Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 March 1997

64 articles found

Make things better

Make things better I am pleased to note that The Jakarta Post would consider publishing on national holidays. I refer to your prompt feedback on Jun Sta. Ana's letter of March 26, 1997.Another writer, Ben Dowson, raised an interesting and pertinent point in his letter Really odd (March 22, 1997).

Course opens for 2nd special squad

Course opens for 2nd special squad JAKARTA (JP): Specially trained policemen are badly needed to fight criminals who have become more violent to both their victims and law enforcers, said the City Police chief.Maj. Gen.

Wartsila builds RI plant

Wartsila builds RI plant HELSINKI (Reuter): Wartsila Diesel, part of Finnish diversified engineering group Oy Metra Ab, said in a statement on Thursday it would invest slightly over US$10 million in a new power plant modules and engines factory in Indonesia.

UBS cuts SGS rating

UBS cuts SGS rating ZURICH (Reuter): Union Bank of Switzerland said it cut its recommendation for shares of inspections company Ste Generale de Surveillance to "sell" from "hold" on expectations the company had lost contracts with Indonesia and Pakistan.

River Ajkwa polluted

River Ajkwa polluted JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Residents along the Ajkwa River, which flows from the outskirt of Tembagapura city to Timika, the capital of East Mimika regency, have been warned against drinking the polluted water, Antara reported.

Rights body wants new office

Rights body wants new office DILI, East Timor: The National Commission on Human Rights is seeking to move its representative office in East Timor, currently located near a military facility, to new premises, a report said Thursday.

Container terminal joint venture to be set up

Container terminal joint venture to be set up JAKARTA (JP): PT Surya Semesta Internusa through its subsidiary PT Suryacipta Swadaya will operate a container terminal with Sumitomo of Japan and PT HM Sampoerna.

Sales of Timor national car plunged in February

Sales of Timor national car plunged in FebruaryBy Clay Lucas SALES of the Timor Putra national car collapsed last month.The company had expected to sell more than 3,000 cars in February but, according to statistics released by PT Astra International, sold only 962.

Cherishing our heritage

Cherishing our heritage As of the beginning of this week, Jakarta's Museum and Historical Agency has ceased to exist. In its place is the newly established City Museum and Restoration Agency.Given that just one word in its name has been changed, one may be forgiven for being a bit skeptical about...

Boy hangs himself

Boy hangs himself JAKARTA (JP): An elementary school student has been found hung dead in his house in West Jakarta.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Thursday that 13-year-old Rizky had hung himself with a sarong in the attic of his house on Jl.

City Hall won't widen Jl. M.H. Thamrin sidewalk

City Hall won't widen Jl. M.H. Thamrin sidewalk JAKARTA (JP): The sidewalk along Jl. M.H. Thamrin will not be widened by eight meters despite newspaper reports to the contrary.Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, the assistant to the secretary of development affairs, said Thursday the city was not planning to...

Sinar Surya sues Kian Ho

Sinar Surya sues Kian Ho SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore's Kian Ho Bearings Ltd said on Thursday it was being sued by Indonesian firm PT Sinar Surya Corp over the alleged supply of unsatisfactory goods.Kian Ho said in a statement it was counter-claiming for defamation.

Audi chooses technology and good looks for new A6

Audi chooses technology and good looks for new A6By Alexander Corne GERMAN prestige brand, Audi, which starts selling its A4 models in Indonesia later this year, has unveiled a new, larger car, in Europe.The new A6 is likely to go on sale in Indonesia late next year.

Warkop comedians uneducational

Warkop comedians uneducationalFrom RepublikaHaving seen films on TV starring the Warkop group of comedians on Indosiar, I would like to voice my concern.Nearly all the films present the negative side of Western life contrary to our moral and cultural values.

Malaysia, Singapore spat forces currencies to fall

Malaysia, Singapore spat forces currencies to fall KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The ringgit and Singapore dollar fell sharply on Thursday, becoming the first victims of reports that Malaysia has decided to freeze ties with the island nation, dealers and analysts said.

