Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 August 1997

48 articles found

What makes people often change jobs?

What makes people often change jobs? Some people often change jobs. Is it because they want more money and better perks? What does it have to do with comfort at work? JAKARTA (JP): In a job interview, Noor SDK Devi asked if she had a chance of becoming a manager. "If I didn't have a chance, why should I apply for the job?" Desiria Ramadini had another thing on her mind when she sent in a job application. She wanted to work in a modern building.

Kite contest this weekend

Kite contest this weekend MERAK BELANTUNG, Lampung: Kite flyers from eight countries will participate in the International Kite Festival this coming weekend, Antara reported over the weekend. Participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, the Philippines, France, the Netherlands and Indonesia will compete in kite flying, kite fighting, and kite-stunt and kite-fishing attractions. The festival is part of the Krakatau Festival being held in Kalianda Park. (09)

Nine fishermen missing

Nine fishermen missing SERANG, West Java: Rescue workers continued searching Saturday for nine fishermen who went missing when their boat sank last Monday between Oar and Panaitan islands in the Sunda Straits. Antara quoted head of Labuan port, Akip Mulyana, as saying dozens of residents and the official rescue team worked together for the fourth consecutive day. The fishing boat Rahayu IV, owned by H. Indin Rosidi, sank with 21 fishermen on board. Twelve of the men survived unhurt.

No discos, says Banda Aceh mayor

No discos, says Banda Aceh mayor BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Mayor Sayed Husain Al-Haj has said he will never issue a permit to anyone to open a discotheque in Banda Aceh. He said he feared that discotheques would become places to drink alcohol and practice prostitution, Antara said. "It could taint the good name of Aceh, whose population is Moslem," he said. Antara said that some hotels are suspected of operating discotheques on some nights, but so far, they have managed to avoid official detection. (09)

Nickname for the minister

Nickname for the minister From Merdeka In response to Siswono Yudohusodo's statement about the need for government officials to declare their property/wealth, I would like to say that this quite reasonable suggestion deserves a thumbs-up and must be echoed by other officials. Why? Siswono is very much concerned with a report that Indonesia is Asia's most corrupt country (perhaps also No. 1 in the world in this regard).

Support looms for security decree reintroduction

Support looms for security decree reintroduction JAKARTA (JP): Support grew over the weekend for President Soeharto's call on the succeeding People's Consultative Assembly legislators to redeliberate a security decree. The chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, Sudomo, said the possible reintroduction of the 1988 decree would not necessarily mean the revival of the defunct Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order (Kopkamtib).

Senior members back Tutut to lead Golkar

Senior members back Tutut to lead Golkar JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana fits the bill to lead Golkar, senior members declared on Saturday. Sudharmono and Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, respectively former chairman and secretary-general of the organization, expressed their support for Hardiyanti who, they agreed, has a complete political record and qualifies for the post.

Govt denies Suwardi's election reward for district chiefs

Govt denies Suwardi's election reward for district chiefs JAKARTA (JP): The government denied Saturday that Central Java Governor Suwardi planned to promote district chiefs as a reward for their efforts to help Golkar win the general and local elections.

Rupiah's tumble seen to shore up inflation

Rupiah's tumble seen to shore up inflation JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah's sharp depreciation against the U.S. dollar will result in a higher inflation rate, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday. Speaking to journalists after attending the independence day ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Ginandjar said the cost of several products with high import contents would go up as a result of the strengthening dollar. "I would say inflation will rise.

Tennis body targets five gold medals at SEA Games

Tennis body targets five gold medals at SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association aims to win five of the seven gold medals at the 19th SEA Games here in October by recruiting the best players in the National Team Board. A meeting on Friday, led by the association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, agreed to name Wynne Prakusya, Irawati Moerid, Wukirasih Sawondari and Liza Andriyani in the women's side.

Govt insists on hands-off approach on PDI

Govt insists on hands-off approach on PDI JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) continued to be at odds with the government over who should initiate the settlement of protracted conflicts in the minority party and ways to go about it. The government was distancing itself from the party's affairs, while one rival faction said the government must take responsibility because "it caused the split in PDI". Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

President Soeharto's State of the Nation Address

President Soeharto's State of the Nation Address Following are excerpts of the state address given by President Soeharto before the House of Representatives on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day Aug. 17. During the last general election, we carried out campaigns in the form of dialogues.

