Money forger stands trial MEDAN, North Sumatra: The district court here is trying a 31- year-old medical student on charges of forging Rp 10,000 bank notes. The forgery, which involved a sophisticated computer and had been going on for several months, has fermented unrest in the provincial capital, presiding judge M. Syarifuddin Harahap said.

Seribu Islands From Merdeka The group of nine islands constituting Seribu Islands deserves the attention of us all, including the Jakarta administration, to ward off pollution which threatens to submerge the islands. It is reported that the pollution occurring in the waters of Seribu Islands is critical and it is estimated that the nine islands will sink, following the fate of some other islands.

Chinese frequently the target of violence: Scholar JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians of Chinese descent, regardless of economic class, have long been the victims of sporadic violence because the government has failed to reduce socioeconomic tension, a scholar said yesterday.

July 27 riots I am certain that most of us regret the black Saturday July 27 riots during which emotions got out of hand and innocent people became victims. We have many noble principles and fundamentals, which are the basis of our political life and conduct, like Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. All organizations and political parties have to accept Pancasila as the basis for their political activities and all citizens have to live according to the 1945 Constitution.

Palembang rally to be expanded JAKARTA (JP): Beginning this year, the third leg of the National Rally Championship Series in Palembang, South Sumatra will change into a three-day event with an additional 100 kilometers of track, organizers announced yesterday. Committee Vice Chairman Poedio Oetojo told a press conference that participating drivers will now have to complete 19 special stages, covering 306.3 kilometers, compared to only 200 kilometers in previous years.

Sampoerna joins Transmarco SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesian tobacco tycoon Putera Sampoerna has bought a substantial stake in trading company Transmarco Holdings, a company official said yesterday. "We have been notified that Mr. Sampoerna has bought a substantial stake in the company," the official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. "We will inform the stock exchange later today after the market closes," she said.

Maid's murder reenacted TANGERANG, West Java (JP): The Tangerang Police have reconstructed the murder of a 23-year-old maid. Ropingah, the victim, was allegedly tortured to death by Managar Sinaga, 39, and his wife, Fransiska Viona, 28, on July 29. Tuesday's reconstruction took place at the suspects' home in the Binong Permai housing complex, Curug. Fransiska played the role of aggressor and beat the victim's face because the victim became sleepy while massaging her.