Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 August 1994

54 articles found

Taking action on poverty

Taking action on poverty It is obviously too early to assess the implementation of the special poverty alleviation program which was launched last April under the Presidential Aid Program for Poor Villages throughout Indonesia. As usual, it is only to be expected that some technical problems may crop up at the start up of new projects.

New roads in Maluku open

New roads in Maluku open AMBON, Maluku: The local administration has opened three new land routes connecting Ambon with remote areas in the Seram island. Chief of the provincial land transportation agency M.R. Soulisa said yesterday that opening of the new routes which were part of the Trans-Seram road networks would hopefully attract businesses to invest in the area. The road, whose construction started in 1974, has not been completed yet.

Australia seeks weapons joint venture with Indonesia

Australia seeks weapons joint venture with Indonesia SYDNEY (AFP): Australia may embark on a joint venture partnership producing weapons with the Indonesian government, Defense Minister Robert Ray said yesterday. The proposal, which has been the subject of talks with Jakarta, is for the joint production of arms and weapons in arrangements similar to those previously undertaken with New Zealand and proposed with Malaysia, Ray said.

BI gets new member of board

BI gets new member of board JAKARTA (JP): Governor of Bank Indonesia Soedrajad Djiwandono inducted Mukhlis Rasyid, a senior official of the bank, to the bank's board of directors on Saturday. The governor swore in Mukhlis in a ceremony closed to the press. In a statement sent to The Jakarta Post, the central bank stated that Rasyid replaced the late Kilian Sihotang, who died on April 28.

What is new out there in the PC world?

What is new out there in the PC world? By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Competition in the upper market display monitor industry is really tight, with new and good monitor products such as the ones from Nokia beginning to share the awards traditionally monopolized by Nanao and NEC. Competition in the lower end is not easy, either. NEC, a maker of an award winning upper market display monitor, has just upgraded its budget SVGA 14" monitor.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist) Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Boece (pianist) & Rima Monday to Thursday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio (chamber music) Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Yusuf (pianist), Sunday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Indonesia Open to keep top rating

Indonesia Open to keep top rating JAKARTA (JP): The high number of absentees in the Indonesia Open badminton championships in Yogyakarta this week does not have anything to do with the quality of the tournament, a top International Badminton Federation (IBF) official said. IBF Vice President Ian Palmer said in a press meeting in Yogyakarta yesterday that despite the big names who would be missing the event, the US$166,000 championship still deserved the top rating.

Surabaya's retail property market oversupplied

Surabaya's retail property market oversupplied JAKARTA (JP): The property market in the retail sector in Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city in East Java, is oversupplied as a result of overbuilding during the economic boom in the mid-1980s and poor shopping center management. "The situation is aggravated by the propensity of wealthy Surabayans to shop in Jakarta and in other Asian capitals.

Indonesians sweep World Cup badminton championship singles

Indonesians sweep World Cup badminton championship singles HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (Agencies): Indonesia has lived up to its billing as the world badminton dominators by taking all the singles titles at the World Cup here yesterday. All-England two-time winner Hariyanto Arbi won the men's crown when his opponent, Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen of Denmark, withdrew with a broken leg. In the women's singles, Susi Susanti maintained her rule with a 12-9, 11-6 victory over South Korean Bang Soo-hyun.

Civil servants face a crisis with nothing to do on their free weekends

Civil servants face a crisis with nothing to do on their free weekends JAKARTA (JP): Many civil servants were still perplexed on what to do as they lounged around their houses enjoying the first ever Saturday off as part of the newly introduced five day working week. A number of civil servants who spoke to The Jakarta Post said they fully supported the implementation of the two day holiday but were still unsure on how to fill the additional free time.

Supreme Court grants `stay of compensation' for government

Supreme Court grants `stay of compensation' for government JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has granted a stay of implementation in its ruling compelling the government to pay hefty compensations to villagers who have been displaced by the huge Kedungombo reservoir in Central Java.

