Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 July 1996

57 articles found

Legislator concerned over violence against women

Legislator concerned over violence against women JAKARTA (JP): Violence against women and abuse of children are becoming national issues that need prompt action, a senior legislator said yesterday. Nafsiah Mboi, a member of House Commission VIII for social welfare, acknowledged that development has brought prosperity but women and children remain subjected to violence and abuse.

Three unruly soldiers fired

Three unruly soldiers fired BANDUNG, West Java: Three soldiers of the Siliwangi regional military command were dishonorably discharged for their involvement in crimes. They were stripped of their uniforms in a ceremony led by the military commander, Maj. Gen. Tayo Tarmadi, on Wednesday. Two of the fired soldiers, First Private Jojo Sudrajat and Second Private Habib Sholih, were involved in motorcycle thefts.

IKAPI to hold book fair

IKAPI to hold book fair JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta-based Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI) will hold "Jakarta Book Fair 1996" at the Senayan sports center from July 27 to Aug. 4. The fair committee chairperson, Kartini Nurdin, told a press conference yesterday that the fair was held to celebrate book reading month (September) and to promote reading and visiting the library, which was urged by President Soeharto in 1995.

France supports RI's controversial car policy

France supports RI's controversial car policy JAKARTA (JP): The French government has not joined other developed countries in pressing Indonesia to change its controversial national car policy. Visiting French Economy and Finance Minister Jean Arthuis said yesterday that he had discussed many issues, including the national car policy, with President Soeharto.

Firms to explore for gold in Aceh

Firms to explore for gold in Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Six foreign mining companies have submitted contract proposals to the government to explore for and extract gold in various areas of Aceh. "The companies have already obtained licenses for preliminary studies from the directorate general of mines. And they have completed their studies," the chief of Aceh's mines and energy office, Mahbub Iskandar, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

Where to go in Bali: July 19, 1996

Where to go in Bali: July 19, 1996 Music and entertainment * Grand Hyatt Bali, Nusa Dua: Pasar Senggol - Balinese Arts & Crafts, daily. Sunset Procession, daily. Ramayana dance, Thursday. Legong dance, Saturday. Arjuna Wiwaha dance, Sunday. Rejang, Puspawresti, Belibis and Jaran Teji dances, Monday. Kecak dance, Friday & Tuesday. Jegog dance, Wednesday. Pesona Lounge - Live music by Filipino Guitar duo, Medi & Boy, daily. Lila Cita Fun Pub - Rakata Disc Band, Friday & Monday.

Utut steps up charge at BNI chess meet

Utut steps up charge at BNI chess meet JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's number one chess player, grandmaster (GM) Utut Adianto, stepped up his challenge for victory in the BNI international chess tournament here when he beat compatriot Sjarif Machmud on the 37th move yesterday. The win took Utut into second place on the leaderboard, shoulder to shoulder with GM Julian Hodgson of Britain.

Political maneuvers communist: Feisal

Political maneuvers communist: Feisal JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung has likened ongoing political maneuvers by various interest groups to those made by the Indonesian Communist Party in the 1960s. Feisal asked ABRI members yesterday to remain loyal to his command so as not to be easily influenced by the maneuvers in the lead-up to the 1997 general election.

'SWA' magazine ranks BII as the best bank

'SWA' magazine ranks BII as the best bank JAKARTA (JP): Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), with assets of Rp 12.89 trillion (US$5.5 billion), was ranked the soundest of nine banks with assets over Rp 10 trillion by SWA business magazine. Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia took second place, Bank Danamon was third, Bank Negara Indonesia was fourth and state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia was fifth.

ARF bid for a more secure and stable region

ARF bid for a more secure and stable region By Bantarto Bandoro JAKARTA (JP): The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was launched during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Meeting, which aimed at building mutual confidence, preserving stability and ensuring growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The ARF will convene its third meeting in Jakarta on July 23. Indonesia has been consistent in rallying support for the role of the ARF in managing post-Cold War security relations.

Police officer killed on duty

Police officer killed on duty MEDAN, North Sumatra: A police officer died after being struck by a bus on Tuesday while chasing a crime suspect, a press report said yesterday. The police officer, Jaramil Girsang, died from his injuries soon after being admitted to the hospital, the Antara news agency said. Although the bus sped away after hitting the officer, it is unclear whether the driver was aware of the accident.