RI oil investment incentives lack bite: Industry sources

RI oil investment incentives lack bite: Industry sources SINGAPORE (Reuter): Major oil companies are not likely to pump billions of dollars into Indonesia despite new incentives to build refineries as long as the domestic market remains closed to them, industry sources said. "Oil companies want a share of the domestic market before they commit billion-dollar investments there," one source at a major oil company said over the weekend.

Videovan and Gobel to distribute Fox's films

Videovan and Gobel to distribute Fox's films JAKARTA (JP): Singapore-based Videovan Entertainment Industries Pte Ltd will tie up with the Gobel Group of Indonesia to market and distribute in Indonesia the home entertainment products of a major Hollywood film studio. "We have appointed PT Bahtera Kencana Internusa of the Gobel Group to become the sole distributor of Fox's films here," Videovan's managing director, Peter Lim, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Santa Fe details Jabung output

Santa Fe details Jabung output HOUSTON (Reuter): Santa Fe Energy Resources Inc said yesterday oil production has started at the North Geragai field, the first of three discoveries made on the Jabung Block on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It also said commerciality of the Makmur Field has been demonstrated by a delineation well, adding the owners expect to begin production there in the second quarter of 1998.

Many people dissatisfied with House's performance: Wahono

Many people dissatisfied with House's performance: Wahono JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Wahono, at the start of the last session of the current House, conceded that many people were dissatisfied with the legislature's performance and called on newly elected members to be more open and responsive to the people.

Economic turbulence in SE Asia may be shortlived

Economic turbulence in SE Asia may be shortlived HONG KONG (AFP): The proud economies of Southeast Asia, buffeted by turbulence since they surrendered their currencies to market forces, may have only a short period of pain yet to endure, experts say. Governments that have come to view currency stability as the foundation for long-term growth have had a nightmarish week.

More concrete steps needed to defend rupiah: Economists

More concrete steps needed to defend rupiah: Economists JAKARTA (JP): Economists and members of the House of Representatives said they were optimistic the rupiah would soon stabilize but warned that more concrete measures were needed for similar currency turmoil in the future. Like other analysts, Anwar Nasution, a senior economist of the University of Indonesia, said that he believed Bank Indonesia's recent move to remove the intervention band would end the speculative attacks on the rupiah.

Traffic discipline

Traffic discipline Four years have elapsed since the government ordained traffic law No. 14/92 but the traffic situation has remained virtually the same. Every day we witness traffic violations, some go unnoticed and accordingly unpunished. Many drivers drive recklessly ignoring traffic ethics or even traffic regulations.

Japanese funds welcome decision to float rupiah

Japanese funds welcome decision to float rupiah TOKYO (Reuter): Indonesia's decision to float its currency has been welcomed by Japanese funds, helping to reinforce their relatively positive view of the country despite turmoil in Asia as a whole, fund managers in Tokyo said. And while Japanese funds remain wary about the latest economic trend, none said they had any plans to substantially reduce their Indonesian investment at present.

City residents celebrate Independence day in style

City residents celebrate Independence day in style JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans celebrated yesterday Indonesia's 52nd independence day by participating in flag raising ceremonies and various traditional activities. Civil servants, employees of several private firms and schoolchildren joined the flag-hoisting ceremonies at their respective offices and schools in the morning.

Robbery defendant gets 10 years

Robbery defendant gets 10 years BOGOR (JP): Heri Faisal, alias Hendrik, one of the four suspects in last October's Jagorawi toll road robbery and murder, was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the district court here Saturday. The sentence half that demanded by the prosecutors. The panel of judges, presided by Usman Wahab, said the punishment for the 28-year-old defendant reflected the fact that Hendrik played only a minor role in the robbery and murder case.

ASEAN to beat speculators

ASEAN to beat speculators KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday said Kuala Lumpur was discussing with other Southeast Asian economies ways to beat rogue currency speculators. "We are talking with a lot of people now," he said when asked if the central banks in the region would get together to fight the decline in the value of several regional currencies.

Economy sound, says Soeharto

Economy sound, says Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto stressed Saturday that the Indonesian economy was fundamentally strong despite the sharp depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar. The President, however, said that the government would continue to maintain its tight monetary policy and also called for a curb on foreign borrowing to ensure the economy remained on the right track.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Cartoon Film: Silvan 3:10 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 3:35 Religious Teachings: Buddha 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Tepat Guna 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show: World Music Album 5:30 Talk Show: Sebaiknya Anda Tahu 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country 6:15 Village Program 6:30 TVRI News 7:00 Evening News 7:35 Development Program: Lemhanas 8:00 New: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV...

