Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 April 1997

51 articles found

Listed firms's pension funds

Listed firms's pension funds JAKARTA (JP): Only 66 of the 260 companies listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange have set up pension funds, the Ministry of Finance's director of pension funds, Sophar Lumban Toruan, said Monday. Toruan said most listed companies were reluctant to set up pension funds because they were not keen to pay past service liabilities for their employees.

Military assures safe PDI rally in Surabaya

Military assures safe PDI rally in Surabaya SURABAYA (JP): The military has assured the government- recognized Indonesian Democratic Party that it could hold another campaign here undisturbed. Col. Syamsul Maarif, the city military commander, said yesterday that security measures had been tightened up following brawls that involved supporters of the two conflicting factions within the party Monday.

Golkar raises antipoverty issue

Golkar raises antipoverty issue JAKARTA (JP): The leaders of the ruling political grouping Golkar spent the third day of the campaign yesterday hammering home poverty alleviation messages. Chairman Harmoko and his colleagues, including State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and State Minister/Cabinet Secretary Saadillah Mursjid, separately met thousands of supporters and told them that Indonesia's developmental success was Golkar's.

Sampoerna to launch A International brand

Sampoerna to launch A International brand JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed cigarette maker PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna will launch a new brand next month to tap into the growing market for low-nicotine cigarettes. Sampoerna's brand manager, Surja S. Handoko, said yesterday the new brand, A International, would be launched in Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya. "We expect to sell 16 million cigarettes a week. We will also sell the new cigarettes overseas, like in Malaysia," he said.

ABRI and govt told to give Internet hackers the chop

ABRI and govt told to give Internet hackers the chop BANDARLAMPUNG (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) and the government must actively discourage Portuguese hackers, who have tried to infiltrate the homepages of ABRI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Internet expert said here yesterday. Onno W. Purbo said that actively discouraging these hackers meant anticipating and fighting the "electronic war".

Holland-Indonesia Trade Information

Holland-Indonesia Trade Information Investments 1993 * 1994 * 1995 * 1996 * ----------------------------------------------------------------- (US$) 311.4 11 165.7 13 360.0 20 1,329.5 27 150 projects -- total value US$10,552.06 commulative from 1967 to 1996.

Businessman reported to police

Businessman reported to police JAKARTA (JP): A businessman told police yesterday that a mineral water company executive had arranged an attack on him. Agus Gunaman, 29, said Alfi Gunawan of PT Ades Alfindo, had ordered an attack on him, in which he was hit on the forehead with a hammer last Saturday. "I was just leaving the B-one discotheque at Menara Emporium in South Jakarta, when I saw Alfi.

Rethinking the national car policy

Rethinking the national car policy Japan's decision to take Indonesia's controversial policy on the national car, the Timor, to the World Trade Organization (WTO) panel today has concerned many parties. The Jakarta Post talks about the case to economist Mari Pangestu from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Question: Now that Japan has finally decided to take the case to WTO what do you expect to happen? Answer: We will have six to nine months before a verdict.

Dili's Bishop Belo voices suferings of voiceless people

Dili's Bishop Belo voices suferings of voiceless people JAKARTA (JP): Dili Bishop Carlos Fillipe Ximenes Belo, a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize cowinner, has often spoken out against the suffering of East Timorese and those in other provinces. The coleader of the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor has frequently angered the government and military leaders with his frank statements on human rights abuse in the country's youngest province. "He always uses very plain language to say something.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Hotel Horison, Jl. Pantai Indah, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta: - The Anging Mamiri Garden: Fantastic Group from Philippines, Ever Green Hawaian Band/Orkes Keroncong, Hula-hula Dances, every Saturday Night, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Nelayan Bar: Sandra Lintang, Yully, Purwanto (electone & singers), Monday to Sunday, 9 p.m. to midnight. - Pondok Samudra: Dolimas Vocal Group, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

BI reduces its stake in bank PDFCI to 5.9%

BI reduces its stake in bank PDFCI to 5.9% JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, has reduced its stake in Bank PDFCI from 11.62 percent to 5.9 percent. PDFCI's president, Eddie Tong, said after the company's shareholder meeting yesterday that the central bank's stake was cut when it chose not to buy any of the new shares issued last January. "Bank Indonesia has been directed toward its original function as the monetary authority.

Word twisting for noted preacher

Word twisting for noted preacher BANYUMAS, Central Java: Famous Moslem leader Zainuddin MZ had his nickname twisted from "propagator of a million followers", for the huge audience he attracts every time he appears in public, to "propagator of one million rupiahs" here yesterday. Making fun of the respected Jakarta Moslem leader was a United Development Party (PPP) politician Chotidjah during an election campaign here yesterday.

