Archive: 17 May 1997
55 articles found
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mexico's cement giant eyes RI
Mexico's cement giant eyes RI MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuter): Mexico-based Cemex SA, one of the world's largest cement markers, is taking aim at booming Asia, most probably Indonesia after previous assaults on the Spanish and Latin American markets. According to the company, its first foray could be announced this quarter.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
SEA Games stickers
SEA Games stickers From Pelita I wholly agree with a news item informing of the "cessation of SEA Games XIX stickers distribution" stated by the Jakarta city council, which appeared in one of the capital's dailies on May 14, 1997. We are reminded by a previous incident, the National Games (PON) stickers fee collection, when billions of rupiah were not accounted for. The Sea Games XIX stickers, would, in my opinion, be a burden to people of lower-income levels.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Quick removal of containers encouraged
Quick removal of containers encouraged JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has told the Ministry of Transportation to force owners of containers at Tanjung Priok port to remove their containers immediately after arrival to reduce the pile-up. Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday the President had asked him to reduce the congestion at the port's container terminal.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI wins 10 more golds at Arafura Games
RI wins 10 more golds at Arafura Games By Primastuti Handayani DARWIN, Australia (JP): Indonesia won 10 golds and one bronze on the seventh day of the Arafura Games, which end tonight. Indonesia's gymnast starlet Helda Sulistina won her second gold in the vault event yesterday at the Darwin High School arena. The 12-year-old Helda earned 8.675 points, followed by Malaysian Yap Yee Yin with 8.450 points and Helda's senior Nurfiana Akhmadi came third with 8.275 points.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Share prices on JSX close slightly higher
Share prices on JSX close slightly higher JAKARTA (JP): Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) rose slightly yesterday as many heavyweight stocks lost ground in active trading. Brokers said that a number of blue chips were under selling pressure as investors dumped heavyweight stocks following reports of more campaign violence in the country's main cities.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
PPP denies making alliance with Megawati
PPP denies making alliance with Megawati JAKARTA (JP): An angry Ismail Hasan Metareum lashed out yesterday at people circulating placards which said his United Development Party (PPP) had formed an alliance with Megawati Soekarnoputri to topple President Soeharto. He denied there was an alliance with the deposed Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chairwoman, and said his party was not seeking drastic reform through a coup.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Spiritual power for PPP supporters
Spiritual power for PPP supporters DEMAK, Central Java: Thousands of United Development Party (PPP) supporters here believe they have the spiritual power to sustain any physical attack. Spiritual leaders gave them the power in a ceremony Thursday. Some say the ceremony aimed to increase the supporters' self- confidence.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Golkar proposes 12-year compulsory education
Golkar proposes 12-year compulsory education JAKARTA (JP): Golkar is designing a policy to extend children's compulsory education from nine to 12 years, party secretary Ary Mardjono said yesterday. He said Golkar would encourage the government to incorporate it in the 1998 Guidelines of State Policies. Golkar would propose more emphasis on moral education and improvements to the education system so that Indonesia could compete internationally, he said.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mega project in Irian
Mega project in Irian I read with interest an article in The Jakarta Post (April 8, 1997) about the proposal of a mega project around the Memberamo River by State Minister of Research and Technology, B.J. Habibie. This is indeed a giant leap for Indonesian progress, by and large, and for Irian Jaya in particular. This means that there is hope for some prosperity, but surely not without risks. One crucial thing that should be taken into account is the relocation of people affected by the project.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Military gives safety assurance
Military gives safety assurance JAKARTA (JP): The military guaranteed national security yesterday despite the rising incidence of mob violence ahead of the May 29 general election. Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Brig. Gen. Slamet Supriadi said the public had nothing to fear because the authorities had security under control.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
The Philippines defuses Spratly tension
The Philippines defuses Spratly tension By Cecilia Quiambao MANILA (JP): The arrival of armed Chinese vessels in the disputed Spratly Islands in the end of April ignited seven days of tension in the South China Sea, provoking a round of saber rattling and a flurry of diplomatic activity between Beijing and Manila.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Garuda and Northwest set up alliance
