Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 August 1997

65 articles found

Scholarly freedom under political attack

Scholarly freedom under political attack By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): The Aug. 6, 1997 edition of The Jakarta Post carried an article by Andrew Higgins discussing a possible threat to academic freedom in Hong Kong. Higgins mentioned two events which denoted this possibility. The first was the forced departure of Prof. Nihal Jayawickarama, the only expert in international human rights law, from the law faculty at the University of Hong Kong.

SE Asian currencies still in trouble

SE Asian currencies still in trouble SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asian currencies continued to be hit by poor investor sentiment yesterday despite government attempts at the weekend to calm volatile markets. Thin trading volumes exaggerated movements but dealers said the dollar remained in favor after Indonesia's move to float the rupiah pushed other currencies to record lows on Friday.

EVA Air and Merpati to link Bali and Taipei

EVA Air and Merpati to link Bali and Taipei JAKARTA (JP): State-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines and EVA Air of Taiwan have signed a commercial agreement expanding both passenger and cargo services linking the tourist island of Bali in Indonesia and Taipei. Merpati's marketing director, Toto Nursatyo, told The Jakarta Post here yesterday the agreement would be beneficial for the two airlines. "The agreement, prepared last April, is effective as of July.

PTPN to build sugar mill

PTPN to build sugar mill JAKARTA (JP): A consortium comprising five state-owned plantation companies (PTPN) plans to build and operate a sugar mill in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. The companies are PTPN VII in Lampung, PTPN X in Surabaya (East Java), PTPN IX in Semarang (Central Java) and PTPN XIV Kendari, Antara reported. "The project is expected to cost Rp 300 billion (US$104.52 million) in investment," PTPN XI's secretary Saleh Brotoyuwono was quoted as saying yesterday.

More haj pilgrims from S. Kalimantan

More haj pilgrims from S. Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The quota for South Kalimantan's haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia next year has been increased by 140 to 7,340, an official said yesterday. The provincial administration in turn has divided the amount among 10 regencies, Antara reported. Banjarmasin tops the list with 2,730, while Tapin has the lowest with 270, spokesman from the provincial office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yusuf Djantera, said. (09)

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.

ASEAN 'must cooperate' in financial arena

ASEAN 'must cooperate' in financial arena SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asia will suffer more pain over the next few months after its bruising in the currency market, Deutsche Bank Group chief economist Norbert Walter said on Monday. "I think it is quite obvious that (they) will go through considerable pain over the next few months in a number of countries," he told a news conference.

Kia opens plant in China

Kia opens plant in China SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's ailing auto maker, Kia Group, yesterday became the country's first car manufacturer in China as it opened a joint venture plant in Yancheng, Kia officials said. The joint venture plant between Kia and China's Yeufa Motors would produce 5,000 units of Kia's compact model Pride by the end of this year, a Kia spokesman said. Production would be boosted to 25,000 units in 1998 and 50,000 in 1999, he said.

Currency woes drive down stocks across Asia

Currency woes drive down stocks across Asia SINGAPORE (Agencies): Stock markets across Asia ended lower yesterday, dragged down by Friday's staggering assault on Wall Street and continued volatility in local currency markets. Trading was thin and volatile across Asia yesterday though most markets recovered from the day's lows. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225-share index fell 391.74 points, or 2.03 percent, at midday to 18,934.29 before recovering slightly.

Bung Karno's testament

Bung Karno's testament From Merdeka" Indonesia's first president Bung Karno's family have made statements, which I have read in various newspapers, that Soekarno wrote a testament describing the place he wanted to be buried. The site was peaceful and comfortable, surrounded by trees and a river, filled with pristine water, flowed nearby, according to the testament.

Rupiah hits new low against dollar as share prices fall

Rupiah hits new low against dollar as share prices fall JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah hit another low yesterday surpassing the 3,000 level against the U.S. dollar as share prices slumped 3.2 percent, dealers said. Spot rupiah, which opened at 2,930/45, plunged to 3,005 at midday trading before recovering to 2,970/2,995 at yesterday's close. But dealers said volume was thin yesterday, trading in one or two million dollars, from tens of million dollars in previous weeks.

