Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 February 1997

64 articles found

Camera plant to be built in Ujungpandang

Camera plant to be built in Ujungpandang JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Ande Abdul Latief of PT Tiga Utama, an agent providing haj and umrah (lesser pilgrimage) services, has signed an agreement with Bermuda firm NimsTec to build a factory to produce 3-D image producing cameras, printing material and machines in Indonesia. Ande said the construction of the US$30-million project would start in May on a one-hectare plot in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

Observers ask Amien to remain outspoken

Observers ask Amien to remain outspoken UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Political observers have called on Moslem scholar Amien Rais, who has just relinquished his leading position in the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), to remain outspoken and continue fighting for better economic and political conditions. Abdurrahman A.

Malaysia deports over 280 Indonesian illegal immigrants

Malaysia deports over 280 Indonesian illegal immigrants KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian authorities deported 287 Indonesian illegals yesterday after rounding up more foreigners in a crackdown on the country's huge community of undocumented workers and professionals. The Indonesians deported, including 12 children, were among the thousands of illegal aliens being held at detention centers in Malaysia.

Heroes skeletons removed

Heroes skeletons removed JAKARTA (JP): Almost 50 skeletons of national heroes of the 1945 Independence are being moved from the Karet Bivak public cemetery, Karet Tengsin, Karet Pasar Baru to the Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta. Relatives witnessed the exhumation and relocation of some of the dead, which is scheduled to be completed on March 7. The head of the Karet Bivak cemetery, Thamrin, said the 48 skeletons were of, among others, HM. S. Suhaimi, Abdul Somad bin Abdul Azis, H.

Grenade suspect's parents complain

Grenade suspect's parents complain JAKARTA (JP): Parents of the suspect in the grenade case filed a complaint to police through the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) after ten people claiming to be police searched their house without a warrant, the foundation's chairman said.

Siam expands business

Siam expands business JAKARTA (JP): Siam Cement Plc. of Thailand and its Indonesian partner PT Satyawada Mitrausaha of the Wings Group have set up a joint venture company to make fiber cement roof tiles and gypsum boards. Sobsan Ketsuwan, the vice president of the Thai company said yesterday the joint venture's two factories would be able to make 45,000 tons of roof tiles a year and 140,000 tons of gypsum boards a year.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Music and Entertainment * Chedi Hotel, Jl. Rancabentang 56-58: Job (Pianist), Monday to Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Irven (Guitar), Monday to Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mixed Voices Accapela (Singer) and Andi (Pianist), Thursday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Andi (Piano), Friday and Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Imelda (Piano), Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Juli (Pianist), 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. * International Imperium Hotel, Jl. Dr. Rum No.

An extended ASEAN

An extended ASEAN After state visits to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, President Soeharto is back in Jakarta. According to State Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, the President is satisfied with the results of the recent visits. The President also expressed his appreciation for being warmly and cordially received in the three countries -- an honor not only for himself as a head of state, but also for the Indonesian nation as a whole.

One further step

One further step From Merdeka Indonesia's general election takes place once every five years. This year it is the sixth election during the New Order government and the seventh in the period of the country's independence. The country is getting feverish toward election day in May 1997. Names of candidates for the House of Representatives have been published in the media. Comments on them have also been voiced. The general election essentially has noble ideas.

Indonesian coffee crop moves into market focus

Indonesian coffee crop moves into market focus SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asian coffee dealers said yesterday the trade is slowly shifting its attention to the upcoming Indonesian coffee crop while regional business remained largely moribund due to sharp swings in world prices. "Attention is beginning to move to Indonesia," a senior dealer at a Singapore-based commodity house said.

Ekonid to hold symposium

Ekonid to hold symposium JAKARTA (JP): German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Ekonid), in cooperation with Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany's most developed state, will hold a technical symposium here from March 19 to 20. Ekonid's head of Trade and Cooperation, Andreas E Warburg, said that during the symposium, machinery producers from the German state would present the latest information about technology and producing machinery.