Cyberwar reality

Cyberwar reality The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) made the first physical contact in the cyberwar this month when a group of Portuguese youths sympathetic to the cause of East Timor separatists allegedly tampered with its Internet homepage. The damage was kept to a minimum, and the website was immediately repaired. This is not the first time an official Indonesian website on the Internet has been attacked by the same hackers.

Manila to probe island 'intrusion'

Manila to probe island 'intrusion' MANILA (AFP): Two Philippine congressmen are to investigate reports that the Malaysian navy allegedly abducted seven Filipinos from a Philippine island when visiting the area, officials said yesterday.

Govt must ensure fair election

Govt must ensure fair election From Merdeka It is obvious that the general election held once every five years is aimed at giving an opportunity to every citizen to exercise their right and responsibility to implement democracy based on the state philosophy Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. The general election is also aimed at maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation and continuing development in order to raise people's living standards.

Megawati faction denies inciting riots

Megawati faction denies inciting riots JAKARTA (JP): Loyalists of the Indonesian Democratic Party's ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri denied responsibility for violence that has marred the election campaign. Haryanto Taslam, a Megawati loyalist, said the disturbances were "unavoidable excesses" of the government-recognized Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) camp's decision to campaign regardless of the party still having leadership problems.

Today's campaign schedule for contesting parties

Today's campaign schedule for contesting parties JAKARTA (JP): Golkar will be dominating Java provinces, Maluku and Irian Jaya in the fourth day of campaigns today, while the United Development Party (PPP) will be holding its public assemblies in Sumatra provinces, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) will campaign in provinces in Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

PT Kolon Ina operates polyester plant in Serang

PT Kolon Ina operates polyester plant in Serang JAKARTA (JP): PT Kolon Ina, a joint venture between Korea's Kolon Industries Inc and its local partner PT Inamulti Intipack, officially started operating its polyester film plant in Serang, West Java. The plant, located on a nine-hectare plot of land, will produce 12,000 tons of polyester film a year. Kolon Ina's president Song Sang Hyun said the plant was built with an initial investment of US$15 million.

Presidential succession needs prudence

Presidential succession needs prudence By Aleksius Jemadu BANDUNG (JP): One of the most debated political issues since the early 1990s has been the topic of political succession. It is worth noting that Indonesia has never experienced a peaceful succession of its leader. Therefore, many people wonder how the succession of President and Vice President in 1998 will take place. Will it proceed smoothly or will it lead to a political fiasco?

Police seize pirated goods

Police seize pirated goods BANDUNG: Police confiscated yesterday hundreds of international brand name products in raids on several shops selling the goods without distribution or franchise rights. The Bandung chief of police, Col. Erwin Mappaseng, said products under the Billabong, Ripcurl and Quick Silver brands were taken from shops on Jl. Cihampelas, Jl. Gatot Subroto and at Bandung Indah Plaza.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Family's Film: Fun House 3:10 Children's Program: Anak-Anak Indonesia 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Educational Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 TV Series: Topacio 5:55 Music 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Creative Program: Karya dan Upaya 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 6:53 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Campaign Program 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Entrepreneurship Program: Mitra Kita 8:30 Talk Show:...

Prosecutor delays Robot's trial

Prosecutor delays Robot's trial JAKARTA (JP): The murder and sodomy trial of alleged pedophile Siswanto, alias Robot Gedek, was postponed until next week to give the state prosecutor time to prepare his concluding statement. Prosecutor Suriansah told the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday that technical problems had prevented him from finishing his request for sentence. The court agreed to postpone it until May 6.

KL posts trade surplus

KL posts trade surplus KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia posted a trade surplus of 367.15 million ringgit (US$147 million) in February, reversing January's deficit of 102.9 million ringgit, the statistics department said yesterday. February exports totaled 13.521 billion ringgit, outstripping imports of 13.153 billion ringgit, the department said in data released through Bernama news agency.

JSX trade hit by Elang suspension

JSX trade hit by Elang suspension JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta stock market fell yesterday as the suspension of property developer Elang Realty dampened market sentiment. The Composite Index lost 9.3 points to 647.23 as 328.3 million shares changed hands in trade dominated by local investors. "So far, I don't see any political issues behind the fall," one analyst said. Trade was worth Rp 652.6 billion.

Indonesian-Dutch bilateral ties strengthen

Indonesian-Dutch bilateral ties strengthen JAKARTA (JP): The Netherlands Ambassador to Indonesia says bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia have strengthened significantly over the last year. Paul R. Brower said the bilateral relationship had flourished since the successful state visit of H.M. Queen Beatrix in August 1995. The visit was instrumental in stimulating a number of fields to expand, particularly direct investment and joint ventures, he said.

Young man held for killing 5 year old

Young man held for killing 5 year old JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a young man who allegedly sodomized and strangled a five-year-old girl in North Jakarta on Saturday. The suspect, identified as Yanto, 21, was arrested at his house on Jl. Warakas IV, North Jakarta, Saturday night, following a neighbor's report that he was the last person to be seen with the victim.

