Archive: 31 May 2000
56 articles found
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, May 31, 2000
TV Program: Wednesday, May 31, 2000 TVRI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Songs 8:30 Music 9:00 Interval 2:00 p.m. News 2:30 Children's Program 3:00 Documentary 3:30 Music 4:00 News 4:30 Music 5:30 TVRI News 6:30 Fashion 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Sports 8:30 Talk Show 9:00 World News 9:35 Music 10:30 News Program 2 3:30 p.m. Documentary 4:30 Music 5:30 City News 6:30 Documentary 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:00 City News 8:30 Family's Wealth TPI 5:30 a.m.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Exxon/Mobil sticks by RI despite violence
Exxon/Mobil sticks by RI despite violence KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Exxon/Mobil Corp will not pull out of Indonesia or scale back investments due to violence in Aceh province where eight of its workers were briefly held hostage at the weekend, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Former officials claim innocence
Former officials claim innocence SURABAYA: Two former officials of East Java province are denying involvement in the Marsinah murder case, saying they were victims of misleading information. The two officials, the province's former police chief Maj. Gen. (ret.) Emon Rivai Arganata and former Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. (ret) Haris Sudarno, both denied any involvement in the 1993 murder. "I never engineered the case," Emon told a team of the Provincial Council investigating the case.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Container port workers threaten to go on strike
Container port workers threaten to go on strike JAKARTA (JP): Workers of the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) in Tanjung Priok seaport, North Jakarta, on Tuesday threatened to go on another strike on June 5, if the JICT management continued with its restructuring plan.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Aceh accord bodies plan meeting to lay ground rules
Aceh accord bodies plan meeting to lay ground rules JAKARTA (JP): Two joint committees established under the Aceh accord signed by the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) will hold their first meeting in Banda Aceh on Wednesday to set up the ground rules for implementing the Joint Understanding on Humanitarian Pause.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Vested interests in national exams
Vested interests in national exams By Mayling Oey-Gardiner and Peter Gardiner JAKARTA (JP): This is the time of year when millions of elementary and secondary students take the national end-of-cycle examinations known as Ebtanas. It is also a time of year when many national, regional and local officials of the Ministry of National Education and local governments can enjoy the financial spoils of this annual ritual of holding the nation's schoolchildren to ransom.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
No school principal?
No school principal? Of the one thousand elementary schools in Bandung, two hundred are without a principal. "This is serious and quite disturbing," said Kusmeni Hartadi, as reported in Pikiran Rakyat on May 20, 2000. Furthermore, it was rumored that to get the post of school principal a Rp 5 million fee was required. Awan Gumelar, head of the Education and Culture Office in Bandung is determined to fight against such graft.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Govt to boost tax revenue to 16% of GDP by 2004
Govt to boost tax revenue to 16% of GDP by 2004 JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo said on Tuesday that tax revenue must be increased to 16 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2004 from the 11.1 percent estimate for 2000 to allow the state budget deficit to be cut down to between 1 percent and 2 percent of GDP by 2003. Bambang said that overall state revenue was projected to increase to 17.9 percent of GDP from 16.8 percent of GDP forecast for this year.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Roche told to pay Rp 281b in compensation payments
Roche told to pay Rp 281b in compensation payments JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court issued a final verdict on Tuesday requiring multinational pharmaceutical company PT Roche Indonesia to pay Rp 281 billion (about US$33.05 million) in compensation payments to local distributor PT Perusahaan Dagang Tempo due to breach of contract. "The breach of contract has caused loss of profit and goodwill to Tempo in the above said amount," presiding judge R. Soenarto said, reading the verdict.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
If you love animals, say it with the arts
If you love animals, say it with the arts YOGYAKARTA (JP): "Humanizing animals" might be the right way to describe the three-dimensional installations of Bunga Jeruk currently displayed at the Indonesian-French Institute (LIP) in Yogyakarta. From May 22 to June 2 the graduate of the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) is exhibiting nine of her works titled Binatang (Animals). Bunga Jeruk, 28, wants to raise the dignity of animals that people see around them all their life.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
TNT opens depot in Serang
TNT opens depot in Serang JAKARTA (JP): PT TNT Indonesia, an express distribution and logistics company, had opened new depot at Cikande Industrial Estate in Serang, West Java, in a bid to expand its market to the nearby coverage area. Company director Collin Moran said on Tuesday that the new depot would bring earlier delivery to customers, with drop off and collection services through direct calls.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Another bomb found in Medan, car wrecked by blast in Nganjuk
