Bitung, N Sulawesi, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - A strong whirlwind ravaged the homes of people in Girian Indah village, Girian sub-district, Bitung, North Sulawesi on Sunday at 12.30 local time.
Girian Indah village head Us Langgori said in the disaster area practically nobody was really hurt by the whirlwind, by scores of local houses were badly damaged.
"According to reliable sources, 15 houses had been badly damaged and seven others seriously," Langgori said.
The disaster had already been reported to the sub-district chief of Matuari and even to the Bitung mayor.
The villagers said a huge ball of wind came from the South to the North and the strong whirlwind passed and ravaged the houses of the villagers, leaving nothing behind.
The strong wind even uprooted many strong standing big trees, making the situation worse.
It was estimated that the strong wind had caused some hundreds of millions of rupiah in losses.
Right now the victims are staying at close relatives while other are repairing their damaged homes.***4***
Sunday, 16 October 2011
PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO BRIEFS DEMOCRATIC PARTY MINISTERS ON RESHUFFLE
Jakarta, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono briefed ministers from the ruling Democratic Party on his idea of a cabinet reshuffle at his private residence at Puri Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Sunday.
"In essence, he briefed us on his idea of a cabinet reshuffle. (He spoke of) what he wants to do with the new lineup of the cabinet," Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng told the press at the Presidential Palace here on Sunday evening.
Andi said he, along with other ministers from the Democratic Party was asked to come to Cikeas on Sunday morning.
"We then reported to the President. All the six ministers from the Democratic Party left every thing to the President to decide. We will support whatever the President decided. And we know what the President thinks about to rearrange the cabinet," he said.
Four of the six ministers from the Democratic Party came to Cikeas on Sunday morning. They were Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, State Minister for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Syarifuddin Hassan and State Minister for Administrative Reform E.E. Mangindaan.
Andi said he did not know whether Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh and Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi also came to Cikeas on Sunday morning.
"I don't know. When we talked with the President this morning he did not inform us of what position we will take up. He only briefed the ministers from the Democratic Party on what he thinks about in the context of a cabinet reshuffle," he said.
"In essence, he briefed us on his idea of a cabinet reshuffle. (He spoke of) what he wants to do with the new lineup of the cabinet," Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng told the press at the Presidential Palace here on Sunday evening.
Andi said he, along with other ministers from the Democratic Party was asked to come to Cikeas on Sunday morning.
"We then reported to the President. All the six ministers from the Democratic Party left every thing to the President to decide. We will support whatever the President decided. And we know what the President thinks about to rearrange the cabinet," he said.
Four of the six ministers from the Democratic Party came to Cikeas on Sunday morning. They were Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, State Minister for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Syarifuddin Hassan and State Minister for Administrative Reform E.E. Mangindaan.
Andi said he did not know whether Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh and Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi also came to Cikeas on Sunday morning.
"I don't know. When we talked with the President this morning he did not inform us of what position we will take up. He only briefed the ministers from the Democratic Party on what he thinks about in the context of a cabinet reshuffle," he said.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
INDOFOOD USES RP4.065 TLN OF IPO FUNDS TO SETTLE DEBTS
Jakarta, Oct 15 (ANTARA) - Publicly-listed instant noodle producer PT Indofood CPB Sukses Makmur Tbk (ICBP) said on Saturday it had used 50 percent or Rp4.065 trillion of funds raised through an initial public offering (IPO) to settle its debts.
"The debt settlement accords with the plan to use a great chunk of IPO funds to settle debts," ICBP Director Hendra Wijaya said.
The company raised Rp6.086 trillion in funds from the IPO to settle debts and finance capital expenditure. However, according to the company's initial prospectus, the plan to use the IPO funds to finance capital expenditure expected to reach Rp2.021 trillion had yet to materialize.
"This means that we will use the remaining Rp2.021 trillion from the IPO to finance our capital expenditure," he said.
According to the company's prospectus published in December 2010, 67 percent or Rp4.1 trillion of the IPO funds would be used to settle debts. As such, the company's spending on interest expense would decline by 6-7 percent per year.
The company is expected to spend Rp954 billion on capital expenditure this year, while the amount of short-term debts to a number of banks reaches about Rp1.1 trillion.
ICBP saw its first-semester net profit surge 23.7 percent to Rp990 billion from the same period last year, fueled by rising sales which grew 5.7 percent to Rp9.42 trillion.
The instant noodle and dairy divisions respectively contributed 68 percent and 19 percent of the first-semester sales. ***5***
"The debt settlement accords with the plan to use a great chunk of IPO funds to settle debts," ICBP Director Hendra Wijaya said.
The company raised Rp6.086 trillion in funds from the IPO to settle debts and finance capital expenditure. However, according to the company's initial prospectus, the plan to use the IPO funds to finance capital expenditure expected to reach Rp2.021 trillion had yet to materialize.
"This means that we will use the remaining Rp2.021 trillion from the IPO to finance our capital expenditure," he said.
According to the company's prospectus published in December 2010, 67 percent or Rp4.1 trillion of the IPO funds would be used to settle debts. As such, the company's spending on interest expense would decline by 6-7 percent per year.