Biotechnology awareness urged

Biotechnology awareness urged JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia needs to establish a strong biotechnology base to enable it to face international competition in the field, according to a leading molecular biologist. Sangkot Marzuki, in a speech marking his professorship at the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine yesterday, reminded the audience of mostly health experts of the scientific and technological muscle of developed countries.

Grief shared

Grief shared Who would have imagined that some cruel fate might abruptly snatch away the life of a young man like Peter? Bob Hobman's narration (Feb. 24) of the circumstances under which Peter, a British tourist, died at the hands of unknown antisocial elements in Bali, is very moving. May Peter's soul rest in peace. We understand the shock and sorrow the parents must have felt on hearing the news of their beloved son's untimely death.

Bogor builds 300 latrines

Bogor builds 300 latrines BOGOR (JP): Bogor regency administration is building 300 family latrines and 300 house floors in nine villages of three districts. The week-long program, which started Tuesday, is being carried out in cooperation with four Moslem traditional boarding schools (Santri Raksa Desa). The cost is Rp 130 million (US$54,167) and the funds were provided by the regency administration and donations from the general public.

Yen depreciation not yet hurting plywood

Yen depreciation not yet hurting plywood JAKARTA (JP): Japanese businesses expect to see prices of Indonesian plywood decline soon as a result of the recent depreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar, an executive said yesterday. Vice chairman of the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo) Abbas Adhar said yesterday that, so far, the depreciation of the yen had not affected the volume of Indonesia's plywood exports.

China ties to stay strong with RP

China ties to stay strong with RP MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos voiced optimism yesterday over the future of relations between China and the Philippines after the death of Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. "The indications, the trends are very positive," said Ramos at a news conference. "I think there would be no major changes." A visit to the Philippines last November by Chinese President Jiang Zemin had "affirmed" bilateral relations, Ramos said.

Security measures

Security measures From Suara Karya There has been a recent spate of bank clients being robbed after withdrawing money from the bank. The latest incident occurred in broad daylight when a client was robbed of Rp 405 million after withdrawing money from BCA in Lhokseumawe, Aceh. In this context the following measures should be considered: 1. When transporting money a police escort is absolutely necessary. The police should be armed. 2.

Tjetje, Norman still robbery suspects

Tjetje, Norman still robbery suspects JAKARTA (JP): Police have not changed Tjetje Tadjudin and Norman Lubis's status as suspects in the Jagorawi toll road fatal robbery even though Tjetje is dead and three other suspects have been arrested. National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi said yesterday Tjetje and Norman's status had not yet been revoked as the first suspects in the robbery. "It is not that simple to change the status of suspects or to rehabilitate their names.

ASEAN ministers' meeting to discuss forex volatility

ASEAN ministers' meeting to discuss forex volatility BANGKOK (Reuter): Southeast Asian finance ministers meet in Thailand this weekend and are expected to explore ways of countering any future volatility of their currencies that are tied to a bullish U.S. dollar.

Indonesia plans Irian Jaya gas output

Indonesia plans Irian Jaya gas output SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia plans to bring two gas trains onstream in Irian Jaya by 2003-2004, the president of Atlantic Richfield Co (ARCO) Indonesia said yesterday. "State-owned Pertamina oil company announced through an interview that they were shooting for 2003/4 start ...that is still our goal," Leon Codron told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of an Asian upstream conference.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 26, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 900 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 1,175 0 435,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,275 0 308,000 Alumindo Perkasa 800 0 2,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,325 0 865,000 Anwar Sierad 1,900 0 259,500 Apac Centertex Corporation 850 0 2,156,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 5,750 100 25,500 Argha Karya Prima Industry...

ASEAN, China to iron out differences

ASEAN, China to iron out differences JAKARTA (JP): ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Ajit Singh yesterday urged a peaceful resolution to differences in disputes between China and the seven-member ASEAN. In his opening speech at the inaugural meeting of the ASEAN- China Joint Cooperation Committee in Beijing yesterday, Ajit said various disputes should be settled in a "peaceful and friendly way... paying due regard to our feelings and sensitivities." "We may have our differences...

