Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 September 1997

50 articles found

PDAM Jaya urged to check customers' water meters

PDAM Jaya urged to check customers' water meters JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor has urged PDAM Jaya, the city- owned water company, to improve its performance by checking water meters installed at customers' homes.

Dutch firm to make carbon in RI

Dutch firm to make carbon in RI JAKARTA (JP): Dutch chemical and pharmaceutical firm Akzo Nobel, through its wholly-owned firm PT Akzo Nobel Satindo, has started building a US$45 million carbon making plant in Cikampek, West Java. The company said over the weekend the facility would open in January 1999. The plant would make carbon disulphide, which is used to make viscose textiles, a rapidly expanding sector in the Asia-Pacific, the company said.

Temporary freeze of forward deals urged

Temporary freeze of forward deals urged JAKARTA (JP): The Econit Advisory Group is urging the government to gradually ease the tight monetary policy and to temporarily freeze foreign exchange forward transactions as the liquidity crisis is overkilling the economy. The economic research institute said over the weekend that the government should cooperate with the Singapore monetary authorities in closely monitoring capital outflows through foreign banks here.

Think of national interest, not only profit: Rudini

Think of national interest, not only profit: Rudini JAKARTA (JP): Despite the ongoing crisis caused by the rupiah depreciation, businesses should still prioritize the national interest and not seek mere financial compensation by raising prices, a political observer says. Rudini, chairman of the Institute for Strategic Studies of Indonesia, an independent think tank, said over the weekend that the business sector should not exploit the economic uncertainty for their own profit.

Police question 12 over death of three construction workers

Police question 12 over death of three construction workers JAKARTA (JP): Police questioned 12 men on Saturday over the deaths on Friday of three workers at the Wisma Asiatic project on Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Setiabudi, South Jakarta. The three were killed in a landslide and the collapse of a fence at the project site. A police major at the Setiabudi police subprecinct said the 12 men are employed by two of the project's subcontractors, including a foreman, Tukimin.

Cook goes on with S'pore visit

Cook goes on with S'pore visit SINGAPORE (AFP): British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook proceeded with a two-day visit as scheduled to Singapore, the last leg of his four-nation Asian tour, as Britain mourned the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. A Singapore ministry of foreign affairs spokesman said Cook's visit here "is proceeding as scheduled" despite the death of Diana in a car crash in Paris.

Gulf expects $455m from Indonesian unit's IPO

Gulf expects $455m from Indonesian unit's IPO CALGARY (Reuter): Gulf Canada Resources Ltd expects to net US$285 million-$455 million from the public offering of its Indonesia oil and gas unit, all of which will be used for debt reduction, a Gulf Canada spokesman said on Friday.

Ferry hijack in Philippines

Ferry hijack in Philippines ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES (DPA): Heavily armed pirates hijacked an inter-island passenger ferry in the southern Philippines, taking captive eight commuters and crew, a local official said yesterday. Ahmad Omar, a town mayor in Sulu province, some 990 kilometers south of Manila, said the pirates were demanding 175,000 pesos (US$6,000) in ransom for the captives.

Markets turmoil pose problems for U.S. economy

Markets turmoil pose problems for U.S. economy NEW YORK (AP): Fresh turmoil in Southeast Asian financial markets could pose a threat to the U.S. economy by dampening business deals and trade in the lucrative region, analysts say. But the two-day tumble in Asian stock markets has yet to trigger heavy selling on Wall Street, and analysts say the upheaval is unlikely to be the "unforeseen event" investors fear will halt the bull in his tracks.

'VP is crown prince for presidency'

'VP is crown prince for presidency' By Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): The recent call for a broadening of the next Indonesian vice president's role to ease the workload of President Soeharto has received various responses. Political professor Ichlasul Amal of the Gadjah Mada University examines the issue. Question: The call for the next vice president's greater role was linked to the incumbent President Soeharto's advancing age. What do you think?

Indonesian Prima Property books higher revenues

Indonesian Prima Property books higher revenues JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed property firm PT Indonesia Prima Property, of the Gajah Tunggal Group, reported a 41 percent increase in its consolidated revenue to Rp 47.9 billion (US$19.6 million) in the first half of this year, up from Rp 33.9 billion for the same period in 1996.

Forex restriction

Forex restriction We can expect an eased monetary measure within the next few days after the central bank imposed some restrictions on forward foreign exchange selling against the rupiah. The ruling, effective as from Saturday but was announced to the mass media only yesterday, limits forward forex transactions from domestic banks to non-resident (foreign) customers with the maximum transaction limited to US$5 million per customer and per bank.

