Experts call for revision of new manpower bill JAKARTA (JP): More experts have called for a revision of the newly-drafted bill on manpower, warning of possible labor unrest if the House of Representatives endorses the document. The experts, from various social groups, agreed at a seminar here Thursday that the House should revise the draft law thoroughly before passing it. The seminar featured human rights campaigner Teten Masduki, legal expert Erman Radjagukguk and economist Umar Juoro.

Constitution allows early nomination of leaders Debating when is the right time to discuss presidential candidates may be a non-issue in many countries but it is a current controversy in Indonesia. Political scientist Amien Rais of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University and chairman of the influential Muhammadiyah recently discussed this with The Jakarta Post.

Another rebel shot LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: Troops shot dead a member of Aceh's secessionist movement Wednesday after he reportedly resisted arrest near his house in Matang Sijuek Teungoh village in northern Aceh. Abu Salam, 35, was suspected of committing a number of crimes in the province, Lt. Col. Sutisna of the local military command was quoted by Antara as saying here Wednesday. Salam was armed with an FN gun and two rounds of bullets, Sutisna added.

Bus fares From Pelita Cheap transportation seems to be elusive for low-income people. I live in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, and work in Pulogadung, East Jakarta. Every day I have to wait for more than one hour to get the Pulogadung-Pasar Minggu bus to go home. As a factory worker I cannot afford to ride a non-AC limited bus which charges more than the Rp 300 of regular buses.

Subversion defendands treated poorly: Relatives JAKARTA (JP): The relatives of some jailed activists standing trial for subversion protested Thursday the courts' alleged poor treatment of the defendants. Rosintan, the wife of labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan, joined the parents of activists of the unrecognized Democratic People's Party (PRD) seeking the Ministry of Justice's attention on alleged unfair treatment from judges. The activists -- Budiman Sudjatmiko, Suroso, Ign.

New silkworm variety discovered YOGYAKARTA: A university researcher announced Tuesday the new discovery of three silkmoths with a much higher value and superior quality than the existing variety. Jesmandt Situmorang of Gadjah Mada University said during a seminar that the three wild silkmoths, known more as harmful pests of fruits including kedondong, jambu mete (cashew), avocados and soursacks can produce more resilient silk fibers.

Wynne cruises to semis of Astra tennis c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Top seeded Wynne Prakusya of Indonesia cruised to the semifinals while defending champion Peter Handoyo, also of Indonesia, crashed at yesterday's quarterfinals of the 11th Indonesia Astra International Junior Tennis Championships at the Hilton Hotel tennis courts. The 16-year-old Wynne, who teamed up for the Fed Cup tie in New Zealand two weeks ago, beat Kim Jin-hee of Korea 6-3, 6-3 in the girls' singles.

Police arrest 31 for unrest in Pekalongan JAKARTA (JP): The number of people detained in the Central Java coastal town of Pekalongan rose to 31 yesterday as the town began to return to normal. Residents in the batik town said fewer police were seen in public places but soldiers were still patrolling the streets. Lt. Col.

Japfa signs $152m loans JAKARTA (JP): PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, a publicly-owned animal feed processing firm, has secured a US$152 million credit facility from a group of syndicating banks. The company said here Thursday that the loans were extended to Japfa and its subsidiary, Japfa Comfeed Nederland B.V.

Partnership program ineffective: Analyst JAKARTA (JP): An economist has criticized the government's policy of helping small companies, saying the existing partnership program is ineffective. Prof. Anwar Nasution of the University of Indonesia's School of Economics said Thursday the government's policy to help the small companies still relied too much on big companies.

Pfizer forges alliance JAKARTA (JP): PT Pfizer Indonesia, a subsidiary of Panama's Pfizer Inc., has agreed to cooperate with PT Dexa Medica in the manufacturing of Tensivask, with the active ingredient amlodipine. Pfizer Indonesia president director Hocine Sidi Said said in a statement Thursday that Dexa, under the agreement, would manufacture the medication with amlodipine, a compound discovered, developed and patented by Pfizer as treatment for hypertension and angina.

Sihanouk not against ASEAN PHNOM PENH (Reuter): King Norodom Sihanouk is not opposed to Cambodia's entry into the Association of South East Asian Nations, the royal palace said yesterday. But the king, in documents released by the royal palace, said he fears the social and economic costs of joining the powerful regional bloc.

RI must learn from Busang issue: Amien YOGYAKARTA (JP): Moslem scholar Amien Rais has said that Indonesians had to control, guide and supervise the exploitation of their country's natural resources. "The Busang case should serve as a moral lesson for us," he told reporters on Wednesday. "Since the beginning, I've said that it (the mining project) should be handled in an open and transparent manner. Some people misunderstood me.

Rights body faults use force in E. Timor protest DILI, East Timor (JP): The use of force to quell the March 23 peaceful demonstration in the East Timorese capital has drawn fire from National Commission on Human Rights members. Clementino dos Reis Amaral and Albert Hasibuan said Thursday that the security authorities' heavy-handed approach to demonstrators showed that human rights were yet to be duly respected and the rule of law should be put above anything else.