Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 July 1997

70 articles found

Nuriana gets gold pen

Nuriana gets gold pen BANDUNG: West Java Governor H.R. Nuriana received a Gold Pen award yesterday from the Association of Indonesian Journalists as a token of appreciation for his contribution to developing the national press. Antara reported that association chairman Sofjan Lubis had presented the pin to Nuriana in a ceremony attended by association executives and hundreds of journalists. Nuriana is the 17th person to receive the award, and the third West Java governor.

'Other agenda behind ASEAN currency plunge'

'Other agenda behind ASEAN currency plunge' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad believes an international financier opposed to Myanmar joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is behind the turmoil sweeping Southeast Asian currencies, newspapers reported yesterday.

Raising SEA Games funds

Raising SEA Games funds From Suara Karya I would like to make a suggestion about how to raise funds for the upcoming SEA Games. Instead of selling stickers, which can only be pasted onto something, why not sell postage stamps? The post office should issue exclusive SEA Games stamps at the value of Rp 300 each but sell them to the public for Rp 1,000. In this way, the post office could collect Rp 700 for each stamp as a contribution to SEA Games.

Rupiah recovering from assaults

Rupiah recovering from assaults JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian rupiah, helped by the central bank's intervention, recovered yesterday from speculative attacks that drove it to a historic low Monday, dealers and brokers said. They said the rupiah strengthened to 2,570/2,575 against the U.S. dollar from an opening of 2,633/2,643 after the central bank intervened in the market at midday. The rupiah was quoted at 2,578/83 at 16:30 Jakarta time, the close of local trading.

IMF praises tiger economies after Thai baht crisis

IMF praises tiger economies after Thai baht crisis WASHINGTON (Reuter): The tiger economies of southeast Asia won high marks from the International Monetary Fund on Monday for handling the fallout of Thailand's currency crisis, but a top IMF official said Bangkok should act fast to keep its growth on track. IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer told a news briefing that Thailand was likely to need a package of tax, banking and currency measures to keep the economy on track.

Cambodia pushes for ASEAN seat

Cambodia pushes for ASEAN seat By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (JP): Cambodia is still expressing a keenness to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) immediately, but officials took a wait-and-see approach here yesterday, saying that a final decision would be taken today. Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said a formal request had been submitted for Cambodia to be admitted today.

RI workers in Singapore

RI workers in Singapore We were shocked by the report on the torture experience by 14- year old Hartati, from Banyumas, Central Java, a migrant worker in Singapore.

Yayuk Basuki to compete at 19th SEA Games

Yayuk Basuki to compete at 19th SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council is relieved that it will probably win two gold medals in tennis at the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here in October because Indonesia's top tennis player Yayuk Basuki will compete in the biennial event. The council's secretary-general, Rudolph S. Warouw, said yesterday Yayuk would compete in the Games from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19. "We all know Yayuk's quality and nationalism.

Iwate eyes Bali as new sister

Iwate eyes Bali as new sister DENPASAR, Bali: Governor of Japan's prefecture of Iwate, Hiroya Masuda, is interested in making his district and the resort island of Bali sister provinces. Following a meeting with Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka Sunday, governor Masuda said that province city relations with Bali would foster better cultural and economic cooperation, Antara reported yesterday. He said that, in some respects, Bali had a lot in common with Iwate, which is in northern Japan.

PHRI to hold national convention tomorrow

PHRI to hold national convention tomorrow JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) will begin its 12th national convention in Jakarta tomorrow, chairman Pontjo Sutowo said yesterday. President Soeharto will address the convention on July 25. The government has declared that tourism, because of its labor intensive nature, will become the country's main foreign exchange earner starting in 1999, when the nation embarks on its 8th Five- Year Plan, he said.

