Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 April 1998

43 articles found

RI L/Cs accepted overseas

RI L/Cs accepted overseas JAKARTA (JP): Overseas banks have started to accept Indonesian letters of credit (L/C) but they are still limited to importing particular commodities, a key government official said. Director General of International Trade Djoko Mulyono was quoted by Antara Friday as saying that some 67 L/Cs had been accepted but in particular import commodities only.

Confusion muddles Amien's U.S. visit

Confusion muddles Amien's U.S. visit JAKARTA (JP): Confusion reigned yesterday over whether Moslem leader Amien Rais is going to address a hearing of a United States congressional subcommittee on Indonesia's human rights record after all. He may instead be given the opportunity to hold a media conference on Capitol Hill, Washington, Antara reported Saturday. "I received a telephone call from a congressman at about 9 a.m.

Layoffs loom over ASEAN meeting

Layoffs loom over ASEAN meeting HANOI (Reuters): ASEAN labor ministers meet in Vietnam on Wednesday with some facing soaring unemployment back home and tension over migrant workers as Southeast Asia's economic crisis bites deeper. The ministry of labor in Hanoi said the impact from Asia's slump would be on the agenda of the two-day meeting.

Haze fighters attract interest

Haze fighters attract interest SINGAPORE (AP): A private organization raising money to fight worsening haze in the region has attracted wide interest in Singapore, The Sunday Times reported. Founded recently by residents of the city-state frustrated over the prospects of haze shrouding the region again this year, the organization known as Haze Busters aims to raise US$50 million to combat fires and educate those causing the haze.

Govt turns down request for levies ruling exemption

Govt turns down request for levies ruling exemption JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Fuad Bawazier and Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono have turned down a request from East Nusa Tenggara Governor Herman Musakabe to exempt the province from the obligation to abolish most business levies in the province, a local official said last week.

No paper

No paper In observance of Islamic New Year, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Wednesday. -- Publisher

Stickers for restricted area

Stickers for restricted area From Media Indonesia At a time when the government has eradicated various kinds of regional taxes, the Jakarta Administration has introduced a new kind of tax (?), a sticker system in lieu of the so-called three- in-one system to use Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman. I wonder what the legal basis is for the sticker system. I fear that the system will be imitated by other regional administrations. Can it be justified?

Conservationists breed butterflies

Conservationists breed butterflies PALU, Central Sulawesi: The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) here is breeding two species of rare butterflies which can only be found in this province, Antara reported. The head of Central Sulawesi's BKSDA, Edi Purwanto, said here Saturday the two species belong to the Papilo Iswara group which have red and yellow wings and live in the highlands.

Five missing, three injured in Medan demonstration

Five missing, three injured in Medan demonstration MEDAN (JP): Five students went missing and three others were injured in a violent demonstration that lasted well into the night on Saturday in Medan, North Sumatra. The Students Association of the University of North Sumatra charged that the five students were taken away by plainclothes officers, and that the three injured students were shot in the head and chest with rubber bullets.

Political and legal reforms

Political and legal reforms Demands for economic reform by students and the people have partly been fulfilled by the signing of an additional agreement between the Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It expands on the Jan. 15 accord signed by President Soeharto and has a tight schedule which will be supervised by the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Hoodlums clash twice with Tanah Abang residents

Hoodlums clash twice with Tanah Abang residents JAKARTA (JP): Clashes between residents and hoodlums in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, erupted again yesterday in the morning and evening, leaving two people badly injured. The first clash took place about 3 a.m. when members of a hoodlum gang were incensed after a kiosk owner turned down their request for liquor, a resident of Tanah Abang said. "Actually we are very tired of their activities.

Returned activists promise to speak

Returned activists promise to speak JAKARTA (JP): Two returned activists, Pius Lustrilanang and Andi Arief, have promised to give an account of what happened to them when they were missing. But the military has once again denied any involvement in the much-publicized disappearances. "I am sure and I know precisely that there is not a single policy (related to the missing people) from ABRI, the Armed Forces, and no order from the Minister of Defense/Armed Forces chief (Gen.

