Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 July 1997

62 articles found

Basic problems untouched

Basic problems untouched After a long and uncertain wait, the deregulation measures that are to be the vanguard of economic efficiency and improvement have been announced, even though the basic problems that are encumbering the Indonesian economy have been left untouched.

Earthquake shakes Irian Jaya

Earthquake shakes Irian Jaya JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: An earthquake registering 5.5 on the Richter scale rocked the towns of Manokwari and Sorong yesterday afternoon, an official at the Meteorological and Geophysics Agency said.There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Car body plant to go bankrupt

Car body plant to go bankrupt BOGOR (JP): PT Delima Mandiri, a small-scale company offering car body manufacturing services, is on the brink of bankruptcy due to arrears its two large-scale partners owe, an executive said yesterday.

Pefindo hopes to rate Rp 16t in bond issues

Pefindo hopes to rate Rp 16t in bond issues JAKARTA (JP): The country's only rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo) expects the value of bonds it will rate this year could reach up to Rp 16 trillion (US$6.66 billion).

Bayer plans to set up Asian polyurethane

Bayer plans to set up Asian polyurethane SINGAPORE (Reuter): German chemicals group Bayer AG is planning to establish a polyurethane manufacturing base in Southeast Asia and India in a bid to boost its presence in the region, a senior company official said yesterday.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 11, 1997

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 11, 1997Music * Planet Hollywood, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 16, South Jakarta, Music Hours, Wednesday to Sunday, 9.30 p.m. onwards: Tricia Tahara, an American Singer. Top Classic Rock Music, every Thursday.

British school's IB diplomas

British school's IB diplomas JAKARTA (JP): The British International School (BIS) in Bintaro has awarded diplomas to 14 of 15 International Baccalaureate (IB) students, the school headmaster said yesterday.

RI seen buying corn as El Nino fears emerge

RI seen buying corn as El Nino fears emerge SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia is said to be negotiating to buy up to 180,000 tons of corn for last quarter delivery over fears that a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon may hit the crop in Java, traders said yesterday.

British Airways struggles on despite crew strike in London

British Airways struggles on despite crew strike in London JAKARTA (JP): British Airways (BA) is still serving Indonesia despite a 72-hour strike by its crew members in London, the air carrier said yesterday.

Lawyer insists on trial for HQ takeover suit

Lawyer insists on trial for HQ takeover suit JAKARTA (JP): Ninety-eight Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) supporters loyal to the party's former leader, Megawati Soekarnoputri, pressed on with their lawsuit over the violent takeover of the party's headquarters last year.

The Listening Post

The Listening Post "Building English Skills Through Newspaper + Radio" Produced by American Language Center in cooperation with The Jakarta Post and Radio Sonora FM 100.9 Mhz Here's Groucho highlights the talent of one of America's funniest actors, the inestimable Groucho Marx.

Chinese fishermen see case dismissed

Chinese fishermen see case dismissed OLONGAPO, Philippines (AP): A judge dismissed yesterday charges of illegal entry into Philippine territory against 21 Chinese fishermen apprehended by the navy near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Where to go in Bali for Friday, July 11, 1997

Where to go in Bali for Friday, July 11, 1997Music and entertainment * Bali Cliff, Pecatu: Frog Dance, Saturday, Balinese Theater, Ramayana Ballet, Monday, Kecak Dance, Tuesday and Saturday, Legong Dance, Wednesday, Mask Dance, Thursday, Jegog Orchestra, Friday, Tektekan Calonarang, Sunday, from 8.

Ancient Betawi at Omni hotel

Ancient Betawi at Omni hotel JAKARTA (JP): Omni Batavia hotel on Jl. Kalibesar Barat, West Jakarta, will hold a three-day Ancient Betawi festival.Starting today, the hotel will stage activities from Jakarta's ancient past, including traditional performances, parades and a Betawi food festival.

World Bank urges customs office to improve service

World Bank urges customs office to improve serviceBy Prapti Widinugraheni JAKARTA (JP): The World Bank yesterday urged Indonesia's customs office to expedite its new customs clearance system if it did not want to risk being a barrier to sustainable economic growth.