RP group endorses More peace plan

RP group endorses More peace plan MANILA (AFP): A group of Roman Catholic, Protestant and Islamic religious leaders yesterday endorsed an interim peace deal with Moro guerrillas, as gunmen wiped out a militia post in the south of the country. The endorsement also came as residents of a southern city planned a general strike against the peace agreement.

1. Coop ---- 48 pts MM l/c 3 cols 3 lines

1. Coop ---- 48 pts MM l/c 3 cols 3 lines ASEAN functional cooperation not for dialog partners 8. Judge ---- 28 pts HBC l/c 2 cols 2 lines Judges need scholarly assistance: Expert

Police start using oxygen tanks

Police start using oxygen tanks JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Traffic Police Directorate has started using standard oxygen tanks to help reduce the impact of gas emissions on traffic police. The officers keep the tanks handy so that they can have a whiff of fresh air every now and then. "It's just a tryout to temporarily minimize the level of polluted air inhaled by the Jakarta traffic police everyday," deputy to National Police chief for operational affairs Maj. Gen.

306 branches OF PDI to sue 1,000 rebels

306 branches OF PDI to sue 1,000 rebels JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri is raising a nationwide legal storm by filing 306 simultaneous lawsuits against participants of an Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) rebel congress which toppled her last month. R.O.

Government tolerance of criticism fading: Loekman

Government tolerance of criticism fading: Loekman YOGYAKARTA (JP): The government's tolerance of criticism and "alternative ideas" is wearing thin, well-known political observer Loekman Soetrisno believes. "What happens now is that the government increasingly uses its political power to resolve state problems," he said in a seminar on current politics at Gadjah Mada University here Wednesday.

East Timor's integration

East Timor's integration How much time is needed for the process of integration to be completed? Twenty years is considered long enough if statistics are the yardstick. And in East Timor, if this is the criterium used, great strides forward have indeed been made in this youngest of Indonesian provinces. Integration, however, cannot be measured by figures only.

Ali alatas rebuts West over Myanmar

Ali alatas rebuts West over Myanmar JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas warned against other countries or organizations meddling in ASEAN's affairs, saying that it was nobody else's business if the association wished to welcome Myanmar into its midst. "We in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) have the right to decide who becomes a member and who will become an observer," Alatas said yesterday.

Soeharto orders closure of Ecstasy venues

Soeharto orders closure of Ecstasy venues JAKARTA (JP): In response to growing public concern, President Soeharto ordered yesterday that entertainment spots doubling as marketplaces for drugs be closed down. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas relayed Soeharto's message to the press after meeting with the President yesterday. "Impose sanctions against entertainment spots which abuse their permits. If necessary, close them down," Soeharto was quoted by Azwar as saying.

Nightclub closures could cost city Rp 258b in taxes

Nightclub closures could cost city Rp 258b in taxes JAKARTA (JP): The city administration would lose about Rp 258.01 billion (US$112.17 million) a year if it closed all the city's entertainment venues, a councilor says. The chairman of the city council's commission C for finance, Helmy AR Syihab, said yesterday that city revenue would decrease because entertainment venues were one of its greatest sources of income.

Top soccer official's resignation regretted

Top soccer official's resignation regretted JAKARTA (JP): A top official of the All-Indonesia Football Association yesterday lamented the plan to resign by the association's league and competition manager Ismet Tahir. Nugraha Besoes, secretary-general of the soccer body, said yesterday that although he had already received a formal letter of resignation from Ismet, no final decision has been taken by the association.

Reputation of HongkongBank at stake: Union

Reputation of HongkongBank at stake: Union JAKARTA (JP): The reputation of HongkongBank could decline if its dispute with employees is not solved soon, said the head of the Federation of All-Indonesian Workers Union. Bomer Pasaribu said yesterday the federation received a copy of a letter from the London-based international union of commercial, clerical and professional employees. "If this dispute goes on and on we pity not only the workers, but also the management," Bomer said.

Eight athletes sent to junior W C'ship

Eight athletes sent to junior W C'ship JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will send a tiny team of three boys and five girls to the sixth World Track and Field Junior Championships in Sydney, Australia, from Aug. 20 to Aug. 25. The Antara new agency reported that around 1,5000 athletes from 130 countries will enter the championships, the biggest sport event held in the country since the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.