Problem loans may reach 60 percent of outstanding loans

Problem loans may reach 60 percent of outstanding loans JAKARTA (JP): Problem loans in Indonesia's banking industry may reach 60 percent of outstanding loans by the end of 1998, a local rating agency has said. "If the crisis persists and there is no clear solution to the private corporate debt problem, the industry's level of problem loans as a percentage of total loans may reach as high as 60 percent by the end of 1998," said Pefindo in a press statement late Friday.

Mitra Keluarga hospital scolded

Mitra Keluarga hospital scolded BEKASI (JP): Bekasi Regent Moch Djamhari reprimanded Mitra Keluarga hospital over the weekend for inflating its blood service cost to Rp 175,000 (US$22) per 300 cc, from the standard price of Rp 35,000. The regent said a hospital was allowed to increase the service fee "a little bit" from the regular rate. "In the Mitra Keluarga hospital case, inflating the fee to Rp 175,000 is too much," he said. He added he would send a formal warning to the hospital soon.

Missing tanker not found off Sabah, search over

Missing tanker not found off Sabah, search over SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Malaysian navy and air police have called off a search for the tanker Petro Ranger, suspected to have been hijacked, in waters north of Borneo island, rescue officials said yesterday. Officials said the search was launched this morning after a passing vessel reported seeing a tanker fitting the description of the Petro Ranger, which has been missing since April 17, but it was called off after nothing was found in the area.

1945 Constitution 'open for revision'

1945 Constitution 'open for revision' JAKARTA (JP): Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra is striving to upturn the long-held conviction that the 1945 Constitution is untouchable. On Saturday he said the document was open for revision. In an oration to mark his professorship at the University of Indonesia's School of Law in Depok, West Java, on Saturday, Yusril said the Constitution itself guaranteed the provision for revision.

Exchange rate causes loses

Exchange rate causes loses From Bisnis Indonesia I am a Prima Dollar customer of Danamon Bank, Gajah Mada branch office. On April 6, 1998, I decided to close my account at this bank. A customer service officer told me that to close this account I had to conduct an account transfer, a process which would take two days. So, I asked Danamon Bank to transfer the amount, in the same currency of my Danamon account, to my account at another bank.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting, Sculpture Exhibition by 82 Alumni ASRI Yogya, at World Trade Center, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31, Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 27. * Photo Exhibition: Potret by Benno Harun and Artli Ali at Plaza Indonesia Atrium, Jl. M.H. Thamrin kav. 28-30, Central Jakarta (Phone: 322908), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 15. * Painting Exhibition: Adi Munardi After Paris! by Adi Munardi at Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No.

153 arrested in drug raids at N. Jakarta discotheques

153 arrested in drug raids at N. Jakarta discotheques JAKARTA (JP): Police apprehended 153 alleged drug users in a series of routine Kilat Jaya operations in five discotheques in North Jakarta Saturday night, police said. Deputy chief of the North Jakarta police precinct Maj. Edwardsyah Pernong said the suspects were caught red-handed using drugs such as Ecstasy, marijuana, the amphetamine derivative shabu-shabu and heroin.

Join hands to end the crisis!

Join hands to end the crisis! Riots, starving children, students dropping out from schools because parents cannot afford to pay the fees, people losing their jobs, women turning to prostitution to make a living, murders, burglaries and other crimes are no extraordinary phenomena. But we would never expect such a horrible situation could happen in our beloved country. If you go to the suburbs of Jakarta, you may be amazed to see how these people are surviving.

Govt launches reform of pharmaceutical industry

Govt launches reform of pharmaceutical industry JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Farid Anfasa Moeloek has announced the government is reforming the pharmaceutical industry by providing subsidies worth US$116 million for the importation of raw materials to produce drugs. The government is also planning to provide raw materials obtained from domestic sources, Antara quoted the minister as saying after opening an Association of Pharmaceutical Industries congress here Saturday.

Asian reforms a must to lure investors

Asian reforms a must to lure investors HANOI, Vietnam (AP): East Asian countries cannot afford to falter in reforming their economies if they want to attract crucial foreign investment, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said Saturday. Such investment must continue for South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries to pump strength back into their devastated currencies, Downer told a news conference.

