Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 September 1997

56 articles found

State handling of land row denounced

State handling of land row denounced JAKARTA (JP): Local governments have a tendency to side with corporations in land conflicts, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights said yesterday. Local governments, as stated in a 1993 presidential decree, should act as an impartial mediator in such disputes, Clementino Dos Reis Amaral told reporters after meeting with representatives of the Mentawai people in West Sumatra, who have been in conflict with plantation and forestry companies.

English subtitles on films

English subtitles on films From Kompas Our organization BKS-AJBSI/Teflin (board for the cooperation among Schools of English language and literature in Indonesia) is involved in the teaching of English under the supervision of the Directorate General of Higher Education. On the subject of the current issue of the dubbing of films I would like to make the following suggestion.

ASEAN meeting moved to Jakarta due to forest fire problem

ASEAN meeting moved to Jakarta due to forest fire problem JAKARTA (JP): The government has hastily moved the venue for the seventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment from Manado, North Sulawesi, to Jakarta. State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said at his office here yesterday that the abrupt decision was made due to the urgent state of forest fires in the country.

Tap water enough until October

Tap water enough until October JAKARTA (JP): City-owned water company PDAM Jaya promised yesterday to provide an adequate clean water supply during the prolonged dry season to its customers. The promise was made in a meeting yesterday between the company's officials and members of the City Council.

Masks needed to combat haze

Masks needed to combat haze SINGAPORE (Agencies): The haze that has enveloped most of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia has reached such critical levels that an expert recommended yesterday special masks be worn to minimize its ill-effects.

Students tried for consuming 'Putaw'

Students tried for consuming 'Putaw' JAKARTA (JP): Two students of privately run Sahid University were indicted at South Jakarta Court yesterday for possessing and consuming putaw, a low grade heroin. Prosecutor Zaiful Alim Said said the defendants, Rachmatulloh, 26, and Zamroni, 22, were charged under Article 23 of Law No. 9/1979 on narcotics.

German cultural festival to be held

German cultural festival to be held JAKARTA (JP): Encapsulating the essence of German culture, the Goethe-Institute, the German Embassy, Germany's office for academic exchange and the telecommunication company, Siemens, are holding a 15-day festival of German culture in Jakarta, starting today. German ambassador to Indonesia, Dr. Heinrich Seemann, said in a statement yesterday that the festival zeroed in on eclectic subjects originating from both Germany and Indonesia.

Liquidity needs easing to stop crisis: Economists

Liquidity needs easing to stop crisis: Economists JAKARTA (JP): Economists have warned that the government should further ease the tight monetary measure to prevent a possible economic crisis. Mari E. Pangestu and Tubagus Feridhanusetyawan, both from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said yesterday the rupiah was on the way toward stabilization, thanks to the tight liquidity and the government's newest reform package which had given the right signal to the market.

OPEC output surges

OPEC output surges NICOSIA (AFP): OPEC's output hit an 18-year high of 27.45 million barrels a day (b/d) in August, or 2.4 million b/d above its ceiling, due to high Iraqi production, the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reported yesterday. The Nicosia-based newsletter, citing its own estimates, said Iraq's output for domestic use and for exports rose to 1.5 million b/d last month from 600, 000 b/d in July.

Foreign players join Wismilak tennis

Foreign players join Wismilak tennis SURABAYA (JP): Three foreign players lead by Taiwanese Wang Shi-Ting are among the 26 seeded players who will take part in the Wismilak International women's tennis tournament here, Sept. 22 to Sept. 28. Henrieta Nagyo of Slovakia, Dominique Van Roost (Belgium) and Wang Shi Ting (Taiwan) will spearhead the other seeded players in the tournament. The players are included in the tournament's main draw.

Fire razes Samuda market

Fire razes Samuda market PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Fire has razed hundreds of shop-houses in Samuda market, East Kotawaringin regency. The fire late Sunday evening also destroyed several boats anchored at the market's quay. Samuda is the biggest coconut producer in the province. As reported by Antara, local residents suspect an explosion in a small welding shop started the fire.

