28, 1997. This is the first of two articles.

Private firms only need moral support: Sofjan

Private firms only need moral support: Sofjan JAKARTA (JP): Private companies will not ask for financial assistance from the government to deal with their offshore loans, an executive said.Sofjan Wanandi, the chairman of Gemala Group, said here yesterday that most local companies still have money...

Locals wary of foreign fishermen

Locals wary of foreign fishermen SORONG, Irian Jaya: Locals are worried that their livelihood is being threatened by foreign fishing vessels whose fishing methods enable them to catch a large amount of fish in a short time, Antara reported yesterday.

Ministry official 'wanted' in court

Ministry official 'wanted' in court JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court has been urged to summon a senior Ministry of Manpower official, if necessary by force, for his repeated failure to testify in his own lawsuit.Lawyer Moh.

Creditors agree to roll over debt

Creditors agree to roll over debt BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's economic chief Supachai Panitchpakdi said yesterday foreign creditors had agreed to roll over more than 50 percent of Thailand's debts due for repayment at year- end.

Abortion inquiry suspect in alleged suicide attempt

Abortion inquiry suspect in alleged suicide attempt JAKARTA (JP): One of two doctors allegedly involved in abortion practices attempted to commit suicide at Jakarta Police Headquarters yesterday afternoon, an officer said.Dr.

Rate

RateNotice: The conversion rates from Bank Expor Impor Indonesia for Dec. 2 printed on this page yesterday were illegible due to a technical problem. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. -- Editor

Gulf Indonesia finds gas

Gulf Indonesia finds gas CALGARY (Reuters): Gulf Indonesia Resources Ltd, an affiliate of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd, said on Tuesday that its Rayun-1 well in the South Jambi B production sharing contract area in Indonesia tested at a combined rate of 23.4 million cubic feet a day from two intervals.

Warming up in Kyoto

Warming up in Kyoto One of the chief reasons for the current lack of rainfall in Indonesia this year, besides the El Nio phenomenon, is the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which comes from burning fossil fuels, land clearing activities and forest burning.

Asia currencies' gloom thick ahead of IMF deal

Asia currencies' gloom thick ahead of IMF deal SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asia's wounded currencies were shoved into unchartered territory yesterday as a much-awaited rescue plan between Seoul and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appeared elusive until the end of the day.

Yogie welcomes civilians' greater role

Yogie welcomes civilians' greater role JAKARTA (JP): A minister and an Armed Forces legislator responded favorably yesterday to a scholar's recent revelation that many top bureaucratic positions are now occupied by civilians.Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Small firms face major obstacles

Small firms face major obstacles JAKARTA (JP): A tedious bureaucracy, complicated licensing procedures and a lack of financing sources are the major obstacles to developing small business in Indonesia, says the Association of Indonesian Economists.

Irony of Jakarta's motto

Irony of Jakarta's mottoFrom Suara KaryaJakarta's slogan expressing its strongly faithful character (Teguh Beriman) is ironic compared to existing realities in the capital city, there are numerous localities where people engage in immoral acts and the state of work discipline, traffic and...

Govt to stop issuing forest permits

Govt to stop issuing forest permits JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry will stop issuing new licenses to exploit forests next year, except for forests in Irian Jaya and East Timor, the ministry's secretary-general Oetomo said yesterday.

New clinic for venereal diseases

New clinic for venereal diseases JAKARTA (JP): About 250 people, who have venereal diseases, were treated en mass at a recently opened clinic in the Kramat Jaya district of North Jakarta yesterday.The clinic, which was founded by the Peduli AIDS Institute and Karya Bakti Foundation, also tested...

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) conversion rates on Dec. 3, 1997 Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S. dollar 3,875.00 3,975.00Austrian shilling 303.60 333.20Australian dollar 2,643.70 2,709.20Belgian franc 107.30 109.50Canadian dollar 2,768.80 2,819.80Swiss franc 2,741.

Sculptor Sidharta allows public to have a say in his art

Sculptor Sidharta allows public to have a say in his artBy M. Chalik BANDUNG (JP): When sculptor and painter Gregorious Sidharta Soegiyo was commissioned 30 years ago to make a Christ statue for a church in the small town of Klaten, Central Java, he came up with an image close to the Javanese...

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 My Country 2:35 TV Series: Kid Pix Maria and Mirabella 3:10 Science Film: Animal Odyssey 3:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Culture Program: Pelangi Budaya 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:30 Education Program: Jendela Dunia 6:00 News: Lintasan...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 3, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 825 0 0 AHAP Insurance 600 0 0 Alter Abadi 475 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 300 -25 250,500 Alumindo Perkasa...

Government increases gas price by 20 percent

Government increases gas price by 20 percent JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana has issued a decree to raise the price of gas by 20 percent to Rp 385 (10 U.S. cents) and Rp 400 per cubic meter for industries and other institutional buyers.

Bouraq airlines

Bouraq airlines I have heard over the years many uncomplimentary things about Bouraq such that I felt it time to write and correct this. I have now traveled four times by Bouraq in the last three months, and have nothing but praise for the airline.

