Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 March 1997

42 articles found

Customs office vows to maintain ship-side trucking

Customs office vows to maintain ship-side trucking JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Customs and Excise Soehardjo Soebardi has promised his party will maintain ship-side trucking of imported goods because it has ensured a smooth flows of goods. Soehardjo said last week ship-side trucking, practiced since the Dutch colonial era, is to be expanded to cover more goods when the 1995 customs laws came into force April 1.

Election tactics upset PPP

Election tactics upset PPP SURABAYA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) accused the local administration yesterday of unfairly sidelining it in favor of its rival, the ruling Golkar group. PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum branded the practice as violating "the morals and principles of fair and just politics" routinely trumpeted by the government.

Toll Road Card

Toll Road Card I would like to comment on the Kartu Langganan Tol (Toll Road Card), which I have been using since April 1996. So far, I have bought 22 of these cards for Rp 100,000 each. Seven of them have failed to complete transactions at the exit gate, with the following details: * two failed when the remaining value was above Rp 50,000. * one failed when the remaining value was below Rp 50,000. * two gave error (ERR) many times but the tickets were printed.

JSX share prices likely to bounce back

JSX share prices likely to bounce back JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchanges (JSX) share prices are likely to bounce back this week as fears on a possible increase in U.S. interest rates subside. Securities analysts said the U.S.'s February job data issued last week showed little upward pressure on wages, making fears of the rates hike weaken. "This will have a positive impact on Wall Street.

Should embassies obey parking rules?

Should embassies obey parking rules? JAKARTA (JP): It is not yet clear if embassies in Jakarta will have to comply with a city regulation that requires all buildings to provide an adequate number of parking spaces for its employees and visitors. The city has also proposed increasing parking lot fees to Rp 5,000 per hour in order to encourage carpooling and free up space in the lots.

Andrian may return to Games training

Andrian may return to Games training JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association's chairman, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, said Saturday that Andrian Raturandang, who was dismissed from the 19th SEA Games training camp because of his weak physical condition and undisciplined behavior, might be allowed to return. "Andrian can return to the training camp if his condition improves, provided he changes his attitude. If he doesn't, we won't recruit him although he's a good player," Sarwono said.

Not voting would be sinful: Moslem group

Not voting would be sinful: Moslem group JAKARTA (JP): Moslems, who constitute about 90 percent of the Indonesian population, were urged yesterday to stay away from campaigns to boycott the May 29 general election. Religious leaders also advised Moslems to ignore calls to join street demonstrations aimed at creating chaos with the eventual purpose of derailing the election.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Ancol Travelodge, Jl. Lodan Timur No. 7, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta: - Jungles Restaurant; Pasar Malam, Keroncong and Kecapi Suling, Friday, 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., Dixie Band, Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., Trio Band, Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. - No. 7 Bar; Duet pianist and singer, Sunday - Thursday, Quartet Jazz, Friday, Ikapari Country Band, Saturday. * Le - Meridien, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.

Observers cautious over election monitoring plan

Observers cautious over election monitoring plan JAKARTA (JP): Observers hailed Saturday the government's plan to invite foreigners to observe the May 29 polls, but said the move did not guarantee a fair general election.

'Oil palm plant ban will not last long'

'Oil palm plant ban will not last long' JAKARTA (JP): The government's recent ban on new foreign investments in oil palm plantations will not last long, because a permanent restriction will contradict the free trade principles, an observer has said. Chrisman Silitonga, an observer of agricultural and food issues, said on the weekend he was certain the government would reconsider the decision once the move was countered with free trade arguments.

Busang's signal to investors

Busang's signal to investors After months of uncertainty, the Busang gold project in Indonesia's East Kalimantan has finally received official blessing. The project has had a racy recent history that is worth recounting. Busang, which is estimated to contain a stunning 77 million ounces of gold, was originally supposed to have been mined by Canadian mining junior Bre-X minerals which discovered the Busang site.

