Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 March 1997

44 articles found

Minimum wage too low

Minimum wage too low DILI: Head of the East Timor office of the Manpower Ministry Ign. Mudji Hartono said the new local minimum wage would contribute to 83 percent of the workers' minimum physical needs. The wages of workers in East Timor would increase from Rp 126,000 (US$52.7) to Rp 138,000 a month when the daily minimum wage is enforced on April 1.

Sarwono urges media not to play up Wynne's victory

Sarwono urges media not to play up Wynne's victory JAKARTA (JP): The media must not give too much coverage to Wynne Prakusya, who recently won the Asia Oceania Group I Fed Cup Qualifying Round for Indonesia. The Indonesia Tennis Association's chairman, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, said the Indonesia public can be cruel. "The line between a compliment and condemnation here is very thin," he said.

Ulemas against human cloning

Ulemas against human cloning JAKARTA: The cloning of humans is haram, or forbidden by Islamic law, because it is against the will of Allah, according to the influential Indonesian Council of Ulemas. Chairman Hasan Basri and deputy chairman Ali Yafie made the Moslem leaders' stance on the matter clear during the council's national meeting here over the weekend.

Environmental training

Environmental training JAKARTA (JP): Environmental training sponsored by UNESCO and the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) is being conducted on the island of Pari in the Seribu Islands. The training, from March 23 to 27, is aimed at handling problems relating to coastal areas and small islands, Antara reported Saturday. According to the chairman of the organizing committee, Suharsono, all activities will be carried out at the Oceanology Research Station on Pari island.

JSX threatens to delist four publicly-listed firms

JSX threatens to delist four publicly-listed firms JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is threatening to delist four publicly listed companies whose shares have not been traded for the last six consecutive months, the bourse's trade director said over the weekend. "We have sent warning letters to the four companies and we are waiting for their responses," Mas Achmad Daniri said.

Moslems told to prevent unrest

Moslems told to prevent unrest JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas called on Indonesian Moslems as the majority population to help establish peace and national unity, and prevent social unrest. In a statement issued at the conclusion of its three-day annual meeting Saturday, the council called on everybody to learn from the recent incidents of unrest across the country, and to exercise self-restraint.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Radisson Hotel, Jl. Pecenongan 72, Central Jakarta: - Lobby Lounge Bar; Vino on Bass and Yudi on Piano, Mona and Nongky (Singers), Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. * 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.

Praying facilities in malls

Praying facilities in malls From Republika I am concerned and disappointed about the present praying facilities allotted by managements and owners of offices, malls and hotels in Jakarta for Moslems, including lavatory services. There are only a few office buildings, malls and hotels in Jakarta whose facilities cover Moslems' needs. Some buildings, like Panin Building, Astek Building, the Directorate General of Inland Revenue and the Hotel Sahid Jaya, provide adequate facilities.

Mahathir receives Saudian award

Mahathir receives Saudian award RIYADH (Reuter): Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid presented King Faisal Foundation international awards to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, an Iraqi scholar and five Western scientists at a ceremony in Riyadh. "This evening ... we celebrate the accomplishments of the human mind," Prince Khalid bin Faisal told a packed audience of men in traditional gold-edged robes at the Saturday night event.

Fires raze houses and auditorium

Fires raze houses and auditorium JAKARTA (JP): Two fires destroyed 11 houses and an auditorium of the state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom at separate sites in Central Jakarta Saturday. No fatalities were reported. A police officer at the Central Jakarta precinct said the first fire started at 6:30 a.m and destroyed 11 houses on Jl. Kramat Jaya Baru, in Johar Baru. "The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the house belonging to Suhadi," he said.

Political parties urged to announce candidates

Political parties urged to announce candidates JAKARTA (JP): A political observer suggested that Indonesia's three political groupings take a brave step and announce their candidates for the 1998 presidency and vice presidency, thus ensuring a more lively general election on May 29.

