Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 May 1997

67 articles found

Get your kicks on Java's northen coast 'Route 66'

Get your kicks on Java's northen coast 'Route 66'By John Aglionby THE longest rollercoaster ride at Fantasy World in North Jakarta lasts barely a minute. The thrills are many and, thankfully, the spills are very few.

SEA Games donations are not compulsory

SEA Games donations are not compulsory JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor has advised the public that it is acceptable to refuse to pay any additional fees on their utility bills.Utility companies have been charging their customers extra to help finance the upcoming 19th SEA Games in Jakarta.

Accor realigns Asian units

Accor realigns Asian units SYDNEY, Australia (AP): Hotel group Accor Asia Pacific on Monday will announce it is restructuring its Asian operations as part of a possible review of assets and investments."We think it's time to rationalize and centralize and regroup," Chairman David Baffsky said.

FIM to inspect Jatinangor circuit

FIM to inspect Jatinangor circuit JAKARTA (JP): The International Motor Federation's (FIM) top official will inspect West Java's Jatinangor circuit which will host the World 250cc Motor Cross Championships' 12th leg in August.The Indonesian Motor Federation's (IMI) chairman, Bob R. E.

Volvo offers executive appeal with its newest model

Volvo offers executive appeal with its newest modelBy Russell Williamson VOLVO's new S90 Executive -- launched last week in Jakarta -- is set to attract the attention of business executives in a way that the outgoing 960 could never quite manage.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 9, 1997: --------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 975 -50 30,000 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter...

PDI warns of rising public distrust of law enforcement

PDI warns of rising public distrust of law enforcement JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) warned yesterday that the public was losing its faith in the legal system because of poor law enforcement.Buttu R.

Bank Nasional to merge with Perniagaan

Bank Nasional to merge with Perniagaan JAKARTA (JP): Bank Nasional, a banking unit under the Bakrie group, will merge with Bank Perniagaan, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of the former PT Elang Realty, by the end of this year.

Fugitives shot after chase

Fugitives shot after chase UJUNGPANDANG: Local police have shot dead two of three men who have been on the run for a month for stealing Rp 10.3 from a bank client.Police sources said yesterday the two fugitives identified only as Ac, 20, and Dod, 21, were shot in the legs for trying to escape in an...

Keeping away extra color

Keeping away extra color PEKANBARU, Riau: Election campaign days are proving to be a windfall for sunblock sellers.Traders flock to campaign grounds, not to listen politicians' election promises but to meet the soaring rally participants' demand for sunblock.

Soldier arrested over fatal beating

Soldier arrested over fatal beating JAKARTA (JP): A soldier is being investigated following an attack on a man in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Sunday.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday no further details of the investigation were available.

APEC meeting opens with different views

APEC meeting opens with different viewsBy Riyadi MONTREAL (JP): Eighteen Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers opened their two-day annual meeting here Thursday with developed and developing economies differing on what were priorities.

Soerjadi told to quit election campaigning

Soerjadi told to quit election campaigning JAKARTA (JP): Legislators loyal to the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) deposed leader, Megawati Soekarnoputri, called on her rival, government-backed faction yesterday to stop campaigning because it did not represent the party.

Poll booths for railway travelers

Poll booths for railway travelers BANDUNG: People traveling on May 29, election day, need not worry about finding a polling station so long as they travel by train.State railway company Perumka will set up poll booths in major stations on Java so that "traveling citizens can still channel their...

TV Today: Saturday, May 10, l997

TV Today: Saturday, May 10, l997TVRI 2:30 p.m. News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Children's Film: Animated Classic 3:10 Culture Program: Lingkar Budaya 3:35 Travel: Wisata Nasional 4:15 Regional News 4:30 Sports 5:30 TV Series: A Writer Exchange 5:55 Music 6:00 News: Lintasan...

Medan shaman ready for death penalty

Medan shaman ready for death penalty MEDAN (JP): The notorious shaman who claimed to have killed 42 women told reporters yesterday he was ready for the death penalty.Achmad Suradji, known as Datuk, showed no remorse when the head of Medan Police information office Lt. Col.

Raw materials enough for furniture industry

Raw materials enough for furniture industry JAKARTA (JP): The furniture industry will have adequate raw materials this year in spite of the government's policy of limiting tree cutting in natural forests, an executive said here yesterday.