Hanoi won't join ACPC

Hanoi won't join ACPC HANOI (Reuter): Vietnam is not ready to join the ACPC global coffee producers' group because it cannot afford to hold stock off the market, the national coffee and cocoa association's (VICOFA) chairman said in an interview published on Saturday. "There are some reasons which make entry into ACPC at this moment unsuitable," Doan Trieu Nhan told Vietnam Economic Times.

Aborigines and human rights

Aborigines and human rights On Aug. 29, The Jakarta Post (page 6) carried a story on the first leg of British Foreign Secretary robin Cook's Southeast Asia tour with the heading Malaysia rejects UK's stance on human rights. Before his visit, Mr. Cook said that in each country, the British government's priorities included "ensuring respect for human rights". One wonders why Britain feels it needs to sanctimoniously lecture Southeast Asian countries on human rights.

UK-Philippines military training

UK-Philippines military training MANILA (AFP): British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who is seeking an agreement for joint military training in the Philippines, would support a pact providing reciprocal legal protection for soldiers, a British source said here yesterday.

Indonesians mourn Diana's death

Indonesians mourn Diana's death JAKARTA (JP): The government and public joined the world community yesterday in mourning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. "We are saddened by the news and send our condolences to the bereaved family," foreign ministry spokesman Gaffar Fadyl said yesterday on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.

Share prices fall likely to continue

Share prices fall likely to continue JAKARTA (JP): The drop in share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to continue this week even though analysts say most stocks have bottomed out. Dealers said uncertainty over the rupiah's direction and high interest rates would remain the major causes of selling pressure. "Most popular stocks have actually reached their bottom level and are already very cheap.

BPS Visa's rate down

BPS Visa's rate down JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Papan Sejahtera has cut the interest rate on its Visa credit card from 3.25 percent to 2.7 percent a month. The bank's card center vice president, Kemal Imam Santoso, said over the weekend the new monthly interest rate would be begin effective today. But he said the rate cut would be valid for only six months after a credit card application was approved.

Indonesia set to dominate rowing events at SEA Games

Indonesia set to dominate rowing events at SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is set to dominate in the rowing competition at the 19th Southeast Asian Games following the withdrawal of a number of athletes from other participating countries. The 19th SEA Games organizing committee's competition deputy, M. Hindarto said Saturday other participating countries have a right to reduce the number of their athletes. He was speaking after the "Tabligh Akbar" prayer at the Al Azhar Mosque.

RI important to Uzbekistan

RI important to Uzbekistan Republic of Uzbekistan Ambassador to Indonesia Ravshan Rakhmatullaev is determined to get the word out about his country's attractions to Indonesian investment. He verbally ticks off a check list of his nation's investment pluses: A young and educated population of 23 million; Improved infrastructure; Diverse mineral resources in huge supply; and, Stunning natural panoramas and heritage sites ideal for tourism.

'Money and power' still prevail over justice

'Money and power' still prevail over justice JAKARTA (JP): Former deputy chief justice Adi Andojo Soetjipto lamented the state of Indonesian courts, saying that money and power often still prevailed justice. "The maintenance of law in Indonesia after 52 years of independence is still of concern. It is still influenced by power and money," said Adi, 65. This, he said, meant the law often failed to protect and serve justice to the people.

Council not informed on building

Council not informed on building SEMARANG: The Central Java legislative body has yet to be informed about Minister of Home Affairs' recent decree endorsing the plan by the provincial administration to build a luxurious office for the association of retired civil servants. Antara quoted vice chairman of the council H.A. Karmani as saying here Saturday the council had to be consulted before construction of the Rp 9.6 billion (US$3.5 million) building could commence.

Enny Hardjanto leaves BPS

Enny Hardjanto leaves BPS JP/alx JAKARTA (JP): Bank Papan Sejahtera (BPS) vice president Enny Hardjanto (left), who leaves the bank today after working there for 18 months, bids farewell to BPS president Al Nyoo (right). Enny, who is well-known in the banking community, denied over the weekend that her resignation was because of a conflict with the bank's management, including Al Nyoo.

Foreigners busted with heroin

Foreigners busted with heroin JAKARTA (JP): City detectives arrested a Ghanaian and a Nigerian over the weekend for allegedly trafficking about 200 grams of heroin at a Central Jakarta hotel. Police said the two men, Lorenzo Patteron and Prince Felix Okoro, were arrested during a transaction worth over Rp 6 million (US$2,051) with an undercover detective. The police received information on both men's drug activities before the early morning raid at the Banyuwangi hotel on Jl. Samanhudi.