Seminar says administrative court's rulings are political

Seminar says administrative court's rulings are political SURABAYA (JP): Human rights campaigners and a legal expert charge that the rulings of the state administrative court, which handles grievances against government officials, are routinely influenced by political and bureaucratic interests. The court's rulings are not necessarily based on truth and legal certainty, was the conclusion reached at a seminar featuring noted lawyer Trimoelja D.

New decree sought

New decree sought JAKARTA (JP): A councilor urged the city administration yesterday to produce a provincial decree on underground property ownership. The chairman of the city council's commission D for development, Bandjar Marpaung, said that the city administration should produce a decree to regulate the ownership of underground property. "The regulation is needed because it may affect the development of tunnels in the city.

The Ecstasy menace

The Ecstasy menace Real concern appears to be growing among both the public and government officials over the growing abuse of the drug known as Ecstasy. After repeated warnings from local officials in Jakarta and other big cities where abuse of the drug is rampant, President Soeharto himself is apparently losing patience and has reportedly ordered the closure of any entertainment establishments found to be in any way involved in the circulation of Ecstasy.

JAKARTA (JP): A police source speculates that the farmhouse

JAKARTA (JP): A police source speculates that the farmhouse manager's wife who was allegedly sexually assaulted during two different robberies at a Bekasi farmhouse planned the incidents over a marital dispute. The officer, who asked for anonymity, said yesterday that the wife might have been upset by the husband's plan to marry another girl. "This probably led her to plot the crimes, and the sexual assaults were made-up stories," the officer told The Jakarta Post.

ASEAN banks told to forge pacts to face competition

ASEAN banks told to forge pacts to face competition SINGAPORE (AFP): Local banks in rapidly-growing Southeast Asian economies should team up to face competition arising from financial liberalization, a regional banking conference was told yesterday. Singapore's Finance Minister Richard Hu said that as global financial markets opened up, banks in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region might find themselves unable to compete effectively on their own.

RI among worst offenders of property rights

RI among worst offenders of property rights JAKARTA (JP): After seven years of being listed on the United Nations' lesser Watch List, Indonesia has been moved to the body's Priority List for rampant intellectual property rights violations. "The change of status in April happened because not enough effort has been taken to improve the bad condition," said Wayne Eglinton of the Jakarta branch of the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Two Americans die in accident

Two Americans die in accident JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Two American women were killed in a road accident in Sentani on Wednesday, a press report said yesterday. The accident occurred when the van that carried the women, who Antara identified only as Carol W. and Mrs. Petrix, crashed into a bus at 1.50 p.m. The women died of their injuries shortly after being admitted to the hospital, the report said. Their bodies were then laid in state at the Missionaries Aviation Fellowship office.

Judges need scholarly assistance: Expert

Judges need scholarly assistance: Expert JAKARTA (JP): State administrative court judges need independent experts to help their judges reach truly objective decisions, a prominent lawyer proposed yesterday. T. Mulya Lubis said the presence of experts in the courts would help improve the judicial system in Indonesia, which has been viewed as "far from ideal".

Selective or discriminatory?

Selective or discriminatory? My son is a student in San Jose, USA, and is a mature and sensible person. He is Indonesian and wants to return to this country when he graduates in two years time.

Networks to invade RI banking industry

Networks to invade RI banking industry JAKARTA (JP): Local commercial banks are at a crossroads in dealing with increasingly demanding customers and the mounting pressure of competition among themselves as well from foreign banks and non-bank institutions. The banking business environment here and elsewhere is changing very rapidly, as commercial banks have to deal with many more new competitors, a foreign analyst said Wednesday.

What does development do for women?

What does development do for women? The following article is based on a paper presented by Juwono Sudarsono, Vice Governor of the National Resilience Institute at a workshop with the theme of "Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific Through the Women's Convention: A Call to Action" organized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences in Jakarta on July 3, 1996.

'Bekasi robbery-rape case engineered'

'Bekasi robbery-rape case engineered' JAKARTA (JP): A police source speculates that the farmhouse manager's wife who was allegedly sexually assaulted during two different robberies at a Bekasi farmhouse planned the incidents over a marital dispute. The officer, who asked for anonymity, said yesterday that the wife might have been upset by the husband's plan to marry another girl.

Adi

Adi Adi supports calls for collusion debate. Page 2 Nightclubs Nightclub closures could cost city Rp 258 billion in taxes. Page 3 Myanmar Myanmar: Immovable versus irresistible. Page 4 Development What does development do for us? Page 5 Sri Lanka Hundreds feared dead as Tamil Tigers storm army camp. Page 6 Love Frenchmen learn language of love from a book. Page 7 MGM Billionaire Kerkorian snaps up MGM for his portfolio. Page 9 Food Private sector may take part in food security program.