Police bill goes ahead despite criticism

Police bill goes ahead despite criticism JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives has completed its deliberation of a controversial police bill and plans to endorse it early next month despite public criticism over some of its articles. Golkar legislator Andi Mattalata defended the House's work and said yesterday that over the course of deliberation between June and July, the bill improved significantly from the original document.

Do we need a foreign policy board?

Do we need a foreign policy board? By Aleksius Jemadu JAKARTA (JP): The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recently held a seminar about the performance of Indonesia's foreign policy. One of the participants, Hasnan Habib, put forward the idea that Indonesia should establish a foreign policy formulation board. Habib argued that such a board was necessary to clarify the decision-making mechanism for new challenges facing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SE Asian monies may recover soon

SE Asian monies may recover soon SINGAPORE (Reuter): Most of Southeast Asia's major currencies are expected to end the year slightly higher than they are now after being battered over the past three months in a regional shakeout, a poll of currency experts showed. The survey of 11 banks around the region was conducted after the Indonesian rupiah slumped on Friday following Bank Indonesia's decision to scrap its intervention bands.

Registry office

Registry office From Republika The registry office in Central Jakarta has proved itself inefficient in the handling of an application for my daughter's birth certificate. On May 19, 1997 I handed over all the necessary documents for my request to be processed. I paid the administration fee of Rp 50,000 to Mr. Ishak and was given a receipt for the amount. After some time, I returned to the registry office to collect the birth certificate but Mr. Ishak was not there.

Poor villages become fewer

Poor villages become fewer BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The number of villages that qualify for the government's special grant for poor villages in South Kalimantan has declined from 765 in the 1996/1997 fiscal year to 298 villages in the current 1997/1998 fiscal year.

Soeharto awards dedicated model citizens

Soeharto awards dedicated model citizens JAKARTA (JP): The "common person" got a day in the limelight yesterday as 1,407 selected exemplary individuals, many of whom are low-ranking civil servants from the country's most remote areas, were awarded for their dedication and achievement. President Soeharto personally awarded 46 of them yesterday, but all 1,407 attended the ceremony.

Foreign tourist arrivals recover after decrease

Foreign tourist arrivals recover after decrease JAKARTA (JP): Foreign tourist arrivals through seven major entry points in Indonesia recovered in June after continuous decreases in April and May. Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications data shows the number of tourists arriving in Indonesia increased by 5.6 percent to 381,177 in June from 360,969 in the same month last year. The June 1997 figure was up 17.9 percent as compared to 323,167 the previous month.

Bofors accused of exporting to RI

Bofors accused of exporting to RI STOCKHOLM (AFP): Swedish arms firm Bofors received permission from Swedish authorities to export weapons parts to Indonesia despite opposition from the Swedish Trade Control Council, a Swedish weapons export researcher revealed yesterday.

Unrelieved woes hits SE Asia rubber trade

Unrelieved woes hits SE Asia rubber trade SINGAPORE (Reuter): Anemic regional currencies and the daunting prospect Bangkok may sell-off its excess rubber stocks will keep the rubber trade in Southeast Asia mired in a bearish rut, traders said yesterday. "Where's the good news? The market is teetering on a precipice," a senior dealer for a commodity house in Singapore told Reuters. "It looks very weak." "The currency situation is unambiguously bearish.

Fourteen arrested for staging rally

Fourteen arrested for staging rally BOGOR (JP): Police have arrested 14 street protesters for criticizing the government during an Independence Day anniversary rally here Sunday. Another protester, identified as Sinaga, is still at large. Bogor Police Chief Col. Dadang Garnida said yesterday that 12 of the suspects were arrested while staging the protest Sunday afternoon at the Kapt. Muslihat Monument in the heart of the city.

PT DSTP cooperates with Bank DKI to sell shares

PT DSTP cooperates with Bank DKI to sell shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Dua Satu Tiga Puluh (DSTP), a company assigned to support the N-2130 passenger national jet aircraft project, signed an agreement yesterday with the city-owned Bank DKI to facilitate the public offering of its shares. Under the deal, Bank DKI will handle the administration of funds collected from individuals and parties interested in purchasing DSTP shares.