Brazil waiting for reply on RI cocoa

Brazil waiting for reply on RI cocoa RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuter): The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture is still awaiting a reply from the Indonesian embassy which could allow it to give the go-ahead to imports of Indonesian cocoa, a ministry official said.

RI to send six cyclists to Tour de Philippines

RI to send six cyclists to Tour de Philippines JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is to send six cyclists to the Tour de Philippines in Manila, April 16 to May 3.Sofian Ruzian, deputy director of the SEA Games training center, said that the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) has approved the plan of...

Free storytelling for kids and parents

Free storytelling for kids and parents JAKARTA (JP): Two popular Indonesian storytellers Pak Raden and Pak Djokolelono and their British counterparts, Helen East and Rick Wilson, will perform a bulk of favorite tales tomorrow morning at Bentara Budaya hall on Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Central Jakarta.

Price war in hotel industry to continue

Price war in hotel industry to continue JAKARTA (JP): The price war between Indonesia's star-rated hotels will continue because of the phenomenal increase in new hotels over the last few years, according to tourism expert Oka A. Yoeti.

Call for integrated transport in Bogor

Call for integrated transport in Bogor BOGOR (JP): A transportation consultant has suggested that Bogor have an integrated road and railway service linking it with surrounding areas in West Java.Purnomosidi, speaking at a seminar on transportation in Bogor Thursday, said improvement was needed...

More calls for transparent nomination

More calls for transparent nomination JAKARTA (JP): Calls for more transparent presidential and vice presidential nominations are increasing, with the latest calls coming from two political leaders.Alamsjah Ratu Perwiranegara, a former aide to President Soeharto and the Coordinating Minister for...

Malaysia cool on S'pore ties despite denial of freeze

Malaysia cool on S'pore ties despite denial of freeze KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian leaders have stressed that ties with Singapore will not return to normal in a hurry, while scotching reports of a sweeping freeze on new bilateral dealings after their worst row in years.

Sorting out what is 'unconstitutional' behavior.

Sorting out what is 'unconstitutional' behavior. Following President Soeharto's comments about "unconstitutional" groups, many Indonesians have been confused as to just what is constitutional and what is not.

East Timor talks enter new phase

East Timor talks enter new phase UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan has proved himself to be quite active in attempting to settle the issue of East Timor.His special envoy has already approached a number of parties to gather information for the upcoming tripartite talks, which are to be attended by...

The ups and downs of the lives of the Soedarpo family

The ups and downs of the lives of the Soedarpo family Reminiscences of the Past II Written by Mien Soedarpo Edited by Siti Nuraini Barnett Translated into Indonesian by H. Rosihan Anwar Published jointly by Sejati Foundation and PT Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia, l997.

Treasury head of BI unaware of fake transfer

Treasury head of BI unaware of fake transfer JAKARTA (JP): The head of Bank Indonesia's treasury division, testifying in the trial of two men charged with defrauding the bank of Rp 7 billion (US$2.9 million), told the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday that he was unaware of any fictitious...

Laverton gets RI permit

Laverton gets RI permit SYDNEY (Reuter): Laverton Gold NL said on Thursday it has secured a large area of exploration ground surrounding its Rawas gold mine in Indonesia.Laverton said it has been granted a second Contract of Work at Rawas by the Indonesian government after a two-year wait.

Bank Niaga

Bank NiagaFrom Media IndonesiaI, Yuanita Purwadi, wife and legal heiress of my late husband V. Mailuhu, have received a good response from Bank Niaga in connection with the problem I faced when I wanted to claim my late husband's savings.

Petrochem profits down

Petrochem profits down JAKARTA (JP): The publicly listed PT GT Petrochem Industries announced Thursday an 11 percent drop in its consolidated net profit in 1996 to Rp 54 billion (US$22.68 million) from Rp 60 billion in 1995.

Mahathir warns West not to impose trade rules

Mahathir warns West not to impose trade rules TOKYO (AP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has warned Western nations leading the World Trade Organization not to impose their principles of free trade on Asian nations.

Developer rating system demanded

Developer rating system demanded JAKARTA (JP): Ciputra, one of the country's most successful property developers, suggested Thursday a special rating agency to assess property and housing developers be established.