Gatari Air plans to expand overseas

Gatari Air plans to expand overseas JAKARTA (JP): Despite complaints over its pilot employment system, private charter airlines PT Gatari Air Service plans to expand its business to foreign countries. Company president Eddy Pramono told The Jakarta Post over the weekend that Gatari had set short, medium and long-term targets for its expansion plan. "In the short term, we are improving the company's efficiency.

Monkeys threaten power supply

Monkeys threaten power supply NEW DELHI (DPA): Monkeys are emerging as a threat to electricity supply in the power-cut prone Indian capital and their penchant for causing blackouts has not spared even the federal president and the prime minister, reports said.

TB treatment program a success in E. Timor

TB treatment program a success in E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): Two non-governmental organizations announced their success in combating tuberculosis among children in East Timor through a new strategy known as DOTS. The "Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course" is used by the Christian Children's Fund and the Indonesian Children's Foundation to ensure that over 500 small patients take their medicines regularly and until they are cured.

Iradat to lose concession

Iradat to lose concession JAKARTA (JP): PT Iradat Puri, the holder of a forest concession in Central Sulawesi, is unlikely to have its permit extended because it no longer operates, Director General of Forest Utilization Titus Sarijanto says. Titus was quoted by Antara as saying that Iradat Puri's concession was due to expire in several months and after that, since it was inactive, it was unlikely to be extended.

Palm oil investment

Palm oil investment The arguments used by the Indonesian government to defend its restrictive ruling on foreign investments in the palm oil industry seem very weak. We don't see any benefit of the measure vis a vis the development of domestic small and medium enterprises. Fears of a market glut also seem groundless because Indonesia still consumes the bulk of its crude palm oil output of around 4.7 million tons a year.

ABRI's dual function

ABRI's dual function At the instruction of the government, LIPI (the National Institute of Sciences) made a study of ABRI's (the Armed Forces) sociopolitical role. The institute gave six recommendations. 1. For the sake of political reform, ABRI should reduce its control over political institutions. 2. In socioeconomic matters, ABRI's role should focus on the eradication of poverty and better respect for human rights. 3.

City's plan to improve sidewalks praised

City's plan to improve sidewalks praised JAKARTA (JP): An urban planner hailed the city's long awaited plan to improve sidewalks in the capital, where recent emphasis has been on building more skyscrapers and roads. Djoko Sujarto of the Bandung-based Institute of Technology said it was time that pedestrians be given priority. "The city has far more pedestrians than motorists. But current developments give more priority to motorists," Djoko said.

Police raid discotheques, illegal gambling dens

Police raid discotheques, illegal gambling dens JAKARTA (JP): More than 200 people, including five Armed Forces personnel, were arrested in raids on nightspots and illicit gambling dens in West and Central Jakarta over the weekend. The police confiscated Rp 23.4 million (US$9,693) and gambling paraphernalia including pin ball machines from the illegal gambling houses.

China shuns HK Telecom

China shuns HK Telecom HONG KONG (AFP): China has no plan to take a direct stake in telecommunications giant Hongkong Telecommunications Ltd., a top Chinese official was quoted as saying over the weekend. Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Wu Jichuan told reporters here late Friday the ministry had "no plans to buy shares" in Hongkong Telecom. But Wu would not be drawn on whether one of its subsidiaries might get involved in buying a stake in the company.

Careless bus drivers kill five in South, East Jakarta

Careless bus drivers kill five in South, East Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Careless bus drivers caused two accidents and the deaths of a teacher and four students over the weekend, police said. Nur Intan, 27, a teacher at the private SMA Mandiri high school in Depok, was returning home from shopping on Saturday at the Blok M shopping center, South Jakarta, when she was hit by a bus around 10 a.m.

Plan International in Bogor

Plan International in Bogor BOGOR (JP): The Bogor mayoralty has been chosen as the site for Plan International's pilot project on children's and women's welfare in West Java next year. Next year's project follows a deal signed by the West Java administration and Plan International in Yogyakarta, on March 9. Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi said Saturday there were 270 needy children between 12 and 15 years in Bogor.

