Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 August 1997

68 articles found

Government urged to draft law on cross ownership

Government urged to draft law on cross ownership JAKARTA (JP): The government should draft a new law to regulate cross shareholding through corporate restructuring, which has become a trend among conglomerates, lawyer Sofyan A. Djalil suggested.

Businesses need clear direction

Businesses need clear direction JAKARTA (JP): Analysts and businesspeople are again urging the government to be firmly united in coping with the present financial crisis and to refrain from giving conflicting signals that could worsen the current uncertainty gripping businesses.

12 handguns confiscated

12 handguns confiscated JAKARTA (JP): The City Police have confiscated at least 12 different handguns from alleged criminals over the last year.Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said that four of the 12 guns were seized this month from two gangs specializing in burglaries and robbing bank customers.

Bank NISP sees 25% net profit rise

Bank NISP sees 25% net profit rise SINGAPORE (Reuter): Publicly listed Bank NISP said yesterday it expected to boost its net profit at least a quarter this year by moving into a range of new products.President and chief executive officer Pramukti Surjaudaja said NISP, one of the smallest but...

Another side of unemployment

Another side of unemploymentFrom Pikiran RakyatI am ashamed of myself. Why? As a university graduate (in 1995, majoring in social sciences) and after having worked for about eight months for a relative, I am now jobless.

Luluk Purwanto strings out a tune on the Stage Bus

Luluk Purwanto strings out a tune on the Stage BusBy Emily Sueur JAKARTA (JP): Luluk Purwanto tidies the colorful acoustic mess around her on the side of the Stage Bus, her group's traveling stage venue.She owns up to an addiction: "I can't help collecting all kinds of toys that make a sound.

Iraq seeks ASEAN trade

Iraq seeks ASEAN trade BAGHDAD (AFP): Iraq said yesterday it was seeking to develop trade ties with ASEAN under the UN "oil-for-food" accord.The deputy chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Izzat Ibrahim, met ambassadors of ASEAN member countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,...

Govt announces increase in haj pilgrimage cost

Govt announces increase in haj pilgrimage cost JAKARTA (JP): The government has cited currency adjustments and improved accommodations in the 16.60 percent increase in the individual fee for next year's haj pilgrimage.

Truck crushes student to death

Truck crushes student to death BOGOR (JP): Deni Suryani, a student at state Senior High School (SMU) 8 Bogor, had her head crushed Wednesday night by a container truck on Jl. Raya Bogor in Cibinong, while her friend Hertin was severely injured.

An ear for improvisation in German musical ensemble

An ear for improvisation in German musical ensembleBy Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Apart from mainstream music, there are many contemporary alternative forms of explorative and experimental ways to play music.

Soeharto steps into debate on presidential term limit

Soeharto steps into debate on presidential term limit JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto stepped into a growing debate yesterday over whether Indonesia needs to set a limitation to the presidential term after he is no longer in power.

Malaysia rejects UK's stance on human rights

Malaysia rejects UK's stance on human rights KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia gently but firmly rebuffed British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook yesterday, saying he was wrong to insist that all countries should respect the same fundamental set of human rights.

SE Asian stock markets battered

SE Asian stock markets battered TOKYO (AFP): Southeast Asian markets took a beating yesterday as investors withdrew support amid uncertainty over regional currencies and the release of poor economic data.

'Ken Dedes' explores women's roles

'Ken Dedes' explores women's roles JAKARTA (JP): In this creative assessment of women's complex personalities, goodwill and endeavors taken for the cause of maturity and good living as contemporary times hail feministic views and women-oriented struggles, Ken Dedes is said to be a heroic...

In the shadow of tomorrow

In the shadow of tomorrow Every five years, as the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) prepares to open its meeting, political groupings announce their candidates for national president.Since 1978 the choice has always been the incumbent President Soeharto and current political activity looks like...

Where to go in Surabaya:

Where to go in Surabaya:Music 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. - Lobby: Solo Piano, daily, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. * Mirama Hotel, Jl. Raya Darmo 58-76: - Mirama Bar: Desire Band, Monday.

Sutiyoso hails school for delinquent minors

Sutiyoso hails school for delinquent minors JAKARTA (JP): The juvenile delinquents school for problematic teenagers launched by the Jakarta Military Command in 1994 has succeeded in improving students' behavior, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said yesterday.