Cambodian crisis: A litmus test for ASEAN

Cambodian crisis: A litmus test for ASEANBy David Harries JAKARTA (JP): When the going gets tough, the tough get going.Now is not the time for ASEAN to change its mind about bringing Cambodia into the Association.

Bandung's entrance fee

Bandung's entrance feeFrom Pikiran RakyatEvery morning I travel from Padalarang to Bandung.At the entrance of the city, I often see something inexplicable: money changing hands. At the intersection drivers of trucks, buses and other public transport vehicles throw money on the road.

Mitsubishi wins RI order

Mitsubishi wins RI order TOKYO (Reuter): Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd said yesterday it had won an order to build a 2,000 tons per day ammonia plant in Bontang on Indonesia's Kalimantan Island for a Japanese- Indonesian joint venture firm.

New Games consortium continues sticker sales

New Games consortium continues sticker sales JAKARTA (JP): The new Southeast Asian (SEA) Games consortium vowed yesterday to increase fund raising through sticker sales for the coming 19th SEA Games.The consortium's spokesman, Enggartiasto Lukita, said "with the new decree issued by the Ministry of...

Merrill invests in Jababeka

Merrill invests in Jababeka JAKARTA (JP): Merrill Lynch, a major American securities company, has bought 70 million shares, or 11.16 percent, of publicly listed industrial estate firm PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka.

Maritime group to study RI's sea traffic plan

Maritime group to study RI's sea traffic plan JAKARTA (JP): The International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets in London next week to consider Indonesia's controversial plan to regulate sea traffic in its territory, a senior Indonesian diplomat said.

Govt may revoke concession

Govt may revoke concession JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The provincial administration is threatening to revoke a forest concessionaire's license for allegedly destroying a nature reserve on Yapen island, Yapen Waropen district.

Legal system decay reflects society: Expert

Legal system decay reflects society: ExpertBy Ahmad Noerhori JAKARTA (JP): A judge dodged a shoe thrown at him by a disgruntled plaintiff. A jailed business tycoon paid a warden a small amount of money and walked out free. A lawyer took a gun into a courtroom.

Victims' pictures

Victims' pictures We would like to thank The Jakarta Post for reporting the Consortium of Indonesian Migrant Workers Defenders (KOPBUMI) action on July 2, 1997. But we would like to straighten out the comments referring to the picture of the victims Sutarmi Samin and Akhmad Mufti.

Gus Dur in hospital for nose bleeding

Gus Dur in hospital for nose bleeding JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the 30-million- strong Nahdlatul Ulama, was recovering from severe nose bleeding in North Jakarta Koja Hospital yesterday."I'm feeling better," he said. "Hypertension seems to be the cause of the bleeding.

Where to go in Surabaya, for Friday, July 11, 1997

Where to go in Surabaya, for Friday, July 11, 1997Music and Entertainment * Tunjungan Crystal Hotel, Jl. Tunjungan 102-104: - Lounge Bar: Stief's Band, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, open at 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. * Mirama Hotel, Jl. Raya Darmo 58-76: - Mirama Bar: Desire Band, Monday.

Officials warned on food shortage danger

Officials warned on food shortage danger JAKARTA (JP): The government is on alert for possible food shortages, especially in remote areas, which could threaten political stability, State Logistics Agency chief Beddu Amang said yesterday.

Argo Pantes' $30m notes

Argo Pantes' $30m notes HONG KONG (Reuter): Argo Pantes Finance BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of PT Argo Pantes, has completed a US$30 million floating rate notes issue due 2000, arranger and lead manager Sanwa International Finance said yesterday.

Soeharto opens MTQ exhibition

Soeharto opens MTQ exhibition JAMBI, Jambi: President Soeharto opened the 18th National Koran Reading Contest (MTQ) exhibition here yesterday and dedicated the Independence Struggle Museum.Antara reported that Soeharto also opened the Titian Teras senior high school and signed the first edition of...

KL warns speculators to stay away from ringgit

KL warns speculators to stay away from ringgit KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia issued fresh warnings to currency speculators yesterday against attacks on the ringgit amid lingering market jitters over the recent crisis in neighboring Thailand.