Porn materials confiscated

Porn materials confiscated SEMARANG, Central Java: Police seized hundreds of pornographic laser discs from six video rental shops on Saturday, one of which was also a brothel. "We also confiscated a number of laser discs featuring some Indonesian actresses," according to city police chief Didi Widayadi, identifying some of the actresses only as Ms, Ap and Ay.

80 journalists from Java set up rival association

80 journalists from Java set up rival association SIRNAGALIH, West Java (JP): Journalists vowed yesterday to continue protests against the restriction of press freedom and have formed a union to challenge the government-sanctioned Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) was established in this hilly resort by more than 80 journalists from major cities such as Jakarta, Bandung in West Java, Yogyakarta and Surabaya in East Java.

Stability vital for SE Asia: Brunei, Philippine leaders

Stability vital for SE Asia: Brunei, Philippine leaders BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): The leaders of Brunei and the Philippines, both claimants to the disputed Spratlys island chain, have stressed the need for solidarity to fuel economic growth in Southeast Asia.

Breast cancer affects one in ten women: Hospital

Breast cancer affects one in ten women: Hospital JAKARTA (JP): One in every 10 women in Indonesia is likely to develop breast cancer, one of the most malignant types of cancer which can be fatal if not treated early, according to the Dharmais Cancer Hospital. Harryanto Reksodiputro, the hospital's vice director, said that breast and ovary cancers are the most feared types of cancer because they are believed to be incurable when they reach a certain stage.

Debt collectors held, police vow to crush operations

Debt collectors held, police vow to crush operations JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested two debt collectors as part of its bold campaign to stamp out all collection agencies operating in the city. City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto told reporters Saturday that police vowed to crack down on debt collecting services as a follow up to the instruction of Chief of the Jakarta's chapter of Bakorstanasda (the Agency for Coordinating Supports for National Stability) Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono.

Land deal hampers nuclear project

Land deal hampers nuclear project JEPARA, Central Java: Only 200 of the 700 people who have to surrender their land for the construction of a controversial nuclear plant have accepted compensation, an official said. Many have refused the compensation determined by the government on the grounds that it is too little, Jepara regency government spokesman Anwar Haryono said.

Floods after drought

Floods after drought Rains has eventually begun to fall in various regions in Java including Jakarta. Regardless of whether the rain is man-made or natural, we have every reason to be happy. But the rain which fell on Simeulue island, West Aceh, last month apparently caused major floods. Experience tells us that floods usually begin to hit the western part of the country, and then slowly move to the eastern part.

Lufthansa to invest $10 million to hike share in India tourism

Lufthansa to invest $10 million to hike share in India tourism NEW DELHI (Reuter): Germany's Lufthansa Airlines, seeking to increase its hold on India's burgeoning tourist market, will invest US$10 million to promote the local travel industry, an airline spokesman said on Saturday.

AUSSI needs funds for elderly house

AUSSI needs funds for elderly house A Catholic association called Alumnarum Ursuale Sanctae Societas International (AUSSI) is appealing to conglomerates to help finance the construction of a house for the elderly in Cinere, South Jakarta. Christien Suriadjaja, the chairman of the association's social affairs, said late last week the construction of the house, begun last year, will be partially completed in November in conjunction with the association's 25th birthday.

More luncheons required for the EAEC

More luncheons required for the EAEC By Pandaya JAKARTA (JP): Four years after it was introduced by Malaysia, the controversial East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC) receives only tacit support from Southeast Asian countries and is still politely rejected by their Western allies. During last month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting, ASEAN officials were busy trying to sell the idea to potential members Japan, South Korea and China through working lunches.

Jl. Simatupang is now a hazard to motorists

Jl. Simatupang is now a hazard to motorists JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta mayoralty administration called on motorists passing the T.B. Simatupang outer ring road to be extra careful, due to some traffic changes in line with the construction of a tollway parallel to the artery road. Mayoralty spokesman M.