Texmaco, SPIC tie up

Texmaco, SPIC tie up JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Texmaco Group and SPIC Ltd. Group of Madras, India, have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in exporting to India US$300 million worth of plant machineries for textile and chemical industries. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Texmaco Group's President M. Sinivasan and SPIC's President A.C. Muthaiya on Friday, publicly-listed Texmaco said in a statement here yesterday.

Gus Dur accepts offer to join Israeli institute

Gus Dur accepts offer to join Israeli institute SURABAYA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the country's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has accepted an offer to join the Jerusalem-based Simon Peres Institute. Abdurahman, better known as Gus Dur, said after a post-Idul Fitri gathering of 5,000 parents and students at the Khadijah girls boarding school here Saturday that he had confirmed his acceptance to the former Israeli prime minister.

Campaign contribution

Campaign contribution If some of the campaign contributions that the United States' Democratic and Republican parties have been returning to their donators these past few weeks could find its way to the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), the financial woes of the two minority parties would probably be over.

Finding of temple ruins changes lives in Karawang

Finding of temple ruins changes lives in Karawang By K. Basrie KARAWANG, West Java (JP): "Before newspapers and TV stations reported the finding of the temple ruins, I had never seen any cute city boys with fine clothes up close," said 15-year-old Nawiyah. While her dark, strong hands kept pumping water, the local teenager continued: "Everyday there are many handsome boys from other towns passing down the muddy road in front of my house.

Training on AIDS coverage

Training on AIDS coverage YOGYAKARTA: An education, research and publishing center is holding a series of workshops on AIDS for broadcast journalists. In cooperation with the Ford Foundation, the Research, Education and Publication Agency (LP3Y)'s workshops will provide journalists with knowledge in matters related to Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. Antara quoted the agency's chairman, Ashadi Siregar, as saying Saturday each workshop would comprise about 25 participants.

What are the true meanings of subversion and unconstitutional?

What are the true meanings of subversion and unconstitutional? By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): Legal expert J.E. Sahetapy insisted recently that the Democratic People's Party activists currently on trial for subversion should not have been accused of treason because they did not initiate an armed struggle.

S'pore soldiers killed in NZ

S'pore soldiers killed in NZ WELLINGTON (Reuter): Two Singaporean soldiers were killed and 12 soldiers were injured yesterday when an artillery shell exploded prematurely during a training exercise in New Zealand, an army spokesman said. It was the second fatal accident in just over two weeks involving Singaporean soldiers at the central North Island army training base of Waiouru. Eleven of the injured in yesterday's explosion were Singaporeans and one a New Zealander, who was slightly hurt.

UN chief firmly behind solving East Timor issue

UN chief firmly behind solving East Timor issue LISBON (AFP): UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is determined to make progress in resolving the problem of East Timor, his special envoy Jamsheed Marker said here after three days of talks with Portuguese officials. Marker is the first UN official to be appointed specifically to handle the East Timor question since the Portuguese colony became part of Indonesia more than 20 years ago.

50,000 join mass prayer in Madura

50,000 join mass prayer in Madura JAKARTA (JP): More than 50,000 East Java Moslems affiliated to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) organization held a mass gathering in Bangkalan, Madura, Saturday to pray for religious harmony, peace and national unity. The three-hour prayer, watched by dozens of security officers, passed off without incident, Antara reported. NU, with an estimated 30 million members, is Indonesia's largest religious and educational organization.

Eight steal cash and cameras

Eight steal cash and cameras JAKARTA (JP): Eight men stole cash, a cellular phone and cameras worth Rp 70 million (US$29,166) from a Central Jakarta photo studio yesterday after overwhelming two security guards. A police sergeant at the Central Jakarta Police precinct said the burglars arrived at 5:30 a.m. in a minivan and broke into the studio on Jl. Raden Saleh in the Menteng district.

Siloam makes capital market debut

Siloam makes capital market debut JAKARTA (JP): PT Siloam Gleneagles Health Care (SGHC), a hospital firm affiliated to Lippo Group, is offering 47 million new shares at Rp 2,950 (US$1.23) each for three days until Wednesday to raise Rp 138.7 billion, said an executive.