The company is expected to spend Rp954 billion on capital expenditure this year, while the amount of short-term debts to a number of banks reaches about Rp1.1 trillion.
ICBP saw its first-semester net profit surge 23.7 percent to Rp990 billion from the same period last year, fueled by rising sales which grew 5.7 percent to Rp9.42 trillion.
The instant noodle and dairy divisions respectively contributed 68 percent and 19 percent of the first-semester sales. ***5***
INVESTMENT IN INDONESIA TO GROW 16.6 PCT NEXT YEAR
Nusa Dua, Bali, Oct 15 (ANTARA) - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has predicted investment in Indonesia will grow by 16.6 percent to Rp280 trillion next year from Rp240 trillion this year.
With the increase in investment, the Indonesian economic growth would remain stable, BKPM Chief Gita Wirjawan said after addressing a seminar on New Asia Rising here on Saturday.
"We are optimistic that the domestic economy will continue to grow well and will not be affected by the global crisis triggered by the sovereign debt crisis in the US and Europe," he said.
Asked about security conditions and natural disasters in Indonesia, he said the matter was one of the factors that investors needed to consider.
"Yet security conditions and natural disasters do not very much influence investors to cancel their investment plans in Indonesia," he said.
Indonesian permanent representative to ASEAN Ngurah Swajaya said on Thursday investment in the Southeast Asian region almost doubled to US$70.8 billion in 2010 from US$37.8 billion the year before.
The investment mostly went to the industrial sector in line with the aim of forming an ASEAN community by 2015 to turn the region into a competitive industrial hub for the world's industrialized countries such as Japan and Germany, he said.
With the increase in investment, the Indonesian economic growth would remain stable, BKPM Chief Gita Wirjawan said after addressing a seminar on New Asia Rising here on Saturday.
"We are optimistic that the domestic economy will continue to grow well and will not be affected by the global crisis triggered by the sovereign debt crisis in the US and Europe," he said.
Asked about security conditions and natural disasters in Indonesia, he said the matter was one of the factors that investors needed to consider.
"Yet security conditions and natural disasters do not very much influence investors to cancel their investment plans in Indonesia," he said.
Indonesian permanent representative to ASEAN Ngurah Swajaya said on Thursday investment in the Southeast Asian region almost doubled to US$70.8 billion in 2010 from US$37.8 billion the year before.
The investment mostly went to the industrial sector in line with the aim of forming an ASEAN community by 2015 to turn the region into a competitive industrial hub for the world's industrialized countries such as Japan and Germany, he said.
PERTAMINA TERMINATES AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY TO MERPATI
Jakarta, Oct 15 (ANTARA) - State-owned oil/gas firm PT Pertamina has terminated its aviation turbine fuel (Avtur) supply to Merpati Airlines at Juanda and Hasanuddin aiports as of 00:00 October 15, 2001, Merpati's president director said.
"Consequently, we have to stop our flight operations from and to Surabaya's Juanda and Ujung Pandang's Hasanuddin's airports until an unspecified time," Merpati President Director Capt Sardjono Jhony told the press here on Saturday.
Marpati has imposed a limited termination of its Avtur supply to Marpati because the state-owned airlines had yet to settled its obligation to pay for the avtur to Pertamina.
"Based on the Pertamina letter, the balance of our unpaid aircraft fuels for the August 27, 2011 - October 13, 2011 period amounts to Rp2.7 billion and US95.6 thousands," the Merpati president director said.
Sardjono admitted that the problem had happened as a result of the fact that Merpati had been in financial troubles in the last several years and at present it was waiting for the disbursement of the government's financial assistance.
He said that actually, we have agreed to settle the debts during a meeting on February 12, 2011 with Pertamina and the Asset Guarantor Company (PPA) which was led by the state-owned enterprises (BUMN) minister.
The results of hour meeting on August 18, 2011 concluded that Marpati's accumulative debts amounting to Rp270 billion plus an avtur obligation would get payment priority when the government's capital participation worth Rp561 billion was disbursed.
"This means that institutionally, Marpati's obligation to Pertimina is guaranteed," he said.
"Consequently, we have to stop our flight operations from and to Surabaya's Juanda and Ujung Pandang's Hasanuddin's airports until an unspecified time," Merpati President Director Capt Sardjono Jhony told the press here on Saturday.
Marpati has imposed a limited termination of its Avtur supply to Marpati because the state-owned airlines had yet to settled its obligation to pay for the avtur to Pertamina.
"Based on the Pertamina letter, the balance of our unpaid aircraft fuels for the August 27, 2011 - October 13, 2011 period amounts to Rp2.7 billion and US95.6 thousands," the Merpati president director said.
Sardjono admitted that the problem had happened as a result of the fact that Merpati had been in financial troubles in the last several years and at present it was waiting for the disbursement of the government's financial assistance.
He said that actually, we have agreed to settle the debts during a meeting on February 12, 2011 with Pertamina and the Asset Guarantor Company (PPA) which was led by the state-owned enterprises (BUMN) minister.
The results of hour meeting on August 18, 2011 concluded that Marpati's accumulative debts amounting to Rp270 billion plus an avtur obligation would get payment priority when the government's capital participation worth Rp561 billion was disbursed.