KL child abusers face 20 strokes

KL child abusers face 20 strokes KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Child abusers could face 20 strokes of the cane in Malaysia under a proposal by a government minister in reaction to the widely publicized case of a father who beat his son to death, reports said yesterday. "I feel that anyone guilty of such a hideous crime should receive strokes of the rotan (cane) after all the pain they caused the children," Social Development Minister Napsiah Omar was quoted as saying in the newspaper reports.

Number of Chinese-Indonesians drop

Number of Chinese-Indonesians drop SEMARANG, Central Java: A survey conducted in July indicates that the number of Indonesians of Chinese descent has undergone a 4.5 percent decrease since the same time last year. The present number is 9,025 while last year's was 9,441. Chief of the local immigration office Syaiful Rachman told Antara Saturday that the decrease was due to the fact that many Chinese obtained their Indonesian nationality status while the others returned to China.

Sect leader vows to return to Malaysia,

Sect leader vows to return to Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The leader of a messianic Islamic sect outlawed by the government has vowed to return to Malaysia "as soon as possible", the Star newspaper reported yesterday. "I will return home to face the prime minister," Al Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad told the newspaper in an interview in Jordan's capital, Amman. Malaysia on Friday announced a sweeping ban on the sect, which claims 100,000 followers in Malaysia and many more elsewhere.

Firms asked to open roads

Firms asked to open roads PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Villagers in Tumbang Manjul, one of the most remote areas in the province, have asked local forest concession companies to open their roads to the public. The villagers said yesterday that the Seruyan River, the village's main means of transportation, was prone to accidents because of the strong currents. "It will be very helpful for us if we can use the road," said a local resident as quoted by Antara.

Market sentiment sends share prices up

Market sentiment sends share prices up By Sigma Batara JAKARTA (JP): Positive market sentiment, which swept across the Asian stock markets last week, carried the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) and pushed the Composite Index up by 21.71 points from the previous week to close at 472.8 last Friday. This occurred despite pressure on U.S. interest rates as investors expected strong employment figures to be announced during the weekend.

Conservationists need to seek substitute jobs for displaced

Conservationists need to seek substitute jobs for displaced JAKARTA (JP): Modern conservationists currently face the challenge not only of preserving nature but also generating alternative incomes for those who used to earn their living by exploiting the environment, an environmentalist says. Jorgen Randers, deputy Director General of the Switzerland- based World Wide Fund for Nature International, said both challenges should be met simultaneously.

`ASEAN way' helps solves disputes

`ASEAN way' helps solves disputes By Pandaya JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which turns 27 years old today, is by no means is free of disputes among its six members. However, it has a way of resolving these problems, which its Secretary General Dato' Ajit Singh describes as the "ASEAN way". Dato Ajit, in an interview with The Jakarta Post, denied suggestions that internal bickering, which has never surfaced in ASEAN meetings, has been swept under the carpet.

Bus crew told to improve discipline

Bus crew told to improve discipline Governor Surjadi Soedirdja called on bus drivers and the general public alike to increase their discipline and awareness of traffic laws in order to improve the city's traffic conditions. "The flood of complaints on poor bus service that continue to pour in are caused by the reckless attitudes of bus drivers," Surjadi said.

Cement price

Cement price The price of cement keeps going up, while the government is implementing a program to provide cheap houses for millions of poor people. Everybody knows what this means. Developers or contractors who build the houses will also increase their price and finally poor people will have to suffer the price hike. Businessmen should be conscientious and be aware of the suffering of the poor.

Stainless steel plant set up

Stainless steel plant set up JAKARTA (JP): Sudwikatmono, the owner of a widely diversified business conglomerate, plans to set up the country's first stainless steel plant with a production capacity of 60,000 tons per annum. A spokesperson for PT Perkasa Stainless Steel Industry, said on Saturday that the planned plant, which will be built on a 15- hectare plot of land in Bekasi, West Java, is expected to start operating in 1997.