Ten people die in dengue outbreak

Ten people die in dengue outbreak YOGYAKARTA: Ten people have died in a dengue outbreak over the past two months, according to local health office doctor Kristi Indarti. Antara quoted the doctor as saying 245 people from five regencies in Yogyakarta were affected by the disease. Last year, dengue affected 1,102 people and killed 34. In 1995, 1,026 residents of Yogyakarta suffered from dengue; 23 died. Separately, in Dili, East Timor, 29 people have been hit by dengue over the past two months.

Pupils poisoned in Bekasi

Pupils poisoned in Bekasi JAKARTA (JP): Several pupils in Bekasi, West Java, were poisoned Saturday by foodstuffs bought at vendors near their school. The pupils from four state-run schools were admitted to nearby hospitals and clinics. A nurse of the Bekasi general hospital told The Jakarta Post seven patients were in the emergency care unit. Nurse Ika said five other pupils returned home in the afternoon.

$197m loan to Ratelindo

$197m loan to Ratelindo JAKARTA (JP): PT Radio Telephone Indonesia (Ratelindo), a private firm operating fixed-cellular radio telephones will sign today a US$197 million lending facilities. The loans will be provided by 12 international banks including Korea Development Bank, Bank of Taiwan, Fuji Bank, Keppel Bank of Singapore, Chase Manhattan Bank and Dresdner Southeast Asia. Around $75 million of the total loans will be guaranteed by the United States' Exim Bank.

'Three-level transit system will not contradict subway'

'Three-level transit system will not contradict subway' JAKARTA (JP): Following announcements that a proposed subway has been given the green light by the government, a developer planning to build a three-level transit system said his company still intends to start the project on April 21. Bambang Soeroso, chief executive officer of the Citra Group, said Saturday the project, to include a toll road and light rail transit, "is not in contradiction to the subway".

Govt, Unicef to set up children's rights body

Govt, Unicef to set up children's rights body JAKARTA (JP): Ministry of Social Services and Unicef officials announced Saturday plans to establish the Child Protection Institute. Sudarmanto, of the ministry's social welfare development office, told a press briefing the concept for the institute arose from comparative studies in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam conducted by Unicef (the United Nations International Children's Fund).

Frustrating traffic

Frustrating traffic Talk, talk, talk is all they seem to do on the future policy to improve traffic conditions in Jakarta -- a Rp 5,000 parking fee for the hour, even and odd number registration plates for different days of the week and the three-in-one system. Has the traffic improved? Is driving in Jakarta at all safe? Of course it is ... The police are indeed well trained and efficient. They are renowned for camouflaging themselves on streets.

PTT, Aramco talk refinery

PTT, Aramco talk refinery BANGKOK (Reuter): The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is discussing a refinery development deal in southern Thailand with Saudi Aramco, the Bangkok Post reported over the weekend. Aramco is interested in a expanding its finished oil products business and is looking for a refinery location from which to supply target South Korean and Japanese markets, the paper attributed PTT Governor Pala Sookawesh as saying.

New Ambon-Darwin route

New Ambon-Darwin route JAKARTA (JP): Air North, a private Australian airline company, in cooperation with PT Sumber Budi Tour and Travel (SBTT) of Ambon, will serve the Ambon-Darwin route in April. The Indonesian company's president, Sandi Delima, said in Ambon over the weekend that the two companies had signed a deal to operate the airline's 20-seat Metro Liner aircraft on the route.

Women workers escape

Women workers escape BATAM, Riau: Eleven Indonesian women workers escaped mistreatment at the hands of their Malaysian employers in Johor and returned home with the help of officials at the Indonesian consulate in Johor Bahru. The workers told Antara they were exploited, made to work excessively and given too little chance to rest and recover. "I was cheated by my broker. I was told I would only be taking care of a baby.