Fire damage losses rise to Rp 8.27b: Report

Fire damage losses rise to Rp 8.27b: Report JAKARTA (JP): The amount of East Kalimantan ravaged by fires this year has increased to 442,800 hectares while timber revenue losses have reached Rp 8,270 billion (US$1.06 billion), a news report said Saturday. Quoting latest data from the provincial fire-fighting command post in Samarinda, Antara said the total area destroyed could increase further as fires were still raging despite some respite brought by intermittent rains.

Price hikes make farmers unhappy

Price hikes make farmers unhappy By Subagiyo JAKARTA (Antara): The governments's decision to increase the price of unhusked rice at the beginning of this month allowed farmers breathing space from their economic woes. But the joy disappeared in less than a fortnight when the price of fertilizers was increased. The basic price of unhusked rice was increased from Rp 600 to Rp 700 a kilogram on April 1.

Easter Service at Senayan

Easter Service at Senayan JAKARTA (JP): An American evangelist is to visit Indonesia as part of an Asian tour and preach on "Good News" at an Easter Service here, event organizers said Saturday. Reverend Morris Cerullo from San Diego will deliver his sermon and pray for believers in the free-of-charge service on April 30 at 6 p.m., at the Senayan Sport Stadium, Central Jakarta. He is also scheduled teach in a Bible study the following day, along with local minister M.D. Wakkary.

'Field hospitals' may be needed for dengue sufferers

'Field hospitals' may be needed for dengue sufferers JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta administration will build "temporary field hospitals" if existing facilities can no longer treat the growing number of people infected with dengue fever, an official said yesterday. Deputy Governor for Social Welfare Affairs Djailani said the number of dengue fever sufferers admitted to hospitals and health centers increased by an average of 200 people per day.

Relief packages yet to reach children

Relief packages yet to reach children WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Thousands of packages from the National Foster Parents Movement (GNOTA) meant for elementary school children in the interior of Irian Jaya, are stuck in Jayapura because of transportation problems.

Indonesian climbers excel in Asian X Games

Indonesian climbers excel in Asian X Games JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian athletes proved they are Asia's up- and-coming climbers with a win and two placings in the men's and women's speed categories at the Asian X Games on Phuket Island, in Thailand, yesterday. Yuyun Yuniarti and Etha Hendrawati took out first and second places in the women's category, followed by the world's number eight, South Korean Go Mi Sun, in third and Japan's Rie Kimura in fourth.

Eko Budihardjo replaces Muladi

Eko Budihardjo replaces Muladi SEMARANG: Engineering expert Eko Budihardjo is to become the new rector of state-run Diponegoro University, replacing Muladi who is now the minister of justice, Antara reported. Muladi said here Saturday that a Ministry of Education decree on his replacement had been issued but he would still lead the graduation ceremony on May 9. He will hand over the post to Eko on May 12.

New clove monopoly will 'undermine reforms'

New clove monopoly will 'undermine reforms' JAKARTA (JP): PT Kembang Cengkeh Nasional's (KCN) alleged move to monopolize the nation's supply of cloves, a major ingredient of clove-blended cigarettes, will undermine the country's economic reforms, say analysts. Several analysts, including director of the Indonesian Business Data Center Christianto Wibisono and economists Umar Juoro and Didiek J.

Excelcomindo, LHS tie-up

Excelcomindo, LHS tie-up JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phone operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama has acquired the license to use a software application of U.S. telecommunication software producer LHS to improve its customer service. The software, Web Service Center (WSC), will enable Excelcomindo to activate services with new customers via the World Wide Web or the Internet.

Taiwan's premier begins round of meetings in KL

Taiwan's premier begins round of meetings in KL KUALA LUMPUR (AP): In a visit kept quiet for fear of angering China, Taiwan's premier began meetings here yesterday to discuss investment and ways to help Malaysia through its economic crisis. Prime Minister Vincent Siew arrived Saturday for a two-day stay, accompanied by a 30-member group of top Taiwanese government officials and businessmen.

Suparto wins designer award

Suparto wins designer award JAKARTA (JP): B. Suparto of Yogyakarta took first place in the country's first ever beauty case designer competition here Friday evening, beating out 19 other finalists. The 50-year-old's hexagonal case won him Rp 1.5 million (US$176). The case, titled Mahkota Bunga Kuncup (The Crowned Bud), was made of fiberglass and cardboard and had attachments of triangular-winged casings with a soft, brown leather exterior.