Dead baby found in polluted river

Dead baby found in polluted river JAKARTA (JP): A newborn girl was found dead on top of a floating mass of garbage in the middle of Kali Grogol canal near Jl. Pakembangan in Palmerah, West Jakarta, yesterday afternoon. The body had been forced headfirst into a cookie tin, which was 15 centimeters in diameter and 16 centimeters high. Fresh blood covered the whole body. Three boys playing in the canal found the body at about 2 p.m.

Sumatra and Kalimantan haze declared disaster

Sumatra and Kalimantan haze declared disaster JAKARTA (JP): The government has declared the haze stemming from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan a disaster requiring immediate action. The Office of Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, in a letter sent to provincial governors in Sumatra and Kalimantan, asked them to step up their vigilance in dealing with forest fires.

Rates cut again as rupiah, stocks stable

Rates cut again as rupiah, stocks stable JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, cut rates again yesterday on its short-term papers (SBIs) by 100 and 200 basis points in an effort to lower overall banking interest rates. Bank Indonesia's managing director Paul Soetopo Tjokronegoro said here yesterday the central bank would continue to gradually cut SBIs rates. "The interest rate cut was made to meet public demand. As the public want us to lower SBIs rates, we'll do so," Paul said.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 15, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,050 -50 182,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 900 -100 5,000 Alumindo Light Metal 825 25 285,500 Alumindo Perkasa 600 -75 2,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 1,025 0 215,500 Anwar Sierad 950 0 6,000 Apac Centertex Corp.

Australia still confidence in Indonesia's economy

Australia still confidence in Indonesia's economy JAKARTA (JP): Australian remains confident of the economic fundamentals of Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries despite the region's currency crises, the country's foreign minister Alexander Downer said yesterday. "Australia's confidence in the fundamentals of the region and its extraordinary prospects for the next fifteen years are unchanged by recent events," Downer told an Australia-Thailand Business Council Conference in Perth.

Observers contemplate Habibie's new appoitnment

Observers contemplate Habibie's new appoitnment JAKARTA (JP): Observers are unable to agree on whether the appointment of State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie as coordinator of Golkar's board of patrons is any indication of his chances at the vice presidency. Political observer Arbi Sanit sees this latest development as a "beneficial factor" if Habibie joins the race for the vice presidency and that his opportunities remain open.

TENNIS CHAMPION:

TENNIS CHAMPION: Antara Indonesia's unseeded Andrian Raturandang (photo above) won the third series of the Satelindo Indonesia Satellite Circuit after beating second seeded Alexei Gavrilov of Russia in Sunday's final 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Senayan tennis complex. Andrian who is being groomed for the 19th SEA Games here next month, bagged US$812.5. He was the only Indonesian to cruise to the semifinals and beat top seeded Jurek Stasiak of Australia to reach the final berth.

Luxury haj operators demand raised quota

Luxury haj operators demand raised quota JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Umroh and Haj Operators (AMPUH), operators that offer more deluxe services on the haj pilgrimage, are demanding an increase of their quota of pilgrims from 7,500 to 10,000. AMPUH's chairman, Mahfudz Djaelani, said that the quota for the luxury service should be increased due to increased demand.

Hotel employees go on strike

Hotel employees go on strike BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Guests staying at the Dusit Inn Hotel in Balikpapan were left to fend for themselves yesterday as 250 hotel employees went on strike in demand for the resignation of general manager Jacques Lafargue. They also the demanded the replacement of assistant food and beverage manager Martono because both had allegedly acted ruthlessly toward employees.

Names of victims in bus collision

Names of victims in bus collision JAKARTA (JP): Following is the latest list of the 28 identified victims, including a female, dead in the bus-truck crash on Cikunir-Cakung toll road, as released by staff of the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue yesterday. The other seven bodies which have yet to be identified include a female in her 30s, five males aged between 20 years old and 35 years old, and a head and torso, which are believed to be the bus driver's.

Galungan: A Balinese holy day with mithology and history

Galungan: A Balinese holy day with mithology and history By Garrett Kam DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The Balinese celebrate the festival of Galungan every 210 days, and it next falls this Wednesday. The event is based on an ancient agricultural feast of giving thanks to nature for providing bountiful crops. The word galungan actually means "something done collectively", as in a harvest. The Balinese busy themselves in the days immediately leading up to this important celebration.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting and Ceramics Exhibition, works of Firman, Tisna Sanjaya, Agus Suwage and Suyatna, at the Lontar Gallery. Jl. Utan Kayu 68 H East Jakarta, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Sept. 30. * Painting Exhibition: by Soegeng, at the Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A South Jakarta, 11:30 a.m. to midnight, until Sept. 28. * Painting Exhibition: by Nahfud, at the Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Jl.