Garuda and Northwest set up alliance JAKARTA (JP): National air carrier Garuda Indonesia has set up an alliance with the United States' Northwest Airlines in a bid to improve services. Northwest's managing director for Southeast Asia and greater China, James P. Reinnoldt, said here yesterday that through the alliance his company could serve Indonesia without even flying here.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Proton to enter India
Proton to enter India NEW DELHI (DPA): Malaysia has agreed in principle to locate a production unit of its Proton "national car" in the southern Indian coastal town of Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, the Economic Times newspaper reported yesterday. The Malaysian government's decision came after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made a plea during his meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammad, in Kuala Lumpur early this week.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Centris to expand taxi fleet
Centris to expand taxi fleet JAKARTA (JP): PT Centris Multipersada Pratama, a publicly listed taxi operator, will get 700 more cabs this year as part of its expansion plan, the company said yesterday. Centris' president Andra Agussalam said some of the cabs would be new and some would be reconditioned existing taxis. The cabs would be allocated to its subsidiaries which operate taxi fleets several cities in Java and Sumatra, Andra said after the firm's shareholders meeting.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bre-X does not show systemic flaw: Regulators
Bre-X does not show systemic flaw: Regulators TORONTO (Reuter): Canadian securities regulators said on Thursday the saga of Bre-X Minerals Ltd and its worthless Busang gold find does not indicate "any systemic flaw" in Canada's regulatory system. Canadian regulators and stock exchanges have come under fire since a report last week that said there was virtually no gold worth mining at Bre-X's Indonesian gold site. It described Busang as a massive fraud.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
No indication of criminal act in Busang case: Police
No indication of criminal act in Busang case: Police JAKARTA (JP): Preliminary investigations into the Busang scandal have so far not found any indication of criminal acts committed in Indonesia. The head of the National Police Headquarters general information department, Col. Bambang Haryoko, said yesterday the investigation team was still examining evidence. Bambang said preliminary investigations were hard because the case was complex.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Three-tier transit project not in revised urban plan
Three-tier transit project not in revised urban plan JAKARTA (JP): The widely publicized three-tier transit system proposal has not been included in the 1985/2010 revised urban spatial plan for the city. The megaproject, estimated to cost Rp 6.05 trillion (US$2.58 billion), is due to start construction this year. Also not included in the plan is the $285 million Manggarai integrated transport project.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Don't stop campaigning: Amien
Don't stop campaigning: Amien UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Stopping the campaign for fear of more violence would have adverse political consequences, political observer Amien Rais said here yesterday. "If campaigning is stopped... people could say that it has been defective, and that the (poll's) results are defective," he told The Jakarta Post. He was commenting on suggestions that campaigning, especially street rallies, be stopped because it had caused many fatalities.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Getting to destiny on time
Getting to destiny on time JAKARTA: As the election campaign nears its end, more people realize they need new tricks to survive the gridlock caused by long motorcades. Residents, for instance, try to get to the office earlier and not go out for lunch for fear of being trapped in the traffic. Taxi drivers chose to work the night shift for the same reason, even though it means a cut in their earnings.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
RI asks ASEAN to help rubber processors
RI asks ASEAN to help rubber processors JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has asked other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish a joint venture to help rubber processors, says a local rubber producer. Chairman of the Rubber Association of Indonesia (Gapkindo), O. K.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia by 2000
Indonesia by 2000 Perhaps this letter will be seen as just another "naive" scribble, as at least one Jakarta Post reader feels we letter writers are accustomed to sending. Well, he is free to make his own conclusions, I suppose. I wish to comment on predictions made about the future of Indonesia by an Australian-born writer 20 years ago. I refer to the book The Indonesian Tragedy by journalist Brian May.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
The military will keep supporting Golkar: Singh
The military will keep supporting Golkar: Singh By Wirasti Wiryono JAKARTA (JP): Political scientist Bilveer Singh of the National University of Singapore has been studying Indonesia for years and is paying particular attention to the general election. His published work includes Bear and Garuda, Soviet-Indonesia Relations from Lenin to Gorbachev... (1994) and The Dual Function of the Indonesian Armed Forces: Origins, Actualization and Implications for Stability and Development (1995).