Elvis night at Hotel Indonesia

Elvis night at Hotel Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): A 1960s music night is to be held at Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta tomorrow night in commemoration of the 23th anniversary of legendary singer Elvis Presley's death.

Bank Universal begins 'service on wheels'

Bank Universal begins 'service on wheels' JAKARTA (JP): Bank Universal launched yesterday its mobile service as part of its program to offer more flexibility to clients.The bank's senior vice president Auddie Alexander Wiranata said here yesterday the "service on wheels" would provide customers...

Gatling gets warm welcome

Gatling gets warm welcome JAKARTA (JP): Chris Gatling is a well known NBA basketball player but did not realize he had so many fans here.When basketball fans greeted him yesterday at Taman Ria Senayan, in Central Jakarta, he waved and smiled, but appeared surprised by the warm welcome.

RI immigrants deported

RI immigrants deported JAKARTA: Some 1,615 Indonesians held in jail in Malaysia for violating immigration laws were deported and sent home yesterday on board an Indonesian naval vessel from Johor Baru to Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, Antara reported yesterday.

Rupiah, stock prices plunge despite tigh money policy

Rupiah, stock prices plunge despite tigh money policy JAKARTA (JP): Despite tight money policy, the Indonesian rupiah continued to weaken yesterday, almost touching the 3,000 level against the U.S. dollar, and the stock market dropped 4.5 percent, dealers and brokers said.

New skate arena safe haven for daredevils

New skate arena safe haven for daredevilsBy Damon Adeoquine JAKARTA (JP): The city's streets are the fast track for a growing number of skateboarders and in-line skaters, distinguished by their uniform of ripped, baggy pants, bruised elbows and polyurethane wheels.

El Nino hammers RI, doubts up over imports

El Nino hammers RI, doubts up over imports SINGAPORE (Reuter): A searing drought stemming from the El Nino weather anomaly is hammering the key Indonesian corn crop on Java and corn farms in the southern Philippines are reeling from the dry spell, dealers said yesterday.

The editor strikes again

The editor strikes again First, let me thank The Jakarta Post for their past indulgence with the few short and light articles I have submitted. Also I would like to comment on the overall quality of the paper in general which is of a high standard, easily surpassing many mass tabloids in the West.

Tap water pipes clogged

Tap water pipes clogged KENDARI, S.E. Sulawesi: Thousands of residents have experienced over the past week a shortage of clean water because pipelines have been clogged by unknown people.Mayor Masie Abunawas confirmed the problem and said he had ordered the local water company to repair the system.

Embassy staffer suffers break-in

Embassy staffer suffers break-in JAKARTA (JP): An unknown number of intruders broke into the property of an Algerian Embassy staff member on Jl. Siung in Cipayung, East Jakarta, yesterday morning, making off with a car audio system.City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E.

RI-Malaysia bridge to cost $2.2b

RI-Malaysia bridge to cost $2.2b JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a 95-kilometer bridge, the longest in the world, over the Strait of Malacca would cost Rp 6 trillion (US$2.2 billion), a Malaysian official said.

PT Telkom nets 17% rise in net profit

PT Telkom nets 17% rise in net profit JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Telkom reported yesterday a 17 percent increase in net profit to Rp 821 billion (US$305.2 million) in the first half of 1997 over the same period last year.The growth rate was lower than 44.

Small businesses to have space at Satrio project

Small businesses to have space at Satrio project JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja guaranteed yesterday that the city administration would ensure small-scale businesses would be accommodated in the international tourism and shopping belt on Jl. Satrio in Central Jakarta.

Wrong message about HIV/AIDS

Wrong message about HIV/AIDS On Aug. 25, Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) aired the program Tele Tawa, a comedy featuring the Srimulat group. It was about wedding plans that nearly went wrong because the prospective bridegroom was thought to be a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carrier.

Mt. Merapi spews out gas

Mt. Merapi spews out gas SEMARANG: Indonesia's most active volcano Mt. Merapi has been spewing out an average 47 tons of sulfuric gas a day since Monday, with red-hot lava flowing down to the tributaries of the Sat, Krasak, Bebeng, Senowo and Boyong rivers.The lava has flowed down 2.

Circus company faces legal suit

Circus company faces legal suit JAKARTA (JP): Eleven ex-circus workers have threatened to file a legal suit against their former employer for failing to honor an agreement with them on promised compensation.