Indomobil to build Porsche 911

Indomobil to build Porsche 911By Clay Lucas INDOMOBIL is expected to sign a contract to build the 1998 Porsche 911 sports car. It also has plans to export cars its builds to other Asian markets.The company's head of marketing and business development, Angky Camaro, said the licensing procedures for...

Employment law

Employment lawFrom RepublikaArticle 14, paragraph 12 of Law No.1, 1951 which confirmed the enactment of Law No.12, 1948 (known as the Employment Law) reads: "Workers who have been employed for six consecutive years by one company are entitled to a three-month-long leave.

RI must learn from Busang issue: Amien

RI must learn from Busang issue: Amien YOGYAKARTA (JP): Moslem scholar Amien Rais has said that Indonesians had to control, guide and supervise the exploitation of their country's natural resources."The Busang case should serve as a moral lesson for us," he told reporters on Wednesday.

Sihanouk not against ASEAN

Sihanouk not against ASEAN PHNOM PENH (Reuter): King Norodom Sihanouk is not opposed to Cambodia's entry into the Association of South East Asian Nations, the royal palace said yesterday.But the king, in documents released by the royal palace, said he fears the social and economic costs of joining...

Pfizer forges alliance

Pfizer forges alliance JAKARTA (JP): PT Pfizer Indonesia, a subsidiary of Panama's Pfizer Inc., has agreed to cooperate with PT Dexa Medica in the manufacturing of Tensivask, with the active ingredient amlodipine.

Partnership program ineffective: Analyst

Partnership program ineffective: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): An economist has criticized the government's policy of helping small companies, saying the existing partnership program is ineffective.Prof. Anwar Nasution of the University of Indonesia's School of Economics said Thursday the government's...

Japfa signs $152m loans

Japfa signs $152m loans JAKARTA (JP): PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, a publicly-owned animal feed processing firm, has secured a US$152 million credit facility from a group of syndicating banks.The company said here Thursday that the loans were extended to Japfa and its subsidiary, Japfa Comfeed...

Police arrest 31 for unrest in Pekalongan

Police arrest 31 for unrest in Pekalongan JAKARTA (JP): The number of people detained in the Central Java coastal town of Pekalongan rose to 31 yesterday as the town began to return to normal.Residents in the batik town said fewer police were seen in public places but soldiers were still patrolling...

Wynne cruises to semis of Astra tennis c'ships

Wynne cruises to semis of Astra tennis c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Top seeded Wynne Prakusya of Indonesia cruised to the semifinals while defending champion Peter Handoyo, also of Indonesia, crashed at yesterday's quarterfinals of the 11th Indonesia Astra International Junior Tennis Championships at the...

New silkworm variety discovered

New silkworm variety discovered YOGYAKARTA: A university researcher announced Tuesday the new discovery of three silkmoths with a much higher value and superior quality than the existing variety.Jesmandt Situmorang of Gadjah Mada University said during a seminar that the three wild silkmoths, known...

Subversion defendands treated poorly: Relatives

Subversion defendands treated poorly: Relatives JAKARTA (JP): The relatives of some jailed activists standing trial for subversion protested Thursday the courts' alleged poor treatment of the defendants.

Bus fares

Bus faresFrom PelitaCheap transportation seems to be elusive for low-income people. I live in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, and work in Pulogadung, East Jakarta. Every day I have to wait for more than one hour to get the Pulogadung-Pasar Minggu bus to go home.

Another rebel shot

Another rebel shot LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: Troops shot dead a member of Aceh's secessionist movement Wednesday after he reportedly resisted arrest near his house in Matang Sijuek Teungoh village in northern Aceh.Abu Salam, 35, was suspected of committing a number of crimes in the province, Lt. Col.

Constitution allows early nomination of leaders

Constitution allows early nomination of leaders Debating when is the right time to discuss presidential candidates may be a non-issue in many countries but it is a current controversy in Indonesia. Political scientist Amien Rais of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University and chairman of the...

Experts call for revision of new manpower bill

Experts call for revision of new manpower bill JAKARTA (JP): More experts have called for a revision of the newly-drafted bill on manpower, warning of possible labor unrest if the House of Representatives endorses the document.