"This means that institutionally, Marpati's obligation to Pertimina is guaranteed," he said.
KRISNAMURTHI NAMED DEPUTY TRADE MINISTER
Bogor, Oct 15 (ANTARA) - Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi has been named deputy trade minister replacing Mahendra Siregar who has been reassigned as deputy finance minister in the cabinet now being reshuffled.
After meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono at the president's Cikeas private residence on Saturday Bayu told reporters that one of the tasks given to him was to reinforce the domestic economy.
The domestic economy will be reinforced through the development of trade and small and medium scale business products. "I hope that my experience in the agriculture sector will help me in my task to develop businesses," he said.
Development of the domestic economy is an important issue amid the uncertain global economic situation so that Indonesia should not depend on the export market only but also on its own domestic market.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at his private Puri Cikeas residence in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday, continued summoning candidates for deputy ministerial positions in his ongoing effort to reshuffle the cabinet.
The summoning process on Saturday began at 1 pm Indonesian Western Standard Time (WIB) and the first to be summoned was Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi.
Bayu who wore a red batik shirt walked past waiting journalists but he did not give any statement on his invitation to the president's residence.
While Bayu was still inside the president's residence, another candidate appeared, namely Mahmuddin Yasin, secretary to the minister for state enterprises.
During the summoning process on Saturday, Vice President Boediono was also present at the president's residence along with Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, and presidential staffs who were waiting in tha hall of the Cikeas mansion.
After meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono at the president's Cikeas private residence on Saturday Bayu told reporters that one of the tasks given to him was to reinforce the domestic economy.
The domestic economy will be reinforced through the development of trade and small and medium scale business products. "I hope that my experience in the agriculture sector will help me in my task to develop businesses," he said.
Development of the domestic economy is an important issue amid the uncertain global economic situation so that Indonesia should not depend on the export market only but also on its own domestic market.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at his private Puri Cikeas residence in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday, continued summoning candidates for deputy ministerial positions in his ongoing effort to reshuffle the cabinet.
The summoning process on Saturday began at 1 pm Indonesian Western Standard Time (WIB) and the first to be summoned was Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi.
Bayu who wore a red batik shirt walked past waiting journalists but he did not give any statement on his invitation to the president's residence.
While Bayu was still inside the president's residence, another candidate appeared, namely Mahmuddin Yasin, secretary to the minister for state enterprises.
During the summoning process on Saturday, Vice President Boediono was also present at the president's residence along with Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, and presidential staffs who were waiting in tha hall of the Cikeas mansion.
Monday, 10 October 2011
ONE DEAD FROM FREEPORT CLASH
Timika, Papua, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - A PT Freeport Indonesia employee was fatally shot in a clash between hundreds of police and thousands of the mining company's workers rallying to demand a pay raise here on Monday.
The fatality was identified as 36-year old underground mining worker Petrus Ayamseba who was among thousands of other PT Freeport workers rallying at Tmikia's Gorong-Gorong terminal.
A number of the demonstrating workers and police officers were injured in the clash between gun-toting police and rock-thowing demosntrators.
The incident happened after thousands of Freeport employees along with their spouses and children had marched from the All Indonesia Labor Union (SPSI) office at Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan Timika Indah to Gorong-gorong Terminal.
The employee group asks the management to temporarily stop its operation until the strike case is solved and demand for employee salary increase met.
Demand for temporary suspension of PT Freeport operations is contained in one of the Papuan People's Representative Council (DPRP) and the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) recommendation letter at a meeting in Jayapura on Friday (Oct 7).
Employees asked the patrolling police officers to allow them to enter once they have arrived at the Gorong Gorong terminal gate, but the request was denied by the police.
In fact, dozens of police officers with shields blocked the employee mass to enter the terminal.
Witnessing such ready to battle preparation by the police, the mass of employees was triggered to start throwing stones at the officers, and a warning shot was fired.
The warning shots in fact aroused the mass to be more violent by throwing stones at police who took cover behind the terminal gate.
Tear gas that was used by the police to control the rioting mass just escalated the situation.
Mimika Police Chief Adjunct Senior Deny Commissioner Edward Siregar along with Papua Police Mobile Brigade Detachment B commander and PT Freeport Security Task Force Commander Yustanto who were to have a dialog with the mass also became the stone throwing target.
Finally, the police issued to fire live ammunition into a crowd to disperse.
Most of the mass ran out of the scene to take cover from live ammunition fired.
Four cars were reportedly burnt by the mass who chopped down some pine trees to block vehicle access road entering Tembagapura from Portsite Amamapare.
At around 12:00 local time, the joint forces of Mimika Police Mobile Brigade and precinct marched to the vehicle burning site.
Rioting mass then planted a tree fitted with a red and white flag in the middle of conflicting area to separate the police from residents, they also put up tarp tents at the location.
Three local Representative Council members Nurman Karupukaro, Yanes Natkime and Jimmy Erelak then came to the scene to calm the angry crowd.
One resident Arnold Asso regreted the police action that fired PT Freeport employees.