Another bomb found in Medan, car wrecked by blast in Nganjuk MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Acts of terror following another bomb attack in Medan on Tuesday escalated after another explosive device was found near the city and a vehicle was destroyed in a suspected grenade explosion in the usually quiet town of Nganjuk, East Java.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia urges SE Asia to rethink AFTA car plan
Malaysia urges SE Asia to rethink AFTA car plan KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia urged its Southeast Asian neighbors on Tuesday to reconsider plans to open the region's car markets as liberalization could hurt its two domestic producers. "We have a lot of disadvantages if we open up our markets," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
KL, Japan sign LNG deal
KL, Japan sign LNG deal KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Petronas's Malaysia LNG Tiga signed a $6 billion deal on Tuesday to supply up to 1.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to three Japanese end users. Malaysia LNG Tiga, a 70 percent subsidiary of national oil company Petronas, signed a confirmation of intent to supply the LNG to Tokyo Gas Co Ltd, Toho Gas Co Ltd and Osaka Gas Co Ltd for 20 years beginning in 2004.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Legislator sues Bulog chief for slander over scam
Legislator sues Bulog chief for slander over scam JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives (DPR) legislator Suko Sudarso filed a defamation suit against National Logistics Agency (Bulog) chief Rizal Ramli with the National Police Headquarters on Tuesday over his accusation of the legislator's involvement in the Rp 35 billion (US$4.1 million) scam. "Rizal has accused me of embezzling part of Rp 35 billion in the scam...
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Indonesia's conversion rates on May 30, 2000: Bank notes rates Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Plantation firms told to return disputed land
Plantation firms told to return disputed land JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, has instructed state owned plantation companies to return some 40 percent of land taken by force or bought at unfair prices from local people in the past. Gus Dur said in a statement distributed following a late Monday cabinet meeting on the economy, that the plantation firms could return the land physically or provide shares to the affected people.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Each action has consequences
Each action has consequences I read with interest the lead article in Sunday's edition of The Jakarta Post, (May 28, 2000) titled Govt must change tourism policy. I agree wholeheartedly with the statements in the article about the need for the government to change its policies in areas such as health care, tourism, etc. Surely the government must lead the way to ensure that Indonesia regains its status as a top tourist destination.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah weakens as stocks rebound
Rupiah weakens as stocks rebound JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah weakened further on Tuesday but stock prices managed to rebound in late trading after a significant drop in the morning session. Foreign exchange dealers said lingering negative sentiment due to the unstable social and political situations were the main factors behind the weakening rupiah.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police plan reshuffle
Police plan reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): Three senior officers at the Jakarta Police will be promoted along with 51 other middle-ranking police officers across the country in a mass reshuffle of the force beginning in early June. "The decree for the reshuffle of the 54 officers was signed by National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo today," National Police deputy spokesman Col. Dedy S. Komaruddin told reporters on Tuesday. The three city police officers are the chiefs of the detective unit Col.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Two armed robberies leave one dead, three injured
Two armed robberies leave one dead, three injured JAKARTA (JP): The capital on Tuesday witnessed at least two armed robberies in which one person was killed and three others were injured by gunshot. Police detectives were busy until late in the evening trying to locate the suspects. The first robbery involved a gang of six men, who attempted to steal a motorcycle from a house belonging to First Sgt. Nuri Wahyudi, 28, a member of the Army Special Force (Kopassus), on Jl.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Violent demonstration
Violent demonstration From Jurnal Indonesia I am perplexed by the latest actions of the university students. Why did they become increasingly violent, attack the apparatus and burn their vehicles? That should not be done by students who may be labeled as intellectuals. During the reform era, students' demonstrations were held in an orderly manner and hence were more effective, which culminated in the stepping down of Soeharto who had ruled the country for 32 years.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Improvement of bureaucracy needed
Improvement of bureaucracy needed From Republika Some time ago President Abdurrahman Wahid said that the government would issue a new identity card valid for 10 years. I agree to this plan. But I would like to suggest that the procedures needed to get ID cards should be improved. Up until now, the procedure for applying for an ID card is full of red tape.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Building for witness protection