Chinese doctors released

Chinese doctors released JAKARTA (JP): Five Chinese doctors who were arrested last month for allegedly violating their work permits have been released and allowed to continue practicing traditional Chinese medicine, government officials announced yesterday. Their practice at the Pusaka Timur Clinic in Central Jakarta was legitimate, the director general for the supervision of public health at the Ministry of Health, Nyoman Kumara Rai, said.

Kapuk residents reject eviction

Kapuk residents reject eviction JAKARTA (JP): At least 25 residents of Kapuk subdistrict, West Jakarta, visited the National Commission on Human Rights office yesterday, protesting the West Jakarta Mayoralty's plan to evict them from their homes for an expansion of a pig stable.

Activists appeal to Supreme Court

Activists appeal to Supreme Court JAKARTA (JP): The leader and activists of the unrecognized Democratic People's Party (PRD) convicted of subversion filed an appeal to the Supreme Court yesterday. The PRD's chairman, Budiman Sudjatmiko, and activists Garda Sembiring, Yakobus Eko Kurniawan, Ignatius Damianus Pranowo and Suroso were convicted of subversion by the Central Jakarta District Court.

Hari, Joko may reach Sanyo semis: Coach

Hari, Joko may reach Sanyo semis: Coach JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Hariyanto Arbi and Joko Suprianto have a good chance of reaching the semifinals of the 1997 Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship in Yogyakarta this week. Coach Indra Gunawan told The Jakarta Post yesterday that Hariyanto, nicknamed Hari, will be able to overcome Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia, Darren Hall of England and Hwang Sun-ho of South Korea in group D. "Hari has beaten Hall and Ong before. But he has to be careful with Hwang.

City cracks down on illegal groundwater use

City cracks down on illegal groundwater use JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta administration has sealed off artesian wells sunk illegally at 246 houses in its latest effort to control the use of ground water. In an operation from January to July, the administration closed 181 household wells in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta and another 65 wells in Kapuk, North Jakarta.

Sempati stops Dili flights

Sempati stops Dili flights DILI, E. Timor: East Timor Legislative Council chief Armindo Soares Mariano appealed to Sempati Air to reconsider its decision to terminate its flight services between Jakarta and Dili. "We need more flights, not less," Armindo said on Sunday, recalling that passengers often had to wait for flights because they are full. The private airline is reportedly considering to end three weekly flights to and from Jakarta as of Sept. 1.

Observers call for govt role in PDI reunification

Observers call for govt role in PDI reunification SEMARANG (JP): Two leading observers called yesterday for government arbitration if rival factions within the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) agree to discuss much-awaited reconciliation. The rector of Diponegoro University, Muladi, suggested that the government mediate because it is the patron of domestic political affairs. "The government is obligated to step in because conflict- ridden PDI plays havoc to political stability nationwide.

Three drowned in boat accident

Three drowned in boat accident PALANGKA RAYA, C. Kalimantan: Three employees of state-owned PT Hutama Karya drowned and twelve others are still missing in the Kapuas River, Central Kalimantan, when a motorboat ferrying them home hit the Kapuas Murung bridge and capsized Saturday night. Nineteen people escaped unhurt, and police are still identifying the dead victims. The 31 passengers were on their way home after collecting their salaries at the company base camp in Selat Hulu.

TV contributions

TV contributions The explanation given last week by Jakarta's military commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, about the use of Bakorstanasda personnel to help state TV networks collect compulsory "contributions" from TV owners, may satisfy some people. We doubt, however, that the commander's statement sounds either very convincing or very reassuring to most.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on August 18, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 750 -125 1,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,000 50 3,500 Alumindo Light Metal 1,150 -50 1,492,000 Alumindo Perkasa 750 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,025 -75 147,500 Anwar Sierad 1,025 0 1,945,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

Councilors, YLKI query resumption of TV tax

Councilors, YLKI query resumption of TV tax JAKARTA (JP): City councilors and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) have strongly questioned the justification for state-owned television station TVRI to resume collecting fees from television owners in Greater Jakarta later this month. Councilor Rusjdi Hamka of the United Development Party (PPP) said yesterday few people were willing to pay the fee because they preferred to watch the other five, private, television stations.