"Police presence in the middle of the people is to protect the people, not to shoot them, it's just wrong," said Arnold.
He considered, the current PT Freeport clash was the Mimika government's mistake.
"Police chief and military commander must be deployed today, the local People's Representative Council must summons Mimika district officers Klemen and Trifena Tinal to solve this problem," Arnold said.
The fatality was identified as 36-year old underground mining worker Petrus Ayamseba who was among thousands of other PT Freeport workers rallying at Tmikia's Gorong-Gorong terminal.
A number of the demonstrating workers and police officers were injured in the clash between gun-toting police and rock-thowing demosntrators.
The incident happened after thousands of Freeport employees along with their spouses and children had marched from the All Indonesia Labor Union (SPSI) office at Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan Timika Indah to Gorong-gorong Terminal.
The employee group asks the management to temporarily stop its operation until the strike case is solved and demand for employee salary increase met.
Demand for temporary suspension of PT Freeport operations is contained in one of the Papuan People's Representative Council (DPRP) and the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) recommendation letter at a meeting in Jayapura on Friday (Oct 7).
Employees asked the patrolling police officers to allow them to enter once they have arrived at the Gorong Gorong terminal gate, but the request was denied by the police.
In fact, dozens of police officers with shields blocked the employee mass to enter the terminal.
Witnessing such ready to battle preparation by the police, the mass of employees was triggered to start throwing stones at the officers, and a warning shot was fired.
The warning shots in fact aroused the mass to be more violent by throwing stones at police who took cover behind the terminal gate.
Tear gas that was used by the police to control the rioting mass just escalated the situation.
Mimika Police Chief Adjunct Senior Deny Commissioner Edward Siregar along with Papua Police Mobile Brigade Detachment B commander and PT Freeport Security Task Force Commander Yustanto who were to have a dialog with the mass also became the stone throwing target.
Finally, the police issued to fire live ammunition into a crowd to disperse.
Most of the mass ran out of the scene to take cover from live ammunition fired.
Four cars were reportedly burnt by the mass who chopped down some pine trees to block vehicle access road entering Tembagapura from Portsite Amamapare.
At around 12:00 local time, the joint forces of Mimika Police Mobile Brigade and precinct marched to the vehicle burning site.
Rioting mass then planted a tree fitted with a red and white flag in the middle of conflicting area to separate the police from residents, they also put up tarp tents at the location.
Three local Representative Council members Nurman Karupukaro, Yanes Natkime and Jimmy Erelak then came to the scene to calm the angry crowd.
One resident Arnold Asso regreted the police action that fired PT Freeport employees.
"Police presence in the middle of the people is to protect the people, not to shoot them, it's just wrong," said Arnold.
He considered, the current PT Freeport clash was the Mimika government's mistake.
"Police chief and military commander must be deployed today, the local People's Representative Council must summons Mimika district officers Klemen and Trifena Tinal to solve this problem," Arnold said.
INDOSAT GETS AA+ RATINGS
Jakarta, Oct 11 (ANTARA) - Credit rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo) has assigned its AA+ ratings to state telecommunications operator PT Indosat Tbk.
The outlook of the ratings is stable, a Pefindo analyst said in a press release issued on Tuesday.
The ratings also apply to Indosat bonds II of 2002, bonds V of 2007, bonds VI of 2008 and bonds VII of 2009 as well as sukuk ijarah II of 2007, sukuk ijarah III of 2008 and sukuk ijarah IV of 2009.
The Pefindo analyst said the ratings reflected strong support from the company's majority shareholders, strong market position and improving operational performance.
Yet the ratings were restricted by the company's aggressive capital structure and tight competition among telecommunications operators.
Indosat is one of the country's leading providers of telecommunication and information services covering cellular business, multimedia, internet, data communication and fixed line services.
As per June 30, 2011, Indosat was 65 percent owned by Qatar Telecom Pte Ltd, 14.3 percent by the Indonesian government, 5.6 percent by SKAGEN Funds and 15.1 percent by the public.
Next year the company is expected to spend Rp650 billion, about the same as last year's, on capital expenditures.
The outlook of the ratings is stable, a Pefindo analyst said in a press release issued on Tuesday.
The ratings also apply to Indosat bonds II of 2002, bonds V of 2007, bonds VI of 2008 and bonds VII of 2009 as well as sukuk ijarah II of 2007, sukuk ijarah III of 2008 and sukuk ijarah IV of 2009.
The Pefindo analyst said the ratings reflected strong support from the company's majority shareholders, strong market position and improving operational performance.
Yet the ratings were restricted by the company's aggressive capital structure and tight competition among telecommunications operators.
Indosat is one of the country's leading providers of telecommunication and information services covering cellular business, multimedia, internet, data communication and fixed line services.
As per June 30, 2011, Indosat was 65 percent owned by Qatar Telecom Pte Ltd, 14.3 percent by the Indonesian government, 5.6 percent by SKAGEN Funds and 15.1 percent by the public.
Next year the company is expected to spend Rp650 billion, about the same as last year's, on capital expenditures.
PLN BATAM SET TO BUILD GAS PIPELINE
Batam, Riau Islands, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - The Batam Power Service Company is set to build a gas pipeline to supply its electricity.
