Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 April 1997

47 articles found

Tamara, China Trust, tie up

Tamara, China Trust, tie up JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Tamara Bank has set up a joint venture bank with Taiwan's China Trust with a paid up capital of Rp 150 billion (US$62.5 million). Tamara's vice president, Hendrik Suhardiman, said Saturday the new bank, called Bank China Trust Tamara, would be launched in June. He said the new bank, which had got approval from the Ministry of Finance and the Central bank, was expected to serve corporate customers.

Ikebana flower exhibition seeks to evoke spring mood

Ikebana flower exhibition seeks to evoke spring mood By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): The coming of spring is an important event in Japan. In April, people stroll through the parks to enjoy the sight of blooming flowers. With the theme Spring Nuances, The Japan Foundation's Five Schools' Ikebana Exhibition tries to create the mood of spring by bringing their traditional flower arrangements to its gallery hall.

Police continue search for suspect robber

Police continue search for suspect robber JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police are still searching for a man whose accomplice was arrested last week for robbing jewelry worth Rp 18 million (US$7,500). The robbery took place on April 3 at the Prima Gold shop in the Plaza Indonesia shopping center on Jl. M.H. Thamrin. Central Jakarta's police chief, Lt. Col. M. Ibrahim, said Saturday that police arrested Noval, 30, and found he had used a toy gun to threaten the shop's employee and security guard.

Pasifik Satelit reduces net loss

Pasifik Satelit reduces net loss JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's first private telecommunications operator PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) posted a US$474,692 net loss last year, down from $4.62 million in 1995. The company, which is listed on the U.S. Nasdaq exchange, said total revenues was $11.76 million in 1996, five times 1995's $2.24 million. PSN's operating profit rose 400 percent to $6.14 from $1.15 million in 1995.

PT Poly Fiber Industry gets $178m syndicated loan

PT Poly Fiber Industry gets $178m syndicated loan JAKARTA (JP): Polyester chip and yarn maker PT Poly Fiber Industry (Polyfin), a sister company of integrated textile maker PT Artostex, will sign a Rp 423.64 billion (US$178 million) Tuesday. The loan will be arranged by Malaysia's Asean Bank Malaysia Berhad, Bank International Indonesia, Panin Bank, Bank Umum Nasional and Bank Universal.

Abdurrahman Wahid denies campaigning for Golkar

Abdurrahman Wahid denies campaigning for Golkar JAKARTA (JP): Controversial Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid has denied helping President Soeharto's daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana campaign for Golkar. Gus Dur, as the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman is better known, and Hardiyanti attended mass prayers with 35,000 NU members in the East Java town of Madiun Saturday. Gus Dur has repeatedly called Hardiyanti, Golkar deputy chairwoman, Indonesia's "future figure".

Networking business on the move

Networking business on the move JAKARTA (JP): The private networking and wiring business in Indonesia is expected to be worth $250 million this year and to grow rapidly with the country's burgeoning economy. Executives of U.S. firms Lucent Technology and Digital Equipments said Saturday that Indonesia's growing networking market would attract multinational wiring and networking providers to set up manufacturing facilities here.

Soeharto warns people against divisive rumors

Soeharto warns people against divisive rumors JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has warned Indonesia to guard against rumors which could spark unrest and threaten national unity. "I always call on people and religious communities to control themselves when hearing rumors which could divide the unity of our nation," Soeharto said Saturday when he addressed the Hindu Day of Silence, known as Nyepi, and the Caka 1919 new year celebrations in Lampung, southern Sumatra.

Entertainment sites closed for Idul Adha

Entertainment sites closed for Idul Adha JAKARTA (JP): Massage parlors, saunas, clubs, pubs, bars, discos, coffee shops, traditional healing centers and fitness centers must close on April 17, 18 and 19 for the Idul Adha holiday on April 18. Soesila Darmoadji, the city's public relations officer, said Friday that on April 17 these establishments should close from 5 to 12 midnight, on April 18 they should not open and on April 19 they should stay closed until 10 a.m.

BI urged to use exchange rate to contain inflation

BI urged to use exchange rate to contain inflation JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, should use its exchange rate policy more to contain inflation, Australian economist Ross M. McLeod has said. McLeod said in his "Survey of Recent Developments" paper, published in Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies' April edition, that the central bank used exchange rates to maintain the Indonesia's export competitiveness rather than to control inflation.

Students stage protest over preacher's arrest

Students stage protest over preacher's arrest SEMARANG (JP): Hundreds of Islamic students staged a protest Saturday over police questioning of a preacher suspected of inciting the recent riots in Pekalongan. The protesters, many of them barefooted and wearing sarongs, massed near the provincial legislative council. Their bid to march to the police headquarters was foiled by riot police who closely watched the demonstration.