TV Program: Friday, July 11, 1997

TV Program: Friday, July 11, 1997TVRI 2:30 p.m. News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Children's Film: Road to Avonlea 3:10 Children's Program: Tunas 3:35 Talk Show: Sambung Rasa 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Student's Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:10 Film: Science World 5:25 Variety Show: Country...

Asia's crude prices rise as demand remains high

Asia's crude prices rise as demand remains high SINGAPORE (Reuter): Asia's crude market remains supported by power generation demand, with Minas, Duri and Bach Ho trades done at strong premiums, traders said yesterday.

Indonesia asks Japan not to reduce its foreign aid

Indonesia asks Japan not to reduce its foreign aid TOKYO (AFP): Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economy and Development Supervision Saleh Afiff asked Japan yesterday not to reduce foreign aid, expressing concern about an expected cut in overall Japanese aid by 10 percent next year, foreign...

The cost of learning

The cost of learningFrom RepublikaI am a mother of a child who has just completed junior high school education, and has been enrolled in the government's Senior High School 2 in Tangerang, West Java.I deplore the school's policy which obliges all new students to pay a Rp 350,000 contribution fee...

RI and Malaysia expand energy cooperation

RI and Malaysia expand energy cooperation JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Malaysia agreed here yesterday to jointly build a coal-fired power plant in Riau to supply electricity to Sumatra and Malaysia.Minister of Mines and Energy I.B.

RI-Croatia business ties

RI-Croatia business ties ZAGREB (Reuter): Indonesian Research and Technology Minister B.J Habibie is visiting Croatia to talk to business leaders and government ministers about cooperation between the two economies, an official on the visit said.

Choir and duet at Erasmus

Choir and duet at Erasmus JAKARTA (JP): The St. Caecila Cathedral Choir is scheduled to perform today at the Erasmus Huis Dutch cultural center in South Jakarta.The all-male choir, led by Tommy Prabowo, was set up in 1865.

Business deals at fair reach Rp 149.1 billion

Business deals at fair reach Rp 149.1 billion JAKARTA (JP): Value of business transactions at the one-month Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, as of Wednesday, reached Rp 149.1 billion (US$60.85 million), an official said yesterday.

SE Asian cocoa prices mixed after NY rally

SE Asian cocoa prices mixed after NY rally KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Southeast Asian cocoa prices were mixed this week, with rates in Malaysia softened by technical factors, while Indonesian prices showed a rise in tandem with the rally on New York CSCE cocoa futures, traders said yesterday.

11 Taiwanese karaoke guides arrested

11 Taiwanese karaoke guides arrested JAKARTA (JP): Eleven Taiwanese women have been arrested for allegedly violating immigration regulations by working as karaoke guides without permits at an entertainment center in West Jakarta, police said.

Social control needed to reduce corruption

Social control needed to reduce corruption JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has been categorized as a country with a high level of corruption. The corrupt activities include accepting bribes, receiving commissions on the purchase or sale of state commodities, and the mark up of the purchase of goods for the...

PWI Jaya's office moves to Jl. Veteran

PWI Jaya's office moves to Jl. Veteran JAKARTA (JP): The secretariat of the Indonesian Journalists Association's Jakarta branch (PWI Jaya) will move to the Press Club building on Jl. Veteran 7C while the new Jakarta Press Center on Jl. Suryopranoto No. 8, Central Jakarta, is being built.

Deregulation package may not affect vendors

Deregulation package may not affect vendors JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of vendors may be unaffected by the end of vendors' fees because most vendors are unregistered with the city.Roadside vendors in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, said they never receive receipts from various daily operation payments...

Govt targets $50b non-oil exports

Govt targets $50b non-oil exports JAKARTA (JP): The government expects the country's total non- oil exports for 1999 will be worth US$50 billion, Minister of Trade and Industry Tunky Ariwibowo said yesterday.

Filipinos deported

Filipinos deported MANADO, N. Sulawesi: About 700 Filipino fishermen were arrested and deported for poaching fish in Indonesian waters in the 1996/1997 fiscal year, a local official said yesterday.Asrul Hamid of the Bitung immigration office said the fishermen did not have proper licenses, Antara...

Tiny PDI loses out on senior House position

Tiny PDI loses out on senior House position JAKARTA (JP): The dominant party, Golkar, and the United Development Party (PPP) have refused to accommodate the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) request for top posts in the House of Representatives despite its dismal election performance.