Rp 55 billion needed to rebuild market

Rp 55 billion needed to rebuild market BOGOR (JP): The Bogor administration has appointed a private developer to rebuild the Pasar Kembang market in Bogor destroyed by fire last March. PT Propindo Mulya Utama's president Aang Hamid Suganda said the market's reconstruction would cost Rp 55 billion (US$32.1 million). "The Bogor mayoralty has given us 24 months to reconstruct the market," Aang said yesterday at the mayoralty's office.

IBM looks to Asia-Pacific semiconductor markets

IBM looks to Asia-Pacific semiconductor markets SINGAPORE (AFP): International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) launched the Asia-Pacific hub of its semiconductor operations here yesterday to spearhead expansion in the region's rapidly growing microchip markets. IBM officials forecast a turnaround this year in the global semiconductor industry, which was badly hit in 1996 by excess inventories and a big drop in prices due to a cyclical downturn in electronics demand.

Kiosks are a problem

Kiosks are a problem From Neraca Ever since Jl. Petojo and Jl. Kaji in central Jakarta were transformed into temporary shelter for traders of Petojo Market, which is currently undergoing renovation, the roads have been packed with people. Traffic flow is frequently obstructed by the additional rows of new, blue-colored sheds that take up part of the roads. This eyesore pesters me. As a citizen, I am disadvantaged by the presence of these kiosks. The kiosks are built right in front of our house.

'Incentives do not guarantee investment'

'Incentives do not guarantee investment' JAKARTA (JP): A study conducted by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences has found that special facilities and incentives given to investors did not guarantee an influx of foreign investments. "Foreign investment in Indonesia is lagging far behind Malaysia, for example," Awani Irawati, coordinator of the research team on Indonesia and APEC in International Political Economy Development, said Tuesday.

ABRI officers opposed reduced political role

ABRI officers opposed reduced political role JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Institute of Sciences' (LIPI) proposal to reduce the Armed Forces' (ABRI) political role met strong resistance from senior military officers yesterday. Vice Marshall Tjokong Tarigan and Maj. Gen. (ret) Z.A. Maulani said that ABRI's political role in politics was a "historical fact" guaranteed by law.

SE Sulawesi to house asphalt plant

SE Sulawesi to house asphalt plant JAKARTA (JP): The South East Sulawesi administration signed an agreement with two state-owned companies yesterday on the establishment of an asphalt extraction plant in Lawele, South East Sulawesi, at a cost of Rp 275 billion (US$114.5 million). The agreement was signed in Kendari, the province's capital, by South East Sulawesi Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin, PT Sarana Karya president Susanto Harjosukanto and PT Hutama Prima president Toki Sugiarto.

Tax-related bills have loopholes, say experts

Tax-related bills have loopholes, say experts JAKARTA (JP): The Center for Fiscal and Monetary Studies said yesterday five tax-related bills being deliberated by the House of Representatives still had weaknesses which needed to be corrected. The center said in its analysis on the five bills that the bills' articles were simple enough for common people to understand but such simplicity would open loopholes for tax collectors and tax payers to exploit.

Soeharto unveils RI's plan to appoint consul in Zagreb

Soeharto unveils RI's plan to appoint consul in Zagreb JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told visiting Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa yesterday that Indonesia is considering appointing an honorary consul in Zagreb. Indonesia, which recognized Croatian independence on May 16, 1992, does not have an official representative office in its capital of Zagreb. Representation is accredited to the Indonesian Embassy in Hungary.

Another cyber restaurant opened

Another cyber restaurant opened JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's sixth internet restaurant opened here Monday. The restaurant called "Restoran Ciber Jakarta," is in the Plaza Bapindo Tower on Jl. Sudirman. The other five opened during the last two years. Ciber Jakarta operates 26 internet computers from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., every day. It also has CD-ROM games, three-dimensional virtual reality, videophones, computer magazines, and a big monitor displaying internet programs.

Hail to reliable servants

Hail to reliable servants From Neraca I would like to share my experience of obtaining reliable servants, without dousing their profession. After the recent Lebaran holiday, many Jakartans were saddled with domestic chores when housewives learnt their servants had decided to look elsewhere for a job. Many servants did return to Jakarta, but many of them believed they could find a better paid job in new families. The domestic servant profession has become part of the country's economic system.