Building for witness protection JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi officially opened a two-story building at city police headquarters on Tuesday to be used as a shelter for witnesses under police protection. "This is an effort to give police protection to witnesses in our first official witness protection program. Four similar buildings will soon be established in the capital as well," Nurfaizi told reporters.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ericsson launches WAP phone
Ericsson launches WAP phone JAKARTA (JP): Sweden-based mobile telecoms company Ericsson Indonesia launched on Tuesday its first Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) mobile telephone, the Ericsson R320s. The company said customers using the post paid billing service from the country's GSM operators would be able to use the R320s phone to access information from the Internet provided by WAP- based content provider GSmart.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government to open up telecom sector by 2002
Government to open up telecom sector by 2002 JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering lifting the exclusive rights held by state-owned telecommunications monopoly PT Telkom and PT Indosat by 2002 as part of the liberalization program of the country's telecommunication sector, a senior official said on Tuesday. The official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the early termination of the monopoly was meant as a response to the new telecommunication law, effective in September.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
50 schools to hold makeup exams
50 schools to hold makeup exams JAKARTA (JP): Students at 50 senior high schools in the city will have to take a makeup examination next week after the leaks of last week's nationwide final examination (Ebtanas), an official said on Tuesday.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Former E. Timor troops resettled
Former E. Timor troops resettled KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 2,600 East Timorese former soldiers who have been living in refugee camps in East Nusa Tenggara will receive vocational training and join the transmigration program. Col. Jurefar, the chief of the East Nusa Tenggara Military District, said it would be better for the former soldiers from East Timor to join the resettlement program to help improve their social welfare.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Asia-Europe meeting showcases realities and prospects
Asia-Europe meeting showcases realities and prospects This is the second of two articles by the former foreign minister of 1988-1999, Ali Alatas, based on a presentation at the 30th anniversary of the Indonesia-Germany Economic Association in Jakarta on May 17.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Most of bond proceeds for expansion
Most of bond proceeds for expansion JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur will use most of the proceeds from the issuance of its Rp 1 trillion (about US$125 million) bonds to finance its expansion projects, the company's top executive said on Tuesday.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
RP to release Chinese fishermen
RP to release Chinese fishermen MANILA (AP): The Philippine government will release seven Chinese fishermen arrested after a coast guard ship killed their skipper in an exchange of gunfire, foreign secretary Domingo Siazon said on Tuesday. However, Siazon said the government will not compensate the family of the slain skipper of the fishing boat, the Liang-Liang Hai. In Beijing, a foreign ministry official demanded that the Philippines provide compensation.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Stock quotations on JSX
Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 30, 2000: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 725 0 0 Adindo Foresta Indonesia 300 0 383,500 Alakasa Industrindo 950 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 850 25 1,157,000 Alter Abadi 125 -25 10,000 Alumindo Light Metal 1,025 25 29,000 Aneka Kimia Raya 300 0 12,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,025 50 1,310,500 Anwar Sierad 300 0 0 APAC Centertex Corp.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Agus Isrok trial delayed over alleged fake dossier
Agus Isrok trial delayed over alleged fake dossier JAKARTA (JP): A military court suspended on Tuesday the hearing session of drug suspect Second Lt. Agus Isrok after his lawyers told the court that they suspected a ploy behind the police's investigation over the case. Presiding judge Col.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI maid was 'forced to live in cage'
RI maid was 'forced to live in cage' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): An Indonesian maid was forced to live in a caged area in the backyard of her Malaysian employer's home for 30 months and was not paid for seven years, reports said Tuesday. Ruminah Atem, 57, of East Java, was testifying in court Monday against her employer and his wife. They are charged with confining her for 946 days at their home in Bangsar, a wealthy suburb of Kuala Lumpur.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government told to improve performance
Government told to improve performance BANDUNG (JP): A political observer has warned that the government must improve its performance and be more responsive to criticism. Indria Samego of the National Institute of Science (LIPI) said after speaking at a one-day seminar on Democratized Communication at the Bandung-based Padjadjaran University on Monday that by not responding to criticism the government had triggered dissatisfaction among people at the grass roots level.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Surcharge for taxi?