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stork taps Fokker service market in Asia
Stork taps Fokker service market in Asia SINGAPORE (AFP): A subsidiary of Dutch industrial group Stork N.V. launched an aircraft service center here yesterday to cater to the large fleet of Fokker planes in Asia after the demise of Fokker's manufacturing operations. Fokker Services Asia Pte. Ltd. also hopes to eventually maintain and repair other aircraft makes, including military planes, company officials said.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Philippines gets WB loan
Philippines gets WB loan MANILA (AFP): The Philippines announced yesterday that the World Bank had approved a US$1.13 billion loan assistance package to finance 18 projects in the country from 1998 to 2000. The first six projects, amounting to $267 million, will start in 1998. The funding includes $100 million for a local government finance and development project and a $57 million water district development project, said economic planning deputy director Dante Canlas.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 16, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,125 -75 8,500 AHAP Insurance 2,675 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,175 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 1,100 0 84,500 Alumindo Perkasa 775 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,250 25 2,674,500 Anwar Sierad 800 0 59,000 Apac Centertex Corp.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
National windsurfers to get training in Europe
National windsurfers to get training in Europe JAKARTA (JP): Eight national windsurfers will prepare for the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for two weeks in the Netherlands, Denmark and France. Coach Iskandar Sitompul said yesterday eight of the team's 11 athletes would prepare in Europe. They will leave mid-June. The eight windsurfers include seven men and one woman.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
BCA makes RI Visa's 3rd largest network
BCA makes RI Visa's 3rd largest network JAKARTA (JP): Bank Central Asia's (BCA) 1,200 automated teller machines (ATM) throughout Indonesia joined the Visa global ATM network yesterday, making the country Visa's third largest in- country network in the Asia Pacific. Visa International Asia Pacific president Dennis Goggin and BCA president Abdullah Ali launched the Visa-BCA ATM network, which will enable Visa cardholders to withdraw cash from all BCA ATMs.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bribery charges hit Yemeni team
Bribery charges hit Yemeni team JAKARTA (JP): A Yemen newspaper has reported that bribery was involved in the Asian zone World Cup soccer qualifying match between Yemen and Indonesia here in April. Al-Ayyam, an independent newspaper, said Wednesday that several Yemeni officials had paid Yemen players illegal bonuses to beat Indonesia. The story was big news in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia prepares national information network
Indonesia prepares national information network JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is preparing a massive telecommunications plan to further enter the Information Technology era. The project, Nusantara 21, is designed to connect the whole archipelago to the information superhighway. This year, the Year of Telecommunications (and Cooperatives) is timely because Indonesia is starting to make great strides in global telecommunications and information technology (IT).
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Students arrested in stolen car
Students arrested in stolen car JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested four men, three of them students at a private university in Cirebon, for burglary. They were caught on the Cikampek toll road Wednesday at kilometer 30 in Cibitung, Bekasi, while fleeing the scene of the crime on Jl. Saleh, Cirebon, West Java.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Telecoms operators battle for businees
Telecoms operators battle for businees JAKARTA (JP): Telecommunications companies in Indonesia are facing various challenges to continue and maintain their business. PT Satelindo sees the rapid change of information and telecommunications technology as the main threat currently faced by any telecommunications operator in the world.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Jewelry worth Rp 100m stolen
Jewelry worth Rp 100m stolen JAKARTA (JP): Two men broke into a house on Jl. Karbela, in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, Thursday and stole two diamond rings and 102 grams of gold jewelry worth a total of Rp 100 million (US$41,666). A sergeant at the South Jakarta Police Precinct said the thieves arrived at the house in a blue Kijang van at about 2:30 p.m. "The thieves were believed to have used a master key to open the door since it showed no sign of damage," he said.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Passengers divided on plans to limit taxis at airport
Passengers divided on plans to limit taxis at airport JAKARTA (JP): Taxi consumers are divided on plans to limit the number of taxi firms operating at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport starting next month. But they all urged airport authorities of PT Angkasa Pura II to tighten the control on taxi firms whose drivers refused to use the meter. Airport authorities said Thursday that 25 firms would be limited to 10, in a bid to reduce complaints against taxi services.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Dismal turnouts at PDI rallies