Indonesian resort to host Australasian PGA 1st round

Indonesian resort to host Australasian PGA 1st round SYDNEY, Australia (Agencies): Bintan Resort in Indonesia was named yesterday as host course for the first tournament on the 1997-98 Australasian PGA golf tour. The tour starts Sept. 11 to Sept. 14 with the new US$500,000 Asia Pacific Masters -- a joint venture with the Asian Omega Tour which was canceled last year because the course was not built in time.

Indonesia to semifinal at ABC championship

Indonesia to semifinal at ABC championship JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Aspac advanced to the semifinals of the 8th Asian Basketball Confederation championship yesterday after ousting Hong Kong's Regal 91-71 in the quarterfinals. The win put Aspac on top Group A and it now plays China's PLA Hongshan -- the Group B runner-up -- in the semifinals. Aspac took control of the game early, taking a 22-11 lead against Regal in the first 15 minutes.

Caltex urges government to extend its CPP contract

Caltex urges government to extend its CPP contract JAKARTA (JP): PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia has appealed to the government to reconsider its decision allowing state-owned oil company Pertamina to take over the Coastal Plains Pakanbaru (CPP) oil field in central Sumatra, Caltex president director B. Hakim said yesterday.

Health promotion begins at grassroots

Health promotion begins at grassroots By Listiana Operananta Cancer is a major illness being tackled by the Indonesian government. The Ministry of Health invited journalists from Jakarta recently to see the government's program in Sidoarjo, East Java, which is intended to showcase Indonesia's health promotion efforts to delegates and guests at this week's international conference on health promotion in Jakarta. This is our report.

Kites endangers flights: Haryanto

Kites endangers flights: Haryanto JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday that kites flown in the Greater Jakarta area threaten flights, especially helicopters, because some kites fly above tolerable limits. "Many pilots complain about the kites. Some kites have a strong thread and can fly over 1,000 feet.

Mayor to keep soccer field

Mayor to keep soccer field JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said yesterday that the Menteng soccer stadium, a prime target of many developers because of its strategic location, should be retained. Central Jakarta effectively only has five soccer fields left, the other four being in Kemayoran, Cempaka Putih, Gambir and Tanah Abang, Kahfi said. "If there was any new construction on that site, the soccer field should also be maintained," Kahfi announced.

Protection campaign to safeguard rights of the young

Protection campaign to safeguard rights of the young By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto launches a child protection campaign this morning in conjunction with National Children's Day to battle physical and emotional mistreatment. The ceremony will take place at Sasono Langgeng Budoyo Hall at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta. Minister for Social Affairs Inten Soeweno said yesterday that child welfare was an integral part of the country's development.

Timor proposes US$840m loan to finance car plant

Timor proposes US$840m loan to finance car plant JAKARTA (JP): PT Timor Putra Nasional has proposed US$840 million in loans from a syndication of state and private banks to help finance the construction of its manufacturing facilities in Cikampek, West Java, a company executive said. President of PT Timor Putra Nasional, Hutomo Mandala Putra, in a hearing with members of the House of Representatives Monday evening, said the amount was still being considered by the bank syndication.

Child labor export upset Soeharto

Child labor export upset Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Reports on the alleged torture of a 15-year-old Indonesian maid in Singapore drew President Soeharto's concern yesterday over the export of child workers. The president was quoted by Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief as saying that many parents let their underaged children work overseas after they had been lured by brokers' promises of big wages.

Building owners agree to redesign their fences

Building owners agree to redesign their fences JAKARTA (JP): Most owners of high-rise buildings along Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta have agreed to tear down fences and other border walls to create a friendlier atmosphere, a city official said yesterday. Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said an agreement by owners was made in response to the city administration plan to make streets more comfortable for pedestrians. The plan would affect 20 high-rise buildings, excluding embassies, along 1.

Egypt-Indonesia ties soldier on after 40 years

Egypt-Indonesia ties soldier on after 40 years By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Forty years ago in Cairo, one of Indonesia's most legendary political figures, Agus Salim, who was then foreign minister, in a very quiet affair signed a document with Egyptian prime minister Nokrashy Pasha formally solidifying relations between the two countries. That small document signed on June 25, 1957, helped shape the future of Indonesian history.