"The construction of the gas pipeline project is still undergoing a process," Batam PLN Planning Director Fahmi EL Amruzi said here on Sunday.
The gas pipeline will be built by Batam PLN from Pulau Pemping to the Gas Power Plant in Tanjung Uncang, while the gas pipeline from the sub sea tie to Pulau Pemping, he said, will be built by Premier Oil under the directives of Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator BP Migas," Fahmi said.
The completion of the Natuna Barat gas pipeline to Batam, will supply gas from Premier Oil starting on 2013.
Fahmi said the gas supply from Natuna Barat to Batam had been delayed for two years as no concrete agreement had been reached on the construction of the gas pipeline from the sub-sea tie in to Tanjung Uncang.
On the same occasion, financial director of PLN Batam Ardian Chalid said in 2013 following the fluent flow of gas supplies from Premier Oil to PLN Batam, some 70 pct of PLN's fuel consisted of gas, 29 pct others coal and some one pct fuel oil.
"But fuel oil is used only in time of peak burden," Ardian said.
He said that the use of gas is the best choice to lower power costs in serving the customers.
Previously, Project Manager of Premier Oil Indonesia Robert Irvine said the supply of 50 MMSCFPD of gas of Premier Oil to PT PLN Batam had trouble with the lack of pipelines, causing delays.
The Gajah Baru Blok A Gas Well in Natuna being run by Premier Oil produces 143 MMSCFPD, including 93 MMSCFPD supplied to Singapura as of September 1, 2011.
Irvine said actually the supply of gas to Singapure and Batam could be done at the same time but as the pipeline installation to Batam was not yet ready, causing some delay.
"The supply to Batam depends much on the users," he said.
"The construction of the gas pipeline project is still undergoing a process," Batam PLN Planning Director Fahmi EL Amruzi said here on Sunday.
The gas pipeline will be built by Batam PLN from Pulau Pemping to the Gas Power Plant in Tanjung Uncang, while the gas pipeline from the sub sea tie to Pulau Pemping, he said, will be built by Premier Oil under the directives of Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator BP Migas," Fahmi said.
The completion of the Natuna Barat gas pipeline to Batam, will supply gas from Premier Oil starting on 2013.
Fahmi said the gas supply from Natuna Barat to Batam had been delayed for two years as no concrete agreement had been reached on the construction of the gas pipeline from the sub-sea tie in to Tanjung Uncang.
On the same occasion, financial director of PLN Batam Ardian Chalid said in 2013 following the fluent flow of gas supplies from Premier Oil to PLN Batam, some 70 pct of PLN's fuel consisted of gas, 29 pct others coal and some one pct fuel oil.
"But fuel oil is used only in time of peak burden," Ardian said.
He said that the use of gas is the best choice to lower power costs in serving the customers.
Previously, Project Manager of Premier Oil Indonesia Robert Irvine said the supply of 50 MMSCFPD of gas of Premier Oil to PT PLN Batam had trouble with the lack of pipelines, causing delays.
The Gajah Baru Blok A Gas Well in Natuna being run by Premier Oil produces 143 MMSCFPD, including 93 MMSCFPD supplied to Singapura as of September 1, 2011.
Irvine said actually the supply of gas to Singapure and Batam could be done at the same time but as the pipeline installation to Batam was not yet ready, causing some delay.
"The supply to Batam depends much on the users," he said.
RI, TAIWAN TO COOPERATE IN DEVELOPING EASTERN PART OF INDONESIA
Jakarta, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Taiwan are to cooperate in tourism and fisheries sector as an effort to develop the eastern part of Indonesia, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Affairs Fadel Muhammad said here on Monday at a gala dinner commemorating the 100th anniversary of Taiwan.
"Morotai of Maluku province will be made as the central of the bilateral cooperation. We expect to develop the marine and tourism sectors in the area with the assistance of Foreign Direct Investment from Taiwanese entrepreneurs," said the minister adding that the government had planned to give special incentive to the investors such as easing off the investment process and special tax.
The minister said the new cooperation with Taiwan is expected to be realized in 2012 in accordance with the Sail Morotai 2012 event.
Meanwhile Taiwan's Chief of Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (TETO), Andrew Hsia, expressed hope the upcoming cooperation with Indonesia would help strengthen the relations between the two countries.
"In Morotai, we expect to invest in several sectors such as tourism, aquaculture fish farming, agriculture and logistic," said Andrew adding that he and the representatives from Indonesian Marine and Fisheries Ministry were still discussing about the cooperation.
Earlier, Secretary of North Maluku province, Muhadjir Albar, said Taiwan investors would be invited to take part in Morotai island`s development programs as the center of tuna industry in Indonesia. This program is an idea from the ministry of marine and fisheries affairs.
"The Marine and Fisheries Ministry choose Morotai island as the center of tuna industry in Indonesia as the waters has a great potential for tuna, particularly the yellow fin tuna which is in great demand in export markets," Muhadjir noted.
The investors, both domestic and foreign, are interested to invest in fisheries sector in North Maluku, but to realize its investment there are a number of obstacles, including limited capacity of electricity.