RI-RP trade continues to expand

RI-RP trade continues to expand MANILA (JP): Trade between Indonesia and the Philippines continued to expand last year but at the slower growth rate of 31.67 percent, down from 60.73 percent in 1995, according to data at the Indonesian embassy here. The embassy's commercial attache, Achmadi, said yesterday bilateral trade was US$692 million in 1996 (as of November), up from $704 million in 1995 and $438 million in 1994. "The final figure for last year may reach $740 million," he said.

PT Taspen plans more portfolio investment

PT Taspen plans more portfolio investment JAKARTA (JP): PT Taspen, the state-owned pension provident fund for civil servants and employees of state-owned companies, plans to invest more in equity to help inject fresh life to local stock markets. Taspen president Muljohardjoko said the company would cooperate with three investment managers to help it invest its funds in equity instruments. He refused to name them. "So far the capital market is still dominated by foreign investors.

353 Bugis migrants leave East Timor

353 Bugis migrants leave East Timor AMBENO, East Timor (JP): Feeling insecure after last week's riot, 353 Bugis migrants, including 20 teachers, packed up and left for their homeland in South Sulawesi yesterday. They decided to return after being accommodated in local police and military compounds since the incident in which one Bugis person was killed and 80 migrants' houses razed.

Turkish minister in Batam

Turkish minister in Batam JAKARTA (JP): Visiting Turkish Minister for Research and Technology, Sabri Teker, and his party arrived in Batam, Riau yesterday to observe the activities at the Batam industrial development zone. The group was accompanied by Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia, Sevine Dalyanoglu. Minister Teker said Batam's industrial activities will be reported to his government as it can be made a reference for Turkey's industrial development program in the future.

Vietnamese army turns to neighbors for new image

Vietnamese army turns to neighbors for new image By Pascale Trouillaud HANOI (AFP): The Vietnamese army is trying to shed its image as an outcast and looking for as many friends as it can find, judging from the number of contacts it has made with foreign military officials in recent weeks.

Sweden's Gottmo wins Indonesia Ladies Open

Sweden's Gottmo wins Indonesia Ladies Open JAKARTA (JP): Sweden's Asa Gottmo confirmed Scandinavia's golfing supremacy after carding 3-under-par 69 yesterday at the Kosaido Ladies Asia Golf Circuit at the Pondok Cabe Golf and Country Club, Tangerang. The 25-year-old Gottmo birdied the first, fourth and eighth of the first nine. In the back nine, she carded two birdies at the 15th and 18th holes, but made two bogeys at the 5th and 16th.

Governor should accept criticism, says councilor

Governor should accept criticism, says councilor JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja should not get upset over public criticism of the city's planned parking fee hike a councilor said yesterday. M. Rodja of the United Development Party faction said the governor should appreciate the comments. "The city administration should be responsive to any concern raised by the people," said Rodja, of Commission D for development affairs.

Is democratization in Indonesia plausible?

Is democratization in Indonesia plausible? With the President already at an advanced age, succession of power has always loomed large in Indonesian politics. Arief Budiman examines the issue. JAKARTA (JP): During my public talks, many people have asked me about succession in Indonesia. Would it be peaceful or violent? Evolutionary or revolutionary? Or a mixture of the two? This concern is understandable, because the President is quite old now.

Mining Minister Sudjana reassures investors

Mining Minister Sudjana reassures investors JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Ida Bagus Sudjana reassured foreign investors of the stability of Indonesia's economic policies and favorable business climate yesterday, discounting the recent spate of riots as a small wave in the current rainy season.

Barrick's boss maintains faith in RI

Barrick's boss maintains faith in RI TORONTO (Reuter): The man who watched Indonesia's Busang, the largest gold discovery of the century, slip from his grasp is gracious in defeat. Peter Munk, chairman and chief executive of Canada's Barrick Gold Corp. said on Tuesday he still has faith in Indonesia and its mining law, despite losing the battle for the Busang gold deposit to Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. last week.

