Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 September 1997

60 articles found

GSM-XL works toward no more dropped calls in traffic jams

GSM-XL works toward no more dropped calls in traffic jams People trapped in the traffic jams within Jakarta's golden triangle are now able enjoy crash-free telephone conversations if they subscribe to GSM-XL, which is operated by PT Excelcomindo Pratama.

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept. 3, 1997: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 850 150 33,500 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 750 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 700 0 347,500 Alumindo...

Memorial service for Diana

Memorial service for Diana JAKARTA (JP): The British Embassy's memorial service for Diana, Princess of Wales, will be at 11 a.m. at All Saints Anglican Church on Jl. A.R. Hakim No. 5, Central Jakarta, on Saturday.A spokesman said the embassy was expecting up to 2,000 people to attend the service.

RI chess players win in KL

RI chess players win in KL JAKARTA (JP): Four Indonesian chess players won best player awards at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur which ended Monday.They were Grandmaster Edhi Handoko, GM Ruben Gunawan, International Master Sebastian Simanjuntak and Novian Siregar.

Stocks gain ground, rupiah stable on reform package

Stocks gain ground, rupiah stable on reform package JAKARTA (JP): Local stock prices gained ground yesterday and the rupiah stabilized following a government announcement on plans to lift foreign portfolio ownership limits and gradually decrease interest rates, analysts and dealers said.

50 hotels in C. Java closed

50 hotels in C. Java closed JAKARTA (JP): The government will close down at least 50 non- star rated hotels in the province of Central Java for illegal operation.Head of Central Java Tourist Office Sri Soebagyo told Antara news agency that the hotel operators had been frequently advised to complete...

Myanmar's exclusion from ASEM surprises Alatas

Myanmar's exclusion from ASEM surprises Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas expressed surprise yesterday at British Foreign Minister Robin Cook's statement that Myanmar would not be admitted to the summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in London next year.

RI banks in better shape than Thai: S&P

RI banks in better shape than Thai: S&P JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian banks are in better shape than their Thai peers despite recent currency woes and high prevailing interest rates, a Standard & Poor's analyst said here yesterday.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: Estetika 5 Ekspresi, at Hilton Executive Club, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept. 10. * Painting Exhibition: Nuansa Decoratif by Sutopo, Djoko Maruto, Petrus Pranagung at Mon Decor Gallery, Jl.

Words alone cannot eradicate poverty: Activist

Words alone cannot eradicate poverty: Activist JAKARTA (JP): Poverty cannot be eradicated by statements and criticism, but by tenable cooperation between the government and non-government organizations (NGOs), an international social activist said yesterday.

Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese most competitive in Asia

Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese most competitive in Asia SINGAPORE (AFP): The Philippines, India and Vietnam are seen by business executives as having the most competitive labor pools in Asia, where many countries are facing manpower problems, according to a regional survey.

BG, ARCO in talks over Indonesia gas

BG, ARCO in talks over Indonesia gas LONDON (Reuter): U.K. gas producer BG Plc said yesterday it was in talks with U.S. Atlantic Richfield Co on possible cooperation in the development of huge natural gas finds in Indonesia.

Excelcomindo builds largest microcell network

Excelcomindo builds largest microcell network Private global system for mobile (GSM) operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama is handling the installation of a 15.5- kilometer microcell network in the capital's Golden Triangle to improve its coverage service in Jakarta.Excelcomindo's President Y.W.

Govt threatens to name slash-and-burn firms

Govt threatens to name slash-and-burn firms JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo echoed yesterday a threat to reveal the names of plantation companies who persisted in employing harmful slash-and-burn methods.

Four killed in landslide

Four killed in landslide BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Four residents of Bantan Cuaca, in Rikit Gaib district, were reportedly killed when a landslide occurred following heavy rains.Antara reported that another three people were missing following the landslide which occurred late Tuesday evening.

