MPR session may be delayed: Habibie JAKARTA (JP): With the General Elections Commission (KPU) deciding to delay announcing final poll results, President B.J. Habibie said on Friday subsequent stages of the June 7 general election, including the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), would likely be delayed by a month. "Because the swearing in of new members of the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly will likely be delayed from its original date of Aug.

Financing the budget Sven Sandstrom, vice president of the World Bank, which chairs the country's creditor consortium -- the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) -- outlined early this week major challenges the new government will encounter in drafting its 2000/2001 budget beginning in April.

Drunk men caught raping teenager TANGERANG (JP): Residents of Babakan village in Serpong caught and attacked a drunken man for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old girl late on Thursday. The man, identified as Sinuraya, was caught by the residents, along with four accomplices, raping victim Warni, chief of Serpong police subprecinct Capt. Hartyono told reporters on Friday. However, the other four managed to escape from the angry villagers.

Women shooters to practice abroad JAKARTA (JP): Three of Indonesia's top women shooters are set for an overseas training stint in Brunei Darussalam in order to adjust to local conditions ahead of the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Coach Benny Mamoto said Sarmunah, Rina Dwi Kusumaningtyas and Titin Indarwati would leave the country on Saturday for one-month intensive preparations before the biennial event. "We want them to be able to adjust to the venue and conditions in Brunei.

KONI seeks input on SEA Games team lineup JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) will invite coaches and sports officials to provide input on its team lineup for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month. KONI's official in charge of athletes development Mochammad Hindarto said on Friday that he would listen to the opinions of coaches and officials from 20 sports on Monday before setting up a tentative lineup.

Much ado over Megawati, women leaders continues JAKARTA (JP): Muslim clerics and students stepped up their opposition on Friday to Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential candidacy, citing Islamic law and saying she was not capable of leading the country.