Currency crisis hurts PC sales

Currency crisis hurts PC sales JAKARTA (JP): The plunge in the rupiah's value has hurt the personal computer business in Indonesia, with sales dropping by 25 percent to 50 percent in the last two weeks. Vitriani, business manager of PT Arsitama Citra, a dealer of GTC computer products, said most computer spare parts were purchased in U.S. dollars, so the weak rupiah increased assembling costs. "We have had to increase our prices by at least 10 percent," Vitriani said.

Balikpapan offshore oil rig explodes

Balikpapan offshore oil rig explodes BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): An off-shore oil rig owned by Unocal Indonesia Co. exploded here after a fire razed it at dawn on Sunday, but no fatalities were reported. The company's general manager, Muchlis Sadzali, said gas leaking from a neighboring old oil-well had caused the explosion. He said the well, which had been bored to 400 meters below sea level, might have contained more oil reserves than expected.

Semen Padang raises output

Semen Padang raises output JAKARTA (JP): PT Semen Padang will begin operating its fifth production plant in June, next year, raising its total production to 55.6 million tons of cement per year. The company's president Abubakar said yesterday the new plant would be able to produce 192,000 tons of cement a month, Antara reported. The production plant was 77 percent completed, Abubakar said.

Fire guts Kodak film warehouse

Fire guts Kodak film warehouse JAKARTA (JP): A fire gutted a warehouse yesterday which was used to store chemicals for Kodak film products in Sunter, North Jakarta. No casualties were reported. The fire which started at about 11:15 a.m. gutted the chemical warehouse of PT Inter Delta Film, a firefighter of North Jakarta Fire Department, Supardjo, said. "The cause of the fire is still unknown," Supardjo said. He said the fire caused an estimated Rp 100 million (US$37) in material losses.

Islamic students association told to remain outspoken

Islamic students association told to remain outspoken SURABAYA (JP): The Association of Islamic Students (HMI) must maintain its critical attitude toward those in power, an activist said here yesterday. Chairman of East Java's HMI branch, Muhammad Nabil, said the organization needed to stand up to the people in power who have a monopoly on how state ideology Pancasila should be translated into daily life. This monopoly harmed the democratization process, Nabil said.

Indonesian team stranded in Sicily

Indonesian team stranded in Sicily JAKARTA (JP): Teams from Indonesia, Russia, Ukraine and Australia were stranded not long after they arrived at Catania, Sicily, Sunday to take part in the world student games. Indonesian team member Suparman reported from Catania that the four teams were stranded because of the Universiade organizing committee's poor organization. "We were stranded for 16 hours at Palmero airport after we arrived at 6 a.m.

Firms to build Rp 1.4t toll road in Central Java

Firms to build Rp 1.4t toll road in Central Java JAKARTA (JP): Construction company PT Sumber Mitra Jaya signed a joint venture agreement yesterday with state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga and two other partners to build a 91- kilometer toll road worth Rp 1.4 trillion (US$500 million) in Central Java. The two other partners are PT Arthayasa Karya Bina Caraka and the army-owned Kartika Eka Paksi Foundation. Sumber Mitra Jaya president director K.

Asian crude prices steady

Asian crude prices steady SINGAPORE (Reuter): Confirmation of lower export volumes from Indonesia for September kept Asian crude prices steady yesterday, traders said. But activity on the market was mainly centered around the Middle East crude trading for October, they added. The Middle East market was holding its strength, following the first October Oman trade done at MPM +3 cents per barrel on Friday. A second Oman cargo for October was traded between European majors, at MPM +5 cents.

Malaysia's credit rating outlook revised to stable

Malaysia's credit rating outlook revised to stable KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Standard and Poor's affirmed yesterday its credit ratings for Malaysia's sovereign debt but revised its outlook from positive to stable, citing the possibility of government support for the financial system.

