Waste problems bring hotels, NGOs together By I Wayan Juniarta DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Hotels and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are cooperating to save the environment of the paradise island of Bali. The rapid development of tourism in Bali has caused serious environmental problems to the once beautiful and serene island. The operation of hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities draws huge foreign exchange and provide job opportunities to the locals, yet it also creates troubles.

Regional autonomy in April JAKARTA (JP): Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simajuntak said on Wednesday that the government would start implementing the laws on regional autonomy and fiscal balance between central and local governments on April 1. Speaking to journalists after a two-hour Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office, Marsilam said the government was finalizing all supporting government regulations as operational basis for the law.