Therefore, the North Maluku provincial administration continues to pursue the investor to invest to the electricity supply in the province, especially by using the alternative energy such as geothermal and hydro powers.
"Morotai of Maluku province will be made as the central of the bilateral cooperation. We expect to develop the marine and tourism sectors in the area with the assistance of Foreign Direct Investment from Taiwanese entrepreneurs," said the minister adding that the government had planned to give special incentive to the investors such as easing off the investment process and special tax.
The minister said the new cooperation with Taiwan is expected to be realized in 2012 in accordance with the Sail Morotai 2012 event.
Meanwhile Taiwan's Chief of Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (TETO), Andrew Hsia, expressed hope the upcoming cooperation with Indonesia would help strengthen the relations between the two countries.
"In Morotai, we expect to invest in several sectors such as tourism, aquaculture fish farming, agriculture and logistic," said Andrew adding that he and the representatives from Indonesian Marine and Fisheries Ministry were still discussing about the cooperation.
Earlier, Secretary of North Maluku province, Muhadjir Albar, said Taiwan investors would be invited to take part in Morotai island`s development programs as the center of tuna industry in Indonesia. This program is an idea from the ministry of marine and fisheries affairs.
"The Marine and Fisheries Ministry choose Morotai island as the center of tuna industry in Indonesia as the waters has a great potential for tuna, particularly the yellow fin tuna which is in great demand in export markets," Muhadjir noted.
The investors, both domestic and foreign, are interested to invest in fisheries sector in North Maluku, but to realize its investment there are a number of obstacles, including limited capacity of electricity.
Therefore, the North Maluku provincial administration continues to pursue the investor to invest to the electricity supply in the province, especially by using the alternative energy such as geothermal and hydro powers.
NORTH SULAWESI TO PROMOTE LOCAL FOODS AT ASEAN FAIR
Manado, N.Sumatra, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - The North Sulawesi administration plans to exhibit the province's special foods at the ASEAN Fair which will take place in Bali in November 2011.
"North Sulawesi special foods have the potential to be further developed, thus the local government will use the ASEAN Fair for the promotion of its home industry products," the head of North Sulawesi's industry and trade office, Sanny Parengkuan, said here on Monday.
Sanny said various kinds of special North Sulawesi foods still had a limited market.
"During national or international events in North Sulawesi, the local special foods were in high demand. So what is needed is to expand their market and the ASEAN market is now one of targets of our promotion efforts," Sanny said.
According to him, most of the special North Sulawesi foods to be promoted at the ASEAN fair in Bali would be home industry products.
"North Sulawesi home industries have the capability to produce high quality foods thanks to guidance from the government, so they should be marketed," Sanny said.
By taking part in the ASEAN fair, North Sulawesi's home industry products could eventually also be promoted abroad, he said.
"North Sulawesi special foods have the potential to be further developed, thus the local government will use the ASEAN Fair for the promotion of its home industry products," the head of North Sulawesi's industry and trade office, Sanny Parengkuan, said here on Monday.
Sanny said various kinds of special North Sulawesi foods still had a limited market.
"During national or international events in North Sulawesi, the local special foods were in high demand. So what is needed is to expand their market and the ASEAN market is now one of targets of our promotion efforts," Sanny said.
According to him, most of the special North Sulawesi foods to be promoted at the ASEAN fair in Bali would be home industry products.
"North Sulawesi home industries have the capability to produce high quality foods thanks to guidance from the government, so they should be marketed," Sanny said.
By taking part in the ASEAN fair, North Sulawesi's home industry products could eventually also be promoted abroad, he said.
SLOVAKIAN COMPANIES TO INVEST US$1 BLN IN RI: PRESIDENT
Jakarta, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that a number of private Slovakian companies want to invest US$1 billion in a number of business sectors in Indonesia.
In a joint press conference with Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic here on Monday, Yudhoyono said that the Slovakian firms would cooperate with Indonesian counterparts in the development of cement factories in Central Java and West Papua.
Besides, the private companies of the two countries would also cooperate in the development of a tire factory in Tangerang, Banten and power plants in West Nusa Tenggara and Batam.
"In essence, we are encouraging the private sectors of the two countries to make use of the opportunities in Indonesia and in Slovakia," the president said.
The cooperation agreements between the private companies of the two countries are expected to be signed during a Slovakia-Indonesia Business Forum at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel here on Tuesday.
According to Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, there would be at least 11 agreements in several sectors to be concluded between the private sectors of the two countries. Business sectors of cooperation included food and petrochemicals.
One of the important sector of cooperation between a Slovakian firm and the Andalas University in West Sumatra was the development of wheat plantation in Indonesia, he said.
Hatta said that no Slovakian companies had previously made investment in Indonesia so that the conclusion of 11 agreements that would be signed on Tuesday was a breakthrough.
The chief economic minister said that the value of the two way trade betwee the two countries was still small, namely less than US$100 million.
He said that one of the reason of the Slovakian president to visit Indonesia with business delegation was that he was interested in the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia's Economic Development.
In a joint press conference with Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic here on Monday, Yudhoyono said that the Slovakian firms would cooperate with Indonesian counterparts in the development of cement factories in Central Java and West Papua.