Jardine launches two mutual funds

Jardine launches two mutual funds JAKARTA (JP): PT Jardine Fleming Nusantara Investment Management (JFNIM) will launch two mutual funds in the next two months. JFNIM's president Simon Barclay-Brown said here yesterday that the company expected to raise Rp 650 billion (US$270 million) from the two funds, called Jardine Dana Obligasi and Jardine Dana Ekuitas. "We are still waiting for approval from the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam)," he told The Jakarta Post.

Petronas seeks to join PRP refinery project

Petronas seeks to join PRP refinery project SINGAPORE (Reuter): Malaysia's state-owned oil company Petronas is seeking to acquire a stake in the proposed US$4 billion Mindanao refinery in southern Philippines, sources close to the project said yesterday. Analysts said Petronas' bid to join the Iranian and Filipino group, which plans a 150,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery, is part of the company's efforts to raise its profile in the Philippines, particularly in the south.

Spotlight

Spotlight Photo A: Paintings JP/arh PAINTER'S PERSPECTIVE: Artist Yose Rizal (left) explains a work to Gregson Edwards (second from left), cultural counselor of the Australian Embassy, Sabam Siagian (second from right), a former Indonesian ambassador to Australia, and lawyer Nugroho Reksodiputro (right) at the Hilton Hotel in Jakarta. His exhibition, opened Monday evening, runs through July 31.

Soeharto happy to open course for legislators

Soeharto happy to open course for legislators JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has agreed to open a crash course for the next 500 members of the House of Representatives on Aug. 9 at the State Palace, State Minister of Special Assignments Harmoko announced yesterday. After meeting Soeharto at the Bina Graha presidential office, Harmoko said the President would share his experience with the future legislators while opening the six-day course.

Baby and youth killed in fire

Baby and youth killed in fire PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Fire destroyed at least 500 houses in Kuala Kapuas Kecil, a slum area in Kuala Kapuas, here Monday evening, killing a baby and a teenage boy. Kapuas regency official Samsi P. Kulu told Antara yesterday that the identity of the teenage boy was still unknown. "It was reported that the teenage boy was burned to death while he was asleep," he said.

RI's Irawati to meet Thai Benjamas in Governor Cup

RI's Irawati to meet Thai Benjamas in Governor Cup JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Irawati Moerid Iskandar will meet old rival Benjamas Sangaram of Thailand in the second round of the Governor Cup Women's Circuit at the Kemayoran Tennis Complex today. Irawati, who rejoined the national team after giving birth, beat junior Frederika Girsang 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday, while Benjamas beat Indonesian Laura Mangunsong 6-2, 6-4. "Facing Benjamas is like seeing my old rival.

NTUC, Pidemco take stake in Mal Ciputra project

NTUC, Pidemco take stake in Mal Ciputra project JAKARTA (JP): NTUC Income and Pidemco Land, both of Singapore, agreed here yesterday to take a 10 percent and 5 percent stake respectively in the US$488 million Mal Ciputra project. Ciputra Group said the entry of the two Singaporean companies reduced its stake in the joint venture superblock project, which would include a 5.4-hectare shopping and hotel development, to 55 percent.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * 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. Flashback night features old time favorite songs, every Friday. * Jamz, Jl. Panglima Polim Raya. No. LMN 11, South Jakarta, at 9.30 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Harvey M, Benny L & Co, Monday. Benny L & Co, Dixie Night, Tuesday. Indra, Jamz Session, Wednesday. Wachdach Band, Thursday.

Soldiers held for manslaughter

Soldiers held for manslaughter JAKARTA (JP): Three men, who claimed to be members of the Air Force, were arrested and three others were being sought by police for their alleged involvement in the beating death of a security officer of a housing estate in Cipondoh, Tangerang, West Java, on Sunday. A police source said on Monday that the incident began when one of the six Air Force members became involved in an argument with the officer Saturday night.