Fire guts 100 houses

Fire guts 100 houses SAMARINDA, E. Kalimantan: At least 100 houses and shops were gutted in a fire in Karangmumus subdistrict, Samarinda Ilir district, Saturday. The incident came on the heels of a previous fire that destroyed 50 houses in the same densely populated subdistrict on Aug. 20. The local military deployed a unit of personnel to safeguard the location from looters, Antara said. Police were still investigating the cause of the fire. (swe)

Presidential term of office

Presidential term of office On page one of The Jakarta Post dated Aug. 22 I read with interest a report about a statement made by Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, under the title Limit presidential term after Soeharto. If the title read "Limit presidential term," I would not have written this letter. But the addition "after Soeharto" compelled me to write. I cannot understand why a constitution like the one we have should depend on a person or a group of people.

SE Asian financial marts brace for volatile trading

SE Asian financial marts brace for volatile trading SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asia's financial markets braced yesterday for volatile trading this week after regional currency turmoil took a toll on stock prices which plummeted on massive redemption by foreign funds.

ADB officials on visit to Indonesia

ADB officials on visit to Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): Seven members of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank's board of directors are scheduled to begin their 14-day official trip to Indonesia today. The delegation, led by K. Venkatesan, the ADB director, who represent Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Laos, will be here until Sept. 13 to monitor development projects financed by the bank and to meet several Indonesian senior officials.

Cities need restructurization

Cities need restructurization By Tommy Firman BANDUNG (JP): The developing countries of ASEAN, notably Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, are transforming their agrarian-based economy into an industrial one and registering a high economic growth in the process. In addition to their main role as primary commodity suppliers, these nations have experienced a wave of investment in global manufacturing.

Promote traditional games among children: Surjadi

Promote traditional games among children: Surjadi JAKARTA (JP): About 940 children performed traditional Indonesian games at a fiesta at Ragunan Zoo, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta over the weekend. The fiesta included traditional playground games, dances, sports and a bazaar. Governor Surjadi Soedirja opened the fiesta Saturday, releasing dozens of colorful helium-filled balloons into the air.

BPS postpones $100 million mortgage-backed securities

BPS postpones $100 million mortgage-backed securities JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Papan Sejahtera (BPS) has postponed launching its US$100 million mortgage-backed securities due to continued uncertainty over the country's monetary situation. Bank Papan president Al Nyoo said Saturday the launching of was initially scheduled this month through the Jakarta Stock Exchange.

Groundbreaking ceremony of Koridor Satrio canceled

Groundbreaking ceremony of Koridor Satrio canceled JAKARTA (JP): The city administration abruptly canceled the groundbreaking for Jakarta's first international tourism and shopping belt just hours before the ceremony was scheduled to go ahead yesterday evening. Hundreds of invitees and performers were surprised by the news when they arrived at the Koridor Satrio site on Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio in Central Jakarta.

Foreign investment reaches $31.56b in Vietnam

Foreign investment reaches $31.56b in Vietnam HANOI (AFP): Vietnam's foreign investment approvals have reached US$31.56 billion since the country's financial opening to the outside world a decade ago, the official Vietnam News Agency reported yesterday.

Brokers enter Ujungpandang

Brokers enter Ujungpandang JAKARTA (JP): Four securities companies are set to begin operations in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, following the opening of the city's Capital Market Information Center on Friday. "Those companies will use facilities at the information center in performing transactions," Cyril Noerhadi, the president of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), said after the opening. The companies are PT Sinar Mas Ekagraha, PT Sigma Batara, PT Nico Securities and PT Dana Tunggal Securities.

IPB gets new buildings

IPB gets new buildings BOGOR (JP): The state Bogor Institute of Agriculture, known as IPB, is expanding its education facilities by constructing three more buildings, a senior official said. Rector Soleh Solahudin said during a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday that the Rp 144 billion (US$49 million) construction cost for the new buildings was funded by a loan from the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund.

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. * Painting Exhibition: Flower, Fauna, and Yearning by Lanny Andriany, at the Lobby Gallery, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 2-3, South Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Sept. 3.

Malaysia celebrates 40th national day

Malaysia celebrates 40th national day KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Colorful celebrations kicked off Malaysia's commemoration yesterday of its 40th national day, starting with a grand parade and musical performances in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian King Tuanku Ja'afar, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, his deputy Anwar Ibrahim and cabinet ministers joined hundreds of thousands of people in witnessing the procession in the national capital.

Forest fires destroy 300,000 hectares this year

Forest fires destroy 300,000 hectares this year SEMARANG (JP): Fires in this year's dry season have destroyed 300,000 hectares of forest in Kalimantan and Sumatra, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said here Saturday. Speaking to The Jakarta Post during his visit to the Sultan Agung Islamic University, Sarwono warned the situation must not be treated lightly as the impact has been immense.