Samarinda has a new mosque

Samarinda has a new mosque SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Governor H.M. Ardans has officiated the use of a new mosque jointly built by residents, businessmen and local administration.The Al Khair mosque, standing on a 350 square meter plot on Jl. Dr. Sutomo, cost Rp 184 million.

Semen Padang gets $63m loan

Semen Padang gets $63m loan JAKARTA (JP): Amsterdam-based ABN AMRO Bank N.V. agreed to provide a US$63 million export credit facility here yesterday to state-owned PT Semen Padang, a cement producer based in West Sumatra.

RTZ, CRA eye RP gold

RTZ, CRA eye RP gold MELBOURNE, Australia (AP): RTZ-CRA is assessing the viability of a possible 6 million ounce gold resource in the Philippines to decide whether to develop it in conjunction with the local entail of joining the United Paragon Mining Corp.

Bre-X faces multiple suits following Busang debacle

Bre-X faces multiple suits following Busang debacle MONTREAL (JP): Embattled junior mining Canadian firm Bre-X Minerals Ltd, after being suspended from operating in Indonesia and delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange, now faces multiple lawsuits following the Busang debacle in East Kalimantan.

KIPP wants campaign victims compensated

KIPP wants campaign victims compensated JAKARTA (JP): The Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) called yesterday for the establishment of special institutions and funds to support victims of campaign melees.

Bengkulu governor denies alleged poll rigging

Bengkulu governor denies alleged poll rigging JAKARTA (JP): Election organizers in Bengkulu vehemently denied yesterday the United Development Party's (PPP) allegation of attempted poll rigging in the province.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Music * Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta: - Chequers: Freakwincey Band from New Jersey (USA), playing 70's music up to modern Hop Hop and Funk, daily (except Sunday), 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. * Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav.

KL opposition MP appeals conviction

KL opposition MP appeals conviction KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): A Malaysian opposition lawmaker appealed against his conviction for sedition yesterday and said he would sue if an election was held prematurely for the parliamentary seat he stands to lose.

Prudential on lookout for Asian partner

Prudential on lookout for Asian partner SINGAPORE (DPA): American firm Prudential Securities Inc hopes to team up with an Asian investment bank to target the region's booming corporate finance market, news reports in Singapore said yesterday.

Rights body office still a self-made refugee camp

Rights body office still a self-made refugee camp JAKARTA (JP): More than 70 Depok residents sheltering at the National Commission on Human Rights office grounds had still not moved from the premises yesterday."It's been 16 days now," a commission staffer said.

ABRI reiterates its political neutrality

ABRI reiterates its political neutrality JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) maintained yesterday that it would remain neutral in the campaign for the May 29 general election."We're very firm on this," Armed Forces Chief Spokesman Brig. Gen. Slamet Supriadi told reporters at his office.

Coffee futures fall following new highs

Coffee futures fall following new highs LONDON (Reuter): LIFFE robusta coffee futures retraced by midsession yesterday after a wave of fund and industry-led buying in the past few days fizzled out.Traders said scale-up origin selling, notably from Indonesia, also hammered prices.

Newmont stands firmly

Newmont stands firmly Thank God, the tussle over the Indonesian government's request for 10 percent equity in the Batu Hijau gold property on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, ended only after a few days of hotly debated controversy.

14 firms to develop oil palm plantations

14 firms to develop oil palm plantations JAKARTA (JP): The government has given 14 companies since 1982 approval to convert 187,140 hectares of Irian Jaya forests into oil palm estates, an official said yesterday.

Blazer Z-line on the road

Blazer Z-line on the road JAKARTA: Opel has added a sporty version to its Blazer sport utility lineup. The Z-line's on-road price is Rp 74.2 million.Mechanically, the new Z-line is the same as its sibling vehicles but gets front and rear spoilers and side skirts to give it a sporty appearance.

Roadsweepers bear brunt of campaign

Roadsweepers bear brunt of campaign SEMARANG: Local street sweepers, mostly elderly women, are finding their yellow uniforms dangerous, especially when the green-clad supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) rally in the streets.

Biased coverage

Biased coverageFrom RepublikaThe media, including television, has devoted extensive reports to the general election campaigns of the three contestants since they began on April 27. State-owned television station TVRI is expected to present balanced and fair coverage of the campaign activities of...