Nirwana Resort to open soon

Nirwana Resort to open soon JAKARTA (JP): Bakrie Group's Nirwana Bali Resort will be fully operational this year after the opening of its five-star Le Meridien Golf & Spa resort hotel in September, the company announced yesterday. PT Bakrie Nirwana Resort's chief executive Officer Dorian Landers said the 278-room hotel would follow the April opening of an 18-hole golf course.

Telkom warns of disruptions

Telkom warns of disruptions JAKARTA (JP): Telephone numbers with prefixes 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 749, 7470 and 7471 may be disrupted in the next few days because of cable repair work, PT Telkom said on Monday. Head of Telkom's South Jakarta office, I Nyoman G Wiryanata, said areas affected included Jl. Kampung Utan, Jl. Legoso Raya, Jl. Ir. Juanda/Sahutani housing complex, Bambu Apus/Ministry of Religious Affairs housing complex, Aria Putra and Bukit Nusa Indah.

Protesters jeer Ramos

Protesters jeer Ramos BAGUIO, Philippines (Reuter): Demonstrators jeered Philippine President Fidel Ramos yesterday over the peso's de facto devaluation and threw back a bunch of flowers he handed out as a peace offering. About 30 protesters began heckling Ramos when he stepped out of his car to address 2,000 people at a convention hall in this northern Philippine mountain resort.

Mahathir to probe corruption

Mahathir to probe corruption KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad returned home yesterday vowing to attack corruption after a two- month break abroad which took him to Europe, the Middle East and Japan. "It is necessary to clean things up. We are not going for a witch-hunt. We will act against people who commit wrongdoing," Mahathir told a televised news conference at Subang International Airport.

ASEAN officials draft ministers' communique

ASEAN officials draft ministers' communique By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (JP): Senior Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) officials ended their meeting yesterday, fine-tuning the final communique for ministerial consideration and calling for the nuclear weapons states to accede to a nuclear-weapons-free-zone treaty.

Home and away for Asian World Cup qualifiers

Home and away for Asian World Cup qualifiers ZURICH (AFP): The final Asian World Cup qualifying round will be played on a home and away basis, soccer's governing body FIFA decided Monday. Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and Singapore had bid to hold a finals tournament as in past Asian qualifying competitions. But FIFA's World Cup Organizing Committee, chaired by Lennart Johansson, decided against a single tournament venue Monday.

Newly installed PNG premier vows anticorruption drive

Newly installed PNG premier vows anticorruption drive PORT MORESBY (Reuter): Port Moresby mayor Bill Skate was elected prime minister of Papua New Guinea yesterday after joining forces with parties he once labeled corrupt -- and immediately vowed to investigate his new allies. Skate, a moderate who campaigned against a failed mercenary deal earlier this year, also pledged to work for peace on Bougainville island. "We will fight corruption, but not destroy our own people," Skate told parliament.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. News: Lintas Nusantara 2:40 Travel: My Country 2:45 Family's Film: Big Brother Jake 3:10 Children's Program: Anak-Anak Indonesia 3:35 Talk Show: Kotak Pos 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 5:10 TV Series: Topacio 5:55 Music 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 6:53 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Entrepreneurship Program: Mitra Kita 8:05 Quiz: Dewasa 8:30 Variety Show: Gelora 9:00 World News...

Andojo to head Trisakti law school

Andojo to head Trisakti law school JAKARTA (JP): Former deputy chief justice Adi Andojo Soejipto begins his career at Jakarta's Trisakti University tomorrow when he will be installed as dean of its law school. "I will be in the position until 2000," Adi Andojo told The Jakarta Post yesterday. He added the university had the option to extend his term, contingent on performance evaluations. He will teach criminal code procedures beginning in the new semester in September.