Balai Pustaka upbeat about future book sales

Balai Pustaka upbeat about future book sales JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's oldest publisher, Balai Pustaka, affirmed that its future book sales would not be overly threatened by electronic media such as CD-ROMs and other multimedia technology, as books were still more practical for most people. "Books and multimedia are not in competition. People will still need books in the multimedia age," said Balai Pustaka president director Wahyudi Ruwiyanto.

Southeast Asian currencies range-bound in quiet trade

Southeast Asian currencies range-bound in quiet trade SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asian currencies kicked the week off in a drowsy state against the dollar yesterday with Tokyo closed for a one-day holiday. Dealers said trade was cautious ahead of the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which opens in Hong Kong on Wednesday, in case it turned up surprises.

Developers forced to lower property prices

Developers forced to lower property prices JAKARTA (JP): Property analyst Panangian Simanungkalit said yesterday the current monetary upheaval would force developers to lower property prices to a "fair" level in order to survive and gain customers. "In theory, developers are unlikely to raise property prices amid the current tight monetary condition because they need a lot of funds while the property demand is depressed," Panangian said.

Minivan drivers go on strike

Minivan drivers go on strike TANGERANG (JP): Two hundred minivan drivers plying the Cikokol to Duta Garden route in Tangerang briefly went on strike yesterday in protest over a new regulation prohibiting them entering the Pasar Anyar area. The drivers parked their vehicles along Jl. TMT Taruna and Jl. Pembangunan IV from 8 a.m., leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

Canadian Paul wins Indonesian drag race

Canadian Paul wins Indonesian drag race JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Robert Paul of the Star Mild team won the fifth leg of the national drag race in Manado, North Sulawesi on Sunday. Before a crowd of 20,000 people, Paul in his BMW M3, clocked 12 minutes 50 seconds. This score was below the time of 12:250 created by Dolly Indra Nasution in the first leg in Batam. The Manado race was opened by North Sulawesi governor E.E. Mangindaan and was at the Boulevard circuit near the Manado beach.

Devoted doctors

Devoted doctors There is little doubt that some doctors in big cities in Indonesia are as concerned with wealth as much as health. But to say that many of them are nothing but hypocrites (Many doctors suffer from hypocrisy, The Jakarta Post, Sept. 14, 1997) is in my view hardly justified. From what I see and read, most of the doctors in Indonesia are concerned and caring, but overwhelmed and underpaid.

Thai PM calls meeting amid reports of rift

Thai PM calls meeting amid reports of rift BANGKOK (Agencies): An emergency meeting of leaders of Thailand's shaky coalition will be held today, amid reports that the second largest party could bring down Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Fears of a rift within the government are growing ahead of a no-confidence vote this month against Chavalit, who is under fire for his handling of the country's economic crisis.

Japan, Iran, S. Korea awarded

Japan, Iran, S. Korea awarded KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): The Asian Football Confederation named a Japanese club team of the month, a South Korean coach of the month and an Iranian the Asian Player of the Month. Japan's Jubilo Iwata was named the best team for August by the confederation, whose headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur. A statement by the AFC said Jubilo was the only team to have kept up with defending champions Kashima Antlers and be level on points at the top of the table.

Police complete 330 dossiers on drug suspects

Police complete 330 dossiers on drug suspects JAKARTA (JP): City Police completed at least 333 dossiers of suspects involved in drug cases in the period between January and early September this year, spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday. The dossiers have been handed over to the Prosecutor's Office by the City Police Headquarters, the East, West, South, North and Central Jakarta police precincts, as well as the Depok and Tangerang police precincts, he said.