Tarmizi guarantees slight haj fare increase

Tarmizi guarantees slight haj fare increase JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher confirmed Saturday there would be no significant increase in this year's haj pilgrimage fare. "The government will put all its efforts into minimizing the impact of the rupiah's fall against the U.S. dollar so there will be no increase in the haj pilgrimage fare," Tarmizi said as quoted by Antara.

The pros and cons of manpower bill

The pros and cons of manpower bill By Teten Masduki JAKARTA (JP): It seems that the manpower bill will smoothly pass through the House of Representatives as all House factions have reached a consensus to complete the discussion in three months, that is before the tenure of the present legislative assembly expires. Unless something is in the way, the plenary session of the House will pass the manpower bill into a law on Sept. 10, 1997.

A new reality

A new reality With the local currency market still in the doldrums, many people were obviously looking for comforting words and clues as to future government policy on the issue from President Soeharto's State of the Nation Address on Saturday. No one knows for certain where the market is heading now after Bank Indonesia floated the rupiah Thursday; and the impact on the economy from the nearly 20 percent depreciation of the rupiah against the dollar these past two weeks is not yet fully known.

A spur for efficiency

A spur for efficiency The government's decision to abandon the intervention band for the rupiah constitutes a realistic answer to our national currency's wildly fluctuating exchange rate. Experience has shown that intervention, which depletes our foreign exchange reserves, does not always have the desired effect. The absence of an intervention band, which creates a condition of real flexibility, pushes business into a situation of uncertainty.

Trust fund could spark tribal warfare: Churches

Trust fund could spark tribal warfare: Churches JAKARTA (JP): Leading church groups in Irian Jaya warned yesterday the disbursement of a trust fund designed to help local tribes could spark tensions on tribal warfare.

Business hopes tight policies will end soon

Business hopes tight policies will end soon JAKARTA (JP): Businesspeople are hoping the government will keep its promise that the tight monetary policy launched early this month to shore up the falling rupiah will be only temporary. Fadel Muhammad, a senior Bukaka Group executive, said Saturday that many businesses could collapse if the credit crunch measures were kept for a long time.

Protest against ABRI captain

Protest against ABRI captain UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Hundreds of students set up roadblocks, bringing traffic to a complete standstill in some thoroughfares, in their demonstration Saturday against a military officer who hit their teacher. Students of Indonesian Moslem University and University '45 set fire to tires and unfurled banners that read: "We reject violence" and "Drag the military hoodlum to court." The students accused the officer, a captain, of hitting H.M.

Councilors back plan for port management

Councilors back plan for port management JAKARTA (JP): Councilors have expressed strong support over Governor Surjadi Soedirdja's request to take over the management of Tanjung Priok seaport from the Ministry of Transportation. Speaking with The Jakarta Post over the weekend, councilors from three different factions said Surjadi's plea for the handover of the country's busiest port was not groundless but based on existing laws.

Moe makes the grade with major win at Singapore Open

Moe makes the grade with major win at Singapore Open SINGAPORE (JP): Myanmar's Zaw Moe ended a frustrating seven year wait for a big career win yesterday by winning the US$500,000 SingTel Ericsson Singapore Open at Jurong Country Club. In what is the first 'Major' of the year on the Omega Tour Singapore-based Moe shot a final round even-par 72 to win on 11- under-par 277 by three strokes from American Fran Quinn.

Malaysia seeks trade with India

Malaysia seeks trade with India KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Malaysian investment delegation will arrive in India today to boost trade and seek joint-venture opportunities, reports said yesterday. The delegation, led by International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Rafidah Aziz, will comprise officials from the trade and investment department and labor officials. Rafidah's team will visit Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Taiwanese nabbed with cocaine

Taiwanese nabbed with cocaine JAKARTA (JP): Military police arrested a Taiwanese national in a hotel room in North Jakarta yesterday for possessing one kilogram of cocaine worth about Rp 2 billion (US$740,740). Military Police Chief Maj. Gen. Syamsu D. said the man, identified as Huang Chao Tsung, 49, was believed to have planned to smuggle the cocaine from here to Taiwan.

Robbers break into Islamic school

Robbers break into Islamic school JAKARTA (JP): About 600 students of an Islamic education institute in Pondok Aren, Tangerang, have enjoyed extra holidays after eight unidentified men broke into the premises Friday and made off with two computers, two television sets and Rp 1.5 million (US$555) in cash.