Besides, the private companies of the two countries would also cooperate in the development of a tire factory in Tangerang, Banten and power plants in West Nusa Tenggara and Batam.
"In essence, we are encouraging the private sectors of the two countries to make use of the opportunities in Indonesia and in Slovakia," the president said.
The cooperation agreements between the private companies of the two countries are expected to be signed during a Slovakia-Indonesia Business Forum at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel here on Tuesday.
According to Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, there would be at least 11 agreements in several sectors to be concluded between the private sectors of the two countries. Business sectors of cooperation included food and petrochemicals.
One of the important sector of cooperation between a Slovakian firm and the Andalas University in West Sumatra was the development of wheat plantation in Indonesia, he said.
Hatta said that no Slovakian companies had previously made investment in Indonesia so that the conclusion of 11 agreements that would be signed on Tuesday was a breakthrough.
The chief economic minister said that the value of the two way trade betwee the two countries was still small, namely less than US$100 million.
He said that one of the reason of the Slovakian president to visit Indonesia with business delegation was that he was interested in the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia's Economic Development.
PT PP EXPECTING RP17 TRILLION WORTH OF NEW CONTRACTS
Jakarta, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - Housing development company PT Perusahaan Pembangunan (PT PP) expects to win new construction contracts worth Rp17 trillion next year, its president director, Bambang Triwibowo, said.
Bambang said here on Monday the new contracts were expected to increase the company's income to Rp7.986 trillion, up 18.36 percent from its projected income for this year at Rp6.747 trillion.
One of the contracts it was expecting to secure together with PT Jasa Narga was development of Kota Baru Krian land.
He said that after tax-profit was also expected to increase significantly to about Rp800.4 billion. He made the remarks in a hearing with Commission VI of the House of Representatives.
Bambang said that his company also targeted to increase its equity to Rp1.661 trillion, up 40.03 percent from last year's projection of Rp1.456 trillion.
With the achievement, the company was optimistic that it could reap a business profit margin of 10.35 percent in 2012 with a net profit margin of about 3.66 percent, while its EBIT margin was also estimated at 9.11 percent.
Now, PTPP is doing projects which include the Depok-Antasari told road section, Pertamina's idle land development, the development of a power plant for PT Krakatau Steel and the development of electricity projects for state-owned electricity firm PLN.
"The synergy in the construction of airports, seaports, toll roads and power plants is quite supportive to the performance of the company," he said.
Besides, the company has also won several other projects such as power plant coal field in Suralaya worth Rp35.838 billion, power plant coal field in Muara Karang worth Rp45.839 billion, combined cycle power plant in Tambang Lorok worth Rp146,852 billion, the Belawan combined cycle power plant valued at Rp29.884 billion and the Asahan hydro electric power plant accounting for Rp2.806 billion.
Bambang said here on Monday the new contracts were expected to increase the company's income to Rp7.986 trillion, up 18.36 percent from its projected income for this year at Rp6.747 trillion.
One of the contracts it was expecting to secure together with PT Jasa Narga was development of Kota Baru Krian land.
He said that after tax-profit was also expected to increase significantly to about Rp800.4 billion. He made the remarks in a hearing with Commission VI of the House of Representatives.
Bambang said that his company also targeted to increase its equity to Rp1.661 trillion, up 40.03 percent from last year's projection of Rp1.456 trillion.
With the achievement, the company was optimistic that it could reap a business profit margin of 10.35 percent in 2012 with a net profit margin of about 3.66 percent, while its EBIT margin was also estimated at 9.11 percent.
Now, PTPP is doing projects which include the Depok-Antasari told road section, Pertamina's idle land development, the development of a power plant for PT Krakatau Steel and the development of electricity projects for state-owned electricity firm PLN.
"The synergy in the construction of airports, seaports, toll roads and power plants is quite supportive to the performance of the company," he said.
Besides, the company has also won several other projects such as power plant coal field in Suralaya worth Rp35.838 billion, power plant coal field in Muara Karang worth Rp45.839 billion, combined cycle power plant in Tambang Lorok worth Rp146,852 billion, the Belawan combined cycle power plant valued at Rp29.884 billion and the Asahan hydro electric power plant accounting for Rp2.806 billion.
BANKS URGED TO CLOSE FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS
Jakarta, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - A lawmaker has called on Bank Indonesia (BI) and all banks to close accounts used to cheat or to ask for transfer of money through the cellular text messaging system (SMS).
"In order to protect and provide customers with convenience, all banks must be serious in clearing accounts used to cheat. Banks also have to improve their marketing strategies by observing the principles of ethics," Kemal Azis Stamboel of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said here on Monday.
He said in the future there should no longer be SMSs terrorizing bank customers or offering credits without collateral (KTA) to them.
Bank Indonesia should strongly reprimand banks which were still involved in such a practice, he said.
Many bank customers have complained about being bothered SMSs containing KTA offers or requests for money transfers to accounts in the same of people with false identities.
In light of the issue, Bank Indonesia had held a meeting with 12 banks and formed a bank mediation working group.