Haze from Indonesia forest's fires reaches alarming levels

Haze from Indonesia forest's fires reaches alarming levels By M. Jegathesan SINGAPORE (AFP): Severe air pollution from forest fires raging in Indonesia has reached alarming levels in neighboring countries, posing health and safety hazards to millions of people across the region. Known as "the haze," the phenomenon makes skies turn gray at noon, cutting air and marine visibility and prompting authorities to warn people with respiratory problems to stay indoors whenever the air turns bad.

Villagers bathe like buffaloes

Villagers bathe like buffaloes JAKARTA (JP): Drought in Central Java is so severe that in Ngombak village, Grobogan regency, desperate people "bathe" in a pool of mood simply to cool off, reports said yesterday. For many villagers, bathing with clean water is something luxury. In the severely hit area, villagers will spend the whole day queuing for water in a spring in a forest two kilometers from their home.

Bank Tiara gets $46m offshore loan

Bank Tiara gets $46m offshore loan JAKARTA (JP): Amid the region's currency crisis, publicly listed Bank Tiara Asia, the banking arm of the Ometraco Corp, secured a US$46 million multi-bilateral loan facility with 10 foreign and local banks. The deal, signed in Bali last week, was arranged by Standard Chartered Bank, Dresdner (Southeast Asia), Sumitomo Bank and Westdeutsche Landesbank. Six other banks participated in the deal.

Forgotten people in mist of Gunung Halimun

Forgotten people in mist of Gunung Halimun By Dami Buchori BOGOR, West Java (JP): Dadun has lived all his life in one of the remote Kasepuhan communities among the trees of Gunung Halimun National Park. He is 72 now and no longer ventures into the dense forest to gather wood, rattan or bamboo. When he was young and strong, he collected wood for his daily needs. He would also make handicrafts from rattan and bamboo after he had finished his work in the fields.

New governor asked to build more cheap homes

New governor asked to build more cheap homes JAKARTA (JP): City governor Surjadi Soedirdja wants the newly elected governor, scheduled to assume office early next month, to continue constructing cheap apartments in and around the city. "This is one of the most important ongoing programs for low- income residents.

PWI condemns individual 'journalists' for extortion

PWI condemns individual 'journalists' for extortion JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Sofyan Lubis strongly condemned individuals posing as journalists with the aim of extorting government officials. Lubis said the bogus journalists often intimidate officials by threatening to publicize their wrongdoings unless given money. Their irresponsible actions have badly damaged the reputation of PWI, he added.

Asian woes may influence WTO financial pact

Asian woes may influence WTO financial pact GENEVA (AFP): Bilateral talks aimed at sewing up a December global accord to free up financial services resumed here yesterday as diplomats warned that Southeast Asia's jittery markets could impede progress towards a pact. "The vibes are certainly not that good. (Southeast Asian) countries are a bit preoccupied with their domestic situation right now.

Discipline and human resources

Discipline and human resources A statement by a government official, saying that low discipline leads to unproductive human resources, as quoted by a prominent newspaper on Sept. 9, has attracted my attention. I think it is true that national discipline is a reflection of a nation's culture. National discipline is also of great influence on the formation of our human resources, and will continue to be so in the future.

Army promises to step up control of sand quarrying

Army promises to step up control of sand quarrying JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said yesterday his office would intensify control over illegal sand quarrying within the Seribu (Thousand) Islands chain in North Jakarta.

Big Thai banks overwhelmed by flight to quality

Big Thai banks overwhelmed by flight to quality BANGKOK (AFP): Major Thai commercial banks are facing tough capital management problems after a crisis of faith in the country's smaller financial institutions caused a massive influx of deposits, analysts said. Four leading banks announced a lending rate hike of a half point to one percentage point last week to ease the burden of paying interest on swollen deposits after Thais shifted their savings from finance firms and small banks, they said.

Aceh fishermen attack trawler

Aceh fishermen attack trawler JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of Aceh fishermen attacked a suspected Taiwanese fishing vessel in West Aceh waters on Saturday for allegedly operating in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The fisherman seized the documents to the Husada-1205 trawler. The ship was chartered to Jakarta-based PT Samudera Bina Utama and captained by a Taiwanese national Wang Chi Ching.

66 developers to be investigated

66 developers to be investigated TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang administration will investigate 66 developers for allegedly not allocating part of their plots for public graveyards, an official said. Assistant to administration affairs, Agus Burhanudi, said a team had been set up to investigate the issue. "Developers which do not provide an area for public graveyards can be punished in accordance to a government regulation," Agus said over the weekend.