Sidoarjo water project wins government's approval

Sidoarjo water project wins government's approval JAKARTA (JP): A consortium of two local companies and a foreign enterprise have won government approval to develop a Rp 130 billion (US$53.83 million) drinking water project in Sidoarjo, East Java, under a 25 year build-operate-transfer contract. The consortium, comprising PT Hansa Lestari, PT Agumar Nusa and Compagnie Generale des Eaux (CGC) of France, said yesterday the construction of the water treatment plant would start soon.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel Program: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Buck Rogers 3:00 News: Lintasan Berita 3:05 Children's Program: Anak Anak Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Fresh Prince of Bell Air 4:05 Science Film: Food For The World 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 4:55 Filler/Trailer 5:00 Regional News 5:25 My Country 5:30 Family Program: Kesejahteraan Keluarga 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, the Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Filler/Trailer...

Eleven injured, 48 held in Timor demonstration

Eleven injured, 48 held in Timor demonstration DILI, East Timor (JP): Eleven people were injured and 48 arrested yesterday when security forces broke up a demonstration that was being held in the lobby of the hotel where visiting United Nations envoy, Jamsheed Marker, was staying.

Sudjana to check into Busang rumors

Sudjana to check into Busang rumors JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana said yesterday he would soon check into rumors that the gold deposits found in East Kalimantan's Busang area might not contain the 70 million ounces as claimed by Bre-X Minerals Ltd. "I just learned of the rumors from newspapers but I will immediately check on them, and if they are true the government will take firm action," Sudjana was quoted by Antara as saying.

Indonesian easy or difficult?

Indonesian easy or difficult? I refer to the two interesting letters this month about whether or not Indonesian is an easy-to-learn language. I have lived here for a total of about 10 years (in three stints) and felt like writing about my experience. If you are not in Jakarta, you learn Indonesian in no time because there is no alternative. Very few people can speak English even in other big cities like Surabaya or Semarang.

'Oligopolistic distribution harms consumers'

'Oligopolistic distribution harms consumers' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian consumers have to pay more than those in neighboring countries do due to oligopolistic practices in the country's distribution networks, economists said here last week. Anggito Abimanyu and Heru Nugroho from the Center for Inter- University Economic Studies at Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada university said Indonesian consumers were poorly protected.

Italy's Chiodi wins Motocross C'ship

Italy's Chiodi wins Motocross C'ship JAKARTA (JP): Alessio Chiodi of Italy won the Bentoel International 125cc Motocross World Championship at the Pugeran Circuit, Yogyakarta, yesterday. Chiodi and his Yamaha collected 40 points with a two-race time of one hour 32 minutes 23.03.

Four children die in blast

Four children die in blast KEBUMEN, Central Java: Four children died after a mortar they found and had been playing with exploded Saturday afternoon. Another child in the village of Setrojenar was seriously wounded in the blast. The mortar took the lives of Nur Hamim, 15, who found the mortar, two-year-old Mafuri, five-year-old Setiadi, and Afif, who was eight. Wahyudi, two, is currently being treated at Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta.

Social scientists ask to be included in future planning

Social scientists ask to be included in future planning By Dwi Atmanta MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Indonesian social scientists called on the government to pay greater attention to social factors when forming future development programs. The scientists said Saturday they could help facilitate development while minimizing social costs by carrying out social cost analyses and environmental impact assessments for the government.

EIU rating on Indonesia unrealistic: Economists

EIU rating on Indonesia unrealistic: Economists JAKARTA (JP): The poor rating given to Indonesia's investment climate by the Economists Intelligence Unit (EIU) does not reflect the real situation, said local economists. Sjahrir, the managing director of the Institute for Economic and Financial Research said Saturday that despite what analysts saw as Indonesia's worsening political climate, foreign investment continued flowing into the country. "This is some kind of paradox.

Government offers help to dairy cooperatives

Government offers help to dairy cooperatives JAKARTA (JP): The government has offered assistance to dairy cooperatives in finding a solution to their debt problems. "The cooperatives facing problems with their debts should report to the government. We are ready to help solve the problems," Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya said after the opening of an annual meeting of the Indonesian Association of Dairy Cooperatives on Friday.