Campaign schedule for Indonesia for May 10, 1997:

Campaign schedule for Indonesia for May 10, 1997: Party Campaign areas Important campaigners -------------------------------------------------------------- PPP Kalimantan, Sulawesi Hamzah Haz, Zain Badjeber, Alawy Muhammad, Yudo Paripurno, Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto Golkar Sumatra, Bali, East and...

'Losmen' cast make 'Reunion'

'Losmen' cast make 'Reunion' JAKARTA (JP): Actors and actresses who won fame for their TV serial Losmen in the 1980s are pooling their talents again to produce a new serial on the life of a revolutionary hero.

Players miss PSSI ceremony

Players miss PSSI ceremony JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is disappointed over the absence of players during the ceremony of transfer of the national team's coach from Danurwindo to Henk Wullems.

PPP wants industry to pay workers more

PPP wants industry to pay workers more JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) told the party faithful yesterday that it wanted industry to pay workers more and improve their welfare.PPP Secretary-general Tosari Widjaya told thousands of supporters in Medan, North Sumatra, that the party...

55 state firms unsound

55 state firms unsound JAKARTA (JP): More than 34 percent of the 166 state-owned companies were classified as financially very unsound and 16.9 percent unsound last year, Finance Minister Mar'ie Muhammad said.

RI to test its skills at Arafura Games

RI to test its skills at Arafura Games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will use the Arafura Games as a tryout for the 19th SEA Games.Chef de mission Indra Djati Sidi, who is also a National Sports Council official, said although most national athletes came from second string squads they were also the best...

Sony expands in Philippines

Sony expands in Philippines MANILA (AFP): Sony Corp. of Japan and its Philippine licensee, Solid Group Inc., announced here yesterday, that they were forming a new joint venture to handle the sales and marketing of Sony audio-visual products.The new company, Sony Philippines Inc.

No more subsidy for Baliem farmers

No more subsidy for Baliem farmers JAYAPURA: PT Freeport Indonesia has finally decided to stop its air transportation subsidy for the Baliem vegetable farmers in Jayawijaya.In a letter to the Jayawijaya regent J.P.

Campaign

Campaign I have been in Yogyakarta these past few weeks learning the Indonesian language and a little more about Javanese culture. As part of my cultural studies, I have toured different parts of this city and inevitably there has seen considerable street carnival activity, as a large part of this...

This election is no better than previous ones: CSIS

This election is no better than previous ones: CSIS JAKARTA (JP): This year's general election will be no better than previous ones, according to a recent report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

RI ratifies Bern Convention on copyrights

RI ratifies Bern Convention on copyrights JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has ratified the century-old Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works together with three other related treaties and a copyright convention, a minister said yesterday.

Newmont finally obtains mine building permit

Newmont finally obtains mine building permit JAKARTA (JP): After waiting more than six months, Newmont Gold Corp. of the United States said yesterday it had been given the green light to build its gold and copper mine at Batu Hijau on Sumbawa island in West Nusa Tenggara.

Timor signs deal on the supply of spare parts

Timor signs deal on the supply of spare parts JAKARTA (JP): The publicly-listed PT Selamat Sempurna has secured an alliance with Samah Precision Co, Ltd and Daeki Industrial Co.,Ltd of South Korea to supply the national car producer Timor Putera with filters and fuel tanks, a company director said...

PRD sentences

PRD sentences When the Supreme Court of the United States makes important judgments and interpretations of the U.S. Constitution and national ideals, they are viewed as matters of great national importance reflecting the very substance of national identity.

Who do legislators represent?

Who do legislators represent? Representation is a key word in any general election. Could those elected to represent the people really represent people's interests? This is the question being dealt with by J. Soedjati Djiwandono of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Bakrie Land plans to issue rights

Bakrie Land plans to issue rights JAKARTA (JP): PT Bakrie Land Development, a property arm of the Bakrie business group, plans a rights issue later this year to strengthen the company's capital structure.

Not an army academy

Not an army academy In concern with your news on the front page of the Saturday May 3, 1997 edition, titled Soeharto tells children not to depend on education alone, I would like to draw your attention to your level of inaccuracy, relating to the fourth paragraph:"After secondary school (you mean...