Teachers' salaries

Teachers' salaries From Republika The state of the education sector is truly saddening. What has happened in this sector, particularly in large cities, is cause for great concern. Before we have even finished dealing with student brawls new cases surface i.e. the falsification of examination results in Bandung; and in Malang, East Java, the leakage of examination papers for university graduates. All this has bewildered us and made us wonder why such incidents occur in the educational sector.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Lucan 3:10 Teenagers' Program: Ramaja Indonesia 3:35 Music: Lagu Pop Daerah 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Science and Technology 5:00 English Lessons 5:25 Variety Show: Music City Today 5:30 Documentary Film 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 Development Program: Wawasan 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 TV Drama: Ternoda...

Hospital refuses patient

Hospital refuses patient BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The head of Lampung's Ministry of Health office, Deddy Ruswendy, has criticized a private hospital here for its refusal to treat a dying patient because his family could not provide Rp 2.5 million in cash for the cost of his surgery. Doctors at Bumi Waras Hospital insisted they could treat the patient, who had been stabbed, only after relatives had settled the bill.

Teenager killed for robbery

Teenager killed for robbery JAKARTA (JP): A teenager was mobbed to death in Bekasi after being caught attempting to rob a building materials shop on Sunday morning, a City Police spokesman said yesterday. Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said that Iptikar, 17, died of his injuries on the way to the hospital. He was seriously wounded all over his body, particularly his head. Aritonang said Iptikar had forced his way into a shop owned by Halim Wijaya on Jl. Bintara Jaya, Bekasi Barat, West Java.

Australian universities to fight race image in Asia

Australian universities to fight race image in Asia SYDNEY (Reuter): Australian universities will launch a marketing drive into Asia to counter negative publicity by race row politician Pauline Hanson, which they believe is threatening Australia's lucrative overseas student industry. "The international reputation of Australia and all its universities is being harmed by ill-informed comments," eight Australian universities said in a statement yesterday. "The group of eight universities ...

BISTEC determined to forge regional powerhouse

BISTEC determined to forge regional powerhouse By Baladas Goshal NEW DELHI (JP): In new international economic relations, and the regionalization of the world order in the post-Cold War period, formation of regional economic blocs have become the order of the day.

Seven Indonesian vessels impounded

Seven Indonesian vessels impounded PERTH, Australia (AFP): Seven Indonesian fishing vessels apprehended off Western Australia's northwest coast on suspicion of fishing illegally in Australian waters, are being escorted to the pearling port of Broome, officials said yesterday.

Couple die in traffic accident

Couple die in traffic accident JAKARTA (JP): A young man and his lover died in a traffic accident in North Jakarta Sunday afternoon. The man, Yosneal Feriston Radja, 24, and Yusnelli, 19, fell from the motorcycle they were riding at high speed on Jl. Yos Sudarso. Witnesses said the couple could not control the motorcycle when it skidded and hit the side walk. The accident attracted the attention of people celebrating Indonesia's 52th Independence Day at the nearby North Jakarta Mayoralty office.

KL tin prices weaken

KL tin prices weaken KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia's spot tin price fell six cents to 14.59 ringgit (US$5.26) a kilogram yesterday due to uncertainties over the ringgit and an overnight fall on the London Metal Exchange (LME), traders said. "I think they (the players) decided to sell because the ringgit strengthened a little this morning, and also the LME was down on Friday," said a trader. "But the market is still strong and should go up again if the ringgit weakens," he said. At 2 a.m.

PTTEP on credit watch

PTTEP on credit watch BANGKOK (AFP): Standard and Poor said yesterday it placed its "A" long term foreign currency rating for Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production Co. Ltd. (PTTEP) on watch for a possible downgrade. The decision to put PTTEP on credit watch "with negative implications" followed similar action taken Aug. 1 on Thailand's long-term foreign currency rating, it said in a statement. The New York-based credit rating agency assesses the risk of lending to major borrowers.

Australia offers 300 scholarships

Australia offers 300 scholarships JAKARTA (JP): The Australian government is offering 300 scholarships for postgraduate study in Australia in 1988. A counselor at the Australian Embassy, Margaret Regnault, said Australia's special interest in the development of Eastern Indonesia was evident with at least 30 percent of scholarships available to those from eastern provinces. She was also expecting to see more women apply for scholarships.