'Big savings' by banning cyanide fishing, bombing

'Big savings' by banning cyanide fishing, bombing JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will lose an estimated Rp 6.5 trillion (US$3 billion) a year because of coral reef damage unless it can stop fish bombing and cyanide fishing, an expert warned yesterday. Herman Cesar of the Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program, initiated by the government to improve the management of coral reefs, said that all the government needed to stop the damage was political will.

Indonesia's foreign debt level not a concern: ADB

Indonesia's foreign debt level not a concern: ADB JAKARTA (JP): President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Mitsuo Sato said here yesterday Indonesia's foreign debt level was not yet a concern and the bank would continue to provide assistance to the country. But Sato urged Indonesia to increase its domestic savings level to reduce its dependence on foreign funds and finance its development.

Malaysia's forex reserves plunge $3.4b in two weeks

Malaysia's forex reserves plunge $3.4b in two weeks KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's central bank said yesterday that the country's foreign exchange reserves plunged US$3.4 billion in the first half of July, apparently reflecting intervention to support the ringgit. Bank Negara Malaysia said reserves fell from 70.705 billion ringgit ($27.2 billion) on June 30 to 61.898 billion ($23.8 billion) on July 15.

A lack of ethics?

A lack of ethics? A trader has no homeland, an old English proverb says. And now, in this era of globalization, the old saying appears to have come into vogue again in Indonesia. That, at least, is the impression one gets on learning of the Salim group of businesses' intention to sell the majority of its shares in PT Indocement and PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, to Singapore company QAF.

Woman held for abusing maid

Woman held for abusing maid JAKARTA (JP): A resident of Cengkareng, West Jakarta, is in police custody for allegedly beating her housemaid. City Police spokesman Lt.Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the woman was detained on Monday for her own safety after angry local residents gathered in the area. He said the employer admitted to beating the maid after becoming incensed when the woman could not find a plastic bottle cap.

Wasting water

Wasting water I would like to refer to a subject which is obviously becoming more serious; the drinking water supply in Jakarta. During the five years I have lived in Jakarta, I had the opportunity to frequently observe an irresponsible waste of drinking water in private households, as well as in restaurants and hotels (and as far as I am told the situation is not different in public buildings and government offices).

Police shoot suspect of car theft gang

Police shoot suspect of car theft gang JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man yesterday who was believed to be a member of a car theft syndicate, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said. Aritonang did not give the identity of the dead suspect but said yesterday apprehending officers were forced to open fire in self-defense. "He attacked the officers with a machete," he said.

Fire costs Rp 4 billion

Fire costs Rp 4 billion SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A fire gutted 364 stalls and houses at Senggol market in South Bontang early Friday causing Rp 4 billion (US$1.7 million) in losses and leaving about 2,000 people homeless. No fatalities were reported. Police were still investigating the fire yesterday but suspect it was caused by an electrical short circuit. Antara reported that a relief center to shelter the victims was being set up at an unused cinema.

46 vagrants arrested in Bogor

46 vagrants arrested in Bogor BOGOR (JP): Public order officials of the Bogor administration have netted 46 vagrants in an operation on major roads in the city, an official said yesterday. Hari Harsono, the administration's spokesman, said 46 people, aged between five and 65 years old, were netted in a joint operation on cleanliness and public order on Monday on major roads, including Jl. Juanda, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Pajajaran. "They were sent to the City Social Services office.

Soccer security tightened

Soccer security tightened SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Security will be tightened in places along the way to Indonesian soccer league venues in Jakarta to prevent vandalism by hooligan supporters. East Java's military commander, Maj. Gen. Iman Utomo, said security personnel would be deployed to keep an eye on supporters going to watch their teams play. The semifinals and final will be July 25 and July 27 at the Senayan stadium.

Japan to keep close contact to RI forex

Japan to keep close contact to RI forex TOKYO (AFP): Japanese Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka said Monday his ministry would maintain contact with authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia on foreign exchange turbulence. "I am aware of the situation in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia," Mitsuzuka told a regular news conference. "Regarding these countries, we will keep in close contact, and orchestrate co-operation," he said.