Three Timor students arrested

Three Timor students arrested BOBONARO, East Timor (JP): Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares said security authorities arrested three local students for bringing in forbidden books and `foreign items.' The East Timorese, who pursue their studies in Java, were arrested on their arrival at 2 a.m Saturday in Dili, Abilio told The Jakarta Post after swearing in the new Bobonaro regent Guilherme dos Santos. The students, identified as Arseno P.

Cost of ID

Cost of ID From Forum Keadilan I do not agree with the idea of letting a private company issue residents' identity cards. I am sure it will increase the cost of getting them. Let's compare this with the cost of getting vehicle documents, driver's licenses etc. Since the private sector was authorized to do the business the administrative cost has increased 100-200 percent, sometimes even over 400 percent.

Mother, sons killed in fire

Mother, sons killed in fire SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A mother and her four sons were killed in a fire in Bontang Baru early Saturday. Local police said that the fire, which destroyed six buildings located on Jl. Diponegoro, started in a house which belonged to a man named Sayid Achmad. The victims were the man's family members. "The fire quickly engulfed the man's house and his wife and children were unable to save themselves," said a police officer on duty.

Use of Chinese language to boost tourist arrivals

Use of Chinese language to boost tourist arrivals JAKARTA (JP): The government's new policy allowing the use of Chinese characters and language for services in the tourism industry is expected to boost the arrival of tourists from Chinese speaking countries, executives said.

ASEAN has nothing to fear with Vietnam's entry

ASEAN has nothing to fear with Vietnam's entry JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should go ahead and admit Vietnam despite its communist ideology, a foreign policy analyst says. "The concerns that Vietnam's ideology will usurp the ASEAN countries is groundless because Vietnam itself is now moving to liberalize its economy," Marzuki Darusman was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying. "Vietnam has changed, and ASEAN is treating it as a partner.

Tangerang mosque gets an ambulance

Tangerang mosque gets an ambulance Mrs. Muhono, on behalf of the chairman of the Harapan Kita Foundation, First Lady Tien Soeharto, late last week donated an ambulance to the organizing committee of the Al-Jabar mosque in Karawaci, Tangerang, West Java. Muhono, who is the Foundation's secretary, said at her office in Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, yesterday that the ambulance should be used for the benefit of the area's community at large.

Consortium of 3 local banks to take over Continental Bank

Consortium of 3 local banks to take over Continental Bank JAKARTA (JP): A consortium of three local banks, Bank Central Asia, Bank Utama and Bank Danamon announced their plan on Saturday to take over Continental Bank. Trenggono Purwosuprodjo, Bank Utama's president, told a press conference that the consortium is ready to inject fresh funds into the bank and take control of its ownership.

Officials asked to be more sensitive to local cultures

Officials asked to be more sensitive to local cultures JAKARTA (JP): Government officials assigned to work in the regions must be more sensitive to the feelings of the local people, President Soeharto says.

Councilors upset over Bira golf course project

Councilors upset over Bira golf course project JAKARTA (JP): City councilors have thrown their weight behind an environmental organization in their concerns of possible environmental impacts caused by the development of a golf course in Big Bira island in the Seribu Islands group, North Jakarta.

Local climbers set to conquer Mt. Everest

Local climbers set to conquer Mt. Everest By Dwiatmanta JAKARTA (JP): Mountain climbers aren't always sure what they get out of the life threatening sport. Gunawan Achmad, a 36-year-old man has devoted more than half of his life to conquering the world's highest mountains including those in Indonesia. Gunawan, or Ogun as his friends call him, looks set to overcome the extra challenges of Mt. Everest, the world's tallest mountain.

Drivers extorted in Senen terminal

Drivers extorted in Senen terminal From Merdeka Like other commercial centers, the Senen area is a busy place. It is also a hectic transit point of city buses and other public transport vehicles. This situation has apparently invited extorters who prey on bus, taxi, mikrolet and bajaj drivers in the vicinity of the Senen bus terminal. There are three points in which these drivers have to pay illegal levies.

