Sorong gets new police chief SORONG, Irian Jaya: Lt. Col. Charles Victor Sitorus was installed as the new chief of the Sorong Police on Monday, replacing Lt. Col. Tjiptono. The installation ceremony was led by Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. Hotman Siagian at the Hoki Kampung Baru soccer field. Sitorus is a former secretary of the logistics directorate of the Jambi Police. Tjiptono will be promoted to chief of the South Jakarta Police, Antara reported.

Jambi hotel gets 4 stars JAKARTA (JP): Jambi Tepian Ratu Hotel & Resort in Jambi, Sumatra, was recently awarded a four-star rating by the regional office of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The chief of the regional office, Marismo, said it was difficult for hotels to get the four-star rating and maintain their quality service in order to keep the rating.

Don't write Golkar off Many political analysts have expressed second thoughts about Golkar's supposed slim chance in next week's elections. With voting just a week away, the mood has switched from one of dismission to one of dread that Golkar could extend its winning streak to seven consecutive polls, even with a heavily reduced share of the vote. The bottom line is that Golkar might still clinch a significant tally of votes to secure the election of incumbent B.J.

Market analysts skeptical about government bonds JAKARTA (JP): The Rp 103.83 trillion (US$12.82 billion) worth of government bonds issued last week are unlikely to receive a good response from foreign investors when they are launched in the secondary market next year, according to local analysts.

Buton students intimidated KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Elementary school principals here have threatened to fail students whose parents do not vote for Golkar Party in the general election, according to an independent poll watchdog. The local branch of the Journalists Network for Poll Monitoring reported that the intimidation occurred at Tomia and Kaledupa state elementary schools.

East Timorese urged to vote DILI, East Timor: Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo is encouraging locals to vote for political parties which boast moral legislative candidates. "Make sure that you Catholics only vote for political parties whose legislative candidates are free from corruption, collusion and nepotism," he said on Sunday as quoted by Antara.

Campaign enthusiasts cite faith, family and fees By Tanra Alam, Israr Ardiansyah and Asip Agus Hasani JAKARTA (JP): Scholars have deplored the lack of political education in the campaign season this year, saying that old tricks are being used to court the support of the masses. But such criticisms are lost to campaign enthusiasts, who say they may or might not vote for the party involved.

Police shoot two alleged gun dealers JAKARTA (JP): Police shot two men for resisting arrest after they tried to sell guns to a plainclothes detective in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Monday afternoon. The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Syarif and 35-year-old Robin alias Agus Dahlan, both residents of Kampung Pluis in North Grogol of South Jakarta. Syarif was shot in his left thigh and Agus in his chest.

PKB turns Surabaya green SURABAYA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) concluded its campaign sessions here on Monday by turning the capital of East Java into a sea of green with thousands of supporters roaming the streets on all sorts of vehicles. Heavy traffic jams resulted from the convoy, which the PKB held in defiance of the Surabaya Elections Supervisory Committee's warning.

Aceh polls on target: Wiranto JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto pledged on Monday the elections would be held as scheduled in troubled Aceh, overriding calls for a delay in polls and security concerns due to attacks and counterattacks between the military and separatist rebels.

Indonesia approves UN plan on unarmed troops in East Timor JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has approved a UN request to employ unarmed foreign military personnel to monitor the activities of Indonesian soldiers ahead of the UN-organized direct ballot in East Timor, Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto said on Monday.

Acehnese flee to Banda Aceh due to fear of raids JAKARTA (JP): Throngs of people from three regencies in Aceh have flooded into the provincial capital of Banda Aceh to seek shelter, following mounting tension in their hometowns as the military steps up operations against separatists, Antara reported on Monday. The residents -- men, women and children of Pidie, East Aceh and North Aceh -- left their homes carrying only necessary basic items such as mattresses and clothes.

State officials should be neutral From Republika The neutrality of civilian civil servants in the upcoming June 7 elections is expected to help make the elections run freely, confidentially, honestly and fairly. About this neutrality, allow me to express the following opinions: 1. Members of the House of Representatives (DPR) must voice the aspirations of the voters electing them.

PNG military helps free 11 hostages JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Papua New Guinea military helped in securing the release of 11 Irianese held hostage since May 5 by an Irianese rebel group led by Hans Bomay, Indonesian officials said on Monday. Budi Susanto, an Indonesian consul in Vanimo, and Col. Edy Butar-Butar, defense attache in Port Moresby, told Antara that the hostages were freed from the rebels' hideouts in Bewani, PNG. They were released at about 10:30 a.m.