Thousands join freedom celebration with Soeharto

Thousands join freedom celebration with Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of invited guests gathered at Merdeka Palace yesterday to celebrate the country's 52nd independence day in a solemn ceremony presided by President Soeharto. The one-hour ceremony started at 10.00 a.m., the precise time Indonesia's founding fathers, the late President Sukarno and Vice President Muhammad Hatta, proclaimed the country's independence. The ceremony, commanded by Col.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Doll Exhibition: by Siana Kristiani, at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A South Jakarta, 11.30 a.m. to 12 a.m., until Sept. 13. * Graphics Exhibition: A European View (of Indonesia), old lithographs, engravings, and other graphics from Europe revealing the old way of life in Indonesia, at the Lagoon Tower, Jakarta Hilton International, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta. The Lagoon Lounge open daily at 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Lagoon Bar, 5 p.m.

Khegai beats RI's Maria Lucia

Khegai beats RI's Maria Lucia JAKARTA (JP): FM Angela Khegai of Uzbekistan caused a big surprise when she defeated Indonesia's best chess player IM Maria Lucia in the fifth round of the Women's Grand Master tournament Saturday. Khegai, one of the foreign players invited for the tournament, was not included in the seeded players but performed well. In the first round Tuesday, Khegai beat Indonesian IM Lisa Karlina Lumongdong.

Leaking of World Bank aid

Leaking of World Bank aid Ginandjar Kartasasmita, the minister of national development planning and chairman of the national development planning board, has stressed that he finds it difficult to believe the opinion of Dr. Jeffrey A. Winters. Winters has said the leakage in aid extended to Indonesia in the last three decades by the World Bank has amounted to 30 percent of the total.

Xanana gets three-month sentence reduction

Xanana gets three-month sentence reduction KARAWANG, West Java (JP): Jailed East Timorese rebel leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao was one of 16,718 prisoners to receive a remission on this year's independence day, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman said yesterday. Talking to reporters after a ceremony at Karawang Prison, West Java, Oetojo said Xanana would receive a three-month reduction of his 20-year sentence. "The remission was given based on the prisoner's behavior," he said.

Indonesian rating 'still appropriate'

Indonesian rating 'still appropriate' NEW YORK (Reuter): Indonesia's Baa3 long-term foreign currency debt rating remains appropriate despite the rupiah's decline and the Southeast Asian currency crisis sparked by devaluation of the Thai baht, a Moody's analyst told Reuters Financial Television.

Surono hopes RI will capture SEA games title

Surono hopes RI will capture SEA games title JAKARTA (JP): Former National Sport Council chairman Surono hopes Indonesia will capture the overall title at the 19th SEA Games here in October. "Although it is rather difficult, I am still optimistic that Indonesia can grab the overall title in this year's Games," Surono said Saturday after attending Indonesia's proclamation for independence memorial journey.

Hayono urges equal bonus for athletes

Hayono urges equal bonus for athletes JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman has urged sports organizations to give bonuses to all Indonesian 19th SEA Games athletes, not just medalists. "Giving bonuses to athletes is very generous. I personally suggest all athletes receive an equal amount of money," Hayono said Friday night after witnessing the Games opening ceremony rehearsal at the Senayan indoor tennis stadium.

Bakrie plans power plant in Lampung

Bakrie plans power plant in Lampung JAKARTA (JP): The Bakrie Group is awaiting government approval to build a 4,000 megawatt coal-fired steam power plant in Tarahan, South Lampung regency, Antara reported. "Bakrie has submitted its plan to PT PLN (the state-owned electricity company)," chairman Aburizal Bakrie was quoted by Antara as saying Saturday. The shortage of power has hampered industrial development in Lampung, Aburizal said in Kalianda, South Lampung.

Is it possible to control our legal authorities?

Is it possible to control our legal authorities? By J.E. Sahetapy SURABAYA (JP): Everybody seemed satisfied when the government and the House of Representatives announced the Criminal Code Procedure (KUHAP) would replace the old Dutch colonial criminal procedure regulation in 1981. The colonial legacy or H.I.R. as it is known by its Dutch acronym Herziene Inlandsch Reglement had been applied since 1848. The H.I.R.

Currency uncertainties will shade JSX's trading

Currency uncertainties will shade JSX's trading JAKARTA (JP): Uncertainties over the direction of the rupiah and other regional currencies will continue to shade trading activities on the local stock market this week, analysts and dealers said. Securities analysts said that investors did not see any attractive incentives for them to enter the market given the current volatility of the rupiah, after the Thai baht and the Philippine peso were under attack in the last few weeks.