Bank Servitia sees more bad debts this year

Bank Servitia sees more bad debts this year JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Servitia has raised its loan loss provision this year by about 30 percent to anticipate an increase in nonperforming loans.

Students' logic, not result win out

Students' logic, not result win out JAKARTA (JP): Getting the right result was not everything for high school students competing in the finals of the annual physics and mathematics competition organized by Atmajaya Catholic University on Tuesday.

Utut meets Wismoyo ahead of world c'ships

Utut meets Wismoyo ahead of world c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto has paid a courtesy call on Indonesian Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar prior to his participation in the world chess championships in Groningen, the Netherlands, from Dec. 8 to Dec. 28.

APEC programs must see light

APEC programs must see lightBy Jusuf Wanandi VANCOUVER (JP): There is nothing that focuses the mind more than a crisis. Seemingly this was what happened at the ninth Ministerial Meeting and the fifth Leader's Meeting of APEC in Vancouver from Nov. 21 to 25, 1997.

Future governance 'needs coalition and alliance'

Future governance 'needs coalition and alliance' BANDUNG (JP): When President Soeharto is no longer in power, Indonesia should be led by a coalition of all existing social and political powers in order to overcome weaknesses that would occur in his absence, it was advocated here yesterday.

Water reservoirs in Greater Jakarta in poor condition

Water reservoirs in Greater Jakarta in poor condition JAKARTA (JP): About 60 percent of the 193 water reservoirs in Greater Jakarta are in a shabby state of repair due to poor maintenance and people's lack of awareness about their use as a water catchment, an official said yesterday.

Mobile phone market drops by 40%

Mobile phone market drops by 40%By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): The previously brisk sales of mobile cellular phones has slumped as buyers have slashed their spending to cope with the falling rupiah.General manager of PT Ericsson Indonesia, Franky Prionggo, said here yesterday that the mobile phone...

Sembawang wins $33m deal

Sembawang wins $33m deal SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore's Sembawang Engineering and Construction (SembEC) said yesterday it had won a US$33 million contract to build a hydrogen peroxide plant in Aceh, Indonesia.

Synergy sought to solve South China Sea rift

Synergy sought to solve South China Sea rift PACET, West Java (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas suggested yesterday the possibility of finding cohesion between the parallel tracks seeking to find a solution to the overlapping disputes in the South China Sea.

Foreign affairs council launched

Foreign affairs council launched JAKARTA (JP): With the aim of reaching a more balanced view in the formulation of foreign policy and providing a forum for public exchange, Indonesia's top foreign affairs practitioners and experts have formed the Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA).

Japan's rupiah reserves stir debate at home

Japan's rupiah reserves stir debate at home TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's first intervention to help stabilize an Asian currency last month succeeded in making at least some impact in the market, but it also posed a key question to Tokyo: Should Japan hold an Asian currency in its foreign exchange...

Tanah Abang's chronic problems 'far from over'

Tanah Abang's chronic problems 'far from over' JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta mayoralty's attempt to clean up Tanah Abang still has three hurdles to clear, including the presence of hoodlums who are believed to be the main source of problems in the area.

Best souvenir

Best souvenir I love to travel for the simple reason that I am lucky to have the opportunity to experience different cultures, see distinct places of interest and bring home souvenirs of these experiences. This time I combined my short vacation with a visit to my sister who lives in Jakarta.

100 cars register for Langit Biru Wisata Rally

100 cars register for Langit Biru Wisata Rally JAKARTA (JP): About 100 cars have registered to take part in the Langit Biru Wisata Rally around the capital on Dec. 7.The organizer Pertamina, however, expects another 100 cars in the one-day touring rally.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Fish Exhibition: Pesona Ikan Arwana, in the main lobby, Hotel Indonesia, until Dec. 10. * Architectural Photo Exhibition: Space and Time, by Yori Antar, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl. Kemang Raya No.24A South Jakarta, Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

State Policy Guidelines draft close to completion

State Policy Guidelines draft close to completion JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly is on course to complete the draft of the 1998/2003 State Policy Guidelines, pending a compromise on political and religious matters.Chief of the Assembly ad hoc committee deliberating the draft, R.

British and Thai police join forces

British and Thai police join forces BANGKOK (AFP): A team of British police is set to arrive in Thailand to launch a joint effort to stamp out child prostitution and sex tourism here, British officials said yesterday.

Middle class missing in the news

Middle class missing in the newsBy David Harries JAKARTA (JP): Where has the middle class gone? Until July this year it was unusual if an article on Asian politics, economic or social conditions did not refer to something "middle class".

Miguel, Ayala end talks

Miguel, Ayala end talks MANILA (AFP): Philippine blue-chip firms San Miguel Corp. and Ayala Corp. said yesterday that they had called off talks on merging their food businesses.The two companies, which first announced the discussions in October, said in separate statements they had "failed to...

Tarmizi wants religious teachings reinforced

Tarmizi wants religious teachings reinforced JAKARTA (JP): Parents and religious leaders are being called on to reinforce religious teachings as a means of instilling high moral values to inhibit illegal practices such as abortion.