Bank Papan plans rights issue

Bank Papan plans rights issue JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Bank Papan Sejahtera plans to issue rights shares soon to increase its capital so it can remove itself from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's (IBRA) supervision. Bank Papan president Al Njoo said in a statement yesterday the bank would also develop new saving schemes to attract more public funds to fuel the bank's operations. The bank additionally plans to merge with other institutions to strengthen its capital and operations.

Rate rise fear places stocks under pressure

Rate rise fear places stocks under pressure JAKARTA (JP): Trading activities on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) are likely to remain under pressure this week on market concerns that the central bank might further raise interest rates. Head of Pentasena Securities research, Mohammad Syahrial, said Saturday that Bank Indonesia might further raise the interest rate because the increase made last week failed to prop up the ailing rupiah.

Navy boat to fetch stranded Acehnese

Navy boat to fetch stranded Acehnese SABANG, Aceh: The Indonesian Navy ship KRI Tongkol departed Saturday morning for India's Andaman island, off the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal, to pick up 12 stranded fishermen, Antara reported. KRI Tongkol's captain, Lt. Commander Ary Sembiring, said here Saturday that a huge swell had most likely forced the boatload of fishermen, all Acehnese, off course. There are at least 42 Acehnese fishermen stranded in Nicobar and Andaman islands, he said.

Mass circumcision staged at hotel

Mass circumcision staged at hotel JAKARTA (JP): Quality Hotel Aspac near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, in West Jakarta, held a mass circumcision Saturday as part of its efforts to assist the needy, an executive said. The free circumcision service was offered to the sons of cleaning service workers, taxi drivers and other people living in the area, the hotel's sales manager, Gatot Subagio, said.

Foreign airlines wage price war

Foreign airlines wage price war JAKARTA (JP): Major foreign airlines are waging a price war in Indonesia's financially strapped market, slashing fares over 60 percent due to stiffening competition. German carrier Lufthansa is currently offering return fairs to London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Madrid or Rome at US$699, almost 70 percent lower than their normal rates. For $749, passengers departing from Indonesia can travel to other European destinations, while several major U.S.

Three alleged car thieves shot to death

Three alleged car thieves shot to death JAKARTA (JP): Detectives shot dead three alleged members of the city's most wanted gang after a street chase along Jl. Cilincing near the National Bonded Zones in North Jakarta early yesterday. City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the officers were forced to shoot the three car thieves after they resisted arrest and attacked the officers with sharp weapons.

Foundation teaches English to infants

Foundation teaches English to infants JAKARTA (JP): A South Jakarta school is adhering to a principle that people are never too young to learn by teaching English to infants, some as young as six months, from families which are non-native speakers of the language.

Thirty brawling students rounded up

Thirty brawling students rounded up JAKARTA (JP): Police rounded up about 30 students involved in a street brawl on Jl. Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, Saturday. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna told The Jakarta Post the students were from several high schools in Central Jakarta with a history of hostilities. He identified the schools as STM PGRI 11, SMA Budi Oetomo, SMA 1 and STM 11. "One of the students was hurt in the forehead," he said.

TV programs

TV programs Today TVRI 2:00 p.m. News: Berita 14 2:35 TV Series: The Big Valley 3:05 Creative Program: Dibuang Sayang 3:30 TV Drama: Sketsa 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Creative Program: Karya Kita 5:00 Indonesian Lessons 5:30 Education Quiz: Cepat Tepat 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 My Country: Rona Nusantara 6:15 Sports 6:30 TVRI News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music: Mozaik 8:30 Belief in God The Almighty 9:00 World News 9:35 Sports 10:30 Late News 10:40 TV Series: Baretta Program 2...

Good value and no smog key to tourism recovery

Good value and no smog key to tourism recovery SINGAPORE (Reuters): Southeast Asia's bruised tourism industry could rebound if the thick smog that blanketed much of the region last year does not return, according to tourism officials. For some countries, the financial crisis that forced the devaluation of their currencies is helping the tourism industry by making these countries cheaper, the officials said at the Pacific Asia Travel Association Travel Mart at the weekend.