Dismal turnouts at PDI rallies SURABAYA (JP): Poor turnouts continued to stain the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) campaign yesterday, with a rally here attracting only 18 people. To liven up the rally on Jl. Bintoro, organizers persuaded children to come along in exchange for free, red T-shirts. Sabrot Malioboro and Koesmawati Balukh led the tiny rally, where the 80 security guards far outnumbered the participants. It was the guards' easiest job since campaigning began on April 27.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Dharmala sees profit up
Dharmala sees profit up JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed insurance firm PT Dharmala expects a 50 percent net profit increase this year to Rp 11 billion from Rp 7.17 billion (US$2.99 million) in 1996. President of the life insurance firm, Suhanda Wiraatmadja, said here yesterday that net profit rose 160 percent to Rp 7.17 billion from Rp 4.48 billion in 1995. Gross premiums were expected to increase to Rp 120 billion this year, up 36 percent from Rp 87.96 billion in 1996, he said.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
RP women told look less sexy
RP women told look less sexy MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines told women civil servants on Wednesday not to wear seductive clothes to work if they wanted to avoid unwelcome sexual advances. The head of the civil service and one of the country's most senior women officials, Alma de Leon, reminded women workers of a 1991 official memorandum banning "tight-fitting, seductive, micro-mini and gauzy or transparent dresses" in government offices.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Soerjadi's 'bald devil'
Soerjadi's 'bald devil' JAKARTA: As the 1997 general election turns into a security nightmare, the authorities face the challenge of dealing with an unexpected force, the "bald devil". From President Soeharto right down to the common man, the bald devil has been blamed for fouling up the election. But the devil worked in mysterious ways, said Soerjadi, the government-recognized chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
26 skeletons found so far
26 skeletons found so far MEDAN: Police officers have found 26 skeletons of people believed to be the victims of shaman Ahmad Suraji, alias Nasib Kelewang alias Datuk, who lives in Sei Semayang village, Deli Serdang regency. The latest excavation of skeletons from a sugarcane field was carried out Thursday, Antara reported yesterday. The officers, in cooperation with local residents, found the last skeleton buried more than two meters deep. The head was separated from the skeleton.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Tips to protect cars during the campaign
Tips to protect cars during the campaign By John Aglionby ON Tuesday, this newspaper printed a photo of a car vandalized by Golkar supporters during an election campaign street procession. This was by no means an isolated case. Many people caught up in rallies have told of similar, if not quite so horrific, experiences.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Margamas to sell shares
Margamas to sell shares JAKARTA (JP): A property company, PT Margamas Griya Realty, plans to sell about 30 million new shares or about 30 percent of its enlarged capital at the beginning of 1998 to raise funds to develop its projects. The company's chief executive officer, Tjundoko, was quoted yesterday by the Business Indonesia daily as saying the company would use the share issuance funds to expand its superblock in Surabaya, East Java, and to build a hotel in Pandeglang, West Java.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Contribution for thought
Contribution for thought When I paid my telephone bill earlier this week, I was surprised to see that an extra Rp 1,000 was added on to the bill, as a contribution to the SEA Games. Like it or not, you have to pay it and there is no point in arguing about it. But I would be really surprised if the next four consecutive months of bills would also carry the same amount of contribution to the same games.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
El Nino unlikely to strike Indonesia: Expert
El Nino unlikely to strike Indonesia: Expert JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is unlikely to experience fallout from weather changes caused by El Nino in the near future, a meteorology official said yesterday. American news services reported yesterday the possible formation of El Nino in the Pacific Ocean.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
PLN to involve private firms in building Sumatra's power grid
PLN to involve private firms in building Sumatra's power grid JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned electricity company PLN will involve private companies in the development of the Sumatra power grid, the company's president Djiteng Marsoedi said yesterday. He said the government was building many power plants in Sumatra to meet the growing demand for electricity there. The power stations will be connected through a power grid.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Local text books give wrong information on South Korea
Local text books give wrong information on South Korea JAKARTA (JP): South Korea is often wrongly perceived in Indonesia because many books on literature, including school books, have factual mistakes, South Korea's Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia Hangjohng Yo said yesterday. The mistakes occurred usually because authors used old books as reference, Yo said. Most geography books in Indonesian schools, for example, still describe the Korea Strait as Japan Sea, he said.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Local firms join forces in multimedia business