Bapindo obtains $19m offshore loan facility

Bapindo obtains $19m offshore loan facility JAKARTA (JP): The state owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) obtained a loan facility worth Rp 40 billion (US$19 million) last week from a syndication of overseas banks.

Changing PageMaker default font

Changing PageMaker default font JAKARTA (JP): While we're at it, here's how you can change the default font and font size in PageMaker 4.0 and 5.0. First, load PageMaker. Without opening any file or creating a new one, press Ctrl-T. The Type Specifications dialog box will appear. You can now change all font settings, such as the font type, size and lead ing.

Crimes at a traffic light

Crimes at a traffic light From Kompas On July 20 about 7 p.m. my cousin, who was riding a motorbike from Senen to Rawamangun, stopped at the intersection on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan when the traffic light turned red. Suddenly a young man approached my cousin and asked my cousin to give him a ride to a spot across the road. My cousin refused and told him to walk there because it was so near. But the man then repeated his demand as he pressed a knife to my cousin's belly.

Haj hospital finished soon

Haj hospital finished soon JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health, Sujudi, said late last week that the construction of Jakarta Haj Hospital in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, will be completed by early November. "When it begins operation in November the hospital is expected to employ 200 highly qualified doctors," Sujudi said during his inspection of the hospital, which is located inside the haj dormitory complex in Pondok Gede.

Utut Adianto prevails in Biel Master '94

Utut Adianto prevails in Biel Master '94 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading chess wizard, Grand Master Utut Adianto, prevailed in the chess tourney Biel Master '94 in Switzerland after beating German Grand Master Lev Gutman in the 11th round on Saturday.

Asia needs China's transparency

Asia needs China's transparency By Rizal Sukma JAKARTA (JP): During the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, China once again reiterated its commitment to stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region. China's Foreign Minister Qian Qichen stated during the historic ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting that, "China is not involved in aggression and expansion, or in seeking hegemony." He also said that China was not interested in looking for a sphere of influence.

Search workers spot helicopter wreckage

Search workers spot helicopter wreckage JAKARTA (JP): Search and rescue workers spotted the wreckage of a helicopter in the thick jungle on a mountain slope in East Kalimantan on Friday just as they were giving up their efforts to trace a Sikorsky that had gone missing since July 26. "The wreckage lies about nine kilometers northwest of a base camp in Bulungan," Rusmana of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in Jakarta said on Saturday.

Jaksa Fair lures thousands of visitors

Jaksa Fair lures thousands of visitors By Lenah Susianty JAKARTA (JP): The Jaksa Fair, the first ever street festival to feature the history of Jl. Jaksa and Betawi culture, lured thousands of visitors to Central Jakarta over the weekend. The festival was closed yesterday with a performance by the Lenong Rumpi group which presented an episode entitled Pilih- pilih mantu (choosing son-in-law).

Marquee offers cuisine and appetite

Marquee offers cuisine and appetite Marquee Restaurant Cantonese and Continental Cuisine 32nd Floor BNI Tower Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.1 Jakarta Tel. 5701813 Price: High Open: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. JAKARTA (JP): The Marquee restaurant is a great new place for an important business lunch or romantic dinner. The Marquee's location, opposite the Landmark building, allows easy access from any part of the central business district, especially now that the underpass at Jl. Sudirman has been completed.

Beware of misguided teachings

Beware of misguided teachings BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The local administration has urged the people to be cautious of deviant religious teachers whose activities are on the rise. Secretary for the province Fauzi Saleh said over the weekend that the government knew about the presence of such misguided teachings and were monitoring their activities. He said that among the teachings was the banned sect Saibaba, Antara reported. (par)

Pollution

Pollution My husband and I own a small travelers hotel, five kilometers west of Pangandaran. Only 200 meters along the beach is the mouth of the Cirembulan river, better known in this area as Lagoon. Because this river is not polluted by industrial or human waste, it has become a popular swimming spot for the locals; as well as abounding in fish. Every now and then we have "tourists" from the cities come here and that is the only time this idyllic place becomes garbage dump.