Surcharge for taxi? How long have the Soekarno-Hatta Airport authorities been imposing a Rp 10,500 surcharge to take a taxi from the airport? I wondered what was happening recently when police moved a Bluebird taxi at the departure gate, which I was about to take having seen off friends. It, along with all the others, had to return to the city empty. I had no choice but to take a taxi at the arrivals gate, with the heavy surcharge on top of the taxi meter charge and the tolls.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Bulogate
Bulogate The resignation of Bondan Gunawan as a close aide to President Abdurrahman Wahid raises more questions than it provides answers to the mystery surrounding the scandal at Bulog, the State Logistics Agency. A person who professes to be innocent usually stands up for his rights. If Bondan insists on his innocence, then what is his real motivation in resigning from his powerful dual posts of acting secretary of state and secretary of government supervision?
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
North Maluku conflict continues
North Maluku conflict continues AMBON, Maluku (JP): Tension gripped Galela district on Halmahera island in North Maluku on Tuesday, as sporadic attacks on several villages continued despite tighter security in the area. The official death toll following Monday's predawn attack on two villages in the district rose to 51 after seven were killed in a follow-up attack.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur told to explain Bulogate
Gus Dur told to explain Bulogate JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid must disclose any information he may have surrounding the Rp 35 billion scandal at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) if he wants to keep his credibility, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Tuesday. The scandal, dubbed "Bulogate", has cost the job of Bondan Gunawan, one of the President's close aides, who resigned from his post of acting state secretary on Monday night in spite of proclaiming his innocence in the case.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta and Dili 'should develop trade ties'
Jakarta and Dili 'should develop trade ties' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and East Timor should develop trade relations for their mutual benefit, head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) said on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists after meeting President Abdurrahman Wahid, Sergio de Mello said that the most important item on his economic agenda was the trade relations between East Timor and Indonesia.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Focusing on maintenance of medical equipment
Focusing on maintenance of medical equipment JAKARTA (JP): The high cost of repairing damaged medical equipment is due to a lack of qualified maintenance personnel, officials say.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Boleh Net's joint venture
Boleh Net's joint venture JAKARTA (JP): Internet company PT Boleh Net Indonesia announced on Tuesday that it would establish a joint venture company with UIN.com from Korea to benefit from the growing demand of Internet users in Indonesia. The company said in a statement that UIN.com would invest some Rp 1.6 billion (US$188,235) in the joint venture and would own 70 percent of its shares. The joint venture company will provide an Internet instant messenger service.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Not only terror
Not only terror Just to freshen our memories, the bomb blasts in Medan resemble the one at Istiqlal Mosque (in Jakarta) in April last year. Subsequently, the cathedral in Jakarta, state television station TVRI and several other offices in Jakarta also received bomb threats. Then, a bomb was found under the pedestrian bridge in front of Bank Indonesia on Jl. Thamrin. Until now, the perpetrators have not been found.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
JP/12/K16
JP/12/K16 provider in Florida Ingrid's little boy was growing fast. Soon he would have to go to preschool. She started looking around for a good one. Ingrid found many schools in Jakarta but none that really satisfied her expectations. Reluctantly she put her son in one but without feeling good about doing so. While on a holiday in the U.S., Ingrid made a chance visit to Tutor Time, the child-care provider for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was it!