ASEAN policy on Cambodia hailed

ASEAN policy on Cambodia hailed HONG KONG (Reuter): Fund managers yesterday welcomed ASEAN's decision to postpone Cambodia's entry into the group, but said the recent chaos in the country was unlikely to damage already weak sentiment towards the rest of Asia.

Govt promises more regency autonomy

Govt promises more regency autonomy JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday that an authoritarian government would eventually fall because excessive control created passive, uncreative people.

'Jaipong' dancers find their stage on noisy roadside

'Jaipong' dancers find their stage on noisy roadsideBy Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): The young girl pranced across the small stage, her sensual movements in tune to the gamelan music.As her head and shoulders moved statically up and down, she splayed her palms and swung her hips rhythmically,...

Sawah Besar fire victims ask for help

Sawah Besar fire victims ask for help JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, who lost more than 100 houses in a fire Wednesday, asked the government to let them rebuild their homes.A plywood sign installed in front of a house yesterday said: "We ask to be permitted to rebuild our...

RP shares plunge 3% on interest hike

RP shares plunge 3% on interest hike MANILA (AFP): Most Asia-Pacific bourses closed lower yesterday, with Philippine share prices suffering another day of losses following an interest rate hike.Philippine share prices plunged 3 percent as the market panicked in reaction to the rise in interest...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 10, 1997: ------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 1,175 -50 42,500 AHAP Insurance 2,800 -50 2,500 Alter...

Man arrested for faking medicine brands

Man arrested for faking medicine brands JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta police arrested a man yesterday for allegedly counterfeiting some traditional Chinese medicine brands, a police officer said.Chief of Penjaringan Police precinct Maj.

Cambodia's ASEAN entry postponed

Cambodia's ASEAN entry postponed KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) indefinitely postponed Cambodia's entry into the group yesterday and offered to help end bloody political feuding in the country.

Principal, Nippon tie up

Principal, Nippon tie up JAKARTA (JP): Principal Egalita Indonesia and Nippon Life announced a strategic alliance yesterday to provide value added service to its customers in Indonesia.The company said the alliance was an extension of the arrangement between The Principal Financial Group, Des...

Most schools in bad shape

Most schools in bad shape SEMARANG, Central Java: More than 13,000 of the province's 22,000 primary school buildings are dilapidated, the head of the Ministry of Education and Culture's provincial office, Slamet Haryanto, said yesterday.

Natuna gas purchase talks on track, says Thai PTT

Natuna gas purchase talks on track, says Thai PTT SINGAPORE (Reuter): State-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) said yesterday the recent baht fall has not affected its talks with Indonesia to buy Natuna natural gas and is on track to conclude a deal by end November.

Indonesia's Yayuk to miss Fed Cup

Indonesia's Yayuk to miss Fed Cup JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top woman tennis player, Yayuk Basuki, has decided not to join her country's Federation Cup team for its World Group Two tie against Italy from July 12 to July 13.

Pilot gets 15 months for smuggling drugs

Pilot gets 15 months for smuggling drugs JAKARTA (JP): A Garuda Indonesia Airways pilot, Mohammad Said, was sentenced to 15 months in jail Wednesday by a Dutch court for attempting to smuggle 6,000 Ecstasy pills to Jakarta.A team of judges headed by A.

Amcor launches anti-dumping drive

Amcor launches anti-dumping drive SYDNEY (AFP): Australian paper and packaging group Amcor Ltd. has launched an anti-dumping action against 14 nations, including Indonesia, claiming that cheap imports have driven glossy paper prices down $500 (US$373) a ton.

Bandung no longer friendly

Bandung no longer friendlyFrom Suara KaryaBandung in the dry season is really an unpleasant city. The sweltering sun is uncomfortable. The city is no longer the friendly cool city in the mountains.There is no coolness left in Bandung.

Merpati, Sempati sell F-27s

Merpati, Sempati sell F-27s JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines and privately owned Sempati Air will sell their Dutch Fokker F-27 airplanes to improve efficiency.Merpati's president, Budiarto Subroto, said his company would replace its F-27s with British BAe-146s.