Though there were 22 banks involved in the working group, Bank Indonesia had only given 12 banks the authority to handle complaints about account transfer fraud.
The 12 banks are Bank Mandiri, BNI, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Central Asia (BCA), CIMB Niaga, Bank Permata, OCBC NISP, Bank Mega, Bank Danamon, Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), Bank Syariah Mandiri, and Bank Muamalat.
"We want more banks to have the authority, not only the 12 banks. All bank customers must be protected maximally. All banks must also provide a call center for complaints if the banks' accounts are used for cheating," he said.
Azis said that all banks must also have a commitment to end the practice of SMS terror offering credits.
The central bank (BI) noted that in the period 2007-2010, some 20,316 cases of fraudulent money transfer cases had happened involving a total of Rp161.5 billion.***3***
"In order to protect and provide customers with convenience, all banks must be serious in clearing accounts used to cheat. Banks also have to improve their marketing strategies by observing the principles of ethics," Kemal Azis Stamboel of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said here on Monday.
He said in the future there should no longer be SMSs terrorizing bank customers or offering credits without collateral (KTA) to them.
Bank Indonesia should strongly reprimand banks which were still involved in such a practice, he said.
Many bank customers have complained about being bothered SMSs containing KTA offers or requests for money transfers to accounts in the same of people with false identities.
In light of the issue, Bank Indonesia had held a meeting with 12 banks and formed a bank mediation working group.
Though there were 22 banks involved in the working group, Bank Indonesia had only given 12 banks the authority to handle complaints about account transfer fraud.
The 12 banks are Bank Mandiri, BNI, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Central Asia (BCA), CIMB Niaga, Bank Permata, OCBC NISP, Bank Mega, Bank Danamon, Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), Bank Syariah Mandiri, and Bank Muamalat.
"We want more banks to have the authority, not only the 12 banks. All bank customers must be protected maximally. All banks must also provide a call center for complaints if the banks' accounts are used for cheating," he said.
Azis said that all banks must also have a commitment to end the practice of SMS terror offering credits.
The central bank (BI) noted that in the period 2007-2010, some 20,316 cases of fraudulent money transfer cases had happened involving a total of Rp161.5 billion.***3***
MEDCO OFFERS THREE PHASES OF ONGOING BOND EXTENSIONS
Jakarta, Oct 10 (ANTARA) - PT Medco Energy International Tbk (MEDCO) offers bonds following the fluctuating of global and domestic markets, said the company's president, Lukman Mahfoedz, here Monday.
According to Lukman, Medco International offered sustained U.S. dollar bonds worth 150 million U.S. dollars, the equivalent of Rp1, 34 trillion in three stages from the previous two stages.
Lukman said that the ongoing U.S. dollar bond Phase III is accompanied by bonds interest which will be paid on every three months according to the date of payment of each interest.
The interest rate is based on calendar days based percentage per annum of their nominal value.
"We have not determined the value of the Phase III bonds," he said.
The ongoing Phase I bond is offered at a value of 50 million US dollars or Rp448, 7 billion, while the ongoing Phase II bond approximately 30 million US dollars or Rp269, 2 billion, which resulted that the Phase III bonds will be offered with at least 80 million U.S. dollars or Rp718 billion.
Medco Energi's sustainable Bonds amounto to 150 million U.S. dollars had been awarded with rank-id AA (double A minus, negative outlook) from a credit rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo).
The company has entrusted PT Bahana Securities and PT Bank Mega as underwriters of securities and the trustee.
These bonds are not secured by collaterals in the form of items, income or other assets in any company and are not guaranteed by any other parties.
The funds obtained from the bond proceeds after deducting the cost of issuance will be used to refinance the company's debts and 40 percent on he companie's expenses.
For phase II bidding reception results, the company is planning its use for debt repayments of all or part of near deadlines corporate securities debt priority.
According to Lukman, Medco International offered sustained U.S. dollar bonds worth 150 million U.S. dollars, the equivalent of Rp1, 34 trillion in three stages from the previous two stages.
Lukman said that the ongoing U.S. dollar bond Phase III is accompanied by bonds interest which will be paid on every three months according to the date of payment of each interest.
The interest rate is based on calendar days based percentage per annum of their nominal value.
"We have not determined the value of the Phase III bonds," he said.
The ongoing Phase I bond is offered at a value of 50 million US dollars or Rp448, 7 billion, while the ongoing Phase II bond approximately 30 million US dollars or Rp269, 2 billion, which resulted that the Phase III bonds will be offered with at least 80 million U.S. dollars or Rp718 billion.
Medco Energi's sustainable Bonds amounto to 150 million U.S. dollars had been awarded with rank-id AA (double A minus, negative outlook) from a credit rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo).
The company has entrusted PT Bahana Securities and PT Bank Mega as underwriters of securities and the trustee.
These bonds are not secured by collaterals in the form of items, income or other assets in any company and are not guaranteed by any other parties.
The funds obtained from the bond proceeds after deducting the cost of issuance will be used to refinance the company's debts and 40 percent on he companie's expenses.
For phase II bidding reception results, the company is planning its use for debt repayments of all or part of near deadlines corporate securities debt priority.
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