Garuda Satu mutual fund to target retail investors

Garuda Satu mutual fund to target retail investors JAKARTA (JP): Gunawan Jusuf, the managing director of PT Makindo Securities, said Saturday he was upbeat the Garuda Satu mutual fund would attract individual investors. He said that the open-end mutual fund launched by Makindo's subsidiary PT Intru Nusantara, was designed to tap retail investors.

UNESCO, LIPI hold workshop

UNESCO, LIPI hold workshop JAKARTA: The Center for Oceanological Research and Development of the National Institute for Sciences (LIPI) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are conducting a workshop on ways of solving coastal and islet problems of the nearby Seribu islands.

Medan-Binjai pipeline

Medan-Binjai pipeline JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) will build a gas pipeline linking Medan, the capital of North Sumatra and Binjai, a nearby town, the company said. A company executive said in Medan over the weekend that PGN was currently only able to serve Medan. PGN's current customers in Medan are mostly manufacturing companies. Only few households use the gas fuel due to the lack of pipeline networks. (icn)

Elephants run amok

Elephants run amok PEKANBARU, Riau: Dozens of wild elephants have ran amok several times over the past few weeks and destroyed thousands of rubber trees in the Sumatran village of Bangkinang in Riau, a rubber planter said here Friday. A herd of about 40 elephants scared farmers away from tapping the rubber trees, the farmer said.

Children's games

Children's games From Merdeka It is apparently easy for organizers of children's games to make a lot of money quickly. Modern and sophisticated equipment attracts children. A three-minute session costs Rp 3,000! This is peanuts for the rich, but most people have to think twice before letting their children play on a game which will cost Rp 1,000 a minute. We must all be aware of the gradual disappearance of traditional children's playgrounds like parks and open fields.

'Voters should not only be heard at election time'

'Voters should not only be heard at election time' JAKARTA (JP): A political observer called on the government to respect people's sovereignty by involving them in political decision-making when the general elections are over. J. Kristiadi of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a discussion on elections Saturday that people should be able to fully participate in the decision-making processes that affect their daily lives.

Old woman strangled

Old woman strangled JAKARTA (JP): A 77-year-old woman was found strangled in a house in West Jakarta last week with a nylon rope around her neck and a head injury. A police sergeant at the West Jakarta Police precinct said Li Amoy was found on the kitchen floor of the house on Jl. Surya Permata, Surya Garden housing complex, in Kebun Jeruk, by her servant, Inah. He said Inah went to the market at 9 a.m and returned an hour later.

PT Sucofindo to assist customs and excise office

PT Sucofindo to assist customs and excise office JAKARTA (JP): State-owned surveyor company PT Sucofindo will be involved in the inspection of imports, notably those related to the post-audit of documents, when the new customs law comes into effect next month, the company's president said. Sucofindo President Moedjiono said over the weekend this would start when the new customs law comes into effect on April 1.

Interest rate fears cast shadow on JSX

Interest rate fears cast shadow on JSX JAKARTA (JP): Fears of a possible increase in American interest rates is likely to continue to cast a shadow on domestic stock trading activities. Securities analysts said that share prices would remain under pressure this week as most investors would stay on the sidelines, waiting for the result of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting. The U.S. Fed is scheduled to hold its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on May 25.

Asian investors edgy about Fed funds rate

Asian investors edgy about Fed funds rate HONG KONG (Reuter): Asian stocks face a jittery week, anticipating a rise in the U.S. Federal funds rate at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Tuesday. Asian markets are expected to be weak due to concerns about interest rates, which caused the U.S. Dow Jones index to fall this past week. The index fell 15 points on Friday to 6805 although rate fears weren't seen as a major factor for the day.

Child protection movement prepared

Child protection movement prepared JAKARTA: Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Soeweno announced Friday the government's plan to launch later this year a national movement to protect children. Inten, also chairwoman of the national committee for the celebration of Indonesian Children's Day, reported yesterday to President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace about her ministry's various activities.