Malaysian, S. African firms sign property deal

Malaysian, S. African firms sign property deal KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian and South African firms signed agreements here Saturday covering property, infrastructure and banking projects worth over US$1 billion as part of President Nelson Mandela's business-oriented state visit. Malaysian developer ABI Construction Sdn. Bhd. signed an agreement with South Africa's Trakprops 31 Pty. Ltd. to carry out a mixed property development in Capetown with a project cost estimated at one billion dollars.

Italian entrepreneurs to visit

Italian entrepreneurs to visit JAKARTA (JP): The Italian Association of Manufacturers of Machinery, Installations, Furnaces and Products for Founderies (Amafond) under the coordination of the Italian Trade Commission here is scheduled to visit Indonesia on March 17 and 18.

MANZA exacts sweet revenge in Jakarta

MANZA exacts sweet revenge in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Still smarting from losing to the Jakarta Touch Rugby Club (JTRC) in the final of its own tournament last November, MANZA from Kuala Lumpur exacted sweet revenge by winning the JTRC invitational mixed tournament here Saturday. After starting uncertainly in the round-robin section of the ten team event, including losing to the JTRC Cavaliers - who had had one player sent off - MANZA played with greater discipline in the knock-out stages.

Police force to get digital tracking unit

Police force to get digital tracking unit JAKARTA (JP): The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology has offered the National Police a digital vehicle tracking system to help improve the force's efficiency, the National Police chief said late last week. Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said the high technology Global Positioning System would increase police mobility and efficiency.

EDI to curb collusion between importers and officials

EDI to curb collusion between importers and officials By Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Importers, after subscribing to the customs electronic data interchange (EDI) system, would meet customs officials only once to clear imported goods. All previous procedures within the customs clearance process could be carried out electronically through EDI system. That is the concept which has been promoted by the customs service.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel Program: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Buck Rogers 3:05 Children's Program: Anak Anak Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Fresh Prince of Bell Air 4:05 Science Film: Japan By Train 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:00 Regional News 5:25 My Country 5:30 Puppet Appreciation: Hanoman Duta 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Education Program: Open University 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Talk...

Ometraco sells subsidiary for expansion

Ometraco sells subsidiary for expansion JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Ometraco Corporation has agreed to sell its pharmaceutical company, PT Supra Usadhatama, to PT Tempo Scan Pacific and PT Indonesian Pharmaceutical Industries to raise funds for its expansion project. Ometraco signed a conditional sales and purchase agreement Saturday to sell Supra, including its subsidiary PT Supra Ferbindo Farma, for Rp 192 billion (US$80 million). The sales will be effective April 22 this year.

Councilor wants city to impose liquor sale fees

Councilor wants city to impose liquor sale fees JAKARTA (JP): A councilor has urged the government to allow the city to impose fees on liquor distributors in addition to tax on retailers. Councilor Muhammad Banang of the United Development Party (PPP) faction was responding to a new instruction issued Friday by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Hotel for Graha Chandra

Hotel for Graha Chandra JAKARTA (JP): PT Graha Chandra Buana in cooperation with Southern Pacific Hotel Corp. will build a four-star hotel, Hotel Centra, in Semarang with a total investment of Rp 55 billion (US$23.4 million), an official said over the weekend. The Investment Coordinating Board's provincial office's chairman, Soedarsono, said in Semarang over the weekend that with the new hotel he expected the number of tourists visiting the city would increase.

Fire destroys 60 houses

Fire destroys 60 houses JAKARTA (JP): Fire destroyed 60 houses Saturday in the slum area of Kampung Rawa, Central Jakarta, leaving 104 families homeless. No fatalities were reported. Local residents said Saturday they did not know where the fire, which started around 10:00 p.m, had originated. One resident said the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in a vacant house.

Archeologists differ on ancient buildings in Karawang

Archeologists differ on ancient buildings in Karawang By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): While many archeologists remain in the dark about the history of the remains of ancient buildings at the Batujaya district in Karawang, West Java, Hasan Djafar from the University of Indonesia has developed his own views.