HK's new leader visits Malaysia

HK's new leader visits Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Hong Kong's new leader arrived in Malaysia yesterday on his first foreign tour since taking power after Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule on July 1.Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and his five-member delegation met with Prime Minister Mahathir...

Giralia frets at RI mine deals

Giralia frets at RI mine deals SINGAPORE (Reuter): The chairman of Australian junior miner Giralia Resources NL said yesterday he is worried that new mining agreements with Indonesia will not be signed this year and may be delayed until mid-1998.

Army to supervise Indonesian labor export

Army to supervise Indonesian labor export JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces says it will deploy personnel to bring order to the labor export industry because illegal Indonesian workers in Malaysia have sparked immigration disputes between the two countries.Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. A.

Workers protest over dismissal

Workers protest over dismissal UJUNGPANDANG, S. Sulawesi: Thousands of workers of three companies at Makassar Industrial Estate held a demonstration at the provincial legislative council on Tuesday over the dismissal of 14 colleagues and the demotion of 100 others.

Japex joins gas project

Japex joins gas project TOKYO (Reuter): Japan Petroleum Exploration Co Ltd (Japex) said yesterday that it will invest roughly US$80 million in a project to explore for and produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) on Malaysia's Kalimantan island.

Asahimas' sales down

Asahimas' sales down JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed glass producer PT Asahimas Flat Glass Co. Ltd. reported yesterday a 7.6 percent drop in net sales in the first half of this year, to Rp 174.3 billion (about US$60.1 million), compared to the same period in 1996.

Antipolio drive exceeds target

Antipolio drive exceeds target JAKARTA (JP): More than one million city infants recieved polio vaccines yesterday, exceeding the target of 972,100 by 4.17 percent, according to the head of the city's health agency.

Cargill enters Vietnam

Cargill enters Vietnam HANOI (AFP): U.S.-based Cargill has officially opened a US$18 million animal feed plant in a southern Vietnam province, its first project in the country, the company announced yesterday.The U.S.

Fire victims plead for relief aid

Fire victims plead for relief aid JAKARTA (JP): The victims of a fire, which gutted 1,297 houses in Pademangan Barat subdistrict, North Jakarta, Tuesday, pleaded for donations yesterday, including school uniforms for their children.

Asmat now crafts totem poles for money

Asmat now crafts totem poles for moneyBy Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Men in grass skirts swayed to the rhythm of a primeval drum beat. A woodcarver, Bird of Paradise feathers nestled atop a mass of braids, sat solemnly on the floor crafting a miniature totem pole.

Glass factory workers protest

Glass factory workers protest TANGERANG (JP): About 170 employees of glass manufacturing company PT Alamkaca Prabawa Indonesia in Tangerang stopped work yesterday in solidarity for two of their friends who were severely injured in a work accident.

Call for edict on haj pilgrimage

Call for edict on haj pilgrimage JAKARTA (JP): Legislators called on the influential Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) yesterday to issue an edict restricting Moslems from going on repeat haj pilgrimages.Slamet Effendy Yusuf of the Golkar faction and H.S.

Smoking immunity?

Smoking immunity?From KompasOn Monday Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. I had lunch at the Au Bon Pain cafe in Kuningan Plaza. After a while a group of business "executives" wearing ties and office IDs entered the restaurant.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung:Music and Entertainment * Holiday Inn, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 33, Bandung: - Kebun Bambu Restaurant: Guitar performance, Saturday, 7:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. - Braga Bar and Lounge: Jazz live entertainment at 7:30 p.m.

U.S. investors pour out of SE Asian funds

U.S. investors pour out of SE Asian funds NEW YORK (Reuter): The recent turbulence in Southeast Asian markets has exacted a sustained toll on the performance and net flows of mutual funds investing in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, analysts said.

Ginsi expects 15 percent drop in imports this year

Ginsi expects 15 percent drop in imports this year JAKARTA (JP): The Importers Association of Indonesia (Ginsi) estimated yesterday Indonesian imports would drop up to 15 percent to about US$36.4 billion this year from $42.92 billion last year.

