Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 February 1999

46 articles found

Bali gets new MP chief

Bali gets new MP chief DENPASAR, Bali: Col. Idaman Ginting was appointed chief of military police here, replacing Col. Soedjono in Denpasar, Antara reported Saturday. The inauguration ceremony was led by Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri. "The military police corps must remain a role model for society. Our community is having a crisis which needs discipline and strong law enforcement," Adam said in his speech. (edt)

Training for civilian militia postponed

Training for civilian militia postponed JAKARTA (JP): The training of the capital's People's Security (Kamra) forces, scheduled to start on Monday, was postponed because about half of the 6,000 people who had registered for the civilian militia failed to meet the requirements, an official said. Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J.

Govt to drop taxes on facilities for disabled

Govt to drop taxes on facilities for disabled JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said here Saturday the government would abolish existing taxes on the import of articles designed to assist handicapped people. "The government can...

Thousands expected to observe Imlek

Thousands expected to observe Imlek JAKARTA: Some 40,000 people from various Asian countries are expected to stream into Indonesian popular destinations such as Bali and Batam to celebrate the Chinese New Year, known as Imlek, which falls on Feb. 16. An official at a tour operator, Nurdin Purnomo, said the timing was good because on Feb. 15 to Feb. 17, performances organized for the ASEAN Arts and Culture Festival would also be held in Bali.

ID card applicants face screening

ID card applicants face screening JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta mayoralty has said it plans to intensify the screening of all ID card applications, especially from newcomers to the city, in an attempt to control the flow of migrants into the capital. "Intensive screening will be carried out in line with the existing regulations," Satibi Darwis, an assistant to the head of the mayoralty's administration section, was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday.

Gulf Canada may sell its RI assets

Gulf Canada may sell its RI assets CALGARY, Alberta (Bloomberg): Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. may sell additional assets including its publicly traded Indonesian unit, as it tries to pay down debt and focus on western Canada, Chief Executive Richard Auchinleck said. The Toronto Globe and Mail on Friday reported that the company wanted to sell the Gulf Indonesia interest, valued at US$565.3 million at current prices, by the middle of this year.

KPWI pledges to protect Indonesian journalists

KPWI pledges to protect Indonesian journalists JAKARTA (JP): A body set up to protect Indonesian journalists pledged on Saturday that it would help its members to take legal action if they were mistreated or abused. "We want the public and the state to respect journalists. During the New Order era, the press was heavily censored...and the law automatically sided with the ruler's interests," Haris Jauhari, chairman of the Protection Committee for Indonesian Journalists (KPWI), said.

Duri cogeneration project violates regulation: Kuntoro

Duri cogeneration project violates regulation: Kuntoro JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto accused oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia of violating regulations by awarding the contract for the development of the US$190 million cogeneration plant in Duri, Riau, to its sister company without competitive bidding.

Coca-Cola launches campaign

Coca-Cola launches campaign JAKARTA (JP): Coca-Cola have launched a new advertising campaign called Teguk Lagi, Semangat Lagi! (drink again and be spirited again), in a bid to boost sales during the economic crisis. Coca-Cola Indonesia's Deputy Marketing Director Titie Sadarini said on Saturday that the new campaign was developed specifically for the Indonesian market.

Garuda to sell five of its aircraft to repay debts

Garuda to sell five of its aircraft to repay debts NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will sell off five of its aircraft later this month to help repay its US$390 million offshore debts, a company executive has said. Garuda's Finance Director Emirsyah Satar said here on Saturday the planned sales of five Airbus A300-B4s was also part of the company's fleet-streamlining strategy this year.

Government to revise timber royalties

Government to revise timber royalties JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Saturday the new floor prices used to calculate the royalties imposed on the country's timber companies. Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan said the new floor prices based on wood prices during the second half of 1998 and their trends in the first half of this year would be effective for the period from Jan. 1 to June 30.

Govt urged to involve public in policies

Govt urged to involve public in policies JAKARTA (JP): Environmentalists have warned that without public participation, some World Bank-funded environmental policies were doomed to fail. Mas Achmad Santosa and Hira Jhamtani urged members of the public on Friday to take a critical look at the issue.

Deformation pervasive, reform elusive

Deformation pervasive, reform elusive Social unrest continues to terrorize the nation. It seems endless and whole communities are on edge. Amid threats of national disintegration, we asked Dr. H.S. Dillon, chairman of the Coordinating Body for National Unity (Bakom PKB) and a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, to place recent events in perspective. Question: Why does there appear to be a breakdown in national unity ?