Making Winword 97 work for all your computer endeavors

Making Winword 97 work for all your computer endeavors By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): When you install Microsoft Office 97 over the older version of Office, you may wonder why you no longer have the Shortcut Bar. Some of you may not really use the bar very much when working and therefore you don't really miss it. Some other people, including my boss, find the bar indispensable and make a lot of fuss about its disappearance.

Share prices on JSX expected to remain low

Share prices on JSX expected to remain low JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) will continue to remain sluggish this week as concerns about a possible tension in the country's political system ahead of the general election next month is growing. Securities dealers and analysts said the tense atmosphere before the election could spark riots in the country's major cities. "If it happens, it will mean a hard blow to the stock market," one analyst said.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Parkroyal Ancol, 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. * Ibis Kemayoran, Jl.

Hadith

Hadith One hadith says there are two groups in society. If these two groups are in harmony, humankind will live in harmony and prosperity. On the contrary, if they are enemies, humankind will suffer. The two groups are the umaro (the people in power) and the ulema. Recently some 150 ulema went to the state palace to pay a courtesy call on the umaro. The two groups were apparently in harmony and unity. Strangely, not long afterwards, people in Pekalongan became hostile with each other.

'Buah Bibir' TV program

'Buah Bibir' TV program From Media Indonesia RCTI presented an interesting show entitled Apakah Harus Bercerai (Should divorce be the solution) during the station's talk show program Buah Bibir (fruit of the lips) on Monday, March 31, 1997, hosted by Debra H. Yatim. I would like to state my opinion and some suggestions in connection with the topic discussed. Of course, the problems of Mrs. Susi and her children (guests on the show) weigh heavily on them.

Army oath application questioned

Army oath application questioned BANDUNG (JP): The highly-publicized, behind-the-doors reunion of the Army Staff and Command School (Seskoad) alumni ended here yesterday with a recommendation to evaluate the implementation of the soldiers' oath Sapta Marga. Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono told reporters, denied access to the meeting, that the school's 1951-1961 graduates agreed to the need for evaluation of the seven-point oath.

Internet capacity

Internet capacity In his letter on April 12, 1997, Mr. Bill Guerin complained about his continuous disconnection from the Internet and that there are too many people using the Internet (according to Telkom). Mr. Guerin's complaint is only one of the thousands of complaints in this regard in Indonesia. To find an appropriate Internet Service Provider (ISP), my advice would be not to look for the cheapest one!

RI likely to become Islamic study center

RI likely to become Islamic study center JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta will become a new Islamic study center, historian Taufik Abdullah said Saturday. "In the future, the international Moslem community will go to Jakarta, not just Middle Eastern countries, to study Islam," he said at a panel discussion.

RI horticultural exports poor

RI horticultural exports poor JAKARTA (JP): The lack of an integrated concept to develop the horticulture industry is the cause of Indonesia's poor record of horticultural exports, an academic said over the weekend. The Bogor Agricultural University school of agricultural mechanization's Hadi K. Purwadaria said although Indonesia had good potential, its horticultural exports last year made up less than 0.5 percent of world horticultural market.

Wife killed by husband

Wife killed by husband JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man yesterday after he stabbed his wife to death with a machete in North Jakarta. Hatamang, 29, was killed by her husband Jumana, 35, Sunday afternoon when Jumana was off duty from his job as a ship crew member. Hatamang's cries for help alerted the neighbors in Japat Kembang village No. 1, Ancol, and they called the police. Officers from Pademangan police precinct found Jumana still hiding in the house.

Beanal suit against Freeport continues

Beanal suit against Freeport continues JAKARTA (JP): Irianese tribal leader Tom Beanal's legal battle against PT Freeport Indonesia and Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. is not over, the plaintiff's lawyer said yesterday. Martin E. Regan Jr. said the U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana found that his client's claims against Freeport for tribal genocide and human rights violations "did have a legal basis". "However, Judge Stanwood Duval Jr.

Kopassus members told to be close to people

Kopassus members told to be close to people BANDUNG (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung told the red-beret members of the Army's elite force, Kopassus, to stay close to people and help them feel secure. "ABRI is nothing without the people's participation," he told the members of the Army Special Force Command Saturday while inspecting the preparations for its 45th anniversary celebration next week.

176 applications submitted for mineral exploration

176 applications submitted for mineral exploration CIPANAS, West Java (JP): Foreign firms and joint ventures have submitted 176 applications for Contracts of Works (CoWs) to explore and develop mineral reserves, an official says. Simon F. Sembiring, head of the sub-directorate for mining development, said Saturday the applications to Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana are part of the so-called seventh generation of CoWs.