Kuwait to raise oil sales to RI

Kuwait to raise oil sales to RI SINGAPORE (Reuter): State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) aims to expand its oil product sales to Asian countries, including Indonesia, which it has not yet penetrated in order to soak up its higher refining capacity, KPC officials said yesterday. "We are targeting to expand our supplies to all countries in Asia such as Indonesia and Vietnam and China," said Sulaiman Al- Najdi, manager in KPC's representative office in Singapore.

Collection of servants' fee trialed in S. Jakarta

Collection of servants' fee trialed in S. Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta mayoralty has started collecting fees from agencies supplying servants, an official said yesterday. The city's assistant secretary for social welfare, Soenarjudardji, said fees would eventually be imposed on individual employers of servants. Soenarjudardji said 1993 city rule no. 6 imposed a three- yearly fee of Rp 500,000 (US$206.10) on agencies supplying servants.

Garuda's regular flights to Jeddah

Garuda's regular flights to Jeddah From Neraca Garuda Indonesia is still running regular Jakarta-Jeddah flights three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The flight numbers are GA-990, Jakarta-Jeddah, and GA-991 for Jeddah- Jakarta. The information that Garuda has stopped these flights since April 25 for an indefinite period, which was carried by several sources of media, is just not true. Reasons mentioned were that the plane was reserved for the second haj homecoming.

Newcrest gets four mining concessions in Indonesia

Newcrest gets four mining concessions in Indonesia MELBOURNE (Reuter): Newcrest Mining Ltd. said yesterday the three sixth generation contracts of work for gold exploration it signed in Jakarta on Monday brought to four its mining concessions in Indonesia. The three new concessions are located in Halmahera, East Sumbawa and West Sumatra and the existing one in North Sulawesi, Newcrest added.

Providing funds for RI trainees

Providing funds for RI trainees INA Magazine reports that the Dutch businesses are to provide a five-year budget of 10 million guilders for in-house training through a combination of programs for employees and students from Indonesia. According to INA, which is a quarterly publication put out the by Indonesian-Netherlands Association, Dutch businesses have allocated the fund, which begins this year, to support a bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Oxen up for grabs

Oxen up for grabs BANYUMAS, Central Java: Regent Djoko Sudantoko has promised to give oxen to election officials in each of the 1,000 polling booths across the district if Golkar wins at least 90 percent of the votes. Each ox costs Rp 1.5 million (US$625) and will be made available after the election, which falls on May 29, he said Tuesday. If the regent fulfills his promise, he would have to make available about Rp 1.5 billion for the gifts. "No problem. The funds are ready," he said. (wah)

First campaign day

First campaign day From Suara Karya I am a mother of three sons, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years. Because of the age of my children and the recent reports of unrest in the country, I am very worried. I am afraid my children will become involved in rioting or be the victims of such unrest. To be honest, I find it difficult to always monitor my children's actions. My worries were not abated when the government proclaimed April 27 as the first day of campaigning for the 1997 election.

Message from the Ambassador

Message from the Ambassador Since the visit to Indonesia in August 1995 of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, whose birthday we celebrate today, there has been an increase in contacts and joint activities between Indonesia and the Netherlands. These very lively contacts in so many different areas clearly show that our two countries have decided to use the strong bond that exists between them in a forward-looking way.

One PPP supporter killed in Pasuruan

One PPP supporter killed in Pasuruan PASURUAN, East Java (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) broke up the early days of quiet campaigning yesterday by pouring supporters into the streets of Jakarta and other parts of Java. At least one PPP supporter was killed and another injured in a road accident during a huge rally in Pasuruan, one of PPP's strongest bases in East Java, the party said last night.

Ford decides not to return to RI until car row settled

Ford decides not to return to RI until car row settled NEW YORK (AP): Ford Motor Co. will not resume efforts to build cars in Indonesia until preferential treatment to a "national" car producer in the country ends, Ford's vice chairman for emerging markets said. "One country where the risks are higher than what we want is Indonesia," Vice Chairman W. Wayne Booker said Monday. "The situation in Indonesia is very murky.

SEAG consortium told to give explanation on sticker fees

SEAG consortium told to give explanation on sticker fees JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman has told the 19th SEA Games (SEAG) consortium, chaired by President Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo, to give the public a clear explanation on Games sticker fees. "The public -- who have contributed money through electricity, water and telephone bills -- need to know how it is being spent," Hayono said yesterday.

RI students studying in Holland

RI students studying in Holland Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro is to open on May 1, 1997, a seminar titled Quality, Accreditation and Diversity in Higher Education in The Netherlands and Indonesia. The seminar will signal the formal start of the Netherlands Education Center in Indonesia and the opening of its representative office in Jakarta. The seminar also signals the opening day of Education and Training Expo '97 at the Jakarta Convention Center.