New airports to be built in E. Java

New airports to be built in E. Java SURABAYA, East Java: East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman said yesterday he would prioritize the development of three airports in Banyuwangi, Pacitan, and Sumenep in Madura during 1997/1998 fiscal year. "Banyuwangi could be a most promising regency in East Java for tourism and industry if we provided better transportation to reach the regency," he was quoted by Antara as saying. The reasons for the other two airports were not disclosed.

Political maze sparks questions over Thailand's future

Political maze sparks questions over Thailand's future By Deborah Charles BANGKOK (Reuter): Understanding the labyrinthical twists and turns of Thai politics can be difficult at the best of times, and analysts say the current political turmoil has left everyone guessing as to what will happen next.

SIA cargo demand grows

SIA cargo demand grows SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore Airlines Ltd said yesterday its cargo traffic was growing in double figures and the passenger market traffic had remained steady despite recent turmoil in Southeast Asia's financial markets. "Cargo has definitely turned around. We are seeing double digit growth in cargo. It is not only in Singapore but in most parts of the world," said Michael Tan, SIA's deputy managing director for commercial affairs.

No magic wand for Thailand

No magic wand for Thailand Thailand has won a battle in averting a showdown over the draft constitution on which parliament will vote on Sept. 27; it has yet to win the war for the clean and open government that the proposed charter is expected to usher in. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's six-party coalition faces a censure motion that will be debated a few days before the charter vote.

National SEA Games soccer team to play New Zealand

National SEA Games soccer team to play New Zealand JAKARTA (JP): The national SEA Games soccer team will play New Zealand in a friendly game in Surabaya, East Java, on Sept. 21. The match between the national team and New Zealand will serve as a trial match for the team for the coming 19th SEA Games in October.

Home affairs ministry to reshuffle top posts

Home affairs ministry to reshuffle top posts JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon reshuffle several high-ranking posts including the induction of former deputy chief of the Armed Forces' Intelligence Agency Maj. Gen. Achdari to replace Sutoyo N.K. as director general for sociopolitical affairs. The change at the posts is due to the departure of the presiding officials to the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Southeast Asian rubber outlook gloomy

Southeast Asian rubber outlook gloomy SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Southeast Asian rubber business is in for another gloomy week, with ample supplies and soft demand keeping prices on the defensive, dealers said yesterday. "There's plenty of rubber around. We're at peak production. Fundamentally, it's still a bearish market," said a dealer for a commodity house in Singapore.

Blood samples show driver intoxicated

Blood samples show driver intoxicated JAKARTA (JP): Forensic experts yesterday found a high level of alcohol in the blood of a separated head and a body believed to be the driver's of the bus involved in Sunday's accident on the Cakung-Cikunir toll road in East Jakarta. Police said that the driver had surpassed the maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour before the accident, which has killed at least 35 people and dubbed as one of the country's worst road crashes.

Abdurrahman and Amien excluded from MPR lineup

Abdurrahman and Amien excluded from MPR lineup JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais, leaders of the two largest Moslem organizations in Indonesia, are among the most notable absentees in the new lineup of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to be installed on Oct. 1. Secretary-general of the Ministry of Home Affairs Suryatna Subrata confirmed to reporters yesterday that the two figures had not been included on the list of candidates for MPR selected from public figures.

Manila protests Toyota bid

Manila protests Toyota bid MANILA (AFP): Philippine automotive parts manufacturers yesterday protested applications by local units of Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. to take part in a Southeast Asian program for preferential tariffs.

Efforts needed to boost local investor base

Efforts needed to boost local investor base JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia sees the need to develop a domestic investor base in the country's capital market to minimize the negative impact of foreign short-term investment. Managing director of the central bank, Paul Soetopo, said here yesterday that foreign investors, who presently control about 70 percent of transactions on the local stock exchanges, were too dominant.

Drought to lower Inco's production this year

Drought to lower Inco's production this year JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) expects lower production this year, as a result of the country's prolonged dry spell. Inco said production this year would range between 75 million and 80 million pounds of nickel in matte, down from 92 million pounds projected earlier.