Musician Yusi Ananda finds satisfaction in going solo

Musician Yusi Ananda finds satisfaction in going solo By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): Like other businesses, the booming music industry in Indonesia is concentrating on Jakarta and other big cities in Java. It's a rocky expedition for musicians from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Irian Jaya and Sulawesi hoping to break into the industry. A star only begins to shine if he or she can lure the hearts of Jakarta's promoters and audience.

Burglary in Klender

Burglary in Klender JAKARTA (JP): Five men burgled a house at Kampung Tanah, Klender, East Jakarta, yesterday making off with a car, cash and almost the entire contents of the house, about Rp 40 million worth of goods. According to the owner, Ridwan, the burglar broke the front door and attacked him as he was coming out of the bedroom.

ITCI plan to build $500 million pulp mill

ITCI plan to build $500 million pulp mill JAKARTA (JP): PT International Timber Corporation Indonesia (ITCI) is planning to construct a US$500 million pulp mill in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, starting next year, an executive said yesterday.. ITCI president Abbas Adhar said the factory would take about three years to build and would be designed with a daily capacity of 1,200 tons.

Conference on diarrhea held

Conference on diarrhea held YOGYAKARTA: More than 200 local and foreign health experts are attending the three-day Eighth Asian Conference on Diarrheal Diseases. Sunarto, the conference president, said diarrhea was highly prevalent in many countries, especially developing ones. In Indonesia, diarrhea causes many deaths and much nutritional deficiency.

Going nuclear

Going nuclear Objections from environmentalists and other concerned groups notwithstanding, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a government-sponsored bill on nuclear energy which levels the way for the government to build Indonesia's first nuclear power plant on the Muria peninsula on the north coast of Central Java by the year 2003.

Volleyball body expects clean sweep at Games

Volleyball body expects clean sweep at Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association is aiming for a clean sweep at the 19th SEA Games here in October, after failing to win any golds at the last Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand. "Our target, as set by the National Sports Council, is to win all four golds at the Games.

NZ, Australia launch tourism campaign

NZ, Australia launch tourism campaign JAKARTA (JP): The New Zealand Tourism Board (NZTB) and Tourism New South Wales and Ansett Australia will launch advertising campaigns next month to attract more Indonesian visitors to Australasia. Rick Matkoswki, the Asian regional director for Tourism New South Wales, said yesterday the A$800,000 (US$619,633) campaign, called "Sydney, All Day Long, All Night Long", was designed to increase Indonesians' interest in the city.

PT Ciputra to open Taman Burung estate

PT Ciputra to open Taman Burung estate JAKARTA (JP): After launching a housing project set in flower gardens, publicly-listed developer PT Citra Development is now planning another next-to-nature site with some 810 birds as its feature, the company's president said yesterday. Harun Harjadi said the company would build a huge birdcage on a one-hectare plot in the middle of the 20-hectare housing site at Cibubur, East Jakarta, and smaller birdcages would be hung from street lamps.

Argentina, RI trade ties

Argentina, RI trade ties JAKARTA (JP): Argentina and Indonesia yesterday agreed to intensify their economic and trade cooperation after the second two-day meeting of their joint commission here. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that based on the agreed minutes signed here yesterday, both sides would diversify their reciprocal exports and imports, intensify the visits of their businessmen and participate in trade shows in their countries.

Councilor queries building project

Councilor queries building project SEMARANG: A Central Java councilor is protesting the planned construction of a building for local women activities which will cost the province Rp 3.5 billion (US$1.8 million). "I don't think it's necessary. It's not urgent. Such a large amount of money could be used on other schemes which directly meet the needs of the common people, such as education or irrigation," said H.A. Thoyfoer of the United Development Party faction.

Youths miss Hayono, Amien

Youths miss Hayono, Amien MEDAN, North Sumatra: Muhammadiyah Moslem Students began their four-day congress yesterday without scheduled guest speakers State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman and Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais. The organization's chairman, Syahril Syah, and secretary- general, Abdul Rohom Ghozali, issued a statement expressing regret over Hayono's failure to show up or send a stand-in.

