The PDI predicament When Megawati Soekarnoputri, the eldest daughter of this nation's first president, Sukarno, was elected to the chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in a chaotic, yet democratic, party congress last year in Surabaya, East Java, many observers predicted she would soon be...

Cut in tax rates will not affect state revenue, says economist JAKARTA (JP): M. Arsjad Anwar, a professor at the University of Indonesia (UI), said here yesterday that the cut in the income tax rates will not affect the country's tax revenues.

SGS finishes desk work assessment on timber companies JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said the Geneva-based Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) has finished a "desk-work" assessment on three timber companies planning to go public.

Land compensation News about restless land owners in Tarumajaya village in Bekasi, near Jakarta, due to the very low land compensation of Rp 50 (US$0.023) per square meter, has touched us deeply.Once again we hear similar stories about incredibly low land compensation in Bekasi given to villagers...

Police seize 12 firearms PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Police in Ogan Komering Ulu district have seized 12 firearms this year from unauthorized hands.Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Manan Ch. Rahman said that nine of the firearms ranged from home-made rifles to pistols usually used by the armed forces.

Four more students accused of defamation released JAKARTA (JP): Four students convicted of defaming President Soeharto during a demonstration at the House of Representatives (DPR) last year, were released yesterday after finishing their one year jail terms.

Foreign shipping firms to pay higher tax JAKARTA (JP): Tax Director General Fuad Bawazier said here yesterday that the withholding tax imposed on foreign shipping companies will be increased as part of the government's tax extension program.

JAKARTA (JP): Share prices continued closing higher on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) here yesterday with most issues gaining ground in light trading.The broad-based JSX Composite Index closed at 458.93, more than five points higher than Wednesday's 453.37.

Protectionist measures no longer relevant JAKARTA (JP): Protectionist measures are no longer relevant since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of negotiations on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the planned trade liberalization among APEC members, State Minister of Investment...

Overuse of `do not' can destroy children's initiative JAKARTA (JP): Many parents have heard advise against using the words "do not" too often when dealing with their kids, but how many have realized that IQ tests and children's ranking in their classes can also be a kick in a child's ego?Three...

Alms collection plan greeted with caution JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's plan to collect alms from workers in the private sector received a warm, albeit cautious, reaction from some quarters.While most people interviewed said they agreed with the charitable nature of the plan, some were...

Japan gets refinery order TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Tomen Corp. and JGC Corp. have won a US$200 million order from Indonesia's state-run oil and gas company Pertamina to modernize an oil refinery, a Tomen spokesman said yesterday.

Pancasila symbolizes religious harmony, American scholar saysBy Prapti Widinugraheni JAKARTA (JP): Pancasila, the Indonesian five-point state ideology, is a unique concept which stems from a culture of high religious tolerance, an American scholar says.Douglas E.

State-controlled concessionaires to save the forests JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo yesterday assured that the acquisition of shares at private forest concessionaires by state-owned companies is aimed mainly to save the country's forests from further destruction.

Tariff team shaken by protectionism controversy JAKARTA (JP): The government is restructuring the team on tariff and fiscal affairs amid controversy over the proposed protection of a new olefin project and the opposition to the imposition of new, high tariffs from prominent economist Sumitro...

Land compensation News about restless land owners in Tarumajaya village in Bekasi, near Jakarta, due to the very low land compensation of Rp 50 (US$0.023) per square meter, has touched us deeply.Once again we hear similar stories about incredibly low land compensation in Bekasi given to villagers...

Police seize 12 firearms PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Police in Ogan Komering Ulu district have seized 12 firearms this year from unauthorized hands.Police precinct chief Lt. Col. Manan Ch. Rahman said that nine of the firearms ranged from home-made rifles to pistols usually used by the armed forces.

Govt. criticized for compromising with polluters JAKARTA (JP): A legislator lashed out at the government yesterday for being over-tolerant with polluting industrial companies."It is time to stop compromising with the polluters.