Star mine period extended

Star mine period extended SYDNEY (Reuter): Lone Star Exploration NL said yesterday it now had until at least October 2000 to build a mine at its Awak Mas gold project after receiving a two-year work extension from the Indonesian government. Lone Star had previously been given until October 1998 to build a mine after an initial feasibility study period expired in April last year.

President Mandela met jailed Xanana last week

President Mandela met jailed Xanana last week JAKARTA (JP): South African President Nelson Mandela met jailed East Timorese separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao at Merdeka Palace during his visit here last week, a senior pro-integration East Timor politician said yesterday. Fransisco Xavier Lopez da Cruz, Indonesia's ambassador-at- large on East Timor affairs, said he attended the meeting held at the State Guest House on July 15.

Ratelindo eyes nationwide operation

Ratelindo eyes nationwide operation JAKARTA (JP): The telecommunication company PT Ratelindo, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie Brothers, expects to expand its fixed wireless telephone service nationwide by 1999, the company's director for business and service development, Remedi Perangingangin, said yesterday. Peranginangin said he was optimistic his company would get the license to install fixed cellular lines in areas outside of Java in 1999.

Asuransi Lippo offers shares

Asuransi Lippo offers shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Asuransi Lippo (Lippo General Insurance) of the widely diversified Lippo Group made a successful capital market debut when it floated its shares on the Jakarta Stock Exchange yesterday. The demand for the company shares was high and the company's share price booked a gain of Rp 525 to Rp 2,750 in the morning session, dealers said.

CBA enters Jakarta

CBA enters Jakarta SYDNEY (Reuter): The Commonwealth Bank of Australia said yesterday its PT Bank BII Commonwealth joint venture with BII, Indonesia's third largest private bank, had been granted an Indonesian operating license to offer a full range of banking services. BII is Indonesia's third largest bank. The Jakarta-based joint venture is capitalized at Rp 150 billion or about A$83 million, Commonwealth Bank said.

Kia gets fresh loans

Kia gets fresh loans SEOUL (AFP): South Korean banks yesterday said they would extend 160 billion won (US$179 million) in emergency loans to help ease cash flow problems faced by the troubled Kia Group, a bank spokesman said. The decision by 10 creditor banks of Kia came as suppliers for the auto maker faced the danger of chain bankruptcies, a Korea First Bank spokesman told AFP. The money will be provided to Kia until the end of this month, he said.

Auto sales hit by Asian currency instability

Auto sales hit by Asian currency instability TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. president, Hiroshi Okuda, said yesterday a decline in Asian auto sales was inevitable following currency instability that has lashed Southeast Asian economies. "Naturally, we are expecting a decline in auto demand because of the psychological worries caused by unstable currencies in Asia," Okuda told news conference.

Tri Polyta gets advisor

Tri Polyta gets advisor JAKARTA (JP): PT Tri Polyta Indonesia said yesterday it had appointed Merrill Lynch as its financial advisor on negotiations with PT Chandra Asri regarding long-term supplies of propylene. Tri Polyta, listed on the Jakarta and New York stock exchanges, makes polypropylene resins used to manufacture household and industrial plastic products. It is Indonesia's sole producer of co-polymer resin which is used in higher value-added applications. (pwn)

Five people arrested Rp 408m vehicle tax scam

Five people arrested Rp 408m vehicle tax scam JAKARTA (JP): Five people have been arrested in a vehicle tax scam worth over Rp 408 million (US$160,000) at a major car rental company in Jakarta, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday. Aritonang said the five cheated PT Golden Bird by embezzling vehicle taxes and counterfeiting documents of 34 luxury cars owned by the company.

Myanmar govt aims for legitimacy

Myanmar govt aims for legitimacy By Aung Shwe Oo and Peter Janssen YANGON/BANGKOK (DPA): When Myanmar, officially Myanmar, joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today, its notorious military regime is generally seen as getting an important legitimacy boost -- but not much in terms of economic benefits. No one should down-play the importance of ASEAN in terms of setting the tone for "political correctness" in the region.