Archery team hampered by schools and employers

Archery team hampered by schools and employers JAKARTA (JP): Some schools and employers continue to ignore a recommendation from the National Sports Council that they grant leave to athletes called up for the national training program for the 19th SEA Games, scheduled to take place here in October. Women's team coach Donald Pandiangan complained that one of his athletes had had to leave the training program due to school commitments.

'Several interests behind withdrawal on land-use ban'

'Several interests behind withdrawal on land-use ban' JAKARTA (JP): The loss of profit and power from issuing land permits is one probable reason behind the withdrawal of a policy stopping the issuance of land-use permits, a researcher said. Endang Sukendar of the Bandung-based Akatiga analysis center on land, labor and the informal sector, said yesterday there was no acceptable reason for the withdrawal of a policy issued last October by the National Land Agency.

Germany worried about new govt ruling on customs

Germany worried about new govt ruling on customs JAKARTA (JP): Most German businesspeople here are concerned about the government's plan to replace preshipment import inspections with on-arrival import inspections, a foreign official said.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta: - Chequers; The World Premier Band from USA, daily (except Sunday), 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. * Millennium Sirih Jakarta, Jl. Fachrudin 3, Jakarta: - The Lobby Lounge; Sahata Group, daily, 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. * Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta: - Fountain Lounge; Klasiko Suprema from the Philippines, daily (except Tuesday), 8:30 p.m.

Shares close mixed in Asia-Pacific

Shares close mixed in Asia-Pacific TOKYO (AFP): Japanese share prices closed 0.4 percent lower on profit taking yesterday while other Asia-Pacific markets were mixed, brokers said. The leading barometer of the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 79.15 points to finish the session at 18,990.92 while the broader Topix index of all shares on the first section closed 9.17 points lower at 1,416.20. In Jakarta, share prices closed 1.6 percent higher Wednesday on buying by foreign investors, dealers said.

State treasury to control reforestation funds

State treasury to control reforestation funds JAKARTA (JP): Forestry Minister Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo announced plans to tighten control of the use of reforestation funds yesterday by counting them in the state budget. But he did not rule out allocating a portion of the reforestation funds to pulp and paper companies. He said the House of Representatives was deliberating a bill on nontax revenue, including reforestation funds.

House approves nuclear power bill

House approves nuclear power bill JAKARTA (JP): The government pledged yesterday not to build a nuclear power plant in the near future despite the House of Representatives' endorsement of the nuclear power bill. State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie said, the government would have to go nuclear once other energy sources failed to meet future needs. "There are alternatives, like geothermal in Sumatra or hydropower and natural gas.

Primasel waits for approval

Primasel waits for approval JAKARTA (JP): An advanced handphone system called Personal Handy-phone Service (PHS) due to be launched in Surabaya in March is still awaiting government approval. The system, being developed by telecommunication joint venture PT Primasel, ends its trial development phase tomorrow. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and telecommunications, Jonathan Parapak, said yesterday the ministry had not decided when approval would be given.

Civil servants need political freedom: LIPI

Civil servants need political freedom: LIPI JAKARTA (JP): A government-commissioned survey by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has recommended that civil servants should be allowed to join any political organization. The survey, made public yesterday, suggested that as long as the six-million-strong Indonesian Civil Servants Corps remained tied to Golkar poor public service standards would persist.

Car stickers

Car stickers From Kompas I wish manufacturing companies and related business firms would maintain ethics, especially when promoting a product or distributing advertorial information about a company. This should also be the case for stickers on parked cars. Sometime ago at the Lippo Supermal in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, I found a sticker Lippo Supermal stuck on my parked car. Cars in the surrounding area also faced the same treatment.

'Riot won't affect migration'

'Riot won't affect migration' JAKARTA (JP): The ethnic conflict in West Kalimantan has nothing to do with the state-sponsored transmigration program, a minister said yesterday. Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo said the conflict between indigenous Dayaks and migrants from Madura would not affect the resettlement program in any way. He argued that the conflict, believed to have claimed hundreds of lives, involved mostly people from outside transmigration sites.