Local firms join forces in multimedia business JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is developing its multimedia services. A number of partnerships have been made to prepare for the multimedia business. There are at least five firms setup to run multimedia or multimedia-related services. The multimedia firms, mostly involving the same shareholders, include PT Indonusa Telemedia, PT Multimedia Nusantara, PT Multi Media Asia (M2A) and PT YTC.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Labor policy may be defective
Labor policy may be defective By Vedi R. Hadiz JAKARTA (JP): Amid the election campaign frenzy, with political parties demonstrating support supposedly articulating people's aspirations, few have noted the spate of labor strikes occurring along side the campaign trail. While this is hardly surprising, it is still rather pitiful. Thousands of industrial workers have been involved during a time which authorities have been most keen on emphasizing stability and nondisruptive acts.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Japan delays WTO probe into RI's national car policy
Japan delays WTO probe into RI's national car policy By Russell Williamson JAPAN has offered the Indonesian government a small reprieve in its efforts to bring the "national car" controversy before a WTO panel for judgment. According to the Japanese wire service Kyodo, Japanese officials have postponed a request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a three-member panel to rule on Indonesia's national car policy until at least June.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Speculators hit as central banks wage war
Speculators hit as central banks wage war SINGAPORE (Reuter): Central banks appeared to have gained the upper hand in Southeast Asia's currency war yesterday as speculators who had sold regional currencies aggressively found themselves deprived of short-term funds. Dealers and economists said the speculators had lost huge sums of money. "It's a bloodbath," said one.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
European parliament urges EU to condemn Indonesia
European parliament urges EU to condemn Indonesia STRASBOURG, France (Agencies): The European Parliament urged the European Union Thursday to speak out against the Indonesian government, which it accused of stepping up repression in the run-up to general elections on May 29, Reuters reported.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Music * Dai-ichi Hotel, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta: - Morgan's 1072 Classic Disco: Lemon Tea Band/Time Motion Band, Tuesday, 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; Smart Band, Wednesday, 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; R and Co Band, Saturday, 9.30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Acid Speed Band, Friday, at 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.; Progress Band, Thursday, at 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. * Kartika Chandra Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta: - Prambanan Cafe: Singers, Agape Trio, Monday, Tuesday, 12 p.m.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Truck driver killed in toll road inferno
Truck driver killed in toll road inferno JAKARTA (JP): A driver was killed and his assistant seriously injured when a fuel truck burst into flames on the Tangerang- Jakarta toll road yesterday. A Tangerang Police precinct sergeant said that according to witnesses, Alex bin Otang was speeding when the truck he was driving overturned and plunged into a ditch on the side of the road. The truck's 8,000 liters of gasoline ignited and the fire spread quickly.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Campaign schedule for Indonesia for May 17, 1997:
Campaign schedule for Indonesia for May 17, 1997: Party Campaign area Important campaigners -------------------------------------------------------------- PPP Java, Maluku, Irian Jaya Ismail H.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Bank Central Asia helps salvage ailing Bank Yama
Bank Central Asia helps salvage ailing Bank Yama JAKARTA (JP): Bank Central Asia (BCA), Indonesia's largest private bank, is involved in rescuing ailing Bank Yama, BCA president Abdullah Ali confirmed here yesterday. Abdullah said BCA had approval from Bank Indonesia, the central bank, to give management assistance to Bank Yama.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Satelindo gives service, commitment
Satelindo gives service, commitment JAKARTA (JP): A cellular operator's success depends on its commitment to its users and not on how many subscribers it has. Competition among Indonesia's mobile cellular telephone operators is getting fiercer with innovative services and features offered to customers because the tariffs for telephone traffic is controlled by the government.
Sat, 17 May 1997, 00:00 WIB
Mien wants capital punishment for rapists
Mien wants capital punishment for rapists JAKARTA (JP): Rapists will be sentenced to death if Golkar functionary Mien Sugandhi has her way. She said yesterday that sentencing for rapists was "far too lenient" compared to the trauma and misery which the victims bore all their lives. "As state minister for women's roles, I'm deeply concerned about the leniency given to rapists. I want the death penalty for rapists," she said while addressing a Golkar rally in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.