ADB grant to RI

ADB grant to RI MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said here Thursday that it had approved an 850,000-dollar technical assistance grant to Indonesia to promote private sector participation in urban development.

Officers questioned over brawls

Officers questioned over brawls JAKARTA (JP): Military police are questioning six servicemen for their alleged roles in two separate brawls in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, in which two civilians were killed.Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.

No more new taxi permits: Council

No more new taxi permits: Council JAKARTA (JP): City Council's Commission D for development affairs suggested yesterday that the government not issue new taxi operation permits in Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi.Commission chairman Ali Wongso H.S.

RI's Maan plays in BMW Open

RI's Maan plays in BMW Open JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading golfer Maan Naasim was the second Asian player to tee off in the BMW International Open in a bid to challenge world ranked players including Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, world golf phenomena Tiger Woods and home favorite Bernhard Langer.

Caltex's view on Pertamina

Caltex's view on Pertamina I would like to express my appreciation to The Jakarta Post editors for publishing my paper, regarding the Coastal Plain Pekanbaru PSC, under the headline Caltex's view on Pertamina 'faulty' (Aug. 14, 1997).

No jobs at Garuda

No jobs at Garuda JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced yesterday it would not recruit new employees because it had "more than enough" personnel.Company spokesman Pudjobroto said "Garuda has applied a zero growth policy in its human resources division".

Ferry service explored

Ferry service explored KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The provincial administration and that of Australia's Northern Territory are exploring the possibility of opening a ferry service between Kupang and Darwin to boost tourism and trade relations between the regions.

Japan's new role in Asia-Pacific

Japan's new role in Asia-PacificBy Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): Now that Japan has overcome its economic recession and laid the foundations for political reform -- albeit these developments are proceeding slowly -- it is time for the country to re-examine its regional and global role.

Activists call for environment fund

Activists call for environment fund JAKARTA (JP): Environmental activists proposed the establishment of a transparent and accountable environment fund at a discussion yesterday.They proposed that a regular environment "contribution" be collected from private companies exploiting natural resources,...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug. 28, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 775 -50 13,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 1,000 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 750 -150 2,016,000 Alumindo...

Star Mild team to defend spot

Star Mild team to defend spot JAKARTA (JP): The Star Mild team spearheaded by racers Robert J. Paul of Canada and Ronnie Hermawan of Indonesia will try to defend their position in the fourth leg of the national Drag Race in Denpasar on Sunday.

Reply to minister's view on TVRI levies

Reply to minister's view on TVRI levies The clarification on TV levies given by Information Minister R. Hartono, as translated into English from Sinar Pagi by The Jakarta Post (Clarification of TV levies, please, Aug. 27), provokes me to make a counterargument.

PT Indofood's profit increases 45 percent

PT Indofood's profit increases 45 percent JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food manufacturer PT Indofood Sukses Makmur reported yesterday a 45 percent increase in its net profit to Rp 240 billion (US$87.3 million) in the first six months of 1997 compared to the same period last year.

Australia's views on future Indonesia

Australia's views on future Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Australia in its foreign policy White Paper released yesterday, notes that the continuation of economic liberalization and stability in Indonesia is "not necessarily assured" in the post-Soeharto era.

Singapore fights to save coral

Singapore fights to save coral SINGAPORE (AP): Professional and volunteer divers are trying to save five types of hard coral by moving it from Singapore's Southern Islands before a land reclamation project begins in October, a newspaper reported yesterday.

S'pore opens trade office to boost bilateral trade

S'pore opens trade office to boost bilateral trade JAKARTA (JP): Singapore's Trade Development Board officially opened yesterday its Jakarta office to enhance bilateral relations with Indonesia.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the board's office, Indonesia's Minister of Trade and Industry Tunky...

Telkom sets up 2 new cellular operators

Telkom sets up 2 new cellular operators JAKARTA (JP): PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom) has set up two new joint venture companies with private firms to operate the Digital Cordless System (DCS-1800) nationwide.

Many Asians poor despite economic boom

Many Asians poor despite economic boomBy Martin Walker WASHINGTON: More than two-thirds of the world's poorest people still live in east Asia, despite the economic miracle which has cut the proportion of people in the region subsisting on a dollar a day or less from 60 percent in 1975 to 20...

