Environment Day: Not just another day JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is encouraging people and communities the world over to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 in a way that will make a difference both locally and globally. Unlike many others, this special United Nations Day is one in which every single living species on the planet has a stake, the UN information center said.

Atmajaya remains closed during polls JAKARTA (JP): Atma Jaya University, the only university located near the capital's main thoroughfares, is closed to academic and student activities from May 19 to June 8, or one day after the general election. The assistant to the rector for students affairs, Yohannes Temaluru, said on Thursday only members of the university's voluntary poll watchdog were allowed to enter the campus during the 20-day "holiday".

Govt urged to set up Aceh commission JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights exhorted President B.J. Habibie on Thursday to quickly realize his promise to set up an independent commission to investigate human rights violations in Aceh. Commission chairman Marzuki Darusman reminded the President not to lose the momentum of his visit to the province in March when he made many promises to the Acehnese.

The message on East Timor The message from the UN on East Timor is blunt -- and grim. Without an immediate and substantial improvement in security in the province, there will be no vote on autonomy from Indonesia -- at least, no plausible vote. Without a credible poll, there will be no peace and a dire future. And with only three weeks to decide on its full monitoring mission of more than 1,000 personnel, the tone of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is pessimistic.

Badminton center may get overhaul JAKARTA (JP): Disappointed with the results of the Sudirman Cup and Badminton World Championships, chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, has insisted on a total recondition of the National Training Center. Subagyo said on Thursday that due to shuttlers poor form in both events in Copenhagen last month the first thing to do was to have a thorough evaluation.

Veterans reject Golkar candidate UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: A group about 3,000 retired military members here lodged a protest with the Golkar Party on Thursday opposing one of the ruling party's legislative candidates. The group of veterans accused Golkar of not respecting them by naming Lakamawiyaka a legislative candidate, a man they called "an unused dry leaf".

Islamic organizations support MUI call JAKARTA (JP): Several Islamic organizations have welcomed the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) call for Muslims to choose parties that fight for their interests, but one prominent Muslim politician said the call was as pointless as "lighting a lamp in broad daylight".

Govt going ahead with export tax on cashews, cocoa JAKARTA (JP): The government is nearing realization of its plan to impose an export tax on a number of unprocessed farm commodities despite protests from farm groups and industry associations. Director of agroindustry at the Ministry of Industry and Trade Yamin Rachman said on Thursday export taxes of between 20 percent and 30 percent would soon go into effect on unpeeled cashew nuts, untreated leather and unfermented cocoa beans.

Advertising agencies reap benefits from political ads JAKARTA (JP): In a country where for 32 years its people were not allowed to express their political views on the streets, much less in the media, people can now enjoy lively political advertisements on television. Several political parties have spent several hundred million rupiah on 30-second TV ads. Staff members at major advertising agencies are working 16 to 18-hour shifts to come up with ideas, storyboards and layouts for the ads.

Not food aid swindle I urge all those who read the misleading article NGO blows whistle on food aid swindle in The Jakarta Post of May 31, 1999 edition to consider the following facts. A recent study conducted by Helen Keller International with funding from Unicef found that, in poor slum areas of Semarang, Surabaya, Ujungpandang and Jakarta, between 19 percent and 29 percent of children less than two years of age were severely underweight.