Recapitalization of banks too slow, say bankers

Recapitalization of banks too slow, say bankers JAKARTA (JP): Chairwoman of the Indonesian National Private Banks Association (Perbanas) Gunarni Soeworo said Saturday that the country's bank recapitalization program was progressing too slow. Gunarni, also president of Bank Niaga, urged the government to go ahead with the plan because further delays would only ruin the already weak banking sector. "The recapitalization program is progressing too slow. Time is very valuable here.

Murder suspect to be analyzed

Murder suspect to be analyzed JAKARTA (JP): A housewife who confessed to slaying her mentally disabled daughter is scheduled to undergo a psychological examination on Monday, an officer has said. West Jakarta Police detectives chief Maj. Idham Azis said on Sunday that a thorough examination of 52-year-old Nancy Gunawan would be conducted by city police psychologists.

Second Malaysian title earns Norquist European Tour card

Second Malaysian title earns Norquist European Tour card KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): American Gerry Norquist won the Malaysian Open for the second time in six years on Sunday, a closing round of 71 giving him a three-shot victory over compatriot Bob May and Germany's Alex Cejka. The success earned Norquist a European Tour playing card and the winner's check of US$121,000.

Singapore property expected to stabilize

Singapore property expected to stabilize SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore's property sector is expected to stabilize this year following a price collapse of more than 40 percent since mid-1996, analysts said. But recovery is expected to be patchy with mid- and lower- range private home prices showing more buoyancy than the high end. In the commercial sector, prices are continuing to fall because of a growing overhang of unleased space. "We think the downside from here is limited.

Asia's worst drivers

Asia's worst drivers I enjoyed and appreciated the article in the By the Way column of The Jakarta Post of Jan. 31, 1999, entitled "The art of trafficking in Jakarta." Of course, I felt a bit overwhelmed by traffic in Jakarta especially, but also on the toll road to the airport and on rural two-laners. However, it was not the longitudinal gap between cars that was remarkable for me but, rather, the lateral use of the commercial district streets and the toll road, too.

Paiton Energy ready to talk contract terms with PLN

Paiton Energy ready to talk contract terms with PLN JAKARTA (JP): Power producer Paiton Energy Company's president commissioner Hashim Djojohadikusumo said on Friday that the company was ready to renegotiate with state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) on the contractual terms for the purchase of power from its giant power plant in Probolinggo, East Java.

Mahathir remains defiant

Mahathir remains defiant KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Sunday to stay in power until "somebody shoots me or tries to assassinate me," raising doubts about expectations he would resign soon. The 73-year-old leader, who has ruled Malaysia for 18 years, said recent calls for his resignation were in vain and that he would only relinquish power once he found a trustworthy successor.

Drug use reported in Spice Islands

Drug use reported in Spice Islands TERNATE, North Maluku: Distribution of marijuana and Ecstasy pills has been reported in several night spots in Ternate for the last couple of months, Antara reported. In a bid to curb the distribution, North Maluku Police have set up a special task force in all of the 21 police subprecincts. "Nowadays there is a growing tendency for youths here to be involved in drug abuse and drinking," North Maluku Police chief Lt. Col.

Events planned for World Mathematics Year 2000

Events planned for World Mathematics Year 2000 By Hendra Gunawan BANDUNG (JP): Next year will see many mathematics events all over the globe, in the spirit of the World Mathematics Year introduced by the International Mathematics Union (IMU). Based on its 1992 declaration in Rio de Janeiro, the union will hold the events under the auspices of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Ulema to study family planning

Ulema to study family planning BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Thirteen ulema from six regencies will soon join a comparative study of family planning in East Java. The spokesman for the local Family Planning Coordinating Board, Nasir Ilyas, said the ulema would study how family planning succeeded in the province, Antara reported, without mentioning details of the successes. They would then hopefully be more active in promoting family planning, mainly aimed at couples of productive age.

Confusion in East Timor

Confusion in East Timor Many citizens of East Timor are in a state of confusion. Some are perhaps close to distraction over to question of whether to remain part of the Republic of Indonesia with broad autonomy or make a bid for independence and remain as "an international beggar". The region is reportedly rich in oil, uranium and other minerals. An independent East Timor would be like a Kuwait with the social democratic principles of the Scandinavian countries.