Indonesia nominates Uton for WHO top post

Indonesia nominates Uton for WHO top post JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has nominated Uton Muchtar Rafei as the next director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Minister of Health Sujudi said yesterday. Sujudi said President Soeharto had approved Uton's nomination and asked all related institutions to support it. Uton is now the WHO regional director for Southeast Asia. The organization's top job will be up for grabs next January.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 22, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,150 25 44,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,025 50 116,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,375 50 1,647,500 Alumindo Perkasa 900 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,500 0 421,500 Anwar Sierad 1,075 0 402,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

Edy Waluyo named as new speaker of City Council

Edy Waluyo named as new speaker of City Council JAKARTA (JP): The 75 new councilors elected Brig. Gen. Edy Waluyo of the Armed Forces (ABRI) as City Council speaker for the 1997-2002 office term in a plenary session yesterday. The choice of 52-year-old Edy as new council speaker was greeted by all council members and city officials. "I thank Jakartans, ABRI leaders and God for this honor.

Gambling-machine technician nabbed

Gambling-machine technician nabbed JAKARTA (JP): A Malaysian man arrested by immigration officers on Friday was still being detained at the West Jakarta Immigration Office in Kalideres yesterday. The head of the immigration office, M. Iman Santoso, said Soo Tee Kiong, a Malaysian passport holder, was arrested at Omni Batavia Hotel, on Jl. Kalibesar Barat, West Jakarta, for abusing immigration permits. "Soo entered the country with a visa-free facility for short visits," Iman said.

Women, children 'need better citizenship law'

Women, children 'need better citizenship law' JAKARTA (JP): Citizenship laws must become more gender- oriented and institutionally controlled to empower women to control their citizenships and their children's, observers said yesterday. In a seminar on citizenship laws affecting women, East Java legislative council executive Ida Sampit Karo-Karo said that these measures would be recommended to help women determine their rights to citizenship.

Public transport ranks highest in traffic violations

Public transport ranks highest in traffic violations JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata urged public transportation drivers yesterday to improve their driving behavior as, according to police records, they rank highest in traffic violations. Hamami said 45 percent of 137,689 traffic violations in the first six months of this year were by public transportation drivers alone.

Foreign countries told to stay out of RI's affairs

Foreign countries told to stay out of RI's affairs JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat said yesterday that foreign countries should not interfere in Indonesia's internal affairs. "International relations should be built on mutual understanding of each country's sovereignty and integrity," Edi said in a written statement at the launch of the White Book on Indonesia's 1997 State Defense and Security Policy.

Humpuss pulls out of GKG

Humpuss pulls out of GKG JAKARTA (JP): The Humpuss Group has canceled its plans to take over the assets and liabilities of a petrochemical project formerly controlled by the Golden Key Group (GKG). Humpuss Group chairman, Hutomo Mandala Putra, said Monday evening his group had pulled out of the GKG project, initially worth Rp 1.4 trillion, because it was too risky. He said large additional amounts of funds -- aside from the Rp 1.4 trillion -- would be needed to start up the project.

Pakpahan seeks independent team for opinion on his health

Pakpahan seeks independent team for opinion on his health JAKARTA (JP): Jailed labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan demanded yesterday that the government form an independent medical team to seek another opinion after his request to get treatment abroad had been turned down. His lawyer, Lawyer Bambang Widjojanto, said the team should involve the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as an independent party.

New officials at UI installed

New officials at UI installed JAKARTA (JP): Rector M.K. Tadjuddin installed 19 new officials at the University of Indonesia as vice deans and heads of various research centers on Monday. This was a routine change at the university because some people were reaching retirement age and others were due for promotion, said Kustini, spokeswoman for the state university. Among the new appointments were: * Reni Winata as head of the Australian Studies Center. * Okke K.S.