Ali Alatas rejects S. Africa's offer

Ali Alatas rejects S. Africa's offer JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday he declined South African President Nelson Mandela's offer to host the third meeting of the All-Inclusive Intra East Timor Dialog (AETD) and said it would likely to be held in Austria again.

Soeharto disagrees with shoe project

Soeharto disagrees with shoe project JAKARTA (JP): A private shoe company's attempt to monopolize sales to millions of students across the country met the strongest possible opposition yesterday when President Soeharto announced his dissatisfactions with the plan.

Ringgit sinks as SEA currencies pressured

Ringgit sinks as SEA currencies pressured SINGAPORE (AFP): Malaysia's embattled ringgit crashed yesterday to a new record low for the second day running amid concern that its economy was in trouble while other Southeast Asian currencies were also hit in frenetic trading.

Sabam Sirait launches book on RI democracy

Sabam Sirait launches book on RI democracy JAKARTA (JP): A book compiling the thoughts, experiences and dreams of outspoken politician Sabam Sirait titled Sabam Sirait: Untuk Demokrasi Indonesia (Sabam Sirait: For Indonesia's Democracy), was launched here yesterday.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali:Music and entertainment * Nikko Bali Hotel: - Kupu-kupu Amphitheater, Balinese dance performances at 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., Legong Dance, on Tuesday, Joged Bumbung, on Thursday, Ramayana, on Saturday. - Oo Looloos Santap Restaurant presents live music daily except Monday at 9 p.m.

New chief for North Jakarta military district

New chief for North Jakarta military district JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso installed Lt. Col. M. Erwin S. yesterday as the new chief of the North Jakarta military district, replacing Lt. Col. Hari Krisnomo.

Jl. Thamrin building owners narrow-minded: Governor

Jl. Thamrin building owners narrow-minded: Governor JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja branded owners of high-rise buildings who had asked the municipality to review its Thamrin Walk project as "narrow-minded" citizens yesterday."The building owners are too narrow-minded.

Cars may be banned in KL

Cars may be banned in KL KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia may ban private vehicles from entering the capital Kuala Lumpur because of pollution and has activated an anti-haze action plan in Kuching, the capital of eastern Sarawak state, reports said yesterday.

Mobisel offers shares to foreign investors

Mobisel offers shares to foreign investors JAKARTA (JP): Private analog cellular operator PT Mobile Selular Indonesia (Mobisel) plans to sell between 10 percent and 20 percent of its shares to foreign investors.

Election failed to promote democracy: CSIS survey

Election failed to promote democracy: CSIS survey JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's general election this year failed to live up to its ideal purpose of encouraging democratization, according to a recent survey by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Anas Urbaningrum elected as new HMI chairman

Anas Urbaningrum elected as new HMI chairman YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Association of Islamic Students (HMI) concluded its chaotic congress yesterday by electing Anas Urbaningrum as its new chairman for the 1997/1999 period.

Drunk man falls to his death

Drunk man falls to his death JAKARTA (JP): A drunken man died in hospital after falling down a flight of stairs at the Paripurna discotheque on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta, Wednesday night.Suherman, 46, a resident of Jl. Petojo Binatu, Central Jakarta, died at 11:30 p.m.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Nuansa Decoratif by Sutopo, Djoko Maruto, Petrus Pranagung at Mon Decor Gallery, Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No.1 Blok B 13-14 Central Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Sept. 14.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Kelley 3:10 Children's Dance: Aneka Tari Daerah 3:35 Talk Show: Sambung Rasa 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Student's Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:10 Film: Home Green Home 5:55 Music: Paket 27 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05...

Oil deregulation stumbles on Asian currency turmoil

Oil deregulation stumbles on Asian currency turmoil SINGAPORE (Reuter): The currency turmoil in Asia is creating further hurdles for investment in energy, but governments should not allow that to hinder their struggle towards deregulation, analysts said yesterday.

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 * The rugged Western adventure stories of Louis L'Amour capture the spirit of a bygone age -- tales that evoke desperate and...

Big firms control forests

Big firms control forests JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Concessionaires (APHI) says 437 forest concessions so far licensed by the government are controlled by 50 giant concessionaires.Association deputy executive Hendro Prastowo named yesterday some of the 50 concessionaires but...