Proton optimistic it will survive liberalization of automotive market KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) is optimistic that it will survive greater competition and emerge as a major player in the automotive industry when the market is liberalized under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 2005, Proton chief executive officer Mahaleel Ariff said.

'Becak' drivers attack E. Jakarta mayoralty office over raids JAKARTA (JP): Led members of the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), a non-governmental organization, a group of some 400 people claiming to be becak (pedicab) drivers in the East Jakarta area attacked the local mayoralty office on Wednesday morning. No fatalities were reported but at least one Hansip (civilian security guard) was injured in the attack. The attackers also broke down the front gate of the office on Jl. Sentra Primer Baru.

Govt to decide fate of 150 state companies JAKARTA (JP): The government is expected to decide in a Cabinet meeting on Thursday which ministries should control the country's more than 150 state enterprises, according to Junior Minister of National Economic Restructuring Cacuk Sudarijanto.

Asian govts bear brunt of high oil prices SINGAPORE (Reuters): Asian governments, mindful of inflation and social unrest like that which has paralyzed parts of Europe, are unlikely to reduce or scrap costly fuel subsidies despite surging oil prices, analysts said on Wednesday. Oil prices at post-Gulf War highs and near 10-year peaks have so far resulted only in a few ad-hoc measures.

TNI to hold 10K event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI), in cooperation with the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association, will organize a 10 kilometer run to commemorate its 55th anniversary, an officer said on Wednesday. "The event will take place on Sept. 24 to commemorate TNI's 55th anniversary on Oct. 5. It starts and finishes on Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta, in front of the Hotel Mulia," a press officer at TNI Headquarters, Lt. Col.

Dutch flavor for Jakarta's art lovers By Pavan Kapoor JAKARTA (JP): There is a certain undeniable wave sweeping through the contemporary art world, especially that of Europe. Surreal impressionism and symbolic art has seen a number of artists subdue their pessimistic urges to produce art that reflects beauty, memory, chosen moments and the special nuances of life. One such artist is Karin Bos who is displaying her work in an exhibition entitled Art and Fascination at Erasmus Huis, Jl.

Irianese forbidden to hoist "Morning Star" FAKFAK, Irian Jaya: Police publicly banned on Wednesday the hoisting of Papua's Morning Star flag in Fakfak regency, saying that such action could trigger further disturbances. Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas said the ban was in response to fears by local residents that hoisting ceremonies for the Morning Star flag could create unrest.

UN will not send mission to Atambua JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said in New York the United Nations Security Council had agreed not to send a mission to Indonesia in the wake of the murder of three UN workers in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara. Alwi said he met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and members of the Security Council, and they agreed with Indonesia's proposal that they instead send their Jakarta-based ambassadors to Atambua.