Lippo gives aid to villagers caught in the current crisis

Lippo gives aid to villagers caught in the current crisis TANGERANG (JP): PT Lippo Karawaci, developer of the vast integrated housing, shopping and golf course complex here, donated seedlings, chickens, fish and ducks to 260 poor families living in the area on Saturday. The assistance to the poor residents of Bencongan and Kelapa Dua village is intended to help locals survive the current economic crisis.

Market to remain bearish despite Miyazawa aid

Market to remain bearish despite Miyazawa aid JAKARTA (JP): Heightening political tension will continue to cast a shadow over trading on the Jakarta Stock Exchange after a new loan commitment from Japan failed to reverse the bearishness of the local market last week. Stock analysts said lingering political uncertainties and fear of mounting unrest ahead of the general election in June meant the embattled stock market would remain highly volatile.

Preparations for poll watchdogs shift into high gears

Preparations for poll watchdogs shift into high gears JAKARTA (JP): The rush to prepare independent observers of the polls, slated to take place in barely five months, continues as the country's two largest Muslim organizations cooperate to prepare 123,600 volunteer poll observers. In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, the Joint Forum of Election Monitoring was set up on Friday and aims to recruit 20,000 volunteer poll observers.

Motorbike thief shot dead

Motorbike thief shot dead JAKARTA (JP): A police officer on patrol shot an alleged motorcycle thief to death as he squared off against a mob on Jl. Masjid in Tambora, West Jakarta, on Friday morning. Nurjaya, 38, died on the spot from a gunshot wound to his head. According to Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis, the suspect was spotted at 10 a.m. by the vehicle's owner, Tio Sujarwo, when he was about to abscond with the motorcycle which was parked in front of Tio's home.

Search continues for victims of Aceh violence

Search continues for victims of Aceh violence JAKARTA (JP): The authorities confirmed seven bodies have been discovered following a bloody clash in the village of Meusanah Blang Idi Cut in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh. A human rights group, however, said the death toll has risen to 21. "The total number of dead bodies discovered so far is 21," Hamzah Yakob of the Legal Aid Institute was quoted by Reuters on Sunday. The dead bodies were pulled out of a local river and all had gunshot wounds.

Military ready to put hoodlums out of business

Military ready to put hoodlums out of business JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman said soldiers were ready to assist the police and city administration in getting rid of hoodlums in the city, whose existence is frightening residents. "We will back up their plan to get the hoodlums in order.

Coastal areas need protection

Coastal areas need protection By Rokhmin Dahuri and Suzy Anna BOGOR (JP): Marine waters cover more than 65 percent of the total Indonesian territory. Presently, about more than half of the population live and work within 50 kilometers of a coastline, and two-thirds of the country's large cities (e.g. Medan, Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya and Ujungpandang) also located in coastal zones. Marine ecosystems are the lifeblood of planet Earth.

Construction activity

Construction activity Thank you for publicizing our biweekly Indonesian Property Brief on the central business district (CBD) office market on Wednesday, Feb. 3, under the title "Gloomy outlook forecast for office space market." But unfortunately there was a mistake in the article regarding construction of new office buildings in the Jakarta CBD. Our report stated that many planned office construction projects have been put on hold.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * World Press Photo Exhibition, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Feb. 11. * Painting Exhibition: Restrospektif Popo Iskandar, at Galeri Nasional, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3813021, 3848791), until Feb. 15. * Fine Arts Exhibition: Agus Suwage, Tisna Sanjaya, etc., at Teater Utan Kayu, Jl.

Woman wounded by Taman Safari tiger

Woman wounded by Taman Safari tiger JAKARTA (JP): A woman identified as Meiske Theresia Bleszinski was wounded on Friday by Simba, a male Sumatran tiger which she held captive as a pet during its infancy and which now lives in Taman Safari in Cisarua, Bogor. Meiske, who is married to professional hunter Herman Sarens Sudiro and is the elder sister of actress Tamara Bleszinski, required stitches in her right thigh. "How could Simba be angry with me," she said repeatedly after being rescued.

Airfares hike demanded after fuel prices rise

Airfares hike demanded after fuel prices rise JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) has demanded another raise in domestic airfares following the government's move to increase jet fuel prices. The association's secretary general Benny Rungkat said on Friday airfares should be increased to enable the local airline companies to offset higher operational costs resulting from the increase in jet fuel prices.