No stock table

No stock table Notice: Due to a technical problem on computer links between the Jakarta Stock Exchange and The Jakarta Post, today's table of shares is not available. -- Editor

NGOs' frustrations goes public

NGOs' frustrations goes public In recent months there have been street demonstrations across the country addressing a variety of political issues. What do they signify and why do they occur? Sociologist Kastorius Sinaga grapples with these questions. JAKARTA (JP): Unlike in other countries, democratization in Indonesia is often triggered by NGOs, not by political parties.

Adi supports calls for collusion debate

Adi supports calls for collusion debate JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Chief Justice for General Crimes Adi Andojo Soetjipto has supported the recent public calls for a national discussion on how to eliminate the collusion practices which he alleges are rife within the Supreme Court.

Congestion uncontrolled

Congestion uncontrolled BOGOR, West Java (JP): Temporary kiosks erected around the razed Kebon Kembang market have worsened congestion, which so far has remained unchecked. Traffic jams around Jl. M.A. Salmun, Jl. Dewi Sartika and Jl. Nyi Raja Permas have led public transportation passengers to leave the vehicles and walk at least 30 minutes to their destinations. Drivers complained of a drop in income by up to Rp 10,000 daily, which they said was caused by congestion since the fire on March 30.

TV Program: Friday, July 19, 1996

TV Program: Friday, July 19, 1996 TVRI 2:30 p.m. Travel: Wajah Negeriku (My Country) 2:35 TV Series: Budgie 3:05 TV Series: Remaja Indonesia 3:30 TV Series: Fresh Prince of Bell Air 4:05 Comedy 4:30 Quiz: Cerdas Cermat 5:00 Evening News 5:30 Culture 6:00 News: Lintasan Berita 6:05 Nusantara, The Beloved Country: Central Kalimantan 6:15 Village Program 6:45 Information: Disiplin Berlalu Lintas 7:00 Evening News 7:25 Garuda Pancasila/Filler/Trailer 7:30 Dynamic 8:00 News: Lintasan Berita 8:05...

Sahid expansion needs Rp 600 billion

Sahid expansion needs Rp 600 billion JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed property company PT Sahid Jaya International announced yesterday that it needs a total investment of Rp 600 billion (US$255 million) for its second phase expansion project. The project consists of the Menara Sahid building for office spaces and a shopping mall, the Sahid Perdana hotel, the Puri Agung hall and several restaurants. Sahid's president, Sukamdani S.

Myanmar: Immovable vs irresistible

Myanmar: Immovable vs irresistible Forty-nine years ago today, on July 19, 1947, gunmen burst into a meeting of the Burmese cabinet and assassinated Aung San, the man who had already negotiated for independence from the British in 1948, and who was negotiating for national unity with Burma's ethnic minorities. Aung San died along with six of his ministers and two of his aides.

Fatal crash bus driver admits taking sedatives

Fatal crash bus driver admits taking sedatives BOGOR, West Java (JP): The Kramatdjati bus driver charged with negligence that resulted 31 people burning to death inside his bus told the Bogor District Court yesterday that he had taken two barbiturate pills before leaving the Kampung Rambutan terminal for Bandung on March 23. "I found the pills inside the match box I borrowed from an unidentified man at the terminal at about 5 a.m.," Ag. bin Yacob told the court.

Where to go in Jakarta: July 19, 1996

Where to go in Jakarta: July 19, 1996 Music * Hotel Dai-ichi, Jl. Senen Raya 135, Central Jakarta. - Mezzanine Lounge: The Praise Vocal Group, nightly except Sundays, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. * Hotel Aryaduta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Los Morenitos Vocal Group, Monday, Thursday, Sunday from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Los Paraguas Vocal Group, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

"The SLORC still shows no signs of accepting the inevitable --

"The SLORC still shows no signs of accepting the inevitable -- that it can only achieve legitimacy by negotiating with the person who won the election which SLORC itself organized, and cannot therefore brand as unfair." The only sign of SLORC flexibility is that Aung San Suu Kyi has been invited to attend the official celebrations today of Martyr's Day, honoring her father.

Where to go in Surabaya: July 19, 1996.

