Emil intends to go forward with VP nomination DEPOK, West Java (JP): Senior economist Emil Salim has responded favorably to calls by fellow intellectuals for him to be nominated a candidate for the vice presidential election next month. "I'm pressing forward. I intend to stay (in the race)," Emil said here Saturday after Asman Boedisantoso Ranakusuma was installed as the new rector of the University of Indonesia, replacing M.K. Tadjudin. "Five years ago, nobody nominated me.

Why always Singapore? When Singapore came to support Indonesia in its monetary crisis, someone pointed out that its pledged US$5 billion was conditional. This may mislead others to think that support from Japan and other countries came without strings attached. When someone said the attack on the rupiah came from outsiders, straight away people pointed at Singapore and forgot about other financial centers, such as Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

Fresh riots hit W. Java subdistrict BANDUNG (JP): A riot triggered by price hikes hit the West Java subdistrict of Kadipaten in Majalengka regency, 10 kilometers east of here, as other towns remained tense yesterday. Dozens of people began to take to Jl. Siliwangi and Jl. Baros at midday, attacking shops and setting them ablaze. At least 15 shops were damaged, six of them -- plus several motorcycles -- were set on fire.

Share prices are likely to remain under pressure JAKARTA (JP): Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) are likely to remain under pressure this week over concerns of heated social and political tensions and uncertainties surrounding the planned currency board system, analysts have said.

Japan beats Indonesia in sweeps for Davis Cup placing SAPPORO, Japan (AP): Japan beat Indonesia in both singles matches yesterday for a 5-0 record in the three-day first round in Group One of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone. On Saturday, Japan already clinched a place in the second round of the competition by winning a doubles match for a 3-0 lead. In the first match Sunday, Takao Suzuki defeated Andrian Raturandang 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 at Tsukisamu Green Dome in northern Japan.

Malaysia and Singapore urge RI to put out forest fires KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia and Singapore urged Indonesia yesterday to take immediate steps to douse a new wave of fires raging through East Kalimantan. "We hope that the Indonesia authorities will take immediate legal action regarding the fires caused by the opening up of forests and by the El Nino weather phenomenon," Information Minister Mohamed Rahmat was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying.

ABRI's new leadership We all know the government is working hard to overcome the current crisis. One consequence that this brings, however, is a heightened degree of vulnerability to security disturbances.

U.S. envoys to gather in S'pore to discuss crisis SINGAPORE (AFP): U.S. ambassadors from across Southeast Asia will gather in Singapore this week to discuss the Asian financial crisis and ways to increase U.S. trade with the region, the U.S. embassy said here yesterday. The envoys will meet Feb. 19-20 and hold discussions with United States Commerce Secretary William Daley, who will be on an official visit to Singapore at the time, an embassy statement said.