Rejected food exports cost Indonesia $100m

Rejected food exports cost Indonesia $100m JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia currently loses up to US$100 million each year due to poor quality food exports, State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan said.Speaking after a meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace, Ibrahim said that each year about 500...

U.S. pharmaceutical giant opens first Asian plant

U.S. pharmaceutical giant opens first Asian plant SINGAPORE (AFP): U.S. pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough launched its first Asian primary manufacturing facility here yesterday amid optimism that its regional turnover will expand up to 30 percent by 2000.

Merpati expected to break even after big losses

Merpati expected to break even after big losses JAKARTA (JP): The money-losing Merpati Nusantara Airlines is expected to break even this year after splitting from its parent company the national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and getting three former Garuda executives as new directors, a minister...

Land compensation case takes new turn

Land compensation case takes new turn JAKARTA (JP): A small trader evicted from his land in 1989 has asked the Supreme Court whether he is the rightful owner of the bank interest accumulated from land compensation which he refused to accept almost 10 years ago.

Indonesia, RCMP to investigate Busang gold case

Indonesia, RCMP to investigate Busang gold case JAKARTA (JP): The national police has formed a team of investigators in cooperation with Canadian police for a preliminary probe into the Busang scandal, the national police spokesman said yesterday.Brig. Gen.

Rights abuse rife during campaign

Rights abuse rife during campaign SEMARANG (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights voiced its concern yesterday over the rife violation of basic rights during the first 13 days of the election campaign.Commission member Bambang W.

Ford invests in China

Ford invests in China SHANGHAI: Ford is exploring ways to enter the restricted Chinese passenger-car market.The company plans to launch a line of light commercial vehicles in China later this year and signed last month an agreement to produce midsized sedans in a US$1.

Nissan the preferred taxi

Nissan the preferred taxi JAKARTA: PT Ismac Nissan Manufacturing has begun assembling Nissan Cedric sedans.The firm has received an order for 500 Cedrics from a taxi company and will build about 40 cars per month. This is the first time Nissan has produced the Cedric in Southeast Asia.

Amtek ups Unitech stake

Amtek ups Unitech stake SINGAPORE (Reuter): Amtek Engineering Ltd said yesterday it had injected Singapore $5.72 million into Unitech Holdings Pte Ltd, raising its stake in the holding company to 50 percent.

Optus, Satelindo sign deal

Optus, Satelindo sign deal SYDNEY, Australia (AP): Optus Communications is linking with Indonesia's first private telecommunications company, PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo), with Optus providing training in customer service expertise.Optus said it would sign the US$1.

'Where's your ID?'

'Where's your ID?' BANYUMAS, Central Java: A local Election Supervision Committee official, enraged by a campaigner's speech about corruption among bureaucrats, jumped onto the stage at a rally Thursday and interrogated the campaigner.

U.S. rate hike casts shadow on regional markets

U.S. rate hike casts shadow on regional markets SINGAPORE (AFP): Further U.S. interest-rate increases could speed up the outflow of foreign capital from Southeast Asia amid a loss of confidence in regional economies and fears of a banking crisis, an investment house warned.

BDN Sunter razed by fire

BDN Sunter razed by fire JAKARTA (JP): A fire destroyed a two-story office of state- owned Bank Dagang Negara's Sunter branch in North Jakarta yesterday.The fire, which started at about 2 p.m., razed the office on Jl. Agung Utara, causing heavy traffic jams in the shopping and industrial area.

Soothsayers in our society

Soothsayers in our society If the general election campaign was not in full swing, this week could probably be called the "week of soothsayers". Our newspapers are filled with reports about a homicidal soothsayer in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, whose victims are now said to have reached the...

Foreigners boost trade activity

Foreigners boost trade activity JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta stock market rose for the fourth consecutive day yesterday as foreign buyers continued to enter the market.Securities dealers said foreign investors made significant purchases of selected stocks.

Sinar Mas makes offer for Amcol

Sinar Mas makes offer for Amcol SINGAPORE (Reuter): OCBC Bank Ltd said yesterday that Asia Food & Properties Ltd (AFP), a unit of the Indonesian Sinar Mas Group, had made a conditional takeover offer for all ordinary shares in troubled property and finance firm Amcol Holdings Ltd.