Where to go in Surabaya: July 19, 1996. Music * Elmi Hotel: Jl. Panglima Sudirman No. 42-44: - Qemi Club: Karaoke/Disco, Sunday, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Master Band, Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Atlantic Band, Tuesday and Saturday, 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Abouwhim Band, Thursday, 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Hazztoria Band, Friday, 10:30 to 12:30 a.m. * Majapahit Hotel: Jl. Tunjungan 65: - Palm Bar: La Costa Band, daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

ASEAN's second funds

ASEAN's second funds SINGAPORE (Reuter): The ASEAN Bankers' Association has signed a memorandum of understanding for the launch of the second ASEAN Fund later this year, an official from ASEAN Fund Ltd said yesterday. The value of the fund, the ASEAN Supreme Fund Ltd, will be between US$100 million to $150 million and it will be invested in equity and equity-related securities of companies in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, the official said.

Please fix Depok's public phones

Please fix Depok's public phones From Neraca Most public telephones in Depok are out of order, which greatly inconveniences the residents. For example, only one out of the three public telephones in Depok mayor's office is functioning. Most people living around the office have a need for public telephones, but they are very disappointed to find that many of the telephones do not work.

Private sector may take part in food security program

Private sector may take part in food security program JAKARTA (JP): The government is planning to involve private forest concessionaires in its national food security reserve program by requiring them to allocate 25 hectares of their concessions for "food-reserve forests" each year. Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said however that the idea of involving the private sector still needs further studies before it can be put into action.

Garuda denies mass pilot exodus to Korean Airlines

Garuda denies mass pilot exodus to Korean Airlines JAKARTA (JP): The president of the country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, Soepandi, denied yesterday that a great number of pilots had recently quit the airline. "Only eight left the company out of the 679 pilots we employ," Soepandi told reporters at his office. He admitted that the eight pilots, who navigated Airbus A-300 and Boeing B-767 aircraft, had crossed to Korean Airlines (KAL) of South Korea.

48,000 children can't go to school

48,000 children can't go to school UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Around 48,000 graduates of local primary schools this year will be unable to continue their education because there are not enough junior high schools to accommodate them, Antara reported. Only 90,000 elementary school graduates can go on to junior high school, according to Amirrudin Maula, the head of the provincial education office.

National players enter Governor Cup

National players enter Governor Cup JAKARTA (JP): About 20 national tennis players will warm up for the 14th National Games by entering the fifth Governor Cup championships, slated from July 29 to Aug. 4 at the Senayan tennis complex. Men's singles veterans Cahyono, Dede Suhendar and Yustedjo Tarik, and top national women's players Wukirasih, Mimma Chernovita and Marike Gunawan have been listed among the tournament's major participants.

Falling U.S. corn prices tempt SE Asian buyers

Falling U.S. corn prices tempt SE Asian buyers SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesia and Malaysia may be tempted to snap up U.S. corn for late-year delivery if prices in Chicago continue to fall, regional traders said. Buyers from the two countries may decide to lock-up supplies because of concerns that hot weather predicted by longer-term forecasts for the U.S. Midwest may stunt pollinating corn crops in the region sparking a renewed price rally, traders said.

Mortgage facility needed to reduce investment risks

Mortgage facility needed to reduce investment risks JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia urgently needs to set up a secondary mortgage facility (SMF) to minimize funding risks in the property sector, which at present is solely financed by the short-term funds of financial institutions, a panel discussion concluded yesterday. "Long-term funds are increasingly needed to finance the construction of houses, for which there has been a growing demand.

Keep beaches clean, guides say

Keep beaches clean, guides say MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Tourist guides on Lombok island said the tourist authorities should strive to clean the Senggigi beach if they want to draw more visitors to the area. "Unless they pay more attention to the security and sanitation aspects of Senggigi and other beaches in West Nusa Tenggara, we fear the number of tourists visiting the province will decline," Robby G. Anthonyzs, the chairman of the province's Association of Tourist Guides, told Antara.

Bakrie seeks $75m loan

Bakrie seeks $75m loan HONG KONG (Reuter): PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantation has mandated Credit Suisse to arrange a US$75 million financing facility, bankers said. The facility has two tranches. Tranche A is a US$65 million term loan and tranche B is a US$10 million revolver. Both tranches carry the same maturity and pricing. The facility has a maturity of three years extendible to five years. Pricing details are not available yet. The amount has been fully underwritten, bankers said.