Two years sought for looters

Two years sought for looters BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Prosecutors demanded yesterday a two-year sentence for two defendants involved in a riot which hit Banjarmasin in May.The two 19-year-old defendants were accused of looting during the riot that broke out on May 23.

TV today

TV todayTVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:30 Travel: My Country 2:35 Children's Film: Family Matters 3:10 Science Film: Animal Odyssey 3:35 Religious Teachings: Islam 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Performance: Pelangi Budaya 5:00 Arabic Lessons 5:25 Documentary Film: Jendela Dunia 6:00 News: Lintasan...

Palm oil steady in Europe after Indian tender news

Palm oil steady in Europe after Indian tender news LONDON (Reuter): Palm oil prices were steady at midday yesterday in Europe following news that India's State Trading Corporation (STC) was tendering for palm olein.

Obstinacy overrides reason when pride gets in the way

Obstinacy overrides reason when pride gets in the wayBy Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): "Isin Mundur!" This is a Javanese expression meaning, roughly: "An absolute refusal to retreat (from a pronounced opinion or statement) because it is shameful!"This expression is used to describe someone who...

Journos pressed to cancel luncheon with Megawati

Journos pressed to cancel luncheon with Megawati SINGAPORE (AP): The Singapore Foreign Correspondents Association (FCA) said yesterday it had acceded to a request from the government to withdraw an invitation for Indonesia's Megawati Soekarnoputri to speak at a luncheon in Singapore.

RI's Astra Graphia opens Yangon office

RI's Astra Graphia opens Yangon office YANGON (DPA): Astra Graphia Company of Indonesia has opened a Yangon office to pioneer Maynmar's fledgling information technology market, news reports said yesterday.

Two more women commit suicide

Two more women commit suicide JAKARTA (JP): Two more women have committed suicide by drinking insecticide it was reported yesterday, taking this week's death toll of such cases to three.The bodies of Nining, 30, a resident of Jl. Tripar, Cilincing, North Jakarta, and Parwati, 22, of Jl.

Govt moves to avoid crisis

Govt moves to avoid crisis JAKARTA (JP): The government moved yesterday to revise its budget, liberalize foreign purchases of shares, strengthen the banking industry and raise the luxury sales tax on several goods.

Customers complain over tap water shortage

Customers complain over tap water shortage JAKARTA (JP): Many customers of city-owned water company PDAM Jaya have complained about water shortages over the last few days.Complaints were made by customers in several areas, including Duren Sawit, East Jakarta; Grogol and Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta...

New reader's wish list

New reader's wish list I am a new subscriber to The Jakarta Post. Your fairly brave and matter-of-fact reporting style satisfies me. However, for improvement, I would like to suggest that you provide more space on the front page for news about former public figures.

School to hold painting contest

School to hold painting contest JAKARTA (JP): The Gandhi Memorial International School is to hold an open painting contest for local and international junior and senior high school students.Principal A.P.

East Timor elects new governor today

East Timor elects new governor todayBy Virgilio S. Guterres and Lourenco V. Martins DILI (JP): The 45 members of the provincial legislative council will elect a new governor for East Timor today from among three contenders approved recently by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

Environmental study urged for Koridor Satrio

Environmental study urged for Koridor Satrio JAKARTA (JP): Developers planning to build a shopping and tourism belt along Jl. Prof. Satrio in South Jakarta are being urged to prepare an environmental impact analysis report.Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb. M.

Cement prices raised to adjust rupiah's fall

Cement prices raised to adjust rupiah's fall JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cement producers increased yesterday the factory price of cement by between three percent and five percent to adjust the rupiah's sharp drop against the U.S. dollar.