Yayuk and Vis win du Maurier Open

Yayuk and Vis win du Maurier Open TORONTO (Agencies): Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki and Caroline Vis of the Netherlands upset the second-seeded team of Nicole Arendt and Manon Bollegraf of the Netherlands 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 at the du Maurier Open on Sunday. Yayuk/Vis, sixth seeded in the tournament, reached their second title this year after winning the Acura Classic tournament in Los Angeles, California, two weeks ago.

SEA Games sharpshooters go for overseas stint

SEA Games sharpshooters go for overseas stint JAKARTA (JP): National sharp shooters, training for the 19th SEA Games, will go to Taiwan for a series of trials from Aug. 21 to Aug. 29. Twenty-five SEA Games sharpshooters are expected to improve their skills through a series of overseas matches before the regional Games here in October. Included in the team are Inca Fery, Yuniarti Ilyas, Shilla Prasasti and Suparni who are training for the women's air rifle individual and team events.

Analysts criticize state economic management

Analysts criticize state economic management JAKARTA (JP): Observers spoke out yesterday against what they called the growing clout of capital owners in the country's social, economic and political scenes. Adi Sasono and Amien Rais, both members of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), separately warned yesterday against letting the capital owners' domination continue.

Southeast Asia's highest peak

Southeast Asia's highest peak KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad proclaimed Sunday the new height for Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's highest peak, was 4,095.2 meters above sea level. That's 5.8 meters lower than the previously measured height, the national news agency Bernama reported from Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo, near the mountain. "I proclaim that Low's Peak is the highest point of Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 meters," he said at a dinner.

Former police officer killed

Former police officer killed JAKARTA (JP): A retired police officer was killed in a chain collision on Jl. Wiyoto Wiyono toll road in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, yesterday. Brig. Gen. (ret.) Sudiantoro, 61, of Tanjung Barat, West Jakarta, was the only fatality in the accident involving five vehicles, First Sergeant J. Firmansyah of the Rawabening subprecinct said.

Ousted Ranariddh urges ASEAN to help end war

Ousted Ranariddh urges ASEAN to help end war MANILA (Reuter): Ousted Cambodian co-premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh urged Southeast Asian nations yesterday to help prevent civil war in his country. A civil war in Cambodia would directly affect neighboring Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and ASEAN as a group, Ranariddh said after talks in Manila with Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

Manpower bill talks in progress

Manpower bill talks in progress JAKARTA (JP): Legislators deliberating the widely-criticized manpower bill claimed yesterday they have achieved progress by including a provision that the establishment of workers' unions is to be regulated by a separate law. The legislators argued that the provision will help ensure that the bill, if passed, will protect workers' rights.

Taking stock

Taking stock President Soeharto, in his speech before a plenary session of the House of Representatives on Saturday, emphasized the importance of prudence on the part of both the government and the community in braving the current monetary developments. The President asked everyone concerned to make their businesses projections in a reasonable and realistic manner.

School principal's bank account

School principal's bank account According to Sri Sudono Sumarto, the head of the Jakarta regional office of the Ministry of Education and Culture, it is wrong for parents' association (BP3) funds to be deposited into the personal bank account of a school principal. BP3 funds must only be deposited into the association's account.

Ramos attacks ship neglecters

Ramos attacks ship neglecters MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos called on the judiciary and regulatory agencies yesterday to punish the "neglect and the greed" behind three disasters involving domestic shipping which left 22 people dead in the Philippines last week.

Ebony seized in Ujungpandang

Ebony seized in Ujungpandang UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The city administration has confiscated 1,959 cubic meters of ebony believed to be illegal. Authorities are investigating the manager of a Japanese joint venture company. The ebony was discovered at the company's storehouse. Chief of the city's forestry agency, Pither Gadi, said it was believed the ebony was acquired to produce statues for Japanese buyers. (37/09)

Piercing distrust with new defense white paper

Piercing distrust with new defense white paper By M. Riefqi Muna JAKARTA (JP): Much has been happening in Indonesian defense circles in the last three months: the release of the second Defense White Paper (DWP); the opening of the country's largest military training center, in Lampung; the plan for a joint military project with Australia in the natural gas-rich Natuna Islands; a major reshuffle of senior Armed Forces personnel and finally the acquisition of Russian SU-30 fighters and MI 17...