Officer Sofyan's death

Officer Sofyan's death In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sofyan, a 21-year-old police sergeant, met with an unusual death. While he was driving in the Pondok Kopi area, East Jakarta, he was approached by two plain clothes policemen. An argument ensued, then a shot was heard and Sofyan fell to the ground, dead. Later in the day, Jakarta's police chief issued a statement to the press, saying that Sofyan was a phony policeman who was suspected of frequently extorting people in the area.

Capital firm gets loan

Capital firm gets loan JAKARTA (JP): PT Sarana Surakarta Ventura, a venture capital firm based in Surakarta, Central Java, has received a Rp 15 billion (US$6.2 million) soft loan from the Export Import Bank of Japan. The company's director, Wymbo Widjaksono, said in Surakarta over the weekend that the loan would add to its initial Rp 5.25 billion investment.

UMNO VP quits over corruption

UMNO VP quits over corruption KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The resignation of a senior Malaysian politician, who faces trial for trying to take almost US$1 million out of Australia, was the latest step in a campaign against corruption in rapidly-growing Malaysia. Muhammad Muhammad Taib, a vice president of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's political party, quit as chief minister of central Selangor state on Saturday. He was detained at Brisbane International Airport on Dec.

Time has yet come for Tutut: Scholar

Time has yet come for Tutut: Scholar SURABAYA (JP): Golkar's deputy chairwoman, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, has to withstand political ordeals before she is mature enough to be considered for the vice presidency, Moslem scholar Amien Rais said Saturday. Hardiyanti is President Soeharto's eldest daughter. "She's too young now and, politically, she's not seasoned enough.

Students brawl over basketball

Students brawl over basketball JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students from two universities brawled Friday night, interrupting a basketball game at the Sumantri Brodjonegoro student stadium on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The game was between the private Trisakti university and the University of Indonesia. A South Jakarta Police precinct sergeant said the brawl ended a few minutes after police arrived. Witnesses said students damaged several cars in the stadium's parking lot.

AIDS/HIV cases could reach 32,400

AIDS/HIV cases could reach 32,400 JAKARTA (JP): The number of people with HIV and AIDS could reach 32,400 in Jakarta, according to a city official. Antara quoted Deputy Governor for Social Affairs R.S. Museno as saying that despite an official 162 cases in Jakarta, many cases were undetected. "The number could reach as high as 200 times the number of reported cases," he said Friday. Since February this year, 517 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in the country. (anr)

Golf course in Biak Numfor

Golf course in Biak Numfor JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The management of the four-star Hotel Biak Beach, PT Bali Tourist Development Council (BTDC), plans to build an international standard 18-hole golf course on Biak island located in Biak Numfor regency, Antara reported. "The development of the golf course is part of the third stage development plan of the Marauw Tourist Resort," BTDC president, Tjok Ngurah Swastika said.

Couple caught for carrying hashish

Couple caught for carrying hashish JAKARTA (JP): A woman and her boyfriend were caught red-handed in Tangerang Saturday morning with three kilograms of dried hashish in their bags, police said. The widow of four children, Mag, 45, and boyfriend Kam, 47, said they were ordered by another man by the name of Si to bring the hashish from Medan, West Sumatra, to Jakarta. "The hashish would be sold for around Rp 1.8 million per kilo," Mag said.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Cartoon Film: The Ink Thief 3:10 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 3:35 Belief in God The Almighty 4:00 Regional News 4:05 Science Film: Earth Revealed 4:30 Health Program: Kesehatan Keluarga 4:55 Filler/Trailer 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Sport: Topik Olah Raga 5:55 Music 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 Filler/Trailer 7:35...

Bank DKI to issue bonds

Bank DKI to issue bonds JAKARTA (JP): Bank DKI will issue Rp 400 billion (US$170.2 million) in bonds in June to strengthen its long-term funding structure. This is the bank's third bond issue. The company announced over the weekend that it also wanted to increase its paid-up capital from Rp 172.51 billion to Rp 300 billion in order to expand its business activities.

Int'l Hyatt Regency to open in Yogyakarta

Int'l Hyatt Regency to open in Yogyakarta JAKARTA (JP): United States hotel chain Hyatt International Hotels will open a five-star, 269-room hotel in Yogyakarta in September. The hotel will be called the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta.

Natural or artificial rain?

Natural or artificial rain? From Pikiran Rakyat Sometime ago I read in the papers that Perum Otorita Jatiluhur is cooperating with another government body on the production of artificial rain along the Citarum River. It is still raining in Bandung and its surroundings, where storms are often accompanied by thunder and lightning, after the Bureau of Meteorology and Geophysics had forecasted that April 1997 would be a dry month.