Yogyakarta launches stock gallery

Yogyakarta launches stock gallery YOGYAKARTA (JP): PT Finan Corpindo Nusa, in cooperation with the Academy of Corporate Management, launched Yogyakarta's first stock gallery here yesterday.The gallery, located on the academy's campus, was officially opened by the Sultan of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan...

Toddlers die in Medan fire

Toddlers die in Medan fire MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two toddlers died in a fire early yesterday morning in which four houses were destroyed on Jl. Sutomo Ujung.Capt. R. Haryono of the Medan Police said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Hariyanto Arbi number one, Susi Susanti number two

Hariyanto Arbi number one, Susi Susanti number two JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Hariyanto Arbi climbed to number one in the world after winning the Singapore Open in July, pushing China's Dong Jiong into second place.

Five RI golfers in Erickson Master

Five RI golfers in Erickson Master JAKARTA (JP): Victory at the East Java Open won Burhan Bora a chance for more a prestigious and richer cash prize as he and four top national golfers join the US$500,000 Asia-Pacific Erickson Masters in Bintan Lagoon Golf & Beach Resort, in Riau next week.

Thai Baht and RP peso hit record lows against dollar

Thai Baht and RP peso hit record lows against dollar SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asian currencies led by the Thai baht and Philippine peso dived to record lows against the dollar yesterday as the region's monetary crisis began its third month with the bottom far from view.

Row over Yangon highlights rift in Asian, British values

Row over Yangon highlights rift in Asian, British valuesBy Nick Cumming-Bruce and Ian Black BANGKOK/LONDON: In a setback for his human rights offensive, the British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, received a rebuke from the Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, Tuesday for refusing to invite...

Seven bumped from SEA Games squad

Seven bumped from SEA Games squad JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association has bumped seven athletes from the 19th SEA Games training squad.The athletes -- from the squad of 78 in training in Jakarta, Lembang (West Java), and Houston (Texas) -- are Subeno, Abdul Manan, Nicodemus...

Three developer staff nabbed in housing fraud

Three developer staff nabbed in housing fraud JAKARTA (JP): Three people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to cheat 2,000 prospective house buyers in Bekasi, a police officer said yesterday.

Two suspects in Grogol gold robbery busted

Two suspects in Grogol gold robbery busted JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested two suspects of last month's robbery in West Jakarta in which a police sergeant was shot to dead.A police source said yesterday that the two were apprehended in separate raids in Jakarta and the East Java capital of...

Sheikh Hasina's visit to improve ties

Sheikh Hasina's visit to improve ties Sheikh Hasina's visit to Indonesia is the first by a Bangladeshi head of government since former president Ershad came in 1986.But while personal interaction at the highest level might have been minimal in the past 11 years, ties between the two countries have...

Athletes, officials to get sports awards

Athletes, officials to get sports awards JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's doubles champions Sigit Budiarto/Candra Wijaya will be awarded the Parama Krida Utama medal for their achievement at the 1997 World Championships in Glasgow in May.

Governorship nominees approved

Governorship nominees approved JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has approved the three nominees competing to be Jakarta's next governor, according to City Council deputy speaker Ade Surapriatna.The President's approval, he said Tuesday, came in a letter sent by the minister of home affairs to the...

Ultimatum for disobedient concessionaires

Ultimatum for disobedient concessionaires JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires will ask the government to cancel the permits of timber companies which poorly manage their forests.

Piaget timepieces at Plaza Senayan

Piaget timepieces at Plaza Senayan JAKARTA (JP): Gold watches studded with diamonds, sapphires and rubies will be on display at Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, from Sept. 7 to Sept. 14.They are from the collection of Piaget, the firm founded by watchmaker Georges Piaget in 1874 at his workshop in...

Timber theft near Malaysian border

Timber theft near Malaysian border BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Six Malaysians and three Indonesians have been arrested for timber theft.East Kalimantan Police spokesman Lt. Col. P. Sumarno said they were caught stealing timber in Simanggaris, Bulungan, 10 kilometers from the Malaysian border.