TPPI secures $950 million loan

TPPI secures $950 million loan JAKARTA (JP): PT Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI) has received signed commitments from seven banks to arrange and underwrite a US$950 million financing for its $2.3 billion olefins and aromatics complex near Tuban in East Java. Bank of America Asia Ltd., one of the lead arrangers, said in a release here yesterday that the $950 million loan funds would be underwritten on a pro rata basis with each lead arranger institution underwriting $135.71 million.

S&P assigns B-plus to PT Polytama

S&P assigns B-plus to PT Polytama JAKARTA (JP): Standard & Poor (S&P) rating agency has assigned a B-plus corporate rating to PT Polytama Propindo and a B+ long term rating to the US$200 million senior-secured notes issued by Polytama's subsidiary Polytama International Finance. S&P said the rating outlook was stable.

19 protest dismissals

19 protest dismissals BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: Nineteen former employees of the Tulis hydropower plant project visited the local legislative council Monday to seek help over what they called arbitrary dismissals. The protesters said the project manager had been unfair as most of them, with senior high school education, had worked for between three and nine years but had been given severance pay of only Rp 250,000 each. Their monthly salary was Rp 183,750.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 29, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,025 0 0 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,175 0 82,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 -75 1,409,000 Alumindo Perkasa 775 25 62,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,100 -50 187,000 Anwar Sierad 850 -25 419,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

A lackluster fiesta

A lackluster fiesta The first few days of campaigning in the general election passed in an atmosphere distinctly different from those of previous elections. This is because the present campaign is following the "campaigning through dialog" model. This shift has been described by the government, the General Election Committee and also by a certain contestant in the election as a positive political development. It appears that a critical note is in order here.

Suryamas to issue bonds

Suryamas to issue bonds JAKARTA (JP): Housing developer PT Suryamas Dutamakmur will issue five-year bonds worth Rp 300 billion (US$125 million). Tranche A will carry a fixed interest rate of between 15.875 and 16.125 percent a year. Tranche B will carry a fixed rate of between 15.50 percent and 16 percent in the first and second year and a floating rate for the third to fifth years. "The floating rate will be 2.25 percent higher than the six month term deposit rate," the company said.

Fair poll crucial for nation's future

Fair poll crucial for nation's future By Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): Economic growth prospects in Asia and the Pacific have become a subject of much discussion. A growing consensus has emerged that the region's productivity growth will eventually slow, and newly industrializing economies in East Asia may begin to encounter the problems of maturing economies.

ASEAN and Myanmar

ASEAN and Myanmar The decision by the United States to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar is, in reality, a move against ASEAN's in-principle agreement for Myanmar's entry. But applying pressure on Myanmar is clearly not the way to prod Myanmar toward political reform. ASEAN is adamant that the U.S. does not interfere in a country's domestic affairs. Granting Myanmar an earlier entry would be more constructive. Another reason ASEAN objects to the move by the U.S.

Ramos health fine, says doctor

Ramos health fine, says doctor MANILA (Reuter): Philippine president Fidel Ramos received a clean bill of health yesterday after his latest medical check-up, his physician said. Raul Fores, director of the Makati Medical Center, said Ramos was in better condition than the average 69-year old Filipino. Ramos' health has been a source of concern for local financial markets after he underwent an operation last December to remove an arterial clot in his neck.

Rallies color PPP's 1st round campaign

Rallies color PPP's 1st round campaign JAKARTA (JP): Street rallies and motorcades, which have been officially banned for this year's election campaign, became the highlight of the United Development Party's campaign here and in several regions in Java yesterday.

Argo Pantes posts $2.5m net profit

Argo Pantes posts $2.5m net profit JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed textile company PT Argo Pantes reported a Rp 6.2 billion (US$2.56 million) net profit yesterday for this year's first quarter, up 40 percent on the same period last year. The company's financial director, Wira Tjendana, said the company's total sales were worth Rp 106 billion, 66 percent of which were generated by exports.

Employers blamed for labor strikes

Employers blamed for labor strikes JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower wants employers to stop complaining about the government's failure to control labor strikes. Sabar Sianturi, the ministry's director of industrial relations, said Monday managements should respect workers' rights if they want to reduce strikes and riots. "Managements should take the blame for the recent strikes, including the one in Tangerang last week. Workers are unlikely to strike without reason," he said.

Mitsubishi-Yokohama tie-up

Mitsubishi-Yokohama tie-up HANOI (AFP): Japan's Mitsubishi Corp. and Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd. have received a license for a US$55.1 million joint venture rubber tire project, a Mitsubishi official said yesterday. Yokohama will take a 56 percent stake and Mitsubishi 14 percent with the local partner, Southern Rubber Company (Casumina) under the Ministry of Industry, taking the remaining 30 percent, he said.