Credibility on the decline

Credibility on the decline After the objections that have been raised against government regulation No.2/1998 (controlling freedom of expression) and a second regulation governing the status of civil servants, yet another problem has arisen, this time concerning a government regulation on bank recapitalization. There is no denying that the government's credibility is on the decline.

Friends of the Zoo

Friends of the Zoo Thank you Ms Juliane Gunardono for giving Ragunan Zoo and Sahabat Satwa (Friends of the Zoo) an interesting write up in The Jakarta Post of Jan. 22, 1999. Unfortunately, members of the Friends of the Zoo were not given the chance to meet you personally to give you a better insight into our work. I would like to take this chance to give the public a greater awareness of our functions as a support group for Ragunan Zoo. Sahabat Satwa is a voluntary non-profit organization.

1,000-strong militia recruited in E. Timor

1,000-strong militia recruited in E. Timor DILI (JP): Around 2,900 pro-integration residents of Maubara in Liquisa regency have armed themselves with traditional weapons as they brace for possible attacks from those who want independence from Indonesia. This development occurred as the military command in East Timor finalized its recruitment of a 1,000-strong civilian militia. "It's not true that the militia is being readied to fight anti-integration groups.

UI confers postgraduate degrees on 772 students

UI confers postgraduate degrees on 772 students JAKARTA (JP): University of Indonesia rector Asman Boedisantoso on Saturday congratulated 772 students recently graduated from the university's professional, specialty, masters and doctoral programs. "We hope that we can contribute qualified human resources to the country to face the increasingly connected world," he said in the ceremony at the university campus in Depok, West Java.

Indonesian Net user rate lowest in Asia: Survey

Indonesian Net user rate lowest in Asia: Survey JAKARTA (JP): Singapore leads the Asian economies in adopting the Internet as the new medium of communication, while Indonesia has the lowest Internet penetration rate, according to an international survey of Internet usage conducted by AC Nielsen. The AC Nielsen NetWatch survey, conducted in 16 countries and covering almost 150,000 respondents, found that one in every four Singaporeans is a regular user of the Internet.

Sixteen killed in toll road accidents, says official

Sixteen killed in toll road accidents, says official JAKARTA (JP): At least 110 traffic accidents took place on toll roads during the period from Jan. 12 to Jan. 27, around the Idul Fitri holiday. Sixteen people were killed, 89 severely wounded and 160 sustained minor injuries from the accidents, an official said.

China to invest $10m in RP

China to invest $10m in RP MANILA (DPA): A Chinese manufacturing company is poised to put up a US$10 million assembly unit for air-conditioning units and other appliances in the Philippines' freeport zone, a palace statement said Saturday. LPL Gree Inc. will set up its plant within a three-hectare land area at the Subic Bay freeport zone. It is the first LPL- Gree plant outside mainland China. The Chinese firm is expected to generate jobs for 800 Filipinos.

Young mother kills baby

Young mother kills baby PALU, Central Sulawesi: A 29-year-old mother in Lembo district of Poso, Central Sulawesi, was arrested for killing her child, Antara reported Saturday. The woman, identified only as Srn of Tingkeao village, was said to have slashed the throat of the baby on Monday. But the incident was only reported on Thursday when neighbors said they saw her trying to wash blood from the child's nearly severed head at a nearby water tank.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 Morning News 6:30 News 7:00 Children's Songs 8:00 Music 8:30 Documentary 9:00 Music 9:30 Interval 2:00 p.m.

Civil servants baffled by demand

Civil servants baffled by demand JEMBER, East Java: Dozens of civil servants who were to attend an administration course said they were told to pay an unexpected sum of hundreds of thousands of rupiah to ensure they would be accepted. Sources quoted by Antara on Saturday said candidates were asked to pay at least Rp 300,000, a requirement which was not previously mentioned. "We were advised to provide the money if we wanted to be accepted," a source requesting anonymity said.

186 people netted in raids at major bus terminals

186 people netted in raids at major bus terminals JAKARTA (JP): The city police netted 186 people in raids at the city's major bus terminals early on Sunday for carrying sharp weapons, possessing drugs and not carrying their identification cards, an officer said. According to Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis, the operation involved some 500 police officers from various units and took place at, among others, the Pulogadung and Kampung Rambutan bus terminals in East Jakarta.