Subway project

Subway project Unlike Mr. Pienandoro (Letter: April 8, 1997), I am heartened by the news that Professor Habibie has said that the subway project will not start this year. Why? Because it indicates that perhaps he and his colleagues are having second thoughts about the viability of this project. Some weeks ago you published a letter of mine in which I advocated an overground rather than an underground solution to the problem of traffic congestion on the Blok M-Kota main traffic artery.

Millions suffer one-day blackout in Java and Bali

Millions suffer one-day blackout in Java and Bali JAKARTA (JP): Millions of people in Java and Bali were angered yesterday by a power blackout which lasted until late in the evening in many areas. The power failure hit most of the capital city, its surrounding towns and several other towns in Java and Bali, creating chaos at intersections as most traffic lights were out. The massive power outage began at about 10.00 a.m. and lasted only a few hours in several cities.

Traders against market plan

Traders against market plan JAKARTA (JP): A protest by hundreds of traders in Petojo Ilir market, Central Jakarta, entered its second day Saturday as traders rejected a plan to move them to another market. A public order official, Adi, said six were held for questioning at the Gambir police subprecinct. "Several traders damaged the market fences," he said. Traders started protesting Friday when they found the city market firm, PD Pasar Jaya, had built fences around their market spaces.

President opens six plants

President opens six plants JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will inaugurate six industrial plants during his visit to Cilacap in Central Java on April 17. The six plants are a flour processing plant in Cilacap, PT Semen Gresik's second Tuban cement plant in East Java, the fifth unit of Cibinong's cement plant in Cibinong, PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa tenth unit in Cirebon, and two chemical plants in West Java. The flour processing plant cost Rp 100 billion (US$42.6 million).

Neglect over cheapest drug abuse deplored

Neglect over cheapest drug abuse deplored JAKARTA (JP): Public attention has focused more on the abuse of expensive drugs and neglected the use of cheaper narcotics, according to a police detective and drug abuse specialist. Second Lt. Surya Malindra from the City Police headquarters said Nipam, a barbiturate sold for only Rp 1,500 (US 63 cents) for 10 pills on the streets, is more lethal than expensive drugs because abusers tend to consume the pills in large quantities.

Two brokers suspended

Two brokers suspended JAKARTA (JP): The capital market supervisory agency has suspended two securities firms, PT Gawang Rejeki and PT Buraksa Perkasa. for breaching Jakarta Stock Exchange trading regulations. The head of the agency's legal bureau, I Nyoman Tjager, said in a letter Friday that the two firms did not have custodian services, order, trading and marketing divisions to support their operations.

PDI's Jakarta chapter prepares campaigners

PDI's Jakarta chapter prepares campaigners JAKARTA (JP): The city chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) opened a training session for campaigners Saturday evening in East Jakarta. The training, marred by an incident between PDI supporters, was held at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) on Jl. Penggilingan, East Jakarta. Police had tightly guarded the road by the afternoon, and riot police arrived following the incident. Participants said the scuffle was between PDI supporters.

More support for Soeharto

More support for Soeharto UJUNGPANDANG: Fifteen organizations affiliated with the dominant Golkar pledged Saturday to seek re-election of President Soeharto. They also pledged to help Golkar win the May 29 general election and maintain its domination in the House of Representatives. They made the resolution before South Sulawesi governor Z.B. Palaguna, who chairs the local Golkar board of patrons.

Driving skills on toll roads still poor: Observers

Driving skills on toll roads still poor: Observers JAKARTA (JP): Sixteen years after Jakarta's first toll road opened many drivers are still unaware of proper traffic behavior, experts said Saturday. Traffic researcher Agus Bari Sailendra from the Ministry of Public Works' institute of road engineering said this was evident because 70 percent of toll road accidents involved no other vehicles and accidents in which cars hit the vehicle in front of them.

RI draws 0-0 with Yemen in World Cup Asian zone qualifier

RI draws 0-0 with Yemen in World Cup Asian zone qualifier JAKARTA (JP): Some 40,000 fans at the Senayan stadium could not help Indonesia beat Yemen in the World Cup Asian zone qualifier and both teams ended the 90-minute game with a 0-0 draw. The draw extends Indonesia's lead in the preliminary standing by four points after an 8-0 drubbing of lowly Cambodia on April 6. Yemen came second with one point and Cambodia was third with no points.

Two girls hit by truck

Two girls hit by truck JEMBER, East Java: Two students were fatally hit by a truck Friday evening on a section of the Wonorejo highway in Kencong district, witnesses said. Witnesses told Antara that Anita, 15, and her friend of the same age, Endah, were riding a motorcycle at high-speed to overtake a vehicle when they collided with an oncoming truck. Fire gutted the motorcycle following the head-on collision.