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
No paper
No paper In observance of the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ, The Jakarta Post will not be published tomorrow. The Post will appear again on Friday. -- Publisher
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soeryadjaya family returns to Astra
Soeryadjaya family returns to Astra JAKARTA (JP): After an absence of eight years, the founding family of PT Astra International marked on Tuesday its return to the company with the appointment of Edwin Soeryadjaya as an Astra commissioner. Philip Eng Heng Nee, the managing director of Cycle & Carriage Group, which owns 29 percent of Astra, said the appointment of Edwin was to honor the company's founding family.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Direct election of House members supported
Direct election of House members supported JAKARTA (JP): All People's Consultative Assembly factions, except for the Indonesian Military (TNI)/Police faction, during committee meetings here on Tuesday agreed that all of the House of Representatives must be directly elected through a general election. In a session of an ad hoc committee, TNI/Police faction spokesman Hendy Tjaswadi suggested that Article 19 of the 1945 Constitution not be amended.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Suspect's lawyer warns police
Suspect's lawyer warns police PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Lawyer Arief Budi Cahyono warned police on Tuesday of "unwanted disturbances" in Purwokerto if a suspect in the case of a foiled land appropriation is not released. Arief is representing Banyumas Council Speaker Tri Waluyo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, who is currently being questioned over his action to block an appropriation of land by officials in a land dispute.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ayam Merak's promotion
Ayam Merak's promotion From Media Indonesia Each pack of Ayam Merak coffee I buy from my neighborhood warung states: "Exchange three signed wrappers of this product for one box of Megah instant noodles". But in reality, the promotion is nonsense. It is impossible to make the exchange. My warung never gets an allocation of Megah instant noodles (presents from the distributor).
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
KONI to sanction PRSI Jambi chapter
KONI to sanction PRSI Jambi chapter JAKARTA (JP): The training director for the 2000 Olympic Games, Arie Sudewo, is considering imposing a sanction on the Jambi chapter of the National Swimming Federation of Indonesia (PRSI) for sending its women's swimmer Elsa Manora Nasution to the United States without notifying the National Sports Council (KONI).
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, May 31, 2000 Exhibition * Fine Arts Exhibition: Sisi-sisi Surabaya 2000, at CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10, May 31. Performance * Oranje First Annual Choir Competition, at Balai Adika Balroom, Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., June 8. Film * French Film Festival, at Mitra 21 Theater, June 14-15. Music and Entertainment * Hotel Majapahit, Mandarin Oriental, Jl.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Febi, Hendri get contract extension
Febi, Hendri get contract extension JAKARTA (JP): Young Indonesian tennis players Febi Widhiyanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono will receive an extension of their contract with German-based PT Asuransi Allianz Life Indonesia for the 2001 period. Coach Deddy Prasetyo declined Tuesday to mention the figure of the new contract, saying that manager Jens Reish would hold a discussion on the amount when both players returned home in June in preparation for the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Lista admits links with Soemarjono
Lista admits links with Soemarjono SURABAYA (JP): Another suspect in fake money scandal, Lista Andriyani, admitted on Tuesday to involvement in fake money business with the main suspect Col. (Ret.) Soemarjono. Answering interrogators at the Surabaya City Police headquarters, Lista, a 40 year-old businesswoman brought by the Jakarta Police for her testimony.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Report on Bank Central Asia: Setting the record straight
Report on Bank Central Asia: Setting the record straight By Irma Stamboel JAKARTA (JP): There are several misconceptions related to the analysis contained in the equity research report on Bank Central Asia prepared by its lead underwriter PT Danareksa, as reflected in the article by Melville S. Brown (The Jakarta Post, May 29 and May 30, "BCA's initial public offering: Let the buyer beware").
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Young shuttlers vow to join Thomas Cup team
Young shuttlers vow to join Thomas Cup team JAKARTA (JP): The national men's team's victory of bringing home the Thomas Cup four consecutive times and 12 times in history of the coveted cup has motivated young shuttlers to follow in their seniors' steps. Ronny Agustinus said on Monday that he wanted to join the Thomas Cup team in the upcoming two years. "I have realized that I have yet to reach my best achievement in international tournaments.
Wed, 31 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Satelindo restructures $583 million debt
Satelindo restructures $583 million debt JAKARTA (JP): PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo) signed agreements on Tuesday to restructure US$583 million in debts to more than 45 foreign and local creditors, including the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). The telecommunications company managed to bring its total debt down from $750 million after paying off some debts from the proceeds of an insurance claim from its Palapa C1 satellite.