Mahathir inspects Matsushita's expo

Mahathir inspects Matsushita's expo TOKYO (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday toured a technical exhibition in the western Japanese city of Osaka, sponsored by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.

Motorcycle taxis

Motorcycle taxisFrom NeracaJakarta badly needs the services of ojek (motorcycle taxis) for transporting people who live in areas which cannot be reached by public transportation.But the bad side of the ojek is that the drivers are usually careless and tend to drive fast which can endanger other...

Rights body faults use force in E. Timor protest

Rights body faults use force in E. Timor protest DILI, East Timor (JP): The use of force to quell the March 23 peaceful demonstration in the East Timorese capital has drawn fire from National Commission on Human Rights members.

Audi may open assembly plant in India to boost Asian market

Audi may open assembly plant in India to boost Asian marketBy Alexander Corne AUDI AG is considering establishing an assembly plant in India to boost its presence in the growing Asian car market.Audi may decide to go it alone if it signs off on a plant in India in the next few months.

Power centralization curbs democracy: Scholar

Power centralization curbs democracy: Scholar JAKARTA (JP): The government's favoring of the strongest political and economic groups seriously hampers democratization in Indonesia, a scholar said Thursday.

Indonesia halts meat imports from Australia

Indonesia halts meat imports from Australia JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Agriculture has stopped importing meat and live cattle from Australia's states of Victoria and New South Wales.The ministry's director general of animal husbandry, Erwin Soetirto, said Thursday the ban, effective as of March...

Duo pianists at Erasmus Huis

Duo pianists at Erasmus Huis JAKARTA (JP): Dutch couple Martijn and Mieke van den Hoek will give a concert at Erasmus Huis on Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta, on April 1.The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature pieces from Franz Schubert, Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky.

Chronology of Busang gold find

Chronology of Busang gold find TORONTO (Reuter): Following are important events related to the discovery of one of the world's biggest gold finds, in the Busang area of East Kalimantan, and the subsequent controversy over its ownership and development:1993:- Small Calgary-based exploration company...

Busang gold deposits overstated

Busang gold deposits overstated JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Nusamba business group has confirmed that analyses of seven core holes drilled in the Busang II parcel in East Kalimantan over the past three weeks indicated insignificant amounts of gold.

Emerging Busang tale stuns Aussie mine experts

Emerging Busang tale stuns Aussie mine experts SYDNEY (Reuter): Indications that Indonesia's Busang gold lode may contain much less gold than investors were led to believe has stunned Australian mining experts.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 27, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,025 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,175 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,075 -25 509,000 Alumindo...

Is Malaysia getting rich too quick?

Is Malaysia getting rich too quick?By Anil Noel Netto KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2020 has been listed here as the time when Malaysia would attain the status of an industrialized nations but, going by the increased consumption among its rising middle class, the country has already "arrived".

Indonesia needs to improve its marketing strategy

Indonesia needs to improve its marketing strategy JAKARTA (JP): Exporters should understand marketing and competition concepts and prepare strategic steps to compete in the free trade era, says a senior official.

Ramos Horta

Ramos Horta I would like to thank The Jakarta Post for publishing my article Horta's referendum stand (March 26, 1997). I noticed an editing error in the 12th paragraph which has to be corrected.The sentence: "Domingos claims to speak for East Timor but he has never stepped foot in East Timor in 20...

Five people nabbed over maid's death

Five people nabbed over maid's death JAKARTA (JP): Four security guards and a director of a Goro wholesale store were arrested yesterday over the death of the director's maid at the Rajawali Condominium on Jl. Rajawali Selatan.

Marker says East Timor visit a political mission

Marker says East Timor visit a political mission JAKARTA (JP): United Nations special envoy Jamsheed Marker said his fact-finding visit to East Timor was a political mission toward a solution to the longstanding dispute.

Thai swimmers rule local c'ships

Thai swimmers rule local c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Thai swimmers dominated day one of the 24th Southeast Asia inter-club age group swimming championships yesterday as 27 clubs battled for the Sanya Samakki Challenge Cup.

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.