BLHI against uniform shoes

BLHI against uniform shoes From Sinar Pagi The appeal that some officials from the Ministry of Education and Culture have made to parents, regarding the purchase of shoes with the brand name Osis (School Pupils Organization), is not only out of place and illegal but it also deviates from the education bureaucracy's role.

Police reach out to city students

Police reach out to city students JAKARTA (JP): Police officers will take on the role of inspectors at flag-raising ceremonies in Jakarta's junior and high schools in a program aimed at lowering juvenile delinquency, spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said over the weekend. He added that the police will also open up communication with students on youth-related issues, including substance abuse, in the outreach program.

BCA explains

BCA explains We thank Mrs. Leany N. Harsa for the input she has given us concerning the service at BCA Bogor (Telephone bill woes, Aug. 15), on receiving cash payments for telephone bills. We understand her and her friend's disappointment because they feel they were discriminated against to the advantage of another customer. On Aug. 21 we visited her and apologized. We explained that it was not our intention to give special treatment to anybody.

TV today

TV today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 TV Series: Lucan 3:10 TV Drama: Diantara Kita 3:35 Religious Teachings: Hindu 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Inovatif 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:25 Variety Show 5:30 Scouting Program: Purworejo Berirama 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 News: Laporan Luar Negeri 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05 Quiz: Gita Remaja 9:00 World...

Making your office an ergonomic workplace

Making your office an ergonomic workplace By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Four members of the administrative support staff share a room on the 11th floor at the office where I work. One of them has just been relocated from his former room downstairs into this room. Perhaps because he was the last person to come in, he didn't have any chance to choose where he would like to sit.

E. Java police pledge renewed efforts on Marsinah's murder

E. Java police pledge renewed efforts on Marsinah's murder SURABAYA (JP): Newly-installed East Java Police Chief Maj. Gen. Moch. Dayat has promised to step up the investigation into the four-year-old murder of labor activist Marsinah. "We will reevaluate the case," Dayat said Saturday, adding that his announcement was unrelated to the recent call by prominent lawyer Trimoelja D. Soerjadi for the police to reveal DNA test results of blood samples found near Marsinah's body.

Jakarta needs new directive on spatial plan

Jakarta needs new directive on spatial plan JAKARTA (JP): The head of Jakarta's Spatial Planning Agency, Ahmaddin Ahmad, has urged the government to issue a new directive for Law No.24/1992 on spatial planning to prevent further overlapping of development projects. Ahmaddin Ahmad told a seminar that Jakarta's rapid economic growth and development had made the existing directive out of date. "A new directive is badly needed to guide the enforcement of the law," Ahmaddin said.

Mahathir renews attack on foreign speculators

Mahathir renews attack on foreign speculators KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Saturday marked the eve of his country's 40th anniversary with a renewed attack on "irresponsible" foreign speculators who he likened to "wild beasts." Proclaiming Malaysia would overcome its current economic turmoil, marked by a slump in the value of the ringgit and a nose-diving stock market, Mahathir urged his countrymen to face the "challenge that will strengthen" the nation.

BI restricts foreign exchange trading at $5 million

BI restricts foreign exchange trading at $5 million JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (central bank) moved over the weekend to limit forward foreign exchange trading to US$5 million to confine speculative dollar buying. Central bank governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono, said yesterday the government had decided to limit forward foreign currency trading by domestic banks to nonresident customers at US$5 million per customer and per bank's outstanding position.

Belo to attend humanism seminar

Belo to attend humanism seminar DILI, East Timor: Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo will leave Jakarta today for Prague for an international seminar on humanism. The seminar on humanism in the 21st century is scheduled to open Thursday. About 200 people will participate in the seminar, including heads of government, religious leaders, scientists and observers of humanist matters.

Cashew group calls to monopoly rights

Cashew group calls to monopoly rights MAUMERE, Flores (JP): The Inter-Island Traders Association has protested the East Nusa Tenggara governor's decision to grant PT Sekar Alam monopoly rights over cashew trading in Sikka district. The association's district chapter head M. Barono told The Jakarta Post here Saturday that the blunt decision could spark protest as the monopoly would likely reduce cashew prices in the district.

Asian LNG market to could see rapid growth: Report

Asian LNG market to could see rapid growth: Report LONDON (Reuter): Asia's liquefied natural gas market could see rapid growth in coming years due to a widening supply-demand gap despite new Gulf producers coming on stream, Morgan Stanley said in a report. The Monthly Energy Perspectives-August 1997 report also said the projected global excess demand equated to the need for one world-class plant by 2005 and 10 by 2010 -- big business given the cost of $10-$11 billion per project.